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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III), by 
+G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III)
+       A Tale of the French Protestants.
+
+Author: G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
+
+Release Date: April 23, 2012 [EBook #39520]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HUGUENOT: (VOLUMES I-III) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by
+Google Books (Oxford University)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://books.google.com/books?id=nXoEAAAAQAAJ&
+      (Oxford University)
+
+   2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+
+                               VOL. I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 THE
+
+                               HUGUENOT
+
+                                A TALE
+
+                                  OF
+
+                       THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.
+
+
+
+
+                           BY THE AUTHOR OF
+
+                      "THE GIPSY," "THE ROBBER,"
+                               &c. &c.
+
+
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+                          IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+                               VOL. I.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                               LONDON:
+
+                             PRINTED FOR
+
+               LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
+
+                           PATERNOSTER-ROW.
+
+                                1839.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                             DEDICATION.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                                  TO
+
+                           CHARLES RUDOLPHE
+
+                            LORD CLINTON,
+
+                             &c. &c. &c.
+
+
+
+My Lord,
+
+Although I, of course, look upon the book, which I now venture to
+dedicate to one whom I so much esteem and respect, with those parental
+prejudices which make us often overlook all defects, and magnify any
+good qualities in our offspring, yet, believe me, I feel that it is
+very far inferior to that which I could wish to present to you. Do
+not, then, measure my regard by the value of the work, but accept it
+only as a very slight testimony of great esteem; and, at the same
+time, allow me, even in my Dedication, to say a few words concerning
+the book itself.
+
+I will not trouble you or the public with any reasoning upon the
+general conduct of the story--why I suddenly changed the scene here,
+or flew off to another character there,--why I gave but a glimpse of
+such a personage, or dwelt long and minutely upon another. I believe
+and trust that those who read the work attentively will discover
+strong reasons for all such proceedings, and I am quite sure that much
+thought and care was bestowed on each step of the kind before it was
+taken. Your own good taste will decide whether I was right or wrong,
+and blame or approve, I know, whatever I might plead. The public will
+do so also; and, as a general rule, I think it best to conceal, as far
+as possible, in all cases, the machinery of a composition of this
+kind, suffering the wheels to produce their effect without being
+publicly exhibited.
+
+I have heard many authors blamed, however, and, doubtless, have been
+so myself, for frequently changing the scene or character before the
+reader's eyes. There are people who read a romance only for the story,
+and these are always displeased with anything that interrupts their
+straightforward progress. But nature does not tell _her_ stories in
+such a way as these readers desire; and, in the course of human life,
+there are always little incidents occurring, which seem of no earthly
+importance at the time, but which, in years long after, affect persons
+and produce events where no one could imagine that such a connexion is
+likely to be brought about.
+
+I have always in this respect, as in all others, endeavoured to the
+best of my abilities to copy nature; and those readers who pass over
+little incidents, because they seem at the time irrelevant, or run on
+to follow the history of one character whenever a less interesting
+personage is brought upon the scene, will derive little either of
+profit or pleasure from any well constructed work of fiction. I have,
+as far as possible, avoided in all my works bringing prominently
+forward any character or any scene which has not a direct influence
+upon the progress and end of the tales; but I have equally avoided
+pointing out to the superficial reader, by any flourish of trumpets,
+that the personage he thinks of no importance is "to turn out a great
+man in the end," or that the scene which seems unconnected and
+irrelevant will be found not without results.
+
+Besides these considerations, however, I trust every romance-writer in
+the present day proposes to himself greater objects than the mere
+telling of a good story. He who, in the course of a well-conceived and
+interesting tale, excites our good passions to high and noble
+aspirations; depicts our bad passions so as to teach us to abhor and
+govern them; arrays our sympathies on the side of virtue, benevolence,
+and right; expands our hearts, and makes the circle of our feelings
+and affections more comprehensive; stores our imaginations with images
+bright, and sweet, and beautiful; makes us more intimately and
+philosophically acquainted with the characters of our fellow-men; and,
+in short, causes the reader to rise wiser and with a higher
+appreciation of all that is good and great,--attains the grand object
+at which every man should aim, and deserves the thanks and admiration
+of mankind. Even he who makes the attempt, though without such
+success, does something, and never can write altogether in vain.
+
+That you, to whom I inscribe this work, can appreciate such purposes,
+and will encourage the attempt, even where, as in these pages, it goes
+little beyond endeavour, is no slight pleasure to me: nor is it an
+unmeaning or insincere compliment when I say, that though I yield my
+own opinions to no man, yet I have often thought of you and yours
+while I have been writing these volumes. I know not whether you
+remember saying one day, after we had visited together the school
+instituted by our noble acquaintance Guicciardini, "that whether it
+succeeded or failed, the endeavour to do good ought to immortalize
+him." Perhaps you have forgotten the words, but I have not.
+
+Allow me, ere I end this long epistle, to add something in regard to
+the truth of the representations made in the work, and the foundation
+on which the story rests. If you will look into the curious "Mémoires
+Historiques sur la Bastille," published in 1789 (vol. i., page 203),
+you will find some of the bare facts, as they are stated in the Great
+Register of the Bastille, on which the plot of the tale that follows
+entirely hinges.
+
+Of course I cannot forestall my story by alluding more particularly to
+those facts; and I have only further to say on that subject, that for
+many reasons I have altered the names inserted in the Great Register.
+I have also taken the same liberty with regard to the scenes of many
+events which really occurred, placing in Poitou what sometimes took
+place in Dauphiny, sometimes in Provence. Nor have I felt myself bound
+in all instances to respect the exact dates, having judged it
+expedient to bring many events within a short compass which were
+spread over a greater space of time. I have endeavoured, however, to
+represent most accurately, without prejudice or favour, the conduct of
+the French Catholics to French Protestants, and of Protestants to
+Catholics, during the persecutions of the seventeenth century. My
+love and esteem for many excellent Catholics--priests as well as
+laity--would prevent me, I believe, from viewing the question of the
+revocation of the edict of Nantes, and the consequences thereof, with
+a prejudiced eye; and when I read the following passages in the
+writings, not of a Protestant, but of a sincere Catholic, I am only
+inclined to doubt whether I have not softened the picture of
+persecution.
+
+
+"Il restait peu à faire pour exciter le zèle du roi contre une
+religion solemnellement frappée des plus éclatans anathèmes par
+l'église universelle, et qui s'en était elle-même frappée la première
+en se séparant de tout l'antiquité sur des points de foi fondamentaux.
+
+"Le roi était devenu dévot, et dévot dans la dernière ignorance. A la
+dévotion se joignit la politique. On voulut lui plaire par les
+endroits qui le touchaient le plus sensiblement, la dévotion et
+l'autorité. On lui peignit les Huguenots avec les plus noires
+couleurs; un état dans un état, parvenu à ce point de licence à force
+de désordres, de révoltes, de guerres civiles, d'alliances étrangères,
+de résistance à force ouverte contre les rois ses prédécesseurs, et
+jusqu'à lui-même réduit à vivre en traité avec eux. Mais on se garda
+bien de lui apprendre la source de tant de maux, les origines de leurs
+divers dégrès et de leurs progrès, pourquoi et par qui les Huguenots
+furent premièrement armés, puis soutenus, et surtout de lui dire un
+seul mot des projets de si longue main pourpensés, des horreurs et des
+attentats de la ligue contre sa couronne, contre sa maison, contre son
+père, son aïeul, et tous les siens.
+
+"On lui voila avec autant de soin ce que l'évangile, et d'après cette
+divine loi les apôtres, et tous les pères et leur suite, enseignent la
+manière de prêcher Jésus Christ, de convertir les infidèles et les
+hérétiques, et de se conduire en ce qui regarde la religion. On toucha
+un dévot de la douceur de faire, aux dépens d'autrui, une pénitence
+facile qu'on lui persuada sure pour l'autre monde.  *  *  *  *  *
+
+"Les grands ministres n'étaient plus alors. Le Tellier au lit de la
+mort, son funeste fils était le seul qui restât, car Seignelay ne
+faisait guère que poindre. Louvois, avide de guerre, atterré sous le
+poids d'une trève de vingt ans, qui ne faisait presque que d'être
+signée, espéra qu'un si grand coup porté aux Huguenots réunirait tout
+le Protestantisme de l'Europe, et s'applaudit en attendant de ce que
+le roi ne pouvant frapper sur les Huguenots que par ses troupes, il en
+serait le principal exécuteur, et par là de plus en plus en crédit.
+L'esprit et le génie de Madame de Maintenon, tel qu'il vient d'être
+représenté avec exactitude, n'était rien moins que propre, ni capable
+d'aucune affaire au-delà de l'intrigue. Elle n'était pas née ni
+nourrie à voir sur celle-ci au-delà de ce qui lui en était presenté,
+moins encore pour ne pas saisir avec ardeur une occasion si naturelle
+de plaire, d'admirer, de s'affermir de plus en plus par la dévotion.
+Qui d'ailleurs eût su un mot de ce qui ne se délibérait qu'entre le
+confesseur, le ministre alors comme unique, et l'épouse nouvelle et
+chérie; et qui de plus eût osé contredire? C'est ainsi que sont menés
+à tout, par une voie ou par une autre, les rois qui, par grandeur, par
+défiance, par abandon à ceux qui les tiennent, par paresse ou par
+orgueil, ne se communiquent qu'à deux ou trois personnes, et bien
+souvent à moins, et qui mettent entre eux et tout le reste de leurs
+sujets une barrière insurmontable.
+
+"La revocation de l'édit de Nantes, sans le moindre prétexte et sans
+aucun besoin, et les diverses proscriptions plutôt que déclarations
+qui la suivirent, furent les fruits de ce complot affreux qui dépeupla
+un quart du royaume; qui ruina son commerce; qui l'affaiblit dans
+toutes ses parties; qui le mit si longtemps au pillage public et avoué
+des dragons; qui autorisa les tourmens et les supplices dans lesquels
+ils firent réellement mourir tant d'innocens de tout sexe par
+milliers; qui ruina un peuple si nombreux; qui déchira un monde de
+familles; qui arma les parens contre les parens pour avoir leur bien
+et les laisser mourir de faim; qui fit passer nos manufactures aux
+étrangers, fit fleurir et regorger leurs états aux dépens du nôtre, et
+leur fit bâtir de nouvelles villes; qui leur donna le spectacle d'un
+si prodigieux peuple proscrit, nu, fugitif, errant sans crime,
+cherchant asile loin de sa patrie; qui mit nobles, riches, vieillards,
+gens souvent très-estimés pour leur piété, leur savoir, leur vertu,
+des gens aisés, faibles, délicats, à la ruine, et sous le nerf
+très-effectif du comité, pour cause unique de religion; enfin qui,
+pour comble de toutes horreurs, remplit toutes les provinces du
+royaume de parjures et de sacrilèges, où tout retentissait de
+hurlemens de ces infortunées victimes de l'erreur, pendant que tant
+d'autres sacrifiaient leur conscience à leurs biens et à leur repos,
+et achetaient l'un et l'autre par des abjurations simulées, d'où sans
+intervalle on les traînait à adorer ce qu'ils ne croyaient point, et à
+recevoir réellement le divin corps du saint des saints, tandis qu'ils
+demeuraient persuadés qu'ils ne mangeaient que du pain qu'ils devaient
+encore abhorrer. Telle fut l'abomination générale enfantée par la
+flatterie et par la cruauté. De la torture à l'abjuration, et de
+celle-ci à la communion, il n'y avait pas souvent vingt-quatre heures
+de distance, et leurs bourreaux étaient leurs conducteurs et leurs
+témoins. Ceux qui, par la suite, eurent l'air d'être changés avec plus
+de loisir, ne tardèrent pas par leur fuite ou par leur conduite à
+démentir leur pretendu retour."--_St. Simon_, vol. xiii. p. 113. ed.
+1829.
+
+
+I have now nothing further to say, my dear Lord Clinton, but to beg
+your pardon for having already said so much, and to express a hope
+that you and the public will deal leniently by that which is now
+offered to you, with the highest respect and esteem, by
+
+
+                     Yours most faithfully,
+
+                                  G. P. R. James.
+
+_Fair Oak Lodge, Petersfield_.
+       17_th Nov_. 1838.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+              THE HERO, HIS FRIEND, AND HIS DWELLING IN
+                       THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
+
+
+There is a small town in one of the remote provinces of France, about
+ten miles from the sea shore, and two or three hundred from the
+capital, on the appearance of which it may be as well to dwell for a
+short time; noticing not alone its houses and its streets as they
+appeared in the seventeenth century, but its inhabitants, their
+feelings, and their customs, at that period.
+
+Were we not to make this formal sort of presentation, the reader would
+feel as if set down suddenly amidst a crowd of strangers with no one
+to introduce him, with no one to unpadlock the barrier which the
+cautious laws of society set up between man and man, to guard against
+the wild-beast propensities of the race of intellectual tigers to
+which we belong. Now, however, if we manage skilfully, the reader may
+become as familiar with the people of another day, and scenes of
+another land, as if they had been the playfellows of his childhood,
+and the haunts of his youth; and may go on calmly with those to whom
+he is thus introduced through the dark and painful events which are
+recorded in the pages that follow.
+
+That part of France in which our scene is laid, presents features
+which differ very much from the dull and uninteresting aspect of the
+land from Calais to Paris, and from Paris to the mountains of
+Switzerland--the route generally pursued by our travelling countrymen,
+whether they go forth to make what is usually called the grand tour,
+or content themselves with idling away a long space of mispent time
+amongst the Helvetian mountains. In the district that I speak of, the
+face of the country, though it cannot perhaps be called mountainous,
+is richly varied, running up into occasional high and pointed hills,
+presenting frequent masses of rock and wood, diversified by a mile or
+two, here and there, of soft pasture and meadow; with innumerable
+streams--some calm and peaceful, some fierce and torrent-like, some
+sparkling and playful, giving an air of life and glad activity to the
+land through which they flow. These manifold streams shed also a hue
+of indescribable verdure, a fresh leafyness of aspect, that is most
+grateful to the eye; and though there is not there, as in our own
+land, the frequent hedge-row, with its sweet village associations, yet
+there is no want of high umbrageous trees scattered here and there,
+besides the thick woods that, in many places, occupy several leagues
+in extent, and the lesser copses that nest themselves in many a dell.
+
+The district that we speak of is bright in its skies and warm in its
+sunshine, though it is not precisely in the region of the richest
+vine; and there are scarcely five days, during six months of the year,
+in which, on every stony bank or on the short soft turf above the
+large lizards may not be seen basking in their coats of green and
+gold. There are not, indeed, the cloudless skies of Italy, which,
+notwithstanding their splendid colouring, are insipid from their very
+cloudlessness: no, but wreathed in grand masses by the free air,
+sometimes drifting from the British channel, sometimes sweeping from
+the wide western ocean, the clouds and the sunshine sport together in
+the heaven, while the shadow and the light chase each other over the
+earth below, and ever and anon comes down a passing shower, refreshing
+the lands it lights upon, and leaving them brighter than before.
+
+On the top of one of the tall rocky hills we have mentioned, in very
+remote feudal times,--for we find it mentioned in all the wars
+undertaken by the Edwards and the Henries in their vain endeavours to
+grasp a crown that did not belong to them,--a town had been built and
+fortified, circumscribed by large stone walls flanked by round towers,
+and crowned by the square keep of a castle, only one wall of which has
+been left, for now near a century and a half. This town was of small
+size, occupying nothing but the summit of the hill, and was strictly
+confined within the walls; and, indeed, below, on three sides, were
+such steep ascents--in some places showing precipitous spaces of rude
+rock, and in others covered with short, green, slippery turf--that it
+was scarcely possible for the inhabitants to have built beyond the
+walls, except on one side, even if they had been so inclined.
+
+In such times of danger, however, it had been the object of those who
+possessed the town to keep that fourth side, by which the ascent was
+more easy, clear from all houses and buildings of any kind, so that
+the quarrels from the cross-bow, the arrows from the bow, or the balls
+from the cannon--as different ages brought different inventions--might
+sweep down unimpeded upon any approaching enemy, and that the eye
+might also have a free range to discover the approach of a foe. Thus
+that gentler slope was not even broken by a road till the end of the
+sixteenth century, the way up to the town from the valley below being
+constructed with great skill and care upon one of the steepest sides
+of the hill, by means of wide short platforms, each of which was
+defended by some particular fortification of its own, while the whole
+line of the valley and the lower part of the road were commanded by
+the cannon of the castle of St. Anne, a rude old fortress on an
+inferior hill, of little or no use to any persons but those who
+possessed the higher and more important works above. Through the
+valley and winding round the foot of the hill of St. Anne was a wide,
+clear, beautiful stream, navigable up to that spot, and falling into
+the sea at the distance of ten or twelve miles in a direct line, but
+which contrived to extend its course, by the tortuous path that it
+pursued amongst the hills, to a length of nearly twenty leagues.
+
+Such as we have described was the situation, in feudal times, of the
+small town that we shall call Morseiul; but ere the commencement of
+our tale those feudal times had passed away. Even during the wars of
+the League the town had remained in tranquillity and repose. It was
+remote from the general scene of strife; and although it had sent out
+many who aided, and not insignificantly, in upholding the throne of
+Henry IV., there was but one occasion on which the tide of war flowed
+near its walls, and then speedily retreated, and left it unassailed.
+
+Under these circumstances fortifications were soon
+neglected--precautions were no longer taken--the cannon for half a
+century remained upon the walls unused--rust and honeycomb began to
+gnaw into the heart of the iron--sheds were erected in the
+embrasures--houses succeeded--gardens were laid out in the round
+towers--the castle of St. Anne fell utterly into ruins--and some of
+the patriotic and compassionate inhabitants thought it a hard tax upon
+the sinews of the horses, who in those days carried from place to
+place the merchandise of the country, to be forced to climb the zizgag
+path of one of the more precipitous sides of the hill. Thus in the
+early part of the reign of Louis XIII. a petition was addressed by the
+inhabitants to their count, who still retained all his feudal rights
+and privileges, beseeching him to construct or permit the construction
+of a gate upon the southern side of the town, and a road down the
+easier descent.
+
+The count, who was a good-humoured man, a nobleman of the school of
+Henry IV., and as fond of the people of the good town as they were of
+him, was quite willing to gratify them in any reasonable desire; but
+he was the more moved to do what they wished in the present instance,
+inasmuch as some ten or fifteen years before he had himself broken
+through the old rules and regulations established in the commune, and
+not only built himself a château beyond the walls of that very side,
+but laid out a space of two or three acres of ground in such a manner
+as to give him shade when he wanted it, and sunshine when the shade
+was not agreeable.
+
+Of the château we shall speak hereafter: but it is only here necessary
+to say, that in building this dwelling beyond the walls, the Count de
+Morseiul of that day had forgotten altogether the possibility of
+carrying a road down that side of the hill. He had constructed a way
+for himself into the town by enlarging an old postern in the walls,
+which he caused to open into his garden, and by this postern, whenever
+he sought to issue forth into the country beyond, he took his way into
+the town, traversed the square, and followed the old zigzag road down
+the steep side of the hill. The peasantry, indeed, had not failed to
+think of that which their lord had overlooked, and when they had a
+dozen or two of pigeons, or a pair of fowls, or a fat calf to present
+to the seigneur, they almost invariably brought it by the slope up the
+hill. A path had thus been worn from the valley below in the precise
+direction which was best fitted for the road, and whenever the good
+townsmen presented their petition to the count, it instantly struck
+him how very convenient such a road would be to himself as well as to
+them.
+
+Now the count was neither a cunning nor an ungenerous man; and the
+moment he saw that the advantage to be derived would be to himself, he
+determined to open the gate, and make the road at his own expense
+without subjecting the commune or the peasantry to corvée or fine. He
+told the inhabitants so at once, and they, as they well might be, were
+grateful to him in consequence. He made the road, and a handsome one
+it was; and he threw down a part of the wall, and erected a splendid
+gate in its place. He gave no name, indeed, to either; but the people
+immediately and universally bestowed a name on both, and called them
+the Count's Gate, and the Count's Road, so that the act was
+perpetuated by the grateful memory of those whom it benefited.
+
+As, following the example of the earth on which we live, every thing
+upon its surface moves forward, or perhaps we may say appears to move
+forward, while very likely it is going but in a circle, the opening of
+the gate and the making of the road was speedily followed by another
+step, which was the building of houses by the road-side; so that, at
+the period when our tale commences, the whole aspect, appearance, and
+construction of the town was altered. A long street, with gardens at
+the back of the houses, extended all the way down the gentle slope of
+the hill; the gate had been widened, the summit had been cleared of a
+great number of small houses, and a view was opened straight up into a
+fine gay-looking market square at the top, with the ruined wall of the
+old keep, raising its high head covered with ivy on the western side,
+and to the north the little church, with its tall thin-slated spire
+rising high, not only above the buildings of the town itself, but the
+whole of the country round, and forming a remarkable object, which was
+seen for many leagues at sea.
+
+We are in this account supposing the reader to be looking up the
+street, which was turned towards the south, and was consequently full
+of sunshine towards the middle of the day. It would, indeed, have been
+intolerably hot in the summer, had it not been that the blessed
+irregularity of the houses contrived to give some shade at every hour
+of the four and twenty. But from the bottom of that street almost up
+to the top was to be seen, upon the left hand, rising above the
+buildings of the street itself, the weathercocks, and round turrets,
+and pointed roofs and loop-holes, and windows innumerable, which
+marked the château built by the count who had constructed the road;
+while here and there, too, were also seen the tops of the tall limes
+and elms with which he had shaded his gardens, and which had now grown
+up into tall splendid trees, flourishing in the years which had
+brought him to decay and death.
+
+Into the little town of Morseiul had been early introduced the
+doctrines of Calvin, and the inhabitants clung to those doctrines with
+peculiar pertinacity. They had constantly sent volunteers to the
+protestant army; they had bestirred themselves in aid of La Rochelle,
+and had even despatched succour to the protestants of the far south.
+The weak, bigotted, and treacherous Louis XIII. had declared that they
+were the most obstinate heretics in his dominions, and had threatened
+against them many things, which the wisdom of his great minister had
+prevented him from performing. But the counts of Morseiul themselves
+had at all times rendered great services to the state: they had proved
+themselves on all occasions gallant and determined soldiers and
+skilful politicians; and, though they too held firm by the religion of
+their ancestors, and set equally at defiance both threats and
+seductions--which conduct formed the strongest link between them and
+their people--Richelieu had judged that it would be hazardous to drive
+them into open resistance to the crown. We may indeed surmise that he
+judged it unnecessary also, inasmuch as there can be no doubt that in
+his dealings with the Huguenots he treated them solely as a political
+party, and not as a religious sect.
+
+Such being the case, though somewhat courting the persecutions of the
+times, the town of Morseiul had been left unmolested in the exercise
+of its religious tenets, and had enjoyed not only all the liberty
+which was granted to the protestants of France by the edict of Nantes,
+but various other privileges, obtained perhaps by a little
+encroachment, and retained by right of prescription.
+
+The inhabitants were a hardy and determined race, frank and
+good-humoured, and possessing from various points in their position a
+great degree of simplicity in manners and character, mingled with much
+religious fervour. They had, indeed, of late years, been somewhat
+polished, or perhaps one might call it, corrupted. They had acquired
+more wants and more wishes from the increasing luxuriousness of the
+day; had heard with wonder, and not perhaps without some longing, of
+the splendours and the marvels and the gaieties of the court of Louis
+XIV., then in the bright and butterfly days of its youthful
+ostentation; and they felt strongly and beneficially the general
+impulse given to every sort of commerce by the genius of Colbert, and
+applied themselves to derive the utmost advantage therefrom, by
+pursuing with skill, activity, and perseverance, various manufactures,
+in which they displayed no small ingenuity. A good number of them had
+become wealthy, and all of them indeed were well off in the station of
+life in which they were placed. The artisan was rich for an artisan,
+as well as the burgess for a burgess; but they were all simple in
+their habits, not without their little pride, or without their
+luxuries on a holyday; but frugal and thoughtful as they were
+industrious. Such was the town of Morseiul and its inhabitants in the
+year 168--.
+
+We must now turn to the château of the count, and to its denizens
+at the time of the opening of our tale. The château was built, as we
+have said, on the outside of the walls of the town, and was one of
+those odd buildings of which many a specimen has come down to us. It
+seemed to have been built by detached impulses, and upon no general
+plan, though, to admit nothing but the truth, the construction
+was attributable all to one person. The great hall was along,
+wide-spreading piece of architecture, with a high roof, and a row of
+windows turned to the south side, which was the front of the château.
+Then came two or three square masses of stone-work on either side of
+the hall, with the gables projecting to the front, no two of them of
+the same height and size; and many of them separated either by a tall
+round tower, with loopholes all the way up, like button-holes in the
+front of a waistcoat, or broken towards the roof by a turret stuck on
+and projecting from the rest of the building. On the western side of
+the château was a large square tower, with numerous windows, placed
+with some degree of regularity; and on the eastern, was an octangular
+tower containing a separate entrance of a somewhat Gothic character.
+Two large wings projected behind towards the town on which the château
+unceremoniously turned its back, and the large open space of ground
+thus enclosed, was again divided into two by a heavy transverse mass
+of building, as irregular as the external parts of the whole. The
+mansion was completed by the stables and offices for the servants and
+retainers, and the whole was pitched in the centre of a platform,
+which had formerly been one of the bastions of the town.
+
+Behind the château, and between the building and the walls, were
+numerous trees, giving that space the name of the bocage, and through
+this lay the little walk that led to the postern, which was originally
+the only exit from the château. In front was a tolerably wide
+esplanade, extending to the edge of the bastion, and from the edge of
+the terrace descended a flight of steps to the slope below, on which
+had been laid out a flower-garden, separated from the rest of the
+ground by a stone wall, surmounted by flower-pots in the shape of
+vases. The remaining portion of the space enclosed was planted,
+according to the taste of that day, with straight rows of trees, on
+the beauties of which it is unnecessary to dwell.
+
+The interior of the castle was fitted up in the taste of the reign of
+Henry IV. and Louis XIII., few changes having taken place since the
+time it was first furnished, immediately after it was built. Some of
+the rooms, indeed, contained the furniture of the older castle
+formerly inhabited by the counts, which furniture was of a much more
+remote age, and had been condemned, by scornful posterity, to the
+dusty oblivion which we so fondly pile upon our ancestors. It may be
+as well, however, to conduct the reader into one of the rooms of that
+château, and, telling him that we have ourselves sat therein,
+furnished exactly as it was then furnished, and looking exactly as it
+then looked, endeavour to make him see it as the glass of memory now
+gives it back to us.
+
+It was a large oblong room, with a vaulted roof: not dome-shaped,
+indeed, for it was flat at the top; but from the walls towards the
+centre, it sloped for a considerable way before it received the
+flattened form which we mention. It was indeed a four-sided vault,
+with the top of the arches cut off. On two sides were windows, or
+perhaps we should call them casements, with the glass set in leaden
+frames, and opening only in part. The hearth and chimney were of
+enormous dimensions, with a seat on either side of the fire-place,
+which was a sort of raised platform of brick-work, ornamented with two
+large andirons grinning with lions' heads, for the reception of the
+fuel.
+
+Over the chimney again was a wide slab of marble, supported by two
+marble scrolls; and a tablet, on which was recorded, with very
+tolerable latinity, that that château had been built by Francis Count
+of Morseiul, in the year of grace one thousand five hundred and
+ninety. Above this marble, far blacker than the dark oak panelling
+which supported it, hung an immense ebony frame, carved with a
+thousand curious figures, and containing a large round mirror of
+polished metal, reflecting, though in a different size, all the
+objects that the room contained. On the two sides of the chamber were
+one or two fine portraits by Rubens and Vandyke, also in ebony frames,
+but cursed with an internal border of gold. A multitude of high-backed
+chairs, only fitted for men in armour, and ladies with whalebone
+bodices; four cabinets of ebony, chequered with small lines of inlaid
+ivory, with immense locks, marked out by heavy, but not inelegant,
+silver shields; and two or three round tables, much too small for the
+size of the room, made up the rest of the furniture of the apartment,
+if we except some curious specimens of porcelain, and one or two
+curiosities brought by different members of the family from foreign
+lands. There was also a lute upon one of the tables, and ten long
+glasses, with a vein of gold in their taper stalks, ranged in battle
+array upon the mantelpiece.
+
+The moment at which we shall begin our tale was about the hour of
+dinner in the province, at that period a very different hour from that
+at which we dine in the present day. The windows were all open, the
+bright sunshine was pouring in and throwing the small square panes
+into lozenges upon the flooring; and from that room, which was high up
+in the castle, might be seen as wide spread and beautiful a landscape
+as ever the eye rested upon, a world of verdure, streams, and woods,
+and hills, with the bright sky above.
+
+Such was the chamber and its aspect at the period that we speak of;
+and we must now turn to those who inhabited it, and, in the first
+place, must depict them to the reader's eye, before we enter into any
+remarks or detailed account of their several characters, which,
+perhaps, we may be inclined to give in this instance, even while we
+admit that in general it is far better to suffer our personages to
+develope themselves and tell their own tale to the reader.
+
+In all, there were some seven persons in that room; but there were
+only two upon whom we shall at present pause. They were seated at a
+table in the midst, on which were spread forth various viands in
+abundance, upon plates of silver of a rich and handsome form; while a
+profusion of the same metal in the shape of cups, forks, spoons, and
+lavers appeared upon another table near, which had been converted into
+a temporary sort of buffet. Ranged on the same buffet was also a
+multitude of green glass bottles, containing apparently, by their
+dusty aspect and well-worn corks, several kinds of old and choice
+wine; and five servants in plain but rich liveries, according to the
+fashion of that day, bustled about to serve the two superior persons
+at the table.
+
+Those two persons were apparently very nearly of the same age, about
+the same height; and in corporeal powers they seemed also evenly
+matched; but in every other respect they were as different as can well
+be conceived. The one who sat at the side of the table farthest from
+the door was a man of about six or seven and twenty years of age, with
+a dark brown complexion, clear and healthy though not florid, and with
+large, full, deep-coloured gray eyes, fringed with long black lashes.
+His hair and mustaches were jet black; and the character of his
+countenance, for the moment at least, was serious and thoughtful. He
+was evidently a very powerful and vigorous man, deep-chested, long in
+the arm; and though, at first look, his form seemed somewhat spare,
+yet every motion displayed the swelling of strong muscles called into
+action; and few there were in that day who could have stood unmoved a
+buffet from his hand. Such was Albert Count of Morseiul, an officer so
+distinguished during the first wars of Louis XIV., that it is only
+necessary to name him to bring to the reader's recollection a long
+train of splendid actions.
+
+Opposite to him sat a friend and comrade, who had gone through many a
+campaign with him, who had shared watchings, and dangers, and toils,
+had stood side by side with him in the "imminent deadly breach," and
+who was very much beloved by the Count, although the other often
+contrived to tease and annoy him, and sometimes to give him pain, by a
+certain idle and careless levity which had arisen amongst the young
+nobles of France some twenty years before, and had not yet been put
+out by that great extinguisher, the courtly form and ceremony which
+Louis XIV. placed upon every movement of the imagination.
+
+The friend was, as we have said, very different from his host.
+Although not more than a year younger than the count, he had a less
+manly look, which might perhaps be owing to the difference of
+colouring; for he was of that fair complexion which the pictures of
+Vandyk have shown us can be combined with great vigour and character
+of expression. His features were marked and fine, his hazel eye
+piercing and quick, and his well-cut lip, varying indeed with every
+changing feeling or momentary emotion, still gave, by the peculiar
+bend in which it was fashioned when in repose, a peculiar tone of
+scornful playfulness to every expression his countenance assumed. In
+form, he appeared at first sight more powerful, perhaps, than the
+count; but a second glance was sufficient to show that such was not
+the case; and, though there was indeed little difference, if any
+thing, it was not in his favour.
+
+We must pause for an instant to notice the dress of the two friends;
+not indeed to describe pourpoints or paint rich lace, but speak of
+their garments, as the taste thereof might be supposed to betoken some
+points in the character of each. The dress of the Count de Morseiul
+was in taste of the day; which was certainly as bad a taste, as far as
+it affected the habiliments of the male part of the human race, as
+could be devised; but he had contrived, by the exercise of his own
+judgment in the colouring, to deprive it of a part of its
+frightfulness. The hues were all deep-toned, but rich and harmonious;
+and though there was no want of fine lace, the ribands, which were
+then the reigning mode of the day, were reduced to as few in number as
+any Parisian tailor would consent to withhold from the garb of a high
+nobleman.
+
+His friend, however, the Chevalier d'Evran, having opinions of his own
+to which he adhered with a wilful pertinacity, did not fully give in
+to the fashion of the times; and retained, as far as possible, without
+making himself a spectacle, the costume of an earlier period. If we
+may coin a word for the occasion, there was a good deal of Vandykism
+still about it. All the colours, too, were light and sunshiny;
+philomot and blue, and pink and gold; and jewels were not wanting, nor
+rich lace where they could be worn with taste; for though the liking
+was for splendour, and for a shining and glittering appearance, yet in
+all the arrangements there was a fine taste visibly predominant.
+
+Such, then, was the general appearance of the two friends; and after
+partaking of the good things which both the table and the buffet
+displayed,--for during the meal itself the conversation was brief and
+limited to a few questions and answers,--the Chevalier turned his
+chair somewhat more towards the window, and gazing out over the
+prospect which was spread forth before his eyes, he said,--
+
+"And so, Albert, this is Morseiul; and here thou art again after an
+absence of six years!"
+
+"Even so, Louis," replied the Count, "even so. This is Morseiul; and I
+know not whether it be from that inherent love of the place in which
+some of our happiest days have been spent, or whether the country
+round us be in reality more lovely than any other that I have seen
+since I left it, yet just when you spoke I was thinking of asking you
+whether you were or were not satisfied with my boasted Morseiul."
+
+"It may well be lovelier than any you have seen since you left it,"
+replied the Chevalier; "for, as far as I know aught of your history,
+and I think I could account for every day of your life since last you
+were here, you have seen nothing since but the flat prettiness of the
+Beauvoisis, the green spinage plate of the Cambresis, or the
+interminable flats of Flanders, where plains are varied by canals, and
+the only eminence to be seen for forty miles round one is the top of a
+windmill. Well may Morseiul be prettier than that, and no great
+compliment to Morseiul either; but I will tell you something more,
+Albert. I have seen Morseiul long ago. Ay, and sat in these halls, and
+drank of that wine, and looked out of that window, and thought then as
+I think now, that it is, indeed, as fair a land as ever I should wish
+to cast my eyes on."
+
+"Indeed, Louis!" exclaimed his companion; "how happens it, then, if
+you know the place so well, that you have listened to all my praises
+thereof, and come hither with me purposely to see it, without giving
+me one hint that you knew of the existence of such a place upon the
+surface of the globe?"
+
+"Why it has happened from two causes," replied the Chevalier, "and
+perhaps from three. In the first place, did you never discover that I
+have the gift of secrecy in a very high degree?"
+
+"Why I have certainly discovered," replied the Count with a smile,
+"that you are fond of a mystery; and sometimes, Louis, when there's no
+great need of one."
+
+"Most cuttingly and ungenerously answered," replied the Chevalier,
+with a laugh; "but granting the fact, as a man does when he denies it
+strenuously in his mind all the time---but granting the fact, was not
+that one good and sufficient cause for my not saying a word about it?
+And in the next place, Albert, if I had told you I had been here, and
+knew it very nearly as well as you do yourself, it would have deprived
+you of the whole pleasure of relating the wonders and the marvels of
+Morseiul, which would have been most ungenerous of me, seeing and
+knowing the delight you took therein; and perhaps there might be
+another cause," he added in a graver tone. "Perhaps I might hesitate
+to talk to you, Albert,--to you, with whom filial affection is not the
+evanescent thing that weeps like an April shower for half an hour over
+the loss of those we love, and then is wafted away in sparkling and in
+light--I might have hesitated, I say, to speak with you of times when
+one whom you have loved and lost sat in these halls and commanded in
+these lands."
+
+"I thank you, Louis," replied the Count; "I thank you from my heart;
+but you might have spoken of him. My memory of my dead father is
+something different from such things in general. It is the memory of
+him, Louis, and not of my own loss; and, therefore, as every thought
+of him is pleasing, satisfying, ennobling to my heart: as I can call
+up every circumstance in which I have seen him placed, every word
+which I have heard him speak, every action which I have seen him
+perform, with pride, and pleasure, and advantage, I love to let my
+thoughts rest upon the memories of his life; and though I can behold
+him no more living, yet I may thus enable myself to dwell with him in
+the past. We may be sure, Louis, that those who try to banish the
+loved and the departed from their thoughts, and from their
+conversation, have more selfishness in their love, have more
+selfishness in their sorrow, than real affection or than real esteem.
+The pangs which draw tears from us over the tomb may be permitted to
+us as a weakness, not unenviable: a lapse of sorrow for the broken tie
+and the loss of immediate communion, is also but a just tribute to
+ourselves and to the gone. But those who really loved the dead, and
+justly loved them, will cherish memory for their sakes; while those
+whose love was weak, or not founded on esteem, or selfish, may well
+give up a time to hopeless sorrow, and then banish the painful memory
+from their mind for ever: but it shows either that there must have
+been something wrong in the affection of the past, or a want of hope
+in the eternal meeting of the future. No, no, Louis, I live with my
+dead father every hour; I call to mind his looks, his words, his
+gestures; and as I never think to meet a man who could speak one evil
+word of him, I never fear to hear him mentioned, and to dwell upon his
+name."
+
+The Chevalier was silent for a moment, for the feelings of his
+companion were too hallowed for a jest; but he replied immediately
+after, "I believe you are quite right, Albert; but to banish all
+serious themes, which you know do not suit me, my love of mystery,
+which, as you well know, is a part of my nature, was quite sufficient
+to prevent my mentioning the subject. I wonder I was fool enough to
+let the whole secret out now. I should only have told you, by rights,
+just enough to excite your curiosity, in order that I might then
+disappoint you."
+
+"As you have gone so far, however," replied the Count with a smile,
+"you may as well tell the whole story at once, as it must be told,
+sooner or later, I suppose."
+
+"On my word, I do not know whether I can make up my mind to such
+unusual frankness," answered the Chevalier: "I have already done quite
+enough to lose my reputation. However, as you seem anxious----"
+
+"Not in the least," answered the Count, "I am quite satisfied. I was
+so before, and am so still, and shall be so if you resolutely maintain
+your mystery, concluding that you have some good reason for doing so."
+
+"Oh no," answered the Chevalier, "I never had a good reason for any
+thing I did in my life: I make a point of never having one; and the
+very insinuation of such a thing will make me unravel the whole matter
+at once, and show you that there is no mystery at all in the matter.
+You may have heard, perchance, that the Duc de Rouvré, who, by the
+way, is just appointed governor of the province, has a certain
+property with a certain château, called Ruffigny, which----"
+
+"Which marches with my own," exclaimed the Count.
+
+"Exactly what I was going to say," rejoined the Chevalier; "a certain
+property, called Ruffigny, which marches with your own, and a château
+thereupon some five leagues hence. Now, the excellent Duke, being an
+old friend, and distant relation indeed, of my family, it is scarcely
+possible, with common decency, for me to be more than ten years at a
+time without visiting him; and accordingly, about ten years ago, I
+being then a sprightly youth, shortly about to fit on my first arms,
+came down and spent the space of about a month in that very château of
+Ruffigny, and the Duke brought me over here to dine with your father,
+and hunt the wild boar in the woods behind St. Anne."
+
+"It is very odd," said the Count, "I have no recollection of it."
+
+"How should you?" demanded his friend, "as you were then gone upon
+your first campaign, under Duras, upon the Rhine. It was not, in all
+probability, worth your father's while to write you word that a young
+scapegrace had been brought to dine with him, and had run his _couteau
+de chasse_ up to the hilt in the boar's gullet."
+
+"Oh, I now remember," exclaimed the Count; "I heard of that, but I
+forgot the name. Have you not been here since then?"
+
+"Not I," replied the Chevalier. "The Duke asked me, indeed, to return
+the following year; but something prevented him from returning
+himself, and I believe he has never come back to Ruffigny since. A man
+who has so many castles as he has cannot favour any one of them above
+once in six or seven years or so."
+
+"He is coming down now, however," replied the Count; "for, of course,
+the affairs of his government must bring him here, if it be but to
+hold the states."
+
+"Ay, but he does not come to Ruffigny," replied the Chevalier. "He
+goes to Poitiers. I know all about his movements; and I'll tell you
+what, Morseiul: take care how you go to visit him at Poitiers, for you
+might chance not to come back unscathed."
+
+"How so?" demanded the Count, turning sharply as if with some
+surprise. "Is there any thing new against us poor Huguenots?"
+
+"Poo, I spoke not of that," replied the Chevalier. "You sectarians
+seem to have a sort of hereditary feeling of martyrdom in you, as if
+your chief ancestor had been St. Bartholomew himself, and the saint,
+being skinned alive, had given the world a skinless posterity, which
+makes them all feel alarmed lest any one should touch them."
+
+"It is an ominous name, St. Bartholomew, you must acknowledge to the
+ears of a Huguenot," replied the Count. "But what is it I have to
+fear, if not that, Louis?"
+
+"What is it you have to fear!" rejoined the Chevalier. "Why, a pair of
+the brightest eyes in all France--I believe I might say in all
+Europe."
+
+The Count shook his head with a smile.
+
+"Well then," continued the Chevalier, "a pair of lips that look like
+twin roses; eyebrows that give a meaning to every lustrous look of the
+eyes; a hand small, white, and delicate, with fingers tapering and
+rounded like those with which the Venus of the Greeks gathers around
+her timid form the unwilling drapery; a foot such as no sandle-shod
+goddess of the golden age could match: and a form which would have
+left the sculptor nothing to seek in other beauties but herself."
+
+The Count laughed aloud. "I am quite safe," he said, "quite safe,
+Louis, quite safe. I have nothing on earth to fear."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed his companion, in the same gay tone. "Pray, what
+panoply of proof do you possess sufficient to resist such arms as
+these when brought against you?"
+
+"Mine is twofold," answered the Count. "In the first place, your own
+enthusiasm cannot be misunderstood, and, of course, I do not become
+the rival of my friend. Our great hero, Condé, has set all soldiers a
+better example."
+
+"What then, do you intend to follow his example in regard to the
+Chatillon?" demanded the Chevalier; "to yield me the lady, and as soon
+as I am comfortably killed off, make love to my widow? But no, no,
+Albert, I stand not in your way; there are other attractions for me, I
+tell you fairly! Even if it were not so, let every man in love, as in
+war, do the best for himself. But, at all events, I tell you take care
+of yourself if you go to Poitiers, unless, indeed, you have some
+better armour than the thought of rivalry with me."
+
+"I must go to Poitiers of course," replied the Count, "when the
+governor comes down; but yet I shall go without fear, as I think you
+might by this time know. Have you not seen me amongst the fairest, and
+the gayest, and the sweetest of this world's daughters, and yet I do
+not think in all the catalogue you could find one cabalistic name
+sufficiently powerful to conjure up a sigh from my lips."
+
+"Why, to say the truth," replied the Chevalier, "I have often thought
+you as cold as a cannon ball before it is fired; but then, my dear
+Count, all that time you have had something else to do, something to
+excite, to interest, and to engross you. But now the stir and bustle
+of the camp is over,--the march, the countermarch, the advance, the
+retreat is done,--the fierce excitement of the battle-field does not
+bring forth all the energies of a fiery heart,--the trumpet no longer
+calls you from the ear of the fair one, before the whispered tale of
+love be well begun. In this piping time of peace, why, man, you have
+nothing for it but to make love, or die of melancholy. If you have a
+charm, let us hear what it is!"
+
+"Oh, I am no man of mysteries," replied the Count, "and my tale is
+very soon told. It is just five years ago--I was at that time in the
+heyday of all sorts of passions, in love, I believe, with every thing
+in woman's form that came in my way,--when, after spending the winter
+in Paris, I came down here to take leave of my father before joining
+the army in Flanders. It seemed as if he felt that we were parting for
+the last time, for he gave me many a caution, and many a warning
+regarding the woman that I might choose for my wife. He exacted no
+promise indeed, nor gave his counsels the shape of a command; but,
+amongst other injunctions, which I would most unwillingly violate, he
+strongly advised me never to wed any one of a different religious
+creed from myself. About the same time, however, a little incident
+occurred, which fancy worked up so strongly as to have had an effect
+upon my whole after feelings. You know the deep and bowery lanes and
+roads about the place, how beautifully the sunshine streams amongst
+them, how richly the song of the birds sound in the trees above, how
+full of a sparkling and fanciful light is the whole scenery round us
+when we dive into its depths. I was always fond of wandering through
+these scenes, and one day about that time I was out alone, at some
+distance beyond the castle of St. Anne's, when suddenly, as I was
+musing, and gazing, and drinking in, as it were, the sights and sounds
+around me, I heard the cry of dogs, and the sound of horns. But they
+were distant, and they passed away, and I went on wandering slowly,
+with my horse's bridle hanging loosely over my arm, till suddenly I
+heard the sound of galloping hoofs; and, immediately after, down the
+little road in which I was, came a gay wild horse of the Limousin,
+with a fair girl upon its back, who should hardly have been trusted to
+ride a fiery creature like that. She was not, indeed, a mere child,
+being apparently some sixteen or seventeen years of age, but extreme
+youth was in every feature and in every line, and, I might add, beauty
+also, for never in my life did I behold such visionlike loveliness as
+hers. The horse, with some sudden fright, must have darted away while
+she had laid down the rein, for at the time I met her, though not
+broken, it was floating at his feet, hazarding at every instant to
+throw him down. She sat firmly in the seat, and rode with grace and
+ease; but she was evidently much frightened, and as soon as she saw
+some one before her in the lane, she pointed with an eager gesture to
+the rein, and uttered some words which I did not hear. I easily
+divined her meaning however, and turning my own horse loose, knowing I
+could catch him again in a moment, I snatched at the rein of her horse
+as he passed, ran for a moment by its side, not to check it too
+sharply, then brought it to a halt, and asked her if she would alight.
+She bowed her head gracefully, and smiled most sweetly, replying, as
+soon as he could find breath, with many thanks for the service I had
+rendered her, that she was not hurt, and but a little frightened, the
+horse having darted away while she had laid down the rein to put on
+her gloves. She would not alight she said, but must return quickly to
+her friends, who would be frightened, and, without saying more, she
+again gracefully bent her head, turned her horse, and cantered rapidly
+away. I saw her once afterwards, passing along with a gay cortege,
+composed of persons that I did not know. As we passed each other she
+recognised me instantly, and, with a heightened colour, noticed me by
+another marked inclination of the head. When I had passed on, I could
+judge by her own gestures and those of the persons around her, that
+she was telling them what had occurred, and explaining to them the
+sign of recognition which she had made. On this second occasion she
+seemed to my eyes even more lovely than before. Her voice, too, though
+I had heard it so little, was the most musical that ever spoke to the
+heart of man, and I pondered and thought over the vision of loveliness
+that I had just seen, till it took so strong a hold of my heart and my
+imagination, that I could not rest satisfied without seeking to behold
+it again. I rode through all the country round; I was every day, and
+almost all day, on horseback; I called at every neighbouring house; I
+inquired at every place where I was likely to meet with information,
+but I could never see, or speak with, or hear of that fair creature
+again, and the time came rapidly on when I was compelled to rejoin the
+army. I thought of her often, however, I have thought of her ever
+since; that lovely face, that sweet voice will never go from my mind,
+and reason and fancy combine to make me resolve never to wed any one
+that I do not think as lovely as herself."
+
+"Pray what share had reason," demanded the Chevalier, "in a business
+altogether so unreasonable? Poo! my dear Albert, you have worked
+yourself into a boyish fancy of love, and then have clung to it, I
+suppose, as the last bit of boyhood left about you. What had reason to
+do with your seeing a pretty girl in a dark lane, and fancying there
+was nothing like her upon earth?"
+
+"With that, nothing certainly," replied the Count, "but with my
+after-determination much. Before that time long I had began to school
+myself a good deal on account of a propensity not so much to fall in
+love, but, as you term it, Louis, to make love to every fair creature
+I met with. I had found it needful to put some check upon myself: and
+if an artificial one was to be chosen, I did not see why this should
+not be selected as well as any other. I determined that, as the
+knights of old, and our own troubadours too, if you will, and even--as
+by your laughing I suppose you would have it--excellent Don Quixote
+himself, that pattern of all true gentlemen, vowed and dedicated
+themselves to some fair lady, whom they had seen even less frequently
+than I had her--I determined, I say, that I would encourage this fancy
+of loving my fair horsewoman, and would employ the image of beauty,
+which imagination, perhaps, had its share in framing, and the fine
+qualities of the mind and heart, which were shadowed out beneath that
+lovely exterior, as a test, a touchstone, whereby to try and to
+correct my feelings towards others, and to approach none with words of
+love who did not appear to me as beautiful in form as she was, and who
+did not seem at least equal to the standard which fancy had raised up
+under her image. The matter perhaps was carried farther than I
+intended, the feeling became more intense than I had expected. For
+some time I sincerely and truly fancied myself in love; but even since
+reason has come to my aid in such a matter, and I know how much
+imagination has to do with the whole, yet from that one circumstance,
+from that fanciful accident, my standard of perfection in woman has
+been raised so high, that I find none who have attained it; and yet so
+habitual has it become with me to apply it to every one I see, that
+whenever I am introduced to any beautiful creature, to whom I might
+otherwise become attached, the fanciful image rises up, and the new
+acquaintance is tried and ever is found wanting."
+
+"Thou art a strange composition, my good friend the Count," said the
+Chevalier, "but we shall see, now that peace and tranquillity have
+fallen over the world, whether you can go on still resisting with the
+courage of a martyr. I don't believe a word of it, although, to say
+sooth, your quality of heretic is something in your favour. But, in
+the name of fortune, tell me what are all those loud and tumultuous
+sounds which are borne by the wind through the open window. Your good
+people of Morseiul are not in rebellion, I hope."
+
+"Not that I know of," replied the Count, with a smile at the very idea
+of such a thing as rebellion under Louis XIV.; "but I will call my
+fellow Riquet, who ought, I think, to have been called Scapin, for I
+am sure Molière must have had a presentiment of the approaching birth
+of such a scoundrel. He will tell us all about it; for if a thing
+takes place on the other side of the earth, Riquet knows it all within
+five minutes after it happens."
+
+Before he had well finished speaking, the person he alluded to
+entered. But Riquet deserves a pause for separate notice.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                   THE VALET--THE TOWNSPEOPLE--THE
+                            PROCLAMATION.
+
+
+The personage who entered the room, which on that the first actual day
+after his arrival at his own dwelling the Count de Morseiul had used
+as a dining-room, was the representative of an extinct race, combining
+in his own person all the faults and absurdities with all the talents
+and even virtues which were sometimes mingled together in that strange
+composition, the old French valet. It is a creature that we find
+recorded in the pages of many an antique play, now either banished
+altogether from the stage, or very seldom acted; but, alas! the being
+itself is extinct; and even were we to find a fossil specimen in some
+unexplored bed of blue clay, we should gain but a very inadequate idea
+of all its various properties and movements. We have still the roguish
+valet in sad abundance--a sort of common house-rat; and we have,
+moreover, the sly and the silent, the loquacious and the lying, the
+pilfering and the impudent valet, with a thousand other varieties; but
+the old French valet, that mithridatic compound of many curious
+essences, is no longer upon the earth, having gone absolutely out of
+date and being at the same period with his famous contemporary "_le
+Marquis_."
+
+At the time we speak of, however, the French valet was in full
+perfection; and, as we have said, an epitome of the whole race and
+class was to be found in Maître Jerome Riquet, who now entered the
+room, and advanced with an operatic step towards his lord. He was a
+man perhaps of forty years of age, which, as experience and constant
+practice were absolute requisites in his profession, was a great
+advantage to him, for he had lost not one particle of the activity of
+youth, seeming to possess either a power of ubiquity, or a rapidity of
+locomotion which rendered applicable to him the famous description of
+the bird which flew so fast "as to be in two places at once."
+Quicksilver, or a lover's hours of happiness, a swallow, or the wind,
+were as nothing when compared to his rapidity; and it is also to be
+remarked, that the rapidity of the mind went hand in hand with the
+rapidity of the body, enabling him to comprehend his master's orders
+before they were spoken, to answer a question before it was asked, and
+to determine with unerring sagacity by a single glance whether it
+would be most for his interests or his purposes to understand or
+misunderstand the coming words before they were pronounced.
+
+Riquet was slightly made, though by no means fulfilling the immortal
+caricature of the gates of Calais; but when dressed in his own
+appropriate costume, he contrived to make himself look more meagre
+than he really was, perhaps with a view of rendering his person less
+recognisable when, dressed in a suit of his master's clothes with
+sundry additions and ornaments of his own device, he appeared enlarged
+with false calves to his legs, and manifold paddings on his breast and
+shoulders, enacting with great success the part of the Marquis of
+Kerousac, or of any other place which he chose to raise into the
+dignity of a marquisate for his own especial use.
+
+His features, it is true, were so peculiar in their cast and
+expression, that it would have seemed at first sight utterly
+impossible for the face of Jerome Riquet to be taken for any other
+thing upon the earth than the face of Jerome Riquet. The figure
+thereof was long, and the jaws of the form called lantern, with high
+cheek bones, and a forehead so covered with protuberances, that it
+seemed made on purpose for the demonstration of phrenology. Along this
+forehead, in almost a straight line drawn from a point immediately
+between the eyes, at a very acute angle towards the zenith, were a
+pair of eyebrows, strongly marked throughout their whole course, but
+decorated by an obtrusive tuft near the nose, from which tuft now
+stuck out several long grey bristles. The eyes themselves were sharp,
+small, and brilliant; but being under the especial protection of the
+superincumbent eyebrows, they followed the same line, leaving a long
+lean cheek on either side, only relieved by a congregation of
+radiating wrinkles at the corners of the eyelids. The mouth was as
+wide as any man could well desire for the ordinary purposes of life,
+and it was low down too in the face, leaving plenty of room for the
+nose above, which was as peculiar in its construction as any that ever
+was brought from "the promontory of noses." It was neither the
+judaical hook nose, nor the pure aquiline, nor the semi-judaical
+Italian, nor the vulture, nor the sheep, nor the horse nose. It had no
+affinity whatever to the "nez retroussé," nor was it the bottle, nor
+the ace of clubs. It was a nose _sui generis_, and starting from
+between the two bushy eyebrows, it made its way out, with a slight
+parabolic curve downwards, till it had reached about the distance of
+an inch and a half from the fundamental base line of the face. Having
+attained that elevation, it came to a sharp abrupt point, through the
+thin skin of which the white gristle seemed inclined to force its way,
+and then suddenly dropping a perpendicular, it joined itself on to the
+lower part of the face, at a right angle with the upper lip, with the
+extensive territories of which it did not interfere in the slightest
+degree, being as it were a thing apart, while the nostrils started up
+again, running in the same line as the eyes and eyebrows.
+
+Such in personal appearance was Jerome Riquet, and his mental
+conformation was not at all less singular. Of this mental conformation
+we shall have to give some illustrations hereafter; but yet, to deal
+fairly by him, we must afford some sketch of his inner man in
+juxtaposition with his corporeal qualities. In the first place,
+without the reality of being a coward, he affected cowardice as a very
+convenient reputation, which might be serviceable on many occasions,
+and could be shaken off whenever he thought fit. "A brave man," he
+said, "has something to keep up, he must never be cowardly; but a
+poltroon can be a brave man, without derogating from a well-earned
+reputation, whenever he pleases. No, no, I like variety; I'll be a
+coward, and a brave man only when it suits me." He sometimes, indeed,
+nearly betrayed himself, by burlesquing fear, especially when any raw
+soldier was near, for he had an invincible inclination to amuse
+himself with the weaknesses of others, and knew how contagious a
+disease fear is.
+
+The next remarkable trait in his character was a mixture of honesty
+and roguery, which left him many doubts in his own mind as to whether
+he was by nature a knave or a simpleton. He would pilfer from his
+master any thing he could lay his hands upon, if he thought his master
+did not really want it; but had that master fallen into difficulties
+or dangers he would have given him his last louis, or laid down his
+life to save him. He would pick the locks of a cabinet to see what it
+contained, and ingeniously turn the best folded letter inside out to
+read the contents; but no power on earth would ever have made him
+divulge to others that which he practised such unjustifiable means to
+learn.
+
+He was also a most determined liar, both by habit and inclination. He
+preferred it, he said, to truth. It evinced greater powers of the
+human mind. Telling truth, he said, only required the use of one's
+tongue and one's memory; but to lie, and to lie well, demanded
+imagination, judgment, courage, and, in short, all the higher
+qualities of the human intellect. He could sometimes, however, tell
+the truth, when he saw that it was absolutely necessary. All that he
+had was a disposition to falsehood, controllable under particular
+circumstances, but always returning when those circumstances were
+removed.
+
+As to the religion of Maître Jerome Riquet, the less that is said upon
+the matter the better for the honour of that individual. He had but
+one sense of religion, indeed, and his definition of religion will
+give that sense its clearest exposition. In explaining his views one
+day on the subject to a fellow valet, he was known to declare that
+religion consisted in expressing those opinions concerning what was
+within a man's body, and what was to become of it after death, which
+were most likely to be beneficial to that body in the circumstances in
+which it was placed. Now, to say the truth, in order to act in
+accordance with this definition, Maître Jerome had a difficult part to
+perform. His parents and relations were all Catholics and having been
+introduced at an early age into the house of a Huguenot nobleman, and
+attached for many years to the person of his son, with only one other
+Catholic in the household, it would seem to have been the natural
+course of policy for the valet, under his liberal view of things, to
+abandon Catholicism, and betake himself to the pleasant heresy of his
+masters. But Riquet had a more extensive conception of things than
+that. He saw and knew that Catholicism was the great predominant
+religion of the country; he knew that it was the predominant religion
+of the court also; and he had a sort of instinctive foresight from the
+beginning of the persecutions and severities--the dark clouds of which
+were now gathering fast around the Huguenots, and were likely sooner
+or later to overwhelm them.
+
+Now, like the famous Erasmus, Jerome Riquet had no will to be made a
+martyr of; and though he could live very comfortable in a Huguenot
+family, and attach himself to its lords, he did not think it at all
+necessary to attach himself to its religion also, but, on the
+contrary, went to mass when he had nothing else to do, confessed what
+sins he thought fit to acknowledge or to invent once every four or
+five years, swore that he performed all the penances assigned to him,
+and tormented the Protestant maid-servants of the château, by vowing
+that they were all destined to eternal condemnation, that there was
+not a nook in purgatory hot enough to bake away their sins, and that a
+place was reserved for them in the bottomless pit itself, with Arians
+and Socinians, and all the heretics and heresiarchs from the beginning
+of the world. After having given way to one of these tirades, he would
+generally burst into a loud fit of laughter at the absurdity of all
+religious contentions, and run away leaving his fellow-servants with a
+full conviction that he had no religion at all.
+
+He dared not, it is true, indulge in such licences towards his master;
+but he very well knew that the young Count was not a bigot himself,
+and would not by any means think that he served him better if he
+changed his religion. In times of persecution and danger, indeed, the
+Count might have imagined that there was a risk of a very zealous
+Catholic being induced to injure or betray his Protestant lord; but
+the Count well knew Jerome to be any thing but a zealous Catholic, and
+he had not the slightest fear that any hatred of Protestantism or love
+for the church of Rome would ever induce the worthy valet to do any
+thing against the lord to whom he had attached himself.
+
+Such, then, was Jerome Riquet; and we shall pause no longer upon his
+other characteristic qualities than to say, that he was the
+exemplification of the word clever; that there was scarcely any thing
+to which he could not turn his hand, and that though light, and lying
+and pilfering, and impudent beyond all impudence, he was capable of
+strong attachments and warm affections; and if we may use a very
+colloquial expression to characterise his proceedings, there was fully
+as much fun as malice in his roguery. A love of adventure and of jest
+was his predominant passion; and although all the good things and
+consolations of this life by no means came amiss to him, yet in the
+illegitimate means which he took to acquire them he found a greater
+pleasure even than in their enjoyment when obtained.
+
+When the door opened, as we have said, and Riquet presented himself,
+the eyes of the Count de Morseiul fixed upon him at once; and he
+immediately gathered from the ludicrous expression of fear which the
+valet had contrived to throw into his face, that something of a
+serious nature had really happened in the town, though he doubted not
+that it was by no means sufficient to cause the astonishment and
+terror which Jerome affected. Before he could ask any questions,
+however, Jerome, advancing with the step of a ballet master, cast
+himself on one knee at the Count's feet, exclaiming,--
+
+"My lord, I come to you for protection and for safety."
+
+"Why, what is the matter, Jerome?" exclaimed the Count. "What rogue's
+trick have you been playing now? Is it a cudgel or the gallows that
+you fear?"
+
+"Neither, my good lord," replied Jerome, "but it is the fagot and the
+stake. I fear the rage of your excited and insubordinate people in the
+town of Morseiul, who are now in a state of heretical insurrection,
+tearing down the king's proclamations, trampling his edicts under
+foot, and insulting his officers; and as I happen, I believe, to be
+the only Catholic in the place, I run the risk of being one of the
+first to be sacrificed, if their insane vehemence leads them into
+further acts of phrenzy."
+
+"Get up, fool, get up," cried the Count, shaking him off as he clung
+to his knee; "tell me, if you can speak truth and common sense, what
+is it you mean, and what has occasioned all these shouts that we heard
+just now?"
+
+"I mean, my lord," said Riquet, starting up and putting himself in an
+attitude, "I mean all that I say. There is some proclamation," he
+continued in a more natural tone, "concerning the performance of the
+true Catholic and apostolic religion, which some of the king's
+officers posted up on the gate at the bottom of the Count's street,
+and which the people instantly tore down. The huissier and the rest
+were proceeding up the street to read the edict in the great square,
+amidst the shouts and imprecations of the vulgar; but I saw them
+gathering together stones, and bringing out cudgels, which showed me
+that harder arguments were about to be used than words; and as there
+is no knowing where such matters may end, I made haste to take care of
+my own poor innocent skin, and lay myself at your feet, humbly craving
+your protection."
+
+"Then, get out of my way," said the Count, putting him on one side,
+and moving towards the door. "Louis, we must go and see after this.
+This is some new attack upon us poor Huguenots--some other Jesuitical
+infraction of the privileges assured to us by our good King Henry
+IV. We must quiet the people, however, and see what the offence
+is;--though, God help us," he added with a sigh, "since the
+parliaments have succumbed there is no legal means left us of
+obtaining redress. Some day or another these bad advisers of our noble
+and magnificent monarch will drive the Protestant part of his people
+into madness, or compel them to raise the standard of revolt against
+him, or to fly to other lands, and seek the exercise of their religion
+unoppressed."
+
+"Hush, hush, hush, Morseiul," said his companion, laying his hand
+kindly on his arm, "your words are hasty. You do not know how small a
+matter constitutes treason now-a-days, or how easy is the passage to
+the Bastille."
+
+"Oh! I know--I know quite well," replied the Count; "and that many a
+faithful and loyal subject, who has served his king and country well,
+has found his way there before me. I love and admire my king. I will
+serve him with my whole soul and the last drop of my blood, and all I
+claim in return is that liberty of my own free thoughts which no man
+can take from me. Chains cannot bind that down; bastilles cannot shut
+it in; and every attempt to crush it is but an effort of tyranny both
+impotent and cruel. However, we must calm the people. Where is my hat,
+knave?"
+
+"I have often wished, my dear Morseiul," said the Chevalier, as they
+followed the valet, who ran on to get the Count's hat: "I have often
+wished that you would give yourself a little time to think and to
+examine. I am very sure that if you did you would follow the example
+of the greatest man of modern times, abjure your religious errors, and
+gain the high station and renown which you so well deserve."
+
+"What, do you mean Turenne?" exclaimed the Count. "Never, Louis,
+never! I grant him, Louis, to have been one of the greatest men of
+this, or perhaps of any other age, mighty as a warrior, just,
+clearsighted, kind-hearted, and comprehensive as a politician, and
+perhaps as great in the noble and honest simplicity of his nature as
+in any other point of view. I grant him all and every thing that you
+could say in his favour. I grant every thing that his most
+enthusiastic admirers can assert; but _God forbid that we should ever
+imitate the weakness of a great man's life_. No, no, Chevalier, it is
+one of the most perverted uses of example to justify wrong because the
+good have been tempted to commit it. No man's example, no man's
+opinion to me is worth any thing, however good or however wise he may
+be, if there be stamped upon its face the broad and unequivocal marks
+of wrong."
+
+By this time they had reached the vestibule from which a little flight
+of steps conducted into the garden, and Maître Jerome stood there with
+his lord's hat and polished cane in his hand. The Count took them with
+a quick gesture and passed on, followed by his friend, who raised his
+eyebrows a little with a look of regret, as his only answer to the
+last words. These words had been heard by the valet also, and the
+raising of the eyebrows was not unmarked; and Maître Jerome,
+understanding the whole train of the argument, as well as if he had
+heard every syllable, commented upon what he considered his lord's
+imbecility by a shrug of the shoulders, in which his head almost
+utterly disappeared.
+
+In the mean time the young Count and his friend passed up the little
+avenue to the postern gate, opened it, and entered the town of
+Morseiul; and then, by a short and narrow street, which was at that
+moment all in shadow, entered the market square, at which they
+arrived, by the shorter path they pursued, long before the officers
+who were about to read the proclamation. A great number of persons
+were collected in the square, and it was evident that by this time the
+whole place was in a state of great excitement. The Chevalier was in
+some fear for the effect of the coming scene upon his friend; and, as
+they entered the market place, he stopped him, laying his hand upon
+his arm, and saying,--
+
+"Morseiul, you are a good deal heated, pause for one moment and think
+of what you are about. For the sake of yourself and of your country,
+if not for mine; neither say nor do any thing rashly."
+
+The Count turned towards him with a calm and gentle smile, and grasped
+his hand.
+
+"Thank you, Louis," he said, "thank you, though your caution, believe
+me, is unnecessary. You will see that I act as calmly and as
+reasonably, that I speak as quietly and as peacefully as the most
+earnest Catholic could desire. Heaven forbid," he added, "that I
+should say one word, or make one allusion to any thing that could
+farther excite the passions of the people than they are likely to be
+excited already. Civil strife, Louis, is the most awful of all things
+so long as it lasts, and seldom, very seldom if ever obtains the end
+for which it first commenced. But even if I did not think so," he
+added in a lower voice, "I know that the Protestants of France have no
+power to struggle with the force of the crown, unless--" and his voice
+fell almost to a whisper, "unless the crown force upon them the
+energetic vigour of despair."
+
+The two had paused while they thus spoke, and while they heard the
+murmuring sounds of the people coming up the hill from the right hand,
+the noise of several persons running could be distinguished on the
+other side, and turning round towards the postern, the Count saw that,
+thanks to the care and foresight of Maître Jerome, a great number of
+his domestics and attendants were coming up at full speed to join him,
+so that when he again advanced, he was accompanied by ten or twelve
+persons ready to obey without hesitation or difficulty the slightest
+command that he should give. As there was no telling the turn which
+events might take, he was not sorry that it should be so; and as he
+now advanced towards the centre of the square the sight of his
+liveries instantly attracted the attention of the people, and he was
+recognised with joyful exclamations of "The Count! The Count!"
+
+Gladness was in every face at his approach, for the minds of the
+populace were in that state of anxious hesitation, in which the
+presence and direction of any one to whom they are accustomed to look
+up is an absolute blessing. Taking off his hat and bowing repeatedly
+to every one around him, speaking to many, and recognising every one
+with whom he was personally acquainted with a frank and good-humoured
+smile, the Count advanced through the people, who gathered upon his
+path as he proceeded, till he reached the top of the hill, and
+obtained a clear view of what was passing below.
+
+Had not one known the painful and angry feelings which were then
+excited, it would have been a pleasant and a cheerful scene. The sun
+had by this time got sufficiently round to the westward to throw long
+shadows from the irregular gable-ended houses more than half way
+across the wide open road that conducted from the valley to the top of
+the hill. The perspective, too, was strongly marked by the lines of
+the buildings; the other side of the road was in bright light; there
+was a beautiful prospect of hill and dale seen out beyond the town;
+numerous booths and stalls, kept by peasant women with bright dresses
+and snowy caps, chequered the whole extent; and up the centre of the
+street, approaching slowly, were the officers of the district, with a
+small party of military, followed on either side by a much more
+considerable number of the lower order of town's people and peasantry.
+
+Such was the scene upon which the eyes of the Count de Morseiul fell;
+and it must be admitted, that when he saw the military his heart beat
+with considerable feelings of indignation, for we must remember that
+in towns like that which was under his rule the feudal customs still
+existed to a very great extent. It was still called his town of
+Morseiul. The king, indeed, ruled; the laws of the land were
+administered in the king's name; but the custody, defence, and
+government of the town of Morseiul was absolutely in the hands of the
+Count, or of the persons to whom he delegated his power during his
+absence. It was regularly, in fact, garrisoned in his name; and there
+were many instances, scarcely twenty years before, in which the
+garrisons of such towns had resisted in arms the royal authority; and
+if not held to be fully justified, at all events had passed without
+punishment, because they were acting under the orders of him in whose
+name they were levied. The attempt, therefore, of any body of the
+king's troops to penetrate into the Count's town of Morseiul, without
+his having been formally deprived of the command thereof, seemed to
+him one of the most outrageous violations of his privileges which it
+was possible to imagine; and his heart consequently beat, as we have
+said, with feelings of high indignation. He suppressed them, however,
+with the calm determination of doing what was right; and turned to
+gaze upon the people who surrounded him, in order to ascertain as far
+as possible by what feelings they were affected.
+
+His own attendants had congregated immediately behind him; on his
+right hand stood his friend the Chevalier; on his left, about half a
+step behind, so as to be near the Count, but not to appear obtrusive,
+was a personage of considerable importance in the little town of
+Morseiul, though he exercised a handicraft employment, and worked
+daily with his own hands, even while he directed others. This was Paul
+Virlay, the principal blacksmith of the place. He was at this time a
+man of about fifty years of age, tall, and herculean in all his
+proportions. The small head, the broad muscular chest and shoulders,
+the brawny arms, the immense thick hands, the thin flanks, and the
+stout legs and thighs, all bespoke extraordinary strength. He was very
+dark in complexion, with short-cut curly black hair, grizzled with
+grey; and the features of his face, though short, and by no means
+handsome, had a good and a frank expression, but at all times somewhat
+stern.
+
+At the present moment his brow was more contracted than usual; not
+that there was any other particular mark of very strongly excited
+passions upon his countenance; and the attitude he had assumed was one
+of calm and reposing strength, resting with his right hand supported
+by one of the common quarter-staffs of the country, a full inch and a
+half thick, much in the same position which he frequently assumed
+when, pausing in his toil, he talked with his workmen, leaving the
+sledge hammer, that usually descended with such awful strength, to
+support the hand which wielded it at other times like a feather.
+
+Behind him again, was a great multitude of the town's people of
+different classes, though the mayor and the municipal officers had
+thought fit to absent themselves carefully from the scene of probable
+strife. But the eyes of the Count fell, as we have said, upon Paul
+Virlay; and knowing him to be a man both highly respected in his own
+class, and of considerable wealth and importance in the city, he
+addressed him in the first instance, saying,--
+
+"Good morrow, Virlay, it is long since I have seen you all. What is
+all this about?"
+
+"You don't forget us, Count Albert, even when you are away," replied
+the blacksmith, with his brow unbending. "We know that very well, and
+have proofs of it too, when any thing good is to be done; but this
+seems to me to be a bad business. We hear that the king has suppressed
+the chamber of the edict, which was our greatest safeguard; and now my
+boy tells me, for I sent him down to see when they first came to the
+bottom of the hill, that this is a proclamation forbidding us from
+holding synods; and be you sure, sir, that the time is not far distant
+when they will try to stop us altogether from worshipping God in our
+own way. What think you, my lord?" he said, in a lower tone, "Were it
+not better to show them at once that they cannot go on?" and his looks
+spoke much more than even his words.
+
+"No, Virlay," replied the Count; "no, by no means. You see the people
+are in tumult below evidently. Any unadvised and illegal resistance to
+the royal authority will immediately call upon us harsh measures, and
+be made the pretext by any bad advisers who may surround the king for
+irritating his royal mind against us. Let us hear what the
+proclamation really is; even should it be harsh and unjust, which from
+the king's merciful nature we will hope is not the case: let us listen
+to it calmly and peaceably, and after having considered well, and
+taken the advice and opinion of wise and experienced men, let us then
+make what representations to the king we may think fit, and petition
+him in his clemency to do us right."
+
+"Clemency!" said the blacksmith. "However, my lord, you know better
+than I, but I hope they will not say any thing to make our blood boil,
+that's all."
+
+"Even if they should," replied the Count, "we must prevent it from
+boiling over. Virlay, I rely upon you, as one of the most sensible men
+in the place, not only to restrain yourself, but to aid me in
+restraining others. The king has every right to send his own officers
+to make his will known to his people."
+
+"But the dragoons," said Virlay, fixing his eyes upon the soldiers;
+"what business have they here? Why they might, Count Albert----"
+
+The Count stopped him.
+
+"They are yet without the real bounds of the town, Virlay," he said;
+"and they do not enter into it! Send some one you can trust for the
+mayor with all speed; unhook the gates from the bars that keep them
+back; place a couple of men behind each; I will prevent the military
+from entering into the town: but I trust to you, and the other men of
+good sense who surround me, to guard the king's officers and the
+king's authority from any insult, and to suffer the proclamation of
+his will to take place in the market-place without any opposition or
+tumult whatsoever."
+
+"I will do my best, Count," replied the blacksmith, "for I am sure you
+are a true friend to us--and we may well trust in you."
+
+The crowd from below had in the meantime advanced steadily up the
+hill, surrounding the officers of the crown and the soldiery; and by
+this time the whole mass was within a hundred and fifty yards of the
+spot where the Count and his companions stood. Their progress had been
+without violence, indeed, but not without hootings and outcry, which
+seemed greatly to annoy the officer in command of the soldiers, he
+having been accustomed alone to the court of the grand monarch, and to
+the scenes in the neighbourhood of the capital, where the people might
+well be said to lick the dust beneath the feet of their pageant-loving
+king. It seemed, then, something so strange and monstrous to his ears,
+that any expression of the royal will should be received otherwise
+than with the most deep and devoted submission, that he was more than
+once tempted to turn and charge the multitude. A prudent
+consideration, however, of the numbers by which he was surrounded, and
+the scantiness of his own band, overcame all such purposes; and,
+though foaming with indignation, he continued to advance, without
+noticing the shouts that assailed him, and playing with the manifold
+ribands and pieces of silk that decorated his buff coat and his sword
+knot, to conceal his vexation and annoyance.
+
+"Who have we here at the head of them?" demanded the Count, turning to
+the Chevalier. "His face is not unknown to me."
+
+"As far as I can see," replied his companion, "it is young Hericourt,
+a nephew of Le Tellier's--do you not remember? as brave as a lion,
+but moreover a young coxcomb, who thinks that he can do every thing,
+and that nothing can be done without him; as stupid as an owl too.
+I wonder you do not recollect his getting great credit for
+taking the little fort of the _bec de l'oie_ by a sheer act of
+stupidity,--getting himself and his party entangled between the two
+forts, and while Lamets was advancing to extricate him, forcing his
+way in, from not knowing what else to do."
+
+"I remember, I remember," said the Count, with a smile; "he was well
+rewarded for his fortunate mistake. But what does he here, I wonder? I
+thought he never quitted the precincts of Versailles, but to follow
+the King to the camp."
+
+"He is the worst person who could have been sent upon this errand,"
+replied the Chevalier; "for he is certain to make mischief wherever he
+goes. He has attached himself much to the Rouvrés, however, of late,
+and I suppose Le Tellier has given him some post about the new
+governor, in order that his rule may not be the most tranquil in the
+world."
+
+While they were speaking, the eyes of the people who were coming up
+the hill fell upon the group that had assembled just in front of the
+gates, with the Count, his friend, and his servants, in the
+foreground; and immediately a loud shout made itself heard, of "The
+Count! the Count! Long live the Count!" followed by various other
+exclamations, such as "He will protect us! He will see justice done
+us! Long live our own good Count!"
+
+I The moment that the Count's name was thus loudly pronounced, the
+young officer, turning to those who followed, gave some orders in a
+low voice, and then, spurring on his horse through the crowd, rode
+directly up to the Count de Morseiul; who, as he saw him approaching,
+turned to the Chevalier, saying, "You bear witness, Louis, that I deal
+with this matter as moderately and loyally as may be."
+
+"I trust, for the sake of all," said the Chevalier, "that you will.
+You know, Albert, that I do not care two straws for one religion more
+than the other; and think that a man can serve God singing the psalms
+of Clement Marot as well, or perhaps better, than if he sung them in
+Latin, without, perhaps, understanding them. But for Heaven's sake
+keep peace in the inside of the country at all events. But here comes
+our young dragoon."
+
+As he spoke, the young officer rode up with a good deal of irritation
+evident in his countenance. He seemed to be three or four and twenty
+years of age, of a complexion extremely fair, and with a countenance
+sufficiently unmeaning, though all the features were good. He bowed
+familiarly to the Chevalier, and more distantly to the Count de
+Morseuil; but addressed himself at once to the latter:--
+
+"I have the honour," he said, "I presume, of speaking to the Count de
+Morseuil, and I must say that I hope he will give me his aid in
+causing proclamation of the king's will amongst these mutinous and
+rebellious people of his town of Morseuil."
+
+"My friend the Chevalier here tells me," replied the Count, "that I
+have the honour of seeing Monsieur de Hericourt----"
+
+"The Marquis Auguste de Hericourt," interrupted the young officer.
+
+"Well, sir, well," said the Count, somewhat impatiently, "I stand
+corrected: the Marquis Auguste de Hericourt, and I am very happy to
+have the honour of seeing him, and also to inform him that I will
+myself ensure that the king's will is, as he says, proclaimed in my
+town of Morseiul by the proper officers, taking care to accompany them
+into the town myself for that purpose, although I cannot but defend my
+poor townsmen from the accusation of being mutinous and rebellious
+subjects, nothing being further from the thoughts of any one here
+present than mutiny or rebellion."
+
+"Do you not hear the cries and shouts?" cried the young officer. "Do
+you not see the threatening aspect of the people?"
+
+"I hear some shouts, certainly," answered the Count, "as if something
+had given offence or displeasure; but what it is I do not know. I
+trust and hope that it is nothing in any proclamation of the king's;
+and if I should find it to be so, when I hear the proclamation read, I
+shall take every means to put an end to such demonstrations of
+disappointment or grief, at once. We have always the means of
+approaching the royal ear, and I feel sure that there will be no
+occasion for clamour or outcry in order to obtain justice at the hands
+of our most gracious and wise monarch.--But allow me to observe,
+Monsieur le Marquis," he continued somewhat more quickly, "your
+dragoons are approaching rather too near the gates of Morseiul."
+
+"You do not intend, I presume, sir," said the young officer sharply,
+"to refuse an entrance to the officers of the King, charged with a
+proclamation from his Majesty!"
+
+"Not to the King's proper civil officers," replied the Count, keeping
+his eye, while he spoke, warily fixed upon the dragoons. "But, most
+assuredly, I do intend to refuse admittance to any body of military
+whatsoever, great or small, while I retain the post with which his
+Majesty has entrusted me of governor to this place."
+
+There was a pause for a single instant, and the young officer turned
+his head, without replying, towards the soldiers, on whom the Count's
+eye also was still fixed. There was something, however, suspicious in
+their movements. They had now reached the brow of the hill, and were
+within twenty yards of the gate. They formed into a double file as
+they came up in front of the civil officers, and the head man of each
+file was seen passing a word to those behind him. At the moment their
+officer turned his head towards them, they began to move forward in
+quicker time, and in a moment more would have passed the gates;
+but at that instant the clear full voice of the Count de Morseiul was
+heard exclaiming, in a tone that rose above all the rest of the
+sounds--
+
+"Close the gates!" and the two ponderous masses of wood, which had not
+been shut for many years, swung forward grating on their hinges, and
+at once barred all entrance into the town.
+
+"What is the meaning of this, Monsieur de Hericourt?" continued the
+Count. "Your men deserve a severe reprimand, sir, for attempting to
+enter the town without my permission or your orders."
+
+The young man turned very red, but he was not ready with a reply, and
+the Chevalier, willing as far as possible to prevent any unpleasant
+consequences, and yet not to lose a jest, exclaimed--
+
+"I suppose the Marquis took it for the bec de l'oie, but he is
+mistaken, you see."
+
+"He might have found it a trap for a goose, if not a goose's bill,"
+said a loud voice from behind; but the Marquis either did not or would
+not hear any thing but the pleasant part of the allusion, and, bowing
+to the Chevalier with a smile, he said, "Oh, you are too good,
+Monsieur le Chevalier, the affair you mention was but a trifle, far
+more owing to the courage of my men than to any skill on my part. But,
+in the present instance, I must say, Count," he added, turning towards
+the other, "that the king's officers must be admitted to make
+proclamations in the town of Morseiul."
+
+"The king's civil officers shall, sir," replied the Count, "as I
+informed you before: but no soldiers, on any pretence whatsoever.
+However, sir," he continued, seeing the young officer mustering up a
+superabundant degree of energy, "I think it will be much the best plan
+for you to do me the honour of reposing yourself, with any two or
+three of your attendants you may think fit, at my poor château here,
+without the walls, while your troopers can refresh themselves at the
+little auberge at the foot of the hill. My friend, the Chevalier here,
+will do the honours of my house till I return, and I will accompany
+the officers charged with the proclamation, and see that they meet
+with no obstruction in the fulfilment of their duty."
+
+"I do not know that I am justified," said the young officer,
+hesitating, "in not insisting upon seeing the proclamation made
+myself."
+
+"I am afraid there will be no use of insisting," replied the Count;
+"and depend upon it, sir, you will serve the king better by suffering
+the proclamation to be made quietly, than even by risking a
+disturbance by protracting, unnecessarily, an irritating discussion. I
+wish to treat you with all respect, and with the distinction due to
+your high merit. Farther, I have nothing to say, but that I am
+governor of Morseiul, and as such undertake to see the king's
+proclamation duly made within the walls."
+
+The hesitation of the young dragoon was only increased by the cool and
+determined tone of the Count. Murmurs were rising amongst the people
+round, and the voice of Paul Virlay was heard muttering,
+
+"He had better decide quickly, or we shall not be able to keep the
+good men quiet."
+
+The Marquis heard the words, and instantly began to bristle up, to fix
+himself more firmly in the saddle, and put his hand towards the hilt
+of his sword; but the Chevalier advanced close to his side, and spoke
+to him for a moment or two in a low voice. Nothing was heard of their
+conversation, even by the Count de Morseiul
+, but the words "good
+wine--pleasant evening--laugh over the whole affair."
+
+But at length the young courtier bowed his head to the Count, saying,
+"Well then, sir, I repose the trust in you, knowing you to be a man of
+such high honour, that you would not undertake what you could not
+perform, nor fail to execute punctually that which you had undertaken.
+I will do myself the honour of waiting your return with the Chevalier,
+at your château."
+
+After some further words of civility on both parts, the young officer
+dismounted and threw his rein to a page, and then formally placing the
+civil officers under the care and protection of the Count de Morseiul,
+he gave orders to his dragoons to bend their steps down the hill, and
+refresh themselves at the auberge below; while he, bowing again to the
+Count, took his way with the Chevalier and a single attendant along
+the esplanade which led to the gates of the château without the walls.
+The civil officers, who had certainly been somewhat maltreated as they
+came up the hill, seemed not a little unwilling to see the dragoons
+depart, and a loud shout, mingled of triumph and scorn, with which the
+people treated the soldiers as they turned to march down the hill,
+certainly did not at all tend to comfort or re-assure the poor
+huissiers, greffiers, and other officers. The shout caused the young
+marquis, who had proceeded twenty or thirty steps upon his way, to
+stop short, and turn round, imagining that some new collision had
+taken place between the town's people and the rest; but seeing that
+all was quiet he walked on again the moment after, and the Count,
+causing the civil officers to be surrounded by his own attendants,
+ordered the wicket to be opened, and led the way in, calling to Virlay
+to accompany him, and urging upon him the necessity of preserving
+peace and order, let the nature of the proclamation be what it might.
+
+"I have given you my promise, Count," replied the blacksmith, "to do
+my best, and I won't fail; but I won't answer for myself or others on
+any other occasion."
+
+"We are only speaking of the present," replied the Count; "for other
+occasions other measures, as the case may be: but at present every
+thing requires us to submit without any opposition.--Where can this
+cowardly mayor be," he said, "that he does not choose to show himself
+in a matter like this? But the proclamation must be made without him,
+if he do not appear."
+
+They had by this time advanced into the midst of the great square, and
+the Count signified to the officer charged with the proclamation, that
+it had better be made at once: but for some moments what he suggested
+could not be accomplished from the pressure of the people, the crowd
+amounting by this time to many hundred persons. The Count, his
+attendants, and Virlay, however, contrived, with some difficulty, to
+clear a little space around, the first by entreaties and
+expostulations, and the blacksmith by sundry thrusts of his strong
+quarterstaff and menaces, with an arm which few of those there present
+seemed inclined to encounter.
+
+The Count then took off his hat, and the officer began to read the
+proclamation, which was long and wordy; but which, like many another
+act of the crown then taking place from day to day, had a direct
+tendency to deprive the protestants of France of the privileges which
+had been secured to them by Henry IV. Amongst other galling and unjust
+decrees here announced to the people was one which--after stating that
+many persons of the religion affecting the title of _reformed_, being
+ill-disposed towards the king's government, were selling their landed
+property with the view of emigrating to other lands--went on to
+declare and to give warning to all purchasers, that if heretical
+persons effecting such sales did quit the country within one year
+after having sold their property, the whole would be considered as
+confiscated to the state, and that purchasers would receive no
+indemnity.
+
+When this part of the proclamation was read, the eyes of the sturdy
+blacksmith turned upon the Count, who, by a gesture of the hand,
+endeavoured to suppress all signs of disapprobation amongst the
+multitude. It was in vain, however; for a loud shout of indignation
+burst forth from them, which was followed by another, when the
+proclamation went on to declare, that the mayors of towns, professing
+the protestant faith, should be deprived of the rank of nobles, which
+had been formerly granted to them. The proclamation then proceeded
+with various other notices of the same kind, and the indignation of
+the people was loud and unrestrained. The presence of the Count,
+however, and the exertions of Virlay, and several influential people,
+who were opposed to a rash collision with the authority of the king,
+prevented any act of violence from being committed, and when the whole
+ceremony was complete, the officers were led back to the gates by the
+Count, who gave orders that they should be conducted in safety beyond
+the precincts of the place by his own attendants.
+
+After returning into the great square, and holding a momentary
+conversation with some of the principal persons present, he returned
+by the postern to his own abode, where he found his friend and the
+young officer, apparently forgetting altogether the unpleasant events
+of the morning, and laughing and talking gaily over indifferent
+subjects.
+
+"I have the pleasure of informing you, Monsieur de Hericourt," said
+the Count when he appeared, "that the proclamation has been made
+without interruption, and that the king's officers have been conducted
+out of the town in safety. We have therefore nothing more of an
+unpleasant kind to discuss, and I trust that you will take some
+refreshment."
+
+Wine, and various sorts of meats, which were considered as delicacies
+in those days, were brought and set before the young courtier, who did
+justice to all, declaring that he had never in his life tasted any
+thing more exquisite than the produce of the Count's cellars. He even
+ventured to praise the dishes, though he insinuated, much to the
+indignation of the cook, to whom it was repeated by an attendant, that
+there was a shade too much of taragon in one of the ragouts, and that
+if a matelotte had been five minutes more cooked, the fish would have
+been tenderer, and the flavour more decided. The Count smiled, and
+apologised for the error, reminding him, that the poor rustics in the
+country could not boast the skill and delicacy, or even perhaps the
+nicety of natural taste of the artists of the capital. He then turned
+the conversation to matters of some greater importance, and inquired
+when they were to expect the presence of the Duc de Rouvré in the
+province.
+
+The young Marquis opened his eyes at the question, as if he looked
+upon it as a sign of the most utter and perfect ignorance and
+rusticity that could be conceived.
+
+"Is it possible, Monsieur le Comte," he said, "that you, so high in
+the service of the king, and so highly esteemed, as I may add, at
+court, are not aware that the duke arrived at Poitiers nearly five
+days ago? I had the honour of accompanying him thither, and he has
+himself been within the last three days as near as seven leagues to
+the very place where we are now sitting."
+
+"You must remember, my good sir," replied the Count, "as some excuse
+for my ignorance, that I received his Majesty's gracious permission to
+return hither upon some important affairs direct from the army,
+without visiting the court, and that I only arrived late last night.
+Pray, when you return to Monsieur de Rouvré, present my compliments to
+him, and tell him that I shall do myself the honour of waiting upon
+him, to congratulate him and the Duchess upon their safe arrival in
+the province, without any delay."
+
+"Wait till they are fully established at Poitiers," replied the young
+officer. "They are now upon a little tour through the province, not
+choosing to stay at Poitiers yet," he added, sinking his voice into a
+low and confidential tone, "because their household is not in complete
+order. None of the new liveries are made; the guard of the governor is
+not yet organised; two cooks and three servers have not arrived from
+Paris. Nothing is in order, in short. In a week, I trust, we shall be
+more complete, and then indeed I do not think that the household of
+any governor in the kingdom will exceed in taste, if not in splendour,
+that of the Duc de Rouvré."
+
+"Which is, I presume," said the Chevalier, "under the direction and
+superintendence of the refined and celebrated good taste of the
+Marquis Auguste de Hericourt."
+
+"Why, to say the truth," replied the young nobleman, "my excellent
+friend De Rouvré has some confidence in my judgment of such things: I
+may say, indeed, has implicit faith therein, as he has given all that
+department over to me for the time, beseeching me to undertake it, and
+of course I cannot disappoint him."
+
+"Of course not! of course not!" replied the Chevalier, and in such
+conversation passed on some time, the worthy Marquis de Hericourt,
+swallowed up in himself, not at all perceiving a certain degree of
+impatience in the Count de Morseiul, which might have afforded any
+other man a hint to take his departure. He lingered over his wine; he
+lingered over his dessert; he perambulated the gardens; he criticised
+the various arrangements of the château with that minute attention to
+nothings, which is the most insufferable of all things when obtruded
+upon a mind bent upon matters of deep importance.
+
+It was thus fully five o'clock in the afternoon before he took his
+departure, and the Count forced himself to perform every act of
+civility by him to the last moment. As soon as he was gone, however,
+the young nobleman turned quickly to his friend, saying,--
+
+"I thought that contemptible piece of emptiness would never depart,
+and of course, Louis, after what has taken place this morning, it is
+absolutely necessary for me to consult with some of my friends of the
+same creed as myself. I will not in any degree involve you in these
+matters, as the very fact of your knowing any of our proceedings might
+hereafter be detrimental to you; and I only make this excuse because I
+owe it to the long friendship between us not to withhold any part of
+my confidence from you, except out of consideration for yourself."
+
+"Act as you think fit, my dear Albert," replied his friend; "but only
+act with moderation. If you want my advice on any occasion, ask it,
+without minding whether you compromise me or not; I'm quite sure that
+I am much too bad a Catholic to sacrifice my friend's secrets either
+to Pellisson, La Chaise, or Le Tellier. If I am not mistaken, the
+devil himself will make the fourth at their card-table some day, and
+perhaps Louvois will stand by and bet."
+
+"Oh! I entertain no fear of your betraying me," answered the Count
+with a smile; "but I should entertain great fear of embroiling you
+with the court."
+
+"Only take care not to embroil yourself," replied the Chevalier. "I am
+sure I wish there were no such thing as sects in the world. If you
+could but take a glance at the state of England, which is split into
+more sects than it contains cities, I am sure you would be of
+Turenne's opinion, and come into the bosom of the mother church, if it
+were but for the sake of getting rid of such confusion. Nay, shake not
+your wise head. If the truth be told, you are a Protestant because you
+were bred so in your youth; and one half of the world has no other
+motive either for its religion or its politics. But get thee gone,
+Albert, get thee gone. Consult with your wise friends, and come back
+more Huguenotised than ever."
+
+The Count would have made some further apologies for leaving him, but
+his friend would not hear them, and sending for his horse, Albert of
+Morseiul took his departure from his château, forbidding any of his
+attendants to follow him.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                             THE PASTOR.
+
+
+The Count's orders were given so distinctly for no one to accompany
+him on his way, that none of his domestics presumed even to gaze after
+him from the gate, or to mark the path he took. As he wished to call
+no attention, he kept under the walls of the town, riding slowly along
+over the green till he came to the zigzag path which we have before
+mentioned as being now almost entirely disused. He had cast a large
+cloak around him, of that kind which at an after period degenerated
+into what was called a roquelaure, and his person was thus
+sufficiently concealed to prevent him from being recognised by any
+body at a distance.
+
+At the foot of the zigzag which he now descended he chose a path which
+led along the bank of the river for some way to the right, and then
+entered into a beautiful wooded lane between high banks. The sun was
+shining full over the world, but with a tempered and gentle light from
+the point of its declination at which it had arrived. The rays,
+however, did not in general reach the road, except where the bank
+sloped away; and then pouring through the green leaves and branches of
+the wild briar the honeysuckle and the hazel, it streamed upon the
+miniature cliffs of yellow sand on the opposite side, and chequered
+the uneven path which the young Count was pursuing. The birds had as
+yet lost little of their full song, and the deep round tones of
+the blackbird bidding the golden day adieu as he saw the great
+light-bearer descending in the heaven, poured forth from beneath the
+holly bushes, with a melancholy and a moralising sound, speaking to
+the heart of man with the grand philosophic voice of nature, and
+counselling peace and affection, and meditation on the bounties of
+God.
+
+It is impossible to ride through such scenes at such an hour on the
+evening of bright summer days without feeling the calm and elevating
+influence of all things, whether mute or tuneful, taught by almighty
+beneficence to celebrate either by aspect or by song the close of
+another day's being and enjoyment. The effect upon the heart of the
+Count de Morseiul was full and deep. He had been riding slowly before,
+but after passing through the lane for about a minute, he gently drew
+in the bridle upon his horse till the beast went slower still, then
+laid the rein quietly upon his neck, and gave himself up to
+meditation.
+
+The chief theme in his mind at that moment was certainly the state and
+prospects of himself and his fellow Protestants: and perhaps--even in
+experiencing all the beauty and the peacefulness of the scene through
+which he wandered, the calm tone of enjoyment in every thing around,
+the voice of tranquillity that spoke in every sound--his feelings
+towards those who unnecessarily disturbed the contented existence of
+an industrious and happy race, might become bitterer, and his
+indignation grow more deep and stern, though more melancholy and
+tranquil. What had the Huguenots done, he asked himself, for
+persecution to seek them out there in the midst of their calm and
+pleasant dwellings--to fill them with fiery passions that they knew
+not of before--to drive them to acts which they as well as their
+enemies might bitterly repent at an after period--and to mar scenes
+which seemed destined for the purest and happiest enjoyment that the
+nature of man and its harmony with the other works of God can produce,
+by anxiety, care, strife, and perhaps with bloodshed?
+
+What had the Huguenots done? he asked himself. Had they not served
+their king as loyally, as valiantly, as readily in the battle field,
+and upon the wide ocean, as the most zealous Catholic amongst them
+all? Had not the most splendid victories which his arms had obtained
+by land been won for him by Huguenot generals? Was not even then a
+Huguenot seaman carrying the thunders of his navy into the ports of
+Spain? Were the Huguenots less loyal subjects, less industrious
+mechanics, less estimable as citizens, than any other of the natives
+of the land? Far from it. The contrary was known to be the fact--the
+decided contrary. They were more peaceable, they were more tranquil,
+they were more industrious, they were more ready to contribute either
+their blood or their treasure to the service of the state than the
+great mass of the Catholic population; and yet tormenting exactions,
+insults, cavillings, inquiries, and investigations, all tending to
+irritate and to enrage, were going on day by day, and were clearly to
+be followed soon by the persecuting sword itself.
+
+On such themes he paused and thought as he went on, and the first
+effect produced upon his mind was of course painful and gloomy. As the
+sweetest music sounding at the same time with inharmonious notes can
+but produce harsh dissonance, so the brightest scenes to a mind filled
+with painful thoughts seems but to deepen their sadness. Still,
+however, after a time, the objects around him, and their bright
+tranquillity, had their effect upon the heart of the Count; his
+feelings grew calmer, and the magic power of association came to lay
+out a road whereby fancy might lead his thoughts to gentler themes.
+The path that he was pursuing led him at length to the spot where the
+little adventure had occurred which he had related in the course of
+the morning to his friend. He never passed by that spot without giving
+a thought to the fair girl he had there met; but now he dwelt upon the
+recollection longer than he otherwise might have done, in consequence
+of having spoken of her and of their meeting that very day. He smiled
+as he thought of the whole, for there was nothing like pain of any
+kind mingled with the remembrance. It was merely a fanciful dream he
+had cherished, half amused at himself for the little romance he had
+got up in his own mind, half employing the romance itself as a check
+upon the very imagination that had framed it.
+
+"She was certainly very lovely," he thought as he rode on, "and her
+voice was certainly very sweet; and unless nature, as is but too often
+the case, had in her instance become accomplice to a falsehood, that
+form, that face, that voice, must have betokened a bright spirit and a
+noble heart. Alas! why is it," he went on to ask himself, "why is it
+that the countenance, if we read it aright, should not be the correct
+interpreter of the heart? Doubtless such was at first God's will, and
+the serpent taught us, though we could not conceal our hearts from the
+Almighty, to falsify the stamp he had fixed upon them for our fellow
+men. And yet it is strange--however much we may have gained from
+experience, however painfully we may learn that man's heart is written
+in his actions, not in his face--it is strange we ever judge more or
+less by the same deceitful countenance, and guess by its expressions,
+if not by its features, though we might as well judge of what is at
+the bottom of a deep stream by the waves that agitate its surface."
+
+In such fanciful dreams he went on, often turning again to the fair
+vision that he had there seen, sometimes wondering who she could have
+been, and sometimes deciding and deciding the question wrongly in his
+own mind, but never suffering the wild expectation which he had once
+nourished of meeting her again to cross his mind--for he had found
+that to indulge it rendered him uneasy, and unfit for more real
+pursuits.
+
+At length, the lane winding out upon some hills where the short dry
+turf betokened a rocky soil below, took its way through a country of a
+less pleasing aspect. Here the Count de Morseiul put his horse into a
+quicker pace, and after descending into another low valley full of
+streams and long luxuriant grass, he climbed slowly a high hill,
+surmounted by a towering spire. The village to which the spire
+belonged was very small, and consisted entirely of the low houses of
+an agricultural population. They were neat, clean, and cheerful
+however in aspect, and there was an attention to niceness of exterior
+visible every where, not very frequently found amongst the lower
+classes of any country.
+
+There was scarcely any one in the street, as the Count passed, except,
+indeed, a few children enjoying their evening sport, and taking the
+day's last hour of happy life, before the setting sun brought the
+temporary extinction of their bright activity. There was also at the
+end of the town a good old dame sitting at a cottage door and spinning
+in the tempered sunshine of the evening, while her grey cat rolled
+happy in the dust beside her; but the whole of the rest of the
+villagers were still in the fields.
+
+The Count rode on, giving the dame "good even" as he passed; and,
+leaving what seemed the last house of the village behind him, he took
+his way along a road shadowed by tall walnut trees growing upon the
+edge of a hill, which towered up in high and broken banks on the left,
+and sloped away upon the right, displaying the whole track of country
+through which the young nobleman had just passed, bright in the
+evening light below, with his own town and castle rising up a fellow
+hill to that on which he now stood, at the distance of some seven or
+eight miles.
+
+As he turned one sharp angle of the hill, however, he suddenly drew in
+his rein on seeing a carriage before him. It was stationary, however,
+and the two boorish looking servants, dressed in grey, who accompanied
+it, were standing at the edge of the hill, gazing over the country, as
+if the scene were new to them; while the horses, which the coachman
+had left to their own discretion, were stamping in a state of listless
+dozing, to keep off the flies which the season rendered troublesome.
+
+It was evident that the carriage was held in waiting for some one, and
+the Count, after pausing for a single instant, rode on, looking in as
+he passed it. There was no one, however, within the wide and clumsy
+vehicle, and the servants, though they stared at the young stranger,
+took no notice, and made no sign of reverence as he went by them; with
+which, indeed, he was well satisfied, not desiring to be recognised by
+any one who might noise his proceedings abroad.
+
+He rode on then with somewhat of a quicker pace, to a spot where, at
+the side of the road, a little wicket gale led into a small grove of
+old trees, through which a path conducted to a neat stone-built house,
+of small size, with its garden around it: flowers on the one hand, and
+pot-herbs on the other. Nothing could present an aspect cleaner,
+neater, more tasteful than the house and the garden. Not a straw was
+out of its place in the thatch, and every flower-bed of the little
+parterre was trimmed exactly with the same scrupulous care. The door
+was of wood, painted grey, with a rope and handle by the side, to
+which was attached a large bell, but, though at almost all times that
+door stood open, it was closed on the present occasion. The young
+Count took his way through the grove and the garden straight to the
+door, as if familiar with the path of old, leaving his horse, however,
+under the trees, not far from the outer gate. On finding the door
+closed, he pulled the handle of the bell, though somewhat gently; but,
+for a moment or two, no one replied, and he rang again, on which
+second summons a maid servant, of some forty or fifty years, appeared,
+bearing on her head a towering structure of white linen, in the shape
+of a cap, not unlike in shape and snowy whiteness the uncovered peak
+of some mountain ridge in the Alps.
+
+On her appearance she uttered an exclamation of pleasure at the sight
+of the young Count, whom she instantly recognised; and, on his asking
+for her master, she replied, that he was busy in conference with two
+ladies, but that she was sure that the Count de Morseiul might go in
+at any time. She pointed onward with her hand, as she spoke, down the
+clean nicely-sanded passage to the door of a small room at the back of
+the house, looking over the prospect which we have mentioned. It was
+evidently the good woman's intention that the Count should go in and
+announce himself; but he did not choose to do so, and sent her forward
+to ask if he might be admitted. A full clear round voice instantly
+answered from within, on her application, "Certainly, certainly," and,
+taking that as his warrant, the Count advanced into the room at once.
+He found it tenanted by three people, on only one of whom, however, we
+shall pause, as the other two, consisting of a lady, dressed in a sort
+of half mourning, with a thick veil which she had drawn over her face
+before the Count entered, and another who was apparently a female
+servant of a superior class, instantly quitted the room, merely saying
+to their companion,
+
+"I will not forget."
+
+The third was a man of sixty-two or sixty-three years of age, dressed
+in black, without sword or any ornament to his plain straight cut
+clothes. His head was bare, though a small black velvet cap lay on the
+table beside him, and his white hair, which was suffered to grow very
+long at the back and on the temples, fell down his neck, and met the
+plain white collar of his shirt, which was turned back upon his
+shoulders. The top of his head was bald, rising up from a fine wide
+forehead, with all those characteristic marks of expansion and
+elevation which we are generally inclined to associate in our own
+minds with the idea of powerful intellect and noble feelings. The
+countenance, too, was fine, the features straight, clear, and
+well-defined, though the eyes, which had been originally fine and
+large, were somewhat hollowed by age, and the cheeks, sunken also,
+left the bones beneath the eyes rather too prominent. The chin was
+rounded and fine, and the teeth white and undecayed; but, in other
+respects, the marks of age were very visible. There were lines and
+furrows about the brow; and, on the cheeks; and, between the eyebrows,
+there was a deep dent, which might give, in some degree, an air of
+sternness, but seemed still more the effect of intense thought, and
+perhaps of anxious care.
+
+The form of the old man bore evident traces of the powerful and
+vigorous mould in which it had been originally cast; the shoulders
+were broad, the chest deep, the arms long and sinewy, the hands large
+and muscular. The complexion had been originally brown, and perhaps at
+one time florid; but now it was pale, without a trace of colour any
+where but in the lips, which for a man of that age were remarkably
+full and red. The eye, the light of the soul, was still bright and
+sparkling. It gave no evidence of decay, varying frequently in
+expression from keen and eager rapidity of thought, and from the rapid
+changes of feeling in a heart still full of strong emotions.
+
+Such--though the picture is but a faint one--such was the appearance
+of Claude de l'Estang, Huguenot minister of the small village of
+Auron, at equal distances from Ruffigny and Morseiul. He had played,
+in his youth, a conspicuous part in defence of the Huguenot cause; he
+had been a soldier as well as a preacher, and the sword and musket had
+been familiar to his hands, so long as the religion of his fathers was
+assailed by open persecution. No sooner, however, did those times seem
+to have passed away, than, casting from him the weapons of carnal
+warfare, he resumed the exercise of the profession to which he had
+been originally destined, and became, for the time, one of the most
+popular preachers in the south of France.
+
+Though his life was irreproachable, his manners pure, and his talents
+high, Claude de l'Estang had not been without his portion of the
+faults and failings of humanity. He had been ambitious in his
+particular manner; he had been vain; he had loved the admiration and
+applause of the multitude; he had coveted the fame of eloquence, and
+the reputation of superior sanctity; youth, and youth's eagerness,
+joined with the energy inseparable from high genius, had carried his
+natural errors to an extreme: but long before the period of which we
+now speak, years, and still more sorrows, had worked a great and
+beneficial, but painful alteration. His first disappointment was the
+disappointment of the brightest hopes of youth, complicated with all
+that could aggravate the crossing of early love; for there was joined
+unto it the blasting of all bright confidence in woman's sincerity,
+and the destruction of that trust in the eternal happiness of one whom
+he could never cease to love which was more painful to the mind of a
+sincere and enthusiastic follower of his own particular creed than the
+loss of all his other hopes together. He had loved early, and loved
+above his station; and encouraged by hope, and by the smiles of one
+who fancied that she loved in return, his ambition had been stimulated
+by passion, till all the great energies of his mind were called forth
+to raise himself to the highest celebrity. When he had attained all,
+however, when he saw multitudes flock to hear his voice, and thousands
+hanging upon the words of his lips as upon oracles, even then, at the
+moment when he thought every thing must yield to him, he had seen an
+unexpected degree of coldness come upon her he loved, and apparent
+reluctance to fulfil the promises which had been given when his estate
+was lowlier. Some slight opposition on the part of noble and wealthy
+parents--opposition that would have yielded to entreaties less than
+urgent, was assigned as the cause of the hesitation which wrung his
+heart. The very duties which he himself had inculcated, and which, had
+there been real love at heart, would have found a very different
+interpretation, were now urged in opposition to his wishes; and,
+mortified and pained, Claude de l'Estang watched anxiously for the
+ultimate result. We need not pause upon all the steps; the end was,
+that he saw her, to whom he had devoted every affection of a warm and
+energetic heart, break her engagements to him, wed an enemy of her
+father's creed, renounce the religion in which she had been brought
+up, and after some years of ephemeral glitter in a corrupt court,
+become faithless to the husband for whom she had become faithless to
+her religion, and end her days, in bitterness, in a convent, where her
+faith was suspected, and her real sins daily reproved.
+
+In the meanwhile, Claude de l'Estang had wrestled with his own nature.
+He had refrained from showing mortification, or grief, or despair; he
+had kept the serpent within his own bosom, and fed him upon his own
+heart: he had abandoned not his pulpit; he had neglected, in no
+degree, his flock; he had publicly held up as a warning to others the
+dereliction of her whom he most loved, as one who had gone out from
+amongst them because she was not of them; he had become sterner,
+indeed more severe, in his doctrines as well as in his manners, and
+this first sorrow had a tendency rather to harden than to soften his
+heart.
+
+The next thing, however, which he had to undergo, was the punishment
+of that harshness. A youth of a gentle but eager disposition, who had
+been his own loved companion and friend, whom he still esteemed highly
+for a thousand good and engaging qualities, was betrayed into an
+error, on the circumstances of which we will not pause. Suffice it to
+say that it proceeded from strong passion and circumstances of
+temptation, and that for it he was eager and willing to make
+atonement. He was one of the congregation of Claude de l'Estang,
+however, and the minister showed himself the more determined, on
+account of the friendship that existed between them, not to suffer the
+fault to pass without the humiliation of public penitence; and he
+exacted all, to the utmost tittle, that a harsh church, in its
+extremest laws, could demand, ere it received a sinner back into its
+bosom again. The young man submitted, feeling deep repentance, and
+believing his own powers of endurance to be greater than they were.
+But the effect was awful. From the church door, when he had performed
+the act demanded of him, fancying that the finger of scorn would be
+pointed at him for ever, he fled to his own home with reason cast
+headlong from her throne. Ere two hours were over he had died by his
+own hand; scrawling with his blood, as it flowed from him, a brief
+epistle to his former friend to tell him that the act was his.
+
+That awful day, and those few lines, not only filled the bosom of the
+minister with remorse and grief, but it opened his eyes to every thing
+that had been dark in his own bosom. It showed him that he had made a
+vanity of dealing with his friend more severely than he would have
+done with others; that it was for his own reputation's sake that he
+had thus acted; that there was pride in the severe austerity of his
+life; that there was something like hypocrisy in the calm exterior
+with which he had covered over a broken heart. He felt that he had
+mighty enemies to combat in himself; and, as his heart was originally
+pure and upright, his energies great, and his power over himself
+immense, he determined that he would at once commence the war, and
+never end it till--to use his own words--"he had subdued every strong
+hold of the evil spirit in his breast, and expelled the enemy of his
+eternal Master for ever."
+
+He succeeded in his undertaking: his very first act was to resign to
+others the cure of his congregation in Rochelle; the next to apply for
+and obtain the cure of the little Protestant congregation, in the
+remote village of Auron. Every argument was brought forward to induce
+him to stay in La Rochelle, but every argument proved inefficacious.
+The vanity of popularity he fancied might be a snare to him, and he
+refused all entreaties. When he came amongst the good villagers, he
+altered the whole tone and character of his preaching. It became
+simple, calm, unadorned, suited in every respect to the capacity of
+the lowest person that heard him. All the fire of his eloquence was
+confined to urging upon his hearers their duties, in the tone of one
+whose whole soul and expectations were staked upon their salvation. He
+became mild and gentle, too, though firm when it was needful; and the
+reputation which he had formerly coveted still followed him when he
+sought to cast it off. No synod of the Protestant clergy took place
+without the opinion of Claude de l'Estang being cited almost without
+appeal; and whenever advice, or consolation, or support was wanting,
+men would travel for miles to seek it at the humble dwelling of the
+village pastor.
+
+His celebrity, joined with his mildness, gained great immunities for
+himself and his flock, during the early part of the reign of Louis
+XIV. At first, indeed, when he took upon himself the charge of Auron,
+the Catholic authorities of the neighbouring towns, holding in
+remembrance his former character, imagined that he had come there to
+make proselytes, and prepared to wage the strife with vehemence
+against him. The intendant of the province was urged to visit the
+little village of Auron, to cause the spire of the church--which had
+been suffered to remain, as all the inhabitants of the neighbouring
+district were Protestants--to be pulled down, and the building reduced
+to the shape and dimensions to which the temples of the Protestants
+were generally restricted: but ere the pastor had been many months
+there, his conduct was so different from what had been expected; he
+kept himself so completely aloof from every thing like cabal or
+intrigue; he showed so little disposition to encroach upon the rights,
+or to assail the religion, of others; that, knowing his talents and
+his energies when roused into action, the neighbouring Catholics
+embraced the opinion, that it would be better to leave him
+undisturbed.
+
+The intendant of the province was a wise and a moderate man, and
+although, when urged, he could not neglect to visit the little town of
+Auron, yet he did so after as much delay as possible, and with the
+determination of dealing as mildly with its pastor, and its
+population, as was possible. When he came, he found the minister so
+mild, so humble, so unlike what he had been represented, that his good
+intentions were strengthened. He was obliged to say, that he must have
+the spire of the church taken down, although it was shown that there
+was not one Catholic family to be offended by the sight within seven
+or eight miles around. But Claude de l'Estang only smiled at the
+proposal, saying, that he could preach quite as well if it were away;
+and the intendant, though he declared that it was absolutely necessary
+to be done, by some accident always forgot to give orders to that
+effect; and even at a later period discovered that the spire, both
+from its own height and from the height of the hill on which it stood,
+sometimes acted as a landmark to ships at sea.
+
+Thus the spire remained; and here, in calm tranquillity, Claude de
+l'Estang had, at the time we speak of, passed more than thirty years
+of his life. A small private fortune of his own enabled him to
+exercise any benevolent feelings to which his situation might give
+rise: simple in habits, he required little for himself; active and
+energetic in mind, he never wanted time to attend to the spiritual and
+temporal wants of his flock with the most minute attention. Though
+ever grave and sad himself, he was ever well pleased to see the
+peasantry happy and amused; and he felt practically every day, in
+comparing Auron with Rochelle, how much better is love than
+popularity. No magistrate, no judge, had any occupation in the town of
+Auron, for the veneration in which he was held was a law to the place.
+Any disputes that occurred amongst the inhabitants in consequence of
+the inseparable selfishnesses of our nature, were instantly referred
+to him; and he was sure to decide in such a way as instantly to
+satisfy the great bulk of the villagers that he was right. There were
+no recusants; for though there might be individuals who, from folly or
+obstinacy, or the blindness of selfishness, would have opposed his
+decision if it had stood unsupported, yet when the great mass of their
+fellow villagers were against them also, they dared not utter a word.
+If there was any evil committed; if youth, and either youth's passions
+or its follies produced wrong, the pastor had learned ever to censure
+mildly, to endeavour to amend rather than to punish, and to repair the
+evil that had been done, rather than to castigate him to whom it was
+attributable.
+
+In such occupations passed the greater part of his time; and he felt
+to the very heart the truth of the words--even in this world--that
+"blessed are the peace-makers." The rest of his time he devoted either
+to study or to relaxation. What he called study was the deep intense
+application of his mind to the knowledge and interpretation of the
+Holy Scriptures, whether in translation or in the original languages.
+What he called relaxation divided itself into two parts: the reading
+of that high classical literature, which had formed the great
+enjoyment of his youth, and by attention to which his eloquence had
+been chiefly formed; and the cultivation of his flower-garden, of
+which he was extremely fond, together with the superintendence of the
+little farm which surrounded his mansion. His life, in short, was a
+life of primeval simplicity: his pleasures few, but sweet and
+innocent; his course of existence, for many years at least, smooth and
+unvaried, remote from strife, and dedicated to do good.
+
+From time to time, indeed, persons of a higher rank, and of thoughts
+and manners much more refined than those of the villagers by whom he
+was surrounded, would visit his retirement, to seek his advice or
+enjoy his conversation; and on these occasions he certainly did feel a
+refreshment of mind from the living communion with persons of equal
+intellect, which could not be gained even from his converse with the
+mighty dead. Still it never made him wish to return to situations in
+which such opportunities were more frequent, if not constant. "It is
+enough as it is," he said; "it now comes like a refreshing shower upon
+the soil of the heart, teaching it to bring forth flowers; but,
+perhaps, if that rain were more plentiful and continued always, there
+would be nothing but flowers and no fruit. I love my solitude, though
+perhaps I love it not unbroken."
+
+It rarely happened that these visits had any thing that was at all
+painful or annoying in them, for the means of communication between
+one part of the country and another were in that day scanty; and those
+who came to see him could in no degree be moved by curiosity, but must
+either be instigated by some motive of much importance, or brought
+thither by the desire of a mind capable of comprehending and
+appreciating his. He seldom, we may almost say he never, went out to
+visit any one but the members of his own flock in his spiritual
+capacity. He had twice, indeed, in thirty years, been at the château
+of Morseiul, but that was first on the occasion of a dangerous illness
+of the Countess, the mother of Count Albert, and then, on the
+commencement of those encroachments upon the rights of the Huguenots,
+which had now been some time in progress.
+
+The Counts of Morseiul, however, both father and son, visited him
+often. The first he had regarded well nigh as a brother; the latter he
+looked upon almost in the light of a son. He loved their conversation
+from its sincerity, its candour, and its vigour. The experience of the
+old Count, which came united with none of the hardness of heart and
+feeling which experience too often brings; the freshness of mind, the
+fanciful enthusiasms of the younger nobleman, alike interested,
+pleased, and attached him. With both there were points of immediate
+communication, by which his mind entered instantly into the thoughts
+and feelings of theirs; and he felt throughout every fresh
+conversation with them, that he was dealing with persons worthy of
+communication with him, both by brightness and elevation of intellect,
+by earnest energy of character, by virtue, honour, and uprightness,
+and by the rare gem of unchangeable truth.
+
+It may well be supposed, then, that he rose to meet the young Count de
+Morseiul, of whose return to his own domains he had not been made
+aware, with a smile of unmixed satisfaction.
+
+"Welcome, my dear Albert," he said, addressing him by the name which
+he had used towards him from childhood; "welcome back to your own
+dwelling and your own people. How have you fared in the wars? How have
+you fared in perilous camps and in the field, and in the still more
+perilous court? And how long is it since you returned to Morseiul?"
+
+"I have fared well, dear friend," replied the Count, "in all; have had
+some opportunity of serving the king, and have received more thanks
+than those services deserved. In regard to the court, where I could
+neither serve him nor myself, nor any one else, I have escaped its
+perils this year, by obtaining permission to come straight from the
+army to Morseiul, without visiting either Paris or Versailles; and
+now, as to your last question, when I arrived, I would say but
+yesterday afternoon, were it not that you would, I know, thank me for
+coming to see you so speedily, when in truth I only intended to come
+to-morrow, had not some circumstances, not so pleasant as I could
+wish, though not so bad as I fear may follow, brought me hither, to
+consult with you to-day."
+
+A slight cloud came over the old man's countenance as his younger
+companion spoke.
+
+"Is the difficulty in which you seek counsel, Albert," he demanded,
+"in your own household, or in the household of our suffering church?"
+
+"Alas," replied the Count, "it is in the latter, my excellent friend;
+had it been in my own household, unless some urgent cause impelled me,
+I should not have thus troubled you."
+
+"I feared so, I feared so," replied the old man; "I have heard
+something of these matters of late:--so they will not leave us in
+repose!" And as he spoke he rose from the chair he had resumed after
+welcoming the Count, and paced the room backwards and forwards more
+than once.
+
+"It is in vain," he said at length, casting himself back into his
+seat, "to let such things agitate me. The disposal of all is in a
+better and a firmer hand than mine. 'On this rock will I found my
+church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!' So said
+our divine Master; and I need not tell you, Albert of Morseiul, that
+when he said, 'on this rock,' he meant on the rock of faith, and did
+not mean the trumpery juggle, the buffoon-like playing on the name of
+Peter, which 'the disciples of a corrupt sect would attribute to him.
+He has founded his church upon the rock of faith, and thereon do I
+build my hope; for I cannot but see that the enemy are preparing the
+spear and making ready the bow against us. Whether it be God's will
+that we shall resist, as we have done in former times, and be enabled,
+though but a handful amongst a multitude, to smite the enemies and the
+perverters of our pure religion, or whether we shall be called upon to
+die as martyrs, and seal our faith by the pouring out of our blood,
+leaving another ensample to the elect that come after us, will be
+pointed out by the circumstances in which we are placed. But I see
+clearly that the sword is out to smite us, and we must either resist
+or endure."
+
+"It is precisely on that point," replied the Count, "that I came to
+consult with you. Measures of a strong, a harassing, and of an unjust
+nature, are taking place against us, because we will not say we
+believe that which we are sure is false, and follow doctrines which
+our soul repudiates. Did I hope, my excellent friend, that the matter
+would stop here; did I expect that such measures of petty annoyance as
+I have heard proclaimed in the town of Morseiul to-day, or any thing,
+indeed, similar to those measures, would be the final end and limit of
+the attack upon our liberties and our faith, I should be most anxious
+to calm the minds of the people, to persuade them to endure rather
+than to resist, and to remember that patience will cure many things: I
+should ask you, I should beseech even you, plighted as you are to
+support the cause of truth and righteousness, to aid me in my efforts,
+and to remember at what an awful price indemnity must be bought; to
+remember how fearful, how terrible, must be the scenes through which
+we wade to the attainment of those equal rights which should be
+granted even without our seeking them."
+
+"And I would aid you! and I would remember!" exclaimed the pastor,
+grasping his hand, "so help me the God of my trust, Albert of
+Morseiul," he continued more vehemently, "as I have ever avoided for
+long years every cause of strife and dissension, every matter of
+offence thrown in my way by those who would persecute us. Nay more,
+far more; when my counsels have been sought, when my advice has been
+required, the words that I have spoken have always been pacific, not
+alone peaceful in sound, but peaceful in spirit and in intent, and
+peaceful in every tendency; I have counselled submission where I might
+have stirred up war; I have advised mild means and supplications, when
+the time for successful resistance was pointed out both by just cause
+for bitter indignation, and by the embarrassment of our enemies in
+consequence of their over ambition: and now I tell thee, Albert, I
+tell thee with pain and apprehension, that I doubt, that I much doubt,
+whether in so doing I have acted right or wrong; whether, by such
+timid counsels, the happy moment has not been suffered to slip;
+whether our enemies, more wise in their generation than we are, have
+not taken advantage of our forbearance, have not waited till they
+themselves were in every way prepared, and are now ready to execute
+the iniquitous designs which have only been suspended in consequence
+of ambitious efforts in other quarters."
+
+"I fear, indeed, that it is so," replied the young Count; "but,
+nevertheless, neither you nor any other person has cause to reproach
+himself for such conduct. Forbearance, even if taken advantage of by
+insidious enemies, must always be satisfactory to one's own heart."
+
+"I know not, I know not," replied the old man. "In my early days,
+Albert, these hands have grasped the sword in defence of my religion;
+and we were then taught that resistance to the will of those bigots
+and tyrants who would crush out the last spark of the pure worship of
+God, and substitute in its place the gross idolatry which disfigures
+this land, was a duty to the Author of our faith. We were taught that
+resistance was not optional, but compulsory; and that to our children,
+and to our brethren, and to our ancestors, we owed the same
+determined, persevering, uncompromising efforts that were required
+from us by the service of the Lord likewise. We were taught that we
+should never surrender, that we should never hesitate, that we should
+never compromise, till the liberty of the true reformed church of
+France was established upon a sure and permanent basis, or the last
+drop of blood in the veins of her saints was poured out into the cup
+of martyrdom. Such were the doctrines, Albert, that were taught in my
+youth, such were the doctrines under which I myself became a humble
+soldier of the cross. But, alas, lulled with the rest of my brethren
+into a fatal security, thinking that no farther infraction of our
+liberties would take place, believing that we should always be
+permitted to worship the God of our salvation according to the
+dictates of our own conscience--perhaps even believing, Albert, that
+some degree of contumely and persecution, some stigma attached to the
+poor name of Huguenot, might be beneficial, if not necessary, in our
+frail condition as mortal men, to be a bond of union amongst us to
+maintain our religion in its purity, and to keep alive the flame of
+zeal;--believing all this, I have not bestirred myself to resist small
+encroachments, I have even counselled others to pass them over without
+notice. Now, however, I am convinced that it is the intention, perhaps
+not of the King, for men say that he is kind and clement, but of the
+base men that surround him, gradually to sap the foundations of our
+church, and cast it down altogether. I have seen it in every act that
+has been taking place of late, have marked it in every proceeding of
+the court; and, though slow and insidious, covered with base pretexts
+and pitiful quibbles, the progress of our enemies has been sure, and I
+fear that it may be too late to close the door against them: I could
+recall all their acts one by one, and the summing up would clearly
+show, that the idolatrous priesthood of this popish land are
+determined not to suffer a purer faith to remain any longer as an
+offence and reproach unto them."
+
+"I much wish," replied the Count earnestly, "that you would put down,
+in order, these encroachments. I have been long absent, serving in the
+field, where my faith has, of course, been no obstacle, and where we
+have little discussion of such matters: but if I had them clearly
+stated before me, I and the other Protestant noblemen of France might
+draw up a petition to the king, whose natural sense of right is very
+strong, which would induce him to do us justice----"
+
+The old man shook his head with a look of melancholy doubt, but the
+Count immediately added, repeating the words he had just used, "to do
+us justice, or to make such a declaration of his intentions, as to
+enable us to take measures to meet the exigency of the moment."
+
+"Willingly, most willingly," said Claude de l'Estang, "will I tell you
+all that is done, and has been doing, by our enemies. I will tell you
+also, Albert, all the false and absurd charges that they urge against
+us to justify their own iniquitous dealings towards us. We will
+consider the whole together calmly and dispassionately, and take
+counsel as to what may best be done. God forbid that I should see the
+blood of my fellow Christians shed; but God forbid, also, that I
+should see his holy church overthrown."
+
+"You speak of charges against us, sir," said the Count, with some
+surprise in his countenance: "I knew not that even malice itself could
+find or forge a charge against the Huguenots of France. At the court
+and in the camp there is no charge; tell me what we have done in the
+provinces to give even a foundation for a charge."
+
+"Nothing, my young friend," replied the clergyman; "we have done
+nothing but defend the immunities secured unto us by the hand of the
+very king who now seeks to snatch them from us. We have not even
+defended, as perhaps we should, the unalienable privileges given us by
+a greater king. No; the insidious plan of our deceitful enemies has
+been to attack us first, and then to lay resistance to our charge as a
+crime. Take but a few instances. In the towns of Tonnay and of Privas,
+the reformed religion was not only the dominant religion, but the sole
+religion, and had been so for near a century; the inhabitants were all
+Protestants, tranquil, quiet, industrious. There were no religious
+contentions, there were no jealous feuds, when some one, prompted by
+the fiend, whispered to the crown that means should be taken to
+establish, in those places, the authority of the idolatrous church;
+that opportunity should be given for making converts from the pure to
+the corrupted faith; that in the end the pillage of the Protestant
+congregations should be permitted to the Romish priesthood. An order
+was instantly given for opening a Romish church in a place where there
+were no Papists, and for preaching against our creed in the midst of
+its sincere followers. The church was accordingly opened; the singing
+of Latin masses, and the exhibition of idolatrous processions
+commenced where such things had not been known in the memory of man: a
+few boys hooted, and instantly there was raised a cry, that the Romish
+priests were interrupted in their functions, that the ceremonies of
+the church were opposed by the whole mass of Huguenots. What was the
+result? The parliament of Paris gave authenticity to the calumny, by
+granting letters of protection to the intruding clergy; and then,
+taking its own act as proof of the guilt of the Huguenots, commanded
+our temples to be pulled down, and the free exercise of our religion
+in that place to be abolished. This was the case at Tonnay; and if at
+the same time the decree, which announced its fate to that city, had
+boldly forbidden our worship throughout the land, we might have
+displayed some union, and made some successful resistance. But our
+enemies were too wise to give us such a general motive: they struck an
+isolated blow here, and an isolated blow there; they knew man's
+selfishness; they foresaw how apathetic we should be to the injuries
+of our fellows; and they were right. The Huguenots of France made no
+effort in favour of those who suffered; some never inquired into the
+question at all, and believed that the people of Tonnay had brought
+the evil on their own heads; some shrugged the indifferent shoulder,
+and thought it not worth while to trouble the peace of the whole
+community for the sake of a single small town. Had it been your town
+of Morseiul it would have been the same, for such has been the case
+with Privas, with Dexodun, with Melle, with Chevreux, with Vitré, and
+full fifty more; and not one Protestant has moved to support the
+rights of his brother. Whenever, indeed, any thing has occurred
+affecting the whole body, then men have flocked to us, demanding
+advice and assistance; they have talked of open resistance, of
+immediate war, of defending their rights, of opposing further
+aggressions; but I have ever seen, Albert, that, mingled with a few
+determined and noble spirits, there have been many selfish, many
+indifferent; and I know that, unless some strong and universal bond of
+union be given them, some great common motive be afforded, thousands
+will fall off in the hour of need, and leave their defenders in the
+hands of the enemy. For this reason, as well as for many others, I
+have always urged peace where peace can be obtained; but I see now
+such rapid progress made against us, that I tremble between two
+terrible results."
+
+The young Count gazed thoughtfully in the pastor's face for a few
+moments ere he replied. "I fear," he said at length, "that we have not
+yet a sufficient motive to bind all men, as is most needful in the
+strong assertion of a common cause.--Heaven forbid that we should do
+or even think of aught disloyal or rebellious; but I doubt much,
+though the new injury we have received is gross, that it will furnish
+a sufficient motive to unite all our brethren in one general
+representation to the king of our general grievances. Yet there are
+many points in the edict I heard read to-day wounding to the vanity of
+influential men amongst us, and that motive will often move them when
+others fail. But listen, and tell me what you think. These were the
+chief heads of the proclamation:"--and he went on to recapitulate all
+that he had heard, the old man listening with attention while he
+spoke.
+
+"I fear there is no bond of union here," replied the pastor,
+commenting upon some of the heads which the young Count had given him;
+"rather, my good young friend, matter for dissension. They have
+cunningly thrown in more than one apple of discord to divide the
+mayors of the Protestant towns from their people, ay, and even to make
+the pastors odious to the flock."
+
+"Let us, however," said the Count, "endeavour to act as unitedly as
+possible--let us keep a wary eye upon the proceedings of our
+enemies--let us be prepared to seize the fit moment for opposition,
+that we may seize it before it be necessary to resist in a manner that
+may be imputed to us as disloyal. Doubtless, at the assembling of the
+states of the province, which will take place shortly, there will be a
+great number of the Protestant nobles present, and I will endeavour to
+bring them to a general conference, in the course of which we may
+perhaps----"
+
+"Hark!" said the old man, "there is the noise of a horse's feet;" and
+the next instant a loud ringing of the bell was heard, followed by the
+sound of a voice in the passage speaking to the maid servant in
+jocular and facetious tones, with which the young Count was well
+acquainted.
+
+"It is my rascally valet, Riquet," he said. "He's always thrusting
+himself where he has no business."
+
+"I wonder you retain him in your service," said the pastor; "I have
+marked him in your father's time, and have heard you both say that he
+is a knave."
+
+"And yet he loves me," said the young Count; "and I do in truth
+believe would sooner injure himself than me."
+
+The old man shook his head with an expression of doubt; but the
+Count went on: "However, I did not wish him to know that I came here
+to-night, and still less should wish him to be acquainted with the
+nature of my errand. He is a Papist, you know, and may suspect,
+perhaps, that we are holding a secret council with others. We had
+better, therefore, give him admittance at once."
+
+There was a small silver bell stood on the table beside the pastor;
+and, as the maid did not come in, he rang it, inquired who it was that
+had arrived when she did make her appearance, and then ordered the
+valet to be admitted.
+
+"What brought you here, Maître Jerome?" demanded the young Count,
+somewhat sternly, as the valet entered on his tiptoes, with a look of
+supreme self-satisfaction.
+
+"Why, my lord," replied the man, "scarcely had you set out when there
+arrived a courier from the Duc de Rouvré, bringing you a packet. He
+was asked to leave it, as you were absent; but he said it was of vast
+importance, and that he was to get your answer from your own mouth: so
+he would give it to nobody. I took him into what used to be called the
+page's room, and made him drink deep of château Thierry, picked his
+pocket of the packet while he was looking out of the window, and
+seeing that he was tired to death, commended him to his bed, with a
+night cap of good liquor, promising to wake him as soon as you
+returned, and then set off with the packet to seek you, Monsieur le
+Comte."
+
+"And pray what was the object of all this trickery?" demanded the
+Count. "If you be not careful, Maître Jerome, you will place your neck
+in a cord some day."
+
+"So my mother used to say," replied the man, with cool effrontery;
+"but I only wished to serve your lordship, and knowing that there were
+difficult matters in hand, thought you might like to read the packet
+first, in order to be prepared to give a ready answer. We could easily
+seal up the letter again, and slip it into the courier's jerkin--which
+the poor fool put under his head when he went to sleep, thinking to
+secure the packet that was already gone. He would then present it to
+you in due form, and you give your answer without any apparent
+forethought."
+
+The Count could not refrain from turning a smiling look upon the
+pastor, who, however, bent down his eyes and shook his head with a
+disapproving sigh.
+
+The Count at the same time tore open the packet which the servant had
+handed to him, with a ruthless roughness, that made good Jerome Riquet
+start, and cry "Oh!" with an expression of pain upon his countenance,
+to see not the slightest possibility left of ever patching up the
+letter again, so as to make it appear as if it had never been opened.
+
+"And I suppose, Master Jerome," continued the Count, while making his
+way into the packet, "that you took the trouble of watching me when I
+set out this afternoon."
+
+"Heaven forbid, sir," replied the man; "that would have been both
+very impertinent, and an unnecessary waste of time and attention, as I
+knew quite well where you were going. As soon as you had been out to
+hear the proclamation and keep the people quiet, and came home and sat
+with the shuttlecock Marquis de Hericourt, and then ordered your
+horse, I said to myself, and I told Henriot, 'his lordship is gone
+to consult with Monsieur Claude de l'Estang; and where, indeed,
+could he go so well as to one who is respected by the Catholics
+almost as much as by the Huguenots? Whom could he apply to so wisely
+as to one whose counsels are always judicious, always peaceful, and
+always benevolent?'" and having finished this piece of oratory,
+Riquet--perceiving that his master, busy in the letter, gave him no
+attention--made a low but somewhat grotesque reverence to the good
+pastor, bending his head, rounding his back, and elevating his
+shoulders, while his long thin legs stuck out below, so that he
+assumed very much the appearance of a sleeping crane.
+
+The pastor, however, shook his head, replying gravely, "My good
+friend, I have lived more than sixty-five years in the world, and yet
+I trust age has not diminished the intellect which experience may have
+tended to improve."
+
+By the time he had said this the young Count had read to the end of
+the short letter which he had received, and put it before the pastor.
+
+"This is kind," he said, "and courteous of my good friend the Duke,
+who, though I have not seen him for many years, still retains his
+regard for our family. Jerome, you may retire," he added, "and wait
+for me without. This letter which you have brought is of no importance
+whatever, a mere letter of civility, so that either you or the Duke's
+courier have lied."
+
+"Oh, it was the courier, sir," replied the valet, with his usual quiet
+impudence, "it was the courier of course, otherwise there is no truth
+in the old proverb, _Cheat like a valet, lie like a courier_. I always
+keep to my own department, sir;" and so saying he marched out of the
+room.
+
+In the mean time Claude de l'Estang had read the letter, which invited
+the young Count to visit the Duc de Rouvré at Poitiers, and take up
+his abode in the governor's house some days before the meeting of the
+states. It went on to express great regard for the young nobleman
+himself, and high veneration for his father's memory; and then,
+glancing at the religious differences existing in the province, and
+the measures which had been lately taken against the Huguenots, it
+went on to state that the writer was anxious to receive the private
+advice and opinion of the young Count as to the best means of
+extinguishing all irritation on such subjects.
+
+"Were this from any other man than the Duc de Rouvré," said the
+pastor, "I should say that it was specious and intended to mislead;
+but the Duc has always shown himself favourable to the Protestants as
+a politician, and I have some reason to believe is not unfavourable to
+their doctrines in his heart: but go, my son, go as speedily as
+possible, and God grant that your efforts may conclude with peace."
+
+After a few more words of the same tenor, the pastor and his young
+friend separated, and the Count and his valet, mounting their horses,
+took their way back towards the château, with the shades of night
+beginning to gather quickly about them.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                        UNEXPECTED COMPANIONS.
+
+
+The two horsemen rode to the village at a quick rate, but then
+slackened their pace, and passed through the single little street at a
+walk. The scene, however, was now changed; the children were no longer
+playing before the doors; from out of the windows of some of the
+cottages streamed forth the reddish light of a resin candle; from
+others was heard issuing the sound of a psalm, sung before the
+inhabitants retired to rest; and at the doors of others again appeared
+a peasant returned late from the toil of the day, and--as is so
+natural to the heart of man--pausing in the thickening twilight to
+take one more look of the world, before the darkness of night shut it
+out altogether. A star or two was beginning to appear in the sky; the
+bats were flitting hither and thither through the dusk; and, though it
+was still warm and mild, every thing betokened the rapid approach of
+night.
+
+From the village the Count rode on, relapsing, after having spoken a
+few words to his servant, into the same meditative mood which had
+possessed him on his way to Auron. He hastened not his pace, and after
+he had gone about three miles complete darkness surrounded him. There
+was no moon in the sky; the road by which he had come, steep, stony,
+and irregular, required full light to render it safe for his horse's
+knees; and, after the animal had tripped more than once, the Count
+struck into a path to the right, which led by a little _détour_ into
+the high road from Paris to Poitiers.
+
+High roads, however, in those days were very different things from
+those which they have now become; and there is scarcely a parish road
+in England, or a commercial road in France, which is not wider, more
+open, and better in every respect than the high road we speak of was
+at that time. When he had gained it, however, the Count went on more
+easily till he arrived at the spot where it entered one of the large
+woods which supplied the inhabitants with fuel in a country
+unproductive of coal. There, however, he met with an obstruction which
+he had not at all anticipated. As he approached the outskirts of the
+wood, there was a sudden flash to the right, and a ball whistled
+across the Count's path, but without hitting either himself or his
+servant.
+
+He was too much accustomed to scenes in which such winged messengers
+of death were common, to be startled by the shot, but merely muttering
+to himself, "This is unpleasant; we must put a stop to this so near
+Morseiul," he considered whether it would be better for him to push
+his horse forward or to go back upon the open road. But the matter was
+settled for him by others; for he was surrounded in a moment by five
+or six men, who speedily pulled him off his horse, though he made no
+effort to resist where resistance he saw would be vain, and then
+demanded his name in an imperative and threatening manner. He heard,
+however, at the same time, the galloping of the horse of Jerome
+Riquet, who had remained some twenty or thirty yards behind him; and
+perfectly certain, therefore, that very efficient aid would soon be
+brought to deliver him, he determined to procrastinate as far as
+possible, in the hopes of taking some of the plunderers who had
+established themselves so near his dwelling.
+
+"I cannot see," he said, "what your business can be with my name; if
+it is my money that you want, any that I have upon my person you can
+take.--My good friend, you will oblige me by not holding my collar so
+tight; it gives me a feeling of strangulation, which, as you may
+perhaps some day know, is not very pleasant."
+
+The man who held him, and who seemed the principal of the group, did
+not appear to be at all offended at being reminded of what might be
+the end of his exploits, but let go his collar, laughing and saying,
+"You are merry! however, your money we shall take as our own right. It
+is fair toll you know; and your name we must have too, as being
+officers of the King's highway, if not of the King, we have certainly
+a right to ask for passports."
+
+"Heaven forbid that I should deny any of your rights," replied the
+Count; "my money I will give you with all my heart: but my name is my
+own, and I do not choose to give that to any one."
+
+"Well, then, we must take you where we can see your face," replied the
+other. "Then if we know you, well and good, you shall go on; if we do
+not know you, we shall find means to make you speak more clearly, I
+will warrant."
+
+"He is one of them! he is one of them, be you sure," replied a second
+voice. "I would tie him to a tree and shoot him at once out of the
+way."
+
+"No, no," rejoined the first; "I think I know his tongue. It is Maître
+Nicolas, the notary--not a bad man in his way. Bring him along, and
+his horse too; we shall soon see."
+
+Though the Count, perhaps, might not consider himself flattered by
+being taken for Maître Nicolas the notary, he began to perceive that
+there was something more in the conduct of these men than the common
+desire of plunder, some personal motive either of revenge or enmity;
+and, as he well knew that he was generally loved throughout the
+neighbourhood, he had no apprehensions as to the result regarding
+himself. He was anxious, however, to see more of his captors'
+proceedings, and therefore accompanied them without any effort to
+undeceive them as to who he was. They led him along for about a
+quarter of a mile down the high road through the wood, then struck
+into a narrower path to the right, only in use for wood-carts, and
+then again took a foot path, which brought them to a spot where a
+bright light was seen glimmering through the trees before them. It was
+evident that some wider road than that which they were following at
+the moment led also to the point to which it tended, for the sound of
+horses' feet was heard in that direction, and a creaking, as if of
+some heavy carriage wheels.
+
+"There is brown Keroual," said one of the men, "come back from the
+other end of the wood, and I'll bet you two louis to two deniers that
+he's got hold of them. Don't you hear the wheels? I think we might let
+you go," he added, turning towards the Count, and trying to get a full
+glance of his face by the light that flashed through the leaves.
+
+At that moment, however, one of his companions replied, "Take him on,
+take him on! You can't tell what wheels they are. They may be
+sending away those women."
+
+This seemed to decide the matter somewhat to the satisfaction of
+Albert de Morseiul, who was not a little anxious to witness what was
+going on; and the men accordingly led him forward through the bushes,
+which partially obstructed the path, till coming suddenly to an open
+space under a high sandy bank, he found himself in the midst of a
+scene, upon which we must pause for a moment.
+
+There was a large wood fire in the midst of the open space; and both
+to the right and left led away a small road, deeply channelled by the
+wheels of sand carts. The high bank above was crowned with the fine
+trees of the wood, amongst the branches and stems of which the light
+of the fire and of one or, two torches lost itself; while the fuller
+light below shone upon three or four curious groups of human beings.
+One of these groups was gathered together near the fire, and consisted
+of seven men, some lying down, some standing, all of them well armed,
+and some of them with carbines in their hands; their dress in a great
+degree resembled that of the English soldiery at the time of Cromwell,
+though the usurper had been dead, and the fashion of such clothing
+gone out, about twenty years. A few of them had their faces bare, but
+the greater part had something drawn over their countenance so as
+completely to disguise it. In general, this covering was a mere piece
+of silk or cloth with slits made for the eyes, but in two instances a
+regular mask appeared.
+
+At a little distance from the fire, farther under the bank, sat two
+ladies, one richly habited in the taste of that day, and with the
+upper part of the face covered by the common black velvet riding mask,
+the other dressed more simply, but still handsomely, with a large
+watch hanging by her side, and two or three rings still upon her
+hands, notwithstanding the company in which she was found. There were
+some large grey cloaks spread upon the ground beneath them, to protect
+them apparently from the damp of the ground; and standing near,
+leaning on a musket, apparently as a guard over them, was one of the
+same fraternity that appeared by the side of the fire.
+
+At some distance up the road to the right, a carriage was seen
+stationary, with the horses taken out and cropping the grass by the
+side; but the eyes of the whole party under the bank were turned to
+the other side, where, at the entrance of the road into the open
+space, appeared a second carriage drawn by four mules, which had just
+been led up by a party of the banditti, who were the first that had
+appeared mounted.
+
+From the door of the vehicle, which was now brought to a halt, its
+tenants were in the very act of descending, with fear and
+unwillingness written upon their countenances. The two first that came
+forth were ecclesiastics of the Catholic church: the first, a man who
+might well be considered as remarkably ugly, had his countenance not
+been expressive, and its expression indicative of considerable talent.
+The second was a much handsomer man in every respect, but with a keen,
+sly, fox-like aspect, and a constant habit of biting his nether lip,
+of which he could not divest himself, even at a moment when, to judge
+by his countenance, he was possessed by extraordinary fear. After them
+came another man, dressed as a layman, one or two domestics, and a fat
+inferior priest, with a dirty and a greasy countenance, full of
+nothing but large black eyes and dull stupidity.
+
+While they were thus making their unwilling exit from the carriage,
+several of those who had brought them thither were mounted upon
+different parts of the vehicle, busily cutting off, opening, and
+emptying various valises, trunk-mails, and other contrivances for
+conveying luggage.
+
+The attention of the other actors in the scene was so much taken up by
+this group, that no one seemed to notice the arrival of the party
+which brought the Count thither; and though the man who had led it had
+resumed a grasp of his collar, as if to demonstrate that the Count was
+the captive of his bow and spear, he was himself so intensely occupied
+in looking at the proceedings round the carriage, that he paused close
+to the wood for several minutes. At length, however, he recollected
+himself, and, by advancing two or three steps with those that
+followed, called the attention of the rest from the carriage and its
+ejected tenants to the new captive that had been brought in. The light
+flashed full upon the Count as the man held him; but the moment the
+eyes of the group around the fire were turned upon him, several voices
+exclaimed in a tone of surprise and consternation, "The Count! The
+Count! The Count de Morseiul!"
+
+No sooner did the first of the ecclesiastics, who had descended from
+the carriage, hear the exclamation, than he turned his eyes in that
+way also, ran forward, and, catching the Count by the hand, exclaimed,
+"Monsieur de Morseiul, my dear friend, I claim your protection. These
+men threaten to murder me!"
+
+"Monsieur Pelisson," replied the Count, "I greatly grieve that I can
+give you no protection. I am a prisoner to these men, as you see,
+myself, and, were I not of another creed, might, for aught I know,
+have to apply to you to shrive me! for they have threatened to tie me
+to a tree, and shoot me likewise."
+
+"Good God! this is very horrible," cried Pelisson, in utter terror and
+consternation. "Pray, Monsieur de St. Helie," he exclaimed, turning to
+the other ecclesiastic who followed, "Pray, exhort these men--you are
+so eloquent!"
+
+"I--I--I--I can exhort nobody," stammered forth the other, trembling
+in every limb.
+
+A change, however, was working itself in their favour; for the moment
+that the Count's name had been publicly announced, a great degree of
+agitation and movement had taken place amongst the robbers. Those who
+had been lying down started up, those who had been plundering the
+carriage abandoned their pillage, and joined their companions by the
+fire; the man who had grasped the Count let go his hold, as if he had
+burnt his hand, and a rapid consultation evidently took place amongst
+the rest, which the Count himself was not a little surprised to see,
+as, amongst those whose faces were uncovered, there was not a single
+individual whom he could recognise as having ever beheld before.
+
+The movement of Pelisson, however, and the words which passed between
+him and the Count again called their attention in that direction from
+the consultation which was going on. Two men, both masked, separated
+themselves from the rest, one a very tall and powerful man, somewhat
+richly though not tastefully dressed; the other a short, broad-made,
+sturdy looking person, who only wanted the accompaniment of a
+bandoleer over his buff coat to be a perfect representation of the
+parliamentary soldier of Great Britain. The lesser man took upon
+himself to be spokesman, though they both advanced direct towards the
+Count.
+
+"We are sorry for what has happened, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said;
+"we had not the slightest intention of disturbing you upon your road,
+and it was this fellow's stupidness and the darkness of the night that
+has caused the mistake. I have only to say, as I said before, that we
+are sorry for it, and that you are quite at liberty to go when you
+like."
+
+The Count's determination was taken in a moment. "I am happy to hear,"
+he said, "that you are sorry for one offence at least against the laws
+of the country; but, in regard to my going, if I go, I have not the
+slightest intention of going alone. I am not a person to abandon my
+companions in distress, and I must insist upon some of the parties
+here present being liberated as well as myself."
+
+Pelisson looked at him with an imploring glance; the Abbé de St. Helie
+elapsed his hands together, and gazed anxiously in his face; while the
+man to whom he had spoken replied in a surly tone,--
+
+"We would fain treat you well, Sir Count, and do you no harm; so go
+your way in God's name, and do not meddle with what does not concern
+you, for fear worse come of it. You are not leading the forlorn hope
+at Maestricht now, remember."
+
+"Oh!" said the Count, with a meaning nod of the head, as if the man's
+allusion had let him into some secret; but ere he could reply further,
+the taller and more athletic of the two whispered a few words to his
+companion in a low voice, and the other, after a moment's pause of
+hesitation, turned once more to the Count and said, "Well, sir, what
+is it you would have? We respect and love you, and would do much to
+please you. What do you demand?"
+
+"In the first place," replied the Count de Morseiul, speaking very
+slowly and distinctly, and using as many words as he possibly could,
+knowing that every moment was something gained by bringing succour
+nearer; "in the first place, as I am sure that you are too much men of
+honour, and too courteous in your nature a great deal----"
+
+"Come, come, Sir Count," replied the man, interrupting him, "cut your
+story short. We have honour of our own particular kind; but as to our
+nature being courteous, it is not. We are neither fools, babies, nor
+frequenters of the painted chambers of Paris, but freemen of the
+forest. What I ask is, what do you demand?"
+
+"In the first place," replied the Count, taking a step forward towards
+the spot where the two ladies were sitting, and pointing in that
+direction with his hand, "in the first place, I demand that you should
+set those two ladies at liberty!"
+
+"They might have been at liberty long ago," replied the man, "if they
+had chosen to say whence they came and whither they were going.
+However, go they shall, as you ask it; but I should like to have those
+rings and that watch first."
+
+"Fie," said the Count, "you surely would not touch the trinkets. Their
+purses, I dare say, have been taken already."
+
+"Those were given up at first," replied the man, "and we should have
+had the watch and rings too if we had not been interrupted by this
+other affair. Come, pretty one," he added, turning to the younger of
+the two ladies, who had both risen when they heard the intercession
+that was made for them, and were gazing on the young Count with eager
+anxiety, "come, let us see if there be any diamonds amongst those
+rings, for we must not let diamonds get out of the forest. They are
+better than gold a great deal."
+
+Thus saying, he advanced towards her, and took the small delicate
+beautiful fingers, on which the rings appeared, in his rough grasp.
+
+"I fear, lady," said the Count, who had followed him, "that I cannot
+protect you farther. We must feel grateful for your being permitted to
+go at all."
+
+"We owe you a deep debt of gratitude as it is, sir," replied the elder
+lady; and the younger added immediately, "indeed we do: but let them
+take the rings," she continued, drawing them from her fingers.--"All
+but one," she added suddenly, "all but one."
+
+"What, a wedding-ring," cried the man, with a loud laugh, "or a
+lover's token, I suppose, for I see no wedding-ring here."
+
+"No, sir," she said, drawing up her head somewhat proudly, "but the
+gift of a mother that loved me, and who is most dear to me still in
+memory. Pray, let me keep it. This is the ring."
+
+"Why, that is worth all the rest," said the man, looking at it. "No,
+no, my pretty mistress, we must have this."
+
+The Count de Morseiul had stood by, somewhat pale, and with a manner
+which, for the first time, betrayed some degree of agitation. But he
+now interposed, seeing, by the trembling of her hand, how much emotion
+the man's words produced upon the young lady, though he could not
+behold her countenance.
+
+"What is the value of the ring?" he demanded of the man.
+
+"Why, some twenty louis, I dare say," he replied.
+
+"Well, I will give you double the amount for it," said the Count. "I
+have not the money upon me, for your men have taken all I had; but you
+can trust me, and I will pay it to any one whom you will send to the
+château of Morseiul, and pledge my honour they shall come and go in
+safety, and without inquiry."
+
+"Your honour, my Lord Count, is worth the city of Poitiers," replied
+the man. "There is the ring," and he gave it into the Count's hand.
+
+Albert de Morseiul took it, and gazed at it by the fire-light for a
+moment with some attention, and with some emotion. It was formed of
+diamonds, and, according to a fashion common in that day, formed the
+initials, probably of some proper name, C. S., surmounted by a Count's
+coronet.
+
+"Lady," he said, after he had looked at it, "this ring is almost as
+strong a temptation to me as to our friend here. I long to keep it
+till its fair owner, once more at liberty, may come to claim it at my
+hands. That would be ungenerous, however, and so I suppose I must give
+it back."
+
+So saying, he replaced it on her finger, and, with an air of courteous
+gallantry, raised the small fair hand to his lips. She bent down her
+head over her hand and his, as if to gaze at the recovered ring, and
+he felt a warm drop fall from the bright eyes that sparkled through
+the mask upon it.
+
+"And now," he said, turning to the man who had acted as chief of the
+band, "and now you will let the ladies depart."
+
+"Yes," replied the man, "but one of our people must drive them to the
+place where we tied the lackeys to the trees."
+
+"They are safe, upon your honour, though?" said the Count.
+
+"Upon my honour they are," answered the man bluffly. "I should like to
+see the man that would wag a finger at them when I say they are free."
+
+"Come then, quick," said the Count, turning to the ladies; "let us not
+lose the fortunate moment;" and he took her hand to lead her to the
+carriage, which he had remarked standing farther down the road. But
+both Pelisson and St. Helie threw themselves in his way, exclaiming
+aloud, "For God's sake do not leave us! For Heaven's sake do not
+abandon us!"
+
+"No, no," replied the Count. "My good friends," he added, turning to
+the band, "pray offer these good gentlemen no wrong, at least till my
+return. Perhaps I can hit upon some terms between you and them, and
+also tell you a piece of news which will make you change your
+determination."
+
+"Not easily," said the leader; "but we will not harm them till you
+come back, if you are only going to take the ladies to the carriage.
+You, Stephen, drive it to the place where the lackeys were left."
+
+"I will return instantly," said the Count, and he led the younger lady
+on, the elder following. Till they reached the carriage, and during a
+part of the time occupied in tying the horses again to it, all were
+silent; but at length the younger lady ventured to say, in a low
+voice,--
+
+"How can I ever thank you, Monsieur de Morseiul?"
+
+The Count did not reply to the question, but he said, as he was
+handing her in,--
+
+"Am I not right? Have we not met before?"
+
+"It is years ago," she said, in the same low tone; "but," she added
+the moment after, just as the man was about to drive away, "we shall
+meet again, and if we do, say nothing of this meeting, I beseech you;
+but remember only that I am deeply grateful."
+
+The carriage drove away, and the Count remained for a moment
+listening. He then returned to the mixed group by the fire, where the
+agitation of terror in the case of the Abbé de St. Helie had worked
+itself up to such a pitch during his absence, that the tears were
+streaming copiously from the unhappy man's eyes, while the band that
+had made him a captive stood round gazing upon him with some contempt,
+but certainly no appearance of pity. Pelisson, on his part, displayed
+a greater degree of firmness, remaining with his hands clasped
+together, and his eyes fixed upon the ground, but without any other
+sign of fear than some paleness of his countenance, and an occasional
+movement of the lips, as if he were in prayer.
+
+The Count advanced into the midst of the group, and perceiving that
+the leader of the band into whose hands they had fallen looked to him
+to speak first, and maintained a sort of dogged silence which augured
+but ill for the two ecclesiastics, he said, "Now, my good friend, what
+do you intend to do with these gentlemen?"
+
+"I intend," replied the man in a stern tone, "to shoot the two that
+are standing there without fail, to scourge that black-faced priest by
+the carriage till he has not a bit of skin on his back, and send the
+lackeys trooping."
+
+"You are of course jesting," said the Count. "You are not a man, I am
+sure, to commit deliberate murder. But you have frightened them
+enough.--Let me hear what you intend to do, without a jest."
+
+"There has been no jest spoken," replied the man fiercely. "I have
+told you my intentions, and I shall not change. These two villains
+have come down into a peaceful province, and amongst a happy people,
+to bring dissension, and persecution, and hatred amongst us, and they
+shall taste the first bitter fruits of their own works. I shall
+certainly not let them escape; and I can tell the old Jesuit Le
+Tellier, and his tyrant son, Louvois, that they may send as many of
+such firebrands down as they will; I will do my best to meet them, and
+extinguish them in their own blood."
+
+"I really do not know what you mean," replied the Count. "Monsieur
+Pelisson, I cannot conceive, from what I know of you, that you are a
+man to undertake such evil tasks as this good gentleman accuses you
+of. We of the reformed religion certainly regretted that you had
+thought fit to fall back into what we consider to be a great error,
+but we never supposed that you would deal hardly with your reformed
+brethren."
+
+"Neither do I, Count," replied Pelisson, firmly. "It is natural that,
+having abandoned errors, I should seek to lead others to follow the
+same course; but no harsh means have I ever practised, no harsh means
+have I ever counselled. On the contrary, I have advocated gentleness,
+peace, persuasion, exhortation, kindness, equity, on all occasions.
+But it is in vain, my good young gentleman," he added, looking at his
+captors, "it is all in vain. These men are determined to take our
+blood, and it is in vain to try to stay them; though the retribution
+which will fall upon them, and I fear, too, upon your own sect, will
+be awful, when our fate reaches the ears of the King. But it is in
+vain, as I have said. You have done your best for us, and I thank you
+from my heart. Bear witness, every one!" he continued, raising his
+voice, "bear witness, every one, that this noble gentleman, the Count
+de Morseiul, has no share in the terrible act these men are going to
+commit, and that he has done his best to save us."
+
+"No one will suspect me, Monsieur Pelisson," replied the Count. "But I
+must yet do something more," he added, believing, not wrongly, that
+the words and demeanour of Pelisson must have had some effect upon the
+body of men by whom they were surrounded, and also having some hope
+now that aid might be at hand. "I must yet do something more, and the
+time I believe is come for doing it. Listen to me, sir," he added,
+addressing the man who had led the band throughout. "I beg of you
+instantly to set these two gentlemen at liberty. I beg of you, both
+for your own sake and for the sake of the reformed church, to which I
+belong, and to whose instigations this act will be attributed; and if
+you will not attend to my entreaties you must attend to my command--I
+command you to set them at liberty!"
+
+"Command!" said the man, with a scornful laugh. "Your commands are
+likely to be mighty potent here, in the green wood, Sir Count! Now,
+listen to my commands to you. Make the best of your time and get away
+from this spot without delay, for if you stay you shall either see
+those two men shot before your face, or you shall be shot with them.
+So be quick."
+
+"Be it as you say, my good friend," replied the Count coolly. "We
+shall have bloody work of it; but before you go on, remember, I tell
+you, you shall take my life with theirs; and let me warn you of
+another thing which you do not know, the first shot that is fired, the
+first loud word that is spoken," he added, dropping his voice, "will
+bring destruction on the heads of all."
+
+The man to whom he spoke gazed in his face with some surprise, as if
+not clearly understanding his meaning, while the rest of the band
+appeared eagerly whispering together, in a manner which might be
+interpreted to bespeak some difference of opinion between themselves
+and their leader.
+
+The ear of the Count was quick; while conducting the two ladies to
+their carriage, he had heard uncertain sounds at a distance, which he
+had little doubted were occasioned by the arrival of some party from
+the castle in search of him: while he had spoken to the chief of the
+band in favour of Pelisson and his companions, he had again caught the
+same sounds, but more distinctly. He had heard voices, and the
+trampling of horse, and taking advantage of the momentary hesitation
+which seemed to affect his opponent, he exclaimed, "Hark!" and lifted
+up his hand to enjoin silence. The sounds, though distant, were now
+very distinct, and he added, "You hear! They are in search of me with
+all the force from the castle. You did not know that my servant was
+behind when I was taken, and fled to seek succour."
+
+His opponent stamped his foot upon the ground, and laid his hand upon
+a pistol in his belt, fingering the hammer of the lock in a very
+ominous manner; but the Count once more interposed, anxious on many
+accounts to prevent a collision.
+
+"Come," he said, "I wish to do you no injury. Let us compromise the
+matter. Set the party you have taken free, and doubtless they will
+abandon to your care and guidance all the baggage and money that they
+may possess. What say you, Monsieur Pelisson?"
+
+"Willingly, willingly," cried Pelisson, to whom all the last words
+spoken had been a relief.
+
+"Willingly, willingly," cried the Abbé de St. Helie; the tears which
+had been streaming from fear changing suddenly into the tears of joy,
+and flowing on as rapidly as ever. Their enemy, however, seemed still
+to hesitate; but the taller man, whom we have before seen exercising
+some influence over him, pulled him by the sleeve once more, and
+whispered to him eagerly for a brief space. He listened to him for an
+instant, partly turning away his head, then shook himself pettishly
+free from his grasp, saying, "Well, I suppose it must be so. I will
+set them free now; but a day of reckoning will come, if they take not
+a warning from what has passed. Gather all those things together, my
+men. Each one take something, and let us be off as fast as we can.
+Stand to your arms, though; stand to your arms, some of you. Those
+fellows are coming devilish near, and may find their way up here."
+
+"They shall not injure you," said the Count. "I break no engagements,
+even when only implied."
+
+At that moment, however, the Abbé de St. Helie, having sufficiently
+recovered from the terror into which he had been cast to give some
+thought to what he was about, exclaimed aloud, "But the King's
+commission--the King's commission! They must not take that;" and
+rushing towards the baggage he seized a white leather bag, which
+seemed to contain some especial treasure; but scarcely had he got it
+in his hand when the chief of their captors snatched it violently from
+him, and dashed it into the midst of the fire, where he set his foot
+upon it, as if to insure that it should be burnt, even at the risk of
+injuring himself.
+
+Albert de Morseiul was an officer in the King's service, and had been
+brought up in his youth with high notions of devoted loyalty and
+reverence for the royal authority, which even the free spirit of the
+reformed religion which he professed had not been able to diminish.
+The insult offered to the monarch's commission then struck him with
+indignation; and, starting forward, he grasped the man who would have
+destroyed it by the chest, exclaiming, "Sir, would you insult the King
+himself?"
+
+The man replied not, but strove to keep down his foot upon the packet.
+The young Count, however, was as powerful in frame as himself, and
+considerably taller; and, after a momentary struggle, he cast him
+back, while the Abbé de St. Helie snatched the packet from the flames.
+
+What would have been the result of this strife, in which both the
+robber's blood and that of the young Count were heated, would be
+difficult to say, for the man had drawn the pistol from his belt, and
+the click of the lock was plainly heard as he cocked it; but just at
+that minute the men who had been engaged in stripping the trunk mails
+of their contents, caught a sight of a party of horsemen coming up the
+road; and gathering every thing that was most valuable together, they
+retreated quickly around their leader. Abandoning his contention with
+the Count, he now promptly formed them into line, collected all the
+various articles belonging to themselves which were scattered about,
+and retreated in the direction of the opposite road, offering a firm
+face of five men abreast, with their carbines cocked, and levelled to
+the horsemen, who were now coming up thick into the open space where
+all these events had passed.
+
+At the head of the horsemen appeared the Chevalier d'Evran, armed in
+haste to deliver or avenge his friend; but, as the Count saw that he
+was now master of the field, and that the robbers were retreating in a
+very threatening attitude, which might produce bloodshed if they were
+not immediately shown that no molestation would be offered to them, he
+took a rapid step or two forward, exclaiming to his own party,--
+
+"Halt, halt! We have come to a compromise before you arrived, and are
+all at liberty. Thanks, Louis, a thousand thanks, however, for your
+succour!"
+
+The Count's men paused promptly at his command, and the robbers
+retreated slowly up the other road, facing round every ten or twelve
+steps, fully prepared for defence, like an old lion pursued by the
+hunters. In the mean while the Chevalier sprung from his horse, and
+grasped his friend's hand eagerly.
+
+"Why, Albert," he exclaimed, "Albert, this would never do! You who,
+though one of the rashest officers in the service, had escaped balls
+and pikes, and bayonets and sabres, to run the risk of being killed by
+a ditch-fighting freebooter, within a mile or two of your own hearth!
+Why, when that rascal Jerome there came and told me, I thought I
+should have gone mad; but I was determined to ride the rascals down
+like wolves, if I found they had injured you."
+
+"Oh, no," replied the Count, "they showed no inclination to injure me;
+and, indeed, it would appear, as far as I am concerned, that the whole
+matter was a mistake, for to me they were very respectful. In truth, I
+seemed to be in wonderful favour with them, and my only difficulty was
+in saving M. Pelisson and this reverend gentleman here. But,
+notwithstanding these worthy men's reverence for myself, I must set to
+work to put this down as soon as ever I come back from Poitiers."
+
+"I am sure, Monsieur le Comte," said the Abbé de St. Helie, "we owe
+you every thing this night, and your conduct shall never be blotted
+out from our grateful remembrance."
+
+The Count bowed low, but somewhat stiffly; then, shaking Pelisson by
+the hand, he said, "I am happy to have been of any service to you
+both, gentlemen. My good friend, Monsieur Pelisson, I trust that you
+will not be any the worse for this short, though unpleasant, sojourn
+in the forest. I will not ask you and your friend to return and stop
+awhile at the château of Morseiul, as in all probability Monsieur de
+St. Helie might not relish abiding under the roof of a heretic. But
+besides that," he added with a smile, "besides that, in regard to
+which of course I speak in jest, I doubt not you are anxious to
+proceed. Morseiul is out of your way, and in an hour and a half you
+will reach the auberge of Quatremoulins."
+
+"But, sir, shall we be safe, shall we be safe?" exclaimed the Abbé de
+St. Helie, who was now examining the vehicle in which they had been
+travelling with anxious eyes. "Gracious God!" he exclaimed, ere the
+Count could answer, "look! there is a ball which has gone through the
+carriage within an inch of my head!"
+
+The Count de Morseiul looked at the Chevalier, and they both laughed.
+
+"There is a proverb in England, my good Abbé," said the Chevalier,
+"that a miss is as good as a mile; but if you will take my advice you
+will plant yourself just in the same spot again, or put your valise to
+raise you just opposite the shot-hole, for there are a thousand
+chances to one that, if you are shot at a thousand times, no bullet
+ever comes there again."
+
+The Abbé did not seem much to like the pleasantry, for in his mind the
+subject was far too serious a one to admit of a joke; and the Count de
+Morseiul replied to his former question,--"Depend upon it you are in
+perfect safety. But to make that more sure, the Chevalier and I will
+return to Morseiul with only one or two attendants, and send the rest
+of my men to escort you to the inn. However, gentlemen, if you will
+take my advice, you will not travel by night any more when you are in
+this part of the country; for, from what that fellow said, I should
+suppose the peasantry have got some evil notion of your intended
+proceedings here, and it might be dangerous to trust yourselves with
+them too much. There are such things, you must remember, as shooting
+from behind hedges, and from the tops of banks; and you must not
+forget that, in this part of the world, where our lanes are cut deep
+down between the fields, our orchards thick, and our woods many, it is
+no easy matter to ascertain where there is an enemy. As I take it for
+granted you are going towards Poitiers, Monsieur Pelisson, I shall
+most likely see you soon again. We will all accompany you out of the
+wood, and then you shall have a sufficient escort to ensure your
+safety."
+
+Pelisson thanked him again and again. The trunk mails, and what
+portion of their contents the robbers had left, were gathered
+together, the carriage re-loaded, and its human burden placed safely
+in it. Pelisson and the Abbé de St. Helie, after having ascertained
+that the injuries inflicted by the fire upon the precious packet in
+the sheep-skin bag extended no farther than that outer cover, gave the
+word that they were ready; and moving on in slow procession, the
+carriage, its denizens, and their escort of cavaliers made their exit
+from the road, after which the Count and the Chevalier took leave of
+the others to return to the castle of Morseiul; and thus ended the
+adventures of the night.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                 THE JOURNEY, AND SOME OF ITS EVENTS.
+
+
+We will pass over all comments which took place amongst the parties to
+the scene which we described in our last chapter, and will take up our
+story again with the interval of a single day.
+
+How happy would it often be for us in life if we could thus blot out a
+single day! if, out of our existence as out of our history, we could
+extirpate one four and twenty hours, its never-to-be-recalled deeds,
+its thoughts affecting the mind for ever, its events affecting the
+whole course of after-existence! How happy would it be if we could
+blot it out from being! and often, too often, how happy would it be if
+we could blot it out from memory--from memory, the treasurer of our
+joys and pains--memory, whose important charge differs from the bright
+office of hope, in the sad particular of having to deal with nothing
+but realities!
+
+However, with the Count de Morseiul and his friend the Chevalier
+d'Evran, that day had passed in nothing which left regret. The Count
+had explained to his friend that he judged it necessary to go to
+Poitiers at once: the Chevalier had very willingly agreed to accompany
+him, saying, that he would take the good old Duke by surprise: they
+had then enjoyed every thing that Morseiul afforded of enjoyable; they
+had wandered by the glassy stream, they had ridden through the
+beautiful scenes around, they had hunted the boar in the Count's green
+woods, they had tasted with moderation his good wine, and the rich
+fruits of a sunny land; and thus that day had passed over without a
+cloud.
+
+Although the King of France had given over, by this time, the habit
+with which he set out, in the light and active days of his first
+manhood, and no longer made all his journeys on horseback, yet the
+custom was kept up by a great part of his nobility and officers, and
+it was very usual to ride post upon a journey, that is to say, to
+mount whatever horse the postmaster chose to give, and ride on to the
+next relay, accompanied by a postilion on another horse, carrying the
+baggage. The Count de Morseiul, however, did not follow this plan, as
+he had no inclination to appear in the city of Poitiers, which at that
+time boasted of being the largest city in France, except Paris, in the
+character of a courier. As he loved not carriages, however, and had
+plenty of fiery horses in his stable panting for exercise, he sent
+forward a relay himself to a distant inn upon the road, and, on the
+morning we speak of, accompanied by his friend and a large body of
+their servants, rode calmly on upon the way, proposing to make a
+journey of about five and thirty miles that day.
+
+"It is politic of me, D'Evran," he said, conversing with the
+Chevalier, "it is politic of me to carry you away from Morseiul so
+soon; as you have promised to give me one whole month, for fear you
+should become tired of your abode, and exhaust all its little stock of
+amusements and pleasures too rapidly. Satiety is a great evil, and
+surely one of the minor policies of life is to guard against it."
+
+"No fear of my getting tired of Morseiul so soon," replied the
+Chevalier; "but I cannot agree entirely to your view of satiety. I
+have often had many doubts as to whether it be really an evil or not."
+
+"I have none," replied the Count; "it seems to me the greatest of
+intellectual evils; it seems to me to be to the mind what despair is
+to the heart, and in the mind of a young man is surely what premature
+decrepitude is to the body. Good God, Louis, how can you entertain a
+doubt? The idea of losing one sense, one fine perception, is surely
+horrible enough; but tenfold horrible must be the idea of losing them
+altogether; or, what comes to the same thing, of losing the enjoyment
+that they confer upon us?"
+
+"Nay, but, Albert," said the Chevalier, who was fond of playing with
+his own wit as a bright weapon, without considering its dangerous
+nature, and took no little pleasure in calling forth, even against
+himself, the enthusiastic eagerness of his friend; "nay, but, Albert,
+what I contend for is, that satiety is true wisdom; that it is a
+perfect, thorough knowledge of all enjoyments, and a proper estimation
+of their emptiness."
+
+"Hold, hold," exclaimed the Count, "that is a very different thing; to
+my mind satiety is the exhaustion of our own powers of enjoying, not
+the discovery of the want of a power of conferring enjoyment in other
+things. Because a man loses the sense of smelling, that will not
+deprive the rose of its sweet odour. Does a tyrant cut out my tongue?
+the delicious flavour of the peach will remain, though I taste it not;
+though he blind my eyes, the face of nature will flourish and look
+fair as much as ever. No, no, satiety is the deprivation, by over
+enjoyment, of our own powers of receiving; and not a just estimate of
+the powers of other things in giving pleasure."
+
+"But you will own," said the Chevalier, "that a deep and minute
+acquaintance with any source of enjoyment naturally tends to diminish
+the gratification that we at first received from it. You will not deny
+that moralist and philosopher, from Solomon down to our own days, have
+all been right in pointing out the vanity of all things. _Vanitas
+vanitatis_, my dear Count, has been the stamp fixed by every great
+mind that the world has yet produced upon the objects of human
+enjoyment. This has been the acme, this the conclusion at which wisdom
+has arrived; and surely the sooner we ourselves arrive at it in life
+the better."
+
+"Heaven forbid," exclaimed the Count; "Heaven forbid, either that it
+should be so, or that such should be your real and mature opinion. You
+say that a minute acquaintance with the sources of enjoyment
+diminishes the gratification they afford. There is undoubtedly
+something lost in every case of such minute acquaintance; but it is by
+the loss of a peculiar and distinct source of pleasure accompanying
+every other enjoyment the first time it is tasted, and never going
+beyond. I mean novelty--the bloom upon the ripe plum, which renders it
+beautiful to the eye as well as refreshing to the taste--brush away
+the bloom, the plum is no longer so beautiful, but the taste no less
+refreshing. Setting aside the diminution made for the loss of that
+novelty, I deny your position."
+
+The Chevalier laughed at his friend's eagerness.
+
+"You will not surely deny, Morseiul," he said, "that there is no
+pleasure, no enjoyment, really satisfactory to the human heart; and,
+consequently, the more intimately we become acquainted with it, the
+more clearly do we see its emptiness."
+
+"Had you said at the first," replied the Count, "that our acquaintance
+with pleasures show their insufficiency, I should have admitted the
+truth of your assertion; but to discover the insufficiency of one
+pleasure seems to me only a step towards the enjoyment of pleasures of
+a higher quality."
+
+"But we may exhaust them all," said the Chevalier, "and then
+comes--what but satiety?"
+
+"No," replied the Count, "not satiety, aspirations for and hopes of
+higher pleasures still; the last, the grandest, the noblest seeking
+for enjoyment that the universe can afford; the pursuit that leads us
+through the gates of the tomb to those abodes where the imperfections
+of enjoyment end, where the seeds of decay grow not up with the
+flowers that we plant, where the fruit is without the husk, and the
+music without the dissonance. This still is left us when all other
+enjoyments of life are exhausted, or have been tasted, or have been
+cast away, or have been destroyed. Depend upon it, Louis, that even
+the knowledge we acquire of the insufficiency of earth's enjoyment
+gives us greater power to advance in the scale of enjoyment; and that,
+if we choose to learn our lesson from the picture given us of the
+earthly paradise, we shall find a grand moral in the tree of eternal
+life having been planted by the tree of knowledge."
+
+"But still, my dear Count," replied the Chevalier, "you seem still to
+approach to my argument, while you deny its force. If such be the
+result of satiety, as you say it is, namely, to lead us to the
+aspiration after higher enjoyments, till those aspirations point to
+another world, surely it is better to arrive at that result as soon as
+possible."
+
+"No," replied the Count; "in the first place, I did not say that such
+was the result of satiety; I said that it was the result of
+discovering by experience the insufficiency of all earthly enjoyments
+to give perfect satisfaction to a high and immortal spirit and
+well-regulated mind. Satiety I hold to be quite the reverse of this; I
+hold it to be the degradation of our faculties of enjoyment, either by
+excessive indulgence, or by evil direction. The man who follows such a
+course of life as to produce any chance of reaching satiety, tends
+downward instead of upward, to lower rather than to higher pleasures,
+and exhausts his own capabilities, not the blessings of God. The
+opposite course produces the opposite result; we know and learn that
+all God's creations afford us some enjoyment, although we know and
+learn, at the same time, that it has been his will that none of those
+enjoyments upon earth should give complete and final satisfaction. Our
+capabilities of enjoying by enjoying properly are not blunted but
+acuminated; we fly from satiety instead of approaching it; and even
+while we learn to aspire to higher things, we lose not a particle of
+the power--except by the natural decay of our faculties--of enjoying
+even the slight foretaste that Heaven has given us here."
+
+"Solomon, Solomon, Solomon!" said his companion, "Solomon was
+evidently a misanthrope either by nature or by satiety. He had seen
+every thing under the sun, and he pronounced every thing vanity--ay,
+lighter than vanity itself."
+
+"And he was right," replied the Count; "every thing is lighter than
+vanity itself, when comparing the things of this world with the things
+of eternity. But you know," he added with a smile, "that we Huguenots,
+as you call us, acknowledge no authority against the clear operation
+of reason, looking upon no man as perfect but one. If you were to tell
+me that it was right to put a friend in a dangerous place where he was
+sure to be killed for the purpose of marrying his widow, I should not
+a bit more believe that it was right, because David had done it; and
+even if you were to prove to me that through the whole writings of
+Solomon there was not, as I believe there is, a continual comparison
+between earthly things and heavenly things, I should still say that
+you were in the wrong; the satiety that he felt being a just
+punishment upon him for the excesses he committed and the follies to
+which he gave way, and by no means a proof of his wisdom, any more
+than those follies and excesses themselves. Long before we have
+exhausted the manifold pleasures which Heaven has given us here by
+moderate and virtuous enjoyment--long before we have even discovered
+by experience the insufficiency of one half that we may properly
+enjoy, the span of man's life is finished; and at the gates of death
+he may think himself happy, if, while he has learnt to desire the more
+perfect enjoyment of heavenly things, he has not rendered himself
+unfit for that enjoyment, by having depraved his faculties to satiety
+by excess."
+
+"Well, well," said the Chevalier, seeing that his friend spoke
+earnestly, "I am afraid I must give up Solomon, Albert. If I remember
+right, the man had some hundreds of wives or so; and I am sure he
+might well cry out that all is vanity after that. I wonder they did
+not all fall upon him at once, and smother him under looking-glasses
+and bonbonnières."
+
+The Count saw that his friend turned the matter into a joke, and, from
+his long acquaintance with him, he doubted not that he had been
+carrying on the discussion from first to last for sport. He was not
+angry or cross about it; but, of an eager and of an earnest
+disposition, he could not play with subjects of value, like an
+unconscious child tossing jewels to and fro, and he remained
+thoughtful for some time. While the Chevalier continued to jest upon a
+thousand things, sometimes connecting one joke with another in rapid
+and long succession, sometimes pausing for a moment or two, and taking
+his next subject from any accidental circumstance in their ride or
+feature in the scene around, the Count gradually resumed the
+conversation upon indifferent matters. Having only in view, however,
+in any extracts that we may give from their conversation, either to
+forward the progress of their history or to display the peculiar
+character of each, we shall dwell no longer upon their words during
+the rest of the ride to a little village, some seventeen miles from
+the château, where they stayed a moment to water their horses. The
+Count was looking down, watching the animals drink; but the Chevalier,
+who was gazing at every thing in the place, suddenly exclaimed,
+
+"Surely there cannot be two such ugly heads as that in France! The
+Abbé Pelisson, as I live! Why, Monsieur Pelisson," he exclaimed,
+advancing till he was directly under the window from which the head of
+the Abbé was protruded, "how have you stuck here by the way?"
+
+"Alas! my good sir," replied the Abbé, "the fright of the day before
+yesterday had such an effect upon my poor companion de St. Helie, that
+he was quite unable to proceed. He is better this afternoon, and we
+shall set out in an hour, after he has taken something to refresh him
+and give him strength."
+
+"You will overtake us at our next lodging," said the Chevalier.
+
+"Oh no, we shall pass you far," replied the Abbé. "We shall still have
+five hours' light, and as we travel by post, we may calculate upon
+going between five and six miles an hour."
+
+The Count on his part made no comment, but merely nodded his head to
+Pelisson; and when the Chevalier's brief conversation was at an end,
+they rode on. The village which they had fixed upon for their
+resting-place that night was a large straggling open collection of
+houses, which had grown up on either side of the wide road, simply
+because it happened to be at a convenient distance from many other
+places. The buildings were scattered, and separated by large gardens
+or courts, and the inn itself was in fact the only respectable
+dwelling in the place, having been an old brick-built country seat in
+former days, with the walls that defended it from attack still
+standing round the court, the windows rattling and quivering with the
+wind and their antiquity, the rooms wide and lofty, and perhaps a
+little cheerless, and the kitchen, which formed the entrance, as black
+as the smoke of many generations could render it.
+
+The whole house was prepared to meet the Count de Morseiul, his coming
+having been announced by the servants sent on with the horses; and did
+ducks and fowls in various countries write the histories of their
+several races, that morning would have been memorable for the massacre
+that took place, and only be comparable to the day of St. Bartholomew.
+But the culinary art was great in France then as it is now, and the
+cook, knowing that she had a difficult task to perform, exerted her
+utmost ingenuity to render tough poultry tender, and insipid viands
+savoury, for the distinguished guest that was to dine and sleep within
+those walls. Though the preparations had been begun at an early hour,
+yet they were by no means concluded when the party arrived; and while
+Jerome Riquet plunged into the kitchen, and communicated to the cook a
+thousand secrets from the vast stores of his own mind, the Count and
+his friend gazed forth from the window of a high, wide, square-shaped
+room over the wide prospect, which lay in gentle undulations beneath
+their eyes, with the road that they themselves had just passed taking,
+as it were, a standing leap over each of the little hills that it met
+with in its way.
+
+The day had been remarkably fine during the earlier portion thereof,
+but towards three o'clock clouds had come over, not indeed veiling the
+sky under a sheet of sombre grey, but fleeting lightly across the blue
+expanse, like the momentary cares of infancy, and passing away, after
+dropping a few large tears, which the joyful sun dried up again the
+moment after. As the Count and his friend gazed forth, however, a
+heavier shower was seen sweeping over the prospect, the sky became
+quite covered, a grey mist--through which, however, a yellow gleam was
+seen, saying that the summer night was not far off,--advanced over
+wood and field, and hill and dale, and dashing down with all the
+impetuous and short-lived fury of an angry boy, the cloud poured forth
+its burden on the earth. While yet it was raging in its utmost wrath,
+the plain carriage of Pelisson and his companions was seen rolling
+slowly onward towards the village, with coachman and lackey holding
+down the drenched head towards the storm, and shading the defenceless
+neck. All the windows of the vehicle were closed, in order, if
+possible, to keep out the wind and rain; but constructed as carriages
+were in those days, there was no great protection to be found in them
+from the breath or the drops of heaven; and, as the rumbling vehicle
+approached the village, the head of Pelisson was seen suddenly thrust
+forth on the safest side, shouting something to the coachman, who
+seemed inclined to go through all the signs in the subjunctive mood of
+the verb, _not to hear_. After repeating three times his words, the
+Abbé drew his head in again, and the carriage entered the village.
+
+"For a hundred louis," said the Chevalier, "we have the company of
+Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie to-night. I beseech thee, Albert,
+tell them they cannot lodge here, if it be but to see their rueful
+faces. Look, look! There comes the vehicle, like the ark of Noah,
+discovered by some fortunate chance on Ararat, and set upon the wheels
+of Pharaoh's chariot, fished out of the Red Sea. Where could they pick
+up such an antediluvian conveyance? Look, the ark stops! Now, open the
+window, Noah. Out comes the door!" and, as he spoke, he had matter for
+more merriment, for the first person that issued forth was the fat
+black-faced priest in his greasy cassock. "The raven! The raven!"
+shouted the Chevalier, laughing aloud, "What beast next, Count? What
+beast next?"
+
+"Hush, hush! Louis," said his friend, in a lower tone; "they will hear
+you, and it is a pity to give pain."
+
+"True, oh most sapient Albert," answered the Chevalier, "and you shall
+see how courteous I can be. I will even take the raven by the claw--if
+you give me but time to order a basin and napkin in the adjoining room
+for the necessary ablution afterwards. Oh, Monsieur Pelisson,
+enchanted to see you!" he continued, as the Abbé entered the room;
+"Monsieur de St. Helie, this is indeed delightful; Monsieur de
+Beaumanoir, allow me to take you by the hand," he added, advancing
+towards the greasy priest.
+
+"You mistake me for some one else," said the priest, drawing slightly
+back, turning his shoulder, and speaking through his teeth like a
+muzzled bear: "I am the Curé de Guadrieul."
+
+"True, true, I forgot," went on the Chevalier in the same wild way.
+"Enchanted to see you, Monsieur le Curé de Guadrieul! How much we are
+bound to laud and love this shower for having given us the felicity of
+your society."
+
+"I am sure I have no cause to laud it," said the priest, "for all the
+rain has come in at that crazy window, and run into my neck, besides
+drenching my soutane."
+
+The Chevalier might have gone on for an hour, but the Count came to
+the relief of the poor priest. He notified to Pelisson and his
+companions, that the house and all that it contained had been engaged
+by him, but he pressed them to remain as his guests so cordially, that
+Monsieur de St. Helie, who--though he loved not Huguenots, loved damp
+weather worse and savoury viands more--consented readily, warned by
+the rising odours from the kitchen, that he might certainly go farther
+and fare worse. Chambers were found for the new guests, and, before an
+hour had passed, the whole party was seated at a groaning board, the
+plentiful supply on which made Monsieur de St. Helie open his eyes
+with well satisfied astonishment. We are not quite sure, indeed, that
+he did not feel a greater respect for protestantism than he had ever
+felt before; and so placable and mild had he evidently become, that
+the Chevalier whispered, to his friend, while apparently speaking of
+something else, "For Heaven's sake, Morseiul, never suffer your people
+to give that man such a feast again! Three such dinners would make him
+condemn his own soul, and turn heretic."
+
+Pelisson was cheerful as usual, mild and gentle, a little plausible
+perhaps, and somewhat too courtier like, but still rendering himself
+most agreeable, both by his manner and by a sort of indescribable ease
+and grace in his conversation and language. Behind the chair of the
+Count, as a sort of nomenclator of the different dishes, had placed
+himself worthy Maître Jerome Riquet. Now, Heaven knows that no person
+was naturally more simple in his tastes than Albert of Morseiul; but
+he had left, as usual, all the minor arrangements of his comfort to
+others, and certainly Jerome Riquet, as soon as he heard that two
+Catholic abbés and a priest were about to dine at the table of his
+master, had not relaxed in any of his efforts to excel all excellence,
+determined to astound the ecclesiastics by the luxury and splendour of
+a country inn. Had it produced nothing but parchment and jack-boots,
+Jerome Riquet would have discovered means of sending in entrée upon
+entrée in various different forms, and under various different names.
+But as it was, notice of the Count's coming having been given the day
+before, and vast preparations made by the worthy aubergiste, the
+suppers of Versailles were little more refined than that to which
+Pelisson and his companions now sat down; while, according to Jerome's
+directions, two servants stood behind every chair, and the Count was
+graced by his own additional presence at the right elbow.
+
+Riquet himself had not only taken up that position as the _Pièce de
+résistance_, but as the _Pièce de parade_, and, as was not uncustomary
+then, he mingled with what was going forward at table whenever it
+suited him. Often by a happy exhortation upon some dish, or
+observation upon some wine, he contrived to turn the conversation in a
+different direction when it was proceeding in a way that did not
+please him. About half way through the meal, however, his attention
+seemed to be caught by something awkward in the position of the Curé
+de Guadrieul, and from time to time he turned a sort of anxious and
+inquiring glance towards him, wondering whether he sat so high in his
+chair from the natural conformation of short legs and a long body, or
+from some adventitious substance placed beneath his nether man.
+
+He made various movements to discover it; but, in the meantime, the
+conversation went on, and the Count having been naturally drawn by the
+observation of some other person to pay Pelisson a compliment upon his
+graceful style, the Abbé replied, "Oh, my style is nothing, Monsieur
+le Comte, though you are good enough to praise it; and besides, after
+all, it is but style. I had a brother once, poor fellow!" he added,
+"who might indeed have claimed your praise; for, in addition to good
+style, which he possessed in an infinitely higher degree than myself,
+he had a peculiar art of speaking briefly, which, Heaven knows, I have
+not, and of leaving nothing unsaid that could be said upon the subject
+he treated. When he was only nineteen years of age he was admitted to
+the academy of Castres; but, upon his admission, they made this
+singular and flattering condition with him, namely, that he should
+never speak upon any subject till every body else had spoken, 'for,'
+said the academicians, 'when he speaks first, he never leaves any body
+else any thing to say upon the subject, and when he speaks last he
+finds a thousand things to say that nobody else has said.' Besides all
+this," he continued, "my brother had another great and inestimable
+advantage over me."
+
+"Pray what was that?" demanded the Count.
+
+"He was not hideous," replied Pelisson.
+
+"Oh, I do not think that such an advantage," said the Chevalier. "It
+is the duty of a woman to be handsome; but I think men have a right to
+be ugly if they like."
+
+"So say I," replied Pelisson; "but Mademoiselle de Scudery says that I
+abuse the privilege, and upon my word I think so, for just before I
+came from Paris something happened which is worth telling. I was
+walking along," he continued, "quite soberly and thoughtfully down the
+Rue de Beauvoisis--you know that little street that leads up by the
+convent of St. Mary--when coming opposite to a large house nearly at
+the corner, I was suddenly met by as beautiful a creature as ever I
+saw, with her soubrette by her side, and her loup in her hand, so that
+I could quite see her face. She was extremely well dressed, and, in
+fact, altogether fit to be the Goddess of an Idyl. However, as I did
+not know her, I was passing quietly on, when suddenly she stopped,
+took me by the hand, and said, in an earnest voice, 'Do me the
+pleasure, sir, of accompanying me for one moment.' On my word,
+gentlemen, I did not know what was going to happen, but I was a great
+deal too gallant, of course, to refuse her; when, without another
+word, she led me to the door of the house, up the stairs, rang the
+bell on the first floor, and conducted me into an anteroom. A servant
+threw open another door for her; and then bringing me into a second
+room, where I found a gentleman of good mien with two sticks in his
+hand, she presented me to him with these singular words: '_Line for
+line, sir, like that! Remember, line for line, sir, like that!_' and
+then turning on her heel she walked away, leaving me petrified with
+astonishment. The gentleman in whose presence I stood seemed no less
+surprised for a moment than myself; but the instant after he burst
+into a violent fit of laughter, which made me a little angry.
+
+"'Pray, sir, what is the meaning of all this?' I asked. 'Do you not
+know that lady?' he rejoined. 'No, sir,' I replied, 'I neither know
+her nor you.' 'Oh, as for me,' replied the gentleman, 'you have seen
+me more than once before, Monsieur Pelisson, though you do not know
+me. I am Mignard, the painter; but as to the lady, I must either not
+give you the clue to her bringing you here, or not give you her name,
+which you like.' 'Give me the clue; give me the clue,' replied I: 'the
+lady's name I will find out hereafter.'
+
+"'Do not be offended then,' he said, 'but the truth is, I am painting
+for that lady a picture of the temptation in the wilderness. She came
+to see it this morning, and a violent dispute arose between us as to
+how I was to represent the devil; she contending that he was to be
+excessively ugly, and I, that though disfigured by bad passions, there
+was to be the beauty of an angel fallen. She left me a minute ago in a
+fit of playful pettishness, when lo and behold she returns almost
+instantly, bringing you in her hand, and saying, 'Line for line, like
+that.' I leave you to draw your own conclusion."
+
+"I did draw my own conclusion," continued Pelisson, "and got out of
+the way of Monsieur Mignard's brush as fast as possible, only saying,
+that I thought the lady very much in the wrong, for there could lie no
+great temptation under such an exterior as mine."
+
+His auditors laughed both at the story and at the simplicity with
+which it was told, and no one laughed more heartily than the
+black-faced priest. But while he was chuckling on his seat, Maître
+Jerome, who had glided round behind him, suddenly seized hold of two
+leathern strings that hung down over the edge of the chair, and
+exclaiming, "That must be very inconvenient to your reverence," he
+pulled out from underneath him, by a sudden jerk which nearly laid him
+at his length on the floor, the identical sheep-skin bag which had
+nearly been burnt to pieces in the wood.
+
+The priest started up with terror and dismay, exclaiming, "Give it to
+me: give it to me, sirrah. How dare you take it from under me? It is
+the King's commission to Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie for putting
+down heresy in Poitou."
+
+A sudden grave look and a dead silence succeeded this unexpected
+announcement; but while the priest snatched the packet from Jerome
+Riquet's profane hands, declaring that he had promised not to part
+with it for a moment, Pelisson made his voice heard, saying,
+
+"You mistake, my good brother; such is not the object of the
+commission, as the King explained it to me. On the contrary, his
+Majesty said that, when it was opened at Poitiers, we would find that
+the whole object and scope of it was to heal the religious differences
+of the province in the mildest and most gentle manner possible."
+
+"I trust it may be found so, Monsieur Pelisson," replied the Count
+gravely, turning his eyes from the Abbé de St. Helie, who said
+nothing. "I trust it may be found so;" and though it was evident that
+some damp was thrown upon his good spirits, he turned the conversation
+courteously and easily to other subjects: while Jerome Riquet,
+satisfied in regard to the nature of the packet, made a thousand
+apologies to the Curé of Guadrieul, loaded his plate with delicacies,
+and then returned to his master's elbow.
+
+After supper, for so the meal was then called, the party separated.
+The Chevalier d'Evran, for motives of his own, attached himself
+closely, for the time being, to the Abbé de St. Helie, and engaged him
+in a party at trick track; the young Count strolled out in the evening
+light with Pelisson, both carefully avoiding any religious subjects
+from the delicacy of their mutual position; the fat priest went to
+gossip with Maître Jerome, and smoke a pipe in the kitchen of the inn;
+and the serving men made love to the village girls, or caroled in the
+court-yard.
+
+Thus ended the first day's journey of the Count de Morseiul towards
+Poitiers. On the following morning he had taken his departure before
+the ecclesiastics had risen, leaving the servants, who were to follow
+with the horses, to make them fully aware that they had been his
+guests during their stay at the inn; and on the third day, at about
+five o'clock in the afternoon, he came under the high rocky banks
+which guard the entrance to the ancient city which was to be the end
+of his journey.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VI.
+
+                       THE LADY AND HER LOVERS.
+
+
+The city of Poitiers is a beautiful old town, at least it is a town in
+which there is much to interest; the memories of many remote periods
+cross and intersect each other, like the arches of a Gothic church,
+forming a fretwork over head of varied and solemn, though dim,
+associations. The Roman, and the Goth, and the Frank, and the
+Englishman, have all there left indelible traces of their footsteps;
+and each spot through the streets of that city, and through the
+neighbouring country, is shadowed or brightened by the recollection of
+great and extraordinary deeds in the past. There is something in it,
+also, unlike any other town in the world; the number and extent of its
+gardens, the distance between its various houses, would make it look
+more like an orchard than a town, did not, every here and there, rise
+up some striking edifice, some fine church, bearing in its windows the
+leopards, or the fleurs de lis, as the case may be; a townhouse, a
+broken citadel, or a Roman amphitheatre in ruins, and all amidst rich
+green gardens, and grapes, and flowering shrubs.
+
+The Count de Morseiul and his train, after passing the gates of the
+city, which were then duly watched and warded, rode on to the house of
+the governor, which was, at that time, in the great square. It had
+probably been a Roman building, of which part of the portico had been
+preserved, forming the end of one of the wings; for, during three or
+four centuries, a tall porch had remained there supported by three
+columns. Though the principal gate was in the centre of the house, it
+was usual for the people of the town to enter by this porch; and such
+was the only purpose that it served. The whole aspect of the place has
+been altered long since; the governor's house has been changed into an
+inn, where I have slept on more than one occasion; and of the three
+columns nothing more remains but the name, which has descended to the
+hotel. It was in that time, however, a large brick building, with an
+immense arched gateway in the centre, under which Goliath of Gath
+himself might have passed on horseback with a feather in his cap.
+Beyond this was the inner court, with the usual buildings around it;
+but upon a large and magnificent scale, and on the left, under the
+arch-way, rose a wide flight of stone steps, leading to the principal
+apartments above.
+
+Throughout the whole town, and especially in the neighbourhood of the
+governor's house, there appeared, on the day of the Count's arrival, a
+greater degree of bustle and activity than Poitiers generally
+displays; and as he drew up his horse under the archway, to ascend the
+stairs, several peasant girls, after pausing to look at the cavaliers,
+passed on into the courts beyond, loaded with baskets full of flowers,
+and fruit, and green branches.
+
+As he had sent on a messenger the day before to announce his approach,
+the Count de Morseiul knew that he was expected; and it was evident,
+from the sudden rushing forth of all the servants, the rapid and long
+ringing of the great bell, which went up stairs, and a thousand other
+such signs, that orders had been given to treat him with especial
+distinction. While some of the masters of the stable took possession
+of his grooms and horse-boys, to show them to the place appointed for
+them, two other servants, in costumes which certainly did honour to
+the taste of M. le Marquis Auguste de Hericourt, marshalled the Count
+and the Chevalier--followed by their respective valets and pages,
+without which men of their rank and fortune travelled not in that
+day--to the vestibule at the top of the staircase.
+
+A step beyond the door of the vestibule, which was also a step beyond
+what etiquette required, the governor of the province was already
+waiting to receive the Count de Morseiul. He was a frank, amiable, and
+kind-hearted old gentleman, as tall, and as thin, and as brown as a
+cypress tree; and grasping the Count's hand, he welcomed him to
+Poitiers as an old friend, and the son of an old friend, and likewise,
+perhaps we might say, as one whose high character and fame, as a
+soldier, he greatly and sincerely admired. While speaking to the Count
+so eagerly that he saw nothing else, the governor felt a hand laid
+upon his arm, and, turning, beheld the Chevalier, whom he welcomed
+also warmly, though in a peculiar tone of intimacy which he had not
+used towards the Count de Morseiul.
+
+"Ah, d'Evran," he said, "what brought you here, mad boy? I wanted not
+to see you; but I can tell you I shall put you in a garret, as you
+deserve, for the house is filled to the doors. This is our first grand
+reception, our little provincial _appartement_. All the nobility in
+the neighbourhood are flocking in, and, as we cannot lodge them all,
+we are obliged to begin our entertainment as early as possible, in
+order to suffer some of them to get home betimes. This must plead my
+apology, my dear Count, for not giving you more spacious apartments
+yourself, and for not taking you at once to the Duchess, who is all
+anxiety to see our hero. Some refreshments shall be taken to you in
+your own apartment, to your little salon, where, perhaps, you will
+give a corner to this wild Chevalier; for there is that young puppy
+Hericourt, who only arrived last night, up to the elbows in the
+dining-room in all sort of finery and foolery."
+
+"But where is la belle Clémence?" demanded the Chevalier. "Where is
+the beauty of beauties? Will she not give me a quarter of an hour in
+her boudoir, think you, Duke?"
+
+"Get along with you," replied the Duke: "Clémence does not want to see
+you. Go and refresh yourself with the Count: by that time we shall
+have found a place to put you in; and when you have cast off your
+dusty apparel, ransacked the perfumers, sought out your best lace, and
+made yourself look as insupportably conceited as you used to do two
+years ago at Versailles, it will be time for you to present yourself
+in our reception-room, and there you can see Clémence, who, I dare
+say, will laugh at you to your heart's content."
+
+"So be it--so be it," replied the Chevalier, with a well-satisfied
+air. "Come, Count, we must obey the governor: see if he do not make
+himself as despotic here as his Majesty in Paris. Which is our way,
+Monsieur de Rouvré?" and with that appearance of indifference which
+has always been a current sort of affectation with men of the world,
+from the days of Horace downwards, he followed the servants to the
+handsome apartments prepared for the Count de Morseiul, which
+certainly needed no apology.
+
+On the table the Count found a packet of letters, which M. de Rouvré
+had brought for him from Paris. They contained nothing of any great
+importance, being principally from old military companions; but after
+the Chevalier had taken some refreshments with him, and retired to the
+apartments which had been prepared in haste for him, the Count took up
+the letters, and, carried forward by the memory of old times, went on
+reading, forgetful of the necessity of dressing himself for the
+approaching fête. He promised himself little or no pleasure indeed
+therein, for he expected to see few, if any, with whom he was
+acquainted; and his mind was too deeply occupied with important and
+even painful subjects, for him to think of mingling in lighter scenes
+with any very agreeable sensations.
+
+He did not remember then the necessity of preparation, till he had to
+call for lights, and heard the roll of carriage-wheels, and the
+clattering of horses. He then, however, hastened to repair his
+forgetfulness; but Jerome was not as prompt and ready as usual, or
+else he was far more careful of his master's appearance. We will not,
+indeed, pause upon all the minute points of his toilet; but certainly,
+by the time that the valet would acknowledge that his master was fit
+to go down, he had given to the Count's fine person every advantage
+that dress can bestow; and perhaps Albert of Morseiul did not look at
+all the worse for that air of high and thoughtful intelligence, which
+the deep interests whereon his mind was fixed, called up in a
+countenance, with the fine and noble features of which, that
+expression was so peculiarly suited.
+
+When, at length, he entered the little saloon that had been allotted
+to him, he found one of the officers of the governor waiting, with his
+own page, to conduct him to the reception-rooms; and, on asking if the
+Chevalier was ready, he found that he had been there seeking him, and
+had gone down. It was a slight reproach for his tardiness, and the
+Count hastened to follow. The way was not long, but the stairs had
+been left somewhat dark, as but little time had been given for
+preparation; and when the doors were opened for the young Count, a
+blaze of light and a scene of magnificence burst upon his eyes, which
+he had not been prepared to see in that remote part of France.
+
+The rooms were brilliantly, though softly, lighted, and the principal
+blaze came from the great saloon at the farther end. Rich hangings and
+decorations were not wanting, but as they were, of course, to be
+procured with greater difficulty than in Paris, the places where many
+draperies would have hung, or where gilded scrolls, trophies, and
+other fanciful embellishments would have appeared, were filled up with
+much better taste from the storehouses of nature; and garlands, and
+green boughs, and the multitude of flowers which that part of the
+country produces, occupied every vacant space. A very excellent band
+of musicians, which the Duke had brought with him from the capital,
+was posted in an elevated gallery of the great saloon; and the sweet
+notes of many popular melodies of the day came pouring down the long
+suite of apartments, softened, but not rendered indistinct by the
+distance. In the first chamber which the Count entered were a great
+number of the inferior officers of the governor, in their dresses of
+ceremony, giving that ante-chamber an air of almost regal state; and
+through the midst of them was passing, at the moment, a party of the
+high nobles of the province, who had just arrived before the Count
+came in.
+
+Though not above one half of the invited had yet appeared, there were
+numerous groups in every part of the rooms; and at more than one of
+the tables, which, as customary in that age, were set out for play,
+the young Count found persons whom he knew, and stopped to speak with
+them as he advanced. The Duke and Duchess de Rouvré had taken their
+station in the great saloon; but in the smaller saloon immediately
+preceding it, Albert de Morseiul paused by one of the tables, to speak
+to the Prince de Marsillac, who was leaning against it; not playing,
+but turning his back with an air of indifference upon the scene
+beyond.
+
+"Ah, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, "it is an unexpected pleasure to
+see you here; I thought you were in Flanders."
+
+"I was so fourteen days ago," replied the Count; "but as little did I
+expect to see you."
+
+"Oh, this is in some sort my native country," replied the Prince; "and
+being here upon family affairs, I could not, of course, hesitate to
+come and grace the first entertainment of the good Duke. There seems a
+promise of a goodly assembly; and, indeed, there are attractions
+enough, what between a new governor, a new governess, and Clémence de
+Marly."
+
+"And pray who is Clémence de Marly?" demanded the Count. "I am a
+rustic, you see, and have never yet heard of her."
+
+"Rustic, indeed!" said the Prince; "why all the Parisian world is mad
+about her. She is the most admired, the most adored, I may say, of all
+the stars or comets, or what not, that have appeared in my day; as
+beautiful as Hebe, as graceful as the brightest of the Graces, as
+proud as Juno, about ten times colder than Diana, and as witty as
+Madame de Cornuel. People began to fancy that the King himself was in
+love with her; only you know that now, under the domination L'Amie de
+l'Amie, those days of folly and scandal have gone by, and, on my word,
+the saucy beauty treated majesty no better than she does nobility. I
+myself heard her----"
+
+"But who is Clémence de Marly?" demanded the Count again; "you have
+not satisfied me, Marsillac. Of what race or family is she? I know of
+no such name or family connected with the Rouvrés."
+
+The Prince replied in a lower tone, "She is an orphan, a foundling, an
+any thing you like. Some say," he added in a whisper, "a natural child
+of the King's own; but others again, and this is the true story, say
+that she is a natural child of De Rouvré's. There was a tale some time
+ago, you know, before he married, about him and the Countess de ----,
+a person of very large fortune; and as this girl has wealth at
+command, and lives always with the Rouvrés, there can be no doubt of
+the matter. Madame de Rouvré, having no family, wisely treats her as
+her child, and spoils her as if she were her grandchild. They used to
+say she was to be married to your friend the Chevalier d'Evran, whom I
+saw hanging at her elbow just now. Hericourt vows that he will cut the
+throat of any man who marries her without his consent; but Louvois is
+supposed to have laid out a match for her even nearer to his race than
+that; Segnelai is not without hopes of carrying off the prize for some
+of his people; and they seem in these days to care no more for the
+bend sinister than if the Adam and Eve laws still prevailed, and we
+were all the children of nature together."
+
+"This is the fair lady that d'Evran has been talking to me about,"
+replied the Count; "but he talked of her and her beauty so coolly,
+that I can scarcely suppose he is much in love."
+
+"Just come round hither and look at him then," said Marsillac, moving
+a little farther down, so as to give a fuller view into the other
+room. "You know d'Evran's way of being in love; lying down upon a sofa
+and playing with a feather fan, while the lady stands at the distance
+of two yards from him, and he says more clever things to her in five
+minutes than any body else can say in an hour. There he is doing it
+even now."
+
+The Count moved slowly into the place which Marsillac had left for
+him, so as not to attract attention by flagrant examination of what
+was going on, and then raised his eyes towards the part of the great
+saloon at which the Prince had been looking. The group that they
+lighted on was certainly in every respect a singular one. In the
+centre of it stood or rather leaned beside a high-backed chair, in an
+attitude of the most perfect grace that it is possible to conceive,
+which could not have been studied, for there was ease and nature in
+every line, a young lady, apparently of one or two and twenty years of
+age, whose beauty was both of a very exquisite and a very singular
+cast. It fully justified the description which had been given of it by
+the Chevalier d'Evran; the eyes were deep deep blue, but fringed with
+long and dark lashes, thickset but smooth, and sweeping in one even
+graceful fringe. The lips were, indeed, twin roses; the complexion
+delicately fair, and yet the face bearing in the cheek the warm hue of
+undiminished health. Those lips, even when not speaking, were always a
+little, a very little, parted, showing the bright pearl-like teeth
+beneath; the brow was smooth and fair, and yet the eyebrow which
+marked the exact line of the forehead above the eyes, changed, by the
+slightest elevation or depression, the whole aspect of the countenance
+with every passing emotion. With every change, too, the other features
+harmonised, and there was a bright sparklingness about the face, even
+at that distance, which made it, to the eyes of the Count, resemble a
+lovely landscape in an early summer morning, where every thing seems
+fresh life and brightness. The ear, too, which was slightly turned
+towards them, was most beautiful; and the form, though the dress of
+that day did not serve to expose it much, was seen swelling through
+the drapery in every line of exquisite beauty. The hand, the arm, the
+foot, the neck and throat, were all perfect as any sculptor could have
+desired to model; and the whole, with the grace of the attitude and
+the beauty of the expression, formed an object that one might have
+well wished to look at for long hours.
+
+On the right of the lady, precisely as the Prince had described him,
+lay the Chevalier d'Evran, richly dressed, and, perhaps, affecting a
+little more indifference than he really felt. Half kneeling, half
+sitting, at her feet, was the Marquis de Hericourt, saying nothing,
+but looking up in her face with an expression which plainly implied
+that he was marveling whether she or himself were the loveliest
+creature upon earth. On her left hand stood a gentleman whom the Count
+instantly recognised as one of the highest and most distinguished
+nobles of the court of Louis XIV., several years older than either the
+Marquis or the Chevalier, but still apparently as much if not more
+smitten than either. Behind her, and round about her, in various
+attitudes, were half a dozen others, each striving to catch her
+attention for a single moment; but it was to the elder gentleman whom
+we have mentioned that she principally listened, except, indeed, when
+some witticism of the Chevalier caused her to turn and smile upon him
+for a moment. Amongst the rest of the little train behind her were two
+personages, for neither of whom the Count de Morseiul entertained any
+very great esteem: the Chevalier de Rohan, a ruined and dissipated
+scion of one of the first families in France, and a gentleman of the
+name of Hatréoumont, whom the Count had known while serving with the
+army in Flanders, and who, though brave as a lion, bore such a
+character for restless and unprincipled scheming, that the Count had
+soon reduced their communication to a mere passing bow.
+
+All the rest of those who surrounded her were distinguished as far as
+high station and wealth went, and many were marked for higher and
+better qualities; but, in general, she seemed to treat them all as
+mere slaves, sending one hither with a message, and another thither
+for something that she wanted, with an air of proud command, as if
+they were born but to obey her will.
+
+The group was, as we have said, an interesting and a curious one; but
+what was there in it that made the Count de Morseiul turn deadly pale?
+What was there in it that made his heart beat with feelings which he
+had never known before in gazing at any proud beauty of this world?
+What was it made him experience different sensations towards that
+lady, the first time that he beheld her, from those which he had ever
+felt towards others?
+
+Was it the first time that he had ever beheld her? Oh, no. There,
+though the features were somewhat changed by the passing of a few
+years, though the beauty of the girl had expanded into the beauty of
+the woman, though the form had acquired roundness and _contour_
+without losing one line of grace, there, in that countenance and in
+that form, he beheld again the dream of his young imagination; there
+he saw her of whom he had thought so often, and with whose image he
+had sported in fancy, till the playfellow of his imagination had
+become the master of his feelings: and now that he did see her, he saw
+her in a situation and under circumstances that gave him pain. All the
+beauty of person indeed which he had so much admired was there; but
+all those charms of the heart and of the mind, which his fancy had
+read in the book of that beauty seemed now reversed, and he saw but a
+spoilt, proud, lovely girl, apparently as vain and frivolous as the
+rest of a vain and frivolous court.
+
+"You are silent long, de Morseiul," said the Prince de Marsillac; "you
+are silent very long. You seem amongst the smitten, my good friend.
+What! shall we see the fair lands and châteaux of the first Protestant
+gentleman in France laid at the feet of yon pretty dame? Take my
+advice, Morseiul; take the advice of an elder man than yourself. Order
+your horses to be saddled early to-morrow morning, and get you back to
+your castle or to the army. Even if she were to have you, Morseiul,
+she would never suit you: her heart, man, is as cold as a Russian
+winter, and as hard as the nether millstone, and never in this world
+will she love any other thing but her own pretty self."
+
+"I am not at all afraid of her," replied the Count; "I have seen her
+before, and was only admiring the group around her."
+
+"Seen her and forgotten her!" exclaimed Marsillac, "so as not to
+remember her when I spoke of her! In the name of Heaven let her not
+hear that. Nay, tell it not at the court, if you would maintain your
+reputation for wit, wisdom, and good taste. But I suppose, in fact,
+you are as cold as she is. Go and speak to her, Morseiul; go and speak
+to her, for I see indeed you are quite safe."
+
+"Not I, indeed," said the Count; "I shall go and speak to the Duke and
+his excellent lady: and I suppose in time shall have to go through all
+sorts of necessary formalities with la belle Clémence; but till it is
+needful I have no inclination to increase any lady's vanity who seems
+to have so much of it already."
+
+Thus saying, he turned away, only hearing the Prince exclaim, "O
+mighty Sybarite!" and moving with easy grace through the room, he
+advanced into the great saloon, cast his eyes round the whole extent,
+looking for the Duke and Duchess, and passing over la belle Clémence
+and her party with a mere casual glance, as if he scarcely saw or
+noticed her. There was an immediate whisper in the little group
+itself; several of those around took upon them to tell her who he was,
+and all eyes followed him as with the same calm and graceful, but
+somewhat stately, steps he advanced to the spot where the Duke and
+Duchess were placed, and was warmly greeted by the latter as an old
+and valued friend.
+
+She made a place for him by her side, and leaning down from time to
+time by the good old lady's chair, he took the opportunity of each
+interval between the appearance of the new guests to address to her
+some little kindly and graceful observation, calling back her memory
+to old times, when she had fondled his boyhood, and, by mingling
+perhaps a little of the melancholy that adheres to the past with more
+cheerful subjects, rendered them thereby not the less pleasant.
+
+The Duchess was well pleased with his attention, and for some time
+seemed inclined to enjoy it alone; but at length she said, "I must not
+keep you here, Count, all night, or I shall have the Duke jealous at
+sixty, which would never do. You must go and say sweet things, as in
+duty bound, to younger dames than I am. See, there is Mademoiselle de
+Fronsac, as pretty a creature as ever was seen, and our Clémence. You
+know Clémence, do you not?--but look, Mademoiselle de Fronsac, as if
+to give you a fair opportunity, has dropped her bracelet."
+
+The Count advanced to pick up the bracelet for the young lady to whom
+his attention had been called; but his purpose was anticipated by a
+gentleman who stood near, and at the same moment the Chevalier seeing
+his friend detached from the side of the Duchess, crossed the saloon
+towards him, and took him by the arm. "Come, Albert," he said, "come!
+this is affectation. You must come and undergo the ordeal of those
+bright eyes. She has been speaking of you, and with deep interest, I
+assure you."
+
+The Count smiled. "To mortify some culprit lover!" he said, "or give a
+pang to some young foolish heart. Was it you, Louis?" he asked in the
+same tone; "was it you she sought to teaze, by speaking with interest
+of another?"
+
+"You are wrong, Albert," said the Chevalier in a low voice, leading
+him gradually towards the spot, "you are wrong--I do not seek Clémence
+de Marly. My resolution has long been taken. I shall never marry--nor
+would any consideration upon earth lead her to marry me. I know that
+full well; but while I say so, I tell you too that you do her
+injustice. You must not judge of her at once."
+
+They were now within a few steps of the spot where Clémence stood, and
+the Count, who had been looking down while he advanced, listening to
+the low words of the Chevalier, now raised his eyes as the other took
+a step forward to introduce him. To his surprise he saw the colour
+varying in the cheek of the lovely being before whom he stood, and a
+slight degree of flutter in her manner and appearance, which Albert de
+Morseiul could only account for by supposing that the scene in which
+they had last met, the robbers, and the wood, and the plunder of the
+carriage, had risen up before her eyes, and produced the agitation he
+saw in one, who was apparently so self-possessed in her usual
+demeanour. There upon her finger too, he saw the identical ring that
+he had saved for her from the robbers; and as he was in no way vain,
+he attributed the heightened colour to all those remembrances. But
+while he recalled that evening, his feelings towards Clémence grew
+less severe--he felt there was a tie between them of some interest, he
+felt too that her demeanour then had been very different from that
+which it appeared to be now. Though scarcely ten words had been spoken
+in the wood, those words had been all indicative of deep feelings and
+strong affections; there had been the signs of the heart, the clinging
+memories of love, the pure sensations of an unworldly spirit; and when
+he now gazed upon her, surrounded by flatterers and lovers, heartless
+herself, and seeming to take no delight but in sporting with the
+hearts of others, the ancient story of the two separate spirits in the
+same form seemed realised before him, and he knew not how to reconcile
+the opposite traits that he observed.
+
+All this passed through his mind in a moment. Rapid thought, that,
+winging its way along the high road of time, can cover years in a
+single instant, had glanced over all that we have said, even while the
+words of introduction were hanging upon the tongue of the Chevalier
+d'Evran. The Count bowed low but gravely, met the full glance of those
+lustrous eyes without the slightest change of countenance, and was
+about to have added some common place and formal compliment; but
+Clémence de Marly spoke first.
+
+"I sent the Chevalier to you, Monsieur de Morseiul," she said with the
+same musical voice which he remembered so well, "because you seemed
+not to recognise me; and I wished to thank you for a service that you
+rendered long ago to a wild girl who might probably have been killed
+by a fiery horse that she was riding, had you not stopped it, and
+given her back the rein which she had lost. Perhaps you have forgotten
+it, for I hear that great acts are so common to the Count de Morseiul
+that he is likely not to recollect what was to him a trifling event.
+To me, however, the service was important, and I have not forgotten
+either it or the person who rendered it."
+
+The eye of the Chevalier d'Evran was upon the Count de Morseiul while
+the lady spoke, and there was a sparkling brightness in it which his
+friend scarcely understood. At the same time, however, it was scarcely
+possible for human nature to hear such words from such lips totally
+unmoved.
+
+"Your pardon, madam," replied the Count, "I have never forgotten the
+adventure either; but I did not expect that you would have remembered
+so trifling a service. I recollected you the moment that I saw you;
+but did not of course venture to claim to be recognised on the merit
+of so insignificant an act."
+
+"I can answer for his not having forgotten it," said the Chevalier
+d'Evran, "for it is not more than five or six days ago, Mademoiselle
+de Marly, that he told me the whole circumstances, and if I would I
+could mention----"
+
+The colour rose slightly in the Count de Morseiul's cheek, as the
+Chevalier d'Evran gazed upon him with a malicious smile; but the
+latter, however, paused in his career, only adding, "If I would, I
+could mention all this grave Count's comments upon that event;--but I
+suppose I must not."
+
+"Nay, nay," exclaimed Clémence, "I insist upon your telling us. You
+are our bondsman and slave. As you have vowed worship and true
+service, I command you, Monsieur le Chevalier, to tell the whole
+without reserve--to give us the secrets of the enemy's camp."
+
+"I hope, madam," said the Count, willing to turn the conversation, and
+yet knowing very well that he might obviate his own purpose if he
+showed any anxiety to do so, "I hope, madam, that you do not class me
+amongst the enemy; if you do, I can assure you, you are very much
+mistaken."
+
+"That is what I wish to know, Count," replied the lady, smiling; "it
+is for that very purpose of knowing whether you are of the friends or
+the enemies, that I put the Chevalier here upon his honour as to your
+comments."
+
+"I suppose, madam," said the elder gentleman to whom she had been
+speaking during the former part of the evening, and who did not seem
+at all well pleased with the interruption occasioned by the Count's
+presence, "I suppose, madam, if you put the Chevalier upon his honour,
+he will be obliged to keep secret that which was intrusted to him in
+confidence."
+
+Clémence turned and gazed at him for a moment in silence, and then
+said, "You are right, Monsieur le Duc de Melcourt, though I did not
+think to hear you take part against me. I will find means to punish
+you, and to show you my power and authority in a way that perhaps you
+do not know. Monsieur le Chevalier, we shall excuse you for your
+contumacy, having the means of arriving at information by a higher
+power. Monsieur de Morseiul," she continued, raising her head with a
+look of queenly authority, "we command you to give us the information
+yourself; but that the ears of these worthy cavaliers and gentlemen
+who stand around may not be gratified by the intelligence, we will
+permit you to lead us to the dance which we see they are preparing for
+in the other room."
+
+She extended her hand towards him. He could not of course refuse to
+take it; and after giving one glance of gay and haughty irony at the
+group she left behind, Clémence de Marly moved forward towards the
+other room with Albert of Morseiul. With the same air of proud
+consciousness she passed through the whole of the first saloon; but
+the moment that she entered the second, which was comparatively
+vacant, as the dancers were gathering in the third, her manner
+entirely altered. The Count felt her hand rest somewhat languidly in
+his; her carriage lost a great degree of its stately dignity; the look
+of coquettish pride passed away; and she said, "Monsieur de Morseiul,
+I need not tell you that my object in exercising, in this instance,
+that right of doing any thing that I like unquestioned which I have
+found it convenient to assume, is not to ask you any foolish question
+of what you may have said or thought concerning a person but little
+worthy of your thoughts at all. Perhaps, indeed, you may have already
+guessed my object in thus forcing you, as it were, to dance with me
+against your will; but that does not render it the less necessary for
+me to take the first, perhaps the only opportunity I may have of
+thanking you deeply, sincerely, and truly, for the great service, and
+the kind, the manly, the chivalrous manner in which it was performed,
+that you rendered me on the night of Monday last. I have my own
+particular reasons--and perhaps may have reasons also for many other
+things that appear strange--for not wishing that adventure to be
+mentioned any where. Although I had with me two servants attached to
+the carriage, and also my old and faithful attendant whom you saw,
+there was no chance of my secret being betrayed by any one but by you.
+I was not sure that I had made my wishes plain when I left you, and
+was anxious about to-night; but I saw in a moment from your whole
+demeanour in entering the room that I was quite safe, and I may add my
+thanks for that, to my thanks for the service itself."
+
+"The service, lady, required no thanks," replied the Count. "I do
+believe there is not a gentleman in France that would not have done
+the same for any woman upon earth."
+
+Clémence shook her head with a grave--even a melancholy look,
+replying, "You estimate them too highly, Count. We women have better
+opportunities of judging them; and I know that there are not three
+gentlemen in France, and perhaps six in Europe, who would do any thing
+for any woman without some selfish, if not some base motive--unless
+his own gratification were consulted rather than her comfort."
+
+"Nay, nay, nay; you are bitter, indeed," said the Count. "On my word I
+believe that there is not one French gentleman who would not, as I
+have said, have done the same for any woman; and certainly when it was
+done for you, any little merit that it might have had otherwise, was
+quite lost."
+
+"Hush, hush," said Clémence, with a blush and a somewhat reproachful
+smile, "hush, hush, Monsieur de Morseiul; you forget that I am
+accustomed to hear such sweet speeches from morning till night, and
+know their right value. If you would prove to me that you really
+esteem me, do not take your tone from those empty coxcombs that
+flutter through such scenes as these. Be to me, as far as we are
+brought into communication together, the same Count de Morseiul that I
+have heard you are to others, frank, straightforward, sincere."
+
+"Indeed I will," replied the Count, feeling the full influence of all
+his fanciful dreams in the past, reviving in the present; "but will
+you never be offended?"
+
+"There is little chance," she replied as they moved on, "that we
+should ever see enough of each other for me to be offended. You, I
+hear, avoid the court as far as possible. I am doomed to spend the
+greater part of my life there; and I fear there is very little chance
+of the Duke, my guardian, going to the quiet shades of Ruffigny, where
+first I had the pleasure of seeing you."
+
+"Were you then at Ruffigny when I first saw you?" demanded the Count
+with some surprise.
+
+"Yes," she answered; "but I was staying there with some of my own
+relations, who were on a visit to the Duke. Do you remember--I dare
+say you do not--do you remember meeting me some days after with a
+party on horseback?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "I have it all before my eyes even now."
+
+"And the lady who was upon my left hand?" she said.
+
+"Quite well," replied the Count; "was that your mother?"
+
+"Alas, no," replied Clémence, "that was my step-mother; my mother died
+three years before. But to return to what we were saying, I do not
+pretend to be less vain than other women, and therefore can scarcely
+answer for it, that, if you were to tell me harsh truths, I might not
+be offended; but I will tell you what, Monsieur de Morseiul, I would
+try--I would try as steadily as possible, not to be offended; and even
+if I were, I know my own mind sufficiently to say I would conquer it
+before the sun went down twice."
+
+"That is all that I could desire," replied the Count; "and if you
+promise me to do so, I will always be sincere and straightforward with
+you."
+
+"What an opportunity that promise gives," replied the lady, "of asking
+you to be sincere at once, and tell me what were the comments of which
+the Chevalier spoke. Would that be ungenerous, Monsieur de Morseiul?"
+
+"I think it would," replied the Count; "but I will pledge myself to
+one thing, that if you keep your promise towards me for one month, and
+take no offence at any thing I may say, I will tell you myself what
+those comments were without the slightest concealment whatsoever."
+
+The eyes of Clémence de Marly sparkled, as she answered, "You shall
+see;" but they had lingered so long that the dance was on the eve of
+commencing, and they were forced to hurry on into the other room.
+There the Count found the eyes of the Prince de Marsillac wherever he
+turned; and there was a peculiar expression on his countenance--not
+precisely a smile, but yet approaching to it--with a slight touch of
+sarcastic bitterness on the lip, which was annoying. Could the Count
+have heard, however, the conversation that was going on amongst two or
+three of the group which he and Clémence had quitted shortly before,
+he might have felt still more annoyed. There were three persons who
+took but a small part in that conversation, the Chevalier, the young
+Marquis de Hericourt, and the Duc de Melcourt. It was one of those
+that stood behind who first spoke.
+
+"How long will she be?" he demanded.
+
+"In doing what?" said another.
+
+"In fixing the fetters," replied the first; "in making him one of the
+train."
+
+"Not two whole days," said the second.
+
+"Not two whole hours I say," added a third; "look at them now, how
+they stand in the middle chamber: depend upon it when the Count comes
+back we shall all have to make him our bow, and welcome him as one of
+us."
+
+There was a little shrivelled old man who sat behind, and had, as yet,
+said nothing.
+
+"He will never be one of you, gentlemen," he now said, joining in, "he
+will never be one of you, for he sets out with a great advantage over
+you."
+
+"What is that?" demanded two or three voices at once.
+
+"Why," replied the old man, "he is the first man under sixty I ever
+heard her even civil to in my life. There is Monsieur le Duc there;
+you know he's out of the question, because he's past the age."
+
+The Duc de Melcourt looked a little mortified, and said, "Sir, you are
+mistaken; and at all events she never said any thing civil to you,
+though you are so much past the age."
+
+"I never asked her," replied the other.
+
+"But there is the Chevalier d'Evran," replied one of the younger men,
+"she has said three or four civil things to him this very night:--I
+heard her."
+
+"As much bitter as sweet in them," replied the old man; "but, at all
+events, she does not love him."
+
+"She loves me more than you know," said the Chevalier quietly; and
+turning on his heel he went to join a gay party on the opposite side
+of the room, and perversely paid devoted attention to a fair lady whom
+he cared nothing about, and to whom the morals of any other court
+would have required him to pay no attentions but those of ordinary
+civility.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VII.
+
+                         THE GROWTH OF LOVE.
+
+
+The entertainment was kept up late; many of the guests scarcely
+departed before daylight; those who were invited to remain the night
+at the governor's house, retired when they thought fit; and every one
+acknowledged that this was the most splendid and the most agreeable
+fête that had been given in Poitiers for many years. What were the
+feelings, however, of the Count de Morseiul as, at an hour certainly
+not later than one in the morning, he sought his own apartments? We
+must not afford those feelings much space; and we will only record
+what he saw before he left the hall, leaving the mind of the reader to
+supply the rest.
+
+On leading back Clémence de Marly to her seat, he had entered into
+conversation for a moment with some persons whom he knew; and when he
+turned towards her again, he saw not only that she was surrounded by
+almost all those who had been about her before, but that a number of
+young cavaliers freshly arrived had swelled her train, and that her
+demeanour was precisely the same as that which had, at his first
+entrance, removed her from the high place in which his imagination had
+enthroned her. Every flattery seemed to be received as merely her
+due--every attention but as a tribute that she had a right to command.
+On some of her slaves she smiled more graciously than on others, but
+certainly was not without giving that encouragement to many which may
+be afforded by saucy harshness as much as by attention and
+condescension. She did not, indeed, dance frequently[1]; that was a
+favour reserved for few; but the whole of the rest of her conduct
+displeased Albert of Morseiul; and he was grieved--very much
+grieved--to feel that it had power to give him pain.
+
+
+---------------------
+
+[Footnote 1: On many occasions each lady remained with her first
+partner during the whole of a ball night; but this was not
+invariable.]
+
+---------------------
+
+
+Under these circumstances, then, he resolved to witness it no more,
+and retired to his own apartments, determined, as far as possible, to
+conquer his own feelings while they were yet to be conquered, and to
+rule his heart so long as it was his own to rule.
+
+It was late on the following morning before any of the guests
+assembled at the breakfast-table; but when the whole had met, the
+party was so large, that but little pleasant conversation could take
+place with any one. The Duke de Rouvré paid the greatest attention to
+the Count, and displayed a marked anxiety to distinguish and to please
+him. Clémence de Marly was entirely surrounded by her little train;
+and her pleasure in the homage she received seemed evident to Albert
+of Morseiul. The Chevalier d'Evran was somewhat thoughtful and grave,
+and more than once turned his eyes quickly from the face of Clémence
+to that of his friend. In the hours that had lately passed, however,
+Albert of Morseiul had practised the lesson of commanding himself,
+which he had learnt long before, and he was now perfect at the task.
+He took no notice whatsoever of the fair girl's demeanour towards
+others; and though, as usual, calm and grave, he bore his part in the
+conversation with earnestness and attention; and it so happened that
+on more than one occasion something was said which called up the deep
+poetical fire of his nature, and led him briefly to pour forth in
+eloquent words the fine and high-toned feelings of his heart.
+
+All who were present knew his high character, and all were struck with
+his words and with his manner; so that once or twice, even when
+speaking casually on things of no very great importance, he was
+annoyed at finding a sudden deep silence spread round the table, and
+every one listening to what he said. If any thing could have repaid
+him for the annoyance, it might have been to see the lustrous eyes of
+Clémence de Marly fixed intent upon his countenance till they met his,
+and then dropped with a slight heightening of the colour, or turned
+sparkling to those round her, while her lips gave utterance to some
+gay jest, intended to cover the fit of eager attention in which she
+had been detected.
+
+Alas, however, it must be owned, that to find those eyes so gazing
+upon him was no compensation, but rather was painful to Albert of
+Morseiul; for it only served to encourage feelings which he was
+determined to conquer. He would fain have had it otherwise; he would
+have felt nothing but calm indifference towards Clémence de Marly; and
+yet he knew, from what he had experienced on the preceding night, that
+he did not feel towards her entirely as he did towards other women. He
+thought, however, that by dedicating himself altogether to the great
+and important subject which had filled his thoughts when he came to
+Poitiers, by giving up all his thoughts to that, and by making his
+stay as brief as possible, he should be enabled to avoid those things,
+both in the society of Clémence herself, and in his own inmost
+thoughts, which might become dangerous to his peace.
+
+During the course of breakfast he revolved these things in his mind,
+and before it was over his thoughts were more strongly directed than
+ever to the affairs of the Protestants, by the appearance of the Abbés
+de St. Helie and Pelisson. He determined then to endeavour, as far as
+possible, in the very first instance, to discover from them what was
+the nature of the measures about to be pursued by the court of France
+towards the Huguenots. In the next place, he purposed to inquire
+explicitly of the Duc de Rouvré what course of conduct he intended to
+follow towards the Protestants of the province; and, having
+ascertained these facts, to consult with all the wisest and the best
+of the Huguenot leaders, who might happen to be at Poitiers, to
+determine with them the line of action to be followed, according to
+circumstances, and then to return at once to Morseiul.
+
+He took an opportunity then, as soon as breakfast was over, of
+conversing with Pelisson and St. Helie, while the Duke and Duchess of
+Rouvré were busy in receiving the adieus of some of their departing
+guests. With the frank sincerity of his native character he demanded,
+straightforwardly, of the two ecclesiastics, what was the course of
+conduct that their commission directed them to pursue; and Pelisson
+had half replied, saying, that they had better open their commission
+at once before the Duke de Rouvré, and see the contents, when his more
+cunning and politic friend interrupted him, saying, that he had
+express orders not to open the packet till the meeting of the states,
+which was to take place in about eight days. This announcement
+differing, in some degree, from the account which he had given before,
+excited not unjustly the Count's suspicion; and, knowing that he
+should have a more candid reply from the Duke himself, he determined,
+in the next instance, to apply to him.
+
+He did so not long after, and the Duke retired with him into his
+library.
+
+"My dear Morseiul," he said, grasping the young Count's hand, "you
+know that I myself am an advocate for the utmost toleration, that I am
+so far from entertaining any ill will towards my brethren who differ
+with me in some respects, that more than one of my relations have
+married Huguenots. This is very well known at the court also. The King
+is fully aware of it, and I cannot but hope that my late appointment,
+as governor of this province, is a sign that, notwithstanding all the
+rumours lately afloat, his Majesty intends to deal kindly and well
+with all denominations of his subjects. I must not conceal from you,
+however, that there are rumours in Paris of a different kind; that
+there are not people wanting who declare that the King and his council
+are determined no longer to have any more than one religion in France,
+and that the most vigorous means are to be employed to carry this
+resolution into effect. Nor shall I attempt to deny to you, that the
+coming of Pelisson and St. Helie here seems to me a very ominous and
+unpleasant occurrence. The presence of the first I should care little
+about, as he is frank, and I believe sincere, wishes well, and would
+always act kindly; but the other is a shrewd knave, a bigot, I
+believe, more by policy than by any great devotion for our holy
+church, malevolent, selfish, and cunning. They bear a commission
+which, it seems, is not to be owned till the meeting of the states.
+This looks like a purpose of controlling me in my own government, of
+putting a power over me whereof I am to stand in awe. Now, should I
+find that such is the case, I shall undoubtedly beseech his Majesty to
+permit me to retire from public life."
+
+"For Heaven's sake do not do so just at present," said the Count de
+Morseiul. "We have need, my dear friend, of every moderate and
+enlightened man like yourself to keep the country quiet at a moment
+when affairs seem verging towards a terrible convulsion. You must
+remember, and I hope the King will remember, that the Protestants are
+a great and important body in France; that there are two or three
+millions of us in this country; that we demand nothing but the calm
+and quiet exercise of our own religious opinions; but that, at the
+same time, there are many resolute and determined men amongst us, and
+many eager and fiery spirits, who may be urged into acts of resistance
+if they be opprest. All wise and sensible Huguenots will endeavour, as
+far as may be, to seek peace and tranquillity; but suppose that
+resistance be once begun, in consequence of an attempt to debar us of
+the free exercise of the rights secured to us by the edict of Nantes,
+can the King, or any body else, expect even his most loyal and
+best-intentioned Protestant subjects to aid in keeping down and
+oppressing their brethren?"
+
+"Not in oppressing, not in oppressing, my dear Count," said the Duke;
+"we must not attribute to our beloved sovereign even the thought of
+oppressing his subjects."
+
+"Nothing but oppression could drive any of us to resistance," replied
+the Count; "and it is not from the King at all that we anticipate
+oppression, but from those that surround him. Need I point to Louvois,
+to whom the King, by his own acknowledgment, yields his own better
+judgment?"
+
+The Duke was silent, and his young friend proceeded: "If we have not
+to fear oppression, my lord, there is nothing to be feared throughout
+the land but if we have, I would fain know what shape that oppression
+is likely to take, both as a sincere member of what we call the
+reformed church, and as a loyal and devoted subject of the King. I
+would fain know, in order that, in my own neighbourhood, and amongst
+my own people, I may do all in my power to maintain peace and
+tranquillity; which I cannot at all answer for, if such proclamations
+be suddenly made amongst the people when they are unprepared, as were
+made five days ago in my town of Morseiul, nearly creating a serious
+disturbance therein. The appearance of the military, also, did
+infinite harm, and the renewal of such scenes might quickly irritate a
+small body of the people into revolt; that small body would be joined
+by greater numbers, and the flame of civil war would spread throughout
+the country."
+
+"The proclamation," replied the Duke, "was the King's, and of course
+it was necessary to make it instantly. With regard to the military,
+the intendant of the province demanded that a force should be sent to
+insure that the proclamation was made peacefully; so having no one
+else in whom I could at all trust, I sent young Hericourt, with as
+small a force as possible, as I could not, of course, refuse the
+application."
+
+"Of the intendant of the province, my dear Duke," replied the Count,
+"I shall say nothing, except that he is as opposite as possible in
+mind, in character, and manners to the Duc de Rouvré. A man of low
+origin, chosen from the _Maîtres des requêtes_, as all these
+intendants are, cannot be supposed to view such questions in a grand
+and fine point of view. Individual instances certainly may sometimes
+occur, but unfortunately they have not occurred in Poitiers. Our only
+safety is in the Duc de Rouvré; but I am most anxious, if possible, to
+act in concert with him in keeping tranquillity throughout the
+province."
+
+"I know you are, my dear young friend, I know you are," replied the
+Duke; "wait, however, for a few days. I expect several other gentlemen
+in Poitiers of your persuasion in religious matters. I will see and
+confer with you all as to what may be done, in the best spirit towards
+you, believe me. I have sent, or am sending, letters to every eminent
+man of the so-called reformed religion throughout this district,
+begging him to give me the aid of his advice. When we have others
+here, we can take counsel together, and act accordingly."
+
+The young Count of course submitted, whatever were the private reasons
+which induced him to wish to quit Poitiers as soon as possible. He
+felt that a long sojourn there might be dangerous to him; he saw that
+the feelings of his heart might trample under foot the resolutions of
+his judgment. But, obliged as he was to remain, he now took the wisest
+course that circumstances permitted him to pursue. He saw Clémence de
+Marly as little as possible; and that portion of time which courtesy
+compelled him to give up to her, was only yielded to her society upon
+those public occasions when he fancied that her demeanour to others
+was likely to counteract the effect of her fascinations upon himself.
+On these occasions he always appeared attentive, courteous, and
+desirous to please her. Perhaps at times even, there shone through his
+demeanour those indications of deeper feelings and of a passion which
+might have become strong and overpowering, which were not likely to
+escape a woman's eye. But his general conduct was by no means that of
+a lover. He was never one of the train. He came and went, and spoke
+for a few moments in his usual calm and equable manner, but nothing
+more; and Clémence de Marly, it must be confessed, was somewhat
+piqued.
+
+It was not that she sought to display the Count de Morseiul to the
+world as one of the idle train of adorers that followed her, for she
+despised them, and esteemed him too much to wish him amongst them; but
+it was that she thought her beauty, and her graces, and her mind; ay!
+and the feeling and noble heart which she knew to exist in her own
+bosom--forgetting that she took pains to conceal it--might all have
+had a greater effect upon the Count than they had apparently produced.
+
+She thought that she merited more than he seemed to be inclined to
+give; and there was something also in the little mysterious link of
+connexion between them, which had, in some degree, excited her
+imagination, and taught her to believe that the Count would take a
+deeper interest in her than he appeared to do. There was a little
+disappointment, a little surprise, a good deal of mortification.--Was
+there any thing more? We shall see! at present we have to deal with
+her conduct more than with her feelings, and that conduct, perhaps,
+was not such as was best calculated to win the Count's regard. It is
+true, she paid less attention to the train that followed her; she
+treated the generality of them with almost undisguised contempt. It
+seemed as if her haughtiness towards them in general, increased; but
+then she was far more with the Chevalier d'Evran. She was seen walking
+in the gardens with him, with a single servant a step behind, and
+twice the Count de Morseiul entered the saloon, and found her sitting
+alone with him in eager conversation.
+
+He felt more and more each day that it was time for him to quit the
+city of Poitiers, but still he was detained there by circumstances
+that he could not alter; and on the fifth day after his arrival,
+having passed a somewhat sleepless night, and feeling his brow hot and
+aching, he went down into the wide gardens of the house to enjoy the
+fresh morning air in comfort. It was an hour when those gardens seldom
+possessed a tenant, but at the turn of the first walk he met Clémence
+de Marly alone. She seemed to be returning from the farther part of
+the grounds, and had her eyes bent upon the earth, with a
+thoughtful--nay, with even a melancholy look. If they had not been so
+near when he saw her, he might, perhaps, have turned to avoid a
+meeting which he feared; but she was within a few steps, and raised
+her eyes instantly as she heard the sound of approaching feet. The
+colour came into her cheek as she saw him, but only slightly, and she
+acknowledged his salutation by a graceful inclination of the head.
+
+"You are an early riser, Mademoiselle de Marly," said the Count, as
+she paused to speak with him.
+
+"I have always been so," she answered. "I love the soft breath of the
+morning air."
+
+"It is one of the great secrets of health and beauty," rejoined the
+Count; But she shook her head with a smile, saying,--
+
+"Such are not my objects in early rising, Monsieur de Morseiul. Health
+I scarcely value as it deserves, as I never knew the want of it; and
+beauty I value not at all.--It is true! whatever you may think."
+
+"Still, beauty has its value," replied the Count. "It is a grand and
+noble gift of God; but I acknowledge it ought to be the mint mark of
+the gold."
+
+"It is one of the most dangerous gifts of Heaven," replied Clémence,
+vehemently. "It is often one of the most burdensome! It is dangerous
+to ourselves, to our own hearts, to our own eternal happiness. It is
+burdensome in all its consequences. Too much beauty to a woman is like
+overgrown wealth to a man:--with this sad difference, that he can
+always do good with his possession, and she can do none with hers. And
+now Monsieur de Morseiul thinks me a hypocrite; and, though he
+promised ever to be straightforward with me, he will not say so."
+
+"Nay, indeed," replied the Count, "I am far from thinking that there
+is aught of hypocrisy in what you say, lady. I may think such feelings
+and thoughts evanescent with you, but I believe you feel them at the
+time."
+
+Clémence shook her head with a melancholy--almost a reproachful look.
+"They are not evanescent," she said earnestly. "They are constant,
+steadfast; have been for years." Even while she spoke she turned to
+leave him; and he thought, as she quickly averted her head, that there
+was something like a tear in her bright eye.
+
+He could not resist; and he followed her rapidly, saying, "I hope I
+have not offended."
+
+"Oh no!" she answered, turning to him, and letting him see without
+disguise that the tear was really there; "oh no! Monsieur de Morseiul!
+There was nothing said that could offend me. Do you not know that,
+like a child putting its hand upon an instrument of music without
+knowing he will produce any sound, a mere casual word will often be
+spoken unconsciously, which, by some unseen mechanism in the breast of
+another, will awaken emotions which we never intended to call up? Our
+little conversation roused the thoughts of many years in a moment, but
+there was nothing said that could in the least offend. You know we
+vain women, Count," she added in a lighter mood, "are only offended
+with our lovers. It is on them that we pour forth our caprices. So,
+for Heaven's sake, take care how you become my lover, for then I
+should certainly be offended with you every five minutes."
+
+"Would it be so terrible to you, then, to see me your lover?" demanded
+the Count in the same tone.
+
+"To be sure," she answered, half playfully, half seriously; "it would
+be a sad exchange, would it not? to give a friend for a slave.
+Besides, I doubt not that you have loved a thousand times before. But
+tell me, Count, do you think any one can love more than once?"
+
+"From my own experience I cannot speak," replied the Count, "for I am
+a very stony-hearted person, but I should think that a man might."
+
+"And woman not!" she interrupted eagerly. "Poor women! You hem us in
+on all sides!--But after all, perhaps, you are right," she added,
+after a moment's pause. "There is, there must be a difference between
+the love of man and the love of woman. Hers is the first fresh
+brightness of the heart, which never can be known again; hers is the
+flower which, once broken off, is succeeded by no other; hers is the
+intense--the deep--the all engrossing, which, when once come and gone,
+leaves the exhausted heart without the power of feeling such things
+again. With man it is different: love has not that sway over him that
+it has over a woman. It is not with him the only thing, the end, the
+object of his being. It takes possession of him but as a part, and,
+therefore, may be known more than once, perhaps. But, with woman, that
+fire once kindled must be the funeral pile of her own heart. As the
+ancients fabled, flowers may spring up from the ashes, but as far as
+real love is concerned, after the first true affection, the heart is
+with the dead."
+
+She paused, and both were silent; for there was something in the words
+which she spoke which had a deeper effect upon Albert of Morseiul than
+he had imagined any thing could have produced. He struggled against
+himself, however, and then replied, "You took me up too quickly, lady.
+I was not going to say that it is impossible for woman to love twice.
+I do not know, I cannot judge; but I think it very possible that the
+ancients, to whom you have just alluded, may have intended to figure
+love under the image of the ph[oe]nix; and I do fully believe that
+many a woman may have fancied herself in love a dozen times before she
+was so really."
+
+"Fancy herself in love!" exclaimed Clémence, in a tone almost
+indignant. "Fancy herself in love, Monsieur de Morseiul! I should
+think it less difficult to love twice than to fancy one's self in love
+at all, if one were not really so. We may perhaps fancy qualities in a
+person who does not truly possess them, and thus, adorned by our own
+imagination, may love him; but still it is not that we fancy we are in
+love, but are really in love with the creature of our fancy. However,
+I will talk about it no more. It is a thing that does not do to think
+of. I wonder if ever there was a man that was really worth loving."
+
+The Count replied, but he could not get her to pursue the subject any
+farther; she studiously rambled away to other things; and, after
+speaking of some matters of minor import, darted back at once to the
+point at which the conversation had begun, as if the rest had been but
+a temporary dream, interpolated as it were between matters of more
+serious moment. The Count had been endeavouring to bring her back to
+the subject of the heart's feelings; for though he felt that it was a
+dangerous one--a most dangerous one--one that might well lead to words
+that could never be recalled, yet he longed to gain some insight into
+that heart which he could not but think was filled with finer things
+than she suffered to appear. She would not listen, however, nor be
+led, and replied as if she had not in the slightest degree attended to
+what he had been saying,--
+
+"No, Monsieur de Morseiul, no, it is neither for health's sake nor for
+beauty's that I rise early and seek the morning air. I will tell you
+why it is. In those early and solitary hours, and those hours alone, I
+can have some communion with my own heart--I can converse with the
+being within myself--I can hold conference, too, with what I never
+meet alone at other hours,--nature, and nature's God. The soft air of
+the morning has a voice only to be heard when crowds are far away. The
+leaves of the green trees have tongues, drowned in the idle gabble of
+a foolish multitude, but heard in the calm quiet of the early morning.
+The fields, the brooks, the birds, the insects, all have their
+language, if we will listen to it; but what are fields, and brooks,
+and birds, and trees, and the soft air, when I am surrounded by a
+tribe of things as empty as the sounding brass or tinkling cymbal? Can
+I think of any thing more dignified than a padusoie when one baby man
+is whispering softly in my ear, 'The violet, Mademoiselle, suits
+better with your complexion than with any other that the earth ever
+produced, which shows that complexion's exceeding brightness;' and
+another tells me that the blackness of my hair would make a raven
+blush, or that my eyes are fit to people the heaven with stars! But it
+is time that I should go to my task," she continued; "so adieu,
+Monsieur de Morseiul. If you walk on straight to the ramparts you will
+find the view beautiful, and the air fresh."
+
+Thus saying, she turned and left him, and the hint not to follow was
+too plain to be misunderstood. He walked on then towards the ramparts
+with his arms crossed upon his chest, and his eyes bent upon the
+ground. He did not soliloquise, for his nature was not one of those
+which frequently give way to such weaknesses. It was his thoughts that
+spoke, and spoke plainly, though silently.
+
+"She is, indeed, lovely," he thought, "and she is, indeed, enchanting.
+If she would but give her heart way she is all that I pictured to
+myself, all that I dreamed of, though with a sad mixture of faults
+from which her original nature was free. But, alas! it is evident that
+she either does love or has loved another, and she herself confesses
+that she cannot love twice. Perhaps she has spoken thus plainly as a
+warning, and if so, how much ought I to thank her for her frankness?
+Besides, she is of another creed. I must dream upon this subject no
+more.--Yet who can be the man that has won that young heart, and then
+perhaps thought it not worth the wearing? Surely, surely it cannot be
+D'Evran, and yet she evidently likes his society better than that of
+any one. She seeks him rather than otherwise. How can I tell what may
+have passed, what may be passing between them even now? Yet she is
+evidently not at ease at heart, and he too told me but the other day
+that it was his determination never to marry. He--made for loving and
+being beloved!--he never marry!--It must be so; some quarrel has taken
+place between them, some breach which they think irremediable. How
+often is it when such things are the case that lovers will fancy that
+they are cool, and calm, and determined, and can live like friends and
+acquaintances, forgetting the warmer feelings that have once existed
+between them! Yes, it must be so," he continued, as he pondered over
+all the different circumstances; "it must be so, and they will soon be
+reconciled. I will crush these foolish feelings in my heart; I will
+banish all weak remembrances; and to do so effectually, I will quit
+this place as soon as possible, leaving Louis here, if he chooses to
+stay."
+
+Thus musing, with a sad heart and bitterer feelings than he would even
+admit to himself, Albert de Morseiul walked on in the direction which
+Clémence had pointed out, and passing through various long allies,
+planted in the taste of that day, arrived at a spot where some steps
+led up to the ramparts of the town, which commanded a beautiful view
+over the gently undulating country round Poitiers, with more than one
+little river meandering through the fields around. Leaning his arms on
+the low breastwork, he paused and gazed over a scene on which, at any
+other time, he might have looked with feelings of deep interest, and
+noted every little mound and tree, marking, as he was wont, each light
+and shadow, and following each turn of the Clain or Boivre. Now,
+however, there was nothing but a vague vision of green and sunny
+things before his eyes, while the sight of the spirit was fixed
+intensely upon the deeper and darker things of his own heart.
+
+Alas, alas, it must be said, he felt that he loved Clémence de Marly.
+Notwithstanding all he had seen, notwithstanding all he had condemned,
+notwithstanding the fear that she could not make him happy even if he
+could obtain her, the belief that it would be impossible to win her,
+and the conviction that she loved another--alas, he felt, and felt
+bitterly, that at length, indeed, he loved, and loved with the whole
+energy of his nature. He reproached himself with weakness; he accused
+himself of the follies that he had so often condemned in others. Was
+it her mere beauty that he loved? he asked himself. Was it the mere
+perfection of form and colour that, in a few short years, would fleet
+with fleeting seasons, and give place to irremediable decay? Was he,
+who had believed that loveliness could have no effect on him, was he
+caught by the painted glittering of a mere beautiful statue? No; he
+felt there was something more. He felt that she had given him
+sufficient insight into her original nature to show him that, though
+spoiled by after circumstances, she had been made by the hand of God
+that which he had always believed he could love, that bright being
+where the beautiful form, and the beautiful heart, and the beautiful
+mind were all attuned together in one grand and comprehensive harmony
+of nature. He felt that such was the case, and his sensations were
+only the bitterer that it should be so.
+
+He had thus paused and meditated some little time full of his own
+thoughts and nothing else, when a hand was suddenly laid upon his
+shoulder, and, turning round, he saw his friend the Chevalier.
+
+"Why, Albert," he said, "in what melancholy guise are you here
+meditating? I met Clémence upon the stairs just now, and she told me
+that I should find you here, tasting the morning air upon the
+ramparts. I expected to see you with your eye roving enchanted over
+this fine scene, looking as usual halfway between a mad poet and a mad
+painter; and lo! instead of that, here you are planted upon the
+rampart like a dragoon officer in garrison in a dull Dutch town, with
+your heel beating melancholy time on the pavement, and your eyes
+profoundly cast into the town ditch. In the name of Heaven, why did
+you not make Clémence come on to enliven you?"
+
+The Count smiled with a somewhat bitter smile. "It would have hardly
+been necessary, and hardly right to try," he replied; "but you
+miscalculate my power, D'Evran. The lady left me with an intelligible
+hint, not only that she was not about to follow me, but that I was not
+to follow her."
+
+"What, saucy with you, too!" cried the Chevalier laughing. "I did not
+think that she would have had determination enough for that."
+
+"Nay, nay, you are mistaken, Louis," replied the Count; "not in the
+least saucy, as you term it, but quite mistress of herself, of course,
+to do as she pleased."
+
+"And yet, Albert," said the Chevalier, "and yet I do believe that
+there is not a man in France with whom she would so willingly have
+walked through these gardens as with yourself. Nay, do not be foolish
+or blind, Albert. I heard her saying to Marsillac but yesterday, when
+he called to take his leave, that she had seen at Poitiers more than
+she had ever seen in her life before, a courtier who was not a fool, a
+soldier who was not a libertine, and a man of nearly thirty who had
+some good feelings left."
+
+The Count gazed steadfastly into the Chevalier's face for a moment, as
+if he would have read into his very soul, and then replied, "Come,
+Louis, let us go back. If she meant me, she was pleased to be
+complimentary, and had probably quarrelled with her real lover, and
+knew that he was in hearing."
+
+The Chevalier gave himself a turn round upon his heel, without reply,
+sang a bar or two of a gay air, at that time fashionable in Paris, and
+then walked back to the governor's house with the Count, who, from
+every thing he had seen and heard, but the more firmly determined to
+hasten his steps from Poitiers as fast as possible.
+
+The hour of breakfast had not yet arrived when they entered the house,
+and the Count turned to his own apartments, seeking to remain in
+solitude for a few minutes, not in order to indulge in thoughts and
+reflections which he felt to be unnerving, but to make a vigorous
+effort to recover all his composure, and pass the rest of the two or
+three days which he had to remain as if nothing had given any
+disturbance to the usual tranquil course of his feelings. In the
+ante-room, however, he found Maître Jerome, sitting watching the door,
+like a cat before the hole of a mouse; and the moment he entered
+Jerome sprang up, saying,--
+
+"Oh, Monseigneur, I have something to say to you, which may not be
+amiss to hear quickly. I have discovered the exact nature of the
+commission of Monsieur de St. Helie, which you wanted to know."
+
+The Count beckoned him into the inner chamber, and demanded, looking
+at him sternly, "Truth or falsehood, Riquet? This is no joking
+matter!"
+
+"Truth, upon my honour, sir," replied the man; "I would deceive you on
+no account whatsoever; and now, pray, sir, ask no questions, but let
+me tell my tale. It is truth, for once in my life, depend upon it. I
+can tell truth upon an occasion, sir, when it suits me."
+
+"But how am I to be sure of the accuracy of the information, if I ask
+you no questions, Riquet?" said the Count.
+
+"You may be quite sure of it, sir," replied the man, "though I must not
+tell you how I came at my tale. Suppose, I say, only suppose that I
+had heard Monsieur de St. Helie repeating it word for word to Monsieur
+Pelisson, and the Curé de Guadrieul had confirmed it. I say, suppose
+it were so, and be sure that my authority is quite as good."
+
+"Well, well," said his master, "go on."
+
+"Well, then, sir," continued the servant, "of course, as a good
+Catholic, I hope that you and all the other Huguenots of France may be
+thoroughly roasted in good time; but, nevertheless, as you happen to
+be my master in this world, I am in duty bound to tell you what I
+heard. Monsieur de St. Helie, then, and Monsieur Pelisson are
+commanded to demand of the states of the province, effectual measures
+to be taken for the purpose of bringing into the bosom of the church,
+without delay, all the Huguenots within their jurisdiction. In
+expressing this demand there are a great many soft words used, and
+much talk of gentleness and persuasion; but Huguenots' children are to
+be brought over by all means; they are to be received to renounce
+their errors at seven years old. No more Huguenots are to be permitted
+to keep schools. They are to be excluded from all public offices of
+any kind or character whatsoever. They are no longer to be allowed to
+call their religion _the reformed religion_----"
+
+"Enough, enough," said the Count, stopping him, "and more than enough.
+Is this information sure?"
+
+"Most sure, sir," replied the man, with a solemnity that admitted no
+doubt of his sincerity, "and the commission ended with the words, that
+these means were to be taken in preparation for those ulterior steps
+which the King was determined to employ."
+
+The Count made no reply, but paced the room for two or three minutes
+in considerable agitation. "I wanted something to rouse me," he said,
+at length, "and I have it now, indeed! Quick, Riquet, call Claude, and
+Beyhours, and Martin; tell them to saddle their horses, for I want
+them to carry some notes. When you have done that, come hither
+yourself, and say not a word of this affair to any one."
+
+When the man returned, he found three notes written and addressed to
+different protestant noblemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, which
+his lord directed him to give to the servants named, to carry them to
+their several destinations; and then added, "Now, Riquet, I have a
+commission for you yourself; I will not give you a note, as that is
+useless. You would know the contents of it before you got to the end
+of your journey: of that I am well aware."
+
+"Certainly, sir," replied the man, with his usual effrontery; "I
+always make a point of that, for then I can tell the purport on my
+arrival if I lose the note by the way."
+
+"I know it," replied the Count, "but I believe you, notwithstanding,
+to be faithful and attached to me, and that you can be silent when it
+is necessary."
+
+"As the grave, sir," replied the man.
+
+"Well, then," continued his master, "you know the château of the
+Maille, at about two leagues' distance. Go thither--ask to speak to
+Monsieur de Corvoie--tell him that I will be with him to-morrow about
+mid-day--that I have matters of the deepest importance to communicate
+to him--and that I have asked three other gentlemen of our own
+persuasion to meet me at his house to-morrow. Say nothing more and
+nothing less."
+
+"Sir, I will cut it on all sides exactly as you have commanded,"
+replied the man, "and will bear you his message back immediately, if
+there should be any."
+
+These arrangements being made, the Count descended to the breakfast
+table, where he found the Chevalier seated by the side of Clémence de
+Marly. The Count had resolved that during his stay he would notice the
+conduct of Clémence as little as possible; that he would endeavour to
+look upon her as a being that could never be his; but, nevertheless,
+he could not now help noticing that though she and the Chevalier might
+not converse much together, there was from time to time a few words
+passed between them in a low voice, evidently referring to things
+apart from the general conversation that was going on. He steeled his
+heart, though with agony to himself, and pleading the necessity of
+visiting some friends in the neighbourhood, mounted his horse
+immediately after breakfast, and was absent from Poitiers the greater
+part of the day.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                         THE MEETING AND THE CHASE.
+
+
+On the following morning, at breakfast, some sports and diversions
+were proposed; and the governor, who wished to afford amusement to all
+parties and to keep them in especial good humour till after the
+meeting of the states, proposed to set out almost immediately to force
+a stag in the neighbouring woods. There were several young noblemen
+present, swelling the train of la belle Clémence, but she had shown
+herself somewhat grave, and less lively than usual; and after the
+proposal had been made and agreed to by almost all, she remarked the
+silence of the Count de Morseiul, saying, that she feared, from the
+profound silence that he kept, they were again to be deprived of the
+pleasure of Monsieur de Morseiul's society, as they had been on their
+ride of the day before. She spoke in rather a low voice, and, perhaps
+one might say, timidly, for her manner was very different from that
+which she usually assumed.
+
+"I fear, fair lady," replied the Count, who felt that under any other
+circumstances her speech would have been a sore temptation, "I fear
+that I have engaged myself to visit a friend in the neighbourhood at
+noon to-day."
+
+"Oh, we will take no excuse," cried the Duc de Rouvré; "indeed, Count,
+you must send a messenger to tell your friend you cannot come. You who
+are famed for your skill in forest sports must positively be with us."
+
+The Count, however, remained firm, saying, that he had appointed to
+meet his friend on business of importance to them both; and the Duc de
+Rouvré was of course silent. The young De Hericourt, who had been
+absent for a day or two, and had only lately returned, gazed at
+Clémence with a sort of ironical smile, as he saw upon her countenance
+a look of mortification which she could not or would not restrain; but
+the Count saw it too, and was struck with it; for, though skilful by
+habit in reading the hearts of those with whom he was brought into
+contact, he could not perfectly satisfy himself with regard to the
+nature of that look and the feelings from which it sprung. He felt,
+too, that something more than a dry refusal was, perhaps, owing in
+mere courtesy to Clémence for the wish she had expressed for his
+society, and he added,--
+
+"I do assure you, Mademoiselle de Marly, that nothing could have been
+so great a temptation to me as the thought of accompanying you, and
+our gay friends here, to wake the woods with the sounds of horns and
+dogs, and I grieve very much that this appointment should have been
+made so unfortunately."
+
+"Indeed," she exclaimed, brightening up, "if such be your feelings I
+will coax _ma reine_, as I always call our good Duchess, to coax the
+governor, who never refuses any thing to her, though he refuses plenty
+of things to me, to delay the party for an hour. Then we shall be some
+time getting to the woodside, you know; some time making all our
+preparations; and you shall come and join us whenever you have done.
+We will make noise enough to let you know where we are."
+
+Of course there was now no refusing; the Count promised to come if the
+important business in which he was about to be engaged was over in
+time, and Clémence repaid him with a smile, such as she but rarely
+gave to any. It was now well nigh time for him to depart; and after
+shutting himself up for a few minutes alone, in order to think over
+the circumstances about to be discussed, he set out, with some
+servants, and rode rapidly to the château of the Maille. He found
+several horses in the court yard, and judged rightly, from that sight,
+that the others had arrived before him. He found them all assembled in
+the large hall, and each greeted him gladly and kindly, looking with
+some eagerness for what he had to communicate. But the master of the
+château asked him to pause for a moment, adding,--
+
+"I have a friend here who arrived last night, and whom you will all be
+glad to see. He will join us in a moment, as he is but writing a short
+despatch in another room."
+
+"Who is he?" demanded the Count; "is it Monsieur de l'Estang?"
+
+"Oh no," replied the other. "He is a man of arms instead of a man of
+peace." But almost as he spoke the door opened, and the famous
+Maréchal de Schomberg entered the room.
+
+"I am happy to see you all, gentlemen," he said; "Monsieur de
+Morseiul, my good friend," he continued, shaking him warmly by the
+hand, "I am delighted to meet you. I have not seen you since we were
+fellow-soldiers together in very troublous times."
+
+"I hope, Marshal," replied the Count, "that at the present we may be
+fellow-pacificators instead of fellow-soldiers. We are all
+Protestants, gentlemen, and as what I have lately learned affects us
+all, I thought it much the best plan, before I took any steps in
+consequence, in my own neighbourhood, to consult with you, and see
+whether we could not draw up such a remonstrance and plain statement
+of our case to the King, as to induce him to oppose the evil
+intentions of his ministers, and once more guarantee to us the full
+and entire enjoyment of those rights in which he promised us security
+on his accession to the throne, but which have been sadly encroached
+upon and curtailed within the last ten years."
+
+"They have, indeed," said the Count de Champclair; "but I trust,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, you have nothing to tell us which may lead us to
+believe that greater encroachments still are intended."
+
+Marshal Schomberg shook his head with a melancholy smile; but he did
+not interrupt the Count de Morseiul, who proceeded to relate what he
+knew of the mission of Pelisson and St. Helie, and the further
+information which he had gained in regard to their commission on the
+preceding day. The first burst of anger and indignation was greater
+than he expected, and nothing was talked of for a few minutes but
+active resistance to the powers of the crown, of reviving the days of
+the League or those of Louis XIII., and defending their rights and
+privileges to the last. Marshal Schomberg, however eminently
+distinguished for his attachment to his religion, maintained a
+profound silence during the whole of the first ebullitions; and at
+length Monsieur de Champclair remarked, "The Marshal does not seem to
+think well of our purposes. What would he have us do, thus brought to
+bay?"
+
+"My good friends," replied Schomberg, with his slight foreign accent,
+"I think only that you do not altogether consider how times have
+changed since the days of Louis XIII. Even then the reformed church of
+France was not successful in resisting the King, and now resistance,
+unless men were driven to it by despair, would be madness. Forced as I
+am to be much about the court, I have seen and known these matters in
+their progress more intimately than any of you, and can but believe
+that our sole hope will rest in showing the King the utmost
+submission, while at the same time we represent to him the grievances
+that we suffer."
+
+"But does he not know those grievances already?" exclaimed one of the
+other gentlemen; "are they not his own act and deed?"
+
+"They are, it is true," replied Schomberg, mildly, "but he does not
+know one half of the consequences which his own acts produce. Let me
+remind you that it is the people who surround the King that urge him
+to these acts, and it is consequently their greatest interest to
+prevent him from knowing the evil consequences thereof. Not one half
+of the severities that are exercised in the provinces--indeed I may
+say, no severities at all--are exercised towards the Protestants in
+the immediate neighbourhood of Paris, Versailles, or Fontainbleau.
+They take especial care that the eyes of majesty, and the ear of
+authority, shall not be opened to the cries, groans, or sufferings of
+an injured people. Louis the Great is utterly ignorant that the
+Protestants have suffered, or are likely to suffer, under any of his
+acts. The King has been always, more or less, a bigot, and his mother
+was the same: Colbert is dead, who stood between us and our enemies.
+His son is a mere boy, unable if not unwilling to defend us. The fury,
+Louvois, and his old Jesuitical father, are, in fact, the only
+ministers that remain, and they have been our enemies from the
+beginning. But they have now stronger motives to persecute us. The
+King must be ruled by some passion; he is tired of the domination of
+Louvois, and that minister seeks now for some new hold upon his
+master. He supported his tottering power for many years by the
+influence of Madame de Montespan. Madame de Montespan has fallen; and
+a new reign has commenced under a woman, who is the enemy of that
+great bad man; but she also is a bigot, and the minister clearly sees
+that if he would remain a day in power he must link Madame Scarron to
+himself in some general plan which will identify their interests
+together. She sees, and he sees, that whatever be that plan it must
+comprise something which affords occupation to the bigoted zeal of the
+King. The Jesuits see that too, and are very willing to furnish such
+occupation; but the King, who thinks himself a new St. George, is
+tired of persecuting Jansenism. That dragon is too small and too
+tenacious of life to afford a subject of interest to the King any
+longer; when he thinks it is quite dead, it revives again, and crawls
+feebly here and there, so that the saint is weary of killing a
+creature that seems immortal. Under these circumstances they have
+turned his eyes and thoughts towards the Protestants; and what have
+they proposed to him which might not seduce a glory-loving monarch
+like himself? They have promised him that he shall effect what none of
+his ancestors could ever accomplish, by completely triumphing over
+subjects who have shown that they can resist powerfully when
+oppressed. They have promised him this glory as an absolute monarch.
+They have promised him almost apostolic glory in converting people
+whom he believes to be heretics. They have promised him the
+establishment of one, and one only religion in France; and they have
+promised him that, by so doing, he will inflict a bitter wound on
+those Protestant princes with whom he has been so long contending.
+Such are the motives by which they lead on the mind of Louis to severe
+acts against us; but there is yet one other motive; and to that I will
+particularly call your attention, as it ought, I think, greatly to
+affect our conduct. They have misrepresented the followers of the
+reformed religion in France as a turbulent, rebellious, obstinate race
+of men, who adhere to their own creed more out of opposition to the
+sovereign than from any real attachment to the religion of their
+forefathers. By long and artful reasonings they have persuaded the
+King that such is the case. He himself told me long ago, that
+individually there are a great many good men, and brave men, and loyal
+men amongst us; but that as a body we are the most stiff-necked and
+rebellious race he ever read of in history."
+
+"Have we not been driven to rebellion?" demanded Monsieur de
+Champclair, "have we not been driven to resistance? Have we ever taken
+arms but in our own defence?"
+
+"True," replied Schomberg, "quite true. But kings unfortunately see
+through the eyes of others. The causes of our resistance are hidden
+from him scrupulously. The resistance itself is urged upon him
+vehemently."
+
+"Then it is absolutely necessary," said the Count de Morseiul, "that
+he should be made clearly and distinctly to know how much we have been
+aggrieved, how peaceably and loyally we are really disposed, and how
+little but the bitterest fruits can ever be reaped from the seeds that
+are now sowing."
+
+"Precisely," replied Schomberg. "That is precisely what I should
+propose to do. Let us present a humble remonstrance to the King,
+making a true statement of our case. Let us make him aware of the
+evils that have accrued, of the evils that still must accrue from
+persecution; but in the language of the deepest loyalty and most
+submissive obedience. Let us open his eyes, in fact, to the real state
+of the case. This is our only hope, for in resistance I fear there is
+none. The Protestant people are apathetic, they are not united--and
+they are not sufficiently numerous, even if they were united, to
+contend successfully with the forces of a great empire in a time of
+external peace."
+
+"I do not know that," exclaimed Monsieur de Champclair. But he had the
+great majority of the persons who were then present against him, and,
+in a desultory conversation that followed, those who had most
+vehemently advocated resistance but a few minutes before, who had been
+all fire and fury, and talked loudly of sacrificing their lives a
+thousand times rather than sacrificing their religion, viewed the
+matter in a very different light now when the first eagerness was
+over. One declared that not an able-bodied man in forty would take the
+field in defence of his religion; another said, that they had surely
+had warning enough at La Rochelle; another spoke, with a shudder, of
+Alaix. In short, Albert de Morseiul had an epitome in that small
+meeting of the doubts, fears, and hesitations; the apathy, the
+weakness, the renitency which would affect the great body of
+Protestants, if called upon suddenly to act together. He was forced,
+then, to content himself with pressing strongly upon the attention of
+all present the necessity of adopting instantly the suggestion of
+Marshal Schomberg, and of drawing up a representation to the King, to
+be signed as rapidly as possible by the chief Protestants throughout
+the kingdom, and transmitted to Schomberg, who was even then on his
+way towards Paris.
+
+Vain discussions next ensued in regard to the tone of the
+remonstrance, and the terms that were to be employed; and those who
+were inclined to be more bold in words than in deeds, proposed such
+expressions as would have entirely obviated the result sought to be
+obtained, giving the petition the character of a threatening and
+mutinous manifesto. Though this effect was self-evident, yet the terms
+had nearly been adopted by the majority of those present, and most
+likely would have been so, had not a fortunate suggestion struck the
+mind of Albert of Morseiul.
+
+"My good friends," he said, "there is one thing which we have
+forgotten to consider. We are all of us soldiers and country
+gentlemen, and many of us have, perhaps, a certain tincture of belles
+lettres; but a petition from the whole body of Protestants should be
+drawn up by some person eminent alike for learning, wisdom, and piety,
+whose very name may be a recommendation to that which he produces.
+What say you, then, to request Monsieur Claude de l'Estang to draw up
+the petition for our whole body. I intend to leave Poitiers to-morrow,
+and will communicate your desire to him. The paper shall be sent to
+you all as soon as it is drawn up, and nothing will remain but to
+place our hands to it, and lay it before the King."
+
+The proposal was received with joy by all; for even those who were
+pressing their own plans obstinately were at heart glad to be
+delivered from the responsibility; and this having been decided, the
+meeting broke up.
+
+The Count de Morseiul lingered for a few minutes after the rest were
+gone to speak with Marshal Schomberg, who asked, "So you are not going
+to wait for the opening of the states?"
+
+"I see no use of so doing," replied the Count; "now that I know the
+measures which the King's commission dictates, I have nothing farther
+to detain me. But tell me, Marshal, do you really believe that Louvois
+and his abettors will urge the King seriously to such steps?"
+
+"To a thousand others," replied Schomberg; "to a thousand harsher, and
+a thousand more dangerous measures. I can tell you that it is already
+determined to prohibit for the future the marriages of Catholics and
+Protestants. That, indeed, were no great evil, and I think rather
+favourable to us, than not; but it is only one out of many
+encroachments on the liberty of conscience, and, depend upon it, our
+sole hope is in opening the King's eyes to our real character as a
+body, and to the awful evils likely to ensue from oppressing us."
+
+"But should we be unable so to do," demanded the Count, "what remains
+for us then, my noble friend? Must we calmly submit to increasing
+persecution? must we renounce our faith? must we resist and die?"
+
+"If by our death," replied Schomberg firmly, but sadly, "we could seal
+for those who come after us, even with our hearts' blood, a covenant
+of safety--if by our fall in defence of our religion we could cement,
+as with the blood of martyrs, the edifice of the reformed church--if
+there were even a hope that our destruction could purchase immunity to
+our brethren or our children, I should say that there is but one
+course before us. But, alas! my good young friend, do you not know, as
+well as I do, that resistance is hopeless in itself, and must be
+ruinous in its consequences; that it must bring torture, persecution,
+misery, upon the women, the children, the helpless; that it must crush
+out the last spark of toleration that is likely to be left; and that
+the ultimate ruin of our church in France will but be hastened
+thereby? No one deserving the title of man, gentleman, or Christian,
+will abandon his religion under persecution; but there is another
+course to be taken, and it I shall take, if these acts against us be
+not stayed. I will quit the land--I will make myself a home elsewhere.
+My faith shall be my country, as my sword has been my inheritance!
+Would you take my advice, my dear Count, you would follow my example,
+and forming your determination before hand, be prepared to act when
+necessary."
+
+The Count shook his head. "I thank you," he said, "I thank you, and
+will give what you propose the fullest consideration; but it is a
+resolution that cannot be taken at once--at least by such as feel as I
+do. Oh! my good friend, remember how many ties I have to break asunder
+before I can act as you propose. There are all the sweet memories of
+youth, the clinging household dreams of infancy, the sunny home of my
+first days, when life's pilgrimage took its commencement in a garden
+of flowers. I must quit all these,--every dear thing to which the
+remembrance of my brightest days is attached--and spend the autumn and
+the winter of my latter life in scenes where there is not even a
+memory of its spring. I must quit all these, Schomberg. I must quit
+more. I must quit the faithful people that have surrounded me from my
+boyhood--who have grown up with me like brothers--who have watched
+over me like fathers--who have loved me with that hereditary love that
+none but lord and vassal can feel towards each other--who would lay
+down their lives to serve me, and who look to me for direction,
+protection, and support. I must quit them, I must leave them a prey to
+those who would tear and destroy them. I must leave, too, the grave of
+my father, the tombs of my ancestors, round which the associations of
+the past have wreathed a chain of glorious memories that should bind
+me not to abandon them. I, too, should have my grave there, Schomberg;
+I, too, should take my place amongst the many who have served their
+country, and left a name without a stain. When I have sought the
+battle field, have I not thought of them, and burned to accomplish
+deeds like theirs? When I have been tempted to do any thing that is
+wrong, have I not thought upon their pure renown, and cast the
+temptation from me like a slimy worm? And should I leave those tombs
+now? Were it not better to do as they would have done, to hang out my
+banner from the walls against oppression, and when the sword which
+they have transmitted to me can defend my right no longer, perish on
+the spot which is hallowed by the possession of their ashes?"
+
+"No, my friend, no," replied Schomberg, "it were not better, for
+neither could you so best do honour to their name, neither would your
+death and sacrifice avail aught to the great cause of religious
+liberty. But there is more to be considered, Albert of Morseiul; you
+might not gain the fate you sought for. The perverse bullet and the
+unwilling steel often, too often, will not do their fatal mission upon
+him that courts them. How often do we see that the timid, the
+cowardly, or the man who has a thousand sweet inducements to seek long
+life, meets death in the first field he enters, while he who in
+despair or rage walks up to the flashing cannon's mouth escapes as by
+a miracle? Think; Morseiul, if such were to be your case, what would
+be the result: first to linger in imprisonment, next to see the
+exterminating sword of persecution busy amongst those that you had led
+on into revolt, to know that their hearths were made desolate, their
+children orphans, their patrimony given to others, their wives and
+daughters delivered to the brutal insolence of victorious soldiers;
+and then, knowing all this, to end your own days as a common criminal,
+stretched on a scaffold on the torturing wheel, amidst the shouts and
+derisions of superstitious bigots, with the fraudulent voice of
+monkish hypocrisy pouring into your dying ear insults to your religion
+and to your God. Think of all this! and think also, that, at that last
+moment, you would know that you yourself had brought it all to pass,
+without the chance of effecting one single benefit to yourself or
+others."
+
+The Count put his hand before his eyes, but made no reply; and then,
+wringing Marshal Schomberg's hand, he mounted his horse and rode
+slowly away.
+
+For a considerable distance he went on towards Poitiers at the same
+slow pace, filled with dark and gloomy thoughts, and with nothing but
+despair on every side. He felt that the words of Marshal Schomberg
+were true to their fullest extent, and a sort of presage of the coming
+events seemed to gather slowly upon his heart, like dark clouds upon
+the verge of the sky. His only hope reduced itself to the same narrow
+bounds which had long contained those of Schomberg; the result,
+namely, of the proposed petition to the King.
+
+But there were one or two words which Schomberg had dropped
+accidentally, and which it would seem, from what we have told before,
+ought not to have produced such painful and bitter feelings in the
+breast of Albert of Morseiul as they did produce. They were those
+words which referred to the prohibition about to be decreed against
+the marriages of Protestants and Catholics. What was it to him, he
+asked himself, whether Catholics and Protestants might or might not
+marry? Was not his determination taken with regard to the only person
+whom he could have ever loved? and did it matter that another barrier
+was placed between them, when there were barriers impassable before.
+But still he felt the announcement deeply and painfully; reason had no
+power to check and overcome those sensations; and oppressed and
+overloaded as his mind then was, it wandered vaguely from misery to
+misery, and seemed to take a pleasure in calling up every thing that
+could increase its own pain and anguish.
+
+When he had thus ridden along for somewhat more than two miles, he
+suddenly heard a horn winded lowly in the distance, and, as he
+fancied, the cry of dogs. It called to his mind his promise to
+Clémence de Marly. He felt that his frame of mind was in strange
+contrast with a gay hunting scene. Yet he had promised to go as soon
+as ever he was free, and he was not a man to break his promise, even
+when it was a light one. He turned his horse's head, then, in the
+direction of the spot from which the sound seemed to proceed, still
+going on slowly and gloomily.
+
+A moment after he heard the sounds again. The memory of happy days,
+and of his old forest sports, came upon him, and he made a strong
+effort against the darker spirit in his bosom.
+
+"I will drive these gloomy thoughts from me," he said, "if it be but
+for an hour; I will yet know one bright moment more. For this day I
+will be a boy again, and to-morrow I will cast all behind me, and
+plunge into the stream of care and strife!"
+
+As he thus thought he touched his horse with the spur; the gallant
+beast bounded off like lightning; the cry of the hounds, the sound of
+the horns came nearer and nearer; and in a few moments more the Count
+came suddenly upon a relay of horses and dogs, established upon the
+side of a hill, as was then customary, for the purpose of giving fresh
+vigour to the chase when it had been abated by weariness.
+
+"Is the deer expected to pass here?" demanded the Count, speaking to
+one of the _veneurs_, and judging instantly, by his own practised eye,
+that it would take another direction.
+
+"The young Marquis Hericourt thought so," replied the man, "but he
+knows nothing about it."
+
+At that moment the gallant stag itself was seen, at the distance of
+about half a mile, bounding along in the upland towards a point
+directly opposite; and the Count knowing that he must come upon the
+hunt at the turn of the valley, spurred on at all speed, followed by
+his attendants. In a few minutes more a few of the huntsmen were seen;
+and, in another, Clémence de Marly was before his eyes. She was
+glowing with exercise and eagerness, her eyes bright as stars, her
+clustering hair floating back from her face, her whole aspect like
+that which she bore, when first he saw her in all the brightness of
+her youth and beauty. The Chevalier was seen at a distance amusing
+himself by teasing, almost into madness, a fiery horse, that was eager
+to bound forward before all the rest; the train of suitors, and of
+flatterers, that generally followed her, was scattered about the
+field; and, in a moment--with his hat off, his dark hair curling round
+his brow, his features lighted up with a smile which was strangely
+mingled with the strong lines of deep emotions just passed, like the
+sun scattering the remnants of a thunder cloud; with his chest thrown
+forward, his head bending to a graceful salute, and his person erect
+as a column--Albert of Morseiul was by the side of Clémence de Marly
+and galloping on with her, seeming but of one piece with the noble
+animal that bore him.
+
+The eyes of almost all those that followed, or were around, were
+turned to those two; and certainly almost every thing else in the gay
+and splendid scene through which they moved seemed to go out
+extinguished by the comparison. In the whole air, and aspect, and
+figure of each, there was that clear, concentrated expression of
+grace, dignity, and power, that seems almost immortal; so that the
+Duke de Rouvré and his train, the gay nobles, the dogs, the huntsmen,
+and the whole array, were for an instant forgotten. Men forgot even
+themselves for a time to wonder and admire.
+
+Unconscious that such was the case, Albert de Morseiul and Clémence de
+Marly rode on; and he--with his fate, as he conceived, sealed, and his
+determination taken--cast off all cold and chilling restraint, and
+appeared what he really was--nay, more, appeared what he was when
+eager, animated, and with all the fine qualities of his heart and mind
+welling over in a moment of excitement. All the tales that she had
+heard of him as he appeared in the battle field, or in the moment of
+difficulty and danger, were now realised to the mind of Clémence de
+Marly, and while she wondered and enjoyed, she felt that for the first
+time in her life, she had met with one to whom her own high heart and
+spirit must yield. Her eyes sunk beneath the eagle gaze of his; her
+hand held the rein more timidly; new feelings came upon her, doubts of
+her own sufficiency, of her own courage, of her own strength, of her
+own beauty, of her own worthiness: she felt that she had admired and
+esteemed Albert of Morseiul before, but she felt that there was
+something more strange, more potent in her bosom now.
+
+We must pause on no other scene of that hunting. Throughout the whole
+of that afternoon the Count gave way to the same spirit. Whether alone
+with Clémence, or surrounded by others, the high and powerful mind
+broke forth with fearless energy. A bright and poetical imagination; a
+clear and cultivated understanding; a decision of character and of
+tone, founded on the consciousness of rectitude and of great powers; a
+wit as graceful as it was keen, aided by the advantages of striking
+beauty, and a deep-toned voice of striking melody, left every one so
+far behind, so out of all comparison, that even the vainest there felt
+it themselves, and felt it with mortification and anger. The hunting
+was over, and by chance or by design Albert of Morseiul was placed
+next to Clémence de Marly at supper. The Duke de Rouvré had noticed
+the brightening change which had come over his young friend, and
+attributing it to a wrong cause, he said good-humouredly,--
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul, happy am I to see you shake off your sadness.
+You are so much more cheerful, that I doubt not you have heard good
+news to-day."
+
+This was spoken at some distance across the table, and every one heard
+it; but the young Count replied calmly, "Alas! no, my Lord; I was
+determined to have one more day of happiness, and therefore cast away
+every other thought but the pleasure of the society by which I was
+surrounded. I gave way to that pleasure altogether this day, because I
+am sorry to say, I must quit your hospitable roof tomorrow, in order
+to return to Morseiul, fearing that I shall not be able to come to
+Poitiers again, while I remain in this part of France."
+
+Clémence de Marly turned very pale, but then again the blood rushed
+powerfully over her face. But the Duke de Rouvré, by replying
+immediately, called attention away from her.
+
+"Nay, nay, Monsieur le Comte," he said, "you promised me to stay for
+several days, longer, and I cannot part with an old friend, and the
+son of an old friend, so soon."
+
+"I said, my Lord, that I would stay if it were possible," replied the
+Count. "But I can assure you that it is not possible; various
+important causes of the greatest consequence not only to me, but to
+the state, call me imperatively away, when, indeed, there are but too
+many inducements to stay here."
+
+"I know one of the causes," said the Duke; "I hear you have taken
+measures for suppressing that daring band of plunderers--_night
+hawks_, as they call themselves, who have for some time hung about
+that part of the country, and who got possession of poor Monsieur
+Pelisson and Monsieur St. Helie, as they were telling me the other
+day; but you might trust that to your seneschals, Count."
+
+"Indeed I cannot, my Lord Duke," replied the Count; "that affair has
+more branches than you know of--or, perhaps I should say, more roots
+to be eradicated. Besides there are many other things."
+
+"Well, well," said the Duke, "if it must be so, it must. However, as
+soon as the states have ceased to hold their meetings, I shall come
+for a little repose to Ruffigny, and then, if you have not been fully
+successful, I will do my best to help you; but we are not going to
+lose our friend Louis here too. Chevalier, do you go back with your
+friend?"
+
+"Not to hunt robbers," replied the Chevalier with a smile; "I would
+almost as soon hunt rats with the Dauphin. Besides, he has never asked
+me; this is the first intelligence I had of his intention."
+
+"I only formed it this morning," replied the Count. "But you have
+promised me a whole month, Louis, and you shall give it me when you
+find it most pleasant to yourself."
+
+"Well, I shall linger on here for a few days," replied the Chevalier,
+"if the governor will feed and lodge me; and then, when I have seen
+all the bright things that are done by the states, I will come and
+join you at Morseiul."
+
+Thus ended the discussion which followed the young Count's
+announcement. No further conversation took place between him and
+Clémence, who devoted her whole attention, during the rest of the
+evening, either to the Chevalier, the Duc de Melcourt, or the young
+Marquis de Hericourt. The hour for Albert de Morseiul's departure was
+announced as immediately after breakfast on the following day; but
+Clémence de Marly did not appear that morning at the table, for the
+first time since his arrival at Poitiers. When the hour was come, and
+his horses were prepared, he took leave of the rest of the party, and
+with many painful emotions at his heart quitted the saloon, the Duke
+and the Chevalier, with one or two others, accompanying him to the top
+of the stairs. At that moment, however, as he was about to descend,
+Clémence appeared as if going into the saloon. She was somewhat paler
+than usual; but her manner was the same as ever.
+
+"So, Monsieur de Morseiul," she said, "you are going! I wish you a
+happy journey;" and thus treating him like a mere common acquaintance,
+she bowed her head and entered the saloon.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IX.
+
+                            THE DISCOVERY.
+
+
+Two days after the departure of the Count de Morseiul, the states of
+the province were opened in form; but neither with the states nor with
+their proceedings shall we have any thing to do, and will merely
+notice an event which occurred on the eve of their meeting.
+
+On the day preceding, a vast number of gentlemen from all parts of the
+province had flocked into the city. The house of the governor was
+again filled to the very doors, and though the formal opening of the
+states was deferred till the succeeding day, they nominally commenced
+their assembly on the day after the Count's departure. The colleagues,
+Pelisson and St. Helie, had separated after their arrival in Poitiers,
+the former having gone to the bishop's palace, where he busied himself
+in his usual occupation at this time, namely, in diffusing large sums
+of money through the province by different channels, for the purpose
+of bribing all persons who might be found weak or wavering in the
+Protestant faith to abandon their religion, and profess themselves
+Catholics. St. Helie had remained at the house of the governor,
+following occupations more suited to his genius, that of watching
+every thing that was done, of gaining information concerning the views
+and feelings of all persons likely to be present at the assembly of
+the states, and of endeavouring to form a party for his own purposes
+amidst the more fierce, intolerant, and bigoted of the influential
+Catholics of the province.
+
+The Duke de Rouvré could not avoid showing this personage every sort
+of civility, for, indeed, such was the King's command; but at the same
+time he could not conceal from himself that the Abbé was a spy upon
+his actions, and was intended to be a check upon his conduct, and, as
+may well be supposed under such circumstances, he was not particularly
+pleased with his guest.
+
+On the day preceding the regular opening of the states, then, after
+some of the preliminary formalities had been gone through, the Duc de
+Rouvré, while conversing in his saloon with twelve or fourteen of the
+principal Roman Catholic gentry, who had come to visit him as if by
+accident, but in reality by a previous arrangement with others, was
+not agreeably surprised to see the Abbé de St. Helie, followed by
+Pelisson and the Curé of Guadrieul, enter the room in somewhat a
+formal manner, and advance towards him with a face of business. He
+bowed low, however, as it was the first time he had seen the Abbé that
+morning, greeted Pelisson somewhat more warmly, and suffered the third
+personage of the party to walk up in bull-like sullenness with nothing
+but a formal inclination of the head.
+
+"It is time, my Lord," said the Abbé de St. Helie, "to fulfil the
+order of the King, and to open in your presence the commission with
+which he has entrusted us, of the nature of which we are ourselves in
+some sort ignorant up to this moment."
+
+"I thought, gentlemen," said the Duke, "that you informed me the
+commission was not to be opened till after the opening of the states."
+
+"No, my Lord," replied the Abbé, "I said, till after the meeting of
+the states, which were convened to meet to-day."
+
+"Well then, gentlemen," said the Duke, "I will give you my attention
+in a few minutes. You see I am at present occupied with friends, but
+in half an hour I shall be prepared to receive you in my cabinet upon
+any business that may remain to be transacted between us."
+
+"I see no reason, my Lord," replied the Abbé, "why the commission
+should not be opened before the gentlemen here present, all of whom
+are sincere Christians, and zealous supporters of the true faith."
+
+"No earthly reason whatever," replied the Duke sharply, "except that I
+choose to do my own business in my own way, in my own house, and in my
+own government."
+
+"I am sorry to suggest any alterations in your Lordship's plans,"
+replied the Abbé with a cool sneer, "but I have authority for what I
+am doing. The King's express directions are to open the commission in
+presence of your Lordship, _and other competent witnesses_."
+
+"Oh, if such be the case," said the Duke, much mortified, "there could
+be no witnesses more competent, and none perhaps better prepared than
+the present. Pray open your commission, gentlemen. My good sirs, take
+your seats round this table. Let us give the matter, if possible, some
+air of regularity. Without there! Send for my secretary. We will wait
+till he comes, if you please, Monsieur de St. Helie. What splendid
+weather this is, gentlemen. We have not had one wet day for nearly two
+months, and yet a gentle rain every morning."
+
+The persons present ranged themselves round the table, the Curé de
+Guadrieul produced the leathern bag which contained the commission,
+and laid it down heavily before him, and as soon as the Duke's
+secretary appeared, a large knot upon the leathern strings of the bag
+was cut with a penknife, and the whole packet handed to the Abbé de
+St. Helie, who had placed himself at the governor's right hand.
+Opening the mouth of the bag, then, the Abbé took forth a large
+parchment packet, sealed up at both ends with the royal arms of
+France. The governor asked to look at the superscription, and finding
+it addressed in the usual terms to the Abbé St. Helie and Pelisson, he
+gave it back to the former, who with an important countenance and slow
+formality began to break the seals.
+
+Two or three paper covers were within in order to keep the precious
+document secure, and one by one the Abbé unfolded them, till he came
+to the last, which was also sealed, but which was much smaller than
+the size of the outer parcel had given reason to expect. He broke the
+seal himself, however, and produced the contents, when, to the
+astonishment of every body, and the merriment of the younger persons
+present, there appeared nothing but a pack of cards.
+
+The Duc de Rouvré looked on dryly, not a smile curled his countenance,
+and he said, gazing at the Abbé de St. Helie, who sat in stupified
+silence,--
+
+"I admire the sagacity and propriety with which it has been judged
+necessary to appoint witnesses for the opening of this commission,--or
+of this game, perhaps I ought to say, Monsieur de St. Helie.
+Gentlemen, I trust that you are perfectly satisfied; but I must ask
+you whether it be necessary to direct my secretary to take a procès
+verbal of the contents, import, and extent of the Abbé's commission?"
+
+In the mean time Pelisson had reached across, and taken up the papers
+which had surrounded the cards. He examined them minutely and long;
+but at length replied to the Duke's sneer by saying,--
+
+"Perhaps it may be more necessary, my Lord, than you imagine. It seems
+to me from the appearance of these papers that the packet has been
+opened before. There is a slight tear in the parchment, which tear is
+evidently not new."
+
+"You must look to that yourselves, gentlemen," said the Duc de Rouvré,
+seriously angry; "the commission has been in your charge and custody,
+and in that of no one else. You best know whether you have opened it
+before the time or not. Secretary, as these gentlemen demand it, make
+a note that we have this day seen opened by the Abbé de St. Helie in
+our presence a packet addressed to him and Monsieur de Pelisson,
+purporting to be a commission for certain purposes addressed to them
+by his Most Christian Majesty; and that on the said packet being so
+opened, there has been found in it nothing but a pack of cards, not in
+the most cleanly condition."
+
+"Pray let him add," said Pelisson, "that I have declared my opinion,
+from the appearance of the papers, that the said packet had been
+previously opened."
+
+"Let that also be noted," said the Duke; "but it must be noted also
+that Monsieur de Pelisson did not make that observation till after the
+packet had been opened, and the cards discovered, that the seals were
+unbroken, and the leathern bag entire; and now, gentlemen," he
+continued, "after having interrupted my conversation with these noble
+gentlemen here present to witness the opening of a pack of
+cards--which may indeed be the commencement of a game that I don't
+understand--perhaps you will excuse me for rising and resuming our
+more agreeable occupation."
+
+Pelisson bowed his head, calm and undisturbed; the Abbé de St. Helie
+looked stupified, mortified, and angry beyond all measure; and the
+dull priest of Guadrieul, upon whom the eyes of both of his superiors
+were turned from time to time with an expression of no very doubtful
+import, looked swallowed up in stolid fear and astonishment. The
+governor and his guests in general had risen and scattered themselves
+about the room, and after speaking to the Abbé de St. Helie for a few
+moments, Pelisson advanced, and took his leave in a few words, saying,
+that of course it was their duty to inform the King of what had
+occurred, and that therefore they must proceed to write quickly before
+the ordinary set out.
+
+The governor bowed stiffly, and merely replied that he himself could
+not think of troubling the King upon a trifle of such minor
+importance, and therefore left them to make their communication in
+their own terms. The three then retired, and the rest of the party
+soon after separated; but the worthy governor had not been left half
+an hour alone before he received a billet from the bishop, requesting
+an audience, which was immediately granted. He came, accompanied by
+Pelisson and the Curé de Guadrieul, who remained without while the
+archbishop and his companion held a previous conference with the
+governor. The Curé was then called in, and remained some time with
+them. He was then sent out again to the ante-chamber, then recalled,
+and nearly two hours passed in what was apparently an unpleasant
+discussion, for at the end of that time when the governor returned to
+the saloon from his own cabinet, Clémence de Marly, the Duchess, and
+the Chevalier d'Evran, all remarked that he was very much agitated and
+heated.
+
+In a minute or two afterwards his secretary followed him into the room
+with a note, apparently just written, in his hand, and asked if that
+would do.
+
+The governor read the note, and replied, "Yes! Send it off directly,"
+he said. "Bid the messenger give my very best regards to the Count de
+Morseiul! Lay the strictest injunctions upon him also not to stop this
+night till he has overtaken the Count. If the Count be in bed when he
+reaches the place where he is, he need not of course disturb him till
+the morning.--But bid him say every thing that is kind from me."
+
+Clémence de Marly rose, and with a winning grace that was more natural
+to her than the capricious pride she sometimes assumed, walked up to
+the Duke, glided her arm through his, and drew the old nobleman into
+one of the deep windows. She spoke with him for several minutes
+earnestly, and he replied as if endeavouring to parry by a jest some
+question he did not choose to answer.
+
+"Nay, nay," she was heard to say at length, "my dear guardian, you
+_shall_ tell me, and you know that Clémence is more absolute than the
+King."
+
+"We will talk about it to-morrow, Clémence," replied the Duke, "and
+perhaps I may tell you; but you shall make your confession in return,
+fair lady."
+
+She blushed a little and turned away, and thus the conversation ended.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+                             THE RECALL.
+
+
+Albert of Morseiul rode on his way with a heart ill at case. The
+excitement of the preceding night was gone, and the lassitude that
+succeeded it was like the weakness after a fever. It seemed to him
+that the last cheerful hours of life were over, and the rest was all
+to be strife and anguish; that the last of all the sweet dreams, with
+which hope and youth deck the future, were done and passed away, and
+nothing but the stern grey reality was left. It is hard and sorrowful
+to make up the mind to any parting, and tenfold hard and sorrowful to
+make up the mind to our parting with the sweet promising fancies of
+our early days, to put ourselves under a harsher guide for ever, and
+follow with him a rugged and a cheerless path, when before we had been
+treading on sweet sunshiny flowers. In general, it is true, the wise
+beneficence of Heaven has provided that we should not part with all at
+once, but that the visions and the dreams, like the many gay
+companions of our boyhood, should either be abandoned for others, or
+drop away from our side, one by one, till all are gone, and we hardly
+mark which is the last. But there are times when all are snatched away
+together, or, as in the case of Albert of Morseiul, when the last that
+is taken is the brightest and the best, and the parting is clear,
+defined, and terrible.
+
+Bitter, bitter, then, were his feelings as he rode away from Poitiers,
+and made up his mind that the last dream of youth was over, that the
+nourished vision of long years was dissipated, that the bubble was
+burst, and that all was gone; that she who, half ideal, half real, had
+been that object round which both memory and imagination had clung as
+the something splendid for the future, was not what he had dreamt of,
+and even if she were, could never, never be his; and that at length
+that theme of thought was gone from him for ever. That moment and that
+spot seemed to form the parting place, where youth, imagination, and
+happiness were left behind, and care, reality, and anxiety started
+forward with latter life.
+
+Though, as we have endeavoured on more than one occasion to show, the
+Count de Morseiul was a man of strong imagination and of deep and
+intense feelings, yet he possessed qualities of other kinds, which
+served to counterbalance and to rule those dangerous gifts, not,
+indeed, preventing them from having their effect upon himself,
+paining, grieving, and wearing him, but sufficient to prevent
+imagination from clouding his judgment, or strong feeling from warping
+his conduct from the stern path which judgment dictated. He applied
+himself then to examine distinctly what were the probabilities of the
+future, and what was the line of conduct that it became him to pursue.
+He doubted not, indeed he felt strongly convinced, that Clémence de
+Marly would ultimately give her hand to the Chevalier d'Evran, to his
+friend and companion. He believed that, for the time, some accidental
+circumstance might have alienated them from each other, and that,
+perhaps on both sides, any warmer and more eager passion that they
+once had felt, might have been a little cooled; but still he doubted
+not, from all he saw, that Clémence would yet be his friend's bride,
+and the first part of his own task was to prepare his mind to bear
+that event with calmness, and firmness, and dignity, whenever it
+should happen. As his thoughts reverted, however, to the situation of
+his fellow Huguenots, and the probable fate that awaited them, he saw
+a prospect of relief from the agony of his own personal feelings in
+the strife that was likely to ensue from their persecution; and
+perhaps he drew a hope even from the prospect of an early grave.
+
+With such thoughts struggling in his breast, and with all the varied
+emotions which the imagination of the reader may well supply, Albert
+of Morseiul rode on till he reached the house appointed for his second
+resting place. Every thing had been prepared for his reception, and
+all the external appliances were ready to insure comfort, so that
+there was not even any little bodily want or irritation to withdraw
+his attention from the gloomy pictures presented by his own thoughts.
+
+With a tact in such matters which was peculiarly his own, Jerome
+Riquet took especial care that the dinner set before his master should
+be of the very simplest kind, and instead of crowding the room with
+servants, as he had done on a former occasion, he, who on the journey
+acted the part of major domo, waited upon the Count at table alone,
+only suffering another servant to carry in and remove the dishes. He
+had taken the precaution of bringing with him some wine from Poitiers,
+which he had induced the sommelier of the archbishop to pilfer from
+the best bin in his master's cellar, and he now endeavoured to seduce
+his master, whose deep depression he had seen and deplored during
+their journey, into taking more of the fragrant juice than usual, not,
+indeed, by saying one word upon the subject, but by filling his glass
+whenever he saw it empty.
+
+Now Jerome Riquet would have given the tip of one of his ears to have
+been made quite sure of what was the chief cause of the Count's
+anxiety. That he was anxious about the state of the Protestant cause
+the valet well knew; that he was in some degree moved by feelings of
+love towards Clémence de Marly, Riquet very easily divined. But Jerome
+Riquet was, as we have before said on more than one occasion, shrewd
+and intelligent, and in nothing more so than in matters where the
+heart was concerned. It is true he had never been in the room five
+times when Clémence and his master were together, but there are such
+things in the world wherein we live as half open doors, chinks,
+key-holes, and garret windows; and in the arts and mysteries of all
+these, Jerome Riquet was a most decided proficient. He had thus seen
+quite enough to make him feel very sure, that whatever might be
+Clémence de Marly's feelings towards others, her feelings towards his
+master were not by any means unfavourable; and after much speculation
+he had arranged in his own mind--from a knowledge of the somewhat
+chivalrous generosity in his master's character--that he and the
+Chevalier d'Evran were in love with the same person, and that the
+Count, even with the greater probability of success, had abandoned the
+pursuit of his passion, rather than become the rival of his friend.
+
+Riquet wished much to be assured of this fact, however; and to know
+whether it was really and truly the proximate cause of the melancholy
+he beheld, or whether there was some deeper and more powerful motive
+still, concealed from those eyes which he thought were privileged to
+pry into every secret of his master. Thus, after dinner was over, and
+the dessert was put upon the table--though he had wisely forborne up
+to that moment to do, to say, or to allow any thing that could disturb
+the train of the Count's thoughts--he could resist no longer, and
+again quickly filled up his young lord's glass as he saw it empty.
+
+His master put it aside with the back of his hand, saying, "No more!"
+
+"Oh, my Lord," said Riquet, "you will not surely refuse to drink that
+glass to the health of Mademoiselle Clémence!"
+
+The Count, who knew him thoroughly, and in general perceived very
+clearly all the turnings and windings through which he pursued his
+purposes, turned round, gazing in his face for a moment as he bent
+over his shoulder, and then replied with a melancholy smile,
+"Certainly not, Riquet. Health and happiness to her!" and he drank the
+wine.
+
+The look and the words were quite sufficient for Jerome Riquet, though
+the Count was not aware that it would be so; but the cunning valet saw
+clearly, that, whatever other causes might mingle with the melancholy
+of his master, love for Clémence de Marly had a principal share
+therein; and, confirmed in his own opinion of his lord's motive in
+quitting Poitiers, his first thought, when he cleared away and left
+him, was, by what artful scheme or cunning device he could carry him
+back to Poitiers against his own will, and plunge him inextricably
+into the pursuit of her he loved.
+
+Several plans suggested themselves to his mind, which was fertile in
+all such sort of intrigues, and it is very probable that, though he
+had to do with a keen and a clear-sighted man, he might have succeeded
+unaided in his object; but he suddenly received assistance which he
+little expected, by the arrival, at their first resting-place, of a
+courier from the Duc de Rouvré, towards the hour of ten at night.
+
+Riquet was instantly called to the messenger; and, telling him that
+the Count was so busy that he could see nobody at that moment, the
+valet charged himself with the delivery of the note and the message,
+while the governor's servant sat down to refresh himself after a long
+and fatiguing ride. Riquet took a lamp with him to light himself up
+the stairs, though he had gone up and down all night without any, and
+before he reached the door of the Count's room, he had of course made
+himself acquainted with the whole contents of the note, so that when
+he returned to the kitchen to converse with the messenger, he was
+perfectly prepared to cross-examine him upon the various transactions
+at Poitiers with sagacity and acuteness.
+
+The whole story of the cards found in the King's packet had of course
+made a great sensation in the household of the governor, and Riquet
+now laughed immoderately at the tale, declaring most irreverently that
+he had never known Louis le Grand was such a wag. There is nothing
+like laughter for opening the doors of the heart, and letting its
+secrets troop out by dozens. The courier joined in the merriment of
+the valet, and Riquet had no difficulty in extracting from him every
+thing else that he knew. The after conferences between the governor,
+Pelisson, and the Archbishop, were displayed as far as the messenger
+had power to withdraw the veil, and the general opinion entertained in
+the governor's household that some suspicion attached to the young
+Count in regard to that packet, and that the courier himself had been
+sent to recall him to Poitiers, was also communicated in full to the
+valet. To the surprise of the courier, however, Riquet laughed more
+inordinately than ever, declaring that the governor, and the
+Archbishop, and St. Helie, and Pelisson, must all have been mad or
+drunk when they were so engaged.
+
+In the mean time the Count de Morseiul had opened the letter from the
+governor, and read the contents, which informed him that a pack of
+cards had been found, in place of a commission, in the packet given by
+the King to Messieurs St  Helie and Pelisson; that those gentlemen
+declared that the packet had been opened; and that they had come with
+the Bishop for the purpose of making formal application to the
+governor to recall him, the Count de Morseiul, to Poitiers, alleging
+that the only period at which the real commission could have been
+abstracted was while they were in his company at an inn on the road.
+They had also pointed out, the Duke said, that the Count, as one of
+the principal Protestant leaders, was a person more interested than
+any other, both to ascertain the contents of that packet, and to
+abstract the commission, in case its contents were such as they
+imagined them to have been; and at the same lime they said there was
+good reason to believe that, in consequence of the knowledge thus
+obtained, he, the Count de Morseiul, had called together a meeting of
+Protestant gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, had
+communicated to them the plans and purposes of the government, and had
+concerted schemes for frustrating the King's designs. The Duc de
+Rouvré then went on to say, that as he knew and fully confided in the
+honour and integrity of the Count de Morseiul, and as the Bishop and
+Monsieur Pelisson had produced no corroborative proof of their
+allegation whatsoever, he by no means required or demanded the Count
+to return to Poitiers, but thought fit to communicate to him the
+facts, and to leave him to act according to his own judgment.
+
+The Count paced the room in no slight agitation for several minutes
+after he had read the letter; but it was not the abstraction of the
+King's commission, if such an act had really taken place, nor the
+accusation insinuated, rather than made, against himself, which
+agitated him on the present occasion. The accusation he regarded as
+absurd, the abstraction of the commission merely laughable; a
+suspicion indeed might cross his mind that Riquet had had a hand in
+it, but he knew well that he himself had none, and therefore he cast
+the matter from his mind at once. But his agitation proceeded from the
+thought of being obliged to go back to Poitiers--from the fear of
+seeing all his good resolutions overthrown--from the idea of meeting
+once more, surrounded with greater difficulties and danger than ever,
+her whom he now but too clearly felt to be the only being that he had
+ever loved.
+
+To the emotions which such considerations produced, he gave up a
+considerable time, and then, taking up the bell, he rang it sharply,
+ordering the page that appeared to send Riquet to him. He simply told
+the valet what had occurred, and ordered his horses to be saddled to
+return to Poitiers the next morning at day break. He insinuated no
+suspicion, though he fixed his eyes strongly upon the man's
+countenance, when he spoke of the abstraction of the commission, but
+the face of Riquet changed not in the least, except in consequence of
+a slight irrepressible chuckle which took place at the mention of the
+appearance of the cards. The Count did not wish to inquire into the
+matter, but, from what he saw of Riquet's manner, he judged that his
+servant had nothing to do with the transaction; and, setting out early
+the next morning, he went back to Poitiers at full speed, hiring
+horses when his own were too tired to proceed, so that he reached the
+house of the governor towards nine o'clock on the same night.
+
+He was immediately ushered into the saloon, where the family of
+Monsieur de Rouvré and a very small party besides were assembled, and,
+apologising for the dustiness and disarray of his appearance to the
+Duke, who met him near the door, he said that he had only presented
+himself to show that he had lost not a moment in returning to repel
+the false insinuations made against him. He was then about to leave
+the room, hastily glancing his eye over the party beyond, and seeing
+that his friend the Chevalier was not present; but the voice of the
+Duchess de Rouvré called him to her side, saying,--
+
+"We will all, I am sure, excuse dust and disarray for the pleasure of
+Monsieur de Morseiul's society. Is it not so, Madame de Beaune? Is it
+not so, Clémence?"
+
+Clémence had scarcely looked up since the Count's arrival, but she now
+did so with a slight inclination of the head, and replied, "The Count
+de Morseiul, my queen, values the pleasure of his society so highly
+that he is disposed to give us but little of it, it would appear."
+
+The words were scarcely spoken when the Count, with his own peculiar,
+graceful, but energetic manner, walked straight up to Clémence de
+Marly, and stopped opposite to her, saying gravely, but not angrily,
+"I assure you, dear lady, I do not deserve your sarcasm. If you knew,
+on the contrary, how great was the pleasure that I myself have derived
+from this society, you would estimate the sacrifice I made in quitting
+it, and approve, rather than condemn, the self-command and resolution
+I have shown."
+
+Clémence looked suddenly up in his face with one of her bright beaming
+smiles, and then frankly extended her hand to him. "I was wrong," she
+said; "forgive me, Monsieur de Morseiul! You know a spoilt woman
+always thinks that she has done penance enough when she has forced
+herself to say I was wrong."
+
+If the whole world had been present, Albert of Morseiul could not have
+refrained from bending down his lips to that fair hand; but he did so
+calmly and respectfully, and then turning to the Duchess, he said that
+if she would permit him, he would but do away the dust and disarray of
+his apparel, and return in a moment. The petition was not of course
+refused: his toilet was hasty, and occupied but a few minutes; and he
+returned as quickly as possible to the hall, where he passed the rest
+of the evening without giving any farther thoughts or words to painful
+themes, except in asking the governor to beg the presence of the
+Bishop, Monsieur Pelisson, and the Abbé de St. Helie, as early as
+possible on the following morning, in order that the whole business
+might be over before the hour appointed for the meeting of the states.
+
+The Bishop, who was an eager and somewhat bigoted man, was quite
+willing to pursue the matter at once; and before breakfast on the
+following day, he, with the two Abbés and the Curé de Guadrieul, met
+the Count de Morseiul in the cabinet of the governor.
+
+There was something in the frank, upright, and gallant bearing of the
+young nobleman that impressed even the superstitious bigots to whom he
+was opposed with feelings of doubt as to the truth of their own
+suspicions, and even with some sensations of shame for having urged
+those suspicions almost in the form of direct charges. They hesitated,
+therefore, as to the mode of their attack, and the Count, impatient of
+delay, commenced the business at once by addressing the Bishop.
+
+"My noble friend, the Duke here present," he said, "has communicated
+to me, my Lord, both by letter and by word of mouth, a strange scene
+that has been enacted here regarding a commission, real or supposed,
+given by the King to the Abbés of St. Helie and Pelisson. It seems,
+that when the packet supposed to contain the commission was produced,
+a pack of cards was found therein, instead of what was expected; that
+Monsieur Pelisson found reason to suppose that the packet had been
+previously opened; and that he then did--what Monsieur Pelisson should
+not have done, considering the acquaintance that he has with me and
+with my character--namely, charged me with having opened, by some
+private means, the packet containing his commission, abstracted and
+destroyed the commission itself, and substituted a pack of cards in
+its place."
+
+"Stop, stop, my dear Count," said Pelisson, "you are mistaken as to
+the facts. I never made such an accusation, whatever others did. All I
+said was, that you were the only person interested in the abstraction
+of that commission who had possessed any opportunity of destroying
+it."
+
+"And in so saying, sir, you spoke falsely," replied the Count de
+Morseiul; "for, in the first place, you insinuated what was not the
+case, that I have had an opportunity of destroying it; and, in the
+next place, you forgot that for three quarters of an hour, or perhaps
+more, for aught I know, your whole baggage was in the hands of a body
+of plunderers, while neither you, buried in your devotions, under the
+expectation of immediate death, nor Monsieur de St. Helie, weeping,
+trembling, and insane in the agony of unmanly fear, had the slightest
+knowledge of what was done with any thing in your possession; so that
+the plunderers, if they had chosen it, might have re-written you a new
+commission, ordering you both to be scourged back from Poitiers to
+Paris. I only say this to show the absurdity of the insinuations you
+have put forth. Here, in a journey which has probably taken you seven
+or eight days to perform, in the course of which you must have slept
+at seven or eight different inns upon the road, and during which you
+were for a length of time in the hands of a body of notorious
+plunderers, you only choose to fix upon me, who entertained you with
+civility and kindness, who delivered you from death itself, and who
+saved from the flames and restored to your own hands, at the risk of
+my life, the very commission which you now insinuate I had some share
+in abstracting from the paper that contained it. Besides, sir, if I
+remember rightly, that packet was entrusted to the care of a personage
+attendant upon yourselves, and who watched it like the fabled guardian
+of the golden fleece."
+
+"But the guardian of the fleece slumbered, sir," replied Pelisson,
+who, to say the truth, was really ashamed of the charge which had been
+brought against the Count de Morseiul, and was very glad of an
+opportunity to escape from the firm grasp of the Count's arguments by
+a figure of speech. "Besides, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, "had you
+but listened a little longer you would have heard, that though I said
+yours was the only party which had an opportunity of taking it, and
+were interested in its destruction, I never charged you with doing so,
+or commanding it to be done; but I said that some of your servants,
+thinking to do you a pleasure, might have performed the exchange,
+which certainly must have been accomplished with great slight of
+hand."
+
+"You do not escape me so, sir," replied the young Count; "if I know
+any thing of the laws of the land, or, indeed, of the laws of common
+sense and right reason, you are first bound to prove that a crime has
+been committed, before you dare to accuse any one of committing it.
+You must show that there ever has been, in reality, a commission in
+that packet. If I understood Monsieur de Rouvré's letter right, the
+seals of the King were found unbroken on the packet, and not the
+slightest appearance of its having been opened was remarked, till you,
+Monsieur Pelisson, discovered that there was such an appearance after
+the fact. The King may have been jesting with you; Monsieur de Louvois
+may have been making sport of you; a drunken clerk of the cabinet may
+have committed some blunder in a state of inebriety; no crime may have
+been committed at all, for aught we know."
+
+"My good sir," said the Bishop haughtily, "you show how little you
+know of the King and of the court of the King by supposing that any
+such transactions could take place."
+
+"My Lord," replied the Count, gazing upon him with a smile of
+ineffable contempt, "when you were a little Curé in the small town of
+Castelnaudry, my father supported the late King of France with his
+right hand, and with the voice of his counsel: when you were trooping
+after a band of rebels in the train of the house of Vendôme, I was
+page of honour to our present gracious monarch, in dangers and
+difficulties, in scantiness, and in want: when you have been fattening
+in a rich diocese, obtained by no services to the crown, I have fought
+beside my monarch, and led his troops up to the cannon of his enemies'
+ramparts: I have sat beside him in his council of war, and ever have
+been graciously received by him in the midst of his court; and let me
+tell you, my Lord Bishop, that it is not more improbable, nay, not
+more impossible, that Louis XIV. should play a scurvy jest upon two
+respectable ecclesiastics, than that the Count of Morseiul should open
+a paper not addressed to himself."
+
+"Both good and true," my young friend, said the Duc de Rouvré; "no one
+who knows you could suspect you of such a thing for a moment."
+
+"But we may his servants," said the Abbé de St. Helie sharply, though
+he had hitherto remained silent, knowing that he himself had been the
+chief instigator of the charge, and fearing to call upon himself the
+indignation of the young Count.
+
+"Well, gentlemen," said the Count de Morseiul, "although I should have
+every right to demand that you should first of all establish the
+absolute fact of the abstraction of this packet upon proper testimony,
+I will not only permit, but even demand, that all my servants who
+accompanied me from Morseiul shall be brought in and examined one by
+one; and if you find any of them to whom you can fairly attach a
+suspicion, I will give him up to you at once, to do what you think fit
+with. I have communicated to them the contents of Monsieur de Rouvré's
+letter, but have said nothing further to them on the subject. They
+must all be arrived by this time: I beg that you would call them in
+yourselves in what order you please."
+
+"By your leave, by your leave," said the Abbé de St. Helie, seeing
+that the Bishop was about to speak; "we will have your valet;
+Jerome--I think I heard him so called. Let us have him, if you
+please."
+
+Jerome was accordingly brought in, and appeared with a face of worthy
+astonishment.
+
+Having in this instance not to deal with the Count, of whom he stood
+in some degree of awe, though that awe did not in the least diminish
+his malevolence, the Abbé de St. Helie proceeded to conduct the
+examination of Riquet himself. "You, Master Jerome Riquet," he
+commenced, "you are, I presume, of the church pretending to be
+reformed?"
+
+"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Riquet, in a tone of well assumed horror.
+"No, reverend sir, I am of the Holy Roman and Apostolical Church, and
+have never yet gone astray from it."
+
+This announcement did not well suit the purposes of the Abbé, who,
+judging from the intolerant feelings of his own heart, had never
+doubted that the confidential servant of the young Count would be
+found to be a zealous Huguenot. He exclaimed, however, "I am glad to
+hear it--I am glad to hear it! But let us speak a little further,
+Monsieur Jerome. It was you, I think, who snatched from under our good
+brother here, Monsieur le Curé de Guadrieul, a certain sheep leather
+bag, containing our commission from his Majesty. Was it not so?"
+
+"I certainly did gently withdraw from under the reverend gentleman,"
+replied Riquet, "a bag on which he was sitting, and which he took back
+again, as you saw, declaring it to be the King's commission for
+exterminating the Huguenots, which did my soul good to hear. I gave it
+back with all reverence, as you saw, and had it not in my hands a
+minute, though I did think--though I did indeed know----"
+
+"Did think? did know, what?" demanded the Abbé.
+
+"That it could not have been in safer hands than mine," added Riquet;
+and though St  Helie urged him vehemently, he could get him to give
+him no farther explanation. Angry at being foiled--and such probably
+was the result that Riquet intended to produce--the Abbé lost all
+caution and reserve. "Come, come, Master Jerome Riquet," he exclaimed
+in a sharp voice, "come, come; remember that there is such a place as
+the Bastille. Tell us the truth, sir! tell us the truth! This paper
+was stolen! You evidently know something about it! Tell us the
+truth, or means shall be found to make you. Now, answer me! If your
+baggage were searched at this moment, would not the packet be found
+therein--or have you dared to destroy it?"
+
+Jerome Riquet now affected to bristle up in turn. His eyes flashed,
+his large nostrils expanded like a pair of extinguishers, and he
+replied, "No, Abbé, no; neither the one nor the other. But since I,
+one of the King's most loyal Catholic subjects, am accused in this
+way, I will speak out  I will say that you two gentlemen should have
+taken better care of the commission yourselves, and that though not
+one scrap will be found in my valise, or in the baggage of any other
+person belonging to my lord, I would not be answerable that more than
+a scrap was not found amongst the baggage of some that are accusing
+others."
+
+"How now, sirrah," cried the Abbé de St  Helie, "do you dare to say
+that either Monsieur Pelisson or I----"
+
+"Nothing about either of you two reverend sirs," replied the valet,
+"nothing about either of you two! But first let my valise be brought
+in and examined. Monsieur has been pleased to say that there is
+something there; and I swear by every thing I hold dear, or by any
+other oath your reverences please, that I have not touched a thing in
+it since I heard of this business about the cards. Let it be brought
+in, I say, and examined. May I tell the people without, my Lord Duke,
+to bring in every thing I have in the world, and lay it down here
+before you?"
+
+The Duke immediately assented, and while Jerome Riquet, without
+entirely leaving the room, bade the attendants in the ante-chamber
+bring in every thing, every thing they could find in his room, St.
+Helie and Pelisson looked in each others faces with glances of some
+embarrassment and wonder, while the Count de Morseiul gazed sternly
+down on the table, firmly believing that Master Jerome Riquet was
+engaged in playing off some specious trick which he himself could not
+detect, and was bound not to expose.
+
+The goods and chattels of the valet were brought in, and a various and
+motley display they made; for whether he had arranged the whole on
+purpose out of sheer impudence, or had left matters to take their
+course accidentally, his valise presented a number of objects
+certainly not his own property, and to most of which his master, if he
+had remarked them, might have laid claim. The Count was silent,
+however, and though the manifold collection of silk stockings,
+ribands, lace, doublets, &c. &c. &c., were drawn forth to the very
+bottom, yet nothing the least bearing upon the question of the
+abstraction of the commission was found throughout the whole.
+
+As he shook the last vest, to show that there was nothing in it, a
+smile of triumph shone upon the countenance of Jerome Riquet, and he
+demanded, "Now, gentlemen, are you satisfied that I have no share in
+this business?"
+
+The Abbé de St  Helie was hastening to acknowledge that he was
+satisfied, for he was timid as well as malevolent; and having lost the
+hold, which he thought he might have had on Jerome Riquet, the
+menacing words which the valet had made use of filled his mind with
+apprehensions, lest some suspicion should be raised up in the mind of
+the King, or of Louvois, that he himself had had a share in the
+disappearance of the paper. Not so, however, Pelisson, who, though he
+had learnt the lesson of sycophancy and flattery with wonderful
+aptitude, was naturally a man of courage and resolution, and before
+Monsieur de St. Helie could well finish what he had to say, he
+exclaimed aloud,--
+
+"Stop, stop, Master Jerome Riquet, we are undoubtedly satisfied that
+the papers are not in your valise, and I think it probable that you
+have had nothing to do with the matter; but you threw out an
+insinuation just now of which we must hear more. What was the meaning
+of the words you made use of when you said that, you would not be
+answerable that more than a scrap was not found amongst the baggage of
+some that are accusing others?"
+
+Jerome Riquet hesitated, and either felt or affected a disinclination
+to explain himself; but Pelisson persisted, notwithstanding sundry
+twitches of the sleeve given to him both by the Abbé de St. Helie and
+the Bishop himself.
+
+"I must have this matter cleared up," said Pelisson, "and I do not
+rise till it is. Explain yourself, sir, or I shall apply both to your
+lord and to the governor, to insist upon your so doing."
+
+Jerome Riquet looked towards the Count, who immediately said, "What
+your meaning was, Riquet, you best know; but you must have had some
+meaning, and it is fit that you should explain it."
+
+"Well, then," said Riquet, shaking his head upon his shoulders with an
+important look, "what I mean is this; that if ever I saw a man who had
+an inclination to see the contents of a packet that did not belong to
+him, it was Monsieur le Curé de Guadrieul there. He knows very well
+that he talked to me for half an hour of how easy it would be to get
+the packet out of the bag, and he seemed to have a very great
+inclination to do it."
+
+While he made this insinuation, the dull, fat, leaden-looking mass of
+the Curé de Guadrieul was seen heaving with some internal convulsion:
+his breath came thick, his cheeks and his breast expanded, his eyes
+grew red and fierce, his hands trembled with rage; and starting up
+from his seat he exclaimed,--
+
+"Me? me? By the Lord I will strangle thee with my own hands," and he
+sprang towards Jerome Riquet, as if to execute his threat; while the
+governor exclaimed in a voice of thunder, "Sit down, sir; and, as you
+have joined in accusing others, learn to bear the retaliation, as
+indeed you must."
+
+"Can he deny what I say?" demanded Riquet, stretching out his three
+fore-fingers, and shaking them in the Curé's face; "can he deny that
+he talked to me for half an hour about the easiness of purloining the
+commission, and told me of a thousand instances of the same kind, that
+have taken place before now? No, he cannot deny it!"
+
+"I did talk to thee, base miscreant," said the Curé, still swelling
+with rage, "but it was to show why I always sat upon the bag, and
+slept with it under my head, ever after that affair with the robbers."
+
+"Mark that, gentlemen," said the Count de Morseiul.
+
+"Well, sir, we do mark it," said the Bishop; "that proves nothing
+against the Curé but extreme care and precaution."
+
+"Nor can I prove any thing directly, Monseigneur," cried Riquet; "but
+still I have a strange suspicion that the very night I speak of did
+not go over without the fingers of Monsieur le Curé being in the bag.
+Let me ask him another question, and let him mind how he answers it.
+Was he, or was he not, seen by more than one person dabbling at the
+mouth of the bag?"
+
+"That was only to see that the knot was fast," replied the Curé,
+glaring round him with a look of growing bewilderment and horror.
+
+"Ay, ay," continued Riquet, with a glance of calm contempt that almost
+drove the man mad; "ay, ay, all I wish is that I had an opportunity of
+looking into your baggage as you have had of looking into mine."
+
+"And so you shall, by Heaven," cried the Duc de Rouvré. "I will have
+it brought from his chamber this instant."
+
+"I don't care," cried the priest; "let it be brought; you will find
+nothing there."
+
+But the Abbé de St. Helie and the Bishop both interposed. Though
+Pelisson said nothing, and looked mortified and pained, the others
+urged every thing that they could think of for the protection of the
+baggage of the ecclesiastic, without the slightest consideration of
+equity or justice whatsoever; but the governor was firm, replying,--
+
+"Gentlemen, I will be responsible for my conduct both to the King and
+to the King of kings; and, in one word, I tell you that this baggage
+shall be examined. You have brought back the Count de Morseiul, and
+his whole train, on charges and insinuations which you have not been
+able to establish; and you would now fain shrink from a little trouble
+and inconvenience, which ought to be taken, in order to clear one of
+yourselves of an imputation accompanied by a few singular facts.
+Maître Riquet, call one of my servants from the door, but do not leave
+the room yourself."
+
+As soon as the servant appeared, the governor, notwithstanding the
+renewed opposition of the two ecclesiastics, ordered the whole baggage
+and effects of the Curé de Guadrieul to be brought down from the
+chamber that he inhabited. This was accordingly done, and besides a
+number of stray articles of apparel almost as miscellaneous in
+character and appearance as those which the opening of Riquet's valise
+had displayed, there was a large sort of trunk-mail which appeared to
+be carefully locked. The Curé had looked on with a grim and scowling
+smile while his various goods and chattels were displayed upon the
+floor of the governor's cabinet, and then turning to St. Helie with a
+growl, which might have been supposed to proceed from a calumniated
+bear, he said,--
+
+"Don't be afraid. They can't find any thing;" and advancing to his
+effects he shook them one after the other, and turned out the pockets,
+when there were any, to show that there was nothing concealed. He then
+produced a large key, and opening the trunk-mail took out, one by one,
+the various things that it contained. He had nearly got to the bottom,
+and was displaying a store of tobacco pipes, some of which were
+wrapped up in pieces of paper, some in their original naked whiteness,
+when in the midst of them appeared what seemed a tobacco box, also
+wrapped up in paper.
+
+The moment the eyes of Riquet fell upon it he exclaimed, "Stop, stop,
+what is that? There is writing on that paper. Monsieur le Duc, I pray
+you to examine what is on that paper."
+
+The eyes of the Curé, who had it in his hand, fixed for an instant
+upon the tobacco box and its envelope, and his fingers instantly
+relaxed their grasp and suffered it to drop upon the ground. Well,
+indeed, they might do so, for the very first words that were seen
+were, "I pray God to have you, Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie, in
+his holy, care," with the signature of "Louis."
+
+The governor unrolled the paper which, though it was but a fragment,
+left not the slightest doubt that it was part either of a commission
+or of a letter of instructions from the King to the two ecclesiastics.
+With his mouth wide open, his eyes ready to start from their sockets,
+his face become as pale as death, and his limbs scarcely able to
+support him, the unfortunate Curé de Guadrieul stood gasping in the
+middle of the room, unable to utter a word. All eyes were fixed upon
+him, all brows were frowning upon him, and the only thing which could
+have roused him, if it had been possible for any thing to rouse him at
+that moment, was the extraordinary face which Jerome Riquet was
+making, in a vain endeavour to mingle in his countenance a certain
+portion of compassion with contempt and reprobation. Nobody spoke for
+a moment or two after the governor had read the contents; but at
+length the Duc de Rouvré said, in a dry, severe tone,--
+
+"Secretary, you have made a note of all this; you will keep also the
+fragment of paper. My Lord the Bishop, Messieurs Pelisson and St.
+Helie, after the painful and distressing event of this examination, I
+shall make no comment whatsoever upon what has taken place. I beg that
+you would remove this personage the Curé de Guadrieul from my house,
+to do with him as you think fit. You will not, of course, be surprised
+when you remember the threatening language which you three were
+pleased to use towards myself, two days ago, in order to induce me to
+cause the arrest of the Count de Morseiul, upon a charge of crimes of
+which he was not guilty--Monsieur Pelisson, do not interrupt me: I
+know you were more moderate than the rest; but as you were acting
+together, I must look upon the words of one, your spokesman, to be the
+words of all--You will not be surprised I say, recollecting these
+facts, that I send off a special messenger to his Majesty this night,
+in order to give him my own statement of all these occurrences, and to
+beseech him to take those steps which to me seem necessary for
+maintaining the peace and tranquillity of the province. I, gentlemen,
+do not encroach upon the rights and privileges of others; and, so long
+as his Majesty is pleased to hold me in an official situation, I will
+not suffer any one to trench upon my privileges and legitimate
+authority. As the hour for the daily meeting of the states is now fast
+approaching, however, I will bid you farewell, begging you to take
+this personage with you, and, as I have said, deal with him as you
+think fit, for I wish to exercise no severity upon any ecclesiastic."
+
+The persons he addressed had nothing to say in reply, though the
+Bishop thought fit to harangue the little party for a moment upon his
+own authority and high dignity, and Pelisson endeavoured to involve a
+bad business in a cloud of words. They were all, however, desperately
+mortified, and not a little alarmed; for there was no doubt that they
+had proceeded far beyond the point where their legitimate authority
+ended, in pressing the governor to severe measures against the Count
+de Morseiul. The loss of the packet, too, might now be attributed to
+themselves, instead of to him; the delay in executing the King's will,
+as it had been expressed, would be laid to their charge; the Duc de
+Rouvré was evidently highly irritated against them, and his
+representations to the throne on the subject were likely to be
+listened to with peculiar attention, as they were coupled with the
+announcement to the King that the states, by his skilful management,
+had voted at once a much larger sum as a gift than any one at the
+court had anticipated. All these considerations alarmed the whole
+party, though indeed Pelisson, who had more knowledge of human nature
+than the other two, trusted, with some degree of hope, that the cloak
+of religious zeal would cover all other sins. His greatest
+apprehension proceeded from the supposition that the King would cast
+the blame of the loss of the packet on themselves, and would attribute
+the negligence which had caused it to want of respect to his person.
+He therefore set himself straightway to consider how such a result
+might be obviated. The Bishop and the Abbé de St. Helie took an
+unceremonious leave of the governor and his friend, and pushing the
+culprit Curé of Guadrieul out before them, quitted the cabinet in
+haste. Pelisson paused for a moment to say a word or two more in order
+to mitigate, as far as possible, the severity of the governor's
+report; but Monsieur de Rouvré was in no very placable mood, and the
+conference soon terminated, leaving the governor and the Count to
+discuss the affair, half laughingly, half seriously.
+
+The invitation of the Duc de Rouvré was now pressing and strong, that
+the young Count de Morseiul should remain at least two days longer at
+Poitiers, and he coupled that invitation with the direct intimation
+that it was most necessary he should do so, as he the Duke had yet to
+learn in some degree the temper of the states in regard to the
+important questions between the Catholics and Protestants. The young
+Count consequently agreed to remain; taking the precaution, however,
+of writing at full to Claude de l'Estang, and sending off the letter
+by one of his own trustworthy servants, beseeching him to draw up the
+petition which the Protestant gentry had agreed upon, and to have it
+ready by the time at which he proposed to arrive at Morseiul.
+
+During the greater part of those two days which followed he saw little
+of Clémence de Marly. Without any cause assigned, she had been absent
+from all the spots where he was most likely to see her, except on
+those occasions when she was necessarily surrounded by a crowd. After
+breakfast, she remained but a moment in the salle: on the first day
+she did not appear at dinner; and on the second, she was absent from
+the breakfast table. The Chevalier d'Evran was also absent, and every
+thing tended to confirm, in the mind of the young Count de Morseiul,
+the impression which he had received, that his friend was the lover of
+her whom he himself loved, and that some cause of disagreement, either
+temporary or permanent, had arisen between them. Nothing, however,
+tended to confirm this idea more than the appearance of Clémence
+herself when she was present. There was an anxiety in the expression
+of her eyes; a thoughtfulness about her brow; an impatience of
+society; an occasional absence of mind, which was hardly to be
+mistaken. Her whole appearance was that of a person struggling with
+strong feelings, which were in reality getting the mastery.
+
+She showed no particular inclination after his return--except as we
+have seen on the first evening--to speak with the Count de Morseiul,
+either in public or in private. Words of civility passed between them,
+of course, and every little courtesy was, perhaps, more scrupulously
+observed than usual with her; but on that evening which closed the
+last day of the young Count's proposed stay, a change took place.
+
+A large party had assembled at the governor's house; and though he
+himself looked both grave and anxious, he was doing the honours of his
+dwelling to every one with as much courtesy as possible, when
+suddenly, seeing the Count de Morseiul standing alone, near the
+doorway of the second room, he crossed over to speak with him, saying,
+"Albert, Clémence was seeking for you a moment ago. Where is she? have
+you seen her?"
+
+Ere the young Count could reply, Clémence de Marly herself came up, as
+if about to speak with the Duke, whose hand she took in hers, in the
+sort of daughter-like manner in which she always behaved to him.
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul," she said, with a thoughtful lustre shining in
+her eyes, and giving a deeper and brighter expression to her whole
+countenance, "I have come to take refuge with you from that young De
+Hericourt, who evidently intends to persecute me during the whole
+evening.--But stay, stay, Monseigneur," she added, turning to the
+Duke, who seemed about to leave them, to speak with some one else:
+"before you go, hear what I am going to say to Monsieur de Morseiul.
+You are going, Count, I hear, to take your departure to-morrow morning
+early: if you would walk with me for half an hour in the gardens ere
+you leave us, you would much oblige me, as I wish to speak with
+you.--Now, dear King of Poitou," she continued, turning to the Duke,
+"you may go. I have no more secrets to make you a witness of."
+
+The Duke replied not exactly to her words, but seemed fully to
+comprehend them; and saying, "Not to-night, Clémence! remember, not
+tonight!" he left her under the charge of the Count de Morseiul, and
+proceeded to attend to his other guests.
+
+Placed in a situation somewhat strange, and, as it were, forced to
+appear as one of the attendant train of the bright and beautiful girl,
+from whose dangerous fascinations he was eager to fly, for a single
+instant Albert of Morseiul felt slightly embarrassed; but unexpected
+situations seldom so much affected him as to produce any thing like
+ungraceful hesitation of manner. Clémence de Marly might not, perhaps,
+even perceive that the Count was at all embarrassed, for she was
+deeply occupied with her own fancies; and though she conversed with
+him not gaily, but intelligently, there was evidently another train of
+thought going on in her breast all the time, which sometimes made her
+answer wide from the mark, and then smile at her own absence of mind.
+
+The eyes of the young Marquis de Hericourt followed her wherever she
+turned, and certainly bore not the most placable expression towards
+the Count de Morseiul; but his anger or his watching disturbed neither
+Clémence nor her companion, who both had busy thoughts enough to
+occupy them. After some time the excitement of the dance seemed to
+rouse Clémence from her musing fit; and, though confined to subjects
+of ordinary interest, the conversation between her and the Count
+became of a deeper tone and character, and her heart seemed to take
+part in it as well as her mind. Albert of Morseiul felt it far more
+dangerous than before; for though they might but speak of a picture,
+or a statue, or a song, with which he could have conversed with a
+connoisseur of any kind, perhaps with more profit, as far as mere
+knowledge of the subject went, yet there was a refinement of taste
+evident in the manner in which Clémence viewed every thing, a
+sparkling grace given by her imagination to every subject that she
+touched upon, when her feelings were really interested therein, which
+was very, very winning to a mind like that of Albert de Morseiul.
+
+Is it possible, under such circumstances, always to be upon one's
+guard? Is it possible, when the heart loves deeply, always to conquer
+it with so powerful an effort, as not to let it have the rule even for
+an hour? If it be, such was not the case with the young Count de
+Morseiul. He forgot not his resolutions, it is true; but he gave
+himself up to happiness for the moment, and spoke with warmth,
+enthusiasm, and eagerness, which can seldom, if ever, be displayed to
+a person we do not love. There was a light, too, in his eye when he
+gazed on Clémence de Marly--a look in which regret was mingled with
+tenderness, and in which the cloud of despair only shadowed, but did
+not darken the fire of passion--which might well show her, unless her
+eyes were dazzled by their own light, that she was loved, and loved by
+a being of a higher and more energetic character than those which
+usually surrounded her.
+
+Perhaps she did see it--perhaps she did not grieve to see it--for her
+eyes became subdued by his; her mellow and beautiful voice took a
+softer tone; the colour came and went in her cheek; and before the end
+of the dance in which they were engaged, her whole appearance, her
+whole manner, made the Count ask himself, "What am I doing?"
+
+Clémence de Marly seemed to have addressed the same question to her
+own heart; for as soon as the dance was over, the cloud of thoughtful
+sadness came back upon her brow, and she said, "I am fatigued. I shall
+dance no more to-night. All the people are doubtless come now, and
+dear Madame de Rouvré will move no more; so I shall go and set myself
+down in state beside her, and get her to shield me from annoyance
+to-night."
+
+The Count led her towards the Duchess, intending himself to seek his
+chamber soon after; but as they went, Clémence said to him in a low
+tone, "Do you see that pretty girl sitting there by her mother, old
+Madame de Marville, so modest, and so gentle and retiring. She is as
+good a little creature as ever breathed, and as pretty, yet nobody
+leads her out to dance. If I had a brother, I should like him to marry
+that girl. She would not bring him fortune, but she would bring him
+happiness. I wish, Monsieur de Morseiul, you would go and ask her to
+dance."
+
+Though he was anxious to retire, and full of other thoughts, Albert of
+Morseiul would not have refused for the world; and Clémence, leading
+him up to her friend, said, "Annette, here is Monsieur le Comte de
+Morseiul wishes to dance with you: I am sure you will, for your
+friend's sake."
+
+The young lady bowed her head with a slight timid blush, and rising,
+allowed the Count to lead her to the dance.
+
+No great opportunity of conversing existed; but Albert of Morseiul
+took especial pains to show himself as courteous and as kind as
+possible. Annette de Marville led the conversation herself to Clémence
+de Marly, and nothing could exceed the enthusiastic admiration with
+which she spoke of her friend. Perhaps a little to the surprise of the
+Count, she never mentioned Clémence's beauty, or her grace, or her
+wit; matters which, in those days, and at the court of Louis XIV.,
+were the only topics for praise, the only attractions coveted. She
+spoke of her high and noble feelings, her enthusiastic and
+affectionate heart; and, in answer to something which the Count said
+not quite so laudatory as she would have had it, she exclaimed,--
+
+"Oh! but Clémence does not do herself justice in the world. It is only
+to those who know her most intimately that her shy heart will show
+itself."
+
+The words sunk into the mind of the Count de Morseiul; and when the
+dance was concluded, and he had led back his fair companion to her
+seat, he retired speedily to his own apartments, to meditate over what
+he had heard, and what had taken place.
+
+
+
+
+                       END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+
+                               VOL. II.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 THE
+
+                               HUGUENOT
+
+                                A TALE
+
+                                  OF
+
+                       THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.
+
+
+
+
+                           BY THE AUTHOR OF
+
+                      "THE GIPSY," "THE ROBBER,"
+                               &c. &c.
+
+
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+                          IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+                               VOL. II.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                               LONDON:
+
+                             PRINTED FOR
+
+               LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
+
+                           PATERNOSTER-ROW.
+
+                                1839.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                          THE EXPLANATIONS.
+
+
+Silent and lonely thought is a sad dispeller of enchantments. Under
+its power, the visions, and hopes, and indistinct dreams, which had
+fluttered before the eyes of the Count de Morseiul during the magic
+moments he had passed with Clémence de Marly, fled like fairies at the
+approach of the sun, within a very short period after he had retired
+to his chamber; and all that remained was a sort of reproachful
+mournful ness, when he thought over his own conduct and the indulgence
+of those feelings which he feared he had displayed but too plainly.
+With such thoughts he lay down to rest; but they were not soothing
+companions of the pillow, and it was long ere he slept. From time to
+time he heard the sound of music from the halls below; and in the
+intervals, when some open door gave a freer passage to the sound, gay
+laughing voices came merry on the ear, speaking cheerfulness, and
+happiness, and contentment, and ignorance, of the cares and sorrows
+and anxieties of life.
+
+"Alas!" thought the Count, as he lay and listened, "alas! that such
+bright illusions should ever pass away, and that those should ever
+learn the touch of grief and anguish and despair, who are now laughing
+in the heedless merriment of youth, unconscious of danger or of
+sorrow. And yet, perhaps," he continued, "could we lay bare the hearts
+of those now seemingly so gay--could we examine what is their ordinary
+state, and what their feelings were, even a few short moments before
+they entered those saloons--we might find there also as much care and
+pain as in any other scene of life, and bless the glad merriment that
+lulls human pangs and anxieties for a time, though it cannot quench
+them altogether."
+
+Though he went to sleep late, he rose early on the following morning,
+not forgetful of his appointment with Clémence de Marly. Fearful,
+however, that she might be in the gardens before him, he dressed
+himself and hastened out without the loss of a single minute, not a
+little anxious to know what was the nature of the communication which
+she had to make to him, and with which the Duc de Rouvré was evidently
+acquainted. He was in truth, anxious in regard to every part of their
+conversation, he was anxious in regard to its result; but still he did
+not lay out at all the conduct he was to pursue towards her, feeling
+that he had wakened from the dream of the evening before, and was not
+likely to indulge in such visions again. There was nobody in the part
+of the garden near the house; and he walked on in the direction which
+she had pointed out to him, till he had nearly reached the rampart,
+and thus satisfied himself that she had not yet arrived. He then
+turned back by the same path, and before he had gone half way down, he
+beheld Clémence coming towards him, but at some distance.
+
+She was certainly looking more lovely than ever; and he could not but
+feel that, even in her very gayest and most sparkling moods, there was
+a charm wanting in comparison with her more serious and thoughtful
+aspect. Clémence was now evidently a good deal agitated. It often
+happens, when we have an act of importance to perform, especially when
+that act is unusual to us, that even in revolving it in our own minds,
+and preparing for the moment, we overpower ourselves, as it were, by
+the force of our own thoughts, and, by guarding against agitation,
+give agitation the better opportunity to assail us.
+
+Albert of Morseiul saw that Clémence was much moved, and he prepared
+to soothe her by every means in his power. The only efficacious means
+being to draw her attention to ordinary things. "Let me offer you my
+arm," he said in a kindly tone; and leading her on, he spoke of the
+beauty of the morning, and then of Anette de Marville, and then of
+other indifferent things. Clémence seemed to understand his object;
+and though she at first smiled, as if to intimate that she did so, she
+gave her mind up to his guidance, and for five or ten minutes touched
+upon no subject but the most ordinary topics of conversation. As they
+approached the rampart, however, and she had an opportunity of looking
+along it, and ascertaining that there was no one there, she said,--
+
+"Now I am better, now I can speak of other things.--Monsieur de
+Morseiul," she continued, "although I am accustomed to do
+extraordinary things, and to behave, in many respects, unlike other
+people, I dare say you do not suppose that I would have taken the very
+bold step of asking any gentleman to meet me here, as I have done you
+this day, without a motive sufficient to justify me, even in your
+sight."
+
+"I am quite sure of it," replied the Count; "and though you may think
+me, perhaps, a harsh censor, I am not at all inclined to be so in your
+case."
+
+"Indeed?" she said, with a somewhat mournful shake of the head;
+"Indeed?--But, however, Monsieur de Morseiul, what I have to tell you
+is substantial, real, and more important than any feelings or
+inclinations. I shall have to pain you--to grieve you--to call up
+apprehensions--to prepare you, perhaps, for suffering! Oh God!" she
+cried, bursting suddenly into tears, "that I should have to do this!"
+
+The Count took her hand and pressed it to his lips, and besought her
+to be calm and soothed. "Do not be apprehensive, do not be grieved,"
+he said: "calm yourself, dear lady, calm yourself, Clémence! I am
+prepared for much sorrow; I am prepared for danger and anxiety. I have
+for some time seen nothing but clouds and storms in the future!"
+
+"But not such as these," replied Clémence, "not such as these. But I
+will not keep you in suspense, for that is worse than all now. The
+task, though a painful one, has been of my own seeking. First,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, to speak of that which I know is dearest to
+your heart--your religious liberty is in danger--it is more than in
+danger--it is at an end. The whole resolutions of the court are now
+made known--at least, amongst the principal Catholics of France. The
+reformed church is to be swept away--there is no longer to be any but
+one religion tolerated throughout the kingdom--your temples are to be
+overthrown--your ministers to be forbidden, on pain of death, to
+worship God as their forefathers have done--the edict of Nantes is to
+be revoked entirely;" and, clasping her hands together, she gazed in
+his face, while she added, in a low, tremulous, but distinct, voice,
+"you are to be driven to the mass at the point of the pike--your
+children are to be taken from you to be educated in another faith!"
+
+Till she uttered the last words Albert de Morseiul had remained with
+his eyes bent upon the ground, though deep feelings of agitation were
+evident in every line of his fine countenance. But when she spoke of
+the Protestants being driven to mass at the point of the pike, and
+their children being taken from them to be educated in the Catholic
+religion, he threw back his head, gazing up to heaven with a look of
+firm determination, while his left hand, by a natural movement, fell
+upon the hilt of his sword.
+
+Clémence de Marly, as he did so, gazed upon him earnestly through the
+tears that were still in her eyes, and then exclaimed, as she saw how
+terribly moved he was, "These are dreadful tidings for me to tell
+Monsieur de Morseiul; you must hate me, I am sure you must hate me!"
+
+"Hate you?" exclaimed the Count, clasping both her hands in his, while
+in that agitating moment--carried away by the strength of his own
+feelings, and by the tokens she displayed of deep interest in him and
+his--every barrier gave way before the passion of his heart. "Hate
+you? oh God! I love you but too well, too deeply--better, more deeply,
+than you can ever know, or divine, or dream of!"
+
+Clémence turned away her head, with a face glowing like the rose; but
+she left her hands in his, without an effort to withdraw them, though
+she exclaimed, "Say not so! say not so!--Or at least," she added,
+turning round once more towards him--"say not so till you have heard
+all; for I have much, much more to tell, more painful, more terrible
+still. Let me have one moment to recover," and, withdrawing her hands,
+she placed them over her eyes for an instant. After a very brief pause
+she added, "Now, Monsieur de Morseiul, I can go on. You are here in
+great danger. You have been in great danger ever since you have been
+here; and it has only been the power and authority of the Duke that
+has protected you. After your first intercourse with the governor, the
+bishop and the two ecclesiastics, a party has been made in the town,
+in the states, and in the province, against you, and, alas! against
+the good Duc de Rouvré too. Finding that they were likely to incur the
+anger of the King for something that had happened, if they did not
+make good their own case against you, they have laboured, I may say,
+night and day, to counteract the measures of the Duke with the states,
+so as to make him obnoxious to the King. They have pretended that
+you,--while you were here before--held illegal meetings with Huguenots
+in the neighbourhood, in order to oppose and frustrate the measures of
+the King. They have got the intendant of the province upon their side,
+and they insisted, to Monsieur de Rouvré, on your being instantly
+arrested, they having proffered distinct information of your having
+held a meeting with other Protestant noblemen, about three miles from
+this place, on the day of the hunting. Do you remember that day?"
+
+"I shall never forget it!" replied the Count, gazing upon her with a
+look that made her eyes sink again.
+
+"Well," she continued, "Monsieur de Rouvré would not consent; and when
+the intendant threatened to arrest you on his own responsibility, the
+governor was obliged to say that he would defend you, and protect you,
+if necessary, by the interposition of the military force at his
+command. This created a complete breach, which is now only apparently
+healed. Both parties have applied to the King, and Monsieur de Rouvré
+entertained the strongest hopes till yesterday that the decision would
+have been in his favour, both inasmuch as justice was on his side, and
+as he had obtained from the states a large supply, which he knew would
+be most gratifying and acceptable to the court; but suddenly,
+yesterday morning, news arrived of the general measures which the
+council intended to pursue. These I have already told you, and they
+showed the Duke that every thing would give way to bigotry and
+superstition. Various letters communicated the same intelligence to
+others as well as to the Duke, but I having----"
+
+She paused and hesitated, while the colour came and went rapidly in
+her cheek. "Speak, dear lady, speak," said the Count eagerly.
+
+"I believe I may speak," she said, "after something that you said but
+now. I was going to say that, I having before taken upon me, perhaps
+sillily, when first these men brought their false charge against you,
+to meddle with this business, from feelings that I must not and cannot
+explain, and having then made the Duke tell me the whole business, by
+earnest prayers and entreaties--that he seeing that I was--that I was
+interested in the matter, told me all the rest, and gave me permission
+to tell you the whole this morning, in order that you may guard
+against the measures that he fears are coming; 'I mustn't tell him
+myself,' he said, 'and, as the business has been communicated alone to
+Catholics, he is not likely to hear it, till too late. Nevertheless,
+it is no secret, the matter having been told openly to at least twenty
+people in this town. You can therefore do it yourself, Clémence, that
+he may not say I have lured him back here into the jaws of his
+enemies.' Thus then Monsieur de Morseiul," she continued more
+collectedly, "thus it is that I have acted as I have acted; and oh, if
+you would take my advice, painful as I acknowledge it is to give it,
+you would proceed instantly to Morseiul, and then either fly to
+England, or to some other country where you will be in safety."
+
+"How shall I thank you!" replied Albert of Morseiul, taking her hand,
+and casting behind him all consideration of his own fate and that of
+his fellow Protestants, to be thought of at an after moment, while,
+for the time, he gave his whole attention to the words which he had
+himself just spoken with regard to his love for Clémence de Marly "How
+shall I ever thank you for the interest you have taken in me, for your
+kindness, for your generous kindness, and for all the pain that this I
+see has caused you! Pray, Clémence, pray add one more boon to those
+you have conferred, forgive the rash and presumptuous words I spoke
+just now--and forget them also."
+
+"Forget them!" exclaimed Clémence, clasping her hands and raising her
+bright eyes to his. "Forget them! Never, as long as I have being!
+Forgive them, Monsieur de Morseiul; that were easily done if I could
+believe them true."
+
+"They are as true as Heaven!" replied the Count; "But oh, Clémence,
+Clémence, lead me not away into false dreams! lead me not away to
+think that possible which is impossible.--Can it, ought it to be?"
+
+"I know not what you mean," replied Clémence, with a look
+somewhat bewildered, somewhat hurt. "All I know is, Monsieur de
+Morseiul, that you have spoken words which justify me to myself for
+feelings--ay, and perhaps for actions,--in regard to which I was
+doubtful--fearful--which sometimes made me blush when I thought of
+them. The words that you have spoken take away that blush. I feel that
+I had not mistaken you; but yet," she added, "tell me before you go,
+for I feel that it must be soon. What is it that you mean? What is the
+import of your question?"
+
+"Oh, it means much and many things, Clémence," replied the Count: "it
+takes in a wide range of painful feelings; and when I acknowledge, and
+again and again say, that the words I have spoken are true as Heaven;
+when, again and again, I say that I love you deeply, devotedly,
+entirely, better than aught else on earth, I grieve that I have said
+them, I feel that I have done wrong."
+
+Clémence de Marly withdrew her hand, not sharply, not coldly, but
+mournfully, and she raised her fair countenance towards the sky as if
+asking, with apprehension at her heart, "What is thy will, oh
+Heaven?"--"Albert of Morseiul," she said, "if you have any cause to
+regret that those words have been spoken, let them be for ever between
+us as if unspoken. They shall never by me be repeated to any one. You
+may perhaps one day, years hence," and as she spoke her eyes filled
+with tears,--"you may perhaps regret what you are now doing; but it
+will be a consolation to you then to know, that even though you spoke
+words of love and then recalled them, they were ever, as they ever
+shall be, a consolation and a comfort to me. The only thing on earth
+that I could fear was the blame of my own heart for having thought you
+loved me,--and perhaps loved," she added, while a deep blush again
+spread over all her countenance, "and perhaps loved, when you did not.
+You have shielded me from that blame: you have taken away all
+self-reproach; and now God speed you, Albert! Choose your own path,
+follow the dictates of your own heart, and your own conscience, and
+farewell!"
+
+"Stay, stay, Clémence," said the Count de Morseiul, detaining her by
+the hand. "Yet listen to me; yet hear me a few words farther!"
+
+She turned round upon him with one of her former smiles. "You know how
+easily such requests are granted," she said; "you know how willingly I
+would fain believe you all that is noble, and just, and honourable,
+and perfectly incapable of trifling with a woman's heart."
+
+"First, then," said the Count, "let me assure you that the words I
+have spoken were not, as you seemed to have imagined, for your ear
+alone, to be disavowed before the world. Ever shall I be ready,
+willing, eager to avow those words, and the love I feel, and have
+spoken of, will never, can never die away in my heart. But oh,
+Clémence, do you remember the words that passed between us in this
+very garden, as to whether a woman could love twice? Do you remember
+what you acknowledged yourself on that occasion?"
+
+"And do you believe, then," said Clémence, "after all that you have
+seen, that I have ever loved? Do you believe," she said, with the
+bright but scornful smile that sometimes crossed her lip, "that
+because Clémence de Marly has suffered herself to be surrounded
+by fools and coxcombs, the one to neutralise and oppose the
+other--whereas if she had not done so, she must have chosen one from
+the herd to be her lord and master, and have become his slave--do you
+imagine, I say, that she has fallen in love with pretty Monsieur de
+Hericourt, with his hair frizzled like a piece of pastry, his wit as
+keen as a baby's wooden sword, and his courage of that high
+discriminating quality which might be well led on by a child's
+trumpet? Or with the German prince, who, though a brave man and not
+without sense, is as courteous as an Italian mountebank's dancing
+bear, who thinks himself the pink of politeness when he hands round a
+hat to gather the sous, growling between his teeth all the time that
+he does so? Or with the Duc de Melcourt, who though polished and keen,
+and brave as his sword, is as cold-hearted as the iron that lies
+within that scabbard, and in seeking Clémence de Marly seeks three
+requisite things to accomplish a French nobleman's household, a large
+fortune which may pay cooks and serving men, and give at least two
+gilded coaches more: a handsome wife that cares nothing for her
+husband, and is not likely to disturb him by her love; and some
+influence at court which may obtain for him the next blue riband
+vacant?--Out upon them all!" she added vehemently; "and fie, fie, fie,
+upon you, Albert of Morseiul! If I thought that you could love a
+person of whom you judged so meanly, I should believe you unworthy of
+another thought from me."
+
+It is useless to deny, that every word she spoke was pleasant to the
+ear of the Count de Morseiul; but yet she had not exactly touched the
+point towards which his own apprehensions regarding her had turned,
+and though he did not choose to name the Chevalier, he still went on.
+"I have thought nothing of the kind you speak of Clémence," he
+replied, "but I may have thought it possible for you to have met with
+another more worthy of your thoughts and of your affection than any of
+these; that you may have loved him; and that on some quarrel, either
+temporary or permanent, your indignation towards him, and your
+determination not to let him see the pain he has occasioned, may have
+made you fancy yourself in love with another. May not this be the
+case? But still, even were it not so, there is much--But I ask," he
+added, seeing the colour of Clémence fluttering like the changing
+colours on the plumage of a bird, "but I ask again, may it not have
+been so?"
+
+Clémence gazed at him intently and steadfastly for a moment, and there
+was evidently a struggle going on in her breast of some kind. Perhaps
+Albert of Morseiul might misunderstand the nature of that struggle;
+indeed, it is clear he did so in some degree, for it certainly
+confirmed him in the apprehensions which he had entertained. The air
+and the expression of Clémence varied considerably while she gazed
+upon him. For a moment there was the air of proud beauty and careless
+caprice with which she treated the lovers of whom she had just spoken
+so lightly; and the next, as some memory seemed to cross her mind, the
+haughty look died away into one of subdued tenderness and affection.
+An instant after, sadness and sorrow came over her face like a cloud,
+and her eyes appeared to be filling with irrepressible tears. She
+conquered that, too; and when she replied, it was with a smile so
+strangely mingled with various expressions, that it was difficult to
+discern which predominated. There was a certain degree of pride in her
+tone; there was sorrow upon her brow; and yet there was a playfulness
+round her eyes and lips, as if something made her happy amidst it all.
+
+"Such might be the case," she replied, "such is very likely to be the
+case with all women. But pray, Sir--having settled it all so well and
+so wisely--who was the favoured person who had thus won Clémence de
+Marly's love, while some few others were seeking for it in vain? Your
+falcon, Fancy, was certainly not without a lure. I see it clearly,
+Monsieur de Morseiul."
+
+"It might be one," replied the Count, "whose rival I would never
+become, even were other things done away; it might be one long and
+deeply regarded by myself."
+
+"The Chevalier, the Chevalier!" exclaimed Clémence, with her whole
+face brightening into a merry smile. "No, no, no! You have been
+deceiving yourself. No, no, Count; the Chevalier d'Evran never has
+been, never will be, any thing to me but that which he is now; we have
+had no quarrel, we have had no coldness. It is quite possible,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, believe me, even for a weak woman like myself to
+feel friendship and place confidence without love."
+
+She strove in some degree to withdraw the hand that the Count had
+taken, as if she were about to leave him; but the Count detained it,
+gently saying, "Stay yet one moment, Clémence; let us yet have but one
+word more of explanation before we part."
+
+"No," she replied, disengaging her hand, "no; we have had explanations
+enough. Never wed a woman of whom you have a single doubt, Sir. No,
+no," she added, with a look slightly triumphant perhaps, somewhat
+sorrowful, but somewhat playful withal; "no, no! Clémence de Marly has
+already, perhaps, said somewhat too much already! But one thing I will
+tell you, Albert of Morseiul--you love her! She sees it, she knows it,
+and from henceforth she will not doubt it--for a woman does not trust
+by halves like a man. You love her! You will love her! and, though you
+have perhaps somewhat humiliated her; though you have made the proud
+humble and the gay melancholy, it is perhaps no bad lesson for her,
+and she will now make you sue, before you gain as a previous lover
+that which you now seem to require some pressing to accept  Adieu,
+Monsieur de Morseiul; there is, I see, somebody coming; adieu."
+
+"Stay yet a moment, Clémence; hear me yet urge something in my
+defence," exclaimed her lover. But Clémence proceeded down the steps
+from the rampart, only pausing and turning to say in a tone of greater
+tenderness and interest,--
+
+"Farewell, Albert, farewell; and for God's sake forget not the warning
+that I gave you this morning, nor any of the matters so much more
+worthy of attention than the worthless love of a gay capricious girl."
+
+Thus saying, she hastened on, and passing by the person who was coming
+forward from the house--and who was merely a servant attached to the
+Count de Morseiul, as usual hunting out his master to interrupt him at
+the most inappropriate time--she hurried to a small door to the left
+of the building, entered, and mounting a back staircase which led
+towards her own apartments, she sought shelter therein from all the
+many eyes that were at that time beginning to move about the place;
+for her face was a tablet on which strong and recent emotion was
+deeply and legibly written.
+
+Nor had that emotion passed, indeed; but, on the contrary, new and
+agitating thoughts had been swelling upon her all the way through the
+gardens, as she returned alone--the memories of one of those short but
+important lapses of time which change with the power of an enchanter
+the whole course of our being, which alter feeling and thoughts and
+hope and expectation, give a different direction to aspiration and
+effort and ambition, which add wings and a fiery sword to enthusiasm,
+and, in fact, turn the thread of destiny upon a new track through the
+labyrinth of life.
+
+There was in the midst of those memories one bright and beautiful
+spot; but it was mingled with so many contending feelings--there was
+so much alloy to that pure gold--that, when at length she reached her
+dressing-room and cast herself into a chair, she became completely
+overpowered, and, bursting into tears, wept bitterly and long.
+
+The old and faithful attendant whom Albert of Morseiul
+ had seen with
+her in the forest, and who was indeed far superior to the station
+which she filled, both by talents, education, and heart, now
+witnessing the emotion of her young mistress, glided up and took her
+hand in hers, trying by every quiet attention to tranquillise and
+soothe her. It was in vain, for a long time, however, that she did so;
+and when at length Clémence had recovered in some degree her
+composure, and began to dry her eyes, the attendant asked, eagerly,
+"Dear, dear child, what is it has grieved you so?"
+
+"I will tell you, Maria; I will tell you in a minute," replied
+Clémence. "You who have been a sharer of all my thoughts from my
+infancy--you who were given me as a friend by the dear mother I have
+lost--you who have preserved for me so much, and have preserved me
+myself so often--I will tell you all and every thing. I will have no
+concealment in this from you; for I feel, as if I were a prophet, that
+terrible and troublous times are coming; that it is my fate to take a
+deep and painful part therein; and that I shall need one like you to
+counsel, and advise, and assist, and support me in many a danger, and,
+for aught I know, in many a calamity."
+
+"Dear Clémence, dear child," said the attendant, "I will ever do my
+best to soothe and comfort you; and what little assistance I can give
+shall be given; but I have trusted and I have hoped for many days--now
+both from what I have seen and what I have heard--that there was a
+stronger hand than that of a weak old woman soon about to be plighted
+to support and defend you for life."
+
+"Who do you mean?" exclaimed Clémence eagerly; "who are you speaking
+of, Maria?"
+
+"Can you not divine?" demanded the old lady; "can you not divine that
+I mean him that we saw in the forest--him, who seemed to my old eyes
+to wed you then, with the ring that your mother gave you, when she
+told you never to part with it to any one but to the man who was to
+place it again on your finger as your husband."
+
+"Good heaven!" exclaimed Clémence, "I never thought of that! I am his
+wife then, Maria--at least I shall ever consider myself such."
+
+"But will he consider you so too?" demanded the attendant; "and do you
+love him enough to consider him so, dear child? I have never seen you
+love any one yet, and I only began to hope that you would love him
+when I saw your colour change as often as his name was mentioned."
+
+"I have said I would tell you all, Maria," replied Clémence, "and I
+will tell you all. I never have loved any one before; and how could I,
+surrounded as I have been by the empty, and the vain, and the
+vicious,--by a crowd so full of vices, and so barren of virtues, that
+a man thought himself superior to the whole world, if he had but one
+good quality to recommend him: and what were the qualities on which
+they piqued themselves? If a man had wit, he thought himself a match
+for an empress; if he had courage, though that, to say the truth, was
+the most general quality, he felt himself privileged to be a
+libertine, and a gamester, and an atheist; and, instead of feeling
+shame, he gloried in his faults. How could I love any of such men? How
+could I esteem them--the first step to love? I have but heard one
+instance of true affection in the court of France--that of poor Conti
+to the King's daughter; and I never fancied myself such a paragon as
+to be the second woman that could raise such attachment. Nothing less,
+however, would satisfy me, and therefore I determined to shape my
+course accordingly. I resolved to let the crowd that chose it follow,
+and flatter, and affect to worship, as much as ever they so pleased.
+It was their doing, not mine. I mean not to say that it did not please
+and amuse me: I mean not to say that I did not feel some sort of
+satisfaction--which I now see was wrong to feel--in using as slaves,
+in ordering here and there, in trampling upon and mortifying a set of
+beings that I contemned and despised, and that valued me alone for
+gifts which I valued not myself. Had there been one man amongst them
+that at all deserved me--that gave one thought to my mind or to my
+heart, rather than to my beauty or my fortune--he would have hated me
+for the manner in which I treated him and others; and I might have
+learned to love him, even while he learned to contemn me. Such was not
+the case, however, for there was not one that did so. Had I declared
+my determination of never marrying, to be the slave of a being I
+despised, they would soon have put me in a convent, or at least have
+tried to do so; and I feared they might. Therefore it was I went on
+upon the same plan, sitting like a waxen virgin in a shrine, letting
+adorers come and worship as much as they pleased, and taking notice of
+none. There is not one of them that can say that I ever gave him aught
+but a cutting speech, or an expression of my contempt  It is now
+several years ago, but you must remember it well, when we were first
+with the Duke at Ruffigny."
+
+"Oh, I remember it well," replied the attendant, "and the hunting, and
+your laying down the bridle like a wild careless girl, as you then
+were, and the horse running away with you, and this very Count de
+Morseiul saving you by stopping it  Ay, I remember it all well, and
+you told me how gallant and handsome he looked, and all he had said;
+and I laughed, and told you you were in love with him."
+
+"I was not in love," replied Clémence, with the colour slightly
+deepening in her cheek, "I was not in love; but I might soon have been
+so even then. I thought a great deal about him; I was very young, had
+mixed not at all with the world, and he was certainly at that time, in
+personal appearance, what might well realise the dream of a young and
+enthusiastic imagination.--He is older and graver now," she added,
+musing, "and time has made a change on him; but yet I scarcely think
+he is less handsome. However, I thought of him a good deal then,
+especially after I had met him the second time, and discovered who he
+was: and I thought of him often afterwards. Wherever there was any
+gallant action done, I was sure to listen eagerly, expecting to hear
+his name.--And how often did I hear it, Maria! Not a campaign passed
+but some new praises fell upon the Count de Morseiul. He had defended
+this post like some ancient hero, against whole legions of the enemy.
+He had thrown himself into that small fort, which was considered
+untenable, and held an army at bay for weeks. He had been the first to
+plant his foot on the breach; he had been the last in the rear upon a
+retreat. The peasant's cottage, the citizen's fire-side, owed their
+safety to him; and the ministers of another religion than his own had
+found shelter and protection beneath his sword. I know not how it was,
+but when all these tales were told me, his image always rose up before
+me as I had seen him, and I pictured him in every action. I could see
+him leading the charging squadrons. I could see him standing in the
+deadly breach. I could see the women and the children, and the
+conquered and the wounded, clinging to his knees, and could see him
+saving them. I did not love him, Maria, but I thought of him a great
+deal more than of any one else in all the world. Well, then, after
+some years, came the last great service that he rendered us, not many
+weeks ago, and was not his demeanour then, Maria--was not his whole
+air and conduct in the midst of danger to himself and others--the
+peremptory demand of our liberation--the restoration of the ring I
+valued--the easy unshaken courtesy in a moment of agitation and
+risk,--was it not all noble, all chivalrous, all such as a woman's
+imagination might well dwell upon?"
+
+"It was, indeed," replied Maria, "and ever since then I have thought
+that you loved him."
+
+"In the mean time," continued Clémence, "in the mean time I had also
+become sadly spoilt. I had grown capricious, and vain, and haughty, by
+indulging such feelings for several years, in pursuit of my own
+system; and when the Count appeared at Poitiers, I do not know that I
+was inclined to treat him well. Not that I would ever have behaved to
+him as I did to others; but I scarcely knew how to behave better. I
+believed myself privileged to say and do any thing I thought right, to
+exact any thing, nay, to command any thing. I was surprised when I
+found he took no notice of me; I was mortified perhaps; I determined,
+if ever I made him happy at last, to punish him for his first
+indifference,--to punish him, how think you? To make him love me, to
+make him doubtful of whether I loved him, and to make him figure in
+the train of those whom I myself despised. But, oh, Maria, I soon
+found that I could not accomplish what I sought. There was a power, a
+command in his nature that overawed, that commanded me. Instead of
+teaching him to love me, and making him learn to doubt that I loved
+him, I soon found that it was I that loved, and learned to doubt that
+he loved me. Then came restlessness and disquietude. From time to time
+I saw--I felt that he loved me, and then again I doubted, and strove
+to make him show it more clearly, by the very means best calculated to
+make him crush it altogether. I affected to listen to the frivolous
+and the vain, to smile upon the beings I despised, to assume
+indifference towards the only one I loved. Thus it went on till the
+last day of his stay, when he refused to accompany us on our hunting
+party, but left me with a promise to join us if he could. I was
+disappointed, mortified. I doubted if he would keep his promise. I
+doubted whether he had any inclination to do so, and I strove to
+forget, in the excitement of the chase, the bitterness of that which I
+suffered. Suddenly, however, I caught a glance of him riding down
+towards us. He came up to my side, he rode on by me, he attended to
+me, he spoke to me alone; there was a grace, and a dignity, and a
+glory about his person that was new and strange; he seemed as if some
+new inspiration had come upon him. On every subject that we spoke of
+he poured forth his soul in words of fire. His eyes and his
+countenance beamed with living light, such as I had never before
+beheld; every thing vanished from my eyes and thoughts but him; every
+thing seemed small and insignificant and to bow before him; the very
+fiery charger that he rode seemed to obey, with scarcely a sign or
+indication of his will. The cavaliers around looked but like his
+attendants, and I--I Maria--proud, and haughty, and vain as I had
+encouraged myself to be--I felt that I was in the presence of my
+master, and that, there, beside me, was the only man on earth that I
+could willingly and implicitly obey--I felt subdued, but not
+depressed--I felt, perhaps, as a woman ought to feel towards a man she
+loves, that I was competent to be his companion and his friend, to
+share his thoughts, to respond to all his feelings, to enter into his
+views and opinions, to meet him, in short, with a mind yielding, but
+scarcely to be called inferior, different in quality, but harmonious
+in love and thought. I felt that he was one who would never wish me to
+be a slave; but one that I should be prompt and ready to bend to and
+obey. Can I tell you, Maria, all the agony that took possession of my
+heart when I found that the whole bright scene was to pass away like a
+dream? Since then many a painful thing has happened. I have wrung my
+heart, I have embittered my repose by fancying that I have loved,
+where I was not loved in return, that I have been the person to seek,
+and he to despise me. But this day, this day, Maria, has come an
+explanation. He has told me that he loves me, he has told me that
+he has loved me long; he has taken away that shame, he has given me
+that comfort. We both foresee many difficulties, pangs, and anxieties;
+but, alas! Maria, I see plainly, not only that he discovers in the
+future far more difficulties, and dangers, and obstacles between us
+than I myself perceive, but also that he disapproves of much of my
+conduct--that doubts and apprehensions mingle with his love--that it
+is a thing which he has striven against, not from his apprehension of
+difficulties, but from his doubts of me and of my nature; that love
+has mastered him for a time; but still has not subdued him altogether.
+It is a bitter and a sad thing," she added, placing her hands over her
+eyes.
+
+"But, dear child," said the attendant, "it will be easy for you to
+remove all such doubts and apprehensions."
+
+"Hush, hush," replied Clémence, "let me finish, Maria, and then say no
+more upon this score to-day. I will hear all you can say tomorrow. He
+is gone by this time; God knows whether we shall ever meet again. But,
+at all events, my conduct is determined; I will act in every respect,
+whether he be with me or whether he be absent from me, whether he
+misunderstands me or whether he conceives my motives exactly--I will
+act as I know he would approve if he could see every action and every
+movement of my heart. I will cast behind me all those things which I
+now feel were wrong; though, Heaven knows, I did not see that there
+was the slightest evil in any of them, till love for him has, with the
+quickness of a flash of lightning, opened my eyes in regard to my
+conduct towards others. I will do all, in short, that he ought to love
+me for; and, in doing that, I will in no degree seek him, but leave
+fate and God's will to work out my destiny, trusting that with such
+purposes I shall be less miserable than I have been for the last week.
+And now, Maria," she added, "I have given you the picture of a woman's
+heart. Let us dwell no more upon this theme, for I must wash away
+these tears, these new invaders of eyes that have seldom known them
+before, and go as soon as possible to Monsieur de Rouvré, to inform
+him of a part, at least, of my conversation with the Count."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                             THE RETURN.
+
+
+Sometimes, amidst the storms and tempests of life, when the rain of
+sorrow has been pouring down amain, and the lightning of wrath been
+flashing on our path, the clouds overhead, heavy and loaded with
+mischief to come, and the thunder rolling round and round after the
+flash, there will come a brief calm moment of sweet tranquillity, as
+if wrath and enmity, and strife and care, and misfortune, had cast
+themselves down to rest, exhausted with their fury. Happy is the man
+who in such moments can throw from him remembrance of the past, and
+apprehension of the future, and taste the refreshing power without
+alloy. But seldom can we do so: the passed-by storm is fresh on
+memory, the threatening aspect of the sky is full before our eyes, and
+such was the case with Albert of Morseiul, as on the third day after
+leaving Poitiers he rode on towards his own abode.
+
+The degree of impatient anxiety under which he had laboured had caused
+him to make the two first days' journeys as long as possible, so that
+not above ten or twelve miles, or at most fifteen, lay between him and
+his own château, when he set out on that third morning from the inn.
+
+Nothing occurred to disturb his journey; every thing passed in peace
+and tranquillity; known, loved, and respected in that part of the
+country, the people vied with each other as to which should show him
+the most affectionate civility, and no news either from the capital or
+Poitiers had reached him to dissipate the apparent calm around. Every
+thing wore the aspect of peace throughout the country. The peasant's
+wife sunned herself at the door of her cottage, with distaff and
+spindle in hand, plying lightly her daily toil, while her children ran
+or crawled about before her, full of enjoyment themselves, and giving
+enjoyment to her who beheld them. The peasant pursued his labour in
+the fields, and cheered it by a song; and although the Count knew many
+of those whom he saw to be Protestants, there was no appearance of
+anxiety or apprehension amongst them. Every thing was cheerful, and
+contented, and tranquil, and the peace of the scene sank into his
+heart. Angels may be supposed to look upon this earth's pleasures with
+a feeling of melancholy though not sadness, from a knowledge of their
+fragility; and so Albert of Morseiul, though he felt in some degree
+calmed and tranquillised by what he saw, yet could not prevent a
+sensation of deep melancholy from mingling with his other feelings, as
+he thought, "This can but last for a very, very little time."
+
+At length he turned into the very wood where he had encountered the
+robbers, which now bore, of course, a very different aspect in the
+full daylight from that which it had borne in the depth of the night.
+The summer sunshine was now streaming through the green leaves, and
+far away between the wide bolls of the trees, the mossy ground might
+be seen carpeted with velvet softness, and chequered with bright
+catches and streams of light. The road, too, though not in the full
+sunshine, was crossed here and there by long lines of radiance, and
+the sky over head was seen clear and blue, while every projecting
+branch of the tall trees above caught the light, and sparkled with a
+brighter green.
+
+The aspect of this scene was more tranquillising still than the last;
+but it did not chase the Count's deep melancholy; and, finding that he
+was riding very slow, which only afforded time for thought when
+thought was useless, he turned round to see if his attendants were
+near, intending to ride on faster, if they were within sight. The road
+was very nearly straight; and, at the distance of four or five hundred
+yards, passing one of the soft green refreshing shadows cast by the
+wood, he saw the body of servants riding gaily on after him,
+conversing together. Between him and them, however, just issuing from
+one of the green wood paths, which joined the high road, was another
+figure, which immediately called the Count's attention. It was that of
+an old man, plain and simple in his own appearance, but mounted on a
+mule, gaily tricked and caparisoned, as was the universal custom in
+those days, with fringes and knobs of red worsted, and bells of many a
+size and shape about its collar and head-stall. The rider was not one
+of those whom men forget easily; and, though he was at a considerable
+distance as well as the attendants, the Count instantly recognised
+good Claude de l'Estang.
+
+Seeing the Count pause, the old man put his mule into a quicker pace,
+and rode on towards him. When he came near he wished his young friend
+joy of his return, but his own face was any thing but joyful.
+
+"We shall all be indeed glad to see you, my dear Albert," he said,
+"for we have very great need of your return on every account. Besides
+all these grievous and iniquitous proceedings against the Protestants,
+we have in our own bosom men who I hear had the impudence even to
+attack you; but who have since committed various other outrages of a
+marked and peculiar character. One man, I learn, has been shot dead
+upon the spot, another has been wounded severely, a third has been
+robbed and maltreated. But I cannot discover that any one has met with
+harshness, except such as are distinguished for a somewhat inordinate
+zeal in favour of the Catholic faith. Not a Protestant has been
+attacked, which marks the matter more particularly, and the peasantry
+themselves are beginning to notice the fact, so that it will not be
+long before their priests take notice of it, and the eyes of the state
+will be turned angrily upon us."
+
+"I fear indeed that it will be so," replied the Count; "but whether
+the result will or will not be evil, God in his wisdom only knows."
+
+"How is this, my dear Albert?" exclaimed the clergyman. "You sent to
+me to ask that I should draw up a humble petition to the King,
+representing the Protestants as peaceful, humble, obedient subjects,
+and surely we must take every measure that we may not by our own
+actions give the lie to our own words."
+
+"I will certainly, my dear friend," replied the Count, "take every
+measure that it is possible for man to take, to put down this evil
+system of plunder and violence, whether it be carried on by
+Protestants or Catholics. There is a notorious violation of the law,
+and I am determined to put it down if it be possible, without any
+regard whatsoever to distinction between the two religions. The
+petition to the King was necessary when I wrote about it, and is so
+still, for it was then our only hope, and it may now be taken as a
+proof that even to the last moment we were willing to show ourselves
+humble, devoted, and loyal. I expect nothing from it but that result;
+but that result itself is something."
+
+"I fear, my son," said the old man, "that you have heard bad news
+since you wrote to me."
+
+"The worst," replied the Count, with a melancholy shake of the head,
+"the very worst that can be given. They intend, I understand from
+authority that cannot be doubted, to suppress entirely the free
+exercise of our religion in France, and to revoke the edict of our
+good King Henry which secured it to us."
+
+The old man dropped the reins upon his mule's neck, and raised his
+eyes appealingly to heaven. "Terrible, indeed!" he said; "but I can
+scarcely credit it."
+
+"It is but too true--but too certain!" replied the Count; "and yet
+terrible as this is--horrible, infamous, detestable as is the cruelty
+and tyranny of the act itself, the means by which it is to be carried
+into execution are still more cruel, tyrannical, and detestable."
+
+The old man gazed in his face as if he had hardly voice to demand what
+those means were; but after a brief pause the Count went on: "To sum
+up all in one word, they intend to take the Protestant children from
+the Protestant mother, from the father, from the brother, and
+forbidding all intercourse, to place them in the hands of the enemies
+of our faith, to be educated in the superstitions that we abhor."
+
+"God will avert it!" said the old man; "it cannot be that even the
+sins and the follies of him who now sits upon the throne of France
+should deserve the signal punishment of being thus utterly given up
+and abandoned by the spirit of God to the tyrannical and brutal
+foolishness of his own heart. I cannot believe that it will ever be
+executed. I cannot believe that it will ever be attempted. I doubt not
+they will go on as they have begun; that they will send smooth-faced
+priests with cunning devices, as they have done indeed since you went
+hence, to bribe and buy to the domination of Satan the weak and
+wavering of our flocks, and send lists of them to the King, to swell
+his heart with the pride of having made converts. I can easily
+conceive that they will be permitted to take from us places and
+dignities, to drive us by every sort of annoyance, so that the gold
+may be purified from the dross, the corn may be winnowed from the
+chaff. All this they will do, for all this undoubtedly we sinners have
+deserved. But I do not believe that they will be permitted to do more,
+and my trust is not in man but in God. For the sins that we have
+committed, for the weakness we have displayed, for murmurs and
+rebellion against his will, for sinful doubts and apprehensions of his
+mercy, from the earthliness of our thoughts, and the want of purity in
+all our dealings, God may permit us to be smitten severely, terribly;
+but the fiery sword of his vengeance will not go out against his
+people beyond a certain point. He has built his church upon a rock,
+and there shall it stand; nor will I ever believe that the reformed
+church of France shall be extinguished in the land, nor that the
+people who have sought God with sincerity shall be left desolate. We
+will trust in him, my son! We will trust in him!"
+
+"Ay," said the Count; "but my excellent old friend, it now becomes our
+duty to think seriously what, means, under God's will, we may use in
+defence of his church. I myself have thought upon it long and eagerly,
+but I have thought of it in vain, for the subject is so difficult and
+so embarrassed, that without some one to counsel me, some one to aid
+me, I can fix upon no plan that offers even a probability of success.
+I must speak with you before to-morrow be over, long and earnestly. I
+know not why I should not turn to your dwelling with you even now," he
+added; "I know not when I may be taken away from the midst of you, for
+much personal danger threatens myself. But, however, what I have to
+say must be said alone, and in private. The man Riquet is behind, and
+though I believe he is faithful to me, and holds but loosely by his
+Popish creed, I must not trust too far. Let us turn towards your
+dwelling."
+
+"Be it so, be it so," replied the old man; and wending on their way
+through the forest for some distance farther, they took the first road
+that turned to the right, and pursued the forest path that ran along
+through the bottom of the deep valleys, in which some part of the wood
+was scattered.
+
+It had been a bright and a beautiful day, but the air was warm and
+sultry; and the horses of the Count looked more fatigued than might
+have been expected from so short a journey. The old clergyman and his
+young friend spoke but little more as they went along; and it was only
+to comment upon the tired condition of the horses, and the oppressive
+state of the atmosphere that they did so.
+
+"It is as well, my son," said Claude de l'Estang at length, "it is as
+well that you have turned with me, for depend upon it we shall have a
+storm. Do you not see those large harsh masses of cloud rising above
+the trees?"
+
+"I have remarked them some time," replied the Count, "and twice I
+thought I saw a flash."
+
+"Hark!" exclaimed the clergyman, and there was evidently a sound of
+thunder not very distant. "Let us ride a little quicker," the old man
+continued; "we are just coming to the slope of the hill where the wood
+ends, and then we are not far from Auron."
+
+The Count did as the pastor asked him, and the moment after they
+issued out from the wood, upon the shoulder of a gentle eminence, with
+green slopes declining, from either side of the road, into the
+valleys. A tall hill rose gradually to the left, along the side of
+which the highway was cut; and full in their view to the right,--but
+two or three miles on, across the valley, left by the eminence along
+which they rode--appeared the high conical hill of Auron, crowned, as
+we have before described it, with the little village spire.
+
+Though there were some detached masses of cloud sweeping over the sky
+above them, and twisting themselves into harsh curious forms, the sun
+was still shining warm and strong upon the spot where they were, while
+the storm, the voice of which they had heard in the wood, was seen
+treading the valleys and hills beyond towards Auron, wrapped in a
+mantle of dark vapours and shadows. The contrast between the bright
+sunshine and sparkling light around them, with the sweeping thunder
+clouds that were pouring forth their mingled wrath upon the beautiful
+country beyond, was very fine, and the Count drew in his horse for a
+moment to gaze upon it more at ease.
+
+"You see, though they have been busy in seducing my flock, over
+there," said the pastor, fixing his eyes with a look of affection upon
+Auron, "you see they have still left me my spire to the church. I
+fear, not from any good will to me or mine," he added, "but because
+they say it acts as a sort of landmark at sea."
+
+The Count made no reply, for he thought that the time was not far
+distant when that peaceful village would be the scene of persecution,
+if not of desolation, and the building where a quiet and industrious
+population had worshipped God for ages, according to the dictates of
+their own consciences, would be taken from them. His only answer then
+was a melancholy smile, as he rode slowly on again, still gazing on
+the village and the storm, the flashes of the lightning blazing across
+the path from time to time, as if the cloud from which they issued had
+been close above the travellers. Scarcely, however, had the Count and
+his companion gone a hundred yards along the side of the hill, when a
+bright fitful line of intense light darted across the curtain of the
+dark cloud before their eyes, aimed like a fiery javelin cast by the
+unerring hand of the destroying angel at the pointed spire of the
+village church. The shape of the spire was instantly changed; a part
+evidently fell in ruins; and, the next moment, the whole of that which
+stood, blazed forth in flames, like a fiery beacon raised on the
+highest hill of an invaded land to tell that strife and bloodshed have
+begun.
+
+"It is accomplished!" cried the pastor, as he gazed upon the
+destruction of the spire. "It is accomplished! Oh, Albert, how natural
+is weakness and superstition to the human heart! Can we see the fall
+of that building in which for many a long year our pure faith has
+offered up its prayers, unmingled with the vanities of a false creed,
+and not feel as if the will of God were against us--as if that were a
+sign unto us that his favour had past from us, at least in this
+land--as if it were a warning for us to gird ourselves, and, shaking
+off the dust of our feet, to seek another place of abiding?"
+
+He paused not while he spoke, however, but rode on quickly, in order
+to aid and direct in saving any part of the building that yet
+remained; but as they went he still continued to pour forth many a
+sorrowful ejaculation, mingling, with personal grief for the
+destruction of an object which had for long years been familiar with
+his eye, and associated with every feeling of home, and peace, and of
+happy dwelling amongst his own people, and of high duties well
+performed, vague feelings of awe, and perhaps of superstition, as he
+read in that sight a warning, and a sign, and a shadowing forth of the
+Almighty will, that the church whereof he was a member was destined to
+destruction also.
+
+Before the party reached the village, the spire had been completely
+consumed; but the peasantry had fortunately succeeded in preventing
+the fire from reaching the body of the building, and the rain was now
+pouring down in torrents, as the tears of an angel of wrath over the
+accomplishment of his painful mission; so that all that remained was
+to ascertain what damage had been done. Both the clergyman and the
+Count remarked several strangers standing round the church offering no
+assistance to any one, and only communing together occasionally in a
+low voice on the proceedings of the Protestant population. Albert of
+Morseiul gazed upon them with some surprise, and at length said, "I
+think, gentlemen, you might have given some little aid and assistance
+in this matter."
+
+"What!" cried one of the men, "aid in upholding a temple of heretics!
+What, keep from the destruction with which God has marked it, a
+building which man should long ago have pulled down!"
+
+"I did not know you, gentlemen," replied the Count. "There are some
+circumstances in which people may be expected to remember that they
+are fellow-men and fellow-Christians, before they think of sects or
+denominations."
+
+Thus saying, he turned and left them, accompanying Claude de l'Estang
+to his dwelling.
+
+"Never mind them, Albert, never mind them," said the pastor as they
+walked along. "These are the men who are engaged daily in seducing my
+flock. I have seen them more than once as I have been going hither and
+thither amongst the people; but I have heeded them not, nor ever
+spoken to them. Those who can sell themselves for gold--and gold is
+the means of persuasion that they are now adopting--are not steadfast
+or faithful in any religion, and are more likely to corrupt others,
+and to lead to great defection by falling away in a moment of need,
+than to serve or prop the cause to which they pretend to be attached.
+I trust that God's grace will reach them in time; but in a moment of
+increasing danger like this, I would rather that they showed
+themselves at once. I would rather, if they are to sell themselves
+either for safety or for gold, that they should sell themselves at
+once, and let us know them before the fiery ordeal comes. I would
+rather have to say, they went forth from us, because they were not of
+us, than think them children of light, and find them children of
+darkness."
+
+"I fear," said the Count in a low voice, "I fear that they are waging
+the war against us, my good friend, in a manner which will deprive us
+of all unanimity. It is no longer what it was in former times, when
+the persecuting sword was all we had to fear and to resist. We have
+now the artful tongues of oily and deceitful disputants. We have all
+the hellish cunning of a sect which allows every means to be
+admissible, every falsehood, every misstatement, every perversion,
+every deceit, to be just, and right, and righteous, so that the object
+to be obtained is the promotion of their own creed. Thus the great
+mass of the weak or the ill-informed may be affected by their
+teachers; while at the same time gold is held out to allure the
+covetous--the deprivation of rank, station, office, and emolument,
+is employed to drive the ambitious, the slothful, and the
+indifferent--and threats of greater severity of persecution, mental
+torture, insult, indignity, and even death itself, are held over the
+heads of the coward and the fearful."
+
+They thus conversed as they went along, and the opinion of each but
+served to depress the hopes of the other more and more. Both were well
+acquainted with the spirit of doubt and disunion that reigned amongst
+the Protestants of France, a spirit of disunion which had been
+planted, fostered, and encouraged by every art that a body of cunning
+and unscrupulous men could employ to weaken the power of their
+adversaries. On arriving at the house of Claude de l'Estang, the
+pastor put into the hands of his young friend the petition to the King
+which he had drawn up, and which perfectly meeting his views, was
+immediately sent off for general signature, in order to be transmitted
+to Paris, and presented to the monarch. Long before it reached him,
+however, the final and decisive blow had been struck, and, therefore,
+we shall notice that paper no more.
+
+A long conversation ensued between the pastor and his young friend;
+and it was evident to the Count de Morseiul, that the opinions of
+Claude de l'Estang himself, stern and fervent as they had been in
+youth, now rendered milder by age, and perhaps by sorrow, tended
+directly to general and unquestioning submission, rather than to
+resistance: not indeed to the abandonment of any religious principle,
+not to the slightest sacrifice of faith, not to the slightest
+conformity of what he deemed a false religion. No; he proposed and he
+advised to suffer in patience for the creed that he held; to see even
+the temples of the reformed church destroyed, if such an extreme
+should be adopted; to see persons of the purer faith excluded from
+offices and dignity, and rank and emoluments; even to suffer, should
+it be necessary, plunder, oppression, and imprisonment itself, without
+yielding one religious doctrine; but at the same time without offering
+any resistance to the royal authority.
+
+"But should they go still farther," said the Count, "should they
+attempt to interdict altogether the exercise of our religion; should
+they take the child from the mother, the sister from the care of the
+brother; should they force upon us Roman rites, and demand from us
+confessions of papistical belief, what are we to do then, my good old
+friend?"
+
+"Our religious duties," replied the pastor, "we must not forbear to
+exercise, even if the sword hung over us that was to slay us at the
+first word. As for the rest, I trust and believe that it will not come
+to pass; but if it should, there will be no choice left us but
+resistance or flight. Ask me not, Albert, to decide now upon which of
+the two we should choose. It must ever be a dark, a painful, and a
+terrible decision when the time comes that it is necessary to make it;
+and perhaps the decision itself may be affected far more by the acts
+of others than by our own. We must determine according to
+circumstances; but, in the mean time, let us as far as possible be
+prepared for either of the two painful alternatives. We must make
+great sacrifices, Albert, and I know that you are one of those who
+would ever be ready to make such for your fellow Christians. If we are
+driven to flee from the land of our birth, and to seek a home in other
+countries; if by the waters of Babylon we must sit down and weep,
+thinking of the Jerusalem that we shall never behold again, there will
+be many, very many of our brethren compelled to fly with but little
+means of support, and perhaps it may be long before in other lands
+they obtain such employment as will enable them to maintain themselves
+by the work of their own hands. Those who are richer must minister
+unto them, Albert. Luckily I myself can do something in that sort, for
+long ago, when there was no thought of this persecution, I sold what
+little land I had, intending to spend the amount in relieving any
+distress that I might see amongst my people, and to trust to the altar
+that I served for support in my old age. But little of this sum has
+been as yet expended, and if I did but know any hands in which I could
+trust it in a foreign land, either in England or in Holland, I would
+transmit it thither instantly. You too, Albert, if I have heard right,
+derived considerable wealth in money from some distant relation
+lately. For your own sake as well as others, it were better to place
+that in safety in foreign lands, for I find that it would be dangerous
+now to attempt to sell any landed possessions, and if you were forced
+to leave this country you might find yourself suddenly reduced to want
+in the midst of strangers."
+
+"I have not only thought of this before," replied the Count, "but I
+have already taken measures for transmitting that sum to Holland. As
+soon as I heard of the unjust prohibitions regarding the sale of lands
+by Protestants, I wrote to Holland to a banker whom I knew there in
+days of old, an honest man and a sincere friend, though somewhat too
+fond of gain. The sum I can thus transmit is far more than enough to
+give me competence for life, and if you please I can transmit thither
+the little store you speak of also."
+
+"Willingly, willingly," replied the pastor; "it may be a benefit to
+others if not to me.--Albert," he added, "I shall never quit this
+land! I feel it, I know it! My ministry must be accomplished here till
+the last: and whether I shall be taken from you by some of the
+ordinary events of nature, or whether God wills it that I should seal
+with my blood the defence of my faith and my testimony against the
+church of Rome, I know not; but I am sure, I feel sure, that I shall
+never quit the land in which I was born."
+
+Albert of Morseiul did not attempt to argue with Claude de l'Estang
+upon this prejudice, for he knew it was one of those which, like some
+trees and shrubs, root themselves but the more firmly from being
+shaken, and from an ineffectual endeavour being made to pluck them
+out.
+
+For nearly two hours the young Count remained at the house of the
+clergyman discussing all the various topics connected with their
+situation, while his servants were scattered about in different
+dwellings of the village. At the end of that time, however, Master
+Jerome Riquet made his appearance at the pastor's house, to inform his
+lord (from a participation in whose actions he judged he had been too
+long excluded) that the storm had passed away; and, ordering his
+horses to be brought up, after a few more words with Claude de
+l'Estang, the Count mounted and pursued his way homeward to the
+château of Morseiul.
+
+Throwing his rein to the groom, the young nobleman walked on through
+the vestibule, and entered the great hall. It was calm and solitary,
+with the bright evening sunshine streaming through the tall windows
+and chequering the stone floor. Nothing was moving but a multitude of
+bright motes dancing in the sunbeam, and one of the banners of the
+house of Morseiul shaken by the wind as the door opened and closed on
+the Count's entrance. The whole aspect of the place told that it had
+not been tenanted for some time. Every thing was beautifully clean
+indeed, but the tall-backed chairs ranged straight along the walls,
+the table standing exactly in the midst, the unsullied whiteness of
+the stone floor, not even marked with the print of a dog's foot, all
+spoke plainly that it had been long untenanted. The Count gazed round
+it in silent melancholy, marked the waving banner and the dancing
+motes, and, if we may use the term, the solemn cheerfulness of that
+wide hall; and then said to himself, ere he turned again to leave it,
+
+"Such will it be, and so the sun will shine, when I am gone afar--or
+in the grave."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                          NEW ACQUAINTANCES.
+
+
+We will now lead the reader into another and very different scene from
+any of those into which we have as yet conducted him. It is a small
+but cheerful sitting-room, or parlour, in the house of a comfortable
+citizen of the town of Morseiul. There was every thing that could be
+required for comfort, and a little for show. The corner cupboard which
+protruded its round stomach into the room, like that of some fat
+alderman of the olden time, was ornamented with a variety of little
+gewgaws, and nick-nacks of silver, displayed in quaint array upon the
+shelves; and, besides several brass lamps and sconces wonderfully well
+polished, which were never lighted, were a number of articles of
+porcelain, of a kind which was then somewhat rare, and is now nearly
+invaluable. The two windows of this little parlour looked out upon the
+great square or market place, towards the southern corner of which it
+was situated, and commanded a view of a large blacksmith's forge on
+the opposite side, close by the gate leading down to what was called
+the Count's road. There was a door out of this parlour, a black oaken
+door, with panels richly carved and ornamented, which appeared to lead
+into a room at the back, and another similar door at the side, opening
+into the passage which went straight through the house from the square
+into the garden behind.
+
+At the table in the midst of this room--which table, at the moment we
+speak of, that is, half past eight o'clock in the morning, was
+decorated with a large pewter dish, containing a savoury ragout of
+veal, flanked by two bottles of cider and four drinking cups--sat the
+burly person of good Paul Virlay, the rich blacksmith, who, being well
+to do in the world, and enabled by competence to take his ease, had
+not yet gone out to superintend the work which his men were carrying
+on at the forge opposite.
+
+Another effect of his easy situation in life was, that he had time to
+perform those necessary ablutions too much required by the faces and
+hands of all blacksmiths, but which, alas! all blacksmiths are but too
+apt to neglect. It is true that, had he washed his face and hands for
+ever, or, after the prescribed rule of the Arabian Nights, had scoured
+them "forty times with alkali, and forty times with the ashes of the
+same plant," his face and hands would still have retained a certain
+glowing coppery brown hue, which they had acquired by the action of
+sun, and air, and fire, and hard work, and which they likewise
+possessed, it must be confessed, in some degree from nature. At the
+table with Paul Virlay were three other personages. The first was his
+daughter, a sweet little girl of thirteen or fourteen years of age,
+and the second his wife, a goodly dame, perhaps two years or three
+years older than himself, and who, being terribly marked with the
+smallpox, had never possessed any beauty. Thus, at his marriage,
+Virlay, who had been in much request amongst the young ladies of
+Morseiul, declared that he had taken the good working horse instead of
+the jennet. She had always been extremely careful, laborious, active,
+and economical; somewhat given to smartness of apparel, indeed, but by
+no means to extravagance, and though decorating herself with black
+velvet riband, and large ornaments of gold, yet careful that the
+riband was not worn out too soon, and the gold ornaments neither
+bruised nor broken.
+
+On her right hand, between herself and her husband, sat the fourth
+person of the party, who was no other than the lady's brother, a
+stout, broad-made, determined-looking man, who had served long in the
+army under the Count; and had risen as high, by his daring courage and
+somewhat rash gallantry, as any person not of noble blood could rise,
+except under very extraordinary circumstances. He had accumulated, it
+was said, a considerable sum of money--perhaps not by the most
+justifiable of all dealings with the inhabitants of conquered
+districts--so that Armand Herval was an object of not a little
+attention, and what we may call cupidity, to the unmarried young
+ladies of Morseiul. That town was not, indeed, his regular dwelling
+place, for his abode was at a small town nearer to the sea coast, some
+five or six miles off; but he frequently came to visit his sister and
+brother-in-law, over both of whom he exercised very considerable
+influence, although, as frequently is the case, the latter was
+naturally a man of much stronger natural sense than himself. It is in
+almost all instances, indeed, energy that gives power; and with
+persons not well educated, or not very highly endowed by nature, that
+energy loses none of its effect from approaching somewhat towards
+rashness. Such then was the case with Paul Virlay and his
+brother-in-law. When unmoved by any strong passions, however, Armand
+Herval was quite the man to lead and to seduce. He was gay, blithe,
+cheerful, full of frolic, fearless of consequences, specious in
+reasoning, possessing much jest and repartee, overflowing with tales,
+or anecdotes, of what he had seen, or heard, or done in the wars; and
+it was only when crossed, or opposed, or excited by wine or anger,
+that the darker and more fiery spirit of the somewhat ruthless trooper
+would break forth and overawe those that surrounded him.
+
+On the present morning there was a strange mixture in his demeanour of
+a sad and serious thoughtfulness, with gaiety and even merriment. He
+laughed and jested with his niece, he took a pleasure in teasing his
+sister, but he spoke, once or twice, in a low and bitter tone to Paul
+Virlay upon various matters which were taking place in the
+neighbourhood, and did not even altogether spare the Count de Morseiul
+himself. At that, however, Virlay bristled up; and his brother-in-law,
+who had done it more from a spirit of teasing than aught else, only
+laughed at his anger, and turned the discourse to something else. He
+eat and drank abundantly of the breakfast set before him; laughed at
+the cleanness of Virlay's face and hands, and the smartness of his
+brown jerkin, and insisted that his little niece should run to the
+window to see whether the men were working properly, saying that her
+father was no longer fit for his trade.
+
+The girl did as she was bid, and replied immediately, "I do not see
+the men at all, but I see the young Count just turning the corner."
+
+"That is early," cried Virlay, laying down his fork. "Is he on
+horseback?"
+
+"No, he is on foot," replied the girl, "and nobody with him."--"He is
+coming over here, I declare he is coming over here," cried the girl,
+clapping her hands.
+
+"Nonsense," cried Virlay, starting up, as well as his wife and
+brother-in-law.
+
+"Not nonsense at all, Paul," cried Herval. "He is making straight for
+the house, so I shall be off as fast as I can by the back door. I am
+not fond of making low bows, and standing with my hat in my hand, when
+I can help it."
+
+"Stay, stay," cried Virlay; "do not go yet, Armand, I have much to
+talk with you about."
+
+But his brother-in-law shook his head, and darted through the oak door
+we have mentioned, into the room beyond. Madame Virlay bestirred
+herself to give order and dignity to the breakfast table; but before
+she could accomplish that purpose the Count was in the open passage,
+and knocking at the door of the room for admission.
+
+Virlay opened it immediately, and the young nobleman entered with that
+frank and graceful bearing which was part, indeed, of his inheritance,
+but which secured to him that hereditary love for his race which the
+virtues and kindness of his forefathers had established amongst the
+people.
+
+"Good morrow, Virlay," he said. "Good morrow, Madame Virlay! Oh, my
+pretty Margette, why you have grown so great a girl that I must call
+you so no longer, lest the people say that I am making love to
+you.--Virlay," he added, in a graver tone, "I would fain speak a word
+or two with you on business. I would not send for you to the château
+for various reasons, but cannot we go into the next room for a moment
+or two?"
+
+Virlay made a sign to his wife and daughter to retire, and placed a
+seat for the Count. "No, my lord," he said, "you shall not give
+yourself that trouble. Shot the door, wife, and remember, no
+eves-dropping!"
+
+"Bless thee, Paul," exclaimed his wife, bridling with a little
+indignation; "do you think I would listen to what my Lord Count says
+to you? I know better, I trust," and she shut the door.
+
+Perhaps neither the Count, however, nor Virlay were quite certain of
+the lady's discretion under such circumstances, and they, therefore,
+both remained near the window, and conversed in low tones.
+
+"I come to speak to you, Virlay," said the Count, in somewhat of a
+grave tone, "both as an influential man and as a sensible man--though
+he may have his little faults," he added, fixing his eyes somewhat
+meaningly upon the blacksmith's face, "and who may suffer himself to
+be a little too much led by others; but who, nevertheless, has the
+best intentions, I know, and who will always, sooner or later,
+remember that one must not do wrong that right may come of it."
+
+The blacksmith replied nothing, but kept his eyes fixed upon the
+ground, though the red became somewhat deeper in his brown cheek, and
+an expression of consciousness was to be seen in every feature of his
+countenance.
+
+"What I want to speak with you about is this," continued the Count:
+"since I have been away, during this last campaign, there has sprung
+up, it seems, a dangerous band in this part of the province;
+consisting of men who are carrying on a system of violence,
+depredation, and intimidation, which must be put a stop to. What I
+want to consult with you in regard to, is the best means of putting
+down this band, for put down I am determined it shall be, and that
+right speedily."
+
+"You will not be able to put them down, my lord!" replied the
+blacksmith. "If mere simple plunder were the object of these persons,
+the thing would be easily done. You would have the whole people to aid
+you, and nothing would be more easy. But, my lord, such is not the
+case. The men may plunder--I do not say that it is not so--but they
+only plunder their enemies. It has always been so in this part of the
+country, as the good Count, your father, well knew, and always will be
+so to the end of the world. People have given these bands different
+names, at different times, and from different circumstances. Once they
+were called _les Faucons_, because, at that time, the minister was
+sending down men into the country, taxing the salt and the fish, and
+when any of them came, one of these bands stooped upon him, like a
+falcon, carried him off, and he was never heard of more. At another
+time they were called _les Eperviers_, the hawks, because they hovered
+over all the country and caught what they could. That was the time
+when the King sent down so many soldiers, that they could not carry
+off the collectors without hovering round them for a long time. Now
+they call them _les Chauve-souris_, or the bats, because they fly
+about just at the setting-in of night, and woe be to the persecuting
+Papist that falls in their way. To-morrow, if obliged to do the work
+later at night, they may be called _les Hiboux_, or the owls; and the
+time may come, perhaps, when they will be called _les Loups_ or _les
+Chouettes_, the wolves or the screech-owls: but they will do no harm
+to any one but their enemies. An honest man, who seeks to harm nobody,
+may go from one end of the province to another,--ay, and through all
+Brittany, too, as well as Poitou, without meeting with the least
+annoyance. But if it be different, if he be an oppressor of the
+people, a seller of men's souls, let him see that he travels by
+daylight only, and even then he wo'n't be very safe."
+
+"I do not know," said the Count, "that I am either an oppressor of the
+people, or a buyer and seller of men's souls; and yet, my good friend
+Virlay, these Chauve-souris, as you call them, fastened their claws
+upon me, and put me to no slight inconvenience and discomfort. They
+might have shot me, too, for they fired right at my horse. You may
+have heard of all this before, I dare say," he added, with a smile.
+
+The blacksmith did not reply for a moment; but then he said, "I dare
+say, my lord, it was some mistake. I doubt not that they did not know
+you; or that some foolish fellow, as will happen sometimes, went
+beyond his orders."
+
+"But then again," said the Count, "they both attacked and plundered
+two ladies, defenceless women, who could have given them no offence."
+
+"Some hangers-on of a governor that was sent down to oppress the
+province," replied the blacksmith. "These bands, my lord, know all
+that's passing through the country better than you do yourself."
+
+"But in this instance," said the Count, "they certainly knew not what
+they were about, for instead of a governor sent down to oppress the
+province, Monsieur de Rouvré is the very man to stand between the
+province and oppression, and, from all I hear, is likely to give up
+the post and the court, and retire to Ruffigny, if the measures of the
+council are what he judges unfair towards us."
+
+"If he do that," said the blacksmith, "he will have a better body
+guard at Ruffigny than ever he had at Poitiers. But what is it you
+want me to do, Monsieur le Comte? I have no power to put down these
+bands. I have no sway with them or against them."
+
+"What I want you to do," replied the Count, "is to use your whole
+power and influence in every way, to put a stop to a system which
+cannot be suffered to go on. Sorry should I be to draw the sword
+against these mistaken people, but I must have them no more on the
+lands and lordships of Morseiul, where they have quartered themselves
+I find during my absence. I must have my forests free of such deer,
+and you know, Virlay, when I say a thing I will keep my word. I have
+been in their hands, and they were civil to me, respected my person,
+did something towards obeying my directions; and, although I know two
+of them, however well concealed they might be," he added, laying
+strong emphasis on the words, "I will in no degree betray the
+knowledge I acquired. I only wish to make it fully understood, that I
+wish this band to be dispersed. I am well aware of the evil custom
+that you allude to, and how deeply it has rooted itself in the habits
+of the people; but I tell you, Virlay, that this is likely to produce
+more evil to the cause of the reformed church than any thing that
+could be devised. At all events, it is contrary altogether to the laws
+of the land, and to civil order, and whatever be the pretext, I will
+not tolerate it on my lands. I wish the bands to be dispersed, the
+night meetings to be abandoned, the men to pursue their lawful
+employments, and in other hours to take their necessary rest. But, at
+all events, as I have said before, within my jurisdiction they shall
+not remain. If they go to the lands of other lords, I cannot of course
+help it; but I trust that those other lords will have spirit and
+decision enough to drive them off their territories. Let us say no
+more about it, Virlay. You understand me distinctly, and know my whole
+meaning; and now, let me know when, and how, I may best obtain a
+meeting with a person called Brown Keroual, for I must make him hear
+reason also."
+
+The blacksmith paused for two or three minutes before he answered.
+"Why, my lord," he said at length, "I ought not to tell you any thing
+about him, perhaps, by that name. On all accounts, perhaps I ought
+not; but yet I know I can trust you; and I am sure you will take no
+advantage. So I'll only ask you one thing, not to go down to where he
+is, with too many people about you, for fear of bad consequences if
+there should be any of his folks about."
+
+"I shall go down," said the Count, "towards the place where I hear he
+is generally to be met with, with only two servants; and when I come
+near enough, I shall give the horse to the servants, and walk forward
+on foot."
+
+"You will be as safe as in your own château, then," said the
+blacksmith; "but you must not go for a couple of days, as where he
+will be tomorrow, and next day, I cannot tell. But if, on the day
+after, you will be just at the hour when the but begins to flit, at a
+little turn of the river about six miles down.--You know the high rock
+just between the river and the forest, with the tall tree upon it,
+which they call the _chêne vert_."
+
+"I know it well. I know it well," said the Count. "But on which side
+of the rock do you mean? the tall face flanks the river, the back
+slopes away towards the wood."
+
+"At the back, at the back," replied the blacksmith. "Amongst the old
+hawthorns that lie scattered down the slope. You will find him there
+at the hour I mention."
+
+"I will be there," said the Count in reply, "and I will allow the
+intervening time for the band to quit the woods of Morseiul. But if it
+have not done so by the morning after, there will be a difference
+between us, which I should be sorry for."
+
+Thus saying, the Count left the worthy townsman, and took his way back
+to the château.
+
+In the two days that intervened, nothing occurred to vary the course
+of his existence. He entertained some expectation of receiving letters
+from Poitiers, but none arrived. He heard nothing from the governor,
+from the Chevalier d'Evran, or from Clémence de Marly; and from Paris,
+also, the ordinary courier brought no tidings for the young Count. A
+lull had come over the tempestuous season of his days, and we shall
+now follow him on his expedition to the _chênt vert_, under which, be
+it said, we have ourselves sat many an hour thinking over and
+commenting upon the deeds we now record.
+
+The Count, as he had said, took but two servants with him, and rode
+slowly on through, the evening air, with his mind somewhat relieved by
+the absence of any fresh excitement, and by the calm refreshing
+commune of his spirit with itself. On the preceding day there had been
+another thunder storm; but the two which had occurred had served to
+clear and somewhat cool the atmosphere, though the breath of the air
+was still full of summer.
+
+When at the distance of about a mile and a half from the spot which
+the blacksmith had indicated, the Count gave his horse to his
+servants, and bade them wait there for his return. He wandered on
+slowly, slackening his pace as much to enjoy the beauty and brightness
+of the scene around, as to let the appointed time arrive for his
+meeting with the leader of the band we have mentioned. When he had
+gone on about a hundred yards, however, he heard in the distance the
+wild but characteristic notes of a little instrument, at that time,
+and even in the present day, delighted in throughout Poitou, and known
+there by the pleasant and harmonious name of the musette. Sooth to
+say, it differs but little, though it does in a degree, from the
+ordinary bagpipe; and yet there is not a peasant in Poitou, and
+scarcely a noble of the province either, who will not tell you that it
+is the sweetest and most harmonious instrument in the world. It
+requires, however, to be heard in a peculiar manner, and at peculiar
+seasons: either, as very often happens in the small towns of that
+district, in the dead of the night, when it breaks upon the ear as the
+player walks along the street beneath your window, with a solemn and
+plaintive melody, that seems scarcely of the earth; or else in the
+morning and evening tide, heard at some little distance amongst the
+hills and valleys of that sunny land, when it sounds like the spirit
+of the winds, singing a wild ditty to the loveliness of the scene.
+
+The Count de Morseiul had quite sufficient national, or perhaps we
+should say provincial, feeling to love the sound of the musette; and
+he paused to listen, as, with a peculiar beauty and delicacy of touch,
+the player poured on the sounds from the very direction in which he
+was proceeding. He did not hasten his pace, however, enjoying it as he
+went; and still the nearer and nearer he came to the _chênt vert_, the
+closer he seemed to approach to the spot whence the sounds issued. It
+is true the player could not see him, as he came in an oblique line
+from the side of the water, to which at various places the wood
+approached very near. But the moment that the Count turned the angle
+of the rock which we have mentioned, and on the top of which stood the
+large evergreen oak, from which it took its name, he beheld a group
+which might well have furnished a picture for a Phyllis and a Corydon
+to any pastoral poet that ever penned an idyl or an eclogue.
+
+Seated on a little grassy knoll, under one of the green hawthorns, was
+a girl apparently above the common class, with a veil, which she
+seemed to have lately worn over her head, cast down beside her, and
+with her dark hair falling partly upon her face as it bent over that
+of a man, seated, or rather stretched, at her feet, who, supporting
+himself on one elbow, was producing from the favourite instrument of
+the country the sounds which the Count had heard.
+
+Lying before them, and turning its sagacious eyes from the face of the
+one to the face of the other, was a large rough dog, and the girl's
+hand, which was fair and small, was engaged in gently caressing the
+animal's head as the Count came up. So occupied were they with each
+other, and so full were the tones of the music, that it was the dog
+who first perceived the approach of a stranger, and bounded barking
+forward towards the Count, as if the young nobleman were undoubtedly
+an intruder. The girl and her lover--for who could doubt that he was
+such?--both rose at the same time, and she, casting her veil over her
+head, darted away with all speed towards the wood, while her companion
+called after her, "Not far, not far."
+
+The Count then perceived, somewhat to his surprise, that the veil she
+wore was that of a novice in a convent. Notwithstanding the barking of
+the dog, and the somewhat fierce and uncertain aspect of his master,
+the Count advanced with the same slow, steady pace, and in a minute or
+two after was standing within five steps of Armand Herval. That good
+personage had remained fixed to his place, and for sometime had not
+recognised the young Count; but the moment he did so, a change came
+over his countenance, and he saluted him with an air of military
+respect.
+
+"Good day, Armand," said the Count, "I am afraid I have disturbed your
+young friend; but pray go after her, and tell her that I am neither
+spy nor enemy, so she need not be alarmed. Come back and speak to me,
+however, for I want a few minutes' conversation with you.--Have you
+seen your brother-in-law Virlay, lately?"
+
+"Not for several days," replied Armand; "but I will go after her, my
+Lord, and see her safe, and come back to you in a minute."
+
+"Do so," replied the Count, "and I will wait for you here. Will you
+not stay with me, good dog?" he added, patting the dog's head and
+casting himself down upon the ground; but the dog followed his master,
+and the Count remained alone, thinking over the little picture which
+had been so unexpectedly presented to his eyes.
+
+"This lets me into much of the history," he thought. "Here is a motive
+and an object both for accumulating wealth and intimidating the
+Papists! But how can he contrive to get the girl out of a convent to
+sit with him here, listening to him playing the musette, while it is
+yet the open day? It is true, we are at a great distance from any town
+or village. The only religious house near, either, is that upon the
+hill two miles farther down. Though I cannot prevent this business, I
+must give him some caution;" and then he set himself to think over the
+whole affair again, and to endeavour to account for an event which was
+less likely perhaps to take place in that province, in the midst of a
+Protestant population, than in any other part of France.
+
+Some time passed ere Armand Herval returned, and by this time the
+twilight was growing thick and grey.
+
+"It is later than I thought, Herval," said the young Count, rising
+from the ground, on which he had been stretched, as the other came up;
+"I shall hardly have time to say all I had to say, even if the person
+were here that I came to converse with."
+
+"Then you did not come to see me, my Lord?" demanded Herval, in a tone
+perhaps expressive of a little mortification.
+
+"No, Herval," replied the Count with a slight smile, "I came to see a
+person called Brown Keroual: but," he added, after a moment's pause,
+"if you are likely to stay here, I will leave the message with you."
+
+The Count stopped as if for a reply, and his companion answered,
+"Speak, speak, my Lord Count! Your message shall not fail to reach
+him."
+
+"Well then, Armand," replied the nobleman, "tell Keroual this for me:
+first, that I know him--that I recognised him the moment he spoke when
+last we met; but that having some regard for him, I do not intend to
+take any advantage whatever of that knowledge to his prejudice,
+although he be engaged in wrong and unlawful deeds. However, I came
+here to meet him, in order to reason with him on his conduct, for he
+is a good and a gallant soldier, and would now have been an
+officer--for I recommended him for advancement--had it not been for
+that plundering of the priory of St. Amand, which was thrown in my
+teeth by Monsieur de Louvois whenever I mentioned his name."
+
+"If Louvois had been in it," replied his companion, "it would not have
+escaped half as well as it did; for I think, according to the very
+doctrines of their popish church, the good act of burning one Louvois
+would be quite enough to obtain pardon for the sin of burning a whole
+score of monks along with him. But what were you going to say farther,
+sir?"
+
+"Why, to Brown Keroual," continued the Count, "I was going to say,
+that he is engaged in a matter contrary to all law and order, heading
+a band of robbers which must be----"
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir," interrupted Herval somewhat impatiently,
+"not robbers! If you please, a band of _chauve-souris_. They rob no
+man: they only plunder the enemy; and let me tell you, my Lord Count,
+that there is many a man more or less joined with that band, who would
+just as soon think of robbing another as you would.--Has any thing
+been asked for the ring, though it was the ring of a Papist? Was not
+the money that was taken from you restored?"
+
+"It was," replied the Count; "but we must not be too nice about our
+terms, Herval. I do not know any law, human or divine, that allows a
+man to pick and choose at his own will and pleasure whom he will rob,
+and whom he will murder."
+
+"Ay, my noble Lord," answered the man, getting warm; "but there is a
+law of nature, which, after all, is a law of God, and which not only
+justifies but requires us to destroy him who would destroy us; and,
+whether it be straightforwardly that he is seeking our destruction, or
+by cunning and crooked paths, it matters not, we have a right to
+prevent him by every means in our power, and if we catch hold of him,
+to knock him on the head like a viper or any other noxious vermin."
+
+"In all cases but direct attack," answered the Count, "civil society
+gives our defence into the hands of the law."
+
+"But when the law and its ministers are leagued with the destroyers,
+with the real plunderers, with the real disturbers of the public
+peace," exclaimed the man vehemently, "we must make a new law for
+ourselves, and be its officers also."
+
+The Count did not interrupt him, as he was very well pleased to be
+made acquainted clearly with all the views and opinions of that body
+of men whom Armand Herval might be supposed to represent; and the
+soldier went on with great volubility, and some eloquence, to defend
+the right of resistance with all the well-known arguments upon the
+subject, which have been repeated and combated a thousand times; but
+he came not a bit nearer than any who had gone before him to the real
+question at issue, namely, where the duty of submission ceased and the
+right of resistance began. We must remember that not only the higher
+orders, but also the lower classes of French Protestants were at that
+time much more generally enlightened and accustomed to the use of
+their own reason, than the Catholics, and the natural consequence of
+any attempt to oppress them, was to render such arguments as those
+used by Herval, very common amongst them. Neither was the Count de
+Morseiul prepared to oppose the general scope of the man's reasoning,
+though he was determined to resist the practical misapplication of it,
+which was then actively going on in the province.
+
+"I will not argue with you, Herval," he said, "nor will I attempt to
+persuade you that what the council is doing now, and may do against us
+poor Protestants, is right, feeling it as I do to be wrong. But,
+nevertheless, I think--nay, I am sure--that such proceedings, as those
+of the band we speak of, are perfectly incompatible with our duty to
+the King and our fellow-subjects, and likely to produce infinitely
+greater evil to the reformed religion than good. The existence of such
+bands will give an excuse for sending a large military force into the
+province, for persecuting the Protestants still farther, and for
+taking such precautions that even, if a crisis were to come, in which
+the resistance to oppression which you speak of were necessary, it
+would be rendered hopeless by the prepared state of the enemy. In the
+mean time it is wrong, because, at the best, it is carrying on what
+you call hostilities without a declaration of war; it is dangerous to
+the peaceful even of our own friends, as has been shown in my case,
+and in that of two ladies of the governor's family, who is most warmly
+interested in our behalf; and it is degrading a powerful and just
+cause in the eyes of all men, by giving its supporters the air of
+night plunderers."
+
+"As for a declaration of war," replied Herval, "they have made that
+themselves by their own acts, and as to the rest of what you say, sir,
+there are objections certainly. Did I but see our noblemen like
+yourself, and our ministers preparing a good resistance to tyranny and
+injustice, I would be as quiet as a lamb. But I see nothing of the
+kind; you are all sitting still in your houses, and waiting till they
+come to cut your throats. So as there must and shall be resistance of
+some kind, and it must begin by the lower instead of the higher, we
+must even take the lesser of two evils, and go on as we have done."
+
+Armand Herval spoke, as was common with him when at all heated, with
+very little reverence or respect in his tone; but Albert of Morseiul
+was not of a character to suffer himself to be irritated in the
+slightest degree by any want of formal respect. No man knew better how
+to preserve his own dignity without making any exaction, and he
+accordingly replied, with perfect calmness,--
+
+"I should be sorry, Armand, that our good friend Brown Keroual should
+persist in conduct which may make a division amongst different classes
+of the Protestants, at the very moment that we require union for our
+common safety. You will therefore let him know at once, that I am
+determined, upon my own lands, to put an end to this system; that my
+forest and my moors shall no longer hold these _chauve-souris_. The
+day after to-morrow I shall begin my operations, and as I know the
+country as well as any man in it, shall have no difficulty in putting
+my plans in execution. Keroual knows me for a man of my word, and I
+must not have one single man disguised and in arms any where within my
+jurisdiction at the end of three days from this time."
+
+The man smiled with a grim but less dissatisfied look than the Count
+had expected. "They none of them wish to give you offence, sir," he
+replied, "and can easily move off your lands to others."
+
+"That they must do," replied the Count, "but there is something more
+still to be said. When once off my lands, they may doubtless consider
+that the matter is at an end; but such is not the case."
+
+"My Lord, if you follow us off your lands," said Armand, dropping
+farther disguise, and making use of the pronoun of the first person,
+"if you follow us off your own lands, you must take the consequences."
+
+"I am always prepared to do so," replied the Count. "My purpose is not
+of course to follow any of you off my own lands, unless I am summoned
+to do so; but if I am summoned, which will immediately be the case if
+there be any renewal of outrages whatsoever, I shall most assuredly
+use my whole power, and employ my whole means, to put down that which
+I know to be wrong."
+
+The man to whom he spoke gazed sternly upon the ground for a moment or
+two, and seemed to be struggling with various contending feelings.
+"Come, my Lord Count," he said at length, "I will tell you what. Every
+one who has served under you knows that you are as brave a man, as
+kind an officer, and as skilful a commander as any that ever lived,
+and we are all willing to do what we can to please you in your own
+way. If you would put yourself at our head, there is not a man amongst
+us that would not follow you to death itself.--No, but hear me out, my
+Lord; don't answer till you have heard.--We get quicker information
+than even you can get, for with us it flies from mouth to mouth like
+lightning. We have no long written letters, but as soon as a thing is
+known, one man tells it to another, and so it comes down here. Now we
+know what most likely you don't know, that every thing is settled in
+Paris for putting down the reformed religion altogether. We know, too,
+which I see you don't know, that the Duc de Rouvré has received orders
+from the court to resign the government of the province, and retire to
+Ruffigny, without presenting himself at the court. Now depend upon it,
+my Lord, before a fortnight be over, you will have to rouse yourself
+against this oppression, to make the voice of remonstrance heard in
+firmer tones, and with arms in your hand. You know it as well as I do,
+and I know you are no more afraid of doing it than I am; but only,
+like all the rest of the people about the court, you have gone mad
+concerning a thing called loyalty, and have got your head filled with
+ideas of respect and veneration for the King--simply because he is the
+King and wears a crown--when if the truth were known, he is not so
+much worthy of respect and veneration as any of our peasants who drive
+a team of oxen, with a whip of sheep leather, from one end of the
+field to the other. A selfish, voluptuous, adulterous tyrant----"
+
+"Hush, hush," exclaimed the Count, "I can neither stay nor hear, if
+you proceed in such terms as those."
+
+"Well, well," said the man, "though what I say is true, and you know
+it, my Lord Count, I wo'n't go on if it offends you. But what I was
+going to say besides is this. You have got your head filled with these
+ideas; you wish to do every thing respectfully and loyally; you wish
+to show the most profound respect for the law, and be compelled to
+resist before you do resist. But are our enemies doing the same
+towards us? Are they showing any respect for the law, or for justice,
+or good faith, honour, honesty, or treaties? No, no, they are taking
+step by step, and ruining us piecemeal! My Lord, you are like a man in
+a fortress, with a truce between him and a perfidious enemy, who takes
+advantage of his good nature to get possession of one outpost after
+another, then marches over the glacis, lodges himself on the
+counterscarp, erects his batteries, points his cannon, and says, 'Now,
+surrender, or I'll blow you to pieces!' This is what you are suffering
+to be done, my Lord; and, at one word, if you, Count, will come and
+put yourself at our head to resist oppression, you shall have two
+hundred men at one whistle; and ere five days be over you shall have
+two thousand; before ten days ten thousand. Will you do it?"
+
+"Undoubtedly not," replied the Count. "Were the time to come that all
+other means having failed, I should be forced to stand upon my own
+defence, and the defence of my fellow Protestants, I would openly
+plant my banner on the hill of Morseiul, stand upon the
+straightforward justice of my cause, point to the unvarying loyalty of
+my life, and demand simple justice for myself and my brethren."
+
+"And you would find all confusion and consternation in your own
+party," replied the man, "not a skeleton even of a regiment ready to
+support you, the timid abandoning you, and the brave unprepared. You
+would find, on the other side, the enemy upon you before you knew
+where you were; instead of justice you would get persecution, and,
+before a fortnight was over, your head would be rolling about the
+Place de Grève. Well, well, be it so!--I will help you yet, my Lord,
+whether you like it or not, and when the day of danger comes, you may
+find Brown Keroual and his band nearer to your hand than you imagine.
+In the mean time, we will keep as quiet as may be. But if you hear of
+a few Jesuits and Lazarites being hung, you must not be surprised,
+that's all.--Have you any thing farther to say to me, my Lord? for it
+is now quite dark; and, like a sober peaceable man," he added with a
+laugh, "I must be going home to supper. One or two of my companions
+may come to fetch me, too."
+
+"I have nothing farther to say, Armand," replied the Count, "except,
+perhaps, it were a word of caution about that young person I saw with
+you just now; and who, I must say, I was sorry to see with you."
+
+"Why, my Lord, why?" demanded the man quickly; "you don't suppose I
+would do her hurt. I would not injure her, so help me God! for the
+whole world. If you had not come up, I should have taken her back in
+five minutes."
+
+"I do not suppose you would wrong her, Herval," said the Count, "by no
+means do I suppose such a thing; but she out here with you, with a
+novice's veil on! She is evidently some Roman Catholic girl in a
+monastery, and I would have you cautious on that account."
+
+"Oh, my lord," replied the man, "the time for caution is all over now.
+We are soon coming to a setting to rights of all those things. Quiet
+cannot be kept up above a fortnight longer, and then the doors of more
+than one convent will be as wide open as the sea. One of three things
+must then happen. We shall either have established our rights, and my
+little novice will be out of her fetters; or we shall be defeated and
+I killed, and that matter over; or defeated, yet living and flying
+away with her, pretty soul, to some country where we may be united in
+peace."
+
+"Yes, yes," replied the Count; "but you do not reflect what you may
+bring upon her head in the mean time. She may be removed from that
+convent to another, where you can never reach her. If these wanderings
+with you are detected, she may be subjected too to punishments and
+penances, such as you have no idea of."
+
+The man laughed aloud. "No fear, my Lord, no fear," he said; "the good
+mothers dare no more send her away than they dare lose their right
+hand. They would fancy the convent in flames the very first night she
+slept out of it. Why, she is their guardian angel, at least so they
+think; and she is specially appointed to bring their tribute,
+consisting of a silver crown and a flask of wine, twice in the week to
+Brown Keroual, in virtue of which they obtain his protection against
+all bands and companies whatsoever. The only stipulation they made
+when the tribute was demanded, was, that he was on no account to tell
+the director; and when the director, who is a greater old woman than
+any one amongst them, heard it in confession, he added, a fifteen sous
+piece once a week for himself, with no other stipulation than that
+Brown Keroual was not to tell the Bishop; so that twice in the week
+the dear child brings me the tribute--ay, and the real tribute, for
+which I sought, of her own sweet company. Nobody dares watch her,
+nobody dares follow her; and as she is always absent the same time,
+and always back again before the bat's wing is to be seen flitting in
+the air, they ask no questions, but judging the distance long, exempt
+her from vespers, that she may accomplish it more easily. And now, my
+Lord Count," he continued, "I must leave you, for my people will be
+waiting for me. I think where we now stand is off your lordship's
+ground, for I could not well give up this meeting place. But farther
+than this, I shall not come, till the time when you shall be very
+willing to thank Brown Keroual for his help."
+
+The Count made no reply to his words, but wishing him good night, he
+left him, and rejoined his servants. He then rode quickly homeward,
+but was somewhat surprised, as he climbed the steep towards the
+castle, to see a full blaze of light pouring through the windows of
+the lesser hall. On entering the gates, however, he saw several horses
+and servants in the liveries of the Chevalier d'Evran, and found his
+friend seated at supper in the hall above.
+
+"You see, Albert," said the Chevalier, rising and grasping his hand as
+he came in, "you see what liberties I take, and what account I make of
+your friendship. Here I come, and order all sorts of viands without
+ceremony, simply because I have ridden hard and am desperately an
+hungred."
+
+His countenance was frank and open, though not perhaps so cheerful in
+its expression as usual; his manner was free and unembarrassed, and
+seemed not as if any thing that had occurred at Poitiers would have
+the slightest tendency to diminish the friendship and intimacy that
+existed between him and the Count. Albert of Morseiul, however, could
+not feel exactly the same. He could not divest his mind of a vague
+feeling of jealous disquietude in regard to the confident intimacy
+which seemed to exist between the Chevalier d'Evran and Clémence de
+Marly. However hopeless might be his own love towards her--however
+much he might have taught himself that despair was in his case
+wisdom--however strong might be his resolutions to resist every
+temptation to seek her society any more, there was something painful
+to him that he could not overcome, in the idea of the Chevalier being
+constantly at her side; and although his regard and affection for his
+friend were not diminished, yet there was an unpleasant feeling at his
+heart when he saw him, which perhaps might make some difference in his
+manner.
+
+"Many thanks for doing so, Louis," he answered, struggling hard
+against his own feelings, "many thanks for doing so. What news bring
+you from Poitiers?"
+
+The Chevalier did not appear to feel any difference in the manner of
+his friend, and replied, "But little news, Albert, and that not good.
+I was but one day in Poitiers before I set off in haste. I found every
+thing in confusion and derangement. The states split into factions;
+the governor, the intendant, and the bishop, at open war with each
+other; cabals of the basest and blackest character going on in every
+quarter of the town; good Madame de Rouvré wishing her husband any
+thing but a governor; and Clémence de Marly looking pale, ill, and
+sorrowful. I stayed but a sufficient time," he continued, not giving
+the Count an opportunity to make any observations, "I stayed but a
+sufficient time to make myself thoroughly acquainted with all that was
+proceeding, and then set off at once for the purpose of proceeding to
+Paris with all speed. I came to spend two or three hours with you,
+Albert, at the most, for I must hurry on without delay. The King, you
+know, is my godfather, and I trust that my representation of what is
+taking place at Poitiers may do some good. If it do not, de Rouvré is
+ruined, and a most pitiful intrigue triumphant."
+
+"I trust in Heaven that you may be successful," replied the Count;
+"but proceed with your supper, d'Evran."
+
+"I will, I will," replied the Chevalier, "but will you let me give you
+one more proof of how much at home I can make myself in your house, by
+giving an order to your servants?"
+
+"Most assuredly," replied the Count; "you have nothing to do but to
+speak."
+
+"It is this, then," said the Chevalier; "you will be good enough,
+Master Jerome Riquet, to make all these worthy gentlemen who are
+assisting you to serve my supper march out of the room in single file.
+Now come, Master Riquet, do it in an officer-like way. You have seen
+service, I know."
+
+Riquet seemed well pleased at the honourable task conferred upon him,
+and according to the Chevalier's direction made the servants troop out
+of the room one by one, he himself preparing to remain as a
+confidential person to serve the Count and his friend during the
+conversation which he doubted not was to ensue. The Chevalier,
+however, as soon as he saw himself obeyed so far, again raised his
+voice, saying,--
+
+"Now, Master Riquet, you have executed the man[oe]uvre so well, that
+it is a pity your men should be without their officer. You will be
+good enough to follow them."
+
+Riquet made a sort of semi-pirouette on the tips of his toes, and
+disappointed, though perhaps not surprised, marched out of the room,
+and shut the door.
+
+"Albert," said the Chevalier, as soon as he was gone, "I am afraid,
+very much afraid, that all is lost for the cause of you Huguenots.
+There are people about the King, who must be mad to counsel him as
+they do. All the news I have, which perhaps you know already, is as
+sad as it can be. There wants but one more step to be taken for the
+utter abolition of what you call the reformed religion in France--I
+mean the abolition of the privileges granted by the edict of
+Nantes--and perhaps that step will be taken before I can reach Paris."
+
+"So quickly?" exclaimed the Count.
+
+"Even so!" rejoined his friend. "All the mad-like steps which have
+been taken by the council have been applauded by one general roar of
+the whole clergy of France. Petition after petition has come in from
+every Catholic body through the land, beseeching the King to do you
+every sort of injustice, and I feel convinced that they are persuading
+him, while he is risking a civil war, ruining his provinces, and
+exasperating some of his most faithful subjects, that he is acting
+justly, politicly and religiously, and is, in short, a saint upon
+earth, notwithstanding all his mistresses. I pretend to no power over
+the King or influence with him, except inasmuch as I can often say to
+him, in my wild rambling way, things that nobody else could say, and
+dare to tell him under the same cloak many an unpleasant fact that
+others will not tell him. However, my object now is to open his eyes
+about de Rouvré, to whom I am too deeply bound by ties of gratitude to
+see him injured and calumniated, if I can help it. I would fain ask
+you, Albert, what you intend to do, how you intend to act, when these
+rash measures are pushed to the extreme against you; but yet it is
+unfair to give you the pain of refusing me, and perhaps unwise to seek
+a share in secrets which I ought not to know, or, knowing, to reveal."
+
+"As far as any thing has yet passed," replied the Count, "there is
+nothing either to conceal or to reveal, Louis. It will be difficult
+for the King to tire out my loyalty. I am determined to bear to the
+very utmost. What I shall do when the very utmost bound of endurance
+is passed I do not know, having as yet settled nothing in my own
+mind."
+
+"I cannot think," continued the Chevalier, "that the King will
+individually treat you ill, who have served him so well; but with
+regard to your religion, depend upon it the utmost extremes are
+determined upon already."
+
+"I grieve to hear it," replied the Count, "but it is not more than I
+expected. The rapidity of these measures gives no time for calm and
+loyal remonstrance or petition to make the King aware of the real
+truth."
+
+"Such is indeed the case," said the Chevalier. "Couriers are arriving
+at Poitiers and taking their departure again five or six times in the
+day, killing the horses on the road, setting off fat men themselves
+and returning thin.--I know this is no joking matter, Albert, and I am
+anxious to do what little good I can. I am therefore going to follow
+the example of these couriers, and as soon as I have seen the King,
+and obtained some satisfaction on these matters, I shall return hither
+with all speed to watch the progress of events, and if possible to
+shield and protect my friends. In this quarter of the world," he
+added, holding out his hand to the Count with a frank smile, "in this
+quarter of the world are all those for whom I entertain any very
+sincere affection; de Rouvré, who has befriended me from my youth, and
+never lost an opportunity of serving me; you, Albert, who have been my
+companion for many years in perils and dangers, to whom I owe the
+immense benefit of a good example, and the no less inestimable
+blessing of a noble mind to communicate with under all circumstances."
+
+"And Clémence de Marly," said the Count, with a melancholy smile, "of
+course you will add Clémence de Marly, Chevalier."
+
+"Assuredly," replied the Chevalier, "assuredly, Albert, I will add
+Clémence de Marly. I will not ask you, Albert, why you look at me
+reproachfully. Clémence, I believe from my heart, loves you, and I
+scruple not to tell you so. If it were not for the cursed obstacle of
+your religion, you might both be happy. That is a terrible obstacle,
+it is true; but were it not for that--I say--you might both be happy,
+and your example and her love for you might do away the only faults
+she has, and make her to you a perfect angel, though there is not one
+other man in France, perhaps, whom she could endure or render happy.
+She also, and her fate, are amongst the objects of my journey to
+Paris; but of that I shall tell you nothing till I can tell you all."
+
+"I know you are a man of mysteries," said the Count with a faint
+smile, "and therefore I suppose I must neither attempt to investigate
+this, nor to enquire how it is, that the gay and gallant Chevalier
+d'Evran is in one way insensible to charms which he is so sensible of
+in other respects."
+
+"You are right, Albert, not to make any such attempt," replied the
+Chevalier. "With respect to love for Clémence, a thousand causes may
+have produced the peculiar feelings I entertain towards her. I may
+_have loved_ and been cured."
+
+The Count made no reply, but fell into a reverie; and after gazing on
+him for a minute or two the Chevalier added, "You, Albert, love her,
+and are not cured."
+
+His friend, however, was still silent, and, changing the conversation,
+the Chevalier talked of indifferent things, and did not return to
+subjects of such painful interest, till midnight came, and he once
+more took his departure from the château of Morseiul.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                     THE PREACHING IN THE DESERT.
+
+
+Again we must pass over a brief space of time, and also somewhat
+change the scene, but not very far. In the interval, the acts of a
+bigoted and despotic monarch had been guided by the advice of cruel
+and injudicious ministers, till the formal prohibition of the opening
+of any Protestant place of worship throughout France for the service
+of God, according to the consciences of the members of the reformed
+church, had been proclaimed throughout the land. Such had been the
+change, or rather the progress, made in that time; and the falling off
+of many leading Protestants, the disunion which existed amongst
+others, the overstrained loyalty of some, and the irresolution of
+many, had shown to even the calmer and the firmer spirits, who might
+still have conducted resistance against tyranny to a successful
+result, that though, perhaps, they might shed oceans of blood, the
+Protestant cause in France was lost, at least for the time.
+
+The scene, too, we have said, was changed.
+
+It was no longer the city of Poitiers, with its multitudes and its gay
+parties; it was no longer the château, with its lord and his
+attendants; it was no longer the country town, with its citizens and
+its artizans; but it was upon one of those dark brown moors of which
+so many are to be found on the borders of Brittany and Poitou, under
+the canopy of heaven alone, and with nothing but the bleakest objects
+in nature round about.
+
+The moor had a gentle slope towards the westward. It was covered with
+gorse and heath, interspersed with old ragged hawthorns, stunted and
+partly withered, as we often see, some being brought up in poverty and
+neglect, never knowing care or shelter, stinted and sickly, and
+shrivelling with premature decay. Cast here and there amongst the
+thorns, too, were large masses of rock and cold grey stone, the
+appearance of which in that place was difficult to account for, as
+there was no higher ground around from which such masses could have
+fallen. A small wood of pines had been planted near the summit of the
+ground, but they, too, had decayed prematurely in that ungrateful
+soil; and though each tree presented here and there some scrubby tufts
+of dark green foliage, the principal branches stood out, white and
+blasted, skeleton fingers pointing in despairing mockery at the wind
+that withered them.
+
+The hour was about six o'clock in the evening, and as if to accord
+with the earth below it, there was a cold and wintry look about the
+sky which the season did not justify; and the long blue lines of dark
+cloud, mingled with streaks of yellow and orange towards the verge of
+heaven, seemed to bespeak an early autumn. There was one little pond
+in the foreground of the picture sunk deep amongst some banks and
+hawthorn bushes, and looking dark and stern as every thing around it.
+Flapping up from it, however, scared by the noise of a horse's feet,
+rose a large white stork, contrasting strangely with the dim shadowy
+waters.
+
+The person that startled the bird by passing nearer to him than any
+body else had done, rode forward close by the head of the pond to a
+spot about three hundred yards farther on, where a great multitude of
+people were assembled, perhaps to the number of two thousand. He was
+followed by several servants; but it is to be remarked that both
+servants and lord were unarmed. He himself did not even wear the
+customary sword, without which not a gentleman in France was seen at
+any distance from his own house, and no apparent arms of any kind, not
+even the small knife or dagger, often worn by a page, was visible
+amongst the attendants. There was a buzz of many voices as he
+approached, but it was instantly silenced, when, dismounting from his
+horse, he gave the rein to a servant, and then advanced to meet one or
+two persons who drew out from the crowd as if privileged by intimacy
+to speak with him. The first of these was Claude de l'Estang, whose
+hand he took and shook affectionately, though mournfully. The second
+was a tall thin ravenous-looking personage, with sharp-cut lengthened
+features, a keen, but somewhat unsettled, we might almost use the word
+phrenzied, eye, and an expression of countenance altogether neither
+very benevolent nor very prepossessing. He also took the Count's hand,
+saying, "I am glad to see thee, my son; I am glad to see thee. Thou
+art somewhat behind the time, and in this great day of backsliding and
+falling off I feared that even thou, one of our chief props and
+greatest lights, might have departed from us into the camp of the
+Philistines."
+
+"Fear not, Monsieur Chopel," replied the Count; "I trust there is no
+danger of such weakness on my part. I was detained to write a letter
+in answer to one from good Monsieur de Rouvré, who has suffered so
+much in our cause, and who, it seems, arrived at Ruffigny last night."
+
+"I know he did," said Claude de l'Estang; "but pray, my dear Albert,
+before either myself or our good brother, Monsieur Chopel, attempt to
+lead the devotions of the people, do you speak a few words of comfort
+and consolation to them, and above all things counsel them to peace
+and tranquil doings."
+
+The Count paused and seemed to hesitate for a moment. In truth, the
+task that was put upon him was not pleasant to him, and he would fain
+have avoided it; but accustomed to overcome all repugnance to that
+which was right, he conquered himself with scarcely a struggle, and
+advanced with Claude de l'Estang into the midst of the people, who
+made way with respectful reverence, as he sought for some slightly
+elevated point from which to address them more easily. Chopel and
+l'Estang, however, had chosen a sort of rude rock for their pulpit
+before he came, and having been led thither, the Count mounted upon
+it, and took off his hat, as a sign that he was about to speak. All
+voices were immediately hushed, and he then went on.
+
+"My brethren," he said, "we are here assembled to worship God
+according to our own consciences, and to the rules and doctrines of
+the reformed church. In so doing we are not failing in our duty to the
+King, who, as sovereign of these realms, is the person whom, under
+God, we are most bound to obey and reverence. It has seemed fit to his
+Majesty, from motives, upon which I will not touch, to withdraw from
+us much that was granted by his predecessors. He has ordered the
+temples in which we are accustomed to worship to be closed, so that on
+this, the Sabbath day, we have no longer any place of permitted
+worship but in the open air. That, however, has not been denied us;
+there is no prohibition to our meeting and praising God here, and this
+resource at least is allowed us, which, though it may put us to some
+slight inconvenience and discomfort, will not the less afford the
+sincere and devout an opportunity of raising their prayers to the
+Almighty, in company with brethren of the same faith and doctrines as
+themselves. We know that God does not dwell in temples made with
+hands; and I have only to remind you, my brethren, before giving place
+to our excellent ministers, who will lead our devotions this day, that
+the God we have assembled to worship is also a God of peace, who has
+told us, by the voice of his Son, not to revile those who revile us,
+nor smite those that smite us, but to bear patiently all things,
+promising that those who endure to the last shall be saved. I
+appointed this place," he continued, "for our meeting, because it was
+far from any town, and consequently we shall have few here from idle
+curiosity, and afford no occasion of offence to any man. I begged you
+earnestly to come unarmed also, as I myself have done, that there
+might be no doubt of our views and purposes being pacific. I am happy
+to see that all have followed this advice, I believe without
+exception, and also that there are several women amongst us, which, I
+trust, is a sign that, in the strait and emergency in which we now
+are, they will not abandon their husbands, their fathers, and their
+brothers, for any inducement, but continue to serve God in the faith
+in which they have been brought up."
+
+Having thus spoken, the Count gave place and descended amongst the
+people, retiring several steps from the little sort of temporary
+pulpit, and preparing to go through the service of the reformed
+church, as if he had been within the walls of the temple his father
+had built in Morseiul, and which was now ordered to be levelled with
+the ground.
+
+After a few words between Claude de l'Estang and Chopel, the latter
+mounted the pulpit and gave out a psalm, the ----, which he led
+himself, in a voice like thunder. The whole congregation joined; and
+though the verses that they repeated were in the simple unadorned
+words of the olden times, and the voices that sung them not always in
+perfect harmony, yet the sound of that melody in the midst of the
+desert had something strangely impressive, nay, even affecting. The
+hearts of a people that would not bow down before man, bowed down
+before God; and they who in persecution and despair had lost all trust
+on earth, in faith and hope raised their voices unto heaven with
+praise and adoration.
+
+When the psalm was over, and the minds of all men prepared for prayer,
+the clergyman who had given out the psalm, closing his eyes and
+spreading his hands, turned his face towards the sky and began his
+address to the Almighty. We shall not pause upon the words that he
+made use of here, as it would be irreverent to use them lightly; but
+it is sufficient to say, that he mingled many themes with his address
+that both Claude de l'Estang and the Count de Morseiul wished had been
+omitted. He thanked God for the trial and purification to which he had
+subjected his people: but in doing so, he dwelt so long upon, and
+entered so deeply into, the nature of all those trials and grievances
+and the source from which they sprang, pointed out with such virulent
+acrimony the tyranny and the persecution which the reformed church had
+suffered, and clothed so aptly, nay, so eloquently, his petitions
+against the persecutors and enemies of the church, in the sublime
+language of scripture, that the Count could not but feel that he was
+very likely to stir up the people to seek their deliverance with their
+own hand and think themselves fully justified by holy writ; or, at all
+events, to exasperate their already excited passions, and render the
+least spark likely to cast them into a flame.
+
+Albert of Morseiul was uneasy while this was proceeding, especially as
+the prayer lasted an extraordinary length of time, and he could not
+refrain from turning to examine the countenances of some of the
+persons present, in order to discover what was the effect produced
+upon them, especially as he saw a man, standing between him and the
+rock on which the preacher stood, grasp something under his cloak, as
+if the appearance of being unarmed was, in that case, not quite real.
+Near to him were one or two women wrapped up in the large grey cloaks
+of the country, and they obstructed his view to the right; but at some
+distance straight before him he saw the burly form of Virlay, the
+blacksmith, and close by him again the stern, but expressive,
+countenance of Armand Herval. Scattered round about, too, he remarked
+a considerable number of men with a single cock's feather stuck in the
+front of the hat, which, though bands of feathers and similar
+ornaments were very much affected, even by the lower classes of that
+period, was by no means a common decoration in the part of the country
+where he then was.
+
+Every thing, indeed, was peaceable and orderly in the demeanour of the
+crowd: no one pressed upon the other, no one moved, no one spoke, but
+each and all stood in deep silence, listening to the words of the
+minister; but they listened with frowning brows and stern dark looks,
+and the young Count felt thankful that the lateness of the hour, and
+the distance from any town, rendered it unlikely that the proceedings
+would be interrupted by the interference, or even appearance, of any
+of the Catholic authorities of the province.
+
+The prayer of the clergyman Chopel at length came to an end; and, as
+had been previously arranged between them, Claude de l'Estang, in
+turn, advanced. Another hymn was sung; and the ejected minister of
+Auron commenced, what was then called amongst the Huguenots of France,
+"the preaching in the desert." On mounting the rock that served them
+for a pulpit, the old man seemed a good deal affected; and twice he
+wiped away tears from his eyes, while he gazed round upon the people
+with a look of strong interest and affection, which every one present
+saw and felt deeply. He then paused for a moment in silent prayer,
+and, when it was concluded, took a step forward with the Bible open in
+his hand, his demeanour changed, the spirit of the orator upon him,
+and high and noble energy lighting up his eyes and shining on his
+lofty brow.
+
+"The nineteenth verse of the twenty-first chapter of St. Luke," he
+said, "_In your patience possess ye your souls!_"
+
+"My brethren, let us be patient, for to such as are so, is promised
+the kingdom of heaven. My brethren, let us be patient, for so we are
+taught by the living word of God. My brethren, let us be patient, for
+Christ was patient, even unto death, before us. What! shall we know
+that the saints and prophets of God have been scorned, and mocked, and
+persecuted, in all ages? what! shall we know that the apostles of
+Christ, the first teachers of the gospel of grace, have been scourged,
+and driven forth, and stoned and slain? what! shall we know that, for
+ages, the destroying sword was out, from land to land, against our
+brethren in the Lord? what! shall we know that he himself closed a
+life of poverty and endurance, by submitting willingly to insult,
+buffeting, and a torturing death?--and shall we not bear our cross
+meekly? What! I ask again, shall we know that the church of Christ was
+founded in persecution, built up by the death of saints, cemented by
+the blood of martyrs, and yet rose triumphant over the storms of
+heathen wrath; and shall we doubt that yet, even yet, we shall stand
+and not be cast down? Shall we refuse to seal the covenant with our
+blood, or to endure the reproach of our Lord even unto the last?
+
+"Yes, my brethren, yes! God will give you, and me also, grace to do
+so; and though 'ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren,
+and kinsfolk, and friends, and some of you shall they cause to be put
+to death,' yet the faithful and the true shall endure unto the last,
+and '_in your patience possess ye your souls_.'
+
+"But there is more required at your hands than patience, my brethren.
+There is constancy! perseverance in the way of the Lord! There must be
+no falling off in the time of difficulty or danger; there must be no
+hesitation in the service of our God. We have put our hands to the
+plough, and we must not look back. We have engaged in the great work,
+and we must not slacken our diligence. Remember, my brethren,
+remember, that the most fiery persecution is but the trial of our
+faith, and all who strive for a great reward, all who struggle for the
+glory of the kingdom of heaven, must be as gold ten times purified in
+the fire. Were it not so even,--were we not Christians,--had we not
+the word of God for our direction,--had we not the command of Christ
+to obey, where is the man amongst us that would falsify the truth,
+declare that thing wrong which he believed to be right, swear that he
+believed that which he knew to be false, put on the garb of hypocrisy
+and clothe himself with falsehood as with a garment, to shield himself
+from the scourge of the scorner or the sword of the persecutor?
+
+"If there be such a coward or such a hypocrite here, let him go forth
+from amongst us, and Satan, the father of lies, shall conduct him to
+the camp of the enemy. Where is the man amongst us, I say, that, were
+there nothing to restrain him but the inward voice of conscience,
+would show himself so base as to abandon the faith of his fathers, in
+the hour of persecution?
+
+"But when we know that we are right, when the word of God is our
+warrant, when our faith in Christ is our stay, when the object before
+us is the glory of God and our own salvation, who would be fool enough
+to barter eternal condemnation for the tranquillity of a day? Who
+would not rather sell all that he has, and take up his cross and
+follow Christ, than linger by the flesh-pots of Egypt, and dwell in
+the tents of sin?
+
+"Christ foretold, my brethren, that those who followed him faithfully
+should endure persecution to the end of the earth. He won us not by
+the promises of earthly glory, he seduced us not by the allurements of
+worldly wealth, he held out no inducement to our ambition by the
+promises of power and authority, he bribed not our pride by the hope
+of man's respect and reverence. Oh, no; himself, _The Word of God_,
+which is but to say all in one word, _Truth_; he told us all things
+truly; he laid before us, as our lot below, poverty, contempt, and
+scorn, the world's reproach, the calumny of the evil, chains,
+tortures, and imprisonment, contumely, persecution, and death. These
+he set before us as our fate, these he suffered as our example, these
+he endured with patience for our atonement! Those who became followers
+of Christ knew well the burden that they took up; saw the load that
+they had here to bear; and, strengthened by faith and by the Holy
+Spirit, shrunk not from the task, groaned not under the weight of the
+cross. They saw before their eyes the exceeding great reward,--the
+reward that was promised to them, the reward that is promised to us,
+the reward that is promised to all who shall endure unto the last,--to
+enter into the joy of our Master, to become a partaker of the kingdom
+reserved for him from before all worlds.
+
+"We must therefore, my brethren, endure; we must endure unto the last;
+but we must endure with patience, and with forbearance, and with
+meekness, and with gentleness; and 'it shall turn to us for a
+testimony,' it shall produce for us a reward. They may smite us here,
+and they may slay us, and they may bring us down to the dust of death;
+but he has promised that not a hair of our heads shall perish, and
+that _in our patience shall we possess our souls_.
+
+"The woe that he denounced against Jerusalem, did it not fall upon it?
+When the day of vengeance came, that all things written were to be
+fulfilled, did not armies compass it about, and desolation draw nigh
+unto it, and was not distress great in the land and wrath upon the
+people, and did not millions fall by the sword, and were not millions
+led away captives into all nations, and was not Jerusalem trodden down
+of the Gentiles, and was there one stone left upon another?
+
+"If, then, God, the God of mercy, so fulfilled each word, when kindled
+to exercise wrath; how much more shall he fulfil every tittle of his
+gracious promises to those that serve him? If, then, the prophecies of
+destruction have been fulfilled, so, also, shall be the prophecies of
+grace and glory, by Him whose words pass not away, though heaven and
+earth may pass away. For sorrows and endurance in time, he has
+promised us glory and peace in eternity; and for the persecutions
+which we now suffer, he gives to those, who endure unto the last, the
+recompence of his eternal joy.
+
+"With endurance we shall live, and _with patience we shall possess our
+souls_; and we--if we so do, serving God in this life under all
+adversities--shall have peace, the peace of God which passeth all
+understanding; joy, the joy of the Lord, who has trodden down his
+enemies; glory, the glory of the knowledge of God, when he cometh with
+clouds and great glory, and every eye shall see him, and they, also,
+which pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of
+him. Even so, Amen."
+
+The words of the preacher were poured forth rather than spoken. It
+seemed less like eloquence than like inspiration. His full, round,
+clear voice was heard through every part of his large auditory; not a
+word was lost, not a tone was indistinct, and the people listened with
+that deep stern silence which causes a general rustle, like the
+sighing of the wind, to take place through the multitude when he
+paused for a moment in his discourse, and every one drew deep the
+long-suppressed breath.
+
+In the same strain, and with the same powers of voice and gesture,
+Claude de l'Estang was going on with his sermon, when some sounds were
+heard at the farther part of the crowd, towards the spot where the
+scene was sheltered by the stunted wood we have mentioned: As those
+sounds were scarcely sufficient to give any interruption to the
+minister, being merely those apparently of some other persons
+arriving, the Count de Morseiul, and almost every one on that side of
+the preacher, remained gazing upon him as he went on with the same
+energy, and did not turn their heads to see what occasioned the noise.
+
+Those, however, who were on the opposite side, and who, when looking
+towards the minister, had at the same time in view the spot from which
+the sounds proceeded, were seen to gaze sternly from time to time in
+that direction; and once or twice, notwithstanding the solemn words
+they heard, stooped down their heads together, and spoke in whispering
+consultation. These appearances at length induced the Count de
+Morseiul to turn his eyes that way; when he beheld a sight, which at
+once made his blood boil, but made him thankful also that he had come
+in such guise as even to act as a restraint upon himself, having no
+arms of any kind upon him.
+
+At the skirt of the crowd were collected a party of eighteen or twenty
+dragoons, who were forcing their horses slowly in amongst the people,
+who drew back, and gazed upon them with looks of stern determined
+hatred. The purpose of the soldiers, indeed, seemed to be simply to
+insult and to annoy, for they did not proceed to any overt act of
+violence, and were so far separated from each other, in a disorderly
+manner, that it could only be supposed they came thither to find
+themselves sport, rather than to disperse the congregation by any
+lawful authority. The foremost of the whole party was the young
+Marquis de Hericourt, and Albert of Morseiul conceived, perhaps not
+unreasonably, that there might be some intention of giving him
+personal annoyance at the bottom of that young officer's conduct.
+
+Distinguished from the rest of the people by his dress, the Count was
+very plainly to be seen from the spot where De Hericourt was, and the
+young dragoon slowly made his way towards him through the press,
+looking at the people on either side with but ill-concealed signs of
+contempt upon his countenance.
+
+The Count determined, as far as possible, to set an example of
+patience; and when the rash youth came close up to him, saying aloud,
+"Ha, Monsieur de Morseiul, a lucky opportunity! I have long wished to
+hear a _prêche_," the Count merely raised his hand as a sign for the
+young man to keep silence, and pointed with his right hand to the
+pastor, who with an undisturbed demeanour and steady voice pursued his
+sermon as if not the slightest interruption had occurred, although the
+young dragoon on horseback in the midst of his people, was at that
+moment before him.
+
+De Hericourt was bent upon mischief, however. Rash to the pitch of
+folly, he had neither inquired nor considered whether the people were
+armed or not, but having heard that one of the preachings in the
+desert was to take place, he had come, unauthorised, for the purpose
+of disturbing and dispersing the congregation, not by the force of
+law, but by insult and annoyance, which he thought the Protestants
+would not dare to resist. He listened, then, for a moment or two to
+the words of Claude de l'Estang, seeming, for an instant, somewhat
+struck with the impressive manner of the old man; but he soon got
+tired, and, turning the bridle of his horse, as if to pass round the
+Count de Morseiul, he said again, aloud, "You've got a number of women
+here, Monsieur de Morseiul; pretty little heretics, I've no doubt! I
+should like to have a look at their faces."
+
+So saying, he spurred on unceremoniously, driving back five or six
+people before him, and caught hold of one of the women--whom we have
+noticed as standing not very far from the Count de Morseiul--trying,
+at the same time, to pull back the thick veil which was over her face.
+
+The Count could endure no longer, more especially as, in the grey
+cloak and the veil with which the person assailed by the dragoon was
+covered, he thought he recognised the dress of the lady he had
+formerly seen at the house of Claude de l'Estang.
+
+Starting forward then instantly to her side, he seized the bridle of
+De Hericourt's horse, and forced the animal back almost upon his
+haunches. The young officer stooped forward over his saddle bow,
+seeking for a pistol in his holster, and at the same moment addressing
+an insulting and contemptuous term to the Count. No sooner was it
+uttered, however, than he received one single buffet from the hand of
+Albert of Morseiul, which cast him headlong from his horse into the
+midst of the people.
+
+Every one was rushing upon him; his dragoons were striving to force
+their way forward to the spot; the voice of Claude de l'Estang, though
+exerted to its utmost power, was unheard; and in another instant the
+rash young man would have been literally torn to pieces by the people
+he had insulted.
+
+But with stern and cool self-possession the Count de Morseiul strode
+over him, and held back those that were rushing forward, with his
+powerful arms, exclaiming, in a voice of thunder,--
+
+"Stand back, my friends, stand back! This is a private quarrel. I must
+have no odds against an adversary and a fellow-soldier. Stand back, I
+say! We are here man to man, and whoever dares to take him out of my
+hands is my enemy, not my friend. Rise, Monsieur de Hericourt," he
+said in a lower voice, "rise, mount your horse, and be gone. I cannot
+protect you a minute longer."
+
+Some of the Count's servants, who had been standing near, had by this
+time made their way up to him, and with their help he cleared the
+space around, shouting to the dragoons who were striving to come up,
+and had not clearly seen the transaction which had taken place, "Keep
+back, keep back!--I will answer for his life! If you come up there
+will be bloodshed!"
+
+In the mean time the young man had sprung upon his feet, his dress
+soiled by the fall, his face glowing like fire, and fury flashing from
+his eyes.
+
+"You have struck me," he cried, glaring upon the Count; "you have
+struck me, and I will have your blood."
+
+"Hush, Sir," said the Count, calmly. "Do not show yourself quite a
+madman. Mount your horse, and begone while you may! I shall be at the
+château of Morseiul till twelve o'clock tomorrow," he added in a lower
+voice. "Mount, mount!" he proceeded in a quicker manner, seeing some
+movements on the other side of the crowd of a very menacing kind;
+"Mount, if you would live and keep your soldiers' lives another
+minute!"
+
+De Hericourt sprang into the saddle, and, while the Count, in that
+tone of command which was seldom disobeyed, exclaimed, "Make way for
+him there; let no one impede him;" he spurred on quickly through the
+crowd, gathering his men together as he went.
+
+All eyes were turned to look after him, but the moment he and his
+troop were free from the people at the extreme edge of the crowd, he
+was seen to speak a word to the man at the head of the file. The
+soldiers immediately halted, faced round, and, carrying fire-arms as
+they did, coolly unslung their carbines.
+
+The first impulse of that part of the crowd nearest to the dragoons,
+was to press back, while those on the opposite side strove to get
+forward, headed by Virlay and Armand Herval. The crush in the centre
+was consequently tremendous, but the Count de Morseiul succeeded in
+casting himself between the female he had saved and the troopers. At
+the very moment that he did so, the dragoons raised their fusees to
+their shoulders, and fired at once into the midst of the compact mass
+of people. Every shot told; and one unfortunate young man, about two
+paces from the Count de Morseiul, received no less than four shots in
+his head and throat. A mingled yell of rage and agony rose up from the
+people, while a loud exulting laugh broke from the soldiery. But their
+triumph was only for a moment, for they were instantly assailed by a
+shower of immense stones which knocked one of the troopers off his
+horse, and killed him on the spot.
+
+Herval and Virlay, too, made their way round behind the rock on which
+the clergyman had been standing, and it now became apparent that, in
+that part of the crowd at least, arms were not wanting, for flash
+after flash broke from the dense mass of the advancing multitude, and
+swords and pikes were seen gleaming in the air.
+
+The troopers at length turned their horses and fled, but not before
+they had suffered tremendously. The Huguenots pursued, and with
+peculiar skill and knowledge of the country, drove them hither and
+thither over the moor. Some having mounted the horses which brought
+them thither, pursued them into spots that they could not pass, while
+some on foot defended the passes and ravines. The Count de Morseiul
+and his servants mounted instantly, and rode far and wide over the
+place, attempting to stop the effusion of blood, and being, in many
+instances, successful in rescuing some of the soldiery from the hands
+of the people and from the death they well deserved. Thus passed more
+than an hour, till seeing that the light was beginning to fail, and
+that the last spot of the sun was just above the horizon, the Count
+turned back to the scene of that day's unfortunate meeting, in the
+hope of rendering some aid and assistance to the wounded who had been
+left behind.
+
+He had by this time but one servant with him, and when he came to the
+spot where the meeting had been held, he found it quite deserted. The
+wounded and the dead had been carried away by those who remained; and,
+of the rest of the people who had been there, the greater part had
+been scattered abroad in pursuit of the fugitive soldiers, while part
+had fled in fear to their own homes. There was nothing but the cold
+grey rock, and the brown moor stained here and there with blood, and
+the dark purple streaks of the evening sky, and the east wind
+whistling mournfully through the thin trees.
+
+"I think, Sir," said the servant, after his master had paused for some
+moments in melancholy mood, gazing on the scene around, "I think, Sir,
+that I hear voices down by the water, where we put up the stork as we
+came."
+
+The Count listened, and heard voices too, and he instantly turned his
+horse thither. By the side of that dark water he found a melancholy
+group, consisting of none other but Claude de l'Estang and two female
+figures, all kneeling round or supporting the form of a third person,
+also a female, who seemed severely hurt. This was the sight which
+presented itself to the eyes of the Count from the top of the bank
+above; and, dismounting, he sprang down to render what assistance he
+could.
+
+His first attention was turned, of course, almost entirely to the
+wounded girl, whose head and shoulders were supported on the knee of
+one of the other women, while the pastor was pouring into her ear, in
+solemn tones, the words of hope and consolation--but they were words
+of hope and consolation referring to another world. The hand that lay
+upon her knee was fair and soft, the form seemed young and graceful;
+and, though the Count as he descended could not see her face, the
+novice's veil that hung from her head told him a sad tale in regard to
+the story of her life. He doubted not, from all he saw, that she was
+dying; and his heart sickened when he thought of the unhappy man who
+had brought her thither, and of what would be the feelings of his
+fierce and vehement heart when he heard the fate that had befallen
+her.
+
+He had scarcely time to think of it, for, ere he had well reached the
+bottom of the descent, the sound of a horse coming furiously along was
+heard, and Armand Herval paused on the opposite side of the dell, and
+gazed down upon the group below. It seemed as if instinct told him
+that there was what he sought; for, without going on to the moor, he
+turned his horse's rein down the descent, though it was steep and
+dangerous, and in a moment had sprung from the beast's back and was
+kneeling by her he had loved.
+
+It is scarcely to be told whether she was conscious of his presence or
+not, for the hand of death was strong upon her; but it is certain
+that, as he printed upon her hands the burning kisses of love in
+agony, and quenched them with his tears, it is certain that a smile
+came over her countenance before that last awful shudder with which
+the soul parted from the body for ever.
+
+After it was all over he gazed at her for a single instant without
+speaking. Every one present saw that he acted as if of right, and let
+him do what he would; and unpinning the veil from her long beautiful
+hair, he took and steeped it in the blood that was still,
+notwithstanding all that had been done to stanch it, welling from a
+deep wound in her breast, till every part of the fabric was wet
+with gore. He then took the veil, placed it in his brown, scarred
+bosom--upon his heart;--and raising his eyes and one hand to Heaven,
+murmured some words that were not distinctly heard. He had not uttered
+one audible sentence since he came up, but he now turned, and with a
+tone of intreaty addressed Claude de l'Estang.
+
+"The spirit will bless you, Sir," he said, "for giving her comfort in
+the hour of death! May I bear her to your house till eleven o'clock
+to-night, when I may remove her to her own abode?"
+
+"I must not refuse you, my poor young man," replied the clergyman.
+"But I fear that my house will be no safe resting-place, even for the
+dead, just now."
+
+Herval grasped his arm, and said, in a low but emphatic tone, "It is
+safe, Sir, against all the troops in Poitou. How long it may be so, I
+cannot tell; but as long as this arm can wield a sword, it shall not
+want defence. My Lord Count," he added, pointing to the dead body,
+"did I not hear that you meet her murderer to-morrow at noon?"
+
+"I know not the hour or place he may appoint," replied the Count in a
+low deep voice; "but we do meet! and there are things that call aloud
+for vengeance, Herval, which even I cannot forgive."
+
+The man laughed aloud, but that laugh was no voice of merriment. It
+was dreary, boding, horrible, and in good accordance with the
+circumstances and the scene. He replied nothing to the words of the
+Count, however, turning to the pastor and saying, "Now, Sir, now! If
+you will give shelter to the dead for but an hour or two, you shall
+win deep gratitude of the living."
+
+"Willingly," replied the pastor. "But then," he added, turning to one
+of the other two women who were present, "Who shall protect you home,
+dear lady?"
+
+"That will I do, at the risk of my life," said the Count; and the
+other woman, whom the pastor had not addressed, replied, "It will be
+better so. We have been too long absent already."
+
+Armand Herval had not noticed the brief words that were spoken, for he
+was gazing with an intense and eager look upon the fair countenance of
+the dead, with bitter anguish written in every line of his face. The
+pastor touched his arm gently, saying, "Now, my son, let me and you
+carry the body. We can pass through the wood unseen."
+
+But the other put him by, with his hand, saying, in a sad tone, "I
+need no help;" and then kneeled down by her side, he put his arms
+around her, saying, "Let me bear thee in my bosom, sweet child, once
+only, once before the grave parteth us, and ere it shall unite us
+again. Oh, Claire, Claire," he added, kissing her cold lips
+passionately, "Oh, Claire, Claire, was it for this I taught thee a
+purer faith, and brought thee hither to see the worship of the
+persecuted followers of the cross? Was it for this I bent down my
+nature, and became soft as a woman to suit my heart to yours? Oh,
+Claire, Claire, if I have brought thee to death, I will avenge thy
+death; and for every drop that falls from my eyes, I will have a drop
+of blood."
+
+"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord!" the old man said in a low tone;
+"but let us haste, my son, for night is coming on fast. Farewell,
+lady. Albert, I trust them to thee. We shall meet again--if not here,
+in heaven!"
+
+Armand Herval took the corpse of the fair girl who had fallen, in his
+powerful arms, and bore her after the pastor towards the wood we have
+mentioned, while his horse, trained so to do, followed him with a
+regular pace, and entered the road through the copse immediately after
+him.
+
+Albert of Morseiul remained alone with the two ladies, his
+interposition in favour of one of whom had brought on the sad events
+which we have detailed. As soon as the pastor was gone, he advanced
+towards her, and held out both his hands with deep emotion. "I cannot
+be mistaken," he said. "The disguise might deceive any other eyes, but
+it cannot mine. Clémence! it must be Clémence! Am I not right?"
+
+She put her hands in his in return, saying, "Oh, yes, you are right!
+But what, what shall I do, Monsieur de Morseuil? I am faint and weary
+with agitation, and all this terrible scene. I have left the carriage
+that brought me hither at two or three miles' distance, and, perhaps,
+it too has gone away on the report of the fliers from this awful
+place."
+
+"I will send up my servant immediately," said the Count, "to see, and
+in the mean time rest here, Clémence. In this deep hollow we shall
+escape all passing eyes till his return, and you will have more
+shelter than any where else.--Where can the servant find the
+carriage?"
+
+Clémence, who had raised her veil, looked towards her companion to
+explain more fully than she could do. But her attendant, Maria--for
+such was the person who accompanied her--judging, perhaps, that a word
+spoken at such a moment between two people, situated as were Clémence
+de Marly and the Count de Morseiul, might have more effect than whole
+hours of conversation at another time, took upon herself the task of
+telling the servant, saying, "I can direct him, my Lord, better than
+any one. It were as well to bring your horse down here before he
+goes."
+
+The Count assented, and with a slow step she proceeded to fulfil her
+errand.
+
+"Clémence de Marly trembled not a little. She felt that the moment for
+the decision of her fate for life was come. She felt that her heart
+and her faith must be plighted to Albert of Morseiul at that moment,
+or, perhaps, never. She felt that if she did so plight it, she
+plighted herself to care, to grief, to anxiety, to danger,--perhaps to
+destruction,--perhaps to desolation. But that very feeling took away
+all hesitation, all scruple, and made her, in a moment, make up her
+mind to let him see her heart as it really was, to cast away from her
+every vain and every proud feeling, and to stand, before him she
+loved, without disguise. The Count, too, felt, and felt strongly, that
+this was a moment which must not be let pass; and the instant the
+attendant had quitted them, he raised the lady's hand to his lips,
+pressing on it a warm and passionate kiss.
+
+"Tell me, Clémence, tell me, dear Clémence," he said, "what is the
+meaning of this. What is the meaning of your presence here? Is it, is
+it that the only barrier which existed between us is removed? Is it
+that you are of the same faith as I am?"
+
+"Is that the only barrier, Albert?" she said, shaking her head
+somewhat reproachfully. "Is that the only barrier? You spoke of many."
+
+"I spoke of only one insurmountable," replied the Count, "and I
+believed that to be insurmountable, Clémence, for I was even then
+aware of the decree, which did not appear till afterwards, but which
+forbade the marriage of Catholics and Protestants."
+
+"And was that the only insurmountable one?" she demanded. "Was that
+the only insurmountable barrier to our union?--What, if I had
+previously loved another?"
+
+"And is it so, then?" demanded the Count, with somewhat of sadness in
+his tone. "And have you before loved another?"
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Clémence eagerly, and placing the hand which she
+had withdrawn in his again; "No, no! The woman was coming over me once
+more, but I will conquer the woman. No, I never did love another. Even
+if I had fancied it, I should now know, Albert, by what I feel at this
+moment, how idle such a fancy had been. But I never did fancy it. I
+never did believe it, even in the least degree; and now that I have
+said all that I can say, whatever may happen, never doubt me, Albert.
+Whatever you see, never entertain a suspicion. I have never loved
+another, and I can say nothing more."
+
+"Yes, yes! Oh, yes!" he exclaimed, "you can say more, Clémence. Say
+that you love me."
+
+She bent down her head, and Albert of Morseiul drew her gently to his
+bosom. "Say it! Say it, dear Clémence!" he said.
+
+Clémence hesitated, but at length she murmured something that no other
+ear but his could have heard, had it been ever so close. But he heard,
+and heard aright, that her reply was, "But too well!"
+
+The Count sealed the words upon her lips with his, and Clémence de
+Marly hid her eyes upon his shoulder, for they were full of tears.
+"And now," she added, raising them after a moment with one of her own
+sparkling smiles, "and now, having said those awful words, of course I
+am henceforth a slave. But this is no scene for jest, Albert.
+Desolation and destruction is round us on every side, I fear."
+
+"It matters not," replied the Count, "if thy faith is the same as mine
+is----"
+
+"It is, it is!" cried Clémence. "It may have wavered, Albert; but,
+thanks to yon good creature who has just left us, the light has never
+been wholly extinguished in my mind. My mother was a Protestant, and
+in that faith she brought me up. She then, knowing that I must fall
+into other hands, left Maria with me, with charges to me never to let
+her quit me. I was but a child then," she continued, "and they forced
+me to abjure. But their triumph lasted not an hour, for though I dared
+not show my feelings, I always felt that the path on which they would
+lead me was wrong, and strove, whenever I could, to return to a better
+way. To-day I came here at all risks, but I fear very much, Albert, I
+fear that destruction, and oppression, and grief, surround us on every
+side."
+
+"If thy faith be the same as mine, Clémence," said the Count, "if thy
+heart be united with mine, I will fear nothing, I will dare all. If
+they will not suffer us to live in peace in this our native land,
+fortunately I have just transmitted to another country enough to
+support us in peace, and tranquillity, and ease.--And yet, oh yet,
+Clémence," he continued, his tone becoming sadder and his countenance
+losing its look of hope, "and yet, oh yet, Clémence, when I think of
+that unhappy man who has just left us, and of the fair girl whose
+corpse he has now borne away in his arms;--when I remember that
+scarcely more than eight days have passed since he was animated with
+the same hopes that I am, founding those hopes upon the same schemes
+of flight, and trusting more than I have ever trusted to the bright
+hereafter,--when I think of that, and of his present fate, the agony
+that must now be wringing his heart, the dark obscurity of his bitter
+despair, I tremble to dream of the future, not for myself, but for
+thee, sweet girl. But we must fall upon some plan both of
+communicating when we will, and of acting constantly on one scheme and
+for one object. Here comes your faithful attendant. She must know our
+situation and our plans--only one word more. You have promised me
+this," he continued, once more raising her hand to his lips.
+
+"When and where you will," replied Clémence.
+
+"And you will fly with me, whenever I find the opportunity of doing
+so?"
+
+"I will," she answered.
+
+The attendant had now approached, and the Count took a step towards
+her, still holding Clémence by the hand, as if he feared to lose the
+precious boon she had bestowed upon him.
+
+"She is mine, Madame," he said, addressing the attendant. "She is
+mine, by every promise that can bind one human being to another."
+
+"And you are hers?" demanded the attendant solemnly. "And you are
+hers, my Lord Count, by the same promises?"
+
+"I am, by every thing I hold sacred," said the Count, raising his hand
+towards Heaven, "now and for ever, till death take me from her. But
+ere we can be united, I fear, I fear that many things must be
+undergone. Alas, that I should recommend it! but she must even conceal
+her faith: for, from the cruel measures of the court, even now death
+or perpetual imprisonment in some unknown dungeon is the only fate
+reserved for the relapsed convert, as they call those who have been
+driven to embrace a false religion, and quitted it in renewed disgust.
+But I must trust to you to afford me the means of communicating with
+her at all times. The only chance for us, I fear, is flight."
+
+"It is the only one! it is the only one!" replied the maid. "Fly with
+her to England, my Lord. Fly with her as speedily as possible. Be
+warned, my Lord, and neither delay nor hesitate. The edge of the net
+is just falling on you. If you take your resolution at once, and quit
+the land before a week be over, you may be safe; but if you stay
+longer, every port in France will be closed against you."
+
+"I will make no delay," replied the Count. "Her happiness and her
+safety are now committed to my charge; inestimable trusts, which I
+must on no account risk. But I have some followers and dependants to
+provide for, even here. I have some friends to defend; and I must not
+show myself remiss in that; or she herself would hardly love me. It
+were easy, methinks, however, for you and your mistress to make your
+escape at once to England, and for me to join you there hereafter."
+
+"Oh no, my lord, I fear not!" replied the maid. "I do not think
+Monsieur de Rouvré himself would object to her marrying you and
+flying. He shrewdly suspects, I think, that she is Protestant at
+heart; but he would never yield to her flying herself. But, hark! I
+hear horses coming. Let us draw back and be quiet."
+
+"There is no sound of carriage-wheels, I fear," said Clémence,
+listening. "Oh, Albert, all this day's sad events have quite
+overpowered me; and I dread the slightest sound."
+
+The Count pressed her hand in his, and, as was usual with him in
+moments of danger, turned his eyes towards his sword-belt, forgetting
+that the blade was gone. The sound of horses' feet approaching
+rapidly, however, still continued; and, at length, a party of four
+persons, whose faces could not be well distinguished in the increasing
+darkness, stopped exactly opposite the spot where a little rough road
+led down into the hollow where the lovers were. One of the riders
+sprang to the ground in a moment, and, leaving his horse with the
+others, advanced, exclaiming aloud,--
+
+"Hollo! Ho! Albert de Morseiul! Hollo! where are you?"
+
+"It is the voice of the Chevalier d'Evran," cried Clémence, clinging
+closer to her lover, as if with some degree of fear.
+
+"I think it is," said the Count; "but fear not! He is friendly to us
+all. Draw down your veil, however, my beloved; it is not necessary
+that he should see and know you."
+
+With the same shout the Chevalier continued to advance towards them,
+and the Count took a step or two forward to meet him. But, shaking his
+friend warmly by the hand, the Chevalier passed on at once to the
+lady, and, to the surprise of the Count, addressed her immediately by
+her name: "Very pretty, indeed, Mademoiselle Clémence!" he said; "this
+is as dangerous a jest, I think, as ever was practised."
+
+Clémence hesitated not a moment, but replied at once, "It is no jest,
+Sir! It is a dangerous reality, if you will."
+
+"Poo, poo, silly girl," cried the Chevalier. "By the Lord that lives,
+you will get yourself into the castle of Pignerol, or the Bastille, or
+some such pleasant abode! I have come at full speed to bring you
+back."
+
+"Stay yet a minute, Louis," said the Count somewhat gravely. "There is
+another person to be consulted in this business, whom you do not seem
+to recollect. Mademoiselle de Marly is, for the time, under my
+protection; and you know we delegate such a duty to no one."
+
+"My dear Count," replied the Chevalier, "the good Duc de Rouvré will
+doubtless be infinitely obliged to you for the protection you have
+given to this fair lady; but having sent me to find her and bring her
+back, I must do so at once; and will only beg her to be wise enough to
+make no rash confessions as she goes. The affair, as far as she is
+concerned, is a jest at present: it is likely, I hear, to prove a
+serious jest to others. I left your man, who directed me hither, to
+bring up the carriage as far as possible: and now, Mademoiselle
+Clémence, we will go, with your good pleasure."
+
+The tone of authority in which the Chevalier spoke by no means pleased
+Albert of Morseiul, who felt strong in his heart the newly acquired
+right of mutual love to protect Clémence de Marly himself. He was not
+of a character, however, to quarrel with his friend lightly, and he
+replied, "Louis, we are too old friends for you to make me angry. As
+your proposal of conveying Mademoiselle de Marly back in her own
+carriage, coincides with what we had previously arranged, of course I
+shall not oppose it; but equally, of course, I accompany her to
+Ruffigny."
+
+"I am afraid that cannot be, Albert," answered the Chevalier; and the
+resolute words, "It must be!" had just been uttered in reply, when
+Clémence interfered.
+
+"It is very amusing, gentlemen," she said in her ordinary tone of
+scornful playfulness, "it is very amusing, indeed, to hear you calmly
+and quietly settling a matter that does not in the least depend upon
+yourselves. You forget that I am here, and that the decision must be
+mine. Monsieur le Chevalier, be so good as not to look authoritative,
+for, depend upon it, you have no more power here than that old
+hawthorn stump. Monsieur de Rouvré cannot delegate what he does not
+possess; and as I have never yet suffered any one to rule me, I shall
+not commence that bad practice to-night. You may now tell me, in
+secret, what are your motives in this business; but, depend upon it,
+that my own high judgment will decide in the end."
+
+"Let it!" replied the Chevalier; and bending down his head, he
+whispered a few words to Clémence in a quick and eager manner. She
+listened attentively, and when he had done, turned at once to the
+Count de Morseiul, struggling to keep up the same light manner, but in
+vain.
+
+"I fear," she said, "Monsieur de Morseiul, that I must decide for the
+plan of the Chevalier, and that I must lay my potent commands upon you
+not to accompany or follow me. Nay more, I will forbid your coming to
+Ruffigny tomorrow; but the day after, unless you hear from me to the
+contrary, you may be permitted to inquire after my health."
+
+Albert of Morseiul was deeply mortified; too much so, indeed, to reply
+in any other manner than by a stately bow. Clémence saw that he was
+hurt; and, though some unexplained motive prevented her from changing
+her resolution, she cast off reserve at once, and holding out her hand
+to him, said aloud, notwithstanding the presence of the Chevalier, "Do
+you forgive me, Albert?"
+
+Though unable to account for her conduct, the Count felt that he loved
+her deeply still, and he pressed his lips upon her hand warmly and
+eagerly, while Clémence added in a lower tone, but by no means one
+inaudible to those around who chose to listen, "Have confidence in me,
+Albert! Have confidence in me, and remember you have promised never to
+doubt me whatever may happen. Oh, Albert, having once given my
+affection, believe me utterly incapable of trifling with yours even by
+a single thought."
+
+"I will try, Clémence," he replied; "but you must own there is
+something here to be explained."
+
+"There is!" she said, "there is; and it shall be explained as soon as
+possible; but, in the mean time, trust me! Here comes the servant, I
+think: the carriage must be near."
+
+It was as she supposed; and the Count gave her his arm to assist her
+in climbing back to the level ground above, saying, at the same time
+in a tone of some coldness which he could not conquer, "As the lady
+has herself decided, Chevalier, I shall not of course press my
+attendance farther than to the carriage door; but have you men enough
+with you to insure her safety? It is now completely dark."
+
+"Quite enough!" replied the Chevalier, "quite enough, Albert;" and he
+fell into silence till they reached the side of the vehicle, dropping,
+however, a few yards behind Clémence and her lover.
+
+Every moment of existence is certainly precious, as a part of the
+irrevocable sum of time written against us in the book of life; but
+there is no occasion on which the full value of each instant is so
+entirely felt, in which every minute is so dear, so treasured, so
+inestimable in our eyes, as when we are about to part with her we
+love. Albert of Morseuil felt that it was so; and in the few short
+moments that passed ere they reached the carriage, words were spoken
+in a low murmuring tone, which, in the intensity of the feelings they
+expressed and excited, wrought more deeply on his heart and hers, than
+could the passage of long indifferent years. They were of those few
+words spoken in life that remain in the ear of memory for ever.
+
+The fiery hand that, at the impious feast, wrote the fate of the
+Assyrian in characters of flame, left them to go out extinguished when
+the announcement was complete; but the words that the hand of deep and
+intense passion writes upon firm, high, and energetic hearts, remain
+for ever, even unto the grave itself.
+
+Those moments were brief, however, and Clémence and her attendant were
+soon upon their way; the Chevalier sprang upon his horse, and then
+held out his hand frankly to the Count. "Albert," he said, laughing,
+"I have never yet beheld so great a change of Love's making as that
+which the truant boy has wrought in thee. Thou wouldst even quarrel
+with thy oldest and dearest companion--thou who art no way
+quarrelsome. You have known me now long, Albert; love me well still.
+If you have ever seen me do a dishonest act, cast me off; if not, as I
+heard Clémence say just now--trust me!" and thus saying, he galloped
+off, without waiting for any reply.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                             THE REVENGE.
+
+
+While Clémence de Marly cast herself back in the carriage; and, with
+the great excitement under which she had been acting for some time,
+now over, hid her eyes with her hands, and gave herself up to deep,
+and even to painful thought--while over that bright and beautiful
+countenance came a thousand varied expressions as she recollected all
+that had passed--while the look of horror rose there as she remembered
+all the fearful scenes she had beheld, the murderous treachery of the
+dragoons, the retribution taken by the people, and the death of the
+unhappy girl who had received one of the random shots--while that
+again was succeeded by the expression of admiration and enthusiasm, as
+she recalled the words and conduct of the Protestant pastor, and while
+a blush, half of shame and half of joy, succeeded, as she remembered
+all that had passed between her and Albert of Morseiul; the Count
+himself was wending his way slowly homeward, with feelings different
+from hers, and by no means so happy.
+
+She knew that difficulty and danger surrounded her, she knew that much
+was necessarily to be endured, much to be apprehended; but she had
+woman's greatest, strongest consolation. She had the great, the mighty
+support, that she was loved by him whom alone she loved. With her that
+was enough to carry her triumphant through all danger, to give her a
+spirit to resist all oppression, to support her under all trials, to
+overcome all fears.
+
+It may be asked, when we say that Albert of Morseiul's feelings were
+different, whether he then loved her less than she loved him, whether
+love in his bosom was less powerful, less all-sufficing than in hers.
+It would seem strange to answer, no; yet such was not the case. He
+loved her as much, as deeply, as she did him; he loved her as
+tenderly, as truly. His love--though there must always be a difference
+between the love of man and the love of woman--was as full, as
+perfect, as all-sufficing as her own, and yet his bosom was not so
+much at ease as hers, his heart did not feel the same confidence in
+its own happiness that hers did. But there were many different causes
+combined to produce that effect. In the first place, he knew the
+dangers, the obstacles, the difficulties, far better than she did. He
+knew them more intimately, more fully, more completely; they were all
+present to his mind at once; no bright hopes of changing circumstances
+came to relieve the prospect; but all, except the love of Clémence de
+Marly, was dark, obscure, and threatening around him. That love might
+have seemed, however, but as a brighter spot amidst the obscurity, had
+it not been that apprehensions for her were now added to all his
+apprehensions for his religion and his country. It might have seemed
+all the brighter for the obscurity, had it been itself quite
+unclouded, had there not been some shadows, though slight, some
+mystery to be struggled with, something to be forgotten or argued
+down.
+
+During the few last minutes that he was with her, the magic
+fascination of her presence had conquered every thing, and seated love
+triumphant above all; but as he rode on, Albert de Morseiul pondered
+over what had occurred, thought of the influence which the Chevalier
+d'Evran had exerted over her, combined it with what he had seen before
+at Poitiers, and pronounced it in his own heart, "very strange." He
+resolved not to think upon it, and yet he thought. He accused
+himself--the man of all others the least suspicious on the earth, by
+nature--he accused himself of being basely suspicious. He argued with
+himself that it was impossible that either on the part of Clémence or
+the Chevalier there should be any thing which could give him pain,
+when each, in the presence of the other, behaved to him as they had
+behaved that night; and yet there was something to be explained, which
+hung--like one of those thin veils of cloud that sometimes cover even
+the summer sun, prognosticating a weeping evening to a blithe
+noon--which hung over the only star that fate had left to shine upon
+his track, and he thought of it sadly and anxiously, and longed for
+something to bear it far away.
+
+He struggled with such feelings and such reflections for some time;
+and then, forcing his thoughts to other things, he found that there
+was plenty, indeed, for him to consider and to provide against, plenty
+to inquire into and to ponder over, ere he resolved or acted. First
+came the recollection of the quarrel between himself and the young De
+Hericourt. He knew that the rash and cruel young man had made his
+escape from the field, for he himself, with two of his servants, had
+followed him close, and, by detaining a party of the pursuers, had
+afforded the commander of the dragoons an opportunity to fly. That he
+would immediately require that which is absurdly called satisfaction,
+for the blow which had been struck, there could be no earthly doubt,
+although the laws against duelling were at that time enforced with the
+utmost strictness, and there was not the slightest chance whatsoever
+of the King showing mercy to any Protestant engaged in a duel with a
+Roman Catholic.
+
+No man more contemned or reprobated the idiotical custom of duelling
+than the Count himself; no man looked upon it in a truer light than he
+did; but yet must we not forgive him, if, even with such feelings and
+with such opinions, he prepared, without a thought or hesitation, to
+give his adversary the meeting he demanded? Can we severely blame him
+if he determined, with his own single arm, to avenge the wanton
+slaughter that had been committed, and to put the barrier of a just
+punishment between the murderer of so many innocent people and a
+repetition of the crime? Can we blame him, if, seeing no chance
+whatsoever of the law doing justice upon the offender, he
+resolved--risking at the same time his own life--to take the law into
+his hand, and seek justice for himself and others?
+
+The next subject that started up for consideration was the general
+events of that day, and the question of what colouring would be given
+to those events at the court of France.
+
+A peaceful body of people, meeting together for the worship of the
+Almighty, in defiance of no law, (for the edict concerning the
+expulsion of the Protestant pastors, and prohibiting the preaching of
+the reformed religion at all, had not yet appeared,) had been brutally
+insulted by a body of unauthorised armed men, had been fired upon by
+them without provocation, and had lost several of their number,
+murdered in cold blood and in a most cowardly manner, by the hands of
+the military. They had then, in their own defence, attacked and
+pursued their brutal assailants, and had slain several of them as a
+direct consequence of their own crimes.
+
+Such were the simple facts of the case; but what was the tale, the
+Count asked himself, which would be told at the court of France, and
+vouched for by the words of those, who, having committed the great
+crime of unprovoked murder, would certainly entertain no scruple in
+regard to justifying it by the lesser crime of a false oath?
+
+"It will be represented," thought the Count, "that a body of armed
+fanatics met for some illegal purpose, and intending no less than
+revolt against the King's government, attacked and slaughtered a small
+body of the royal troops sent to watch their movements. It will be
+represented that the dragoons fought gallantly against the rebels, and
+slew a great number of their body; and this, doubtless, will be
+vouched for by the words of respectable people, all delicately
+adjusted by Romish fraud; and while the sword and the axe are wetted
+with the blood of the innocent and the unoffending, the murderer, and
+his accomplices, may be loaded with honours and rewards!--But it shall
+not be so if I can stay it," he added. "I will take the bold, perhaps
+the rash, resolution,--I will cast myself in the gap. I will make the
+truth known, and the voice thereof shall be heard throughout Europe,
+even if I fall myself. I, at least, was there unarmed: that can be
+proved. No weapon has touched my hand during this day, and therefore
+my testimony may be less suspected."
+
+While he thus pondered, riding slowly on through the thick darkness
+which had now fallen completely around his path, he passed a little
+wood, which is called the wood of Jersel to this day; but, just as he
+had arrived at the opposite end, two men started out upon him as if to
+seize the bridle of his horse. Instantly, however, another voice
+exclaimed from behind, "Back, back! I told you any one coming the
+other way. He cannot come that way, fools. We have driven him into the
+net, and he has but one path to follow. Let the man go on, whoever he
+is, and disturb him not." The men were, by this time, drawing back,
+and they instantly disappeared behind the trees; while the Count rode
+on with his servant at somewhat a quicker pace.
+
+On his arrival at his own dwelling, Albert of Morseiul proceeded, at
+once, to the library of the château, and though Jerome Riquet strongly
+pressed him to take some refreshment, he applied himself at once to
+draw up a distinct statement of all that had occurred, nor quitted it
+till the night had two thirds waned. He then retired to rest, ordering
+himself to be called, without fail, if any body came to the château,
+demanding to see him. For the first hour, however, after he had lain
+down, as may well be supposed, he could not close his eyes. The
+obscurity seemed to encourage thought, and to call up all the fearful
+memories of the day. It was a fit canvass, the darkness of the night,
+for imagination to paint such awful pictures on. There is something
+soothing, however, in the grey twilight of the morning, which came at
+length, and then, but not till then, the Count slept. Though his
+slumber was disturbed and restless, it was unbroken for several hours;
+and it was nearly eleven o'clock in the day when, starting up suddenly
+from some troublous dream, he awoke and gazed wildly round the room,
+not knowing well where he was. The sight of the sun streaming into the
+apartment, however, showed him how long he had slept, and ringing the
+bell that lay by his bedside, he demanded eagerly of Jerome Riquet,
+who appeared in an instant, whether no one had been to seek him.
+
+The man replied, "No one," and informed his lord that the gates of the
+castle had not been opened during the morning.
+
+"It is strange!" said the Count. "If I hear not by twelve," he
+continued, "I must set off without waiting. Send forward a courier,
+Riquet, as fast as possible towards Paris, giving notice at the
+post-houses that I come with four attendants, yourself one, and
+ordering horses to be prepared, for I must ride post to the capital.
+Have every thing ready in a couple of hours at the latest, for I must
+distance this morning's ordinary courier, and get to the court before
+him."
+
+"If you ride as you usually do, my lord," replied the man, "you will
+easily do that, for you seldom fail to kill all the horses and all the
+postilions; and if your humble servant were composed of any thing but
+bones and a good wit, you would have worn the flesh off him long ago."
+
+"I am in no mood for jesting, Riquet," replied the Count; "see that
+every thing is ready as I have said, and be prepared to accompany me."
+
+Riquet, who was never yet known to have found too little time to do
+any thing on earth, took the rapid orders of his lord extremely
+coolly, aided him to dress, and then left him. He had scarcely been
+gone five minutes, however, before he returned with a face somewhat
+whiter than usual.
+
+"What is the matter, sirrah?" cried the Count somewhat sharply.
+
+"Why, my lord," he said, "here is the mayor, and the adjoint, and the
+counsellors, arrived in great terror and trepidation, to tell you that
+Maillard, the carrier, coming down from the way of Nantes with his
+packhorses, has seen the body of a young officer tied to a tree, in
+the little wood of Jersel. He was afraid to meddle with it himself,
+and they were afraid to go down till they had come to tell you."
+
+"Send the men up," said the Count, "and have horses saddled for me
+instantly."
+
+"Now, Sir Mayor," he said, as the local magistrate entered, "what is
+the meaning of this? What are these news you bring?"
+
+To say sooth, the mayor was somewhat embarrassed in presenting himself
+before the Count, as he had lately shown no slight symptoms of
+cowardly wavering in regard to the Protestant cause: nor would he have
+come now had he not been forced to do so by other members of the town
+council. He answered, then, with evident hesitation and timidity,--
+
+"Terrible news, indeed, my Lord!--terrible news, indeed! This young
+man has been murdered, evidently; for he is tied to a tree, and a
+paper nailed above his head. So says Maillard, who was afraid to go
+near to read what was written; and then, my Lord, I was afraid to go
+down without your Lordship's sanction, as you are _haut justicier_ for
+a great way round."
+
+The Count's lip curled with a scornful sneer. "It seems to me," he
+said, "that Maillard and yourself are two egregious cowards. We will
+dispense with your presence, Mr. Mayor; and these other gentlemen will
+go down with me at once to see what this business is. Though the man
+might be tied to a tree, and very likely much hurt, that did not prove
+that he was dead; and very likely he might have been recovered, or, at
+least, have received the sacraments of the church, if Maillard and
+yourself had thought fit to be speedy in your measures. Come,
+gentlemen, let us set out at once."
+
+The rebuked mayor slunk away with a hanging head, and the rest of the
+municipal council, elated exactly in proportion to the depression of
+their chief, followed the young Count, who led the way with a party of
+his servants to the wood of Jersel. On first entering that part of the
+road which traversed the wood the party perceived nothing; and the
+good citizens of Morseiul drew themselves a little more closely
+together, affected by certain personal apprehensions in regard to
+meddling with the night's work of one who seemed both powerful and
+unscrupulous. A moment after, however, the object which Maillard had
+seen was presented to their eyes, and, though crowding close together,
+curiosity got the better of fear, and they followed the Count up to
+the spot.
+
+The moment the Count de Morseiul had heard the tale, he had formed his
+own conclusion, and in that conclusion he now found himself not wrong.
+The body that was tied to the tree was that of the young Marquis de
+Hericourt; but there were circumstances connected with the act of
+vengeance which had been thus perpetrated, that rendered it even more
+awful than he had expected, to the eyes of the Count de Morseiul.
+
+There was no wound whatsoever upon the body, and the unhappy young man
+had evidently been tied to the tree before his death, for his hands,
+clenched in agony, were full of the large rugged bark of the elm,
+which he seemed to have torn off in dying. A strong rope round his
+middle pressed him tight against the tree. His arms and legs were
+also bound down to it, so that he could not escape; his hat and upper
+garments were off, and lying at a few yards' distance; and his
+shoulders and neck were bare, except where his throat was still
+pressed by the instrument used for his destruction. That instrument
+was the usual veil of a novice in a Catholic convent, entirely soaked
+and dabbled in blood, and twisted tightly up into the form of a rope.
+It had been wound twice round his neck, and evidently tightened till
+he had died of strangulation. A piece of paper was nailed upon the
+tree above his head, so high up, indeed, as to be out of the reach of
+any one present; but on it was written in a large bold hand which
+could easily be read, these words:--
+
+"The punishment inflicted on a murderer of the innocent, by Brown
+Keroual."
+
+The Count de Morseiul gazed upon the horrible object thus presented to
+him in deep silence, communing with his own heart; while the
+magistrates of the town, and the attendants, as is common with
+inferior minds, felt the awe less deeply, and talked it over with each
+other in an under voice.
+
+"This is very horrible, indeed," said the Count at length. "I think,
+before we do any thing in the business, as this gentleman was of the
+Roman Catholic faith, and an officer in the King's service, we had
+better send down immediately to the Curé of Maubourg, and ask him to
+come up to receive the body."
+
+The word of the young Count was of course law to those who surrounded
+him, and one of his own attendants having been despatched for the
+Curé, the good man came up with four or five of the villagers in less
+than half an hour. His countenance, which was mild and benevolent, was
+very sad, for he had received from the messenger an account of what
+had taken place. The young Count, who had some slight personal
+knowledge of him, and knew him still better by reputation, advanced
+some way to meet him, saying--
+
+"This is a dreadful event, Monsieur le Curé, and I have thought it
+better to send for you rather than move the body of this young
+gentleman myself, knowing him to have been a Catholic, while all of us
+here present were of a different faith. Had not life been evidently
+long extinguished," he continued, "we should not, of course, have
+scrupled in such a manner; but as it is, we have acted as we have
+done, in the hopes of meeting your own views upon the subject."
+
+"You have done quite well, and wisely, my son," replied the Curé.
+"Would to God that all dissensions in the church would cease, as I
+feel sure they would do, if all men would act as prudently as you have
+done."
+
+"And as wisely and moderately as _you always do_, Monsieur le Curé,"
+added the Count.
+
+The Curé bowed his head, and advanced towards the tree, where he read
+the inscription over the head of the murdered man, and then gazed upon
+the veil that was round his throat.
+
+He shook his head sadly as he did so, and then turning to the Count,
+he said, "Perhaps you do not know the key of all this sad story. I
+heard it before I came hither. This morning, an hour before matins,
+the bell of the religious house of St. Hermand--you know it well,
+Count, I dare say, a mile or so beyond the _chêne vert_--was rung
+loudly, and on the portress opening the gate, four men, with their
+faces covered, carried in the body of one of the novices, called
+Claire Duval, who had been absent the whole night, causing great
+alarm. There was a shot wound in her breast; she was laid out for the
+grave; and, though none of the men spoke a word, but merely placed the
+body in the lodge, and then retired, a paper was found with it
+afterwards, saying, 'An innocent girl murdered by the base De
+Hericourt, and revenged by Brown Keroual.'--This, of course, I imagine,
+is the body of him called De Hericourt."
+
+"It is, indeed, Sir," replied the Count, "the young Marquis de
+Hericourt, a relation not very distant of the Marquis de Louvois; and
+a brave, but rash, unprincipled, and weak young man he was. In your
+hands I leave the charge of the body, but any assistance that my
+servants can give you, or that my influence can procure, are quite at
+your service."
+
+The Curé' thanked him for his offer, but only requested that he would
+send him down some sort of a litter or conveyance, to carry the body
+to the church. The Count immediately promised to do so; and returning
+home he fulfilled his word. He then took some refreshment before his
+journey, wrote a brief note to the Duc de Rouvré, stating that he
+would have come over to see him immediately, but was obliged to go to
+Paris without loss of time; and then mounting his horse, and followed
+by his attendants, he rode to the first post-house, where taking
+post-horses, he proceeded at as rapid a pace as possible towards the
+capital.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VI.
+
+                              THE COURT.
+
+
+We must once more--following the course of human nature as it is at
+all times, but more especially as it then was, before all the great
+asperities of the world were smoothed and softened down, and one
+universal railroad made life an easy and rapid course from one end to
+another--We must once more then, following the common course of being,
+shift the scene, and bring before our readers a new part of the great
+panorama of that day. It was then at the lordly palace of Versailles,
+in the time of its greatest and most extraordinary splendour, when the
+treasures of a world had been ransacked to adorn its halls, and art
+and genius had been called in to do what riches had been unable to
+accomplish; while yet every chamber throughout the building flamed
+with those far-famed groups, cast in solid gold, the designs of which
+had proceeded from the pencil of Le Brun, and the execution of which
+had employed a thousand of the most skilful hands in France; while yet
+marble, and porphyry, and jasper, shone in every apartment; and the
+rarest works, from every quarter of the world, were added to the
+richness of the other decorations: before, in short, the consequences
+of his own ambition, or his successor's faults and weaknesses, had
+stripped one splendid ornament from that extraordinary building, which
+Louis XIV. had erected in the noon of his splendour--it was then that
+took place the scene which we are about now to describe.
+
+The Count de Morseiul had scarcely paused even to take needful rest on
+his way from Poitou to Paris, and he had arrived late at night at the
+untenanted dwelling of his fathers in the capital. The Counts de
+Morseiul had ever preferred the country to the town, and though they
+possessed a large house in the Place Royale, which then was, though it
+is now no longer a fashionable part of the city; that house had
+become, at it were, merely the dwelling-place of some old officers and
+attendants, who happened to have a lingering fondness for the busy
+haunts of men which their lord shared not in. The old white-headed
+porter, as he opened the gate for his young master, stared with wonder
+and surprise to see him there, and nothing of course was found
+prepared for his reception. But the Count was easily satisfied and
+easily pleased. Food could always be procured without any difficulty,
+in the great capital of all eating, but repose was what the young
+Count principally required; and, after having despatched a messenger
+to Versailles, to ask in due form an audience of the King as early as
+possible on the following morning, to cast himself on the first bed
+that could be got ready, and forgot in a few minutes all the cares,
+and sorrows, and anxieties, which had accompanied him on his way to
+the capital.
+
+The request for an audience was conveyed through the Marquis of
+Seignelai, with whom the Count himself was well acquainted; and he
+doubted not that it would be granted immediately, if he had preceded,
+as he had every reason to believe he had, the ordinary courier from
+Poitou, bringing the news of the events which had taken place in that
+province. The letter of the young secretary, in return to his
+application, arrived the next morning; but it was cold and formal, and
+evidently written under the immediate dictation of the King. It merely
+notified to the Count that, for the next three days, the time
+appointed by his Majesty for business would be fully occupied; that,
+in the mean time, if the business which brought the Count to Paris
+were important, he would communicate it to the minister under whose
+department it came. The note went on to add, that if the business were
+not one requiring immediate despatch, the young Count would do well to
+come to Versailles, to signify the place of his abode at the palace,
+and to wait the monarch's leisure.
+
+This was by no means the tone which Louis usually assumed towards one
+of the most gallant officers in his service; and, while the Count at
+once perceived that the King was offended with him on some account, he
+felt great difficulty in so shaping his conduct as to meet the
+exigency of the moment. As the only resource, he determined to see and
+interest Seignelai to obtain for him a more speedy audience; and he
+had the greater hopes of so doing, inasmuch as that minister was known
+to be jealous of and inimical to Louvois, one of the great persecutors
+of the Protestants.
+
+While he was pondering over these things, and preparing to set out
+immediately for Versailles, another courier from the court arrived,
+bearing with him a communication of a very different character, which,
+upon the whole, surprised the Count, even more than the former one had
+done. It contained a general invitation to all the evening
+entertainments of the court; specifying not only those to which the
+great mass of the French nobility were admitted as a matter of course,
+but the more private and select parties of the King, to which none in
+general but his own especial friends and favourites were ever invited.
+
+This gave Albert of Morseiul fresh matter for meditation, but also
+some hope that the King, whom he believed to be generous and
+kindhearted, had remembered the services he and his ancestors had
+rendered to the state, and had consequently made an effort to overcome
+any feeling of displeasure which he might have entertained in
+consequence of reports from Poitiers. He determined, however, to
+pursue his plan with regard to Seignelai, believing that it would be
+facilitated rather than otherwise by any change of feeling which had
+come over the monarch, and he accordingly proceeded to Versailles at
+once.
+
+The secretary of state was not to be found in his apartments, but one
+of his attendants informed the Count that, at that hour, he would find
+him alone in the gardens, and he accordingly proceeded to seek him
+with all speed. As he passed by the orangery, however, he heard the
+sound of steps and gay voices speaking, and, in a moment after, stood
+in the presence of the King himself, who had passed through the
+orangery, and was now issuing forth into the gardens.
+
+Louis was at this time a man of the middle age, above the ordinary
+height, and finely proportioned in all his limbs. Though he still
+looked decidedly younger than he really was, and the age of forty was
+perhaps as much as any one would have assigned him, judging from
+appearance, yet he had lost all the slightness of the youthful figure.
+He was robust, and even stout, though by no means corpulent, and the
+ease and grace with which he moved showed that no power was impaired.
+His countenance was fine and impressive, though, perhaps, it might not
+have afforded to a very scrutinising physiognomist any indication of
+the highest qualities of the human mind. All the features were good,
+some remarkably handsome, but in most there was some peculiar defect,
+some slight want which took away from the effect of the whole. The
+expression was placable, but commanding, and grave rather than
+thoughtful; and the impression produced by its aspect was, that it was
+serious, less from natural disposition or intense occupation of mind,
+than from the consciousness that it was a condescension for that
+countenance to smile. The monarch's carriage, as he walked, also
+produced an effect somewhat similar on those who saw him for the first
+time. Every step was dignified, stately, and graceful; but there was
+something a little theatrical in the whole, joined with, or perhaps
+expressing, a knowledge that every step was marked and of importance.
+
+The King's dress was exceedingly rich and costly; and certainly though
+bad taste in costume was then at its height, the monarch and the group
+that came close upon his steps, formed as glittering and gay an object
+as could be seen.
+
+Amongst those who followed the King, however, were several
+ecclesiastics, and to the surprise of the young Count de Morseiul, one
+of those on whom his eye first fell was no other than the Abbé
+Pelisson, in eager but low conversation with the Bishop of Meaux.
+Louis himself was speaking with a familiar tone, alternately to the
+Prince de Marsillac, and to the well known financier Bechameil, whose
+exquisite taste in pictures, statues, and other works of art,
+recommended him greatly to the monarch.
+
+No sooner did the King's look rest upon the young Count de Morseiul,
+than his brow became as dark as a thunder cloud, and he stopped
+suddenly in his walk. Scarcely had the Count time to remark that angry
+expression, however, before it had entirely passed away, and a grave
+and dignified smile succeeded. It was a common remark, at that time,
+that the King was to be judged by those who sought him, from his first
+aspect, and certainly, if that were the test in the present instance,
+his affection for the Count of Morseiul was but small.
+
+Louis was conscious that he had displayed bad feelings more openly
+than he usually permitted himself to do; and he now hastened to repair
+that fault, not by affecting the direct contrary sentiments, as some
+might have done, but by softening down his tone and demeanour to the
+degree of dignified disapprobation, which they might naturally be
+supposed to have reached.
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, as the young nobleman approached, "I
+am glad, yet sorry, to see you. There are various reports have reached
+me from Poitou tending to create a belief that you have been, in some
+degree, wanting in due respect to my will; and I should have been glad
+that the falsehood of those reports had been proved before you again
+presented yourself. Your services, Sir, however, are not forgotten,
+and you have, on so many occasions, shown devotion, obedience, and
+gallantry, which might well set an example to the whole world, that I
+cannot believe there is any truth in what I have heard, and am
+willing, unless a painful conviction to the contrary is forced upon
+me, to look upon you, till the whole of this matter be fully
+investigated, in the same light as ever."
+
+The King paused a moment, as if for reply; and the Count de Morseiul
+gladly seized the opportunity of saying, "I came up post, Sire, last
+night, from Morseiul, for the purpose of casting myself at your
+Majesty's feet, and entreating you to believe that I would never
+willingly give you the slightest just cause for offence, in word,
+thought, or deed. I apprehended that some false or distorted
+statements, either made for the purpose of deceiving your Majesty, or
+originating in erroneous impressions, might have reached you
+concerning my conduct, as I know misapprehensions of my conduct had
+occurred in Poitiers itself. Such being the case, and various very
+painful events having taken place, I felt it my duty to beseech your
+Majesty to grant me an audience, in order that I might lay before you
+the pure and simple facts, which I am ready to vouch for on the honour
+of a French gentleman. I am most desirous, especially with regard to
+the latter events which have taken place, that your Majesty should be
+at once made aware of the facts as they really occurred, lest any
+misrepresentations should reach your ears, and prepare your mind to
+take an unfavourable view of acts which were performed in all loyalty,
+and with the most devoted affection to your Majesty's person."
+
+The young Count spoke with calm and dignified boldness. There was no
+hesitation, there was no wavering, there was no apprehension either in
+tone, manner, or words; and there was something in his whole demeanour
+which set at defiance the very thought of there being the slightest
+approach to falsehood or artifice in his nature. The King felt that it
+was so himself, notwithstanding many prejudices on all the questions
+which could arise between the Count and himself. But his line of
+conduct, by this time, had been fully determined, and he replied, "As
+I caused you to be informed this morning, Monsieur de Morseiul, my
+arrangements do not permit me to give you so much time as will be
+necessary for the hearing of all you have to say for several days. In
+the mean while, however, fear not that your cause will be, in any
+degree, prejudged. We have already, by a courier arrived this morning,
+received full intelligence of all that has lately taken place in
+Poitou, and of the movements of some of our misguided subjects of the
+pretended reformed religion. We have ordered accurate information to
+be obtained upon the spot, by persons who cannot be considered as
+prejudiced, and we will give you audience as soon as such information
+has been fully collected. In the mean time you will remain at the
+court, and be treated here, in every respect, as a favoured and
+faithful servant, which will show you that no unjust prejudice has
+been created; though it is not to be denied that the first effect of
+the tidings we received from Poitou was to excite considerable anger
+against you. However, you owe a good deal, in those respects, to
+Monsieur Pelisson, who bore witness to your having gallantly defended
+his life from a bad party of robbers, and to your having saved from
+the flames a commission under our hand, although that commission was
+afterwards unaccountably abstracted. I hope to hear," the King
+continued, "of your frequenting much the society of Monsieur Pelisson,
+and our respected and revered friend the Bishop of Meaux, by which you
+may doubtless derive great advantage, and perhaps arrive at those
+happy results which would make it our duty, as well as our pleasure,
+to favour you in the very highest degree."
+
+The meaning of Louis was too evident to be mistaken; and, as the Count
+de Morseiul had not the slightest intention of encouraging even a hope
+that he would abandon the creed of his ancestors, he merely bowed in
+reply, and the King passed on. The Count was then about to retire
+immediately from the gardens, but Pelisson caught him by the sleeve as
+he passed, saying in a low voice,--
+
+"Come on, Monsieur de Morseiul, come on after the King. Believe me, I
+really wish you well; and it is of much consequence that you should
+show not only your attachment to his Majesty, by presenting yourself
+constantly at the court, but also that you are entering into none of
+the intrigues of those who are irritating him by opposition and
+cabals. You know Monsieur Bossuet, of course. Let us come on."
+
+"I only know Monsieur Bossuet by reputation," replied the Count,
+bowing to the Bishop who had paused also, and at the same time turning
+to follow the royal train. "I only know him by reputation, as who,
+throughout France, nay, throughout Europe, does not?"
+
+"The compliment will pass for Catholic, though it comes from a
+Protestant mouth," said one of two gentlemen who had been obliged to
+pause also by the halt of the party before them. But neither Bossuet
+nor the Count took any notice, but walked on, entering easily into
+conversation with each other; the eloquent prelate, who was not less
+keen and dexterous than he was zealous and learned, accommodating
+himself easily to the tone of the young Count.
+
+Pelisson, ere they had gone far, was inclined to have drawn the
+conversation to religious subjects, and was a little anxious to prove
+to the Count de Morseiul that, at the bottom, there was very little
+real difference between the Catholic and the Protestant faith, from
+which starting-point he intended to argue, as was his common custom,
+that as there was so little difference, and as in all the points of
+difference that did exist the Catholics were in the right, it was a
+bounden duty for every Protestant to renounce his heretical doctrines,
+and embrace the true religion.
+
+Bossuet, however, was much more politic, and resisted all Pelisson's
+efforts to introduce such topics, by cutting across them immediately,
+and turning the conversation to something less evidently applicable to
+the Count de Morseiul. Something was said upon the subject of
+Jansenism, indeed, as they walked along; and Bossuet replied,
+smiling,--
+
+"Heaven forbid that those discussions should be renewed! I abhor
+controversy, and always avoid it, except when driven to it. I am
+anxious indeed, most anxious, that all men should see and renounce
+errors, and especially anxious, as I am in duty bound, when those
+errors are of such a nature as to affect their eternal salvation. But
+very little good, I doubt, has ever been done by controversy, though
+certainly still less by persecution; and if we were to choose between
+those two means, controversy would of course be the best.
+Unfortunately, however, it seldom ends but as a step to the other."
+
+There was something so moderate and so mild in the language of the
+prelate, that the young Count soon learned to take great pleasure in
+his discourse; and after these few brief words concerning religion,
+the Bishop of Meaux drew the conversation to arts and sciences, and
+the great improvements of every kind which had taken place in France
+under the government of Louis XIV.
+
+They were still speaking on this subject when the King turned at the
+end of the terrace, and with surprise saw the Count de Morseiul in his
+train, between Pelisson and Bossuet. A smile of what appeared to be
+dignified satisfaction came over the monarch's countenance, and as he
+passed he asked,--
+
+"What are you discussing so eagerly, Monsieur de Meaux?"
+
+"We are not discussing, sire," replied the Bishop, "for we are all of
+one opinion. Monsieur de Morseiul was saying that in all his knowledge
+of history--which we know is very great--he cannot find one monarch
+whose reign has produced so great a change in society as that of Louis
+the Great."
+
+The King smiled graciously, and passed on. But the same sarcastic
+personage, who followed close behind the party to which the Count had
+attached himself, added to Bossuet's speech, almost loud enough for
+the King to hear, "Except Mahomet! Except Mahomet, Monsieur de Meaux!"
+
+It was impossible either for the Bishop, or the Count, or Pelisson, to
+repress a smile; but the only one of the party who turned to look was
+the Count, the others very well knowing the voice to be that of
+Villiers, whose strange method of paying court to Louis XIV. was by
+abusing every thing on which the monarch prided himself. He was
+slightly acquainted with the Count de Morseiul, having met him more
+than once on service, and seeing him turn his head, he came up and
+joined them.
+
+"You spoil that man, all of you," he said, speaking of the King. "All
+the world flatters him, till he does not know what is right and what
+is wrong, what is good and what is bad, what is beautiful and what is
+ugly.--Now, as we stand here upon this terrace," he continued, "and
+look down over those gardens, is there any thing to be seen on the
+face of the earth more thoroughly and completely disgusting than they
+are? Is it possible for human ingenuity to devise any thing so
+mathematically detestable? One would suppose that La Hire, or Cassini,
+or some of the other clockmakers, had been engaged with their
+villanous compasses in marking out all those rounds, and triangles,
+and squares, so that the whole park and gardens, when seen, from my
+little room (which the King in his immense generosity gave me in the
+garret story of the palace), look exactly like a dusty leaf torn out
+of Euclid's Elements, with all the problems demonstrated upon it.
+Then, Monsieur de Morseiul, do pray look at those basins and statues.
+Here you have a set of black tadpoles croaking at an unfortunate woman
+in the midst, as black as themselves. There you have a striking
+representation of Neptune gone mad--perhaps it was meant for a storm
+at sea; and certainly, from the number of people death-sick all round,
+and pouring forth from their mouths into the basins, one might very
+easily conceive it to be so. There is not one better than another, and
+yet the King walks about amongst them all, and thinks it the finest
+thing that ever was seen upon the face of the earth, and has at this
+moment five-and-twenty thousand men working hard, to render it, if
+possible, uglier than before."
+
+The Count de Morseiul smiled; and, although he acknowledged that he
+loved the fair face of the country, unshaven and unornamented better
+than all that art could do, yet he said, that for the gardens of such
+a palace as that of Versailles, where solemn and reposing grandeur was
+required, and regular magnificence more than picturesque beauty, he
+did not see that better could have been done.
+
+Thus passed the conversation, till the King, after having taken
+another turn, re-entered the building, and his courtiers quitted him
+at the foot of the staircase. The Count then inquired of Pelisson
+where he could best lodge in Versailles, and the Abbé pointed out to
+him a handsome house, very near that in which the Bishop of Meaux had
+taken up his abode for the time.
+
+"Do you intend to come speedily to Versailles?" demanded the Bishop.
+
+"As I understood the King," replied the Count, "it is his pleasure
+that I should do so; and consequently I shall merely go back to Paris
+to make my arrangements, and then return hither with all speed. I
+propose to be back by seven or eight o'clock this evening, if this
+house is still to be had."
+
+"For that I can answer," replied the Bishop. "The only disagreeable
+thing you will find here is a want of food," he added, laughing, "for
+the palace swallows up all; but if you will honour me by supping with
+me to-night, Monsieur le Comte, perhaps Monsieur Pelisson will join
+us, with one or two others, and we may spend a calm and pleasant
+evening, in talking over such things as chance or choice may select.
+We do so often in my poor abode. But indeed I forgot; perhaps you may
+prefer going to the theatre at the palace, for this is one of the
+nights when a play is performed there."
+
+"No, indeed," replied the Count. "I hold myself not only flattered,
+but obliged, by your invitation, Monsieur de Meaux, and I will not
+fail to be with you at any hour you appoint."
+
+The hour was accordingly named; and, taking his leave, the young Count
+de Morseiul sought his horses, and returned to Paris. His visit to
+Versailles, indeed, had not been so satisfactory as he could have
+wished; and while Jerome Riquet was making all the preparations for
+his master's change of abode, the Count himself leaned his head upon
+his hand, and revolved in deep thought all the bearings of his present
+situation.
+
+No one knew better than he did, that appearances are but little to be
+trusted at any court, and as little as in any other at the court of
+Louis XIV. He knew that the next word from the King's mouth might be
+an order to conduct him to the Bastille, and that very slight proofs
+of guilt would be required to change his adherence to his religion, if
+not into a capital crime, at least into a pretext for dooming him to
+perpetual imprisonment. He saw, also, though perhaps not to the full
+extent of the King's design, that Louis entertained some hopes of his
+abandoning his religion; and he doubted not that various efforts would
+be employed to induce him to do so--efforts difficult to be parried,
+painful to him to be the object of, and which might, perhaps, afford
+matter for deep offence if they, proved ineffectual.
+
+He saw, and he knew too, that it was decidedly the resolution of the
+King and of his advisers to put down altogether the Protestant
+religion in France; that there was no hope, that there was no chance
+of mitigating, in any degree, the unchangeable spirit of intolerance.
+
+All these considerations urged the young Count to pursue a plan which
+had suggested itself at first to his mind, rather as the effect of
+despair than of calculation. It was to go back no more to Versailles;
+to return post-haste to Poitou; to collect with all speed the
+principal Protestants who might be affected by any harsh measures of
+the court; to demand of Clémence de Marly the fulfilment of her
+promise to fly with him; and, embarking with the rest at the nearest
+port, to seek safety and peace in another land.
+
+The more he thought over this design the more he was inclined to adopt
+it; for although he evidently saw that tidings of what had taken place
+at the preaching in the desert had already reached the King's ears,
+and that the first effect was passed, yet he could not rely by any
+means upon the sincerity of the demeanour assumed towards him, and
+believed that even though he--if his military services were
+required--might be spared from political considerations, yet the great
+majority of the Protestants might be visited with severe inflictions,
+on account of the part they had taken in the transactions of that day.
+
+One consideration alone tended to make him pause ere he executed this
+purpose, which was, that having undertaken a task he was bound to
+execute it, and not to shrink from it while it was half completed;
+and, though anxious to do what he considered right in all things, he
+feared that by flying he might but be able to protect a few, while by
+remaining he might stand between many and destruction.
+
+In this world we ponder and consider, and give time, and care, and
+anxiety, and thought to meditation over different lines of conduct,
+while calm, imperturbable fate stands by till the appointed moment,
+and then, without inquiring the result, decides the matter for us. The
+Count had sent a servant immediately after his return from Versailles
+to the house of Marshal Schomberg, to inquire whether that officer
+were in Paris, and if so, at what hour he would be visible. The
+servant returned bringing word that Marshal Schomberg had quitted the
+country, that his house and effects had been sold, and that it was
+generally supposed he never intended to return.
+
+This was an example of the prompt execution of a resolution, which
+might well have induced the Count de Morseiul to follow it, especially
+as it showed Schomberg's opinion to be, that the affairs of the
+Protestants in France were utterly irretrievable, and that the danger
+to those who remained was imminent. Thus was another weight cast into
+the scale; but even while he was rising from the table at which he
+sat, in order to give directions for preparing for a still longer
+journey than that which he had notified to his servants before, Jerome
+Riquet entered the room and placed before him a note, written in a
+hand with which he was not at all acquainted.
+
+"You have thought much of my conduct strange, Albert--" it began; and
+turning at once to the other page he saw the name of Clémence. "You
+have thought much of my conduct strange, and now will you not think it
+still stranger, when I tell you that I have but two moments to write
+to you, and not even a moment to see you? I looked forward to tomorrow
+with hope and expectation; and now I suddenly learn that we are to set
+off within an hour for Paris. The order has been received from the
+King: the Duke will not make a moment's delay: for me to stay here
+alone is, of course, impossible; and I am obliged to leave Poitou
+without seeing you, without the possibility even of receiving an
+answer. Pray write to me immediately in Paris. Tell me that you
+forgive me for an involuntary fault; tell me that you forgive me for
+any thing I may have done to pain you. I say so, because your last
+look seemed to be reproachful; and yet, believe me, when I tell you
+upon my honour, that I could not but act as I have acted.
+
+"Oh, Albert! if I could but see you in Paris! I, who used to be so
+bold--I, who used to be so fearless, now feel as if I were going into
+a strange world, where there is need of protection, and guidance, and
+direction. I feel as if I had given up all control over myself; and if
+you were near me, if you were in Paris, I should have greater
+confidence, I should have greater courage, I should have more power to
+act, to speak, even to think rightly, than I have at present. Come,
+then, if it be possible, come then, if it be right; and if not, at all
+events write to me soon, write to me immediately.
+
+"May I,--yes I may, for I feel it is true--call myself
+
+                                         "Your Clémence."
+
+
+The letter was dated on the very day that the Count himself had set
+off, and had evidently been sent over to the château of Morseiul
+shortly after his departure. Maître Riquet had contrived to linger in
+the room on one pretext or another while his master read the note, and
+the Count, turning towards him, demanded eagerly how it had come, and
+who had brought it.
+
+"Why, Monseigneur," replied the man, "the truth is, I always love to
+have a little information. In going through life I have found it like
+a snuff-box, which one should always carry; even if one does not take
+snuff one's self: it is so useful for one's friends!"
+
+"Come, come, Sir, to the point," said his master. "How did this letter
+arrive? that is the question."
+
+"Just what I was going to tell you, my Lord," replied the man. "I left
+behind me Pierre Martin to gather together a few stray things which I
+could not carry with me, and a few stray pieces of information which I
+could not learn myself, and to bring them after us to Paris with all
+speed; old doublets, black silk stockings, bottles of essence, cases
+of razors, true information regarding all the reports in the county of
+Poitou, and whatever letters might have arrived between our going and
+his coming."
+
+"In the latter instance," replied the Count, "you have done wisely,
+and more thoughtfully than myself. I do believe, Riquet, as you once
+said of yourself, you never forget any thing that is necessary."
+
+"You do me barely justice, Sir," replied the man, "for I remember
+always a great deal more than is necessary; so, seeing that the letter
+was in a lady's hand, I brought it you, my Lord, at once, without even
+waiting to look in at the end; which, perhaps, was imprudent, as very
+likely now I shall never be able to ascertain the contents."
+
+"You are certainly not without your share of impudence, Maître
+Jerome," replied his master; "which I suppose you would say is amongst
+your other good qualities. But now leave me; for I must think over
+this letter."
+
+Riquet prepared to obey, but as he opened the door for his own exit,
+he drew two or three steps back, throwing it much wider, and giving
+admission to the Prince de Marsillac. His appearance did not by any
+means surprise the Count, for although he had seen him that very
+morning at Versailles, he had obtained not a moment to speak with him;
+and, as old friends, it was natural that, if any thing brought the
+Prince to Paris, he should call at the Hôtel de Morseiul, to talk over
+all that had taken place since their last meeting at Poitiers.
+
+"My dear Count," he said, "understanding from Monsieur de Meaux that
+you return to Versailles to-night, I have come to offer you a place
+down in my carriage, or to take a place in yours, that we may have a
+long chat over the scenes at Poitiers, and over the prospects of this
+good land of ours."
+
+"Willingly," said the Count. "I have no carriage with me, but I will
+willingly accompany you in yours. What time do you go?"
+
+"As soon as you will," replied the Prince. "I am ready to set out
+directly. I have finished all that I had to do in Paris, and return at
+once."
+
+The Count paused for a moment to calculate in his own mind whether it
+were possible that the Duc de Rouvré could reach Paris that night.
+Considering, however, the slow rate at which he must necessarily
+travel, accompanied by all his family, Albert of Morseiul
+ saw that
+one, if not two days more, must elapse before his arrival.
+
+"Well," he said, having by this time determined at all events to
+pause in the neighbourhood of the capital till after he had seen
+Clémence--"Well, as I have not dined, old friend, I will go through
+that necessary ceremony, against which my man Riquet has doubtless
+prepared, and then I will be ready to accompany you."
+
+"Nor have I dined either," replied the Prince; "so if you will give a
+knife and fork to one you justly call an old friend I will dine with
+you, and we will send for the carriage in the meanwhile."
+
+There was something in the Prince's tone and manner, difficult to
+describe or to explain, which struck the Count as extraordinary. The
+calmest, the coolest, the most self-possessed man in France was a
+little embarrassed. But the Count made no remark, merely looking for a
+moment in his face--somewhat steadfastly indeed, and in such a manner
+that the other turned to the window, saying, in a careless tone, "It
+was under those trees, I think, that the Duke of Guise killed
+Coligny."
+
+The Count made no reply, but called some of his attendants, and bade
+them see what had been provided for dinner. In a few minutes it was
+announced as ready, and he sat down with his friend to table, doing
+the honours with perfect politeness and cheerfulness. Before the meal
+was concluded, it was announced that the Prince's carriage and
+servants had arrived, and, when all was ready, the Count de Morseiul
+proposed that they should depart, leaving his attendants to follow.
+Just as he had his foot upon the step of the carriage, however, the
+Count turned to his friend, and said, "You have forgot, my good
+friend, to tell the coachman whether he is to drive to the Bastille,
+or Vincennes, or to Versailles."
+
+"You mistake," said the Prince, following him into the carriage: "To
+Versailles, of course. I will explain to you the whole matter as we
+go. Within ten minutes after you left Versailles this morning," he
+continued, as soon as they were once fully on the way, "I was sent for
+to the King about something referring to my post of Grand Veneur. I
+found Louvois with him in one of his furious and insolent moods, and
+the King bearing all with the utmost patience. It soon became apparent
+that the conversation referred to you, Louvois contending that you
+should never have been suffered to quit Versailles till some affairs
+that have taken place in Poitou were fully examined, declaring that
+you had only gone to Paris in order to make your escape from the
+country more conveniently. The King asked me my opinion; and I laughed
+at the idea to Louvois's face. He replied that I did not know all, or
+half, indeed, for that if I did I should not feel nearly so certain. I
+said I knew you better; and, to settle the matter at once, I added
+that, as I was going to Paris, I would undertake you came back with me
+in my carriage or I in yours. The King trusted me, as you see; and I
+thought it a great deal better to come in this manner as a friend,
+than to let Louvois send you a _lettre de cachet_, which you might
+even find a more tiresome companion than the Prince de Marsillac."
+
+"Undoubtedly I should," replied the Count, "and I thank you much for
+the interest you have taken in the affair as well as for the candour
+of the confession. But now, my friend, since you have gone so far, go
+a little farther, and give me some insight, if you can, into what is
+taking place at the court just at present--I mean in reference to
+myself--for my situation is, as you may suppose, not the most
+pleasant; and is one in which a map of the country may be serviceable
+to me. I see none of my old friends about the court at present except
+yourself. Seignelai I have not been able to find----"
+
+"And he would give you no information even if you did find him,"
+replied the Prince. "I can give you but very little, for I know but
+little. In the first place, however, let me tell you a great secret;
+that you are strongly suspected of being a Protestant."
+
+"Indeed," replied the Count; "I fear they have more than suspicion
+against me there."
+
+"Confess it not," said his friend, "confess it not! for just at
+present, it would be much more safe to confess high treason: but, in
+the next place, my dear Count, a report has gone abroad--quite false I
+know--that you are desperately in love with this fair Clémence de
+Marly."
+
+"And pray," demanded the Count, smiling, "in what manner would that
+affect me at the court, even were it true?"
+
+"Why, now, to answer seriously," replied his friend, "though, remember
+I speak only from the authority of my own imagination, I should say,
+that you are very likely to obtain her, with every sort of honour and
+distinction to boot, in spite of Hericourt and the Chevalier d'Evran,
+and all the rest, upon one small condition; which is, that you take a
+morning's walk into the Church of St. Laurent, or any other that may
+be more pleasant to you; stay about half an hour, read a set form,
+which means little or nothing, and go through some other ceremonies of
+the same kind."
+
+"In fact," said the Count, "make my renunciation in form, you mean to
+say."
+
+The Prince nodded his head, and Albert of Morseiul fell into thought,
+well knowing that his friend was himself ignorant of one of the most
+important considerations of the whole; namely, the faith of Clémence
+de Marly herself. On that subject, of course, he did not choose to say
+any thing; but after remaining in thought for a few moments, he
+demanded,--
+
+"And pray, my good friend, what is to be the result, if I do not
+choose to make this renunciation?"
+
+"Heaven only knows," replied the Prince. "There are, at least, six or
+seven different sorts of fate that may befall you. Probably the choice
+will be left to yourself; whether you will have your head struck off
+in a gentlemanly way in the court of the Bastille, or be broken on the
+wheel; though I believe that process they are keeping for the Huguenot
+priests now,--ministers as you call them. If the King should be
+exceeding merciful, the castle of Pignerol, or the prison in the isle
+St. Marguerite, may afford you a comfortable little solitary dwelling
+for the rest of your life. I don't think it likely that he should send
+you to the galleys, though I am told they are pretty full of military
+men now. But if I were you, I would choose the axe: it is soonest
+over."
+
+"I think I should prefer a bullet," said the Count; "but we shall see,
+my good friend, though I can't help thinking your anticipations are
+somewhat more sanguinary than necessary. I hear that Schomberg has
+taken his departure, and it must have been with the King's permission.
+Why should it not be the same in my case? I have served the king as
+well, though, perhaps, not quite so long."
+
+"But you are a born subject of France," replied the other; "Schomberg
+is not; and, besides, Schomberg has given no offence, except remaining
+faithful to his religion. You have been heading preaching in the open
+fields they say, if not preaching yourself."
+
+"Certainly not the last," replied the Count.
+
+"Indeed!" said his friend; "they have manufactured a story, then, of
+your having addressed the people before any one else."
+
+"Good God!" exclaimed the Count; "is it possible that people can
+pervert one's actions in such a manner? I merely besought the people
+to be orderly and tranquil, and added a hope that they had come
+unarmed as I had come."
+
+"It would seem that a number of you were armed, however," said the
+Prince, "for some of the dragoons were killed it would appear; and, on
+my word, you owe a good deal to Pelisson; for if Louvois had obtained
+his way this morning, as usual, your head would have been in no slight
+danger. The Abbé stepped in, however, and said, that he had seen much
+of you in Poitou, and that from all he had heard and seen, his Majesty
+had not a more faithful or obedient subject in those parts."
+
+"I am certainly very much obliged to him," replied the Count. "But he
+has strangely altered his tone; for at Poitiers he would fain have
+proved me guilty all sorts of acts that I never committed."
+
+"Perhaps he may have had cause to change," replied the Prince de
+Marsillac. "It is known that he and St. Helie quarrelled violently
+before Pelisson's return. But at all events, your great security is in
+the fact, that there are two factions in the party who are engaged in
+putting down your sect. The one would do it by gentle means--bribery,
+corruption, persuasion, and the soft stringents of exclusion from
+place, rank, and emolument. The other breathes nothing but fire and
+blood, the destruction of rebels to the royal will, and the most
+signal punishment for all who differ in opinion from themselves. This
+last party would fain persuade the king that the Huguenots are in
+arms, or ready to take arms, throughout France, and that nothing is to
+be done but to send down armies to subdue them. But then the others
+come in and say, 'It is no such thing; the people are all quiet; they
+are submitting with a good grace, and if you do not drive them to
+despair, they will gradually return, one by one, to the bosom of the
+mother church, rather than endure all sorts of discomfort and
+disgrace!' Of this party are Pelisson, the good Bishop, and many other
+influential people; but, above all, Madame de Maintenon, whose power,
+in every thing but this, is supreme."
+
+"Had I not better see her," demanded the Count, "and endeavour to
+interest her in our favour?"
+
+"She dare not for her life receive you," replied the Prince. "What is
+religion, or humanity, or generosity, or any thing else to her if it
+stand in the way of ambition? No, no, Morseiul! the good lady may
+perhaps speak a kind word for you in secret, and when it can be put in
+the form of an insinuation; but she is no Madame de Montespan who
+would have defended the innocent, and thrust herself in the way to
+prevent injustice, even if the blow had fallen upon herself. She dared
+to say to the King things that no other mortal dared, and would say
+them too, when her heart, or her understanding was convinced; but
+Madame de Maintenon creeps towards the crown, and dares not do a good
+action if it be a dangerous one. Do not attempt to see her, for she
+would certainly refuse; and if she thought that the very application
+had reached the King's ears, she would urge him to do something
+violent, merely to show him that she had nothing to do with you."
+
+"She has had much to do with me and mine," replied the Count, somewhat
+bitterly; "for to my father, she and her mother owed support when none
+else would give it."
+
+"She owed her bread to Madame de Montespan," replied the Prince, "and
+yet ceased not her efforts till she had supplanted her. But," he
+added, after a pause, "she is not altogether bad, either, and it is
+not improbable, that if there be any scheme going on for converting
+you by milder means than the wheel, as I believe there is, she may be
+the deviser of it. She was in the room this morning when the business
+was taking place between the King, Louvois, and Pelisson. She said
+nothing, but sat working at a distance, the very counterpart of a
+pie-bald cat that sat dozing in the corner; but she heard all, and I
+remarked that when the affair was settled, and other things began, she
+beckoned Pelisson to look at her embroidery, and spoke to him for some
+minutes in a low voice."
+
+"Morseiul, may I advise you?" the Prince continued, after a brief
+interval had taken place in the conversation; "listen to me but one
+word! I know well that there is no chance of your changing your
+religion except upon conviction. Do not, however, enact the old Roman,
+or court too much the fate of martyrdom; but without taking any active
+step in the matter, let the whole plans of these good folks, as far as
+they affect yourself, go on unopposed: let them, in short, still
+believe that it is not impossible to convert you. Listen to
+Pelisson--pay attention to Bossuet--watch the progress of events--be
+converted if you can; and if not, you, at all events, will gain
+opportunities of retiring from the country with far greater ease and
+safety than at present, if you should be driven to such a step at
+last. In the mean time, this affair of the preaching will have blown
+over, and they will not dare to revive it against you if they let it
+slumber for some time. Think of it, Morseiul!--think of it!"
+
+"I will," replied the Count, "and thank you sincerely; and indeed will
+do all that may be done with honour, not to offend the king or
+endanger myself;" and thus the conversation ended on that subject; the
+Prince having said already far more than might have been expected from
+a courtier of Louis XIV.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VII.
+
+                     THE CLOUDS AND THE SUNSHINE.
+
+
+The Count de Morseiul had just time to take possession of his new
+abode, and make himself tolerably at his ease therein, before the hour
+arrived for proceeding to the house of the Bishop of Meaux, where he
+was received by the prelate with every sort of kindness.
+
+He arrived before any body else, and Bossuet took him by the hand,
+saying, with a smile, "Some of our good clergy, Monsieur de Morseiul,
+would perhaps be scandalized at receiving in their house so
+distinguished a Protestant as yourself; but I trust you know, what I
+have always endeavoured to prove, that I look upon all denominations
+of Christians as my brethren, and am only perhaps sometimes a
+little eager with them, out of what very likely you consider an
+_over-anxiety_, to induce them to embrace those doctrines which I
+think necessary to their salvation. Should it ever be so between you
+and me, Monsieur le Comte, will you forgive me.
+
+"Willingly," replied the Count, thinking that the work of conversion
+was about to begin; but, to his surprise, Bossuet immediately changed
+the conversation, and turned it to the subject of the little party he
+had invited to meet the Count.
+
+"I have not," he said, "made it, as indeed I usually do, almost
+entirely of churchmen; for I feared you might think that I intended to
+overwhelm you under ecclesiastical authority: however, we have some
+belonging to the church, whom you will be glad to meet, if you do not
+know them already. The Abbé Renaudot will be here, who has a peculiar
+faculty for acquiring languages, such as I never knew in any one but
+himself. He understands no less than seventeen foreign languages, and
+twelve of those he speaks with the greatest facility. That, however,
+is one of his least qualities, as you may yourself judge when I tell
+you, that in this age, where interest and ambition swallow up every
+thing, he is the most disinterested man that perhaps ever lived.
+Possessed of one very small, poor benefice which gives him a scanty
+subsistence, he has constantly refused every other preferment; and no
+persuasion will induce him to do what he terms, 'encumber himself with
+wealth.' We shall also have La Broue, with whose virtues and good
+qualities you are already acquainted. D'Herbelot also wrote yesterday
+to invite himself. He has just returned from Italy, where that
+reverence was shown to him, which generous and expansive minds are
+always ready to display towards men of genius and of learning. He was
+received by the Grand Duke at Florence, and treated like a sovereign
+prince, though merely a poor French scholar. A house was prepared for
+him, the Secretary of State met him, and, as a parting present, a
+valuable library of oriental manuscripts was bestowed upon him by the
+Duke himself. To these grave people we have joined our lively friend
+Pelisson, and one whom doubtless you know, Boileau Despréaux. One
+cannot help loving him, and being amused with him, although we are
+forced to acknowledge that his sarcasm and his bitterness go a good
+deal too far. When he was a youth, they tell me, he was the best
+tempered boy in the world, and his father used to say of him, that all
+his other children had some sharpness and some talent, but that as for
+Nicholas, he was a good-natured lad, who would never speak ill of any
+one. One thing, however, I must tell you to his honour. He obtained
+some time ago, as I lament to say has frequently been done, a benefice
+in the church without being an ecclesiastic. The revenues of the
+benefice he spent, in those his young days, in lightness, if not in
+vice. He has since changed his conduct and his views, and not long
+ago, not only resigned the benefice, but paid back from his own purse
+all that he had received, to be spent in acts of charity amongst the
+deserving of the neighbourhood. This merits particular notice and
+record."
+
+Bossuet was going on to mention several others who were likely to join
+their party, when two of those whom he had named arrived, and the
+others shortly after made their appearance. The evening passed, as
+such an evening may well be supposed to have passed, at the dwelling
+of the famous Bishop of Meaux. It was cheerful, though not gay; and
+subjects of deep and important interest were mingled with, and
+enlivened by many a light and lively sally, confined within the bounds
+of strict propriety, but none the less brilliant or amusing, for it is
+only weak and narrow intellects that are forced to fly to themes
+painful, injurious, or offensive, in order to seek materials with
+which to found a reputation for wit or talent.
+
+The only matter, however, which was mentioned affecting at all the
+course of our present tale, and therefore the only one on which we
+shall pause, was discussed between Pelisson and the Abbé Renaudot,
+while the Count de Morseiul was standing close by them, speaking for a
+moment with D'Herbelot.
+
+"Is there any news stirring at the court, Monsieur Pelisson?" said
+Renaudot. "You hear every thing, and I hear nothing of what is going
+on there."
+
+"Why there is nothing of any consequence, I believe," said Pelisson,
+in a loud voice. "The only thing now I hear of is, that Mademoiselle
+Marly is going to be married at length."
+
+"What, La belle Clémence!" cried Renaudot  "Who is the man that has
+touched her hard heart at length?"
+
+"Oh, an old lover," said Pelisson. "Perseverance has carried the day.
+The Chevalier d'Evran is the man. The King gave his consent some few
+days ago, the Chevalier having come up express from Poitou to ask it."
+
+Every word reached the ear of the Count de Morseiul, and his mind
+reverted instantly to the conduct of the Chevalier and Clémence, and
+to the letter which he had received from her. As any man in love would
+do, under such circumstances, he resolved not to believe a word; but
+as most men in love would feel, he certainly felt himself not a little
+uneasy, not a little agitated, not a little pained even by the report.
+Unwilling, however, to hear any more, he walked to the other end of
+the room to take his leave, as it was now late.
+
+Pelisson looked after him as he went, and seeing him bid Bossuet
+adieu, he followed his example, and accompanied the young Count down
+the stairs and throughout the few steps he had to take ere he reached
+his own dwelling. No word, however, was spoken by either regarding
+Clémence de Marly, and Albert of Morseiul retired at once, though
+certainly not to sleep. He revolved in his mind again and again the
+probability of Pelisson's story having any truth in it. He knew
+Clémence, and he knew the Chevalier, and he felt sure that he could
+trust them both; but that trust was all that he had to oppose to the
+very great likelihood which there existed, that the King, as he so
+frequently did, would take the arrangement of a marriage for Clémence
+de Marly into his own hands, without in the slightest degree
+consulting her inclination, or the inclination of any one concerned.
+
+The prospect now presented to the mind of Albert of Morseiul was in
+the highest degree painful. Fresh difficulties, fresh dangers, were
+added to the many which were already likely to overwhelm him, if even,
+as he trusted she would, Clémence held firm by her plighted troth to
+him, and resisted what was then so hard to resist in France, the
+absolute will of the King. Still this new incident would only serve to
+show that instant flight was more absolutely necessary than before,
+would render any return to France utterly impossible, and would
+increase the danger and difficulty of executing that flight itself.
+But a question suggested itself to the Count's mind, which, though he
+answered it in the affirmative, left anxiety and doubt behind it.
+Would Clémence de Marly resist the will of the King? Could she do so?
+So many were the means to be employed to lead or drive her to
+obedience, so much might be done by leading her on from step to step,
+that bitter, very bitter anxiety took possession of her lover's heart.
+He persuaded himself that it was pain and anxiety on her account
+alone; but still he loved her too well, too truly, not to feel pained
+and anxious for himself.
+
+On the following morning, as soon as he had breakfasted, he wrote a
+brief note to Clémence, telling her that he was at Versailles, was
+most anxious to see her and converse with her, if it were but for a
+few minutes, and beseeching her to let him know immediately where he
+could do so speedily, as he had matters of very great importance to
+communicate to her at once. The letter was tender and affectionate;
+but still there was that in it, which might show the keen eyes of love
+that there was some great doubt and uneasiness pressing on the mind of
+the writer.
+
+As soon as the letter was written, he gave it into the hands of Jerome
+Riquet, directing him to carry it to Paris, to wait there for the
+arrival of the family of de Rouvré, if they had not yet come, and to
+find means to give it to Maria, the attendant of Mademoiselle de
+Marly. He was too well aware of Riquet's talents not to be quite sure
+that this commission would be executed in the best manner; and after
+his departure he strove to keep his mind as quiet as possible, and
+occupied himself in writing to his intendant at Morseiul, conveying
+orders for his principal attendants to come up to join him at
+Versailles directly, bringing with them a great variety of different
+things which were needful to him, but which had been left behind in
+the hurry of his departure. While he was writing, he was again visited
+by the Prince de Marsillac, who came in kindly to tell him that the
+report of Pelisson, who had passed the preceding evening with him,
+seemed to be operating highly in his favour at court.
+
+"I am delighted," he said, "that the good Abbé has had the first word,
+for St. Helie is expected to-night, and, depend upon it, his story
+would be very different. It will not be listened to now, however," he
+continued; "and every day gained, depend upon it, is something. Take
+care, however, Count," he said, pointing to the papers on the table,
+"take care of your correspondence; for though the King himself is
+above espionage, Louvois is not, I can tell you, and unless you send
+your letters by private couriers of your own, which might excite great
+suspicion, every word is sure to be known."
+
+"I was going to send this letter by a private courier," said the
+Count; "but as it is only intended to order up the rest of my train
+from Poitou, and some matters of that kind, I care not if it be known
+to-morrow."
+
+"If it be to order up your train," replied the Prince, "send it
+through Louvois himself. Write him a note instantly, saying, that as
+you understand he has a courier going, you will be glad if he will
+despatch that letter. It will be opened, read, and the most convincing
+proof afforded to the whole of them, that you have no intention of
+immediate flight, which is the principal thing they seem to apprehend.
+With this, clenching the report of Pelisson, you may set St. Helie at
+defiance, I should think."
+
+The Count smiled. "Heaven deliver me from the intrigues of a court,"
+he said. He did, however, as he was advised; and the Prince de
+Marsillac carried off the letter and the note, promising to have them
+delivered to Louvois immediately.
+
+Several hours then passed anxiously, and although he knew that he
+could not receive an answer till two or three o'clock, and might
+perhaps not receive one at all that day, he could not help thinking
+the time long, and, marking the striking of the palace clock, as if it
+must have gone wrong for his express torment. The shortest possible
+space of time, however, in which it was possible to go and come
+between Versailles and Paris had scarcely expired after the departure
+of Riquet, when the valet again appeared. He brought with him a scrap
+of paper, which proved to be the back of the Count's own note to
+Clémence, unsealed, and with no address upon it; but written in a
+hasty hand within was found--
+
+"I cannot--I dare not, see you at present, nor can I now write as I
+should desire to do. If what you wish to say is of immediate
+importance, write as before, and it is sure to reach me."
+
+There was no signature, but the hand was that of Clémence de Marly;
+and the heart of Albert of Morseiul felt as if it would have broken.
+It seemed as if the last tie between him and happiness was severed. It
+seemed as if that hope, which would have afforded him strength, and
+support, and energy, to combat every difficulty and overleap every
+obstacle, was taken away from him; and for five or ten minutes he
+paced up and down the saloon in agony of mind unutterable.
+
+"She is yielding already," he said at length, "she is yielding
+already. The King's commands are hardly announced to her, ere she
+feels that she must give way. It is strange--it is most strange! I
+could have staked my life that with her it would have been
+otherwise!--and yet the influence which this Chevalier d'Evran seems
+always to have possessed over her is equally strange. If, as she has
+so solemnly told me, she is not really bound to him by any tie of
+affection, may she not be bound by some promise rashly given in former
+years? We have heard of such things. However, no promises to me shall
+stand in the way; she shall act freely, and at her own will, as far as
+I am concerned;" and, sitting down, he wrote a few brief lines to
+Clémence, in which, though he did not pour out the bitterness of his
+heart, he showed how bitterly he was grieved.
+
+"The tidings I had to tell you," he said, "were simply these, which I
+heard last night. The King destines your hand for another, and has
+already announced that such is the case. The few words that you have
+written show me that you are already aware of this fact, and that
+perhaps struggling between promises to me and an inclination to obey
+the royal authority, you are pained, and uncertain how to act. Such,
+at least, is the belief to which I am led by the few cold painful
+words which I have received. If that belief is right, it may make you
+more easy to know that, in such a case, Albert of Morseiul will never
+exact the fulfilment of a promise that Clémence de Marly is inclined
+to break."
+
+He folded the note up, sealed it, and once more called for Riquet.
+Before the man appeared, however, some degree of hesitation had come
+over the heart of the Count, and he asked him,--
+
+"Who did you see at the Hôtel de Rouvré?"
+
+"I saw," replied the man, "some of the servants; and I saw two or
+three ecclesiastics looking after their valises in the court; and I
+saw Madame de Rouvré looking out of one of the windows with
+Mademoiselle Clémence, and the Chevalier d'Evran."
+
+"It is enough," said the Count. "I should wish this note taken back to
+Paris before nightfall, and given into the hands of the same person to
+whom you gave the other. Take some rest, Riquet. But I should like
+that to be delivered before nightfall."
+
+"I will deliver it, sir, and be back in time to dress you for the
+_Appartement_."
+
+"The _appartement_," said the Count, "I had forgotten that, and most
+likely shall not go. Well," he added after a moment's thought, "better
+go there than to the Bastille. But it matters not, Riquet, Jean can
+dress me."
+
+The man bowed and retired. But by the time that it was necessary for
+the Count to commence dressing for the _appartement_, Riquet had
+returned, bringing with him, however, no answer to the note, for
+which, indeed, he had not waited. The Count suffered him to arrange
+his dress as he thought fit, and then proceeded to the palace, which
+was by this time beginning to be thronged with company.
+
+During one half of the life of Louis XIV. he was accustomed to throw
+open all the splendid public rooms of his palace three times in the
+week to all the chief nobility of his court and capital, and every
+thing that liberal, and even ostentatious, splendour could do to
+please the eye, delight the ear, or amuse the mind of those who were
+thus collected, was done by the monarch on the nights which were
+marked for what was called _appartement_. At an after period of his
+life, when the death of almost all his great ministers had cast the
+burden of all the affairs of state upon the King himself, he seldom,
+if ever, appeared at these assemblies, passing the hours, during which
+he furnished his court with amusement, in labouring diligently with
+one or other of his different ministers.
+
+At the time we speak of, however, he almost every night showed himself
+in the _appartement_ for some time, noticing every body with
+affability and kindness, and remarking, it was said, accurately who
+was present and who was not. It was considered a compliment to the
+monarch never to neglect any reasonable opportunity of paying court at
+these assemblies; and it is very certain that had the Count de
+Morseiul failed in presenting himself on the present occasion, his
+absence would have been regarded as a decided proof of disaffection.
+
+He found the halls below, then, filled with guards and attendants; the
+staircase covered with officers, and guests arriving in immense
+crowds; while from the first room above poured forth the sound of a
+full orchestra, which was always the first attraction met with during
+the evening, as if to put the guests in harmony, and prepare their
+minds for pleasure and enjoyment. The music was of the finest kind
+that could be found in France, and no person ever rendered himself
+celebrated, even in any remote province, for peculiar skill or taste
+in playing on any instrument, without being sought out and brought to
+play at the concerts of the King. The concert room, which was the only
+one where the light was kept subdued, opened into a long suite of
+apartments, hall beyond hall, saloon beyond saloon, where the eye was
+dazzled by the blaze, and fatigued by the immense variety of beautiful
+and precious ornaments which were seen stretching away in brilliant
+perspective. Here tables were laid out for every sort of game that was
+then in fashion, from billiards to lansquenet; and the King took
+especial pains to make it particularly known to every person at his
+court, that it was not only his wish, but his especial command, if any
+man found any thing wanting, or required any thing whatever for his
+amusement or pleasure in the apartments, that he was to order some of
+the attendants to bring it.
+
+Perfect liberty reigned throughout the whole saloons, as far as was
+consistent with propriety of conduct. The courtiers made up their
+parties amongst themselves, chose their own amusements, followed their
+own pursuits. Every sort of refreshment was provided in abundance, and
+hundreds on hundreds of servants, in splendid dresses, were seen
+moving here and there throughout the rooms, supplying the wants, and
+fulfilling the wishes of all the guests, with the utmost promptitude,
+or waiting for their orders, and remarking, with anxious attention,
+that nothing was wanting to the convenience of any one.
+
+The whole of the principal suite of rooms in the palace was thus
+thrown open, as we have said, three times in the week, with the
+exception of the great ball room, which was only opened on particular
+occasions. Sometimes, at the balls of the court, the _appartement_ was
+not held, and the meeting took place in the ball-room itself. But at
+other times the ball followed the supper of the King, which took place
+invariably at ten o'clock, and the company invited proceeded from the
+_appartement_ to the ball-room, leaving those whose age, health, or
+habits, gave them the privilege of not dancing, to amuse themselves
+with the games which were provided on the ordinary nights.
+
+Such was to be the case on the present evening, and such as we have
+described was the scene of splendour which opened upon the eyes of the
+Count de Morseiul as he entered the concert-room, and taking a seat at
+the end, gazed up the gallery, listening with pleasure to a calm and
+somewhat melancholy, but soothing strain of music. His mind, indeed,
+was too much occupied with painful feelings of many kinds for him to
+take any pleasure or great interest in the magnificence spread out
+before his eyes, which he had indeed often seen before, but which he
+might have seen again with some admiration, had his bosom been free
+and his heart at rest.
+
+At present, however, it was but dull pageantry to him, and the music
+was the thing that pleased him most; but when a gay and lively piece
+succeeded to that which he had first heard, he rose and walked on into
+the rooms beyond, striving to find amusement for his thoughts, though
+pleasure might not be there to be found. Although he was by no means a
+general frequenter of the Court, and always escaped from it to the
+calmer pleasures of the country as soon as possible, he was, of
+course, known to almost all the principal nobility of the realm, and
+to all the officers who had in any degree distinguished themselves in
+the service. Thus, in the very first room, he was stopped by a number
+of acquaintances; and, passing on amidst the buzz of many voices, and
+all the gay nothings of such a scene, he met from time to time with
+some one, whose talents, or whose virtues, or whose greater degree of
+intimacy with himself, enabled him to pause and enter into longer and
+more interesting conversation, either in reference to the present--its
+hopes and fears,--or to the period when last they met, and the events
+that then surrounded them.
+
+Although such things could not, of course, cure his mind of its
+melancholy, it afforded him some degree of occupation for his
+thoughts, till a sudden whisper ran through the rooms of "The King!
+The King!" and every body drew back from the centre of the apartments
+to allow the monarch to pass.
+
+Louis advanced from the inner rooms with that air of stately dignity,
+which we know, from the accounts both of his friends and enemies, to
+have been unrivalled in grace and majesty. His commanding person, his
+handsome features, his kingly carriage, and his slow and measured
+step, all bespoke at once the monarch, and afforded no bad indication
+of his character, with its many grand and extensive, if not noble
+qualities, its capaciousness, its ambition, and even its occasional
+littleness, for the somewhat theatrical demeanour was never lost, and
+the stage effect was not less in Louis's mind than in his person.
+
+He paused to speak for a moment with several persons as he passed,
+stood at the lansquenet table where his brother and his son were
+seated, dropped an occasional word, always graceful and agreeable, at
+two or three of the other tables, and then paused for a moment and
+looked up and down the rooms, evidently feeling himself, what his
+whole people believed him to be, the greatest monarch that ever trod
+the earth. There was something, indeed, it must be acknowledged, in
+the mighty splendour of the scene around--in the inestimable amount of
+the earth's treasures there collected--in the blaze of light, the
+distant sound of the music, the dazzling loveliness of many there
+present--the courage, the learning, the talent, the genius collected
+in those halls; and in the knowledge that there was scarcely a man
+present who would not shed the last drop of his heart's blood in the
+defence of his King, there was something that might well turn giddy
+the brain of any man who felt himself placed on that awful pinnacle of
+power and greatness. Louis, however, was well accustomed to it, and,
+like the child and the lion, he had become familiar from youth with
+things which might make other men tremble. Thus he paused but for a
+moment to remark and to enjoy, and then advanced again through the
+apartments.
+
+The next person that his eye fell upon was the Count de Morseiul; and
+his countenance showed in a moment how true had been the prophecy of
+the Prince de Marsillac, that a great change would take place in his
+feelings. He now smiled graciously upon the young Count, and paused to
+speak with him.
+
+"I trust to see you often here, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said.
+
+"I shall not fail, Sire," the Count replied, "to pay my duty to your
+majesty as often as I am permitted to do so."
+
+"Then you do not return soon to Poitou, Monsieur le Comte?" said the
+King.
+
+"I have thought it so improbable that I should do so, Sire," replied
+the Count, who evidently saw that Louvois had not failed to report his
+letter, "that I have taken a hotel here, and have sent for my
+attendants this day. If I hoped that my presence in Poitou could be of
+any service to your majesty----"
+
+"It may be, it may be, Count, in time to come," replied the King. "In
+the mean time we will try to amuse you well here. I have heard that
+you are one of the best billiard-players in France. Follow me now to
+the billiard room, and, though I am out of practice, I will try a
+stroke or two with you."
+
+It was a game in which Louis excelled, as, indeed, he did in all
+games; and this was one which afterwards, we are told, made the
+fortune of the famous minister, Chamillart. The Count de Morseiul,
+therefore, received this invitation as a proof that he was very nearly
+re-established in the King's good graces. He feared not at all to
+compete with the monarch, as he himself was also out of practice, and,
+indeed, far more than the King; so that, though an excellent player,
+there was no chance of his being driven either to win the game against
+the monarch, or to make use of some man[oe]uvre to avoid doing so. He
+followed the King then willingly; but Louis, passing through the
+billiard-room, went on in the first place to the end of the suite of
+apartments, noticing every body to whom he wished to pay particular
+attention, and then returned to the game. A number of persons crowded
+round--so closely indeed, that the monarch exclaimed,--
+
+"Let us have room--let us have room! We will have none but the ladies
+so close to us: Ha, Monsieur de Morseiul?"
+
+The game then commenced, and went on with infinite skill and very
+nearly equal success on both parts. Louis became somewhat eager, but
+yet a suspicion crossed his mind that the young Count was purposely
+giving him the advantage, and at the end of some very good strokes he
+purposely placed his balls in an unfavourable position. The Count did
+not fail to take instant advantage of the opportunity, and had well
+nigh won the game. By an unfortunate stroke, however, he lost his
+advantage, and the King never let him have the table again till he was
+himself secure.
+
+"You see, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, as he paused for a moment
+afterwards, "you see you cannot beat me."
+
+"I never even hoped it, Sire," replied the Count. "In my own short day
+I have seen so many kings, generals, and statesmen try to do so with
+signal want of success, that I never entertained so presumptuous an
+expectation."
+
+The monarch smiled graciously, well pleased at a compliment from the
+young Huguenot nobleman which he had not expected; and as the game was
+one in which he took great pleasure, and which also displayed the
+graces of his person to the greatest advantage, he played a second
+game with the Count, which he won by only one stroke. He then left the
+table, and after speaking once more with several persons in the
+apartments, retired, not to re-appear till after his supper.
+
+As soon as he was gone, the Prince de Marsillac once more approached
+the young Count, saying in a whisper,--"You have not beaten the King,
+Morseiul, but you have conquered him: yet, take my advice, on no
+account leave the apartments till after the ball has begun. Let Louis
+see you there, for you know what a marking eye he has for every one
+who is in the rooms."
+
+Thus saying, he passed on, and the Count determined to follow his
+advice, though the hour and a half that was yet to elapse seemed
+tedious if not interminable to him. About a quarter of an hour before
+the supper of the King, however, as he sat listlessly leaning against
+one of the columns, he saw a party coming up from the concert room at
+a rapid pace, and long before the eye could distinctly see of what
+persons it was composed, his heart told him that Clémence de Marly was
+there.
+
+She came forward, leaning on the arm of the Duc de Rouvré, dressed
+with the utmost splendour, and followed by a party of several others
+who had just arrived. She was certainly not less lovely than ever. To
+the eyes of Albert de Morseiul, indeed, it seemed that she was more
+so: but there was an expression of deep sadness on that formerly gay
+and smiling countenance, which would have made the whole feelings of
+the Count de Morseiul change into grief for her grief, and anxiety for
+her anxiety, had there not been a certain degree of haughtiness,
+throned upon her brow and curling her lips, which bespoke more
+bitterness than depression of feeling. The Duc de Rouvré was, as I
+have said, proceeding rapidly through the rooms, and paused not to
+speak with any one. The eyes of Clémence, however, fell full upon the
+Count de Morseiul, and rested on him with their full melancholy light,
+while she noticed him with a calm and graceful inclination of the
+head, but passed on without a word.
+
+The feelings of the Count de Morseiul were bitter indeed, as may well
+be imagined. "So soon," he said to himself, "so soon! By heaven I can
+understand now all that I have heard and wondered at: how, for a
+woman--an empty, vain, coquettish woman--a man may forget the regard
+of years, and cut his friend's throat as he would that of a stag or
+boar. Where is the Chevalier d'Evran I wonder? He does not appear in
+the train to-night; but perhaps he comes not till the ball. I will
+wait, however, the same time as if she had not been here."
+
+He moved not from his place, but remained leaning against the column;
+and, as is generally the case, not seeking, he was sought for. A
+number of people who knew him gathered round him; and, although he was
+in any thing but a mood for entertaining or being entertained, the
+very shortness of his replies, and the degree of melancholy bitterness
+that mingled with them, caused words that he never intended to be
+witty, to pass for wit, and protracted the torture of conversing with
+indifferent people upon indifferent subjects, when the heart is full
+of bitterness, and the mind occupied with its own sad business.
+
+At length the doors of the ball room were thrown open, and the company
+poured in to arrange themselves before the monarch came. Several
+parties, indeed, remained playing at different games at the tables in
+the gallery, and the Count remained where he was, still leaning
+against the column, which was at the distance of ten or twelve yards
+from the doors of the ball room. Not above five minutes had elapsed
+before the King and his immediate attendants appeared, coming from his
+private supper room to be present at the ball. His eye, as he passed,
+ran over the various tables, making a graceful motion with his hand
+for the players not to rise; and as he approached the folding doors,
+he remarked the Count, and beckoned to him to come up. The Count
+immediately started forward, and the King demanded,
+
+"A gallant young man like you, do you not dance, Monsieur de
+Morseiul?"
+
+Taken completely by surprise at this piece of condescension, the Count
+replied,
+
+"Alas, Sire, I am not in spirits to dance; I should but cloud the
+gaiety of my fair partner, and she would wish herself any where else
+before the evening were over."
+
+Louis smiled; and, so much accustomed as he was to attribute the
+sunshine and clouds upon his courtiers' brows to the effects of his
+favour or displeasure, he instantly put his own interpretation upon
+the words of the Count, and that interpretation raised the young
+nobleman much in the good graces of a monarch, who, though vain and
+despotic, was not naturally harsh and severe.
+
+"If, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, "some slight displeasure
+which the King expressed yesterday morning, have rendered our gay
+fellow-soldier of Maestricht and Valenciennes so sad, let his sadness
+pass away, for his conduct here has effaced unfavourable reports, and
+if he persevere to the end in the same course, he may count upon the
+very highest favour."
+
+Almost every circumstance combines on earth to prevent monarchs
+hearing the truth, even from the most sincere. Time, place, and
+circumstance is almost always against them; and in the present
+instance, the Count de Morseiul knew well, that neither the spot nor
+the moment were at all suited to any thing like an explanation. He
+could but reply, therefore, that the lightest displeasure of the King
+was of course enough to make him sad, and end his answer by one of
+those compliments which derive at least half their value, like paper
+money, from the good will of the receiver.
+
+"Come, come," said the King gaily; "shake off this melancholy,
+fellow-soldier. Come with me; and if I have rightly heard the secrets
+of certain hearts, I will find you a partner this night, who shall not
+wish herself any where else while dancing with the Count de Morseiul."
+
+The Count gazed upon the King with utter astonishment; and Louis,
+enjoying his surprise, led the way quickly on into the ball room, the
+Count following, as he bade him, close by his side, and amongst his
+principal officers. As soon as they had entered the ball room, Louis
+paused for an instant, and every one rose. The King's eyes, as well as
+those of the Count de Morseiul, ran round the vast saloon seeking for
+some particular object  To Albert of Morseiul that object was soon
+discovered, placed between the Duchess de Rouvré, and Anette de
+Marville, at the very farthest part of the room. Louis, however, who
+was in good spirits, and in a mood peculiarly condescending, walked
+round the whole circle, pausing to speak to almost every married lady
+there, and twice turning suddenly towards the Count, perhaps with the
+purpose of teazing him a little, but seemingly as if about to point
+out the lady to whom he had alluded. At length, however, he reached
+the spot where the Duchess de Rouvré and her party were placed; and
+after speaking for a moment to the Duchess, while the cheek of
+Clémence de Marly became deadly pale and then glowed again fiery red,
+he turned suddenly towards her, and said--
+
+"Mademoiselle de Marly, or perhaps as I in gallantry ought to say,
+_Belle Clémence_, I have promised the Count de Morseiul here to find
+him a partner for this ball, who will dance with him throughout
+to-night, without wishing herself anywhere else. Now, as I have
+certain information that he is very hateful to you, there is but one
+thing which can make you execute the task to the full. Doubtless you,
+as well as all the rest of our court, feel nothing so great a pleasure
+as obeying the King's commands--at least, so they tell me--and
+therefore I command you to dance with him, and to be as happy as
+possible, and not to wish yourself any where else from this moment
+till the ball closes."
+
+He waited for no reply, but making a sign to the Count to remain by
+the side of his fair partner, proceeded round the rest of the circle.
+Nothing in the demeanour of Clémence de Marly but her varying colour
+had told how much she was agitated while the King spoke; but the words
+which the monarch had used were so pointed, and touched so directly
+upon the feelings between herself and Albert of Morseiul, that those
+who stood around pressed slightly forward as soon as Louis had gone
+on, to see how she was affected by what had passed. To her ear those
+words were most strange and extraordinary. It was evident that by some
+one the secret of her heart had been betrayed to the King, and equally
+evident that Louis had determined to countenance that love which she
+had fancied would make her happy in poverty, danger, or distress,
+announcing his approbation at the very moment that a temporary
+coldness had arisen between her and her lover, and that her heart was
+oppressed with those feelings of hopelessness, which will sometimes
+cross even our brightest and happiest days.
+
+On the Count de Morseiul the King's words had produced a different,
+but not a less powerful effect. The surprise and joy which he might
+have felt at finding himself suddenly pointed out by the monarch as
+the favoured suitor for the hand of her he loved, was well nigh done
+away by the conviction that the price the King put upon his ultimate
+approbation of their union was such as he could not pay. But
+nevertheless those words were most joyful, though they raised up some
+feeling of self-reproach in his heart. It was evident that the tale
+told by Pelisson regarding the Chevalier was false, or perhaps,
+indeed, originated in some pious fraud devised for the purpose of
+driving him more speedily to acknowledge himself a convert to the
+church of Rome. Whatever were the circumstances, however, it was clear
+that Clémence was herself unconscious of any such report, and that all
+the probabilities which imagination had built up to torment him were
+but idle dreams. He had pained himself enough indeed; but he had
+pained Clémence also, and his first wish was to offer her any
+atonement in his power.
+
+Such were the feelings and thoughts called up in the bosom of the
+young Count by the events which had just occurred. But the surprise of
+Clémence and her lover was far outdone by that of the Duke and Duchess
+de Rouvré, who, astonished at the favour into which their young friend
+seemed so suddenly to have risen, and equally astonished at the
+intimation given by the King of an attachment existing between the
+Count and Clémence, overflowed with joy and satisfaction as soon as
+the monarch left the spot, and expressed many a vain hope that, after
+all, the affairs which had commenced in darkness and shadow, would end
+in sunshine and light. Ere the Count could reply, or say one word to
+Clémence de Marly, the _bransle_ began, and he led her forth to dance.
+There was but a moment for him to speak to her; but he did not lose
+that moment.
+
+"Clémence," he said, as he led her forward, "I fear I have both pained
+you and wronged you."
+
+A bright and beautiful smile spread at once over her countenance. "You
+have," she said; "but those words are enough, Albeit! Say no more! the
+pain is done away; the wrong is forgotten."
+
+"It is not forgotten by me, sweet girl," he replied, in the same low
+tone; "but I must speak to you long, and explain all."
+
+"Come to-morrow," she answered; "all difficulties must now be done
+away. I, too, have something to explain, Albert," she added, "but yet
+not every thing that I could wish to explain, and about that I will
+make you my only reproach. You promised not to doubt me--oh, keep that
+promise!"
+
+As she spoke the dance began, and of course their conversation for the
+time concluded. All eyes were upon the young Count--so rare a visiter
+at the palace, and upon her--so admired, so courted, so disdainful, as
+she was believed to be by every one present, but whose destiny seemed
+now decided, and whose heart everyone naturally believed to be won.
+Graceful by nature as well as by education, no two persons of the
+whole court could have been better fitted than Albert of Morseiul and
+Clémence de Marly to pass through the ordeal of such a scene as a
+court ball in those days; and though every eye was, as we have said,
+upon them, yet they had a great advantage on that night, which would
+have prevented any thing like embarrassment, even had not such scenes
+been quite familiar to them. They scarcely knew that any eyes were
+watching them, they were scarcely conscious of the presence of
+the glittering crowd around. Engrossed by their own individual
+feelings--deep, absorbing, overpowering, as those feelings
+were,--their spirits were wrapt up in themselves and in each other;
+they thought not of the dance, they thought not of the spectators, but
+left habit, and natural grace, and a fine ear, to do all that was
+requisite as far as the minuet was concerned. If either thought of the
+dance at all, it was only when the eyes of Albert of Morseiul rested
+on Clémence, and he thought her certainly more lovely and graceful
+than ever she had before appeared, or when his hand touched hers, and
+the thrill of that touch passed to his heart, speaking of love and
+hope and happiness to come. The effect was what might naturally be
+supposed--each danced more gracefully than perhaps they had ever done
+before; and one of those slight murmurs of admiration passed through
+the courtly crowd, and was confirmed by a gracious smile and gentle
+inclination of the head from the King himself.
+
+"We must not let him escape us," said the monarch in a low voice to
+the Prince de Marsillac. "Certainly he is worthy of some trouble in
+recalling from his errors."
+
+"If he escape from the fair net your majesty has spread for him,"
+replied the Prince, "he will be the most cunning bird that ever I saw.
+Indeed, I should suppose he has no choice, when, if caught, he will
+have to thank his King for every thing, for honour, favour,
+distinction, his soul's salvation, and a fair wife that loves him. If
+he be not pressed till he takes fright, he will entangle himself so
+that no power can extricate him."
+
+"He shall have every opportunity," said the King. "I must not appear
+too much in the matter. You, Prince, see that they be left alone
+together, if possible, for a few minutes. Use what man[oe]uvre you
+will, and I will take care to countenance it."
+
+At the court balls of that day it was the custom to dance throughout
+the night with one person, and the opportunity of conversing between
+those who were dancing was very small. A few brief words at the
+commencement, or at the end of each dance, was all that could be hoped
+for, and Clémence and her lover were fain to fix all their hopes of
+explanation and of longer intercourse upon the morrow. Suddenly,
+however, it was announced, before the hour at which the balls usually
+terminated, that the King had a lottery, to which all the married
+ladies of the court were invited.
+
+The crowd poured into the apartment where the drawing of this lottery
+was to take place; every lady anxious for a ticket where all were
+prizes, and the tickets themselves given by the King; while those who
+were not to share in this splendid piece of generosity, were little
+less eager, desirous of seeing the prizes, and learning who it was
+that won them. All then, as we have said, poured out of the ball room,
+through the great gallery and other state-rooms in which the
+_appartement_ was usually held.
+
+There were only two who lingered--Clémence de Marly and Albert of
+Morseiul. They, however, remained to the last, and then followed
+slowly, employing the few minutes thus obtained in low spoken words of
+affection, perhaps all the warmer and all the tenderer for the
+coldness and the pain just passed. Ere three sentences, however, had
+been uttered, the good Duc de Rouvré approached, saying, "Come,
+Clémence, come quick, or you will not find a place where you will
+see."
+
+The eye of the Prince de Marsillac, however, was upon them; and,
+threading the mazes of the crowd, he took the Duke by the arm; and,
+drawing him aside with an important face, told him that the King
+wanted to speak with him immediately. The Duc de Rouvré darted quickly
+away to seek the monarch: and the Prince paused for a single instant
+ere he followed, to say in a low voice to the Count,--
+
+"You will neither of you be required at the lottery, if you think that
+the lot you have drawn already is sufficiently good."
+
+The Count was not slow to understand the hint, and he gently led
+Clémence de Marly back into one of the vacant saloons.
+
+"Surely they will think it strange," she said; but ere the Count could
+reply, she added quickly; "but, after all, what matters it if they
+do?--I would have it so, that every one may see and know the whole so
+clearly, that all persecution may be at an end. Now, Albert, now," she
+said, "tell me what could make you write me so cruel a letter."
+
+"I will in one word," he replied; "but remember, Clémence, that I own
+I have been wrong, and in telling you the causes, in explaining the
+various circumstances which led me to believe that you were wavering
+in your engagements to me, I seek not to justify myself, but merely to
+explain."
+
+"Oh never, never think it!" she exclaimed, ere she would let him go
+on; "whatever may happen, whatever appearances may be, never, Albert,
+never for one moment think that I am wavering! Once more, most
+solemnly, most truly, I assure you, that though perhaps fate may
+separate me from you, and circumstances over which we have no control
+render our union impossible, nothing--no, not the prospect of
+immediate death itself, shall ever induce me to give my hand to
+another. No circumstances can effect that, for that must be my
+voluntary act; and I can endure death, I can endure imprisonment, I
+can endure any thing they choose to inflict, except the wedding a man
+I do not love. Now, tell me," she continued, "now let me hear, what
+could make you think I did so waver."
+
+The Count related all that had taken place, the words which he had
+heard Pelisson make use of in conversation with an indifferent person,
+the mortification and pain he had felt at the words she had written in
+answer to his note, the confirmation of all his anxious fears by what
+Jerome Riquet had told him, and all the other probabilities that had
+arisen to make him believe that those fears were just.
+
+Clémence heard him sometimes with a look of pain, sometimes with a
+reproachful smile. "After all, Albert," she said, "perhaps you have
+had some cause--more cause indeed than jealous men often have, and yet
+you shall hear how simply all this may be accounted for. The day after
+we parted in Poitou, the Abbé de St. Helie arrived at Ruffigny, with
+several other persons of the same kind, and Monsieur de Rouvré found
+his house filled with spies upon his actions. He received, however, in
+the evening of the same day, an order to come to the court
+immediately, to give an account of the events which had taken place in
+his government. The same spies of Louvois accompanied us on the road,
+as well as the Chevalier d'Evran,--who was the person that had
+obtained from the King the order for the Duke to appear at court,
+rather than to remain in exile at Ruffigny, while his enemies said
+what they chose of him in his absence. We had not arrived in Paris ten
+minutes at the time your servant came. We were surrounded by spies of
+every kind; the good Duke was in a state of agitation impossible to
+describe, and so fearful that any thing like a Protestant should be
+seen in his house, or that any thing, in short, should occur to give
+probability to the charges against him, that I knew your coming would
+be dangerous both to yourself and to him, the house being filled with
+persons who were ready not only to report, but to pervert every thing
+that took place. On receiving your note, Maria called me out of the
+saloon; but my apartments were not prepared; servants were coming and
+going; no writing paper was to be procured; a pen and ink was obtained
+with difficulty. I knew if I were absent five minutes in the state of
+agitation, that pervaded the whole household, Madame de Rouvré would
+come to seek me, and I was consequently obliged to write the few words
+I did write in the greatest haste, and under the greatest anxiety.
+Maria was not even out of the room conveying those few words to your
+servant, when the Duchess came in, and I was glad hypocritically to
+affect great activity and neatness about the arrangement of my
+apartments, to conceal the real matter which had employed me. Such is
+the simple state of the case; and I never even heard of this other
+marriage, about which Pelisson must have made some mistake. Had I
+heard of it," she added, "it would only have made me laugh."
+
+"I see not why it should do so," replied the Count. "Surely, Louis
+d'Evran is--as I well know he is considered by many of the fair and
+the bright about this court--a person not to be despised by any woman.
+He evidently, too, exercises great influence over you, Clémence; and
+therefore the report itself was not such as I, at least, could treat
+as absurd, especially when, in addition to these facts, it was stated
+that the King had expressed his will that you should give him your
+hand."
+
+"To me, however, Albert," she replied, "it must appear absurd, knowing
+and feeling as I do know and feel, that were the Chevalier d'Evran the
+only man I had ever seen, or ever were likely to see, that I should
+never even dream of marrying him. He may be much loved and liked by
+other women; doubtless he is, and sure I am he well deserves it. I
+like him, too, Albert. I scruple not to own it--I like him much; but
+that is very different from loving him as I love--as a woman should
+love her husband I mean to say. And now, Albert," she continued, "with
+regard to the influence he has over me, I will tell you nothing more.
+That shall remain as a trial of your confidence in me. This influence
+will never be exerted but when it is right. Should it be exerted
+wrongly, it is at an end from that moment. When you wished to
+accompany me to Ruffigny, from that terrible scene in which we last
+parted, he represented to me in few words how Monsieur de Rouvré was
+situated. He showed me, that by bringing you there at such a time from
+such a scene, I should but bring destruction on that kind friend who
+had sheltered and protected my infancy and my youth, when I had none
+else to protect me. He showed me, too, that I should put an impassable
+barrier between you and me, for the time at least. He told me that no
+one but himself was aware of where I was, but that your accompanying
+me would instantly make it known to the whole world, and most likely
+produce the ruin of both. Now, tell me, Albert, was he not right to
+say all this? Was not his view a just one?"
+
+"It was," replied the Count; "but yet he might have urged it in
+another manner. He might have explained the whole to me as well as to
+you: and still you leave unexplained, Clémence, how he should know
+where you were when you had concealed it so well, so unaccountably
+well, from the family at Ruffigny."
+
+"Oh! jealousy, jealousy," said Clémence, playfully; "what a terrible
+and extraordinary thing jealousy is! and yet, Albert, perhaps a woman
+likes to see a little of it when she really loves. However, you are
+somewhat too hard upon the Chevalier, and you shall not wring from me
+any other secret just yet. You have wrung from me, Albert, too many of
+the secrets of my heart already, and I will not make you the spoilt
+child of love, by letting you have altogether your own way. As to my
+concealing from the family of Ruffigny, however, where I was going on
+that occasion, or on most others, it is very easily explained. Do you
+not know that till I was foolish enough at Poitiers to barter all the
+freedom of my heart, for love with but little confidence it would
+seem, I have always been a tyrant instead of a slave? Are you not
+aware that I have always done just as I liked with every one? and one
+of my reasons for exercising my power to the most extreme degree was,
+that my religious faith might never be controlled? Till this fierce
+persecution of the Protestants began, and till the King made it his
+great object, and announced his determination of putting down all but
+the Roman Catholic faith in the realm, Monsieur de Rouvré himself
+cared but little for the distinction of Protestant and Catholic, and
+even had he known what I was doing, though he might have objected,
+would not have strongly opposed me. I established my right, however,
+of doing what I liked, and going where I liked, and acting as I liked,
+on such firm grounds, that it was not easily shaken. Even now, had I
+chosen to see you to-day in Paris, I might have done it; but would you
+have thought the better of Clémence if she had risked the fortunes of
+him who has been more than a father to her? Nobody would, and nobody
+should have said me nay, if I had believed that it was just and right
+to bid you come. But I thought it was wrong, Albert. Now, however, I
+may bid you come in safety to all; and now that I have time and
+opportunity to make any arrangements I like, I may safely promise,
+that should any change come over the present aspect of our affairs,
+which change I fear must and will come, I will find means to see you
+at any time, and under any circumstances. But hark! from what I hear,
+the lottery is over, and the people departing. Let us go forward and
+join them, if it be but for a moment."
+
+Thus saying, she rose, and the Count led her on to the room where the
+distribution of the prizes had just taken place. Every one was now
+interested with another subject. A full hour had been given at the
+beginning of the evening to the affair of the Count de Morseiul and
+Mademoiselle de Marly, which was a far greater space of time, and far
+more attention than such a court might be expected to give, even to
+matters of the deepest and most vital importance. But no former
+impression could of course outlive the effect of a lottery. There was
+not one man or woman present whose thoughts were filled with any thing
+else than the prizes and their distributions; and the head of even the
+good Duchess of Rouvré herself, who was certainly of somewhat higher
+character than most of those present, was so filled with the grand
+engrossing theme, that nothing was talked of, as the party returned to
+Paris, but the prize which had fallen to the share of Madame de This,
+or the disappointment which had been met with by Madame de That; so
+that Clémence de Marly could lean back in the dark corner of the
+carriage, and enjoy her silence undisturbed.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                        THE HOUR OF HAPPINESS.
+
+
+At the levée of the King, on the succeeding morning, the young Count
+de Morseiul was permitted to appear for a few minutes. The monarch was
+evidently in haste, having somewhat broken in on his matutinal habits
+in consequence of the late hour at which he had retired on the night
+before.
+
+"They tell me you have a favour to ask, Monsieur de Morseiul," said
+the King. "I hope it is not a very great one, for I have slept so well
+and am in such haste, that, perhaps, I might grant it, whether it were
+right or wrong."
+
+"It is merely, Sire," replied the Count, "to ask your gracious
+permission to proceed to Paris this morning, in order to visit
+Mademoiselle de Marly. Not knowing when it may be your royal pleasure
+to grant me the longer audience which you promised for some future
+time, I did not choose to absent myself from Versailles without your
+majesty's consent."
+
+Louis smiled graciously, for no such tokens of deference were lost
+upon him. "Most assuredly," he said, "you have my full permission: and
+now I think of it--Bontems," he continued, turning to one of his
+_valets de chamber_, "bring me that casket that is in the little
+cabinet below--now I think of it, the number of our ladies last night
+fell short at the lottery, and there was a prize of a pair of diamond
+earrings left. I had intended to have given them to La belle Clémence;
+but, somehow," he added, with a smile, "she did not appear in the
+room. Perhaps, however, you know more of that than I do, Monsieur de
+Morseiul!--Oh, here is Bontems--give me the casket."
+
+Taking out of the small ebony box which was now presented to him, a
+little case, containing a very handsome pair of diamond ear-rings, the
+King placed it in the hands of the young Count, saying, "There,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, be my messenger to the fair lady. Give her those
+jewels from the King; and tell her, that I hope ere long she will be
+qualified to draw prizes in some not very distant lottery by appearing
+as one of the married ladies of our court. She has tortured all our
+gallant gentlemen's hearts too long, and we will not suffer our
+subjects to be thus ill treated. Do you stay in Paris all day,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, or do you come here to witness the new opera?"
+
+"I did not propose to do either, Sire," replied the Count: "I had, in
+fact, engaged myself to pass another pleasant evening at the house of
+Monsieur de Meaux."
+
+"Indeed!" said the King, evidently well pleased. "That is all as it
+should be. I cannot but think, Monsieur de Morseiul, that if you pass
+many more evenings so well, either you will convert Monsieur de
+Meaux--which God forbid, or Monsieur de Meaux will convert you--which
+God grant."
+
+The Count bowed gravely; and, as the King turned to speak with some
+one else who was giving him a part of his dress, the young nobleman
+took it as a permission to retire; and, mounting his horse, which had
+been kept ready saddled, he made the best of his way towards the
+capital.
+
+That gay world, with its continual motion, was as animated then as
+now. Though the abode of the court was at Versailles, yet the distance
+was too small to make the portion of the population absolutely
+withdrawn from the metropolis at all important while all the other
+great bodies of the kingdom assembled, or were represented there.
+Thousands on thousands were hurrying through the streets; the same
+trades and occupations were going on then as now, with only this
+difference, that, at that period, luxury, and industry, and every
+productive art had reached, if not its highest, at least its most
+flourishing point; and all things presented, even down to the aspect
+of the city itself, that hollow splendour, that tinselled
+magnificence, that artificial excitement, that insecure prosperity,
+the falseness of all and each of which had afterwards to be proved,
+and which entailed a long period of fresh errors, bitter repentance,
+and terrible atonement.
+
+But through the gay crowd the Count de Morseiul passed on, noticing it
+little, if at all. He was urged on his way by the strongest of all
+human impulses, by love--first, ardent, pure, sincere, love--all the
+more deep, all the more intense, all the more over-powering, because
+he had not felt it at that earlier period, while the animal triumphs
+over the mental in almost all the affections of man. His heart and his
+spirit had lost nothing of their freshness to counterbalance the
+vigour and the power they had obtained, and at the age of seven or
+eight and twenty he loved with all the vehemence and ardour of a boy,
+while he felt with all the permanence and energy of manhood.
+
+Though contrary, perhaps, to the rules and etiquettes of French life
+at that period, he took advantage both of the message with which he
+was charged from the King, and the sort of independence which Clémence
+de Marly had established for herself, to ask for her instead of either
+the Duke or the Duchess. He was not, indeed, without a hope that he
+should find her alone, and that hope was realised. She had expected
+him, and expected him early; and, perhaps, the good Duchess de Rouvré
+herself had fancied that such might be the case, and, remembering the
+warm affections of her own days, had abstained from presenting herself
+in the little saloon where Clémence de Marly had usually established
+her abode during their residence in Paris.
+
+Had Albert of Morseiul entertained one doubt of the affection of
+Clémence de Marly, that doubt must have vanished in a moment--must
+have vanished at the look with which she rose to meet him. It was all
+brightness--it was all happiness. The blood mounted, it is true, into
+her cheeks, and into her temples; her beautiful lips trembled
+slightly, and her breath came fast; but the bright and radiant smile
+was not to be mistaken. The sparkling of the eyes spoke what words
+could not speak; and, though her tongue for a moment refused its
+office, the smile that played around the lips was eloquent of all that
+the heart felt.
+
+Not contented with the hand she gave, Albert of Morseiul took the
+other also; and not contented with the thrilling touch of those small
+hands, he threw his arms around her, and pressed her to his heart; and
+not contented--for love is the greatest of encroachers--with that dear
+embrace, he made his lips tell the tale of their own joy to hers, and
+once and again he tasted the happiness that none had ever tasted
+before: and then, as if asking pardon for the rashness of his love, he
+pressed another kiss upon her fair hand, and leading her back to her
+seat, took his place beside her.
+
+Fearful that he should forget, he almost immediately gave her the
+jewels that the King had sent. But what were jewels to Clémence de
+Marly at that moment? He told her, also, the message the King had
+given, especially that part which noted her absence from the room
+where the lottery had been drawn.
+
+"I would not have given those ten minutes," she replied eagerly, "for
+all the jewels in his crown."
+
+They then forgot the King, the court, and every thing but each other,
+and spent the moments of the next half hour in the joy, in the
+surpassing joy, of telling and feeling the happiness that each
+conferred upon the other.
+
+Oh! those bright sunny hours of early love, of love in its purity
+and its truth, and its sincerity--of love, stripped of all that is
+evil, or low, or corrupt, and retaining but of earth sufficient to
+make it harmonise with earthly creatures like ourselves--full of
+affection--full of eager fire, but affection as unselfish as human
+nature will admit, and fire derived from heaven itself! How shall ye
+ever be replaced in after life? What tone shall ever supply the sound
+of that master chord after its vibrations have once ceased?
+
+As the time wore on, however, and Albert of Morseiul remembered that
+there were many things on which it was necessary to speak at once to
+Clémence de Marly, the slight cloud of care came back upon his brow,
+and reading the sign of thought in a moment, she herself led the way,
+by saying,--
+
+"But we must not forget, dear Albert, there is much to be thought of.
+We are spending our time in dreaming over our love, when we have to
+think of many more painful points in our situation. We have spoken of
+all that concerns our intercourse with each other; but of your
+situation at the court I am ignorant; and am not only ignorant of the
+cause, but astonished to find, that when I expected the most
+disastrous results, you are in high favour with the King, and
+apparently have all at your command."
+
+"Not so, dear Clémence--alas! it is not so," replied the Count; "the
+prosperity of my situation is as hollow as a courtier's heart--as
+fickle as any of the other smiles of fortune."
+
+Before he could go on, however, to explain to her the real position in
+which he stood, Madame de Rouvré entered the room, and was delighted
+at seeing one whom she had always esteemed and loved. She might have
+remained long, but Clémence, with the manner which she was so much
+accustomed to assume, half playful, half peremptory, took up the
+little case of ear-rings from the table, saying, "See what the King
+has sent me! and now, dear Duchess, you shall go away, and leave me to
+talk with my lover. It is so new a thing for me to have an
+acknowledged lover, and one, too, that I don't despise, that I have
+not half tired myself with my new plaything. Am not I a very saucy
+demoiselle?" she added, kissing the Duchess, who was retiring with
+laughing obedience. "But take the diamonds, and examine them at your
+leisure. They will serve to amuse you in the absence of your
+Clémence."
+
+"If I were a lover now," said the Duchess smiling, "I should say
+something about their not being half as bright as your eyes, Clémence.
+But words vary in their value so much, that what would be very smart
+and pleasant from a young man, is altogether worthless on the lips of
+an old woman. Let me see you before you go, Count. It is not fair that
+saucy girl should carry you off altogether."
+
+"Now, now, Albert," said Clémence, as soon as the Duchess was gone,
+"tell me before we are interrupted again."
+
+The Count took up the tale then with his last day's sojourn in
+Brittany, and went on to detail minutely every thing that had occurred
+since his arrival in the capital; and, as he told her, her cheek grew
+somewhat paler till, in the end, she exclaimed, "It is all as bad as
+it can be. You will never change your faith, Albert."
+
+"Could you love me, Clémence," he asked, "if I did?"
+
+She put her hand before her eyes for a moment, then placed one of them
+in his, and replied, "I should love you ever, Albert, with a woman's
+love, unchangeable and fixed. But I could not esteem you, as I would
+fain esteem him that I must love."
+
+"So thought I," replied the Count, "so judged I of my Clémence; and
+all that now remains to be thought of is, how is this to end, and what
+is to be our conduct to make the end as happy to ourselves as may be?"
+
+"Alas!" replied Clémence, "I can answer neither question. The
+probability is that all must end badly, that your determination not to
+yield your religion to any inducements must soon be known; for depend
+upon it, Albert, they will press you on the subject more closely every
+day; and you are not made to conceal what you feel. The greater the
+expectations of your conversion have been, the more terrible will be
+the anger that your adherence to your own faith will produce; and
+depend upon it, the Prince de Marsillac takes a wrong view of the
+question; for it matters not whether this affair have passed away, or
+be revived against you,--power never yet wanted a pretext to draw the
+sword of persecution. Neither, Albert, can my change of faith be long
+concealed. I cannot insult God by the mockery of faith in things,
+regarding which my mind was long doubtful, but which I am now well
+assured, and thoroughly convinced, are false. In this you are in a
+better situation than myself, for you can but be accused of holding
+fast to the faith that you have ever professed: me they will accuse of
+falling into heresy with my eyes open. Perhaps they will add that I
+have done so for your love."
+
+"Then, dear Clémence," he replied, "the only path for us is the path
+of flight, speedy and rapid flight. I have already secured for us
+competence in another land; wealth I cannot secure, but competence is
+surely all that either you or I require."
+
+"All, all," replied Clémence; "poverty with you, Albert, would be
+enough. But the time, and the manner of our flight, must be left to
+you. The distance between Paris and the frontier is so small, that we
+bad better effect it now, and not wait for any contingency. If you can
+find means to withdraw yourself from the court, I will find means to
+join you any where within two or three miles' journey of the capital.
+But write to me the place, the hour, and the time; and, as we love
+each other, Albert, and by the faith that we both hold, and for which
+we are both prepared to sacrifice so much, I will not fail you."
+
+"What if it should be to-morrow?" demanded the Count.
+
+Clémence gazed at him for a moment with some agitation. "Even if it
+should be tomorrow," she said at length, "even if it should be
+to-morrow, I will come. But oh, Albert," she added, leaning her head
+upon his shoulder, "I am weaker, more cowardly, more womanly than I
+thought. I would fain have it a day later: I would fain procrastinate
+even by a day. But never mind, never mind, Albert; should it be
+necessary, should you judge it right, should you think it requisite
+for your safety, let it be to-morrow."
+
+"I cannot yet judge," replied the Count; "I think, I trust that it
+will not be so soon. I only put the question to make you aware that
+such a thing is possible, barely possible. In all probability the King
+will give me longer time. He cannot suppose that the work of
+conversion will take place by a miracle. I do not wish to play a
+double game with them, even in the least, Clémence, nor suffer them to
+believe that there is a chance even of my changing, when there is
+none; but still I would fain, for your sake as well as mine, delay a
+day or two."
+
+"Delays are dangerous, even to an old proverb," said Clémence; but ere
+she could conclude her sentence the Duc de Rouvré entered the room;
+and not choosing, or perhaps not having spirits at the moment to act
+towards him as she had done towards the Duchess, Clémence suffered the
+conversation to drop, and proceeded with him and her lover to the
+saloon of Madame.
+
+In that saloon there appeared a number of persons, amongst whom were
+several that the Count de Morseiul knew slightly; but the beams of
+royal favour having fallen upon him with their full light during the
+night before, all those who had any knowledge of him were of course
+eager to improve such an acquaintance, and vied with each other in
+smiles and looks of pleasure on his appearance. Amongst others was the
+Chevalier de Rohan, whom we have noticed as forming one of the train
+of suitors who had followed Clémence de Marly to Poitiers; but he was
+now satisfied, apparently, that not even any fortunate accident could
+give the bright prize to him, and he merely bowed to her on her
+entrance, with the air of a worshipper at the shrine of an idol, while
+he grasped the hand of his successful rival, and declared himself
+delighted to see him.
+
+After remaining there for some time longer lingering in the sunshine
+of the looks of her he loved, the Count prepared to take his
+departure, especially as several other persons had been added to the
+circle, and their society fell as a weight and an incumbrance upon him
+when his whole thoughts were of Clémence de Marly. He had taken his
+leave and reached the door of the apartment, when, starting up with
+the ear-rings in her hand, she exclaimed--
+
+"Stay, stay, Monsieur de Morseiul, I forgot to send my thanks to the
+King. Pray tell him," she added, advancing across the room to speak
+with the Count in a lower tone, "Pray tell him how grateful I am to
+his Majesty for his kind remembrance; and remember," she said, in a
+voice that could be heard by no one but himself, "to-morrow, should it
+be needful:--I am firmer now."
+
+Albert of Morseiul dared not speak all that he felt, with the language
+of the lips; but the eyes of her lover thanked Clémence de Marly
+sufficiently: and he, on his part, left her with feelings which the
+bustle and the crowd of the thronged capital struggled with and
+oppressed.
+
+He rode quick, then, in order to make his way out of the city as fast
+as possible; but ere he had passed the gate, he was overtaken by the
+Chevalier de Rohan, who came up to his side, saying, "I am delighted
+to have overtaken you, my dear Count. Such a companion on this long
+dry tiresome journey to Versailles is, indeed, a delight; and I wished
+also particularly to speak to you regarding a scheme of mine, which, I
+trust, may bring me better days."
+
+Now, the society of the Chevalier de Rohan, though his family was one
+of the highest in France, and though he held an important place at the
+court, was neither very agreeable nor very reputable; and the Count,
+therefore, replied briefly, "I fear that, as I shall stop at several
+places, it will not be in my power to accompany you, Monsieur le
+Chevalier; but any thing I can do to serve you will give me pleasure."
+
+"Why, the fact is," replied the Chevalier, "that I was very
+unfortunate last night at play, and wished to ask if you would lend me
+a small sum till I receive my appointments from the King. If you are
+kind enough to do so, I doubt not before two days are over to recover
+all that I have lost, and ten times more, for I discovered the
+fortunate number last night when it was too late."
+
+A faint and melancholy smile came over the Count's face, at the
+picture of human weakness that his companion's words displayed; and as
+the Chevalier was somewhat celebrated for borrowing without repaying,
+he asked what was the sum he required.
+
+"Oh, a hundred Louis will be quite enough," replied the Chevalier, not
+encouraged to ask more by his companion's tone.
+
+"Well, Monsieur de Rohan," said the Count, "I have not the sum with
+me, but I will send it to you on my arrival at Versailles, if that
+will be time enough."
+
+"Quite! quite!" replied de Rohan; "any time before the tables are
+open."
+
+"Indeed, indeed! my good friend," said the Count, "I wish you would
+abandon such fatal habits; and, satisfied with having lost so much,
+live upon the income you have, without ruining yourself by trying to
+make it greater. However, I will send the money, and do with it what
+you will."
+
+"You are a prude! you are a prude!" cried De Rohan, putting spurs to
+his horse; "but I will tell you something more in your own way when we
+meet again."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IX.
+
+                          THE UNKNOWN PERIL.
+
+
+Dark and ominous as was the prospect of every thing around the Count
+de Morseuil, when the blessings of his bright days were passing away,
+one by one, and his best hope was exile, yet the interview which had
+just taken place between him and Clémence de Marly was like a bright
+summer hour in the midst of storms, and even when it was over, like
+the June sun, it left a long twilight of remembered joy behind it. But
+there are times in human life when dangers are manifold, when we are
+pressed upon by a thousand difficulties, and when, nevertheless,
+though the course we have determined on is full of risks and perils,
+sorrows and sufferings, we eagerly, perhaps even imprudently, hurry
+forward upon it, to avoid those very doubts and uncertainties, which
+are worse than actual pains.
+
+Such was the case with the Count de Morseuil, and he felt within him
+so strong an inclination to take the irrevocable step of quitting
+France for ever, and seeking peace and toleration in another land,
+that, much accustomed to examine and govern his own feelings, he
+paused, and pondered over the line of conduct he was about to pursue,
+during his visit to the Bishop of Meaux, perceiving in himself a half
+concealed purpose of forcing on the conversation to the subject of
+religion, and of showing Bossuet clearly, that there was no chance
+whatever of inducing him to abandon the religion of his fathers.
+Against this inclination, on reflection, he determined to be upon his
+guard, although he adhered rigidly to his resolution of countenancing,
+in no degree, a hope of his becoming a convert to the Roman Catholic
+faith; and his only doubt now was whether his passing two evenings so
+close together with the Bishop of Meaux, with whom he had so slight an
+acquaintance, might not afford some encouragement to expectations
+which he felt himself bound to check.
+
+Having promised, however, he went, but at the same time made up his
+mind not to return to the prelate's abode speedily. On the present
+occasion, he not only found Bossuet alone, but was left with him for
+more than an hour, without any other visiter appearing. The good
+Bishop himself was well aware of the danger of scaring away those whom
+he sought to win; and, sincerely desirous, for the Count's own sake,
+of bringing him into that which he believed to be the only path to
+salvation, he was inclined to proceed calmly and gently in the work of
+his conversion.
+
+There were others, however, more eager than himself; the King was as
+impetuous in the apostolic zeal which he believed himself to feel, as
+he had formerly been in pursuits which though, certainly more gross
+and sensual, would perhaps, if accurately weighed, have been found to
+be as little selfish, vain, and personal, as the efforts that he made
+to convert his Protestant subjects. The hesitation even in regard to
+embracing the _King's creed_ was an offence, and he urged on Bossuet
+eagerly to press the young Count, so far, at least, as to ascertain if
+there were or were not a prospect of his speedily following the
+example of Turenne, and so many others. The Bishop was thus driven to
+the subject, though against his will; and shortly after the young
+Count's appearance, he took him kindly and mildly by the hand, and led
+him into a small cabinet, where were ranged, in goodly order, a
+considerable number of works on the controversial divinity of the
+time. Amongst others, appeared some of the good prelate's own
+productions, such as "L'Exposition de la Doctrine Catholique," the
+"Traité de la Communion sous les deux Espèces," and the "Histoire des
+Variations." Bossuet ran his finger over the titles as he pointed them
+out to the young Count.
+
+"I wish, my young friend," he said, "that I could prevail upon you to
+read some of these works: some perhaps even of my own, not from the
+vanity of an author alone, though I believe that the greatest
+compliment that has ever been paid to me was that which was paid by
+some of the pastors of your own sect, who asserted when I wrote that
+book," and he pointed to the Exposition, "that I had altered the
+Catholic doctrines in order to suit them to the purposes of my
+defence. Nor indeed would they admit the contrary, till the full
+approbation of the head of our church stamped the work as containing
+the true doctrines of our holy faith. But, as I was saying, I wish I
+could persuade you to read some of these, not so much to gratify the
+vanity of an author, nor even simply to make a convert, but because I
+look upon you as one well worthy of saving, as a brand from the
+burning--and because I should look upon your recall to the bosom of
+the mother church as worth a hundred of any ordinary conversions. In
+short, my dear young friend, because I would save you from much
+unhappiness, in life, in death, and in eternity."
+
+"I owe you deep thanks, Monsieur de Meaux," said the Count, "for the
+interest that you take in me; and I will promise you most sincerely to
+read, with as unprejudiced an eye as possible, not only any but all of
+the works you have written on such subjects. I have already read some,
+and it is by no means too much to admit, that if any one could induce
+me to quit the faith in which I have been brought up, it would be
+Monsieur de Meaux. He will not think me wrong, however, when I say
+that I am, as yet, unconvinced. Nor will he be offended if I make one
+observation, or, rather, ask one question, in regard to something he
+has just said."
+
+"Far, far from it, my son," replied the Bishop. "I am ever willing to
+explain any thing, to enter into the most open and candid exposition
+of every thing that I think or feel. I have no design to embarrass, or
+to perplex, or to obscure; my whole view is to make my own doctrine
+clear and explicit, so that the mind of the merest child may choose
+between the right and the wrong."
+
+"I merely wish to ask," said the Count, "whether by the words
+'unhappiness in life, and in death,' you meant to allude to temporal
+or spiritual unhappiness? whether you meant delicately to point out to
+me that the hand of persecution is likely to be stretched out to
+oppress me? or----"
+
+"No! no!" cried Bossuet, eagerly. "Heaven forbid that I should hold
+out as an inducement the apprehension of things that I disapprove of!
+No, Monsieur de Morseiul, I meant merely spiritual happiness and
+unhappiness, for I do not believe that any man can be perfectly happy
+in life while persisting in a wrong belief; certainly I believe that
+he must be unhappy in his death; and, alas! my son, reason and
+religion both teach me that he must be unhappy in eternity."
+
+"The great question of eternity," replied the Count, solemnly, "is in
+the hands of God. But the man, and the only man, who, in this sense,
+must be unhappy in life, in death, and in eternity, seems to me to be
+the man who is uncertain in his faith. In life and in death I can
+conceive the deist, or (if there be such a thing) the atheist--if
+perfectly convinced of the truth of his system--perfectly happy and
+perfectly contented. But the sceptic can never be happy. He who, in
+regard to religious belief, is doubtful, uncertain, wavering, must
+assuredly be unhappy in life and in death, though to God's great mercy
+we must refer the eternity. If I remain unshaken, Monsieur de Meaux,
+in my firm belief that what we call the reformed church is right in
+its views and doctrines, the only thing that can disturb or make me
+unhappy therein is temporal persecution. Were my faith in that church,
+however, shaken, I would abandon it immediately. I could not, I would
+not, remain in a state of doubt."
+
+"The more anxious am I, my son," replied the Bishop, "to withdraw you
+from that erroneous creed, for so firm and so decided a mind as yours
+is the very one which could the best appreciate the doctrines of the
+church of Rome, which are always clear, definite, and precise, the
+same to-day as they were yesterday, based upon decisions that never
+change, and not, as your faith does, admitting doubts and fostering
+variations. You must listen to me, my young friend. Indeed, I must
+have you listen to me. I hear some of our other friends in the next
+room; but we must converse more, and the sooner the better. You have
+visited me twice, but I will next visit you, for I think nothing
+should be left undone that may court a noble spirit back to the church
+of God."
+
+Thus saying, he slowly led the way into the larger room, the young
+Count merely replying as he did so,--
+
+"Would to God, Monsieur de Meaux, that by your example and by your
+exhortations you could prevent others from giving us Protestants the
+strongest of all temporal motives to remain attached to our own
+creed."
+
+"What motive is that?" demanded Bossuet, apparently in some surprise.
+
+"Persecution!" replied the Count; "for depend upon it, to all those
+who are worthy of being gained, persecution is the strongest motive of
+resistance."
+
+"Alas! my son," replied Bossuet, "that you should acknowledge such a
+thing as pride to have any thing on earth to do with the eternal
+salvation of your souls. An old friend of mine used to say, 'It is
+more often from pride than from want of judgment that people set
+themselves up against established opinions. Men find the first places
+occupied in the right party, and they do not choose to take up with
+back seats.' I have always known this to be true in the things of the
+world; but I think that pride should have nothing to do with the
+things of eternity."
+
+Thus ended the conversation between the Count and Bossuet on the
+subject of religion for that night. Two guests had arrived, more soon
+followed, and the conversation became more general. Still, however, as
+there were many ecclesiastics, the subject of religion was more than
+once introduced, the restraint which the presence of a Protestant
+nobleman had occasioned on the first visit of the Count having now
+been removed. The evening passed over calmly and tranquilly, however,
+till about ten o'clock at night, when the Count took his leave, and
+departed. The rest of the guests stayed later; and on issuing out into
+the street the young nobleman found himself alone in a clear, calm,
+moonlight night, with the irregular shadows of the long line of houses
+chequering the pavement with the yellow lustre of the moon.
+
+Looking up into the wide open square beyond, the shadows were lost,
+and there the bright planet of the night seemed to pour forth a flood
+of radiance without let or obstruction. There was a fountain in the
+middle of the square, casting up its sparkling waters towards the sky,
+as if spirits were tossing about the moonbeams in their sport, and
+casting the bright rays from hand to hand. As the Count gazed,
+however, and thought that he would stroll on, giving himself up to
+calm reflection at that tranquil hour, and arranging his plans for the
+momentous future without disturbance from the hum of idle multitudes,
+a figure suddenly came between the fountain and his eyes, and crept
+slowly down on the dark side of the street towards him. He was
+standing at the moment in the shadow of Bossuet's porch, so as not to
+be seen: but the figure came down the street to the door of the
+Count's own dwelling, paused for a minute, as if in doubt, then walked
+over into the moonlight, and gazed up into the windows of the
+prelate's hotel. The Count instantly recognised the peculiar form and
+structure of his valet, Jerome Riquet, and, walking out from the porch
+towards his own house, he called the man to him, and asked it any
+thing were the matter.
+
+"Why yes, Sir," said Riquet in a low voice, "so much so that I thought
+of doing what I never did in my life before--sending in for you, to
+know what to do. There has been a person seeking you twice or three
+times since you went, and saying he must speak with you immediately."
+
+"Do you know him?" demanded the Count.
+
+"Oh yes, I know him," answered Riquet; "a determined devil he is too;
+a man in whom you used to place much confidence in the army, and who
+was born, I believe, upon your own lands--Armand Herval, you know him
+well. I could give him another name if I liked."
+
+"Well," said the Count, as tranquilly as possible; "what of him,
+Riquet? What does he want here?"
+
+"Ay, Sir, that I can't tell," replied the man: "but I greatly suspect
+he wants no good. He is dressed in black from his head to his feet;
+and his face is black enough too, that is to say, the look of it. It
+was always like a thunder cloud, and now it is like a thunder cloud
+gone mad. I don't think the man is sane, Sir; and the third time he
+came down here, about ten minutes ago, he said he could not stop a
+minute, that he had business directly; and so he went away, pulling
+his great dark hat and feather over his head, as if to prevent people
+from seeing how his eyes were flashing; and then I saw that the breast
+of his great heavy coat was full of something else than rosemary or
+honeycomb."
+
+"What do you mean? what do you mean?" demanded the Count. "What had he
+in his breast?"
+
+"Why, I mean pistols, Sir," said the man; "if I must speak good
+French, I say he had pistols, then. So thinking he was about some
+mischief, I crept after him from door to door, dodged him across the
+square, and saw him go in by a gate, that I thought was shut, into the
+garden behind the château. I went in after him, though I was in a
+desperate fright for fear any one should catch me; and I trembled so,
+that I shook three crowns in my pocket till they rang like sheep
+bells. I thought he would have heard me; but I watched him plant
+himself under one of the statues on the terrace, and there he stood
+like a statue himself. I defy you to have told the one from the other,
+or to have known Monsieur Herval from Monsieur Neptune. Whenever I saw
+that, I came back to look for you, and tell you what had happened; for
+you know, Sir, I am awfully afraid of firearms; and I had not even a
+pair of curling irons to fight him with."
+
+"That must be near the apartments of Louvois," said the young Count
+thoughtfully. "This man may very likely seek to do him some injury."
+
+"More likely the King, Sir," said the valet in a low voice. "I have
+heard that his Majesty walks there on that terrace every fine night
+after the play for half an hour. He is quite alone, and it would be as
+much as one's liberty is worth to approach him at that time."
+
+"Come with me directly, Riquet," said the Count, "and show me where
+this is. Station yourself at the gate you mention after I have gone
+in, and if you hear me call to you aloud, instantly give the alarm to
+the sentries. Come, quick, for the play must soon be over."
+
+Thus saying, the young Count strode on, crossed the place, and, under
+the guidance of Riquet, approached the gate through which Herval had
+entered. The key was in the lock on the outside, and the door ajar;
+and, leaving the man in the shadow, the Count entered alone. The
+gardens appeared perfectly solitary, sleeping in the moonlight. The
+principal water-works were still; and no sound or motion was to be
+seen or heard, but such as proceeded from the smaller fountains that
+were sparkling on the terrace making the night musical with the
+plaintive murmur of their waters, or from the tops of the high trees
+as they were waved by the gentle wind. The palace was full of lights,
+and nothing was seen moving across any of the windows, so that it was
+evident that the play was not yet concluded; and the young Count
+looked about for the person he sought for a moment or two in vain.
+
+At length, however, he saw the shadow cast by one of the groups of
+statues, alter itself somewhat in form; and instantly crossing the
+terrace to the spot, he saw Herval sitting on the first step which led
+from the terrace down to the gardens, his back leaning against the
+pedestal, and his arms crossed upon his chest. He did not hear the
+step of the young Count till he was close upon him; but the moment he
+did so, he started up, and drew a pistol from his breast. He soon
+perceived who it was, however; and the Count, saying in a low voice,
+"My servants tell me you have been seeking me," drew him, though
+somewhat unwilling apparently, down the steps.
+
+"What is it you wanted with me?" continued the Count, gazing in his
+face, to see whether the marks of insanity which Riquet had spoken of
+were visible to him. But there was nothing more in the man's
+countenance than its ordinary fierce and fiery expression when
+stimulated by high excitement.
+
+"I came to you, Count," he said, "to make you, if you will, the
+sharer of a glorious deed; and now you are here, you shall at least be
+the spectator thereof--the death of your great enemy--the death of him
+who tramples upon his fellow-creatures as upon grapes in the
+winepress--the death of the slayer of souls and bodies."
+
+"Do you mean Louvois?" said the Count in a calm tone.
+
+"Louvois!" scoffed the man. "No I no! no! I mean him who gives fangs
+to the viper, and poison to the snake! I mean him without whom Louvois
+is but a bundle of dry reeds to be consumed to light the first fire
+that wants kindling, or to rot in its own emptiness! I mean the giver
+of the power, the lord of the persecutions: the harlot-monger, and the
+murderer, that calls himself King of France; and who, from that holy
+title, which he claims from God, thinks himself entitled to pile vice
+upon folly, and sin upon vice, and crime upon sin, till the
+destruction which he has so often courted to his own head shall this
+night fall upon him. The first of the brutal murderers that he sent
+down to rob our happy hearths of the jewel of their peace, this hand
+has slain; and the same that crushed the worm shall crush the serpent
+also."
+
+The Count now saw that there was, indeed, in the state of Herval's
+mind, something different from its usual tone and character. It could
+hardly be said that the chief stay thereof was broken, so as to
+justify the absolute supposition of insanity; but it seemed as if one
+of the fine filaments of the mental texture had given way, leaving all
+the rest nearly as it was before, though with a confused and morbid
+line running through the whole web. It need not be said that Albert of
+Morseiul was determined to prevent at all or any risk the act that the
+man proposed to commit; but yet he wished to do so, without calling
+down death and torture on the head of one who was kindled almost into
+absolute madness, by wrongs which touched the finest affections of his
+heart, through religion and through love.
+
+"Herval," he said, calmly, "I am deeply grieved for you. You have
+suffered, I know how dreadfully; and you have suffered amongst the
+first of our persecuted sect: but still you must let me argue with
+you, for you act regarding all this matter in a wrong light, and you
+propose to commit a great and terrible crime."
+
+"Argue with me not, Count of Morseiul!" cried the man; "argue with me
+not, for I will hear no arguments. Doubtless you would have argued
+with me, too, about killing that small pitiful insect, that blind
+worm, who murdered her I loved, and three or four noble and brave men
+along with her."
+
+"I will tell you in a word, Herval," replied the Count, "had you not
+slain him, I would have done so. My hand against his, alone, and my
+life against his. He had committed a base, foul, ungenerous murder,
+for which I knew that the corrupted law would give us no redress, and
+I was prepared to shelter under a custom which I abhor and detest in
+general, the execution of an act of justice which could be obtained by
+no other means. Had it been but for that poor girl's sake, I would
+have slain him like a dog."
+
+"Thank you, Count, thank you," cried the man, grasping his hand in his
+with the vehemence of actual phrensy. "Thank you for those words from
+my very soul. But he was not worthy of your noble sword. He died the
+death that he deserved; strangled like a common felon, writhing and
+screaming for the mercy he had never shown."
+
+To what he said on that head the Count did not reply; but he turned
+once more to the matter immediately before them.
+
+"Now, Herval," he said, "you see that I judge not unkindly or hardly
+by you. You must listen to my advice however----"
+
+"Not about this, not about this," cried the man, vehemently; "I am
+desperate, and I am determined. I will not see whole herds of my
+fellow Christians slaughtered like swine to please the bloody butcher
+on the throne. I will not see the weak and the faint-hearted driven,
+by terror, to condemn their own souls and barter eternity for an hour
+of doubtful peace. I will not see the ignorant and the ill-instructed
+bought by scores, like cattle at a market. I will not see the infants
+torn from their mothers' arms to be offered a living sacrifice to the
+Moloch of Rome. This night he shall die, who has condemned so many
+others; this night he shall fall, who would work the fall of the pure
+church that condemns him. I will hear no advice: I will work the work
+for which I came, and then perish when I may. Was it not for this that
+every chance has favoured me? Was it not for this that the key was
+accidentally left in the door till such time as I laid my hand upon it
+and took it away? Was it not for this that no eye saw me seize upon
+that key, this morning, though thousands were passing by? Was it not
+for this that such a thing should happen on the very night in which he
+comes forth to walk upon that terrace' And shall I now pause,--shall I
+now listen to any man's advice, who tells me that I must hold my
+hand?"
+
+"If you will not listen to my advice," said the Count, "you must
+listen to my authority, Herval. The act you propose to commit you
+shall not commit."
+
+"No!" cried he. "Who shall stop me?--Yours is but one life against
+mine, remember; and I care not how many fall, or how soon I fall
+myself either, so that this be accomplished."
+
+"My life, as you say," replied the Count, "is but one. But even,
+Herval, if you were to take mine, which would neither be just nor
+grateful, if even you were to lose your own, which may yet be of great
+service to the cause of our faith, you could not, and you should not,
+take that of the King. If you are determined, I am determined too. My
+servant stands at yonder gate, and on the slightest noise he gives the
+alarm. Thus, then, I tell you," he continued, glancing his eyes
+towards the windows of the palace, across which various figures were
+now beginning to move; "thus, then, I tell you, you must either
+instantly quit this place with me, or that struggle begins between us,
+which, end how it may as far as I am concerned, must instantly insure
+the safety of the King, and lead you to trial and execution. The way
+is still open for you to abandon this rash project at once, or to call
+down ruin upon your own head without the slightest possible chance of
+accomplishing your object."
+
+"You have frustrated me," cried the man, "you have foiled me! You have
+overthrown, by preventing a great and noble deed, the execution of a
+mighty scheme for the deliverance of this land, and the security of
+our suffering church! The consequences be upon your own head, Count of
+Morseiul! the consequences be upon your own head! I see that you have
+taken your measures too well, and that, even if you paid the just
+penalty for such interference, the result could not be accomplished."
+
+"Come then," said the Count; "come, Herval, I must forgive anger as I
+have thwarted a rash purpose; but make what speed you may to quit the
+gardens, for, ere another minute be over, many a one will be crossing
+that terrace to their own apartments."
+
+Thus saying, he laid his hand upon the man's arm, to lead him gently
+away from the dangerous spot on which he stood. But Herval shook off
+his grasp sullenly, and walked on before with a slow and hesitating
+step, as if, every moment, he would have turned in order to effect his
+purpose. The Count doubted and feared that he would do so, and glad
+was he, indeed, when he saw him pass the gate which led out of the
+gardens. As soon as Herval had gone forth, the young Count closed the
+door, locked it, and threw the key over the wall, saying, "There!
+thank God, it is now impossible!"
+
+"Ay," replied the man. "But there are other things possible, Count;
+and things that may cause more bloodshed and more confusion than one
+little pistol shot.--It would have saved all France," he continued,
+muttering to himself, "it would have saved all France.--What a
+change!--But if we must fight it out in the field, we must."
+
+While he spoke he walked onward towards the Count's house, in a sort
+of gloomy but not altogether silent reverie; in the intervals of
+which, he spoke or murmured to himself in a manner which almost seemed
+to justify the opinion expressed by Riquet, that he was insane.
+Suddenly turning round towards the valet who followed, however, he
+demanded sharply, "Has there not been a tall man, with a green feather
+in his hat, asking for your lord two or three times to-day?"
+
+"So I have heard," replied Riquet, "from the Swiss, but I did not see
+him myself."
+
+"The Swiss never informed me thereof," said the Count. "Pray, who
+might he be, and what was his business?"
+
+"His name, Sir," replied Herval, "is Hatréaumont, and his business was
+for your private ear."
+
+"Hatréaumont!" said the Count in return. "What, he who was an officer
+in the guards?"
+
+Herval nodded his head, and the Count went on: "A brave man, a
+determined man he was; but in other respects a wild rash profligate.
+He can have no business for my private ear, that I should be glad or
+even willing to hear."
+
+"You know not that, Count," said Herval; "he has glorious schemes in
+view, schemes which perhaps may save his country."
+
+The Count shook his head; "schemes," he said, "which will bring ruin
+on himself, and on all connected with him. I have rarely known or
+heard of a man unprincipled and profligate in private life, who could
+be faithful and just in public affairs. Such men there may be perhaps;
+but the first face of the case is against them; for surely they who
+are not to be trusted between man and man, are still less to be
+trusted when greater temptations lie in their way, and greater
+interests are at stake."
+
+"Well, well," said Herval, "he will not trouble you again. This was
+the last day of his stay in Paris, and ere to-morrow be two hours old,
+he will be far away."
+
+"And pray," demanded the Count, "was it by his advice--he who owes
+nothing but gratitude to the King--was it by his advice that you were
+stationed where I found you?"
+
+"He knew nothing of it," said the man sharply, "he knew nothing of it;
+nor did I intend that he should know, till it was all over--and now,"
+he continued, "what is to become of me?"
+
+"Why, in the first place," replied the Count "you had better come in
+with me and take some refreshment. While we are doing so, we will
+think of the future for you."
+
+The man made no reply, but followed the Count, who led the way into
+his house, and then ordered some refreshments of various kinds to be
+set before his guest from Poitou, examining the man's countenance as
+he did so, and becoming more and more convinced that something
+certainly had given way in the brain to produce the wandering and
+unsettled eye which glared in his face, as well as the rash words and
+actions that he spoke and performed.
+
+"And now, Herval," he said, as soon as they were alone, "there is but
+one question which you should ask yourself,--whether it is better for
+you to return at once to Poitou, or, since you are so far on your way
+to Holland, to take advantage of that circumstance, and speed to the
+frontier without delay. I know not what is the situation of your
+finances; but if money be wanting for either step, I am ready to
+supply you as an old comrade."
+
+"I want no money," exclaimed the man; "I am wealthy in my station
+beyond yourself. What have I to do with money whose life is not worth
+an hour? I have a great mind to divide all I have into a hundred
+portions, spend one each day, and die at the end of it.--Holland! no,
+no; this is no time for me to quit France. I will be at my post at the
+coming moment; I will set off again to-night for Poitou. But let me
+tell you, Count--for I had forgotten--if you should yourself wish to
+secure aught in Holland--and I have heard that there is a lady dearer
+to you than all your broad lands--remember there is a schoolmaster
+living three doors on this side of the barrier of Passy, called
+Vandenenden, passing for a Fleming by birth, but in reality a native
+of Dort. He has regular communication with his native land, and will
+pass any thing you please with the utmost security."
+
+"I thank you for that information sincerely," replied the Count; "it
+may be most useful to me. But give me one piece of information more,"
+he added, as the man rose after having drank a glass of water, with a
+few drops of wine in it. "What was the state of the province when you
+left it?"
+
+"If you mean, Count, what was the state of the reformed party," said
+Herval, gazing round with a look of wild carelessness, "it was a girl
+in a consumption, where something is lost every day, no one knows how,
+and yet the whole looks as pretty as ever, till there is nothing but a
+skeleton remains. But there will be this difference, Count, there will
+be this difference. There will be strength found in the skeleton! Have
+you not heard? There were three thousand men, together with women and
+children, all converted at once, within ten miles of Niort; and it
+cost the priest so much bread and wine giving them the sacrament, that
+he swore he would make no more converts unless the King would double
+the value of the cure--ha! ha! ha!" and laughing loud and wildly, he
+turned upon his heel and left the room without bidding the Count good
+night.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+                            THE DECISION.
+
+
+About seven o'clock on the following morning, Jerome Riquet entered
+his master's room on tip toe, drew the curtains of his bed, and found
+him leaning on his arm, reading attentively. The subject of the
+Count's studies matters not. They were interrupted immediately; for a
+note, which the valet placed in his hands, caused him instantly to
+spring up to order his horses to be prepared with speed, and to set
+off for Paris at once, without waiting for the morning meal. The note
+which caused this sudden expedition contained but a few words. They
+were--
+
+"Come to me immediately, if you can, for I have matter of deep moment
+on which I wish to speak with you. You must not come, however, to the
+Hôtel de Rouvré, for though it may seem strange in me to name another
+place to meet you, yet you will find with me one whom you will be
+surprised to see. I must not then hesitate to ask you to seek me
+towards ten o'clock, at number five in the street of the Jacobins; the
+house is that of a bookbinder, and in the shop you will find Maria."
+
+It had no signature; but the handwriting was that of Clémence. All
+that had occurred within the last few days had shown the Count de
+Morseiul that the crisis of his fate was approaching, that a very few
+days, nay, a very few hours, might decide the fortunes of his future
+life for ever. The multitude of matters which had pressed for his
+consideration during the two or three preceding days, the various
+anxieties that he had suffered, the mingling of joy and hope with pain
+and apprehension, had all created a state of mind in which it was
+difficult to think calmly of the future. Now, however, he had regained
+complete mastery of his own mind: the short interval of repose which
+had taken place had removed all confusion, all agitation, from his
+thoughts; and as he rode on towards Paris somewhat slowly, finding
+that there was more than the necessary time to accomplish his journey,
+he revolved coolly and deliberately in his own mind the peculiar
+points in his situation, and questioned himself as to his conduct and
+his duty in regard to each.
+
+First, then, of course, came the image of Clémence; and in regard to
+his love for her, and her's for him, there was many a question to be
+asked, which was answered by his own heart, whether altogether fairly
+and candidly or not, those who know love and love's nature can best
+declare. In asking her to fly with him from France, then, he was going
+to take her from wealth, and splendour, and luxury, and soft nurture,
+and all the comforts and conveniences which, surrounding her from her
+earliest years, had made to her eyes poverty, and difficulty, and
+distress, seem but a recorded dream of which she knew nothing but that
+some men had felt such things.
+
+He had to offer her in a foreign land, indeed, competence, mere
+competence; but would competence to her, educated as she had been
+educated, be any thing else than another name for poverty? Even that
+competence itself might perhaps be insecure. It depended upon the
+doubtful faith of foreign merchants, from whom he had no security, and
+if that were gone, he had nought to depend upon but his sword, and a
+high name in arms. Could Clémence bear all this? he asked himself.
+Could the gay, the admired, the adored, endure seclusion and
+retirement, and almost solitude? Could the spoilt child of fortune
+undergo privation? Could she, who had been accustomed but to command
+to be obeyed, be contented with scanty service from foreign servants?
+Would she never repine? Would she never look back to the bright land
+of France, and think with regret of the high station from which she
+had voluntarily descended? Would she never even, by one repining
+thought in the depth of her heart, reproach him for having won her
+away, to share his exile and misery? Would he never see upon her
+countenance one shade of sorrow and dissatisfaction when petty cares
+weighed down the mind made for greater things, when small anxieties
+and daily discomforts interrupted the current of finer and higher
+thoughts, or when disrespect and coldness made the sad change felt to
+her, upon whose words the brightest and the best had hung?
+
+His heart answered, No; that none of these things would ever arise to
+make him feel that he should not have taken her from her high fortunes
+to share his reverses. What could not love do, he asked himself, to
+brighten the lowliest lot? The grand face of nature would be still
+before them inexhaustible as a store of enjoyment; the communion of
+two high minds, he felt, could never be wanting while they were
+united: if they retained competence, they had all that was needful;
+and if for a time worse fell upon them, love would surely be strong
+enough to excite them to every effort and every exertion, each for the
+other, to cheer, to encourage, to alleviate; and would bring, too, its
+own reward. Besides, he remembered that he should never have to
+reproach himself with having led Clémence to difficulty and to
+danger--a reproach which, could it have been brought against him by
+conscience, would have imbittered all his joys--for her own situation,
+her own faith, required flight as well as his; and by making her his
+own, he only secured to her protection, support, affection, and
+guidance.
+
+Such were some of the thoughts which crossed his mind regarding
+Clémence; but there was another consideration of more difficulty, a
+question on which he was less satisfied. His fellow Protestants
+throughout the land, and more especially those who looked up to him
+for aid and for direction, should he now leave them to their fate,
+even though he could not avert from them one blow, even though he
+could not save them from one single pang? Should he not stay to share
+their lot, to comfort or to fall with them?
+
+The question would have been answered to once, laid they been firm and
+united amongst themselves. It needed not, indeed, that they should
+have armed to resist the royal authority against which they had no
+power to contend; it needed not that they should have attempted to
+build up the churches which had been thrown down, to replace the
+ministers who had been ejected, to petition for the restoration of
+rights which injustice had snatched from them: it needed none of these
+things to have induced him, without hesitation, to stay and partake of
+all that might befal them, if they had displayed a resolution of
+remaining calmly, firmly, though peaceably, attached to their faith,
+addressing their prayers to God in private, if public worship was
+forbidden them, and opposing to the iniquitous proceedings of their
+enemies that tranquil steady resistance of endurance, which seldom
+fails in ultimately repelling attack.
+
+Had they so acted, the Count de Morseiul would have had no hesitation;
+but such was not the case. Even before the last severe measures, which
+have been recorded in this book, the inconveniences attending their
+situation, the apprehension of worse, and the prospect of immediate
+gain, had caused annually the conversion of hundreds of the Protestant
+population of France to the Roman Catholic faith. Nothing like a
+spirit of union had reigned amongst them for years; and now that
+danger and persecution fell upon them, each day brought to the court
+tidings of thousands upon thousands having at once professed
+conversion. Each bishop, each intendant, sent daily lists of the
+numbers who had quitted the religion of their fathers to embrace that
+of the state; and in almost all quarters, those who had courage to
+sacrifice something for conscience sake, were flying from the land, or
+preparing for flight.
+
+He, too, had to remember that he was himself placed in a situation
+more difficult and dangerous than the rest. The question was not
+whether he should remain adhering calmly to his own faith, and living
+in tranquillity, though under oppression, or should fly to a foreign
+land; but there was a choice of three acts before him: whether he
+should remain to trial and perpetual imprisonment, if not death; or
+retiring to Poitou at once, raise the standard of hopeless revolt; or
+seek security in another country, leaving those to whom he could
+render no possible service.
+
+The voice of reason certainly said, Fly! but yet it was painful to him
+to do so. Independent of all thoughts of what he left behind--the
+dwelling of his infancy, the tombs of his fathers, the bright land of
+his birth--independent of all this, there was the clinging to his own
+people, which few can feel deeply but those circumstanced as he was;
+which none indeed can feel now, when the last vestiges have been swept
+away of a system which, though in no slight degree dangerous and evil,
+had nevertheless many an amiable and many an admirable point. He loved
+not to leave them, he loved not to leave any fellow sufferer behind
+while he provided for his own safety; and though reason told him that
+on every motive he ought to fly, yet he felt that lingering
+inclination to remain, which required the voice of others to conquer
+entirely. Such were the principal questions which his mind had found
+to discuss during the last two days; but since the preceding night, a
+new subject for thought had arisen, a new question presented itself.
+It however was not so difficult of solution as the others. A dark
+attempt upon the King's life, which could hardly have failed of
+success, had been nearly executed; but that was not all. From Herval
+he had learned, that schemes, which there was much reason to believe
+were dangerous to the whole state, were at that moment in agitation,
+if not upon the point of being accomplished. He loved not to be the
+denouncer of any man; and for Herval himself, he felt pity mingled
+with blame, which made him glad that the length of time that had
+elapsed, had given him an opportunity of retiring once more to Poitou.
+
+With regard to the proceedings of Hatréaumont, however, he had no
+scruple and no hesitation. It was right and necessary that the King
+should be made acquainted with the fact of dangerous designs being in
+agitation; and although he was well aware, that the task of informing
+the monarch of the truth would be a difficult and delicate one, so as
+not to bring the strong and unscrupulous hand of power upon persons
+who might be innocent, and were only accused by the word of a man whom
+he sincerely believed to be partially insane, yet he resolved to
+undertake that task, trusting to the firmness and uprightness of his
+own character, to insure that the execution of it should be such as to
+avoid doing injury to any one who was not guilty.
+
+Men under such circumstances in general err from an inaccuracy or
+deficiency of statement, proceeding from the confusion and uncertainty
+of a mind oppressed and agitated by the burthen of important affairs,
+or difficult and intricate circumstances. The Count de Morseiul,
+however, saw his way clearly, and prepared to tell the King exactly
+the words which Herval had made use of, but at the same time to inform
+him, that he had much reason to believe that the man was insane, and
+that, therefore, but little reliance was to be placed upon his
+statement, except so far as the employing of precaution might be
+required.
+
+The meditation over all these circumstances fully occupied the time
+till his arrival in Paris; and dismounting at his own house, he took
+his way alone and on foot towards the Rue des Jacobins. The capital at
+that period had but little of the light and graceful architectural
+beauty which the citizens have since endeavoured to give it; but there
+was, instead, a grey, mysterious looking grandeur about the vast piles
+of building of which it was composed, peculiar and entirely
+characteristic of the French metropolis. The great height of the
+houses, the smallness, in general, of the windows, their multitudes,
+their irregularities, the innumerable carriage entrances leading into
+court yards where cities and new worlds seemed to be opening on every
+side, the intricate alleys and passages that were seen branching here
+and there in unknown directions as the stranger took his way through
+the streets; every thing, in short, impressed upon the mind, as a keen
+and sensible perception, that fact, which, though common to all great
+capitals, is generally unfelt, that we are walking in the midst of a
+world of human beings with whom we have scarcely one feeling in
+sympathy; of whose habits, character, pursuits, pleasures, and pains
+we are utterly ignorant; who are living, moving, acting, feeling,
+undergoing life's great ordeal, smiling with rapture, writhing with
+anguish, melting with the bitter tears of sorrow and regret, inspired
+by hope, or palpitating with expectation around us on every side,
+without our having the slightest participation in any of their
+feelings, with scarcely a knowledge of their existence, and certainly
+none of their situation.
+
+It was impossible to walk through the streets of Paris at that
+time--it was impossible even to walk through the older parts of the
+city when I myself remember it, without having that sensation strongly
+excited--without asking one's self as one gazed up at the small
+windows of some of the many tenanted houses, and saw the half-drawn
+curtain shading out even the scanty portion of sun that found its way
+thither: Is there sickness or death within? Are there tears over the
+departing couch of the beloved? Is there anguish over the bier of the
+gone? without asking one's self, as one gazed at some wide-open
+casement, courting the summer air, and perhaps with some light piece
+of drapery floating out into the street, Is that the abode of love and
+joy? Is happy heart there meeting happy heart? Are they smiling over
+the birth of the first-born, or watching the glad progress of a young
+spirit kindred with their own? without asking one's self, as the eye
+rested upon some squalid doorway, foul with uncleaned ages, or some
+window, thick and obscure with the dust of years, some dim alley, or
+some dark and loathsome passage, Is vice, and plunder, and iniquity
+there? Is there the feverish joy of sin mingled with remorse, and
+anguish, and apprehension? Is there the wasting and the gnawing
+effects of vice, sickness, and sorrow, worn limbs, corroded heart,
+nights of restless watchfulness, and days of ceaseless anguish? It was
+impossible to walk through that tall city, with its myriads living
+above myriads, house within house, and court within court, without
+asking one's self such questions, and without feeling that the whole
+intense and thrilling reality of the scene was rendered but more
+striking by the gay and careless multitude that tripped along, each
+seeming scarcely conscious that there was another being in the world
+but himself.
+
+The Count de Morseiul was half an hour before his time; he walked
+somewhat slowly, and in picturing the feelings which a contemplative
+mind might experience in passing through Paris, we have pictured those
+which pressed for his attention, and crossed from time to time the
+current of his other thoughts. At length, however, he entered the Rue
+des Jacobins, and easily found the house to which he had been
+directed. It was a tall building of six stories, with a bookseller's
+shop upon the ground floor. Very different indeed, however, was it
+from a gay dwelling such as Paris now exhibits, with every new
+publication in blue and yellow flaming in the windows: but, through a
+small door, entrance was obtained into a long dark shop, where, on
+shelves, and in cases, and on benches, and on counters, were piled up
+manifold dusty volumes, whose state of tranquil slumber seemed to have
+been long undisturbed. A single pale apprentice, with an apron on and
+a brush in his hand, walked from one end of the shop to the other, or
+examined with slow inactivity the sheets of some unbound work, moving
+about his task with the same indifference to its speedy execution, as
+if the years of Mathuselah were bound up in his indentures.
+
+The Count looked at the shop well, to ascertain that he was right, and
+then entered; but in the long dim vista of the counters and packages,
+the person he sought for was not to be seen; and not having
+contemplated such an occurrence, he was somewhat embarrassed as to the
+person he should ask for. To have inquired whether a lady were waiting
+for him there or not, might perhaps have been received as an insult by
+the master of the house, and yet he thought it would be imprudent to
+risk the name of Clémence de Marly, when she herself might not have
+given it. He felt sure that had she arrived, her attendant Maria would
+have been at the post where she had promised to place her; and, in
+order to occupy the time till she came, he determined to ask for some
+book, and then enter into desultory conversation with the lad in the
+shop, after having bought it.
+
+He had scarcely spoken, however, when from behind a pile of solid
+literature which obscured still farther the end of the shop, the
+servant Maria came forth and advanced towards him. The matter was then
+easily explained, and the youth seemed in no degree surprised at the
+appointment, but proceeded to tie up the book which the Count had
+demanded, while Maria told him that her young lady had only just
+arrived, and was waiting for him up stairs. He followed her with a
+rapid step as she led the way, and at the third turning of a long dim
+narrow staircase, he found Clémence waiting at a door and listening as
+if for his arrival.
+
+There was something in the meeting under such circumstances which did
+away all feelings of reserve, such as perhaps might otherwise have
+still affected them towards each other; and Clémence, feeling that she
+was all his--that their fate was united for ever, felt scarcely a
+blush rise into her cheek when he, at once, pressed her to his heart
+upon their meeting. She spoke not, however, but held up her finger, as
+if to enjoin silence, and then led him through a little anteroom into
+a room beyond.
+
+There, seated at a table with some books scattered upon it, appeared
+the good pastor of Auron, Claude de l'Estang. He was thinner, paler,
+more worn, than when first we endeavoured to depict him; but the light
+was not gone out in the clear bright eye, the same mild but
+intelligent smile hung upon the lip, the same high spirit was thrown
+upon the brow. He rose and grasped the young Count's hands eagerly.
+
+"Oh, my dear Albert," he said, "I am glad to see you! This sweet
+child," he added, after the first exclamation, "wrote to me all that
+was between you and her. She is dear to my heart as if she were my
+own; and is she not my own. Did I not bring her back to the faith of
+her dear mother? Did I not rescue her from the evils of a corrupt
+perverted church? But of that we will speak not now, Albert. The
+moment I heard of it--the moment I heard that you were here, and had
+cast yourself, as it were, into the jaws of the lion, after the fatal
+night when that murderous youth, like Pilate, mingled our blood with
+our sacrifices--I resolved at once to make my way hither, at all and
+any risks, to speak to you, to exhort you, to tell you what I have
+decided in my own mind is the only plan for you to follow. I thought,
+indeed, when I set out--notwithstanding all that has occurred since
+you left Poitou, notwithstanding the scattering of the sheep and the
+driving forth of the shepherd, and the falling off of many, and the
+wavering of all the rest--I thought that here I might learn tidings
+which might make a change in my opinion, but that, at all events, it
+was right for me to come, in order that I might consult with you and
+others, and take our last final determination together. But, since I
+have heard from this dear child the situation in which you are placed,
+since I have heard from a weak brother, who has outwardly abjured the
+faith which he fondly clings to in his heart, things that you
+yourselves do not know, my opinion has been confirmed to the fullest
+extent, and I have only to say to you, Albert, fly! Fly with her
+immediately; save her from persecution, and anguish, and care; confirm
+her in the only true faith, and in the renunciation of every
+superstitious vanity of the church of Rome! Strengthen her, support
+her, protect her! Lose no time--no, not a day; for, if you do, danger
+to both, and, perhaps, everlasting separation in this world may be the
+consequence."
+
+"I am most ready and most willing," replied the Count. "It is
+absolutely necessary, indeed, that I should return to Versailles, but
+only for a few hours. After that, I can return hither, and, without
+further delay, execute what I am fully convinced is the only plan for
+us to pursue."
+
+"It is the only plan," said the clergyman. "Are you aware, Albert,
+that, in the short space of five days, one half of the Protestants of
+Poitou have bent the knee to Baal? Are you aware that the very men
+who, a week ago, clung to you for aid and protection, would now fly
+from you, either in shame at their own degeneracy, or because you are
+marked out for indignation by the powers that be? Yes, Albert, they
+would fly from you! There is a remnant, indeed, faithful and true unto
+the last; but to them I shall say, as I say to you, they must go forth
+to other lands, and shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony
+against this place. There is nothing left you, Albert, but flight, and
+that speedy and unhesitating. I have told you that I have heard much
+from a weak brother, whose renunciation of his faith weighs heavy upon
+him. He is in the confidence, it would seem, of those who rule; and he
+has informed me that it is the determination of the Monarch and his
+council never to let you quit the court of France except as a follower
+of the popish church of Rome. Every temptation is to be held out to
+you to make you yield, every menace used to drive you on the way they
+want; and should your resistance become strong and decided, the order
+for your arrest is already made out, and needs but one word to cause
+its execution. Fly, then, fly, Albert, and even if not for your own
+sake for hers."
+
+"I am most willing, my good friend," replied the Count. "I need no
+exhortation so to do. But is Clémence still willing to go with me?"
+
+"Can you doubt it, Albert," she said, "with _his_ approbation and
+advice?"
+
+"Yet, dear Clémence," said the Count, "I should be wrong were I not to
+tell you what may happen. The danger, the risk of our escape, the
+fatigues, and labours, and anxieties of the journey, the perils that
+await us at every step you have made up your mind to. But, Clémence,
+have you thought of the change from affluence to mere competence, from
+splendour and luxury to bare necessaries, even perhaps to poverty
+itself, for all I have on earth depends upon the good faith of those
+to whom I have transmitted it, and I might arrive and find nothing.
+Have you thought of all this? Have you thought that it may last for
+years, that we may have to live, and die, and bring up our children in
+poverty----?"
+
+"Out upon it, Albert!" exclaimed the old man, angrily; "wouldst thou
+take the part of the prince of this world against her better angel?
+But she will not doubt, she will not waver: I know she will not.
+Sooner than be a hypocrite, sooner than abandon troth and embrace
+error, she would cast herself upon the world, were it ten thousand
+times as bad--Out upon it! she fears not: she will have her husband,
+and her faith, and her God to support her."
+
+"I have not thought of all you suggest, Albert," replied Clémence more
+mildly, but still somewhat reproachfully, "I have not thought of them,
+because it was unnecessary to think of them at all. Do you not love
+me, Albert? Do I not love you? Is not that love riches, and splendour,
+and luxury enough for us? But when, beside that all-sufficient love,
+we have the knowledge that we are doing our duty, that we are
+suffering for our conscience sake, that we have left all to follow
+what we believe the dictates of the great Author of our faith, there
+will be a satisfaction, a pride, a glory, that even a woman's heart
+can feel. Fear not for me, Albert; I understand your scruples, and
+though they require forgiveness I forgive them. Let us be guided by
+his advice,--I am sure that it is good,--and I am willing, most
+willing, to risk all and every thing under such circumstances, and for
+such a cause."
+
+"Well then, so be it," said the Count; "let us consider our decision
+as made. This very night, Clémence, I will return to Paris. This very
+night I will meet you here; but oh, my good friend," he continued,
+turning to the pastor, "you whom I love and venerate as a father, you
+will easily understand what I feel when I say, that I could wish most
+anxiously that this dear girl, who is to accompany me through scenes
+of some peril, were united to me before we depart, not alone by the
+bonds of deep and true affection, not alone by the bonds of all the
+mutual promises and engagements which man and woman can plight towards
+each other, but by the sanction of that holy religion which first
+instituted such an union, and by the blessing of one of the ministers
+of Christ. I fear, however, it cannot be done."
+
+"Nay, my son, it can," replied the clergyman. "Expelled from our
+temples, debarred from the performance of all those ceremonial rites,
+which are but the shadows and types of higher things, the abandonment
+of such ceremonies as we cannot exercise, can, in no degree, either in
+the sight of man or of God, as long as the side of law or justice is
+considered, affect the validity of such a contract, or do away, in the
+slightest degree, the solemn legality of an union complete in all the
+forms which we are enabled to give it. Even were it not so, I have
+power delegated to me by the synod of our church, without application
+to higher authorities, whose approbation, for many years, would have
+been difficult and embarrassing to obtain, to perform all the
+ceremonies of the church, upon due knowledge certified by me that they
+are not contrary, in the particular cases, to the law of God, or to
+those just ordinances of man to which we have ourselves subscribed. If
+you desire it, and if Clémence is willing, I will this very night,
+before you depart, give my blessing to your union, and doubt not that,
+with my certificate thereof, witnessed by proper witnesses, that union
+will be held good by the Protestant church throughout the world."
+
+"Then I fear not," exclaimed the Count. "What say you, dear Clémence?
+Can you resolve upon this also,--speak, dear girl," he added as she
+paused in silence, covering her eyes with her hand. "Speak! oh speak!"
+
+"What should I say, Albert?" she said. "Do you dream that I would
+refuse? Do you suppose that I would reject the only thing which was
+wanting to give me confidence, and strength, and hope through all the
+perils that we may have to undergo?"
+
+Albert gazed on her with a look that thanked her to the full; and,
+after a brief moment given to happiness, he asked, "But who shall be
+the witnesses?"
+
+"Maria must be one," said Clémence, "for she of course goes with us."
+
+"One of my servants may be another," said the Count. "But it is better
+to have several."
+
+"The master of this house and his son," said Claude de l'Estang, "will
+make up a number more than sufficient; and all that remains, Albert,
+is for you to go and settle your affairs at Versailles, and return
+hither as soon as you may; though I wish, indeed, that it were
+possible for you not to go back to that place at all."
+
+"Indeed it is quite necessary," replied the Count; "not contemplating
+this meeting, I have left all the little store of wealth which I
+brought with me from Poitou in my house at Versailles. It is
+impossible to send for it without causing instant suspicion, and it is
+absolutely necessary, not only for the expences of the journey, but in
+order to secure some little sum for our subsistence, for a year or
+two, in case we shall find that, either by misfortune or by fraud, the
+money which I transmitted to Holland is not forthcoming."
+
+"It is, indeed, most necessary," said Claude de l'Estang. "I have
+heard that one of our poor ministers, who was banished some years ago
+from Languedoc, suffered most terribly in foreign lands before he
+could gain employment."
+
+"But I can bring in my share," exclaimed Clémence, her eyes sparkling
+with gladness. "I have a number of jewels, of different kinds: many
+purchased in other days with my own money; many given me by friends of
+my youth long years ago. They have cost, I know, in all many thousand
+livres. These are my own, and I will take them with me. Those that I
+have received from the Duke and Duchess, and other Roman Catholic
+friends, I shall leave to be given back to them again."
+
+"Do so, do so!" said the pastor. "There are some people, my dear
+child, who would wring a text from Scripture to bid you do the
+contrary, telling you to spoil the Egyptians; but I think that such
+injunctions as that must ever be applicable to particular cases alone,
+and the application must be made by God himself. I say, leave all that
+is not justly and absolutely your own: leave all that those who gave
+it would not give now, if they could see the use to which you are
+going to apply it. We shall rarely regret, my child, if ever, having
+been too just; we shall never cease to regret if we are once unjust."
+
+The Count de Morseiul had remarked that, through the whole of this
+conversation, the pastor had never once mentioned himself or his own
+plans. It might however seem, that he left it to be understood that
+he, too, was about to fly from the land; but the Count de Morseiul
+knew him well, and was aware that he was one of those who would
+resolutely and firmly place himself in the way of perils which he
+would teach others to avoid. He did not choose even to suppose that
+the pastor was about to remain in the land which he advised them to
+quit; and he, therefore, demanded, "At what hour, my good friend, will
+you be ready to give us your blessing and to go with us?"
+
+"My son," replied the pastor, "I will give my blessing on your union
+at any hour you like, for I dare not go out during the day. But, alas,
+I must not think of going with you. I say not, that I will not come
+hereafter, if Heaven enable me to do so; but it must be after I have
+seen every one of my flock, who is willing to sacrifice temporal to
+eternal things, in safety in another land before me. Nay, nay,
+Albert," he said, seeing the Count about to reply, "urge me not in
+this matter, for I am sure I am right, and when such is the case I
+must be immoveable. As soon as all who are willing to go are gone, I
+will obey the injunction of the King, which orders the pastors and
+ministers of our church to quit the realm immediately----"
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed the Count. "Has such an order been issued? I never
+heard of it."
+
+"You hear, my son, very little here," replied the old man. "Care is
+taken to keep unpleasant sights from the eyes of kings and courtiers.
+Pomp, and pageantry, and display, luxury and feasting, and music, and
+games, and revelry, they are the things for palaces and capitals; not
+the groans and tears of the wronged and injured, not the cries and
+murmurs of the oppressed. Some days have passed since the order
+appeared throughout all the provinces, and many of my brethren have
+already obeyed. I will obey it, too, but not till the last."
+
+"Oh," cried Clémence, "dear and excellent friend, do not, do not
+expose yourself too far. Remember how much we may need your council
+and assistance hereafter. Remember what a stay and support your
+presence may be to the whole of your flock in other lands."
+
+"Those who do not fulfil their duties now, Clémence," said the pastor,
+"upon the pretext of fulfilling them better hereafter, will fulfil
+none at all, my child. But say no more either of you; my determination
+is strong and fixed: and now, Albert," he added, with a faint smile,
+"find some way of measuring her finger for the ring that is to make
+her yours, and if you could get some friendly notary to draw up a
+regular contract of marriage between you against this evening, all
+would be complete."
+
+Albert of Morseiul took the fair hand of his promised bride, which she
+gave him with a blushing cheek, to measure it for the ring that was to
+be the symbol of their union. Upon the very finger was that ring which
+he had rescued for her when it had been taken away by the band of
+Herval, the coronet and the cypher in diamonds; and as he gazed upon
+it and tried it on his own finger, to judge of the size, a brief
+feeling of curiosity passed through his heart, and he thought, "This,
+indeed, is strange: I am about to wed one, of whose history, and fate,
+and circumstances, both I myself, and almost every one around me, are
+ignorant."
+
+He lifted his look to her face, however, while he thus thought. Those
+large, pure, beautiful eyes were gazing upon him with tenderness and
+trust, and, replacing the ring upon her finger, he sealed his faith
+and confidence upon that fair hand with a kiss.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XI.
+
+                          THE KING'S CLOSET.
+
+
+During the time that the young Count was absent from Versailles and
+busied, as we have represented, with those schemes on which his future
+woe or welfare seemed beyond all doubt to depend, a scene was taking
+place in the palace of the King, in which the Count was more
+interested than he could have supposed possible, and which, as will be
+seen at the close of this history, was destined to affect him as much
+as any of his own proceedings.
+
+The scene, then, was in the King's cabinet at Versailles. A clock of a
+rich and singular construction stood exactly before the Monarch,
+marking out to him the portions of time which he could bestow upon
+each separate affair as it was brought before him. A large inkstand,
+containing innumerable pens, and a portfolio, half filled with
+writing, in the King's own hand, lay upon the table; wax of four
+different colours, blue, red, white, and yellow, were also placed
+before him, in a small case of marquetry, which contained likewise
+several seals, and an instrument of a peculiar form for spreading the
+wax: the walls were ornamented with a few very choice small pictures;
+a number of maps were there also, and a few, but very few, books.
+
+The Monarch was seated in a large arm chair, his right foot supported
+by a footstool, and his hand holding a pen as it rested on the table.
+The expression of his countenance was mild but intelligent, and before
+him stood--a little pale indeed, and affecting, certainly, greater awe
+and terror than he really did feel--a man, whom, as we described him
+before, may be passed over in silence as far as his personal
+appearance is concerned. This was no other than Jerome Riquet, the
+valet of the Count of Morseiul; and behind him appeared the figure of
+Bontems, Louis's confidential attendant, who instantly retreated in
+silence from the chamber, on a slow nod of the head from the King.
+
+"Your name," said the Monarch, fixing his eyes full upon Riquet, "is,
+I understand, Jerome Riquet, and you are valet to the young Count of
+Morseiul."
+
+"I have been his faithful valet in the field, and the camp, and the
+court, and the castle, for these many years, Sire," replied the man.
+
+"And I hear," continued the King, "that you are a member of the holy
+catholic church, while your lord is of the religion which its
+professors call reformed. Now, answer me truly, how have you
+contrived--during the long period of service, surrounded, as you were,
+by Huguenot fellow servants and under a Huguenot lord--how have you
+contrived to fulfil the duties of your religion, I say, under such
+circumstances?"
+
+"Oh, Sire, nothing so easy," replied the man. "May it please your
+Majesty, I was much better off, in most respects, than my brother
+Catholics; for on a fast day, Sire, by my lord's order, on my account,
+there was either fish, or some other meagre dish prepared, so that I
+had my choice. I could fast and grow thin, or sin and grow fat, as I
+thought fit."
+
+The King's countenance fell a little at an uncalled-for joke in his
+presence, especially on a subject which, in his eyes, was of serious
+importance. Louis, however, was very rarely disposed to say a harsh
+word, unless it was impossible to help it; and he therefore passed
+over the valet's levity with merely the reproof of that displeased
+look, and then again demanded,--
+
+"So, then, your lord gave you every facility of fulfilling the duties
+of your religion?"
+
+"The greatest, Sire," replied the man. "Except when we were in
+Holland, where there was no Catholic church to be found, he has always
+driven me to mass as if with a scourge. Even at Morseiul, scarcely a
+Sunday passed without his telling me to go to mass, and asking me if I
+had been."
+
+"This looks well for the young gentleman," said the King, seemingly
+well pleased with the account the man afforded. "We have had different
+stories at court--that he was rank and bigoted, and furious against
+the Catholic religion."
+
+"Lord bless your Majesty!" exclaimed the man, "he is more than three
+quarters of a Catholic himself, and if the devil gets the other
+quarter it will only be because the Count is driven to him."
+
+"Speak not profanely, Sir, of things that are serious," said the King,
+"nor presume, in my presence, to venture upon such jests."
+
+As he spoke, the whole aspect of his countenance changed, his brow
+grew dark, his lip curled, his voice became deeper, his head more
+erect, and that indescribable majesty, for which he was famous, took
+possession of his person, making the unfortunate Jerome Riquet ready
+to sink into the earth.
+
+"Now, Sir," continued the King, "be not frightened; but give me clear
+and straight-forward answers in a serious tone. What you have told me
+of your young lord is satisfactory to me. I am most anxious to do him
+good and to show him favour. I have marked his gallant conduct as a
+soldier, and his upright and noble demeanour as a French gentleman,
+and I would fain save him from the destruction to which obstinacy may
+lead him. You say that he is three parts a Catholic already, and would
+be one altogether if it were not--at least so I understand you--that
+some one drove him to the contrary conduct. Now, who is it drives him,
+Sir? Speak to me plainly and explicitly, and no harm shall come to
+you.--Have you lost your tongue, Sir, or are you struck dumb?" the
+King continued, seeing that Riquet remained silent, while his whole
+frame seemed to work with terror and agitation.
+
+Perhaps, had his lord been there, he might have discovered, at once,
+that Riquet was working himself up to assume an immense deal more of
+terror than he really felt; but the King, conscious of having assumed
+an overawing look which he had often seen produce effects somewhat
+similar, believed the fear of the valet to be entirely real, and was
+not at all surprised to see Riquet suddenly cast himself at his feet
+and burst into an amazing flood of tears.
+
+"If I have offended your Majesty," cried the man, with a species of
+orientalism which was not at all displeasing to the ears of the
+despotic monarch of the French, "if I have offended your Majesty, take
+my head! But you are now proceeding to question me upon matters in
+which what I have to tell and to speak of, may produce the most
+terrible results. I know not every word I utter that I may not be
+doing wrong--I know not that every word may not cost my life--and
+unless your Majesty will deign to grant me in writing your full and
+free pardon for all that I have done, I dare not, indeed I dare not go
+on; or if I do, terror will make me prevaricate, and attempt to
+conceal facts that the wisdom of your Majesty will soon discover."
+
+"Nay, nay," exclaimed the King; "before I give you such pardon, my
+good friend, I must know to what it extends. You may have committed
+twenty crimes, for aught I know; you may be a relapsed heretic, for
+aught I know."
+
+"So help me God, Sire, no," exclaimed the man vehemently: "I am a
+sincere, devout, and zealous Catholic, and have been so all my life.
+Here is the certificate of the parish priest in Poitou, Sire, in order
+that I might have the benefit of the indulgence," and he drew forth
+from his pocket a small piece of written paper which Louis read
+attentively, and which bestowed upon him so high a character for
+devotion to the Catholic faith, and for various other extraordinary
+virtues, that Louis thought he could not be far wrong in assuring him
+of the pardon he wanted, especially as Riquet, while he read, had
+relapsed into a passion of tears, and the moments allotted to the task
+of examining him were fleeting rapidly away. "Well," he said, "to make
+you at ease, I will grant you the pardon, under some conditions."
+
+"And pray put in, Sire," cried Riquet, with real joy sparkling in his
+eyes, "pray put in that you take me under your royal protection, for
+fear the Count should be angry, or any of the heretics should attempt
+to take vengeance upon me.
+
+"That I will do also," replied Louis, and taking the pen he wrote
+rapidly a paper which, according to the old English form, would have
+been somewhat to the following effect, though the beginning of it, "_A
+tous ceux_," &c. may be somewhat freely translated.
+
+
+"Know all men by these presents, that we, for especial reasons
+thereunto us moving, have granted our full and free pardon unto the
+person called Jerome Hardouin Riquet, for all crimes or offences that
+he may have committed up to the date of these presents, always
+excepted any crime which he may have committed against the holy church
+or our sovereign state of which he is not at this time charged, and
+which may be hereafter proved against him, and that we do also take
+the said Jerome Hardouin Riquet under our especial protection, warning
+all men to have regard unto the same, for such is our will.
+
+                                         "Louis."
+
+
+The King read the paper over, paused for a moment, as if he yet
+hesitated whether he should give it or not, and then with a sort of
+half smile, and a look expressive of something between carelessness
+and magnanimity, he held it out to the valet, who seized it and kissed
+it repeatedly. Then standing up before the monarch, he said,--
+
+"Now, Sire, safe in your Majesty's protection, I am ready and capable
+of answering distinctly and clearly any thing that you may ask me."
+
+The King took the paper up again, into which he had looked to
+ascertain the various denominations of Maître Riquet, and then
+recommenced his questions as follows, returning in the first place to
+the one which Riquet had left unanswered, "Who and what are the people
+who are driving, or are likely to drive, your master to remain
+obstinate in heresy."
+
+"Please your Majesty," replied Riquet, "the principal persons are, a
+very reverend and respectable gentleman, called the Abbé de St. Helie;
+also, the intendant of the province of Poitou, our reverend father the
+Bishop of Poitiers, Monsieur de Louvois, and I am not very sure that
+good Monsieur de Rouvré himself has not a part."
+
+The King gazed at the bold speaker for a moment or two, as if doubtful
+of his real intention; asking of himself whether the man spoke
+sincerely and simply, or whether a daring jest, or a still more
+impudent sarcasm, lay concealed in the words he used. The man's
+previous terror, however, and the air of perfect unconsciousness of
+offence with which he spoke, did much to convince Louis that he had no
+double meaning. His tone, however, was sharp and angry, as he asked,
+"How now, Sir? How can some of the best and wisest, the most prudent
+and the most zealous men in the realm, drive any heretic to refuse
+obstinately the cup of salvation offered to him? I trust, you mean no
+offence, sirrah!"
+
+Jerome Riquet's countenance instantly fell, and with a thousand
+lamentations and professions of profound respect for Louvois and St.
+Helie, and every one whom the King might trust and favour, he
+declared, that his only meaning was, that he believed his master and a
+great many other Protestants would have been converted long ago, if
+they had been led rather than driven. He added, that he had heard the
+young Count and the old one too say a thousand times, that some of the
+gentlemen he mentioned had done as much to prevent the Protestants
+from returning to the mother church, as Monsieur Bossuet had done to
+bring them back to it.
+
+Louis paused and thought, and had not his prepossessions been so
+complete as they were, the plain truth which the valet told him might
+not have been unproductive of fruit. As it was it went in some degree
+to effect the real object which Riquet had in view; namely, to impress
+the King with a notion, that there was a great probability of the
+young Count being recalled to the bosom of the Catholic church,
+provided the means employed were gentleness and persuasion.
+
+It is very seldom, indeed, in this life, that we meet with any thing
+like pure and unmixed motives, and such were certainly not to be
+expected in the bosom of Jerome Riquet. His first object and design
+was certainly to serve his master; but, in so serving him, he had an
+eye to gratifications of his own also; for to his feelings and
+disposition Versailles was a much pleasanter place than Morseiul,
+Paris a more agreeable land than Poitou. He used to declare, that he
+was fond of the country, but liked it paved; that his avenues should
+always be houses, and his flocks and herds wear coats and petticoats.
+He naturally calculated, then, that if the King undertook the task of
+converting the young Count by gentle and quiet means, he would not
+fail to keep him in the delightful sojourning place of Versailles,
+while he, Jerome Riquet, amongst all the gods and goddesses of brass
+and marble, which were gathered together in the gardens, might play
+the part of Proteus, and take a thousand shapes, as might suit his
+versatile genius.
+
+The King thought over the reply of Riquet for some moments, somewhat
+struck by hearing that the arguments which the Protestants held
+amongst themselves were exactly similar to those which they had often
+put forth in addressing him. So much skill, however, had been employed
+by his council and advisers to open wide before him the path of error,
+and to close up the narrow footway of truth, that even when any one
+pulled away the brambles and briars with which the latter had been
+blocked up, and showed him that there was really another path, he
+refused to follow it, and chose the wider and more travelled road.
+
+Thus his conclusion was, after those few minutes' thought,--
+
+"This is all very well, and very specious; but as we do not trust to a
+sick man to point out the remedies that will cure him, so must we not
+trust to these Huguenots to point out what would be the best means of
+converting them. However, Master Jerome Riquet, it is not in regard to
+opinions that I sent for you, I want to hear facts, if you please. Now
+tell me: do you remember, upon a certain occasion, a proclamation
+having been sent down to be read in the town of Morseiul, the King's
+officers having been insulted, and, I believe, pelted with stones, and
+the proclamation torn down?"
+
+"No, Sire," replied Riquet boldly, for he was telling a lie, and
+therefore spoke confidently. "I remember my master going out in haste
+one day to prevent, he said, any bad conduct on the part of the
+people, and I remember hearing that he had caused the proclamation to
+be made himself in the market-place, in spite of some riotous folk,
+who would willingly have opposed it."
+
+"High time that such folk should be put down," said the King. "These
+are the peaceable and obedient subjects, which the advocates of the
+Huguenots would fain persuade me that they are. But one question more
+on this head: did you see the young Count of Morseuil cause the gates
+of the town to be shut in the face of my officers, or did you hear
+that he had done so, upon good authority?"
+
+"No, Sire, I neither heard nor saw it," replied Riquet; "and, for
+myself, I was safely in the castle during the whole day."
+
+"Do you remember," continued the King, looking at the paper, "having
+carried notes or letters from your master to different Protestant
+gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, calling upon them to
+assemble and meet him at the house of another Huguenot, named M. de
+Corvoie?"
+
+"No, Sire, oh no!" replied the man. "While we were at Poitiers, I only
+carried one note, and that was to the saddle-maker, who in repadding
+one of my lord's saddles, had done it so as to gall the horse's back."
+
+"Sir, you are lying," said the King sternly.
+
+Riquet once more cast himself upon his knees before the monarch,
+clasping his hands and exclaiming, "May I lose your Majesty's favour
+for ever, if I am not telling you the exact truth. Let any one who
+dares to say that I carried any other note than that which I have
+mentioned be confronted with me this moment, and I will prove, that he
+is shamefully deceiving your Majesty, for no other note did I carry,
+no, not even a love letter. Otherwise, I could and would, not only
+tell your Majesty the fact, but every word that the notes contained."
+
+"This is very extraordinary," said the King, "and I shall take care to
+inquire into it."
+
+"I trust your Majesty will," replied the man boldly, for it may be
+recollected that he had not carried any note, but had been merely
+charged with a message to M. de Corvoie: "I trust that your Majesty
+will; for I assure you, on the faith of a valet de chambre, that no
+such transaction ever occurred. Did not they want to charge me--the
+very men who I dare say have brought this accusation--did they not
+want to charge me with having abstracted your Majesty's commission to
+Messieurs St. Helie and Pelisson, and with having placed a pack of
+cards in its stead; and were they not brought to shame by its being
+found out, that they themselves had done it, by fragments of the
+commission being found in one of their valises, wrapped like a dirty
+rag about an old tobacco box?"
+
+"How is this? How is this?" exclaimed the King. "I heard that the
+commission had been abstracted, but I heard not this result--fragments
+of the commission wrapping a tobacco box found in their own valises!"
+
+"Ay, Sire," replied the man, "'tis all too true, for the examination
+was conducted in presence of Monsieur de Rouvré;" and with earnest
+volubility Maître Jerome set to work, and, in his own particular
+manner, gave the monarch a long and detailed, but rapid account of
+what had taken place on the return of the Count de Morseiul to
+Poitiers, adding cunning commentaries in words, gesticulations, and
+grimaces, which scarcely left the King the power of retaining his due
+gravity, especially when Riquet personated to the life, the worthy
+Curé of Guadrieul, on the discovery of the paper in his valise.
+
+While he was in the very act of making this detail, however, the door
+of the royal cabinet was opened, and a man of a harsh and disagreeable
+countenance, with a face somewhat red and blotched, but with great
+fire and intelligence in his eyes, entered the room, pausing for a
+single moment at the door, as if for permission.
+
+"Come in, Monsieur de Louvois, come in," said the King. "This is
+Jerome Riquet, the valet of the Count de Morseiul, whom I told you I
+intended to examine. He puts a very different face upon several
+matters, however, from that which we expected to find," and the King
+briefly recapitulated to his famous minister the information he had
+received from Riquet, leaving out however the first part of the
+conversation between them, which contained matter that could not be
+very agreeable to the minister.
+
+A somewhat sneering smile came upon Louvois' countenance as he
+listened; and he replied, "I am very happy to hear, Sire, that the
+Count de Morseiul is so good and faithful a servant to your Majesty.
+May I be permitted to ask this worthy person a question or two in your
+presence?"
+
+The King bowed his head, and the minister, turning to Riquet, went on:
+"Although we have much more reason to think favourably of your
+master," he said, "than we had at first, yet there is one point in
+regard to which, though he did not actually commit a fault, he greatly
+neglected his duty, at least, so we are led to believe. We are
+assured, that shortly before he came up to Versailles, a great meeting
+of Huguenots in the open air took place upon a wild moor, within the
+limits of the young Count's lands, which meeting, though held for the
+peaceful purpose, we are told, of merely preaching in the open air,
+terminated in bloodshed, and an attack upon a small body of the King's
+dragoons who were watching the proceedings."
+
+Louvois' eye was fixed upon the valet all the time he spoke, and
+Jerome Riquet was making up his mind to deny steadily any knowledge of
+the transaction; but suddenly his whole views upon the subject were
+changed by the minister coming to the head and front of the Count's
+offence.
+
+"Now," continued Louvois, "although there was certainly no law to
+compel the Count to be present on such an occasion, yet, when he knew
+that a meeting of this kind was about to take place on his own
+estates, and that dangerous consequences might ensue, he would but
+have shown his zeal and duty in the service of the King by going to
+the spot, and doing all that he could to make the proceedings tranquil
+and inoffensive."
+
+"But the Count did go, Sir," exclaimed Riquet, "the Count did go, and
+I remember the fact of his going particularly."
+
+"Are you ready to swear that he was there?" demanded Louvois.
+
+"All I can say," replied the valet, "is, that he left home for the
+purpose of going there. I was not present myself, but I heard from
+every one else that he was."
+
+"And pray at what hour did he return that night?" demanded Louvois,
+"for the events that I speak of did not take place till near
+nightfall, and if the Count had been there till the whole assemblage
+had dispersed, a thousand to one no harm would have ensued."
+
+"I cannot exactly tell at what hour he returned," said the valet, who
+was beginning to fancy that he was not exactly in the right road. "It
+was after nightfall, however."
+
+"Recollect yourself," said Louvois, "was it nine, ten o'clock."
+
+"It might be nearly ten," said the man.
+
+"And, I think," said Louvois, his lip curling with a smile, bitter and
+fiend-like, "I think you were one of those, were you not, who went
+down on the following morning to the spot where the young Marquis de
+Hericourt had been murdered? Your name is amongst those who were seen
+there, so say no more. But now tell me, where is your master at this
+moment?"
+
+Jerome Riquet smarted under a strong perception of having been
+outwitted; and the consequence was, that knowing, or at least
+believing, that when a man falls into one such piece of ill luck, it
+generally goes on, with a sort of run against him; he made up his mind
+to know as little as possible about any thing, for fear of falling
+into a new error, and replied to Louvois' question, that he could not
+tell.
+
+"Is he in his hotel at Versailles, or not, Sir?" said the minister
+sternly; "endeavour to forget for once that you are professionally a
+liar, and give a straight-forward answer, for on your telling truth
+depends your immediate transmission to the Bastille or not. Was your
+master at home when you left the house, or out?"
+
+"He was out then, Sir, certainly," replied Riquet.
+
+"On horseback, or on foot?" demanded Louvois.
+
+"On horseback," replied the man. "Now, answer me one other question,"
+continued the minister. "Have you not been heard, this very morning,
+to tell the head groom to have horses ready to go to Paris?"
+
+"Sir," said Jerome, with a look of impudent raillery that he dared not
+assume towards the King, but which nothing upon earth could have
+repressed in addressing Louvois at that moment, "Sir, I feel convinced
+that I must possess a valet de chambre without knowing it, for nobody
+on earth could repeat my words so accurately, unless I had some
+scoundrel of a valet to betray them as soon as they were spoken."
+
+"Sir, your impudence shall have its just punishment," said Louvois,
+taking up a pen and dipping it in the ink, but the King waved his
+hand, saying, "Put down the pen, Monsieur de Louvois! You forget that
+you are in the King's cabinet and in his presence!--Riquet, you may
+retire."
+
+Riquet did not need a second bidding, but, with a look of profound awe
+and reverence towards Louis, laid his hand upon his heart, lifted up
+his shoulders, like the jaws of a crocodile ready to swallow up his
+head, and bowing almost to the ground, walked backward out of the
+room. Louvois stood before the King, for an instant, with a look of
+angry mortification, which he suppressed with difficulty. Louis
+suffered him to remain thus, and, perhaps, did not enjoy a little the
+humiliation he had inflicted upon a man whom he, more than once in his
+life, declared to be perfectly insupportable, though he could not do
+without him. At length, however, he spoke in a grave but not an angry
+tone, saying,
+
+"From the questions that you asked that man just now, Monsieur de
+Louvois, I am led to believe that you have received some fresh
+information regarding this young gentleman--this Count de Morseiul. My
+determination up to this moment, strengthened by the advice of
+Monsieur de Meaux, Monsieur Pelisson, and others, is simply this: to
+pursue to the utmost the means of persuasion and conciliation in order
+to induce him, by fair means, to return to the bosom of the Catholic
+church."
+
+"Better, Sire," replied Louvois, "far better cut him off like a
+withered and corrupted branch, unfit to be grafted on that goodly
+tree."
+
+"You know, Marquis," said the King, "that I am always amenable to
+reason. I have expressed the determination which I had taken under
+particular circumstances. If you have other circumstances to
+communicate to me which may make me alter that opinion, do so
+straight-forwardly. Kings are as liable to error as other
+men,--perhaps, indeed, more so; for they see truth at a distance, and
+require perspective glasses to examine it well, which are not always
+at hand. If I am wrong I am ready to change my resolution, though it
+is always a part of a king's duty to decide speedily when he can do it
+wisely."
+
+"The simple fact, Sire," replied Louvois, with the mortification under
+which he still smarted affecting his tone of voice; "the simple fact
+is, as your Majesty must have divined from the answers that man gave
+me, I have now clear and distinct proof that this Count de Morseiul
+has, throughout the insignificant but annoying troubles occasioned by
+the Huguenots in Poitou, been the great fomenter of all their
+discontent, and their leader in actual insurrection. He was not only
+present at this preaching in the desert, as these fanatics call it,
+and led all the proceedings, by a speech upon the occasion highly
+insulting to your Majesty's authority and dignity; with all which your
+Majesty has already been made acquainted----"
+
+"But upon not very clear and conclusive evidence," said the King.
+"Upon evidence, Monsieur de Louvois, which should condemn none of my
+subjects before a court of law, and, therefore, not before his
+sovereign. That he made a speech is clear; but some of the witnesses
+deposed, that it was only to recommend moderation and tranquillity,
+and to beseech them, on no account, to appear on such occasions with
+arms."
+
+"All hypocrisy, Sire," replied Louvois. "I have had two of the
+dragoons with me this morning who were present with my unfortunate
+cousin, young De Hericourt, and they are quite ready and willing to
+swear that he, this Count de Morseiul, began the affray by striking
+that young officer from his horse."
+
+"Without provocation?" demanded the King, his brow growing somewhat
+cloudy.
+
+"They saw none given," replied Louvois, "and they were close to him.
+Not only this, but, as it is shown that he did not himself return to
+his own house till late at night; that De Hericourt never returned at
+all; and that the two were angry rivals for the hand of this very
+Mademoiselle de Marly, there is strong reason to believe that they met
+after the affair on the moor, and that the unhappy young man was slain
+by the hand of the Count of Morseiul."
+
+"This is something new, indeed," said the King. "Have you any further
+information, Monsieur de Louvois?"
+
+"Merely the following, Sire," replied the minister, "that, in the
+course of yesterday evening, the famous fanatic minister, Claude de
+l'Estang, the great stay of the self-styled reformed church, who, on
+more than one occasion, in his youth opposed your royal father in
+arms, and has, through life, been the great friend and adviser of
+these Counts of Morseiul, arrived in Paris last night, sent a billet
+down to the Count this morning, and further, that the Count
+immediately went up to visit him. Unfortunately the news was
+communicated to me too late to take measures for tracking the Count
+from Versailles to the hiding-place of the minister, whom it is
+desirable to lay hands upon if possible. The Count was tracked,
+indeed, to his own hotel in Paris; but, just before I came hither, the
+messenger returned to tell me, that as soon as Monsieur de Morseiul
+had arrived at his own house he had gone out again on foot, and all
+further trace of him was lost. What I would urge upon your Majesty's
+attention, then, is this, that if you suffer him to trifle away many
+days, persuading you and good Monsieur Bossuet, that he intends to
+yield and return to the church, you will suffer this affair of the
+preaching, the tumult, the murder of some of your loyal subjects, and
+the previous factious conduct of this young man, to drop and be
+forgotten; and you cannot well revive it after any length of time, as
+it is known, already, that full information has been laid before you
+on the subject. It does seem to me, Sire," continued the minister,
+seeing that Louis was much moved by his reasonings, "it does seem to
+me that you have but one choice. You must either, believing, as I do,
+that the Count de Morseiul has not the slightest intention of ever
+becoming a convert from the heresy which he now professes, determine
+upon arresting him and punishing him for the crimes with which he is
+charged, should they be proved; or else you must grant him your royal
+favour and pardon, put it out of your own power to investigate further
+the matter, bestow upon him the hand of Mademoiselle de Marly, and
+leave fate, and his own inclinations, to convert him to the Catholic
+faith, or not, as may happen."
+
+"I certainly shall not take the latter alternative," replied the King.
+"The circumstances you have brought forward are extremely strong,
+especially this renewed visit to Claude de l'Estang. I am not one to
+show indecision where firmness is necessary, Louvois. In an hour or
+two, whenever I think it probable that he is returned to Versailles, I
+will send to require his presence. I will question him myself upon his
+belief, ascertain the probability of his conversion, and determine at
+once. If I find your statement correct----"
+
+"Sire," cried Louvois, interrupting the King, as was too often his
+custom to do, "there is little use of your asking him any questions
+but one simple one; the answer to which must, at once, satisfy so
+great and magnanimous a mind as yours, and you will see that I
+entertain no feeling of personal enmity to the young man by the
+question that I am about to suggest. If he answer that question
+candidly, straightforwardly, and, at once, in the manner and sense
+which your Majesty can approve, give him your favour, raise him high,
+distinguish him in every manner: but if he prevaricates, hesitates, or
+answers in a sense and manner which your Majesty cannot approve, send
+him to the Bastille."
+
+"But what is the question?" demanded the King eagerly. "What is the
+question, Monsieur de Louvois?"
+
+"This, Sire," replied Louvois: "Monsieur de Morseiul, I beg and
+command of you, as your king and your benefactor, to tell me whether
+there is, or is not, really any chance of your ever becoming a convert
+to the true Catholic faith of this realm?"
+
+Louvois, by putting such a question into the King's mouth, showed not
+only how intimately he was acquainted with Louis's weaknesses, but
+also how well he knew the firmness and candour of the young Count de
+Morseiul. He knew, in short, that the latter would tell the truth, and
+that the former would condemn it.
+
+"Nothing can be fairer," replied the King, "nothing can be fairer,
+Monsieur de Louvois. I will put that question to him exactly, and upon
+his answer to it he shall stand or fall."
+
+"So thoroughly am I convinced, Sire, of what the result will be,"
+continued Louvois, "that I will beseech your Majesty to give me
+authority to have him arrested immediately after he leaves you, in
+case you send me no order to the contrary."
+
+"Certainly," replied the King, "certainly. I will sign the order
+immediately."
+
+"Allow me to remind you, Sire," replied Louvois, "that you signed one
+the other day, which is already in the hands of Cantal, only you
+ordered me to suspend the execution. That will do quite well, and
+Cantal will be at hand to put it in force."
+
+"Be it so," said the Monarch, "be it so: but let Cantal be in the way
+at the time I send for the young Count, that I may signify to him that
+he is not to arrest the Count if the answer I receive satisfies me.
+And now, Monsieur de Louvois, what news regarding this business of
+Dunkirk?"
+
+The King and his minister then turned to other matters, and having
+concluded the principal part of the affairs they had in hand, were
+talking somewhat lightly of other matters, when one of the attendants,
+who knew that the hour of Louvois was over, opened the door and
+interrupted their further conversation, by announcing, to the surprise
+of both, that the Count de Morseiul was in waiting, beseeching,
+earnestly, a moment's audience of the Monarch. The King turned his
+eyes upon Louvois, as if to inquire, "What is the meaning of this?"
+but a moment or two after he bade the attendant give the Count
+admission.
+
+"Then I had better take my leave, Sire," said the minister, "and give
+Cantal a hint to be in readiness;" and taking up the papers from which
+he had been reading some extracts to the Monarch, Louvois bowed low
+and quitted the room.
+
+
+
+                      END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+
+                              VOL. III.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 THE
+
+                               HUGUENOT
+
+                                A TALE
+
+                                  OF
+
+                       THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.
+
+
+
+
+                           BY THE AUTHOR OF
+
+                      "THE GIPSY," "THE ROBBER,"
+                               &c. &c.
+
+
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+                          IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+                              VOL. III.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                               LONDON:
+
+                             PRINTED FOR
+
+               LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
+
+                           PATERNOSTER-ROW.
+
+                                1839.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                         THE UNFORESEEN BLOW.
+
+
+To have judged by the affable and agreeable smile which Louvois bore
+upon his countenance as he passed the young Count de Morseuil in one
+of the anterooms, a stranger to that minister would have imagined that
+he was extremely well disposed towards the gentleman whom he was in
+fact labouring to ruin. No such error, however, could have taken place
+with regard to the aspect with which the King received the young
+Count, which, though not frowning and severe, was grave and somewhat
+stern.
+
+The countenance and conduct of Albert of Morseiul was calm, tranquil,
+and serene; and Louis, who, intending to cut the interview as short as
+possible, had risen, could not help saying within himself, "That looks
+not like the face of a man conscious of crime."
+
+As the King paused while he made this remark to himself, the Count
+imagined that he waited for him to begin and open the cause of his
+coming; and, consequently, he said at once, "Sire, I have ventured to
+intrude upon your Majesty, notwithstanding your intimation that you
+would send for me when your convenience served, inasmuch as I have
+matters of some importance to lay before you, which would bear no
+delay."
+
+"Pray," demanded Louis, "pray, Monsieur de Morseiul, before you
+proceed further, be so good as to inform me, whether the matters to
+which you allude refer to yourself or to the state?"
+
+"By no means to myself," replied the Count, who was not altogether
+satisfied with the King's tone and manner. "They refer entirely to the
+safety of the state and your Majesty. On my own affairs I would not
+have presumed to intrude upon you again."
+
+"Very well, then," said the King dryly, "since such is the case, you
+will be good enough to communicate whatever you may have to say upon
+such subjects to Monsieur de Louvois, Monsieur de Seignelai, or
+Monsieur Colbert de Croissy, as the case may be; such being the usual
+course by which matters of importance are brought to my ears. And now,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, though I have but a single moment to attend to
+any thing at this particular time, let me ask you one question,--Is
+there or is there not any hope of my receiving the great gratification
+of being enabled to show you as much favour and distinction as I could
+wish, by your abjuring the heresy in which you have been unfortunately
+brought up, and seeking repose in the bosom of the Catholic church?"
+
+The Count de Morseiul felt that a crisis in his fate had arrived; but,
+with the question put to him so simply and straight-forwardly, he felt
+that he could not evade the decision, and he would not prevaricate
+even for safety.
+
+"If, Sire," he said, "what your Majesty demands is to know my own
+opinion upon the subject at this moment--"
+
+"I mean, Sir," said the King, "plainly, Do you believe that there
+exists a likelihood of your becoming converted to the Catholic faith?"
+
+"I do not believe so, Sire," replied the Count. "With deep and
+profound respect for your Majesty, with much veneration and regard for
+Monsieur Bossuet, and with all the advantage of being even now reading
+some of his works upon religion, I should be deceiving your Majesty, I
+should be wronging myself, I should be showing myself unworthy of the
+high opinion which Monsieur de Meaux has expressed of me, if I did not
+clearly and distinctly state that I see no likelihood whatsoever of my
+changing opinions instilled into me in infancy."
+
+"Nay, nay," cried the King, considerably moved and struck by the calm,
+yet respectful dignity of the young Count's demeanour. "Think better
+of it! In God's name think better of it! Let me hope that the
+eloquence of Bossuet will prevail--let me hope that I may yet have the
+opportunity of conferring upon you all those favours that I am most
+eager to bestow."
+
+There was an eagerness and sincerity in the King's manner, which
+affected the Count in turn. "Alas, Sire," he said, "what would I not
+do to merit the favour of such a King? but still I must not deceive
+you. Whatever hopes your Majesty is pleased to entertain of my
+conversion to the established religion of the realm, may be derived
+from the knowledge--from the powerful gratitude--which your Majesty's
+generosity and high qualities of every kind must call up in your
+subjects and your servants; or they may arise from your knowledge of
+the deep and persuasive eloquence of the Bishop of Meaux: but they
+must not arise from any thing that I have said, or can say, regarding
+the state of my mind at this moment."
+
+"I grieve, Monsieur de Morseiul, I grieve bitterly to hear it,"
+replied the King; and he then paused, looking down thoughtfully for
+some moments; after which he added, "Let me remonstrate with you, that
+nothing may be left undone, which I can do, to justify me in treating
+you as I could wish. Surely, Monsieur de Morseiul, there can be
+nothing very difficult to believe in that which so many--nay, I may
+say all the holiest, the wisest, and the best have believed, since the
+first preaching of our religion. Surely, the great body of authority
+which has accumulated throughout ages, in favour of the Catholic
+church, is not to be shaken by such men as Luther and Calvin. You
+yourselves acknowledge that there are--as there must ever be when
+heavenly things are revealed to earthly understanding--mysteries which
+we cannot subject to the ordinary test of human knowledge, in the
+whole scheme of our redemption--you acknowledge it; and yet with faith
+you believe in those mysteries, rejecting only those which do not suit
+you, and pretending that the Scripture does not warrant them. But let
+me ask you, upon what authority we are to rely for the right
+interpretation of those very passages? Is it to be upon the word of
+two such men as Luther and Calvin, learned though they might be, or on
+the authority of the church, throughout all ages, supported by the
+unbiassed opinions of a whole host of the learned and the wise in
+every century? Are we to rely upon the opinion of two men, originally
+stirred up by avarice and bad passions, in preference to the whole
+body of saints and martyrs, who have lived long lives of piety and
+holiness, meditating upon those very mysteries which you reject. I am
+but a weak and feeble advocate, Monsieur de Morseiul, and should not,
+perhaps, have raised my voice at all after the eloquence of a Bossuet
+has failed to produce its effect; but my zealous and anxious wish both
+to see you reunited to the church, and to show you that favour which
+such a conversion would justify, have made me say thus much."
+
+The young Count was too prudent by far to enter into any theological
+discussions with the King, and he, therefore, contented himself with
+replying, "I fear, Sire, that our belief is not in our own power. Most
+sincerely do I hope and trust, that, if I be now in the wrong, God may
+open my eyes to the truth. At present however----"
+
+"Say no more, Sir! say no more!" said the King, bending his head as a
+signal that the young nobleman might retire. "I am heartily sorry for
+your state of mind! I had hoped better things. As to any other
+information you may have to communicate, you will be pleased to give
+it to one of the secretaries of state, according to the department to
+which it naturally refers itself."
+
+The King once more bowed his head, and the Count with a low
+inclination retired. "I had better go at once to the apartments of
+Louvois," he thought; "for this affair of Hatréaumont may be already
+on the eve of bursting forth, and I would fain have the last act of my
+stay in my native land one of loyalty to the King who drives me
+forth."
+
+When he reached the open air, then, he turned to the right, to seek
+the apartments of Louvois; but, ere he reached them, he was met by the
+Chevalier de Rohan, whom we have already mentioned, who stopped him
+with a gay and nonchalant air, saying, "Oh, my dear Count, you have
+made my fortune! The hundred louis that you lent me have brought good
+luck, and I am now a richer man than I have been for the last twelve
+months. I won ten thousand franks yesterday."
+
+"And, doubtless, will lose them again today," answered the Count. "I
+wish to Heaven you would change this life--but, my dear Chevalier, I
+must hasten on, for I am on business."
+
+"When shall I have an hour to talk with you, Count?" exclaimed the
+Chevalier de Rohan, still detaining him. "I want very much to explain
+to you my plan for raising myself--I am down low enough, certainly,
+just now."
+
+"When next we meet, Chevalier--when next we meet!" said the Count,
+smiling as he thought of his approaching departure. "I am in great
+haste now."
+
+But ere he could disengage himself from the hold of the persevering
+Chevalier de Rohan, he felt a hand laid gently upon his arm, and
+turning round, saw a gentleman whose face was not familiar to him.
+
+"Monsieur le Comte de Morseiul, I believe," said the stranger; and, on
+the Count bowing his head, he went on. "I have to apologise for
+interrupting your conversation; but I have a word for your private ear
+of some importance."
+
+The Chevalier de Rohan had by this time turned away, with a nod of the
+head; and the Count replied to the other, "I am in some haste, Sir.
+Pray, what may be your pleasure?"
+
+"I have an unpleasant task to perform towards you, Monsieur de
+Morseiul," said the stranger; "but it is my wish to execute it as
+gently and delicately as possible. My orders are to arrest and convey
+you to the Bastille."
+
+The Count de Morseiul felt that painful tightening of the heart which
+every man, thus suddenly stopped in the full career of liberty, and
+destined to be conveyed to long and uncertain imprisonment, to be shut
+out from all the happy sounds and sights of earth, to be debarred all
+the sweet intercourses of friendship and affection, has felt and must
+feel. At the same time all the various points of anxiety and
+difficulty in his situation rushed through his mind with such rapidity
+as to turn him dizzy with the whirling numbers of such painful
+thoughts. Clémence de Marly, whose hand was to have been his that very
+night, the good old pastor, his friends, his servants, all might, for
+aught he knew, be kept in utter ignorance of his fate for many days.
+The hands, too, of the unscrupulous and feelingless instruments of
+despotic power, would be in every cabinet of his house and his
+château, invading all the little storehouses of past affections,
+perhaps scattering to the winds all the fond memorials of the loved
+and dead. The dark lock of his mother's hair, which he had preserved
+from boyhood--the few fragments of her handwriting, and some verses
+that she had composed shortly before her death--all his father's
+letters to him, from the time that he first sent him forth, a gallant
+boy girt with the sword of a high race, to win renown, through all
+that period when the son, growing up in glory, shone back upon his
+father's name the light that he had thence received, and paid amply
+all the cares which had been bestowed upon him, by the joy of his
+great deeds, up to that sad moment, when, with a trembling hand, the
+dying parent announced to his son the commencement and progress of the
+fatal malady that carried him to the grave.--All these were to be
+opened, examined, perhaps dispersed by the cold, if not by the
+scornful; and all the sanctities of private affection violated.
+
+Such and a thousand other such feelings, rapid, innumerable, and, in
+some instances, contradictory to and opposing each other, rushed
+through his bosom in a moment at the announcement of the officer's
+errand. The whole facts of his situation, in short, with every minute
+particular, were conjured up before his eyes, as in a picture, by
+those few words; and the first effort of deliberate thought was made
+while De Cantal went on to say, "As I have said, Monsieur de Morseiul,
+it is my wish to save you any unnecessary pain, and therefore I have
+ordered the carriage, which is to convey you to the Bastille, to wait
+at the further end of the first street. A couple of musketeers and
+myself will accompany you inside; so that there will be no unnecessary
+parade about the matter: and I doubt not that you will be liberated
+shortly."
+
+"I trust it may be so, Sir," replied the Count; "and am obliged to you
+for your kindness. I have violated no law, divine or human; and
+though, of course, I have many sins to atone towards my God, yet I
+have none towards my King. I am quite ready to accompany you, but I
+suppose that I shall not be permitted to return to my own house, even
+to seek those things which may be necessary for my comfort in the
+Bastille."
+
+"Quite impossible, Sir," replied the officer. "It would be as much as
+my head is worth to permit you to set foot in your own dwelling."
+
+The thoughts of the young Count, as may well be supposed, were turned,
+at that moment, particularly to Clémence de Marly; and he was most
+anxious, on every account, to make his servants acquainted with the
+fact of his having been arrested, in the hope that Riquet would have
+the good sense to convey the tidings to the Hôtel de Rouvré. To have
+explained this, in any degree, to the officer who had him in charge,
+would have been to frustrate the whole design; and therefore he
+replied,
+
+"Far be it from me, Sir, to wish you to do any thing but your duty:
+but you see, as I have been accustomed, throughout my life, to
+somewhat perhaps too much luxury, I should be very desirous of
+procuring some changes of apparel. That, I am aware, may be permitted
+to me unless I am to be in the strictest and most severe kind of
+imprisonment which the Bastille admits of. You know by the orders you
+have received whether such is to be the case or not, and of course I
+do not wish you to deviate from your orders. Am I to be kept _au
+secret?_"
+
+"Oh dear no, not at all," replied the officer. "The order merely
+implies your safe custody; and, probably, unless some private commands
+are given farther, you will have what is called the great liberties of
+the Bastille: but still that would not, by any means, justify me in
+permitting you to go to your own house."
+
+"No," replied the Count; "but it renders it perfectly possible--if you
+are, as I believe, disposed to treat a person in my unfortunate
+situation with kindness and liberality--for you to send down one of
+your own attendants to my valet, Jerome Riquet, with my orders to send
+me up, in the course of the day, such clothes as may be necessary for
+a week. Let the message be verbal, so as to guard against any
+dangerous communication; and let the clothes be addressed to the care
+of the governor of the prison, in order that they may be inspected
+before they are given to me."
+
+"Oh, to that, of course, there can be no objection," replied the young
+officer. "We will do it immediately. But we must lose no time,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, for the order is countersigned by Monsieur de
+Louvois, and you know he likes prompt obedience."
+
+The Count accompanied him at a rapid pace, deriving no slight
+consolation under the unhappy circumstances in which he was placed, at
+the idea of Clémence being fully informed of the cause of his not
+appearing at the time he had promised. At the spot which Monsieur de
+Cantal had mentioned, was found a plain carriage, with a coachman and
+lackey in grey, and two musketeers of the guard seated quietly in the
+inside. While the Count was entering the vehicle, the officer called
+the lackey to his side and said, "Run down as fast as possible to the
+house of the Count de Morseiul, and inquire for his valet. What did
+you say his name is, Monsieur de Morseiul?"
+
+"Jerome Riquet," said the Count.
+
+"Ay, Jerome Riquet," said the officer. "Inquire for his valet, Jerome
+Riquet: tell him that the King has judged it right that his master
+should pass a short time in the Bastille, and that, therefore, he must
+send up thither to-night, addressed to the care of the governor, what
+clothes he judges the Count may require. The house is next door but
+one to that of Monsieur de Meaux. Run quick, and take the little alley
+at the end of the street, so that you may join us at the corner of the
+road."
+
+The young officer then entered the carriage, and the coachman drove
+on; but before they proceeded along the high road they were obliged to
+pause for a moment or two, in order to give time for the arrival of
+the lackey, who, when he came, spoke a few words through the window to
+Monsieur de Cantal, in the course of which the word "Exempt" was
+frequently audible.
+
+"That is unpleasant," said the young officer, turning to the Count: "I
+find that an Exempt has been sent to your house already,--to seal up
+your papers, I suppose; and, on hearing the man give the message to
+one of your servants, he was very angry, it seems, sending word to
+wait for him here; but, as I am not under his orders or authority, I
+think I shall even tell the coachman to go on."
+
+He said this in a hesitating tone, however, evidently afraid that he
+had done wrong; and before he could execute his purpose of bidding the
+carriage proceed, the lackey said, "Here comes the Exempt, Sir. Here
+he is!"
+
+In a moment after, a tall, meager, gaunt-looking man, dressed in the
+peculiar robes of an Exempt of the court, with a nose extraordinarily
+red, scarcely any eyebrows, and a mouth which seemed capable of
+swallowing the vehicle that he approached and all that it contained,
+came up to the side of the carriage, and spoke to the young officer
+through the window. The words that passed between them seemed to be
+sharp; and, at length, the Exempt exclaimed, in a louder tone, so as
+to be completely audible to the Count--although his articulation was
+of that round spluttering kind which rendered it very difficult to
+make out what he said--"I shall do so, however, Sir; I shall do so,
+however. I have authority for what I do. I will suffer no such
+communications as these, and I will not quit the carriage till I have
+seen the prisoner safely lodged in the hands of the governor of the
+Bastille."
+
+"Well, Sir," replied the officer, a little heated; "if you choose to
+overstep your duty I cannot help it, and certainly shall not attempt
+to prevent your going with the coachman if you think fit. In the
+inside of the carriage you shall not come, for there I will guard my
+prisoner myself."
+
+"That you may do, Sir, if you like," cried the Exempt, shaking the
+awful mass of wig in which his head was plunged: "but I will take care
+that there shall be no more communications.--Linen! What the devil
+does a prisoner in the Bastille want with linen? Why, in the very
+first packet sent to him there might be all sorts of treasonable
+things written upon the linen. Have we not heard of ink of sympathy
+and all manner of things?"
+
+"Well, well, Sir," exclaimed the young officer: "I saw no harm in what
+I was doing, or else I should not have done it. But get up, if you are
+going to get up, for I shall order the coachman to go on."
+
+The Exempt sprang up the high and difficult ascent which led to a
+coachbox of those days, with a degree of activity which could hardly
+have been expected from a person of his pompous dignity, and the coach
+then drove on upon its weary way to Paris.
+
+"A very violent and self-conceited person, indeed, that seems to be,"
+said the Count. "Do you know him?"
+
+"Not I," replied the young officer, "though he threatens to make me
+know him pretty sufficiently, by complaining to Louvois about sending
+for these cursed clothes of yours."
+
+The officer was evidently out of temper; and the Count, therefore,
+left him to himself, and fell into a fit of musing over his own
+situation. That fit of musing, dark and painful as it was, lasted,
+without cessation, till the vehicle entered one of the suburbs of the
+great city of Paris. There, however, it met with an interruption of a
+very unexpected kind; for, in trying to pass between two heavy carts,
+which were going along in opposite directions, the coachman contrived
+to get the wheels of the carriage locked with those of both the other
+vehicles; and with such force was this done that the lackey behind was
+thrown down and hurt, the Exempt himself nearly pitched off the
+coachbox, and obliged to cling with both his hands, while the coachman
+lost his hat and the reins.
+
+The idea of making his escape crossed the mind of the Count de
+Morseiul; but he evidently saw that even if he were out of the
+carriage, surrounded as he was by a great number of people, without
+any large sum of money upon his person, and with the eyes of the
+officer, the musketeers, and the Exempt upon him, it would be vain to
+make the attempt.
+
+To render the situation of the vehicle as bad as possible, one of the
+horses, either irritated by the uncouth and not very gentle terms with
+which the coachman attempted to back out of the difficulty, or galled
+by part of the cart pressing upon it, began to kick most vehemently;
+and Monsieur de Cantal, the officer, having previously sent the two
+musketeers to aid the coachman and the Exempt in disentangling the
+carriage, now showed a strong inclination to go himself. After looking
+anxiously at the Count de Morseiul for a moment, he at length said, "I
+must either go and set those men right, or suffer the carriage to be
+kicked to pieces. If I go, Monsieur de Morseiul, will you give me your
+word not to try to escape?"
+
+The Count paused for an instant; but then the same consideration
+returned upon him, and he replied, "Go, Sir, go: I do give you my
+word."
+
+The officer then sprang out; but scarcely had he been away a moment,
+when the head of the Exempt appeared looking in at the window. "Hist,
+hist, Monsieur de Morseiul!" he said, in a voice totally different
+from that which he had used before, and which was wonderfully familiar
+to the ears of the Count; "hist, hist! On the very first linen you
+receive, there will be information written for you. It will be
+invisible to all eyes till it is held to the fire. But the flame of a
+strong lamp will do, if you cannot sham an ague and get some wood to
+warm you."
+
+"I can scarcely believe my eyes," said the Count, in the same low
+voice.
+
+"Do not doubt them, do not doubt them," said the Exempt. "I knew of
+your arrest before you knew of it yourself, but could not warn you,
+and was making all ready when the man came to the hotel. I have
+sacrificed much for you, Count; as goodly a pair of eyebrows as ever
+valet had in this world; and I dare not blow my nose for fear of
+wiping off the paint: Louvois outwitted me this morning, and now I'll
+outwit him if I have but time. Heavens, how that beast is plunging and
+kicking! The pin I ran into its stomach is sticking there yet I
+suppose; ay, she's quieter now; here they come, and I must
+splutter.--Monsieur," he said, as the officer now returned to the side
+of the carriage, "Monsieur, this is guarding your prisoner securely,
+is it not? Here I come to the window and find not a single soul to
+prevent his escaping, when he might have got out in a moment, and run
+up the Rue de Bièvre, and passed through the Rue de l'Ecole, and
+across the Place de l'Université, and then down to the river----"
+
+"Psha!" said the officer impatiently; "let me have no more of this
+impertinence, Sir. The Count gave me his word that he would not
+escape. If I deliver my prisoner safely at the Bastille, that is
+sufficient, and I will not have my conduct questioned. If you have any
+complaint to make, make it to Monsieur de Louvois. Come, get up, Sir,
+don't answer; the carriage is now clear, and enough of it left
+together to carry us to the Bastille. Go on, coachman."
+
+The coachman, however, pertinaciously remained in a state of
+tranquillity, till the Exempt was once more comfortably seated by his
+side; and then the carriage rolling on through the back streets of the
+capital, made a little turn by the Rue de Jean Beausire, into the Rue
+St. Antoine, and approached the gates of that redoubted prison, in
+which so many of the best and noblest in France have lingered out, at
+different times, a part of their existence. To few, to very few, have
+the tall gloomy towers of that awful fortress appeared without
+creating feelings of pain and apprehension; and however confident he
+might be of his own innocence, however great might be his trust in the
+good providence and protection of God, however strong he might be in a
+good cause and a firm spirit, it cannot be denied that Albert of
+Morseiul felt deeply and painfully, and with an anxious and a
+sickening heart, his entrance into that dark solitary abode of crime,
+and sorrow, and suffering.
+
+The carriage drew up just opposite the drawbridge, and the officer
+getting out, left his prisoner in charge of the two musketeers, and
+went forward to speak to the officer on guard at the gates. To him he
+notified, in due form, that he had brought a prisoner, with orders
+from the King for his incarceration; and the carriage, was kept for
+some time standing there, while the officer on guard proceeded to the
+dwelling of the governor, to demand the keys of the great gates. When
+he had obtained them and returned, the doors were opened; the guard
+was turned out under arms; the great drawbridge let down; the bell
+which communicated with the interior of the building rung; and the
+vehicle containing the Count, slowly rolled on into the outer court,
+called the Cour du Gouvernement.
+
+There the carriage paused, the governor of the prison having expressed
+his intention of coming down to receive the prisoner from the hands of
+the officer who brought him: otherwise, the carriage would have gone
+on into the inner court. A short pause ensued, and at length the
+well-known Besmaux was seen approaching, presenting exactly that
+appearance which might be expected from his character; for the traits
+of debauchery, levity, and ferocity, which distinguished his actual
+life, had stamped themselves upon his countenance in ineffacable
+characters.
+
+"Ah, good day, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, as the door of the
+carriage opened, and the Count descended. "Monsieur de Cantal, your
+very humble servant. Gentlemen, both, you had better step into the
+Corps de Garde, where I will receive your prisoner, Monsieur de
+Cantal, and read the letters for his detention."
+
+Thus saying, with a slow and important step he walked into the
+building, seated himself, called for pen and ink, and a light, and
+then read the King's letter for the arrest and imprisonment of the
+Count de Morseiul.
+
+"Monsieur de Louvois is varying these letters every day," he said;
+"one never knows what one is doing. However, there stands the King's
+name, and that is quite enough; so, Monsieur de Morseiul, you are
+welcome to the Bastille. You are to have our great liberties, I
+suppose. I must beg you to give me your sword, however, and also every
+thing you have about your person, if you please; letters, papers,
+money, jewels, and every thing else, in short, except your seal, or
+your signet ring, which you keep for the purposes about to be
+explained to you."
+
+With very painful feelings the Count unbuckled his sword, and laid it
+down upon the table. He then gave up all the money that he possessed,
+one or two ordinary papers of no import, and the other usual articles
+of the same kind, which are borne about the person. The note which he
+had received from Clémence in the morning, he had luckily destroyed.
+While this was doing, the governor continued to write, examining the
+different things that he put down before him, and he then said, "Is
+this all, Sir?"
+
+"It is," replied the Count, "upon my word."
+
+"One of the men must put his hands in your pocket, Count," said the
+governor; "that is a ceremony everyone has to undergo here." The
+prisoner shut his teeth hard, but made no remark, and offered no
+resistance, though, if he had given way to his feelings, he would
+certainly have dashed the man to the ground at once, who, with
+unceremonious hands, now searched his person. When that also was over,
+Besmaux wrote down a few more words at the end of the list of things
+he had made out, and handed it to the Count to read. The only
+observation that the young nobleman made, was, that the governor had
+put down his sword as having a silver hilt, when the hilt was of gold.
+
+"Ah, it is of gold, is it?" said de Besmaux, taking it up and looking
+at it, while several of the attendants who stood round grinned from
+ear to ear. "Well, we will alter it, and put it down gold. Now,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, will you have the goodness to sign that paper,
+which, with these letters, we fold up thus? and now with the seal
+which you retain, you will have the goodness to seal them, and write
+your name round the seal."
+
+With all these forms the Count complied, and the governor then
+intimated to him, that he was ready to conduct him into the interior
+of the Bastille, the spot where they then were, though within the
+walls and drawbridge, being actually considered as without the
+château.
+
+"Here, then, I take leave of you, Monsieur de Morseiul," said the
+officer who had brought him thither, "and I will do my best, on my
+return to Versailles, to insure that the clothes you want shall be
+sent, notwithstanding the interference of that impertinent Exempt, who
+took himself off on the outside of the drawbridge, and has doubtless
+gone back to lay his complaint against me before Louvois. I know the
+King, however; and knowing that he wishes no one to be treated with
+harshness or severity, have therefore no fear of the consequences."
+
+The Count held out his hand to him frankly. "I am very much obliged to
+you, Monsieur de Cantal," he said, "for the kindness and politeness
+you have shown me. It is at such moments as these, that kindness and
+politeness become real benefits."
+
+The officer took his hand respectfully, and then, without more words,
+retired; the carriage passed out; the gates creaked upon their hinges;
+and the heavy drawbridge swung slowly up, with a jarring sound of
+chains, and heavy iron work, sadly harmonious with the uses of the
+building, which they shut out from the world.
+
+The governor then led the way towards the large and heavy mass of
+gloomy masonry, with its eight tall gaunt towers, which formed the
+real prison of the Bastille, and approached the gate in the centre,
+that looked towards the gardens and buildings of the arsenal. The
+drawbridge there was by this time down, and the gates were open for
+the admission of the prisoner; while what was called the staff of the
+Bastille stood ready to receive him, and the guard of the grand court
+was drawn up in line on either side.
+
+"You see we have an extensive court here," said the governor, leading
+the way. "It is somewhat dark to be sure, on account of the buildings
+being so high; but, however, some of our people, when they have been
+accustomed to it for a year or two, find it cheerful enough. We will
+put you, I think, Monsieur de Morseiul, into what is called the Tower
+of Liberty, both because the name is a pleasant name--though it is but
+a name after all, either here or elsewhere--and also because it is
+close to the library, and as long as you have the great liberties,
+as they are called, you may go in there, and amuse yourself. Most of
+you Huguenots, I believe, are somewhat of bookworms, and when a man
+cannot find many of the living to talk to, he likes just as well to
+talk to the dead. I do not suppose, that, like some of our inmates
+here on their first arrival, you are going to mope and pine like a
+half-starved cat, or a sick hen. It is hard to bear at first I
+acknowledge; but there's nothing like bearing a thing gaily after all.
+This way, Monsieur de Morseiul, this way, and I will show you your
+apartment."
+
+He accordingly led him to the extreme angle of the grand court on the
+left hand, where a large transverse mass of architecture, containing
+the library, the hall of the council, and various other apartments,
+separated that part from the lesser court, called the Court of the
+well. A small stone doorway opened the way to a narrow spiral
+staircase, which made the head dizzy with its manifold turning; and
+about halfway up the steps the governor paused, and opened a door
+which communicated by a narrow but crooked passage, with a single
+tolerable sized chamber, handsomely furnished.
+
+"You see we treat you well, Monsieur de Morseiul," said Besmaux; "and
+if any thing can be done to make your residence here pleasant, we
+shall not fail to do it. There is but little use, if any, of causing
+doors to be locked or sentries to be placed. Some of the guards, or
+some of the officers of the staff, will be very willing to show you as
+much as is right of the rest of the building: and, in the mean time,
+can I serve you?"
+
+"In nothing, I am afraid," replied the Count. "I have neither clothes,
+nor baggage, nor any thing else with me, which will put me to some
+inconvenience till they send it to me; but I understand that orders
+have been given to that effect already; and I should only be glad to
+have any clothes and linen that may arrive as soon as possible."
+
+"I will see to it, I will see to it," replied Besmaux. "You have dined
+of course, Count; but to-night you will sup with me."
+
+"If my stay here is to be long," said the Count, after thanking the
+governor for his invitation, "I should, of course, be very glad to
+have the attendance of a domestic. I care not much, indeed, whether it
+be one of my own, or whether it be one with which you can supply me
+for the time, but I am not used to be without some sort of
+attendance."
+
+The governor smiled. "You must not be nice in the Bastille, Monsieur
+de Morseiul," he said; "we all do with few attendants here, but we
+will see what can be done for you. At present we know nothing, but
+that here you are. The order for your reception is of that kind which
+leaves every thing doubtful but the fact that, for the time, you are
+not to be confined very strictly; and, indeed, as the letter is
+somewhat informal, as every thing is that comes from the hands of
+Monsieur de Louvois, I must write to him again for farther
+information. As soon as I receive it, the whole shall be arranged as
+far as I can to your satisfaction. In the mean time we will give you
+every indulgence, as far as our own general rules will allow, though,
+perhaps, you will think that share of indulgence very small."
+
+The Count expressed his thanks in commonplace terms, well knowing the
+character of Besmaux, and that his fair speeches only promised a
+degree of courtesy which his actions generally failed to fulfil.
+
+After lingering for a moment or two, the governor left his prisoner in
+the abode assigned to him, and returned to his own dwelling, without
+locking the door of the apartment.
+
+There are states of mind in which the necessity of calm contemplation
+is so strong and overpowering, that none of the ordinary motives which
+affect our nature have any influence upon us for the time,--states in
+which even vanity the most irritable, and curiosity the most active of
+our moral prompters in this world, slumber inactive, and leave thought
+and judgment paramount. Such was the case with the Count de Morseiul.
+Although he had certainly been interested with every thing concerning
+the prison, which was to be his abode for an undefined length of time;
+although all that took place indicative of his future destiny was, of
+course, not without attraction and excitement, he had grown weary of
+the formalities of his entrance into the Bastille, less because they
+were wearisome in themselves than because he longed to be alone, and
+to have a few minutes for calm and silent reflection.
+
+When he did come to reflect, however, the prospect presented was dark,
+gloomy, and sad. He was cut off from the escape he had meditated. The
+only thing that could have saved him from the most imminent dangers
+and difficulties, the only scheme which he had been able to fall upon
+to secure even the probability of peace and safety upon earth, had
+been now frustrated. The charges likely to be brought against him, if
+once averred by the decision of a court of justice, were such as, he
+well knew, could not and would not be followed by pardon; and when he
+looked at the chances that existed of those charges being sanctioned,
+confirmed, and declared just, by any commission that might sit to try
+him, he found that the probabilities were altogether against him; and
+that if party feeling biassed the opinion of one single magistrate,
+his cause was utterly lost. In cases where circumstantial evidence is
+every thing--and therein lies the horror and danger of judging by
+circumstantial evidence--so light a word, so small a turn will give a
+completely different view to the whole circumstances of any case, will
+so completely prejudice the question, and bias the minds of hearers,
+that he was quite aware if any zealous Catholics should be engaged in
+the task of persecuting him to the last, he could scarcely hope to
+escape from such serious imputations, as would justify perhaps his
+permanent detention, if not his death. He had been at the meeting of
+the Protestants on the moor, which though not illegal at the time, had
+been declared to be so since. He had then addressed the people, and
+had exhorted them to tranquillity and to peace; but where were the
+witnesses to come from in order to prove that such was the case. He
+had gone unarmed to that meeting; but others had been there in arms
+and with arms concealed. He, himself, with his own hand, had struck
+the first blow, from which such awful consequences had sprung; but how
+was he to prove the provocation which he had, in the first instance,
+received; or the protection which he had afterwards given to the base
+and unworthy young man, who had escaped from death by his means, only
+to become a murderer the moment after. The only witnesses that he
+could call were persons of the party inimical to the court, who might
+now be found with difficulty--when emigration was taking place from
+every part of France,--who would only be partially believed if they
+could be heard, and who would place themselves in danger by bearing
+testimony on his behalf.
+
+The witnesses against him would be the hired miscreants who had fired
+into a body of unoffending people, but who were of the religion of the
+judges, the unscrupulous adherents of the cause to which those judges
+were bound by every tie of interest and of prejudice, and who were
+serving under a monarch that, on one terrible occasion, had stepped in
+to overrule the decision of a court of justice, and to inflict severer
+punishment than even his own creatures had dared to assign. Death,
+therefore, seemed to be the only probable end of his imprisonment,
+death, or eternal loss of liberty! and the Count knew the court, and
+the character of those with whom he had to deal, too well, to derive
+any degree of consolation from the lenity with which he was treated at
+first.
+
+Had he been now in heart and mind, as he was not very long before,
+when quitting the army on the signature of the truce he had returned
+to the home of his ancestors, the prospect would have been far less
+terrible to him, far less painful. His heart was then in some degree
+solitary, his mind was comparatively alone in the world. He had spent
+the whole of his active life in scenes of danger and of strife. He had
+confronted death so often, that the lean and horrid monster had lost
+his terrors and become familiar with one, who had seemed to seek his
+acquaintance as if in sport. His ties to the world had been few; for
+the existence of bright days, and happy careless moments, and splendid
+fortune, and the means of luxury and enjoyment at command, are not the
+things that bind and attach us to life. The tie, the strong, the
+mighty tie of deep and powerful affection to some being, or beings,
+like himself, had been wanting. There were many that he liked; there
+were many that he esteemed; there were many he protected and supported
+even at that time; but he knew and felt that if he were gone the next
+moment, they would be liked, and esteemed, and supported, and
+protected by others, and would feel the same, or nearly the same,
+towards those who succeeded as towards him, when he had passed away
+from the green and sunny earth and left them to the care of newer
+friends.
+
+But now other ties had arisen around him--ties, the strength, the
+durability, the firm pressure of which he had never known before.
+There was now a being on the earth to whom he was attached by feelings
+that can only once be felt, for whom he, himself, would have been
+ready to sacrifice every thing else; who for him, and for his love,
+had shewn herself willing to cast from her all of those bright and
+pageant-like days of splendour, in which she had once seemed to take
+so much delight. The tie, the strong tie of human affection--the
+rending of which is the great and agonising pang of death--had twined
+itself round his heart, and bound every feeling and every thought. The
+great, the surpassing quality of sentient being, the capability of
+loving, and being loved, had risen up to crush and to leave void all
+the lesser things of life, but also to give death terrors that it knew
+not before; to make the grave the bitter parting place where joy ends
+for ever, and to poison the shaft that lays us low with venom that is
+felt in agony ere the dark, dreamless sleep succeeds and extinguishes
+all.
+
+But was this all that rendered his situation now more terrible than it
+had been before? Alas, no! The sense of religion was strong, and he
+might confidently trust that though earthly passion ended with the
+grave, and the mortal fire of his love for Clémence de Marly would
+there become extinct--he might confidently trust that, in another
+world, with his love for her exalted as well as purified, rendered
+more intense and sublime, though less passionate and human, they
+should meet again, known to each other, bound together by the immortal
+memory of vast affection, and only distinct from other spirits, bright
+and happy as themselves, by the glorious consciousness of love, and
+the intense happiness of having loved well, loved nobly, and to the
+last.
+
+Such might have been his consolation in the prospect of parting with
+her who had become so dear to him, if he had left her in calm and
+peaceful security, in a happy land, and without danger or difficulty
+surrounding her. But when he thought of the religion she had embraced,
+of the perils which surrounded her at every step, of the anguish which
+would fall upon her at his fate, of the utterly unprotected,
+uncomforted, unconsoled state in which she must remain, the heart of
+the strong warrior failed, and the trust of the Christian was drowned
+in human tears.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                          THE CONSPIRATORS.
+
+
+In such dark anticipations and gloomy reflections, as we have
+mentioned in the end of the last chapter, the Count de Morseiul passed
+the solitary hours, till a servant appeared to conduct him to the
+supper table of the governor. Had he not wished to think, indeed, he
+might have easily found amusement, either in the court below, where a
+number of the other prisoners were walking, or in the small library of
+the château; but he did wish to think, and however sad and sombre the
+stream of thought might be at that moment, its course only seemed too
+soon interrupted.
+
+The governor was civil, and even intended to be very affable; but
+Albert of Morseiul was not of a character to be amused with the
+anecdotes of a debauched soldier's life; and the only variety which
+the conversation of Besmaux afforded were tales of the regency of Anne
+of Austria, which, though they might at any other moment have served
+to entertain an idle hour, were too light and insignificant to take
+hold of a mind agitated and writhing like that of the Count.
+
+The governor thought his guest very dull, and, after having made
+various essays to enliven him, he proposed that they should sit down
+to play for sums, written upon pieces of paper, which were to be
+accounted for after the Count's liberation. The young nobleman would
+have certainly lost the good opinion of Besmaux for ever by declining
+this proposal, had it not so occurred that two incidents intervened
+which prevented him from pressing it. The first was the arrival of a
+large packet of linen and other clothes for the use of the Count; and
+the governor, who found a real pleasure in the execution of the task
+of a gaoler, proceeded to examine with his own eyes and hands every
+separate article which had been sent. It may be supposed that, after
+the intimation which he had received on the road, the young Count's
+heart felt no slight agitation and interest during the scrutiny; but
+if any thing was written in the manner which Riquet had stated, no
+discovery thereof was made; and, having completely satisfied himself,
+Besmaux ordered the packet to be carried to the chamber of the Count.
+
+The little excitement thus produced had scarcely worn away, when
+the great bell was heard to ring, and the officer upon guard
+appeared to demand the keys. According to the usual form the governor
+demanded--"For whose admission?"
+
+"For the admission," said the officer, reading from a scrap of paper,
+"for the admission of Louis de Rohan, called the Chevalier de Rohan."
+
+The governor started up in some surprise--"On what charge?" he
+demanded.
+
+"For high treason," replied the officer; and Besmaux immediately gave
+orders for the Chevalier to be brought to his apartments. "Monsieur
+de Morseiul," he said, "you will be good enough to follow that
+porte-clef, who will conduct you back to your chamber. Do you feel it
+cold?--for the King allows firing."
+
+"I have felt it slightly cold," the Count replied, "and of course the
+state of a prisoner does not tend to warm the heart."
+
+"Give wood to the Count in his chamber," said Besmaux, to one of the
+turnkeys, who had entered at the same time with the officer on guard;
+"and now, good night, Count. No word to the prisoner, if you pass him
+on the stairs!"
+
+The Count rose and departed; and, as the governor had anticipated, met
+the Chevalier de Rohan at the foot of the stairs. That unfortunate
+gentleman was guarded by a musketeer on either side, and a man holding
+a torch preceding him. The moment that his eye fell upon the Count de
+Morseuil, he stopped, and appeared as if he were about to speak: but
+an officer who was behind, and, in whom the Count de Morseiul
+instantly recognised the Marquis of Brissac, major of the King's
+guard, exclaimed aloud, "Pass on, Monsieur de Rohan!"
+
+The Count, who certainly had no desire to hold any communications with
+him, merely bowed his head, and followed by the turnkey, passed out
+into the court. Though Brissac knew him well, he took not the
+slightest notice of him as he passed, and the Count was conducted to
+his chamber in the tower of liberty, as it was called, where firing
+and lights were almost immediately afterwards brought him. On leaving
+him, however, the turnkey showed, by locking the heavy door without,
+that the name of the tower had but little real meaning, and the harsh
+sound of the grating iron fell heavy and painfully upon the Count's
+ear.
+
+There was, however, the hope before him of receiving some intelligence
+from his friends without, and as soon as he had made sure that the
+turnkey was gone for the night, he eagerly opened the packet of
+clothes that had been sent, and endeavoured, by the means which had
+been pointed out, to discover any thing which might be written on
+them. At first he was disappointed, and was beginning to fear that
+Riquet had been prevented from executing the purpose which he had
+entertained. At length, however, as he held one of the handkerchiefs
+before the fire, some slight yellow lines began to appear, grew
+gradually darker and darker, and assumed the form of letters, words,
+lines, and sentences. The first thing that was written at the top was
+in the hand of the valet himself, and contained words of hope and
+encouragement. It was to the following effect:--
+
+"Fear not; you shall soon be free. The lady has been told of all. The
+priest has gone safely back to Poitou. No suspicion attaches to any
+one, and means are taking to do away the evil."
+
+The next sentences were in a different handwriting; and perhaps the
+young Count might not have been able to recognise whose it was--so
+different did it seem upon the linen, and in that ink, from the usual
+writing of Clémence,--had not the words been sufficient to show him
+from whom it proceeded.
+
+"Fear not, dear Albert," the writing went; "I have heard all and
+grieve, but do not despond. I have been sent for to see one to-morrow
+morning early, who is all-powerful. She loved me in my childhood; she
+promised me many things in my youth, which I was too proud to accept;
+but I will now cast all pride away for the sake of him I love."
+
+A few lines more were written still further down, but as the Count was
+turning eagerly to read them, numerous sounds were heard from the
+court below, the clang of soldiers grounding their arms, and voices
+speaking, and the moment after, various footsteps might be
+distinguished ascending the staircase which came towards the room.
+Fearful that he should be discovered, the Count concealed the
+handkerchief in his bosom; but the steps passed by the door of his
+apartment, and, immediately after, heavy footfalls were heard in the
+room above, with voices speaking in sharp and angry tones. Those
+sounds soon ceased above, however; four or five persons were heard to
+descend the stairs, and then all became quiet, except that a quick
+footstep was still heard pacing backwards and forwards in the
+apartment over head.
+
+"That is the Chevalier de Rohan," thought the Count. "What crime I
+wonder can that weak libertine have committed, to deserve the rigorous
+imprisonment to which it seems he is to be subjected?"
+
+With such brief thought, however, he dismissed the subject from his
+mind, and turned once more to the writing. By this time it had nearly
+vanished; but being again exposed to the fire it re-appeared, though
+more faintly than before. Fearful of interruption, the Count turned to
+the last lines which he had not read. They seemed to him, as far as he
+could judge, to be written in the hand of the Chevalier d'Evran, whom,
+to say sooth, in the joys and fears and agitations of the few
+preceding days, he had nearly forgotten.
+
+"I have just returned to Paris, dear Albert," it said, "having gone
+down to Poitou to secure evidence, which they would never have
+suffered to transpire, if some friend of yours had not been upon the
+spot. I have secured it. Fear not, therefore, for I and your belle
+Clémence are labouring together to set you free."
+
+Oh, human nature, strange and extraordinary state of existence, how
+many contradictions dost thou contain! Although filled with such good
+hopes, although containing such proofs of friendship, although
+conveying such important intelligence, the lines written by the
+Chevalier d'Evran were not altogether pleasing to the Count de
+Morseiul, and he felt sensations that he was angry with himself for
+feeling, but which all his schooling of his own heart could scarcely
+banish.
+
+"I shall hate myself," he continued, "if I feel thus. Must there ever
+be some counterbalancing thing in life and in feeling, to poize the
+bad against the good, and to make us less happy, less wise, less
+generous than we otherwise might be? Here new sensations have sprung
+up in my bosom, of a deeper and a finer kind than I ever knew before;
+and must there come some petty jealousy, some small, low, mean want of
+confidence, even in those I esteem and love to debase me as much as
+those other feelings might elevate me? I will think of such things no
+more; and will only think of Louis with gratitude and affection."
+
+Thus saying, or rather thus thinking, he re-read the lines that had
+been written by Clémence, and found therein a balm and a consolation
+which healed all the evil of the other. Having done so, his next care
+was to efface the writing; but that he found by no means difficult,
+damping the handkerchief in the cruise of water which had been left
+for him, and which, in a few minutes, left not a vestige of the lines
+which had been traced for his eye alone. He sat up for some time after
+this examination, soothed and calmed by the tidings he had received,
+and certainly far more tranquil in every respect than during the first
+few hours of his confinement.
+
+The waning of the lights, however, which had been given to him, warned
+him, at length, that it was time to retire to rest, and after some
+brief prayers to the Almighty for guidance, protection, and
+deliverance, he undressed himself, extinguished the lights, and lay
+down to seek repose; but it was in vain that he did so, for as he lay
+on the small prison bed which was allotted to him, and gazed round
+upon the massy walls of the chamber in which he was confined, with the
+flickering light of the half-extinguished fire flashing from time to
+time on all the various objects round about, the sensation of
+imprisonment, of the utter loss of liberty, of being cut off from all
+correspondence or communication with his fellow-men, of being in the
+power and at the mercy of others, without any appeal against their
+will, or any means of deliverance from their hands, came upon him more
+strongly, more forcibly than ever, and made a heart, not easily bent
+or affected by any apprehensions, sink with a cold feeling of deep and
+utter despondency.
+
+Thus passed several hours till, at length, weariness overcame thought,
+and he obtained sleep towards the morning. He was awakened by the
+entrance of one of the turnkeys, accompanied by the major of the
+Bastille; but the tidings which the latter officer brought to the
+Count de Morseiul were by no means pleasant, or calculated to confirm
+the hopes that the words of Clémence and the Chevalier d'Evran had
+held out to him.
+
+"I am sorry to tell you, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, "that the
+governor last night received orders from Monsieur de Louvois to place
+you in stricter confinement, and he is, therefore, obliged to say that
+you can no longer be permitted to quit your chamber. Any thing that
+can be done, consistent with his duty, to render your confinement less
+painful to you, shall be done, depend upon it."
+
+The officer was then bowing, as if to retire; but the Count stopped
+him by asking, "Is there any objection to my inquiring, Sir, whether
+there is a cause assigned for this new order?"
+
+"In regard to that I am as ignorant as yourself," replied the major.
+"All I can tell is, that the order was brought by Monsieur de Brissac
+at the same time that he conveyed hither the Chevalier de Rohan," and,
+without waiting for any further questions, he quitted the room in
+haste; and the turnkey, having brought the Count his breakfast, and,
+as far as possible, arranged the room with some degree of neatness,
+followed the major and locked the door.
+
+The full horrors of imprisonment now fell upon the Count de Morseiul,
+and the day wore away without his holding any further intercourse with
+any human being, except when his dinner and his supper were brought to
+him by one of the turnkeys. We need not pause upon his sensations, nor
+describe minutely all the dark and horrible anticipations which rose,
+like phantoms, to people his solitary chamber. Night came at length,
+and this night, at least, he slept; for the exhaustion of his
+corporeal frame, by the intense emotions of his mind, was far greater
+than that which could have been produced by a day of the most unusual
+exercise. Day had scarcely dawned on the following morning, however,
+when he was roused by two of the officers of the prison entering his
+chamber, and desiring him to rise, as an officer from the King was
+waiting to convey him to the royal chamber, at the arsenal, where a
+commission was sitting for the purpose of interrogating him and his
+accomplices. The Count made no observation, but hastened to do as he
+was directed; and, as soon as he was dressed, he descended the narrow
+and tortuous staircase into the great court of the Bastille, where he
+found the soldiers of the garrison drawn up in arms on either side,
+together with a number of officers belonging to the staff of the
+garrison, various turnkeys and other gaolers, and in their hands,
+evidently as prisoners, the unfortunate Chevalier de Rohan, and an old
+white-headed man, apparently of seventy years of age, with a shrewd
+and cunning countenance, more strongly expressive of acuteness than
+vigour of mind.
+
+Without suffering him to speak with any one, the officers of the
+prison placed him in file immediately after the Chevalier de Rohan--a
+gaoler, however, interposing between each of the prisoners and the one
+that followed;--and thus, between a double row of soldiery, they
+marched on into the _Cour du Gouvernement_, as if they were about to
+be conducted to the house of the governor. When they reached that
+court, however, they turned at once to the left, mounted a flight of
+steps leading to a raised terrace which overlooked the water, and then
+passing onward, approached the grating which separated that court from
+the gardens of the arsenal.
+
+At the grating appeared a large body of musketeers, commanded by an
+officer of the name of Jouvelle, who had served under the Count de
+Morseiul himself, and into his hands the officers of the Bastille
+delivered their prisoners, who were then marched, under a strong
+escort, to the arsenal, where the commission was sitting. All the
+gates of the gardens and of the building itself, the Count remarked,
+were in the hands of the musketeers of the King, and not another
+individual was to be seen besides the soldiery, in the gardens usually
+so thronged with the good citizens of Paris.
+
+Passing through several of the narrow and intricate passages of the
+building, the three prisoners were placed in a room which seemed to
+have been destined for a military mess-room; and, while they were kept
+separate by their guards, an inferior officer was sent out to see
+whether the commission was ready to proceed. In a few minutes he
+returned with two officers of the court, who demanded the presence of
+Louis Chevalier de Rohan.
+
+The interrogation of this prisoner lasted for a great length of
+time; but, at the end of about an hour and a half, the same officers
+re-appeared, demanding the presence of Affinius Vandenenden, upon
+which the old man, whom we have mentioned, rose and followed them out
+of the room. The Chevalier, however, had not returned with the
+officers, and during the space of half an hour longer the Count de
+Morseiul remained in suspense, in regard to what was proceeding. At
+length the officers once more appeared, and with them the captain of
+the musketeers, de Jouvelle, who, while the ushers pronounced the name
+of "Albert Count of Morseiul," passed by the prisoner, as if to speak
+to one of the soldiers, saying, in a low voice, as he did so, "Be of
+good cheer, Count; they have said nothing to criminate you."
+
+The Count passed on without reply, and followed the ushers into
+another chamber at the farther end of the passage, where he found a
+number of lawyers and counsellors of state assembled as a royal
+commission, and presided by the well-known La Reynie. The aspect of
+the room was not that of a court of justice, and it was evident that
+the commissioners met simply for the purpose of carrying on the
+preliminary interrogatories. The Count was furnished with a seat, and
+after a whispering consultation, for a moment, between La Reynie and
+one of his brethren, the former commenced the interrogation of the
+Count by assuring him of the clemency and mercy of the King's
+disposition, and adjuring him to tell, frankly and straight-forwardly,
+the whole truth, as the only means of clearing his reputation, and
+re-establishing himself in the royal favour. To this exordium the
+Count de Morseiul merely replied by an inclination of the head, very
+well knowing that with some of the gentlemen whom he saw before him it
+was advisable to be as niggardly of speech as possible. La Reynie then
+proceeded to ask how long he had been acquainted with the Chevalier de
+Rohan, and the Count replied that he had known him for many years.
+
+"When did you see him last?" demanded the judge, "and where?"
+
+"In the gardens of Versailles," answered the Count, calmly, "not five
+minutes before I was myself arrested."
+
+"And upon what occasion," demanded the judge, "did you see him
+previously?"
+
+"I saw him," replied the Count, "when I visited the Duc de Rouvré, at
+Poitiers, and once also upon the road between Paris and Versailles,
+about three or four days ago."
+
+"Are you sure that these are the only days that you have seen him?"
+demanded the judge. "Recollect yourself, Monsieur le Comte. I think
+you must have forgotten."
+
+"No, I have not," replied the Count. "I have only seen him on these
+two occasions since I arrived in Paris, and two or three times during
+my stay at Poitiers."
+
+"Ay, there is the fact," said La Reynie. "You saw him frequently at
+Poitiers."
+
+"I also saw various blacksmiths, and lackeys, and horse-boys," said
+the Count, unable to conceive what connection there could exist
+between any charges against himself and those against the Chevalier de
+Rohan, who was known to be a zealous Catholic, "and with them, the
+blacksmiths, lackeys, and horse-boys, I had as much to do as I had
+with the Chevalier de Rohan, and no more."
+
+"And pray," continued La Reynie, in the same tone, "what private
+conversations took place between you and the Chevalier at Poitiers? To
+the best of your recollection repeat the substance thereof."
+
+The Count smiled. "To the best of my recollection, then," he said,
+"the substance was as follows: 'Good day, Count de Morseiul. Good
+morning, Monsieur de Rohan. What a beautiful day it is, Monsieur de
+Morseiul. It is the most charming weather I remember. There is a sad
+want of rain, Monsieur le Chevalier, and I fear the poor peasantry
+will suffer. Do you go out with the duke to hunt to-day? I think not,
+for my horses are tired.' Such, Sir, is the substance of the only
+private conversations that took place between myself and the Chevalier
+at Poitiers."
+
+"Was that all, Monsieur de Morseiul?" demanded La Reynie, with
+tolerable good humour. "Are you sure you have forgot nothing of equal
+importance?"
+
+"I believe I have not forgot one word," replied the Count, "except
+that, on one occasion, Monsieur de Rohan said to me, 'Your hat is
+unlooped, Count:' when, I am afraid, I looped it without thanking
+him."
+
+"Well, then, now to somewhat longer and more important conversations,
+my good young gentleman," said La Reynie. "What has passed between you
+and the Chevalier de Rohan when you have met him since your arrival at
+the court?"
+
+"Why, Sir," replied the Count, with a grave and somewhat grieved air,
+"I give you my word that nothing passed between the Chevalier de Rohan
+and myself which at all affected his Majesty's service, and I would
+fain, if it were possible, avoid entering into particulars which, if
+told to every body, might be painful to a gentleman of my
+acquaintance, who, I trust, may yet clear himself of any serious
+charge."
+
+"Monsieur le Comte de Morseiul," said the Counsellor Ormesson, "we
+respect your motives, and have regard to the manner in which you have
+expressed them; but the Chevalier de Rohan, I am sorry to inform you,
+stands charged with high treason upon very strong presumptive
+evidence. There are particular circumstances which induce a belief
+that you may have had something to do with his schemes. We trust that
+such is not the case: but it is absolutely necessary that you should
+clearly and explicitly state the nature of any transactions which may
+have taken place between you and him, both for your own safety, for
+his, and out of respect and duty to the King."
+
+"Then, Sir, I have no other choice," replied the Count, "but to yield
+to your reasons, and to beg that you would put your questions in such
+a shape that I may answer them distinctly and easily."
+
+"Very well, Monsieur de Morseiul," said La Reynie; "we have always
+heard that you are a gentleman of honour, who would not prevaricate
+even to save his own life. Pray inform us what was the nature of the
+conversation between you and the Chevalier de Rohan, on the morning of
+the 23d of this month."
+
+"It was a very short one," replied the Count, somewhat surprised to
+see what accurate information of his proceedings had been obtained.
+"The Chevalier overtook me as I was going to Versailles, and on that
+occasion Monsieur de Rohan informed me that he had lost a large sum at
+the gaming table on the night before, and begged me to lend him a
+hundred louis, in the hopes of recovering it by the same means. I
+advised him strongly to abstain from such proceedings, but of course
+did not refuse to lend him what he asked."
+
+"Then did you lend him the hundred louis on the spot?" demanded La
+Reynie.
+
+"No," replied the Count; "I told him that I had not such a sum with
+me, but promised to send it to him at his lodgings in the course of
+the afternoon, which I did as soon as ever I arrived at Versailles."
+
+"Pray how happened it, Monsieur de Morseiul," demanded Ormesson, "that
+as you were going to Versailles, and the Chevalier overtook you going
+thither also; you did not ride on together, as would seem natural for
+two gentlemen like yourselves?"
+
+"Nay," replied the Count, smiling, "that I think is pressing the
+matter rather too far, Monsieur. My society might not be pleasant to
+the Chevalier, or the reverse might be the case; or we might have
+other business by the way. A thousand circumstances of the same kind
+might occur."
+
+"Well, then, I will put the question straightforwardly and at once,"
+said Ormesson. "Had you, or had you not, any reason to believe that
+the Chevalier de Rohan was at that time engaged in schemes dangerous
+to the state?"
+
+"None in the world," replied the Count, "and no such feelings or ideas
+whatsoever had any share in preventing my riding on with the Chevalier
+de Rohan."
+
+The Commissioners looked at each other for a moment with an inquiring
+glance, and then La Reynie placed before the Count a note which was to
+the following effect:--
+
+
+"My Dear Count,
+
+"I have received what you sent me, for which I return you many thanks,
+and I have not the slightest doubt, by your assistance, to be able to
+accomplish the purpose I have in view.
+
+                           "Your devoted,
+
+                               "The Chevalier De Rohan."
+
+
+"Pray, Monsieur de Morseiul," said the Counsellor, "do you recognise
+that note?"
+
+"Most assuredly," replied the Count. "I received that note from the
+Chevalier de Rohan, on the very evening of the day we have just
+mentioned."
+
+"And pray, what is the interpretation you put upon it?" demanded La
+Reynie.
+
+"Simply," replied the Count, "that he had received the hundred louis
+which I sent him, and hoped by employing them at the gaming-table to
+be enabled to win back the sum that he had lost."
+
+"It seems to me," said the judge, "that the note will very well bear
+two interpretations, Count, and that supposing a gentleman unfortunate
+enough to have laid schemes for introducing a foreign enemy into the
+country, or for causing any of the provinces of the kingdom to revolt,
+and supposing him, at the same time, to be greatly straightened for
+money and assistance--it seems to me, I say, that the note before us
+is just such a one as he would write to a friend who had come to his
+aid at the moment of need, either by giving him aid of a pecuniary or
+of any other kind."
+
+"All I can say, Sir," replied the Count, "is that the note before you
+I received from the Chevalier de Rohan, and that no other
+interpretation than the one I have given was, or could be, put upon it
+by me. I knew of no schemes whatsoever against the state, and the
+Chevalier himself had certainly no other meaning than the one I have
+assigned. It will be very easy for you, however, gentlemen, to place
+the note before the Chevalier, and make him explain it himself. Though
+an unfortunate gentleman, he is still a gentleman of honour, and will
+tell you the truth. We have had no conversation together upon the
+subject. We have not even interchanged a word as we came hither, and
+you can compare his statement with mine."
+
+"Perhaps that may have been done already, Monsieur de Morseiul," said
+Ormesson, "but at all events we think we may close your examination
+for to-day. The interrogation may be resumed at a future period, when
+other things have become manifest; and we have only, at present, to
+exhort you, on all occasions, to deal frankly and openly with the
+court."
+
+"Such is always my custom to do, Sir," replied the Count. "I stand
+before you conscious of my innocence of any crime whatsoever, and,
+having nothing to conceal, am always ready to state frankly and truly
+what I know, except when by so doing I may wound or injure others."
+
+Thus saying, he bowed to the Commissioners and retired. At the door of
+the chamber he found two musketeers waiting for his coming out, and,
+being placed between them, he was once more conducted back to the
+Bastille by the same way he had come. He was then led by the turnkeys,
+who were in waiting to receive him, to the same apartment which he had
+previously occupied; but before nightfall, it was notified to him that
+the liberties of the Bastille were restored to him, and he received
+some slight solace by knowing that he should not, for some time at
+least, be confined to the solitary discomfort of his own apartment,
+with no occupation but to stride from one side to the other, or gazing
+out of the narrow window, endeavour to gain a sight of what was
+passing in the rue St. Antoine.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III.
+
+                            THE EXECUTION.
+
+
+Within the walls of the Bastille, some weeks passed over almost
+without incident, but not without pain to the Count de Morseiul; but
+it would be tedious to detail all the feelings and the thoughts that
+crossed each other in his bosom during that period. He was still
+allowed a great degree of liberty, was permitted to take exercise in
+the great court, to converse with many of the other prisoners, and to
+hear whispers of what was taking place in the world without. But none
+of those whispers gave him any tidings of those he loved, any
+indication of his own probable fate, or any news of the church to
+which he belonged; and he remarked with pain, that while many of the
+other prisoners received visits from their friends and acquaintances,
+either no one sought to see him, or else those who did so were
+excluded by some express order.
+
+He grieved over this, and perhaps felt, with some degree of bitterness
+of spirit, that the iron of captivity might not only enter into the
+soul, but might wear and corrode the mind on which it pressed. Such
+feelings made him at once apply himself eagerly to every thing that
+could occupy his thoughts, and turn them from contemplations which he
+knew to be not only painful, but hurtful also; and he soon created for
+himself a number of those occupations which many an unhappy man
+besides himself has devised at different times for the solace of
+captivity.
+
+The library, however, was his greatest enjoyment. Though so fond of
+all manly exercises, and famous for his skill therein, he had from his
+youth loved the communing with other minds, in the pages which the
+hand of genius has traced, and which have been given forth as the
+deliberate effort of the writer's spirit. He loved, I say, that
+communing with other men's hearts and minds which is undisturbed by
+discussion, or wordy dispute, or any of the petty vanities that creep
+into the living conversation even of the great, the learned, and the
+good; and now, though the library was small, and perhaps not very well
+selected, yet there was many a book therein which afforded him sweet
+occupation during some, at least, of the melancholy hours of
+imprisonment.
+
+At other times he walked the length of the court yard, gaining where
+he could a gleam of sunshine; and rather than suffer his thoughts, as
+he did so walk, to dwell upon the painful theme of his own fate, he
+would count the very stones of the pavement, and moralise upon their
+shapes and colours. Almost every day, during the period we have
+mentioned, the guard was turned out, the prisoners having their
+liberties were ordered to keep back, and a train of others in the
+stricter state of imprisonment were marched out to the arsenal.
+Amongst these was usually the unhappy Chevalier de Rohan; and the
+wistful, longing gaze with which one day he looked round the court as
+he passed through, seeming to envy the other prisoners the sort of
+liberty they enjoyed, caused the Count de Morseiul to task severely
+his own heart for the repinings which he felt at his own situation.
+
+Various little occurrences of the same kind took place from time to
+time, affording a momentary matter of interest in the midst of the
+dark sameness of the prison life. At one period, during the whole of
+several nights, the Count de Morseiul heard at intervals voices which
+seemed to be shouting through speaking trumpets. The place from which
+the sound proceeded varied constantly; and the young prisoner could
+only conclude that some friends of one of the sad inhabitants of the
+Bastille were prowling round it, endeavouring to communicate
+intelligence. He listened eagerly, in the supposition that those
+sounds might be addressed to him; but though from time to time he
+could catch a single word, such as "dead," "told," &c., he could make
+no continuous sense of what was said.
+
+The first time this occurred was shortly after his examination before
+the commission, and it continued, for three or four nights, to be
+repeated at different hours; but still the sounds were too distant for
+him to ascertain the meaning of the speakers, and he was obliged to
+content himself with believing that this intelligence was not intended
+for himself, and hoping that it had been more distinct to the
+unfortunate person for whose ears it was designed.[2] After having
+listened during the whole of one night, and the words not being
+repeated, he determined to ask one of his fellow-prisoners, who had
+the liberty like himself of walking in the court, whether he had heard
+it, and had been able to make out what was said.
+
+
+---------------------
+
+[Footnote 2: The words were intended for the unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, and were "Hatréaumont est mort, et n'a rien dit." The unhappy
+prisoner, like the Count de Morseiul, was not able to distinguish the
+meaning of his friends; otherwise those words, if he had shaped his
+course accordingly, would have insured his safety.]
+
+---------------------
+
+
+The personage whom he fixed upon in his own mind for that purpose was
+a tall, upright, elderly man, with a soldier-like air, and a good deal
+of frankness of manner, approaching, perhaps, to what is called
+bluffness, without being in the slightest degree rude or uncivil. He
+seemed to seek nobody, but to converse willingly with any one when he
+was sought--gave his opinion in few words, but distinctly, accurately,
+and positively--bore his imprisonment with perfect lightness and
+indifference--never referred in the slightest degree to the cause
+thereof or to his own history, though without appearing to avoid the
+subject at all--and, in short, impressed strongly on the minds of
+those who saw him, and were accustomed to judge of the world, that he
+was a frank, upright, straight-forward soldier, accustomed to various
+kinds of endurance, and bearing all with manly firmness and
+resolution.
+
+He spoke French with great fluency and accuracy; but at times, in
+conversing with him, the Count de Morseiul had fancied he could remark
+a foreign accent, though very slight, and he was inclined to believe
+that the old officer was one of the Weimerians who had served so long
+in the pay of France. His countenance, indeed, was not like that of a
+German; there was more quickness and brightness of the eye, and the
+features were more elongated, and somewhat sharper than is common
+amongst the Teutonic races. But still a great part of the Weimerian
+troops had been levied on the borders of the Rhine, where the mixture
+of French and other blood often makes itself strongly to be remarked
+amongst the German population. His ordinary walk was from one corner
+of the court-yard to the opposite angle, which gave the utmost extent
+of space that could be had; and there the young Count, on descending
+the staircase, found him walking up and down with his usual quick pace
+and erect carriage. Though the old man neither paused nor noticed him
+further than by a passing "Good morning, Sir," the Count joined him,
+and at once spoke of the matter in question.
+
+"Have you heard," he said, "during this last night or two, some people
+shouting, apparently through speaking trumpets, as if they wished to
+convey intelligence to one of us prisoners?"
+
+"Once or twice very faintly," replied the other. "But I am on the
+opposite side of the prison to you, you know, and the sounds I heard
+seemed to come from your side, or, at all events, not further round
+than the Well Tower. Do you think they were addressed to you?"
+
+"I think not," replied the Count; "and if they were, I certainly could
+make nothing of them. I looked out of my window to get a sight as far
+as possible of the speakers by the moonlight the other night, but I
+was not successful; for I can see, as I am placed, into the little
+Place St. Antoine, but no further. However, I tried to distinguish the
+voices, and certainly they were not those of any one I know."
+
+"A speaking trumpet makes a great difference," replied his companion.
+"I should have liked to have heard them more distinctly."
+
+"Do you think they were intended for you?" said the Count.
+
+"Oh dear no," replied the other; "nobody can have any thing to tell
+me. If ever my liberty comes, it will come at once; and as to either
+trying me or punishing me in any other way than by imprisonment, that
+they dare not do."
+
+"That is in some degree a happy situation," said the Count. "But I
+scarcely know how that can be, for judging by my own case, and that of
+many others, I have no slight reason to believe that they dare try or
+punish any man in France, whether guilty or not."
+
+"Any Frenchman you mean, Count," replied the stranger; "but that does
+not happen to be my case; and though my own King may be rascal and
+fool enough to let me stay here wearing out the last days of a life,
+the greater part of which has been devoted to the service of himself
+and his ungrateful ancestors, yet I do not believe that he dare for
+his life suffer me to be publicly injured. A trial would, as a matter
+of course, be known sooner or later. They may poison me, perhaps," he
+continued, "to keep me quiet, though I do not think it either. Your
+King is not so bad as that, though he is a great tyrant; but he is not
+bloody by his nature. However, Monsieur de Morseiul, as I am not in
+here for any crime, as I never had any thing to do with a conspiracy
+of any kind, as I am not a native of this country, or a subject of
+your King, as I have not a secret in the world, and little more money
+than will serve to feed and clothe me, I do not see that any one can
+have either object or interest in hallooing at me through a speaking
+trumpet."
+
+"You have excited my curiosity," said the Count, "and a Frenchman's
+curiosity, you know, is always somewhat intrusive; but as you have
+just said that you have not a secret in the world, it will seem less
+impertinent than it otherwise would be if I ask what, in the name of
+fortune, you can be here for?"
+
+"Not in the least impertinent," replied the other. "I am in here for
+something of the same kind that they tell me you are in here for:
+namely, for differing from the King of France in regard to
+transubstantiation; for thinking that he'll go to the devil at once
+when he dies, without stopping half-way at a posthouse, called
+Purgatory, which a set of scoundrels have established for their own
+particular convenience; and for judging it a great deal better that
+people should sing psalms, and say their prayers, in a language that
+they understand, than in a tongue they know not a word of. I mean, in
+short, for being a Protestant; for if it had not been for that, I
+should not have been in here. The fact was, I served long in this
+country in former times, and having taken it into my head to see it
+again, and to visit some old friends, I undertook a commission to
+bring back a couple of brats of a poor cousin of mine, who had been
+left here for their education. Louis found out what I was about,
+declared that I came to make Protestant converts, and shut me up in
+the Bastille, where I have been now nearly nine months. I sent a
+message over to the King of England by a fellow-prisoner who was set
+at liberty some time ago. But every one knows that Charles would have
+sold his own soul by the pound, and thrown his father and mother, and
+all his family, into the scale, for the sake of a few crowns, at any
+time. This Popish rascal, too, who is now on the throne, doubtless
+thinks that I am just as well where I am, so I calculate upon
+whistling away my days within the four walls of this court.--I don't
+care, it can't last very long. I was sixty-five on the third of last
+month, and though there feels some life in these old limbs, the days
+of Mathuselah, thank God, are gone by, and we've no more kicking about
+now for a thousand years. I shouldn't wonder," he continued, "if the
+people you heard were hallooing to that unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, whom they dragged through this morning to be interrogated
+again. They say he'll have his head chopped off to a certainty. If we
+could have found out what the people said we might have told him, for
+prisoners will get at each other let them do what they like."
+
+"I listened for one whole night," said the Count, "but found it quite
+in vain. The judges I suppose are satisfied that I had nothing to do
+with this business of the Chevalier de Rohan's, otherwise they would
+have had me up again for examination."
+
+"God knows," replied his companion. "Tyranny is like an actor at a
+country fair, and one never knows which way he will kick next."
+
+Thus passed the conversation between the Count and the old English
+officer, whose name, somewhat disfigured indeed, may be found written
+in the registers of the Bastille as arrested on suspicion; for which
+crime he, like many others, was subjected to imprisonment for a
+lengthened period. He and the Count de Morseiul now usually took their
+walk together, and in his society the young nobleman found no small
+delight, for there was a sort of quaint indifference which gave salt
+and flavour to considerable good sense and originality of thought. The
+old man himself seemed to take a pleasure in conversing with the young
+Count; which was evidently not the case with the generality of his
+fellow-prisoners. One morning, however, towards the end of the period
+we have mentioned, the sound of the falling drawbridge was heard, the
+soldiers drew up in double line, the order for all the other prisoners
+to fall back was given, and the Chevalier de Rohan, followed by two or
+three other prisoners, amongst whom were Vandenenden and a lady, were
+brought in as if from examination.
+
+The countenances of almost all were very pale, with the exception of
+that of the Chevalier de Rohan, which was inflamed, with a fiery spot
+on either cheek, while his eyes flashed fire, and his lips were
+absolutely covered with foam. Four times between the great gate of the
+court and the tower in which he was confined, he halted abruptly, and
+turning round with furious gestures to the guards and gaolers who
+surrounded him, poured forth a torrent of fierce and angry words,
+exclaiming that he had been deceived, cheated, that the King's name
+had been used to assure him of safety, and that now the King had
+retracted the promises and was going to murder him.
+
+It was in vain that the guards tried to stop him, and endeavoured to
+force him onward. Still he turned round as soon as ever he had an
+opportunity, and shouted forth the same accusation with horrible
+imprecations and even blasphemies. The second prisoner, who seemed to
+be a military man, paused and regarded the Chevalier with a stern and
+somewhat scornful air, but the lady and the old man, Vandenenden, were
+drowned in tears, and from all the Count saw he concluded that the
+trial of the Chevalier and his accomplices had either terminated in
+their condemnation, or else had taken such a turn as showed that
+result to be inevitable.
+
+From that time none of the prisoners who had the liberties of the
+Bastille were allowed to remain in the court when the Chevalier and
+his accomplices passed through it, an order being given before the
+gates were opened, for every one to retire to his own apartments.
+Three days after this new regulation, such an order having been given,
+the Count obeyed it willingly, for the weather had become cold and
+damp, and the court of the Bastille felt like a well. He had obtained
+permission to take some books out of the library, in which there was
+no fire allowed, and sitting by the embers in his own apartment, he
+was endeavouring to amuse himself by reading, when the sounds of what
+seemed to him carts, in greater numbers than usual, mingled with the
+tongues of many persons speaking, called him to the little window of
+his chamber.
+
+He saw that the small Place St. Antoine was filled with a crowd of
+people surrounding two or three large carts as they seemed, but he
+could not make out what the persons present were about, and, after
+looking on for a few minutes, he returned to his book.
+
+Every thing within the walls of the Bastille seemed to be unusually
+still and quiet, and for rather more than an hour and a half he read
+on, till some sound of a peculiar character, or some sudden impression
+on his own mind which he could not account for, made him again rise
+and hasten to the window. When he did so, a sight was presented to his
+eyes which would have required long years to efface its recollection.
+The carts which he had seen, and the materials they contained, had
+been by this time erected into a scaffold; and in the front thereof,
+turned towards the Rue St. Antoine, which, as well as the square
+itself, was filled with an immense multitude of people, was a block
+with the axe leaning against the side.
+
+At one corner of the scaffold was erected a gibbet, and in the front,
+within a foot or two of the block, stood the unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, with a priest, on one side of him, pouring consolation or
+instruction into his ear, while the executioner, on the other side,
+was busily cutting off his hair to prepare his neck for the stroke.
+Two or three other prisoners were behind with several priests and the
+assistants of the executioner, and amongst them again was seen the
+form of the old man, Vandenenden, and of the lady whom the Count had
+beheld pass through the court of the castle.
+
+The old man seemed scarcely able to support himself, and was upheld
+near the foot of the gallows by two of the guards; but the lady, with
+her head uncovered and her fine hair gathered together in a knot near
+the top of her head, stood alone, calm, and, to all appearance,
+perfectly self-possessed; and as she turned, for a moment, to look at
+the weak old man, whose writhing agitation at parting with a life that
+he could not expect to prolong for many years even if pardoned was
+truly lamentable, she showed the Count de Morseiul a fine though
+somewhat faded countenance, with every line expressive of perfect
+resolution and tranquillity.
+
+The Count de Morseiul was a brave man, who had confronted death a
+thousand times, who had seen it in many an awful shape and accompanied
+by many a terrible accessory; but when he looked at the upturned faces
+of the multitude, the block, the axe, the gibbet, the executioners,
+the cold grey sky above that spoke of hopelessness, the thronged
+windows all around teeming with gaping faces, and all the horrible
+parade of public execution, he could not but wonder at the
+self-possession and the calmness of that lady's look and demeanour, as
+one about to suffer in that awful scene.
+
+His, however, was no heart that could delight in such spectacles, and
+withdrawing almost immediately from the window, he waited in deep
+thought. In about a minute after there was a sort of low murmur,
+followed by a heavy stroke; and then the murmur sounded like the
+rushing of a distant wind. In a few moments after that, again came
+another blow, and the Count thought that there was a suppressed
+scream, mingled with the wave-like sound of the multitude. Again came
+that harsh blow, accompanied by a similar noise, and, lastly, a loud
+shout, in which there were mingled tones of ferocity and derision,
+very different from any which had been heard before. Not aware of what
+could have produced the change, the Count was once more irresistibly
+led to the window, where he beheld swinging and writhing on the
+gibbet, the form of the old man Vandenenden, whose pusillanimity
+seemed to have excited the contempt and indignation of the populace.
+On the other parts of the scaffold the executioner and his assistants
+were seen gathering up the bloody ruins of the human temples they had
+overthrown. Sickened and pained, the Count turned away, and covered
+his eyes with his hands, asking himself in the low voice of thought,
+"When will this be my fate also?"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                        THE WOMAN'S JUDGMENT.
+
+
+We must now, for a little, change the scene entirely; and, as we find
+often done most naturally, both in reality and poetry, bring the
+prison and the palace side by side. It was in one of the smaller
+chambers, then, of the palace at Versailles--exquisitely fitted up
+with furniture of the most costly, if not of the most splendid
+materials, with very great taste shown in every thing, grace in all
+the ornaments, harmony in all the colours, and a certain degree of
+justness and appropriateness in every object around--that there sat a
+lady, late on the evening of an autumnal day, busily reading from a
+book, illustrated with some of the richest and most beautiful
+miniatures that the artists of the French capital could then produce.
+
+She was, at the time we speak, of somewhat past the middle age,--that
+is to say, she was nearly approaching to the age of fifty, but she
+looked considerably younger than she really was, and forty was the
+very extreme at which any one by the mere look would have ventured to
+place the number of her years. The rich worked candelabra of gold
+under which she was reading cast its light upon not a single grey
+hair. The form was full and rounded; the arms white and delicate; the
+hand, which in general loses its symmetry sooner than aught else,
+except, perhaps, the lips, was as tapering, as soft, and as beautiful
+in contour as ever. The eyes were large and expressive, and there was
+a thoughtfulness about the whole countenance which had nothing of
+melancholy in its character, perhaps a little of worldliness, but more
+of mind and intellect than either.
+
+After she had been reading for some time, the door was quietly opened,
+and the King himself entered with a soft and almost noiseless step.
+The lady immediately laid down her book and rose, but the King took
+her by the hand, led her back to her chair, and seated himself beside
+her.
+
+"Still busy, reading," he said.
+
+"I am anxious to do so, your Majesty," she answered, "at every moment
+that I can possibly command. In the sort of life which I am destined
+to lead, and in your Majesty's splendid court, temptations to forget
+what is right, and to think of nothing but pleasures and enjoyments,
+are so manifold, that one has need to have recourse to such calmer
+counsellors as these," and she laid her hand upon the book,
+"counsellors who are not disturbed by such seductions, and whose words
+have with them a portion of the tranquillity of the dead."
+
+The words were of a soberer character than Louis had been accustomed
+to hear from the lips of woman during the greater part of his life,
+but still they did not displease him, and he replied only by saying,--
+
+"But we must have a few more living counsels at present, Madame, for
+the fate of Louis----"
+
+"Which is the fate of France," she said in so low a voice that it
+could scarcely be termed an interruption.
+
+"For the fate of Louis and of his domestic happiness--a word, alas,
+which is so little known to kings--is even now in the balance.
+Madame," he continued, taking that fair hand in his, "Madame, it is
+scarcely necessary at this hour to tell you that I love you; it is
+scarcely necessary to speak what are the wishes and the hopes of the
+King; scarcely necessary to say what would be his conduct were not
+motives, strong and almost overpowering, opposed to all that he most
+desires."
+
+Madame de Maintenon, for she it was, had risen from her seat; had
+withdrawn her hand from that of the King, and for a moment pressed
+both her hands tightly upon her heart, while her countenance, which
+had become as pale as death, spoke that the emotion which she felt was
+real.
+
+"Cease, Sire; oh, cease," she exclaimed, "if you would not have me
+drop at your feet! Indeed," she continued more vehemently, "that is my
+proper place," and she cast herself at once upon her knees before the
+King, taking the hand from which she had just disengaged her own, to
+bend her lips over it with a look of reverence and affection.
+
+"Hear me, Sire, hear me," she said, as the King endeavoured to raise
+her, "hear me even as I am; for notwithstanding the deep and sincere
+love and veneration which are in my heart, I must yet offend in one
+person the monarch whom every voice in Europe proclaims the greatest
+in the earth; the man whom my own heart tells me is the most worthy to
+be loved. There is one, however, Sire, who must be loved and venerated
+first, and beyond all--I mean the Almighty; and from his law, and from
+his commands, nothing on earth shall ever induce me to swerve. Now,
+for more than a year, such has been my constant reply to your Majesty
+on these occasions. I have besought you, I have entreated you never to
+speak on such subjects again, unless that were possible which I know
+to be impossible."
+
+"Nay," replied the Monarch, interrupting her, and raising her with a
+little gentle force, "nay, nothing is impossible, but for me to see
+you kneeling there."
+
+"Oh yes, indeed, indeed, it is, your Majesty!" she said; "I have long
+known it, I have long been sure of it. You once condescended to dream
+of it yourself; you mentioned it to me, and I for a single instant was
+deceived by hope; but as soon as I came to examine it, I became
+convinced, fully convinced, that such a thing was utterly and entirely
+impossible, that your Majesty should descend from your high station,
+and that you should oppose and over-rule the advice and opinion of
+courtiers and ministers, who, though perhaps a little touched with
+jealousy, can easily find sound and rational reasons enough to oppose
+your will in this instance. Oh, no, no, Sire, I know it is impossible;
+for Heaven's sake do not agitate me by a dream of happiness that can
+never be realised!"
+
+"So little is it impossible, dear friend," replied the King, "that it
+is scarcely half an hour ago since I spoke with Louvois upon the
+subject."
+
+"And what did he say?" exclaimed Madame de Maintenon, with an
+eagerness that she could not master. "He opposed it, of course--and
+doubtless wisely. But oh, Sire, you must grant me a favour: the last
+of many, but still a very great one. You must let me retire from your
+court, from this place of cruel and terrible temptation, where they
+look upon me, from the favour which your Majesty has been pleased to
+show me, in a light which I dare not name. No, Sire, no, I will never
+have it said, that I lived on at your court knowing that I bore the
+name of your concubine. However false, the imputation is too terrible
+to be undergone--I, who have ever raised my voice against such acts,
+I, who have risked offending your Majesty by remonstrances and
+exhortations. No, Sire, no! I cannot, indeed I cannot, undergo it any
+longer. It is terrible to me, it is injurious to your Majesty, who has
+so nobly triumphed over yourself in another instance. It matters not
+what Monsieur de Louvois has said, though I trust he said nothing on
+earth to lead you to believe that I am capable of yielding to unlawful
+love."
+
+"Oh no," replied the King, "his opposition was but to the marriage,
+and that as usual was rude, gross, and insulting to his King. I wonder
+that I have patience with him. But it will some day soon give way."
+
+"I hope and trust, Sire," cried Madame de Maintenon, clasping her
+hands earnestly, "I hope and trust that your Majesty has not suffered
+insult on my account. Then, indeed, it were high time that I should
+go."
+
+"No," replied Louis, "not absolute insult. Louvois means but to act
+well. He said every thing in opposition, I acknowledge, coarsely and
+rudely, and in the end he cast himself upon his knees before me,
+unsheathed his sword, and, offering the hilt, besought me to take his
+life, rather than to do what I contemplated."
+
+"He did!" cried Madame de Maintenon, with a bright red spot in either
+cheek. "He did! The famous minister of Louis XIV. has been studying at
+the theatre lately I know! But still, Sire, though doubtless he was
+right in some part of his view, Françoise d'Aubigné is not quite so
+lowly as to be an object of scorn to the son of Michael le Tellier,
+whose ancestors I believe sold drugs at Rheims, while my grandfather
+supported the throne of yours with his sword, his blood, and his
+wisdom. He might have spared his scorn, methinks, and saved his wit
+for argument. But I must not speak so freely in my own cause, for that
+it is my own, I acknowledge," and she wiped away some tears from her
+fine eyes. "It is my own, for when I beseech your Majesty to let me
+leave you, I tear my own heart, I trample upon all my own feelings.
+But oh, believe me, Sire," she continued ardently, "believe me when I
+say, that I would rather that heart were broken, as it soon will be,
+than that your Majesty should do any thing derogatory to your crown
+and dignity, or I must add, than I would do myself any thing in
+violation of the precepts of virtue and religion."
+
+She wept a good deal; but she wept gracefully, and hers was one of
+those faces which looked none the worse for tears. The King gently
+drew her to her seat, for she had still been standing; saying, "Nay,
+nay, be comforted. You have yet the King. You think not really then,"
+he said, "really and sincerely you think not, that there is any true
+degradation in a monarch wedding a subject? I ask you yourself, I ask
+you to speak candidly!"
+
+"Nay, Sire," cried Madame de Maintenon, "how can you ask me, deeply
+interested as I am--how can you ask any woman? For we all feel alike
+in such things, and differently from you men. There is not one woman,
+proud or humble in your Majesty's court, that would not give you the
+same answer, if she spoke sincerely."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed the King; "then we men must be certainly in the
+wrong. But what think you," he continued, "what think you, as a
+proof--what would yon fair girl Clémence de Marly say, were we to ask
+her? I saw her but now, as I passed, reading with the Dauphine in
+somewhat melancholy guise."
+
+"Well may she be melancholy, Sire!" replied the lady, somewhat sadly,
+"when the King hears not her prayers. But methinks it would be hardly
+fair to make her a judge."
+
+"Why, why?" demanded Louis quickly; "because she is so proud and
+haughty?--Remember, you said the proudest in our court."
+
+"So I say still, Sire," replied Madame de Maintenon in a gentle tone;
+"but I do not think her proud. She would be too favourable a judge;
+that was my sole objection. Her own station in the court is doubtful;
+and besides, Sire, you could not think of submitting that, on which
+none--no, not the wisest minister you have--can judge so well as
+yourself, to the decision of a girl."
+
+"Fear not," replied the King; "I will but take her voice on the
+matter, without her knowing aught of that on which her opinion is
+called for. I would fain hear what a young and unpractised tongue
+would say. Let her be called in."
+
+Madame de Maintenon hesitated for a moment. The risk seemed great; the
+object of long years was at stake; and her own fate, and that of
+France, might depend upon the words of a wild, proud girl. But she saw
+no means of avoiding the trial; and she rang the bell: even in the
+very act of doing so, remembering many a trait of Clémence, both in
+childhood and youth, which gave her some assurance. A page appeared
+instantly, and was despatched to the apartments of the Dauphine to
+call Mademoiselle de Marly to the presence of the King.
+
+The feet of Clémence bore her thither like light, though her heart
+beat wildly with fear and agitation; and the hue of her cheek, once so
+bright and glowing, was now as pale as death. She was glad, however,
+to find the King and Madame de Maintenon alone, for she had succeeded
+in interesting the latter in the fate of the Count de Morseiul, and
+she doubted not that she would exert herself, as much as she dared to
+do for any one, to persuade the King to deal with him gently. So many
+long and weary days had passed, however, with but little progress,
+that she had well nigh sunk into despair, when the summons of this
+night made her suppose that her fate, and that of her lover, was upon
+the eve of being decided.
+
+The page who conducted her closed the door as soon as she had entered,
+and Clémence stood before the King with feelings of awe and agitation,
+such as in former days she knew not that she could feel towards the
+greatest potentate on earth: but Clémence de Marly loved, and her
+whole feelings had been changed.
+
+Not a little was her surprise, however, when the King addressed her in
+a tone half playful, half serious,--
+
+"Come hither, spoiled beauty," he said, "come hither: and sit down
+upon that stool--or, in truth, I should give you up this chair, for
+you are going to act a part that you never performed before--that of
+judge, and in a matter of taste, too."
+
+Clémence put her hand to her brow, as if to clear away the thoughts
+with which she had come thither. But, after gazing in the King's face
+for a moment with a bewildered look, she recovered herself, and
+replied,--
+
+"Indeed, Sire, I am, of all people, the most unfit; but I will do my
+best to please your Majesty. What may be the question?"
+
+"Why," answered the King, smiling at her evident surprise and
+embarrassment, the real cause of which he had quite forgotten in his
+own thoughts and feelings, "why the matter is this; a new play has
+been submitted to us for approval by one of our best poets. It turns
+upon an ancient king becoming in love with one of his own subjects,
+and marrying her while his ministers wish him to marry a neighbouring
+queen. The question of the policy, however, is not the thing. We have
+settled all that, but the point in dispute between me and this fair
+lady is, whether the poet would have done better to have made the
+heroine turn out, after all, to be some princess unknown. I say not;
+but our sweet friend, whose opinion, perhaps, is better than my own,
+contends that it would have been better, in order to preserve the
+king's dignity."
+
+Madame de Maintenon panted for breath, and grasped the book that lay
+on the table to prevent herself from betraying her agitation; but she
+dared not say a word, nor even look up.
+
+She was almost instantly relieved, however, for Clémence exclaimed,
+almost before the King had done speaking,--"Oh, no! oh, no! Dear lady,
+you are wrong, believe me. Kings lose their dignity only by evil acts;
+they rise in transcendent majesty when they tread upon base
+prejudices. I know nothing of the policy; you tell me that is apart;
+and the only question is whether she was worthy that he chose. Was
+she, Sire--was she noble and good?"
+
+"Most noble, and most excellent!" said the King.
+
+"Was she religious, wise, well educated?" continued Clémence, eagerly.
+
+"She was all!" answered Louis, "all in a most eminent degree."
+
+"Was she in knowledge, demeanour, character, worthy of his love and of
+himself?" asked the enthusiastic girl, with her whole face glowing.
+
+"In demeanour not inferior, in character equal, in knowledge
+superior--in all respects worthy!" replied the Monarch, catching her
+enthusiasm.
+
+But he was stopped by the agitated sobs of Madame de Maintenon, who,
+sinking from her chair at his feet, clasped his knees, exclaiming,
+"Spare me, Sire! Spare me, or I shall die!"
+
+The King gazed at her tenderly for a moment, then bent down his head,
+kissed her check, and, whispering a few brief words, placed her in the
+chair where he himself had been sitting. He then turned to Clémence de
+Marly, who stood by, astonished at the agitation that her words had
+produced, and fearful that the consequences might be the destruction
+of all her own hopes.
+
+The countenance of Louis, as he turned towards her, somewhat
+re-assured her; but still she could not help exclaiming with no slight
+anxiety, "I hope, Sire, I have not offended. I fear I have done so
+unintentionally."
+
+"If you have," said the King, smiling upon her graciously, "we will
+find a punishment for you; and as we have made you act as a judge
+where you little perhaps expected it, we will now make you a witness
+of things that you expected still less, but which your lips must never
+divulge till you are authorised to do so. Go as fast as possible to my
+oratory close by the little cabinet of audience, there you will find
+good Monsieur la Chaise: direct him to ring the bell, and--after
+having told Bontems to summon Monsieur de Montchevreuil and the
+Archbishop, who is still here, I think--to come hither himself as
+speedily as possible. You will accompany him."
+
+What were the King's intentions Clémence de Marly scarcely could
+divine; but seeing that her words had evidently given happiness both
+to the King and to Madame de Maintenon, and judging from that fact
+that her own best hopes for the deliverance of him she loved might be
+on the eve of accomplishment, she flew rather than ran to obey the
+King's directions. She found the King's confessor, La Chaise, waiting,
+evidently for the return of the King, with some impatience. The
+message which she brought him seemed to excite his astonishment
+greatly; but after pausing for a moment to consider what kind of event
+that message might indicate, the old man clasped his hands,
+exclaiming, "This is God's work, the King's salvation is now secure."
+
+He then did as he had been directed, rang the bell for Bontems, gave
+the order as he had received it, and hurried after Clémence along the
+corridor of the palace. At the door of Madame de Maintenon's apartment
+the young lady paused, for there were voices speaking eagerly within,
+and she feared to intrude upon the monarch. His commands to return,
+however, had been distinct, and she consequently opened the door and
+entered. Madame de Maintenon was standing by the table with her eyes
+bent down, and her colour much heightened. The King was also standing,
+and with a slight frown upon his countenance was regarding a person
+who had been added to the party since Clémence had left it. This was
+no other than the minister Louvois, whose coarse harsh features seemed
+filled with sullen mortification, which even the presence of the King
+could scarcely restrain from breaking forth in angry words. His eyes
+were bent down, not in humility but in stubborness, his shoulders a
+little raised, and he was muttering rather than speaking when Clémence
+entered. The only words, however, that were audible were, "Your
+Majesty's will must be a law to yourself as well as to your people. I
+have ventured in all sincerity to express my opinion, and have nothing
+more to say."
+
+The opening of the door caused Madame de Maintenon to raise her eyes,
+and when she saw Clémence and the confessor a glad and relieved smile
+played over her countenance, which was greatly increased by the words
+which the confessor addressed to the King immediately on his entrance.
+
+"Sire," he said, without waiting for Louis to speak, "from what I have
+heard, and from what I see, I believe--nay, I am sure, that your
+Majesty is about to take a step which will, more than any that I know
+of, tend to insure your eternal salvation. Am I not right?" and he
+extended his hand towards Madame de Maintenon, as if that gesture were
+quite sufficient to indicate his full meaning.
+
+"You are, my good father," replied the King; "and I am happy to find
+that so wise and so good a man as yourself approves of what I am
+doing. Monsieur Louvois here still seems discontented, though I have
+conceded so much to his views of policy as to promise that this
+marriage shall remain for ever private."
+
+"What are views of policy," cried Père la Chaise, "to your Majesty's
+eternal salvation? There are greater, there are higher considerations
+than worldly policy, Sire; but even were worldly policy all, I should
+differ with Monsieur Louvois, and say that you were acting as wisely
+in the things of this world as in reference to another."
+
+"God knows, and this lady knows," said Louvois, "that my only
+opposition proceeds from views of policy. For herself, personally," he
+added, feeling that he might have offended one who was more powerful
+than even himself, "for herself, personally, she well knows that I
+have the most deep and profound respect; and, since it is to be, I
+trust that his Majesty will allow me to be one of the witnesses."
+
+"Assuredly," replied the King. "I had so determined in my own mind,
+Monsieur de Louvois; and as we need not have more than three, we will
+dispense with this young lady's presence. Oh, here comes the
+Archbishop and Montchevreuil; my good father La Chaise, let me beg you
+to prepare an altar, even here. I have determined that all doubt and
+discussion upon this subject shall be over to-night. Explain, I beg
+you, to Monsieur de Harlay what are my views and intentions. One word,
+belle Clémence," he added, advancing to Clémence, and speaking to her
+with a gracious smile, "we shall not need your presence, fair lady,
+but you shall not want the bridemaid's presents. Come hither to-morrow
+half an hour before I go to the council; and as you have judged well
+and wisely in this cause to-night, we will endeavour to judge
+leniently on any cause that you may bring before us to-morrow."
+
+Although the King spoke low, his words did not escape the keen ear of
+Louvois; and when Clémence raised her eyes to reply, they met those of
+the minister gazing upon her with a look of fiend-like anger, which
+seemed to imply, "You have triumphed over me for the time, and have
+thwarted me in a matter of deep moment. You think at the same time you
+have gained your own private end, but I will disappoint you."
+
+Such at least was the interpretation that Clémence put upon that angry
+glance. For an instant it made her heart sink, but, recollecting her
+former courage the next instant, she replied boldly to the King, "My
+trust is always in your Majesty alone. I have ever had that trust; and
+what I have seen to-night would show me clearly, that let us expect
+what we may of your Majesty's magnanimity and generosity no
+disappointment will await us."
+
+Thus saying she retired; and what farther passed in the chamber that
+she quitted--though it affected the destinies of Louis, and of France,
+and of Europe, more than any event which had taken place for
+years--remains in the records of history amongst those things which
+are known though not proved, and are never doubted even though no
+evidence of their reality exists.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                             THE ESCAPE.
+
+
+The hope delayed, which maketh the heart sick, had its wearing effect
+upon the Count de Morseiul. His countenance showed it in every line;
+the florid hue of strong health was beginning to pass away; and one
+morning, in taking his usual walk up and down the court of the
+Bastille in company with the bluff old English officer we have
+mentioned, his companion, after gazing in his face for a moment, as if
+something therein had suddenly struck him, said, "You look ill, young
+gentleman; what is the matter?"
+
+"How is it possible that I can be otherwise," said the Count,
+"confined as I am here, and lingering on from day to day, without any
+knowledge of what is passing regarding myself, or of the fate of
+friends that I love, or of the condition of all those in whose
+happiness I am interested?"
+
+"Poo! you must bear things more lightly," answered the old soldier.
+"Why here, you, a youth, a mere boy, have plenty of time before you to
+spare a year or two for imprisonment. Think of what a difference there
+is between you and me: here am I without a day too much to spare in
+life; while to you neither months nor years are any thing. As to your
+friends without, too, trouble not your brain about them. The world
+would go on just as well without you and I, if we were put out of it
+to-morrow; friends would find new friends, sweethearts gain new
+lovers, servants betake them to new masters, and the roses would grow,
+and the birds would sing, and love, and war, and policy, and the wind
+of heaven, would have their course as if nothing had happened. There
+might be a few drops in some eyes which would fall like a spring
+shower, and be dried up again as soon. However," he added, seeing that
+his philosophy was not very much to the taste of the young Count, "you
+must live in the world as long as I have done ere you can take such
+hard lessons home; and if it be but communication with your friends
+without that you want, I should think that might be obtained easily."
+
+"I see not how that is to be done," replied the Count. "If they had
+allowed me to have my valet here there would have been no difficulty,
+for I do not think that even stone walls would keep in his wit."
+
+"Oh, we can do without him, I dare say," replied the old man. "If you
+write me down a note, containing few words, and no treason, doubtless
+I can find means, perhaps this very day, of sending it forth to any
+one that you will. In my apartment we shall find paper, which I got
+not long ago; some sort of ink we will easily manufacture for
+ourselves. So, come: that will revive hope a little for you; and
+though I cannot promise you an answer, yet perhaps one may be obtained
+too. There are old friends of mine that sometimes will drop in to see
+me; and what I propose to do, is to give your note to one of the
+prisoners I have spoken with, who expects to be liberated to-day or
+to-morrow, and direct the answer to be sent by some one who is likely
+to come to see me."
+
+The young Count gladly availed himself of this proposal; and the means
+of writing having, by one prison resource or another, been obtained,
+he wrote a few brief words, detailing the anxiety and pain he
+suffered, and begging some immediate information as to the probability
+of his obtaining his freedom, and regarding the situation of those
+that he loved best. He couched his meaning in language as vague as
+possible, and addressed the note to his valet, Jerome Riquet, fearing
+to write to Clémence, lest he should by any means draw suspicion and
+consequent evil upon her. The old English officer undertook to give
+all the necessary directions for its delivery, and when they met again
+in the evening, he assured him that the note was gone.
+
+At an early hour on the following morning the Englishman was called
+away from him to speak with some one admitted by an order from the
+minister; and in about ten minutes after he joined the Count, and
+slipped a small piece of folded paper into his hand, saying, in a low
+voice, "Do not look at it now, or leave me immediately, for there are
+several of these turnkeys about, and we must not create suspicion."
+After a few more turns, however, the old man said, "Now, Monsieur de
+Morseiul," and the Count hastening to his chamber, opened the note
+which was in the handwriting of Riquet.
+
+"I have been obliged," it said, "to keep out of the way, and to change
+my shape a dozen times, on account of the business of the Exempt;
+but--from what the Count says, and from hearing that Monsieur de
+Louvois swore last night by all the gods that he worships, that, on
+account of some offence just given, he will bring the Count's head to
+the block within a week, as he did that of Monsieur de Rohan--a bold
+stroke will be struck to-day. The Count will be set at liberty about
+two o'clock, and the moment he is at liberty he must neither go to
+King nor ministers, nor to his own house, either in Paris or at
+Versailles, but to the little inn called the Golden Cock, in the Rue
+du Faubourg St. Antoine, call himself Monsieur du Sac, and ask for the
+horse his servant brought. Having got it, let him ride on for Poitou
+as fast as he can go. He will meet friends by the way."
+
+This was all that the note contained, and what was the bold stroke
+that Riquet alluded to the Count could not divine. He judged, indeed,
+that perhaps it was quite as well he should be ignorant of the facts;
+and after having impressed all the directions contained in the note
+upon his mind, he destroyed the paper, and was preparing to go down
+again into the court.
+
+It so happened, however, that he paused for a moment, and took up one
+of the books which he was still reading, when an officer, who was
+called the Major of the Bastille, entered the room, and summoned him
+to the presence of the governor. The Count immediately followed, and
+passing through the gate into the Court of Government, he found
+Besmaux waiting in the corps de garde, with a blithe and smiling
+countenance.
+
+"Good morning, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said; "I have got some good
+news for you, which perhaps you do not expect."
+
+He fixed his eyes scrutinisingly upon the Count's face, but all was
+calm. "Here is an order for your liberation," he continued, "which,
+doubtless, you will be glad to hear."
+
+"Most glad," exclaimed the Count; "for, to say the truth, I am growing
+both sick and weary of this imprisonment, especially as I know that I
+have done nothing to deserve it."
+
+"That is better than being imprisoned knowing you have done something
+to deserve it," said Besmaux. "However, here is the order; and though
+it is not exactly in accurate form, I must obey, I suppose, and set
+you at liberty, for here is the King's handwriting in every line."
+
+"That you must judge of yourself, Monsieur de Besmaux," replied the
+Count. "But I hope, of course, that you will not detain me any longer
+than is necessary."
+
+"No, no," said Besmaux; "I must obey the order, for it is in the
+King's hand distinctly. Here are all the things that were upon your
+person, Monsieur de Morseiul. Be so good as to break the seal
+yourself, examine them, and give me an acknowledgment--as is usual
+here--that they have been returned to you. There is the ordinary form;
+you have nothing to do but to sign it."
+
+The Count did as he was required to do, and the governor then restored
+to him his sword, saying, "There is your sword, Monsieur le Comte. It
+is customary to give some little acknowledgment to the turnkeys if you
+think fit; and now, Monsieur le Comte, you are free. Will you do me
+the honour of supping with me again to-night?"
+
+"I fear not to-night, Monsieur de Besmaux; some other time I will have
+that pleasure. But, of course, after this unexpected and sudden
+enlargement, there is much to be done."
+
+"Of course," replied the governor; "you will have to thank the King,
+and Monsieur de Louvois, and all that. Some other time then be it. It
+is strange they have sent no carriage or horse for you. Perhaps you
+would like to wait till they arrive?"
+
+"Oh, no," replied the Count. "Freedom before every thing, Monsieur de
+Besmaux. By your permission I will send for the apparel I have left in
+my chamber. But now, to set my foot beyond the drawbridge is my great
+ambition."
+
+"We will conduct you so far," replied Besmaux, and led the way towards
+the gate. The drawbridge was lowered, the gates opened, and the Count,
+distributing the greater part of the money which had been restored to
+him amongst the turnkeys, turned and took leave of the governor, and
+issued forth from the Bastille. He remarked, however, that Besmaux,
+with the major of the prison, and two or three others, remained upon
+the bridge, as if they felt some suspicion, and were watching his
+farther proceedings. He, accordingly, rendered his pace somewhat slow,
+and turned towards his own hotel in Paris, while two or three boys,
+who hung about the gates of the Bastille, followed, importunately
+looking up in his face. He passed along two streets before he could
+get rid of them, but then, suddenly turning up one of the narrow lanes
+of the city, he made the best of his way to the little inn, or rather
+public house, which Jerome Riquet had pointed out to him in his
+letter, where a bright golden cock, somewhat larger than life, stood
+out into the street from a pole thrust into the front of the house.
+Before he turned in he looked down the street towards the Bastille,
+but saw no cause for suspicion, and entered the narrow entrance. As
+was not uncommon in such houses at that time, no door on either hand
+gave admission to the rooms of the inn till the visiter had threaded
+half way through the small ill-lighted passage. At length, however,
+doors appeared, and the sound of a footstep instantly called out a
+stout, jovial-looking personage, with a considerable nose and
+abundance of cheek and stomach, who, without saying any thing, merely
+planted himself directly in the Count's way.
+
+"Are you the landlord?" demanded the Count.
+
+"Yes, Sir," replied the cabaretier, much more laconically than might
+have been expected from his appearance. "Who are you?"
+
+"I am Monsieur du Sac," replied the Count.
+
+"Oh, oh!" cried the host, laying his forefinger on the side of his
+face. "If you are Monsieur du Sac, your horse will be ready in a
+crack. But you had better come into the stable; there are people
+drinking in the hall."
+
+The Count followed him without saying any more, and found three horses
+standing ready saddled, and wanting only the girths tightened, and the
+bridles in their mouths. The centre one he instantly recognised as one
+of his own finest horses, famous for its great strength and courage.
+The other two were powerful animals, but of a different breed; and the
+Count was somewhat surprised when the landlord ordered a stable boy,
+who was found waiting, to make haste and girth them all up. The boy
+began with the farther horse; but the landlord then exclaimed, "No,
+no, the gentleman's first, the others will do after;" and in a moment
+the Count's horse was ready to set out.
+
+"Better go by the back gate, Sir," said the host; "then if you follow
+round by the gardens of the convent of St. Mary, up the little lane to
+the left, you will come into the road again, where all is clear.
+Where's the bottle, boy, I told you to have ready? Monsieur du Sac
+will want a draught before he goes." A large bottle was instantly
+produced from a nook in the stable, and a tumbler full of excellent
+wine poured out. The Count took it, and drank, for excitement had made
+him thirsty, and he might well want that support, which the juice of
+the grape or any other thing could afford, when he reflected that the
+die was now cast; that he had been liberated from prison, as he could
+not doubt by some counterfeit order; and that he was flying from the
+court of France, certainly never to return, unless it were as a
+captive brought back probably to death.
+
+The blow being struck, however, he was not a man to feel regret or
+hesitation, and there was something in the sensation of being at
+liberty, of having cast off the dark load of imprisonment, which was
+in itself inspiring. He sprang upon his horse then with joyful speed,
+cast the landlord one of the few gold pieces that remained in his
+purse, and while the boy held open the back gates of the inn court, he
+rode out once more free to turn his steps whithersoever he would. That
+part of the city was not unknown to him, and passing round the
+gardens, and through the narrow lanes which at that time were
+intermingled with the Faubourg St. Antoine, he entered the high road
+again just where the town ended, and the country began; and putting
+his horse into a quick pace, made the best of his way onward toward
+Poitou.
+
+As he now went forth he looked not back, and he had gone on for five
+or six miles, when the belief that he heard the feet of horses
+following fast made him pause and turn. He was not mistaken in the
+supposition. There were two horsemen on the road, about five or six
+hundred yards behind him; but they slackened their pace as soon as he
+paused; and remembering the words written by Jerome Riquet, that he
+would find friends upon the road, he thought it better not to inquire
+into the matter any further, but make the most of his time, and go on.
+He thus proceeded without drawing a rein for about five and thirty
+miles, the men who were behind him still keeping him in sight, but
+never approaching nearer than a certain distance.
+
+The road which he had chosen was that of Orleans, though not the most
+direct; but by taking it, he avoided all that part of the country
+through which he was most likely to be pursued if his flight were
+speedily discovered. At length, in the neighbourhood of the little
+town of Angerville, a man appeared on horseback at the turning of one
+of the roads. He was evidently waiting for some one, and rode up to
+the Count as soon as ever he appeared, saying merely, "Monsieur du
+Sac."
+
+"The same," replied the Count; and the man immediately said, "This
+way, then, Sir."
+
+The Count followed without any reply, and the man rode on at a quick
+pace for the distance of fully three miles further. The horsemen
+turned as the Count had turned, but the road had become tortuous, and
+they were soon lost to his sight. At length, however, the high stone
+walls, overtopped with trees, and partly covered with ivy, which
+usually surrounded the park of an old French château, appeared, and
+making a circuit round three sides of this enclosure, the Count and
+his guide came suddenly to the large iron gates, which gave admission
+to a paved court leading to another set of gates, with a green
+esplanade and a terrace above; while the whole was crowned by a heavy
+mass of stonework, referable to no sort of architecture but itself.
+Round these courts were various small buildings, scarcely fitted
+indeed for human habitation, but appropriated to gardeners and
+gatekeepers, and other personages of the kind; and from one of these,
+as soon as the Count appeared, instantly rushed forth Jerome Riquet
+himself, kissing his master's hand with sincere joy and affection,
+which was not at all decreased by a consciousness that his liberation
+had been effected by the skill, genius, and intrigue of the said
+Jerome Riquet himself.
+
+"Dismount, my Lord, in all safety," he said; "we have taken measures
+to insure that you should not be traced. Refreshments of every kind
+are ready for you; and if you so please, you can take a comfortable
+night's repose before you go on."
+
+"That were scarcely prudent, Riquet," replied the Count; "but I will
+at all events pause for a time, and you can tell me all that has
+happened. First, whose dwelling is this?"
+
+"The house of good Monsieur Perault at Angerville," replied the valet.
+"He has been dead for about two months, and his old maître d'hôtel,
+being a friend of mine, and still in the family, gave me the keys of
+the château to be your first resting place."
+
+On entering the château, Albert of Morseiul found it completely
+thronged with his own servants; and the joyful faces that crowded
+round, some in smiles and some in tears, to see their young lord
+liberated, was not a little sweet to his heart. Some balm, indeed, was
+necessary to heal old wounds, before new ones were inflicted; and,
+though Riquet moved through the assembled attendants with the
+conscious dignity of one who had conferred the benefit in which they
+rejoiced, yet he hastened to lead his young lord on, and to have the
+room cleared, having much indeed to tell. His tale was painful to the
+Count in many respects; but, being given by snatches, as the various
+questions of his master elicited one fact after another, we will
+attempt to put it in more continuous form, and somewhat shorter
+language, taking it up at events which, though long past, were now
+first explained.
+
+From an accidental reference to the Count's journey from Morseiul to
+Poitiers, Riquet was led to declare the whole facts in regard to the
+commission which had been given by the King to Pelisson and St. Helie.
+The insatiable spirit of curiosity by which Maître Jerome was
+possessed, never let him rest till he had made the unhappy Curé of
+Guadrieul declare, by a man[oe]uvre before related, what was in the
+sheepskin bag he carried; and, as soon as the valet heard that it was
+a commission from the King, his curiosity was still more strongly
+excited to ascertain the precise contents. For the purpose of so
+doing, he attached himself firmly to the Curé during the rest of the
+evening, made him smoke manifold pipes, induced him to eat every
+promotive of drinking that he could lay his hands upon, plied him with
+wine, and then when half besotted, ventured to insinuate a wish to
+peep into the bag. The Curé, however, was firm to his trust even in
+the midst of drunkenness; he would peep into the bag with curious
+longings himself, but he would allow no one else to do so, and Riquet
+had no resource but to finish what he had so well commenced by a
+bottle of heady Burgundy in addition, which left the poor priest but
+strength enough to roll away to his chamber, and, conscious that he
+was burthened with matters which he was incompetent to defend, to lock
+the door tight behind him before he sunk insensible on his bed. He
+forgot, however, one thing, which it is as well for every one to
+remember; namely, that chambers have windows as well as doors; and
+Jerome Riquet, whose genius for running along house gutters was not
+less than his other high qualities, found not the slightest difficulty
+of effecting an entrance, and spending three or four hours in the
+examination of the sheepskin bag and its contents. With as much skill
+as if he had been brought up in the French post-office of that day, he
+opened the royal packet without even breaking the seals, and only
+inflicting a very slight and accidental tear on one part of the
+envelope, which the keen eyes of Pelisson had afterwards discovered.
+
+As soon as he saw the nature of the King's commission, Riquet,--who
+was no friend to persecution of any kind, and who well knew that all
+his master's plans would be frustrated, and the whole province of
+Poitou thrown into confusion if such a commission were opened on the
+first assembling of the states,--determined to do away with it
+altogether, and substitute an old pack of cards which he happened to
+have in his valise in place of that important document. He then
+proceeded to examine minutely and accurately the contents of the
+Curé's trunk mail, and more from a species of jocose malice than any
+thing else, he tore off a piece of the King's commission which could
+do no harm to any one, and folded it round the old tobacco box, which
+he had found wrapped up in a piece of paper very similar amongst the
+goods and chattels of the priest.
+
+Besides this adventure, he had various others to detail to the Count,
+with the most important of which: namely, his interview with the King
+and Louvois at Versailles, the reader is already acquainted. But he
+went on from that point to relate, that, lingering about in the
+neighbourhood of the King's apartments, he had heard the order for his
+master's arrest given to Monsieur de Cantal. He flew home with all
+speed, but on arriving at the Count's hotel found that he had already
+gone to the palace, and that his arrest was certain.
+
+His next question to himself was how he might best serve him under
+such circumstances; and, habituated from the very infancy of his
+valethood to travesty himself in all sorts of disguises, he determined
+instantly on assuming the character of an Exempt of one of the courts
+of law, as affording the greatest probability of answering his
+purpose. He felt a degree of enjoyment and excitement in every species
+of trick of the kind which carried him through, when the least
+timidity or hesitation would have frustrated his whole plans. The fact
+is, that although it may seem a contradiction in terms, yet Maître
+Jerome was never so much in his own character as when he was
+personating somebody else.
+
+The result of his acting on this occasion we already know, as far as
+the Count was concerned; but the moment that he had seen him lodged in
+the Bastille, the valet, calculating that his frolic might render
+Versailles a dangerous neighbourhood, retired to the Count's hotel in
+Paris, where a part of his apparel was still to be found, compounded
+rapidly the sympathetic ink from one of the many receipts stored up in
+his brain, and then flew with a handkerchief, properly prepared, to
+Clémence de Marly, whom he found alone with the Chevalier d'Evran. As
+his master had not made him acquainted with the occasional feelings of
+jealousy which he had experienced towards that gentleman, Jerome
+believed he had fallen upon the two persons from whom, out of all the
+world, his master would be most delighted to hear. The whole facts of
+the Count's arrest then were detailed and discussed, and the words
+written, which, as we have seen, were received by Albert of Morseuil
+in prison.
+
+Afraid to go back to Versailles, Riquet hastened away into Poitou
+leaving to Clémence de Marly and the Chevalier d'Evran the task of
+liberating his lord, of which they seemed to entertain considerable
+hopes. On his return, however, he found, first, that all his
+fellow-servants having been faithful to him, the investigations
+regarding the appearance of the Exempt had ended in nothing being
+discovered, except that somebody had profanely personated one of those
+awful personages; and, secondly, that the Count was not only still in
+durance, but that little, if any, progress had been made towards
+effecting his liberation. The Duc de Rouvré, who seemed to be restored
+to the King's favour, was now a guest at the palace of Versailles:
+with Clémence de Marly the valet could not obtain an interview, though
+he daily saw her in company with the Chevalier d'Evran, and the report
+began to be revived that the King intended to bestow her hand upon
+that gentleman, who was now in exceedingly high favour with the
+monarch.
+
+A scheme now took possession of the mind of Riquet, which only
+suggested itself in utter despair of any other plan succeeding; and
+as, to use his own expression, the very attempt, if frustrated, would
+bring his head under the axe, he acknowledged to his lord that he had
+hesitated and trembled even while he prepared every thing for its
+execution. He went down once more into Poitou; he communicated with
+all the friends and most favoured vassals of his master; he obtained
+money and means for carrying every part of his scheme into effect, as
+soon as his lord should be liberated from the Bastille, and for
+securing his escape into Poitou, where a choice of plans remained
+before him, of which we shall have to speak hereafter.
+
+The great point, however, was to enable the Count to make his exit
+from the prison, and it was at this that the heart of Jerome Riquet
+failed. His was one of those far-seeing geniuses that never forget, in
+any situation, to obtain, from the circumstances of the present, any
+thing which may be, however remotely, advantageous in the future. Upon
+this principle he had acted in his conference with the King, and
+without any definite and immediate object but that of obtaining pardon
+for himself for past offences, he had induced the monarch, we must
+remember, to give him a document, of which he now proposed to take
+advantage. By a chemical process, very easily effected, he completely
+took out the ink in those parts of the document where his own name was
+written, and then, with slow and minute labour, substituted the name
+of his master in the place, imitating, even to the slightest stroke,
+the writing of the King. The date underwent the same change to suit
+his purpose, so that a complete pardon, in what appeared the undoubted
+hand of the King himself, was prepared for the Count de Morseiul.
+
+This step having been taken, Riquet contemplated his work with pride,
+but fear, and the matter remained there for the whole day: but by the
+next morning he had become habituated to daring; and, resolved to make
+the document complete, he spent eight hours in forging, underneath, an
+order, in due form, for the Count's liberation; and the most practised
+eye could have scarcely found any difference between the lines there
+written and those of the King himself. In all probability, if Riquet
+could have obtained a scrap of Louvois' writing he would have added
+the countersign of the minister, but, as that was not to be had, he
+again laid the paper by, and was seized with some degree of panic at
+what he had done.
+
+He had brought up, however, from Poitou, his lord's intendant, and
+several others of his confidential servants and attendants, promising
+them, with the utmost conceit and self-confidence, to set the Count at
+liberty. They now pressed him to fulfil his design, and while he
+hesitated, with some degree of tremour, the note which the old English
+officer had conveyed to him was put into his hands, and decided him at
+once. He entrusted the forged order to a person whom he could fully
+rely upon to deliver it at the gates of the Bastille, stationed his
+relays upon the road, and prepared every thing for his master's
+escape.
+
+Such was the account which he gave to his young lord, as he sat in the
+château of Angerville, and though he did not exactly express all that
+he had heard in regard to Clémence de Marly and the Chevalier d'Evran,
+he told quite enough to renew feelings in the bosom of the Count which
+he had struggled against long and eagerly.
+
+"Who were the men," demanded the Count, "that followed me on
+horseback?"
+
+"Both of them, Sir," replied the man, "were persons who would have
+delayed any pursuit of you at the peril of their own lives. One of
+them was your own man, Martin, whom you saved from being hung for a
+spy, by the night attack you made upon the Prince of Orange's
+quarters. The other, Sir, was poor Paul Virlay, who came up with the
+intendant of his own accord, with his heart well nigh broken, and with
+all the courage of despair about him."
+
+"Poor Paul Virlay!" exclaimed the Count--"his heart well nigh broken!
+Why, what has happened to him, Jerome? I left him in health and in
+happiness."
+
+"Ay, Sir," replied the man, "but things have changed since then. Two
+hellish priests--I've a great mind to become a Huguenot myself--got
+hold of his little girl, and got her to say, or at least swore that
+she said, she would renounce her father's religion. He was furious;
+and her mother, who had been ill for some days, grew worse, and took
+to her bed. The girl said she never had said so; the priests said she
+had, and brought a witness; and they seized her in her father's own
+house, and carried her away to a convent. He was out when it happened,
+and when he came back he found his wife dying and his child gone. The
+mother died two days after; and Paul, poor fellow, whose brain was
+quite turned, was away for three days with his large sledgehammer with
+him, which nobody but himself could wield. Every body said that he was
+gone to seek after the priests, to dash their brains out with the
+hammer, but they heard of it, and escaped out of the province; and at
+the end of three days he came back quite calm and cool, but every body
+saw that his heart was broken. I saw him at Morseiul, poor fellow, and
+I have seldom seen so terrible a sight. The mayor, who has turned
+Catholic, you know, Sir, asked him if he had gone after the priests,
+to which he said 'No;' but every one thinks that he did."
+
+While Riquet was telling this tale the Count had placed his hands
+before his eyes, and it was evident that he trembled violently, moved
+by terrible and strongly conflicting feelings, the fiery struggle of
+which might well have such an influence on his corporeal frame. He
+rose from his seat slowly, however, when the man had done, and walked
+up and down the room more than once with a stern heavy step. At
+length, turning to Riquet again, he demanded,
+
+"And in what state is the province?"
+
+"Why, almost in a state of revolt, Sir," replied Riquet. "As far as I
+can hear, there are as many as a couple of thousand men in arms in
+different places. It is true they are doing no great things; that the
+intendant of the province, sometimes with the Bishop, sometimes with
+the Abbé St. Helie, marches hither and thither with a large body of
+troops, and puts down the revolt here, or puts down the revolt there.
+Till he hears that it has broken out in another place, he remains
+where it last appeared, quartering his soldiers upon the inhabitants,
+and, in the order of the day, allowing them _to do every thing but
+kill_. Then he drives the people by thousands at a time to the
+churches of our religion, makes them take the mass, and breaks a few
+of them on the wheel when they spit the host out of their mouths. He
+then writes up to the King that he has made wonderful conversions; but
+before his letter can well reach Paris he is obliged to march to
+another part of the province, to put down the insurrection there, and
+to make converts, and break on the wheel as before."
+
+"Say no more, say no more," cried the Count. "Oh, God! wilt thou
+suffer this to go on?"
+
+Again he paced the room for several minutes, and then turning suddenly
+to Riquet, he said--"Riquet, you have shown yourself at once devoted,
+courageous, and resolute in the highest degree."
+
+"Oh, Sir," interrupted the man, "you mistake: I am the most desperate
+coward that ever breathed."
+
+"No jesting now, Riquet," said the Count, in a sorrowful tone; "no
+jesting now. My spirits are too much crushed, my heart too much torn
+to suffer me to hear one light word. After all that you have done for
+me, will you do one act more? Have you the courage to return to Paris
+this night, and carry a letter for me to Mademoiselle de Marly, and to
+bring me back her reply?"
+
+"Well, Sir, well," said Riquet, rubbing his hands, and then putting
+his fore-finger under his collar, and running it round his neck with a
+significant gesture, "a man can be hanged but once in his life, at
+least as far as I know of; and, as Cæsar said, 'A brave man is but
+hanged once, a coward is hanged every day;' therefore, as I see no
+other object that my father and mother could have in bringing me into
+the world, but that I should be hanged in your service, I will go to
+Paris, at the risk of accomplishing my destiny, with all my heart."
+
+"Hark you, Riquet," replied the Count, "I will give you a means of
+security. If by any means you should be taken, and likely to be put to
+death for what you have done, tell those who take you, that, upon a
+distinct promise of pardon to you under the King's own hand, the Count
+of Morseiul will surrender himself in your place. I will give you that
+promise under my hand, if you like."
+
+"That is not necessary, Sir," replied Riquet. "Every body in all
+France knows that you keep your word. But pray write the letter
+quickly; for, ride as hard as I will, I shall have scarce time to
+reach Paris before bed-time; and I suppose you would not have the
+young lady wakened."
+
+There was a degree of cold bitterness in Riquet's manner when he spoke
+thus of Clémence, which made the Count of Morseiul feel that the man
+thought he was deceived. But still, after what had passed before, he
+felt that he was bound to be more upon his guard against himself than
+against others; and he resolved that he would not be suspicious, that
+he would drive from his bosom every such feeling, that he would
+remember the indubitable proofs of affection that she had given him,
+and that he would act toward her as if her whole conduct had been
+under his eye, and had been such as he could most approve. The
+materials for writing were instantly procured, and while Riquet caused
+a fresh horse to be saddled, and prepared for his journey, the Count
+sat down and wrote as follows:--
+
+
+"My Beloved Clémence,
+
+"Thank God, I am once more at liberty; but the brightness of that
+blessing, great as it is under any circumstances, would be nearly all
+tarnished and lost if I had not the hope that you would share it with
+me. I am now some way on the road to Poitou, where I hear that the
+most horrible and aggravated barbarities are daily being committed
+upon my fellow Protestants. My conduct there must be determined by
+circumstances; but I will own that my blood boils at the butchery and
+persecution I hear of. I remember the dear and cheering promises you
+have made--I remember the willingness and the joyfulness with which
+those promises were made, and that recollection renders it not
+madness,--renders it not selfishness to say to you, Come to me, my
+Clémence, come to me as speedily as possible; come and decide for me,
+when perhaps I may not have calmness to decide for myself! Come, and
+let us unite our fate for ever, and so far acquire the power of
+setting the will of the world at defiance. Were it possible, I would
+trust entirely to your love and your promises, in the hope that you
+would suffer the bearer of this, most faithful and devoted as he has
+shown himself to be, to guide you to me; but I fear that the little
+time he dare stay in Paris would render it impossible for you to make
+your escape with him. Should this, as I fear, be the case, write to
+me, if it be but a few lines, to tell me how I can assist or aid you
+in your escape, and when it can be made. Adieu! Heaven bless and guard
+you."
+
+
+Before he had concluded Riquet had again appeared, telling him that he
+was ready to set out, and taking the somewhat useless precaution to
+seal his letter, the Count gave it into his hands, and saw him depart.
+
+It was now about five o'clock in the evening; and as he knew that many
+a weary and expectant hour must pass before the man could return, the
+Count conferred with all the various attendants who had been collected
+at Angerville, and found that the account which Riquet had given him
+of the state of Poitou was confirmed in every respect. Each had some
+tale of horror or of cruelty. Paul Virlay, however, whom he had asked
+for more than once, did not appear; and it was discovered on inquiry
+that he had not even remained at Angerville, but with the cold and
+sullen sort of despair that had fallen upon him had ridden on, now
+that he judged the Count was in safety.
+
+After a time the young nobleman, anxious for some repose both of mind
+and of body, cast himself upon a bed, in the hope of obtaining sleep;
+but it visited not his eyelids; dark and horrible and agitating
+visions peopled the hours of darkness, though slumber had no share in
+calling them up. At length, full two hours before he had expected that
+Riquet could return, the sound of a horse's feet, coming at a rapid
+pace, struck the Count's ear, as he lay and listened to the howling of
+the November wind; and, starting up, he went to the window of the room
+and gazed out. It was a clear night, with the moon up, though there
+were some occasional clouds floating quickly over the sky, and he
+clearly saw that the horseman was Riquet, and alone. Proceeding into
+the other room where he had left a light, he hastened down to meet
+him, asking whether he had obtained an answer.
+
+"I have, Sir," replied the man; "though I saw not the fair lady
+herself: yet Maria, the waiting woman, brought it in no long time.
+There it is;" and drawing it from his pocket, he gave it into the
+Count's hand. Albert of Morseiul hastened back with the letter, and
+tore it eagerly open; but what were the words that his eyes saw?
+
+"Cruel and unkind," it began, "and must I not add--alas, must I not
+add even to the man that I love--ungenerous and ungrateful? What would
+I not have sacrificed, what would I not have done, rather than that
+this should have occurred, and that the first use you make of your
+liberty should be to fly to wage actual war against the crown! How
+shall I dare look up? I, who for weeks have been pleading that no such
+thought would ever enter into your noble and loyal nature. No, Albert,
+I cannot follow the messenger you send; or, to use the more true and
+straight-forward word, I _will_ not; and never by my presence with
+you, however much I may still love you, will I countenance the acts to
+which you are now hurrying."
+
+It was signed "Clémence;" but it fell from the Count's hand ere his
+eye had reached that word, and he gazed at it fixedly as it lay upon
+the ground for several moments, without attempting to raise it; then,
+turning with a sudden start to Riquet and another servant who stood
+by, as if for orders, he exclaimed--"To horse!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VI.
+
+                         THE PASTOR'S PRISON.
+
+
+The pillow of Clémence de Marly was wet with her tears, and sleep had
+not visited her eyes, when a quick knocking was heard at her door, and
+she demanded timidly who was there.
+
+"It is I, Madam," replied the voice of the Duchess de Rouvré's maid.
+
+"Then wait a moment, Mariette," replied Clémence, "and I will open the
+door. She rose, put on a dressing gown, and by the light of the lamp
+which still stood unextinguished on the table, she raised and
+concealed, in a small casket, two letters which she had left open, and
+which bore evident signs of having been wept over before she retired
+to rest. The one was in the clear free handwriting of youth and
+strength; the other was in characters, every line of which spoke the
+feeble hand of age, infirmity, or sickness. When that was done, she
+opened the door which was locked, and admitted the Duchess's maid, who
+was followed into the room by her own attendant Maria, who usually
+slept in a little chamber hard by.
+
+"What is the matter, Mariette?" demanded the young lady. "I can
+scarcely say that I have closed my eyes ere I am again disturbed."
+
+"I am sorry, Mademoiselle, to alarm you," replied the woman; "but
+Maria would positively not wake you, so I was obliged to do it, for
+the Duke was sent for just as he was going to bed, and after remaining
+for two hours with the King has returned, and given immediate orders
+to prepare for a long journey. The Duchess sent me to let you know
+that such was the case, and that the carriages would be at the door in
+less than two hours."
+
+"Do you know whither they are going," demanded Clémence, "and if I am
+to accompany them?"
+
+"I know nothing from the Duke or the Duchess, Mademoiselle," replied
+the woman, "but the Duke's valet said that we were going either to
+Brittany or Poitou, for my lord had brought away a packet from the
+King addressed to somebody in those quarters; and you are going
+certainly, Mademoiselle, for the Duchess told me to tell you so, and
+the valet says that it is on account of you we are going; for that the
+Chevalier came back with my lord the Duke, and when he parted with
+him, said, 'Tell Clémence, she shall hear from me soon.'"
+
+Clémence mused, but made no answer; and when in about an hour after,
+she descended to the saloon of the hotel, she found every thing in the
+confusion of departure, and the Duc de Rouvré standing by the table,
+at which his wife was seated, waiting for the moment of setting out,
+with a face wan, indeed, and somewhat anxious, but not so sorrowful or
+dejected as perhaps Clémence expected to see.
+
+"I fear, my dear Duke," she said, approaching him and leaning her two
+hands affectionately upon his arm, "I fear that you, who have been to
+your poor Clémence a father indeed, are destined to have even more
+than a father's share of pains and anxieties with her. I am sure that
+all this to-night is owing to me, or to those that are dear to me, and
+that you have fallen under the King's displeasure on account of the
+rash steps of him whom I cannot yet cease to love."
+
+"Not at all, my sweet Clémence; not at all, my sweet child," said the
+old nobleman, kissing her hand with that mingled air of gallant
+respect and affection which he always showed towards her. "I do not
+mean to say, that your fair self has nothing to do with this business
+in any way, but certainly not in that way. It is about another
+business altogether, Clémence, that we are ordered to retire from the
+court; but not in disgrace, my dear young friend, we are by no means
+in disgrace. The King is perfectly satisfied that you have had no
+share in all the business of poor Albert of Morseiul; and when I told
+him how bitterly and deeply grieved you were, and how struck to the
+heart you seemed to have been, when you heard that the Count had fled
+to join the rebels in Poitou, he told me to bid you console yourself,
+saying, that he would find you another and a better husband soon."
+
+Clémence's eyes were bent down upon the ground with an expression of
+grief and pain; but she looked up in a moment, and said, "Is it
+permitted me to ask you, my lord, how I am connected with this sudden
+removal?"
+
+"Nay," he said, "nay, sweet Clémence, that I must not tell you. I
+scruple not to say, that I think his Majesty is acting without due
+consideration; but, of course, my first duty, like that of all his
+other subjects, is to obey; and he particularly wishes that nothing
+should be said to you on the subject, as it might render one duty
+difficult by opposing to it another. At present the whole matter is
+quite simple; we have nothing to do but to set out as soon as these
+villanous lackeys have got the carriages ready."
+
+Thus saying, the Duke turned away, evidently wishing to avoid further
+inquiries, and in about half an hour after Clémence was rolling away
+from Versailles with the Duke and Duchess de Rouvré, followed by a
+long train of carriages and attendants.
+
+It is needless to trace a melancholy journey in the darkest and
+gloomiest weather of the month of November; but it was evident that
+the Duc de Rouvré was in haste, travelling early and late, and it also
+appeared, from his conversation as they went, that, though he was
+charged with no special mission from the King, he proposed only
+pausing for a short time in Poitou, and then bending his steps to some
+of his other estates. Indeed, he suffered it to be understood that, in
+all probability, for many months he should take but little repose,
+frequently changing his place of abode, and travelling from one city
+to another. Although the health of Madame de Rouvré was by no means
+vigorous, and though far and rapid travelling never, at any time, had
+agreed with her, she made no objection, but seemed contented and happy
+with the arrangement, and even suggested that a journey to Italy might
+be beneficial to them all.
+
+Clémence wondered but was silent; and at length, late on the afternoon
+of the sixth day after their departure, they arrived at the small town
+of Thouars, over which was brooding the dark grey fogs of a November
+evening. Not many miles remained to travel from Thouars to Ruffigny;
+and the Duke, who was of course well known in that part of the
+country, received visits of congratulation on his arrival from the
+principal officers and inhabitants of the town. At these visits,
+however, Clémence was not present. She sent down an excuse for not
+appearing during the evening; and when the Duke sent up to say he
+wished to see her for a moment, she was not to be found, nor had she,
+indeed, returned at the end of an hour.
+
+Where was Clémence de Marly? it may be asked. She was in the dark and
+gloomy abode, often of crime and often of innocence, but ever of
+anguish and of sorrow. She was in the prison of the old château of
+Thouars. Not, indeed, as one of those unfortunate beings, the
+involuntary inmates of the place, but as one coming upon the sad and
+solemn errand of visiting a dear and well-beloved friend for the last
+time. The office of governor of the prison, as it was seldom if ever
+used for the confinement of state offenders, had been suffered to fall
+into the hands of the mayor of the place, who delegated his charge to
+an old lieutenant, who again entrusted it to two subordinate gaolers,
+antique and rusty in their office as the keys they carried. It was
+with one of these that Clémence was speaking eagerly in the small dark
+passage that led into the interior of the building. She was habited in
+the ordinary grey cloak in which we have seen her twice before, and
+had with her still, on this occasion also, the faithful servant who
+had then attended her.
+
+"Come, come, pretty mistress," said the man, thrusting himself
+steadfastly in the way, "I tell you it is as much as my head is worth.
+He is condemned to be broken on the wheel to-morrow, and I dare admit
+nobody to him."
+
+"Look at these," said Clémence, pouring some gold pieces from her
+purse into her open hand. "I offer you these if you will allow me to
+speak with him for an hour, and if you refuse I shall certainly insist
+upon seeing the lieutenant of the governor himself. You know what
+manner of man he is, and whether he will reject what I shall offer
+him; so he will get the money, and you will not, and I shall see the
+prisoner notwithstanding."
+
+The man's resolution was evidently shaken to the foundation. He was an
+old man and fond of gold. The sight was pleasant to him, and, putting
+forth his hand, he lifted one piece between his finger and thumb,
+turned it over, and dropped it back again upon the others. The sound
+completed what the touch had begun.
+
+"Well," he said at length, "I do not see why he should get it and I
+not. He is asleep, too, now in the arm-chair; so it were a pity to
+wake him. You want to be with the old man an hour, do you, young
+woman? Well, you must both go in then; and I must go away and be
+absent with the keys, for fear the lieutenant should wake and go to
+see the prisoner."
+
+"Do you mean to lock us in with him, then?" exclaimed the maid, in
+some terror.
+
+"Fear not, Maria!" said her mistress. "You, who have ever given me
+encouragement and support, must not fear now. There is God even here."
+
+"Be quick, then, and come along," said the gaoler, "but first give me
+the money." Clémence poured it into his hand; and when he had got it,
+he paused, hesitating as if he were tempted by the spirit of evil to
+keep the gold and refuse her admission. But if such were the case, a
+moment's reflection showed him that to attempt it would be ruinous;
+and he, therefore, led the way along the passage in which they were,
+putting his finger upon his lips to enjoin silence, as they passed by
+a part of the prison which seemed to be inhabited by those who had
+some means of obtaining luxuries. At length, however, he lowered a
+lantern which he carried, and pointed to two or three steps which led
+into another passage, narrower, damper, and colder than the former. At
+the distance of about fifty feet from the steps this corridor was
+crossed by another; and turning to the right over a rough uneven
+flooring of earth, with the faint light of the lantern gleaming here
+and there on the damp green glistening mould of the walls, he walked
+on till he reached the end, and then opened a low heavy door.
+
+All within was dark, and, as the man drew back to let his female
+companions pass, the attendant, Maria, laid her hand upon the lantern,
+saying, "Give us a light, at least!"
+
+"Ah! well, you may have it," grumbled forth the gaoler; and Clémence,
+who though resolute to her purpose, still felt the natural fears of
+her sex and her situation, turned to him, saying, "I give you three
+more of those pieces when you open the door again for me."
+
+"Oh, I'll do that--I'll do that!" replied the man, quickened by the
+gold; and while Maria took the lantern and passed the door, Clémence
+gazed down the step or two that led into the dungeon, and then with a
+pale cheek and wrung heart followed. The door closed behind them; the
+harsh bolt of the lock grated as the man turned the key; and, the
+power of retreat being at an end, the beautiful girl threw back the
+hood of the cloak, and gazed on before her into the obscure vault,
+which the feeble light of the lantern had scarcely deprived of any
+part of its darkness. The only thing that she could perceive, at
+first, was a large heavy pillar in the midst, supporting the pointed
+vault of the dungeon, with the faint outline of a low wooden bed, with
+the head thereof resting against the column.
+
+No one spoke; and nothing but a faint moan broke the awful silence. It
+required the pause of a moment or two ere Clémence could overcome the
+feelings of her own heart sufficiently to take the lantern and
+advance; opening a part of the dim horn as she did so, in order to
+give greater light. A step or two farther forward brought her to the
+side of the bed; and the light of the lantern now showed her
+distinctly the venerable form of Claude de l'Estang stretched out upon
+the straw with which the pallet was filled. A heavy chain was round
+his middle, and the farther end thereof was fastened to a stanchion in
+the column.
+
+The minister was dressed in a loose grey prison gown, and, although he
+saw the approach of some one in the abode of misery in which he was
+placed, he moved not at all, but remained with his arm bent under his
+head, his eyes turned slightly towards the door, his lower lip
+dropping as if with debility or pain, and his whole attitude
+displaying the utter lassitude and apathy of exhaustion and despair.
+When Clémence was within a foot or two of his side, however, he slowly
+raised his eyes towards her; and in a moment, when he beheld her face,
+a bright gleam came over his faded countenance, awakening in it all
+those peculiar signs and marks of strong intellect and intense feeling
+which the moment before had seemed extinct and gone. It was like the
+lightning flashing over some noble ruin in the midst of the deep
+darkness of the night.
+
+"Is it you, my sweet child?" he cried, in a faint voice that was
+scarcely audible even in the midst of the still silence. "Is it you
+that have come to visit me in this abode of wretchedness and agony?
+This is indeed a blessing and a comfort; a blessing to see that there
+are some faithful even to the last, a comfort and a joy to find that
+she on whose truth and steadfastness I had fixed such hopes, has not
+deceived me;--and yet," he exclaimed, while Clémence gazed upon him
+with the tears rolling rapidly over her cheeks, and the sobs
+struggling hard for utterance, "and yet, why, oh why have you come
+here? why have you risked so much, my child, to soothe the few short
+hours that to-morrow's noon shall see at an end?"
+
+"Oh, dear friend," said Clémence, kneeling down beside the pallet,
+"could I do otherwise, when I was in this very town, than strive to
+see you, my guide, my instructor, my teacher in right, my warner of
+the path that I ought to shun? Could I do otherwise, when I thought
+that there was none to soothe, that there was none to console you,
+that in the darkness and the agony of these awful hours there was not
+one voice to speak comfort, or to say one word of sympathy?"
+
+"My child, you are mistaken," replied the old man, striving to raise
+himself upon his arm, and sinking back again with a low groan. "There
+has been one to comfort, there has been one to support me. He, to whom
+I go, has never abandoned me: neither in the midst of insult and
+degradation; no, nor in the moment of agony and torture, nor in those
+long and weary hours that have passed since they bore these ancient
+limbs from the rack on which they had bound them, and cast them down
+here to endure the time in darkness, in pain, and in utter
+helplessness, till at noon to-morrow the work will be accomplished on
+the bloody wheel, and the prisoner in this ruined clay will receive a
+joyful summons to fly far to his Redeemer's throne."
+
+The tears rained down from the eyes of Clémence de Marly like the
+drops of a summer shower; but she dared not trust herself to speak:
+and after pausing to take breath, which came evidently with
+difficulty, the old man went on, "But still I say, Clémence, still I
+say, why have you come hither? You know not the danger, you know not
+the peril in which you are."
+
+"What!" cried Clémence, "should I fear danger, should I fear peril in
+such a case as this? Let them do to me what they will, let them do to
+me what God permits them to do. To have knelt here beside you, to have
+spoken one word of comfort to you, to have wiped the drops from that
+venerable brow in this awful moment, would be a sufficient recompense
+to Clémence de Marly for all that she could suffer."
+
+"God forbid," cried the pastor, "that they should make you suffer as
+they can. You know not what it is, my child--you know not what it is!
+If it were possible that an immortal spirit, armed with God's truth,
+should consent unto a lie, that torture might well produce so awful a
+falling off! But you recall me, my child, to what I was saying. I have
+not been alone, I have not been uncomforted even here. The word of God
+has been with me in my heart, the Spirit of God has sustained my
+spirit, the sufferings of my Saviour have drowned my sufferings, the
+hope of immortality has made me bear the utmost pains of earth. When
+they had taken away the printed words from before mine eyes, when they
+had shut out the light of heaven, so that I could not have seen, even
+if the holy book had been left, they thought they had deprived me of
+my solace. But they forgot that every word thereof was in my heart;
+that it was written there, with the bright memories of my early days;
+that it was traced there with the calm recollections of my manhood;
+that it was printed there with sufferings and with tears; that it was
+graven there with smiles and joys; that with every act of my life, and
+thought of my past being, those words of the revealed will of God were
+mingled, and never could be separated; and it came back to me even
+here, and blessed me in the dungeon; it came back to me before the
+tribunal of my enemies, and gave me a mouth and wisdom; it came back
+to me on the torturing rack, and gave me strength to endure without a
+groan; it came back to me even as I was lying mangled here, and made
+the wheel of to-morrow seem a blessed resting-place."
+
+"Alas, alas!" cried Clémence, "when I see you here; when I see you
+thus suffering; when I see you thus the sport of cruelty and
+persecution, I feel that I have judged too harshly of poor Albert, in
+regard to his taking arms against the oppressors; I feel that perhaps,
+like him, I should have thus acted, even though I called the charge of
+ingratitude upon my head."
+
+"And is he free, then? is he free?" demanded the pastor, eagerly.
+
+"He is free," replied Clémence, "and, as we hear, in arms against the
+King."
+
+"Oh, entreat him to lay them down," exclaimed the pastor; "beseech him
+not to attempt it  Tell him that ruin and death can be the only
+consequences: tell him that the Protestant church is at an end in
+France: tell him that flight to lands where the pure faith is known
+and loved is the only hope: tell him that resistance is destruction to
+him, and to all others. Tell him so, my child, tell him so from me:
+tell him so--but, hark!" he continued, "what awful sound is that?" for
+even while he was speaking, and apparently close to the spot where the
+dungeon was situated, a sharp explosion took place, followed by a
+multitude of heavy blows given with the most extraordinary rapidity.
+No voices were distinguished for some minutes; and the blows continued
+without a moment's cessation, thundering one upon the other with a
+vehemence and force which seemed to shake the whole building.
+
+"It is surely," said Clémence, "somebody attacking the prison door.
+Perhaps, oh Heaven! perhaps it is some one trying to deliver you."
+
+"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed the old man; "Heaven forbid that they
+should madly rush to such an attempt for the purpose of saving, for a
+few short hours, this wretched frame from that death which will be a
+relief. Hark, do you not hear cries and shouts?"
+
+Clémence listened, and she distinctly heard many voices apparently
+elevated, but at a distance, while the sound of the blows continued
+thundering upon what was evidently the door of the prison, and a low
+murmur, as if of persons speaking round, joined with the space to make
+the farther cries indistinct. A pause succeeded for a moment or two;
+but then came the sound of galloping horse, and then a sharp discharge
+of musketry, instantly followed by the loud report of fire-arms from a
+spot immediately adjacent to the building. Clémence clasped her hands
+in terror, while her attendant Maria, filled with the dangerous
+situation in which they were placed, ran and pushed the door of the
+dungeon, idly endeavouring to force it open.
+
+In the mean while, for two or three minutes nothing was heard but
+shouts and cries, with two or three musket shots; then came a volley,
+then another, then two or three more shots, then the charging of horse
+mingled with cries, and shouts, and screams, while still the
+thundering blows continued, and at length a loud and tremendous crash
+was heard shaking the whole building. A momentary pause succeeded, the
+blows were no longer heard, and the next sound was the rush of many
+feet. A moment of doubt and apprehension, of anxiety, nay of terror,
+followed. Clémence was joyful at the thought of the pastor's
+deliverance; but what, she asked herself, was to be her own fate, even
+if the purpose of those who approached was the good man's liberation.
+Another volley from without broke in upon the other sounds; but in an
+instant after the rushing of the feet approached the door where they
+were, and manifold voices were heard speaking.
+
+"It is locked," cried one; "where can the villain be with the keys?"
+
+"Get back," cried another loud voice; "give me but a fair stroke at
+it."
+
+A blow like thunder followed; and, seeming to fall upon the locks and
+bolts of the door, dashed them at once to pieces, driving a part of
+the wood-work into the dungeon itself. Two more blows cast the whole
+mass wrenched from its hinges to the ground. A multitude of people
+rushed in, some of them bearing lights, all armed to the teeth, some
+bloody, some begrimed with smoke and gunpowder; fierce excitement
+flashing from every eye, and eager energy upon every face.
+
+"He is here, he is here," they shouted to the others without. "Make
+way, make way, let us bring him out."
+
+"But who are these women?" cried another voice.
+
+"Friends, friends, dear friends, come to comfort me," cried the
+pastor.
+
+"Blessings on the tongue that so often has taught us," cried other
+voices, while several ran forward and kissed his hands with tears;
+"blessings on the heart that has guided and directed us."
+
+"Stand back, my friends, stand back," cried a gigantic man, with an
+immense sledge-hammer in his hand, "let me break the chain;" and at a
+single blow he dashed the strong links to atoms.
+
+"Now bring them all along!" he cried, "now bring them all along! Take
+up the good man on the bed, and carry him out."
+
+"Bring them all along! bring them all along!" cried a thousand voices,
+and without being listened to in any thing that she had to say,
+Clémence, clinging as closely as she could to her attendant, was
+hurried out along the narrow passages of the prison, which were now
+flashing with manifold lights, into the dark little square which was
+found filled with people. Multitudes of lights were in all the windows
+round, and, covering the prison, a strong band of men were drawn up
+facing the opposite street. A number of persons on horseback were in
+front of the band, and, by the lights which were flashing from the
+torches in the street, one commanding figure appeared to the eyes of
+Clémence at the very moment she was brought forth from the doors of
+the prison, stretching out his hand towards the men behind him, and
+shouting, in a voice that she could never forget, though now that
+voice was raised into tones of loud command, such as she had never
+heard it use. "Hold! hold! the man that fires a shot dies! Not one
+unnecessary shot, not one unnecessary blow!"
+
+Clémence strove to turn that way, and to fly towards the hotel where
+Monsieur de Rouvré lodged; but she was borne away by the stream, which
+seemed to be now retreating from the town. At the same moment an armed
+man laid gently hold of her cloak, seeing her efforts to free herself,
+and said,--
+
+"This way, lady, this way. It is madness for you to think to go back
+now. You are with friends. You are with one who will protect you with
+his life, for your kindness to the murdered and the lost."
+
+She turned round to gaze upon him, not recollecting his voice; and his
+face, in the indistinct light, seemed to her like a face remembered in
+a dream, connected with the awful scene of the preaching on the moor,
+and the dark piece of water, and the dying girl killed by the shot of
+the dragoons. Ere she could ask any questions, however, the stream of
+people hurried her on, and in a few minutes she was out of Thouars,
+and in the midst of the open country round.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VII.
+
+                     THE DEATH OF THE PERSECUTED.
+
+
+When the flight had been conducted for about two miles in the midst of
+the perfect darkness which surrounded the whole scene--for the lights
+and torches which had appeared in the town had been extinguished with
+the exception of one or two, on leaving it--the voice which had before
+addressed Clémence de Marly again spoke nearer, apparently giving
+command, as some one in authority over the others.
+
+"Where is the litter?" he exclaimed.--"Where is the litter that was
+brought for the good minister? Bring it hither: he will be more easy
+in that."
+
+Clémence had kept as near as she could to the spot where Claude de
+l'Estang was carried, and she now heard him answer in a faint and
+feeble voice,--
+
+"Do not move me: in pity do not move me. My limbs are so strained and
+dislocated by the rack, that the slightest movement pains me. Carry me
+as I am, if you will; but move me not from this bed."
+
+"Well, then, place these two ladies in the litter," said the same
+voice. "We shall go faster then."
+
+Without asking her consent, Clémence de Marly was placed in the small
+hand-litter which had been brought for the pastor; her maid took the
+place by her side, and, lifted on the shoulders of four men, she was
+carried on more quickly, gaining a faint and indistinct view of what
+was passing around, from the more elevated situation in which she now
+was.
+
+They were mounting slowly the side of the hill, about two miles from
+the town of Thouars, and she could catch a distant view of the dark
+towers and masses of the town as it then existed, rising above the
+objects around. From thence, as far as her eye was able to
+distinguish, a stream of people was flowing on all along the road to
+the very spot where she was, and several detached parties were seen
+here and there, crossing the different eminences on either side, so
+that the force assembled must have been very considerable. She
+listened eagerly for any sound from the direction of Thouars,
+apprehensive at every moment that she would hear the firing renewed;
+for she knew, or at least she believed she knew, that Albert of
+Morseiul, with the better disciplined band which he seemed to command,
+would be the last to leave the city he had so boldly entered. Nothing,
+however, confirmed her expectation. There was a reddish light over the
+town, as if there were either fires in the streets, or that the houses
+were generally lighted up; but all was silent, except a dull distant
+murmur, heard when the sound of the marching feet ceased from any
+cause for a moment. Few words passed between Clémence and her
+attendant; for though Maria was a woman of a calm determined spirit in
+moments of immediate danger, and possessed with a degree of religious
+zeal, which was a strong support in times of peril and difficulty, yet
+the scenes in the prison and the dungeon, the horrors which she had
+only dreamt of before brought actually before her eyes, had not
+precisely unnerved, but had rendered her thoughtful and silent. The
+only sentence which she ventured to address to her mistress, without
+being spoken to, was,--
+
+"Oh, Madam, is the young Count so much to blame, after all?"
+
+"Alas, Maria," replied Clémence, in the same low tone, "I think that
+all are to blame, more or less. Deep provocation has certainly been
+given; but I do think that Albert ought to have acted differently. He
+had not these scenes before his eyes when he fled to put himself at
+the head of the insurgents; and ere he did so, he certainly owed
+something to me and something to the King. Nevertheless, since I have
+seen what I have seen, and heard what I have heard, I can make excuses
+which I could not make before."
+
+The attendant made no reply, and the conversation dropped. The march
+continued rapidly for three or four hours, till at length there was a
+short halt; and a brief consultation seemed to take place between two
+or three of the leaders on horseback. The principal part of the men on
+foot, exhausted as it appeared by great exertion, sat or lay down by
+the road side; but ere the conference had gone on for above five
+minutes, a cavalier, followed by several other men on horseback, came
+up at the full gallop; and again the deep mellow tones of that
+remarkable voice struck the ear of Clémence de Marly, and made her
+whole frame thrill. His words, or as they appeared commands, were but
+few; and, without either approaching the side of Claude de l'Estang or
+herself, he rode back again in haste, and the march was renewed.
+
+Ere long a fine cold rain began to fall, chilling those it lighted on
+to the very heart; and Clémence thought she perceived that as they
+advanced the number of people gradually fell away. At length, after a
+long and fatiguing march through the night, as the faint grey of the
+dawn began to appear, she found that, at the very utmost, there were
+not above a hundred of the armed Protestants around her. The party was
+evidently under the command of a short but powerfully made man, on
+horseback, whom she recognised as the person who had carried the
+unfortunate novice Claire in his arms to the house of Claude de
+l'Estang. He rode on constantly by the side of the bed in which the
+good pastor was carried on men's shoulders, and bowing down his head
+from time to time, he spoke to him with what seemed words of comfort
+and hope. They were now on a part of the road from Thouars towards
+Nantes, that passed through the midst of one of those wide sandy
+tracts called in France _landes_, across which a sort of causeway had
+been made by felled trees, rough and painful of passage even to the
+common carts of the country. This causeway, however, was soon quitted
+by command of Armand Herval. One party took its way through the sands
+to the right; and the rest, following the litters, bent their course
+across the country, towards a spot where a dark heavy line bounded the
+portion of the _landes_ within sight, and seemed to denote a large
+wood of the deep black pine, which grows better than any other tree in
+that sandy soil. It was near an hour before they reached the wood; and
+even underneath its shadow the shifting sand continued, only
+diversified a little by a few thin blades of green grass, sufficient
+to feed the scanty flocks of sheep, which form the only riches of that
+tract.
+
+In the midst of the wood--where they had found or formed a little
+oasis around them--were two shepherds' cottages; and to these the
+party commanded by Armand Herval at once directed its course. An old
+man and two boys came out as they approached, but with no signs of
+surprise; and Claude de l'Estang was carried to one of the cottages,
+into which Clémence followed. She had caught a sight of the good man's
+face as they bore him past her, and she saw that there was another sad
+and painful task before her, for which she nerved her mind.
+
+"Now, good Antoine," said Armand Herval, speaking to one of the
+shepherds, "lead out the sheep with all speed, and take them over all
+the tracks of men and horses that you may meet with. You will do it
+carefully, I know. We have delivered the good man, as you see; but I
+fear--I fear much that we have after all come too late, for the
+butchers have put him to the question, and almost torn him limb from
+limb. God knows I made what speed I could, and so did the Count."
+
+The old shepherd to whom he spoke made no reply, but listened, gazing
+in his face with a look of deep melancholy. One of the younger men who
+stood by, however, said, "We heard the firing. I suppose they strove
+hard to keep him."
+
+"That they assuredly did!" replied Herval, his brows knitting as he
+spoke; "and if we had not been commanded by such a man, they would not
+only have kept him, but us too. One half of our people failed us.
+Boursault was not there. Kerac and his band never came. We were full
+seven hundred short, and then the petard went off too soon, and did no
+good, but brought the whole town upon us. They had dragoons, too, from
+Niort; and tried first to drive us back, then to take us in flank by
+the tower-street, then to barricade the way behind us; but they found
+they had to do with a Count de Morseiul, and they were met every
+where, and every where defeated. Yet, after all," continued the man,
+"he will ruin us from his fear of shedding any blood but his own. But
+I must go in and see after the good man; and then speed to the woods.
+We shall be close round about, and one sound of a conch[3] will bring
+a couple of hundred to help you, good Antoine."
+
+
+---------------------
+
+[Footnote 3: This large shell is used in many of the sea-coast
+districts of France still, for the purpose of giving signals. The
+sound, when properly blown, is very powerful and peculiar. They assert
+that across a level country it can be heard six miles. I have myself
+heard it more than two, and so distinctly, that it must have been
+audible at a much greater distance.]
+
+---------------------
+
+
+Thus saying, he went into the cottage, where Clémence had already
+taken her place by the side of the unhappy pastor's bed; and, on the
+approach of Herval, she raised her finger gently to indicate that he
+slept. He had, indeed, fallen into momentary slumber, utterly
+exhausted by suffering and fatigue; but the fallen temples--the
+sharpened features--the pale ashy hue of the countenance, showed to
+the eyes of Clémence, at least, that the sleep was not that from which
+he would wake refreshed and better. Herval, less acute in his
+perceptions, judged differently; and, after assuring Clémence in a
+whisper that she was quite in safety there, as the woods round were
+filled with the band, he left her, promising to return ere night.
+
+Clémence would fain have asked after Albert of Morseiul, and might,
+perhaps, have expressed a wish to see him; but there were strange
+feelings of timidity in her heart which kept her silent till the man
+was gone, and then she regretted that she had not spoken, and accused
+herself of weakness. During the time that she now sat watching by the
+pastor's side, she had matter enough for thought in her own situation.
+What was now to become of her, was a question that frequently
+addressed itself to her heart; and, more than once, as she thus sat
+and pondered, the warm ingenuous blood rushed up into her cheek at
+thoughts which naturally arose in her bosom from the consideration of
+the strange position in which she was placed. Albert of Morseiul had
+not seen her, she knew. He could not even divine or imagine that she
+was at Thouars at all, much less in the prison itself; but yet she
+felt somewhat reproachfully towards him, as if he should have divined
+that it was she whom he saw borne along, not far from the unhappy
+pastor. Though she acknowledged, too, in her own heart, that there
+were great excuses to be made for the decided part which her lover had
+taken in the insurrection of that part of the country, still she was
+not satisfied, altogether, with his having done so; still she called
+him, in her own heart, both rash and ungrateful.
+
+On the other hand, she remembered, that she had written to him in
+haste, and in some degree of anger, or, at least, of bitter
+disappointment; that she had refused, without explaining all the
+circumstances which prevented her, to share his flight as she had
+previously promised; that, hurried and confused, she had neither told
+him that, at the very time she was writing, the Duchess de Rouvré
+waited to accompany her to the court, and that to fly at such a moment
+was impossible; nor that, during the whole of the following day, she
+was to remain at Versailles, where the eyes of every one would be upon
+her, more especially attracted towards her by the news of her lover's
+flight, which must, by that time, be generally known. She feared, too,
+that in that letter she had expressed herself harshly, even unkindly;
+she feared that those very words might have driven the Count into the
+desperate course which he had adopted, and she asked herself, with
+feelings such as she had never experienced before, when contemplating
+a meeting with Albert of Morseiul, how would he receive her?
+
+In short, in thinking of the Count, she felt that she had been
+somewhat in the wrong in regard to her conduct towards him. But she
+felt, also, at the same time, that he had been likewise in the wrong,
+and, therefore, what she had first to anticipate were the words of
+mutual reproach, rather than the words of mutual affection. Such was
+one painful theme of thought, and how she was to shape her own
+immediate conduct was another. To return to the house of the Duc de
+Rouvré seemed utterly out of the question. She had been found in the
+prison of Claude de l'Estang. Her religious feelings could no longer
+be concealed; her renunciation of the Catholic faith was sure, at that
+time, to be looked upon as nothing short of treason; and death or
+eternal imprisonment was the only fate that would befall her, if she
+were once cast into the hands of the Roman Catholic party.
+
+What then was she to do? Was she to throw herself at once upon the
+protection of Albert of Morseiul? Was she to bind her fate to his for
+ever, at the very moment when painful points of difference had arisen
+between them? Was she to cast herself upon his bounty as a suppliant,
+instead of holding the same proud situation she had formerly
+held,--instead of being enabled to confer upon him that which he would
+consider an inestimable benefit, while she herself enhanced its value
+beyond all price, by the sacrifice of all and every thing for him? Was
+she now, on the contrary,--when it seemed as if she had refused to
+make that sacrifice for his sake,--to come to him, as a fugitive,
+claiming his protection, to demand his bounty and his support, and to
+supplicate permission to share the fate in which he might think she
+had shown a disinclination to participate, till she was compelled to
+do so?
+
+The heart of Clémence de Marly was wrung at the thought. She knew that
+Albert of Morseiul was generous, noble, kind-hearted. She felt that,
+very likely, he might view the case in much brighter hues than she
+herself depicted it to her own mind; she felt that, if she were a
+suppliant to him, no reproach would ever spring to his lips; no cold
+averted look would ever tell her that he thought she had treated him
+ill. But she asked herself whether those reproaches would not be in
+his heart; and the pride, which might have taken arms and supported
+her under any distinct and open charge, gave way at the thought of
+being condemned, and yet cherished.
+
+How should she act, then? how should she act? she asked herself; and
+as Clémence de Marly was far from one of those perfect creatures who
+always act right from the first impulse, the struggle between
+contending feelings was long and terrible, and mingled with some
+tears. Her determination, however, was right at length.
+
+"I will tell him all I have felt, and all I think," she said. "I will
+utter no reproach: I will say not one word to wound him: I will let
+him see once more, how deeply and truly I love him. I will hear,
+without either pride or anger, any thing that Albert of Morseiul will
+say to me, and then, having done so, I will trust to his generosity to
+do the rest. I need not fear! Surely, I need not fear!" and, with this
+resolution, she became more composed, the surest and the strongest
+proof that it was right.
+
+But, to say the truth, since the perils of the night just passed,
+since she had beheld him she loved in a new character; since, with her
+own eyes, she had seen him commanding in the strife of men, and every
+thing seeming to yield to the will of his powerful and intrepid mind,
+new feelings had mingled with her love for him, of which, what she had
+experienced when he rode beside her at the hunting party at Poitiers,
+had been but, as it were, a type. It was not fear, but it was some
+degree of awe. She felt that, with all her own strength of mind, with
+all her own brightness of intellect and self-possession, there were
+mightier qualities in his character to which she must bow down: that
+she, in fact, was woman, altogether woman, in his presence.
+
+As she thus thought, a slight motion on the bed where Claude de
+l'Estang was laid made her turn her eyes thither. The old man had
+awoke from his short slumber, and his eyes, still bright and
+intelligent, notwithstanding the approach of death and the exhaustion
+of his shattered frame, were turned towards her with an earnest and a
+melancholy expression.
+
+"I hope you feel refreshed," said Clémence, bending over him. "You
+have had some sleep; and I trust it has done you good."
+
+"Do not deceive yourself, my dear child," replied the old man. "No
+sleep can do me good, but that deep powerful one which is soon coming.
+I wait but God's will, Clémence, and I trust that he will soon give
+the spirit liberty. It will be in mercy, Clémence, that he sends
+death; for were life to be prolonged, think what it would be to this
+torn and mangled frame. Neither hand nor foot can I move, nor were it
+possible to give back strength to my limbs or ease to my body. Every
+hour that I remain, I look upon but as a trial of patience and of
+faith, and I will not murmur: no, Clémence, not even in thought,
+against His almighty will, who bids me drag on the weary minutes
+longer. But yet, when the last of those minutes has come, oh! how
+gladly shall I feel the summons that others dread and fly from! I
+would fain, my child," he said, "I would fain hear: and from your
+lips: some of that blessed word which the misguided persecutors of our
+church deny unmutilated to the blind followers of their faith, though
+every word therein speaks hope, and consolation, and counsel, and
+direction to the heart of man."
+
+"Alas! good father," replied Clémence, "the Bible which I always carry
+with me, was left behind when I came to see you in prison, and I know
+not where to find one here."
+
+"The people in this, or the neighbouring cottage, have one," said the
+pastor. "They are good honest souls, whom I have often visited in
+former days."
+
+As the good woman of the cottage had gone out, almost immediately
+after the arrival of the party, to procure some herbs, which she
+declared would soothe the pastor greatly, Clémence proceeded to the
+other cottage, where she found an old man with a Bible in his hand,
+busily reading a portion thereof to a little boy who stood near. He
+looked up, and gave her the book as soon as she told him the purpose
+for which she came, and then, following into the cottage where the
+pastor lay, he and the boy stood by, and listened attentively while
+she read such chapters as Claude de l'Estang expressed a wish to hear.
+Those chapters were not, in general, such as might have been supposed.
+They were not those which hold out the glorious promises of
+everlasting life to men who suffer for their faith in this state of
+being. They were not such as pourtray to us, in its real and spiritual
+character, that other world, to which the footsteps of all are
+tending. It seemed as if, of such things, the mind of the pastor was
+so fully convinced, so intimately and perfectly sure, that they were
+as parts of his own being. But the passages that he selected were
+those in which our Redeemer lays down all the bright, perfect, and
+unchangeable precepts for the rule and governance of man's own
+conduct, which form the only code of law and philosophy that can
+indeed be called divine. And in that last hour it seemed the greatest
+hope and consolation which the dying man could receive, to ponder upon
+those proofs of divine love and wisdom which nothing but the Spirit of
+God himself could have dictated.
+
+Thus passed the whole of the day. From time to time Clémence paused,
+and the pastor spoke a few words to those who surrounded him: words of
+humble comment on what was read, or pious exhortation. At other times,
+when his fair companion was tired, the attendant Maria would take the
+book and read. No noises, no visit from without, disturbed the calm.
+It seemed as if their persecutors were at fault; and though from time
+to time one of the different members of those shepherd families passed
+in or out, no other persons were seen moving upon the face of the
+_landes_; no sounds were heard but their own low voices throughout the
+short light of a November day. To one fresh from the buzz of cities,
+and the busy activity of man, the contrast of the stillness and the
+solitude was strange; but doubly strange and exceeding solemn were
+they to the mind of her who came, fresh from the perturbed and fevered
+visions of the preceding night, and saw that day lapse away like a
+long and quiet sleep.
+
+Towards the dusk of the evening, however, her attendant laid her hand
+upon her arm as she was still reading, saying, "There is a change
+coming;" and Clémence paused and gazed down upon the old man's
+countenance. It looked very grey; but whether from the shadows of the
+evening, or from the loss of whatever hue of living health remained,
+she could hardly tell. But the difference was not so great in the
+colour as in the expression. The look of pain and suffering which,
+notwithstanding all his efforts to bear his fate with tranquillity,
+had still marked that fine expressive countenance, was gone, and a
+calm and tranquil aspect had succeeded, although the features were
+extremely sharpened, the eye sunk, and the temples hollow. It was the
+look of a body and a spirit at peace; and, for a moment, as the eyes
+were turned up towards the sky, Clémence imagined that the spirit was
+gone: but the next moment he looked round towards her, as if inquiring
+why she stopped.
+
+"How are you, Sir?" she said. "You seem more at ease."
+
+"I am quite at ease, Clémence," replied the old man. "All pain has
+left me. I am somewhat cold, but that is natural; and for the last
+half hour the remains of yesterday's agony have been wearing away, as
+I have seen snow upon a hill's side melt in the April sunshine. It is
+strange, and scarcely to be believed, that death should be so
+pleasant; for this is death, my child, and I go away from this world
+of care and pain with a foretaste of the mercies of the next. It is
+very slow, but still it is coming, Clémence, and bringing healing on
+its wings. Death, the messenger of God's will, to one that trusts in
+his mercy, is indeed the harbinger of that peace of God which passes
+all understanding."
+
+He paused a little, and his voice had grown considerably weaker, even
+while he spoke. "God forgive my enemies," he said at length, "and the
+mistaken men who persecute others for their soul's sake. God forgive
+them, and yield them a better light; for, oh how I wish that all men
+could feel death only as I feel it!"
+
+Such were the last words of Claude de l'Estang. They were perfectly
+audible and distinct to every one present, and they were spoken with
+the usual calm sweet simplicity of manner which had characterised all
+the latter part of his life. But after he had again paused for two or
+three minutes, he opened his lips as if to say something more, but no
+sound was heard. He instantly felt that such was the case, and ceased;
+but he feebly stretched forth his hand toward Clémence, who bent her
+head over it, and dewed it with her tears.
+
+When she raised her eyes, they fell upon the face of the dead.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                       THE DISCOVERY OF ERROR.
+
+
+We must now change the scene and time, though the spot to which we
+will conduct the reader is not situated more than ten miles from that
+in which the events took place recorded in the last chapter, and only
+one day's interval had elapsed. Considerably more inland, it presented
+none of that sandy appearance which characterises the _landes_. The
+vegetation also was totally different, the rich, even rank, grass
+spreading under the tall trees of the forest, and the ivy covering
+those which had lost their leaves thus early in the year.
+
+There was a little château belonging to an inferior noble of the
+province, situated in the midst of one of those wide woods which the
+French of that day took the greatest pains to maintain in a
+flourishing condition, both for the sake of the fuel which they
+afforded, and the cover that they gave to the objects of the chase.
+The château itself was built, as usual, upon an eminence of
+considerable elevation, overlooking the forest world around, and in
+its immediate neighbourhood the wood was cleared away so as to give an
+open esplanade, along which, upon the present occasion, some fifteen
+hundred or two thousand men had passed the preceding day and night:
+having liberated the poor pastor of Auron on the night before. Some
+few tents of rude construction, some huts hastily raised, had been
+their only shelter; but they murmured not; and indeed it was not from
+such causes that any of those who deserted from the body of Protestant
+insurgents quitted the standard of their leader. It was, that the
+agents of the governing priesthood had long been busy amongst them,
+and had sapped the principles and shaken the resolution of many of
+those who even showed themselves willing to take arms, but who soon
+fell away in the hour of need, acting more detrimentally on their own
+cause than if they had absolutely opposed it, or abandoned it from the
+first. Doubts of each other, and hesitation in their purposes, had
+thus been spread through the Protestants; and though, of the number
+assembled there, few existed who had now either inclination or
+opportunity to turn back, yet they thought with gloomy apprehension
+upon the defection that was daily taking place in the great body of
+Huguenots throughout France; and their energies were chilled even if
+their resolution was not shaken.
+
+The day of which we now speak rose with a brighter aspect than the
+preceding one, and it was scarcely more than daylight when the gates
+of the castle were opened, the horses of the Count de Morseiul and his
+immediate officers and attendants were brought out; and in a minute
+after, he himself, booted and spurred, and bearing energetic activity
+in his eye, came forth upon the esplanade, surrounded by a number of
+persons, who were giving him information, or receiving his orders. The
+men who were gathered in arms on the slope of the hill gazed up
+towards him with that sort of expectation which is near akin to hope;
+and the prompt rapidity of his gestures, the quickness with which he
+was speaking, the ease with which he seemed to comprehend every body,
+and the readiness and capability, if we may so call it, of his own
+demeanour, was marked by all those that looked upon him, and gave
+trust and confidence even to the faintest heart there.
+
+"Where is Riquet?" the Count said, after speaking to some of the
+gentlemen who had taken arms; "where is Riquet? He told me that two
+persons had arrived from Paris last night, and were safe in his
+chamber. Where is Riquet?"
+
+"Riquet! Riquet!" shouted several voices, sending the sound back into
+the castle; but in the mean time the Count went on speaking to those
+around them in a sorrowful tone.
+
+"So poor Monsieur de l'Estang is dead!" he said. "That is a shining
+light, indeed, put out. He died yesterday evening you say--God forgive
+me that I should regret him at such a moment as this, and wish that he
+had been left to us. There was not a nobler or a wiser, or, what is
+the same thing, a better man in France. I have known him from my
+childhood, gentlemen, and you must not think me weak that I cannot
+bear this loss as manly as might be," and he dashed a tear away from
+his eye. "That they should torture such a venerable form as that!" he
+added; "that they should stretch upon the rack him, who never pained
+or tortured any one! These things are too fearful, gentlemen, almost
+to be believed. The time will come when they shall be looked upon but
+as a doubtful tale. Is it not six of our pastors, in Poitou alone,
+that they have broken on the wheel? Out upon them, inhuman savages!
+Out upon them! I say. But what was this you told me of some ladies
+having been freed from the prison?--Oh, here is Riquet. Now, sirrah,
+what are your tidings? Who are these personages from Paris?"
+
+"One of them, Sir," replied Riquet, whose tone was changed in no
+degree by the new situation in which he was placed, "one of them is
+your Lordship's own man, or rather your Lordship's man's man, Peter.
+He is the personage that I left in Paris to give the order for your
+liberation that you wot of."
+
+"Ay!" said the Count; "what made him so long in following us? He was
+not detained, by any chance, was he?"
+
+"Oh no, my Lord," replied the valet, "he was not detained, only he
+thought--he thought--I do not know very well what he thought.  But,
+however, he stayed for two or three days, and is only just come on
+hither."
+
+"Does he bring any news?" demanded the Count.
+
+"None, but that the Prince de Conti is dead, very suddenly indeed, of
+the smallpox, caught of his fair wife; that all Protestants are
+ordered to quit Paris immediately; and that the Duke of Berwick has
+made formal abjuration."
+
+"I grieve for the Prince de Conti," said the Count, "he was
+promising and soldier-like; though the other, the young Prince de la
+Roche-sur-Yon, is full of still higher qualities. So, the boy Duke of
+Berwick has abjured. That might be expected. No other news?"
+
+"None, my Lord, from him," replied the man, who evidently was a little
+embarrassed in speaking on the subject of his fellow-servant; and he
+added immediately, "The other gentleman seems to have news; but he
+will communicate it to none but yourself."
+
+"I will speak with them both," replied the Count. "Bring them hither
+immediately, Riquet."
+
+"Why, my Lord," said the valet, "as to Peter, I do not well know
+where----"
+
+"You must know where, within three minutes," replied the Count, who,
+in general interpreted pretty accurately the external signs and
+symbols of what was going on in Riquet's heart. "You must know where,
+within three minutes, and that where must be here, by my side. Maître
+Riquet, remember, though somewhat indulgent in the saloon or the
+cabinet, I am not to be trifled with in the field. Now, gentlemen,
+what were we speaking of just now? Oh, these ladies. Have you any idea
+of what they were in prison for? Doubtless, for worshipping God
+according to their consciences. That is the great crime now. But I did
+not know that they had begun to persecute poor women;" and a shade of
+deep melancholy came over his fine features, as he thought of what
+might be the situation of Clémence de Marly.
+
+"Why, it would seem, Sir," replied one of the gentlemen, "from what I
+can hear, that the ladies were not there as prisoners; but were two
+charitable persons of the town of Thouars, who had come to give
+comfort and consolation to our poor friend, Monsieur de l'Estang."
+
+"God's blessing will be upon them," replied the Count, "for it was a
+noble and a generous deed in such times as these. But here comes
+Master Riquet, with our two newly arrived friends. Good heavens, my
+old acquaintance of the Bastille! Sir, I am very glad to see you free,
+and should be glad to see you in this poor province of Poitou, could
+we but give you any other entertainment than bullets and hard blows,
+and scenes of sorrow or of strife."
+
+"No matter, no matter, my young friend," replied the old Englishman;
+"to such entertainment I am well accustomed. It has been meat and
+drink to me from my youth; and though I cannot exactly say that I will
+take any other part in these transactions, being bound in honour, in
+some sense, not to do so, yet I will take my part in any dangers that
+are going, willingly. But do not let me stop you, if you are going to
+ask any questions of that fellow, who came the last five or six miles
+with me; for if you don't get him out of the hands of that rascal of
+yours, there will be no such thing as truth in him in five minutes."
+
+"Come hither, Peter," cried the Count. "Maître Riquet you have face
+enough for any thing; so stand here. Now, Peter, the truth at one
+word! What was it that Riquet was telling you not to tell me?"
+
+"Why, my Lord," replied the man, glancing his eye from his master to
+the valet, and the awe of the former in a moment overpowering the awe
+of the latter; "why, my Lord, he was saying, that there was no need to
+tell your Lordship that I never delivered the order that he gave me to
+deliver at the gates of the Bastille."
+
+The Count stood for a moment gazing on him thunderstruck. "You never
+delivered the order!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean to say you never
+delivered the order he gave you for my liberation?"
+
+"No, my Lord," replied the man, beginning to quake in every limb for
+fear that he had done something wrong. "I never did deliver the order.
+But I'll tell your Lordship why. I thought there was no use of
+delivering it, for just as I was walking up to do so, and had made
+myself look as like a courier of the court as I could, I saw you
+yourself going along the Rue St. Antoine, with two boys staring up in
+your face, and I thought I might only make mischief for myself or you
+if I went and said any thing more about the matter. When I knew you
+were free, I thought that was quite enough."
+
+"Certainly, certainly," replied the Count; "but in the name of Heaven,
+then, by whom have I been delivered?"
+
+"Why, my Lord, that is difficult to say," replied Riquet, "but not by
+that fellow who has brought me back the order as I gave it to him; and
+now--as very likely your Lordship would wish to know--I told him not
+to tell you, simply because it would tease you to no purpose, and take
+away from me the honour of having set your Lordship free, without
+doing you any good."
+
+"You are certainly impudent enough for your profession," replied the
+Count, "and in this instance as foolish as knavish. The endeavour and
+the risk were still the same, and it is for that I owe you thanks, not
+for the success or want of success."
+
+"Ah, Sir," replied Riquet, "if all masters were so noble and generous,
+we poor valets should not get spoilt so early. But how you have been
+liberated, Heaven only knows."
+
+"That's a mistake," replied the old English officer; "every body at
+the court of France knows. The King was in a liberating mood one week;
+and he himself gave an order for the Count's liberation one day, and
+for mine two days afterwards. I heard of it when I went to present
+myself before the King, and the whole court was ringing with what they
+called your ingratitude, Count; for by that time it was known on what
+errand you had set off hither."
+
+The Count clasped his hands together, and looked down upon the ground.
+"I fear," he said in a low voice, "that I have been sadly misled."
+
+"Not by me, my Lord, upon my honour!" cried Riquet, with an earnest
+look. "I did my best to serve you, and to deliver you; and I fully
+thought that by my means it had been done. The man can tell you that
+he had the order from me: he can produce it now--"
+
+"I blame you not, Riquet," said his master, "I blame you not! you
+acted for the best; but most unhappily has this chanced, to bring
+discredit on a name which never yet was stained. It is now too late to
+think of it, however. My part is chosen, and there is no retracting."
+
+"When on my visit to the court," said the old English officer, "in
+order to return thanks for my liberation, and to demand certain acts
+of justice, I heard you blamed, I replied, my good Sir, that we in
+England held that private affections must never interfere with public
+duties; and that doubtless you felt the part you had chosen to be a
+public duty. They seemed not to relish the doctrine there--nor you
+fully to feel its force, I think."
+
+"My dear Sir," said the Count, "I have not time to discuss nicely all
+the collateral points which affect that question. All I will say is,
+that in following such a broad rule, there is much need to be upon our
+guard against one of man's greatest enemies--his own deceitful heart;
+and to make sure that, in choosing the seeming part of public duty, to
+be not as much influenced by private affections--amongst which I class
+vanity, pride, anger, revenge--as in adopting the opposite course."
+
+"That is true, too; that is true, too," replied the other. "Man puts
+me in mind of an ape I once saw, whose greatest delight was to tickle
+himself; but if any one else tried to do it, he would bite to the
+bone. But I see you are about to march--and some of your people have
+got their troops already in motion. If you will allow me half an
+hour's conversation as we ride along, I shall be glad. I will get my
+horse, and mount in a minute."
+
+"The horse that brought you here must be tired," replied the Count;
+"my people have several fresh ones. Riquet, see that a horse be
+saddled quickly for--this gentleman. A strange piece of ignorance,
+Sir," he continued, "but I am still unacquainted with your name."
+
+"Oh, Thomas Cecil, my good Count," replied the old officer, "Sir
+Thomas Cecil; but I will go get the horse, and be with you in a
+moment."
+
+The Count bowed his head, and while the Englishman was away, proceeded
+to conclude all his arrangements for the march. In something like
+regular order, but still with evident symptoms of no long training in
+the severe rules of military discipline, the Count's little force
+began to march, and a great part thereof was winding down the hill
+when the old Englishman returned.
+
+"That is a fine troop," he said, "just now getting into motion. If you
+had many such as that, you might do something."
+
+"They are a hundred of my own Protestant tenantry and citizens,"
+replied the Count. "They have all served under me long in the late
+war, and were disbanded after the Truce of twenty years was signed.
+There is not a braver or steadier handful in Europe; and since I have
+been placed as I am, I make it a point to lead them at the head in any
+offensive operations on our part, and to follow with them in the rear
+in the event of retreat, which you see is the case now. You will let
+them precede us a little, and then we can converse at leisure."
+
+Thus saying, he mounted his horse, and after seeing the little body,
+which he called his legion, take its way down the hill, he followed
+accompanied by Sir Thomas, with a small party of attendants fifty
+yards behind them.
+
+"And now, my good Sir," said the young nobleman, "you will not think
+me of scanty courtesy if I say that it may be necessary to tell me in
+what I can serve you; or, in fact, to speak more plainly, if I ask the
+object of your coming to my quarters, at once, as I am informed that
+the intendant of the province, with what troops he can bring together
+from Berry and Rouergue, forming altogether a very superior force to
+our own, is marching to attack us. If he can do so in our retreat, of
+course he will be glad to avail himself of the opportunity, especially
+as I have been led away from the part of the country which it is most
+easy to defend with such troops as ours, in order to prevent an act of
+brutal persecution which they were going to perpetrate on one of the
+best of men. Thus our time for conversation may be short."
+
+"Why, you have not let him surprise you, I hope?" exclaimed the old
+officer.
+
+"Not exactly that," replied the Count; "but we are come into a part of
+the country where the people are principally Catholic, and we find a
+difficulty in getting information. I am also obliged to make a
+considerable movement to the left of my real line of retreat, in order
+to prevent one of our most gallant fellows, and his band of nearly
+three hundred men, from being cut off. He is, it is true, both brave
+and skilful, and quite capable of taking care of himself; but I am
+sorry to say grief and excitement have had an effect upon his brain,
+and he is occasionally quite insane, so that, without seeming to
+interfere with him too much, I am obliged, for the sake of those who
+are with him, to give more attention to his proceedings than might
+otherwise have been necessary."
+
+The Count paused, and the old officer replied, in a thoughtful tone,
+"I am in great hopes, from what I hear, that you will find more mild
+measures adopted towards you than you anticipate. Are you aware of who
+it is that has been sent down to command the troops in this district,
+in place of the former rash and cruel man?"
+
+"No," replied the Count, "but, from what I have heard during these
+last four days, I have been led to believe that a man of far greater
+skill and science is at the head of the King's troops. All their
+combinations have been so much more masterly, that I have found it
+necessary to be extremely cautious, whereas a fortnight ago I could
+march from one side of the country to the other without any risk."
+
+"The officer," replied Sir Thomas Cecil, "was raised to the rank of
+major-general for the purpose, and is, I understand, an old friend of
+yours, the Chevalier d'Evran."
+
+The Count suddenly pulled up his horse, and gazed, for a moment, in
+the old man's face. "Then," said he, "the Protestant cause is
+ruined.--It is not solely on account of Louis d'Evran's skill," he
+added, "that I say so: though if ever any one was made for a great
+commander he is that man; but he is mild and moderate, conciliating
+and good-humoured; and I have remarked that a little sort of fondness
+for mystery which he affects,--concealing all things that he intends
+in a sort of dark cloud, till it flashes forth like lightning,--has a
+very powerful effect upon all minds that are not of the first order.
+The only bond that has kept the Protestants together has been sharp
+and bitter persecution lately endured. If any one equally gentle and
+firm, powerful and yet conciliating, appears against us, I shall not
+have five hundred men left in two days."
+
+"And perhaps, Count," said the old man, "not very sorry for it?"
+
+The Count turned his eyes upon him, and looked steadily in his face
+for a moment. "That, I think," he said, "is hardly a fair question, my
+good friend. I believe you, Sir, from all I have seen of you, to be an
+upright and honourable man, and I have looked upon you as a sincere
+Protestant, and one suffering, in some degree, from your attachment to
+that faith. I take it for granted, then, that nothing which I have
+said to you this day is to be repeated."
+
+"Nothing, upon my honour," replied Sir Thomas Cecil, frankly. "You are
+quite right in your estimation of me, I assure you. If I ask any
+question, it is for my own satisfaction, and because, Sir, I take an
+interest in you. Nothing that passes your lips shall be repeated by
+me without your permission; though I tell you fairly, and at once,
+that I am going very soon to the head quarters of the Chevalier
+d'Evran, to fulfil a mission to him, which will be unsuccessful I
+know, but which must still be fulfilled. Will you trust me so far as
+this, Count? Will you let me know whether you really wish this state
+of insurrection to go on; or would not rather, if mild--I will not
+call them equitable--terms could be obtained for the Protestants of
+this district, that peace should be restored and a hopeless struggle
+ended? I do not say hopeless," he continued, "at all to disparage you
+efforts; but----"
+
+"My dear Sir," replied the Count, "act as bluntly by me as you did in
+the Bastille, call the struggle hopeless if you will. There are not
+ten men in my little force who do not know it to be hopeless, and
+those ten are fools. The only choice left, Sir, to the Protestants of
+this district when I arrived here was between timid despair and
+courageous despair; to die by the slow fire of persecution without
+resistance, or to die with swords in our hands in a good cause. We
+chose the latter, which afforded, indeed, the only hope of wringing
+toleration from our enemies by a vigorous effort. But I am as well
+aware as you are that we have no power sufficient to resist the power
+of the crown; that in the mountains, woods, and fastnesses of this
+district and of Brittany, upon which I am now retreating, I might,
+perhaps, frustrate the pursuit of the royal forces, for months, nay,
+for years; living, for weeks, as a chief of banditti, and only
+appearing for a single day, from time to time, as the general of an
+army. Day by day my followers would decrease; for the scissars of
+inconvenience often shear down the forces of an insurgent leader more
+fatally than the sharp sword of war. Then, a thousand to one, no means
+that I could take would prevent all my people from committing evil
+acts. I, and a just and holy cause, would acquire a bad name, and the
+whole would end by the worst of my people betraying me to death upon
+the scaffold. All this, Sir, was considered before I drew the sword;
+but you must remember that I had not the slightest idea whatsoever
+that the King had shown any disposition to treat me personally with
+any thing but bitter severity.--To return to your former question,
+then, and to answer it candidly and straight-forwardly, but merely
+remember between you and I, I should not grieve on such reasonable
+terms being granted to the generality of Protestants as would enable
+them to live peacefully, adhering to their own religion, though it be
+in private; to see my men reduced, as I have said, to five hundred,
+ay, or to one hundred: provided those gallant men, who, with firm
+determination, adhere to the faith of their fathers, and are resolved
+neither to conceal that faith nor submit to its oppression, have the
+means of seeking liberty of conscience in another land. As for
+myself," he continued, with a deep sigh, "my mind is at present in
+such a state that I should little care, if once I saw this settled, to
+go to-morrow and lay my head at the foot of the King's throne. Abjure
+my religion I never will; live in a land where it is persecuted I
+never will; but life has lately become a load to me, and it were as
+well for all, under such circumstances, that it were terminated. This
+latter part of what I have said, Sir, you may tell the Chevalier
+d'Evran: namely that, on the Government granting such terms to the
+Protestants of this district as will insure the two objects I have
+mentioned, the Count of Morseiul is willing to surrender himself to
+the pleasure of the King; though, till such terms are granted, and my
+people so secured, nothing shall induce me to sheath the sword:--and
+yet I acknowledge that I am bitterly grieved and mortified that this
+error has taken place in regard to the order for my liberation, and
+that thus an imputation of ingratitude has been brought upon me which
+I do not deserve."
+
+The old officer held out his hand to him, and shook that of the Count
+heartily, adding with a somewhat profane oath, which characterises the
+English nation, "Sir, you deserve your reputation!"
+
+He went on a minute or two afterwards to say, "I have been accustomed,
+in some degree, to such transactions; and I will report your words and
+nothing more: but, by your leave, I think you had better alter the
+latter part, and stipulate that you shall be allowed yourself to
+emigrate with a certain number of your followers. Louvois is extremely
+anxious to keep from the King's ears the extent of this insurrection,
+having always persuaded him that there would be none. He will,
+therefore, be extremely glad to have it put down without more noise on
+easy terms, and doubtless he has given the Chevalier d'Evran
+instructions to that effect."
+
+"No, no," replied the Count; "I must endeavour, Sir, to wipe away the
+stain that has been cast upon me. Do you propose to go to the
+Chevalier's head quarters at once?"
+
+"Not exactly," replied the old Englishman. "I am first going to
+Thouars, having some business with the Duc de Rouvré."
+
+"Good God!" exclaimed the Count; "is the Duc du Rouvré at Thouars?"
+and a confused image of the truth, that Clémence de Marly had been one
+of the two persons found in the prison with Claude de l'Estang, now
+flashed on his mind. Ere the old man could reply, however, two of the
+persons who were following, and who seemed to have ridden some way
+to the left of the direct road, rode up as fast as they could come,
+and informed the Count de Morseiul, that what seemed a large body of
+men, was marching up towards their flank by a path which ran up the
+hollow-way between them and the opposite hills.
+
+The little force of the Count had by this time emerged from the woods,
+and was marching along the side of the hill, that gradually sank away
+into those _landes_, across which Armand Herval had, as we have seen,
+led Clémence de Marly. Up the valley, on the left, lay a deep ravine,
+bringing the cross road from Thouars into the road in which the
+Huguenots were, so that the flank of the Count's force was exposed to
+the approach of the enemy on that side, though it had somewhat the
+advantage of the ground. No other line, however, had been open for
+him, the country on the other side leading into tracts much more
+exposed to attack; and, in fact, on that morning no choice had been
+left but either to run the risk of what now appeared to have happened,
+or to leave Herval and his men to their fate, they not having joined
+the main force on the preceding day as they had been directed to do.
+
+The Count instantly turned his horse's head galloped to the spot from
+whence the men had seen the head of the enemy's column, paused for a
+single instant, in order, if possible, to ascertain their force, and
+then riding back, commanded the small troop, which he called his
+legion, to face about. While, by his orders, they traversed a piece
+of broken ground to the left, so as to approach a spot where the
+hollow-way debouched upon the open country, he sent five or six of his
+attendants with rapid orders to the different noblemen who were under
+his command, in regard to assuming a position upon the hill.
+
+"Tell Monsieur du Bar," he said to one of the men, "to march on as
+quickly as possible till he reaches the windmill, to garnish that
+little wood on the slope with musketeers, to plant the two pieces of
+cannon by the mill so as to bear upon the road, to strengthen himself
+by the mill and the walls round it, and to hold that spot firm to the
+very last. Jean, bid the Marquis send off a man instantly to Herval,
+that he may join us with his Chauve-souris, and in the mean time ask
+him to keep the line of the hill from the left of Monsieur du Bar to
+the cottage on the slope, so that the enemy may not turn our flank. If
+I remember right, there are two farm roads there, so that all
+movements will be easy from right to left, or from front to rear. As
+soon as Herval comes up, let the Marquis throw him forward, with his
+marksmen, to cover my movements, and then commence the general retreat
+by detachments from each flank, holding firm by the mill and the wood
+to the last; for they dare not advance while those are in our hands. I
+can detain them here for a quarter of an hour, but not longer.--Sir
+Thomas Cecil," he added, "take my advice, and ride off for Thouars
+with all speed. This will be a place for plenty of bullets, but no
+glory."
+
+Thus saying, he galloped down to his troop; and in a moment after the
+old English officer, who stood with the utmost sang-froid to witness
+the fight, saw him charge into the hollow-way at the head of his men.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IX.
+
+                     THE BATTLE AND THE RETREAT.
+
+
+We must now return to the small shepherds cottage in the _landes_;
+and, passing over the intervening day which had been occupied in the
+burial of the good pastor, we must take up the story of Clémence de
+Marly on the morning of which we have just been speaking. At an early
+hour on that day Armand Herval came into the cottage, where the people
+were setting before her the simple meal of ewe milk and black bread,
+which was all that they could afford to give; and, standing by her
+side with somewhat of a wild air, he asked her if she were ready to
+go. She had seen him several times on the preceding day, and his
+behaviour had always been so respectful, his grief for the death of
+Claude de l'Estang so sincere, and the emotions which he displayed at
+the burial of the body in the sand so deep and unaffected, that
+Clémence had conceived no slight confidence in a man, whom she might
+have shrunk from with terror, had she known that in him she beheld the
+same plunderer, who, under the name of Brown Keroual, had held her for
+some time a prisoner in the forest near Auron.
+
+"To go where, Sir?" she demanded, with some degree of agitation. "I
+knew not that I was about to go any where."
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied the man, in the same wild way. "We should have gone
+yesterday, and I shall be broke for insubordination. You do not know
+how stern he is when he thinks fit, and how no prayers or intreaties
+can move him."
+
+"Whom do you speak of, Sir?" demanded Clémence. "I do not know whom
+you mean."
+
+"Why, the General to be sure," replied the man, "the
+Commander-in-Chief,--your husband--the Count de Morseiul."
+
+The blood rushed up into the cheek of Clémence de Marly. "You are
+mistaken," she said; "he is not my husband."
+
+"Then he soon will be," replied the man with a laugh; "though the
+grave is a cold bridal bed.--I know that, lady!--I know that full
+well; for when I held her to my heart on the day of our nuptials, the
+cheek that used to feel so warm when I kissed it, was as cold as
+stone; and when you come to kiss his cheek, or brow, too, after they
+have shot him, you will find it like ice--cold--cold--with a coldness
+that creeps to your very soul, and all the heat that used to be in
+your heart goes into your brain, and there you feel it burning like a
+coal."
+
+Clémence shuddered, both at the evident insanity of the person who was
+talking to her, and at the images which his words called up before her
+eyes. He was about to go on, but a tall, dark, powerful man came in
+from the cottage door where he had been previously standing, and laid
+hold of Herval's arm, saying, "Come, Keroual, come. You are only
+frightening the lady; and, indeed, you ought to be upon the march.
+What will my Lord say? The fit is upon him now, Madam," he continued,
+addressing Clémence, "but it will soon go away again. They drove him
+mad, by shooting a poor girl he was in love with at the preaching on
+the moor, which you may remember. I am not sure, but I think you were
+there too. If I could get him to play a little upon the musette at the
+door, the fit would soon leave him. He used to be so fond of it, and
+play it so well.--Poor fellow, he is terribly mad! See how he is
+looking at us without speaking.--Come Keroual, come; here is the
+musette at the door;" and he led him away by the arm.
+
+"Ay," said the old shepherd as they went out, "one is not much less
+mad than the other. There, they ought both to have gone to have joined
+the Count last night. But the burying of poor Monsieur de l'Estang
+seemed to set them both off; and now there are all the men drawn out
+and ready to march, and they will sit and play the musette there, Lord
+knows how long!"
+
+"But what did they mean by asking if I were ready?" said Clémence. "Do
+they intend to take me with them?"
+
+"Why yes, Madam," replied the old man; "I suppose so. The litter was
+ready for you last night, and as the army is going to retreat I hear,
+it would not be safe for you to stay here, as the Catholics are coming
+up in great force under the Chevalier d'Evran."
+
+Clémence started and turned round, while the colour again rushed
+violently into her cheeks; and then she covered her eyes with her
+hands, as if to think more rapidly by shutting out all external
+objects. She was roused, however, almost immediately, by the sound of
+the musette, and saying, "I will go! I am quite ready to go!" she
+advanced to the door of the cottage.
+
+It was a strange and extraordinary sight that presented itself. Herval
+and Paul Virlay, dressed in a sort of anomalous military costume, and
+armed with manifold weapons, were sitting together on the stone bench
+at the cottage door, the one playing beautifully upon the instrument
+of his native province, and the other listening, apparently well
+satisfied; while several groups of men of every complexion and
+expression, were standing round, gazing upon the two, and attending to
+the music. The air that Herval or Keroual was playing was one of the
+ordinary psalm tunes in use amongst the Protestants, and he gave it
+vast expression; so that pleasure in the music and religious
+enthusiasm seemed entirely to withdraw the attention of the men from
+the madness of the act at that moment. Paul Virlay, however, was mad
+in that kind, if mad at all, which is anxious and cunning in
+concealing itself; and the moment he saw Clémence, he started up with
+somewhat of shame in his look, saying,--
+
+"He is better now, Madam; he is better now. Come, Herval," he
+continued, touching his arm, "let us go."
+
+Herval, however, continued till he had played the tune once over
+again, and then laying down the musette, he looked in Virlay's face
+for a moment without speaking; but at length replied,--
+
+"Very well, Paul, let us go. I am better now. Madam, I beg your
+pardon; I am afraid we have hurried you."
+
+Even as he spoke a messenger came up at full speed, his horse in a
+lather of foam, and eagerness and excitement in his countenance.
+
+"In the name of Heaven, Keroual, what are you about?" he cried. "Here
+is the Count and Monsieur du Bar engaged with the whole force of the
+enemy within two miles of you. In Heaven's name put your men in array,
+and march as fast as possible, or you will be cut off, and they
+defeated."
+
+The look of intelligence and clear sense came back into Herval's
+countenance in a moment.
+
+"Good God! I have been very foolish," he said, putting his hand to his
+head. "Quick, my men: each to his post: Sound the conch there. But the
+lady," he continued, turning to the man who had ridden up; "what can
+we do with the lady?"
+
+"Oh, she must be taken with you, by all means," replied the man. "We
+can send her on from the cross road into the front. They will sweep
+all this country, depend upon it; and they are not men to spare a
+lady."
+
+Clémence turned somewhat pale as the man spoke; and though, in fact,
+her fate was utterly in the hands of those who surrounded her, she
+turned an inquiring look upon Maria, who stood near, as if asking what
+she should do.
+
+"Oh, go, lady! go!" cried the attendant, in a language which the men
+did not understand, but which Clémence seemed to speak fluently; and
+after a few more words she retired into the cottage, to wait for the
+litter, while the band of Brown Keroual, some on horseback and some on
+foot, began to file off towards the scene of action. In a few minutes
+after the litter appeared; but by this time two mules had been
+procured for it, and, with a man who knew the country well for their
+driver, Clémence and Maria set off with the last troop of the
+Huguenots, which was brought up by Herval himself. He was now all
+intelligence and activity; and no one to see him could have conceived
+that it was the same man, whose mind but a few minutes before seemed
+totally lost. He urged on their march as fast as possible, pressing
+the party of foot which was attached to his mounted band; and in a few
+minutes after a sharp fire of musketry met the ear of Clémence as she
+was borne forward. This continued for a little time, as they passed
+round the edge of a low wood which flanked the hills on one side, and
+seemed the connecting link between the _landes_ and the cultivated
+country. About five minutes after, however, louder and more rending
+sounds were heard; and it was evident that cannon were now employed on
+both sides. The voices of several people shouting, too, were heard,
+and a horse without a rider came rushing by, and startled the mules
+that bore the litter.
+
+Clémence de Marly could but raise her prayers to God for his blessing
+on the right cause. It was not fear that she felt, for fear is
+personal. It was awe. It was the impressive consciousness of being in
+the midst of mighty scenes, which sometimes in her moments of wild
+enthusiasm she had wished to see, but which she now felt to be no
+matter for sport or curiosity.
+
+Another instant she was out upon the side of the hill beyond the wood;
+and the whole scene laid open before her. That scene was very awful,
+notwithstanding the confusion which prevented her from comprehending
+clearly what was going on. A large body of troops was evidently
+marching up the valley to the attack of the heights. A windmill
+surrounded by some low stone walls, not a hundred yards to the left of
+the spot where she was placed, appeared at the moment she first saw it
+one blaze of fire, from the discharge of musketry and cannon, which
+seemed to be directed, as far as she could judge, against the flank of
+a body of cavalry coming up a road in the valley. On the slope of the
+hill, however, to the right, a considerable body of infantry was
+making its way up to the attack of the farther angle of the wood,
+round which she herself had just passed; and, from amongst the trees
+and brushwood, nearly stripped of their leaves as they were, she could
+see poured forth almost an incessant torrent of smoke and flame upon
+the assailing party, seeming almost at every other step to make them
+waver, as if ready to turn back.
+
+The object, however, which engaged her principal attention was a small
+body of horsemen, apparently rallying, and reposing for a moment,
+under shelter of the fire from the hill. Why she knew not,--for the
+features of none of those composing that party were at all
+discernible,--but her heart beat anxiously, as if she felt that there
+was some beloved being there.
+
+The next instant that small body of men was again put in motion, and
+galloping down like lightning, might be seen, though half hidden by
+the clouds of dust, to hurl itself violently against the head of the
+advancing column, like an avalanche against some mighty rock. Almost
+at the same moment, however, an officer rode furiously up to Herval,
+and gave him some directions in a quick and eager voice. Herval merely
+nodded his head; then turned to the driver of the mules, and told him
+to make as much haste as he could towards Mortagne, along the high
+road.
+
+"Remain with the head of the column," he said; "and, above all things,
+keep your beasts to the work, for you must neither embarrass the
+march, nor let the lady be left behind."
+
+The man obeyed at once; but before he had left the brow of the hill,
+Clémence saw the band of Keroual begin to descend towards the small
+body of cavaliers we have mentioned, while a company of musketeers, at
+a very few yards distance from her, began to file off as if for
+retreat. All the confusion of such a scene succeeded, the jostling,
+the rushing, the quarrels, the reproaches, the invectives, which take
+place upon the retreat of an irregular force. But several bodies of
+better disciplined men taking their way along the road close to
+Clémence, preserved some order and gave her some protection; and as
+they passed rapidly onward, the sounds of strife and contention, the
+shouts and vociferations of the various commanders, the rattle of the
+small arms and the roar of the artillery, gradually diminished; and
+while Clémence hoped in her heart that the battle was over, she looked
+round for some one coming up from the rear to inquire for the fate of
+him for whom her heart had beat principally during that morning.
+
+For about half an hour, however, nobody came, the retreat assumed the
+appearance of an orderly march, and all was going on tranquilly, when
+a horseman came up at a quick pace, and pulled in his charger beside
+the litter. Clémence looked towards him. It was not the face that she
+expected to see, but, on the contrary, that of a tall, thin, hale old
+man, perfectly a stranger to her. He pulled off his hat with military
+courtesy, and bowed low.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Madam," he said, "but I have just been informed of
+your name, quality, and situation, and also with the circumstances of
+your being brought from Thouare hither. I come to say," he added,
+lowering his voice and bending down, "that I am just going to visit an
+old friend, the Duke de Rouvré, who, I understand, is your guardian.
+Now, I do not know whether you are here of your own good will, or
+whether there be any degree of force in the matter. Should you,
+however, be disposed to send any message to the Duke, I am ready to
+take it."
+
+"I give you many thanks, Sir," replied Clémence, "but, of course, I
+can send no long message now, nor detailed explanation of my
+situation. Assure him only, and the Duchess, who has been a mother to
+me, of my deep love, and gratitude, and respect."
+
+"But shall I tell them," said the old man, "that you are here with
+your consent, or without your consent?"
+
+"You may tell them," replied Clémence, "that I was brought here indeed
+without my consent, though being here I must now remain voluntarily.
+My fate is decided."
+
+"Do you mean to say, Madam?" demanded the old gentleman, bluffly,
+"that I am to tell them you are married? That is the only way in
+general that a woman's fate can be decided which I know of."
+
+"No, Sir," replied Clémence, colouring, "there is in this country a
+different decision of one's fate. I am a Protestant! It must no
+longer, and it can no longer be concealed."
+
+A bright and noble smile came upon the old man's countenance. "I beg
+your pardon, Madam," he said. "I have spoken somewhat rudely, perhaps;
+but I will deliver your message, and at some future time may ask your
+pardon, if you will permit me, for having called the colour into a
+lady's cheek, a thing that I am not fond of doing, though it be
+beautiful to see."
+
+Thus saying, and bowing low, he was about to turn his horse and canter
+back again, when an eager look that lighted up Clémence's features,
+made him pause even before she spoke, and ride on a little further
+beside her.
+
+"You came from the rear, Sir, I think," she said, in a low and
+faltering voice. "May I ask how has gone the day?--Is the Count de
+Morseiul safe?"
+
+The old man smiled again sweetly upon her. "Madam," he said, "did not
+sad experience often show us that it were not so, I should think, from
+the fate of the Count of Morseiul this day, that a gallant and all
+daring heart is a buckler which neither steel nor lead can penetrate.
+I myself have sat and watched him, while in six successive charges he
+attacked and drove back an immensely superior force of the enemy's
+cavalry, charging and retreating every time under the most tremendous
+and well sustained fire of the light infantry on their flanks that
+ever I saw. Scarcely a man of his whole troop has escaped without
+wounds, and but too many are killed. The Count himself, however, is
+perfectly unhurt. I saw him five minutes ago bringing up the rear, and
+as by that time the enemy were showing no disposition to pursue
+vigorously, he may be considered as safe, having effected his retreat
+from a very difficult situation in the most masterly manner. Is there
+any one else, Madam, of whom I can give you information?"
+
+"I fear not," replied the lady. "There is, indeed, one that I would
+fain ask for; but as you have been with the Count de Morseiul,
+probably you do not know him. I mean the Chevalier d'Evran."
+
+"What, both the commanders!" exclaimed the old gentleman, with a smile
+which again called the colour into Clémence's cheek. "But I beg your
+pardon, Madam," he added; "I have a better right to tell tales than to
+make comments. In this instance I cannot give you such accurate
+information as I did in the other, for I do not know the person of the
+Chevalier d'Evran. But as far as this little perspective glass could
+show me, the gentleman who has been commanding the royal forces, and
+whom I was informed was the Chevalier d'Evran, is still commanding
+them, and apparently unhurt. I discovered him by his philomot scarf,
+and sword knot, after losing sight of him for a time. But he was still
+upon horseback, commanding in the midst of his staff, and has the
+credit of having won the day, though the immense superiority of his
+forces rendered any other result out of the question, even if he had
+not acted as well and skilfully as he has done. I will now once more
+beg pardon for intruding upon you, and trust that fair fortune and
+prosperity may attend you."
+
+Thus saying, he turned and cantered away; and on looking round to her
+maid, Clémence perceived that Maria had drawn the hood of her grey
+cloak over her head.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+                         THE LOVER'S REUNION.
+
+
+The march was over, the pursuers left behind, and the Count of
+Morseiul had pitched his tents in a strong position, with some
+shepherds' huts and one or two cottages and farm-houses in the midst
+of his camp. A nunnery of no great extent, situated upon a little
+eminence, was within the limits of his position, and a small chapel
+belonging thereunto, nearly at the bottom of the hill, and commanding
+the passage of a stream and morass, was occupied by a strong body of
+his followers, under Herval and Virlay, while the Marquis du Bar, who
+had been slightly wounded in the course of that day's strife, insisted
+upon fixing his quarters on the most exposed side of the camp, where
+any attack was likely to take place.
+
+No attempt had been made to take possession of the nunnery, as it was
+only occupied by women, and as the Count was aware that in case of
+need, he could obtain entrance in a moment. At the same time he could
+fully depend not only upon the courage and firmness, but upon the
+vigilance of Du Bar, and he therefore looked upon his small force as
+completely in security. Provisions, too, had been found in abundance,
+and the people of the neighbouring country were somewhat better
+disposed towards the Huguenot cause, than those of the district which
+they had just left.
+
+His men, however, had suffered tremendously, even in the brief
+struggle which had taken place with the overpowering force of the
+Catholics. Of his own troop, not more than thirty men were found
+capable of action at the end of that day, and, at least, one third of
+the whole Huguenot force was unfit for service. This was a lamentable
+prospect, as the insurgents had no points of strength to fall back
+upon, and had not the leaders been animated by the consciousness of
+having performed great actions in that day's contest and having held
+at bay the royal army with a force six times inferior in number, the
+proposal of dispersing and carrying on the warfare by desultory
+efforts in the woods, which was suggested in one of their little
+councils, would certainly have been adopted.
+
+In the mean time, however, the spirit of the men was kept up, and
+their resolution fortified, by the prayers and exhortations of the
+various ministers who accompanied the camp; and on going round to the
+different quarters just after nightfall, the Count found some bodies
+of the Protestants still engaged in their religious exercises, some
+just concluded, but all less depressed at heart than he was himself.
+
+When he had done his round, he paused before the door of one of the
+farm-houses--the best and most comfortable--and dismissing the men who
+had followed, he turned to enter. There was a slight degree of
+hesitation, however, seemed to come over him as he did so, and he
+remained for some moments with his hand upon the latch. He at length
+raised it, and entered the kitchen of the farm-house, where the family
+of the proprietor were assembled round the ample hearth, on which was
+a full supply of blazing wood. At that very moment, speaking to the
+mistress of the house, was Clémence's attendant, Maria; but Clémence
+herself was not present, and on inquiring for her, the Count was told
+that she was in an upper chamber, to which the woman immediately led
+him.
+
+Albert of Morseiul followed her step by step, and when the door
+opened, he saw Clémence sitting at the table, with her head resting on
+her hand, and her eyes turned towards the fire; but with such a look
+of deep sadness and painful thought, as made his heart ache to see and
+to know that he could not change it.
+
+"Here is the Count de Morseiul," said the maid; and instantly Clémence
+started up, and turned towards the door, while the Count entered, and
+the maid retired. The face of Clémence de Marly assumed two or three
+different expressions in a moment. There was joy to see him, there was
+doubt, there was apprehension; but she advanced towards him at once,
+and the look of love was not to be doubted. He took the hands that she
+held out to him, he kissed them tenderly and often: but still there
+was deep sadness on his brow, as there was in his heart, and his first
+words were, "Oh, Clémence, at what a moment have you come to me at
+last!"
+
+"Albert," she said in reply, "I have much to say to you. Since I have
+been here, and seen what I have seen, I have found many excuses for
+your conduct; and I have learned to think that what I wrote briefly I
+may have written harshly and unkindly, and to blame myself as much,
+nay more than you: believing, though I had no time to explain why I
+could not come at the moment as I could have wished, yet, that I
+should still have added, such words as might show you that I was yours
+unchanged, however much I might judge that you had acted rashly,
+unadvisedly, and unlike yourself. I have determined to tell you all
+this at once, Albert, and, acknowledging that I blame myself, to
+shelter myself from all reproaches on your part in your kindness and
+generosity."
+
+"Thanks, thanks, dearest Clémence," replied the Count, pressing her to
+his heart; "this is, indeed, balm after such a day as this: but I
+think, my Clémence, when you hear all, you will yourself exculpate me
+from blame,--though I fear that the charge of ingratitude which others
+may bring against me, will never be done away in the less generous
+minds of the world in general, without a terrible sacrifice. You I
+know, Clémence, will believe every word I tell you."
+
+"Oh, every word!" she exclaimed; "to doubt you, Albert, were to doubt
+truth itself."
+
+"Well, then, believe, Clémence," he said, "when I tell you, that till
+this morning,--till this very morning,--I had not the slightest idea
+whatsoever that my liberation was attributable to the King. Not only
+I, but all my domestics, every attendant that I have, my man Riquet
+himself, all believed that it was through an artifice of his that I
+had been set at liberty. Had I thought otherwise, upon my word, my
+first act would have been to fly to Versailles, to express my thanks,
+whatever my after conduct might have been."
+
+He then explained to her every thing that had taken place, and the
+mistake under which he had himself laboured throughout.
+
+"What confirmed me in the belief that the whole of Riquet's story was
+perfectly correct," he said, "was the fact that Besmaux, when he set
+me at liberty, observed that the order under which he did it, was not
+quite in the usual form, together with some remarks that he made upon
+there being no carriage sent for me with the order."
+
+"Alas! alas!" cried Clémence, wringing her hands, "it was my weakness;
+it was my foolish fears and anxiety, that produced all this mischief.
+Listen to my tale now, Albert, and forgive me, forgive me for what I
+have done."
+
+She then related to her lover almost all that had taken place between
+the King, herself, and Madame de Maintenon. We say almost, because she
+did not relate the whole; but though Albert of Morseiul saw it, he
+divined from what she did tell, that there were matters which she was
+bound not to divulge. Perhaps he divined the important truth itself,
+and at all events he did not love her a bit the less for a concealment
+which had no want of confidence in it.
+
+"On the following morning," she said, "at the hour that the King had
+appointed, I did not fail to be in attendance. I found him writing;
+but it was soon over, and he handed me the paper, saying, 'There,
+lady, we have judged the cause that you have at heart as favourably as
+you judged ours last night. Tell him,' he added, 'when you see him,
+that--though we cannot alter the strict laws, which we have found it
+necessary to make, for his sake--we will grant him all that may
+reasonably make him happy, either in our own land, or in another!'"
+
+"And I have borne arms against him," cried the Count, clasping his
+arms together.
+
+"Yet hear me out, Albert," continued Clémence, "for the fault is mine.
+The order was for your immediate liberation. I took it eagerly,
+thanked the King, and retired, well knowing that it ought to be
+countersigned by Louvois, and sent through his office. But during the
+evening before, on the occasion of something that was said, he gave me
+such a fiend-like look of revenge, that I knew he would seek your
+destruction, if not mine. I was well aware, too, that in many an
+instance he has interrupted the King's clemency, or his bounty; and
+weakly, most weakly, I sent the order without his signature--ay, and
+without a moment's delay, by a servant belonging to the Duc de Rouvré.
+Thus, thus it was, that I, in my eagerness for your safety, have
+plunged you into new dangers,--dangers from which, alas! I fear that
+there is scarcely a possible means of escape."
+
+The Count looked down upon the ground for a moment, and he then
+replied, "I will write to the King myself, Clémence. It is very
+possible that he will not even read the letter of a rebel with arms in
+his hand. But still it will be a satisfaction to me to do so. I must
+first get to the sea side, however, in order that I may place poor
+Riquet in security, for were the tale told and he afterwards
+discovered, I fear that no tortures would be considered too horrible
+to punish the daring act that he committed."
+
+"I, too, will write," replied Clémence. "I will write and tell the
+whole to one, who, though she will refuse at first, I know, to do any
+thing in our behalf, yet will not fail, calmly and quietly, to labour
+in our favour, thinking that she owes something to me. I will tell her
+the whole; I will tell her distinctly, Albert; and if you will procure
+it for me I will send her even the forged order that you mention, with
+the attestation of the man who brought it back from Paris."
+
+Albert of Morseiul pressed her to his heart, and she added, "At all
+events, Albert, we shall be able to fly. We are now not far from the
+sea; ships can easily be procured, and we may be happy in another
+land."
+
+Albert of Morseiul kissed her cheek for his only reply: but his heart
+was sad, and he could scarcely command even a smile to countenance the
+false hope she had expressed. His own determinations were taken, his
+own resolutions formed; but he thought it better and more kind not to
+make them known to Clémence de Marly till the moment arrived for
+putting them in execution.
+
+While they were yet speaking, the attendant again came into the room
+to inform the Count that three persons waited below to see him, and on
+going down he found Riquet, with one of the Protestants attached to
+the Marquis du Bar, and a gentleman, who appeared to be an inferior
+officer in the royal service. The two latter instantly stepped forward
+when he appeared.
+
+"Monsieur du Bar," said the Protestant soldier, "has sent you this
+gentleman, bearing a flag of truce, from the Chevalier d'Evran. He
+carries a letter to yourself, and a letter to the lady from Thouars."
+
+The Count bowed to the stranger, and begged to see the letter to
+himself. It was simply addressed to the Count de Morseiul, and he
+opened it with some emotion, for it was strange to see the hand of
+Louis d'Evran, writing to him as from one adversary to another. The
+style and tone of the letter, however, though it was very short, were
+precisely as if nothing had occurred to interrupt their intimacy, or
+array them hostilely against each other. It ran--
+
+
+"Dear Albert,
+
+"I write to you simply to know whether I am to regard the
+communication made to me, on your part, by an English gentleman,
+called Sir Thomas Cecil, as formal and definitive, as I must be made
+aware of that fact before I can transmit it to the court. I trust and
+hope that good results may proceed from it: but you must not forget
+that it is an awful risk. For my part I will do my best to quiet the
+province with as little harshness as possible, and with that object I
+accepted, or rather may say, solicited this command. In every respect,
+however, my duty must be done to the King, and shall be so done to the
+utmost. You never in your life fought better than you did this
+morning. Your defence of the heights was quite a Turenne affair; but
+you made a mistake in your morning movement to the left, which showed
+me your flank. Perhaps, however, you had some reason for it, for I
+think there was a fresh corps came up towards the close of the affair.
+Look to yourself, dear Albert, for be you sure that I shall give you
+no breathing time; and so God speed you!
+
+                                         "Louis d'Evran.
+
+"Post Scriptum. I find myself called upon by my duty, to require you
+formally to send back la belle Clémence to her good friend de Rouvré,
+and to address a letter to her upon the subject of her return."
+
+
+The Count had read this epistle with a thoughtful and a somewhat
+frowning brow. It was quite characteristic of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+but yet there was something in it that did not please him. He turned,
+however, to the officer courteously, saying,--
+
+"The Chevalier d'Evran notifies to me, that he has sent a letter to
+Mademoiselle de Marly, and seems to leave it to me to deliver it. I
+would rather, however, that you did so yourself, if that lady will
+permit me to introduce you to her, when you can bear her answer from
+her own mouth. Riquet," he said, "go up and inquire, whether
+Mademoiselle de Marly will grant this gentleman a few minutes'
+audience."
+
+A short pause ensued: for Clémence hesitated for some time. At length,
+however, Riquet returned with an answer in the affirmative, and the
+Count led the officer to her presence.
+
+"I am commanded, Madame," said the stranger, "by Monsieur le Chevalier
+d'Evran, lieutenant-general of the province, to deliver you this
+letter, and to say, that, at any time to-morrow which you will name,
+he will send a proper carriage and attendants, to convey you back to
+the town of Thouars, from which he understands that you were forcibly
+carried away, some night ago."
+
+Clémence merely bowed her head, and held out her hand for the letter,
+which she opened and read. A faint smile came over her countenance as
+she proceeded, and when she had done, she handed the epistle to her
+lover, asking, "What shall I do or say?"
+
+"Nay, I can give you no advice," replied the Count. "In this matter,
+Clémence, you must act by your own judgment: advice from me, situated
+as you are now, would bear somewhat the character of dictation. Do you
+wish me to read the letter?"
+
+"Certainly," she replied. "My mind will be easily made up as to the
+answer."
+
+The Count then proceeded to read the letter, which was merely one of
+form; and began--
+
+
+"Mademoiselle,
+
+"I am urged by Monsieur le Duc de Rouvré, and feel it a part of my
+duty, to apply to you immediately to return to the care and protection
+of that gentleman and the Duchess, under whose charge and guardianship
+you have been placed by the King. Although we are fully informed that
+you were carried away from the town of Thouars without your own
+consent and approbation, we feel sure, from the high character and
+reputation of the Count de Morseiul, though now unfortunately in open
+rebellion, that he will be most anxious you should return, and will do
+all that he can to facilitate the arrangements for that purpose. Such
+being the case, let me exhort you, Mademoiselle, to make all haste to
+quit the camp of a body of men in open insurrection, and to place
+yourself under the protection of legitimate authority.
+
+             "I have the honour to be,
+
+                "Mademoiselle,
+
+                   "Your devoted servant,
+
+                            "Louis d'Evran."
+
+
+The Count returned the letter with no other comment than, "It is
+strange;" and Clémence paused for a moment, gazing upon the back of
+the letter, but evidently occupied by deep thoughts.
+
+She then turned to the officer, who had remained standing, and
+said, "I will not detain you, Sir, to write, as my answer must
+be merely what the Chevalier d'Evran expects. You will inform
+him--notwithstanding that it may seem bold of me to say so--that
+although I was certainly not brought here with my consent, I,
+nevertheless, am here by my consent; and as I have long been disposed
+to return to that faith in which I was originally instructed, and have
+for some time embraced it upon sincere conviction, I cannot consent to
+place myself in a situation where the exercise of the reformed
+religion will be denied to me; but must, on the contrary, remain with
+those who will protect and support me in my adherence to what I
+consider the only pure and true faith."
+
+"In short, Madam," replied the officer, "I am to tell the Chevalier
+that you are a Huguenot?"
+
+"Exactly, Sir," replied Clémence; "and that I have been so for some
+time."
+
+The officer showed an inclination to pause, and to add something to
+what had been said; but the Count stopped him.
+
+"You are, Sir," he said, "I think but the bearer of a letter; nothing
+in that has been shown us giving you at all the title of an envoy. You
+have, therefore, but to bear back the reply which this lady has
+given."
+
+"And your own, Sir," said the officer, "which I have not received."
+
+"It is as simple as her own, Sir," replied the Count. "Assure the
+Chevalier d'Evran of my best regard; tell him he may trust entirely
+and fully to the proposal made to him on my part, to which he alludes,
+as far at least as I myself am concerned. In respect, however, to what
+will satisfy the other leaders, who are in arms for the maintenance of
+their just liberties, and for the attainment of immunity in
+worshipping God according to their own consciences, he must deal with
+themselves. In that I cannot, and do not interfere, and have only to
+support them with my sword and counsels till such time as they have
+obtained their rights, or are satisfied with any arrangement
+proposed."
+
+"I shall not fail," replied the officer, "to convey these messages
+distinctly;" and thus saying, he bowed, and left the room, followed by
+the Count of Morseiul, who, giving directions that his eyes should be
+properly bandaged, placed him in the hands of the Protestant soldier
+who had accompanied him, and of the guard which was waiting without.
+He then made a sign to Riquet to follow him up stairs, and bade his
+valet repeat to Clémence de Marly all that had occurred respecting his
+liberation from the Bastille.
+
+"And now, Riquet," he said, when the man had given a much more
+straight-forward and decided statement than he usually made, "it is my
+intention, as soon as possible, to lay the whole of these facts before
+the King, feeling it due to my own honour to show him that I have not
+been so ungrateful as he thinks. As the act, however, which you have
+committed might prove very dangerous to you, if you should fall into
+the hands of the Catholic party, I shall take care, before I give this
+account, that you have an opportunity of seeking refuge in another
+land. I know that all countries are to you alike: and I will ensure
+that you shall be provided with full means of obtaining for yourself
+comfort and repose."
+
+"Sir," said the man, with some feeling, "all countries, as you say,
+are to me alike. But such is not the case with regard to all masters.
+Please God, I will never serve another but yourself. If you quit the
+country, I will quit it with you: if you remain, I will remain. I am
+already--am I not?--in arms against the crown. I am just as much a
+rebel riding after you from place to place, and every now and then
+firing a musket when I think nobody sees me, as if I were at the head
+of the whole business, and people called it the rebellion of Riquet.
+You may therefore lay the whole statement before the King if you
+please, and I will myself write down the plain facts, in fewer words
+than a paper drawn up by a notary's clerk without a fee. I have no
+fear, Sir, of gathering together upon my shoulders a few more stray
+crimes and misdemeanours. That does not lie in the way of my
+cowardice. My neck is thin and long, and whether it be the axe or the
+cord that has to do with it, it will neither give the cord nor the
+edge much trouble; while I have always one consolation, which is, that
+if the experiment of hanging should prove disagreeable, it cannot be
+tried upon me twice. I will go and get the paper directly, Sir, which
+the man, Peter, brought back again. I will put down all his sayings
+and doings, and all my own; and the King, who is said to have a high
+taste in all branches of skill, ought to declare when he sees the
+order for your liberation which I manufactured, that there is not a
+piece of mosaic like it in all Versailles, and grant me a high reward
+for such a specimen of dexterity in my art."
+
+"I fear, you deceive yourself, Riquet," replied the Count; but the man
+shook his head. "No, Sir, I do not," he said, "I assure you. All
+things considered and well weighed, I do not think that I run a bit
+more risk by this matter being told to the King, than if it never
+reached his ears."
+
+Thus saying he left the room, and Albert of Morseiul turned to other
+and sweeter thoughts. "Dear, dear Clémence," he said, gazing tenderly
+upon her, "you have now, indeed, chosen your part as I could expect
+Clémence to do, and by the words that you have this day spoken, you
+have swept away every feeling in my bosom that could give me a
+moment's pain."
+
+"Hush, Albert, hush," said Clémence. "I know the kind of pain to
+which you allude. But you should never have entertained it. Love,
+Albert,--the love of a heart such as yours, ought never to doubt."
+
+"But, dear Clémence," replied the Count, "is it possible for love to
+be satisfied while there is any thing touching its affection
+concealed?"
+
+Clémence smiled, but shook her head; and as she was about to reply, a
+single musket shot was heard disturbing the tranquillity which had
+fallen over the camp. The Count listened, and his ear caught the
+distant sounds of "Alerte! Alerte!" followed almost immediately
+afterwards by a more general discharge of musketry. Clémence had
+turned very pale.
+
+"Fear not, dear Clémence," he said, "this is merely a night attack
+upon some of our quarters which will soon be repelled, for I have
+taken sufficient precautions. I will see what it is, and return
+immediately."
+
+Thus saying he left her, and Clémence, with a heart full of strong and
+mingled emotions, leaned her head upon the little table and wept.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XI.
+
+                          THE NIGHT ATTACK.
+
+
+Particular orders had been issued by the Count de Morseiul that no
+offence should be given to the religious feelings of the Catholics:
+and, in issuing his commands for the occupation of the little chapel
+at the bottom of the hill, he had directed that the building
+appropriated to the ceremonies of the church should not be entered,
+except in case of necessity; the porch and the sacristy being taken
+possession of, and the piece of consecrated ground around it, which
+was strongly walled, affording a sort of fort, in which the men
+constructed huts, or set up their tents.
+
+They were accustomed, indeed, to abide in the forest, and found no
+difficulty or discomfort in taking their night's rest where they were.
+Three fine spreading yew trees, of unknown age and immense thickness,
+afforded a pleasant shelter to many; and wine, which had been found
+plentifully in the hamlet above, as well as in a little town at no
+great distance, flowed liberally amongst a body of men who had fought
+hard and marched long since the morning.
+
+There was a great difference, however, to be remarked between them and
+the religious insurgents of more northern countries; for though both
+the sterner fanaticism which characterised Scotland and England not
+long before, and the wilder imaginations and fanciful enthusiasms of
+the far south were occasionally to be found in individuals, the great
+mass were entirely and decidedly French, possessing the character of
+light, and somewhat thoughtless gaiety, so peculiar to that
+indifferent and laughter-loving nation.
+
+Thus, though they had prayed earnestly, after having fought with
+determination in the cause which to them was the cause of conscience,
+they were now quite ready to forget both prayer and strife, till some
+other cause should re-produce the enthusiasm which gave vigour to
+either.
+
+They sat in groups, then, round fires of an old apple tree or two
+which they had pulled down, and drank the wine--procured, it must be
+acknowledged, by various different means; but though they sang not, as
+perhaps they might have done under other circumstances, nothing else
+distinguished them from any other party of gay French soldiers
+carousing after a laborious day.
+
+Herval and Virlay, as the commanders of that peculiar body, had taken
+possession of the little sacristy, and made themselves as comfortable
+therein as circumstances admitted. They were both somewhat inclined to
+scoff at, and do dishonour to every thing connected with the
+ceremonies of the church of Rome; but the commands of the Count were
+still sufficiently potent with them to prevent them from indulging
+such feelings; and they remained conversing both over the events of
+the day, and also over past times, without any farther insult to the
+Roman Catholic faith than merely a scornful glance towards the
+vestments of the priests, the rich purple and lace of which excited
+their indignation even more than many articles of faith.
+
+Several hours of the evening had thus worn away, and their
+conversation, far from being like that of their men without, was sad,
+dark, and solemn. The proximity of the convent had recalled to the
+mind of Herval the situation of her he had loved; and though they
+talked much of her fate, yet by some peculiar accident, which we shall
+not attempt to explain, that subject, dark and painful as it was, did
+not disturb his mental faculties as might have been expected. It
+produced, however, both on him and on Virlay, that dark and profound
+gloom, from which actions of a fierce and cruel nature more frequently
+have birth, than even from the keen and active excitement of strife
+and anger.
+
+"Ay, and your child, too, Virlay," said Herval: "it is strange, is it
+not, that we have not yet found her? I should not wonder if she were
+in this very convent, up here upon the hill. The Count will not surely
+want you to leave it unsearched, when we march to-morrow."
+
+"It matters little whether he do or not," replied Virlay. "Search it I
+will; and that as soon as it be grey day-light. My child I will have,
+if she be in France: and, oh, Herval, how often, when we are near a
+monastery or a convent, do I long to put a torch to the gate of it,
+and burn it all to the ground!"
+
+"No, no," replied Herval, "that would not do; you would be burning the
+innocent with the guilty."
+
+"Ay, true," answered Virlay, "and thus I might burn my own poor
+child."
+
+"Ay, or my Claire," replied Herval,--"that is to say, if she had been
+living, poor thing! You know they shot her, Paul. They shot her to the
+heart. But as I was saying, you might burn your own poor child, or the
+child of many a man that loves his as well as you do yours."
+
+"I wonder if she be in there," said Paul Virlay. "Why should I not
+take ten or twelve men up, and make them open the gates and see?"
+
+"Better wait till day," replied Herval; "better wait till day, Virlay.
+They have thousands of places that you might miss in the night. Hark!
+some one knocked at the door--Who is it? Come in!"
+
+"Only a poor old woman," replied a voice from without, half opening
+the door, "only a poor old woman soliciting charity and peace;" and a
+minute after, with timid and shaking steps, a woman, dressed in a grey
+gown like the portress of some convent, gradually drew herself within
+the doorway, and crossed herself twenty times in a minute, as she
+gazed upon the two Protestants sitting with the gloom of their late
+conversation still upon their faces.
+
+"What do you want, old woman?" said Herval sharply. "Don't you know
+that you risk a great deal by coming out at this hour? My men are not
+lambs, nor wood pigeons, nor turtle doves."
+
+"Oh, Heaven bless you, Sir, I know that," replied the old lady, "and
+in a great fright I am too: but after all I'm the least in a fright in
+the convent; and Sister Bridget--when she came to me with her teeth
+chattering in her head just after the men had come round and knocked
+at the door, and swore they would burn the place to the ground before
+morning--she talked so much about my courage, that I thought I had
+some, and agreed to come down; and then when she had got me out, she
+locked the wicket, and vowed I should not come in till I had been down
+to do the errand. So I came quietly on, and through the little gate,
+and got out of the way of the great gate, because I saw there were a
+number of fires there; and when I saw a light under the sacristy door,
+I said to myself, the officers will be in there, and they will be
+gentler and kinder----"
+
+"Well, and what was your errand when you did come?" demanded Herval
+sharply.
+
+"Why, Sir," replied the old woman, "we have a young lady amongst us--"
+Paul Virlay started suddenly on his feet--"and a sweet young lady she
+is too," continued the poor old nun, "as sweet a young lady and as
+pretty as ever I set my eyes on, and she told our good lady mother,
+the superior----"
+
+"What is her name, woman?" cried Paul Virlay, advancing upon the poor
+sister who retreated before him, but who still, with woman's intuitive
+tact in such things, saw that she had got the advantage. "What is her
+name, woman? It is my child! Oh, Herval, it is my child!"
+
+"So she said to my lady mother," continued the good nun, as soon as
+she could make her voice heard; "so she said to my lady mother, that
+she was sure that if her father was in the Count of Morseiul's camp,
+he would come up in a minute with a guard of men to protect the
+convent--especially if he knew that we had been kind and good to her."
+
+"Where is she?--Take me to her," cried Paul Virlay. "Woman, take me to
+my child.--I will bring a guard,--I will protect you. Where is my poor
+Margette?"
+
+"Are you her father, then, Sir?" demanded the old woman. "Is your name
+Monsieur Virlay?"
+
+"Yes, yes, yes," cried he impetuously: "I am Paul Virlay, woman."
+
+"Then, Sir," she replied, "if you will bring up a guard and undertake
+to protect the convent, you can have the young lady, only pray----"
+
+"I will take a guard," cried he; "do not be afraid, woman! Nobody
+shall hurt you. I will take a guard," he continued speaking to Herval,
+as if in excuse for taking away part of the men from an important
+post, "I will take a guard for fear there should be men up there, and
+they should want to keep Margette. The Count said, too, that the only
+reason he did not occupy the convent was, that he did not like to
+disturb the nuns. Now, when they ask it themselves, I may well go. You
+can send for me in a moment if I be wanted."
+
+"There is no fear of that," replied Herval; "go, in God's name, and
+see your child."
+
+Paul Virlay hastened away, drawing the old woman by the arm after him,
+while Herval remained behind shaking his head, with a melancholy
+motion, and saying, "He will see his child again, and she will cling
+round his neck and kiss his cheek, and they will be happy: but I shall
+never see my poor Claire, as long as I linger on upon this dull
+world." He paused, and leaning his head upon his hand, plunged into
+melancholy thought.
+
+There was a little bustle without, while Virlay chose out such men as
+he thought he could best depend upon, and then, that part of the camp
+did not exactly sink into tranquillity, but the general noise of the
+party was less. There was still loud talking amongst the men, and wine
+seemed to have done its work too, as in one or two instances,
+especially near the little sacristy, where the wilder and less
+tractable of Herval's band had been placed to be under his own eye,
+the psalms with which the evening had begun had deviated into gayer
+songs; and he sat and listened gravely, while one of the men near the
+door carolled to his comrades a light ditty.
+
+
+                                SONG.
+
+       In the deep woods when I was young,
+         Sly the happy, happy sunshine stole.
+       Under the green leaves, where the birds sung,
+         And merry, merry music filled the whole;
+              For Mary sat there,
+              And all her care
+       Was to outsing the linnet,--Dear little soul!
+
+       Through the long grass, then would I steal,
+         In music and sunshine to have my part.
+       That no one was coming, seemed she to feel,
+         Till the warm kiss, made the sweet maid start.
+              Then would she smile,
+              Through her blushes the while,
+       And vow she did not love me,--Dear little heart!
+
+       The sunshine is stealing still through the trees.
+         Still in the green woods the gay birds sing,
+       But those leaves have fall'n by the wintry breeze,
+         And many birds have dropped, that were then on the wing,
+              All, all alone,
+              Beneath the cold stone,
+       Lies my sweet Mary!--Poor little thing!
+
+
+Herval wept bitterly. It was one of the songs of his own youth, which
+he had himself sung in many a joyous hour: a song which was the
+master-key to visions of early happiness, and touching in its light
+emptiness upon all the most painful themes of thought. The song, the
+dear song of remembered happiness, sung at that moment of painful
+bereavement, was like a soldier's child springing to meet its father
+returning from the wars, and unconsciously plunging the arrow head
+deeper into the wound from which he suffered.
+
+As he thus sat and wept, he was suddenly roused by the sound of a
+single musket shot at no great distance, and starting up, he listened,
+when loud cries from the other side of the chapel caught his ear, and
+he rushed out. All was dark; not a star was in the sky; but the air
+was free from vapour, and looking towards the spot from which the
+sounds proceeded, he could see a dark body moving rapidly along the
+side of the hill, beyond the enclosure round the chapel. The shot that
+had been fired was not returned, and hurrying up to the spot as fast
+as possible, he clearly distinguished a column of infantry marching
+along at a quick pace in that direction, and evidently seeking to
+force its way between the convent and the chapel. There was none but a
+single sentry in that direction--the man who had discharged his
+musket--and Herval exclaimed in agony, "Good God, how is this? They
+have been suffered to pass the morass and the stream!"
+
+"I fired as soon as I saw them," replied the man; "but Virlay carried
+off all the men from down below there, and marched them up to the
+convent."
+
+Herval struck his clenched hand against his brow, exclaiming, "Fool
+that I was to suffer him!" Then rushing back as fast as possible, he
+called all the rest of his troop to arms, and with the mere handful
+that assembled in a moment, rushed out by the gate through which the
+portress of the convent had entered, and attempted to cast himself in
+the way of the head of the enemy's column.
+
+It was in vain, however, that he did so. A company of light infantry
+faced about, and met his first furious attack with a tremendous fire,
+while the rest of the force moved on. The sound, however, of the
+combat thus commenced, roused the rest of the camp, and the Count of
+Morseiul, himself on foot, and at the head of a considerable body of
+the most determined Huguenots, was advancing, ere five minutes were
+over, not to repel the attack of the enemy--for by what he saw, Albert
+of Morseiul instantly became aware, that, his camp being forced at the
+strongest point, it was in vain to hope that the King's army could be
+repulsed--but at least to cover the retreat of his troops with as
+little loss as possible.
+
+All the confusion of a night combat now took place, the hurrying up by
+the dull and doubtful light; the cowardice that shows itself in many
+men when the eye of day is not upon them; the rashness and emotion of
+others, who indeed are not afraid, but only agitated; the mistakes of
+friends for foes, and foes for friends; the want of all knowledge of
+which party is successful in those points where the strife is going on
+at a distance.
+
+As far as it was possible in such circumstances, Albert of Morseiul
+restored some degree of order and regularity to the defence. Relying
+almost altogether upon his infantry, he held the royalists in check,
+while he sent orders to some of the inferior commanders to evacuate
+the camp in as orderly a manner as possible, gathering the horse
+together upon the brow of the hill, so as to be ready when the
+occasion served to charge and support the infantry. His particular
+directions were despatched to Monsieur du Bar to maintain his post to
+the last, as the Count well knew that the forces of the Chevalier
+d'Evran were sufficient to attack the Huguenot camp on both sides at
+once.
+
+Such, indeed, had been the plan of the Chevalier; but it was not
+followed correctly. He had placed himself at the head of the attack
+upon the side of the convent, as by far the most hazardous and
+difficult. The officer who commanded the other attack was a man of
+considerable skill, but he had with him the Intendant of the province;
+a personage as weak and presumptuous as he was cruel and bigoted: and
+insisting upon it, that the officer at the head of the troops had made
+a mistake in regard to the way, he entangled him in the morass, and
+delayed him for more than an hour.
+
+Had the attack on that side succeeded, as well as that on the side of
+the chapel, the little force of the Huguenots must have been
+absolutely annihilated, and had the attack there even commenced at the
+same time that it began on the other side, the disasters of that night
+must have been tenfold greater than they proved. As it was, the Count
+de Morseiul had time to offer at least some resistance, and to
+organise his retreat. A horse was soon brought to him, and perceiving
+by the firing on the flank of the enemy's column, that Herval and his
+men were striving desperately to retrieve the error which had been
+committed, he called up a small body of horse, and making a gallant
+charge at their head, drove back some of the infantry companies that
+interposed between himself and the chapel, and opened a communication
+with Herval and the men. Giving orders to the officer in command of
+the horse to make another rapid charge, but not to entangle his men
+too far, the Count himself rode down to Herval, to ascertain what was
+proceeding in that quarter. He found the man covered with blood and
+gunpowder, raging like a wolf in the midst of a flock.
+
+"Herval," he exclaimed, "a great mistake has been committed. A handful
+of men could have defended that bridge against an army."
+
+"I know it, Count, I know it," replied Herval. "I have been a fool,
+Virlay has been a madman. I should never have trusted him by himself.
+It is time I should die."
+
+"It is rather time, Herval," replied the Count, "that you should live
+and exert your good sense to remedy what is amiss. Do you not see that
+by spending your strength here you are doing no good, and losing your
+men every minute? Gather them together: quick, and follow me. We want
+support, there, upon the hill. The chapel is untenable now. Quick:
+lose not a moment. Good God!" he said, "they are not charging as I
+ordered, and in another moment we shall be cut off!"
+
+It was indeed as he said. The young officer, to whom he had given the
+command, was shot through the head at the very moment that he was
+about to execute it. The charge was not made; the body which had been
+driven back by the Count were rallied by the Chevalier d'Evran; the
+infantry of the Huguenots, which had been guarding the heights,
+wavered before the superior force brought against them; and by the
+time that Herval's men were collected, a large body of foot interposed
+between the Count de Morseiul and the spot where he had left his
+troops. Nothing remained but to lead round Herval's little force by
+the hollow-way on the edge of the morass, and climbing the steeper
+part of the hill, by the road that led to the little hamlet and farm
+houses, to rejoin the principal body of the Protestants there, and to
+make one more effort to hold the hamlet against the advancing force of
+the royalists, till Monsieur du Bar had time to draw off his troops.
+
+Ere the Count, however, could reach the ground where he had fixed his
+own head quarters, both the infantry and cavalry, which he had left,
+had been driven back, and, by a terrible oversight, instead of
+retiring upon the hamlet, had taken the way to the right, along which
+the other bodies of troops had been ordered to retreat. The royalists
+thus, at the time that the Count arrived, were pouring in amongst the
+cottages and farm houses, and when he reached the little knoll
+immediately behind the house, where he had left Clémence de Marly, he
+was instantly assailed by a tremendous fire from behind the walls of
+the court yard, and the lower windows of the house itself. He had no
+troops with him but Herval's band, and a small body of foot which
+arrived at that moment to his assistance from the Marquis du Bar, and
+he paused for an instant in agony of heart, knowing and feeling that
+it was utterly hopeless to attempt to retake the farmhouse, and enable
+Clémence to effect her escape. The grief and pain of a whole life
+seemed summed up in that one moment.
+
+"I will not," he cried, in the rashness of despair, "I will not leave
+her without an effort."
+
+Herval was by his side. "Sir," he said, "I must not live over this
+night. Let us advance at all risks."
+
+The Count gave the order, and the men advanced gallantly, though the
+enemy's fire was terrible. They were actually scaling the wall of the
+court-yard, when suddenly a fire was opened upon them from the houses
+and walls on either side. Herval fell over amidst the enemy, the
+Count's horse dropped at once under him, and he felt himself drawn
+forcibly out from beneath the dying animal, and carried along by the
+men in full retreat from that scene of slaughter.
+
+"Here is a horse, Count,--here is a horse," cried a voice near him.
+"Mount, quick, and oh take care of my poor girl. She is on with the
+troops before. I have lost you the battle, and know what must come of
+it."
+
+The Count turned and saw Paul Virlay by his side; but before he could
+reply the man left the bridle in his hand, and rushed into the midst
+of the enemy.
+
+Springing on the charger's back the Count gazed round him. Herval's
+band was all in confusion; but beginning to rally upon the body of
+infantry sent by Du Bar. The hamlet was in full possession of the
+enemy: the only means of communication between Du Bar and the troops
+that were retreating was along the hill side. Albert of Morseiul saw
+that if he did not maintain that line, his gallant friend would be cut
+off, and, for the moment, casting from his mind all the other bitter
+anxieties that preyed upon it, he hastened to occupy a little rising
+ground, terribly exposed, indeed, to the enemy's fire, but which would
+protect the flank of his friend's little corps, while they joined the
+rest who were in retreat. That he was just in time was proved to
+Albert of Morseiul, by the sound of a load cannonade, which commenced
+from the very direction of Du Bar's quarters; and, sending that
+officer orders to retreat directly, he remained, for twenty minutes,
+repelling every charge of the enemy; and, by the example of his own
+desperate courage and perfect self-command, seeming to inspire his men
+with resolution unconquerable. In the mean time the Marquis du Bar
+retreated before the other body of royalists which had now come up,
+and having seen his men in comparative safety, rode back, with a small
+body of horse, to aid the Count in covering the retreat. The royalists
+now, however, had gained their object; the camp of the Huguenots was
+in their hands; the slaughter on both sides had been dreadful,
+considering the short space of time which the strife had lasted; the
+country beyond was difficult and defensible, and the order for
+stopping further pursuit was given as soon as no more resistance was
+made in the Huguenot camp.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XII.
+
+                          THE ROYALIST CAMP.
+
+
+"I am astonished, Sir, that you should presume to interfere," said the
+Chevalier d'Evran, speaking to the Intendant of the province, whom he
+had found on riding down to the post of the second in command, in
+order to ascertain what was the cause of the attack having been so
+long delayed in that quarter. "I am astonished that you should presume
+to interfere at all. The weak gentlemen who have hitherto been
+commanding in this country have been indulgent to such insolence: but
+you will find very different consequences if you attempt to practise
+it upon me."
+
+"Insolence, Sir!--Insolence!" exclaimed the intendant, foaming with
+rage and mortified pride at being thus addressed in the presence of
+many hundreds of witnesses. "Insolence in me!--Why, who am I, Sir? Am
+I not the intendant of justice, police, and finance in this province?"
+
+"Yes, Sir, insolence!" replied the Chevalier d'Evran. "You are the
+intendant of justice, police, and finance; but before I assumed the
+command of the King's forces in this province, you yourself had
+required martial law to be proclaimed, so that you not only put every
+one else under the authority of the military power, but yourself also;
+and, by heavens, if you stare in my face in that manner one moment
+longer, I will have you hanged up to yonder tree. Bring a drum here,"
+he continued, "and summon four officers from the regiments of Lorraine
+and Berry. We will soon see who is to command here."
+
+The unfortunate intendant turned as pale as ashes; for the gallantry
+and decision which the Chevalier d'Evran had shown since he assumed
+the command, were of a very impressive character, and gave weight to
+his threats. The officer who had laid the complaint against him,
+however, now interfered. "For God's sake, General," he said, "have
+mercy upon this poor man, and consider what will be the result of
+calling a drum-head court-martial."
+
+"I should always be very willing, Sir," replied the Chevalier, drawing
+up his fine person to its full height, "I should always be very
+willing to attend to your recommendations; but, Sir, in the course of
+this night and the preceding day, I have obtained two great and signal
+successes over this body of insurgents; and I think that those
+successes will fully justify me in the eyes of the King, for punishing
+with such authority as is vested in my hands the person to whom we may
+attribute that our success was not complete, by the annihilation of
+the Huguenot party in the province. If the intendant chooses
+immediately to make a humble apology for what has passed, and to
+promise in the most solemn manner never to interfere in any one thing
+in my camp, or under my command, I will so far overlook the matter for
+the time, as not to carry this extreme measure into execution against
+him at once. But, in the mean time, I will hold it suspended over his
+head, and if required, execute it on the moment."
+
+The apologies and promises were as full and ample as the Chevalier
+could demand; and, leaving strict orders that the worthy intendant
+should be kept in a sort of honourable surveillance in the camp, the
+Chevalier turned his horse's head, and rode back with his staff
+towards the village, smiling slightly over what had just passed, for,
+to say the truth, he had been acting a part much more harsh and severe
+than he was inclined to pursue in reality. The truth is, that after
+the engagement of the preceding morning, the intendant had shown some
+disposition to take possession of one or two prisoners that had fallen
+into the royalists' hands, for the purpose of employing the rack and
+the wheel in their conversion; but the Chevalier, having determined
+from the first to put a stop to such measures, had evaded all
+discussion for the time, very sure that ere long the intendant would
+give him an opportunity of depriving him, at least for the time, of
+all authority in the province.
+
+The smile, however, was soon succeeded by a somewhat more anxious
+expression; for knowing as he did that Clémence de Marly was in the
+camp of the Huguenots, he was not a little apprehensive of what might
+have been her fate in the course of the struggle of that night. He had
+given particular instructions regarding her, however; had made it so
+fully understood, that he would have no unnecessary bloodshed, and had
+exhorted his troops and inferior officers so eloquently to regard the
+Protestants merely as erring brothers, as soon as the arms were out of
+their hands, that he felt little or no apprehension of any excesses
+being committed after the engagement. As soon, then, as he had
+ascertained that Mademoiselle de Marly was in the farmhouse on the top
+of the hill, and was perfectly safe, he contented himself with sending
+a message to her, telling her that he would visit her in the morning,
+and begging her in the mean time to put her mind completely at ease.
+He then proceeded to investigate the amount of his own loss, and that
+of the Huguenots. Nearly an equal number had fallen on each side; but
+the army of the Chevalier d'Evran could afford to lose a thousand men
+without any serious diminution of its strength, while the same loss on
+the part of the Protestant force reduced it in a lamentable degree.
+
+"Now," thought the Chevalier, when he heard the result of the
+inquiries that he caused to be made, "if I can but drive Albert of
+Morseiul to the sea, and force him to embark with the most determined
+of his sect, while the others lay down their arms and conform, we
+shall do very well. These battles were necessary to dishearten the
+desperate fellows, and to give me power to do them good, and treat
+them mercifully. But we may change our system now, and press them hard
+without losing the lives of gallant men. What this old Cecil tells me
+of the mistake about the liberation, may, if properly shown, mitigate
+a part of the King's anger towards Albert; but it will never do the
+whole, and I fear flight is his only resource. This offer that he has
+made, however, stands desperately in the way, and yet it must be
+communicated to the King. I dare not conceal it."
+
+While he thus thought, sitting in the room of one of the cottages,
+information was brought him that one of the wounded Huguenots, who was
+kept with other prisoners in a barn hard by, was very anxious to see
+him.
+
+"I will come immediately," he replied to the officer, and then sitting
+down, he wrote a brief despatch to Louvois, in which he detailed all
+the events that had occurred; but at the same time, knowing the views
+of the minister, he intimated that the only means of keeping the
+extent of the insurrection from the King's knowledge, and from general
+publicity throughout the whole of Europe, would be to give him the
+full power of pardoning all men on laying down their arms. He begged
+the minister to believe that he had not the slightest desire
+whatsoever that the little services he had performed should be
+reported to Louis; but at the same time he pointed out that those
+services could not be ultimately beneficial, unless the power that he
+demanded was granted to him, and all other authority in the province
+superseded for at least one month. He felt very sure that this would
+be granted by Louvois, as that minister had become greatly alarmed,
+and had openly expressed to the young commander his anxiety lest the
+extent of the revolt which had taken place in consequence of measures
+he had advised, should ruin him for ever with the King. The Chevalier
+trusted, also--although he was obliged, in the end of his epistle, to
+state the proposal made by the Count de Morseiul--that the powers
+granted by the minister would be such as to enable him to serve that
+nobleman.
+
+When this despatch was concluded, and sent off, he demanded where the
+person was who had wished to see him, and was led to a small out-house
+close by the farm in which Clémence abode. The door, which was
+padlocked, and at which a sentry appeared, was opened to give him
+admission, and he found stretched upon piles of straw on the floor of
+the building two or three men, apparently in a dying state, and
+another seated in a somewhat extraordinary attitude in one corner of
+the shed. The sight was very horrible; the straw in many parts was
+stained with blood, and anguish was legibly written on the pale
+countenances of the dying.
+
+"Who was the prisoner that wished to speak with me?" said the
+Chevalier, going in; but they each answered by claiming to be heard:
+one demanding a little water, one asking to be taken into the open
+air, and one who, before the words had fully passed his lips, lay a
+corpse upon the straw, asking pardon and life, and promising obedience
+and conversion. The Chevalier ordered every thing that could make them
+comfortable to be supplied as far as possible, adding some sharp
+reproaches to his own people for the state in which he found the
+wounded: and he then said, "But there was some one who, as I
+understood, wished to speak with me more particularly."
+
+"It was I," said the man who was sitting down in the corner, at once
+starting up into the likeness of Jerome Riquet; while at the same
+moment another faint voice from the farther part of the building said,
+"It was I, General. I told the officer who came here, that I would
+fain see you about the Count de Morseiul."
+
+"Riquet," said the Chevalier, "I will attend to you presently. You
+seem well, and unhurt; answer me three questions, and I may say
+something that will satisfy you in return. Have you been engaged in
+this unfortunate business simply as the servant of the Count de
+Morseiul?"
+
+"As nothing else, upon my word, Sir," replied Riquet.
+
+"Are you a Catholic or a Protestant?"
+
+"As Catholic as salt fish on a Friday," replied Riquet. "Surrounded on
+all sides by heretics, I was at one time in great fear for myself,
+like a man in a city where there is a plague. But bless you, Sir, I
+found it was not catching, and here I am more Catholic than ever."
+
+"Have you, then, in any instance, borne arms in this war?" demanded
+the Chevalier.
+
+"No, on my honour, Chevalier," replied the valet. "No arms have I
+borne except a shaving-brush, a razor, a pair of tweezers, and a
+toothpick."
+
+"Well, then," replied the Chevalier, "I can promise you pardon; but
+remember you are a prisoner on parole. Do you give me your word that
+you will not try to escape?"
+
+"Lord bless you, Sir," replied the man, "I would not escape for the
+world. I am with the winning side. You don't suppose Riquet's a fool,
+to go over to the poor devils that you're driving into the sea!"
+
+"Scoundrel!" said a deep but faint voice from the other side of the
+building; and telling Riquet to bring the light with him, the
+Chevalier advanced to the spot, where, stretched upon the straw, in
+the most remote corner of the shed, lay the unfortunate Armand Herval,
+dying from the effects of at least twenty wounds. As soon as the eyes
+of the wounded man fell upon Riquet, he exclaimed, angrily,--"Get thee
+hence, traitor! Let me not see your face, scoundrel! To abandon thus
+your noble lord at the first moment of misfortune!"
+
+"You mistake, Monsieur," replied Riquet quietly--"I am not a bit more
+of a scoundrel than you are, Monsieur Herval, nor, indeed, of a
+traitor either: every one serves his lord in his own way, Master
+Herval, that's all. You in your way, and I in mine. If you had waited
+a little, to hear what I had to say to the Chevalier, you would have
+seen that I was quite as ready to make sacrifices for my Lord as
+yourself."
+
+"Herval!" said the Chevalier, as he listened to their conversation;
+"that name is surely familiar to me."
+
+"Well it might be," answered Riquet; "for I dare say my Lord must have
+told you, Monsieur le Chevalier. This man, or I am much mistaken,
+would have killed the King himself, if my Lord had not prevented him."
+
+"Indeed!" demanded the Chevalier. "Can we get any proof of this?"
+
+"Proof, Sir?" replied the dying man; "it was on that account I sent
+for you. The Count de Morseiul is ruined; and the cause of the
+reformed church is over; and all this evil has happened through my
+fault. I have heard, too, that he has offered to surrender himself to
+the axe, in order to buy safety for the rest of us. But surely the
+King--let him be as great a tyrant as he may--will not murder the man
+that saved his life."
+
+"The King, Sir, is no tyrant," replied the Chevalier, "but a generous
+and noble master to those who are obedient and loyal: even to the
+disobedient he is most merciful; and if this fact could be made known
+to him, and proved beyond all doubt, I feel perfectly convinced that
+he would not only pardon the Count de Morseiul for his past errors,
+but show him some mark of favour, in gratitude for what he has done."
+
+"The King does know it," replied Herval, sharply; "the King must know
+it; for I have heard that the whole papers of Hatréaumont fell into
+the hands of Louvois; and I have myself seen that foul tiger's name
+written to an order for my arrest as one of Hatréaumont's
+accomplices."
+
+"But that does not prove," replied the Chevalier, "that either the
+King or Louvois knew of this act of the Count's."
+
+"It does prove it," replied the dying man; "for the only letter I ever
+wrote to Hatréaumont in my life was to tell him that I had failed in
+my purpose of killing the tyrant; that every thing had gone fair till
+the Count de Morseiul came in between me and him, and declared, that I
+should take his life first. I told him all, every thing--how I got
+into the gardens of Versailles at night, and hid under the terrace
+where the King walked alone--how yon babbling fool betrayed my purpose
+to the Count, and he came and prevented me doing the deed I ought to
+have done, even if I had taken his life first. I told him all this,
+and I cursed the Count of Morseiul in my madness, over again and
+again--and now the man whose life he saved is seeking to bring him to
+the block."
+
+"This is extraordinary and important," said the Chevalier: "I cannot
+believe that the King knows it. Louvois must have kept it from his
+ears. Will you make a deposition of this, my good fellow, as early
+to-morrow as we can get proper witnesses and a notary?"
+
+"Early to-morrow?" said the man faintly, "early to-morrow,
+Chevalier?--I shall never see a to-morrow. Now is your only moment,
+and as for witnesses, quick, get paper and pen and ink. There is not
+half an hour's life in me. If you had come when first I sent, there
+would have been plenty of time. But now every moment is a loss."
+
+"Quick, Riquet," cried the Chevalier, "bid the officer at the door run
+to my quarters, and bring down pen and ink and paper, without a
+moment's delay."
+
+Riquet lost no time, and the Chevalier endeavoured as far as possible
+to keep Herval quiet till the means of writing were brought. The dying
+man would go on speaking, however, but with his voice becoming lower
+and lower, and his ideas evidently in some degree confused. Once or
+twice he spoke as if he were at Versailles, and in the presence of the
+King: then seemed as if he fancied himself conversing with
+Hatréaumont; and then again pronounced the name of Claire more than
+once, and talked of happiness. When Riquet and the officer returned,
+however, with the materials for writing, he had still strength and
+recollection enough to commence his declaration in a formal manner.
+
+"I, Armand Herval," he said, "do hereby declare, and on the bed of
+death affirm most solemnly, that had it not been that the Count de
+Morseiul prevented me, I would have shot the King of France, upon the
+terrace at Versailles, after the play, on the night before the arrest
+of the Chevalier de Rohan, and that all I said was perfectly true, in
+a letter which was written by me to Monsieur de Hatréaumont, dated on
+the--I cannot recollect the day:" he added, in a lower tone, "it seems
+as if a mist had come over that part of my memory."
+
+"Never mind," said the Chevalier, "go on, my good friend, go on, the
+date is unimportant."
+
+"Was it the twenty-fourth or the twenty-fifth?" continued the man. "I
+cannot recollect for the life of me, your Majesty. It's a short life,
+too. Mine will soon be spent, and Claire's is all gone----"
+
+He spoke very faintly, indeed; and the Chevalier said, "You forget, my
+friend, you forget. We were talking of the Count de Morseiul."
+
+"Ah!" cried the man, with a greater effort, and starting up on
+the straw--"Ah, so we were.--What a fool I am!--Write it down,
+quick!--Write it down, quick!--But take your fingers off my
+throat!--Take your fingers off my throat!--I cannot speak if you stop
+my breath!--What's the use of putting out the light?--Why do you put
+out the light?--Oh, Heaven, it is death, it is death," and, falling
+back upon the straw, the strong frame shook for a moment, as if an
+ague had seized him, and then all was still.
+
+The Chevalier d'Evran shut his teeth close, saying, "This is
+unfortunate. However, you are a witness, Riquet, to all that he said."
+
+"Lord bless you, noble Sir," replied the valet, "nobody will believe a
+word that I say. I should consider my character ruined for ever if
+there was any body, in all Europe, that would believe me upon my
+oath."
+
+"I had forgot," said the Chevalier, dryly; "your character is in no
+danger, I believe, on that score. But my word will be believed, and my
+voice, at least, shall be heard."
+
+"Well, Sir," replied Riquet, perhaps a little piqued at the
+Chevalier's reply, "let me add my voice too; for though they may
+believe me in nothing else, they may, perhaps, believe me in a
+confession which will go to twist my own neck. I wish to be sent to
+the King, Sir; though if you can find out when he is in a good humour
+I should prefer it. But my object is to inform him that it was
+altogether my fault, and my foolishness, and my crime, that prevented
+the Count de Morseiul from going to Versailles as soon as he was
+liberated from the Bastille to throw himself at the King's feet. If it
+had not been for that aforesaid foolishness of mine he would never
+have come hither, would never have led the rebels at all, and most
+likely, by this time, would have been as high in the King's good
+graces as ever."
+
+"I have heard all this before," said the Chevalier. "But are you
+positively resolved, my good friend, to go voluntarily and make
+confession of all these things?--Do you remember the consequences?--Do
+you think of the risks?"
+
+"No, Sir," replied Riquet, "I do quite the contrary. I try to forget
+them all as fast as possible, being resolved to go at any rate, and,
+therefore, judging that the less I think about risks and consequences
+the better."
+
+"By Heaven, thou art right," replied the Chevalier, "and thou shalt
+have a bottle of Burgundy, if there be one in the camp, to keep warm
+thy good philosophy. See, there is the grey of the morning coming in,
+and I may well go away satisfied with having found one man in the
+world who is not so great a scoundrel as I thought him."
+
+The Chevalier returned to the hut in which he had established his
+quarters, and cast himself down for an hour's repose; but before the
+daylight had been long in the sky he was on foot again, and at the
+door of the farm-house which contained Clémence de Marly. He was
+immediately admitted; and, strange as it may seem, if the Count de
+Morseiul had witnessed that meeting, it would certainly have wrung his
+heart more than the loss of a great battle. The royalist commander
+advanced at once to his fair prisoner, and, putting his arms slightly
+round her, kissed her cheek without any apparent reluctance on her
+part; and her first exclamation was, "Oh, Louis, I am glad to see you
+safe! You know not how my heart is torn!"
+
+"I dare say it is, my pretty Clémence," replied the Chevalier, in his
+usual light tone; "but you, who have been doing nothing else but
+tearing other people's hearts for the last five years, must take your
+turn now. You have placed me in a terrible predicament, however,
+thoughtless girl," he added. "You are obstinate as an Arragonese mule
+about this matter of religion, and will not be contented till you have
+got yourself roasted in this world as preparatory to----"
+
+"But tell me, Louis--tell me about him!" demanded Clémence. "Is he
+safe? Has he escaped from this awful night?"
+
+"I suppose you mean Morseiul, by _he_ and _him_," said the Chevalier,
+"and if so, he is safe, as far as I know. He has escaped. That is to
+say, he has not been taken, thank God--though one time he was very
+near it; for, by the flash of the guns, I saw his face in the middle
+of our men:--but I dare say now, Clémence, that you would a
+thousand-fold rather have me killed than this heretic of yours?"
+
+"Do not be unkind, Louis," replied Clémence--"I would of course rather
+have neither of you killed; but now that you have got me, tell me what
+is to be my fate?"
+
+"Why, that question is difficult to answer," said the Chevalier;
+"Heaven knows, I did not want you, Madam. I was obliged to write you a
+formal summons to return, for mere decency's sake; but I certainly
+never expected you would obey it. You might have said, No, silly girl,
+without telling all the world that you had turned Huguenot--all for
+the love of a gallant knight."
+
+"Nonsense, Louis! Do speak seriously," replied Clémence: "you very
+well know I was what you call a Huguenot long before."
+
+"Not quite, Clémence! not quite!" cried the Chevalier: "you were what
+may be called Huguenoting. But this rash and imprudent determination
+of declaring your feelings, doubts, or whatever they may be, at the
+very moment when the sword of persecution is drawn, was, indeed, very
+silly, Clémence. What is to be done now is rendered doubly difficult,
+and I suppose I must of course connive at your escape. We must take
+means to have an intimation conveyed for some trading vessels to hover
+about the coast, to give you an opportunity of getting away till this
+fierce bigotry has gone by. It will not last long; and in a year or
+two, I doubt not, exiles will be permitted to return. The only
+difficulty will be to have the ships opportunely; but I think I can
+manage that."
+
+"Oh, do, do, Louis!" exclaimed Clémence, eagerly. "That is all that
+can be desired; and pray try to persuade Albert to fly at once."
+
+"Nay, nay," replied the Chevalier, laughing, "that must not be my
+task, Clémence. On that subject I dare not say a word. But you may
+well do what you will. I will take care that the means of flight to
+another country shall be provided for you, and you may take with you
+any one that is willing to go."
+
+"But then," exclaimed Clémence, "I must have the opportunity of
+persuading him."
+
+"Certainly," exclaimed the Chevalier: "the first thing you have to do
+is to get out of my camp as fast as you can. I would not have you
+three days here for the world; for as affairs go at present, I cannot
+answer that the power of protecting you will be left to me for three
+days. However," he added, after a moment's thought, "to-day you must
+stay and march on with us, and before to-morrow, I trust I shall be
+able to put you under such protection as will insure you safety and
+support in your flight; and now, pretty maid, I must leave you. We
+shall begin to march about noon. In the mean time there is a courier
+going to Montaigu, so send off thither for whatever you may need to
+make you comfortable. An easy horse shall be ready for you; and if at
+any time you may feel yourself inclined to gallop away, you may take
+him with you as a present from me. By the way, little heretic," he
+added, when he got to the door, "you will want money for your
+peregrinations."
+
+"Oh, no," replied Clémence, "I have plenty. I have plenty, I assure
+you. I have near two hundred double louis which I took to the prison
+in hopes----."
+
+"Little do you know of what you may want, silly girl," replied the
+Chevalier. "Why one of these very merchant ships may demand the half
+of that for carrying you over. Here," he added, drawing forth a
+leathern purse embroidered in gold--"I don't know how much there is
+here, but you must take it too; and if by any unforeseen circumstance
+you should need more when in England, draw on me what they call a bill
+of exchange."
+
+Clémence took the money without ceremony, as if it were a mere matter
+of course, and only added, "Come and see me again before we march,
+Louis."
+
+The Chevalier nodded his head and left her.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XIII
+
+                          THE LAST EFFORTS.
+
+
+To describe the military man[oe]uvres which took place during the
+three or four following days would be neither amusing nor instructive
+to the reader. Suffice it to say, that the small force of the Count de
+Morseiul diminished as he retreated, while the army of the Chevalier
+d'Evran was increased by the arrival of two new regiments. The latter
+had thus an opportunity of extending his line, and frustrating a
+vigorous effort made by the Count to cut his way into Brittany. Every
+effort that the Protestant leader made to bring to his aid those who
+had promised very soon to join him, only showed him that the
+estimation which he had formed of the degree of vigour and unanimity
+to be expected from the Huguenots was but too accurate. Almost all
+those determined and daring leaders of the lower orders who had given
+energy and activity to all the movements of the insurgents had fallen
+in the preceding skirmishes. Herval was heard of no more; Paul Virlay
+had been seen by one of the soldiers to fall by a shot through the
+head towards the close of the last affair; and at length, with not
+more than five hundred men under his command, Albert of Morseiul found
+himself shut in between a force of eight thousand men and the sea. The
+only consolation that he had was to hear that Clémence de Marly was
+safe, and the only hope was that some vessels from Rochelle, for which
+he had despatched a shallop in haste, might be tempted by the large
+sum he offered to hasten round and carry off a certain portion of his
+troops, comprising the principal leaders, while the rest laid down
+their arms, and he himself surrendered to the fate that awaited him.
+
+Such were his plans and purposes when the last day of the insurrection
+dawned upon the world; and we must pause for an instant to describe
+the situation of his little force on that eventful morning.
+
+There is upon that coast a small rocky island, not so high as the
+celebrated Mont St. Michel, which is on the opposite side of the
+peninsula of Brittany, but in almost every other respect similar to
+that famous rock. At the time we speak of this island was fortified,
+and the guns of the castle commanded almost entirely the small bay in
+which it was situated. At low water the island becomes a peninsula,
+being joined to the land like the Mont St. Michel by a narrow neck of
+land, along the top of which there ran a paved causeway, covered
+entirely by the sea to the depth of five or six feet at the time of
+high water. The commandant of the fort was a Protestant gentleman who
+had distinguished himself in some degree in the service. He had been
+raised, and greatly favoured by the influence of the Counts of
+Morseiul, and owed his post to them. He had not only promised to
+co-operate with the young Count in the commencement of the unfortunate
+revolt, but he had sent him some assistance, and a large quantity of
+ammunition; and when the Count found that he was cut off from forcing
+his way into Brittany on the one hand, or reaching Sainctonge on the
+other, he had shaped his course past Montaigu towards the little bay
+in which this island was situated, and had succeeded in reaching it,
+notwithstanding the efforts of the royalist corps to prevent him.
+
+Opposite to the island was a small village, on a high bank above the
+sea-shore. It possessed a large church, and two or three walled farm
+houses; and during one half of the night after his arrival, the Count
+toiled with the country people, who were principally Protestants, to
+throw up breastworks and plant pallisades, so as to fortify the
+village in as strong a manner as possible. Four cannon, which were all
+that he possessed, were planted to command the principal road leading
+to the village, and ere morning the whole was brought to such a
+condition as to enable the little band of Protestants to offer a
+determined and lengthened resistance, should they be driven to do so.
+
+Was it then, it may be asked, the purpose of the Count to offer that
+resistance? It certainly was not; but feeling perfectly sure that the
+Chevalier d'Evran was disposed to grant the Protestants the most
+lenient terms consistent with his duty, he took these measures in
+order to give him the best excuse for treating with the insurgents,
+and granting them a favourable capitulation. "If," he thought, "the
+Chevalier can show to the King that it would have cost him two or
+three thousand of his best troops to overcome or slaughter a poor body
+of five hundred men, Louis is too wise and too good a soldier himself
+not to hold him perfectly justified for granting the mildest terms."
+
+When all was completed, the Count cast himself down to rest, and slept
+for some time from utter exhaustion. By the first ray of morning,
+however, he was upon the shore, looking towards the sea, and beheld,
+to his no small joy and satisfaction, three vessels, at the distance
+of about four or five miles, standing off and on, as if waiting for
+the tide to enter the bay. The tide, however, though not quite at the
+ebb, had sank so low that there was no chance of their being able to
+come in till it had quite gone down and risen again; and Albert of
+Morseiul looked with anxiety for the passing of six or seven hours,
+which must thus elapse.
+
+His anxiety now led him to the other side of the village, and going to
+one of the farm houses, situated at the corner of a small cart-road
+which he had barricaded, he went up to a window on the first floor,
+and looked over the wide view that sloped away below. There appeared,
+what he had expected to find, the camp of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+hemming him in on all sides. The distance between the village and the
+first tents was about two miles, so that at any time, without more
+than half an hour's notice, the attack upon his little fortress might
+commence. He was quite prepared, it is true, and doubted not to be
+able to maintain his post for many hours, knowing that his men would
+fight with the energy of despair.
+
+But no movement whatsoever in the royalist camp indicated any great
+haste to attack him. There were no groups of officers busily
+reconnoitring; there were no regiments drawn up as if to march to the
+assault; and the only objects that were seen were two files of
+soldiers marching along to relieve the guard at different points of
+the camp. All this was satisfactory to an experienced eye like that of
+the Count de Morseiul, and well knowing his opponent, he judged that
+the Chevalier was waiting for some reply from Paris, ere he gave any
+answer to the terms which he, the Count, had suggested.
+
+He paused, therefore, for nearly twenty minutes, gazing over the
+scene, when suddenly, from a point of the camp where nothing seemed
+stirring before, a little group of persons on horseback drew out, and
+rode swiftly towards the village. The moment after the Count perceived
+that two of those persons were clad in women's garments; and the
+rapidity with which they came, showed him that they were fearful of
+being stopped. Going down from the window in haste, he sprang upon
+horseback, and with the attendants who were waiting for him below,
+rode out upon the side of the hill, in order to assist the fugitives
+in case of need; but no sign of pursuit took place till one half of
+the distance or more had been passed by the little party; and the
+Count dismounting about a quarter of a mile from the village, watched
+their coming with eager eyes and a beating heart, as he recognised the
+form of Clémence de Marly. When she was beyond all risk of being
+overtaken, a small party of cavaliers issued forth from another part
+of the camp, and rode on towards the village, but slowly, and they
+were still at more than a miles distance when Clémence was in the arms
+of her lover, and weeping upon his bosom. He led her in as fast as
+possible, followed by the maid Maria, and no less a person than Jerome
+Riquet, who seemed to have found of breaking his word so strong a
+temptation, that he could not resist it.
+
+A rumour had spread amongst the Protestants in the town that something
+of interest was proceeding without, and when the Count and Clémence
+turned towards the village, they found that their meeting had been
+witnessed by many eyes. But in the faces of those they passed, Albert
+of Morseiul read courage brightened, and resolution strengthened, by
+that which they had just seen; and there was not a man within that
+little encampment whose heart did not feel elevated and confirmed by
+witnessing the bursting forth of those tender and ennobling feelings,
+which ever, when pure and true, dignify man's spirit, and brighten his
+mind.
+
+When they were within the barriers, the Count turned for a moment to
+look at the other group which had drawn out from the camp; but it did
+not seem that they were in pursuit of Clémence, for they shaped their
+course along the road towards the principal entrance of the village,
+and when the Count turned, he clearly saw them displaying a flag of
+truce. He led Clémence into the house where he had taken up his head
+quarters, however, and saying a few soothing words, left her to see
+what was the intelligence which the Chevalier's envoys conveyed. As he
+walked down he met a messenger coming to demand his presence at the
+barrier; and on approaching it, he found waiting, in the guard-house,
+the old English officer, Sir Thomas Cecil, with one or two French,
+gentlemen with whom he was slightly acquainted.
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul," said the old Englishman, "I have been charged
+by Major-General the Chevalier d'Evran to communicate to you the only
+terms which he is permitted by the King to grant under the
+circumstances in which you respectively stand. He was long in hopes
+that those terms would have been more favourable than they are, and
+they are very painful to me to announce. But as you conveyed to him a
+message through me, he thought that I ought to undertake to bear the
+reply."
+
+"I thank you, my dear Sir," replied the Count, "most sincerely for
+undertaking the task. But, as a preliminary, let me tell you before
+these gentlemen who have come with you, as well as before Monsieur du
+Bar here, and my own friends around me, that the only terms which I
+will accept are those which I notified to the Chevalier d'Evran
+through you, namely, permission for any one hundred of my friends of
+the reformed religion to retire from France unmolested; a free pardon
+to all the rest, except myself, on laying down their arms, and a
+promise that they shall be permitted to exercise their religion in
+private without annoyance. On these conditions we will immediately lay
+down our arms, and I will surrender myself at discretion to his
+Majesty's pleasure."
+
+"No, no!--No, no!" cried several voices amongst the Protestants; "we
+cannot submit to that. We will die at our post with arms in our hands,
+rather than that the Count shall be sacrificed."
+
+"My good friends," replied the Count, "that is a personal matter
+altogether. I have made the best terms that I can for you, and I have
+done what I judge right for myself; knowing that the only way of
+dealing with his Majesty is to throw myself upon his magnanimity."
+
+The old Englishman wiped away a tear from his eye. "I am sorry to
+say, Sir," he rejoined, "that I cannot even mention such favourable
+terms as those. On condition of your immediately laying down your
+arms, the Chevalier d'Evran, in the name of the King, offers the
+following:--Permission for every one not absolutely a subject of
+France to leave the country unmolested. Free pardon to all but the
+actual leaders of the revolt, specified in the following list. They
+must unconditionally surrender to the King's pleasure, and trust to
+his mercy."
+
+The list apparently contained about fifty names; at the head of which
+stood that of the Count of Morseiul. The Count looked round upon the
+Protestant gentlemen by whom he was surrounded. On all their
+countenances but one or two there was awe, but not fear. As the only
+reply needful, the Marquis du Bar laid his finger upon the hilt of his
+sword, and the Count turning to Sir Thomas Cecil, said, "You perceive,
+Sir, that it is utterly impossible we can accede to this demand. I
+know not whether it has been made under any mistaken impression; but
+when I offered what I did offer through you to the Chevalier d'Evran,
+I was just as certain that we should be reduced to the situation in
+which we are at present as I am now--nay, expected it to be worse than
+it is. We can but die, Sir; and I have not the slightest objection to
+lead you round the preparations which I have made for resisting to the
+last; so that if our blood must be shed, and the Chevalier is
+determined to sacrifice the lives of a large body of our royal
+master's troops, he may be satisfied that he cannot carry this
+position without the loss of two or three thousand men."
+
+"It is not necessary, Count. It is not necessary," replied the old
+officer. "The Chevalier has no choice; the terms are dictated by
+higher authority; and all that he can do farther than signify those
+terms to you is to grant you five hours to consider of them. If you
+like to accept a truce for that time you may take it."
+
+The Count was not a little surprised at this indulgence, but he took
+care to express none; and accepting the truce willingly, suffered the
+old officer to depart. One or two of the young French officers, whom
+he had known in the army, wrung his hand as they went away, and
+besought him, with kindly feelings, to think well of what he was
+about. One of them, however, ere he went, whispered a more important
+word in his ear.
+
+"There are ships out at sea," he said. "You and the other leaders may
+get off before the five hours are out."
+
+The Count took no notice, but wished him Good-by; and returning with
+Monsieur du Bar and the rest of the officers, he held a brief
+consultation with them in the saloon of the little inn.
+
+"Had we more boats," he said, "the matter would be easily managed. But
+there are but two on the shore, which will not carry out above twenty
+of us. However, my good friends, it becomes necessary to take some
+prompt resolution. I have begun to be somewhat doubtful to-day of Le
+Luc, who commands in the fort. He has sent me no answer to my note of
+last night, and though I do not believe that he would be so great a
+scoundrel, after all his promises, as to turn against us, yet I must
+ascertain decidedly what are his intentions; for he might sink the
+boats as they passed under his guns. If he be still friendly to us,
+and willing really to aid us, we are safe, for while the soldiery lay
+down their arms and surrender upon promise of free pardon, you,
+gentlemen, who all of you, I find, are upon this long list of
+proscription, can march along the causeway into the fort, and embark
+in the ships that lie out there. If, on the contrary, we find him a
+traitor, we must make the boats hold as many as they will, and take
+the chance of the scoundrel firing upon them. I shall only claim to
+have one place reserved in one of the boats."
+
+"Two," said du Bar; "surely two, Morseiul. Did I not see a lady?"
+
+"It is for her I speak," replied the Count. "Du Bar, in pity do not
+urge me in matters where my resolution is taken. I have pangs and
+agony at my heart sufficient at this moment, believe me, to be spared
+that of refusing a friend.--Now then, gentlemen," he added, after a
+moment's pause, "let five of you accompany me along the causeway which
+must be passable by this time, to speak to Governor Le Luc. If you
+will mount your horses, I will be down with you in an instant," and he
+went up to take one hurried embrace of her he loved, and to explain to
+her what had happened, and what was proposed, concealing from her, as
+far as he could, the dangers and difficulties of their situation; but
+concealing from her still more carefully his own purpose of
+surrendering at discretion.
+
+When this was done he went down, and finding the other gentlemen
+ready, sprang upon his horse, without noticing that a multitude of the
+inferior Protestants had gathered round, and seemed to be watching
+them with somewhat suspicious eyes.
+
+The sea had not quite left the causeway dry, except in one or two
+places, and the sands were still quite covered. But the only result of
+this was to force the Count and his train to proceed slowly, and one
+by one, while he himself led the way, the white stone pavement being
+clearly discernible through the thin water.
+
+In the mean time, however, the Protestants who had been gazing at him
+as he mounted, gathered into knots together, and seemed to be speaking
+hastily and discontentedly. Some of the inferior officers joined them,
+and a great deal of tumult and talking ensued, which called out
+several of the gentlemen of the party to remonstrate. But remonstrance
+seemed in vain, and the crowd soon after trooped away out of the
+little open space where they had assembled, in the direction of the
+corps de garde, where the small battery of cannon was placed. Various
+broken sentences, however, were heard from time to time, such as, "I
+would hardly have believed it. To take care of themselves, and leave
+us to perish. I always said, we should be made the sacrifice. Better
+be a Catholic and at peace, than that."
+
+"Ride after the Count and tell him what is going on," said one of the
+gentlemen to another, "while I go to our good minister, Monsieur
+Vigni, and get him to reason with them. You see they are mistaking the
+matter altogether, and think that we are going to abandon them. Make
+haste, or it will be too late."
+
+The suggestion was instantly followed; but ere the officer could get
+his horse and ride down to the sea shore, the Count and his party were
+nearly at the fort, and to them we must now turn.
+
+The progress of the young general of the Huguenots had been slower
+than it might have been, not only on account of the causeway being
+partially covered with water, but also because the stone, with which
+it was composed, had in some places been broken up or carried away. He
+at length reached, however, the fortified head of the causeway at the
+foot of the rock, and then demanded admission to speak with the
+governor.
+
+This was refused him; but as such might naturally be the case, his
+suspicions were but little increased by that event. He, however,
+directed the officer in command immediately to send up and inform the
+governor Le Luc of his being there, and of his desire to speak with
+him.
+
+After keeping him some time, the officer returned, saying, "that
+Monsieur le Luc would come down himself to speak with the Count," and
+during the period that the Protestant leaders were thus occupied in
+waiting for the appearance of the governor, the Protestant officer
+arrived from the village, bringing news that the soldiery which had
+been left behind were in a state of actual mutiny, having entirely
+mistaken the object of the Count and his companions, and imagined that
+they were engaged in seeking their own safety, leaving the soldiers to
+meet whatever fate might befall them.
+
+"In the name of Heaven, ride back, Du Bar," said the Count, "and quiet
+them till I return. It is better for me to stay and speak to this
+worthy gentleman, who seems to be showing us a cold face, as you know
+he owes every thing to my house. I will return instantly, as soon as
+he condescends to favour us with his presence."
+
+Du Bar did not reply, but turned his horse, for they were still kept
+on the outside even of the causeway head, and rode back as fast as he
+could go, accompanied by one of the other officers.
+
+The Count remained, growing more and more impatient every moment; and
+the governor, perhaps thinking that he would get tired of waiting, and
+retire without an answer, kept him nearly half an hour before he made
+his appearance. He then came down with that dull and dogged look,
+which generally accompanies the purpose of disgraceful actions; and
+the Count, restraining his indignation, called to him to cause the
+drawbridge to be lowered, in order that he might speak to him more
+privately.
+
+"No, indeed," replied the governor, with a scoff; "with the little
+force I have in here, I shall not think of causing the drawbridge to
+be lowered, when I know that the village is occupied by a large party
+of armed traitors."
+
+"Traitors!" exclaimed the Count; but again overcoming his anger, he
+added, in a cooler tone, "Monsieur le Luc, up to this moment I have
+believed you to be of the reformed church."
+
+"I am so no longer," muttered the governor.
+
+"Well, Sir," continued the Count, "there are other things which may
+have influence upon men of honour and good feeling besides their
+religion. There is at the village, as you say, a large party of
+Protestant gentlemen, assembled in defence of their liberty and
+freedom of conscience: they find themselves unable to resist the power
+of those that would oppress them; terms are proposed for extending a
+free pardon to all but some thirty or forty; those thirty or forty are
+desirous of obtaining shelter in this fortress for one or two hours at
+the utmost, till they can embark in those ships, which are waiting for
+the rising of the tide. Now, Monsieur le Luc, my father gave you the
+first commission that you held under the crown. He obtained for you
+your first promotion, and I bestowed upon you the post in this
+fortress which you now hold. Will you, Sir, grant us the shelter that
+we demand at your hand.
+
+"Very pretty," replied Le Luc, "to talk of honour, and ask me to
+betray the trust that the King reposes in me."
+
+Still the Count kept his temper. "You refuse, then?" he demanded.
+
+"Yes, that I do," answered the governor in a rude tone; "and the
+sooner you take yourself back to the land the better, for I am in no
+humour to be trifled with."
+
+It was with difficulty that the Count restrained himself; but there
+was one chance more, and he tried it.
+
+"Yet another word, my good friend," he said. "There is a matter in
+which you can favour us without endangering your own safety, or
+getting into discredit with the government. If we attempt to pass to
+the ships in what boats we can find, will you pledge me your word that
+you do not fire into them?"
+
+"If you do not make haste away from the gates of this fortress,"
+replied the governor, who saw, by the quivering of the Count's lip the
+contempt that he could not help feeling, "I will fire upon you where
+you are, and will sink the boat of every traitor that comes within
+shot."
+
+"Sir," said the Count, "you are a dastardly, pitiful, contemptible
+scoundrel. It is only happy for you that the drawbridge is between us,
+or I would treat you like an ill-conditioned hound, and lash you
+within an inch of your life under my horse's feet."
+
+"You shall hear more, traitor; you shall hear more in a minute,"
+replied the governor. "And mind I tell you, the faster you go the
+better for you."
+
+Thus saying, he turned away, and mounted the zigzag staircase in the
+rock with a rapid step. The Count paused, and turned his horse; but at
+that very moment he saw a party of horsemen at the other end of the
+causeway apparently coming towards him with great speed, part of them
+upon the sands, which by this time had been left dry, part of them
+following the road in the midst.
+
+"It is Du Bar and the rest," said he, in a low voice, to one of the
+gentlemen near him. "I have a very great mind to stay here, and try to
+punish that fellow for his insolence. I could swim that little bit of
+sea in a moment, and the drawbridge once in our possession, the castle
+would be ours."
+
+"Count, Count," shouted the officer of the guard from the
+fortress-side of the drawbridge "for God's sake make haste and ride
+back. I hear that governor of ours giving orders for charging the
+cannon with grape. He will fire upon you as sure as I am alive, for he
+sent word to the Chevalier d'Evran last night that he would do so."
+
+"I thank you, Sir, for your courtesy," replied the Count calmly.
+"Under these circumstances, my friends, it is better for us to so
+back."
+
+The other officers put their horses into a quick pace, and they rode
+on; but they had scarcely gone a hundred yards when the cannon of the
+castle opened a fire of grape upon them. The shot, however, flew over
+their heads, as they were too near the walls to be easily hit, except
+from the drawbridge, where the Count could see preparations being made
+for following up the same course. At the same moment, however, he
+pulled up his horse, exclaiming, "Good God, that is not the Marquis du
+Bar: it is the Chevalier d'Evran!"
+
+The officers who were with him paused also, and to their surprise, and
+somewhat to their consternation, perceived that, shut in as they were
+by the sea on two sides, and by the fortress on another, the only open
+ground before them was occupied by the Commander-in-chief of the
+royalist forces, with a numerous staff, and a small escort of cavalry.
+
+"We have nothing for it, my friends," said the Count de Morseiul in a
+low, calm tone, "but to surrender; it is evident our men have
+capitulated in the village. Let us ride on and meet them."
+
+Thus saying he spurred on his horse, while the Chevalier d'Evran
+galloped forward on his side, waving his hat, and shaking his clenched
+fist towards the people on the walls of the fort. They either did not
+recognise him, however, or did not choose to obey his commands; and
+before he and the Count de Morseiul met, a second discharge of
+grape-shot took place from the cannon of the castle. At the same
+moment the Count de Morseiul beheld the Chevalier d'Evran suddenly
+check up his horse, press his hand upon his side, and fall headlong to
+the ground, while one of the horses of the Count's party was killed
+upon the spot, and an officer of the Chevalier's staff fell wounded,
+but rose up again immediately.
+
+The Count galloped eagerly on to the spot where he had seen the
+Chevalier d'Evran fall, and the memory of long friendship came
+painfully back upon his heart. Before he had reached the group of
+soldiers and officers, however, five or six men had raised the
+unfortunate commander from the ground, and were bearing him rapidly
+back towards the village. So eagerly were those who remained
+conversing together, and so fully occupied with their own thoughts,
+that the Count de Morseiul might, to all appearance, have passed by
+them without opposition or inquiry; but he himself drew in his rein,
+demanding, "Is he much hurt?"
+
+"Alas! Monsieur de Morseiul," replied the officer, who seemed to be
+next in command, "he is dead! Killed on the spot by that infernal
+shot! and a nobler gentleman, or better soldier, never lived. But some
+of your own people are killed also; are they not?"
+
+"One of the horses only, I believe," replied the Count. "Pray, may I
+ask how all this has happened?--Poor Louis!"
+
+"Ride on, ride on, Charliot," said the officer, speaking to one of his
+own men before he answered the Count, "that scoundrel will fire upon
+us again. Tell him I will hang him over the drawbridge if he fires
+another shot Monsieur de Morseiul, I will explain all this as we ride
+back, for you will have but little time to make your arrangements.
+Scarcely half an hour ago as Monsieur d'Evran and the rest of us were
+reconnoitring pretty close to your camp, a party of your men came out
+and offered to capitulate on certain terms, which the Chevalier
+instantly agreed to, and they gave us possession of the gate and the
+corps de garde. Just at that moment, however, came up Monsieur du Bar,
+who remonstrated somewhat angrily with the Chevalier on signing a
+capitulation with the men, when he had given the officers a truce of
+five hours to consider of his terms. He represented that in those five
+hours all the gentlemen named in the proscribed list might have made
+their escape. On that the Chevalier replied, that he intended to take
+no advantage; that the truce should be held to exist notwithstanding
+the capitulation; and that every gentleman on that list might act
+exactly as he pleased, without any one trying to impede him. He could
+not suffer them, of course, to pass through our camp; but if they
+could escape by sea they might. He said, however, that he wished to
+speak with this Le Luc, and that he would take the liberty of riding
+down through the village. Du Bar then asked if he intended to bid Le
+Luc fire on the boats or ships. He answered quite the contrary; that
+his only intention was to supersede him in his command, and put an
+officer in his place who would keep the truce to the letter. You have,
+therefore, yet four hours nearly, to do what you will in, Monsieur de
+Morseiul; for I, of course, taking the Chevalier's command, shall
+maintain all his arrangements, and act in their full spirit."
+
+The Count had listened sadly and attentively, and when the royalist
+officer had done speaking, he replied that by his leave he would ride
+on as fast as possible to the village, and consult with his
+companions.
+
+"Do so! do so!" answered the other; "and now I think of it, I had
+better go on to the fort, and put the Chevelier's intentions in
+execution. For this firing upon you may be considered already a breach
+of the truce. I shall find you on my return; and at the little auberge
+you will meet with an English gentleman most anxious to speak with
+you." Thus saying, he turned again towards the fort, and the Count,
+with a sad heart, rode back to the village.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XIV.
+
+                         THE BITTER PARTING.
+
+
+Just at the entrance of the village, the Count met with his companion
+Du Bar.
+
+"Have you heard all?" demanded that officer. "What is to be done?"
+
+"Get the boats ready with all speed," replied the Count. "The tide
+will turn within half an hour, the ships will be able to come farther
+in. Twenty or thirty persons may get off in the first boats, which
+must come back again for a second freight. I see clearly, my friend,
+that there is no intention of dealing harshly with us. All the
+officers wish us to escape, and there will be no more firing from the
+castle. I must leave the embarkation, and all that, to you, Du Bar,
+for I have things to go through that will try my heart to the utmost.
+I must have a few minutes to make up my mind to parting with my
+friends and companions, and all that I love on earth, forever.--Du
+Bar," he continued, while the other wrung his hand affectionately,
+"there will be a young lady who will accompany you, and that girl, the
+daughter of poor Virlay. You have a wife and children yourself, whom
+you love, I know, fondly and devotedly. They are in safety, you told
+me, on those opposite shores which I shall never see. But let me
+beseech you,--by the memory of these dark and terrible days, when the
+hand that now presses yours is laid in the dust, as I know too well
+must soon be the case,--let me beseech you, I say, to give every aid
+and assistance to those two that I now commit to your charge. Be to
+the one as a brother, Du Bar, and to the other as a father. I know you
+to be honest and true as you are brave and wise; and I shall lay my
+head upon the block with more peace at my heart, if you promise me
+that which I now ask."
+
+"I do, I do," replied the Marquis, with the tears standing in his
+eyes. "I do promise you, from my heart, and I would fain persuade you
+even now to consider----"
+
+But the Count waved his hand and rode on.
+
+There was a considerable crowd round the entrance of the little inn,
+and he had some difficulty in making his way in. At the door of the
+room where he had fixed his own quarters, he found two or three of the
+royalist soldiers; but, passing by them, he entered the room, when a
+sight met his eye which might well chill and wring his heart.
+
+The room was nearly empty, but stretched upon the long table, which
+occupied the midst, was the fine noble form of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+now still in death. Standing near the head of the body, was the old
+English officer, Sir Thomas Cecil, with an air of deep stern grief
+upon his fine and striking countenance. His hat was off, showing his
+white hair, his arms were crossed upon his chest, his head was erect
+as ever, and nothing like a tear was in his eye: but there was no
+mistaking the expression of his countenance. It was that of intense
+sorrow. But on the other side of the table grief was displaying itself
+in a different manner, and in a different form. For there knelt
+Clémence de Marly, with her beautiful head bent down over the dead
+body; her hair, fallen from its bindings, scattered wildly, partly
+over her own shoulders, partly over the breast of the Chevalier; her
+left hand clasping that of the dead man, her eyes and face buried on
+his bosom, while the convulsing sobs that shook her whole frame, told
+how bitterly she was weeping.
+
+The Count paused with a look of deep sadness: but there was no anger
+or jealousy in his countenance. The old English officer, however, as
+soon as he perceived him, hurried forward, and took both his hands,
+saying, in a low and solemn voice, "You must let her weep, Count, you
+must let her weep! It is her brother!"
+
+"I have been sure of it for several days," replied the Count. "She
+told me not, but I knew it from what she did tell me. This day of
+agony, however, Sir, is not yet over. I must disturb her grief but to
+waken her to more. You know the short time that is allowed for flight.
+You know the fate that would await her here if she were to remain in
+this country as what is called a relapsed heretic, by the cruel
+persecutors of this land. Within two hours from this time, my good
+Sir, she must take her departure for ever. The boats will be ready,
+and not a moment must be lost; and in those two short hours she must
+part with one who loves her as well as ever woman yet was loved, with
+one who truly believes she loves him as well as woman's heart can
+love--and who shall say where is the boundary of that boundless
+affection? She must part with him, Sir, for ever, and with her native
+land."
+
+"This is not her native land," replied the old officer. "The lady
+Clémence Cecil, Sir, is an English woman. But in one respect you say
+true. My poor niece must go, for I have experienced in my own person,
+as you know, now daring is the injustice of arbitrary power in this
+land, in the prisons of which, I, an English subject, have been
+detained for more than a year and a half, till our own papistical and
+despotic King chose to apply to your despot for my liberation, and for
+the restoration of my brother's children. She must leave this land
+indeed. But your words imply that you must stay behind. Tell me, tell
+me, my noble friend, is this absolutely necessary, in honour and in
+conscience?"
+
+The Count grasped his hand, and pointed to the dead body. "I promised
+him," he said, "who lies there, that I would surrender myself to the
+King's pleasure. I have every reason to believe, that, in
+consideration of that promise, he dealt as favourably with us as he
+was permitted; that he even went beyond the strict line of his duty to
+give us some facilities of escape; and I must hold my promise to the
+dead as well as if he were here to claim it."
+
+"God forbid," said Sir Thomas Cecil, "that I should say one word
+against it, terrible as is your determination--for you must well know
+the fate that awaits you. It seems to me that there was only that one
+act wanting, to make you all that our poor Clémence ought to love on
+earth, at the very moment she is to lose you for ever. See, she is
+raising her head. Speak to her, my friend, speak to her!"
+
+The Count advanced and threw his arms round her. He knew that the
+grief which she felt was one that words could do nothing to mitigate,
+and the only consolation that he offered was thus by pressing her
+fondly to his heart, as if to express that there was love and
+tenderness yet left for her on earth. Clémence rose and wiped; way her
+tears, for she felt he might think that some doubt of his affection
+mingled with her grief for her brother, if she suffered it to fall
+into excess.
+
+"Oh, Albert," she said, "this is very terrible. I have but you
+now----"
+
+A hesitation came over the Count de Morseiul as she spoke those words,
+gazing tenderly and confidingly upon him: a hesitation, as to whether
+he should at once tell her his determination, or not let her know that
+he was about to remain behind, till she was absolutely in the boat
+destined to bear her away. It was a terrible question that he thus put
+to his own heart. But he thought it would be cruel not to tell her,
+however dreadful might be the struggle to witness and to share.
+
+"Alas, Clémence," he replied, "I must soon trust you, for a time at
+least, to other guidance, to other protection than my own. The boats
+are preparing to carry off a certain number of our friends to England.
+You must go in one of them, Clémence, and that immediately. Your noble
+uncle here, for such I understand he is, Sir Thomas Cecil, will
+protect you I know, and be a father to you. The Marquis du Bar, too,
+one of the noblest of men, will be to you, as a brother."
+
+Clémence replied not, but gazed with a look of deep, earnest,
+imploring inquiry in the countenance of her lover, and after a moment
+he answered that look by adding, "I have given my promise, Clémence,
+to remain behind!"
+
+"To death, to death!" cried Clémence, casting herself upon his bosom,
+and weeping bitterly, "you are remaining to die. I know it, I know it,
+and I will never quit you!"
+
+The Count kissed her tenderly, and pressed her to his heart; but he
+suffered not his resolution to be shaken. "Listen to me, my Clémence,"
+he said. "What may be my fate I know not: but I trust in God's mercy,
+and in my own uprightness of intentions. But think, Clémence, only
+think, dear Clémence, how terrible would be my feelings, how tenfold
+deep and agonising would be all that I may have to suffer, if I knew
+that, not only I myself was in danger, but that you also were in still
+greater peril. If I knew that you were in imprisonment, that the
+having followed the dictates of your conscience was imputed to you as
+a crime; that you were to be tormented by the agony of trial, before a
+tyrannical tribunal, and doomed to torture, to cruel death, or to
+eternal imprisonment. Conceive, Clémence, conceive how my heart would
+be wrung under such circumstances. Conceive how to every pang that I
+may otherwise suffer would be added the infinite weight of grief, and
+indignation, and suspense on your account. Conceive all this, and
+then, oh Clémence, be merciful, be kind, and give me the blessing of
+seeing you depart in safety, as a consolation and a support under all
+that I may have myself to suffer."
+
+Clémence wept bitterly upon his bosom, and the Count soothed her by
+every endearing and tender word. At length, she suddenly raised her
+head, as if some new idea had struck her, and she exclaimed, "I will
+go, Albert. I will go upon one condition, without torturing you more
+by opposition."
+
+"What is that condition, dear Clémence?" demanded the Count, gazing on
+her face, which was glowing warmly even through her tears. "What is
+that condition, dearest Clémence?"
+
+Clémence hid her face again upon his breast, and answered, "It is,
+that I may become your wife before I quit this shore. We have
+Protestant ministers here; the ceremony can be easily performed. My
+uncle, I know, will offer no opposition; and I would fain bear the
+name of one so noble and so beloved, to another land, and to the
+grave, which may, perhaps, soon reunite us."
+
+The Count's heart was wrung, but he replied, "Oh, beloved Clémence,
+why, why propose that which must not--which cannot be; why propose
+that which, though so tempting to every feeling of my heart, would
+cover me with well-deserved shame if I yielded to it?--Think, think
+Clémence, what would deservedly be said of me if I were to consent--if
+I were to allow you to become my wife; to part with you at the altar,
+and perhaps by my death as a condemned criminal, to leave you an
+unprotected widow within a few days."
+
+Clémence clasped her hands, vehemently exclaiming, "So help me Heaven
+as I would rather be the widow of Albert of Morseiul, than the wife of
+any other man that ever lived on earth!"
+
+Sir Thomas Cecil, however, interposed. "Clémence," he said, "your
+lover is right: but he will not use arguments to persuade you that I
+may use. This is a severe and bitter trial. The Almighty only knows
+how it will terminate: but, my dear child, remember that this is no
+ordinary man you love. Let his character be complete to the last! Do
+not--do not, by any solicitation of your's, Clémence, take the least
+brightness from his bright example. Let him go on, my child, to do
+what he believes his duty at all risks, and through all sacrifices.
+Let there not be one selfish spot from the beginning to the end for
+man to point at; and the Almighty will protect and reward him to whom
+he has given power to act uprightly to the last;--if not in this
+world, in another he will be blest, Clémence, and to that other we
+must turn our hopes of happiness, for here it is God's will that we
+should have tribulation."
+
+Clémence clasped her hands, and bent down her eyes to the ground. For
+several minutes she remained as if in deep thought, and then said, in
+a low but a firmer voice, "Albert, I yield; and knowing from what is
+in my own heart, how dreadful this moment must be to you, I will not
+render it more dreadful by asking you any thing more that you must
+refuse. I will endeavour to be as calm as I can, Albert;--but weep I
+must. Perhaps," she added, with a faint, faint smile upon her lips, "I
+might weep less if there were no hope; if it were all despair: but I
+see a glimmering for exertion on my part, if not exactly for hope; and
+that exertion may certainly be better made in another land than if I
+were to remain here:--and now for the pain of departure. That must be
+undergone, and I am ready to undergo it rather at once than when I
+have forgotten my faint resolution. Do you go with me?" she continued,
+turning to her uncle; "if it be needful that you stay, I fear not to
+go alone."
+
+Sir Thomas Cecil, however, replied that he was ready to accompany her.
+Her maid, Maria, was warned to prepare with all speed; and ere a few
+more sentences were spoken on either part, the Marquis du Bar came to
+inform the Count, that the boats were afloat, and the vessels standing
+in, as far as they could into the bay. The Huguenot gentlemen
+mentioned in the list of proscription were already on the shore, and
+not a little eager to be in the first boats to put off. The soldiery
+were drawn up under arms to await the expiration of the truce; and as
+the Count and Sir Thomas Cecil led down Clémence, weeping bitterly, to
+the sands, a murmur of sympathy and compassion ran through the crowd,
+and through the ranks of the soldiery, and the gentlemen drew back to
+give her the first place in the boats. Before they reached the edge,
+however, the Count, whose eye had been raised for a moment to the
+vessels, pointed towards them with a smile of satisfaction.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, looking round, "I am happy to see that you will
+all be able to get off without risk. Do you not perceive they are
+sending off their boats for you? Clémence," he said, in a lower voice,
+"will you go at once, or will you wait till the other boats arrive,
+and all go together?"
+
+"Let me wait--let me wait," said Clémence, in the same low tone.
+"Every moment that my hand touches yours is a treasure."
+
+The other boats came in rapidly with the returning tide; and as soon
+as their keels touched the sand, and a few words had been spoken to
+ascertain that all was right and understood, the Count turned and
+said,--
+
+"Now, gentlemen."
+
+There were some twenty or thirty yards of shallow water between the
+sands and the boats, and Albert of Morseiul raised Clémence in his
+arms, and carried her to the edge of the first. Neither of them spoke
+a word; but as leaning over, he placed her in the boat, she felt his
+arms clasp more tightly round her, and his lips were pressed upon
+hers.
+
+"The Almighty bless thee!" and "God protect and deliver you!" was all
+that was said on either side; and the Count turned back to the shore.
+
+One by one the different officers advanced to him in silence, and
+grasped his hand before they proceeded to the boats. When they were
+all in, and the boats began to push off, the Count pulled off his hat,
+and stood bareheaded, looking up to Heaven. But at that moment a loud
+shout burst from the soldiery, of "The Count, the Count, they have
+forgotten the Count!"
+
+But the Count of Morseiul turned round towards them, and said aloud,
+in his usual calm, firm tone: "They have not forgotten me, my friends.
+It was you that were mistaken when you thought that I had forgotten
+you. I remain to meet my fate, whatever it may be."
+
+A number of men in the ranks instantly threw down their muskets, and
+rushing forward, clasped his knees, beseeching him to go. But he waved
+his hand, saying gently, "It is in vain, my friends! My determination
+has been taken for many days. Go back to your ranks, my good fellows,
+go back to your ranks! I will but see the boats safe, and then join
+you, to surrender the village and lay down our arms."
+
+The Count then turned again to the sea, and watched the four boats row
+onward from the shore. They reached the vessels in safety in a few
+minutes; in a few minutes more the boats belonging to the village
+began to row back empty. After a little pause some more canvass was
+seen displayed upon the yards of the vessels. They began to move; they
+sailed out of the harbour; and, after gazing down upon the sand
+fixedly and intently while one might count a hundred, the Count of
+Morseiul, feeling himself solitary, turned, gave the word of command,
+and marched the men back into the village. He entered immediately into
+the room where the Chevalier d'Evran lay, and although by this time
+all the principal officers of the royalist force were there, with
+several other persons, amongst whom was his own servant Riquet, he
+walked silently up to the head of the corpse, and gazed for several
+minutes on the dead man's face. Then lifting the cold hand, he pressed
+it affectionately in his.
+
+"God receive thee, Louis! God receive thee!" he said, and his eyes
+filled with the first tears that they had shed that day.
+
+"I see no use now, Sir," he continued, turning to the officer who had
+taken the command of the royal forces, "I see no use of delaying any
+longer the surrender of the village. I am ready in person to give it
+up to you this moment, and also to surrender my sword. The only favour
+I have to ask is, that you will make it known to his Majesty that I
+had no share in the event by which my unhappy friend here fell. The
+shot which slew him was intended for me, as you are doubtless aware."
+
+"Perfectly," replied the commander; "and I have already sent off a
+despatch to the King, giving him an account of the events of this
+morning; and I myself, joined with all the officers here present, have
+not failed to testify our sense of the noble, upright, and
+disinterested conduct of the Count of Morseiul. I would fain speak
+with him a word alone, however," and he drew him aside to the window.
+"Count," he said, "I shall not demand your sword, nor in any way
+affect your liberty, if you will promise to go to Paris immediately,
+and surrender yourself there. If you would take my advice, you would
+go at once to the King, and cast yourself at his feet. Ask for no
+audience, but seek admission to him at some public moment  If fortune
+favours you, which I trust it will, you may have an opportunity of
+explaining to his Majesty many things that have probably been
+misrepresented."
+
+"I shall certainly follow your advice," said the Count, "since you put
+it in my power to do so."
+
+"Ah, gentlemen," cried Riquet, who had been listening unperceived to
+all they said. "If the poor Chevalier had lived, the Count would have
+been quite safe, for he had the means of proving that the Count saved
+the King's life not long ago, of which his Majesty knows nothing. I
+heard the man Herval make his confession to the Chevalier with my own
+ears; but he could not take it down, for the man died before pen and
+ink could do their work."
+
+"That is unfortunate, indeed," said the commander; "but still you can
+give your testimony of the facts, my good friend."
+
+"Bless you, Sir," replied Riquet, "they will never believe any thing I
+can say."
+
+"I fear not, indeed," replied the Count. "Besides, Sir, my good friend
+Riquet, if he went to Paris, would have so much to confess on his own
+account, that they would not mind what he said in regard to the
+confessions of others."
+
+"Unfortunately, too," said the commander, "all the papers of
+Hatréaumont, if I remember right, were ordered to be burnt by the
+common hangman. Such was the sentence of the court, I know, and it
+must have been executed long ago. However, Count, the plan that I have
+proposed is still the best. Speed to Paris with what haste you may;
+cast yourself upon the King's mercy; tell him all and every thing, if
+he will permit you to do so, and engage all your friends to support
+your cause at the same moment. Take your way at once into Brittany,"
+he added, dropping his voice, "and from thence to Paris; for I very
+much fear that the result would be fatal if you were to fall into the
+hands of the intendant of Poitou. He is exasperated to the highest
+degree. You have surrendered at discretion, taken with arms in your
+hand. He has already broken on the wheel two or three under the same
+circumstances; and I dare not deal with him in the same way that the
+Chevalier d'Evran did, for I have not sufficient power."
+
+The Count thanked him for his advice, and followed it; and, as we must
+not pause upon such circumstances as the surrender of the village, we
+shall let that event be supposed to have taken place; and in our next
+chapter shall, if possible, pursue this sad history to its conclusion.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XV.
+
+                               THE END.
+
+
+It was in the great reception room at Versailles, an hour after the
+King had held the council, which failed not to meet every day. His
+mood was neither more nor less severe than ordinary; for if, on the
+one hand, events had taken place which had given him pleasure, other
+events had reached his ears from the south of France, which showed
+him, notwithstanding all Louvois's efforts to conceal the extent of
+the evil, that serious disturbances in the Cevennes, and other parts
+of France, near the mouth of the Rhone, were likely to follow the
+measures which had been adopted against the Protestants.
+
+Louvois himself was present, and in no very placable mood, the King
+having replied to him more than once during the morning haughtily and
+angrily, and repressed the insolence by which his demeanour was
+sometimes characterised, with that severe dignity which the minister
+was very willing to see exercised towards any one but himself.
+
+Louis, who was dressed in the most sumptuous manner, held in his hand
+a roll of papers, which had been given him just before his entrance
+into the chamber; but he did not read them, and merely turned them
+round and round from time to time, as if he were handling a truncheon.
+Many eyes were fixed upon him, and various were the hopes and fears
+which the aspect of that one man created in the breasts of those who
+surrounded him. All, however, were silent at that moment, for an event
+was about to take place highly flattering to the pride of the
+ostentatious King of France, and the eyes of all were fixed upon the
+doors at the end of the hall.
+
+At length they opened, and a fine looking middle-aged man, dressed in
+a robe of red velvet, followed by four others in black velvet, was led
+into the apartment and approached the King. He bowed low and
+reverently, and then addressed the French sovereign without
+embarrassment, and with apparent ease, assuring the monarch in vague,
+but still flattering terms, that the republic of Genoa, of which he
+was Doge, had entertained nothing, throughout the course of events
+lately passed, but profound respect for the crown of France.
+
+Somewhat to the left of the King, amongst the multitude of French
+princes and officers, appeared one or two groups, consisting of the
+ambassadors from different barbaric nations; and, while the Doge of
+Genoa spoke, offering excuses for the conduct of the state he ruled,
+the eye of Louis glanced from time to time to the Indian envoys in
+their gorgeous apparel, as they eagerly asked questions of their
+interpreter, and were told that it was the prince of an independent
+state come to humble himself before the mighty monarch that he had
+offended. When the audience of the Doge of Genoa was over, and he
+withdrew, a multitude of the courtiers followed, so that the audience
+hall was nearly clear, and the King paused for a moment, talking over
+the Doge's demeanour to those who surrounded him, and apparently about
+to retire immediately. He had taken a step forward, indeed, to do so,
+when the Prince de Marsillac, who certainly dared to press the King
+upon disagreeable subjects, when no one else would run the risk,
+advanced, and, bowing low, pointed to the papers in the King's hand.
+
+"I ventured, Sire," he said, "before your Majesty came here, to
+present to you those papers which you promised to look at."
+
+The King's brow instantly darkened. "I see at once, Prince," he said,
+"that they refer to the Count of Morseiul, a rebel, as I am informed,
+taken with arms in his hand, in regard to whom the laws of the land
+must have their course."
+
+The Prince was somewhat abashed, and hesitated; but another gentleman
+stepped forward with stern and somewhat harsh features, but with a
+noble air and look that bespoke fearless sincerity.
+
+"What is it, Montausier?" said the King, sharply addressing that
+celebrated nobleman, who is supposed to have been represented by
+Molière under the character of the misanthrope.
+
+"Merely to say, Sire," replied the Duke in a firm, strong tone of
+voice, "that some one has falsified the truth to your Majesty. My
+nephew, in command of the troops to whom the Count surrendered,
+informs me that he was not taken with arms in his hand, as you have
+said; but, on the contrary, (and here lies a great difference,)
+surrendered voluntarily, when, according to the truce of five hours
+granted to the Huguenots by the Chevalier d'Evran, he had every
+opportunity of escaping to England had he so pleased, as all the rest
+of the leaders on that occasion did."
+
+"How is this, Sir?" demanded the King, turning to Louvois. "I speak
+from your statements, and I hope you have not made me speak falsely."
+
+"Sire," replied Louvois, with a look of effrontery, "I have just heard
+that what the Duke says is the case; but I judged that all such points
+could naturally be investigated at the Count's trial."
+
+The King seemed struck with this observation; but Montausier instantly
+replied--"Monsieur de Louvois, if his Majesty will permit me to tell
+you so, you have been, for the first time in your life, sadly tardy in
+receiving information; for my nephew informs me that he gave you
+intelligence of this fact no less than three days ago; and, in the
+next place, you are very well aware of what you have not thought fit
+to say, that by investigating such things at a trial, you would
+directly frustrate the express object for which the Count de Morseiul
+surrendered himself when he might have escaped, which was to cast
+himself at the King's feet, and explain to him the strange and
+extraordinary misconception by which he was cast into rebellion, and
+to prove that as soon as ever he discovered the mistake which had been
+committed, he had expressed himself ready to surrender, and trust to
+the King's clemency, which is as great a quality as his justice."
+
+Louvois's face had grown fiery red. "Expressed his readiness to
+surrender!" cried he with a scoff. "Did he not fight two battles after
+that?"
+
+"How, Sir?" exclaimed the King. "I had understood from you that no
+battles had been fought at all. Mere skirmishes you said--affairs of
+posts--that the insurrection was nothing but the revolt of a few
+peasants."
+
+Louvois stammered forth some excuse about the numbers being
+insignificant, and the whole business crushed within nine days after
+the Chevalier d'Evran took the command; but the King turned away
+angrily, saying, "Monsieur de Louvois, no more interruption. I find in
+my middle age, as I found in my youth, that a king must see with his
+own eyes. Now, Marsillac, what is it you wish? What is it you desire
+of me, Montausier?"
+
+"For my part, Sire," replied the Prince de Marsillac, "I only desire
+that your Majesty should run your eyes over those papers. They are
+very brief, and to the point; and every fact that is therein stated I
+can assure you can be proved on indisputable authority."
+
+"And I," said the Duke of Montausier, "have only to beg that your
+Majesty would see and hear the Count of Morseiul. From him, as every
+man here present knows, you will hear the pure and simple truth, which
+is a thing that happens to your Majesty perhaps once in five or six
+years, and will do you good."
+
+The King smiled, and turned his eyes upon the papers; and when he had
+read them nearly through, he smiled again, even more gaily than
+before.
+
+"It turns out, gentlemen," he said, "that an affair has happened to me
+which I fancy happens to us all more than once in our lives. I have
+been completely cheated by a valet. I remember giving the villain the
+paper well, out of which it seems he manufactured a free pardon for
+his master. At all events, this frees the Count from the charge of
+base ingratitude which has been heavily urged against him. Your
+statement of his willing surrender, Montausier, greatly diminishes his
+actual and undoubted crime; and as I have complied with the request of
+the Prince de Marsillac, and looked at the papers, I must not refuse
+you yours. Either to-day, if the Count have arrived, or to-morrow, I
+will hear his story from his own lips."
+
+"Sire," replied the Duke of Montausier, "I have been daring enough to
+receive him in my apartments."
+
+The cloud came slightly again over Louis's countenance; but though he
+replied with dignified gravity, yet it was not with anger. "You have
+done wrong," he said; "but since it is so, call him to my presence.
+All you ladies and gentlemen around shall judge if I deal harshly with
+him."
+
+There was a pretty girl standing not far from the King, and close
+between her own mother and the interpreter of the ambassadors from
+Siam. We have spoken of her before, under the name of Annette de
+Marville; and while she had remained in that spot, her eyes had more
+than once involuntarily filled with tears. She was timid and retiring
+in her nature; and as the Duke of Montausier turned away to obey the
+King, every one was surprised to hear her voice raised sufficiently
+loud to reach even the ear of Louis himself, saying to the
+interpreter, "Tell them that they are now going to see how
+magnanimously the King will pardon one who has offended him."
+
+The King looked another way; but it was evident to those who were
+accustomed to watch his countenance, that he connected the words he
+had just heard with the humiliation he had inflicted on the Doge of
+Genoa, and that the contrast struck and pleased him not a little.
+
+In a very short time, before this impression had at all faded away,
+the door again opened, and the Duke of Montausier re-entered with the
+Count of Morseiul. The latter was pale, but perfectly firm and
+composed. He did not wear his sword, but he carried it sheathed in his
+hand, and advancing directly towards Louis, he bent one knee before
+the King, at the same time laying down the weapon at the monarch's
+feet.
+
+"Sire," he said, without rising, "I have brought you a sword, which
+for more than ten years was drawn in every campaign in your Majesty's
+service. It has, unfortunately, been drawn against you; and that it
+has been so, and at the very moment when your Majesty had a right to
+expect gratitude at my hands, is the bitterest recollection of my
+life; so bitter indeed, so horrible, so painful, that the moment I
+discovered the terrible error into which I had been hurried, the
+moment that I discovered that I owed my liberation to your Majesty, I
+instantly determined, whatever might be the result of the events that
+were then taking place, to surrender myself, unconditionally, to your
+Majesty's pleasure, to embrace no means of escape, to reject every
+opportunity of flight; and if your indignation so far overcame your
+mercy as to doom me to death, to submit to it, not alone with courage,
+which every man in your Majesty's service possesses, but with perfect
+resignation to your royal will."
+
+The words, the manner, the action, all pleased the King, and the
+countenance with which he looked upon the young nobleman was by no
+means severe.
+
+"You have, I fear, greatly erred, Monsieur de Morseiul," he replied.
+"But still I believe you have been much misled. Is there any favour
+that you have to ask me?"
+
+The Count gazed up in the King's face, still kneeling; and every head
+was bent forward, every ear listened eagerly. A momentary pause
+followed, as if there was a great struggle within him; and then he
+answered. "Sire, I will not ask my life of your Majesty;--not from any
+false pride, for I feel and acknowledge that it is yours to give or to
+take,--but because my conduct, however much it might originate in
+mistake, must appear so ungrateful to you that you cannot, at this
+moment, feel I deserve your mercy. The only favour I will ask, then,
+is this: that should I be brought to a trial, which must end, as I
+know, inevitably in my fall, you will read every word of my
+deposition, and I therein promise to give your Majesty a full and true
+account, without the falsification of a single word, of all that has
+taken place in this last lamentable business."
+
+Louvois took a half step forward as if to speak, and not a little
+anxiety was upon his countenance. But, contrary to the general
+impression of those present, all that the Count had said had pleased
+the King; though his latter words had not a little alarmed the
+minister, who knew that truths might be displayed which he was most
+anxious to conceal.
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul," replied the King, "I will promise what you
+ask, at all events. But what you have said has pleased me, for it
+shows that you understand my spirit towards my subjects, and that I
+can grant without being asked. Your life, Sir, is given to you. What
+punishment we shall inflict may, perhaps, depend upon the sentence of
+a judicial court or of our council."
+
+"May it please your Majesty," said Louvois, stepping forward, "to hear
+me one moment. You have, perhaps, thought me inimical to Monsieur de
+Morseiul, but such, indeed, is not the case; and I would propose, that
+instead of subjecting him to any trial at all, you, at once, pronounce
+sentence of banishment upon him, which is all the mercy that he can
+expect. His estates, as ought to be the case, must be forfeited to the
+crown."
+
+"And he driven forth," said the King, "to employ his military talents
+in the service of our enemies."
+
+"Never, never, never, Sire!" exclaimed the Count, clasping his hands
+eagerly. "Never should my sword be drawn against my native land. I
+would rather beg my bread in misery, from door to door: I would rather
+live in want, and die in sorrow, than do so base an act!"
+
+There was truth and zeal upon his countenance, and Louvois urged what
+he had proposed; but while he was addressing the Monarch, in a lower
+tone, one of the side doors of the hall opened, and a lady came partly
+in, speaking to some one behind her, as if she knew not that any one
+was in the hall. The moment that she perceived her mistake, Madame de
+Maintenon drew back; but the King advanced a step and besought her to
+come in.
+
+"We want your presence much, Madam," he said with a smile, "for we
+cannot decide upon what is to be done with this young culprit. But you
+seem in haste, and who is this with you? I have somewhere seen his
+face before."
+
+The King might well fail to recognise the countenance of Jerome
+Riquet, for it was at that moment actually cadaverous in appearance,
+from the various emotions that were going on in his heart.
+
+"I was at that moment seeking your Majesty," said Madame de Maintenon,
+advancing with her usual calm grace, "and was passing this way to your
+cabinet, to crave an audience ere you went out. But I thought the
+ceremony of the day was over."
+
+"What are your commands, Madam?" said the King. "Your wishes are to be
+attended to at all times."
+
+"You know, Sir," she said, "that I am not fond of ever asking one, who
+is only over generous to his servants, for any thing. But I was eager
+at that moment to beseech your Majesty to grant at once your pardon to
+this unfortunate man who some time ago committed a great crime in
+misapplying your Majesty's handwriting, and who has now just committed
+another, for which I understand the officers of justice are in pursuit
+of him, though the swiftness of the horse which brought him here has
+enabled him to escape for the moment. He found out my apartments, I
+know not how, and I brought him instantly to your Majesty as soon as I
+had heard his story, and read this paper."
+
+"What is this paper?" demanded the King, taking it; "ticketed I see in
+the hand of Monsieur de la Reynie, 'Letter from the said Herval to the
+Sieur de Hatréaumont!' How come you possessed of this, sirrah?"
+
+Riquet advanced and knelt before the King, while Louvois suddenly
+seemed to recollect some business, and retired from the circle.
+"Sire," said the valet, in the briefest possible terms, "in serving my
+master I was taken by your Majesty's forces, shut up in a barn with
+some wounded prisoners, heard the well known leader, Herval, confess
+to the Chevalier d'Evran, that he had written a letter to the traitor
+Hatréaumont, regarding his having been prevented from murdering your
+Majesty by the Count de Morseiul, (in which prevention I had some
+little share). The man died before his words could be taken down. The
+Chevalier d'Evran said it did not signify, for you would believe his
+evidence. But the Chevalier d'Evran was killed. My word I knew would
+not be believed; but I heard that the papers of Hatréaumont were to be
+burnt this day by the common hangman, opposite the Bastille.[4] I had
+a swift horse saddled. I got close to the fire. I fixed my eyes upon
+the papers one by one as they were thrown in, till seeing the writing
+of Herval, I seized the letter, and galloped hither as hard as I
+could. This is my tale, Sire, and on my word it is true."
+
+
+---------------------
+
+Footnote 4: The papers of Hatréaumont were preserved for some time
+after his death, in order to give light in regard to the guilt of his
+accomplices.
+
+
+---------------------
+
+
+The King hastily opened the paper, and read the contents, the
+expression of his countenance changing several times as he proceeded.
+But when he had done, he turned towards the Count, saying, "Monsieur
+de Morseiul, I require no one now to advise me how to act towards you.
+You are freely and entirely pardoned. I have given up the hope again
+of ever seeing you cast away the errors of your faith. But even that
+must not make me harsh towards the man who has saved my life. I would
+only fain know how it was that you did not inform me of this at the
+time?"
+
+"Sire," replied the Count, "I came to your Majesty for the purpose.
+Your Majesty most remember, that I told you that I had matters of deep
+importance to communicate. You referred me to Monsieur de Louvois, and
+as I was proceeding to his house, I was arrested. In the Bastille I
+was allowed to communicate with no one, and the rest you know."
+
+"We have been all very unfortunate, Count," replied the King.
+"However, I trust, that these embarrassments are at an end. You have
+your free pardon for the past, and now for the future. I cannot
+violate in your favour the laws that I have laid down for the
+regulation of the land, and for the establishment of one general
+religion throughout the country. If you stay in France, you, with
+others, lose the means of exercising the ceremonies of your sect. But,
+as I said to the Count de Schomberg, I say to you: in consideration of
+the great services that you have rendered, I will allow you to sell
+all your possessions if you choose to retire to another land, and this
+is, I fear, all I can do."
+
+"Your Majesty overwhelms me with bounty," said the Count, "but there
+are yet two favours that I would ask."
+
+"What more?" said the King.
+
+"One request is, Sire," said the Count, "to be allowed once in every
+year to present myself before your Majesty; and the other, that I may
+retain the château and the immediate grounds around it belonging to my
+ancestors. Thus every fond recollection that I have attached to France
+will still be gratified; and though in exile, I shall live a Frenchman
+to the last."
+
+"Your request is granted," replied the King, with a smile. "And now,
+gentlemen and ladies, as by your faces round I judge you are all well
+satisfied, we will not detain you longer."
+
+Thus saying, Louis turned and withdrew.
+
+Ere the Count of Morseiul retired from the room, and before any of his
+friends therein could speak with him, Madame de Maintenon said a word
+in his ear in a low voice.
+
+"Go to the hotel of the British ambassador," she said. "You will there
+find those that you do not expect."
+
+The heart of the Count of Morseiul beat high. He had words of
+gratitude to speak to many there present; but as soon as that was
+done, he hurried to Paris without a moment's pause; and in a few
+minutes clasped Clémence de Marly to a joyful heart.
+
+We need not tell here the brief story she related of her flight from
+the coast of France to London; and of her having found an affectionate
+parent in one who, by the wiles of an artful second wife, and an
+intriguing priest, had been persuaded to leave his children, by a
+first marriage with a Protestant lady, to the charge of her Catholic
+relations in France; and to the care of the King of that country.
+Louis had become the godfather of the eldest (known to us as the
+Chevalier d'Evran), while the earl himself was in exile during the
+troubles of the great rebellion. A Catholic himself, the Earl had been
+easily induced to believe that his children's salvation depended upon
+their being educated in a Catholic country; even though concealed
+there from Protestant relations by assumed names. But on the death of
+his second wife, all his feelings of natural affection returned, and
+during an illness, which made him believe that he was on his
+death-bed, he sent his brother to seek and bring back his children. We
+need not enter into the detail any farther. The reader can and will
+imagine it all. All that remains to be said is, that Clémence, in her
+eagerness, had easily persuaded that parent, whose only child she now
+was--for the three which had sprung from the second marriage had not
+survived--to hasten over to Paris, invested with every authority from
+the King, with whom his religion rendered him a favourite, to solicit
+the pardon of the Count of Morseiul. In consequence of the
+considerable round the Count was obliged to take in his journey to the
+capital, and the difficulty of obtaining an audience of the King, she
+had arrived the day before his fate was finally decided.
+
+The only part of that fate which could yet be doubtful, was now in her
+hands; and, if the King of France had shown himself merciful to the
+Count de Morseiul, she showed herself devoted to him through life,
+making him as happy, as the combination of the rarest qualities of
+mind and person with the noblest, and the deepest, and the dearest
+qualities of the heart, could make such a man as we have endeavoured
+to depict the Huguenot.
+
+
+
+                               THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III), by 
+G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
+
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+<title>The Huguenot: A Tale of the French Protestants. Vols. I-III.</title>
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+<meta name="Publisher" content="Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, amp; Longmans.">
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III), by 
+G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III)
+       A Tale of the French Protestants.
+
+Author: G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
+
+Release Date: April 23, 2012 [EBook #39520]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HUGUENOT: (VOLUMES I-III) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by
+Google Books (Oxford University)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes:<br>
+<br>
+1. Page scan source:<br>
+<br>
+http://books.google.com/books?id=nXoEAAAAQAAJ&<br>
+(Oxford University)</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+<table cellpadding="10" style="width:60%; margin-left:20%; font-weight:bold">
+<colgroup><col style="width:10%; text-align:right"><col style="width:90%"></colgroup>
+<tr>
+
+
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_ded" href="#div1_ded">DEDICATION.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2"><h3><a name="div1Ref_00" href="#div1_00">VOLUME I.</a></h3></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td><span class="sc2">CHAPTER</span></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>I.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_01" href="#div1_01">THE HERO, HIS FRIEND, AND HIS DWELLING IN
+THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>II.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_02" href="#div1_02">THE VALET--THE TOWNSPEOPLE--THE
+PROCLAMATION.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>III.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_03" href="#div1_03">THE PASTOR.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IV.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_04" href="#div1_04">UNEXPECTED COMPANIONS.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>V.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_05" href="#div1_05">THE JOURNEY, AND SOME OF ITS EVENTS.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VI.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_06" href="#div1_06">THE LADY AND HER LOVERS.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VII.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_07" href="#div1_07">THE GROWTH OF LOVE.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VIII.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_08" href="#div1_08">THE MEETING AND THE CHASE.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IX.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_09" href="#div1_09">THE DISCOVERY.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>X.</td>
+<td><a name="div1Ref_10" href="#div1_10">THE RECALL.</a></td>
+
+
+
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2"><h3><a name="div2Ref_00" href="#div2_00">VOLUME II.</a></h3></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>I.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_01" href="#div2_01">THE EXPLANATIONS.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>II.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_02" href="#div2_02">THE RETURN.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>III.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_03" href="#div2_03">NEW ACQUAINTANCES.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IV.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_04" href="#div2_04">THE PREACHING IN THE DESERT.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>V.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_05" href="#div2_05">THE REVENGE.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VI.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_06" href="#div2_06">THE COURT.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VII.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_07" href="#div2_07">THE CLOUDS AND THE SUNSHINE.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VIII.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_08" href="#div2_08">THE HOUR OF HAPPINESS.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IX.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_09" href="#div2_09">THE UNKNOWN PERIL.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>X.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_10" href="#div2_10">THE DECISION.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>XI.</td>
+<td><a name="div2Ref_11" href="#div2_11">THE KING'S CLOSET.</a></td>
+
+</tr><tr>
+<td colspan="2"><h3><a name="div3Ref_00" href="#div3_00">VOLUME III.</a></h3></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>I.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_01" href="#div3_01">THE UNFORESEEN BLOW.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+
+<td>II.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_02" href="#div3_02">THE CONSPIRATORS.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>III.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_03" href="#div3_03">THE EXECUTION.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IV.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_04" href="#div3_04">THE WOMAN'S JUDGMENT.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>V.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_05" href="#div3_05">THE ESCAPE.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VI.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_06" href="#div3_06">THE PASTOR'S PRISON.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VII.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_07" href="#div3_07">THE DEATH OF THE PERSECUTED.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>VIII.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_08" href="#div3_08">THE DISCOVERY OF ERROR.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>IX.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_09" href="#div3_09">THE BATTLE AND THE RETREAT.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>X.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_10" href="#div3_10">THE LOVER'S REUNION.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>XI.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_11" href="#div3_11">THE NIGHT ATTACK.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>XII.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_12" href="#div3_12">THE ROYALIST CAMP.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>XIII.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_13" href="#div3_13">THE LAST EFFORTS.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>XIV.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_14" href="#div3_14">THE BITTER PARTING.</a></td>
+</tr><tr>
+<td>XV.</td>
+<td><a name="div3Ref_15" href="#div3_15">THE END.</a></td>
+</tr></table>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>THE HUGUENOT.</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3><a name="div1_00" href="#div1Ref_00">VOL. I.</a></h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5><span class="sc">London:<br>
+Printed by A. Spottiswoode,<br>
+New-Street-Square.</span></h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h4>THE</h4>
+<br>
+<h1>HUGUENOT</h1>
+<br>
+<h4>A TALE</h4>
+<br>
+<h5>OF</h5>
+<br>
+<h2>THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>BY THE AUTHOR OF</h5>
+<br>
+<h4>&quot;THE GIPSY,&quot; &quot;THE ROBBER,&quot;<br>
+&amp;c. &amp;c.</h4>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr class="W10">
+<br>
+<h4>IN THREE VOLUMES.</h4>
+<br>
+<h2>VOL. I.</h2>
+<br>
+<hr class="W10">
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>LONDON:</h3>
+
+<h5>PRINTED FOR</h5>
+
+<h4>LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, &amp; LONGMANS,</h4>
+
+<h5>PATERNOSTER-ROW.</h5>
+
+<h3>1839.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2><a name="div1_ded" href="#div1Ref_ded">DEDICATION.</a></h2>
+<br>
+<hr class="W10">
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>TO</h5>
+<br>
+<h3>CHARLES RUDOLPHE</h3>
+<br>
+<h2>LORD CLINTON,</h2>
+<br>
+<h5>&amp;c. &amp;c. &amp;c.</h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p style="text-indent:7%"><span class="sc">My Lord</span>,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Although I, of course, look upon the book, which I now venture to
+dedicate to one whom I so much esteem and respect, with those parental
+prejudices which make us often overlook all defects, and magnify any
+good qualities in our offspring, yet, believe me, I feel that it is
+very far inferior to that which I could wish to present to you. Do
+not, then, measure my regard by the value of the work, but accept it
+only as a very slight testimony of great esteem; and, at the same
+time, allow me, even in my Dedication, to say a few words concerning
+the book itself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I will not trouble you or the public with any reasoning upon the
+general conduct of the story--why I suddenly changed the scene here,
+or flew off to another character there,--why I gave but a glimpse of
+such a personage, or dwelt long and minutely upon another. I believe
+and trust that those who read the work attentively will discover
+strong reasons for all such proceedings, and I am quite sure that much
+thought and care was bestowed on each step of the kind before it was
+taken. Your own good taste will decide whether I was right or wrong,
+and blame or approve, I know, whatever I might plead. The public will
+do so also; and, as a general rule, I think it best to conceal, as far
+as possible, in all cases, the machinery of a composition of this
+kind, suffering the wheels to produce their effect without being
+publicly exhibited.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I have heard many authors blamed, however, and, doubtless, have been
+so myself, for frequently changing the scene or character before the
+reader's eyes. There are people who read a romance only for the story,
+and these are always displeased with anything that interrupts their
+straightforward progress. But nature does not tell <i>her</i> stories in
+such a way as these readers desire; and, in the course of human life,
+there are always little incidents occurring, which seem of no earthly
+importance at the time, but which, in years long after, affect persons
+and produce events where no one could imagine that such a connexion is
+likely to be brought about.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I have always in this respect, as in all others, endeavoured to the
+best of my abilities to copy nature; and those readers who pass over
+little incidents, because they seem at the time irrelevant, or run on
+to follow the history of one character whenever a less interesting
+personage is brought upon the scene, will derive little either of
+profit or pleasure from any well constructed work of fiction. I have,
+as far as possible, avoided in all my works bringing prominently
+forward any character or any scene which has not a direct influence
+upon the progress and end of the tales; but I have equally avoided
+pointing out to the superficial reader, by any flourish of trumpets,
+that the personage he thinks of no importance is &quot;to turn out a great
+man in the end,&quot; or that the scene which seems unconnected and
+irrelevant will be found not without results.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Besides these considerations, however, I trust every romance-writer in
+the present day proposes to himself greater objects than the mere
+telling of a good story. He who, in the course of a well-conceived and
+interesting tale, excites our good passions to high and noble
+aspirations; depicts our bad passions so as to teach us to abhor and
+govern them; arrays our sympathies on the side of virtue, benevolence,
+and right; expands our hearts, and makes the circle of our feelings
+and affections more comprehensive; stores our imaginations with images
+bright, and sweet, and beautiful; makes us more intimately and
+philosophically acquainted with the characters of our fellow-men; and,
+in short, causes the reader to rise wiser and with a higher
+appreciation of all that is good and great,--attains the grand object
+at which every man should aim, and deserves the thanks and admiration
+of mankind. Even he who makes the attempt, though without such
+success, does something, and never can write altogether in vain.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That you, to whom I inscribe this work, can appreciate such purposes,
+and will encourage the attempt, even where, as in these pages, it goes
+little beyond endeavour, is no slight pleasure to me: nor is it an
+unmeaning or insincere compliment when I say, that though I yield my
+own opinions to no man, yet I have often thought of you and yours
+while I have been writing these volumes. I know not whether you
+remember saying one day, after we had visited together the school
+instituted by our noble acquaintance Guicciardini, &quot;that whether it
+succeeded or failed, the endeavour to do good ought to immortalize
+him.&quot; Perhaps you have forgotten the words, but I have not.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Allow me, ere I end this long epistle, to add something in regard to
+the truth of the representations made in the work, and the foundation
+on which the story rests. If you will look into the curious &quot;Mémoires
+Historiques sur la Bastille,&quot; published in 1789 (vol. i., page 203),
+you will find some of the bare facts, as they are stated in the Great
+Register of the Bastille, on which the plot of the tale that follows
+entirely hinges.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Of course I cannot forestall my story by alluding more particularly to
+those facts; and I have only further to say on that subject, that for
+many reasons I have altered the names inserted in the Great Register.
+I have also taken the same liberty with regard to the scenes of many
+events which really occurred, placing in Poitou what sometimes took
+place in Dauphiny, sometimes in Provence. Nor have I felt myself bound
+in all instances to respect the exact dates, having judged it
+expedient to bring many events within a short compass which were
+spread over a greater space of time. I have endeavoured, however, to
+represent most accurately, without prejudice or favour, the conduct of
+the French Catholics to French Protestants, and of Protestants to
+Catholics, during the persecutions of the seventeenth century. My
+love and esteem for many excellent Catholics--priests as well as
+laity--would prevent me, I believe, from viewing the question of the
+revocation of the edict of Nantes, and the consequences thereof, with
+a prejudiced eye; and when I read the following passages in the
+writings, not of a Protestant, but of a sincere Catholic, I am only
+inclined to doubt whether I have not softened the picture of
+persecution.</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Il restait peu à faire pour exciter le zèle du roi contre une
+religion solemnellement frappée des plus éclatans anathèmes par
+l'église universelle, et qui s'en était elle-même frappée la première
+en se séparant de tout l'antiquité sur des points de foi fondamentaux.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Le roi était devenu dévot, et dévot dans la dernière ignorance. A la
+dévotion se joignit la politique. On voulut lui plaire par les
+endroits qui le touchaient le plus sensiblement, la dévotion et
+l'autorité. On lui peignit les Huguenots avec les plus noires
+couleurs; un état dans un état, parvenu à ce point de licence à force
+de désordres, de révoltes, de guerres civiles, d'alliances étrangères,
+de résistance à force ouverte contre les rois ses prédécesseurs, et
+jusqu'à lui-même réduit à vivre en traité avec eux. Mais on se garda
+bien de lui apprendre la source de tant de maux, les origines de leurs
+divers dégrès et de leurs progrès, pourquoi et par qui les Huguenots
+furent premièrement armés, puis soutenus, et surtout de lui dire un
+seul mot des projets de si longue main pourpensés, des horreurs et des
+attentats de la ligue contre sa couronne, contre sa maison, contre son
+père, son aïeul, et tous les siens.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On lui voila avec autant de soin ce que l'évangile, et d'après cette
+divine loi les apôtres, et tous les pères et leur suite, enseignent la
+manière de prêcher Jésus Christ, de convertir les infidèles et les
+hérétiques, et de se conduire en ce qui regarde la religion. On toucha
+un dévot de la douceur de faire, aux dépens d'autrui, une pénitence
+facile qu'on lui persuada sure pour l'autre monde.<span style="letter-spacing:5pt"> * * * * *</span></p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Les grands ministres n'étaient plus alors. Le Tellier au lit de la
+mort, son funeste fils était le seul qui restât, car Seignelay ne
+faisait guère que poindre. Louvois, avide de guerre, atterré sous le
+poids d'une trève de vingt ans, qui ne faisait presque que d'être
+signée, espéra qu'un si grand coup porté aux Huguenots réunirait tout
+le Protestantisme de l'Europe, et s'applaudit en attendant de ce que
+le roi ne pouvant frapper sur les Huguenots que par ses troupes, il en
+serait le principal exécuteur, et par là de plus en plus en crédit.
+L'esprit et le génie de Madame de Maintenon, tel qu'il vient d'être
+représenté avec exactitude, n'était rien moins que propre, ni capable
+d'aucune affaire au-delà de l'intrigue. Elle n'était pas née ni
+nourrie à voir sur celle-ci au-delà de ce qui lui en était presenté,
+moins encore pour ne pas saisir avec ardeur une occasion si naturelle
+de plaire, d'admirer, de s'affermir de plus en plus par la dévotion.
+Qui d'ailleurs eût su un mot de ce qui ne se délibérait qu'entre le
+confesseur, le ministre alors comme unique, et l'épouse nouvelle et
+chérie; et qui de plus eût osé contredire? C'est ainsi que sont menés
+à tout, par une voie ou par une autre, les rois qui, par grandeur, par
+défiance, par abandon à ceux qui les tiennent, par paresse ou par
+orgueil, ne se communiquent qu'à deux ou trois personnes, et bien
+souvent à moins, et qui mettent entre eux et tout le reste de leurs
+sujets une barrière insurmontable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;La revocation de l'édit de Nantes, sans le moindre prétexte et sans
+aucun besoin, et les diverses proscriptions plutôt que déclarations
+qui la suivirent, furent les fruits de ce complot affreux qui dépeupla
+un quart du royaume; qui ruina son commerce; qui l'affaiblit dans
+toutes ses parties; qui le mit si longtemps au pillage public et avoué
+des dragons; qui autorisa les tourmens et les supplices dans lesquels
+ils firent réellement mourir tant d'innocens de tout sexe par
+milliers; qui ruina un peuple si nombreux; qui déchira un monde de
+familles; qui arma les parens contre les parens pour avoir leur bien
+et les laisser mourir de faim; qui fit passer nos manufactures aux
+étrangers, fit fleurir et regorger leurs états aux dépens du nôtre, et
+leur fit bâtir de nouvelles villes; qui leur donna le spectacle d'un
+si prodigieux peuple proscrit, nu, fugitif, errant sans crime,
+cherchant asile loin de sa patrie; qui mit nobles, riches, vieillards,
+gens souvent très-estimés pour leur piété, leur savoir, leur vertu,
+des gens aisés, faibles, délicats, à la ruine, et sous le nerf
+très-effectif du comité, pour cause unique de religion; enfin qui,
+pour comble de toutes horreurs, remplit toutes les provinces du
+royaume de parjures et de sacrilèges, où tout retentissait de
+hurlemens de ces infortunées victimes de l'erreur, pendant que tant
+d'autres sacrifiaient leur conscience à leurs biens et à leur repos,
+et achetaient l'un et l'autre par des abjurations simulées, d'où sans
+intervalle on les traînait à adorer ce qu'ils ne croyaient point, et à
+recevoir réellement le divin corps du saint des saints, tandis qu'ils
+demeuraient persuadés qu'ils ne mangeaient que du pain qu'ils devaient
+encore abhorrer. Telle fut l'abomination générale enfantée par la
+flatterie et par la cruauté. De la torture à l'abjuration, et de
+celle-ci à la communion, il n'y avait pas souvent vingt-quatre heures
+de distance, et leurs bourreaux étaient leurs conducteurs et leurs
+témoins. Ceux qui, par la suite, eurent l'air d'être changés avec plus
+de loisir, ne tardèrent pas par leur fuite ou par leur conduite à
+démentir leur pretendu retour.&quot;--<i>St. Simon</i>, vol. xiii. p. 113. ed.
+1829.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p class="normal">I have now nothing further to say, my dear Lord Clinton, but to beg
+your pardon for having already said so much, and to express a hope
+that you and the public will deal leniently by that which is now
+offered to you, with the highest respect and esteem, by</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<p style="text-indent:30%">Yours most faithfully,</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:40%"><span class="sc">G. P. R. James</span>.</p>
+<br>
+<div style="margin-right:65%">
+<p class="center"><i>Fair Oak Lodge, Petersfield</i>.<br>
+17<i>th Nov</i>. 1838.</p>
+</div>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>THE HUGUENOT.</h1>
+<br>
+<hr class="W20">
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_01" href="#div1Ref_01">THE HERO, HIS FRIEND, AND HIS DWELLING IN
+THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">There is a small town in one of the remote provinces of France, about
+ten miles from the sea shore, and two or three hundred from the
+capital, on the appearance of which it may be as well to dwell for a
+short time; noticing not alone its houses and its streets as they
+appeared in the seventeenth century, but its inhabitants, their
+feelings, and their customs, at that period.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Were we not to make this formal sort of presentation, the reader would
+feel as if set down suddenly amidst a crowd of strangers with no one
+to introduce him, with no one to unpadlock the barrier which the
+cautious laws of society set up between man and man, to guard against
+the wild-beast propensities of the race of intellectual tigers to
+which we belong. Now, however, if we manage skilfully, the reader may
+become as familiar with the people of another day, and scenes of
+another land, as if they had been the playfellows of his childhood,
+and the haunts of his youth; and may go on calmly with those to whom
+he is thus introduced through the dark and painful events which are
+recorded in the pages that follow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That part of France in which our scene is laid, presents features
+which differ very much from the dull and uninteresting aspect of the
+land from Calais to Paris, and from Paris to the mountains of
+Switzerland--the route generally pursued by our travelling countrymen,
+whether they go forth to make what is usually called the grand tour,
+or content themselves with idling away a long space of mispent time
+amongst the Helvetian mountains. In the district that I speak of, the
+face of the country, though it cannot perhaps be called mountainous,
+is richly varied, running up into occasional high and pointed hills,
+presenting frequent masses of rock and wood, diversified by a mile or
+two, here and there, of soft pasture and meadow; with innumerable
+streams--some calm and peaceful, some fierce and torrent-like, some
+sparkling and playful, giving an air of life and glad activity to the
+land through which they flow. These manifold streams shed also a hue
+of indescribable verdure, a fresh leafyness of aspect, that is most
+grateful to the eye; and though there is not there, as in our own
+land, the frequent hedge-row, with its sweet village associations, yet
+there is no want of high umbrageous trees scattered here and there,
+besides the thick woods that, in many places, occupy several leagues
+in extent, and the lesser copses that nest themselves in many a dell.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The district that we speak of is bright in its skies and warm in its
+sunshine, though it is not precisely in the region of the richest
+vine; and there are scarcely five days, during six months of the year,
+in which, on every stony bank or on the short soft turf above the
+large lizards may not be seen basking in their coats of green and
+gold. There are not, indeed, the cloudless skies of Italy, which,
+notwithstanding their splendid colouring, are insipid from their very
+cloudlessness: no, but wreathed in grand masses by the free air,
+sometimes drifting from the British channel, sometimes sweeping from
+the wide western ocean, the clouds and the sunshine sport together in
+the heaven, while the shadow and the light chase each other over the
+earth below, and ever and anon comes down a passing shower, refreshing
+the lands it lights upon, and leaving them brighter than before.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the top of one of the tall rocky hills we have mentioned, in very
+remote feudal times,--for we find it mentioned in all the wars
+undertaken by the Edwards and the Henries in their vain endeavours to
+grasp a crown that did not belong to them,--a town had been built and
+fortified, circumscribed by large stone walls flanked by round towers,
+and crowned by the square keep of a castle, only one wall of which has
+been left, for now near a century and a half. This town was of small
+size, occupying nothing but the summit of the hill, and was strictly
+confined within the walls; and, indeed, below, on three sides, were
+such steep ascents--in some places showing precipitous spaces of rude
+rock, and in others covered with short, green, slippery turf--that it
+was scarcely possible for the inhabitants to have built beyond the
+walls, except on one side, even if they had been so inclined.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In such times of danger, however, it had been the object of those who
+possessed the town to keep that fourth side, by which the ascent was
+more easy, clear from all houses and buildings of any kind, so that
+the quarrels from the cross-bow, the arrows from the bow, or the balls
+from the cannon--as different ages brought different inventions--might
+sweep down unimpeded upon any approaching enemy, and that the eye
+might also have a free range to discover the approach of a foe. Thus
+that gentler slope was not even broken by a road till the end of the
+sixteenth century, the way up to the town from the valley below being
+constructed with great skill and care upon one of the steepest sides
+of the hill, by means of wide short platforms, each of which was
+defended by some particular fortification of its own, while the whole
+line of the valley and the lower part of the road were commanded by
+the cannon of the castle of St. Anne, a rude old fortress on an
+inferior hill, of little or no use to any persons but those who
+possessed the higher and more important works above. Through the
+valley and winding round the foot of the hill of St. Anne was a wide,
+clear, beautiful stream, navigable up to that spot, and falling into
+the sea at the distance of ten or twelve miles in a direct line, but
+which contrived to extend its course, by the tortuous path that it
+pursued amongst the hills, to a length of nearly twenty leagues.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such as we have described was the situation, in feudal times, of the
+small town that we shall call Morseiul; but ere the commencement of
+our tale those feudal times had passed away. Even during the wars of
+the League the town had remained in tranquillity and repose. It was
+remote from the general scene of strife; and although it had sent out
+many who aided, and not insignificantly, in upholding the throne of
+Henry IV., there was but one occasion on which the tide of war flowed
+near its walls, and then speedily retreated, and left it unassailed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Under these circumstances fortifications were soon
+neglected--precautions were no longer taken--the cannon for half a
+century remained upon the walls unused--rust and honeycomb began to
+gnaw into the heart of the iron--sheds were erected in the
+embrasures--houses succeeded--gardens were laid out in the round
+towers--the castle of St. Anne fell utterly into ruins--and some of
+the patriotic and compassionate inhabitants thought it a hard tax upon
+the sinews of the horses, who in those days carried from place to
+place the merchandise of the country, to be forced to climb the zizgag
+path of one of the more precipitous sides of the hill. Thus in the
+early part of the reign of Louis XIII. a petition was addressed by the
+inhabitants to their count, who still retained all his feudal rights
+and privileges, beseeching him to construct or permit the construction
+of a gate upon the southern side of the town, and a road down the
+easier descent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The count, who was a good-humoured man, a nobleman of the school of
+Henry IV., and as fond of the people of the good town as they were of
+him, was quite willing to gratify them in any reasonable desire; but
+he was the more moved to do what they wished in the present instance,
+inasmuch as some ten or fifteen years before he had himself broken
+through the old rules and regulations established in the commune, and
+not only built himself a château beyond the walls of that very side,
+but laid out a space of two or three acres of ground in such a manner
+as to give him shade when he wanted it, and sunshine when the shade
+was not agreeable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Of the château we shall speak hereafter: but it is only here necessary
+to say, that in building this dwelling beyond the walls, the Count de
+Morseiul of that day had forgotten altogether the possibility of
+carrying a road down that side of the hill. He had constructed a way
+for himself into the town by enlarging an old postern in the walls,
+which he caused to open into his garden, and by this postern, whenever
+he sought to issue forth into the country beyond, he took his way into
+the town, traversed the square, and followed the old zigzag road down
+the steep side of the hill. The peasantry, indeed, had not failed to
+think of that which their lord had overlooked, and when they had a
+dozen or two of pigeons, or a pair of fowls, or a fat calf to present
+to the seigneur, they almost invariably brought it by the slope up the
+hill. A path had thus been worn from the valley below in the precise
+direction which was best fitted for the road, and whenever the good
+townsmen presented their petition to the count, it instantly struck
+him how very convenient such a road would be to himself as well as to
+them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now the count was neither a cunning nor an ungenerous man; and the
+moment he saw that the advantage to be derived would be to himself, he
+determined to open the gate, and make the road at his own expense
+without subjecting the commune or the peasantry to corvée or fine. He
+told the inhabitants so at once, and they, as they well might be, were
+grateful to him in consequence. He made the road, and a handsome one
+it was; and he threw down a part of the wall, and erected a splendid
+gate in its place. He gave no name, indeed, to either; but the people
+immediately and universally bestowed a name on both, and called them
+the Count's Gate, and the Count's Road, so that the act was
+perpetuated by the grateful memory of those whom it benefited.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As, following the example of the earth on which we live, every thing
+upon its surface moves forward, or perhaps we may say appears to move
+forward, while very likely it is going but in a circle, the opening of
+the gate and the making of the road was speedily followed by another
+step, which was the building of houses by the road-side; so that, at
+the period when our tale commences, the whole aspect, appearance, and
+construction of the town was altered. A long street, with gardens at
+the back of the houses, extended all the way down the gentle slope of
+the hill; the gate had been widened, the summit had been cleared of a
+great number of small houses, and a view was opened straight up into a
+fine gay-looking market square at the top, with the ruined wall of the
+old keep, raising its high head covered with ivy on the western side,
+and to the north the little church, with its tall thin-slated spire
+rising high, not only above the buildings of the town itself, but the
+whole of the country round, and forming a remarkable object, which was
+seen for many leagues at sea.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We are in this account supposing the reader to be looking up the
+street, which was turned towards the south, and was consequently full
+of sunshine towards the middle of the day. It would, indeed, have been
+intolerably hot in the summer, had it not been that the blessed
+irregularity of the houses contrived to give some shade at every hour
+of the four and twenty. But from the bottom of that street almost up
+to the top was to be seen, upon the left hand, rising above the
+buildings of the street itself, the weathercocks, and round turrets,
+and pointed roofs and loop-holes, and windows innumerable, which
+marked the château built by the count who had constructed the road;
+while here and there, too, were also seen the tops of the tall limes
+and elms with which he had shaded his gardens, and which had now grown
+up into tall splendid trees, flourishing in the years which had
+brought him to decay and death.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Into the little town of Morseiul had been early introduced the
+doctrines of Calvin, and the inhabitants clung to those doctrines with
+peculiar pertinacity. They had constantly sent volunteers to the
+protestant army; they had bestirred themselves in aid of La Rochelle,
+and had even despatched succour to the protestants of the far south.
+The weak, bigotted, and treacherous Louis XIII. had declared that they
+were the most obstinate heretics in his dominions, and had threatened
+against them many things, which the wisdom of his great minister had
+prevented him from performing. But the counts of Morseiul themselves
+had at all times rendered great services to the state: they had proved
+themselves on all occasions gallant and determined soldiers and
+skilful politicians; and, though they too held firm by the religion of
+their ancestors, and set equally at defiance both threats and
+seductions--which conduct formed the strongest link between them and
+their people--Richelieu had judged that it would be hazardous to drive
+them into open resistance to the crown. We may indeed surmise that he
+judged it unnecessary also, inasmuch as there can be no doubt that in
+his dealings with the Huguenots he treated them solely as a political
+party, and not as a religious sect.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such being the case, though somewhat courting the persecutions of the
+times, the town of Morseiul had been left unmolested in the exercise
+of its religious tenets, and had enjoyed not only all the liberty
+which was granted to the protestants of France by the edict of Nantes,
+but various other privileges, obtained perhaps by a little
+encroachment, and retained by right of prescription.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The inhabitants were a hardy and determined race, frank and
+good-humoured, and possessing from various points in their position a
+great degree of simplicity in manners and character, mingled with much
+religious fervour. They had, indeed, of late years, been somewhat
+polished, or perhaps one might call it, corrupted. They had acquired
+more wants and more wishes from the increasing luxuriousness of the
+day; had heard with wonder, and not perhaps without some longing, of
+the splendours and the marvels and the gaieties of the court of Louis
+XIV., then in the bright and butterfly days of its youthful
+ostentation; and they felt strongly and beneficially the general
+impulse given to every sort of commerce by the genius of Colbert, and
+applied themselves to derive the utmost advantage therefrom, by
+pursuing with skill, activity, and perseverance, various manufactures,
+in which they displayed no small ingenuity. A good number of them had
+become wealthy, and all of them indeed were well off in the station of
+life in which they were placed. The artisan was rich for an artisan,
+as well as the burgess for a burgess; but they were all simple in
+their habits, not without their little pride, or without their
+luxuries on a holyday; but frugal and thoughtful as they were
+industrious. Such was the town of Morseiul and its inhabitants in the
+year 168--.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We must now turn to the château of the count, and to its denizens
+at the time of the opening of our tale. The château was built, as we
+have said, on the outside of the walls of the town, and was one of
+those odd buildings of which many a specimen has come down to us. It
+seemed to have been built by detached impulses, and upon no general
+plan, though, to admit nothing but the truth, the construction
+was attributable all to one person. The great hall was along,
+wide-spreading piece of architecture, with a high roof, and a row of
+windows turned to the south side, which was the front of the château.
+Then came two or three square masses of stone-work on either side of
+the hall, with the gables projecting to the front, no two of them of
+the same height and size; and many of them separated either by a tall
+round tower, with loopholes all the way up, like button-holes in the
+front of a waistcoat, or broken towards the roof by a turret stuck on
+and projecting from the rest of the building. On the western side of
+the château was a large square tower, with numerous windows, placed
+with some degree of regularity; and on the eastern, was an octangular
+tower containing a separate entrance of a somewhat Gothic character.
+Two large wings projected behind towards the town on which the château
+unceremoniously turned its back, and the large open space of ground
+thus enclosed, was again divided into two by a heavy transverse mass
+of building, as irregular as the external parts of the whole. The
+mansion was completed by the stables and offices for the servants and
+retainers, and the whole was pitched in the centre of a platform,
+which had formerly been one of the bastions of the town.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Behind the château, and between the building and the walls, were
+numerous trees, giving that space the name of the bocage, and through
+this lay the little walk that led to the postern, which was originally
+the only exit from the château. In front was a tolerably wide
+esplanade, extending to the edge of the bastion, and from the edge of
+the terrace descended a flight of steps to the slope below, on which
+had been laid out a flower-garden, separated from the rest of the
+ground by a stone wall, surmounted by flower-pots in the shape of
+vases. The remaining portion of the space enclosed was planted,
+according to the taste of that day, with straight rows of trees, on
+the beauties of which it is unnecessary to dwell.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The interior of the castle was fitted up in the taste of the reign of
+Henry IV. and Louis XIII., few changes having taken place since the
+time it was first furnished, immediately after it was built. Some of
+the rooms, indeed, contained the furniture of the older castle
+formerly inhabited by the counts, which furniture was of a much more
+remote age, and had been condemned, by scornful posterity, to the
+dusty oblivion which we so fondly pile upon our ancestors. It may be
+as well, however, to conduct the reader into one of the rooms of that
+château, and, telling him that we have ourselves sat therein,
+furnished exactly as it was then furnished, and looking exactly as it
+then looked, endeavour to make him see it as the glass of memory now
+gives it back to us.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a large oblong room, with a vaulted roof: not dome-shaped,
+indeed, for it was flat at the top; but from the walls towards the
+centre, it sloped for a considerable way before it received the
+flattened form which we mention. It was indeed a four-sided vault,
+with the top of the arches cut off. On two sides were windows, or
+perhaps we should call them casements, with the glass set in leaden
+frames, and opening only in part. The hearth and chimney were of
+enormous dimensions, with a seat on either side of the fire-place,
+which was a sort of raised platform of brick-work, ornamented with two
+large andirons grinning with lions' heads, for the reception of the
+fuel.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Over the chimney again was a wide slab of marble, supported by two
+marble scrolls; and a tablet, on which was recorded, with very
+tolerable latinity, that that château had been built by Francis Count
+of Morseiul, in the year of grace one thousand five hundred and
+ninety. Above this marble, far blacker than the dark oak panelling
+which supported it, hung an immense ebony frame, carved with a
+thousand curious figures, and containing a large round mirror of
+polished metal, reflecting, though in a different size, all the
+objects that the room contained. On the two sides of the chamber were
+one or two fine portraits by Rubens and Vandyke, also in ebony frames,
+but cursed with an internal border of gold. A multitude of high-backed
+chairs, only fitted for men in armour, and ladies with whalebone
+bodices; four cabinets of ebony, chequered with small lines of inlaid
+ivory, with immense locks, marked out by heavy, but not inelegant,
+silver shields; and two or three round tables, much too small for the
+size of the room, made up the rest of the furniture of the apartment,
+if we except some curious specimens of porcelain, and one or two
+curiosities brought by different members of the family from foreign
+lands. There was also a lute upon one of the tables, and ten long
+glasses, with a vein of gold in their taper stalks, ranged in battle
+array upon the mantelpiece.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The moment at which we shall begin our tale was about the hour of
+dinner in the province, at that period a very different hour from that
+at which we dine in the present day. The windows were all open, the
+bright sunshine was pouring in and throwing the small square panes
+into lozenges upon the flooring; and from that room, which was high up
+in the castle, might be seen as wide spread and beautiful a landscape
+as ever the eye rested upon, a world of verdure, streams, and woods,
+and hills, with the bright sky above.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such was the chamber and its aspect at the period that we speak of;
+and we must now turn to those who inhabited it, and, in the first
+place, must depict them to the reader's eye, before we enter into any
+remarks or detailed account of their several characters, which,
+perhaps, we may be inclined to give in this instance, even while we
+admit that in general it is far better to suffer our personages to
+develope themselves and tell their own tale to the reader.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In all, there were some seven persons in that room; but there were
+only two upon whom we shall at present pause. They were seated at a
+table in the midst, on which were spread forth various viands in
+abundance, upon plates of silver of a rich and handsome form; while a
+profusion of the same metal in the shape of cups, forks, spoons, and
+lavers appeared upon another table near, which had been converted into
+a temporary sort of buffet. Ranged on the same buffet was also a
+multitude of green glass bottles, containing apparently, by their
+dusty aspect and well-worn corks, several kinds of old and choice
+wine; and five servants in plain but rich liveries, according to the
+fashion of that day, bustled about to serve the two superior persons
+at the table.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Those two persons were apparently very nearly of the same age, about
+the same height; and in corporeal powers they seemed also evenly
+matched; but in every other respect they were as different as can well
+be conceived. The one who sat at the side of the table farthest from
+the door was a man of about six or seven and twenty years of age, with
+a dark brown complexion, clear and healthy though not florid, and with
+large, full, deep-coloured gray eyes, fringed with long black lashes.
+His hair and mustaches were jet black; and the character of his
+countenance, for the moment at least, was serious and thoughtful. He
+was evidently a very powerful and vigorous man, deep-chested, long in
+the arm; and though, at first look, his form seemed somewhat spare,
+yet every motion displayed the swelling of strong muscles called into
+action; and few there were in that day who could have stood unmoved a
+buffet from his hand. Such was Albert Count of Morseiul, an officer so
+distinguished during the first wars of Louis XIV., that it is only
+necessary to name him to bring to the reader's recollection a long
+train of splendid actions.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Opposite to him sat a friend and comrade, who had gone through many a
+campaign with him, who had shared watchings, and dangers, and toils,
+had stood side by side with him in the &quot;imminent deadly breach,&quot; and
+who was very much beloved by the Count, although the other often
+contrived to tease and annoy him, and sometimes to give him pain, by a
+certain idle and careless levity which had arisen amongst the young
+nobles of France some twenty years before, and had not yet been put
+out by that great extinguisher, the courtly form and ceremony which
+Louis XIV. placed upon every movement of the imagination.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The friend was, as we have said, very different from his host.
+Although not more than a year younger than the count, he had a less
+manly look, which might perhaps be owing to the difference of
+colouring; for he was of that fair complexion which the pictures of
+Vandyk have shown us can be combined with great vigour and character
+of expression. His features were marked and fine, his hazel eye
+piercing and quick, and his well-cut lip, varying indeed with every
+changing feeling or momentary emotion, still gave, by the peculiar
+bend in which it was fashioned when in repose, a peculiar tone of
+scornful playfulness to every expression his countenance assumed. In
+form, he appeared at first sight more powerful, perhaps, than the
+count; but a second glance was sufficient to show that such was not
+the case; and, though there was indeed little difference, if any
+thing, it was not in his favour.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We must pause for an instant to notice the dress of the two friends;
+not indeed to describe pourpoints or paint rich lace, but speak of
+their garments, as the taste thereof might be supposed to betoken some
+points in the character of each. The dress of the Count de Morseiul
+was in taste of the day; which was certainly as bad a taste, as far as
+it affected the habiliments of the male part of the human race, as
+could be devised; but he had contrived, by the exercise of his own
+judgment in the colouring, to deprive it of a part of its
+frightfulness. The hues were all deep-toned, but rich and harmonious;
+and though there was no want of fine lace, the ribands, which were
+then the reigning mode of the day, were reduced to as few in number as
+any Parisian tailor would consent to withhold from the garb of a high
+nobleman.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His friend, however, the Chevalier d'Evran, having opinions of his own
+to which he adhered with a wilful pertinacity, did not fully give in
+to the fashion of the times; and retained, as far as possible, without
+making himself a spectacle, the costume of an earlier period. If we
+may coin a word for the occasion, there was a good deal of Vandykism
+still about it. All the colours, too, were light and sunshiny;
+philomot and blue, and pink and gold; and jewels were not wanting, nor
+rich lace where they could be worn with taste; for though the liking
+was for splendour, and for a shining and glittering appearance, yet in
+all the arrangements there was a fine taste visibly predominant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such, then, was the general appearance of the two friends; and after
+partaking of the good things which both the table and the buffet
+displayed,--for during the meal itself the conversation was brief and
+limited to a few questions and answers,--the Chevalier turned his
+chair somewhat more towards the window, and gazing out over the
+prospect which was spread forth before his eyes, he said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And so, Albert, this is Morseiul; and here thou art again after an
+absence of six years!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Even so, Louis,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;even so. This is Morseiul; and I
+know not whether it be from that inherent love of the place in which
+some of our happiest days have been spent, or whether the country
+round us be in reality more lovely than any other that I have seen
+since I left it, yet just when you spoke I was thinking of asking you
+whether you were or were not satisfied with my boasted Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It may well be lovelier than any you have seen since you left it,&quot;
+replied the Chevalier; &quot;for, as far as I know aught of your history,
+and I think I could account for every day of your life since last you
+were here, you have seen nothing since but the flat prettiness of the
+Beauvoisis, the green spinage plate of the Cambresis, or the
+interminable flats of Flanders, where plains are varied by canals, and
+the only eminence to be seen for forty miles round one is the top of a
+windmill. Well may Morseiul be prettier than that, and no great
+compliment to Morseiul either; but I will tell you something more,
+Albert. I have seen Morseiul long ago. Ay, and sat in these halls, and
+drank of that wine, and looked out of that window, and thought then as
+I think now, that it is, indeed, as fair a land as ever I should wish
+to cast my eyes on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed, Louis!&quot; exclaimed his companion; &quot;how happens it, then, if
+you know the place so well, that you have listened to all my praises
+thereof, and come hither with me purposely to see it, without giving
+me one hint that you knew of the existence of such a place upon the
+surface of the globe?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why it has happened from two causes,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;and
+perhaps from three. In the first place, did you never discover that I
+have the gift of secrecy in a very high degree?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why I have certainly discovered,&quot; replied the Count with a smile,
+&quot;that you are fond of a mystery; and sometimes, Louis, when there's no
+great need of one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most cuttingly and ungenerously answered,&quot; replied the Chevalier,
+with a laugh; &quot;but granting the fact, as a man does when he denies it
+strenuously in his mind all the time---but granting the fact, was not
+that one good and sufficient cause for my not saying a word about it?
+And in the next place, Albert, if I had told you I had been here, and
+knew it very nearly as well as you do yourself, it would have deprived
+you of the whole pleasure of relating the wonders and the marvels of
+Morseiul, which would have been most ungenerous of me, seeing and
+knowing the delight you took therein; and perhaps there might be
+another cause,&quot; he added in a graver tone. &quot;Perhaps I might hesitate
+to talk to you, Albert,--to you, with whom filial affection is not the
+evanescent thing that weeps like an April shower for half an hour over
+the loss of those we love, and then is wafted away in sparkling and in
+light--I might have hesitated, I say, to speak with you of times when
+one whom you have loved and lost sat in these halls and commanded in
+these lands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank you, Louis,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;I thank you from my heart;
+but you might have spoken of him. My memory of my dead father is
+something different from such things in general. It is the memory of
+him, Louis, and not of my own loss; and, therefore, as every thought
+of him is pleasing, satisfying, ennobling to my heart: as I can call
+up every circumstance in which I have seen him placed, every word
+which I have heard him speak, every action which I have seen him
+perform, with pride, and pleasure, and advantage, I love to let my
+thoughts rest upon the memories of his life; and though I can behold
+him no more living, yet I may thus enable myself to dwell with him in
+the past. We may be sure, Louis, that those who try to banish the
+loved and the departed from their thoughts, and from their
+conversation, have more selfishness in their love, have more
+selfishness in their sorrow, than real affection or than real esteem.
+The pangs which draw tears from us over the tomb may be permitted to
+us as a weakness, not unenviable: a lapse of sorrow for the broken tie
+and the loss of immediate communion, is also but a just tribute to
+ourselves and to the gone. But those who really loved the dead, and
+justly loved them, will cherish memory for their sakes; while those
+whose love was weak, or not founded on esteem, or selfish, may well
+give up a time to hopeless sorrow, and then banish the painful memory
+from their mind for ever: but it shows either that there must have
+been something wrong in the affection of the past, or a want of hope
+in the eternal meeting of the future. No, no, Louis, I live with my
+dead father every hour; I call to mind his looks, his words, his
+gestures; and as I never think to meet a man who could speak one evil
+word of him, I never fear to hear him mentioned, and to dwell upon his
+name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier was silent for a moment, for the feelings of his
+companion were too hallowed for a jest; but he replied immediately
+after, &quot;I believe you are quite right, Albert; but to banish all
+serious themes, which you know do not suit me, my love of mystery,
+which, as you well know, is a part of my nature, was quite sufficient
+to prevent my mentioning the subject. I wonder I was fool enough to
+let the whole secret out now. I should only have told you, by rights,
+just enough to excite your curiosity, in order that I might then
+disappoint you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As you have gone so far, however,&quot; replied the Count with a smile,
+&quot;you may as well tell the whole story at once, as it must be told,
+sooner or later, I suppose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On my word, I do not know whether I can make up my mind to such
+unusual frankness,&quot; answered the Chevalier: &quot;I have already done quite
+enough to lose my reputation. However, as you seem anxious----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not in the least,&quot; answered the Count, &quot;I am quite satisfied. I was
+so before, and am so still, and shall be so if you resolutely maintain
+your mystery, concluding that you have some good reason for doing so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh no,&quot; answered the Chevalier, &quot;I never had a good reason for any
+thing I did in my life: I make a point of never having one; and the
+very insinuation of such a thing will make me unravel the whole matter
+at once, and show you that there is no mystery at all in the matter.
+You may have heard, perchance, that the Duc de Rouvré, who, by the
+way, is just appointed governor of the province, has a certain
+property with a certain château, called Ruffigny, which----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Which marches with my own,&quot; exclaimed the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Exactly what I was going to say,&quot; rejoined the Chevalier; &quot;a certain
+property, called Ruffigny, which marches with your own, and a château
+thereupon some five leagues hence. Now, the excellent Duke, being an
+old friend, and distant relation indeed, of my family, it is scarcely
+possible, with common decency, for me to be more than ten years at a
+time without visiting him; and accordingly, about ten years ago, I
+being then a sprightly youth, shortly about to fit on my first arms,
+came down and spent the space of about a month in that very château of
+Ruffigny, and the Duke brought me over here to dine with your father,
+and hunt the wild boar in the woods behind St. Anne.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is very odd,&quot; said the Count, &quot;I have no recollection of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How should you?&quot; demanded his friend, &quot;as you were then gone upon
+your first campaign, under Duras, upon the Rhine. It was not, in all
+probability, worth your father's while to write you word that a young
+scapegrace had been brought to dine with him, and had run his <i>couteau
+de chasse</i> up to the hilt in the boar's gullet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, I now remember,&quot; exclaimed the Count; &quot;I heard of that, but I
+forgot the name. Have you not been here since then?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not I,&quot; replied the Chevalier. &quot;The Duke asked me, indeed, to return
+the following year; but something prevented him from returning
+himself, and I believe he has never come back to Ruffigny since. A man
+who has so many castles as he has cannot favour any one of them above
+once in six or seven years or so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is coming down now, however,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;for, of course,
+the affairs of his government must bring him here, if it be but to
+hold the states.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, but he does not come to Ruffigny,&quot; replied the Chevalier. &quot;He
+goes to Poitiers. I know all about his movements; and I'll tell you
+what, Morseiul: take care how you go to visit him at Poitiers, for you
+might chance not to come back unscathed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How so?&quot; demanded the Count, turning sharply as if with some
+surprise. &quot;Is there any thing new against us poor Huguenots?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Poo, I spoke not of that,&quot; replied the Chevalier. &quot;You sectarians
+seem to have a sort of hereditary feeling of martyrdom in you, as if
+your chief ancestor had been St. Bartholomew himself, and the saint,
+being skinned alive, had given the world a skinless posterity, which
+makes them all feel alarmed lest any one should touch them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is an ominous name, St. Bartholomew, you must acknowledge to the
+ears of a Huguenot,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;But what is it I have to
+fear, if not that, Louis?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it you have to fear!&quot; rejoined the Chevalier. &quot;Why, a pair of
+the brightest eyes in all France--I believe I might say in all
+Europe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count shook his head with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well then,&quot; continued the Chevalier, &quot;a pair of lips that look like
+twin roses; eyebrows that give a meaning to every lustrous look of the
+eyes; a hand small, white, and delicate, with fingers tapering and
+rounded like those with which the Venus of the Greeks gathers around
+her timid form the unwilling drapery; a foot such as no sandle-shod
+goddess of the golden age could match: and a form which would have
+left the sculptor nothing to seek in other beauties but herself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count laughed aloud. &quot;I am quite safe,&quot; he said, &quot;quite safe,
+Louis, quite safe. I have nothing on earth to fear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed!&quot; exclaimed his companion, in the same gay tone. &quot;Pray, what
+panoply of proof do you possess sufficient to resist such arms as
+these when brought against you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mine is twofold,&quot; answered the Count. &quot;In the first place, your own
+enthusiasm cannot be misunderstood, and, of course, I do not become
+the rival of my friend. Our great hero, Condé, has set all soldiers a
+better example.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What then, do you intend to follow his example in regard to the
+Chatillon?&quot; demanded the Chevalier; &quot;to yield me the lady, and as soon
+as I am comfortably killed off, make love to my widow? But no, no,
+Albert, I stand not in your way; there are other attractions for me, I
+tell you fairly! Even if it were not so, let every man in love, as in
+war, do the best for himself. But, at all events, I tell you take care
+of yourself if you go to Poitiers, unless, indeed, you have some
+better armour than the thought of rivalry with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must go to Poitiers of course,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;when the
+governor comes down; but yet I shall go without fear, as I think you
+might by this time know. Have you not seen me amongst the fairest, and
+the gayest, and the sweetest of this world's daughters, and yet I do
+not think in all the catalogue you could find one cabalistic name
+sufficiently powerful to conjure up a sigh from my lips.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, to say the truth,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;I have often thought
+you as cold as a cannon ball before it is fired; but then, my dear
+Count, all that time you have had something else to do, something to
+excite, to interest, and to engross you. But now the stir and bustle
+of the camp is over,--the march, the countermarch, the advance, the
+retreat is done,--the fierce excitement of the battle-field does not
+bring forth all the energies of a fiery heart,--the trumpet no longer
+calls you from the ear of the fair one, before the whispered tale of
+love be well begun. In this piping time of peace, why, man, you have
+nothing for it but to make love, or die of melancholy. If you have a
+charm, let us hear what it is!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, I am no man of mysteries,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;and my tale is
+very soon told. It is just five years ago--I was at that time in the
+heyday of all sorts of passions, in love, I believe, with every thing
+in woman's form that came in my way,--when, after spending the winter
+in Paris, I came down here to take leave of my father before joining
+the army in Flanders. It seemed as if he felt that we were parting for
+the last time, for he gave me many a caution, and many a warning
+regarding the woman that I might choose for my wife. He exacted no
+promise indeed, nor gave his counsels the shape of a command; but,
+amongst other injunctions, which I would most unwillingly violate, he
+strongly advised me never to wed any one of a different religious
+creed from myself. About the same time, however, a little incident
+occurred, which fancy worked up so strongly as to have had an effect
+upon my whole after feelings. You know the deep and bowery lanes and
+roads about the place, how beautifully the sunshine streams amongst
+them, how richly the song of the birds sound in the trees above, how
+full of a sparkling and fanciful light is the whole scenery round us
+when we dive into its depths. I was always fond of wandering through
+these scenes, and one day about that time I was out alone, at some
+distance beyond the castle of St. Anne's, when suddenly, as I was
+musing, and gazing, and drinking in, as it were, the sights and sounds
+around me, I heard the cry of dogs, and the sound of horns. But they
+were distant, and they passed away, and I went on wandering slowly,
+with my horse's bridle hanging loosely over my arm, till suddenly I
+heard the sound of galloping hoofs; and, immediately after, down the
+little road in which I was, came a gay wild horse of the Limousin,
+with a fair girl upon its back, who should hardly have been trusted to
+ride a fiery creature like that. She was not, indeed, a mere child,
+being apparently some sixteen or seventeen years of age, but extreme
+youth was in every feature and in every line, and, I might add, beauty
+also, for never in my life did I behold such visionlike loveliness as
+hers. The horse, with some sudden fright, must have darted away while
+she had laid down the rein, for at the time I met her, though not
+broken, it was floating at his feet, hazarding at every instant to
+throw him down. She sat firmly in the seat, and rode with grace and
+ease; but she was evidently much frightened, and as soon as she saw
+some one before her in the lane, she pointed with an eager gesture to
+the rein, and uttered some words which I did not hear. I easily
+divined her meaning however, and turning my own horse loose, knowing I
+could catch him again in a moment, I snatched at the rein of her horse
+as he passed, ran for a moment by its side, not to check it too
+sharply, then brought it to a halt, and asked her if she would alight.
+She bowed her head gracefully, and smiled most sweetly, replying, as
+soon as he could find breath, with many thanks for the service I had
+rendered her, that she was not hurt, and but a little frightened, the
+horse having darted away while she had laid down the rein to put on
+her gloves. She would not alight she said, but must return quickly to
+her friends, who would be frightened, and, without saying more, she
+again gracefully bent her head, turned her horse, and cantered rapidly
+away. I saw her once afterwards, passing along with a gay cortege,
+composed of persons that I did not know. As we passed each other she
+recognised me instantly, and, with a heightened colour, noticed me by
+another marked inclination of the head. When I had passed on, I could
+judge by her own gestures and those of the persons around her, that
+she was telling them what had occurred, and explaining to them the
+sign of recognition which she had made. On this second occasion she
+seemed to my eyes even more lovely than before. Her voice, too, though
+I had heard it so little, was the most musical that ever spoke to the
+heart of man, and I pondered and thought over the vision of loveliness
+that I had just seen, till it took so strong a hold of my heart and my
+imagination, that I could not rest satisfied without seeking to behold
+it again. I rode through all the country round; I was every day, and
+almost all day, on horseback; I called at every neighbouring house; I
+inquired at every place where I was likely to meet with information,
+but I could never see, or speak with, or hear of that fair creature
+again, and the time came rapidly on when I was compelled to rejoin the
+army. I thought of her often, however, I have thought of her ever
+since; that lovely face, that sweet voice will never go from my mind,
+and reason and fancy combine to make me resolve never to wed any one
+that I do not think as lovely as herself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray what share had reason,&quot; demanded the Chevalier, &quot;in a business
+altogether so unreasonable? Poo! my dear Albert, you have worked
+yourself into a boyish fancy of love, and then have clung to it, I
+suppose, as the last bit of boyhood left about you. What had reason to
+do with your seeing a pretty girl in a dark lane, and fancying there
+was nothing like her upon earth?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With that, nothing certainly,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;but with my
+after-determination much. Before that time long I had began to school
+myself a good deal on account of a propensity not so much to fall in
+love, but, as you term it, Louis, to make love to every fair creature
+I met with. I had found it needful to put some check upon myself: and
+if an artificial one was to be chosen, I did not see why this should
+not be selected as well as any other. I determined that, as the
+knights of old, and our own troubadours too, if you will, and even--as
+by your laughing I suppose you would have it--excellent Don Quixote
+himself, that pattern of all true gentlemen, vowed and dedicated
+themselves to some fair lady, whom they had seen even less frequently
+than I had her--I determined, I say, that I would encourage this fancy
+of loving my fair horsewoman, and would employ the image of beauty,
+which imagination, perhaps, had its share in framing, and the fine
+qualities of the mind and heart, which were shadowed out beneath that
+lovely exterior, as a test, a touchstone, whereby to try and to
+correct my feelings towards others, and to approach none with words of
+love who did not appear to me as beautiful in form as she was, and who
+did not seem at least equal to the standard which fancy had raised up
+under her image. The matter perhaps was carried farther than I
+intended, the feeling became more intense than I had expected. For
+some time I sincerely and truly fancied myself in love; but even since
+reason has come to my aid in such a matter, and I know how much
+imagination has to do with the whole, yet from that one circumstance,
+from that fanciful accident, my standard of perfection in woman has
+been raised so high, that I find none who have attained it; and yet so
+habitual has it become with me to apply it to every one I see, that
+whenever I am introduced to any beautiful creature, to whom I might
+otherwise become attached, the fanciful image rises up, and the new
+acquaintance is tried and ever is found wanting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thou art a strange composition, my good friend the Count,&quot; said the
+Chevalier, &quot;but we shall see, now that peace and tranquillity have
+fallen over the world, whether you can go on still resisting with the
+courage of a martyr. I don't believe a word of it, although, to say
+sooth, your quality of heretic is something in your favour. But, in
+the name of fortune, tell me what are all those loud and tumultuous
+sounds which are borne by the wind through the open window. Your good
+people of Morseiul are not in rebellion, I hope.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not that I know of,&quot; replied the Count, with a smile at the very idea
+of such a thing as rebellion under Louis XIV.; &quot;but I will call my
+fellow Riquet, who ought, I think, to have been called Scapin, for I
+am sure Molière must have had a presentiment of the approaching birth
+of such a scoundrel. He will tell us all about it; for if a thing
+takes place on the other side of the earth, Riquet knows it all within
+five minutes after it happens.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Before he had well finished speaking, the person he alluded to
+entered. But Riquet deserves a pause for separate notice.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_02" href="#div1Ref_02">THE VALET--THE TOWNSPEOPLE--THE
+PROCLAMATION.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The personage who entered the room, which on that the first actual day
+after his arrival at his own dwelling the Count de Morseiul had used
+as a dining-room, was the representative of an extinct race, combining
+in his own person all the faults and absurdities with all the talents
+and even virtues which were sometimes mingled together in that strange
+composition, the old French valet. It is a creature that we find
+recorded in the pages of many an antique play, now either banished
+altogether from the stage, or very seldom acted; but, alas! the being
+itself is extinct; and even were we to find a fossil specimen in some
+unexplored bed of blue clay, we should gain but a very inadequate idea
+of all its various properties and movements. We have still the roguish
+valet in sad abundance--a sort of common house-rat; and we have,
+moreover, the sly and the silent, the loquacious and the lying, the
+pilfering and the impudent valet, with a thousand other varieties; but
+the old French valet, that mithridatic compound of many curious
+essences, is no longer upon the earth, having gone absolutely out of
+date and being at the same period with his famous contemporary &quot;<i>le
+Marquis</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the time we speak of, however, the French valet was in full
+perfection; and, as we have said, an epitome of the whole race and
+class was to be found in Maître Jerome Riquet, who now entered the
+room, and advanced with an operatic step towards his lord. He was a
+man perhaps of forty years of age, which, as experience and constant
+practice were absolute requisites in his profession, was a great
+advantage to him, for he had lost not one particle of the activity of
+youth, seeming to possess either a power of ubiquity, or a rapidity of
+locomotion which rendered applicable to him the famous description of
+the bird which flew so fast &quot;as to be in two places at once.&quot;
+Quicksilver, or a lover's hours of happiness, a swallow, or the wind,
+were as nothing when compared to his rapidity; and it is also to be
+remarked, that the rapidity of the mind went hand in hand with the
+rapidity of the body, enabling him to comprehend his master's orders
+before they were spoken, to answer a question before it was asked, and
+to determine with unerring sagacity by a single glance whether it
+would be most for his interests or his purposes to understand or
+misunderstand the coming words before they were pronounced.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet was slightly made, though by no means fulfilling the immortal
+caricature of the gates of Calais; but when dressed in his own
+appropriate costume, he contrived to make himself look more meagre
+than he really was, perhaps with a view of rendering his person less
+recognisable when, dressed in a suit of his master's clothes with
+sundry additions and ornaments of his own device, he appeared enlarged
+with false calves to his legs, and manifold paddings on his breast and
+shoulders, enacting with great success the part of the Marquis of
+Kerousac, or of any other place which he chose to raise into the
+dignity of a marquisate for his own especial use.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His features, it is true, were so peculiar in their cast and
+expression, that it would have seemed at first sight utterly
+impossible for the face of Jerome Riquet to be taken for any other
+thing upon the earth than the face of Jerome Riquet. The figure
+thereof was long, and the jaws of the form called lantern, with high
+cheek bones, and a forehead so covered with protuberances, that it
+seemed made on purpose for the demonstration of phrenology. Along this
+forehead, in almost a straight line drawn from a point immediately
+between the eyes, at a very acute angle towards the zenith, were a
+pair of eyebrows, strongly marked throughout their whole course, but
+decorated by an obtrusive tuft near the nose, from which tuft now
+stuck out several long grey bristles. The eyes themselves were sharp,
+small, and brilliant; but being under the especial protection of the
+superincumbent eyebrows, they followed the same line, leaving a long
+lean cheek on either side, only relieved by a congregation of
+radiating wrinkles at the corners of the eyelids. The mouth was as
+wide as any man could well desire for the ordinary purposes of life,
+and it was low down too in the face, leaving plenty of room for the
+nose above, which was as peculiar in its construction as any that ever
+was brought from &quot;the promontory of noses.&quot; It was neither the
+judaical hook nose, nor the pure aquiline, nor the semi-judaical
+Italian, nor the vulture, nor the sheep, nor the horse nose. It had no
+affinity whatever to the &quot;nez retroussé,&quot; nor was it the bottle, nor
+the ace of clubs. It was a nose <i>sui generis</i>, and starting from
+between the two bushy eyebrows, it made its way out, with a slight
+parabolic curve downwards, till it had reached about the distance of
+an inch and a half from the fundamental base line of the face. Having
+attained that elevation, it came to a sharp abrupt point, through the
+thin skin of which the white gristle seemed inclined to force its way,
+and then suddenly dropping a perpendicular, it joined itself on to the
+lower part of the face, at a right angle with the upper lip, with the
+extensive territories of which it did not interfere in the slightest
+degree, being as it were a thing apart, while the nostrils started up
+again, running in the same line as the eyes and eyebrows.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such in personal appearance was Jerome Riquet, and his mental
+conformation was not at all less singular. Of this mental conformation
+we shall have to give some illustrations hereafter; but yet, to deal
+fairly by him, we must afford some sketch of his inner man in
+juxtaposition with his corporeal qualities. In the first place,
+without the reality of being a coward, he affected cowardice as a very
+convenient reputation, which might be serviceable on many occasions,
+and could be shaken off whenever he thought fit. &quot;A brave man,&quot; he
+said, &quot;has something to keep up, he must never be cowardly; but a
+poltroon can be a brave man, without derogating from a well-earned
+reputation, whenever he pleases. No, no, I like variety; I'll be a
+coward, and a brave man only when it suits me.&quot; He sometimes, indeed,
+nearly betrayed himself, by burlesquing fear, especially when any raw
+soldier was near, for he had an invincible inclination to amuse
+himself with the weaknesses of others, and knew how contagious a
+disease fear is.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The next remarkable trait in his character was a mixture of honesty
+and roguery, which left him many doubts in his own mind as to whether
+he was by nature a knave or a simpleton. He would pilfer from his
+master any thing he could lay his hands upon, if he thought his master
+did not really want it; but had that master fallen into difficulties
+or dangers he would have given him his last louis, or laid down his
+life to save him. He would pick the locks of a cabinet to see what it
+contained, and ingeniously turn the best folded letter inside out to
+read the contents; but no power on earth would ever have made him
+divulge to others that which he practised such unjustifiable means to
+learn.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was also a most determined liar, both by habit and inclination. He
+preferred it, he said, to truth. It evinced greater powers of the
+human mind. Telling truth, he said, only required the use of one's
+tongue and one's memory; but to lie, and to lie well, demanded
+imagination, judgment, courage, and, in short, all the higher
+qualities of the human intellect. He could sometimes, however, tell
+the truth, when he saw that it was absolutely necessary. All that he
+had was a disposition to falsehood, controllable under particular
+circumstances, but always returning when those circumstances were
+removed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As to the religion of Maître Jerome Riquet, the less that is said upon
+the matter the better for the honour of that individual. He had but
+one sense of religion, indeed, and his definition of religion will
+give that sense its clearest exposition. In explaining his views one
+day on the subject to a fellow valet, he was known to declare that
+religion consisted in expressing those opinions concerning what was
+within a man's body, and what was to become of it after death, which
+were most likely to be beneficial to that body in the circumstances in
+which it was placed. Now, to say the truth, in order to act in
+accordance with this definition, Maître Jerome had a difficult part to
+perform. His parents and relations were all Catholics and having been
+introduced at an early age into the house of a Huguenot nobleman, and
+attached for many years to the person of his son, with only one other
+Catholic in the household, it would seem to have been the natural
+course of policy for the valet, under his liberal view of things, to
+abandon Catholicism, and betake himself to the pleasant heresy of his
+masters. But Riquet had a more extensive conception of things than
+that. He saw and knew that Catholicism was the great predominant
+religion of the country; he knew that it was the predominant religion
+of the court also; and he had a sort of instinctive foresight from the
+beginning of the persecutions and severities--the dark clouds of which
+were now gathering fast around the Huguenots, and were likely sooner
+or later to overwhelm them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now, like the famous Erasmus, Jerome Riquet had no will to be made a
+martyr of; and though he could live very comfortable in a Huguenot
+family, and attach himself to its lords, he did not think it at all
+necessary to attach himself to its religion also, but, on the
+contrary, went to mass when he had nothing else to do, confessed what
+sins he thought fit to acknowledge or to invent once every four or
+five years, swore that he performed all the penances assigned to him,
+and tormented the Protestant maid-servants of the château, by vowing
+that they were all destined to eternal condemnation, that there was
+not a nook in purgatory hot enough to bake away their sins, and that a
+place was reserved for them in the bottomless pit itself, with Arians
+and Socinians, and all the heretics and heresiarchs from the beginning
+of the world. After having given way to one of these tirades, he would
+generally burst into a loud fit of laughter at the absurdity of all
+religious contentions, and run away leaving his fellow-servants with a
+full conviction that he had no religion at all.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He dared not, it is true, indulge in such licences towards his master;
+but he very well knew that the young Count was not a bigot himself,
+and would not by any means think that he served him better if he
+changed his religion. In times of persecution and danger, indeed, the
+Count might have imagined that there was a risk of a very zealous
+Catholic being induced to injure or betray his Protestant lord; but
+the Count well knew Jerome to be any thing but a zealous Catholic, and
+he had not the slightest fear that any hatred of Protestantism or love
+for the church of Rome would ever induce the worthy valet to do any
+thing against the lord to whom he had attached himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such, then, was Jerome Riquet; and we shall pause no longer upon his
+other characteristic qualities than to say, that he was the
+exemplification of the word clever; that there was scarcely any thing
+to which he could not turn his hand, and that though light, and lying
+and pilfering, and impudent beyond all impudence, he was capable of
+strong attachments and warm affections; and if we may use a very
+colloquial expression to characterise his proceedings, there was fully
+as much fun as malice in his roguery. A love of adventure and of jest
+was his predominant passion; and although all the good things and
+consolations of this life by no means came amiss to him, yet in the
+illegitimate means which he took to acquire them he found a greater
+pleasure even than in their enjoyment when obtained.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When the door opened, as we have said, and Riquet presented himself,
+the eyes of the Count de Morseiul fixed upon him at once; and he
+immediately gathered from the ludicrous expression of fear which the
+valet had contrived to throw into his face, that something of a
+serious nature had really happened in the town, though he doubted not
+that it was by no means sufficient to cause the astonishment and
+terror which Jerome affected. Before he could ask any questions,
+however, Jerome, advancing with the step of a ballet master, cast
+himself on one knee at the Count's feet, exclaiming,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My lord, I come to you for protection and for safety.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, what is the matter, Jerome?&quot; exclaimed the Count. &quot;What rogue's
+trick have you been playing now? Is it a cudgel or the gallows that
+you fear?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Neither, my good lord,&quot; replied Jerome, &quot;but it is the fagot and the
+stake. I fear the rage of your excited and insubordinate people in the
+town of Morseiul, who are now in a state of heretical insurrection,
+tearing down the king's proclamations, trampling his edicts under
+foot, and insulting his officers; and as I happen, I believe, to be
+the only Catholic in the place, I run the risk of being one of the
+first to be sacrificed, if their insane vehemence leads them into
+further acts of phrenzy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Get up, fool, get up,&quot; cried the Count, shaking him off as he clung
+to his knee; &quot;tell me, if you can speak truth and common sense, what
+is it you mean, and what has occasioned all these shouts that we heard
+just now?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I mean, my lord,&quot; said Riquet, starting up and putting himself in an
+attitude, &quot;I mean all that I say. There is some proclamation,&quot; he
+continued in a more natural tone, &quot;concerning the performance of the
+true Catholic and apostolic religion, which some of the king's
+officers posted up on the gate at the bottom of the Count's street,
+and which the people instantly tore down. The huissier and the rest
+were proceeding up the street to read the edict in the great square,
+amidst the shouts and imprecations of the vulgar; but I saw them
+gathering together stones, and bringing out cudgels, which showed me
+that harder arguments were about to be used than words; and as there
+is no knowing where such matters may end, I made haste to take care of
+my own poor innocent skin, and lay myself at your feet, humbly craving
+your protection.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, get out of my way,&quot; said the Count, putting him on one side,
+and moving towards the door. &quot;Louis, we must go and see after this.
+This is some new attack upon us poor Huguenots--some other Jesuitical
+infraction of the privileges assured to us by our good King Henry
+IV. We must quiet the people, however, and see what the offence
+is;--though, God help us,&quot; he added with a sigh, &quot;since the
+parliaments have succumbed there is no legal means left us of
+obtaining redress. Some day or another these bad advisers of our noble
+and magnificent monarch will drive the Protestant part of his people
+into madness, or compel them to raise the standard of revolt against
+him, or to fly to other lands, and seek the exercise of their religion
+unoppressed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush, hush, hush, Morseiul,&quot; said his companion, laying his hand
+kindly on his arm, &quot;your words are hasty. You do not know how small a
+matter constitutes treason now-a-days, or how easy is the passage to
+the Bastille.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! I know--I know quite well,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;and that many a
+faithful and loyal subject, who has served his king and country well,
+has found his way there before me. I love and admire my king. I will
+serve him with my whole soul and the last drop of my blood, and all I
+claim in return is that liberty of my own free thoughts which no man
+can take from me. Chains cannot bind that down; bastilles cannot shut
+it in; and every attempt to crush it is but an effort of tyranny both
+impotent and cruel. However, we must calm the people. Where is my hat,
+knave?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have often wished, my dear Morseiul,&quot; said the Chevalier, as they
+followed the valet, who ran on to get the Count's hat: &quot;I have often
+wished that you would give yourself a little time to think and to
+examine. I am very sure that if you did you would follow the example
+of the greatest man of modern times, abjure your religious errors, and
+gain the high station and renown which you so well deserve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What, do you mean Turenne?&quot; exclaimed the Count. &quot;Never, Louis,
+never! I grant him, Louis, to have been one of the greatest men of
+this, or perhaps of any other age, mighty as a warrior, just,
+clearsighted, kind-hearted, and comprehensive as a politician, and
+perhaps as great in the noble and honest simplicity of his nature as
+in any other point of view. I grant him all and every thing that you
+could say in his favour. I grant every thing that his most
+enthusiastic admirers can assert; but <i>God forbid that we should ever
+imitate the weakness of a great man's life</i>. No, no, Chevalier, it is
+one of the most perverted uses of example to justify wrong because the
+good have been tempted to commit it. No man's example, no man's
+opinion to me is worth any thing, however good or however wise he may
+be, if there be stamped upon its face the broad and unequivocal marks
+of wrong.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">By this time they had reached the vestibule from which a little flight
+of steps conducted into the garden, and Maître Jerome stood there with
+his lord's hat and polished cane in his hand. The Count took them with
+a quick gesture and passed on, followed by his friend, who raised his
+eyebrows a little with a look of regret, as his only answer to the
+last words. These words had been heard by the valet also, and the
+raising of the eyebrows was not unmarked; and Maître Jerome,
+understanding the whole train of the argument, as well as if he had
+heard every syllable, commented upon what he considered his lord's
+imbecility by a shrug of the shoulders, in which his head almost
+utterly disappeared.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the mean time the young Count and his friend passed up the little
+avenue to the postern gate, opened it, and entered the town of
+Morseiul; and then, by a short and narrow street, which was at that
+moment all in shadow, entered the market square, at which they
+arrived, by the shorter path they pursued, long before the officers
+who were about to read the proclamation. A great number of persons
+were collected in the square, and it was evident that by this time the
+whole place was in a state of great excitement. The Chevalier was in
+some fear for the effect of the coming scene upon his friend; and, as
+they entered the market place, he stopped him, laying his hand upon
+his arm, and saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Morseiul, you are a good deal heated, pause for one moment and think
+of what you are about. For the sake of yourself and of your country,
+if not for mine; neither say nor do any thing rashly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count turned towards him with a calm and gentle smile, and grasped
+his hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you, Louis,&quot; he said, &quot;thank you, though your caution, believe
+me, is unnecessary. You will see that I act as calmly and as
+reasonably, that I speak as quietly and as peacefully as the most
+earnest Catholic could desire. Heaven forbid,&quot; he added, &quot;that I
+should say one word, or make one allusion to any thing that could
+farther excite the passions of the people than they are likely to be
+excited already. Civil strife, Louis, is the most awful of all things
+so long as it lasts, and seldom, very seldom if ever obtains the end
+for which it first commenced. But even if I did not think so,&quot; he
+added in a lower voice, &quot;I know that the Protestants of France have no
+power to struggle with the force of the crown, unless--&quot; and his voice
+fell almost to a whisper, &quot;unless the crown force upon them the
+energetic vigour of despair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The two had paused while they thus spoke, and while they heard the
+murmuring sounds of the people coming up the hill from the right hand,
+the noise of several persons running could be distinguished on the
+other side, and turning round towards the postern, the Count saw that,
+thanks to the care and foresight of Maître Jerome, a great number of
+his domestics and attendants were coming up at full speed to join him,
+so that when he again advanced, he was accompanied by ten or twelve
+persons ready to obey without hesitation or difficulty the slightest
+command that he should give. As there was no telling the turn which
+events might take, he was not sorry that it should be so; and as he
+now advanced towards the centre of the square the sight of his
+liveries instantly attracted the attention of the people, and he was
+recognised with joyful exclamations of &quot;The Count! The Count!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Gladness was in every face at his approach, for the minds of the
+populace were in that state of anxious hesitation, in which the
+presence and direction of any one to whom they are accustomed to look
+up is an absolute blessing. Taking off his hat and bowing repeatedly
+to every one around him, speaking to many, and recognising every one
+with whom he was personally acquainted with a frank and good-humoured
+smile, the Count advanced through the people, who gathered upon his
+path as he proceeded, till he reached the top of the hill, and
+obtained a clear view of what was passing below.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Had not one known the painful and angry feelings which were then
+excited, it would have been a pleasant and a cheerful scene. The sun
+had by this time got sufficiently round to the westward to throw long
+shadows from the irregular gable-ended houses more than half way
+across the wide open road that conducted from the valley to the top of
+the hill. The perspective, too, was strongly marked by the lines of
+the buildings; the other side of the road was in bright light; there
+was a beautiful prospect of hill and dale seen out beyond the town;
+numerous booths and stalls, kept by peasant women with bright dresses
+and snowy caps, chequered the whole extent; and up the centre of the
+street, approaching slowly, were the officers of the district, with a
+small party of military, followed on either side by a much more
+considerable number of the lower order of town's people and peasantry.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such was the scene upon which the eyes of the Count de Morseiul fell;
+and it must be admitted, that when he saw the military his heart beat
+with considerable feelings of indignation, for we must remember that
+in towns like that which was under his rule the feudal customs still
+existed to a very great extent. It was still called his town of
+Morseiul. The king, indeed, ruled; the laws of the land were
+administered in the king's name; but the custody, defence, and
+government of the town of Morseiul was absolutely in the hands of the
+Count, or of the persons to whom he delegated his power during his
+absence. It was regularly, in fact, garrisoned in his name; and there
+were many instances, scarcely twenty years before, in which the
+garrisons of such towns had resisted in arms the royal authority; and
+if not held to be fully justified, at all events had passed without
+punishment, because they were acting under the orders of him in whose
+name they were levied. The attempt, therefore, of any body of the
+king's troops to penetrate into the Count's town of Morseiul, without
+his having been formally deprived of the command thereof, seemed to
+him one of the most outrageous violations of his privileges which it
+was possible to imagine; and his heart consequently beat, as we have
+said, with feelings of high indignation. He suppressed them, however,
+with the calm determination of doing what was right; and turned to
+gaze upon the people who surrounded him, in order to ascertain as far
+as possible by what feelings they were affected.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His own attendants had congregated immediately behind him; on his
+right hand stood his friend the Chevalier; on his left, about half a
+step behind, so as to be near the Count, but not to appear obtrusive,
+was a personage of considerable importance in the little town of
+Morseiul, though he exercised a handicraft employment, and worked
+daily with his own hands, even while he directed others. This was Paul
+Virlay, the principal blacksmith of the place. He was at this time a
+man of about fifty years of age, tall, and herculean in all his
+proportions. The small head, the broad muscular chest and shoulders,
+the brawny arms, the immense thick hands, the thin flanks, and the
+stout legs and thighs, all bespoke extraordinary strength. He was very
+dark in complexion, with short-cut curly black hair, grizzled with
+grey; and the features of his face, though short, and by no means
+handsome, had a good and a frank expression, but at all times somewhat
+stern.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the present moment his brow was more contracted than usual; not
+that there was any other particular mark of very strongly excited
+passions upon his countenance; and the attitude he had assumed was one
+of calm and reposing strength, resting with his right hand supported
+by one of the common quarter-staffs of the country, a full inch and a
+half thick, much in the same position which he frequently assumed
+when, pausing in his toil, he talked with his workmen, leaving the
+sledge hammer, that usually descended with such awful strength, to
+support the hand which wielded it at other times like a feather.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Behind him again, was a great multitude of the town's people of
+different classes, though the mayor and the municipal officers had
+thought fit to absent themselves carefully from the scene of probable
+strife. But the eyes of the Count fell, as we have said, upon Paul
+Virlay; and knowing him to be a man both highly respected in his own
+class, and of considerable wealth and importance in the city, he
+addressed him in the first instance, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good morrow, Virlay, it is long since I have seen you all. What is
+all this about?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You don't forget us, Count Albert, even when you are away,&quot; replied
+the blacksmith, with his brow unbending. &quot;We know that very well, and
+have proofs of it too, when any thing good is to be done; but this
+seems to me to be a bad business. We hear that the king has suppressed
+the chamber of the edict, which was our greatest safeguard; and now my
+boy tells me, for I sent him down to see when they first came to the
+bottom of the hill, that this is a proclamation forbidding us from
+holding synods; and be you sure, sir, that the time is not far distant
+when they will try to stop us altogether from worshipping God in our
+own way. What think you, my lord?&quot; he said, in a lower tone, &quot;Were it
+not better to show them at once that they cannot go on?&quot; and his looks
+spoke much more than even his words.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Virlay,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;no, by no means. You see the people
+are in tumult below evidently. Any unadvised and illegal resistance to
+the royal authority will immediately call upon us harsh measures, and
+be made the pretext by any bad advisers who may surround the king for
+irritating his royal mind against us. Let us hear what the
+proclamation really is; even should it be harsh and unjust, which from
+the king's merciful nature we will hope is not the case: let us listen
+to it calmly and peaceably, and after having considered well, and
+taken the advice and opinion of wise and experienced men, let us then
+make what representations to the king we may think fit, and petition
+him in his clemency to do us right.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Clemency!&quot; said the blacksmith. &quot;However, my lord, you know better
+than I, but I hope they will not say any thing to make our blood boil,
+that's all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Even if they should,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;we must prevent it from
+boiling over. Virlay, I rely upon you, as one of the most sensible men
+in the place, not only to restrain yourself, but to aid me in
+restraining others. The king has every right to send his own officers
+to make his will known to his people.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the dragoons,&quot; said Virlay, fixing his eyes upon the soldiers;
+&quot;what business have they here? Why they might, Count Albert----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count stopped him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They are yet without the real bounds of the town, Virlay,&quot; he said;
+&quot;and they do not enter into it! Send some one you can trust for the
+mayor with all speed; unhook the gates from the bars that keep them
+back; place a couple of men behind each; I will prevent the military
+from entering into the town: but I trust to you, and the other men of
+good sense who surround me, to guard the king's officers and the
+king's authority from any insult, and to suffer the proclamation of
+his will to take place in the market-place without any opposition or
+tumult whatsoever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will do my best, Count,&quot; replied the blacksmith, &quot;for I am sure you
+are a true friend to us--and we may well trust in you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The crowd from below had in the meantime advanced steadily up the
+hill, surrounding the officers of the crown and the soldiery; and by
+this time the whole mass was within a hundred and fifty yards of the
+spot where the Count and his companions stood. Their progress had been
+without violence, indeed, but not without hootings and outcry, which
+seemed greatly to annoy the officer in command of the soldiers, he
+having been accustomed alone to the court of the grand monarch, and to
+the scenes in the neighbourhood of the capital, where the people might
+well be said to lick the dust beneath the feet of their pageant-loving
+king. It seemed, then, something so strange and monstrous to his ears,
+that any expression of the royal will should be received otherwise
+than with the most deep and devoted submission, that he was more than
+once tempted to turn and charge the multitude. A prudent
+consideration, however, of the numbers by which he was surrounded, and
+the scantiness of his own band, overcame all such purposes; and,
+though foaming with indignation, he continued to advance, without
+noticing the shouts that assailed him, and playing with the manifold
+ribands and pieces of silk that decorated his buff coat and his sword
+knot, to conceal his vexation and annoyance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who have we here at the head of them?&quot; demanded the Count, turning to
+the Chevalier. &quot;His face is not unknown to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As far as I can see,&quot; replied his companion, &quot;it is young Hericourt,
+a nephew of Le Tellier's--do you not remember? as brave as a lion,
+but moreover a young coxcomb, who thinks that he can do every thing,
+and that nothing can be done without him; as stupid as an owl too.
+I wonder you do not recollect his getting great credit for
+taking the little fort of the <i>bec de l'oie</i> by a sheer act of
+stupidity,--getting himself and his party entangled between the two
+forts, and while Lamets was advancing to extricate him, forcing his
+way in, from not knowing what else to do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I remember, I remember,&quot; said the Count, with a smile; &quot;he was well
+rewarded for his fortunate mistake. But what does he here, I wonder? I
+thought he never quitted the precincts of Versailles, but to follow
+the King to the camp.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is the worst person who could have been sent upon this errand,&quot;
+replied the Chevalier; &quot;for he is certain to make mischief wherever he
+goes. He has attached himself much to the Rouvrés, however, of late,
+and I suppose Le Tellier has given him some post about the new
+governor, in order that his rule may not be the most tranquil in the
+world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While they were speaking, the eyes of the people who were coming up
+the hill fell upon the group that had assembled just in front of the
+gates, with the Count, his friend, and his servants, in the
+foreground; and immediately a loud shout made itself heard, of &quot;The
+Count! the Count! Long live the Count!&quot; followed by various other
+exclamations, such as &quot;He will protect us! He will see justice done
+us! Long live our own good Count!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">I The moment that the Count's name was thus loudly pronounced, the
+young officer, turning to those who followed, gave some orders in a
+low voice, and then, spurring on his horse through the crowd, rode
+directly up to the Count de Morseiul; who, as he saw him approaching,
+turned to the Chevalier, saying, &quot;You bear witness, Louis, that I deal
+with this matter as moderately and loyally as may be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I trust, for the sake of all,&quot; said the Chevalier, &quot;that you will.
+You know, Albert, that I do not care two straws for one religion more
+than the other; and think that a man can serve God singing the psalms
+of Clement Marot as well, or perhaps better, than if he sung them in
+Latin, without, perhaps, understanding them. But for Heaven's sake
+keep peace in the inside of the country at all events. But here comes
+our young dragoon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he spoke, the young officer rode up with a good deal of irritation
+evident in his countenance. He seemed to be three or four and twenty
+years of age, of a complexion extremely fair, and with a countenance
+sufficiently unmeaning, though all the features were good. He bowed
+familiarly to the Chevalier, and more distantly to the Count de
+Morseuil; but addressed himself at once to the latter:--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have the honour,&quot; he said, &quot;I presume, of speaking to the Count de
+Morseuil, and I must say that I hope he will give me his aid in
+causing proclamation of the king's will amongst these mutinous and
+rebellious people of his town of Morseuil.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My friend the Chevalier here tells me,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;that I
+have the honour of seeing Monsieur de Hericourt----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Marquis Auguste de Hericourt,&quot; interrupted the young officer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, sir, well,&quot; said the Count, somewhat impatiently, &quot;I stand
+corrected: the Marquis Auguste de Hericourt, and I am very happy to
+have the honour of seeing him, and also to inform him that I will
+myself ensure that the king's will is, as he says, proclaimed in my
+town of Morseiul by the proper officers, taking care to accompany them
+into the town myself for that purpose, although I cannot but defend my
+poor townsmen from the accusation of being mutinous and rebellious
+subjects, nothing being further from the thoughts of any one here
+present than mutiny or rebellion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you not hear the cries and shouts?&quot; cried the young officer. &quot;Do
+you not see the threatening aspect of the people?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hear some shouts, certainly,&quot; answered the Count, &quot;as if something
+had given offence or displeasure; but what it is I do not know. I
+trust and hope that it is nothing in any proclamation of the king's;
+and if I should find it to be so, when I hear the proclamation read, I
+shall take every means to put an end to such demonstrations of
+disappointment or grief, at once. We have always the means of
+approaching the royal ear, and I feel sure that there will be no
+occasion for clamour or outcry in order to obtain justice at the hands
+of our most gracious and wise monarch.--But allow me to observe,
+Monsieur le Marquis,&quot; he continued somewhat more quickly, &quot;your
+dragoons are approaching rather too near the gates of Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You do not intend, I presume, sir,&quot; said the young officer sharply,
+&quot;to refuse an entrance to the officers of the King, charged with a
+proclamation from his Majesty!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not to the King's proper civil officers,&quot; replied the Count, keeping
+his eye, while he spoke, warily fixed upon the dragoons. &quot;But, most
+assuredly, I do intend to refuse admittance to any body of military
+whatsoever, great or small, while I retain the post with which his
+Majesty has entrusted me of governor to this place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a pause for a single instant, and the young officer turned
+his head, without replying, towards the soldiers, on whom the Count's
+eye also was still fixed. There was something, however, suspicious in
+their movements. They had now reached the brow of the hill, and were
+within twenty yards of the gate. They formed into a double file as
+they came up in front of the civil officers, and the head man of each
+file was seen passing a word to those behind him. At the moment their
+officer turned his head towards them, they began to move forward in
+quicker time, and in a moment more would have passed the gates;
+but at that instant the clear full voice of the Count de Morseiul was
+heard exclaiming, in a tone that rose above all the rest of the
+sounds--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Close the gates!&quot; and the two ponderous masses of wood, which had not
+been shut for many years, swung forward grating on their hinges, and
+at once barred all entrance into the town.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is the meaning of this, Monsieur de Hericourt?&quot; continued the
+Count. &quot;Your men deserve a severe reprimand, sir, for attempting to
+enter the town without my permission or your orders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young man turned very red, but he was not ready with a reply, and
+the Chevalier, willing as far as possible to prevent any unpleasant
+consequences, and yet not to lose a jest, exclaimed--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I suppose the Marquis took it for the bec de l'oie, but he is
+mistaken, you see.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He might have found it a trap for a goose, if not a goose's bill,&quot;
+said a loud voice from behind; but the Marquis either did not or would
+not hear any thing but the pleasant part of the allusion, and, bowing
+to the Chevalier with a smile, he said, &quot;Oh, you are too good,
+Monsieur le Chevalier, the affair you mention was but a trifle, far
+more owing to the courage of my men than to any skill on my part. But,
+in the present instance, I must say, Count,&quot; he added, turning towards
+the other, &quot;that the king's officers must be admitted to make
+proclamations in the town of Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The king's civil officers shall, sir,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;as I
+informed you before: but no soldiers, on any pretence whatsoever.
+However, sir,&quot; he continued, seeing the young officer mustering up a
+superabundant degree of energy, &quot;I think it will be much the best plan
+for you to do me the honour of reposing yourself, with any two or
+three of your attendants you may think fit, at my poor château here,
+without the walls, while your troopers can refresh themselves at the
+little auberge at the foot of the hill. My friend, the Chevalier here,
+will do the honours of my house till I return, and I will accompany
+the officers charged with the proclamation, and see that they meet
+with no obstruction in the fulfilment of their duty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not know that I am justified,&quot; said the young officer,
+hesitating, &quot;in not insisting upon seeing the proclamation made
+myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am afraid there will be no use of insisting,&quot; replied the Count;
+&quot;and depend upon it, sir, you will serve the king better by suffering
+the proclamation to be made quietly, than even by risking a
+disturbance by protracting, unnecessarily, an irritating discussion. I
+wish to treat you with all respect, and with the distinction due to
+your high merit. Farther, I have nothing to say, but that I am
+governor of Morseiul, and as such undertake to see the king's
+proclamation duly made within the walls.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The hesitation of the young dragoon was only increased by the cool and
+determined tone of the Count. Murmurs were rising amongst the people
+round, and the voice of Paul Virlay was heard muttering,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He had better decide quickly, or we shall not be able to keep the
+good men quiet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Marquis heard the words, and instantly began to bristle up, to fix
+himself more firmly in the saddle, and put his hand towards the hilt
+of his sword; but the Chevalier advanced close to his side, and spoke
+to him for a moment or two in a low voice. Nothing was heard of their
+conversation, even by the Count de Morseiul
+, but the words &quot;good
+wine--pleasant evening--laugh over the whole affair.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But at length the young courtier bowed his head to the Count, saying,
+&quot;Well then, sir, I repose the trust in you, knowing you to be a man of
+such high honour, that you would not undertake what you could not
+perform, nor fail to execute punctually that which you had undertaken.
+I will do myself the honour of waiting your return with the Chevalier,
+at your château.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After some further words of civility on both parts, the young officer
+dismounted and threw his rein to a page, and then formally placing the
+civil officers under the care and protection of the Count de Morseiul,
+he gave orders to his dragoons to bend their steps down the hill, and
+refresh themselves at the auberge below; while he, bowing again to the
+Count, took his way with the Chevalier and a single attendant along
+the esplanade which led to the gates of the château without the walls.
+The civil officers, who had certainly been somewhat maltreated as they
+came up the hill, seemed not a little unwilling to see the dragoons
+depart, and a loud shout, mingled of triumph and scorn, with which the
+people treated the soldiers as they turned to march down the hill,
+certainly did not at all tend to comfort or re-assure the poor
+huissiers, greffiers, and other officers. The shout caused the young
+marquis, who had proceeded twenty or thirty steps upon his way, to
+stop short, and turn round, imagining that some new collision had
+taken place between the town's people and the rest; but seeing that
+all was quiet he walked on again the moment after, and the Count,
+causing the civil officers to be surrounded by his own attendants,
+ordered the wicket to be opened, and led the way in, calling to Virlay
+to accompany him, and urging upon him the necessity of preserving
+peace and order, let the nature of the proclamation be what it might.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have given you my promise, Count,&quot; replied the blacksmith, &quot;to do
+my best, and I won't fail; but I won't answer for myself or others on
+any other occasion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are only speaking of the present,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;for other
+occasions other measures, as the case may be: but at present every
+thing requires us to submit without any opposition.--Where can this
+cowardly mayor be,&quot; he said, &quot;that he does not choose to show himself
+in a matter like this? But the proclamation must be made without him,
+if he do not appear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They had by this time advanced into the midst of the great square, and
+the Count signified to the officer charged with the proclamation, that
+it had better be made at once: but for some moments what he suggested
+could not be accomplished from the pressure of the people, the crowd
+amounting by this time to many hundred persons. The Count, his
+attendants, and Virlay, however, contrived, with some difficulty, to
+clear a little space around, the first by entreaties and
+expostulations, and the blacksmith by sundry thrusts of his strong
+quarterstaff and menaces, with an arm which few of those there present
+seemed inclined to encounter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count then took off his hat, and the officer began to read the
+proclamation, which was long and wordy; but which, like many another
+act of the crown then taking place from day to day, had a direct
+tendency to deprive the protestants of France of the privileges which
+had been secured to them by Henry IV. Amongst other galling and unjust
+decrees here announced to the people was one which--after stating that
+many persons of the religion affecting the title of <i>reformed</i>, being
+ill-disposed towards the king's government, were selling their landed
+property with the view of emigrating to other lands--went on to
+declare and to give warning to all purchasers, that if heretical
+persons effecting such sales did quit the country within one year
+after having sold their property, the whole would be considered as
+confiscated to the state, and that purchasers would receive no
+indemnity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When this part of the proclamation was read, the eyes of the sturdy
+blacksmith turned upon the Count, who, by a gesture of the hand,
+endeavoured to suppress all signs of disapprobation amongst the
+multitude. It was in vain, however; for a loud shout of indignation
+burst forth from them, which was followed by another, when the
+proclamation went on to declare, that the mayors of towns, professing
+the protestant faith, should be deprived of the rank of nobles, which
+had been formerly granted to them. The proclamation then proceeded
+with various other notices of the same kind, and the indignation of
+the people was loud and unrestrained. The presence of the Count,
+however, and the exertions of Virlay, and several influential people,
+who were opposed to a rash collision with the authority of the king,
+prevented any act of violence from being committed, and when the whole
+ceremony was complete, the officers were led back to the gates by the
+Count, who gave orders that they should be conducted in safety beyond
+the precincts of the place by his own attendants.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After returning into the great square, and holding a momentary
+conversation with some of the principal persons present, he returned
+by the postern to his own abode, where he found his friend and the
+young officer, apparently forgetting altogether the unpleasant events
+of the morning, and laughing and talking gaily over indifferent
+subjects.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have the pleasure of informing you, Monsieur de Hericourt,&quot; said
+the Count when he appeared, &quot;that the proclamation has been made
+without interruption, and that the king's officers have been conducted
+out of the town in safety. We have therefore nothing more of an
+unpleasant kind to discuss, and I trust that you will take some
+refreshment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Wine, and various sorts of meats, which were considered as delicacies
+in those days, were brought and set before the young courtier, who did
+justice to all, declaring that he had never in his life tasted any
+thing more exquisite than the produce of the Count's cellars. He even
+ventured to praise the dishes, though he insinuated, much to the
+indignation of the cook, to whom it was repeated by an attendant, that
+there was a shade too much of taragon in one of the ragouts, and that
+if a matelotte had been five minutes more cooked, the fish would have
+been tenderer, and the flavour more decided. The Count smiled, and
+apologised for the error, reminding him, that the poor rustics in the
+country could not boast the skill and delicacy, or even perhaps the
+nicety of natural taste of the artists of the capital. He then turned
+the conversation to matters of some greater importance, and inquired
+when they were to expect the presence of the Duc de Rouvré in the
+province.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young Marquis opened his eyes at the question, as if he looked
+upon it as a sign of the most utter and perfect ignorance and
+rusticity that could be conceived.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it possible, Monsieur le Comte,&quot; he said, &quot;that you, so high in
+the service of the king, and so highly esteemed, as I may add, at
+court, are not aware that the duke arrived at Poitiers nearly five
+days ago? I had the honour of accompanying him thither, and he has
+himself been within the last three days as near as seven leagues to
+the very place where we are now sitting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must remember, my good sir,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;as some excuse
+for my ignorance, that I received his Majesty's gracious permission to
+return hither upon some important affairs direct from the army,
+without visiting the court, and that I only arrived late last night.
+Pray, when you return to Monsieur de Rouvré, present my compliments to
+him, and tell him that I shall do myself the honour of waiting upon
+him, to congratulate him and the Duchess upon their safe arrival in
+the province, without any delay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Wait till they are fully established at Poitiers,&quot; replied the young
+officer. &quot;They are now upon a little tour through the province, not
+choosing to stay at Poitiers yet,&quot; he added, sinking his voice into a
+low and confidential tone, &quot;because their household is not in complete
+order. None of the new liveries are made; the guard of the governor is
+not yet organised; two cooks and three servers have not arrived from
+Paris. Nothing is in order, in short. In a week, I trust, we shall be
+more complete, and then indeed I do not think that the household of
+any governor in the kingdom will exceed in taste, if not in splendour,
+that of the Duc de Rouvré.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Which is, I presume,&quot; said the Chevalier, &quot;under the direction and
+superintendence of the refined and celebrated good taste of the
+Marquis Auguste de Hericourt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, to say the truth,&quot; replied the young nobleman, &quot;my excellent
+friend De Rouvré has some confidence in my judgment of such things: I
+may say, indeed, has implicit faith therein, as he has given all that
+department over to me for the time, beseeching me to undertake it, and
+of course I cannot disappoint him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course not! of course not!&quot; replied the Chevalier, and in such
+conversation passed on some time, the worthy Marquis de Hericourt,
+swallowed up in himself, not at all perceiving a certain degree of
+impatience in the Count de Morseiul, which might have afforded any
+other man a hint to take his departure. He lingered over his wine; he
+lingered over his dessert; he perambulated the gardens; he criticised
+the various arrangements of the château with that minute attention to
+nothings, which is the most insufferable of all things when obtruded
+upon a mind bent upon matters of deep importance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was thus fully five o'clock in the afternoon before he took his
+departure, and the Count forced himself to perform every act of
+civility by him to the last moment. As soon as he was gone, however,
+the young nobleman turned quickly to his friend, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought that contemptible piece of emptiness would never depart,
+and of course, Louis, after what has taken place this morning, it is
+absolutely necessary for me to consult with some of my friends of the
+same creed as myself. I will not in any degree involve you in these
+matters, as the very fact of your knowing any of our proceedings might
+hereafter be detrimental to you; and I only make this excuse because I
+owe it to the long friendship between us not to withhold any part of
+my confidence from you, except out of consideration for yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Act as you think fit, my dear Albert,&quot; replied his friend; &quot;but only
+act with moderation. If you want my advice on any occasion, ask it,
+without minding whether you compromise me or not; I'm quite sure that
+I am much too bad a Catholic to sacrifice my friend's secrets either
+to Pellisson, La Chaise, or Le Tellier. If I am not mistaken, the
+devil himself will make the fourth at their card-table some day, and
+perhaps Louvois will stand by and bet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! I entertain no fear of your betraying me,&quot; answered the Count
+with a smile; &quot;but I should entertain great fear of embroiling you
+with the court.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only take care not to embroil yourself,&quot; replied the Chevalier. &quot;I am
+sure I wish there were no such thing as sects in the world. If you
+could but take a glance at the state of England, which is split into
+more sects than it contains cities, I am sure you would be of
+Turenne's opinion, and come into the bosom of the mother church, if it
+were but for the sake of getting rid of such confusion. Nay, shake not
+your wise head. If the truth be told, you are a Protestant because you
+were bred so in your youth; and one half of the world has no other
+motive either for its religion or its politics. But get thee gone,
+Albert, get thee gone. Consult with your wise friends, and come back
+more Huguenotised than ever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count would have made some further apologies for leaving him, but
+his friend would not hear them, and sending for his horse, Albert of
+Morseiul took his departure from his château, forbidding any of his
+attendants to follow him.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_03" href="#div1Ref_03">THE PASTOR.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count's orders were given so distinctly for no one to accompany
+him on his way, that none of his domestics presumed even to gaze after
+him from the gate, or to mark the path he took. As he wished to call
+no attention, he kept under the walls of the town, riding slowly along
+over the green till he came to the zigzag path which we have before
+mentioned as being now almost entirely disused. He had cast a large
+cloak around him, of that kind which at an after period degenerated
+into what was called a roquelaure, and his person was thus
+sufficiently concealed to prevent him from being recognised by any
+body at a distance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the foot of the zigzag which he now descended he chose a path which
+led along the bank of the river for some way to the right, and then
+entered into a beautiful wooded lane between high banks. The sun was
+shining full over the world, but with a tempered and gentle light from
+the point of its declination at which it had arrived. The rays,
+however, did not in general reach the road, except where the bank
+sloped away; and then pouring through the green leaves and branches of
+the wild briar the honeysuckle and the hazel, it streamed upon the
+miniature cliffs of yellow sand on the opposite side, and chequered
+the uneven path which the young Count was pursuing. The birds had as
+yet lost little of their full song, and the deep round tones of
+the blackbird bidding the golden day adieu as he saw the great
+light-bearer descending in the heaven, poured forth from beneath the
+holly bushes, with a melancholy and a moralising sound, speaking to
+the heart of man with the grand philosophic voice of nature, and
+counselling peace and affection, and meditation on the bounties of
+God.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It is impossible to ride through such scenes at such an hour on the
+evening of bright summer days without feeling the calm and elevating
+influence of all things, whether mute or tuneful, taught by almighty
+beneficence to celebrate either by aspect or by song the close of
+another day's being and enjoyment. The effect upon the heart of the
+Count de Morseiul was full and deep. He had been riding slowly before,
+but after passing through the lane for about a minute, he gently drew
+in the bridle upon his horse till the beast went slower still, then
+laid the rein quietly upon his neck, and gave himself up to
+meditation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The chief theme in his mind at that moment was certainly the state and
+prospects of himself and his fellow Protestants: and perhaps--even in
+experiencing all the beauty and the peacefulness of the scene through
+which he wandered, the calm tone of enjoyment in every thing around,
+the voice of tranquillity that spoke in every sound--his feelings
+towards those who unnecessarily disturbed the contented existence of
+an industrious and happy race, might become bitterer, and his
+indignation grow more deep and stern, though more melancholy and
+tranquil. What had the Huguenots done, he asked himself, for
+persecution to seek them out there in the midst of their calm and
+pleasant dwellings--to fill them with fiery passions that they knew
+not of before--to drive them to acts which they as well as their
+enemies might bitterly repent at an after period--and to mar scenes
+which seemed destined for the purest and happiest enjoyment that the
+nature of man and its harmony with the other works of God can produce,
+by anxiety, care, strife, and perhaps with bloodshed?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What had the Huguenots done? he asked himself. Had they not served
+their king as loyally, as valiantly, as readily in the battle field,
+and upon the wide ocean, as the most zealous Catholic amongst them
+all? Had not the most splendid victories which his arms had obtained
+by land been won for him by Huguenot generals? Was not even then a
+Huguenot seaman carrying the thunders of his navy into the ports of
+Spain? Were the Huguenots less loyal subjects, less industrious
+mechanics, less estimable as citizens, than any other of the natives
+of the land? Far from it. The contrary was known to be the fact--the
+decided contrary. They were more peaceable, they were more tranquil,
+they were more industrious, they were more ready to contribute either
+their blood or their treasure to the service of the state than the
+great mass of the Catholic population; and yet tormenting exactions,
+insults, cavillings, inquiries, and investigations, all tending to
+irritate and to enrage, were going on day by day, and were clearly to
+be followed soon by the persecuting sword itself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On such themes he paused and thought as he went on, and the first
+effect produced upon his mind was of course painful and gloomy. As the
+sweetest music sounding at the same time with inharmonious notes can
+but produce harsh dissonance, so the brightest scenes to a mind filled
+with painful thoughts seems but to deepen their sadness. Still,
+however, after a time, the objects around him, and their bright
+tranquillity, had their effect upon the heart of the Count; his
+feelings grew calmer, and the magic power of association came to lay
+out a road whereby fancy might lead his thoughts to gentler themes.
+The path that he was pursuing led him at length to the spot where the
+little adventure had occurred which he had related in the course of
+the morning to his friend. He never passed by that spot without giving
+a thought to the fair girl he had there met; but now he dwelt upon the
+recollection longer than he otherwise might have done, in consequence
+of having spoken of her and of their meeting that very day. He smiled
+as he thought of the whole, for there was nothing like pain of any
+kind mingled with the remembrance. It was merely a fanciful dream he
+had cherished, half amused at himself for the little romance he had
+got up in his own mind, half employing the romance itself as a check
+upon the very imagination that had framed it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She was certainly very lovely,&quot; he thought as he rode on, &quot;and her
+voice was certainly very sweet; and unless nature, as is but too often
+the case, had in her instance become accomplice to a falsehood, that
+form, that face, that voice, must have betokened a bright spirit and a
+noble heart. Alas! why is it,&quot; he went on to ask himself, &quot;why is it
+that the countenance, if we read it aright, should not be the correct
+interpreter of the heart? Doubtless such was at first God's will, and
+the serpent taught us, though we could not conceal our hearts from the
+Almighty, to falsify the stamp he had fixed upon them for our fellow
+men. And yet it is strange--however much we may have gained from
+experience, however painfully we may learn that man's heart is written
+in his actions, not in his face--it is strange we ever judge more or
+less by the same deceitful countenance, and guess by its expressions,
+if not by its features, though we might as well judge of what is at
+the bottom of a deep stream by the waves that agitate its surface.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In such fanciful dreams he went on, often turning again to the fair
+vision that he had there seen, sometimes wondering who she could have
+been, and sometimes deciding and deciding the question wrongly in his
+own mind, but never suffering the wild expectation which he had once
+nourished of meeting her again to cross his mind--for he had found
+that to indulge it rendered him uneasy, and unfit for more real
+pursuits.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At length, the lane winding out upon some hills where the short dry
+turf betokened a rocky soil below, took its way through a country of a
+less pleasing aspect. Here the Count de Morseiul put his horse into a
+quicker pace, and after descending into another low valley full of
+streams and long luxuriant grass, he climbed slowly a high hill,
+surmounted by a towering spire. The village to which the spire
+belonged was very small, and consisted entirely of the low houses of
+an agricultural population. They were neat, clean, and cheerful
+however in aspect, and there was an attention to niceness of exterior
+visible every where, not very frequently found amongst the lower
+classes of any country.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was scarcely any one in the street, as the Count passed, except,
+indeed, a few children enjoying their evening sport, and taking the
+day's last hour of happy life, before the setting sun brought the
+temporary extinction of their bright activity. There was also at the
+end of the town a good old dame sitting at a cottage door and spinning
+in the tempered sunshine of the evening, while her grey cat rolled
+happy in the dust beside her; but the whole of the rest of the
+villagers were still in the fields.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count rode on, giving the dame &quot;good even&quot; as he passed; and,
+leaving what seemed the last house of the village behind him, he took
+his way along a road shadowed by tall walnut trees growing upon the
+edge of a hill, which towered up in high and broken banks on the left,
+and sloped away upon the right, displaying the whole track of country
+through which the young nobleman had just passed, bright in the
+evening light below, with his own town and castle rising up a fellow
+hill to that on which he now stood, at the distance of some seven or
+eight miles.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he turned one sharp angle of the hill, however, he suddenly drew in
+his rein on seeing a carriage before him. It was stationary, however,
+and the two boorish looking servants, dressed in grey, who accompanied
+it, were standing at the edge of the hill, gazing over the country, as
+if the scene were new to them; while the horses, which the coachman
+had left to their own discretion, were stamping in a state of listless
+dozing, to keep off the flies which the season rendered troublesome.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was evident that the carriage was held in waiting for some one, and
+the Count, after pausing for a single instant, rode on, looking in as
+he passed it. There was no one, however, within the wide and clumsy
+vehicle, and the servants, though they stared at the young stranger,
+took no notice, and made no sign of reverence as he went by them; with
+which, indeed, he was well satisfied, not desiring to be recognised by
+any one who might noise his proceedings abroad.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He rode on then with somewhat of a quicker pace, to a spot where, at
+the side of the road, a little wicket gale led into a small grove of
+old trees, through which a path conducted to a neat stone-built house,
+of small size, with its garden around it: flowers on the one hand, and
+pot-herbs on the other. Nothing could present an aspect cleaner,
+neater, more tasteful than the house and the garden. Not a straw was
+out of its place in the thatch, and every flower-bed of the little
+parterre was trimmed exactly with the same scrupulous care. The door
+was of wood, painted grey, with a rope and handle by the side, to
+which was attached a large bell, but, though at almost all times that
+door stood open, it was closed on the present occasion. The young
+Count took his way through the grove and the garden straight to the
+door, as if familiar with the path of old, leaving his horse, however,
+under the trees, not far from the outer gate. On finding the door
+closed, he pulled the handle of the bell, though somewhat gently; but,
+for a moment or two, no one replied, and he rang again, on which
+second summons a maid servant, of some forty or fifty years, appeared,
+bearing on her head a towering structure of white linen, in the shape
+of a cap, not unlike in shape and snowy whiteness the uncovered peak
+of some mountain ridge in the Alps.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On her appearance she uttered an exclamation of pleasure at the sight
+of the young Count, whom she instantly recognised; and, on his asking
+for her master, she replied, that he was busy in conference with two
+ladies, but that she was sure that the Count de Morseiul might go in
+at any time. She pointed onward with her hand, as she spoke, down the
+clean nicely-sanded passage to the door of a small room at the back of
+the house, looking over the prospect which we have mentioned. It was
+evidently the good woman's intention that the Count should go in and
+announce himself; but he did not choose to do so, and sent her forward
+to ask if he might be admitted. A full clear round voice instantly
+answered from within, on her application, &quot;Certainly, certainly,&quot; and,
+taking that as his warrant, the Count advanced into the room at once.
+He found it tenanted by three people, on only one of whom, however, we
+shall pause, as the other two, consisting of a lady, dressed in a sort
+of half mourning, with a thick veil which she had drawn over her face
+before the Count entered, and another who was apparently a female
+servant of a superior class, instantly quitted the room, merely saying
+to their companion,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not forget.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The third was a man of sixty-two or sixty-three years of age, dressed
+in black, without sword or any ornament to his plain straight cut
+clothes. His head was bare, though a small black velvet cap lay on the
+table beside him, and his white hair, which was suffered to grow very
+long at the back and on the temples, fell down his neck, and met the
+plain white collar of his shirt, which was turned back upon his
+shoulders. The top of his head was bald, rising up from a fine wide
+forehead, with all those characteristic marks of expansion and
+elevation which we are generally inclined to associate in our own
+minds with the idea of powerful intellect and noble feelings. The
+countenance, too, was fine, the features straight, clear, and
+well-defined, though the eyes, which had been originally fine and
+large, were somewhat hollowed by age, and the cheeks, sunken also,
+left the bones beneath the eyes rather too prominent. The chin was
+rounded and fine, and the teeth white and undecayed; but, in other
+respects, the marks of age were very visible. There were lines and
+furrows about the brow; and, on the cheeks; and, between the eyebrows,
+there was a deep dent, which might give, in some degree, an air of
+sternness, but seemed still more the effect of intense thought, and
+perhaps of anxious care.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The form of the old man bore evident traces of the powerful and
+vigorous mould in which it had been originally cast; the shoulders
+were broad, the chest deep, the arms long and sinewy, the hands large
+and muscular. The complexion had been originally brown, and perhaps at
+one time florid; but now it was pale, without a trace of colour any
+where but in the lips, which for a man of that age were remarkably
+full and red. The eye, the light of the soul, was still bright and
+sparkling. It gave no evidence of decay, varying frequently in
+expression from keen and eager rapidity of thought, and from the rapid
+changes of feeling in a heart still full of strong emotions.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such--though the picture is but a faint one--such was the appearance
+of Claude de l'Estang, Huguenot minister of the small village of
+Auron, at equal distances from Ruffigny and Morseiul. He had played,
+in his youth, a conspicuous part in defence of the Huguenot cause; he
+had been a soldier as well as a preacher, and the sword and musket had
+been familiar to his hands, so long as the religion of his fathers was
+assailed by open persecution. No sooner, however, did those times seem
+to have passed away, than, casting from him the weapons of carnal
+warfare, he resumed the exercise of the profession to which he had
+been originally destined, and became, for the time, one of the most
+popular preachers in the south of France.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though his life was irreproachable, his manners pure, and his talents
+high, Claude de l'Estang had not been without his portion of the
+faults and failings of humanity. He had been ambitious in his
+particular manner; he had been vain; he had loved the admiration and
+applause of the multitude; he had coveted the fame of eloquence, and
+the reputation of superior sanctity; youth, and youth's eagerness,
+joined with the energy inseparable from high genius, had carried his
+natural errors to an extreme: but long before the period of which we
+now speak, years, and still more sorrows, had worked a great and
+beneficial, but painful alteration. His first disappointment was the
+disappointment of the brightest hopes of youth, complicated with all
+that could aggravate the crossing of early love; for there was joined
+unto it the blasting of all bright confidence in woman's sincerity,
+and the destruction of that trust in the eternal happiness of one whom
+he could never cease to love which was more painful to the mind of a
+sincere and enthusiastic follower of his own particular creed than the
+loss of all his other hopes together. He had loved early, and loved
+above his station; and encouraged by hope, and by the smiles of one
+who fancied that she loved in return, his ambition had been stimulated
+by passion, till all the great energies of his mind were called forth
+to raise himself to the highest celebrity. When he had attained all,
+however, when he saw multitudes flock to hear his voice, and thousands
+hanging upon the words of his lips as upon oracles, even then, at the
+moment when he thought every thing must yield to him, he had seen an
+unexpected degree of coldness come upon her he loved, and apparent
+reluctance to fulfil the promises which had been given when his estate
+was lowlier. Some slight opposition on the part of noble and wealthy
+parents--opposition that would have yielded to entreaties less than
+urgent, was assigned as the cause of the hesitation which wrung his
+heart. The very duties which he himself had inculcated, and which, had
+there been real love at heart, would have found a very different
+interpretation, were now urged in opposition to his wishes; and,
+mortified and pained, Claude de l'Estang watched anxiously for the
+ultimate result. We need not pause upon all the steps; the end was,
+that he saw her, to whom he had devoted every affection of a warm and
+energetic heart, break her engagements to him, wed an enemy of her
+father's creed, renounce the religion in which she had been brought
+up, and after some years of ephemeral glitter in a corrupt court,
+become faithless to the husband for whom she had become faithless to
+her religion, and end her days, in bitterness, in a convent, where her
+faith was suspected, and her real sins daily reproved.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the meanwhile, Claude de l'Estang had wrestled with his own nature.
+He had refrained from showing mortification, or grief, or despair; he
+had kept the serpent within his own bosom, and fed him upon his own
+heart: he had abandoned not his pulpit; he had neglected, in no
+degree, his flock; he had publicly held up as a warning to others the
+dereliction of her whom he most loved, as one who had gone out from
+amongst them because she was not of them; he had become sterner,
+indeed more severe, in his doctrines as well as in his manners, and
+this first sorrow had a tendency rather to harden than to soften his
+heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The next thing, however, which he had to undergo, was the punishment
+of that harshness. A youth of a gentle but eager disposition, who had
+been his own loved companion and friend, whom he still esteemed highly
+for a thousand good and engaging qualities, was betrayed into an
+error, on the circumstances of which we will not pause. Suffice it to
+say that it proceeded from strong passion and circumstances of
+temptation, and that for it he was eager and willing to make
+atonement. He was one of the congregation of Claude de l'Estang,
+however, and the minister showed himself the more determined, on
+account of the friendship that existed between them, not to suffer the
+fault to pass without the humiliation of public penitence; and he
+exacted all, to the utmost tittle, that a harsh church, in its
+extremest laws, could demand, ere it received a sinner back into its
+bosom again. The young man submitted, feeling deep repentance, and
+believing his own powers of endurance to be greater than they were.
+But the effect was awful. From the church door, when he had performed
+the act demanded of him, fancying that the finger of scorn would be
+pointed at him for ever, he fled to his own home with reason cast
+headlong from her throne. Ere two hours were over he had died by his
+own hand; scrawling with his blood, as it flowed from him, a brief
+epistle to his former friend to tell him that the act was his.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That awful day, and those few lines, not only filled the bosom of the
+minister with remorse and grief, but it opened his eyes to every thing
+that had been dark in his own bosom. It showed him that he had made a
+vanity of dealing with his friend more severely than he would have
+done with others; that it was for his own reputation's sake that he
+had thus acted; that there was pride in the severe austerity of his
+life; that there was something like hypocrisy in the calm exterior
+with which he had covered over a broken heart. He felt that he had
+mighty enemies to combat in himself; and, as his heart was originally
+pure and upright, his energies great, and his power over himself
+immense, he determined that he would at once commence the war, and
+never end it till--to use his own words--&quot;he had subdued every strong
+hold of the evil spirit in his breast, and expelled the enemy of his
+eternal Master for ever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He succeeded in his undertaking: his very first act was to resign to
+others the cure of his congregation in Rochelle; the next to apply for
+and obtain the cure of the little Protestant congregation, in the
+remote village of Auron. Every argument was brought forward to induce
+him to stay in La Rochelle, but every argument proved inefficacious.
+The vanity of popularity he fancied might be a snare to him, and he
+refused all entreaties. When he came amongst the good villagers, he
+altered the whole tone and character of his preaching. It became
+simple, calm, unadorned, suited in every respect to the capacity of
+the lowest person that heard him. All the fire of his eloquence was
+confined to urging upon his hearers their duties, in the tone of one
+whose whole soul and expectations were staked upon their salvation. He
+became mild and gentle, too, though firm when it was needful; and the
+reputation which he had formerly coveted still followed him when he
+sought to cast it off. No synod of the Protestant clergy took place
+without the opinion of Claude de l'Estang being cited almost without
+appeal; and whenever advice, or consolation, or support was wanting,
+men would travel for miles to seek it at the humble dwelling of the
+village pastor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His celebrity, joined with his mildness, gained great immunities for
+himself and his flock, during the early part of the reign of Louis
+XIV. At first, indeed, when he took upon himself the charge of Auron,
+the Catholic authorities of the neighbouring towns, holding in
+remembrance his former character, imagined that he had come there to
+make proselytes, and prepared to wage the strife with vehemence
+against him. The intendant of the province was urged to visit the
+little village of Auron, to cause the spire of the church--which had
+been suffered to remain, as all the inhabitants of the neighbouring
+district were Protestants--to be pulled down, and the building reduced
+to the shape and dimensions to which the temples of the Protestants
+were generally restricted: but ere the pastor had been many months
+there, his conduct was so different from what had been expected; he
+kept himself so completely aloof from every thing like cabal or
+intrigue; he showed so little disposition to encroach upon the rights,
+or to assail the religion, of others; that, knowing his talents and
+his energies when roused into action, the neighbouring Catholics
+embraced the opinion, that it would be better to leave him
+undisturbed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The intendant of the province was a wise and a moderate man, and
+although, when urged, he could not neglect to visit the little town of
+Auron, yet he did so after as much delay as possible, and with the
+determination of dealing as mildly with its pastor, and its
+population, as was possible. When he came, he found the minister so
+mild, so humble, so unlike what he had been represented, that his good
+intentions were strengthened. He was obliged to say, that he must have
+the spire of the church taken down, although it was shown that there
+was not one Catholic family to be offended by the sight within seven
+or eight miles around. But Claude de l'Estang only smiled at the
+proposal, saying, that he could preach quite as well if it were away;
+and the intendant, though he declared that it was absolutely necessary
+to be done, by some accident always forgot to give orders to that
+effect; and even at a later period discovered that the spire, both
+from its own height and from the height of the hill on which it stood,
+sometimes acted as a landmark to ships at sea.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus the spire remained; and here, in calm tranquillity, Claude de
+l'Estang had, at the time we speak of, passed more than thirty years
+of his life. A small private fortune of his own enabled him to
+exercise any benevolent feelings to which his situation might give
+rise: simple in habits, he required little for himself; active and
+energetic in mind, he never wanted time to attend to the spiritual and
+temporal wants of his flock with the most minute attention. Though
+ever grave and sad himself, he was ever well pleased to see the
+peasantry happy and amused; and he felt practically every day, in
+comparing Auron with Rochelle, how much better is love than
+popularity. No magistrate, no judge, had any occupation in the town of
+Auron, for the veneration in which he was held was a law to the place.
+Any disputes that occurred amongst the inhabitants in consequence of
+the inseparable selfishnesses of our nature, were instantly referred
+to him; and he was sure to decide in such a way as instantly to
+satisfy the great bulk of the villagers that he was right. There were
+no recusants; for though there might be individuals who, from folly or
+obstinacy, or the blindness of selfishness, would have opposed his
+decision if it had stood unsupported, yet when the great mass of their
+fellow villagers were against them also, they dared not utter a word.
+If there was any evil committed; if youth, and either youth's passions
+or its follies produced wrong, the pastor had learned ever to censure
+mildly, to endeavour to amend rather than to punish, and to repair the
+evil that had been done, rather than to castigate him to whom it was
+attributable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In such occupations passed the greater part of his time; and he felt
+to the very heart the truth of the words--even in this world--that
+&quot;blessed are the peace-makers.&quot; The rest of his time he devoted either
+to study or to relaxation. What he called study was the deep intense
+application of his mind to the knowledge and interpretation of the
+Holy Scriptures, whether in translation or in the original languages.
+What he called relaxation divided itself into two parts: the reading
+of that high classical literature, which had formed the great
+enjoyment of his youth, and by attention to which his eloquence had
+been chiefly formed; and the cultivation of his flower-garden, of
+which he was extremely fond, together with the superintendence of the
+little farm which surrounded his mansion. His life, in short, was a
+life of primeval simplicity: his pleasures few, but sweet and
+innocent; his course of existence, for many years at least, smooth and
+unvaried, remote from strife, and dedicated to do good.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From time to time, indeed, persons of a higher rank, and of thoughts
+and manners much more refined than those of the villagers by whom he
+was surrounded, would visit his retirement, to seek his advice or
+enjoy his conversation; and on these occasions he certainly did feel a
+refreshment of mind from the living communion with persons of equal
+intellect, which could not be gained even from his converse with the
+mighty dead. Still it never made him wish to return to situations in
+which such opportunities were more frequent, if not constant. &quot;It is
+enough as it is,&quot; he said; &quot;it now comes like a refreshing shower upon
+the soil of the heart, teaching it to bring forth flowers; but,
+perhaps, if that rain were more plentiful and continued always, there
+would be nothing but flowers and no fruit. I love my solitude, though
+perhaps I love it not unbroken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It rarely happened that these visits had any thing that was at all
+painful or annoying in them, for the means of communication between
+one part of the country and another were in that day scanty; and those
+who came to see him could in no degree be moved by curiosity, but must
+either be instigated by some motive of much importance, or brought
+thither by the desire of a mind capable of comprehending and
+appreciating his. He seldom, we may almost say he never, went out to
+visit any one but the members of his own flock in his spiritual
+capacity. He had twice, indeed, in thirty years, been at the château
+of Morseiul, but that was first on the occasion of a dangerous illness
+of the Countess, the mother of Count Albert, and then, on the
+commencement of those encroachments upon the rights of the Huguenots,
+which had now been some time in progress.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Counts of Morseiul, however, both father and son, visited him
+often. The first he had regarded well nigh as a brother; the latter he
+looked upon almost in the light of a son. He loved their conversation
+from its sincerity, its candour, and its vigour. The experience of the
+old Count, which came united with none of the hardness of heart and
+feeling which experience too often brings; the freshness of mind, the
+fanciful enthusiasms of the younger nobleman, alike interested,
+pleased, and attached him. With both there were points of immediate
+communication, by which his mind entered instantly into the thoughts
+and feelings of theirs; and he felt throughout every fresh
+conversation with them, that he was dealing with persons worthy of
+communication with him, both by brightness and elevation of intellect,
+by earnest energy of character, by virtue, honour, and uprightness,
+and by the rare gem of unchangeable truth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It may well be supposed, then, that he rose to meet the young Count de
+Morseiul, of whose return to his own domains he had not been made
+aware, with a smile of unmixed satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Welcome, my dear Albert,&quot; he said, addressing him by the name which
+he had used towards him from childhood; &quot;welcome back to your own
+dwelling and your own people. How have you fared in the wars? How have
+you fared in perilous camps and in the field, and in the still more
+perilous court? And how long is it since you returned to Morseiul?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have fared well, dear friend,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;in all; have had
+some opportunity of serving the king, and have received more thanks
+than those services deserved. In regard to the court, where I could
+neither serve him nor myself, nor any one else, I have escaped its
+perils this year, by obtaining permission to come straight from the
+army to Morseiul, without visiting either Paris or Versailles; and
+now, as to your last question, when I arrived, I would say but
+yesterday afternoon, were it not that you would, I know, thank me for
+coming to see you so speedily, when in truth I only intended to come
+to-morrow, had not some circumstances, not so pleasant as I could
+wish, though not so bad as I fear may follow, brought me hither, to
+consult with you to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A slight cloud came over the old man's countenance as his younger
+companion spoke.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is the difficulty in which you seek counsel, Albert,&quot; he demanded,
+&quot;in your own household, or in the household of our suffering church?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;it is in the latter, my excellent friend;
+had it been in my own household, unless some urgent cause impelled me,
+I should not have thus troubled you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I feared so, I feared so,&quot; replied the old man; &quot;I have heard
+something of these matters of late:--so they will not leave us in
+repose!&quot; And as he spoke he rose from the chair he had resumed after
+welcoming the Count, and paced the room backwards and forwards more
+than once.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is in vain,&quot; he said at length, casting himself back into his
+seat, &quot;to let such things agitate me. The disposal of all is in a
+better and a firmer hand than mine. 'On this rock will I found my
+church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!' So said
+our divine Master; and I need not tell you, Albert of Morseiul, that
+when he said, 'on this rock,' he meant on the rock of faith, and did
+not mean the trumpery juggle, the buffoon-like playing on the name of
+Peter, which 'the disciples of a corrupt sect would attribute to him.
+He has founded his church upon the rock of faith, and thereon do I
+build my hope; for I cannot but see that the enemy are preparing the
+spear and making ready the bow against us. Whether it be God's will
+that we shall resist, as we have done in former times, and be enabled,
+though but a handful amongst a multitude, to smite the enemies and the
+perverters of our pure religion, or whether we shall be called upon to
+die as martyrs, and seal our faith by the pouring out of our blood,
+leaving another ensample to the elect that come after us, will be
+pointed out by the circumstances in which we are placed. But I see
+clearly that the sword is out to smite us, and we must either resist
+or endure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is precisely on that point,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;that I came to
+consult with you. Measures of a strong, a harassing, and of an unjust
+nature, are taking place against us, because we will not say we
+believe that which we are sure is false, and follow doctrines which
+our soul repudiates. Did I hope, my excellent friend, that the matter
+would stop here; did I expect that such measures of petty annoyance as
+I have heard proclaimed in the town of Morseiul to-day, or any thing,
+indeed, similar to those measures, would be the final end and limit of
+the attack upon our liberties and our faith, I should be most anxious
+to calm the minds of the people, to persuade them to endure rather
+than to resist, and to remember that patience will cure many things: I
+should ask you, I should beseech even you, plighted as you are to
+support the cause of truth and righteousness, to aid me in my efforts,
+and to remember at what an awful price indemnity must be bought; to
+remember how fearful, how terrible, must be the scenes through which
+we wade to the attainment of those equal rights which should be
+granted even without our seeking them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I would aid you! and I would remember!&quot; exclaimed the pastor,
+grasping his hand, &quot;so help me the God of my trust, Albert of
+Morseiul,&quot; he continued more vehemently, &quot;as I have ever avoided for
+long years every cause of strife and dissension, every matter of
+offence thrown in my way by those who would persecute us. Nay more,
+far more; when my counsels have been sought, when my advice has been
+required, the words that I have spoken have always been pacific, not
+alone peaceful in sound, but peaceful in spirit and in intent, and
+peaceful in every tendency; I have counselled submission where I might
+have stirred up war; I have advised mild means and supplications, when
+the time for successful resistance was pointed out both by just cause
+for bitter indignation, and by the embarrassment of our enemies in
+consequence of their over ambition: and now I tell thee, Albert, I
+tell thee with pain and apprehension, that I doubt, that I much doubt,
+whether in so doing I have acted right or wrong; whether, by such
+timid counsels, the happy moment has not been suffered to slip;
+whether our enemies, more wise in their generation than we are, have
+not taken advantage of our forbearance, have not waited till they
+themselves were in every way prepared, and are now ready to execute
+the iniquitous designs which have only been suspended in consequence
+of ambitious efforts in other quarters.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear, indeed, that it is so,&quot; replied the young Count; &quot;but,
+nevertheless, neither you nor any other person has cause to reproach
+himself for such conduct. Forbearance, even if taken advantage of by
+insidious enemies, must always be satisfactory to one's own heart.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know not, I know not,&quot; replied the old man. &quot;In my early days,
+Albert, these hands have grasped the sword in defence of my religion;
+and we were then taught that resistance to the will of those bigots
+and tyrants who would crush out the last spark of the pure worship of
+God, and substitute in its place the gross idolatry which disfigures
+this land, was a duty to the Author of our faith. We were taught that
+resistance was not optional, but compulsory; and that to our children,
+and to our brethren, and to our ancestors, we owed the same
+determined, persevering, uncompromising efforts that were required
+from us by the service of the Lord likewise. We were taught that we
+should never surrender, that we should never hesitate, that we should
+never compromise, till the liberty of the true reformed church of
+France was established upon a sure and permanent basis, or the last
+drop of blood in the veins of her saints was poured out into the cup
+of martyrdom. Such were the doctrines, Albert, that were taught in my
+youth, such were the doctrines under which I myself became a humble
+soldier of the cross. But, alas, lulled with the rest of my brethren
+into a fatal security, thinking that no farther infraction of our
+liberties would take place, believing that we should always be
+permitted to worship the God of our salvation according to the
+dictates of our own conscience--perhaps even believing, Albert, that
+some degree of contumely and persecution, some stigma attached to the
+poor name of Huguenot, might be beneficial, if not necessary, in our
+frail condition as mortal men, to be a bond of union amongst us to
+maintain our religion in its purity, and to keep alive the flame of
+zeal;--believing all this, I have not bestirred myself to resist small
+encroachments, I have even counselled others to pass them over without
+notice. Now, however, I am convinced that it is the intention, perhaps
+not of the King, for men say that he is kind and clement, but of the
+base men that surround him, gradually to sap the foundations of our
+church, and cast it down altogether. I have seen it in every act that
+has been taking place of late, have marked it in every proceeding of
+the court; and, though slow and insidious, covered with base pretexts
+and pitiful quibbles, the progress of our enemies has been sure, and I
+fear that it may be too late to close the door against them: I could
+recall all their acts one by one, and the summing up would clearly
+show, that the idolatrous priesthood of this popish land are
+determined not to suffer a purer faith to remain any longer as an
+offence and reproach unto them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I much wish,&quot; replied the Count earnestly, &quot;that you would put down,
+in order, these encroachments. I have been long absent, serving in the
+field, where my faith has, of course, been no obstacle, and where we
+have little discussion of such matters: but if I had them clearly
+stated before me, I and the other Protestant noblemen of France might
+draw up a petition to the king, whose natural sense of right is very
+strong, which would induce him to do us justice----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man shook his head with a look of melancholy doubt, but the
+Count immediately added, repeating the words he had just used, &quot;to do
+us justice, or to make such a declaration of his intentions, as to
+enable us to take measures to meet the exigency of the moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Willingly, most willingly,&quot; said Claude de l'Estang, &quot;will I tell you
+all that is done, and has been doing, by our enemies. I will tell you
+also, Albert, all the false and absurd charges that they urge against
+us to justify their own iniquitous dealings towards us. We will
+consider the whole together calmly and dispassionately, and take
+counsel as to what may best be done. God forbid that I should see the
+blood of my fellow Christians shed; but God forbid, also, that I
+should see his holy church overthrown.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You speak of charges against us, sir,&quot; said the Count, with some
+surprise in his countenance: &quot;I knew not that even malice itself could
+find or forge a charge against the Huguenots of France. At the court
+and in the camp there is no charge; tell me what we have done in the
+provinces to give even a foundation for a charge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing, my young friend,&quot; replied the clergyman; &quot;we have done
+nothing but defend the immunities secured unto us by the hand of the
+very king who now seeks to snatch them from us. We have not even
+defended, as perhaps we should, the unalienable privileges given us by
+a greater king. No; the insidious plan of our deceitful enemies has
+been to attack us first, and then to lay resistance to our charge as a
+crime. Take but a few instances. In the towns of Tonnay and of Privas,
+the reformed religion was not only the dominant religion, but the sole
+religion, and had been so for near a century; the inhabitants were all
+Protestants, tranquil, quiet, industrious. There were no religious
+contentions, there were no jealous feuds, when some one, prompted by
+the fiend, whispered to the crown that means should be taken to
+establish, in those places, the authority of the idolatrous church;
+that opportunity should be given for making converts from the pure to
+the corrupted faith; that in the end the pillage of the Protestant
+congregations should be permitted to the Romish priesthood. An order
+was instantly given for opening a Romish church in a place where there
+were no Papists, and for preaching against our creed in the midst of
+its sincere followers. The church was accordingly opened; the singing
+of Latin masses, and the exhibition of idolatrous processions
+commenced where such things had not been known in the memory of man: a
+few boys hooted, and instantly there was raised a cry, that the Romish
+priests were interrupted in their functions, that the ceremonies of
+the church were opposed by the whole mass of Huguenots. What was the
+result? The parliament of Paris gave authenticity to the calumny, by
+granting letters of protection to the intruding clergy; and then,
+taking its own act as proof of the guilt of the Huguenots, commanded
+our temples to be pulled down, and the free exercise of our religion
+in that place to be abolished. This was the case at Tonnay; and if at
+the same time the decree, which announced its fate to that city, had
+boldly forbidden our worship throughout the land, we might have
+displayed some union, and made some successful resistance. But our
+enemies were too wise to give us such a general motive: they struck an
+isolated blow here, and an isolated blow there; they knew man's
+selfishness; they foresaw how apathetic we should be to the injuries
+of our fellows; and they were right. The Huguenots of France made no
+effort in favour of those who suffered; some never inquired into the
+question at all, and believed that the people of Tonnay had brought
+the evil on their own heads; some shrugged the indifferent shoulder,
+and thought it not worth while to trouble the peace of the whole
+community for the sake of a single small town. Had it been your town
+of Morseiul it would have been the same, for such has been the case
+with Privas, with Dexodun, with Melle, with Chevreux, with Vitré, and
+full fifty more; and not one Protestant has moved to support the
+rights of his brother. Whenever, indeed, any thing has occurred
+affecting the whole body, then men have flocked to us, demanding
+advice and assistance; they have talked of open resistance, of
+immediate war, of defending their rights, of opposing further
+aggressions; but I have ever seen, Albert, that, mingled with a few
+determined and noble spirits, there have been many selfish, many
+indifferent; and I know that, unless some strong and universal bond of
+union be given them, some great common motive be afforded, thousands
+will fall off in the hour of need, and leave their defenders in the
+hands of the enemy. For this reason, as well as for many others, I
+have always urged peace where peace can be obtained; but I see now
+such rapid progress made against us, that I tremble between two
+terrible results.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young Count gazed thoughtfully in the pastor's face for a few
+moments ere he replied. &quot;I fear,&quot; he said at length, &quot;that we have not
+yet a sufficient motive to bind all men, as is most needful in the
+strong assertion of a common cause.--Heaven forbid that we should do
+or even think of aught disloyal or rebellious; but I doubt much,
+though the new injury we have received is gross, that it will furnish
+a sufficient motive to unite all our brethren in one general
+representation to the king of our general grievances. Yet there are
+many points in the edict I heard read to-day wounding to the vanity of
+influential men amongst us, and that motive will often move them when
+others fail. But listen, and tell me what you think. These were the
+chief heads of the proclamation:&quot;--and he went on to recapitulate all
+that he had heard, the old man listening with attention while he
+spoke.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear there is no bond of union here,&quot; replied the pastor,
+commenting upon some of the heads which the young Count had given him;
+&quot;rather, my good young friend, matter for dissension. They have
+cunningly thrown in more than one apple of discord to divide the
+mayors of the Protestant towns from their people, ay, and even to make
+the pastors odious to the flock.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us, however,&quot; said the Count, &quot;endeavour to act as unitedly as
+possible--let us keep a wary eye upon the proceedings of our
+enemies--let us be prepared to seize the fit moment for opposition,
+that we may seize it before it be necessary to resist in a manner that
+may be imputed to us as disloyal. Doubtless, at the assembling of the
+states of the province, which will take place shortly, there will be a
+great number of the Protestant nobles present, and I will endeavour to
+bring them to a general conference, in the course of which we may
+perhaps----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hark!&quot; said the old man, &quot;there is the noise of a horse's feet;&quot; and
+the next instant a loud ringing of the bell was heard, followed by the
+sound of a voice in the passage speaking to the maid servant in
+jocular and facetious tones, with which the young Count was well
+acquainted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is my rascally valet, Riquet,&quot; he said. &quot;He's always thrusting
+himself where he has no business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wonder you retain him in your service,&quot; said the pastor; &quot;I have
+marked him in your father's time, and have heard you both say that he
+is a knave.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And yet he loves me,&quot; said the young Count; &quot;and I do in truth
+believe would sooner injure himself than me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man shook his head with an expression of doubt; but the
+Count went on: &quot;However, I did not wish him to know that I came here
+to-night, and still less should wish him to be acquainted with the
+nature of my errand. He is a Papist, you know, and may suspect,
+perhaps, that we are holding a secret council with others. We had
+better, therefore, give him admittance at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a small silver bell stood on the table beside the pastor;
+and, as the maid did not come in, he rang it, inquired who it was that
+had arrived when she did make her appearance, and then ordered the
+valet to be admitted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What brought you here, Maître Jerome?&quot; demanded the young Count,
+somewhat sternly, as the valet entered on his tiptoes, with a look of
+supreme self-satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, my lord,&quot; replied the man, &quot;scarcely had you set out when there
+arrived a courier from the Duc de Rouvré, bringing you a packet. He
+was asked to leave it, as you were absent; but he said it was of vast
+importance, and that he was to get your answer from your own mouth: so
+he would give it to nobody. I took him into what used to be called the
+page's room, and made him drink deep of château Thierry, picked his
+pocket of the packet while he was looking out of the window, and
+seeing that he was tired to death, commended him to his bed, with a
+night cap of good liquor, promising to wake him as soon as you
+returned, and then set off with the packet to seek you, Monsieur le
+Comte.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray what was the object of all this trickery?&quot; demanded the
+Count. &quot;If you be not careful, Maître Jerome, you will place your neck
+in a cord some day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So my mother used to say,&quot; replied the man, with cool effrontery;
+&quot;but I only wished to serve your lordship, and knowing that there were
+difficult matters in hand, thought you might like to read the packet
+first, in order to be prepared to give a ready answer. We could easily
+seal up the letter again, and slip it into the courier's jerkin--which
+the poor fool put under his head when he went to sleep, thinking to
+secure the packet that was already gone. He would then present it to
+you in due form, and you give your answer without any apparent
+forethought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count could not refrain from turning a smiling look upon the
+pastor, who, however, bent down his eyes and shook his head with a
+disapproving sigh.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count at the same time tore open the packet which the servant had
+handed to him, with a ruthless roughness, that made good Jerome Riquet
+start, and cry &quot;Oh!&quot; with an expression of pain upon his countenance,
+to see not the slightest possibility left of ever patching up the
+letter again, so as to make it appear as if it had never been opened.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I suppose, Master Jerome,&quot; continued the Count, while making his
+way into the packet, &quot;that you took the trouble of watching me when I
+set out this afternoon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven forbid, sir,&quot; replied the man; &quot;that would have been both
+very impertinent, and an unnecessary waste of time and attention, as I
+knew quite well where you were going. As soon as you had been out to
+hear the proclamation and keep the people quiet, and came home and sat
+with the shuttlecock Marquis de Hericourt, and then ordered your
+horse, I said to myself, and I told Henriot, 'his lordship is gone
+to consult with Monsieur Claude de l'Estang; and where, indeed,
+could he go so well as to one who is respected by the Catholics
+almost as much as by the Huguenots? Whom could he apply to so wisely
+as to one whose counsels are always judicious, always peaceful, and
+always benevolent?'&quot; and having finished this piece of oratory,
+Riquet--perceiving that his master, busy in the letter, gave him no
+attention--made a low but somewhat grotesque reverence to the good
+pastor, bending his head, rounding his back, and elevating his
+shoulders, while his long thin legs stuck out below, so that he
+assumed very much the appearance of a sleeping crane.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The pastor, however, shook his head, replying gravely, &quot;My good
+friend, I have lived more than sixty-five years in the world, and yet
+I trust age has not diminished the intellect which experience may have
+tended to improve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">By the time he had said this the young Count had read to the end of
+the short letter which he had received, and put it before the pastor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is kind,&quot; he said, &quot;and courteous of my good friend the Duke,
+who, though I have not seen him for many years, still retains his
+regard for our family. Jerome, you may retire,&quot; he added, &quot;and wait
+for me without. This letter which you have brought is of no importance
+whatever, a mere letter of civility, so that either you or the Duke's
+courier have lied.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, it was the courier, sir,&quot; replied the valet, with his usual quiet
+impudence, &quot;it was the courier of course, otherwise there is no truth
+in the old proverb, <i>Cheat like a valet, lie like a courier</i>. I always
+keep to my own department, sir;&quot; and so saying he marched out of the
+room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the mean time Claude de l'Estang had read the letter, which invited
+the young Count to visit the Duc de Rouvré at Poitiers, and take up
+his abode in the governor's house some days before the meeting of the
+states. It went on to express great regard for the young nobleman
+himself, and high veneration for his father's memory; and then,
+glancing at the religious differences existing in the province, and
+the measures which had been lately taken against the Huguenots, it
+went on to state that the writer was anxious to receive the private
+advice and opinion of the young Count as to the best means of
+extinguishing all irritation on such subjects.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Were this from any other man than the Duc de Rouvré,&quot; said the
+pastor, &quot;I should say that it was specious and intended to mislead;
+but the Duc has always shown himself favourable to the Protestants as
+a politician, and I have some reason to believe is not unfavourable to
+their doctrines in his heart: but go, my son, go as speedily as
+possible, and God grant that your efforts may conclude with peace.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a few more words of the same tenor, the pastor and his young
+friend separated, and the Count and his valet, mounting their horses,
+took their way back towards the château, with the shades of night
+beginning to gather quickly about them.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_04" href="#div1Ref_04">UNEXPECTED COMPANIONS.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The two horsemen rode to the village at a quick rate, but then
+slackened their pace, and passed through the single little street at a
+walk. The scene, however, was now changed; the children were no longer
+playing before the doors; from out of the windows of some of the
+cottages streamed forth the reddish light of a resin candle; from
+others was heard issuing the sound of a psalm, sung before the
+inhabitants retired to rest; and at the doors of others again appeared
+a peasant returned late from the toil of the day, and--as is so
+natural to the heart of man--pausing in the thickening twilight to
+take one more look of the world, before the darkness of night shut it
+out altogether. A star or two was beginning to appear in the sky; the
+bats were flitting hither and thither through the dusk; and, though it
+was still warm and mild, every thing betokened the rapid approach of
+night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From the village the Count rode on, relapsing, after having spoken a
+few words to his servant, into the same meditative mood which had
+possessed him on his way to Auron. He hastened not his pace, and after
+he had gone about three miles complete darkness surrounded him. There
+was no moon in the sky; the road by which he had come, steep, stony,
+and irregular, required full light to render it safe for his horse's
+knees; and, after the animal had tripped more than once, the Count
+struck into a path to the right, which led by a little <i>détour</i> into
+the high road from Paris to Poitiers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">High roads, however, in those days were very different things from
+those which they have now become; and there is scarcely a parish road
+in England, or a commercial road in France, which is not wider, more
+open, and better in every respect than the high road we speak of was
+at that time. When he had gained it, however, the Count went on more
+easily till he arrived at the spot where it entered one of the large
+woods which supplied the inhabitants with fuel in a country
+unproductive of coal. There, however, he met with an obstruction which
+he had not at all anticipated. As he approached the outskirts of the
+wood, there was a sudden flash to the right, and a ball whistled
+across the Count's path, but without hitting either himself or his
+servant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was too much accustomed to scenes in which such winged messengers
+of death were common, to be startled by the shot, but merely muttering
+to himself, &quot;This is unpleasant; we must put a stop to this so near
+Morseiul,&quot; he considered whether it would be better for him to push
+his horse forward or to go back upon the open road. But the matter was
+settled for him by others; for he was surrounded in a moment by five
+or six men, who speedily pulled him off his horse, though he made no
+effort to resist where resistance he saw would be vain, and then
+demanded his name in an imperative and threatening manner. He heard,
+however, at the same time, the galloping of the horse of Jerome
+Riquet, who had remained some twenty or thirty yards behind him; and
+perfectly certain, therefore, that very efficient aid would soon be
+brought to deliver him, he determined to procrastinate as far as
+possible, in the hopes of taking some of the plunderers who had
+established themselves so near his dwelling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot see,&quot; he said, &quot;what your business can be with my name; if
+it is my money that you want, any that I have upon my person you can
+take.--My good friend, you will oblige me by not holding my collar so
+tight; it gives me a feeling of strangulation, which, as you may
+perhaps some day know, is not very pleasant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man who held him, and who seemed the principal of the group, did
+not appear to be at all offended at being reminded of what might be
+the end of his exploits, but let go his collar, laughing and saying,
+&quot;You are merry! however, your money we shall take as our own right. It
+is fair toll you know; and your name we must have too, as being
+officers of the King's highway, if not of the King, we have certainly
+a right to ask for passports.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven forbid that I should deny any of your rights,&quot; replied the
+Count; &quot;my money I will give you with all my heart: but my name is my
+own, and I do not choose to give that to any one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then, we must take you where we can see your face,&quot; replied the
+other. &quot;Then if we know you, well and good, you shall go on; if we do
+not know you, we shall find means to make you speak more clearly, I
+will warrant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is one of them! he is one of them, be you sure,&quot; replied a second
+voice. &quot;I would tie him to a tree and shoot him at once out of the
+way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no,&quot; rejoined the first; &quot;I think I know his tongue. It is Maître
+Nicolas, the notary--not a bad man in his way. Bring him along, and
+his horse too; we shall soon see.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though the Count, perhaps, might not consider himself flattered by
+being taken for Maître Nicolas the notary, he began to perceive that
+there was something more in the conduct of these men than the common
+desire of plunder, some personal motive either of revenge or enmity;
+and, as he well knew that he was generally loved throughout the
+neighbourhood, he had no apprehensions as to the result regarding
+himself. He was anxious, however, to see more of his captors'
+proceedings, and therefore accompanied them without any effort to
+undeceive them as to who he was. They led him along for about a
+quarter of a mile down the high road through the wood, then struck
+into a narrower path to the right, only in use for wood-carts, and
+then again took a foot path, which brought them to a spot where a
+bright light was seen glimmering through the trees before them. It was
+evident that some wider road than that which they were following at
+the moment led also to the point to which it tended, for the sound of
+horses' feet was heard in that direction, and a creaking, as if of
+some heavy carriage wheels.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is brown Keroual,&quot; said one of the men, &quot;come back from the
+other end of the wood, and I'll bet you two louis to two deniers that
+he's got hold of them. Don't you hear the wheels? I think we might let
+you go,&quot; he added, turning towards the Count, and trying to get a full
+glance of his face by the light that flashed through the leaves.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At that moment, however, one of his companions replied, &quot;Take him on,
+take him on! You can't tell what wheels they are. They may be
+sending away those women.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This seemed to decide the matter somewhat to the satisfaction of
+Albert de Morseiul, who was not a little anxious to witness what was
+going on; and the men accordingly led him forward through the bushes,
+which partially obstructed the path, till coming suddenly to an open
+space under a high sandy bank, he found himself in the midst of a
+scene, upon which we must pause for a moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a large wood fire in the midst of the open space; and both
+to the right and left led away a small road, deeply channelled by the
+wheels of sand carts. The high bank above was crowned with the fine
+trees of the wood, amongst the branches and stems of which the light
+of the fire and of one or, two torches lost itself; while the fuller
+light below shone upon three or four curious groups of human beings.
+One of these groups was gathered together near the fire, and consisted
+of seven men, some lying down, some standing, all of them well armed,
+and some of them with carbines in their hands; their dress in a great
+degree resembled that of the English soldiery at the time of Cromwell,
+though the usurper had been dead, and the fashion of such clothing
+gone out, about twenty years. A few of them had their faces bare, but
+the greater part had something drawn over their countenance so as
+completely to disguise it. In general, this covering was a mere piece
+of silk or cloth with slits made for the eyes, but in two instances a
+regular mask appeared.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At a little distance from the fire, farther under the bank, sat two
+ladies, one richly habited in the taste of that day, and with the
+upper part of the face covered by the common black velvet riding mask,
+the other dressed more simply, but still handsomely, with a large
+watch hanging by her side, and two or three rings still upon her
+hands, notwithstanding the company in which she was found. There were
+some large grey cloaks spread upon the ground beneath them, to protect
+them apparently from the damp of the ground; and standing near,
+leaning on a musket, apparently as a guard over them, was one of the
+same fraternity that appeared by the side of the fire.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At some distance up the road to the right, a carriage was seen
+stationary, with the horses taken out and cropping the grass by the
+side; but the eyes of the whole party under the bank were turned to
+the other side, where, at the entrance of the road into the open
+space, appeared a second carriage drawn by four mules, which had just
+been led up by a party of the banditti, who were the first that had
+appeared mounted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From the door of the vehicle, which was now brought to a halt, its
+tenants were in the very act of descending, with fear and
+unwillingness written upon their countenances. The two first that came
+forth were ecclesiastics of the Catholic church: the first, a man who
+might well be considered as remarkably ugly, had his countenance not
+been expressive, and its expression indicative of considerable talent.
+The second was a much handsomer man in every respect, but with a keen,
+sly, fox-like aspect, and a constant habit of biting his nether lip,
+of which he could not divest himself, even at a moment when, to judge
+by his countenance, he was possessed by extraordinary fear. After them
+came another man, dressed as a layman, one or two domestics, and a fat
+inferior priest, with a dirty and a greasy countenance, full of
+nothing but large black eyes and dull stupidity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While they were thus making their unwilling exit from the carriage,
+several of those who had brought them thither were mounted upon
+different parts of the vehicle, busily cutting off, opening, and
+emptying various valises, trunk-mails, and other contrivances for
+conveying luggage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The attention of the other actors in the scene was so much taken up by
+this group, that no one seemed to notice the arrival of the party
+which brought the Count thither; and though the man who had led it had
+resumed a grasp of his collar, as if to demonstrate that the Count was
+the captive of his bow and spear, he was himself so intensely occupied
+in looking at the proceedings round the carriage, that he paused close
+to the wood for several minutes. At length, however, he recollected
+himself, and, by advancing two or three steps with those that
+followed, called the attention of the rest from the carriage and its
+ejected tenants to the new captive that had been brought in. The light
+flashed full upon the Count as the man held him; but the moment the
+eyes of the group around the fire were turned upon him, several voices
+exclaimed in a tone of surprise and consternation, &quot;The Count! The
+Count! The Count de Morseiul!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No sooner did the first of the ecclesiastics, who had descended from
+the carriage, hear the exclamation, than he turned his eyes in that
+way also, ran forward, and, catching the Count by the hand, exclaimed,
+&quot;Monsieur de Morseiul, my dear friend, I claim your protection. These
+men threaten to murder me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur Pelisson,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;I greatly grieve that I can
+give you no protection. I am a prisoner to these men, as you see,
+myself, and, were I not of another creed, might, for aught I know,
+have to apply to you to shrive me! for they have threatened to tie me
+to a tree, and shoot me likewise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good God! this is very horrible,&quot; cried Pelisson, in utter terror and
+consternation. &quot;Pray, Monsieur de St. Helie,&quot; he exclaimed, turning to
+the other ecclesiastic who followed, &quot;Pray, exhort these men--you are
+so eloquent!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I--I--I--I can exhort nobody,&quot; stammered forth the other, trembling
+in every limb.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A change, however, was working itself in their favour; for the moment
+that the Count's name had been publicly announced, a great degree of
+agitation and movement had taken place amongst the robbers. Those who
+had been lying down started up, those who had been plundering the
+carriage abandoned their pillage, and joined their companions by the
+fire; the man who had grasped the Count let go his hold, as if he had
+burnt his hand, and a rapid consultation evidently took place amongst
+the rest, which the Count himself was not a little surprised to see,
+as, amongst those whose faces were uncovered, there was not a single
+individual whom he could recognise as having ever beheld before.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The movement of Pelisson, however, and the words which passed between
+him and the Count again called their attention in that direction from
+the consultation which was going on. Two men, both masked, separated
+themselves from the rest, one a very tall and powerful man, somewhat
+richly though not tastefully dressed; the other a short, broad-made,
+sturdy looking person, who only wanted the accompaniment of a
+bandoleer over his buff coat to be a perfect representation of the
+parliamentary soldier of Great Britain. The lesser man took upon
+himself to be spokesman, though they both advanced direct towards the
+Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are sorry for what has happened, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said;
+&quot;we had not the slightest intention of disturbing you upon your road,
+and it was this fellow's stupidness and the darkness of the night that
+has caused the mistake. I have only to say, as I said before, that we
+are sorry for it, and that you are quite at liberty to go when you
+like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count's determination was taken in a moment. &quot;I am happy to hear,&quot;
+he said, &quot;that you are sorry for one offence at least against the laws
+of the country; but, in regard to my going, if I go, I have not the
+slightest intention of going alone. I am not a person to abandon my
+companions in distress, and I must insist upon some of the parties
+here present being liberated as well as myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pelisson looked at him with an imploring glance; the Abbé de St. Helie
+elapsed his hands together, and gazed anxiously in his face; while the
+man to whom he had spoken replied in a surly tone,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We would fain treat you well, Sir Count, and do you no harm; so go
+your way in God's name, and do not meddle with what does not concern
+you, for fear worse come of it. You are not leading the forlorn hope
+at Maestricht now, remember.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh!&quot; said the Count, with a meaning nod of the head, as if the man's
+allusion had let him into some secret; but ere he could reply further,
+the taller and more athletic of the two whispered a few words to his
+companion in a low voice, and the other, after a moment's pause of
+hesitation, turned once more to the Count and said, &quot;Well, sir, what
+is it you would have? We respect and love you, and would do much to
+please you. What do you demand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the first place,&quot; replied the Count de Morseiul, speaking very
+slowly and distinctly, and using as many words as he possibly could,
+knowing that every moment was something gained by bringing succour
+nearer; &quot;in the first place, as I am sure that you are too much men of
+honour, and too courteous in your nature a great deal----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come, come, Sir Count,&quot; replied the man, interrupting him, &quot;cut your
+story short. We have honour of our own particular kind; but as to our
+nature being courteous, it is not. We are neither fools, babies, nor
+frequenters of the painted chambers of Paris, but freemen of the
+forest. What I ask is, what do you demand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the first place,&quot; replied the Count, taking a step forward towards
+the spot where the two ladies were sitting, and pointing in that
+direction with his hand, &quot;in the first place, I demand that you should
+set those two ladies at liberty!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They might have been at liberty long ago,&quot; replied the man, &quot;if they
+had chosen to say whence they came and whither they were going.
+However, go they shall, as you ask it; but I should like to have those
+rings and that watch first.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fie,&quot; said the Count, &quot;you surely would not touch the trinkets. Their
+purses, I dare say, have been taken already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Those were given up at first,&quot; replied the man, &quot;and we should have
+had the watch and rings too if we had not been interrupted by this
+other affair. Come, pretty one,&quot; he added, turning to the younger of
+the two ladies, who had both risen when they heard the intercession
+that was made for them, and were gazing on the young Count with eager
+anxiety, &quot;come, let us see if there be any diamonds amongst those
+rings, for we must not let diamonds get out of the forest. They are
+better than gold a great deal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he advanced towards her, and took the small delicate
+beautiful fingers, on which the rings appeared, in his rough grasp.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear, lady,&quot; said the Count, who had followed him, &quot;that I cannot
+protect you farther. We must feel grateful for your being permitted to
+go at all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We owe you a deep debt of gratitude as it is, sir,&quot; replied the elder
+lady; and the younger added immediately, &quot;indeed we do: but let them
+take the rings,&quot; she continued, drawing them from her fingers.--&quot;All
+but one,&quot; she added suddenly, &quot;all but one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What, a wedding-ring,&quot; cried the man, with a loud laugh, &quot;or a
+lover's token, I suppose, for I see no wedding-ring here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, sir,&quot; she said, drawing up her head somewhat proudly, &quot;but the
+gift of a mother that loved me, and who is most dear to me still in
+memory. Pray, let me keep it. This is the ring.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, that is worth all the rest,&quot; said the man, looking at it. &quot;No,
+no, my pretty mistress, we must have this.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul had stood by, somewhat pale, and with a manner
+which, for the first time, betrayed some degree of agitation. But he
+now interposed, seeing, by the trembling of her hand, how much emotion
+the man's words produced upon the young lady, though he could not
+behold her countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is the value of the ring?&quot; he demanded of the man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, some twenty louis, I dare say,&quot; he replied.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, I will give you double the amount for it,&quot; said the Count. &quot;I
+have not the money upon me, for your men have taken all I had; but you
+can trust me, and I will pay it to any one whom you will send to the
+château of Morseiul, and pledge my honour they shall come and go in
+safety, and without inquiry.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your honour, my Lord Count, is worth the city of Poitiers,&quot; replied
+the man. &quot;There is the ring,&quot; and he gave it into the Count's hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert de Morseiul took it, and gazed at it by the fire-light for a
+moment with some attention, and with some emotion. It was formed of
+diamonds, and, according to a fashion common in that day, formed the
+initials, probably of some proper name, C. S., surmounted by a Count's
+coronet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lady,&quot; he said, after he had looked at it, &quot;this ring is almost as
+strong a temptation to me as to our friend here. I long to keep it
+till its fair owner, once more at liberty, may come to claim it at my
+hands. That would be ungenerous, however, and so I suppose I must give
+it back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So saying, he replaced it on her finger, and, with an air of courteous
+gallantry, raised the small fair hand to his lips. She bent down her
+head over her hand and his, as if to gaze at the recovered ring, and
+he felt a warm drop fall from the bright eyes that sparkled through
+the mask upon it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now,&quot; he said, turning to the man who had acted as chief of the
+band, &quot;and now you will let the ladies depart.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes,&quot; replied the man, &quot;but one of our people must drive them to the
+place where we tied the lackeys to the trees.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They are safe, upon your honour, though?&quot; said the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Upon my honour they are,&quot; answered the man bluffly. &quot;I should like to
+see the man that would wag a finger at them when I say they are free.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come then, quick,&quot; said the Count, turning to the ladies; &quot;let us not
+lose the fortunate moment;&quot; and he took her hand to lead her to the
+carriage, which he had remarked standing farther down the road. But
+both Pelisson and St. Helie threw themselves in his way, exclaiming
+aloud, &quot;For God's sake do not leave us! For Heaven's sake do not
+abandon us!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;My good friends,&quot; he added, turning to
+the band, &quot;pray offer these good gentlemen no wrong, at least till my
+return. Perhaps I can hit upon some terms between you and them, and
+also tell you a piece of news which will make you change your
+determination.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not easily,&quot; said the leader; &quot;but we will not harm them till you
+come back, if you are only going to take the ladies to the carriage.
+You, Stephen, drive it to the place where the lackeys were left.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will return instantly,&quot; said the Count, and he led the younger lady
+on, the elder following. Till they reached the carriage, and during a
+part of the time occupied in tying the horses again to it, all were
+silent; but at length the younger lady ventured to say, in a low
+voice,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How can I ever thank you, Monsieur de Morseiul?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count did not reply to the question, but he said, as he was
+handing her in,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Am I not right? Have we not met before?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is years ago,&quot; she said, in the same low tone; &quot;but,&quot; she added
+the moment after, just as the man was about to drive away, &quot;we shall
+meet again, and if we do, say nothing of this meeting, I beseech you;
+but remember only that I am deeply grateful.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The carriage drove away, and the Count remained for a moment
+listening. He then returned to the mixed group by the fire, where the
+agitation of terror in the case of the Abbé de St. Helie had worked
+itself up to such a pitch during his absence, that the tears were
+streaming copiously from the unhappy man's eyes, while the band that
+had made him a captive stood round gazing upon him with some contempt,
+but certainly no appearance of pity. Pelisson, on his part, displayed
+a greater degree of firmness, remaining with his hands clasped
+together, and his eyes fixed upon the ground, but without any other
+sign of fear than some paleness of his countenance, and an occasional
+movement of the lips, as if he were in prayer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count advanced into the midst of the group, and perceiving that
+the leader of the band into whose hands they had fallen looked to him
+to speak first, and maintained a sort of dogged silence which augured
+but ill for the two ecclesiastics, he said, &quot;Now, my good friend, what
+do you intend to do with these gentlemen?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I intend,&quot; replied the man in a stern tone, &quot;to shoot the two that
+are standing there without fail, to scourge that black-faced priest by
+the carriage till he has not a bit of skin on his back, and send the
+lackeys trooping.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are of course jesting,&quot; said the Count. &quot;You are not a man, I am
+sure, to commit deliberate murder. But you have frightened them
+enough.--Let me hear what you intend to do, without a jest.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There has been no jest spoken,&quot; replied the man fiercely. &quot;I have
+told you my intentions, and I shall not change. These two villains
+have come down into a peaceful province, and amongst a happy people,
+to bring dissension, and persecution, and hatred amongst us, and they
+shall taste the first bitter fruits of their own works. I shall
+certainly not let them escape; and I can tell the old Jesuit Le
+Tellier, and his tyrant son, Louvois, that they may send as many of
+such firebrands down as they will; I will do my best to meet them, and
+extinguish them in their own blood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I really do not know what you mean,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Monsieur
+Pelisson, I cannot conceive, from what I know of you, that you are a
+man to undertake such evil tasks as this good gentleman accuses you
+of. We of the reformed religion certainly regretted that you had
+thought fit to fall back into what we consider to be a great error,
+but we never supposed that you would deal hardly with your reformed
+brethren.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Neither do I, Count,&quot; replied Pelisson, firmly. &quot;It is natural that,
+having abandoned errors, I should seek to lead others to follow the
+same course; but no harsh means have I ever practised, no harsh means
+have I ever counselled. On the contrary, I have advocated gentleness,
+peace, persuasion, exhortation, kindness, equity, on all occasions.
+But it is in vain, my good young gentleman,&quot; he added, looking at his
+captors, &quot;it is all in vain. These men are determined to take our
+blood, and it is in vain to try to stay them; though the retribution
+which will fall upon them, and I fear, too, upon your own sect, will
+be awful, when our fate reaches the ears of the King. But it is in
+vain, as I have said. You have done your best for us, and I thank you
+from my heart. Bear witness, every one!&quot; he continued, raising his
+voice, &quot;bear witness, every one, that this noble gentleman, the Count
+de Morseiul, has no share in the terrible act these men are going to
+commit, and that he has done his best to save us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No one will suspect me, Monsieur Pelisson,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;But I
+must yet do something more,&quot; he added, believing, not wrongly, that
+the words and demeanour of Pelisson must have had some effect upon the
+body of men by whom they were surrounded, and also having some hope
+now that aid might be at hand. &quot;I must yet do something more, and the
+time I believe is come for doing it. Listen to me, sir,&quot; he added,
+addressing the man who had led the band throughout. &quot;I beg of you
+instantly to set these two gentlemen at liberty. I beg of you, both
+for your own sake and for the sake of the reformed church, to which I
+belong, and to whose instigations this act will be attributed; and if
+you will not attend to my entreaties you must attend to my command--I
+command you to set them at liberty!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Command!&quot; said the man, with a scornful laugh. &quot;Your commands are
+likely to be mighty potent here, in the green wood, Sir Count! Now,
+listen to my commands to you. Make the best of your time and get away
+from this spot without delay, for if you stay you shall either see
+those two men shot before your face, or you shall be shot with them.
+So be quick.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be it as you say, my good friend,&quot; replied the Count coolly. &quot;We
+shall have bloody work of it; but before you go on, remember, I tell
+you, you shall take my life with theirs; and let me warn you of
+another thing which you do not know, the first shot that is fired, the
+first loud word that is spoken,&quot; he added, dropping his voice, &quot;will
+bring destruction on the heads of all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man to whom he spoke gazed in his face with some surprise, as if
+not clearly understanding his meaning, while the rest of the band
+appeared eagerly whispering together, in a manner which might be
+interpreted to bespeak some difference of opinion between themselves
+and their leader.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The ear of the Count was quick; while conducting the two ladies to
+their carriage, he had heard uncertain sounds at a distance, which he
+had little doubted were occasioned by the arrival of some party from
+the castle in search of him: while he had spoken to the chief of the
+band in favour of Pelisson and his companions, he had again caught the
+same sounds, but more distinctly. He had heard voices, and the
+trampling of horse, and taking advantage of the momentary hesitation
+which seemed to affect his opponent, he exclaimed, &quot;Hark!&quot; and lifted
+up his hand to enjoin silence. The sounds, though distant, were now
+very distinct, and he added, &quot;You hear! They are in search of me with
+all the force from the castle. You did not know that my servant was
+behind when I was taken, and fled to seek succour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His opponent stamped his foot upon the ground, and laid his hand upon
+a pistol in his belt, fingering the hammer of the lock in a very
+ominous manner; but the Count once more interposed, anxious on many
+accounts to prevent a collision.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come,&quot; he said, &quot;I wish to do you no injury. Let us compromise the
+matter. Set the party you have taken free, and doubtless they will
+abandon to your care and guidance all the baggage and money that they
+may possess. What say you, Monsieur Pelisson?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Willingly, willingly,&quot; cried Pelisson, to whom all the last words
+spoken had been a relief.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Willingly, willingly,&quot; cried the Abbé de St. Helie; the tears which
+had been streaming from fear changing suddenly into the tears of joy,
+and flowing on as rapidly as ever. Their enemy, however, seemed still
+to hesitate; but the taller man, whom we have before seen exercising
+some influence over him, pulled him by the sleeve once more, and
+whispered to him eagerly for a brief space. He listened to him for an
+instant, partly turning away his head, then shook himself pettishly
+free from his grasp, saying, &quot;Well, I suppose it must be so. I will
+set them free now; but a day of reckoning will come, if they take not
+a warning from what has passed. Gather all those things together, my
+men. Each one take something, and let us be off as fast as we can.
+Stand to your arms, though; stand to your arms, some of you. Those
+fellows are coming devilish near, and may find their way up here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They shall not injure you,&quot; said the Count. &quot;I break no engagements,
+even when only implied.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At that moment, however, the Abbé de St. Helie, having sufficiently
+recovered from the terror into which he had been cast to give some
+thought to what he was about, exclaimed aloud, &quot;But the King's
+commission--the King's commission! They must not take that;&quot; and
+rushing towards the baggage he seized a white leather bag, which
+seemed to contain some especial treasure; but scarcely had he got it
+in his hand when the chief of their captors snatched it violently from
+him, and dashed it into the midst of the fire, where he set his foot
+upon it, as if to insure that it should be burnt, even at the risk of
+injuring himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert de Morseiul was an officer in the King's service, and had been
+brought up in his youth with high notions of devoted loyalty and
+reverence for the royal authority, which even the free spirit of the
+reformed religion which he professed had not been able to diminish.
+The insult offered to the monarch's commission then struck him with
+indignation; and, starting forward, he grasped the man who would have
+destroyed it by the chest, exclaiming, &quot;Sir, would you insult the King
+himself?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man replied not, but strove to keep down his foot upon the packet.
+The young Count, however, was as powerful in frame as himself, and
+considerably taller; and, after a momentary struggle, he cast him
+back, while the Abbé de St. Helie snatched the packet from the flames.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What would have been the result of this strife, in which both the
+robber's blood and that of the young Count were heated, would be
+difficult to say, for the man had drawn the pistol from his belt, and
+the click of the lock was plainly heard as he cocked it; but just at
+that minute the men who had been engaged in stripping the trunk mails
+of their contents, caught a sight of a party of horsemen coming up the
+road; and gathering every thing that was most valuable together, they
+retreated quickly around their leader. Abandoning his contention with
+the Count, he now promptly formed them into line, collected all the
+various articles belonging to themselves which were scattered about,
+and retreated in the direction of the opposite road, offering a firm
+face of five men abreast, with their carbines cocked, and levelled to
+the horsemen, who were now coming up thick into the open space where
+all these events had passed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the head of the horsemen appeared the Chevalier d'Evran, armed in
+haste to deliver or avenge his friend; but, as the Count saw that he
+was now master of the field, and that the robbers were retreating in a
+very threatening attitude, which might produce bloodshed if they were
+not immediately shown that no molestation would be offered to them, he
+took a rapid step or two forward, exclaiming to his own party,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Halt, halt! We have come to a compromise before you arrived, and are
+all at liberty. Thanks, Louis, a thousand thanks, however, for your
+succour!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count's men paused promptly at his command, and the robbers
+retreated slowly up the other road, facing round every ten or twelve
+steps, fully prepared for defence, like an old lion pursued by the
+hunters. In the mean while the Chevalier sprung from his horse, and
+grasped his friend's hand eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, Albert,&quot; he exclaimed, &quot;Albert, this would never do! You who,
+though one of the rashest officers in the service, had escaped balls
+and pikes, and bayonets and sabres, to run the risk of being killed by
+a ditch-fighting freebooter, within a mile or two of your own hearth!
+Why, when that rascal Jerome there came and told me, I thought I
+should have gone mad; but I was determined to ride the rascals down
+like wolves, if I found they had injured you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, no,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;they showed no inclination to injure me;
+and, indeed, it would appear, as far as I am concerned, that the whole
+matter was a mistake, for to me they were very respectful. In truth, I
+seemed to be in wonderful favour with them, and my only difficulty was
+in saving M. Pelisson and this reverend gentleman here. But,
+notwithstanding these worthy men's reverence for myself, I must set to
+work to put this down as soon as ever I come back from Poitiers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sure, Monsieur le Comte,&quot; said the Abbé de St. Helie, &quot;we owe
+you every thing this night, and your conduct shall never be blotted
+out from our grateful remembrance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count bowed low, but somewhat stiffly; then, shaking Pelisson by
+the hand, he said, &quot;I am happy to have been of any service to you
+both, gentlemen. My good friend, Monsieur Pelisson, I trust that you
+will not be any the worse for this short, though unpleasant, sojourn
+in the forest. I will not ask you and your friend to return and stop
+awhile at the château of Morseiul, as in all probability Monsieur de
+St. Helie might not relish abiding under the roof of a heretic. But
+besides that,&quot; he added with a smile, &quot;besides that, in regard to
+which of course I speak in jest, I doubt not you are anxious to
+proceed. Morseiul is out of your way, and in an hour and a half you
+will reach the auberge of Quatremoulins.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But, sir, shall we be safe, shall we be safe?&quot; exclaimed the Abbé de
+St. Helie, who was now examining the vehicle in which they had been
+travelling with anxious eyes. &quot;Gracious God!&quot; he exclaimed, ere the
+Count could answer, &quot;look! there is a ball which has gone through the
+carriage within an inch of my head!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul looked at the Chevalier, and they both laughed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is a proverb in England, my good Abbé,&quot; said the Chevalier,
+&quot;that a miss is as good as a mile; but if you will take my advice you
+will plant yourself just in the same spot again, or put your valise to
+raise you just opposite the shot-hole, for there are a thousand
+chances to one that, if you are shot at a thousand times, no bullet
+ever comes there again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Abbé did not seem much to like the pleasantry, for in his mind the
+subject was far too serious a one to admit of a joke; and the Count de
+Morseiul replied to his former question,--&quot;Depend upon it you are in
+perfect safety. But to make that more sure, the Chevalier and I will
+return to Morseiul with only one or two attendants, and send the rest
+of my men to escort you to the inn. However, gentlemen, if you will
+take my advice, you will not travel by night any more when you are in
+this part of the country; for, from what that fellow said, I should
+suppose the peasantry have got some evil notion of your intended
+proceedings here, and it might be dangerous to trust yourselves with
+them too much. There are such things, you must remember, as shooting
+from behind hedges, and from the tops of banks; and you must not
+forget that, in this part of the world, where our lanes are cut deep
+down between the fields, our orchards thick, and our woods many, it is
+no easy matter to ascertain where there is an enemy. As I take it for
+granted you are going towards Poitiers, Monsieur Pelisson, I shall
+most likely see you soon again. We will all accompany you out of the
+wood, and then you shall have a sufficient escort to ensure your
+safety.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pelisson thanked him again and again. The trunk mails, and what
+portion of their contents the robbers had left, were gathered
+together, the carriage re-loaded, and its human burden placed safely
+in it. Pelisson and the Abbé de St. Helie, after having ascertained
+that the injuries inflicted by the fire upon the precious packet in
+the sheep-skin bag extended no farther than that outer cover, gave the
+word that they were ready; and moving on in slow procession, the
+carriage, its denizens, and their escort of cavaliers made their exit
+from the road, after which the Count and the Chevalier took leave of
+the others to return to the castle of Morseiul; and thus ended the
+adventures of the night.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_05" href="#div1Ref_05">THE JOURNEY, AND SOME OF ITS EVENTS.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">We will pass over all comments which took place amongst the parties to
+the scene which we described in our last chapter, and will take up our
+story again with the interval of a single day.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">How happy would it often be for us in life if we could thus blot out a
+single day! if, out of our existence as out of our history, we could
+extirpate one four and twenty hours, its never-to-be-recalled deeds,
+its thoughts affecting the mind for ever, its events affecting the
+whole course of after-existence! How happy would it be if we could
+blot it out from being! and often, too often, how happy would it be if
+we could blot it out from memory--from memory, the treasurer of our
+joys and pains--memory, whose important charge differs from the bright
+office of hope, in the sad particular of having to deal with nothing
+but realities!</p>
+
+<p class="normal">However, with the Count de Morseiul and his friend the Chevalier
+d'Evran, that day had passed in nothing which left regret. The Count
+had explained to his friend that he judged it necessary to go to
+Poitiers at once: the Chevalier had very willingly agreed to accompany
+him, saying, that he would take the good old Duke by surprise: they
+had then enjoyed every thing that Morseiul afforded of enjoyable; they
+had wandered by the glassy stream, they had ridden through the
+beautiful scenes around, they had hunted the boar in the Count's green
+woods, they had tasted with moderation his good wine, and the rich
+fruits of a sunny land; and thus that day had passed over without a
+cloud.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Although the King of France had given over, by this time, the habit
+with which he set out, in the light and active days of his first
+manhood, and no longer made all his journeys on horseback, yet the
+custom was kept up by a great part of his nobility and officers, and
+it was very usual to ride post upon a journey, that is to say, to
+mount whatever horse the postmaster chose to give, and ride on to the
+next relay, accompanied by a postilion on another horse, carrying the
+baggage. The Count de Morseiul, however, did not follow this plan, as
+he had no inclination to appear in the city of Poitiers, which at that
+time boasted of being the largest city in France, except Paris, in the
+character of a courier. As he loved not carriages, however, and had
+plenty of fiery horses in his stable panting for exercise, he sent
+forward a relay himself to a distant inn upon the road, and, on the
+morning we speak of, accompanied by his friend and a large body of
+their servants, rode calmly on upon the way, proposing to make a
+journey of about five and thirty miles that day.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is politic of me, D'Evran,&quot; he said, conversing with the
+Chevalier, &quot;it is politic of me to carry you away from Morseiul so
+soon; as you have promised to give me one whole month, for fear you
+should become tired of your abode, and exhaust all its little stock of
+amusements and pleasures too rapidly. Satiety is a great evil, and
+surely one of the minor policies of life is to guard against it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No fear of my getting tired of Morseiul so soon,&quot; replied the
+Chevalier; &quot;but I cannot agree entirely to your view of satiety. I
+have often had many doubts as to whether it be really an evil or not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have none,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;it seems to me the greatest of
+intellectual evils; it seems to me to be to the mind what despair is
+to the heart, and in the mind of a young man is surely what premature
+decrepitude is to the body. Good God, Louis, how can you entertain a
+doubt? The idea of losing one sense, one fine perception, is surely
+horrible enough; but tenfold horrible must be the idea of losing them
+altogether; or, what comes to the same thing, of losing the enjoyment
+that they confer upon us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, but, Albert,&quot; said the Chevalier, who was fond of playing with
+his own wit as a bright weapon, without considering its dangerous
+nature, and took no little pleasure in calling forth, even against
+himself, the enthusiastic eagerness of his friend; &quot;nay, but, Albert,
+what I contend for is, that satiety is true wisdom; that it is a
+perfect, thorough knowledge of all enjoyments, and a proper estimation
+of their emptiness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hold, hold,&quot; exclaimed the Count, &quot;that is a very different thing; to
+my mind satiety is the exhaustion of our own powers of enjoying, not
+the discovery of the want of a power of conferring enjoyment in other
+things. Because a man loses the sense of smelling, that will not
+deprive the rose of its sweet odour. Does a tyrant cut out my tongue?
+the delicious flavour of the peach will remain, though I taste it not;
+though he blind my eyes, the face of nature will flourish and look
+fair as much as ever. No, no, satiety is the deprivation, by over
+enjoyment, of our own powers of receiving; and not a just estimate of
+the powers of other things in giving pleasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you will own,&quot; said the Chevalier, &quot;that a deep and minute
+acquaintance with any source of enjoyment naturally tends to diminish
+the gratification that we at first received from it. You will not deny
+that moralist and philosopher, from Solomon down to our own days, have
+all been right in pointing out the vanity of all things. <i>Vanitas
+vanitatis</i>, my dear Count, has been the stamp fixed by every great
+mind that the world has yet produced upon the objects of human
+enjoyment. This has been the acme, this the conclusion at which wisdom
+has arrived; and surely the sooner we ourselves arrive at it in life
+the better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven forbid,&quot; exclaimed the Count; &quot;Heaven forbid, either that it
+should be so, or that such should be your real and mature opinion. You
+say that a minute acquaintance with the sources of enjoyment
+diminishes the gratification they afford. There is undoubtedly
+something lost in every case of such minute acquaintance; but it is by
+the loss of a peculiar and distinct source of pleasure accompanying
+every other enjoyment the first time it is tasted, and never going
+beyond. I mean novelty--the bloom upon the ripe plum, which renders it
+beautiful to the eye as well as refreshing to the taste--brush away
+the bloom, the plum is no longer so beautiful, but the taste no less
+refreshing. Setting aside the diminution made for the loss of that
+novelty, I deny your position.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier laughed at his friend's eagerness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will not surely deny, Morseiul,&quot; he said, &quot;that there is no
+pleasure, no enjoyment, really satisfactory to the human heart; and,
+consequently, the more intimately we become acquainted with it, the
+more clearly do we see its emptiness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Had you said at the first,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;that our acquaintance
+with pleasures show their insufficiency, I should have admitted the
+truth of your assertion; but to discover the insufficiency of one
+pleasure seems to me only a step towards the enjoyment of pleasures of
+a higher quality.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But we may exhaust them all,&quot; said the Chevalier, &quot;and then
+comes--what but satiety?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;not satiety, aspirations for and hopes of
+higher pleasures still; the last, the grandest, the noblest seeking
+for enjoyment that the universe can afford; the pursuit that leads us
+through the gates of the tomb to those abodes where the imperfections
+of enjoyment end, where the seeds of decay grow not up with the
+flowers that we plant, where the fruit is without the husk, and the
+music without the dissonance. This still is left us when all other
+enjoyments of life are exhausted, or have been tasted, or have been
+cast away, or have been destroyed. Depend upon it, Louis, that even
+the knowledge we acquire of the insufficiency of earth's enjoyment
+gives us greater power to advance in the scale of enjoyment; and that,
+if we choose to learn our lesson from the picture given us of the
+earthly paradise, we shall find a grand moral in the tree of eternal
+life having been planted by the tree of knowledge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But still, my dear Count,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;you seem still to
+approach to my argument, while you deny its force. If such be the
+result of satiety, as you say it is, namely, to lead us to the
+aspiration after higher enjoyments, till those aspirations point to
+another world, surely it is better to arrive at that result as soon as
+possible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;in the first place, I did not say that such
+was the result of satiety; I said that it was the result of
+discovering by experience the insufficiency of all earthly enjoyments
+to give perfect satisfaction to a high and immortal spirit and
+well-regulated mind. Satiety I hold to be quite the reverse of this; I
+hold it to be the degradation of our faculties of enjoyment, either by
+excessive indulgence, or by evil direction. The man who follows such a
+course of life as to produce any chance of reaching satiety, tends
+downward instead of upward, to lower rather than to higher pleasures,
+and exhausts his own capabilities, not the blessings of God. The
+opposite course produces the opposite result; we know and learn that
+all God's creations afford us some enjoyment, although we know and
+learn, at the same time, that it has been his will that none of those
+enjoyments upon earth should give complete and final satisfaction. Our
+capabilities of enjoying by enjoying properly are not blunted but
+acuminated; we fly from satiety instead of approaching it; and even
+while we learn to aspire to higher things, we lose not a particle of
+the power--except by the natural decay of our faculties--of enjoying
+even the slight foretaste that Heaven has given us here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Solomon, Solomon, Solomon!&quot; said his companion, &quot;Solomon was
+evidently a misanthrope either by nature or by satiety. He had seen
+every thing under the sun, and he pronounced every thing vanity--ay,
+lighter than vanity itself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And he was right,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;every thing is lighter than
+vanity itself, when comparing the things of this world with the things
+of eternity. But you know,&quot; he added with a smile, &quot;that we Huguenots,
+as you call us, acknowledge no authority against the clear operation
+of reason, looking upon no man as perfect but one. If you were to tell
+me that it was right to put a friend in a dangerous place where he was
+sure to be killed for the purpose of marrying his widow, I should not
+a bit more believe that it was right, because David had done it; and
+even if you were to prove to me that through the whole writings of
+Solomon there was not, as I believe there is, a continual comparison
+between earthly things and heavenly things, I should still say that
+you were in the wrong; the satiety that he felt being a just
+punishment upon him for the excesses he committed and the follies to
+which he gave way, and by no means a proof of his wisdom, any more
+than those follies and excesses themselves. Long before we have
+exhausted the manifold pleasures which Heaven has given us here by
+moderate and virtuous enjoyment--long before we have even discovered
+by experience the insufficiency of one half that we may properly
+enjoy, the span of man's life is finished; and at the gates of death
+he may think himself happy, if, while he has learnt to desire the more
+perfect enjoyment of heavenly things, he has not rendered himself
+unfit for that enjoyment, by having depraved his faculties to satiety
+by excess.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, well,&quot; said the Chevalier, seeing that his friend spoke
+earnestly, &quot;I am afraid I must give up Solomon, Albert. If I remember
+right, the man had some hundreds of wives or so; and I am sure he
+might well cry out that all is vanity after that. I wonder they did
+not all fall upon him at once, and smother him under looking-glasses
+and bonbonnières.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count saw that his friend turned the matter into a joke, and, from
+his long acquaintance with him, he doubted not that he had been
+carrying on the discussion from first to last for sport. He was not
+angry or cross about it; but, of an eager and of an earnest
+disposition, he could not play with subjects of value, like an
+unconscious child tossing jewels to and fro, and he remained
+thoughtful for some time. While the Chevalier continued to jest upon a
+thousand things, sometimes connecting one joke with another in rapid
+and long succession, sometimes pausing for a moment or two, and taking
+his next subject from any accidental circumstance in their ride or
+feature in the scene around, the Count gradually resumed the
+conversation upon indifferent matters. Having only in view, however,
+in any extracts that we may give from their conversation, either to
+forward the progress of their history or to display the peculiar
+character of each, we shall dwell no longer upon their words during
+the rest of the ride to a little village, some seventeen miles from
+the château, where they stayed a moment to water their horses. The
+Count was looking down, watching the animals drink; but the Chevalier,
+who was gazing at every thing in the place, suddenly exclaimed,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Surely there cannot be two such ugly heads as that in France! The
+Abbé Pelisson, as I live! Why, Monsieur Pelisson,&quot; he exclaimed,
+advancing till he was directly under the window from which the head of
+the Abbé was protruded, &quot;how have you stuck here by the way?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas! my good sir,&quot; replied the Abbé, &quot;the fright of the day before
+yesterday had such an effect upon my poor companion de St. Helie, that
+he was quite unable to proceed. He is better this afternoon, and we
+shall set out in an hour, after he has taken something to refresh him
+and give him strength.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will overtake us at our next lodging,&quot; said the Chevalier.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh no, we shall pass you far,&quot; replied the Abbé. &quot;We shall still have
+five hours' light, and as we travel by post, we may calculate upon
+going between five and six miles an hour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count on his part made no comment, but merely nodded his head to
+Pelisson; and when the Chevalier's brief conversation was at an end,
+they rode on. The village which they had fixed upon for their
+resting-place that night was a large straggling open collection of
+houses, which had grown up on either side of the wide road, simply
+because it happened to be at a convenient distance from many other
+places. The buildings were scattered, and separated by large gardens
+or courts, and the inn itself was in fact the only respectable
+dwelling in the place, having been an old brick-built country seat in
+former days, with the walls that defended it from attack still
+standing round the court, the windows rattling and quivering with the
+wind and their antiquity, the rooms wide and lofty, and perhaps a
+little cheerless, and the kitchen, which formed the entrance, as black
+as the smoke of many generations could render it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The whole house was prepared to meet the Count de Morseiul, his coming
+having been announced by the servants sent on with the horses; and did
+ducks and fowls in various countries write the histories of their
+several races, that morning would have been memorable for the massacre
+that took place, and only be comparable to the day of St. Bartholomew.
+But the culinary art was great in France then as it is now, and the
+cook, knowing that she had a difficult task to perform, exerted her
+utmost ingenuity to render tough poultry tender, and insipid viands
+savoury, for the distinguished guest that was to dine and sleep within
+those walls. Though the preparations had been begun at an early hour,
+yet they were by no means concluded when the party arrived; and while
+Jerome Riquet plunged into the kitchen, and communicated to the cook a
+thousand secrets from the vast stores of his own mind, the Count and
+his friend gazed forth from the window of a high, wide, square-shaped
+room over the wide prospect, which lay in gentle undulations beneath
+their eyes, with the road that they themselves had just passed taking,
+as it were, a standing leap over each of the little hills that it met
+with in its way.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The day had been remarkably fine during the earlier portion thereof,
+but towards three o'clock clouds had come over, not indeed veiling the
+sky under a sheet of sombre grey, but fleeting lightly across the blue
+expanse, like the momentary cares of infancy, and passing away, after
+dropping a few large tears, which the joyful sun dried up again the
+moment after. As the Count and his friend gazed forth, however, a
+heavier shower was seen sweeping over the prospect, the sky became
+quite covered, a grey mist--through which, however, a yellow gleam was
+seen, saying that the summer night was not far off,--advanced over
+wood and field, and hill and dale, and dashing down with all the
+impetuous and short-lived fury of an angry boy, the cloud poured forth
+its burden on the earth. While yet it was raging in its utmost wrath,
+the plain carriage of Pelisson and his companions was seen rolling
+slowly onward towards the village, with coachman and lackey holding
+down the drenched head towards the storm, and shading the defenceless
+neck. All the windows of the vehicle were closed, in order, if
+possible, to keep out the wind and rain; but constructed as carriages
+were in those days, there was no great protection to be found in them
+from the breath or the drops of heaven; and, as the rumbling vehicle
+approached the village, the head of Pelisson was seen suddenly thrust
+forth on the safest side, shouting something to the coachman, who
+seemed inclined to go through all the signs in the subjunctive mood of
+the verb, <i>not to hear</i>. After repeating three times his words, the
+Abbé drew his head in again, and the carriage entered the village.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For a hundred louis,&quot; said the Chevalier, &quot;we have the company of
+Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie to-night. I beseech thee, Albert,
+tell them they cannot lodge here, if it be but to see their rueful
+faces. Look, look! There comes the vehicle, like the ark of Noah,
+discovered by some fortunate chance on Ararat, and set upon the wheels
+of Pharaoh's chariot, fished out of the Red Sea. Where could they pick
+up such an antediluvian conveyance? Look, the ark stops! Now, open the
+window, Noah. Out comes the door!&quot; and, as he spoke, he had matter for
+more merriment, for the first person that issued forth was the fat
+black-faced priest in his greasy cassock. &quot;The raven! The raven!&quot;
+shouted the Chevalier, laughing aloud, &quot;What beast next, Count? What
+beast next?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush, hush! Louis,&quot; said his friend, in a lower tone; &quot;they will hear
+you, and it is a pity to give pain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, oh most sapient Albert,&quot; answered the Chevalier, &quot;and you shall
+see how courteous I can be. I will even take the raven by the claw--if
+you give me but time to order a basin and napkin in the adjoining room
+for the necessary ablution afterwards. Oh, Monsieur Pelisson,
+enchanted to see you!&quot; he continued, as the Abbé entered the room;
+&quot;Monsieur de St. Helie, this is indeed delightful; Monsieur de
+Beaumanoir, allow me to take you by the hand,&quot; he added, advancing
+towards the greasy priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mistake me for some one else,&quot; said the priest, drawing slightly
+back, turning his shoulder, and speaking through his teeth like a
+muzzled bear: &quot;I am the Curé de Guadrieul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True, true, I forgot,&quot; went on the Chevalier in the same wild way.
+&quot;Enchanted to see you, Monsieur le Curé de Guadrieul! How much we are
+bound to laud and love this shower for having given us the felicity of
+your society.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sure I have no cause to laud it,&quot; said the priest, &quot;for all the
+rain has come in at that crazy window, and run into my neck, besides
+drenching my soutane.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier might have gone on for an hour, but the Count came to
+the relief of the poor priest. He notified to Pelisson and his
+companions, that the house and all that it contained had been engaged
+by him, but he pressed them to remain as his guests so cordially, that
+Monsieur de St. Helie, who--though he loved not Huguenots, loved damp
+weather worse and savoury viands more--consented readily, warned by
+the rising odours from the kitchen, that he might certainly go farther
+and fare worse. Chambers were found for the new guests, and, before an
+hour had passed, the whole party was seated at a groaning board, the
+plentiful supply on which made Monsieur de St. Helie open his eyes
+with well satisfied astonishment. We are not quite sure, indeed, that
+he did not feel a greater respect for protestantism than he had ever
+felt before; and so placable and mild had he evidently become, that
+the Chevalier whispered, to his friend, while apparently speaking of
+something else, &quot;For Heaven's sake, Morseiul, never suffer your people
+to give that man such a feast again! Three such dinners would make him
+condemn his own soul, and turn heretic.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pelisson was cheerful as usual, mild and gentle, a little plausible
+perhaps, and somewhat too courtier like, but still rendering himself
+most agreeable, both by his manner and by a sort of indescribable ease
+and grace in his conversation and language. Behind the chair of the
+Count, as a sort of nomenclator of the different dishes, had placed
+himself worthy Maître Jerome Riquet. Now, Heaven knows that no person
+was naturally more simple in his tastes than Albert of Morseiul; but
+he had left, as usual, all the minor arrangements of his comfort to
+others, and certainly Jerome Riquet, as soon as he heard that two
+Catholic abbés and a priest were about to dine at the table of his
+master, had not relaxed in any of his efforts to excel all excellence,
+determined to astound the ecclesiastics by the luxury and splendour of
+a country inn. Had it produced nothing but parchment and jack-boots,
+Jerome Riquet would have discovered means of sending in entrée upon
+entrée in various different forms, and under various different names.
+But as it was, notice of the Count's coming having been given the day
+before, and vast preparations made by the worthy aubergiste, the
+suppers of Versailles were little more refined than that to which
+Pelisson and his companions now sat down; while, according to Jerome's
+directions, two servants stood behind every chair, and the Count was
+graced by his own additional presence at the right elbow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet himself had not only taken up that position as the <i>Pièce de
+résistance</i>, but as the <i>Pièce de parade</i>, and, as was not uncustomary
+then, he mingled with what was going forward at table whenever it
+suited him. Often by a happy exhortation upon some dish, or
+observation upon some wine, he contrived to turn the conversation in a
+different direction when it was proceeding in a way that did not
+please him. About half way through the meal, however, his attention
+seemed to be caught by something awkward in the position of the Curé
+de Guadrieul, and from time to time he turned a sort of anxious and
+inquiring glance towards him, wondering whether he sat so high in his
+chair from the natural conformation of short legs and a long body, or
+from some adventitious substance placed beneath his nether man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He made various movements to discover it; but, in the meantime, the
+conversation went on, and the Count having been naturally drawn by the
+observation of some other person to pay Pelisson a compliment upon his
+graceful style, the Abbé replied, &quot;Oh, my style is nothing, Monsieur
+le Comte, though you are good enough to praise it; and besides, after
+all, it is but style. I had a brother once, poor fellow!&quot; he added,
+&quot;who might indeed have claimed your praise; for, in addition to good
+style, which he possessed in an infinitely higher degree than myself,
+he had a peculiar art of speaking briefly, which, Heaven knows, I have
+not, and of leaving nothing unsaid that could be said upon the subject
+he treated. When he was only nineteen years of age he was admitted to
+the academy of Castres; but, upon his admission, they made this
+singular and flattering condition with him, namely, that he should
+never speak upon any subject till every body else had spoken, 'for,'
+said the academicians, 'when he speaks first, he never leaves any body
+else any thing to say upon the subject, and when he speaks last he
+finds a thousand things to say that nobody else has said.' Besides all
+this,&quot; he continued, &quot;my brother had another great and inestimable
+advantage over me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray what was that?&quot; demanded the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He was not hideous,&quot; replied Pelisson.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, I do not think that such an advantage,&quot; said the Chevalier. &quot;It
+is the duty of a woman to be handsome; but I think men have a right to
+be ugly if they like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So say I,&quot; replied Pelisson; &quot;but Mademoiselle de Scudery says that I
+abuse the privilege, and upon my word I think so, for just before I
+came from Paris something happened which is worth telling. I was
+walking along,&quot; he continued, &quot;quite soberly and thoughtfully down the
+Rue de Beauvoisis--you know that little street that leads up by the
+convent of St. Mary--when coming opposite to a large house nearly at
+the corner, I was suddenly met by as beautiful a creature as ever I
+saw, with her soubrette by her side, and her loup in her hand, so that
+I could quite see her face. She was extremely well dressed, and, in
+fact, altogether fit to be the Goddess of an Idyl. However, as I did
+not know her, I was passing quietly on, when suddenly she stopped,
+took me by the hand, and said, in an earnest voice, 'Do me the
+pleasure, sir, of accompanying me for one moment.' On my word,
+gentlemen, I did not know what was going to happen, but I was a great
+deal too gallant, of course, to refuse her; when, without another
+word, she led me to the door of the house, up the stairs, rang the
+bell on the first floor, and conducted me into an anteroom. A servant
+threw open another door for her; and then bringing me into a second
+room, where I found a gentleman of good mien with two sticks in his
+hand, she presented me to him with these singular words: '<i>Line for
+line, sir, like that! Remember, line for line, sir, like that!</i>' and
+then turning on her heel she walked away, leaving me petrified with
+astonishment. The gentleman in whose presence I stood seemed no less
+surprised for a moment than myself; but the instant after he burst
+into a violent fit of laughter, which made me a little angry.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Pray, sir, what is the meaning of all this?' I asked. 'Do you not
+know that lady?' he rejoined. 'No, sir,' I replied, 'I neither know
+her nor you.' 'Oh, as for me,' replied the gentleman, 'you have seen
+me more than once before, Monsieur Pelisson, though you do not know
+me. I am Mignard, the painter; but as to the lady, I must either not
+give you the clue to her bringing you here, or not give you her name,
+which you like.' 'Give me the clue; give me the clue,' replied I: 'the
+lady's name I will find out hereafter.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;'Do not be offended then,' he said, 'but the truth is, I am painting
+for that lady a picture of the temptation in the wilderness. She came
+to see it this morning, and a violent dispute arose between us as to
+how I was to represent the devil; she contending that he was to be
+excessively ugly, and I, that though disfigured by bad passions, there
+was to be the beauty of an angel fallen. She left me a minute ago in a
+fit of playful pettishness, when lo and behold she returns almost
+instantly, bringing you in her hand, and saying, 'Line for line, like
+that.' I leave you to draw your own conclusion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did draw my own conclusion,&quot; continued Pelisson, &quot;and got out of
+the way of Monsieur Mignard's brush as fast as possible, only saying,
+that I thought the lady very much in the wrong, for there could lie no
+great temptation under such an exterior as mine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His auditors laughed both at the story and at the simplicity with
+which it was told, and no one laughed more heartily than the
+black-faced priest. But while he was chuckling on his seat, Maître
+Jerome, who had glided round behind him, suddenly seized hold of two
+leathern strings that hung down over the edge of the chair, and
+exclaiming, &quot;That must be very inconvenient to your reverence,&quot; he
+pulled out from underneath him, by a sudden jerk which nearly laid him
+at his length on the floor, the identical sheep-skin bag which had
+nearly been burnt to pieces in the wood.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The priest started up with terror and dismay, exclaiming, &quot;Give it to
+me: give it to me, sirrah. How dare you take it from under me? It is
+the King's commission to Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie for putting
+down heresy in Poitou.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A sudden grave look and a dead silence succeeded this unexpected
+announcement; but while the priest snatched the packet from Jerome
+Riquet's profane hands, declaring that he had promised not to part
+with it for a moment, Pelisson made his voice heard, saying,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mistake, my good brother; such is not the object of the
+commission, as the King explained it to me. On the contrary, his
+Majesty said that, when it was opened at Poitiers, we would find that
+the whole object and scope of it was to heal the religious differences
+of the province in the mildest and most gentle manner possible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I trust it may be found so, Monsieur Pelisson,&quot; replied the Count
+gravely, turning his eyes from the Abbé de St. Helie, who said
+nothing. &quot;I trust it may be found so;&quot; and though it was evident that
+some damp was thrown upon his good spirits, he turned the conversation
+courteously and easily to other subjects: while Jerome Riquet,
+satisfied in regard to the nature of the packet, made a thousand
+apologies to the Curé of Guadrieul, loaded his plate with delicacies,
+and then returned to his master's elbow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After supper, for so the meal was then called, the party separated.
+The Chevalier d'Evran, for motives of his own, attached himself
+closely, for the time being, to the Abbé de St. Helie, and engaged him
+in a party at trick track; the young Count strolled out in the evening
+light with Pelisson, both carefully avoiding any religious subjects
+from the delicacy of their mutual position; the fat priest went to
+gossip with Maître Jerome, and smoke a pipe in the kitchen of the inn;
+and the serving men made love to the village girls, or caroled in the
+court-yard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus ended the first day's journey of the Count de Morseiul towards
+Poitiers. On the following morning he had taken his departure before
+the ecclesiastics had risen, leaving the servants, who were to follow
+with the horses, to make them fully aware that they had been his
+guests during their stay at the inn; and on the third day, at about
+five o'clock in the afternoon, he came under the high rocky banks
+which guard the entrance to the ancient city which was to be the end
+of his journey.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_06" href="#div1Ref_06">THE LADY AND HER LOVERS.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The city of Poitiers is a beautiful old town, at least it is a town in
+which there is much to interest; the memories of many remote periods
+cross and intersect each other, like the arches of a Gothic church,
+forming a fretwork over head of varied and solemn, though dim,
+associations. The Roman, and the Goth, and the Frank, and the
+Englishman, have all there left indelible traces of their footsteps;
+and each spot through the streets of that city, and through the
+neighbouring country, is shadowed or brightened by the recollection of
+great and extraordinary deeds in the past. There is something in it,
+also, unlike any other town in the world; the number and extent of its
+gardens, the distance between its various houses, would make it look
+more like an orchard than a town, did not, every here and there, rise
+up some striking edifice, some fine church, bearing in its windows the
+leopards, or the fleurs de lis, as the case may be; a townhouse, a
+broken citadel, or a Roman amphitheatre in ruins, and all amidst rich
+green gardens, and grapes, and flowering shrubs.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul and his train, after passing the gates of the
+city, which were then duly watched and warded, rode on to the house of
+the governor, which was, at that time, in the great square. It had
+probably been a Roman building, of which part of the portico had been
+preserved, forming the end of one of the wings; for, during three or
+four centuries, a tall porch had remained there supported by three
+columns. Though the principal gate was in the centre of the house, it
+was usual for the people of the town to enter by this porch; and such
+was the only purpose that it served. The whole aspect of the place has
+been altered long since; the governor's house has been changed into an
+inn, where I have slept on more than one occasion; and of the three
+columns nothing more remains but the name, which has descended to the
+hotel. It was in that time, however, a large brick building, with an
+immense arched gateway in the centre, under which Goliath of Gath
+himself might have passed on horseback with a feather in his cap.
+Beyond this was the inner court, with the usual buildings around it;
+but upon a large and magnificent scale, and on the left, under the
+arch-way, rose a wide flight of stone steps, leading to the principal
+apartments above.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Throughout the whole town, and especially in the neighbourhood of the
+governor's house, there appeared, on the day of the Count's arrival, a
+greater degree of bustle and activity than Poitiers generally
+displays; and as he drew up his horse under the archway, to ascend the
+stairs, several peasant girls, after pausing to look at the cavaliers,
+passed on into the courts beyond, loaded with baskets full of flowers,
+and fruit, and green branches.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he had sent on a messenger the day before to announce his approach,
+the Count de Morseiul knew that he was expected; and it was evident,
+from the sudden rushing forth of all the servants, the rapid and long
+ringing of the great bell, which went up stairs, and a thousand other
+such signs, that orders had been given to treat him with especial
+distinction. While some of the masters of the stable took possession
+of his grooms and horse-boys, to show them to the place appointed for
+them, two other servants, in costumes which certainly did honour to
+the taste of M. le Marquis Auguste de Hericourt, marshalled the Count
+and the Chevalier--followed by their respective valets and pages,
+without which men of their rank and fortune travelled not in that
+day--to the vestibule at the top of the staircase.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A step beyond the door of the vestibule, which was also a step beyond
+what etiquette required, the governor of the province was already
+waiting to receive the Count de Morseiul. He was a frank, amiable, and
+kind-hearted old gentleman, as tall, and as thin, and as brown as a
+cypress tree; and grasping the Count's hand, he welcomed him to
+Poitiers as an old friend, and the son of an old friend, and likewise,
+perhaps we might say, as one whose high character and fame, as a
+soldier, he greatly and sincerely admired. While speaking to the Count
+so eagerly that he saw nothing else, the governor felt a hand laid
+upon his arm, and, turning, beheld the Chevalier, whom he welcomed
+also warmly, though in a peculiar tone of intimacy which he had not
+used towards the Count de Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, d'Evran,&quot; he said, &quot;what brought you here, mad boy? I wanted not
+to see you; but I can tell you I shall put you in a garret, as you
+deserve, for the house is filled to the doors. This is our first grand
+reception, our little provincial <i>appartement</i>. All the nobility in
+the neighbourhood are flocking in, and, as we cannot lodge them all,
+we are obliged to begin our entertainment as early as possible, in
+order to suffer some of them to get home betimes. This must plead my
+apology, my dear Count, for not giving you more spacious apartments
+yourself, and for not taking you at once to the Duchess, who is all
+anxiety to see our hero. Some refreshments shall be taken to you in
+your own apartment, to your little salon, where, perhaps, you will
+give a corner to this wild Chevalier; for there is that young puppy
+Hericourt, who only arrived last night, up to the elbows in the
+dining-room in all sort of finery and foolery.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But where is la belle Clémence?&quot; demanded the Chevalier. &quot;Where is
+the beauty of beauties? Will she not give me a quarter of an hour in
+her boudoir, think you, Duke?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Get along with you,&quot; replied the Duke: &quot;Clémence does not want to see
+you. Go and refresh yourself with the Count: by that time we shall
+have found a place to put you in; and when you have cast off your
+dusty apparel, ransacked the perfumers, sought out your best lace, and
+made yourself look as insupportably conceited as you used to do two
+years ago at Versailles, it will be time for you to present yourself
+in our reception-room, and there you can see Clémence, who, I dare
+say, will laugh at you to your heart's content.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So be it--so be it,&quot; replied the Chevalier, with a well-satisfied
+air. &quot;Come, Count, we must obey the governor: see if he do not make
+himself as despotic here as his Majesty in Paris. Which is our way,
+Monsieur de Rouvré?&quot; and with that appearance of indifference which
+has always been a current sort of affectation with men of the world,
+from the days of Horace downwards, he followed the servants to the
+handsome apartments prepared for the Count de Morseiul, which
+certainly needed no apology.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the table the Count found a packet of letters, which M. de Rouvré
+had brought for him from Paris. They contained nothing of any great
+importance, being principally from old military companions; but after
+the Chevalier had taken some refreshments with him, and retired to the
+apartments which had been prepared in haste for him, the Count took up
+the letters, and, carried forward by the memory of old times, went on
+reading, forgetful of the necessity of dressing himself for the
+approaching fête. He promised himself little or no pleasure indeed
+therein, for he expected to see few, if any, with whom he was
+acquainted; and his mind was too deeply occupied with important and
+even painful subjects, for him to think of mingling in lighter scenes
+with any very agreeable sensations.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He did not remember then the necessity of preparation, till he had to
+call for lights, and heard the roll of carriage-wheels, and the
+clattering of horses. He then, however, hastened to repair his
+forgetfulness; but Jerome was not as prompt and ready as usual, or
+else he was far more careful of his master's appearance. We will not,
+indeed, pause upon all the minute points of his toilet; but certainly,
+by the time that the valet would acknowledge that his master was fit
+to go down, he had given to the Count's fine person every advantage
+that dress can bestow; and perhaps Albert of Morseiul did not look at
+all the worse for that air of high and thoughtful intelligence, which
+the deep interests whereon his mind was fixed, called up in a
+countenance, with the fine and noble features of which, that
+expression was so peculiarly suited.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When, at length, he entered the little saloon that had been allotted
+to him, he found one of the officers of the governor waiting, with his
+own page, to conduct him to the reception-rooms; and, on asking if the
+Chevalier was ready, he found that he had been there seeking him, and
+had gone down. It was a slight reproach for his tardiness, and the
+Count hastened to follow. The way was not long, but the stairs had
+been left somewhat dark, as but little time had been given for
+preparation; and when the doors were opened for the young Count, a
+blaze of light and a scene of magnificence burst upon his eyes, which
+he had not been prepared to see in that remote part of France.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The rooms were brilliantly, though softly, lighted, and the principal
+blaze came from the great saloon at the farther end. Rich hangings and
+decorations were not wanting, but as they were, of course, to be
+procured with greater difficulty than in Paris, the places where many
+draperies would have hung, or where gilded scrolls, trophies, and
+other fanciful embellishments would have appeared, were filled up with
+much better taste from the storehouses of nature; and garlands, and
+green boughs, and the multitude of flowers which that part of the
+country produces, occupied every vacant space. A very excellent band
+of musicians, which the Duke had brought with him from the capital,
+was posted in an elevated gallery of the great saloon; and the sweet
+notes of many popular melodies of the day came pouring down the long
+suite of apartments, softened, but not rendered indistinct by the
+distance. In the first chamber which the Count entered were a great
+number of the inferior officers of the governor, in their dresses of
+ceremony, giving that ante-chamber an air of almost regal state; and
+through the midst of them was passing, at the moment, a party of the
+high nobles of the province, who had just arrived before the Count
+came in.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though not above one half of the invited had yet appeared, there were
+numerous groups in every part of the rooms; and at more than one of
+the tables, which, as customary in that age, were set out for play,
+the young Count found persons whom he knew, and stopped to speak with
+them as he advanced. The Duke and Duchess de Rouvré had taken their
+station in the great saloon; but in the smaller saloon immediately
+preceding it, Albert de Morseiul paused by one of the tables, to speak
+to the Prince de Marsillac, who was leaning against it; not playing,
+but turning his back with an air of indifference upon the scene
+beyond.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said, &quot;it is an unexpected pleasure to
+see you here; I thought you were in Flanders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was so fourteen days ago,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but as little did I
+expect to see you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, this is in some sort my native country,&quot; replied the Prince; &quot;and
+being here upon family affairs, I could not, of course, hesitate to
+come and grace the first entertainment of the good Duke. There seems a
+promise of a goodly assembly; and, indeed, there are attractions
+enough, what between a new governor, a new governess, and Clémence de
+Marly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray who is Clémence de Marly?&quot; demanded the Count. &quot;I am a
+rustic, you see, and have never yet heard of her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Rustic, indeed!&quot; said the Prince; &quot;why all the Parisian world is mad
+about her. She is the most admired, the most adored, I may say, of all
+the stars or comets, or what not, that have appeared in my day; as
+beautiful as Hebe, as graceful as the brightest of the Graces, as
+proud as Juno, about ten times colder than Diana, and as witty as
+Madame de Cornuel. People began to fancy that the King himself was in
+love with her; only you know that now, under the domination L'Amie de
+l'Amie, those days of folly and scandal have gone by, and, on my word,
+the saucy beauty treated majesty no better than she does nobility. I
+myself heard her----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But who is Clémence de Marly?&quot; demanded the Count again; &quot;you have
+not satisfied me, Marsillac. Of what race or family is she? I know of
+no such name or family connected with the Rouvrés.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Prince replied in a lower tone, &quot;She is an orphan, a foundling, an
+any thing you like. Some say,&quot; he added in a whisper, &quot;a natural child
+of the King's own; but others again, and this is the true story, say
+that she is a natural child of De Rouvré's. There was a tale some time
+ago, you know, before he married, about him and the Countess de ----,
+a person of very large fortune; and as this girl has wealth at
+command, and lives always with the Rouvrés, there can be no doubt of
+the matter. Madame de Rouvré, having no family, wisely treats her as
+her child, and spoils her as if she were her grandchild. They used to
+say she was to be married to your friend the Chevalier d'Evran, whom I
+saw hanging at her elbow just now. Hericourt vows that he will cut the
+throat of any man who marries her without his consent; but Louvois is
+supposed to have laid out a match for her even nearer to his race than
+that; Segnelai is not without hopes of carrying off the prize for some
+of his people; and they seem in these days to care no more for the
+bend sinister than if the Adam and Eve laws still prevailed, and we
+were all the children of nature together.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is the fair lady that d'Evran has been talking to me about,&quot;
+replied the Count; &quot;but he talked of her and her beauty so coolly,
+that I can scarcely suppose he is much in love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Just come round hither and look at him then,&quot; said Marsillac, moving
+a little farther down, so as to give a fuller view into the other
+room. &quot;You know d'Evran's way of being in love; lying down upon a sofa
+and playing with a feather fan, while the lady stands at the distance
+of two yards from him, and he says more clever things to her in five
+minutes than any body else can say in an hour. There he is doing it
+even now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count moved slowly into the place which Marsillac had left for
+him, so as not to attract attention by flagrant examination of what
+was going on, and then raised his eyes towards the part of the great
+saloon at which the Prince had been looking. The group that they
+lighted on was certainly in every respect a singular one. In the
+centre of it stood or rather leaned beside a high-backed chair, in an
+attitude of the most perfect grace that it is possible to conceive,
+which could not have been studied, for there was ease and nature in
+every line, a young lady, apparently of one or two and twenty years of
+age, whose beauty was both of a very exquisite and a very singular
+cast. It fully justified the description which had been given of it by
+the Chevalier d'Evran; the eyes were deep deep blue, but fringed with
+long and dark lashes, thickset but smooth, and sweeping in one even
+graceful fringe. The lips were, indeed, twin roses; the complexion
+delicately fair, and yet the face bearing in the cheek the warm hue of
+undiminished health. Those lips, even when not speaking, were always a
+little, a very little, parted, showing the bright pearl-like teeth
+beneath; the brow was smooth and fair, and yet the eyebrow which
+marked the exact line of the forehead above the eyes, changed, by the
+slightest elevation or depression, the whole aspect of the countenance
+with every passing emotion. With every change, too, the other features
+harmonised, and there was a bright sparklingness about the face, even
+at that distance, which made it, to the eyes of the Count, resemble a
+lovely landscape in an early summer morning, where every thing seems
+fresh life and brightness. The ear, too, which was slightly turned
+towards them, was most beautiful; and the form, though the dress of
+that day did not serve to expose it much, was seen swelling through
+the drapery in every line of exquisite beauty. The hand, the arm, the
+foot, the neck and throat, were all perfect as any sculptor could have
+desired to model; and the whole, with the grace of the attitude and
+the beauty of the expression, formed an object that one might have
+well wished to look at for long hours.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the right of the lady, precisely as the Prince had described him,
+lay the Chevalier d'Evran, richly dressed, and, perhaps, affecting a
+little more indifference than he really felt. Half kneeling, half
+sitting, at her feet, was the Marquis de Hericourt, saying nothing,
+but looking up in her face with an expression which plainly implied
+that he was marveling whether she or himself were the loveliest
+creature upon earth. On her left hand stood a gentleman whom the Count
+instantly recognised as one of the highest and most distinguished
+nobles of the court of Louis XIV., several years older than either the
+Marquis or the Chevalier, but still apparently as much if not more
+smitten than either. Behind her, and round about her, in various
+attitudes, were half a dozen others, each striving to catch her
+attention for a single moment; but it was to the elder gentleman whom
+we have mentioned that she principally listened, except, indeed, when
+some witticism of the Chevalier caused her to turn and smile upon him
+for a moment. Amongst the rest of the little train behind her were two
+personages, for neither of whom the Count de Morseiul entertained any
+very great esteem: the Chevalier de Rohan, a ruined and dissipated
+scion of one of the first families in France, and a gentleman of the
+name of Hatréoumont, whom the Count had known while serving with the
+army in Flanders, and who, though brave as a lion, bore such a
+character for restless and unprincipled scheming, that the Count had
+soon reduced their communication to a mere passing bow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All the rest of those who surrounded her were distinguished as far as
+high station and wealth went, and many were marked for higher and
+better qualities; but, in general, she seemed to treat them all as
+mere slaves, sending one hither with a message, and another thither
+for something that she wanted, with an air of proud command, as if
+they were born but to obey her will.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The group was, as we have said, an interesting and a curious one; but
+what was there in it that made the Count de Morseiul turn deadly pale?
+What was there in it that made his heart beat with feelings which he
+had never known before in gazing at any proud beauty of this world?
+What was it made him experience different sensations towards that
+lady, the first time that he beheld her, from those which he had ever
+felt towards others?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Was it the first time that he had ever beheld her? Oh, no. There,
+though the features were somewhat changed by the passing of a few
+years, though the beauty of the girl had expanded into the beauty of
+the woman, though the form had acquired roundness and <i>contour</i>
+without losing one line of grace, there, in that countenance and in
+that form, he beheld again the dream of his young imagination; there
+he saw her of whom he had thought so often, and with whose image he
+had sported in fancy, till the playfellow of his imagination had
+become the master of his feelings: and now that he did see her, he saw
+her in a situation and under circumstances that gave him pain. All the
+beauty of person indeed which he had so much admired was there; but
+all those charms of the heart and of the mind, which his fancy had
+read in the book of that beauty seemed now reversed, and he saw but a
+spoilt, proud, lovely girl, apparently as vain and frivolous as the
+rest of a vain and frivolous court.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are silent long, de Morseiul,&quot; said the Prince de Marsillac; &quot;you
+are silent very long. You seem amongst the smitten, my good friend.
+What! shall we see the fair lands and châteaux of the first Protestant
+gentleman in France laid at the feet of yon pretty dame? Take my
+advice, Morseiul; take the advice of an elder man than yourself. Order
+your horses to be saddled early to-morrow morning, and get you back to
+your castle or to the army. Even if she were to have you, Morseiul,
+she would never suit you: her heart, man, is as cold as a Russian
+winter, and as hard as the nether millstone, and never in this world
+will she love any other thing but her own pretty self.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am not at all afraid of her,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;I have seen her
+before, and was only admiring the group around her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Seen her and forgotten her!&quot; exclaimed Marsillac, &quot;so as not to
+remember her when I spoke of her! In the name of Heaven let her not
+hear that. Nay, tell it not at the court, if you would maintain your
+reputation for wit, wisdom, and good taste. But I suppose, in fact,
+you are as cold as she is. Go and speak to her, Morseiul; go and speak
+to her, for I see indeed you are quite safe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not I, indeed,&quot; said the Count; &quot;I shall go and speak to the Duke and
+his excellent lady: and I suppose in time shall have to go through all
+sorts of necessary formalities with la belle Clémence; but till it is
+needful I have no inclination to increase any lady's vanity who seems
+to have so much of it already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he turned away, only hearing the Prince exclaim, &quot;O
+mighty Sybarite!&quot; and moving with easy grace through the room, he
+advanced into the great saloon, cast his eyes round the whole extent,
+looking for the Duke and Duchess, and passing over la belle Clémence
+and her party with a mere casual glance, as if he scarcely saw or
+noticed her. There was an immediate whisper in the little group
+itself; several of those around took upon them to tell her who he was,
+and all eyes followed him as with the same calm and graceful, but
+somewhat stately, steps he advanced to the spot where the Duke and
+Duchess were placed, and was warmly greeted by the latter as an old
+and valued friend.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She made a place for him by her side, and leaning down from time to
+time by the good old lady's chair, he took the opportunity of each
+interval between the appearance of the new guests to address to her
+some little kindly and graceful observation, calling back her memory
+to old times, when she had fondled his boyhood, and, by mingling
+perhaps a little of the melancholy that adheres to the past with more
+cheerful subjects, rendered them thereby not the less pleasant.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Duchess was well pleased with his attention, and for some time
+seemed inclined to enjoy it alone; but at length she said, &quot;I must not
+keep you here, Count, all night, or I shall have the Duke jealous at
+sixty, which would never do. You must go and say sweet things, as in
+duty bound, to younger dames than I am. See, there is Mademoiselle de
+Fronsac, as pretty a creature as ever was seen, and our Clémence. You
+know Clémence, do you not?--but look, Mademoiselle de Fronsac, as if
+to give you a fair opportunity, has dropped her bracelet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count advanced to pick up the bracelet for the young lady to whom
+his attention had been called; but his purpose was anticipated by a
+gentleman who stood near, and at the same moment the Chevalier seeing
+his friend detached from the side of the Duchess, crossed the saloon
+towards him, and took him by the arm. &quot;Come, Albert,&quot; he said, &quot;come!
+this is affectation. You must come and undergo the ordeal of those
+bright eyes. She has been speaking of you, and with deep interest, I
+assure you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count smiled. &quot;To mortify some culprit lover!&quot; he said, &quot;or give a
+pang to some young foolish heart. Was it you, Louis?&quot; he asked in the
+same tone; &quot;was it you she sought to teaze, by speaking with interest
+of another?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are wrong, Albert,&quot; said the Chevalier in a low voice, leading
+him gradually towards the spot, &quot;you are wrong--I do not seek Clémence
+de Marly. My resolution has long been taken. I shall never marry--nor
+would any consideration upon earth lead her to marry me. I know that
+full well; but while I say so, I tell you too that you do her
+injustice. You must not judge of her at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were now within a few steps of the spot where Clémence stood, and
+the Count, who had been looking down while he advanced, listening to
+the low words of the Chevalier, now raised his eyes as the other took
+a step forward to introduce him. To his surprise he saw the colour
+varying in the cheek of the lovely being before whom he stood, and a
+slight degree of flutter in her manner and appearance, which Albert de
+Morseiul could only account for by supposing that the scene in which
+they had last met, the robbers, and the wood, and the plunder of the
+carriage, had risen up before her eyes, and produced the agitation he
+saw in one, who was apparently so self-possessed in her usual
+demeanour. There upon her finger too, he saw the identical ring that
+he had saved for her from the robbers; and as he was in no way vain,
+he attributed the heightened colour to all those remembrances. But
+while he recalled that evening, his feelings towards Clémence grew
+less severe--he felt there was a tie between them of some interest, he
+felt too that her demeanour then had been very different from that
+which it appeared to be now. Though scarcely ten words had been spoken
+in the wood, those words had been all indicative of deep feelings and
+strong affections; there had been the signs of the heart, the clinging
+memories of love, the pure sensations of an unworldly spirit; and when
+he now gazed upon her, surrounded by flatterers and lovers, heartless
+herself, and seeming to take no delight but in sporting with the
+hearts of others, the ancient story of the two separate spirits in the
+same form seemed realised before him, and he knew not how to reconcile
+the opposite traits that he observed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All this passed through his mind in a moment. Rapid thought, that,
+winging its way along the high road of time, can cover years in a
+single instant, had glanced over all that we have said, even while the
+words of introduction were hanging upon the tongue of the Chevalier
+d'Evran. The Count bowed low but gravely, met the full glance of those
+lustrous eyes without the slightest change of countenance, and was
+about to have added some common place and formal compliment; but
+Clémence de Marly spoke first.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I sent the Chevalier to you, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; she said with the
+same musical voice which he remembered so well, &quot;because you seemed
+not to recognise me; and I wished to thank you for a service that you
+rendered long ago to a wild girl who might probably have been killed
+by a fiery horse that she was riding, had you not stopped it, and
+given her back the rein which she had lost. Perhaps you have forgotten
+it, for I hear that great acts are so common to the Count de Morseiul
+that he is likely not to recollect what was to him a trifling event.
+To me, however, the service was important, and I have not forgotten
+either it or the person who rendered it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The eye of the Chevalier d'Evran was upon the Count de Morseiul while
+the lady spoke, and there was a sparkling brightness in it which his
+friend scarcely understood. At the same time, however, it was scarcely
+possible for human nature to hear such words from such lips totally
+unmoved.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your pardon, madam,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;I have never forgotten the
+adventure either; but I did not expect that you would have remembered
+so trifling a service. I recollected you the moment that I saw you;
+but did not of course venture to claim to be recognised on the merit
+of so insignificant an act.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I can answer for his not having forgotten it,&quot; said the Chevalier
+d'Evran, &quot;for it is not more than five or six days ago, Mademoiselle
+de Marly, that he told me the whole circumstances, and if I would I
+could mention----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The colour rose slightly in the Count de Morseiul's cheek, as the
+Chevalier d'Evran gazed upon him with a malicious smile; but the
+latter, however, paused in his career, only adding, &quot;If I would, I
+could mention all this grave Count's comments upon that event;--but I
+suppose I must not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, nay,&quot; exclaimed Clémence, &quot;I insist upon your telling us. You
+are our bondsman and slave. As you have vowed worship and true
+service, I command you, Monsieur le Chevalier, to tell the whole
+without reserve--to give us the secrets of the enemy's camp.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hope, madam,&quot; said the Count, willing to turn the conversation, and
+yet knowing very well that he might obviate his own purpose if he
+showed any anxiety to do so, &quot;I hope, madam, that you do not class me
+amongst the enemy; if you do, I can assure you, you are very much
+mistaken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is what I wish to know, Count,&quot; replied the lady, smiling; &quot;it
+is for that very purpose of knowing whether you are of the friends or
+the enemies, that I put the Chevalier here upon his honour as to your
+comments.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I suppose, madam,&quot; said the elder gentleman to whom she had been
+speaking during the former part of the evening, and who did not seem
+at all well pleased with the interruption occasioned by the Count's
+presence, &quot;I suppose, madam, if you put the Chevalier upon his honour,
+he will be obliged to keep secret that which was intrusted to him in
+confidence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence turned and gazed at him for a moment in silence, and then
+said, &quot;You are right, Monsieur le Duc de Melcourt, though I did not
+think to hear you take part against me. I will find means to punish
+you, and to show you my power and authority in a way that perhaps you
+do not know. Monsieur le Chevalier, we shall excuse you for your
+contumacy, having the means of arriving at information by a higher
+power. Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; she continued, raising her head with a
+look of queenly authority, &quot;we command you to give us the information
+yourself; but that the ears of these worthy cavaliers and gentlemen
+who stand around may not be gratified by the intelligence, we will
+permit you to lead us to the dance which we see they are preparing for
+in the other room.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She extended her hand towards him. He could not of course refuse to
+take it; and after giving one glance of gay and haughty irony at the
+group she left behind, Clémence de Marly moved forward towards the
+other room with Albert of Morseiul. With the same air of proud
+consciousness she passed through the whole of the first saloon; but
+the moment that she entered the second, which was comparatively
+vacant, as the dancers were gathering in the third, her manner
+entirely altered. The Count felt her hand rest somewhat languidly in
+his; her carriage lost a great degree of its stately dignity; the look
+of coquettish pride passed away; and she said, &quot;Monsieur de Morseiul,
+I need not tell you that my object in exercising, in this instance,
+that right of doing any thing that I like unquestioned which I have
+found it convenient to assume, is not to ask you any foolish question
+of what you may have said or thought concerning a person but little
+worthy of your thoughts at all. Perhaps, indeed, you may have already
+guessed my object in thus forcing you, as it were, to dance with me
+against your will; but that does not render it the less necessary for
+me to take the first, perhaps the only opportunity I may have of
+thanking you deeply, sincerely, and truly, for the great service, and
+the kind, the manly, the chivalrous manner in which it was performed,
+that you rendered me on the night of Monday last. I have my own
+particular reasons--and perhaps may have reasons also for many other
+things that appear strange--for not wishing that adventure to be
+mentioned any where. Although I had with me two servants attached to
+the carriage, and also my old and faithful attendant whom you saw,
+there was no chance of my secret being betrayed by any one but by you.
+I was not sure that I had made my wishes plain when I left you, and
+was anxious about to-night; but I saw in a moment from your whole
+demeanour in entering the room that I was quite safe, and I may add my
+thanks for that, to my thanks for the service itself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The service, lady, required no thanks,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;I do
+believe there is not a gentleman in France that would not have done
+the same for any woman upon earth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence shook her head with a grave--even a melancholy look,
+replying, &quot;You estimate them too highly, Count. We women have better
+opportunities of judging them; and I know that there are not three
+gentlemen in France, and perhaps six in Europe, who would do any thing
+for any woman without some selfish, if not some base motive--unless
+his own gratification were consulted rather than her comfort.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, nay, nay; you are bitter, indeed,&quot; said the Count. &quot;On my word I
+believe that there is not one French gentleman who would not, as I
+have said, have done the same for any woman; and certainly when it was
+done for you, any little merit that it might have had otherwise, was
+quite lost.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush, hush,&quot; said Clémence, with a blush and a somewhat reproachful
+smile, &quot;hush, hush, Monsieur de Morseiul; you forget that I am
+accustomed to hear such sweet speeches from morning till night, and
+know their right value. If you would prove to me that you really
+esteem me, do not take your tone from those empty coxcombs that
+flutter through such scenes as these. Be to me, as far as we are
+brought into communication together, the same Count de Morseiul that I
+have heard you are to others, frank, straightforward, sincere.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed I will,&quot; replied the Count, feeling the full influence of all
+his fanciful dreams in the past, reviving in the present; &quot;but will
+you never be offended?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is little chance,&quot; she replied as they moved on, &quot;that we
+should ever see enough of each other for me to be offended. You, I
+hear, avoid the court as far as possible. I am doomed to spend the
+greater part of my life there; and I fear there is very little chance
+of the Duke, my guardian, going to the quiet shades of Ruffigny, where
+first I had the pleasure of seeing you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Were you then at Ruffigny when I first saw you?&quot; demanded the Count
+with some surprise.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes,&quot; she answered; &quot;but I was staying there with some of my own
+relations, who were on a visit to the Duke. Do you remember--I dare
+say you do not--do you remember meeting me some days after with a
+party on horseback?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes,&quot; he replied, &quot;I have it all before my eyes even now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And the lady who was upon my left hand?&quot; she said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quite well,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;was that your mother?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas, no,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;that was my step-mother; my mother died
+three years before. But to return to what we were saying, I do not
+pretend to be less vain than other women, and therefore can scarcely
+answer for it, that, if you were to tell me harsh truths, I might not
+be offended; but I will tell you what, Monsieur de Morseiul, I would
+try--I would try as steadily as possible, not to be offended; and even
+if I were, I know my own mind sufficiently to say I would conquer it
+before the sun went down twice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is all that I could desire,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;and if you
+promise me to do so, I will always be sincere and straightforward with
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What an opportunity that promise gives,&quot; replied the lady, &quot;of asking
+you to be sincere at once, and tell me what were the comments of which
+the Chevalier spoke. Would that be ungenerous, Monsieur de Morseiul?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think it would,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but I will pledge myself to
+one thing, that if you keep your promise towards me for one month, and
+take no offence at any thing I may say, I will tell you myself what
+those comments were without the slightest concealment whatsoever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The eyes of Clémence de Marly sparkled, as she answered, &quot;You shall
+see;&quot; but they had lingered so long that the dance was on the eve of
+commencing, and they were forced to hurry on into the other room.
+There the Count found the eyes of the Prince de Marsillac wherever he
+turned; and there was a peculiar expression on his countenance--not
+precisely a smile, but yet approaching to it--with a slight touch of
+sarcastic bitterness on the lip, which was annoying. Could the Count
+have heard, however, the conversation that was going on amongst two or
+three of the group which he and Clémence had quitted shortly before,
+he might have felt still more annoyed. There were three persons who
+took but a small part in that conversation, the Chevalier, the young
+Marquis de Hericourt, and the Duc de Melcourt. It was one of those
+that stood behind who first spoke.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How long will she be?&quot; he demanded.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In doing what?&quot; said another.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In fixing the fetters,&quot; replied the first; &quot;in making him one of the
+train.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not two whole days,&quot; said the second.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not two whole hours I say,&quot; added a third; &quot;look at them now, how
+they stand in the middle chamber: depend upon it when the Count comes
+back we shall all have to make him our bow, and welcome him as one of
+us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a little shrivelled old man who sat behind, and had, as yet,
+said nothing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He will never be one of you, gentlemen,&quot; he now said, joining in, &quot;he
+will never be one of you, for he sets out with a great advantage over
+you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is that?&quot; demanded two or three voices at once.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why,&quot; replied the old man, &quot;he is the first man under sixty I ever
+heard her even civil to in my life. There is Monsieur le Duc there;
+you know he's out of the question, because he's past the age.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Duc de Melcourt looked a little mortified, and said, &quot;Sir, you are
+mistaken; and at all events she never said any thing civil to you,
+though you are so much past the age.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I never asked her,&quot; replied the other.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But there is the Chevalier d'Evran,&quot; replied one of the younger men,
+&quot;she has said three or four civil things to him this very night:--I
+heard her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As much bitter as sweet in them,&quot; replied the old man; &quot;but, at all
+events, she does not love him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She loves me more than you know,&quot; said the Chevalier quietly; and
+turning on his heel he went to join a gay party on the opposite side
+of the room, and perversely paid devoted attention to a fair lady whom
+he cared nothing about, and to whom the morals of any other court
+would have required him to pay no attentions but those of ordinary
+civility.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_07" href="#div1Ref_07">THE GROWTH OF LOVE.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The entertainment was kept up late; many of the guests scarcely
+departed before daylight; those who were invited to remain the night
+at the governor's house, retired when they thought fit; and every one
+acknowledged that this was the most splendid and the most agreeable
+fête that had been given in Poitiers for many years. What were the
+feelings, however, of the Count de Morseiul as, at an hour certainly
+not later than one in the morning, he sought his own apartments? We
+must not afford those feelings much space; and we will only record
+what he saw before he left the hall, leaving the mind of the reader to
+supply the rest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On leading back Clémence de Marly to her seat, he had entered into
+conversation for a moment with some persons whom he knew; and when he
+turned towards her again, he saw not only that she was surrounded by
+almost all those who had been about her before, but that a number of
+young cavaliers freshly arrived had swelled her train, and that her
+demeanour was precisely the same as that which had, at his first
+entrance, removed her from the high place in which his imagination had
+enthroned her. Every flattery seemed to be received as merely her
+due--every attention but as a tribute that she had a right to command.
+On some of her slaves she smiled more graciously than on others, but
+certainly was not without giving that encouragement to many which may
+be afforded by saucy harshness as much as by attention and
+condescension. She did not, indeed, dance frequently<a name="div4Ref_01" href="#div4_01"><sup>[1]</sup></a>; that was a
+favour reserved for few; but the whole of the rest of her conduct
+displeased Albert of Morseiul; and he was grieved--very much
+grieved--to feel that it had power to give him pain.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Under these circumstances, then, he resolved to witness it no more,
+and retired to his own apartments, determined, as far as possible, to
+conquer his own feelings while they were yet to be conquered, and to
+rule his heart so long as it was his own to rule.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was late on the following morning before any of the guests
+assembled at the breakfast-table; but when the whole had met, the
+party was so large, that but little pleasant conversation could take
+place with any one. The Duke de Rouvré paid the greatest attention to
+the Count, and displayed a marked anxiety to distinguish and to please
+him. Clémence de Marly was entirely surrounded by her little train;
+and her pleasure in the homage she received seemed evident to Albert
+of Morseiul. The Chevalier d'Evran was somewhat thoughtful and grave,
+and more than once turned his eyes quickly from the face of Clémence
+to that of his friend. In the hours that had lately passed, however,
+Albert of Morseiul had practised the lesson of commanding himself,
+which he had learnt long before, and he was now perfect at the task.
+He took no notice whatsoever of the fair girl's demeanour towards
+others; and though, as usual, calm and grave, he bore his part in the
+conversation with earnestness and attention; and it so happened that
+on more than one occasion something was said which called up the deep
+poetical fire of his nature, and led him briefly to pour forth in
+eloquent words the fine and high-toned feelings of his heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All who were present knew his high character, and all were struck with
+his words and with his manner; so that once or twice, even when
+speaking casually on things of no very great importance, he was
+annoyed at finding a sudden deep silence spread round the table, and
+every one listening to what he said. If any thing could have repaid
+him for the annoyance, it might have been to see the lustrous eyes of
+Clémence de Marly fixed intent upon his countenance till they met his,
+and then dropped with a slight heightening of the colour, or turned
+sparkling to those round her, while her lips gave utterance to some
+gay jest, intended to cover the fit of eager attention in which she
+had been detected.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alas, however, it must be owned, that to find those eyes so gazing
+upon him was no compensation, but rather was painful to Albert of
+Morseiul; for it only served to encourage feelings which he was
+determined to conquer. He would fain have had it otherwise; he would
+have felt nothing but calm indifference towards Clémence de Marly; and
+yet he knew, from what he had experienced on the preceding night, that
+he did not feel towards her entirely as he did towards other women. He
+thought, however, that by dedicating himself altogether to the great
+and important subject which had filled his thoughts when he came to
+Poitiers, by giving up all his thoughts to that, and by making his
+stay as brief as possible, he should be enabled to avoid those things,
+both in the society of Clémence herself, and in his own inmost
+thoughts, which might become dangerous to his peace.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During the course of breakfast he revolved these things in his mind,
+and before it was over his thoughts were more strongly directed than
+ever to the affairs of the Protestants, by the appearance of the Abbés
+de St. Helie and Pelisson. He determined then to endeavour, as far as
+possible, in the very first instance, to discover from them what was
+the nature of the measures about to be pursued by the court of France
+towards the Huguenots. In the next place, he purposed to inquire
+explicitly of the Duc de Rouvré what course of conduct he intended to
+follow towards the Protestants of the province; and, having
+ascertained these facts, to consult with all the wisest and the best
+of the Huguenot leaders, who might happen to be at Poitiers, to
+determine with them the line of action to be followed, according to
+circumstances, and then to return at once to Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He took an opportunity then, as soon as breakfast was over, of
+conversing with Pelisson and St. Helie, while the Duke and Duchess of
+Rouvré were busy in receiving the adieus of some of their departing
+guests. With the frank sincerity of his native character he demanded,
+straightforwardly, of the two ecclesiastics, what was the course of
+conduct that their commission directed them to pursue; and Pelisson
+had half replied, saying, that they had better open their commission
+at once before the Duke de Rouvré, and see the contents, when his more
+cunning and politic friend interrupted him, saying, that he had
+express orders not to open the packet till the meeting of the states,
+which was to take place in about eight days. This announcement
+differing, in some degree, from the account which he had given before,
+excited not unjustly the Count's suspicion; and, knowing that he
+should have a more candid reply from the Duke himself, he determined,
+in the next instance, to apply to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He did so not long after, and the Duke retired with him into his
+library.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear Morseiul,&quot; he said, grasping the young Count's hand, &quot;you
+know that I myself am an advocate for the utmost toleration, that I am
+so far from entertaining any ill will towards my brethren who differ
+with me in some respects, that more than one of my relations have
+married Huguenots. This is very well known at the court also. The King
+is fully aware of it, and I cannot but hope that my late appointment,
+as governor of this province, is a sign that, notwithstanding all the
+rumours lately afloat, his Majesty intends to deal kindly and well
+with all denominations of his subjects. I must not conceal from you,
+however, that there are rumours in Paris of a different kind; that
+there are not people wanting who declare that the King and his council
+are determined no longer to have any more than one religion in France,
+and that the most vigorous means are to be employed to carry this
+resolution into effect. Nor shall I attempt to deny to you, that the
+coming of Pelisson and St. Helie here seems to me a very ominous and
+unpleasant occurrence. The presence of the first I should care little
+about, as he is frank, and I believe sincere, wishes well, and would
+always act kindly; but the other is a shrewd knave, a bigot, I
+believe, more by policy than by any great devotion for our holy
+church, malevolent, selfish, and cunning. They bear a commission
+which, it seems, is not to be owned till the meeting of the states.
+This looks like a purpose of controlling me in my own government, of
+putting a power over me whereof I am to stand in awe. Now, should I
+find that such is the case, I shall undoubtedly beseech his Majesty to
+permit me to retire from public life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For Heaven's sake do not do so just at present,&quot; said the Count de
+Morseiul. &quot;We have need, my dear friend, of every moderate and
+enlightened man like yourself to keep the country quiet at a moment
+when affairs seem verging towards a terrible convulsion. You must
+remember, and I hope the King will remember, that the Protestants are
+a great and important body in France; that there are two or three
+millions of us in this country; that we demand nothing but the calm
+and quiet exercise of our own religious opinions; but that, at the
+same time, there are many resolute and determined men amongst us, and
+many eager and fiery spirits, who may be urged into acts of resistance
+if they be opprest. All wise and sensible Huguenots will endeavour, as
+far as may be, to seek peace and tranquillity; but suppose that
+resistance be once begun, in consequence of an attempt to debar us of
+the free exercise of the rights secured to us by the edict of Nantes,
+can the King, or any body else, expect even his most loyal and
+best-intentioned Protestant subjects to aid in keeping down and
+oppressing their brethren?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not in oppressing, not in oppressing, my dear Count,&quot; said the Duke;
+&quot;we must not attribute to our beloved sovereign even the thought of
+oppressing his subjects.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing but oppression could drive any of us to resistance,&quot; replied
+the Count; &quot;and it is not from the King at all that we anticipate
+oppression, but from those that surround him. Need I point to Louvois,
+to whom the King, by his own acknowledgment, yields his own better
+judgment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Duke was silent, and his young friend proceeded: &quot;If we have not
+to fear oppression, my lord, there is nothing to be feared throughout
+the land but if we have, I would fain know what shape that oppression
+is likely to take, both as a sincere member of what we call the
+reformed church, and as a loyal and devoted subject of the King. I
+would fain know, in order that, in my own neighbourhood, and amongst
+my own people, I may do all in my power to maintain peace and
+tranquillity; which I cannot at all answer for, if such proclamations
+be suddenly made amongst the people when they are unprepared, as were
+made five days ago in my town of Morseiul, nearly creating a serious
+disturbance therein. The appearance of the military, also, did
+infinite harm, and the renewal of such scenes might quickly irritate a
+small body of the people into revolt; that small body would be joined
+by greater numbers, and the flame of civil war would spread throughout
+the country.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The proclamation,&quot; replied the Duke, &quot;was the King's, and of course
+it was necessary to make it instantly. With regard to the military,
+the intendant of the province demanded that a force should be sent to
+insure that the proclamation was made peacefully; so having no one
+else in whom I could at all trust, I sent young Hericourt, with as
+small a force as possible, as I could not, of course, refuse the
+application.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of the intendant of the province, my dear Duke,&quot; replied the Count,
+&quot;I shall say nothing, except that he is as opposite as possible in
+mind, in character, and manners to the Duc de Rouvré. A man of low
+origin, chosen from the <i>Maîtres des requêtes</i>, as all these
+intendants are, cannot be supposed to view such questions in a grand
+and fine point of view. Individual instances certainly may sometimes
+occur, but unfortunately they have not occurred in Poitiers. Our only
+safety is in the Duc de Rouvré; but I am most anxious, if possible, to
+act in concert with him in keeping tranquillity throughout the
+province.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know you are, my dear young friend, I know you are,&quot; replied the
+Duke; &quot;wait, however, for a few days. I expect several other gentlemen
+in Poitiers of your persuasion in religious matters. I will see and
+confer with you all as to what may be done, in the best spirit towards
+you, believe me. I have sent, or am sending, letters to every eminent
+man of the so-called reformed religion throughout this district,
+begging him to give me the aid of his advice. When we have others
+here, we can take counsel together, and act accordingly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young Count of course submitted, whatever were the private reasons
+which induced him to wish to quit Poitiers as soon as possible. He
+felt that a long sojourn there might be dangerous to him; he saw that
+the feelings of his heart might trample under foot the resolutions of
+his judgment. But, obliged as he was to remain, he now took the wisest
+course that circumstances permitted him to pursue. He saw Clémence de
+Marly as little as possible; and that portion of time which courtesy
+compelled him to give up to her, was only yielded to her society upon
+those public occasions when he fancied that her demeanour to others
+was likely to counteract the effect of her fascinations upon himself.
+On these occasions he always appeared attentive, courteous, and
+desirous to please her. Perhaps at times even, there shone through his
+demeanour those indications of deeper feelings and of a passion which
+might have become strong and overpowering, which were not likely to
+escape a woman's eye. But his general conduct was by no means that of
+a lover. He was never one of the train. He came and went, and spoke
+for a few moments in his usual calm and equable manner, but nothing
+more; and Clémence de Marly, it must be confessed, was somewhat
+piqued.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was not that she sought to display the Count de Morseiul to the
+world as one of the idle train of adorers that followed her, for she
+despised them, and esteemed him too much to wish him amongst them; but
+it was that she thought her beauty, and her graces, and her mind; ay!
+and the feeling and noble heart which she knew to exist in her own
+bosom--forgetting that she took pains to conceal it--might all have
+had a greater effect upon the Count than they had apparently produced.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She thought that she merited more than he seemed to be inclined to
+give; and there was something also in the little mysterious link of
+connexion between them, which had, in some degree, excited her
+imagination, and taught her to believe that the Count would take a
+deeper interest in her than he appeared to do. There was a little
+disappointment, a little surprise, a good deal of mortification.--Was
+there any thing more? We shall see! at present we have to deal with
+her conduct more than with her feelings, and that conduct, perhaps,
+was not such as was best calculated to win the Count's regard. It is
+true, she paid less attention to the train that followed her; she
+treated the generality of them with almost undisguised contempt. It
+seemed as if her haughtiness towards them in general, increased; but
+then she was far more with the Chevalier d'Evran. She was seen walking
+in the gardens with him, with a single servant a step behind, and
+twice the Count de Morseiul entered the saloon, and found her sitting
+alone with him in eager conversation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He felt more and more each day that it was time for him to quit the
+city of Poitiers, but still he was detained there by circumstances
+that he could not alter; and on the fifth day after his arrival,
+having passed a somewhat sleepless night, and feeling his brow hot and
+aching, he went down into the wide gardens of the house to enjoy the
+fresh morning air in comfort. It was an hour when those gardens seldom
+possessed a tenant, but at the turn of the first walk he met Clémence
+de Marly alone. She seemed to be returning from the farther part of
+the grounds, and had her eyes bent upon the earth, with a
+thoughtful--nay, with even a melancholy look. If they had not been so
+near when he saw her, he might, perhaps, have turned to avoid a
+meeting which he feared; but she was within a few steps, and raised
+her eyes instantly as she heard the sound of approaching feet. The
+colour came into her cheek as she saw him, but only slightly, and she
+acknowledged his salutation by a graceful inclination of the head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are an early riser, Mademoiselle de Marly,&quot; said the Count, as
+she paused to speak with him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have always been so,&quot; she answered. &quot;I love the soft breath of the
+morning air.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is one of the great secrets of health and beauty,&quot; rejoined the
+Count; But she shook her head with a smile, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Such are not my objects in early rising, Monsieur de Morseiul. Health
+I scarcely value as it deserves, as I never knew the want of it; and
+beauty I value not at all.--It is true! whatever you may think.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Still, beauty has its value,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;It is a grand and
+noble gift of God; but I acknowledge it ought to be the mint mark of
+the gold.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is one of the most dangerous gifts of Heaven,&quot; replied Clémence,
+vehemently. &quot;It is often one of the most burdensome! It is dangerous
+to ourselves, to our own hearts, to our own eternal happiness. It is
+burdensome in all its consequences. Too much beauty to a woman is like
+overgrown wealth to a man:--with this sad difference, that he can
+always do good with his possession, and she can do none with hers. And
+now Monsieur de Morseiul thinks me a hypocrite; and, though he
+promised ever to be straightforward with me, he will not say so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, indeed,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;I am far from thinking that there
+is aught of hypocrisy in what you say, lady. I may think such feelings
+and thoughts evanescent with you, but I believe you feel them at the
+time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence shook her head with a melancholy--almost a reproachful look.
+&quot;They are not evanescent,&quot; she said earnestly. &quot;They are constant,
+steadfast; have been for years.&quot; Even while she spoke she turned to
+leave him; and he thought, as she quickly averted her head, that there
+was something like a tear in her bright eye.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He could not resist; and he followed her rapidly, saying, &quot;I hope I
+have not offended.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh no!&quot; she answered, turning to him, and letting him see without
+disguise that the tear was really there; &quot;oh no! Monsieur de Morseiul!
+There was nothing said that could offend me. Do you not know that,
+like a child putting its hand upon an instrument of music without
+knowing he will produce any sound, a mere casual word will often be
+spoken unconsciously, which, by some unseen mechanism in the breast of
+another, will awaken emotions which we never intended to call up? Our
+little conversation roused the thoughts of many years in a moment, but
+there was nothing said that could in the least offend. You know we
+vain women, Count,&quot; she added in a lighter mood, &quot;are only offended
+with our lovers. It is on them that we pour forth our caprices. So,
+for Heaven's sake, take care how you become my lover, for then I
+should certainly be offended with you every five minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would it be so terrible to you, then, to see me your lover?&quot; demanded
+the Count in the same tone.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To be sure,&quot; she answered, half playfully, half seriously; &quot;it would
+be a sad exchange, would it not? to give a friend for a slave.
+Besides, I doubt not that you have loved a thousand times before. But
+tell me, Count, do you think any one can love more than once?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From my own experience I cannot speak,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;for I am
+a very stony-hearted person, but I should think that a man might.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And woman not!&quot; she interrupted eagerly. &quot;Poor women! You hem us in
+on all sides!--But after all, perhaps, you are right,&quot; she added,
+after a moment's pause. &quot;There is, there must be a difference between
+the love of man and the love of woman. Hers is the first fresh
+brightness of the heart, which never can be known again; hers is the
+flower which, once broken off, is succeeded by no other; hers is the
+intense--the deep--the all engrossing, which, when once come and gone,
+leaves the exhausted heart without the power of feeling such things
+again. With man it is different: love has not that sway over him that
+it has over a woman. It is not with him the only thing, the end, the
+object of his being. It takes possession of him but as a part, and,
+therefore, may be known more than once, perhaps. But, with woman, that
+fire once kindled must be the funeral pile of her own heart. As the
+ancients fabled, flowers may spring up from the ashes, but as far as
+real love is concerned, after the first true affection, the heart is
+with the dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She paused, and both were silent; for there was something in the words
+which she spoke which had a deeper effect upon Albert of Morseiul than
+he had imagined any thing could have produced. He struggled against
+himself, however, and then replied, &quot;You took me up too quickly, lady.
+I was not going to say that it is impossible for woman to love twice.
+I do not know, I cannot judge; but I think it very possible that the
+ancients, to whom you have just alluded, may have intended to figure
+love under the image of the ph&#339;nix; and I do fully believe that
+many a woman may have fancied herself in love a dozen times before she
+was so really.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fancy herself in love!&quot; exclaimed Clémence, in a tone almost
+indignant. &quot;Fancy herself in love, Monsieur de Morseiul! I should
+think it less difficult to love twice than to fancy one's self in love
+at all, if one were not really so. We may perhaps fancy qualities in a
+person who does not truly possess them, and thus, adorned by our own
+imagination, may love him; but still it is not that we fancy we are in
+love, but are really in love with the creature of our fancy. However,
+I will talk about it no more. It is a thing that does not do to think
+of. I wonder if ever there was a man that was really worth loving.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count replied, but he could not get her to pursue the subject any
+farther; she studiously rambled away to other things; and, after
+speaking of some matters of minor import, darted back at once to the
+point at which the conversation had begun, as if the rest had been but
+a temporary dream, interpolated as it were between matters of more
+serious moment. The Count had been endeavouring to bring her back to
+the subject of the heart's feelings; for though he felt that it was a
+dangerous one--a most dangerous one--one that might well lead to words
+that could never be recalled, yet he longed to gain some insight into
+that heart which he could not but think was filled with finer things
+than she suffered to appear. She would not listen, however, nor be
+led, and replied as if she had not in the slightest degree attended to
+what he had been saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Monsieur de Morseiul, no, it is neither for health's sake nor for
+beauty's that I rise early and seek the morning air. I will tell you
+why it is. In those early and solitary hours, and those hours alone, I
+can have some communion with my own heart--I can converse with the
+being within myself--I can hold conference, too, with what I never
+meet alone at other hours,--nature, and nature's God. The soft air of
+the morning has a voice only to be heard when crowds are far away. The
+leaves of the green trees have tongues, drowned in the idle gabble of
+a foolish multitude, but heard in the calm quiet of the early morning.
+The fields, the brooks, the birds, the insects, all have their
+language, if we will listen to it; but what are fields, and brooks,
+and birds, and trees, and the soft air, when I am surrounded by a
+tribe of things as empty as the sounding brass or tinkling cymbal? Can
+I think of any thing more dignified than a padusoie when one baby man
+is whispering softly in my ear, 'The violet, Mademoiselle, suits
+better with your complexion than with any other that the earth ever
+produced, which shows that complexion's exceeding brightness;' and
+another tells me that the blackness of my hair would make a raven
+blush, or that my eyes are fit to people the heaven with stars! But it
+is time that I should go to my task,&quot; she continued; &quot;so adieu,
+Monsieur de Morseiul. If you walk on straight to the ramparts you will
+find the view beautiful, and the air fresh.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, she turned and left him, and the hint not to follow was
+too plain to be misunderstood. He walked on then towards the ramparts
+with his arms crossed upon his chest, and his eyes bent upon the
+ground. He did not soliloquise, for his nature was not one of those
+which frequently give way to such weaknesses. It was his thoughts that
+spoke, and spoke plainly, though silently.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She is, indeed, lovely,&quot; he thought, &quot;and she is, indeed, enchanting.
+If she would but give her heart way she is all that I pictured to
+myself, all that I dreamed of, though with a sad mixture of faults
+from which her original nature was free. But, alas! it is evident that
+she either does love or has loved another, and she herself confesses
+that she cannot love twice. Perhaps she has spoken thus plainly as a
+warning, and if so, how much ought I to thank her for her frankness?
+Besides, she is of another creed. I must dream upon this subject no
+more.--Yet who can be the man that has won that young heart, and then
+perhaps thought it not worth the wearing? Surely, surely it cannot be
+D'Evran, and yet she evidently likes his society better than that of
+any one. She seeks him rather than otherwise. How can I tell what may
+have passed, what may be passing between them even now? Yet she is
+evidently not at ease at heart, and he too told me but the other day
+that it was his determination never to marry. He--made for loving and
+being beloved!--he never marry!--It must be so; some quarrel has taken
+place between them, some breach which they think irremediable. How
+often is it when such things are the case that lovers will fancy that
+they are cool, and calm, and determined, and can live like friends and
+acquaintances, forgetting the warmer feelings that have once existed
+between them! Yes, it must be so,&quot; he continued, as he pondered over
+all the different circumstances; &quot;it must be so, and they will soon be
+reconciled. I will crush these foolish feelings in my heart; I will
+banish all weak remembrances; and to do so effectually, I will quit
+this place as soon as possible, leaving Louis here, if he chooses to
+stay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus musing, with a sad heart and bitterer feelings than he would even
+admit to himself, Albert de Morseiul walked on in the direction which
+Clémence had pointed out, and passing through various long allies,
+planted in the taste of that day, arrived at a spot where some steps
+led up to the ramparts of the town, which commanded a beautiful view
+over the gently undulating country round Poitiers, with more than one
+little river meandering through the fields around. Leaning his arms on
+the low breastwork, he paused and gazed over a scene on which, at any
+other time, he might have looked with feelings of deep interest, and
+noted every little mound and tree, marking, as he was wont, each light
+and shadow, and following each turn of the Clain or Boivre. Now,
+however, there was nothing but a vague vision of green and sunny
+things before his eyes, while the sight of the spirit was fixed
+intensely upon the deeper and darker things of his own heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Alas, alas, it must be said, he felt that he loved Clémence de Marly.
+Notwithstanding all he had seen, notwithstanding all he had condemned,
+notwithstanding the fear that she could not make him happy even if he
+could obtain her, the belief that it would be impossible to win her,
+and the conviction that she loved another--alas, he felt, and felt
+bitterly, that at length, indeed, he loved, and loved with the whole
+energy of his nature. He reproached himself with weakness; he accused
+himself of the follies that he had so often condemned in others. Was
+it her mere beauty that he loved? he asked himself. Was it the mere
+perfection of form and colour that, in a few short years, would fleet
+with fleeting seasons, and give place to irremediable decay? Was he,
+who had believed that loveliness could have no effect on him, was he
+caught by the painted glittering of a mere beautiful statue? No; he
+felt there was something more. He felt that she had given him
+sufficient insight into her original nature to show him that, though
+spoiled by after circumstances, she had been made by the hand of God
+that which he had always believed he could love, that bright being
+where the beautiful form, and the beautiful heart, and the beautiful
+mind were all attuned together in one grand and comprehensive harmony
+of nature. He felt that such was the case, and his sensations were
+only the bitterer that it should be so.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had thus paused and meditated some little time full of his own
+thoughts and nothing else, when a hand was suddenly laid upon his
+shoulder, and, turning round, he saw his friend the Chevalier.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, Albert,&quot; he said, &quot;in what melancholy guise are you here
+meditating? I met Clémence upon the stairs just now, and she told me
+that I should find you here, tasting the morning air upon the
+ramparts. I expected to see you with your eye roving enchanted over
+this fine scene, looking as usual halfway between a mad poet and a mad
+painter; and lo! instead of that, here you are planted upon the
+rampart like a dragoon officer in garrison in a dull Dutch town, with
+your heel beating melancholy time on the pavement, and your eyes
+profoundly cast into the town ditch. In the name of Heaven, why did
+you not make Clémence come on to enliven you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count smiled with a somewhat bitter smile. &quot;It would have hardly
+been necessary, and hardly right to try,&quot; he replied; &quot;but you
+miscalculate my power, D'Evran. The lady left me with an intelligible
+hint, not only that she was not about to follow me, but that I was not
+to follow her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What, saucy with you, too!&quot; cried the Chevalier laughing. &quot;I did not
+think that she would have had determination enough for that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, nay, you are mistaken, Louis,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;not in the
+least saucy, as you term it, but quite mistress of herself, of course,
+to do as she pleased.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And yet, Albert,&quot; said the Chevalier, &quot;and yet I do believe that
+there is not a man in France with whom she would so willingly have
+walked through these gardens as with yourself. Nay, do not be foolish
+or blind, Albert. I heard her saying to Marsillac but yesterday, when
+he called to take his leave, that she had seen at Poitiers more than
+she had ever seen in her life before, a courtier who was not a fool, a
+soldier who was not a libertine, and a man of nearly thirty who had
+some good feelings left.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count gazed steadfastly into the Chevalier's face for a moment, as
+if he would have read into his very soul, and then replied, &quot;Come,
+Louis, let us go back. If she meant me, she was pleased to be
+complimentary, and had probably quarrelled with her real lover, and
+knew that he was in hearing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier gave himself a turn round upon his heel, without reply,
+sang a bar or two of a gay air, at that time fashionable in Paris, and
+then walked back to the governor's house with the Count, who, from
+every thing he had seen and heard, but the more firmly determined to
+hasten his steps from Poitiers as fast as possible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The hour of breakfast had not yet arrived when they entered the house,
+and the Count turned to his own apartments, seeking to remain in
+solitude for a few minutes, not in order to indulge in thoughts and
+reflections which he felt to be unnerving, but to make a vigorous
+effort to recover all his composure, and pass the rest of the two or
+three days which he had to remain as if nothing had given any
+disturbance to the usual tranquil course of his feelings. In the
+ante-room, however, he found Maître Jerome, sitting watching the door,
+like a cat before the hole of a mouse; and the moment he entered
+Jerome sprang up, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, Monseigneur, I have something to say to you, which may not be
+amiss to hear quickly. I have discovered the exact nature of the
+commission of Monsieur de St. Helie, which you wanted to know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count beckoned him into the inner chamber, and demanded, looking
+at him sternly, &quot;Truth or falsehood, Riquet? This is no joking
+matter!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Truth, upon my honour, sir,&quot; replied the man; &quot;I would deceive you on
+no account whatsoever; and now, pray, sir, ask no questions, but let
+me tell my tale. It is truth, for once in my life, depend upon it. I
+can tell truth upon an occasion, sir, when it suits me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But how am I to be sure of the accuracy of the information, if I ask
+you no questions, Riquet?&quot; said the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You may be quite sure of it, sir,&quot; replied the man, &quot;though I must not
+tell you how I came at my tale. Suppose, I say, only suppose that I
+had heard Monsieur de St. Helie repeating it word for word to Monsieur
+Pelisson, and the Curé de Guadrieul had confirmed it. I say, suppose
+it were so, and be sure that my authority is quite as good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, well,&quot; said his master, &quot;go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then, sir,&quot; continued the servant, &quot;of course, as a good
+Catholic, I hope that you and all the other Huguenots of France may be
+thoroughly roasted in good time; but, nevertheless, as you happen to
+be my master in this world, I am in duty bound to tell you what I
+heard. Monsieur de St. Helie, then, and Monsieur Pelisson are
+commanded to demand of the states of the province, effectual measures
+to be taken for the purpose of bringing into the bosom of the church,
+without delay, all the Huguenots within their jurisdiction. In
+expressing this demand there are a great many soft words used, and
+much talk of gentleness and persuasion; but Huguenots' children are to
+be brought over by all means; they are to be received to renounce
+their errors at seven years old. No more Huguenots are to be permitted
+to keep schools. They are to be excluded from all public offices of
+any kind or character whatsoever. They are no longer to be allowed to
+call their religion <i>the reformed religion</i>----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Enough, enough,&quot; said the Count, stopping him, &quot;and more than enough.
+Is this information sure?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most sure, sir,&quot; replied the man, with a solemnity that admitted no
+doubt of his sincerity, &quot;and the commission ended with the words, that
+these means were to be taken in preparation for those ulterior steps
+which the King was determined to employ.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count made no reply, but paced the room for two or three minutes
+in considerable agitation. &quot;I wanted something to rouse me,&quot; he said,
+at length, &quot;and I have it now, indeed! Quick, Riquet, call Claude, and
+Beyhours, and Martin; tell them to saddle their horses, for I want
+them to carry some notes. When you have done that, come hither
+yourself, and say not a word of this affair to any one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When the man returned, he found three notes written and addressed to
+different protestant noblemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, which
+his lord directed him to give to the servants named, to carry them to
+their several destinations; and then added, &quot;Now, Riquet, I have a
+commission for you yourself; I will not give you a note, as that is
+useless. You would know the contents of it before you got to the end
+of your journey: of that I am well aware.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly, sir,&quot; replied the man, with his usual effrontery; &quot;I
+always make a point of that, for then I can tell the purport on my
+arrival if I lose the note by the way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know it,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;but I believe you, notwithstanding,
+to be faithful and attached to me, and that you can be silent when it
+is necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As the grave, sir,&quot; replied the man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then,&quot; continued his master, &quot;you know the château of the
+Maille, at about two leagues' distance. Go thither--ask to speak to
+Monsieur de Corvoie--tell him that I will be with him to-morrow about
+mid-day--that I have matters of the deepest importance to communicate
+to him--and that I have asked three other gentlemen of our own
+persuasion to meet me at his house to-morrow. Say nothing more and
+nothing less.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir, I will cut it on all sides exactly as you have commanded,&quot;
+replied the man, &quot;and will bear you his message back immediately, if
+there should be any.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">These arrangements being made, the Count descended to the breakfast
+table, where he found the Chevalier seated by the side of Clémence de
+Marly. The Count had resolved that during his stay he would notice the
+conduct of Clémence as little as possible; that he would endeavour to
+look upon her as a being that could never be his; but, nevertheless,
+he could not now help noticing that though she and the Chevalier might
+not converse much together, there was from time to time a few words
+passed between them in a low voice, evidently referring to things
+apart from the general conversation that was going on. He steeled his
+heart, though with agony to himself, and pleading the necessity of
+visiting some friends in the neighbourhood, mounted his horse
+immediately after breakfast, and was absent from Poitiers the greater
+part of the day.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_08" href="#div1Ref_08">THE MEETING AND THE CHASE.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">On the following morning, at breakfast, some sports and diversions
+were proposed; and the governor, who wished to afford amusement to all
+parties and to keep them in especial good humour till after the
+meeting of the states, proposed to set out almost immediately to force
+a stag in the neighbouring woods. There were several young noblemen
+present, swelling the train of la belle Clémence, but she had shown
+herself somewhat grave, and less lively than usual; and after the
+proposal had been made and agreed to by almost all, she remarked the
+silence of the Count de Morseiul, saying, that she feared, from the
+profound silence that he kept, they were again to be deprived of the
+pleasure of Monsieur de Morseiul's society, as they had been on their
+ride of the day before. She spoke in rather a low voice, and, perhaps
+one might say, timidly, for her manner was very different from that
+which she usually assumed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear, fair lady,&quot; replied the Count, who felt that under any other
+circumstances her speech would have been a sore temptation, &quot;I fear
+that I have engaged myself to visit a friend in the neighbourhood at
+noon to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, we will take no excuse,&quot; cried the Duc de Rouvré; &quot;indeed, Count,
+you must send a messenger to tell your friend you cannot come. You who
+are famed for your skill in forest sports must positively be with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count, however, remained firm, saying, that he had appointed to
+meet his friend on business of importance to them both; and the Duc de
+Rouvré was of course silent. The young De Hericourt, who had been
+absent for a day or two, and had only lately returned, gazed at
+Clémence with a sort of ironical smile, as he saw upon her countenance
+a look of mortification which she could not or would not restrain; but
+the Count saw it too, and was struck with it; for, though skilful by
+habit in reading the hearts of those with whom he was brought into
+contact, he could not perfectly satisfy himself with regard to the
+nature of that look and the feelings from which it sprung. He felt,
+too, that something more than a dry refusal was, perhaps, owing in
+mere courtesy to Clémence for the wish she had expressed for his
+society, and he added,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do assure you, Mademoiselle de Marly, that nothing could have been
+so great a temptation to me as the thought of accompanying you, and
+our gay friends here, to wake the woods with the sounds of horns and
+dogs, and I grieve very much that this appointment should have been
+made so unfortunately.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed,&quot; she exclaimed, brightening up, &quot;if such be your feelings I
+will coax <i>ma reine</i>, as I always call our good Duchess, to coax the
+governor, who never refuses any thing to her, though he refuses plenty
+of things to me, to delay the party for an hour. Then we shall be some
+time getting to the woodside, you know; some time making all our
+preparations; and you shall come and join us whenever you have done.
+We will make noise enough to let you know where we are.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Of course there was now no refusing; the Count promised to come if the
+important business in which he was about to be engaged was over in
+time, and Clémence repaid him with a smile, such as she but rarely
+gave to any. It was now well nigh time for him to depart; and after
+shutting himself up for a few minutes alone, in order to think over
+the circumstances about to be discussed, he set out, with some
+servants, and rode rapidly to the château of the Maille. He found
+several horses in the court yard, and judged rightly, from that sight,
+that the others had arrived before him. He found them all assembled in
+the large hall, and each greeted him gladly and kindly, looking with
+some eagerness for what he had to communicate. But the master of the
+château asked him to pause for a moment, adding,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have a friend here who arrived last night, and whom you will all be
+glad to see. He will join us in a moment, as he is but writing a short
+despatch in another room.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who is he?&quot; demanded the Count; &quot;is it Monsieur de l'Estang?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh no,&quot; replied the other. &quot;He is a man of arms instead of a man of
+peace.&quot; But almost as he spoke the door opened, and the famous
+Maréchal de Schomberg entered the room.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am happy to see you all, gentlemen,&quot; he said; &quot;Monsieur de
+Morseiul, my good friend,&quot; he continued, shaking him warmly by the
+hand, &quot;I am delighted to meet you. I have not seen you since we were
+fellow-soldiers together in very troublous times.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hope, Marshal,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;that at the present we may be
+fellow-pacificators instead of fellow-soldiers. We are all
+Protestants, gentlemen, and as what I have lately learned affects us
+all, I thought it much the best plan, before I took any steps in
+consequence, in my own neighbourhood, to consult with you, and see
+whether we could not draw up such a remonstrance and plain statement
+of our case to the King, as to induce him to oppose the evil
+intentions of his ministers, and once more guarantee to us the full
+and entire enjoyment of those rights in which he promised us security
+on his accession to the throne, but which have been sadly encroached
+upon and curtailed within the last ten years.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They have, indeed,&quot; said the Count de Champclair; &quot;but I trust,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, you have nothing to tell us which may lead us to
+believe that greater encroachments still are intended.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Marshal Schomberg shook his head with a melancholy smile; but he did
+not interrupt the Count de Morseiul, who proceeded to relate what he
+knew of the mission of Pelisson and St. Helie, and the further
+information which he had gained in regard to their commission on the
+preceding day. The first burst of anger and indignation was greater
+than he expected, and nothing was talked of for a few minutes but
+active resistance to the powers of the crown, of reviving the days of
+the League or those of Louis XIII., and defending their rights and
+privileges to the last. Marshal Schomberg, however eminently
+distinguished for his attachment to his religion, maintained a
+profound silence during the whole of the first ebullitions; and at
+length Monsieur de Champclair remarked, &quot;The Marshal does not seem to
+think well of our purposes. What would he have us do, thus brought to
+bay?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My good friends,&quot; replied Schomberg, with his slight foreign accent,
+&quot;I think only that you do not altogether consider how times have
+changed since the days of Louis XIII. Even then the reformed church of
+France was not successful in resisting the King, and now resistance,
+unless men were driven to it by despair, would be madness. Forced as I
+am to be much about the court, I have seen and known these matters in
+their progress more intimately than any of you, and can but believe
+that our sole hope will rest in showing the King the utmost
+submission, while at the same time we represent to him the grievances
+that we suffer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But does he not know those grievances already?&quot; exclaimed one of the
+other gentlemen; &quot;are they not his own act and deed?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They are, it is true,&quot; replied Schomberg, mildly, &quot;but he does not
+know one half of the consequences which his own acts produce. Let me
+remind you that it is the people who surround the King that urge him
+to these acts, and it is consequently their greatest interest to
+prevent him from knowing the evil consequences thereof. Not one half
+of the severities that are exercised in the provinces--indeed I may
+say, no severities at all--are exercised towards the Protestants in
+the immediate neighbourhood of Paris, Versailles, or Fontainbleau.
+They take especial care that the eyes of majesty, and the ear of
+authority, shall not be opened to the cries, groans, or sufferings of
+an injured people. Louis the Great is utterly ignorant that the
+Protestants have suffered, or are likely to suffer, under any of his
+acts. The King has been always, more or less, a bigot, and his mother
+was the same: Colbert is dead, who stood between us and our enemies.
+His son is a mere boy, unable if not unwilling to defend us. The fury,
+Louvois, and his old Jesuitical father, are, in fact, the only
+ministers that remain, and they have been our enemies from the
+beginning. But they have now stronger motives to persecute us. The
+King must be ruled by some passion; he is tired of the domination of
+Louvois, and that minister seeks now for some new hold upon his
+master. He supported his tottering power for many years by the
+influence of Madame de Montespan. Madame de Montespan has fallen; and
+a new reign has commenced under a woman, who is the enemy of that
+great bad man; but she also is a bigot, and the minister clearly sees
+that if he would remain a day in power he must link Madame Scarron to
+himself in some general plan which will identify their interests
+together. She sees, and he sees, that whatever be that plan it must
+comprise something which affords occupation to the bigoted zeal of the
+King. The Jesuits see that too, and are very willing to furnish such
+occupation; but the King, who thinks himself a new St. George, is
+tired of persecuting Jansenism. That dragon is too small and too
+tenacious of life to afford a subject of interest to the King any
+longer; when he thinks it is quite dead, it revives again, and crawls
+feebly here and there, so that the saint is weary of killing a
+creature that seems immortal. Under these circumstances they have
+turned his eyes and thoughts towards the Protestants; and what have
+they proposed to him which might not seduce a glory-loving monarch
+like himself? They have promised him that he shall effect what none of
+his ancestors could ever accomplish, by completely triumphing over
+subjects who have shown that they can resist powerfully when
+oppressed. They have promised him this glory as an absolute monarch.
+They have promised him almost apostolic glory in converting people
+whom he believes to be heretics. They have promised him the
+establishment of one, and one only religion in France; and they have
+promised him that, by so doing, he will inflict a bitter wound on
+those Protestant princes with whom he has been so long contending.
+Such are the motives by which they lead on the mind of Louis to severe
+acts against us; but there is yet one other motive; and to that I will
+particularly call your attention, as it ought, I think, greatly to
+affect our conduct. They have misrepresented the followers of the
+reformed religion in France as a turbulent, rebellious, obstinate race
+of men, who adhere to their own creed more out of opposition to the
+sovereign than from any real attachment to the religion of their
+forefathers. By long and artful reasonings they have persuaded the
+King that such is the case. He himself told me long ago, that
+individually there are a great many good men, and brave men, and loyal
+men amongst us; but that as a body we are the most stiff-necked and
+rebellious race he ever read of in history.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have we not been driven to rebellion?&quot; demanded Monsieur de
+Champclair, &quot;have we not been driven to resistance? Have we ever taken
+arms but in our own defence?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;True,&quot; replied Schomberg, &quot;quite true. But kings unfortunately see
+through the eyes of others. The causes of our resistance are hidden
+from him scrupulously. The resistance itself is urged upon him
+vehemently.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then it is absolutely necessary,&quot; said the Count de Morseiul, &quot;that
+he should be made clearly and distinctly to know how much we have been
+aggrieved, how peaceably and loyally we are really disposed, and how
+little but the bitterest fruits can ever be reaped from the seeds that
+are now sowing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Precisely,&quot; replied Schomberg. &quot;That is precisely what I should
+propose to do. Let us present a humble remonstrance to the King,
+making a true statement of our case. Let us make him aware of the
+evils that have accrued, of the evils that still must accrue from
+persecution; but in the language of the deepest loyalty and most
+submissive obedience. Let us open his eyes, in fact, to the real state
+of the case. This is our only hope, for in resistance I fear there is
+none. The Protestant people are apathetic, they are not united--and
+they are not sufficiently numerous, even if they were united, to
+contend successfully with the forces of a great empire in a time of
+external peace.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not know that,&quot; exclaimed Monsieur de Champclair. But he had the
+great majority of the persons who were then present against him, and,
+in a desultory conversation that followed, those who had most
+vehemently advocated resistance but a few minutes before, who had been
+all fire and fury, and talked loudly of sacrificing their lives a
+thousand times rather than sacrificing their religion, viewed the
+matter in a very different light now when the first eagerness was
+over. One declared that not an able-bodied man in forty would take the
+field in defence of his religion; another said, that they had surely
+had warning enough at La Rochelle; another spoke, with a shudder, of
+Alaix. In short, Albert de Morseiul had an epitome in that small
+meeting of the doubts, fears, and hesitations; the apathy, the
+weakness, the renitency which would affect the great body of
+Protestants, if called upon suddenly to act together. He was forced,
+then, to content himself with pressing strongly upon the attention of
+all present the necessity of adopting instantly the suggestion of
+Marshal Schomberg, and of drawing up a representation to the King, to
+be signed as rapidly as possible by the chief Protestants throughout
+the kingdom, and transmitted to Schomberg, who was even then on his
+way towards Paris.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Vain discussions next ensued in regard to the tone of the
+remonstrance, and the terms that were to be employed; and those who
+were inclined to be more bold in words than in deeds, proposed such
+expressions as would have entirely obviated the result sought to be
+obtained, giving the petition the character of a threatening and
+mutinous manifesto. Though this effect was self-evident, yet the terms
+had nearly been adopted by the majority of those present, and most
+likely would have been so, had not a fortunate suggestion struck the
+mind of Albert of Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My good friends,&quot; he said, &quot;there is one thing which we have
+forgotten to consider. We are all of us soldiers and country
+gentlemen, and many of us have, perhaps, a certain tincture of belles
+lettres; but a petition from the whole body of Protestants should be
+drawn up by some person eminent alike for learning, wisdom, and piety,
+whose very name may be a recommendation to that which he produces.
+What say you, then, to request Monsieur Claude de l'Estang to draw up
+the petition for our whole body. I intend to leave Poitiers to-morrow,
+and will communicate your desire to him. The paper shall be sent to
+you all as soon as it is drawn up, and nothing will remain but to
+place our hands to it, and lay it before the King.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The proposal was received with joy by all; for even those who were
+pressing their own plans obstinately were at heart glad to be
+delivered from the responsibility; and this having been decided, the
+meeting broke up.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul lingered for a few minutes after the rest were
+gone to speak with Marshal Schomberg, who asked, &quot;So you are not going
+to wait for the opening of the states?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see no use of so doing,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;now that I know the
+measures which the King's commission dictates, I have nothing farther
+to detain me. But tell me, Marshal, do you really believe that Louvois
+and his abettors will urge the King seriously to such steps?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To a thousand others,&quot; replied Schomberg; &quot;to a thousand harsher, and
+a thousand more dangerous measures. I can tell you that it is already
+determined to prohibit for the future the marriages of Catholics and
+Protestants. That, indeed, were no great evil, and I think rather
+favourable to us, than not; but it is only one out of many
+encroachments on the liberty of conscience, and, depend upon it, our
+sole hope is in opening the King's eyes to our real character as a
+body, and to the awful evils likely to ensue from oppressing us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But should we be unable so to do,&quot; demanded the Count, &quot;what remains
+for us then, my noble friend? Must we calmly submit to increasing
+persecution? must we renounce our faith? must we resist and die?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If by our death,&quot; replied Schomberg firmly, but sadly, &quot;we could seal
+for those who come after us, even with our hearts' blood, a covenant
+of safety--if by our fall in defence of our religion we could cement,
+as with the blood of martyrs, the edifice of the reformed church--if
+there were even a hope that our destruction could purchase immunity to
+our brethren or our children, I should say that there is but one
+course before us. But, alas! my good young friend, do you not know, as
+well as I do, that resistance is hopeless in itself, and must be
+ruinous in its consequences; that it must bring torture, persecution,
+misery, upon the women, the children, the helpless; that it must crush
+out the last spark of toleration that is likely to be left; and that
+the ultimate ruin of our church in France will but be hastened
+thereby? No one deserving the title of man, gentleman, or Christian,
+will abandon his religion under persecution; but there is another
+course to be taken, and it I shall take, if these acts against us be
+not stayed. I will quit the land--I will make myself a home elsewhere.
+My faith shall be my country, as my sword has been my inheritance!
+Would you take my advice, my dear Count, you would follow my example,
+and forming your determination before hand, be prepared to act when
+necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count shook his head. &quot;I thank you,&quot; he said, &quot;I thank you, and
+will give what you propose the fullest consideration; but it is a
+resolution that cannot be taken at once--at least by such as feel as I
+do. Oh! my good friend, remember how many ties I have to break asunder
+before I can act as you propose. There are all the sweet memories of
+youth, the clinging household dreams of infancy, the sunny home of my
+first days, when life's pilgrimage took its commencement in a garden
+of flowers. I must quit all these,--every dear thing to which the
+remembrance of my brightest days is attached--and spend the autumn and
+the winter of my latter life in scenes where there is not even a
+memory of its spring. I must quit all these, Schomberg. I must quit
+more. I must quit the faithful people that have surrounded me from my
+boyhood--who have grown up with me like brothers--who have watched
+over me like fathers--who have loved me with that hereditary love that
+none but lord and vassal can feel towards each other--who would lay
+down their lives to serve me, and who look to me for direction,
+protection, and support. I must quit them, I must leave them a prey to
+those who would tear and destroy them. I must leave, too, the grave of
+my father, the tombs of my ancestors, round which the associations of
+the past have wreathed a chain of glorious memories that should bind
+me not to abandon them. I, too, should have my grave there, Schomberg;
+I, too, should take my place amongst the many who have served their
+country, and left a name without a stain. When I have sought the
+battle field, have I not thought of them, and burned to accomplish
+deeds like theirs? When I have been tempted to do any thing that is
+wrong, have I not thought upon their pure renown, and cast the
+temptation from me like a slimy worm? And should I leave those tombs
+now? Were it not better to do as they would have done, to hang out my
+banner from the walls against oppression, and when the sword which
+they have transmitted to me can defend my right no longer, perish on
+the spot which is hallowed by the possession of their ashes?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, my friend, no,&quot; replied Schomberg, &quot;it were not better, for
+neither could you so best do honour to their name, neither would your
+death and sacrifice avail aught to the great cause of religious
+liberty. But there is more to be considered, Albert of Morseiul; you
+might not gain the fate you sought for. The perverse bullet and the
+unwilling steel often, too often, will not do their fatal mission upon
+him that courts them. How often do we see that the timid, the
+cowardly, or the man who has a thousand sweet inducements to seek long
+life, meets death in the first field he enters, while he who in
+despair or rage walks up to the flashing cannon's mouth escapes as by
+a miracle? Think; Morseiul, if such were to be your case, what would
+be the result: first to linger in imprisonment, next to see the
+exterminating sword of persecution busy amongst those that you had led
+on into revolt, to know that their hearths were made desolate, their
+children orphans, their patrimony given to others, their wives and
+daughters delivered to the brutal insolence of victorious soldiers;
+and then, knowing all this, to end your own days as a common criminal,
+stretched on a scaffold on the torturing wheel, amidst the shouts and
+derisions of superstitious bigots, with the fraudulent voice of
+monkish hypocrisy pouring into your dying ear insults to your religion
+and to your God. Think of all this! and think also, that, at that last
+moment, you would know that you yourself had brought it all to pass,
+without the chance of effecting one single benefit to yourself or
+others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count put his hand before his eyes, but made no reply; and then,
+wringing Marshal Schomberg's hand, he mounted his horse and rode
+slowly away.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For a considerable distance he went on towards Poitiers at the same
+slow pace, filled with dark and gloomy thoughts, and with nothing but
+despair on every side. He felt that the words of Marshal Schomberg
+were true to their fullest extent, and a sort of presage of the coming
+events seemed to gather slowly upon his heart, like dark clouds upon
+the verge of the sky. His only hope reduced itself to the same narrow
+bounds which had long contained those of Schomberg; the result,
+namely, of the proposed petition to the King.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But there were one or two words which Schomberg had dropped
+accidentally, and which it would seem, from what we have told before,
+ought not to have produced such painful and bitter feelings in the
+breast of Albert of Morseiul as they did produce. They were those
+words which referred to the prohibition about to be decreed against
+the marriages of Protestants and Catholics. What was it to him, he
+asked himself, whether Catholics and Protestants might or might not
+marry? Was not his determination taken with regard to the only person
+whom he could have ever loved? and did it matter that another barrier
+was placed between them, when there were barriers impassable before.
+But still he felt the announcement deeply and painfully; reason had no
+power to check and overcome those sensations; and oppressed and
+overloaded as his mind then was, it wandered vaguely from misery to
+misery, and seemed to take a pleasure in calling up every thing that
+could increase its own pain and anguish.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he had thus ridden along for somewhat more than two miles, he
+suddenly heard a horn winded lowly in the distance, and, as he
+fancied, the cry of dogs. It called to his mind his promise to
+Clémence de Marly. He felt that his frame of mind was in strange
+contrast with a gay hunting scene. Yet he had promised to go as soon
+as ever he was free, and he was not a man to break his promise, even
+when it was a light one. He turned his horse's head, then, in the
+direction of the spot from which the sound seemed to proceed, still
+going on slowly and gloomily.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A moment after he heard the sounds again. The memory of happy days,
+and of his old forest sports, came upon him, and he made a strong
+effort against the darker spirit in his bosom.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will drive these gloomy thoughts from me,&quot; he said, &quot;if it be but
+for an hour; I will yet know one bright moment more. For this day I
+will be a boy again, and to-morrow I will cast all behind me, and
+plunge into the stream of care and strife!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he thus thought he touched his horse with the spur; the gallant
+beast bounded off like lightning; the cry of the hounds, the sound of
+the horns came nearer and nearer; and in a few moments more the Count
+came suddenly upon a relay of horses and dogs, established upon the
+side of a hill, as was then customary, for the purpose of giving fresh
+vigour to the chase when it had been abated by weariness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is the deer expected to pass here?&quot; demanded the Count, speaking to
+one of the <i>veneurs</i>, and judging instantly, by his own practised eye,
+that it would take another direction.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The young Marquis Hericourt thought so,&quot; replied the man, &quot;but he
+knows nothing about it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At that moment the gallant stag itself was seen, at the distance of
+about half a mile, bounding along in the upland towards a point
+directly opposite; and the Count knowing that he must come upon the
+hunt at the turn of the valley, spurred on at all speed, followed by
+his attendants. In a few minutes more a few of the huntsmen were seen;
+and, in another, Clémence de Marly was before his eyes. She was
+glowing with exercise and eagerness, her eyes bright as stars, her
+clustering hair floating back from her face, her whole aspect like
+that which she bore, when first he saw her in all the brightness of
+her youth and beauty. The Chevalier was seen at a distance amusing
+himself by teasing, almost into madness, a fiery horse, that was eager
+to bound forward before all the rest; the train of suitors, and of
+flatterers, that generally followed her, was scattered about the
+field; and, in a moment--with his hat off, his dark hair curling round
+his brow, his features lighted up with a smile which was strangely
+mingled with the strong lines of deep emotions just passed, like the
+sun scattering the remnants of a thunder cloud; with his chest thrown
+forward, his head bending to a graceful salute, and his person erect
+as a column--Albert of Morseiul was by the side of Clémence de Marly
+and galloping on with her, seeming but of one piece with the noble
+animal that bore him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The eyes of almost all those that followed, or were around, were
+turned to those two; and certainly almost every thing else in the gay
+and splendid scene through which they moved seemed to go out
+extinguished by the comparison. In the whole air, and aspect, and
+figure of each, there was that clear, concentrated expression of
+grace, dignity, and power, that seems almost immortal; so that the
+Duke de Rouvré and his train, the gay nobles, the dogs, the huntsmen,
+and the whole array, were for an instant forgotten. Men forgot even
+themselves for a time to wonder and admire.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Unconscious that such was the case, Albert de Morseiul and Clémence de
+Marly rode on; and he--with his fate, as he conceived, sealed, and his
+determination taken--cast off all cold and chilling restraint, and
+appeared what he really was--nay, more, appeared what he was when
+eager, animated, and with all the fine qualities of his heart and mind
+welling over in a moment of excitement. All the tales that she had
+heard of him as he appeared in the battle field, or in the moment of
+difficulty and danger, were now realised to the mind of Clémence de
+Marly, and while she wondered and enjoyed, she felt that for the first
+time in her life, she had met with one to whom her own high heart and
+spirit must yield. Her eyes sunk beneath the eagle gaze of his; her
+hand held the rein more timidly; new feelings came upon her, doubts of
+her own sufficiency, of her own courage, of her own strength, of her
+own beauty, of her own worthiness: she felt that she had admired and
+esteemed Albert of Morseiul before, but she felt that there was
+something more strange, more potent in her bosom now.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We must pause on no other scene of that hunting. Throughout the whole
+of that afternoon the Count gave way to the same spirit. Whether alone
+with Clémence, or surrounded by others, the high and powerful mind
+broke forth with fearless energy. A bright and poetical imagination; a
+clear and cultivated understanding; a decision of character and of
+tone, founded on the consciousness of rectitude and of great powers; a
+wit as graceful as it was keen, aided by the advantages of striking
+beauty, and a deep-toned voice of striking melody, left every one so
+far behind, so out of all comparison, that even the vainest there felt
+it themselves, and felt it with mortification and anger. The hunting
+was over, and by chance or by design Albert of Morseiul was placed
+next to Clémence de Marly at supper. The Duke de Rouvré had noticed
+the brightening change which had come over his young friend, and
+attributing it to a wrong cause, he said good-humouredly,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Morseiul, happy am I to see you shake off your sadness.
+You are so much more cheerful, that I doubt not you have heard good
+news to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This was spoken at some distance across the table, and every one heard
+it; but the young Count replied calmly, &quot;Alas! no, my Lord; I was
+determined to have one more day of happiness, and therefore cast away
+every other thought but the pleasure of the society by which I was
+surrounded. I gave way to that pleasure altogether this day, because I
+am sorry to say, I must quit your hospitable roof tomorrow, in order
+to return to Morseiul, fearing that I shall not be able to come to
+Poitiers again, while I remain in this part of France.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence de Marly turned very pale, but then again the blood rushed
+powerfully over her face. But the Duke de Rouvré, by replying
+immediately, called attention away from her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, nay, Monsieur le Comte,&quot; he said, &quot;you promised me to stay for
+several days, longer, and I cannot part with an old friend, and the
+son of an old friend, so soon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I said, my Lord, that I would stay if it were possible,&quot; replied the
+Count. &quot;But I can assure you that it is not possible; various
+important causes of the greatest consequence not only to me, but to
+the state, call me imperatively away, when, indeed, there are but too
+many inducements to stay here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know one of the causes,&quot; said the Duke; &quot;I hear you have taken
+measures for suppressing that daring band of plunderers--<i>night
+hawks</i>, as they call themselves, who have for some time hung about
+that part of the country, and who got possession of poor Monsieur
+Pelisson and Monsieur St. Helie, as they were telling me the other
+day; but you might trust that to your seneschals, Count.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed I cannot, my Lord Duke,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;that affair has
+more branches than you know of--or, perhaps I should say, more roots
+to be eradicated. Besides there are many other things.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, well,&quot; said the Duke, &quot;if it must be so, it must. However, as
+soon as the states have ceased to hold their meetings, I shall come
+for a little repose to Ruffigny, and then, if you have not been fully
+successful, I will do my best to help you; but we are not going to
+lose our friend Louis here too. Chevalier, do you go back with your
+friend?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not to hunt robbers,&quot; replied the Chevalier with a smile; &quot;I would
+almost as soon hunt rats with the Dauphin. Besides, he has never asked
+me; this is the first intelligence I had of his intention.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I only formed it this morning,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;But you have
+promised me a whole month, Louis, and you shall give it me when you
+find it most pleasant to yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, I shall linger on here for a few days,&quot; replied the Chevalier,
+&quot;if the governor will feed and lodge me; and then, when I have seen
+all the bright things that are done by the states, I will come and
+join you at Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus ended the discussion which followed the young Count's
+announcement. No further conversation took place between him and
+Clémence, who devoted her whole attention, during the rest of the
+evening, either to the Chevalier, the Duc de Melcourt, or the young
+Marquis de Hericourt. The hour for Albert de Morseiul's departure was
+announced as immediately after breakfast on the following day; but
+Clémence de Marly did not appear that morning at the table, for the
+first time since his arrival at Poitiers. When the hour was come, and
+his horses were prepared, he took leave of the rest of the party, and
+with many painful emotions at his heart quitted the saloon, the Duke
+and the Chevalier, with one or two others, accompanying him to the top
+of the stairs. At that moment, however, as he was about to descend,
+Clémence appeared as if going into the saloon. She was somewhat paler
+than usual; but her manner was the same as ever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; she said, &quot;you are going! I wish you a
+happy journey;&quot; and thus treating him like a mere common acquaintance,
+she bowed her head and entered the saloon.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_09" href="#div1Ref_09">THE DISCOVERY.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Two days after the departure of the Count de Morseiul, the states of
+the province were opened in form; but neither with the states nor with
+their proceedings shall we have any thing to do, and will merely
+notice an event which occurred on the eve of their meeting.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the day preceding, a vast number of gentlemen from all parts of the
+province had flocked into the city. The house of the governor was
+again filled to the very doors, and though the formal opening of the
+states was deferred till the succeeding day, they nominally commenced
+their assembly on the day after the Count's departure. The colleagues,
+Pelisson and St. Helie, had separated after their arrival in Poitiers,
+the former having gone to the bishop's palace, where he busied himself
+in his usual occupation at this time, namely, in diffusing large sums
+of money through the province by different channels, for the purpose
+of bribing all persons who might be found weak or wavering in the
+Protestant faith to abandon their religion, and profess themselves
+Catholics. St. Helie had remained at the house of the governor,
+following occupations more suited to his genius, that of watching
+every thing that was done, of gaining information concerning the views
+and feelings of all persons likely to be present at the assembly of
+the states, and of endeavouring to form a party for his own purposes
+amidst the more fierce, intolerant, and bigoted of the influential
+Catholics of the province.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Duke de Rouvré could not avoid showing this personage every sort
+of civility, for, indeed, such was the King's command; but at the same
+time he could not conceal from himself that the Abbé was a spy upon
+his actions, and was intended to be a check upon his conduct, and, as
+may well be supposed under such circumstances, he was not particularly
+pleased with his guest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the day preceding the regular opening of the states, then, after
+some of the preliminary formalities had been gone through, the Duc de
+Rouvré, while conversing in his saloon with twelve or fourteen of the
+principal Roman Catholic gentry, who had come to visit him as if by
+accident, but in reality by a previous arrangement with others, was
+not agreeably surprised to see the Abbé de St. Helie, followed by
+Pelisson and the Curé of Guadrieul, enter the room in somewhat a
+formal manner, and advance towards him with a face of business. He
+bowed low, however, as it was the first time he had seen the Abbé that
+morning, greeted Pelisson somewhat more warmly, and suffered the third
+personage of the party to walk up in bull-like sullenness with nothing
+but a formal inclination of the head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is time, my Lord,&quot; said the Abbé de St. Helie, &quot;to fulfil the
+order of the King, and to open in your presence the commission with
+which he has entrusted us, of the nature of which we are ourselves in
+some sort ignorant up to this moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thought, gentlemen,&quot; said the Duke, &quot;that you informed me the
+commission was not to be opened till after the opening of the states.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, my Lord,&quot; replied the Abbé, &quot;I said, till after the meeting of
+the states, which were convened to meet to-day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well then, gentlemen,&quot; said the Duke, &quot;I will give you my attention
+in a few minutes. You see I am at present occupied with friends, but
+in half an hour I shall be prepared to receive you in my cabinet upon
+any business that may remain to be transacted between us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see no reason, my Lord,&quot; replied the Abbé, &quot;why the commission
+should not be opened before the gentlemen here present, all of whom
+are sincere Christians, and zealous supporters of the true faith.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No earthly reason whatever,&quot; replied the Duke sharply, &quot;except that I
+choose to do my own business in my own way, in my own house, and in my
+own government.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sorry to suggest any alterations in your Lordship's plans,&quot;
+replied the Abbé with a cool sneer, &quot;but I have authority for what I
+am doing. The King's express directions are to open the commission in
+presence of your Lordship, <i>and other competent witnesses</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, if such be the case,&quot; said the Duke, much mortified, &quot;there could
+be no witnesses more competent, and none perhaps better prepared than
+the present. Pray open your commission, gentlemen. My good sirs, take
+your seats round this table. Let us give the matter, if possible, some
+air of regularity. Without there! Send for my secretary. We will wait
+till he comes, if you please, Monsieur de St. Helie. What splendid
+weather this is, gentlemen. We have not had one wet day for nearly two
+months, and yet a gentle rain every morning.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The persons present ranged themselves round the table, the Curé de
+Guadrieul produced the leathern bag which contained the commission,
+and laid it down heavily before him, and as soon as the Duke's
+secretary appeared, a large knot upon the leathern strings of the bag
+was cut with a penknife, and the whole packet handed to the Abbé de
+St. Helie, who had placed himself at the governor's right hand.
+Opening the mouth of the bag, then, the Abbé took forth a large
+parchment packet, sealed up at both ends with the royal arms of
+France. The governor asked to look at the superscription, and finding
+it addressed in the usual terms to the Abbé St. Helie and Pelisson, he
+gave it back to the former, who with an important countenance and slow
+formality began to break the seals.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Two or three paper covers were within in order to keep the precious
+document secure, and one by one the Abbé unfolded them, till he came
+to the last, which was also sealed, but which was much smaller than
+the size of the outer parcel had given reason to expect. He broke the
+seal himself, however, and produced the contents, when, to the
+astonishment of every body, and the merriment of the younger persons
+present, there appeared nothing but a pack of cards.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Duc de Rouvré looked on dryly, not a smile curled his countenance,
+and he said, gazing at the Abbé de St. Helie, who sat in stupified
+silence,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I admire the sagacity and propriety with which it has been judged
+necessary to appoint witnesses for the opening of this commission,--or
+of this game, perhaps I ought to say, Monsieur de St. Helie.
+Gentlemen, I trust that you are perfectly satisfied; but I must ask
+you whether it be necessary to direct my secretary to take a procès
+verbal of the contents, import, and extent of the Abbé's commission?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the mean time Pelisson had reached across, and taken up the papers
+which had surrounded the cards. He examined them minutely and long;
+but at length replied to the Duke's sneer by saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps it may be more necessary, my Lord, than you imagine. It seems
+to me from the appearance of these papers that the packet has been
+opened before. There is a slight tear in the parchment, which tear is
+evidently not new.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must look to that yourselves, gentlemen,&quot; said the Duc de Rouvré,
+seriously angry; &quot;the commission has been in your charge and custody,
+and in that of no one else. You best know whether you have opened it
+before the time or not. Secretary, as these gentlemen demand it, make
+a note that we have this day seen opened by the Abbé de St. Helie in
+our presence a packet addressed to him and Monsieur de Pelisson,
+purporting to be a commission for certain purposes addressed to them
+by his Most Christian Majesty; and that on the said packet being so
+opened, there has been found in it nothing but a pack of cards, not in
+the most cleanly condition.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray let him add,&quot; said Pelisson, &quot;that I have declared my opinion,
+from the appearance of the papers, that the said packet had been
+previously opened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let that also be noted,&quot; said the Duke; &quot;but it must be noted also
+that Monsieur de Pelisson did not make that observation till after the
+packet had been opened, and the cards discovered, that the seals were
+unbroken, and the leathern bag entire; and now, gentlemen,&quot; he
+continued, &quot;after having interrupted my conversation with these noble
+gentlemen here present to witness the opening of a pack of
+cards--which may indeed be the commencement of a game that I don't
+understand--perhaps you will excuse me for rising and resuming our
+more agreeable occupation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pelisson bowed his head, calm and undisturbed; the Abbé de St. Helie
+looked stupified, mortified, and angry beyond all measure; and the
+dull priest of Guadrieul, upon whom the eyes of both of his superiors
+were turned from time to time with an expression of no very doubtful
+import, looked swallowed up in stolid fear and astonishment. The
+governor and his guests in general had risen and scattered themselves
+about the room, and after speaking to the Abbé de St. Helie for a few
+moments, Pelisson advanced, and took his leave in a few words, saying,
+that of course it was their duty to inform the King of what had
+occurred, and that therefore they must proceed to write quickly before
+the ordinary set out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The governor bowed stiffly, and merely replied that he himself could
+not think of troubling the King upon a trifle of such minor
+importance, and therefore left them to make their communication in
+their own terms. The three then retired, and the rest of the party
+soon after separated; but the worthy governor had not been left half
+an hour alone before he received a billet from the bishop, requesting
+an audience, which was immediately granted. He came, accompanied by
+Pelisson and the Curé de Guadrieul, who remained without while the
+archbishop and his companion held a previous conference with the
+governor. The Curé was then called in, and remained some time with
+them. He was then sent out again to the ante-chamber, then recalled,
+and nearly two hours passed in what was apparently an unpleasant
+discussion, for at the end of that time when the governor returned to
+the saloon from his own cabinet, Clémence de Marly, the Duchess, and
+the Chevalier d'Evran, all remarked that he was very much agitated and
+heated.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In a minute or two afterwards his secretary followed him into the room
+with a note, apparently just written, in his hand, and asked if that
+would do.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The governor read the note, and replied, &quot;Yes! Send it off directly,&quot;
+he said. &quot;Bid the messenger give my very best regards to the Count de
+Morseiul! Lay the strictest injunctions upon him also not to stop this
+night till he has overtaken the Count. If the Count be in bed when he
+reaches the place where he is, he need not of course disturb him till
+the morning.--But bid him say every thing that is kind from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence de Marly rose, and with a winning grace that was more natural
+to her than the capricious pride she sometimes assumed, walked up to
+the Duke, glided her arm through his, and drew the old nobleman into
+one of the deep windows. She spoke with him for several minutes
+earnestly, and he replied as if endeavouring to parry by a jest some
+question he did not choose to answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, nay,&quot; she was heard to say at length, &quot;my dear guardian, you
+<i>shall</i> tell me, and you know that Clémence is more absolute than the
+King.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will talk about it to-morrow, Clémence,&quot; replied the Duke, &quot;and
+perhaps I may tell you; but you shall make your confession in return,
+fair lady.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She blushed a little and turned away, and thus the conversation ended.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div1_10" href="#div1Ref_10">THE RECALL.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul rode on his way with a heart ill at case. The
+excitement of the preceding night was gone, and the lassitude that
+succeeded it was like the weakness after a fever. It seemed to him
+that the last cheerful hours of life were over, and the rest was all
+to be strife and anguish; that the last of all the sweet dreams, with
+which hope and youth deck the future, were done and passed away, and
+nothing but the stern grey reality was left. It is hard and sorrowful
+to make up the mind to any parting, and tenfold hard and sorrowful to
+make up the mind to our parting with the sweet promising fancies of
+our early days, to put ourselves under a harsher guide for ever, and
+follow with him a rugged and a cheerless path, when before we had been
+treading on sweet sunshiny flowers. In general, it is true, the wise
+beneficence of Heaven has provided that we should not part with all at
+once, but that the visions and the dreams, like the many gay
+companions of our boyhood, should either be abandoned for others, or
+drop away from our side, one by one, till all are gone, and we hardly
+mark which is the last. But there are times when all are snatched away
+together, or, as in the case of Albert of Morseiul, when the last that
+is taken is the brightest and the best, and the parting is clear,
+defined, and terrible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bitter, bitter, then, were his feelings as he rode away from Poitiers,
+and made up his mind that the last dream of youth was over, that the
+nourished vision of long years was dissipated, that the bubble was
+burst, and that all was gone; that she who, half ideal, half real, had
+been that object round which both memory and imagination had clung as
+the something splendid for the future, was not what he had dreamt of,
+and even if she were, could never, never be his; and that at length
+that theme of thought was gone from him for ever. That moment and that
+spot seemed to form the parting place, where youth, imagination, and
+happiness were left behind, and care, reality, and anxiety started
+forward with latter life.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though, as we have endeavoured on more than one occasion to show, the
+Count de Morseiul was a man of strong imagination and of deep and
+intense feelings, yet he possessed qualities of other kinds, which
+served to counterbalance and to rule those dangerous gifts, not,
+indeed, preventing them from having their effect upon himself,
+paining, grieving, and wearing him, but sufficient to prevent
+imagination from clouding his judgment, or strong feeling from warping
+his conduct from the stern path which judgment dictated. He applied
+himself then to examine distinctly what were the probabilities of the
+future, and what was the line of conduct that it became him to pursue.
+He doubted not, indeed he felt strongly convinced, that Clémence de
+Marly would ultimately give her hand to the Chevalier d'Evran, to his
+friend and companion. He believed that, for the time, some accidental
+circumstance might have alienated them from each other, and that,
+perhaps on both sides, any warmer and more eager passion that they
+once had felt, might have been a little cooled; but still he doubted
+not, from all he saw, that Clémence would yet be his friend's bride,
+and the first part of his own task was to prepare his mind to bear
+that event with calmness, and firmness, and dignity, whenever it
+should happen. As his thoughts reverted, however, to the situation of
+his fellow Huguenots, and the probable fate that awaited them, he saw
+a prospect of relief from the agony of his own personal feelings in
+the strife that was likely to ensue from their persecution; and
+perhaps he drew a hope even from the prospect of an early grave.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With such thoughts struggling in his breast, and with all the varied
+emotions which the imagination of the reader may well supply, Albert
+of Morseiul rode on till he reached the house appointed for his second
+resting place. Every thing had been prepared for his reception, and
+all the external appliances were ready to insure comfort, so that
+there was not even any little bodily want or irritation to withdraw
+his attention from the gloomy pictures presented by his own thoughts.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With a tact in such matters which was peculiarly his own, Jerome
+Riquet took especial care that the dinner set before his master should
+be of the very simplest kind, and instead of crowding the room with
+servants, as he had done on a former occasion, he, who on the journey
+acted the part of major domo, waited upon the Count at table alone,
+only suffering another servant to carry in and remove the dishes. He
+had taken the precaution of bringing with him some wine from Poitiers,
+which he had induced the sommelier of the archbishop to pilfer from
+the best bin in his master's cellar, and he now endeavoured to seduce
+his master, whose deep depression he had seen and deplored during
+their journey, into taking more of the fragrant juice than usual, not,
+indeed, by saying one word upon the subject, but by filling his glass
+whenever he saw it empty.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now Jerome Riquet would have given the tip of one of his ears to have
+been made quite sure of what was the chief cause of the Count's
+anxiety. That he was anxious about the state of the Protestant cause
+the valet well knew; that he was in some degree moved by feelings of
+love towards Clémence de Marly, Riquet very easily divined. But Jerome
+Riquet was, as we have before said on more than one occasion, shrewd
+and intelligent, and in nothing more so than in matters where the
+heart was concerned. It is true he had never been in the room five
+times when Clémence and his master were together, but there are such
+things in the world wherein we live as half open doors, chinks,
+key-holes, and garret windows; and in the arts and mysteries of all
+these, Jerome Riquet was a most decided proficient. He had thus seen
+quite enough to make him feel very sure, that whatever might be
+Clémence de Marly's feelings towards others, her feelings towards his
+master were not by any means unfavourable; and after much speculation
+he had arranged in his own mind--from a knowledge of the somewhat
+chivalrous generosity in his master's character--that he and the
+Chevalier d'Evran were in love with the same person, and that the
+Count, even with the greater probability of success, had abandoned the
+pursuit of his passion, rather than become the rival of his friend.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet wished much to be assured of this fact, however; and to know
+whether it was really and truly the proximate cause of the melancholy
+he beheld, or whether there was some deeper and more powerful motive
+still, concealed from those eyes which he thought were privileged to
+pry into every secret of his master. Thus, after dinner was over, and
+the dessert was put upon the table--though he had wisely forborne up
+to that moment to do, to say, or to allow any thing that could disturb
+the train of the Count's thoughts--he could resist no longer, and
+again quickly filled up his young lord's glass as he saw it empty.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His master put it aside with the back of his hand, saying, &quot;No more!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, my Lord,&quot; said Riquet, &quot;you will not surely refuse to drink that
+glass to the health of Mademoiselle Clémence!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count, who knew him thoroughly, and in general perceived very
+clearly all the turnings and windings through which he pursued his
+purposes, turned round, gazing in his face for a moment as he bent
+over his shoulder, and then replied with a melancholy smile,
+&quot;Certainly not, Riquet. Health and happiness to her!&quot; and he drank the
+wine.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The look and the words were quite sufficient for Jerome Riquet, though
+the Count was not aware that it would be so; but the cunning valet saw
+clearly, that, whatever other causes might mingle with the melancholy
+of his master, love for Clémence de Marly had a principal share
+therein; and, confirmed in his own opinion of his lord's motive in
+quitting Poitiers, his first thought, when he cleared away and left
+him, was, by what artful scheme or cunning device he could carry him
+back to Poitiers against his own will, and plunge him inextricably
+into the pursuit of her he loved.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Several plans suggested themselves to his mind, which was fertile in
+all such sort of intrigues, and it is very probable that, though he
+had to do with a keen and a clear-sighted man, he might have succeeded
+unaided in his object; but he suddenly received assistance which he
+little expected, by the arrival, at their first resting-place, of a
+courier from the Duc de Rouvré, towards the hour of ten at night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet was instantly called to the messenger; and, telling him that
+the Count was so busy that he could see nobody at that moment, the
+valet charged himself with the delivery of the note and the message,
+while the governor's servant sat down to refresh himself after a long
+and fatiguing ride. Riquet took a lamp with him to light himself up
+the stairs, though he had gone up and down all night without any, and
+before he reached the door of the Count's room, he had of course made
+himself acquainted with the whole contents of the note, so that when
+he returned to the kitchen to converse with the messenger, he was
+perfectly prepared to cross-examine him upon the various transactions
+at Poitiers with sagacity and acuteness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The whole story of the cards found in the King's packet had of course
+made a great sensation in the household of the governor, and Riquet
+now laughed immoderately at the tale, declaring most irreverently that
+he had never known Louis le Grand was such a wag. There is nothing
+like laughter for opening the doors of the heart, and letting its
+secrets troop out by dozens. The courier joined in the merriment of
+the valet, and Riquet had no difficulty in extracting from him every
+thing else that he knew. The after conferences between the governor,
+Pelisson, and the Archbishop, were displayed as far as the messenger
+had power to withdraw the veil, and the general opinion entertained in
+the governor's household that some suspicion attached to the young
+Count in regard to that packet, and that the courier himself had been
+sent to recall him to Poitiers, was also communicated in full to the
+valet. To the surprise of the courier, however, Riquet laughed more
+inordinately than ever, declaring that the governor, and the
+Archbishop, and St. Helie, and Pelisson, must all have been mad or
+drunk when they were so engaged.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the mean time the Count de Morseiul had opened the letter from the
+governor, and read the contents, which informed him that a pack of
+cards had been found, in place of a commission, in the packet given by
+the King to Messieurs St Helie and Pelisson; that those gentlemen
+declared that the packet had been opened; and that they had come with
+the Bishop for the purpose of making formal application to the
+governor to recall him, the Count de Morseiul, to Poitiers, alleging
+that the only period at which the real commission could have been
+abstracted was while they were in his company at an inn on the road.
+They had also pointed out, the Duke said, that the Count, as one of
+the principal Protestant leaders, was a person more interested than
+any other, both to ascertain the contents of that packet, and to
+abstract the commission, in case its contents were such as they
+imagined them to have been; and at the same lime they said there was
+good reason to believe that, in consequence of the knowledge thus
+obtained, he, the Count de Morseiul, had called together a meeting of
+Protestant gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, had
+communicated to them the plans and purposes of the government, and had
+concerted schemes for frustrating the King's designs. The Duc de
+Rouvré then went on to say, that as he knew and fully confided in the
+honour and integrity of the Count de Morseiul, and as the Bishop and
+Monsieur Pelisson had produced no corroborative proof of their
+allegation whatsoever, he by no means required or demanded the Count
+to return to Poitiers, but thought fit to communicate to him the
+facts, and to leave him to act according to his own judgment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count paced the room in no slight agitation for several minutes
+after he had read the letter; but it was not the abstraction of the
+King's commission, if such an act had really taken place, nor the
+accusation insinuated, rather than made, against himself, which
+agitated him on the present occasion. The accusation he regarded as
+absurd, the abstraction of the commission merely laughable; a
+suspicion indeed might cross his mind that Riquet had had a hand in
+it, but he knew well that he himself had none, and therefore he cast
+the matter from his mind at once. But his agitation proceeded from the
+thought of being obliged to go back to Poitiers--from the fear of
+seeing all his good resolutions overthrown--from the idea of meeting
+once more, surrounded with greater difficulties and danger than ever,
+her whom he now but too clearly felt to be the only being that he had
+ever loved.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To the emotions which such considerations produced, he gave up a
+considerable time, and then, taking up the bell, he rang it sharply,
+ordering the page that appeared to send Riquet to him. He simply told
+the valet what had occurred, and ordered his horses to be saddled to
+return to Poitiers the next morning at day break. He insinuated no
+suspicion, though he fixed his eyes strongly upon the man's
+countenance, when he spoke of the abstraction of the commission, but
+the face of Riquet changed not in the least, except in consequence of
+a slight irrepressible chuckle which took place at the mention of the
+appearance of the cards. The Count did not wish to inquire into the
+matter, but, from what he saw of Riquet's manner, he judged that his
+servant had nothing to do with the transaction; and, setting out early
+the next morning, he went back to Poitiers at full speed, hiring
+horses when his own were too tired to proceed, so that he reached the
+house of the governor towards nine o'clock on the same night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He was immediately ushered into the saloon, where the family of
+Monsieur de Rouvré and a very small party besides were assembled, and,
+apologising for the dustiness and disarray of his appearance to the
+Duke, who met him near the door, he said that he had only presented
+himself to show that he had lost not a moment in returning to repel
+the false insinuations made against him. He was then about to leave
+the room, hastily glancing his eye over the party beyond, and seeing
+that his friend the Chevalier was not present; but the voice of the
+Duchess de Rouvré called him to her side, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will all, I am sure, excuse dust and disarray for the pleasure of
+Monsieur de Morseiul's society. Is it not so, Madame de Beaune? Is it
+not so, Clémence?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence had scarcely looked up since the Count's arrival, but she now
+did so with a slight inclination of the head, and replied, &quot;The Count
+de Morseiul, my queen, values the pleasure of his society so highly
+that he is disposed to give us but little of it, it would appear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words were scarcely spoken when the Count, with his own peculiar,
+graceful, but energetic manner, walked straight up to Clémence de
+Marly, and stopped opposite to her, saying gravely, but not angrily,
+&quot;I assure you, dear lady, I do not deserve your sarcasm. If you knew,
+on the contrary, how great was the pleasure that I myself have derived
+from this society, you would estimate the sacrifice I made in quitting
+it, and approve, rather than condemn, the self-command and resolution
+I have shown.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence looked suddenly up in his face with one of her bright beaming
+smiles, and then frankly extended her hand to him. &quot;I was wrong,&quot; she
+said; &quot;forgive me, Monsieur de Morseiul! You know a spoilt woman
+always thinks that she has done penance enough when she has forced
+herself to say I was wrong.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">If the whole world had been present, Albert of Morseiul could not have
+refrained from bending down his lips to that fair hand; but he did so
+calmly and respectfully, and then turning to the Duchess, he said that
+if she would permit him, he would but do away the dust and disarray of
+his apparel, and return in a moment. The petition was not of course
+refused: his toilet was hasty, and occupied but a few minutes; and he
+returned as quickly as possible to the hall, where he passed the rest
+of the evening without giving any farther thoughts or words to painful
+themes, except in asking the governor to beg the presence of the
+Bishop, Monsieur Pelisson, and the Abbé de St. Helie, as early as
+possible on the following morning, in order that the whole business
+might be over before the hour appointed for the meeting of the states.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Bishop, who was an eager and somewhat bigoted man, was quite
+willing to pursue the matter at once; and before breakfast on the
+following day, he, with the two Abbés and the Curé de Guadrieul, met
+the Count de Morseiul in the cabinet of the governor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was something in the frank, upright, and gallant bearing of the
+young nobleman that impressed even the superstitious bigots to whom he
+was opposed with feelings of doubt as to the truth of their own
+suspicions, and even with some sensations of shame for having urged
+those suspicions almost in the form of direct charges. They hesitated,
+therefore, as to the mode of their attack, and the Count, impatient of
+delay, commenced the business at once by addressing the Bishop.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My noble friend, the Duke here present,&quot; he said, &quot;has communicated
+to me, my Lord, both by letter and by word of mouth, a strange scene
+that has been enacted here regarding a commission, real or supposed,
+given by the King to the Abbés of St. Helie and Pelisson. It seems,
+that when the packet supposed to contain the commission was produced,
+a pack of cards was found therein, instead of what was expected; that
+Monsieur Pelisson found reason to suppose that the packet had been
+previously opened; and that he then did--what Monsieur Pelisson should
+not have done, considering the acquaintance that he has with me and
+with my character--namely, charged me with having opened, by some
+private means, the packet containing his commission, abstracted and
+destroyed the commission itself, and substituted a pack of cards in
+its place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stop, stop, my dear Count,&quot; said Pelisson, &quot;you are mistaken as to
+the facts. I never made such an accusation, whatever others did. All I
+said was, that you were the only person interested in the abstraction
+of that commission who had possessed any opportunity of destroying
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And in so saying, sir, you spoke falsely,&quot; replied the Count de
+Morseiul; &quot;for, in the first place, you insinuated what was not the
+case, that I have had an opportunity of destroying it; and, in the
+next place, you forgot that for three quarters of an hour, or perhaps
+more, for aught I know, your whole baggage was in the hands of a body
+of plunderers, while neither you, buried in your devotions, under the
+expectation of immediate death, nor Monsieur de St. Helie, weeping,
+trembling, and insane in the agony of unmanly fear, had the slightest
+knowledge of what was done with any thing in your possession; so that
+the plunderers, if they had chosen it, might have re-written you a new
+commission, ordering you both to be scourged back from Poitiers to
+Paris. I only say this to show the absurdity of the insinuations you
+have put forth. Here, in a journey which has probably taken you seven
+or eight days to perform, in the course of which you must have slept
+at seven or eight different inns upon the road, and during which you
+were for a length of time in the hands of a body of notorious
+plunderers, you only choose to fix upon me, who entertained you with
+civility and kindness, who delivered you from death itself, and who
+saved from the flames and restored to your own hands, at the risk of
+my life, the very commission which you now insinuate I had some share
+in abstracting from the paper that contained it. Besides, sir, if I
+remember rightly, that packet was entrusted to the care of a personage
+attendant upon yourselves, and who watched it like the fabled guardian
+of the golden fleece.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the guardian of the fleece slumbered, sir,&quot; replied Pelisson,
+who, to say the truth, was really ashamed of the charge which had been
+brought against the Count de Morseiul, and was very glad of an
+opportunity to escape from the firm grasp of the Count's arguments by
+a figure of speech. &quot;Besides, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said, &quot;had you
+but listened a little longer you would have heard, that though I said
+yours was the only party which had an opportunity of taking it, and
+were interested in its destruction, I never charged you with doing so,
+or commanding it to be done; but I said that some of your servants,
+thinking to do you a pleasure, might have performed the exchange,
+which certainly must have been accomplished with great slight of
+hand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You do not escape me so, sir,&quot; replied the young Count; &quot;if I know
+any thing of the laws of the land, or, indeed, of the laws of common
+sense and right reason, you are first bound to prove that a crime has
+been committed, before you dare to accuse any one of committing it.
+You must show that there ever has been, in reality, a commission in
+that packet. If I understood Monsieur de Rouvré's letter right, the
+seals of the King were found unbroken on the packet, and not the
+slightest appearance of its having been opened was remarked, till you,
+Monsieur Pelisson, discovered that there was such an appearance after
+the fact. The King may have been jesting with you; Monsieur de Louvois
+may have been making sport of you; a drunken clerk of the cabinet may
+have committed some blunder in a state of inebriety; no crime may have
+been committed at all, for aught we know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My good sir,&quot; said the Bishop haughtily, &quot;you show how little you
+know of the King and of the court of the King by supposing that any
+such transactions could take place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My Lord,&quot; replied the Count, gazing upon him with a smile of
+ineffable contempt, &quot;when you were a little Curé in the small town of
+Castelnaudry, my father supported the late King of France with his
+right hand, and with the voice of his counsel: when you were trooping
+after a band of rebels in the train of the house of Vendôme, I was
+page of honour to our present gracious monarch, in dangers and
+difficulties, in scantiness, and in want: when you have been fattening
+in a rich diocese, obtained by no services to the crown, I have fought
+beside my monarch, and led his troops up to the cannon of his enemies'
+ramparts: I have sat beside him in his council of war, and ever have
+been graciously received by him in the midst of his court; and let me
+tell you, my Lord Bishop, that it is not more improbable, nay, not
+more impossible, that Louis XIV. should play a scurvy jest upon two
+respectable ecclesiastics, than that the Count of Morseiul should open
+a paper not addressed to himself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Both good and true,&quot; my young friend, said the Duc de Rouvré; &quot;no one
+who knows you could suspect you of such a thing for a moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But we may his servants,&quot; said the Abbé de St. Helie sharply, though
+he had hitherto remained silent, knowing that he himself had been the
+chief instigator of the charge, and fearing to call upon himself the
+indignation of the young Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, gentlemen,&quot; said the Count de Morseiul, &quot;although I should have
+every right to demand that you should first of all establish the
+absolute fact of the abstraction of this packet upon proper testimony,
+I will not only permit, but even demand, that all my servants who
+accompanied me from Morseiul shall be brought in and examined one by
+one; and if you find any of them to whom you can fairly attach a
+suspicion, I will give him up to you at once, to do what you think fit
+with. I have communicated to them the contents of Monsieur de Rouvré's
+letter, but have said nothing further to them on the subject. They
+must all be arrived by this time: I beg that you would call them in
+yourselves in what order you please.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By your leave, by your leave,&quot; said the Abbé de St. Helie, seeing
+that the Bishop was about to speak; &quot;we will have your valet;
+Jerome--I think I heard him so called. Let us have him, if you
+please.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jerome was accordingly brought in, and appeared with a face of worthy
+astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Having in this instance not to deal with the Count, of whom he stood
+in some degree of awe, though that awe did not in the least diminish
+his malevolence, the Abbé de St. Helie proceeded to conduct the
+examination of Riquet himself. &quot;You, Master Jerome Riquet,&quot; he
+commenced, &quot;you are, I presume, of the church pretending to be
+reformed?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven forbid!&quot; exclaimed Riquet, in a tone of well assumed horror.
+&quot;No, reverend sir, I am of the Holy Roman and Apostolical Church, and
+have never yet gone astray from it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This announcement did not well suit the purposes of the Abbé, who,
+judging from the intolerant feelings of his own heart, had never
+doubted that the confidential servant of the young Count would be
+found to be a zealous Huguenot. He exclaimed, however, &quot;I am glad to
+hear it--I am glad to hear it! But let us speak a little further,
+Monsieur Jerome. It was you, I think, who snatched from under our good
+brother here, Monsieur le Curé de Guadrieul, a certain sheep leather
+bag, containing our commission from his Majesty. Was it not so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I certainly did gently withdraw from under the reverend gentleman,&quot;
+replied Riquet, &quot;a bag on which he was sitting, and which he took back
+again, as you saw, declaring it to be the King's commission for
+exterminating the Huguenots, which did my soul good to hear. I gave it
+back with all reverence, as you saw, and had it not in my hands a
+minute, though I did think--though I did indeed know----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Did think? did know, what?&quot; demanded the Abbé.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That it could not have been in safer hands than mine,&quot; added Riquet;
+and though St Helie urged him vehemently, he could get him to give
+him no farther explanation. Angry at being foiled--and such probably
+was the result that Riquet intended to produce--the Abbé lost all
+caution and reserve. &quot;Come, come, Master Jerome Riquet,&quot; he exclaimed
+in a sharp voice, &quot;come, come; remember that there is such a place as
+the Bastille. Tell us the truth, sir! tell us the truth! This paper
+was stolen! You evidently know something about it! Tell us the
+truth, or means shall be found to make you. Now, answer me! If your
+baggage were searched at this moment, would not the packet be found
+therein--or have you dared to destroy it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jerome Riquet now affected to bristle up in turn. His eyes flashed,
+his large nostrils expanded like a pair of extinguishers, and he
+replied, &quot;No, Abbé, no; neither the one nor the other. But since I,
+one of the King's most loyal Catholic subjects, am accused in this
+way, I will speak out I will say that you two gentlemen should have
+taken better care of the commission yourselves, and that though not
+one scrap will be found in my valise, or in the baggage of any other
+person belonging to my lord, I would not be answerable that more than
+a scrap was not found amongst the baggage of some that are accusing
+others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How now, sirrah,&quot; cried the Abbé de St Helie, &quot;do you dare to say
+that either Monsieur Pelisson or I----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing about either of you two reverend sirs,&quot; replied the valet,
+&quot;nothing about either of you two! But first let my valise be brought
+in and examined. Monsieur has been pleased to say that there is
+something there; and I swear by every thing I hold dear, or by any
+other oath your reverences please, that I have not touched a thing in
+it since I heard of this business about the cards. Let it be brought
+in, I say, and examined. May I tell the people without, my Lord Duke,
+to bring in every thing I have in the world, and lay it down here
+before you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Duke immediately assented, and while Jerome Riquet, without
+entirely leaving the room, bade the attendants in the ante-chamber
+bring in every thing, every thing they could find in his room, St.
+Helie and Pelisson looked in each others faces with glances of some
+embarrassment and wonder, while the Count de Morseiul gazed sternly
+down on the table, firmly believing that Master Jerome Riquet was
+engaged in playing off some specious trick which he himself could not
+detect, and was bound not to expose.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The goods and chattels of the valet were brought in, and a various and
+motley display they made; for whether he had arranged the whole on
+purpose out of sheer impudence, or had left matters to take their
+course accidentally, his valise presented a number of objects
+certainly not his own property, and to most of which his master, if he
+had remarked them, might have laid claim. The Count was silent,
+however, and though the manifold collection of silk stockings,
+ribands, lace, doublets, &amp;c. &amp;c. &amp;c., were drawn forth to the very
+bottom, yet nothing the least bearing upon the question of the
+abstraction of the commission was found throughout the whole.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he shook the last vest, to show that there was nothing in it, a
+smile of triumph shone upon the countenance of Jerome Riquet, and he
+demanded, &quot;Now, gentlemen, are you satisfied that I have no share in
+this business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Abbé de St Helie was hastening to acknowledge that he was
+satisfied, for he was timid as well as malevolent; and having lost the
+hold, which he thought he might have had on Jerome Riquet, the
+menacing words which the valet had made use of filled his mind with
+apprehensions, lest some suspicion should be raised up in the mind of
+the King, or of Louvois, that he himself had had a share in the
+disappearance of the paper. Not so, however, Pelisson, who, though he
+had learnt the lesson of sycophancy and flattery with wonderful
+aptitude, was naturally a man of courage and resolution, and before
+Monsieur de St. Helie could well finish what he had to say, he
+exclaimed aloud,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stop, stop, Master Jerome Riquet, we are undoubtedly satisfied that
+the papers are not in your valise, and I think it probable that you
+have had nothing to do with the matter; but you threw out an
+insinuation just now of which we must hear more. What was the meaning
+of the words you made use of when you said that, you would not be
+answerable that more than a scrap was not found amongst the baggage of
+some that are accusing others?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jerome Riquet hesitated, and either felt or affected a disinclination
+to explain himself; but Pelisson persisted, notwithstanding sundry
+twitches of the sleeve given to him both by the Abbé de St. Helie and
+the Bishop himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must have this matter cleared up,&quot; said Pelisson, &quot;and I do not
+rise till it is. Explain yourself, sir, or I shall apply both to your
+lord and to the governor, to insist upon your so doing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jerome Riquet looked towards the Count, who immediately said, &quot;What
+your meaning was, Riquet, you best know; but you must have had some
+meaning, and it is fit that you should explain it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then,&quot; said Riquet, shaking his head upon his shoulders with an
+important look, &quot;what I mean is this; that if ever I saw a man who had
+an inclination to see the contents of a packet that did not belong to
+him, it was Monsieur le Curé de Guadrieul there. He knows very well
+that he talked to me for half an hour of how easy it would be to get
+the packet out of the bag, and he seemed to have a very great
+inclination to do it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While he made this insinuation, the dull, fat, leaden-looking mass of
+the Curé de Guadrieul was seen heaving with some internal convulsion:
+his breath came thick, his cheeks and his breast expanded, his eyes
+grew red and fierce, his hands trembled with rage; and starting up
+from his seat he exclaimed,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Me? me? By the Lord I will strangle thee with my own hands,&quot; and he
+sprang towards Jerome Riquet, as if to execute his threat; while the
+governor exclaimed in a voice of thunder, &quot;Sit down, sir; and, as you
+have joined in accusing others, learn to bear the retaliation, as
+indeed you must.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Can he deny what I say?&quot; demanded Riquet, stretching out his three
+fore-fingers, and shaking them in the Curé's face; &quot;can he deny that
+he talked to me for half an hour about the easiness of purloining the
+commission, and told me of a thousand instances of the same kind, that
+have taken place before now? No, he cannot deny it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did talk to thee, base miscreant,&quot; said the Curé, still swelling
+with rage, &quot;but it was to show why I always sat upon the bag, and
+slept with it under my head, ever after that affair with the robbers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mark that, gentlemen,&quot; said the Count de Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, sir, we do mark it,&quot; said the Bishop; &quot;that proves nothing
+against the Curé but extreme care and precaution.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nor can I prove any thing directly, Monseigneur,&quot; cried Riquet; &quot;but
+still I have a strange suspicion that the very night I speak of did
+not go over without the fingers of Monsieur le Curé being in the bag.
+Let me ask him another question, and let him mind how he answers it.
+Was he, or was he not, seen by more than one person dabbling at the
+mouth of the bag?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That was only to see that the knot was fast,&quot; replied the Curé,
+glaring round him with a look of growing bewilderment and horror.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, ay,&quot; continued Riquet, with a glance of calm contempt that almost
+drove the man mad; &quot;ay, ay, all I wish is that I had an opportunity of
+looking into your baggage as you have had of looking into mine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And so you shall, by Heaven,&quot; cried the Duc de Rouvré. &quot;I will have
+it brought from his chamber this instant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I don't care,&quot; cried the priest; &quot;let it be brought; you will find
+nothing there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the Abbé de St. Helie and the Bishop both interposed. Though
+Pelisson said nothing, and looked mortified and pained, the others
+urged every thing that they could think of for the protection of the
+baggage of the ecclesiastic, without the slightest consideration of
+equity or justice whatsoever; but the governor was firm, replying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gentlemen, I will be responsible for my conduct both to the King and
+to the King of kings; and, in one word, I tell you that this baggage
+shall be examined. You have brought back the Count de Morseiul, and
+his whole train, on charges and insinuations which you have not been
+able to establish; and you would now fain shrink from a little trouble
+and inconvenience, which ought to be taken, in order to clear one of
+yourselves of an imputation accompanied by a few singular facts.
+Maître Riquet, call one of my servants from the door, but do not leave
+the room yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As soon as the servant appeared, the governor, notwithstanding the
+renewed opposition of the two ecclesiastics, ordered the whole baggage
+and effects of the Curé de Guadrieul to be brought down from the
+chamber that he inhabited. This was accordingly done, and besides a
+number of stray articles of apparel almost as miscellaneous in
+character and appearance as those which the opening of Riquet's valise
+had displayed, there was a large sort of trunk-mail which appeared to
+be carefully locked. The Curé had looked on with a grim and scowling
+smile while his various goods and chattels were displayed upon the
+floor of the governor's cabinet, and then turning to St. Helie with a
+growl, which might have been supposed to proceed from a calumniated
+bear, he said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Don't be afraid. They can't find any thing;&quot; and advancing to his
+effects he shook them one after the other, and turned out the pockets,
+when there were any, to show that there was nothing concealed. He then
+produced a large key, and opening the trunk-mail took out, one by one,
+the various things that it contained. He had nearly got to the bottom,
+and was displaying a store of tobacco pipes, some of which were
+wrapped up in pieces of paper, some in their original naked whiteness,
+when in the midst of them appeared what seemed a tobacco box, also
+wrapped up in paper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The moment the eyes of Riquet fell upon it he exclaimed, &quot;Stop, stop,
+what is that? There is writing on that paper. Monsieur le Duc, I pray
+you to examine what is on that paper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The eyes of the Curé, who had it in his hand, fixed for an instant
+upon the tobacco box and its envelope, and his fingers instantly
+relaxed their grasp and suffered it to drop upon the ground. Well,
+indeed, they might do so, for the very first words that were seen
+were, &quot;I pray God to have you, Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie, in
+his holy, care,&quot; with the signature of &quot;Louis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The governor unrolled the paper which, though it was but a fragment,
+left not the slightest doubt that it was part either of a commission
+or of a letter of instructions from the King to the two ecclesiastics.
+With his mouth wide open, his eyes ready to start from their sockets,
+his face become as pale as death, and his limbs scarcely able to
+support him, the unfortunate Curé de Guadrieul stood gasping in the
+middle of the room, unable to utter a word. All eyes were fixed upon
+him, all brows were frowning upon him, and the only thing which could
+have roused him, if it had been possible for any thing to rouse him at
+that moment, was the extraordinary face which Jerome Riquet was
+making, in a vain endeavour to mingle in his countenance a certain
+portion of compassion with contempt and reprobation. Nobody spoke for
+a moment or two after the governor had read the contents; but at
+length the Duc de Rouvré said, in a dry, severe tone,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Secretary, you have made a note of all this; you will keep also the
+fragment of paper. My Lord the Bishop, Messieurs Pelisson and St.
+Helie, after the painful and distressing event of this examination, I
+shall make no comment whatsoever upon what has taken place. I beg that
+you would remove this personage the Curé de Guadrieul from my house,
+to do with him as you think fit. You will not, of course, be surprised
+when you remember the threatening language which you three were
+pleased to use towards myself, two days ago, in order to induce me to
+cause the arrest of the Count de Morseiul, upon a charge of crimes of
+which he was not guilty--Monsieur Pelisson, do not interrupt me: I
+know you were more moderate than the rest; but as you were acting
+together, I must look upon the words of one, your spokesman, to be the
+words of all--You will not be surprised I say, recollecting these
+facts, that I send off a special messenger to his Majesty this night,
+in order to give him my own statement of all these occurrences, and to
+beseech him to take those steps which to me seem necessary for
+maintaining the peace and tranquillity of the province. I, gentlemen,
+do not encroach upon the rights and privileges of others; and, so long
+as his Majesty is pleased to hold me in an official situation, I will
+not suffer any one to trench upon my privileges and legitimate
+authority. As the hour for the daily meeting of the states is now fast
+approaching, however, I will bid you farewell, begging you to take
+this personage with you, and, as I have said, deal with him as you
+think fit, for I wish to exercise no severity upon any ecclesiastic.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The persons he addressed had nothing to say in reply, though the
+Bishop thought fit to harangue the little party for a moment upon his
+own authority and high dignity, and Pelisson endeavoured to involve a
+bad business in a cloud of words. They were all, however, desperately
+mortified, and not a little alarmed; for there was no doubt that they
+had proceeded far beyond the point where their legitimate authority
+ended, in pressing the governor to severe measures against the Count
+de Morseiul. The loss of the packet, too, might now be attributed to
+themselves, instead of to him; the delay in executing the King's will,
+as it had been expressed, would be laid to their charge; the Duc de
+Rouvré was evidently highly irritated against them, and his
+representations to the throne on the subject were likely to be
+listened to with peculiar attention, as they were coupled with the
+announcement to the King that the states, by his skilful management,
+had voted at once a much larger sum as a gift than any one at the
+court had anticipated. All these considerations alarmed the whole
+party, though indeed Pelisson, who had more knowledge of human nature
+than the other two, trusted, with some degree of hope, that the cloak
+of religious zeal would cover all other sins. His greatest
+apprehension proceeded from the supposition that the King would cast
+the blame of the loss of the packet on themselves, and would attribute
+the negligence which had caused it to want of respect to his person.
+He therefore set himself straightway to consider how such a result
+might be obviated. The Bishop and the Abbé de St. Helie took an
+unceremonious leave of the governor and his friend, and pushing the
+culprit Curé of Guadrieul out before them, quitted the cabinet in
+haste. Pelisson paused for a moment to say a word or two more in order
+to mitigate, as far as possible, the severity of the governor's
+report; but Monsieur de Rouvré was in no very placable mood, and the
+conference soon terminated, leaving the governor and the Count to
+discuss the affair, half laughingly, half seriously.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The invitation of the Duc de Rouvré was now pressing and strong, that
+the young Count de Morseiul should remain at least two days longer at
+Poitiers, and he coupled that invitation with the direct intimation
+that it was most necessary he should do so, as he the Duke had yet to
+learn in some degree the temper of the states in regard to the
+important questions between the Catholics and Protestants. The young
+Count consequently agreed to remain; taking the precaution, however,
+of writing at full to Claude de l'Estang, and sending off the letter
+by one of his own trustworthy servants, beseeching him to draw up the
+petition which the Protestant gentry had agreed upon, and to have it
+ready by the time at which he proposed to arrive at Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During the greater part of those two days which followed he saw little
+of Clémence de Marly. Without any cause assigned, she had been absent
+from all the spots where he was most likely to see her, except on
+those occasions when she was necessarily surrounded by a crowd. After
+breakfast, she remained but a moment in the salle: on the first day
+she did not appear at dinner; and on the second, she was absent from
+the breakfast table. The Chevalier d'Evran was also absent, and every
+thing tended to confirm, in the mind of the young Count de Morseiul,
+the impression which he had received, that his friend was the lover of
+her whom he himself loved, and that some cause of disagreement, either
+temporary or permanent, had arisen between them. Nothing, however,
+tended to confirm this idea more than the appearance of Clémence
+herself when she was present. There was an anxiety in the expression
+of her eyes; a thoughtfulness about her brow; an impatience of
+society; an occasional absence of mind, which was hardly to be
+mistaken. Her whole appearance was that of a person struggling with
+strong feelings, which were in reality getting the mastery.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She showed no particular inclination after his return--except as we
+have seen on the first evening--to speak with the Count de Morseiul,
+either in public or in private. Words of civility passed between them,
+of course, and every little courtesy was, perhaps, more scrupulously
+observed than usual with her; but on that evening which closed the
+last day of the young Count's proposed stay, a change took place.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A large party had assembled at the governor's house; and though he
+himself looked both grave and anxious, he was doing the honours of his
+dwelling to every one with as much courtesy as possible, when
+suddenly, seeing the Count de Morseiul standing alone, near the
+doorway of the second room, he crossed over to speak with him, saying,
+&quot;Albert, Clémence was seeking for you a moment ago. Where is she? have
+you seen her?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ere the young Count could reply, Clémence de Marly herself came up, as
+if about to speak with the Duke, whose hand she took in hers, in the
+sort of daughter-like manner in which she always behaved to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; she said, with a thoughtful lustre shining in
+her eyes, and giving a deeper and brighter expression to her whole
+countenance, &quot;I have come to take refuge with you from that young De
+Hericourt, who evidently intends to persecute me during the whole
+evening.--But stay, stay, Monseigneur,&quot; she added, turning to the
+Duke, who seemed about to leave them, to speak with some one else:
+&quot;before you go, hear what I am going to say to Monsieur de Morseiul.
+You are going, Count, I hear, to take your departure to-morrow morning
+early: if you would walk with me for half an hour in the gardens ere
+you leave us, you would much oblige me, as I wish to speak with
+you.--Now, dear King of Poitou,&quot; she continued, turning to the Duke,
+&quot;you may go. I have no more secrets to make you a witness of.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Duke replied not exactly to her words, but seemed fully to
+comprehend them; and saying, &quot;Not to-night, Clémence! remember, not
+tonight!&quot; he left her under the charge of the Count de Morseiul, and
+proceeded to attend to his other guests.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Placed in a situation somewhat strange, and, as it were, forced to
+appear as one of the attendant train of the bright and beautiful girl,
+from whose dangerous fascinations he was eager to fly, for a single
+instant Albert of Morseiul felt slightly embarrassed; but unexpected
+situations seldom so much affected him as to produce any thing like
+ungraceful hesitation of manner. Clémence de Marly might not, perhaps,
+even perceive that the Count was at all embarrassed, for she was
+deeply occupied with her own fancies; and though she conversed with
+him not gaily, but intelligently, there was evidently another train of
+thought going on in her breast all the time, which sometimes made her
+answer wide from the mark, and then smile at her own absence of mind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The eyes of the young Marquis de Hericourt followed her wherever she
+turned, and certainly bore not the most placable expression towards
+the Count de Morseiul; but his anger or his watching disturbed neither
+Clémence nor her companion, who both had busy thoughts enough to
+occupy them. After some time the excitement of the dance seemed to
+rouse Clémence from her musing fit; and, though confined to subjects
+of ordinary interest, the conversation between her and the Count
+became of a deeper tone and character, and her heart seemed to take
+part in it as well as her mind. Albert of Morseiul felt it far more
+dangerous than before; for though they might but speak of a picture,
+or a statue, or a song, with which he could have conversed with a
+connoisseur of any kind, perhaps with more profit, as far as mere
+knowledge of the subject went, yet there was a refinement of taste
+evident in the manner in which Clémence viewed every thing, a
+sparkling grace given by her imagination to every subject that she
+touched upon, when her feelings were really interested therein, which
+was very, very winning to a mind like that of Albert de Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Is it possible, under such circumstances, always to be upon one's
+guard? Is it possible, when the heart loves deeply, always to conquer
+it with so powerful an effort, as not to let it have the rule even for
+an hour? If it be, such was not the case with the young Count de
+Morseiul. He forgot not his resolutions, it is true; but he gave
+himself up to happiness for the moment, and spoke with warmth,
+enthusiasm, and eagerness, which can seldom, if ever, be displayed to
+a person we do not love. There was a light, too, in his eye when he
+gazed on Clémence de Marly--a look in which regret was mingled with
+tenderness, and in which the cloud of despair only shadowed, but did
+not darken the fire of passion--which might well show her, unless her
+eyes were dazzled by their own light, that she was loved, and loved by
+a being of a higher and more energetic character than those which
+usually surrounded her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Perhaps she did see it--perhaps she did not grieve to see it--for her
+eyes became subdued by his; her mellow and beautiful voice took a
+softer tone; the colour came and went in her cheek; and before the end
+of the dance in which they were engaged, her whole appearance, her
+whole manner, made the Count ask himself, &quot;What am I doing?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence de Marly seemed to have addressed the same question to her
+own heart; for as soon as the dance was over, the cloud of thoughtful
+sadness came back upon her brow, and she said, &quot;I am fatigued. I shall
+dance no more to-night. All the people are doubtless come now, and
+dear Madame de Rouvré will move no more; so I shall go and set myself
+down in state beside her, and get her to shield me from annoyance
+to-night.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count led her towards the Duchess, intending himself to seek his
+chamber soon after; but as they went, Clémence said to him in a low
+tone, &quot;Do you see that pretty girl sitting there by her mother, old
+Madame de Marville, so modest, and so gentle and retiring. She is as
+good a little creature as ever breathed, and as pretty, yet nobody
+leads her out to dance. If I had a brother, I should like him to marry
+that girl. She would not bring him fortune, but she would bring him
+happiness. I wish, Monsieur de Morseiul, you would go and ask her to
+dance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though he was anxious to retire, and full of other thoughts, Albert of
+Morseiul would not have refused for the world; and Clémence, leading
+him up to her friend, said, &quot;Annette, here is Monsieur le Comte de
+Morseiul wishes to dance with you: I am sure you will, for your
+friend's sake.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young lady bowed her head with a slight timid blush, and rising,
+allowed the Count to lead her to the dance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No great opportunity of conversing existed; but Albert of Morseiul
+took especial pains to show himself as courteous and as kind as
+possible. Annette de Marville led the conversation herself to Clémence
+de Marly, and nothing could exceed the enthusiastic admiration with
+which she spoke of her friend. Perhaps a little to the surprise of the
+Count, she never mentioned Clémence's beauty, or her grace, or her
+wit; matters which, in those days, and at the court of Louis XIV.,
+were the only topics for praise, the only attractions coveted. She
+spoke of her high and noble feelings, her enthusiastic and
+affectionate heart; and, in answer to something which the Count said
+not quite so laudatory as she would have had it, she exclaimed,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! but Clémence does not do herself justice in the world. It is only
+to those who know her most intimately that her shy heart will show
+itself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words sunk into the mind of the Count de Morseiul; and when the
+dance was concluded, and he had led back his fair companion to her
+seat, he retired speedily to his own apartments, to meditate over what
+he had heard, and what had taken place.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5><span class="sc">London:<br>
+Printed by A. Spottiswoode,<br>
+New-Street-Square.</span></h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+<h2>THE HUGUENOT.</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3><a name="div2_00" href="#div2Ref_00">VOL. II.</a></h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5><span class="sc">London:<br>
+Printed by A. Spottiswoode,<br>
+New-Street-Square.</span></h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h4>THE</h4>
+<br>
+<h1>HUGUENOT</h1>
+<br>
+<h4>A TALE</h4>
+<br>
+<h5>OF</h5>
+<br>
+<h2>THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>BY THE AUTHOR OF</h5>
+<br>
+<h4>&quot;THE GIPSY,&quot; &quot;THE ROBBER,&quot;<br>
+&amp;c. &amp;c.</h4>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr class="W10">
+<br>
+<h4>IN THREE VOLUMES.</h4>
+<br>
+<h2>VOL. II.</h2>
+<br>
+<hr class="W10">
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>LONDON:</h3>
+
+<h5>PRINTED FOR</h5>
+
+<h4>LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, &amp; LONGMANS,</h4>
+
+<h5>PATERNOSTER-ROW.</h5>
+
+<h3>1839.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>THE HUGUENOT.</h1>
+<br>
+<hr class="W20">
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_01" href="#div2Ref_01">THE EXPLANATIONS.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Silent and lonely thought is a sad dispeller of enchantments. Under
+its power, the visions, and hopes, and indistinct dreams, which had
+fluttered before the eyes of the Count de Morseiul during the magic
+moments he had passed with Clémence de Marly, fled like fairies at the
+approach of the sun, within a very short period after he had retired
+to his chamber; and all that remained was a sort of reproachful
+mournful ness, when he thought over his own conduct and the indulgence
+of those feelings which he feared he had displayed but too plainly.
+With such thoughts he lay down to rest; but they were not soothing
+companions of the pillow, and it was long ere he slept. From time to
+time he heard the sound of music from the halls below; and in the
+intervals, when some open door gave a freer passage to the sound, gay
+laughing voices came merry on the ear, speaking cheerfulness, and
+happiness, and contentment, and ignorance, of the cares and sorrows
+and anxieties of life.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas!&quot; thought the Count, as he lay and listened, &quot;alas! that such
+bright illusions should ever pass away, and that those should ever
+learn the touch of grief and anguish and despair, who are now laughing
+in the heedless merriment of youth, unconscious of danger or of
+sorrow. And yet, perhaps,&quot; he continued, &quot;could we lay bare the hearts
+of those now seemingly so gay--could we examine what is their ordinary
+state, and what their feelings were, even a few short moments before
+they entered those saloons--we might find there also as much care and
+pain as in any other scene of life, and bless the glad merriment that
+lulls human pangs and anxieties for a time, though it cannot quench
+them altogether.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though he went to sleep late, he rose early on the following morning,
+not forgetful of his appointment with Clémence de Marly. Fearful,
+however, that she might be in the gardens before him, he dressed
+himself and hastened out without the loss of a single minute, not a
+little anxious to know what was the nature of the communication which
+she had to make to him, and with which the Duc de Rouvré was evidently
+acquainted. He was in truth, anxious in regard to every part of their
+conversation, he was anxious in regard to its result; but still he did
+not lay out at all the conduct he was to pursue towards her, feeling
+that he had wakened from the dream of the evening before, and was not
+likely to indulge in such visions again. There was nobody in the part
+of the garden near the house; and he walked on in the direction which
+she had pointed out to him, till he had nearly reached the rampart,
+and thus satisfied himself that she had not yet arrived. He then
+turned back by the same path, and before he had gone half way down, he
+beheld Clémence coming towards him, but at some distance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She was certainly looking more lovely than ever; and he could not but
+feel that, even in her very gayest and most sparkling moods, there was
+a charm wanting in comparison with her more serious and thoughtful
+aspect. Clémence was now evidently a good deal agitated. It often
+happens, when we have an act of importance to perform, especially when
+that act is unusual to us, that even in revolving it in our own minds,
+and preparing for the moment, we overpower ourselves, as it were, by
+the force of our own thoughts, and, by guarding against agitation,
+give agitation the better opportunity to assail us.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul saw that Clémence was much moved, and he prepared
+to soothe her by every means in his power. The only efficacious means
+being to draw her attention to ordinary things. &quot;Let me offer you my
+arm,&quot; he said in a kindly tone; and leading her on, he spoke of the
+beauty of the morning, and then of Anette de Marville, and then of
+other indifferent things. Clémence seemed to understand his object;
+and though she at first smiled, as if to intimate that she did so, she
+gave her mind up to his guidance, and for five or ten minutes touched
+upon no subject but the most ordinary topics of conversation. As they
+approached the rampart, however, and she had an opportunity of looking
+along it, and ascertaining that there was no one there, she said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now I am better, now I can speak of other things.--Monsieur de
+Morseiul,&quot; she continued, &quot;although I am accustomed to do
+extraordinary things, and to behave, in many respects, unlike other
+people, I dare say you do not suppose that I would have taken the very
+bold step of asking any gentleman to meet me here, as I have done you
+this day, without a motive sufficient to justify me, even in your
+sight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am quite sure of it,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;and though you may think
+me, perhaps, a harsh censor, I am not at all inclined to be so in your
+case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed?&quot; she said, with a somewhat mournful shake of the head;
+&quot;Indeed?--But, however, Monsieur de Morseiul, what I have to tell you
+is substantial, real, and more important than any feelings or
+inclinations. I shall have to pain you--to grieve you--to call up
+apprehensions--to prepare you, perhaps, for suffering! Oh God!&quot; she
+cried, bursting suddenly into tears, &quot;that I should have to do this!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count took her hand and pressed it to his lips, and besought her
+to be calm and soothed. &quot;Do not be apprehensive, do not be grieved,&quot;
+he said: &quot;calm yourself, dear lady, calm yourself, Clémence! I am
+prepared for much sorrow; I am prepared for danger and anxiety. I have
+for some time seen nothing but clouds and storms in the future!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But not such as these,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;not such as these. But I
+will not keep you in suspense, for that is worse than all now. The
+task, though a painful one, has been of my own seeking. First,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, to speak of that which I know is dearest to
+your heart--your religious liberty is in danger--it is more than in
+danger--it is at an end. The whole resolutions of the court are now
+made known--at least, amongst the principal Catholics of France. The
+reformed church is to be swept away--there is no longer to be any but
+one religion tolerated throughout the kingdom--your temples are to be
+overthrown--your ministers to be forbidden, on pain of death, to
+worship God as their forefathers have done--the edict of Nantes is to
+be revoked entirely;&quot; and, clasping her hands together, she gazed in
+his face, while she added, in a low, tremulous, but distinct, voice,
+&quot;you are to be driven to the mass at the point of the pike--your
+children are to be taken from you to be educated in another faith!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Till she uttered the last words Albert de Morseiul had remained with
+his eyes bent upon the ground, though deep feelings of agitation were
+evident in every line of his fine countenance. But when she spoke of
+the Protestants being driven to mass at the point of the pike, and
+their children being taken from them to be educated in the Catholic
+religion, he threw back his head, gazing up to heaven with a look of
+firm determination, while his left hand, by a natural movement, fell
+upon the hilt of his sword.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence de Marly, as he did so, gazed upon him earnestly through the
+tears that were still in her eyes, and then exclaimed, as she saw how
+terribly moved he was, &quot;These are dreadful tidings for me to tell
+Monsieur de Morseiul; you must hate me, I am sure you must hate me!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hate you?&quot; exclaimed the Count, clasping both her hands in his, while
+in that agitating moment--carried away by the strength of his own
+feelings, and by the tokens she displayed of deep interest in him and
+his--every barrier gave way before the passion of his heart. &quot;Hate
+you? oh God! I love you but too well, too deeply--better, more deeply,
+than you can ever know, or divine, or dream of!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence turned away her head, with a face glowing like the rose; but
+she left her hands in his, without an effort to withdraw them, though
+she exclaimed, &quot;Say not so! say not so!--Or at least,&quot; she added,
+turning round once more towards him--&quot;say not so till you have heard
+all; for I have much, much more to tell, more painful, more terrible
+still. Let me have one moment to recover,&quot; and, withdrawing her hands,
+she placed them over her eyes for an instant. After a very brief pause
+she added, &quot;Now, Monsieur de Morseiul, I can go on. You are here in
+great danger. You have been in great danger ever since you have been
+here; and it has only been the power and authority of the Duke that
+has protected you. After your first intercourse with the governor, the
+bishop and the two ecclesiastics, a party has been made in the town,
+in the states, and in the province, against you, and, alas! against
+the good Duc de Rouvré too. Finding that they were likely to incur the
+anger of the King for something that had happened, if they did not
+make good their own case against you, they have laboured, I may say,
+night and day, to counteract the measures of the Duke with the states,
+so as to make him obnoxious to the King. They have pretended that
+you,--while you were here before--held illegal meetings with Huguenots
+in the neighbourhood, in order to oppose and frustrate the measures of
+the King. They have got the intendant of the province upon their side,
+and they insisted, to Monsieur de Rouvré, on your being instantly
+arrested, they having proffered distinct information of your having
+held a meeting with other Protestant noblemen, about three miles from
+this place, on the day of the hunting. Do you remember that day?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall never forget it!&quot; replied the Count, gazing upon her with a
+look that made her eyes sink again.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; she continued, &quot;Monsieur de Rouvré would not consent; and when
+the intendant threatened to arrest you on his own responsibility, the
+governor was obliged to say that he would defend you, and protect you,
+if necessary, by the interposition of the military force at his
+command. This created a complete breach, which is now only apparently
+healed. Both parties have applied to the King, and Monsieur de Rouvré
+entertained the strongest hopes till yesterday that the decision would
+have been in his favour, both inasmuch as justice was on his side, and
+as he had obtained from the states a large supply, which he knew would
+be most gratifying and acceptable to the court; but suddenly,
+yesterday morning, news arrived of the general measures which the
+council intended to pursue. These I have already told you, and they
+showed the Duke that every thing would give way to bigotry and
+superstition. Various letters communicated the same intelligence to
+others as well as to the Duke, but I having----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She paused and hesitated, while the colour came and went rapidly in
+her cheek. &quot;Speak, dear lady, speak,&quot; said the Count eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe I may speak,&quot; she said, &quot;after something that you said but
+now. I was going to say that, I having before taken upon me, perhaps
+sillily, when first these men brought their false charge against you,
+to meddle with this business, from feelings that I must not and cannot
+explain, and having then made the Duke tell me the whole business, by
+earnest prayers and entreaties--that he seeing that I was--that I was
+interested in the matter, told me all the rest, and gave me permission
+to tell you the whole this morning, in order that you may guard
+against the measures that he fears are coming; 'I mustn't tell him
+myself,' he said, 'and, as the business has been communicated alone to
+Catholics, he is not likely to hear it, till too late. Nevertheless,
+it is no secret, the matter having been told openly to at least twenty
+people in this town. You can therefore do it yourself, Clémence, that
+he may not say I have lured him back here into the jaws of his
+enemies.' Thus then Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; she continued more
+collectedly, &quot;thus it is that I have acted as I have acted; and oh, if
+you would take my advice, painful as I acknowledge it is to give it,
+you would proceed instantly to Morseiul, and then either fly to
+England, or to some other country where you will be in safety.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How shall I thank you!&quot; replied Albert of Morseiul, taking her hand,
+and casting behind him all consideration of his own fate and that of
+his fellow Protestants, to be thought of at an after moment, while,
+for the time, he gave his whole attention to the words which he had
+himself just spoken with regard to his love for Clémence de Marly &quot;How
+shall I ever thank you for the interest you have taken in me, for your
+kindness, for your generous kindness, and for all the pain that this I
+see has caused you! Pray, Clémence, pray add one more boon to those
+you have conferred, forgive the rash and presumptuous words I spoke
+just now--and forget them also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Forget them!&quot; exclaimed Clémence, clasping her hands and raising her
+bright eyes to his. &quot;Forget them! Never, as long as I have being!
+Forgive them, Monsieur de Morseiul; that were easily done if I could
+believe them true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They are as true as Heaven!&quot; replied the Count; &quot;But oh, Clémence,
+Clémence, lead me not away into false dreams! lead me not away to
+think that possible which is impossible.--Can it, ought it to be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know not what you mean,&quot; replied Clémence, with a look
+somewhat bewildered, somewhat hurt. &quot;All I know is, Monsieur de
+Morseiul, that you have spoken words which justify me to myself for
+feelings--ay, and perhaps for actions,--in regard to which I was
+doubtful--fearful--which sometimes made me blush when I thought of
+them. The words that you have spoken take away that blush. I feel that
+I had not mistaken you; but yet,&quot; she added, &quot;tell me before you go,
+for I feel that it must be soon. What is it that you mean? What is the
+import of your question?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, it means much and many things, Clémence,&quot; replied the Count: &quot;it
+takes in a wide range of painful feelings; and when I acknowledge, and
+again and again say, that the words I have spoken are true as Heaven;
+when, again and again, I say that I love you deeply, devotedly,
+entirely, better than aught else on earth, I grieve that I have said
+them, I feel that I have done wrong.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence de Marly withdrew her hand, not sharply, not coldly, but
+mournfully, and she raised her fair countenance towards the sky as if
+asking, with apprehension at her heart, &quot;What is thy will, oh
+Heaven?&quot;--&quot;Albert of Morseiul,&quot; she said, &quot;if you have any cause to
+regret that those words have been spoken, let them be for ever between
+us as if unspoken. They shall never by me be repeated to any one. You
+may perhaps one day, years hence,&quot; and as she spoke her eyes filled
+with tears,--&quot;you may perhaps regret what you are now doing; but it
+will be a consolation to you then to know, that even though you spoke
+words of love and then recalled them, they were ever, as they ever
+shall be, a consolation and a comfort to me. The only thing on earth
+that I could fear was the blame of my own heart for having thought you
+loved me,--and perhaps loved,&quot; she added, while a deep blush again
+spread over all her countenance, &quot;and perhaps loved, when you did not.
+You have shielded me from that blame: you have taken away all
+self-reproach; and now God speed you, Albert! Choose your own path,
+follow the dictates of your own heart, and your own conscience, and
+farewell!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stay, stay, Clémence,&quot; said the Count de Morseiul, detaining her by
+the hand. &quot;Yet listen to me; yet hear me a few words farther!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She turned round upon him with one of her former smiles. &quot;You know how
+easily such requests are granted,&quot; she said; &quot;you know how willingly I
+would fain believe you all that is noble, and just, and honourable,
+and perfectly incapable of trifling with a woman's heart.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;First, then,&quot; said the Count, &quot;let me assure you that the words I
+have spoken were not, as you seemed to have imagined, for your ear
+alone, to be disavowed before the world. Ever shall I be ready,
+willing, eager to avow those words, and the love I feel, and have
+spoken of, will never, can never die away in my heart. But oh,
+Clémence, do you remember the words that passed between us in this
+very garden, as to whether a woman could love twice? Do you remember
+what you acknowledged yourself on that occasion?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And do you believe, then,&quot; said Clémence, &quot;after all that you have
+seen, that I have ever loved? Do you believe,&quot; she said, with the
+bright but scornful smile that sometimes crossed her lip, &quot;that
+because Clémence de Marly has suffered herself to be surrounded
+by fools and coxcombs, the one to neutralise and oppose the
+other--whereas if she had not done so, she must have chosen one from
+the herd to be her lord and master, and have become his slave--do you
+imagine, I say, that she has fallen in love with pretty Monsieur de
+Hericourt, with his hair frizzled like a piece of pastry, his wit as
+keen as a baby's wooden sword, and his courage of that high
+discriminating quality which might be well led on by a child's
+trumpet? Or with the German prince, who, though a brave man and not
+without sense, is as courteous as an Italian mountebank's dancing
+bear, who thinks himself the pink of politeness when he hands round a
+hat to gather the sous, growling between his teeth all the time that
+he does so? Or with the Duc de Melcourt, who though polished and keen,
+and brave as his sword, is as cold-hearted as the iron that lies
+within that scabbard, and in seeking Clémence de Marly seeks three
+requisite things to accomplish a French nobleman's household, a large
+fortune which may pay cooks and serving men, and give at least two
+gilded coaches more: a handsome wife that cares nothing for her
+husband, and is not likely to disturb him by her love; and some
+influence at court which may obtain for him the next blue riband
+vacant?--Out upon them all!&quot; she added vehemently; &quot;and fie, fie, fie,
+upon you, Albert of Morseiul! If I thought that you could love a
+person of whom you judged so meanly, I should believe you unworthy of
+another thought from me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It is useless to deny, that every word she spoke was pleasant to the
+ear of the Count de Morseiul; but yet she had not exactly touched the
+point towards which his own apprehensions regarding her had turned,
+and though he did not choose to name the Chevalier, he still went on.
+&quot;I have thought nothing of the kind you speak of Clémence,&quot; he
+replied, &quot;but I may have thought it possible for you to have met with
+another more worthy of your thoughts and of your affection than any of
+these; that you may have loved him; and that on some quarrel, either
+temporary or permanent, your indignation towards him, and your
+determination not to let him see the pain he has occasioned, may have
+made you fancy yourself in love with another. May not this be the
+case? But still, even were it not so, there is much--But I ask,&quot; he
+added, seeing the colour of Clémence fluttering like the changing
+colours on the plumage of a bird, &quot;but I ask again, may it not have
+been so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence gazed at him intently and steadfastly for a moment, and there
+was evidently a struggle going on in her breast of some kind. Perhaps
+Albert of Morseiul might misunderstand the nature of that struggle;
+indeed, it is clear he did so in some degree, for it certainly
+confirmed him in the apprehensions which he had entertained. The air
+and the expression of Clémence varied considerably while she gazed
+upon him. For a moment there was the air of proud beauty and careless
+caprice with which she treated the lovers of whom she had just spoken
+so lightly; and the next, as some memory seemed to cross her mind, the
+haughty look died away into one of subdued tenderness and affection.
+An instant after, sadness and sorrow came over her face like a cloud,
+and her eyes appeared to be filling with irrepressible tears. She
+conquered that, too; and when she replied, it was with a smile so
+strangely mingled with various expressions, that it was difficult to
+discern which predominated. There was a certain degree of pride in her
+tone; there was sorrow upon her brow; and yet there was a playfulness
+round her eyes and lips, as if something made her happy amidst it all.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Such might be the case,&quot; she replied, &quot;such is very likely to be the
+case with all women. But pray, Sir--having settled it all so well and
+so wisely--who was the favoured person who had thus won Clémence de
+Marly's love, while some few others were seeking for it in vain? Your
+falcon, Fancy, was certainly not without a lure. I see it clearly,
+Monsieur de Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It might be one,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;whose rival I would never
+become, even were other things done away; it might be one long and
+deeply regarded by myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Chevalier, the Chevalier!&quot; exclaimed Clémence, with her whole
+face brightening into a merry smile. &quot;No, no, no! You have been
+deceiving yourself. No, no, Count; the Chevalier d'Evran never has
+been, never will be, any thing to me but that which he is now; we have
+had no quarrel, we have had no coldness. It is quite possible,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, believe me, even for a weak woman like myself to
+feel friendship and place confidence without love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She strove in some degree to withdraw the hand that the Count had
+taken, as if she were about to leave him; but the Count detained it,
+gently saying, &quot;Stay yet one moment, Clémence; let us yet have but one
+word more of explanation before we part.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; she replied, disengaging her hand, &quot;no; we have had explanations
+enough. Never wed a woman of whom you have a single doubt, Sir. No,
+no,&quot; she added, with a look slightly triumphant perhaps, somewhat
+sorrowful, but somewhat playful withal; &quot;no, no! Clémence de Marly has
+already, perhaps, said somewhat too much already! But one thing I will
+tell you, Albert of Morseiul--you love her! She sees it, she knows it,
+and from henceforth she will not doubt it--for a woman does not trust
+by halves like a man. You love her! You will love her! and, though you
+have perhaps somewhat humiliated her; though you have made the proud
+humble and the gay melancholy, it is perhaps no bad lesson for her,
+and she will now make you sue, before you gain as a previous lover
+that which you now seem to require some pressing to accept Adieu,
+Monsieur de Morseiul; there is, I see, somebody coming; adieu.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stay yet a moment, Clémence; hear me yet urge something in my
+defence,&quot; exclaimed her lover. But Clémence proceeded down the steps
+from the rampart, only pausing and turning to say in a tone of greater
+tenderness and interest,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Farewell, Albert, farewell; and for God's sake forget not the warning
+that I gave you this morning, nor any of the matters so much more
+worthy of attention than the worthless love of a gay capricious girl.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, she hastened on, and passing by the person who was coming
+forward from the house--and who was merely a servant attached to the
+Count de Morseiul, as usual hunting out his master to interrupt him at
+the most inappropriate time--she hurried to a small door to the left
+of the building, entered, and mounting a back staircase which led
+towards her own apartments, she sought shelter therein from all the
+many eyes that were at that time beginning to move about the place;
+for her face was a tablet on which strong and recent emotion was
+deeply and legibly written.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Nor had that emotion passed, indeed; but, on the contrary, new and
+agitating thoughts had been swelling upon her all the way through the
+gardens, as she returned alone--the memories of one of those short but
+important lapses of time which change with the power of an enchanter
+the whole course of our being, which alter feeling and thoughts and
+hope and expectation, give a different direction to aspiration and
+effort and ambition, which add wings and a fiery sword to enthusiasm,
+and, in fact, turn the thread of destiny upon a new track through the
+labyrinth of life.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was in the midst of those memories one bright and beautiful
+spot; but it was mingled with so many contending feelings--there was
+so much alloy to that pure gold--that, when at length she reached her
+dressing-room and cast herself into a chair, she became completely
+overpowered, and, bursting into tears, wept bitterly and long.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old and faithful attendant whom Albert of Morseiul
+had seen with
+her in the forest, and who was indeed far superior to the station
+which she filled, both by talents, education, and heart, now
+witnessing the emotion of her young mistress, glided up and took her
+hand in hers, trying by every quiet attention to tranquillise and
+soothe her. It was in vain, for a long time, however, that she did so;
+and when at length Clémence had recovered in some degree her
+composure, and began to dry her eyes, the attendant asked, eagerly,
+&quot;Dear, dear child, what is it has grieved you so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will tell you, Maria; I will tell you in a minute,&quot; replied
+Clémence. &quot;You who have been a sharer of all my thoughts from my
+infancy--you who were given me as a friend by the dear mother I have
+lost--you who have preserved for me so much, and have preserved me
+myself so often--I will tell you all and every thing. I will have no
+concealment in this from you; for I feel, as if I were a prophet, that
+terrible and troublous times are coming; that it is my fate to take a
+deep and painful part therein; and that I shall need one like you to
+counsel, and advise, and assist, and support me in many a danger, and,
+for aught I know, in many a calamity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dear Clémence, dear child,&quot; said the attendant, &quot;I will ever do my
+best to soothe and comfort you; and what little assistance I can give
+shall be given; but I have trusted and I have hoped for many days--now
+both from what I have seen and what I have heard--that there was a
+stronger hand than that of a weak old woman soon about to be plighted
+to support and defend you for life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who do you mean?&quot; exclaimed Clémence eagerly; &quot;who are you speaking
+of, Maria?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Can you not divine?&quot; demanded the old lady; &quot;can you not divine that
+I mean him that we saw in the forest--him, who seemed to my old eyes
+to wed you then, with the ring that your mother gave you, when she
+told you never to part with it to any one but to the man who was to
+place it again on your finger as your husband.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good heaven!&quot; exclaimed Clémence, &quot;I never thought of that! I am his
+wife then, Maria--at least I shall ever consider myself such.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But will he consider you so too?&quot; demanded the attendant; &quot;and do you
+love him enough to consider him so, dear child? I have never seen you
+love any one yet, and I only began to hope that you would love him
+when I saw your colour change as often as his name was mentioned.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have said I would tell you all, Maria,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;and I
+will tell you all. I never have loved any one before; and how could I,
+surrounded as I have been by the empty, and the vain, and the
+vicious,--by a crowd so full of vices, and so barren of virtues, that
+a man thought himself superior to the whole world, if he had but one
+good quality to recommend him: and what were the qualities on which
+they piqued themselves? If a man had wit, he thought himself a match
+for an empress; if he had courage, though that, to say the truth, was
+the most general quality, he felt himself privileged to be a
+libertine, and a gamester, and an atheist; and, instead of feeling
+shame, he gloried in his faults. How could I love any of such men? How
+could I esteem them--the first step to love? I have but heard one
+instance of true affection in the court of France--that of poor Conti
+to the King's daughter; and I never fancied myself such a paragon as
+to be the second woman that could raise such attachment. Nothing less,
+however, would satisfy me, and therefore I determined to shape my
+course accordingly. I resolved to let the crowd that chose it follow,
+and flatter, and affect to worship, as much as ever they so pleased.
+It was their doing, not mine. I mean not to say that it did not please
+and amuse me: I mean not to say that I did not feel some sort of
+satisfaction--which I now see was wrong to feel--in using as slaves,
+in ordering here and there, in trampling upon and mortifying a set of
+beings that I contemned and despised, and that valued me alone for
+gifts which I valued not myself. Had there been one man amongst them
+that at all deserved me--that gave one thought to my mind or to my
+heart, rather than to my beauty or my fortune--he would have hated me
+for the manner in which I treated him and others; and I might have
+learned to love him, even while he learned to contemn me. Such was not
+the case, however, for there was not one that did so. Had I declared
+my determination of never marrying, to be the slave of a being I
+despised, they would soon have put me in a convent, or at least have
+tried to do so; and I feared they might. Therefore it was I went on
+upon the same plan, sitting like a waxen virgin in a shrine, letting
+adorers come and worship as much as they pleased, and taking notice of
+none. There is not one of them that can say that I ever gave him aught
+but a cutting speech, or an expression of my contempt It is now
+several years ago, but you must remember it well, when we were first
+with the Duke at Ruffigny.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, I remember it well,&quot; replied the attendant, &quot;and the hunting, and
+your laying down the bridle like a wild careless girl, as you then
+were, and the horse running away with you, and this very Count de
+Morseiul saving you by stopping it Ay, I remember it all well, and
+you told me how gallant and handsome he looked, and all he had said;
+and I laughed, and told you you were in love with him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was not in love,&quot; replied Clémence, with the colour slightly
+deepening in her cheek, &quot;I was not in love; but I might soon have been
+so even then. I thought a great deal about him; I was very young, had
+mixed not at all with the world, and he was certainly at that time, in
+personal appearance, what might well realise the dream of a young and
+enthusiastic imagination.--He is older and graver now,&quot; she added,
+musing, &quot;and time has made a change on him; but yet I scarcely think
+he is less handsome. However, I thought of him a good deal then,
+especially after I had met him the second time, and discovered who he
+was: and I thought of him often afterwards. Wherever there was any
+gallant action done, I was sure to listen eagerly, expecting to hear
+his name.--And how often did I hear it, Maria! Not a campaign passed
+but some new praises fell upon the Count de Morseiul. He had defended
+this post like some ancient hero, against whole legions of the enemy.
+He had thrown himself into that small fort, which was considered
+untenable, and held an army at bay for weeks. He had been the first to
+plant his foot on the breach; he had been the last in the rear upon a
+retreat. The peasant's cottage, the citizen's fire-side, owed their
+safety to him; and the ministers of another religion than his own had
+found shelter and protection beneath his sword. I know not how it was,
+but when all these tales were told me, his image always rose up before
+me as I had seen him, and I pictured him in every action. I could see
+him leading the charging squadrons. I could see him standing in the
+deadly breach. I could see the women and the children, and the
+conquered and the wounded, clinging to his knees, and could see him
+saving them. I did not love him, Maria, but I thought of him a great
+deal more than of any one else in all the world. Well, then, after
+some years, came the last great service that he rendered us, not many
+weeks ago, and was not his demeanour then, Maria--was not his whole
+air and conduct in the midst of danger to himself and others--the
+peremptory demand of our liberation--the restoration of the ring I
+valued--the easy unshaken courtesy in a moment of agitation and
+risk,--was it not all noble, all chivalrous, all such as a woman's
+imagination might well dwell upon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was, indeed,&quot; replied Maria, &quot;and ever since then I have thought
+that you loved him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the mean time,&quot; continued Clémence, &quot;in the mean time I had also
+become sadly spoilt. I had grown capricious, and vain, and haughty, by
+indulging such feelings for several years, in pursuit of my own
+system; and when the Count appeared at Poitiers, I do not know that I
+was inclined to treat him well. Not that I would ever have behaved to
+him as I did to others; but I scarcely knew how to behave better. I
+believed myself privileged to say and do any thing I thought right, to
+exact any thing, nay, to command any thing. I was surprised when I
+found he took no notice of me; I was mortified perhaps; I determined,
+if ever I made him happy at last, to punish him for his first
+indifference,--to punish him, how think you? To make him love me, to
+make him doubtful of whether I loved him, and to make him figure in
+the train of those whom I myself despised. But, oh, Maria, I soon
+found that I could not accomplish what I sought. There was a power, a
+command in his nature that overawed, that commanded me. Instead of
+teaching him to love me, and making him learn to doubt that I loved
+him, I soon found that it was I that loved, and learned to doubt that
+he loved me. Then came restlessness and disquietude. From time to time
+I saw--I felt that he loved me, and then again I doubted, and strove
+to make him show it more clearly, by the very means best calculated to
+make him crush it altogether. I affected to listen to the frivolous
+and the vain, to smile upon the beings I despised, to assume
+indifference towards the only one I loved. Thus it went on till the
+last day of his stay, when he refused to accompany us on our hunting
+party, but left me with a promise to join us if he could. I was
+disappointed, mortified. I doubted if he would keep his promise. I
+doubted whether he had any inclination to do so, and I strove to
+forget, in the excitement of the chase, the bitterness of that which I
+suffered. Suddenly, however, I caught a glance of him riding down
+towards us. He came up to my side, he rode on by me, he attended to
+me, he spoke to me alone; there was a grace, and a dignity, and a
+glory about his person that was new and strange; he seemed as if some
+new inspiration had come upon him. On every subject that we spoke of
+he poured forth his soul in words of fire. His eyes and his
+countenance beamed with living light, such as I had never before
+beheld; every thing vanished from my eyes and thoughts but him; every
+thing seemed small and insignificant and to bow before him; the very
+fiery charger that he rode seemed to obey, with scarcely a sign or
+indication of his will. The cavaliers around looked but like his
+attendants, and I--I Maria--proud, and haughty, and vain as I had
+encouraged myself to be--I felt that I was in the presence of my
+master, and that, there, beside me, was the only man on earth that I
+could willingly and implicitly obey--I felt subdued, but not
+depressed--I felt, perhaps, as a woman ought to feel towards a man she
+loves, that I was competent to be his companion and his friend, to
+share his thoughts, to respond to all his feelings, to enter into his
+views and opinions, to meet him, in short, with a mind yielding, but
+scarcely to be called inferior, different in quality, but harmonious
+in love and thought. I felt that he was one who would never wish me to
+be a slave; but one that I should be prompt and ready to bend to and
+obey. Can I tell you, Maria, all the agony that took possession of my
+heart when I found that the whole bright scene was to pass away like a
+dream? Since then many a painful thing has happened. I have wrung my
+heart, I have embittered my repose by fancying that I have loved,
+where I was not loved in return, that I have been the person to seek,
+and he to despise me. But this day, this day, Maria, has come an
+explanation. He has told me that he loves me, he has told me that
+he has loved me long; he has taken away that shame, he has given me
+that comfort. We both foresee many difficulties, pangs, and anxieties;
+but, alas! Maria, I see plainly, not only that he discovers in the
+future far more difficulties, and dangers, and obstacles between us
+than I myself perceive, but also that he disapproves of much of my
+conduct--that doubts and apprehensions mingle with his love--that it
+is a thing which he has striven against, not from his apprehension of
+difficulties, but from his doubts of me and of my nature; that love
+has mastered him for a time; but still has not subdued him altogether.
+It is a bitter and a sad thing,&quot; she added, placing her hands over her
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But, dear child,&quot; said the attendant, &quot;it will be easy for you to
+remove all such doubts and apprehensions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush, hush,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;let me finish, Maria, and then say no
+more upon this score to-day. I will hear all you can say tomorrow. He
+is gone by this time; God knows whether we shall ever meet again. But,
+at all events, my conduct is determined; I will act in every respect,
+whether he be with me or whether he be absent from me, whether he
+misunderstands me or whether he conceives my motives exactly--I will
+act as I know he would approve if he could see every action and every
+movement of my heart. I will cast behind me all those things which I
+now feel were wrong; though, Heaven knows, I did not see that there
+was the slightest evil in any of them, till love for him has, with the
+quickness of a flash of lightning, opened my eyes in regard to my
+conduct towards others. I will do all, in short, that he ought to love
+me for; and, in doing that, I will in no degree seek him, but leave
+fate and God's will to work out my destiny, trusting that with such
+purposes I shall be less miserable than I have been for the last week.
+And now, Maria,&quot; she added, &quot;I have given you the picture of a woman's
+heart. Let us dwell no more upon this theme, for I must wash away
+these tears, these new invaders of eyes that have seldom known them
+before, and go as soon as possible to Monsieur de Rouvré, to inform
+him of a part, at least, of my conversation with the Count.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_02" href="#div2Ref_02">THE RETURN.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Sometimes, amidst the storms and tempests of life, when the rain of
+sorrow has been pouring down amain, and the lightning of wrath been
+flashing on our path, the clouds overhead, heavy and loaded with
+mischief to come, and the thunder rolling round and round after the
+flash, there will come a brief calm moment of sweet tranquillity, as
+if wrath and enmity, and strife and care, and misfortune, had cast
+themselves down to rest, exhausted with their fury. Happy is the man
+who in such moments can throw from him remembrance of the past, and
+apprehension of the future, and taste the refreshing power without
+alloy. But seldom can we do so: the passed-by storm is fresh on
+memory, the threatening aspect of the sky is full before our eyes, and
+such was the case with Albert of Morseiul, as on the third day after
+leaving Poitiers he rode on towards his own abode.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The degree of impatient anxiety under which he had laboured had caused
+him to make the two first days' journeys as long as possible, so that
+not above ten or twelve miles, or at most fifteen, lay between him and
+his own château, when he set out on that third morning from the inn.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Nothing occurred to disturb his journey; every thing passed in peace
+and tranquillity; known, loved, and respected in that part of the
+country, the people vied with each other as to which should show him
+the most affectionate civility, and no news either from the capital or
+Poitiers had reached him to dissipate the apparent calm around. Every
+thing wore the aspect of peace throughout the country. The peasant's
+wife sunned herself at the door of her cottage, with distaff and
+spindle in hand, plying lightly her daily toil, while her children ran
+or crawled about before her, full of enjoyment themselves, and giving
+enjoyment to her who beheld them. The peasant pursued his labour in
+the fields, and cheered it by a song; and although the Count knew many
+of those whom he saw to be Protestants, there was no appearance of
+anxiety or apprehension amongst them. Every thing was cheerful, and
+contented, and tranquil, and the peace of the scene sank into his
+heart. Angels may be supposed to look upon this earth's pleasures with
+a feeling of melancholy though not sadness, from a knowledge of their
+fragility; and so Albert of Morseiul, though he felt in some degree
+calmed and tranquillised by what he saw, yet could not prevent a
+sensation of deep melancholy from mingling with his other feelings, as
+he thought, &quot;This can but last for a very, very little time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At length he turned into the very wood where he had encountered the
+robbers, which now bore, of course, a very different aspect in the
+full daylight from that which it had borne in the depth of the night.
+The summer sunshine was now streaming through the green leaves, and
+far away between the wide bolls of the trees, the mossy ground might
+be seen carpeted with velvet softness, and chequered with bright
+catches and streams of light. The road, too, though not in the full
+sunshine, was crossed here and there by long lines of radiance, and
+the sky over head was seen clear and blue, while every projecting
+branch of the tall trees above caught the light, and sparkled with a
+brighter green.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The aspect of this scene was more tranquillising still than the last;
+but it did not chase the Count's deep melancholy; and, finding that he
+was riding very slow, which only afforded time for thought when
+thought was useless, he turned round to see if his attendants were
+near, intending to ride on faster, if they were within sight. The road
+was very nearly straight; and, at the distance of four or five hundred
+yards, passing one of the soft green refreshing shadows cast by the
+wood, he saw the body of servants riding gaily on after him,
+conversing together. Between him and them, however, just issuing from
+one of the green wood paths, which joined the high road, was another
+figure, which immediately called the Count's attention. It was that of
+an old man, plain and simple in his own appearance, but mounted on a
+mule, gaily tricked and caparisoned, as was the universal custom in
+those days, with fringes and knobs of red worsted, and bells of many a
+size and shape about its collar and head-stall. The rider was not one
+of those whom men forget easily; and, though he was at a considerable
+distance as well as the attendants, the Count instantly recognised
+good Claude de l'Estang.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Seeing the Count pause, the old man put his mule into a quicker pace,
+and rode on towards him. When he came near he wished his young friend
+joy of his return, but his own face was any thing but joyful.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We shall all be indeed glad to see you, my dear Albert,&quot; he said,
+&quot;for we have very great need of your return on every account. Besides
+all these grievous and iniquitous proceedings against the Protestants,
+we have in our own bosom men who I hear had the impudence even to
+attack you; but who have since committed various other outrages of a
+marked and peculiar character. One man, I learn, has been shot dead
+upon the spot, another has been wounded severely, a third has been
+robbed and maltreated. But I cannot discover that any one has met with
+harshness, except such as are distinguished for a somewhat inordinate
+zeal in favour of the Catholic faith. Not a Protestant has been
+attacked, which marks the matter more particularly, and the peasantry
+themselves are beginning to notice the fact, so that it will not be
+long before their priests take notice of it, and the eyes of the state
+will be turned angrily upon us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear indeed that it will be so,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but whether
+the result will or will not be evil, God in his wisdom only knows.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is this, my dear Albert?&quot; exclaimed the clergyman. &quot;You sent to
+me to ask that I should draw up a humble petition to the King,
+representing the Protestants as peaceful, humble, obedient subjects,
+and surely we must take every measure that we may not by our own
+actions give the lie to our own words.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will certainly, my dear friend,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;take every
+measure that it is possible for man to take, to put down this evil
+system of plunder and violence, whether it be carried on by
+Protestants or Catholics. There is a notorious violation of the law,
+and I am determined to put it down if it be possible, without any
+regard whatsoever to distinction between the two religions. The
+petition to the King was necessary when I wrote about it, and is so
+still, for it was then our only hope, and it may now be taken as a
+proof that even to the last moment we were willing to show ourselves
+humble, devoted, and loyal. I expect nothing from it but that result;
+but that result itself is something.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear, my son,&quot; said the old man, &quot;that you have heard bad news
+since you wrote to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The worst,&quot; replied the Count, with a melancholy shake of the head,
+&quot;the very worst that can be given. They intend, I understand from
+authority that cannot be doubted, to suppress entirely the free
+exercise of our religion in France, and to revoke the edict of our
+good King Henry which secured it to us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man dropped the reins upon his mule's neck, and raised his
+eyes appealingly to heaven. &quot;Terrible, indeed!&quot; he said; &quot;but I can
+scarcely credit it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is but too true--but too certain!&quot; replied the Count; &quot;and yet
+terrible as this is--horrible, infamous, detestable as is the cruelty
+and tyranny of the act itself, the means by which it is to be carried
+into execution are still more cruel, tyrannical, and detestable.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man gazed in his face as if he had hardly voice to demand what
+those means were; but after a brief pause the Count went on: &quot;To sum
+up all in one word, they intend to take the Protestant children from
+the Protestant mother, from the father, from the brother, and
+forbidding all intercourse, to place them in the hands of the enemies
+of our faith, to be educated in the superstitions that we abhor.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God will avert it!&quot; said the old man; &quot;it cannot be that even the
+sins and the follies of him who now sits upon the throne of France
+should deserve the signal punishment of being thus utterly given up
+and abandoned by the spirit of God to the tyrannical and brutal
+foolishness of his own heart. I cannot believe that it will ever be
+executed. I cannot believe that it will ever be attempted. I doubt not
+they will go on as they have begun; that they will send smooth-faced
+priests with cunning devices, as they have done indeed since you went
+hence, to bribe and buy to the domination of Satan the weak and
+wavering of our flocks, and send lists of them to the King, to swell
+his heart with the pride of having made converts. I can easily
+conceive that they will be permitted to take from us places and
+dignities, to drive us by every sort of annoyance, so that the gold
+may be purified from the dross, the corn may be winnowed from the
+chaff. All this they will do, for all this undoubtedly we sinners have
+deserved. But I do not believe that they will be permitted to do more,
+and my trust is not in man but in God. For the sins that we have
+committed, for the weakness we have displayed, for murmurs and
+rebellion against his will, for sinful doubts and apprehensions of his
+mercy, from the earthliness of our thoughts, and the want of purity in
+all our dealings, God may permit us to be smitten severely, terribly;
+but the fiery sword of his vengeance will not go out against his
+people beyond a certain point. He has built his church upon a rock,
+and there shall it stand; nor will I ever believe that the reformed
+church of France shall be extinguished in the land, nor that the
+people who have sought God with sincerity shall be left desolate. We
+will trust in him, my son! We will trust in him!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay,&quot; said the Count; &quot;but my excellent old friend, it now becomes our
+duty to think seriously what, means, under God's will, we may use in
+defence of his church. I myself have thought upon it long and eagerly,
+but I have thought of it in vain, for the subject is so difficult and
+so embarrassed, that without some one to counsel me, some one to aid
+me, I can fix upon no plan that offers even a probability of success.
+I must speak with you before to-morrow be over, long and earnestly. I
+know not why I should not turn to your dwelling with you even now,&quot; he
+added; &quot;I know not when I may be taken away from the midst of you, for
+much personal danger threatens myself. But, however, what I have to
+say must be said alone, and in private. The man Riquet is behind, and
+though I believe he is faithful to me, and holds but loosely by his
+Popish creed, I must not trust too far. Let us turn towards your
+dwelling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be it so, be it so,&quot; replied the old man; and wending on their way
+through the forest for some distance farther, they took the first road
+that turned to the right, and pursued the forest path that ran along
+through the bottom of the deep valleys, in which some part of the wood
+was scattered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It had been a bright and a beautiful day, but the air was warm and
+sultry; and the horses of the Count looked more fatigued than might
+have been expected from so short a journey. The old clergyman and his
+young friend spoke but little more as they went along; and it was only
+to comment upon the tired condition of the horses, and the oppressive
+state of the atmosphere that they did so.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is as well, my son,&quot; said Claude de l'Estang at length, &quot;it is as
+well that you have turned with me, for depend upon it we shall have a
+storm. Do you not see those large harsh masses of cloud rising above
+the trees?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have remarked them some time,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;and twice I
+thought I saw a flash.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hark!&quot; exclaimed the clergyman, and there was evidently a sound of
+thunder not very distant. &quot;Let us ride a little quicker,&quot; the old man
+continued; &quot;we are just coming to the slope of the hill where the wood
+ends, and then we are not far from Auron.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count did as the pastor asked him, and the moment after they
+issued out from the wood, upon the shoulder of a gentle eminence, with
+green slopes declining, from either side of the road, into the
+valleys. A tall hill rose gradually to the left, along the side of
+which the highway was cut; and full in their view to the right,--but
+two or three miles on, across the valley, left by the eminence along
+which they rode--appeared the high conical hill of Auron, crowned, as
+we have before described it, with the little village spire.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though there were some detached masses of cloud sweeping over the sky
+above them, and twisting themselves into harsh curious forms, the sun
+was still shining warm and strong upon the spot where they were, while
+the storm, the voice of which they had heard in the wood, was seen
+treading the valleys and hills beyond towards Auron, wrapped in a
+mantle of dark vapours and shadows. The contrast between the bright
+sunshine and sparkling light around them, with the sweeping thunder
+clouds that were pouring forth their mingled wrath upon the beautiful
+country beyond, was very fine, and the Count drew in his horse for a
+moment to gaze upon it more at ease.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see, though they have been busy in seducing my flock, over
+there,&quot; said the pastor, fixing his eyes with a look of affection upon
+Auron, &quot;you see they have still left me my spire to the church. I
+fear, not from any good will to me or mine,&quot; he added, &quot;but because
+they say it acts as a sort of landmark at sea.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count made no reply, for he thought that the time was not far
+distant when that peaceful village would be the scene of persecution,
+if not of desolation, and the building where a quiet and industrious
+population had worshipped God for ages, according to the dictates of
+their own consciences, would be taken from them. His only answer then
+was a melancholy smile, as he rode slowly on again, still gazing on
+the village and the storm, the flashes of the lightning blazing across
+the path from time to time, as if the cloud from which they issued had
+been close above the travellers. Scarcely, however, had the Count and
+his companion gone a hundred yards along the side of the hill, when a
+bright fitful line of intense light darted across the curtain of the
+dark cloud before their eyes, aimed like a fiery javelin cast by the
+unerring hand of the destroying angel at the pointed spire of the
+village church. The shape of the spire was instantly changed; a part
+evidently fell in ruins; and, the next moment, the whole of that which
+stood, blazed forth in flames, like a fiery beacon raised on the
+highest hill of an invaded land to tell that strife and bloodshed have
+begun.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is accomplished!&quot; cried the pastor, as he gazed upon the
+destruction of the spire. &quot;It is accomplished! Oh, Albert, how natural
+is weakness and superstition to the human heart! Can we see the fall
+of that building in which for many a long year our pure faith has
+offered up its prayers, unmingled with the vanities of a false creed,
+and not feel as if the will of God were against us--as if that were a
+sign unto us that his favour had past from us, at least in this
+land--as if it were a warning for us to gird ourselves, and, shaking
+off the dust of our feet, to seek another place of abiding?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He paused not while he spoke, however, but rode on quickly, in order
+to aid and direct in saving any part of the building that yet
+remained; but as they went he still continued to pour forth many a
+sorrowful ejaculation, mingling, with personal grief for the
+destruction of an object which had for long years been familiar with
+his eye, and associated with every feeling of home, and peace, and of
+happy dwelling amongst his own people, and of high duties well
+performed, vague feelings of awe, and perhaps of superstition, as he
+read in that sight a warning, and a sign, and a shadowing forth of the
+Almighty will, that the church whereof he was a member was destined to
+destruction also.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Before the party reached the village, the spire had been completely
+consumed; but the peasantry had fortunately succeeded in preventing
+the fire from reaching the body of the building, and the rain was now
+pouring down in torrents, as the tears of an angel of wrath over the
+accomplishment of his painful mission; so that all that remained was
+to ascertain what damage had been done. Both the clergyman and the
+Count remarked several strangers standing round the church offering no
+assistance to any one, and only communing together occasionally in a
+low voice on the proceedings of the Protestant population. Albert of
+Morseiul gazed upon them with some surprise, and at length said, &quot;I
+think, gentlemen, you might have given some little aid and assistance
+in this matter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What!&quot; cried one of the men, &quot;aid in upholding a temple of heretics!
+What, keep from the destruction with which God has marked it, a
+building which man should long ago have pulled down!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not know you, gentlemen,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;There are some
+circumstances in which people may be expected to remember that they
+are fellow-men and fellow-Christians, before they think of sects or
+denominations.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he turned and left them, accompanying Claude de l'Estang
+to his dwelling.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Never mind them, Albert, never mind them,&quot; said the pastor as they
+walked along. &quot;These are the men who are engaged daily in seducing my
+flock. I have seen them more than once as I have been going hither and
+thither amongst the people; but I have heeded them not, nor ever
+spoken to them. Those who can sell themselves for gold--and gold is
+the means of persuasion that they are now adopting--are not steadfast
+or faithful in any religion, and are more likely to corrupt others,
+and to lead to great defection by falling away in a moment of need,
+than to serve or prop the cause to which they pretend to be attached.
+I trust that God's grace will reach them in time; but in a moment of
+increasing danger like this, I would rather that they showed
+themselves at once. I would rather, if they are to sell themselves
+either for safety or for gold, that they should sell themselves at
+once, and let us know them before the fiery ordeal comes. I would
+rather have to say, they went forth from us, because they were not of
+us, than think them children of light, and find them children of
+darkness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear,&quot; said the Count in a low voice, &quot;I fear that they are waging
+the war against us, my good friend, in a manner which will deprive us
+of all unanimity. It is no longer what it was in former times, when
+the persecuting sword was all we had to fear and to resist. We have
+now the artful tongues of oily and deceitful disputants. We have all
+the hellish cunning of a sect which allows every means to be
+admissible, every falsehood, every misstatement, every perversion,
+every deceit, to be just, and right, and righteous, so that the object
+to be obtained is the promotion of their own creed. Thus the great
+mass of the weak or the ill-informed may be affected by their
+teachers; while at the same time gold is held out to allure the
+covetous--the deprivation of rank, station, office, and emolument,
+is employed to drive the ambitious, the slothful, and the
+indifferent--and threats of greater severity of persecution, mental
+torture, insult, indignity, and even death itself, are held over the
+heads of the coward and the fearful.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They thus conversed as they went along, and the opinion of each but
+served to depress the hopes of the other more and more. Both were well
+acquainted with the spirit of doubt and disunion that reigned amongst
+the Protestants of France, a spirit of disunion which had been
+planted, fostered, and encouraged by every art that a body of cunning
+and unscrupulous men could employ to weaken the power of their
+adversaries. On arriving at the house of Claude de l'Estang, the
+pastor put into the hands of his young friend the petition to the King
+which he had drawn up, and which perfectly meeting his views, was
+immediately sent off for general signature, in order to be transmitted
+to Paris, and presented to the monarch. Long before it reached him,
+however, the final and decisive blow had been struck, and, therefore,
+we shall notice that paper no more.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A long conversation ensued between the pastor and his young friend;
+and it was evident to the Count de Morseiul, that the opinions of
+Claude de l'Estang himself, stern and fervent as they had been in
+youth, now rendered milder by age, and perhaps by sorrow, tended
+directly to general and unquestioning submission, rather than to
+resistance: not indeed to the abandonment of any religious principle,
+not to the slightest sacrifice of faith, not to the slightest
+conformity of what he deemed a false religion. No; he proposed and he
+advised to suffer in patience for the creed that he held; to see even
+the temples of the reformed church destroyed, if such an extreme
+should be adopted; to see persons of the purer faith excluded from
+offices and dignity, and rank and emoluments; even to suffer, should
+it be necessary, plunder, oppression, and imprisonment itself, without
+yielding one religious doctrine; but at the same time without offering
+any resistance to the royal authority.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But should they go still farther,&quot; said the Count, &quot;should they
+attempt to interdict altogether the exercise of our religion; should
+they take the child from the mother, the sister from the care of the
+brother; should they force upon us Roman rites, and demand from us
+confessions of papistical belief, what are we to do then, my good old
+friend?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Our religious duties,&quot; replied the pastor, &quot;we must not forbear to
+exercise, even if the sword hung over us that was to slay us at the
+first word. As for the rest, I trust and believe that it will not come
+to pass; but if it should, there will be no choice left us but
+resistance or flight. Ask me not, Albert, to decide now upon which of
+the two we should choose. It must ever be a dark, a painful, and a
+terrible decision when the time comes that it is necessary to make it;
+and perhaps the decision itself may be affected far more by the acts
+of others than by our own. We must determine according to
+circumstances; but, in the mean time, let us as far as possible be
+prepared for either of the two painful alternatives. We must make
+great sacrifices, Albert, and I know that you are one of those who
+would ever be ready to make such for your fellow Christians. If we are
+driven to flee from the land of our birth, and to seek a home in other
+countries; if by the waters of Babylon we must sit down and weep,
+thinking of the Jerusalem that we shall never behold again, there will
+be many, very many of our brethren compelled to fly with but little
+means of support, and perhaps it may be long before in other lands
+they obtain such employment as will enable them to maintain themselves
+by the work of their own hands. Those who are richer must minister
+unto them, Albert. Luckily I myself can do something in that sort, for
+long ago, when there was no thought of this persecution, I sold what
+little land I had, intending to spend the amount in relieving any
+distress that I might see amongst my people, and to trust to the altar
+that I served for support in my old age. But little of this sum has
+been as yet expended, and if I did but know any hands in which I could
+trust it in a foreign land, either in England or in Holland, I would
+transmit it thither instantly. You too, Albert, if I have heard right,
+derived considerable wealth in money from some distant relation
+lately. For your own sake as well as others, it were better to place
+that in safety in foreign lands, for I find that it would be dangerous
+now to attempt to sell any landed possessions, and if you were forced
+to leave this country you might find yourself suddenly reduced to want
+in the midst of strangers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not only thought of this before,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;but I
+have already taken measures for transmitting that sum to Holland. As
+soon as I heard of the unjust prohibitions regarding the sale of lands
+by Protestants, I wrote to Holland to a banker whom I knew there in
+days of old, an honest man and a sincere friend, though somewhat too
+fond of gain. The sum I can thus transmit is far more than enough to
+give me competence for life, and if you please I can transmit thither
+the little store you speak of also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Willingly, willingly,&quot; replied the pastor; &quot;it may be a benefit to
+others if not to me.--Albert,&quot; he added, &quot;I shall never quit this
+land! I feel it, I know it! My ministry must be accomplished here till
+the last: and whether I shall be taken from you by some of the
+ordinary events of nature, or whether God wills it that I should seal
+with my blood the defence of my faith and my testimony against the
+church of Rome, I know not; but I am sure, I feel sure, that I shall
+never quit the land in which I was born.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul did not attempt to argue with Claude de l'Estang
+upon this prejudice, for he knew it was one of those which, like some
+trees and shrubs, root themselves but the more firmly from being
+shaken, and from an ineffectual endeavour being made to pluck them
+out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For nearly two hours the young Count remained at the house of the
+clergyman discussing all the various topics connected with their
+situation, while his servants were scattered about in different
+dwellings of the village. At the end of that time, however, Master
+Jerome Riquet made his appearance at the pastor's house, to inform his
+lord (from a participation in whose actions he judged he had been too
+long excluded) that the storm had passed away; and, ordering his
+horses to be brought up, after a few more words with Claude de
+l'Estang, the Count mounted and pursued his way homeward to the
+château of Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Throwing his rein to the groom, the young nobleman walked on through
+the vestibule, and entered the great hall. It was calm and solitary,
+with the bright evening sunshine streaming through the tall windows
+and chequering the stone floor. Nothing was moving but a multitude of
+bright motes dancing in the sunbeam, and one of the banners of the
+house of Morseiul shaken by the wind as the door opened and closed on
+the Count's entrance. The whole aspect of the place told that it had
+not been tenanted for some time. Every thing was beautifully clean
+indeed, but the tall-backed chairs ranged straight along the walls,
+the table standing exactly in the midst, the unsullied whiteness of
+the stone floor, not even marked with the print of a dog's foot, all
+spoke plainly that it had been long untenanted. The Count gazed round
+it in silent melancholy, marked the waving banner and the dancing
+motes, and, if we may use the term, the solemn cheerfulness of that
+wide hall; and then said to himself, ere he turned again to leave it,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Such will it be, and so the sun will shine, when I am gone afar--or
+in the grave.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_03" href="#div2Ref_03">NEW ACQUAINTANCES.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">We will now lead the reader into another and very different scene from
+any of those into which we have as yet conducted him. It is a small
+but cheerful sitting-room, or parlour, in the house of a comfortable
+citizen of the town of Morseiul. There was every thing that could be
+required for comfort, and a little for show. The corner cupboard which
+protruded its round stomach into the room, like that of some fat
+alderman of the olden time, was ornamented with a variety of little
+gewgaws, and nick-nacks of silver, displayed in quaint array upon the
+shelves; and, besides several brass lamps and sconces wonderfully well
+polished, which were never lighted, were a number of articles of
+porcelain, of a kind which was then somewhat rare, and is now nearly
+invaluable. The two windows of this little parlour looked out upon the
+great square or market place, towards the southern corner of which it
+was situated, and commanded a view of a large blacksmith's forge on
+the opposite side, close by the gate leading down to what was called
+the Count's road. There was a door out of this parlour, a black oaken
+door, with panels richly carved and ornamented, which appeared to lead
+into a room at the back, and another similar door at the side, opening
+into the passage which went straight through the house from the square
+into the garden behind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the table in the midst of this room--which table, at the moment we
+speak of, that is, half past eight o'clock in the morning, was
+decorated with a large pewter dish, containing a savoury ragout of
+veal, flanked by two bottles of cider and four drinking cups--sat the
+burly person of good Paul Virlay, the rich blacksmith, who, being well
+to do in the world, and enabled by competence to take his ease, had
+not yet gone out to superintend the work which his men were carrying
+on at the forge opposite.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Another effect of his easy situation in life was, that he had time to
+perform those necessary ablutions too much required by the faces and
+hands of all blacksmiths, but which, alas! all blacksmiths are but too
+apt to neglect. It is true that, had he washed his face and hands for
+ever, or, after the prescribed rule of the Arabian Nights, had scoured
+them &quot;forty times with alkali, and forty times with the ashes of the
+same plant,&quot; his face and hands would still have retained a certain
+glowing coppery brown hue, which they had acquired by the action of
+sun, and air, and fire, and hard work, and which they likewise
+possessed, it must be confessed, in some degree from nature. At the
+table with Paul Virlay were three other personages. The first was his
+daughter, a sweet little girl of thirteen or fourteen years of age,
+and the second his wife, a goodly dame, perhaps two years or three
+years older than himself, and who, being terribly marked with the
+smallpox, had never possessed any beauty. Thus, at his marriage,
+Virlay, who had been in much request amongst the young ladies of
+Morseiul, declared that he had taken the good working horse instead of
+the jennet. She had always been extremely careful, laborious, active,
+and economical; somewhat given to smartness of apparel, indeed, but by
+no means to extravagance, and though decorating herself with black
+velvet riband, and large ornaments of gold, yet careful that the
+riband was not worn out too soon, and the gold ornaments neither
+bruised nor broken.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On her right hand, between herself and her husband, sat the fourth
+person of the party, who was no other than the lady's brother, a
+stout, broad-made, determined-looking man, who had served long in the
+army under the Count; and had risen as high, by his daring courage and
+somewhat rash gallantry, as any person not of noble blood could rise,
+except under very extraordinary circumstances. He had accumulated, it
+was said, a considerable sum of money--perhaps not by the most
+justifiable of all dealings with the inhabitants of conquered
+districts--so that Armand Herval was an object of not a little
+attention, and what we may call cupidity, to the unmarried young
+ladies of Morseiul. That town was not, indeed, his regular dwelling
+place, for his abode was at a small town nearer to the sea coast, some
+five or six miles off; but he frequently came to visit his sister and
+brother-in-law, over both of whom he exercised very considerable
+influence, although, as frequently is the case, the latter was
+naturally a man of much stronger natural sense than himself. It is in
+almost all instances, indeed, energy that gives power; and with
+persons not well educated, or not very highly endowed by nature, that
+energy loses none of its effect from approaching somewhat towards
+rashness. Such then was the case with Paul Virlay and his
+brother-in-law. When unmoved by any strong passions, however, Armand
+Herval was quite the man to lead and to seduce. He was gay, blithe,
+cheerful, full of frolic, fearless of consequences, specious in
+reasoning, possessing much jest and repartee, overflowing with tales,
+or anecdotes, of what he had seen, or heard, or done in the wars; and
+it was only when crossed, or opposed, or excited by wine or anger,
+that the darker and more fiery spirit of the somewhat ruthless trooper
+would break forth and overawe those that surrounded him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the present morning there was a strange mixture in his demeanour of
+a sad and serious thoughtfulness, with gaiety and even merriment. He
+laughed and jested with his niece, he took a pleasure in teasing his
+sister, but he spoke, once or twice, in a low and bitter tone to Paul
+Virlay upon various matters which were taking place in the
+neighbourhood, and did not even altogether spare the Count de Morseiul
+himself. At that, however, Virlay bristled up; and his brother-in-law,
+who had done it more from a spirit of teasing than aught else, only
+laughed at his anger, and turned the discourse to something else. He
+eat and drank abundantly of the breakfast set before him; laughed at
+the cleanness of Virlay's face and hands, and the smartness of his
+brown jerkin, and insisted that his little niece should run to the
+window to see whether the men were working properly, saying that her
+father was no longer fit for his trade.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The girl did as she was bid, and replied immediately, &quot;I do not see
+the men at all, but I see the young Count just turning the corner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is early,&quot; cried Virlay, laying down his fork. &quot;Is he on
+horseback?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, he is on foot,&quot; replied the girl, &quot;and nobody with him.&quot;--&quot;He is
+coming over here, I declare he is coming over here,&quot; cried the girl,
+clapping her hands.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nonsense,&quot; cried Virlay, starting up, as well as his wife and
+brother-in-law.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not nonsense at all, Paul,&quot; cried Herval. &quot;He is making straight for
+the house, so I shall be off as fast as I can by the back door. I am
+not fond of making low bows, and standing with my hat in my hand, when
+I can help it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stay, stay,&quot; cried Virlay; &quot;do not go yet, Armand, I have much to
+talk with you about.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But his brother-in-law shook his head, and darted through the oak door
+we have mentioned, into the room beyond. Madame Virlay bestirred
+herself to give order and dignity to the breakfast table; but before
+she could accomplish that purpose the Count was in the open passage,
+and knocking at the door of the room for admission.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Virlay opened it immediately, and the young nobleman entered with that
+frank and graceful bearing which was part, indeed, of his inheritance,
+but which secured to him that hereditary love for his race which the
+virtues and kindness of his forefathers had established amongst the
+people.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good morrow, Virlay,&quot; he said. &quot;Good morrow, Madame Virlay! Oh, my
+pretty Margette, why you have grown so great a girl that I must call
+you so no longer, lest the people say that I am making love to
+you.--Virlay,&quot; he added, in a graver tone, &quot;I would fain speak a word
+or two with you on business. I would not send for you to the château
+for various reasons, but cannot we go into the next room for a moment
+or two?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Virlay made a sign to his wife and daughter to retire, and placed a
+seat for the Count. &quot;No, my lord,&quot; he said, &quot;you shall not give
+yourself that trouble. Shot the door, wife, and remember, no
+eves-dropping!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Bless thee, Paul,&quot; exclaimed his wife, bridling with a little
+indignation; &quot;do you think I would listen to what my Lord Count says
+to you? I know better, I trust,&quot; and she shut the door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Perhaps neither the Count, however, nor Virlay were quite certain of
+the lady's discretion under such circumstances, and they, therefore,
+both remained near the window, and conversed in low tones.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I come to speak to you, Virlay,&quot; said the Count, in somewhat of a
+grave tone, &quot;both as an influential man and as a sensible man--though
+he may have his little faults,&quot; he added, fixing his eyes somewhat
+meaningly upon the blacksmith's face, &quot;and who may suffer himself to
+be a little too much led by others; but who, nevertheless, has the
+best intentions, I know, and who will always, sooner or later,
+remember that one must not do wrong that right may come of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The blacksmith replied nothing, but kept his eyes fixed upon the
+ground, though the red became somewhat deeper in his brown cheek, and
+an expression of consciousness was to be seen in every feature of his
+countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What I want to speak with you about is this,&quot; continued the Count:
+&quot;since I have been away, during this last campaign, there has sprung
+up, it seems, a dangerous band in this part of the province;
+consisting of men who are carrying on a system of violence,
+depredation, and intimidation, which must be put a stop to. What I
+want to consult with you in regard to, is the best means of putting
+down this band, for put down I am determined it shall be, and that
+right speedily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will not be able to put them down, my lord!&quot; replied the
+blacksmith. &quot;If mere simple plunder were the object of these persons,
+the thing would be easily done. You would have the whole people to aid
+you, and nothing would be more easy. But, my lord, such is not the
+case. The men may plunder--I do not say that it is not so--but they
+only plunder their enemies. It has always been so in this part of the
+country, as the good Count, your father, well knew, and always will be
+so to the end of the world. People have given these bands different
+names, at different times, and from different circumstances. Once they
+were called <i>les Faucons</i>, because, at that time, the minister was
+sending down men into the country, taxing the salt and the fish, and
+when any of them came, one of these bands stooped upon him, like a
+falcon, carried him off, and he was never heard of more. At another
+time they were called <i>les Eperviers</i>, the hawks, because they hovered
+over all the country and caught what they could. That was the time
+when the King sent down so many soldiers, that they could not carry
+off the collectors without hovering round them for a long time. Now
+they call them <i>les Chauve-souris</i>, or the bats, because they fly
+about just at the setting-in of night, and woe be to the persecuting
+Papist that falls in their way. To-morrow, if obliged to do the work
+later at night, they may be called <i>les Hiboux</i>, or the owls; and the
+time may come, perhaps, when they will be called <i>les Loups</i> or <i>les
+Chouettes</i>, the wolves or the screech-owls: but they will do no harm
+to any one but their enemies. An honest man, who seeks to harm nobody,
+may go from one end of the province to another,--ay, and through all
+Brittany, too, as well as Poitou, without meeting with the least
+annoyance. But if it be different, if he be an oppressor of the
+people, a seller of men's souls, let him see that he travels by
+daylight only, and even then he wo'n't be very safe.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not know,&quot; said the Count, &quot;that I am either an oppressor of the
+people, or a buyer and seller of men's souls; and yet, my good friend
+Virlay, these Chauve-souris, as you call them, fastened their claws
+upon me, and put me to no slight inconvenience and discomfort. They
+might have shot me, too, for they fired right at my horse. You may
+have heard of all this before, I dare say,&quot; he added, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The blacksmith did not reply for a moment; but then he said, &quot;I dare
+say, my lord, it was some mistake. I doubt not that they did not know
+you; or that some foolish fellow, as will happen sometimes, went
+beyond his orders.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But then again,&quot; said the Count, &quot;they both attacked and plundered
+two ladies, defenceless women, who could have given them no offence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Some hangers-on of a governor that was sent down to oppress the
+province,&quot; replied the blacksmith. &quot;These bands, my lord, know all
+that's passing through the country better than you do yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But in this instance,&quot; said the Count, &quot;they certainly knew not what
+they were about, for instead of a governor sent down to oppress the
+province, Monsieur de Rouvré is the very man to stand between the
+province and oppression, and, from all I hear, is likely to give up
+the post and the court, and retire to Ruffigny, if the measures of the
+council are what he judges unfair towards us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If he do that,&quot; said the blacksmith, &quot;he will have a better body
+guard at Ruffigny than ever he had at Poitiers. But what is it you
+want me to do, Monsieur le Comte? I have no power to put down these
+bands. I have no sway with them or against them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What I want you to do,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;is to use your whole
+power and influence in every way, to put a stop to a system which
+cannot be suffered to go on. Sorry should I be to draw the sword
+against these mistaken people, but I must have them no more on the
+lands and lordships of Morseiul, where they have quartered themselves
+I find during my absence. I must have my forests free of such deer,
+and you know, Virlay, when I say a thing I will keep my word. I have
+been in their hands, and they were civil to me, respected my person,
+did something towards obeying my directions; and, although I know two
+of them, however well concealed they might be,&quot; he added, laying
+strong emphasis on the words, &quot;I will in no degree betray the
+knowledge I acquired. I only wish to make it fully understood, that I
+wish this band to be dispersed. I am well aware of the evil custom
+that you allude to, and how deeply it has rooted itself in the habits
+of the people; but I tell you, Virlay, that this is likely to produce
+more evil to the cause of the reformed church than any thing that
+could be devised. At all events, it is contrary altogether to the laws
+of the land, and to civil order, and whatever be the pretext, I will
+not tolerate it on my lands. I wish the bands to be dispersed, the
+night meetings to be abandoned, the men to pursue their lawful
+employments, and in other hours to take their necessary rest. But, at
+all events, as I have said before, within my jurisdiction they shall
+not remain. If they go to the lands of other lords, I cannot of course
+help it; but I trust that those other lords will have spirit and
+decision enough to drive them off their territories. Let us say no
+more about it, Virlay. You understand me distinctly, and know my whole
+meaning; and now, let me know when, and how, I may best obtain a
+meeting with a person called Brown Keroual, for I must make him hear
+reason also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The blacksmith paused for two or three minutes before he answered.
+&quot;Why, my lord,&quot; he said at length, &quot;I ought not to tell you any thing
+about him, perhaps, by that name. On all accounts, perhaps I ought
+not; but yet I know I can trust you; and I am sure you will take no
+advantage. So I'll only ask you one thing, not to go down to where he
+is, with too many people about you, for fear of bad consequences if
+there should be any of his folks about.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall go down,&quot; said the Count, &quot;towards the place where I hear he
+is generally to be met with, with only two servants; and when I come
+near enough, I shall give the horse to the servants, and walk forward
+on foot.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will be as safe as in your own château, then,&quot; said the
+blacksmith; &quot;but you must not go for a couple of days, as where he
+will be tomorrow, and next day, I cannot tell. But if, on the day
+after, you will be just at the hour when the but begins to flit, at a
+little turn of the river about six miles down.--You know the high rock
+just between the river and the forest, with the tall tree upon it,
+which they call the <i>chêne vert</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know it well. I know it well,&quot; said the Count. &quot;But on which side
+of the rock do you mean? the tall face flanks the river, the back
+slopes away towards the wood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;At the back, at the back,&quot; replied the blacksmith. &quot;Amongst the old
+hawthorns that lie scattered down the slope. You will find him there
+at the hour I mention.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will be there,&quot; said the Count in reply, &quot;and I will allow the
+intervening time for the band to quit the woods of Morseiul. But if it
+have not done so by the morning after, there will be a difference
+between us, which I should be sorry for.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, the Count left the worthy townsman, and took his way back
+to the château.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the two days that intervened, nothing occurred to vary the course
+of his existence. He entertained some expectation of receiving letters
+from Poitiers, but none arrived. He heard nothing from the governor,
+from the Chevalier d'Evran, or from Clémence de Marly; and from Paris,
+also, the ordinary courier brought no tidings for the young Count. A
+lull had come over the tempestuous season of his days, and we shall
+now follow him on his expedition to the <i>chênt vert</i>, under which, be
+it said, we have ourselves sat many an hour thinking over and
+commenting upon the deeds we now record.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count, as he had said, took but two servants with him, and rode
+slowly on through, the evening air, with his mind somewhat relieved by
+the absence of any fresh excitement, and by the calm refreshing
+commune of his spirit with itself. On the preceding day there had been
+another thunder storm; but the two which had occurred had served to
+clear and somewhat cool the atmosphere, though the breath of the air
+was still full of summer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When at the distance of about a mile and a half from the spot which
+the blacksmith had indicated, the Count gave his horse to his
+servants, and bade them wait there for his return. He wandered on
+slowly, slackening his pace as much to enjoy the beauty and brightness
+of the scene around, as to let the appointed time arrive for his
+meeting with the leader of the band we have mentioned. When he had
+gone on about a hundred yards, however, he heard in the distance the
+wild but characteristic notes of a little instrument, at that time,
+and even in the present day, delighted in throughout Poitou, and known
+there by the pleasant and harmonious name of the musette. Sooth to
+say, it differs but little, though it does in a degree, from the
+ordinary bagpipe; and yet there is not a peasant in Poitou, and
+scarcely a noble of the province either, who will not tell you that it
+is the sweetest and most harmonious instrument in the world. It
+requires, however, to be heard in a peculiar manner, and at peculiar
+seasons: either, as very often happens in the small towns of that
+district, in the dead of the night, when it breaks upon the ear as the
+player walks along the street beneath your window, with a solemn and
+plaintive melody, that seems scarcely of the earth; or else in the
+morning and evening tide, heard at some little distance amongst the
+hills and valleys of that sunny land, when it sounds like the spirit
+of the winds, singing a wild ditty to the loveliness of the scene.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul had quite sufficient national, or perhaps we
+should say provincial, feeling to love the sound of the musette; and
+he paused to listen, as, with a peculiar beauty and delicacy of touch,
+the player poured on the sounds from the very direction in which he
+was proceeding. He did not hasten his pace, however, enjoying it as he
+went; and still the nearer and nearer he came to the <i>chênt vert</i>, the
+closer he seemed to approach to the spot whence the sounds issued. It
+is true the player could not see him, as he came in an oblique line
+from the side of the water, to which at various places the wood
+approached very near. But the moment that the Count turned the angle
+of the rock which we have mentioned, and on the top of which stood the
+large evergreen oak, from which it took its name, he beheld a group
+which might well have furnished a picture for a Phyllis and a Corydon
+to any pastoral poet that ever penned an idyl or an eclogue.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Seated on a little grassy knoll, under one of the green hawthorns, was
+a girl apparently above the common class, with a veil, which she
+seemed to have lately worn over her head, cast down beside her, and
+with her dark hair falling partly upon her face as it bent over that
+of a man, seated, or rather stretched, at her feet, who, supporting
+himself on one elbow, was producing from the favourite instrument of
+the country the sounds which the Count had heard.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Lying before them, and turning its sagacious eyes from the face of the
+one to the face of the other, was a large rough dog, and the girl's
+hand, which was fair and small, was engaged in gently caressing the
+animal's head as the Count came up. So occupied were they with each
+other, and so full were the tones of the music, that it was the dog
+who first perceived the approach of a stranger, and bounded barking
+forward towards the Count, as if the young nobleman were undoubtedly
+an intruder. The girl and her lover--for who could doubt that he was
+such?--both rose at the same time, and she, casting her veil over her
+head, darted away with all speed towards the wood, while her companion
+called after her, &quot;Not far, not far.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count then perceived, somewhat to his surprise, that the veil she
+wore was that of a novice in a convent. Notwithstanding the barking of
+the dog, and the somewhat fierce and uncertain aspect of his master,
+the Count advanced with the same slow, steady pace, and in a minute or
+two after was standing within five steps of Armand Herval. That good
+personage had remained fixed to his place, and for sometime had not
+recognised the young Count; but the moment he did so, a change came
+over his countenance, and he saluted him with an air of military
+respect.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good day, Armand,&quot; said the Count, &quot;I am afraid I have disturbed your
+young friend; but pray go after her, and tell her that I am neither
+spy nor enemy, so she need not be alarmed. Come back and speak to me,
+however, for I want a few minutes' conversation with you.--Have you
+seen your brother-in-law Virlay, lately?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not for several days,&quot; replied Armand; &quot;but I will go after her, my
+Lord, and see her safe, and come back to you in a minute.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do so,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;and I will wait for you here. Will you
+not stay with me, good dog?&quot; he added, patting the dog's head and
+casting himself down upon the ground; but the dog followed his master,
+and the Count remained alone, thinking over the little picture which
+had been so unexpectedly presented to his eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This lets me into much of the history,&quot; he thought. &quot;Here is a motive
+and an object both for accumulating wealth and intimidating the
+Papists! But how can he contrive to get the girl out of a convent to
+sit with him here, listening to him playing the musette, while it is
+yet the open day? It is true, we are at a great distance from any town
+or village. The only religious house near, either, is that upon the
+hill two miles farther down. Though I cannot prevent this business, I
+must give him some caution;&quot; and then he set himself to think over the
+whole affair again, and to endeavour to account for an event which was
+less likely perhaps to take place in that province, in the midst of a
+Protestant population, than in any other part of France.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Some time passed ere Armand Herval returned, and by this time the
+twilight was growing thick and grey.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is later than I thought, Herval,&quot; said the young Count, rising
+from the ground, on which he had been stretched, as the other came up;
+&quot;I shall hardly have time to say all I had to say, even if the person
+were here that I came to converse with.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then you did not come to see me, my Lord?&quot; demanded Herval, in a tone
+perhaps expressive of a little mortification.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Herval,&quot; replied the Count with a slight smile, &quot;I came to see a
+person called Brown Keroual: but,&quot; he added, after a moment's pause,
+&quot;if you are likely to stay here, I will leave the message with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count stopped as if for a reply, and his companion answered,
+&quot;Speak, speak, my Lord Count! Your message shall not fail to reach
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well then, Armand,&quot; replied the nobleman, &quot;tell Keroual this for me:
+first, that I know him--that I recognised him the moment he spoke when
+last we met; but that having some regard for him, I do not intend to
+take any advantage whatever of that knowledge to his prejudice,
+although he be engaged in wrong and unlawful deeds. However, I came
+here to meet him, in order to reason with him on his conduct, for he
+is a good and a gallant soldier, and would now have been an
+officer--for I recommended him for advancement--had it not been for
+that plundering of the priory of St. Amand, which was thrown in my
+teeth by Monsieur de Louvois whenever I mentioned his name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If Louvois had been in it,&quot; replied his companion, &quot;it would not have
+escaped half as well as it did; for I think, according to the very
+doctrines of their popish church, the good act of burning one Louvois
+would be quite enough to obtain pardon for the sin of burning a whole
+score of monks along with him. But what were you going to say farther,
+sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, to Brown Keroual,&quot; continued the Count, &quot;I was going to say,
+that he is engaged in a matter contrary to all law and order, heading
+a band of robbers which must be----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg your pardon, sir,&quot; interrupted Herval somewhat impatiently,
+&quot;not robbers! If you please, a band of <i>chauve-souris</i>. They rob no
+man: they only plunder the enemy; and let me tell you, my Lord Count,
+that there is many a man more or less joined with that band, who would
+just as soon think of robbing another as you would.--Has any thing
+been asked for the ring, though it was the ring of a Papist? Was not
+the money that was taken from you restored?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but we must not be too nice about our
+terms, Herval. I do not know any law, human or divine, that allows a
+man to pick and choose at his own will and pleasure whom he will rob,
+and whom he will murder.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, my noble Lord,&quot; answered the man, getting warm; &quot;but there is a
+law of nature, which, after all, is a law of God, and which not only
+justifies but requires us to destroy him who would destroy us; and,
+whether it be straightforwardly that he is seeking our destruction, or
+by cunning and crooked paths, it matters not, we have a right to
+prevent him by every means in our power, and if we catch hold of him,
+to knock him on the head like a viper or any other noxious vermin.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In all cases but direct attack,&quot; answered the Count, &quot;civil society
+gives our defence into the hands of the law.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But when the law and its ministers are leagued with the destroyers,
+with the real plunderers, with the real disturbers of the public
+peace,&quot; exclaimed the man vehemently, &quot;we must make a new law for
+ourselves, and be its officers also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count did not interrupt him, as he was very well pleased to be
+made acquainted clearly with all the views and opinions of that body
+of men whom Armand Herval might be supposed to represent; and the
+soldier went on with great volubility, and some eloquence, to defend
+the right of resistance with all the well-known arguments upon the
+subject, which have been repeated and combated a thousand times; but
+he came not a bit nearer than any who had gone before him to the real
+question at issue, namely, where the duty of submission ceased and the
+right of resistance began. We must remember that not only the higher
+orders, but also the lower classes of French Protestants were at that
+time much more generally enlightened and accustomed to the use of
+their own reason, than the Catholics, and the natural consequence of
+any attempt to oppress them, was to render such arguments as those
+used by Herval, very common amongst them. Neither was the Count de
+Morseiul prepared to oppose the general scope of the man's reasoning,
+though he was determined to resist the practical misapplication of it,
+which was then actively going on in the province.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not argue with you, Herval,&quot; he said, &quot;nor will I attempt to
+persuade you that what the council is doing now, and may do against us
+poor Protestants, is right, feeling it as I do to be wrong. But,
+nevertheless, I think--nay, I am sure--that such proceedings, as those
+of the band we speak of, are perfectly incompatible with our duty to
+the King and our fellow-subjects, and likely to produce infinitely
+greater evil to the reformed religion than good. The existence of such
+bands will give an excuse for sending a large military force into the
+province, for persecuting the Protestants still farther, and for
+taking such precautions that even, if a crisis were to come, in which
+the resistance to oppression which you speak of were necessary, it
+would be rendered hopeless by the prepared state of the enemy. In the
+mean time it is wrong, because, at the best, it is carrying on what
+you call hostilities without a declaration of war; it is dangerous to
+the peaceful even of our own friends, as has been shown in my case,
+and in that of two ladies of the governor's family, who is most warmly
+interested in our behalf; and it is degrading a powerful and just
+cause in the eyes of all men, by giving its supporters the air of
+night plunderers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As for a declaration of war,&quot; replied Herval, &quot;they have made that
+themselves by their own acts, and as to the rest of what you say, sir,
+there are objections certainly. Did I but see our noblemen like
+yourself, and our ministers preparing a good resistance to tyranny and
+injustice, I would be as quiet as a lamb. But I see nothing of the
+kind; you are all sitting still in your houses, and waiting till they
+come to cut your throats. So as there must and shall be resistance of
+some kind, and it must begin by the lower instead of the higher, we
+must even take the lesser of two evils, and go on as we have done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Armand Herval spoke, as was common with him when at all heated, with
+very little reverence or respect in his tone; but Albert of Morseiul
+was not of a character to suffer himself to be irritated in the
+slightest degree by any want of formal respect. No man knew better how
+to preserve his own dignity without making any exaction, and he
+accordingly replied, with perfect calmness,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should be sorry, Armand, that our good friend Brown Keroual should
+persist in conduct which may make a division amongst different classes
+of the Protestants, at the very moment that we require union for our
+common safety. You will therefore let him know at once, that I am
+determined, upon my own lands, to put an end to this system; that my
+forest and my moors shall no longer hold these <i>chauve-souris</i>. The
+day after to-morrow I shall begin my operations, and as I know the
+country as well as any man in it, shall have no difficulty in putting
+my plans in execution. Keroual knows me for a man of my word, and I
+must not have one single man disguised and in arms any where within my
+jurisdiction at the end of three days from this time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man smiled with a grim but less dissatisfied look than the Count
+had expected. &quot;They none of them wish to give you offence, sir,&quot; he
+replied, &quot;and can easily move off your lands to others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That they must do,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;but there is something more
+still to be said. When once off my lands, they may doubtless consider
+that the matter is at an end; but such is not the case.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My Lord, if you follow us off your lands,&quot; said Armand, dropping
+farther disguise, and making use of the pronoun of the first person,
+&quot;if you follow us off your own lands, you must take the consequences.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am always prepared to do so,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;My purpose is not
+of course to follow any of you off my own lands, unless I am summoned
+to do so; but if I am summoned, which will immediately be the case if
+there be any renewal of outrages whatsoever, I shall most assuredly
+use my whole power, and employ my whole means, to put down that which
+I know to be wrong.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man to whom he spoke gazed sternly upon the ground for a moment or
+two, and seemed to be struggling with various contending feelings.
+&quot;Come, my Lord Count,&quot; he said at length, &quot;I will tell you what. Every
+one who has served under you knows that you are as brave a man, as
+kind an officer, and as skilful a commander as any that ever lived,
+and we are all willing to do what we can to please you in your own
+way. If you would put yourself at our head, there is not a man amongst
+us that would not follow you to death itself.--No, but hear me out, my
+Lord; don't answer till you have heard.--We get quicker information
+than even you can get, for with us it flies from mouth to mouth like
+lightning. We have no long written letters, but as soon as a thing is
+known, one man tells it to another, and so it comes down here. Now we
+know what most likely you don't know, that every thing is settled in
+Paris for putting down the reformed religion altogether. We know, too,
+which I see you don't know, that the Duc de Rouvré has received orders
+from the court to resign the government of the province, and retire to
+Ruffigny, without presenting himself at the court. Now depend upon it,
+my Lord, before a fortnight be over, you will have to rouse yourself
+against this oppression, to make the voice of remonstrance heard in
+firmer tones, and with arms in your hand. You know it as well as I do,
+and I know you are no more afraid of doing it than I am; but only,
+like all the rest of the people about the court, you have gone mad
+concerning a thing called loyalty, and have got your head filled with
+ideas of respect and veneration for the King--simply because he is the
+King and wears a crown--when if the truth were known, he is not so
+much worthy of respect and veneration as any of our peasants who drive
+a team of oxen, with a whip of sheep leather, from one end of the
+field to the other. A selfish, voluptuous, adulterous tyrant----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush, hush,&quot; exclaimed the Count, &quot;I can neither stay nor hear, if
+you proceed in such terms as those.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, well,&quot; said the man, &quot;though what I say is true, and you know
+it, my Lord Count, I wo'n't go on if it offends you. But what I was
+going to say besides is this. You have got your head filled with these
+ideas; you wish to do every thing respectfully and loyally; you wish
+to show the most profound respect for the law, and be compelled to
+resist before you do resist. But are our enemies doing the same
+towards us? Are they showing any respect for the law, or for justice,
+or good faith, honour, honesty, or treaties? No, no, they are taking
+step by step, and ruining us piecemeal! My Lord, you are like a man in
+a fortress, with a truce between him and a perfidious enemy, who takes
+advantage of his good nature to get possession of one outpost after
+another, then marches over the glacis, lodges himself on the
+counterscarp, erects his batteries, points his cannon, and says, 'Now,
+surrender, or I'll blow you to pieces!' This is what you are suffering
+to be done, my Lord; and, at one word, if you, Count, will come and
+put yourself at our head to resist oppression, you shall have two
+hundred men at one whistle; and ere five days be over you shall have
+two thousand; before ten days ten thousand. Will you do it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Undoubtedly not,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Were the time to come that all
+other means having failed, I should be forced to stand upon my own
+defence, and the defence of my fellow Protestants, I would openly
+plant my banner on the hill of Morseiul, stand upon the
+straightforward justice of my cause, point to the unvarying loyalty of
+my life, and demand simple justice for myself and my brethren.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you would find all confusion and consternation in your own
+party,&quot; replied the man, &quot;not a skeleton even of a regiment ready to
+support you, the timid abandoning you, and the brave unprepared. You
+would find, on the other side, the enemy upon you before you knew
+where you were; instead of justice you would get persecution, and,
+before a fortnight was over, your head would be rolling about the
+Place de Grève. Well, well, be it so!--I will help you yet, my Lord,
+whether you like it or not, and when the day of danger comes, you may
+find Brown Keroual and his band nearer to your hand than you imagine.
+In the mean time, we will keep as quiet as may be. But if you hear of
+a few Jesuits and Lazarites being hung, you must not be surprised,
+that's all.--Have you any thing farther to say to me, my Lord? for it
+is now quite dark; and, like a sober peaceable man,&quot; he added with a
+laugh, &quot;I must be going home to supper. One or two of my companions
+may come to fetch me, too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have nothing farther to say, Armand,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;except,
+perhaps, it were a word of caution about that young person I saw with
+you just now; and who, I must say, I was sorry to see with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, my Lord, why?&quot; demanded the man quickly; &quot;you don't suppose I
+would do her hurt. I would not injure her, so help me God! for the
+whole world. If you had not come up, I should have taken her back in
+five minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not suppose you would wrong her, Herval,&quot; said the Count, &quot;by no
+means do I suppose such a thing; but she out here with you, with a
+novice's veil on! She is evidently some Roman Catholic girl in a
+monastery, and I would have you cautious on that account.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, my lord,&quot; replied the man, &quot;the time for caution is all over now.
+We are soon coming to a setting to rights of all those things. Quiet
+cannot be kept up above a fortnight longer, and then the doors of more
+than one convent will be as wide open as the sea. One of three things
+must then happen. We shall either have established our rights, and my
+little novice will be out of her fetters; or we shall be defeated and
+I killed, and that matter over; or defeated, yet living and flying
+away with her, pretty soul, to some country where we may be united in
+peace.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, yes,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but you do not reflect what you may
+bring upon her head in the mean time. She may be removed from that
+convent to another, where you can never reach her. If these wanderings
+with you are detected, she may be subjected too to punishments and
+penances, such as you have no idea of.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man laughed aloud. &quot;No fear, my Lord, no fear,&quot; he said; &quot;the good
+mothers dare no more send her away than they dare lose their right
+hand. They would fancy the convent in flames the very first night she
+slept out of it. Why, she is their guardian angel, at least so they
+think; and she is specially appointed to bring their tribute,
+consisting of a silver crown and a flask of wine, twice in the week to
+Brown Keroual, in virtue of which they obtain his protection against
+all bands and companies whatsoever. The only stipulation they made
+when the tribute was demanded, was, that he was on no account to tell
+the director; and when the director, who is a greater old woman than
+any one amongst them, heard it in confession, he added, a fifteen sous
+piece once a week for himself, with no other stipulation than that
+Brown Keroual was not to tell the Bishop; so that twice in the week
+the dear child brings me the tribute--ay, and the real tribute, for
+which I sought, of her own sweet company. Nobody dares watch her,
+nobody dares follow her; and as she is always absent the same time,
+and always back again before the bat's wing is to be seen flitting in
+the air, they ask no questions, but judging the distance long, exempt
+her from vespers, that she may accomplish it more easily. And now, my
+Lord Count,&quot; he continued, &quot;I must leave you, for my people will be
+waiting for me. I think where we now stand is off your lordship's
+ground, for I could not well give up this meeting place. But farther
+than this, I shall not come, till the time when you shall be very
+willing to thank Brown Keroual for his help.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count made no reply to his words, but wishing him good night, he
+left him, and rejoined his servants. He then rode quickly homeward,
+but was somewhat surprised, as he climbed the steep towards the
+castle, to see a full blaze of light pouring through the windows of
+the lesser hall. On entering the gates, however, he saw several horses
+and servants in the liveries of the Chevalier d'Evran, and found his
+friend seated at supper in the hall above.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see, Albert,&quot; said the Chevalier, rising and grasping his hand as
+he came in, &quot;you see what liberties I take, and what account I make of
+your friendship. Here I come, and order all sorts of viands without
+ceremony, simply because I have ridden hard and am desperately an
+hungred.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His countenance was frank and open, though not perhaps so cheerful in
+its expression as usual; his manner was free and unembarrassed, and
+seemed not as if any thing that had occurred at Poitiers would have
+the slightest tendency to diminish the friendship and intimacy that
+existed between him and the Count. Albert of Morseiul, however, could
+not feel exactly the same. He could not divest his mind of a vague
+feeling of jealous disquietude in regard to the confident intimacy
+which seemed to exist between the Chevalier d'Evran and Clémence de
+Marly. However hopeless might be his own love towards her--however
+much he might have taught himself that despair was in his case
+wisdom--however strong might be his resolutions to resist every
+temptation to seek her society any more, there was something painful
+to him that he could not overcome, in the idea of the Chevalier being
+constantly at her side; and although his regard and affection for his
+friend were not diminished, yet there was an unpleasant feeling at his
+heart when he saw him, which perhaps might make some difference in his
+manner.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Many thanks for doing so, Louis,&quot; he answered, struggling hard
+against his own feelings, &quot;many thanks for doing so. What news bring
+you from Poitiers?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier did not appear to feel any difference in the manner of
+his friend, and replied, &quot;But little news, Albert, and that not good.
+I was but one day in Poitiers before I set off in haste. I found every
+thing in confusion and derangement. The states split into factions;
+the governor, the intendant, and the bishop, at open war with each
+other; cabals of the basest and blackest character going on in every
+quarter of the town; good Madame de Rouvré wishing her husband any
+thing but a governor; and Clémence de Marly looking pale, ill, and
+sorrowful. I stayed but a sufficient time,&quot; he continued, not giving
+the Count an opportunity to make any observations, &quot;I stayed but a
+sufficient time to make myself thoroughly acquainted with all that was
+proceeding, and then set off at once for the purpose of proceeding to
+Paris with all speed. I came to spend two or three hours with you,
+Albert, at the most, for I must hurry on without delay. The King, you
+know, is my godfather, and I trust that my representation of what is
+taking place at Poitiers may do some good. If it do not, de Rouvré is
+ruined, and a most pitiful intrigue triumphant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I trust in Heaven that you may be successful,&quot; replied the Count;
+&quot;but proceed with your supper, d'Evran.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will, I will,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;but will you let me give you
+one more proof of how much at home I can make myself in your house, by
+giving an order to your servants?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most assuredly,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;you have nothing to do but to
+speak.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is this, then,&quot; said the Chevalier; &quot;you will be good enough,
+Master Jerome Riquet, to make all these worthy gentlemen who are
+assisting you to serve my supper march out of the room in single file.
+Now come, Master Riquet, do it in an officer-like way. You have seen
+service, I know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet seemed well pleased at the honourable task conferred upon him,
+and according to the Chevalier's direction made the servants troop out
+of the room one by one, he himself preparing to remain as a
+confidential person to serve the Count and his friend during the
+conversation which he doubted not was to ensue. The Chevalier,
+however, as soon as he saw himself obeyed so far, again raised his
+voice, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, Master Riquet, you have executed the man&#339;uvre so well, that
+it is a pity your men should be without their officer. You will be
+good enough to follow them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet made a sort of semi-pirouette on the tips of his toes, and
+disappointed, though perhaps not surprised, marched out of the room,
+and shut the door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Albert,&quot; said the Chevalier, as soon as he was gone, &quot;I am afraid,
+very much afraid, that all is lost for the cause of you Huguenots.
+There are people about the King, who must be mad to counsel him as
+they do. All the news I have, which perhaps you know already, is as
+sad as it can be. There wants but one more step to be taken for the
+utter abolition of what you call the reformed religion in France--I
+mean the abolition of the privileges granted by the edict of
+Nantes--and perhaps that step will be taken before I can reach Paris.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So quickly?&quot; exclaimed the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Even so!&quot; rejoined his friend. &quot;All the mad-like steps which have
+been taken by the council have been applauded by one general roar of
+the whole clergy of France. Petition after petition has come in from
+every Catholic body through the land, beseeching the King to do you
+every sort of injustice, and I feel convinced that they are persuading
+him, while he is risking a civil war, ruining his provinces, and
+exasperating some of his most faithful subjects, that he is acting
+justly, politicly and religiously, and is, in short, a saint upon
+earth, notwithstanding all his mistresses. I pretend to no power over
+the King or influence with him, except inasmuch as I can often say to
+him, in my wild rambling way, things that nobody else could say, and
+dare to tell him under the same cloak many an unpleasant fact that
+others will not tell him. However, my object now is to open his eyes
+about de Rouvré, to whom I am too deeply bound by ties of gratitude to
+see him injured and calumniated, if I can help it. I would fain ask
+you, Albert, what you intend to do, how you intend to act, when these
+rash measures are pushed to the extreme against you; but yet it is
+unfair to give you the pain of refusing me, and perhaps unwise to seek
+a share in secrets which I ought not to know, or, knowing, to reveal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As far as any thing has yet passed,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;there is
+nothing either to conceal or to reveal, Louis. It will be difficult
+for the King to tire out my loyalty. I am determined to bear to the
+very utmost. What I shall do when the very utmost bound of endurance
+is passed I do not know, having as yet settled nothing in my own
+mind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot think,&quot; continued the Chevalier, &quot;that the King will
+individually treat you ill, who have served him so well; but with
+regard to your religion, depend upon it the utmost extremes are
+determined upon already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I grieve to hear it,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;but it is not more than I
+expected. The rapidity of these measures gives no time for calm and
+loyal remonstrance or petition to make the King aware of the real
+truth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Such is indeed the case,&quot; said the Chevalier. &quot;Couriers are arriving
+at Poitiers and taking their departure again five or six times in the
+day, killing the horses on the road, setting off fat men themselves
+and returning thin.--I know this is no joking matter, Albert, and I am
+anxious to do what little good I can. I am therefore going to follow
+the example of these couriers, and as soon as I have seen the King,
+and obtained some satisfaction on these matters, I shall return hither
+with all speed to watch the progress of events, and if possible to
+shield and protect my friends. In this quarter of the world,&quot; he
+added, holding out his hand to the Count with a frank smile, &quot;in this
+quarter of the world are all those for whom I entertain any very
+sincere affection; de Rouvré, who has befriended me from my youth, and
+never lost an opportunity of serving me; you, Albert, who have been my
+companion for many years in perils and dangers, to whom I owe the
+immense benefit of a good example, and the no less inestimable
+blessing of a noble mind to communicate with under all circumstances.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And Clémence de Marly,&quot; said the Count, with a melancholy smile, &quot;of
+course you will add Clémence de Marly, Chevalier.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Assuredly,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;assuredly, Albert, I will add
+Clémence de Marly. I will not ask you, Albert, why you look at me
+reproachfully. Clémence, I believe from my heart, loves you, and I
+scruple not to tell you so. If it were not for the cursed obstacle of
+your religion, you might both be happy. That is a terrible obstacle,
+it is true; but were it not for that--I say--you might both be happy,
+and your example and her love for you might do away the only faults
+she has, and make her to you a perfect angel, though there is not one
+other man in France, perhaps, whom she could endure or render happy.
+She also, and her fate, are amongst the objects of my journey to
+Paris; but of that I shall tell you nothing till I can tell you all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know you are a man of mysteries,&quot; said the Count with a faint
+smile, &quot;and therefore I suppose I must neither attempt to investigate
+this, nor to enquire how it is, that the gay and gallant Chevalier
+d'Evran is in one way insensible to charms which he is so sensible of
+in other respects.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are right, Albert, not to make any such attempt,&quot; replied the
+Chevalier. &quot;With respect to love for Clémence, a thousand causes may
+have produced the peculiar feelings I entertain towards her. I may
+<i>have loved</i> and been cured.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count made no reply, but fell into a reverie; and after gazing on
+him for a minute or two the Chevalier added, &quot;You, Albert, love her,
+and are not cured.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His friend, however, was still silent, and, changing the conversation,
+the Chevalier talked of indifferent things, and did not return to
+subjects of such painful interest, till midnight came, and he once
+more took his departure from the château of Morseiul.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_04" href="#div2Ref_04">THE PREACHING IN THE DESERT.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Again we must pass over a brief space of time, and also somewhat
+change the scene, but not very far. In the interval, the acts of a
+bigoted and despotic monarch had been guided by the advice of cruel
+and injudicious ministers, till the formal prohibition of the opening
+of any Protestant place of worship throughout France for the service
+of God, according to the consciences of the members of the reformed
+church, had been proclaimed throughout the land. Such had been the
+change, or rather the progress, made in that time; and the falling off
+of many leading Protestants, the disunion which existed amongst
+others, the overstrained loyalty of some, and the irresolution of
+many, had shown to even the calmer and the firmer spirits, who might
+still have conducted resistance against tyranny to a successful
+result, that though, perhaps, they might shed oceans of blood, the
+Protestant cause in France was lost, at least for the time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The scene, too, we have said, was changed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was no longer the city of Poitiers, with its multitudes and its gay
+parties; it was no longer the château, with its lord and his
+attendants; it was no longer the country town, with its citizens and
+its artizans; but it was upon one of those dark brown moors of which
+so many are to be found on the borders of Brittany and Poitou, under
+the canopy of heaven alone, and with nothing but the bleakest objects
+in nature round about.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The moor had a gentle slope towards the westward. It was covered with
+gorse and heath, interspersed with old ragged hawthorns, stunted and
+partly withered, as we often see, some being brought up in poverty and
+neglect, never knowing care or shelter, stinted and sickly, and
+shrivelling with premature decay. Cast here and there amongst the
+thorns, too, were large masses of rock and cold grey stone, the
+appearance of which in that place was difficult to account for, as
+there was no higher ground around from which such masses could have
+fallen. A small wood of pines had been planted near the summit of the
+ground, but they, too, had decayed prematurely in that ungrateful
+soil; and though each tree presented here and there some scrubby tufts
+of dark green foliage, the principal branches stood out, white and
+blasted, skeleton fingers pointing in despairing mockery at the wind
+that withered them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The hour was about six o'clock in the evening, and as if to accord
+with the earth below it, there was a cold and wintry look about the
+sky which the season did not justify; and the long blue lines of dark
+cloud, mingled with streaks of yellow and orange towards the verge of
+heaven, seemed to bespeak an early autumn. There was one little pond
+in the foreground of the picture sunk deep amongst some banks and
+hawthorn bushes, and looking dark and stern as every thing around it.
+Flapping up from it, however, scared by the noise of a horse's feet,
+rose a large white stork, contrasting strangely with the dim shadowy
+waters.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The person that startled the bird by passing nearer to him than any
+body else had done, rode forward close by the head of the pond to a
+spot about three hundred yards farther on, where a great multitude of
+people were assembled, perhaps to the number of two thousand. He was
+followed by several servants; but it is to be remarked that both
+servants and lord were unarmed. He himself did not even wear the
+customary sword, without which not a gentleman in France was seen at
+any distance from his own house, and no apparent arms of any kind, not
+even the small knife or dagger, often worn by a page, was visible
+amongst the attendants. There was a buzz of many voices as he
+approached, but it was instantly silenced, when, dismounting from his
+horse, he gave the rein to a servant, and then advanced to meet one or
+two persons who drew out from the crowd as if privileged by intimacy
+to speak with him. The first of these was Claude de l'Estang, whose
+hand he took and shook affectionately, though mournfully. The second
+was a tall thin ravenous-looking personage, with sharp-cut lengthened
+features, a keen, but somewhat unsettled, we might almost use the word
+phrenzied, eye, and an expression of countenance altogether neither
+very benevolent nor very prepossessing. He also took the Count's hand,
+saying, &quot;I am glad to see thee, my son; I am glad to see thee. Thou
+art somewhat behind the time, and in this great day of backsliding and
+falling off I feared that even thou, one of our chief props and
+greatest lights, might have departed from us into the camp of the
+Philistines.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear not, Monsieur Chopel,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;I trust there is no
+danger of such weakness on my part. I was detained to write a letter
+in answer to one from good Monsieur de Rouvré, who has suffered so
+much in our cause, and who, it seems, arrived at Ruffigny last night.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know he did,&quot; said Claude de l'Estang; &quot;but pray, my dear Albert,
+before either myself or our good brother, Monsieur Chopel, attempt to
+lead the devotions of the people, do you speak a few words of comfort
+and consolation to them, and above all things counsel them to peace
+and tranquil doings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count paused and seemed to hesitate for a moment. In truth, the
+task that was put upon him was not pleasant to him, and he would fain
+have avoided it; but accustomed to overcome all repugnance to that
+which was right, he conquered himself with scarcely a struggle, and
+advanced with Claude de l'Estang into the midst of the people, who
+made way with respectful reverence, as he sought for some slightly
+elevated point from which to address them more easily. Chopel and
+l'Estang, however, had chosen a sort of rude rock for their pulpit
+before he came, and having been led thither, the Count mounted upon
+it, and took off his hat, as a sign that he was about to speak. All
+voices were immediately hushed, and he then went on.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My brethren,&quot; he said, &quot;we are here assembled to worship God
+according to our own consciences, and to the rules and doctrines of
+the reformed church. In so doing we are not failing in our duty to the
+King, who, as sovereign of these realms, is the person whom, under
+God, we are most bound to obey and reverence. It has seemed fit to his
+Majesty, from motives, upon which I will not touch, to withdraw from
+us much that was granted by his predecessors. He has ordered the
+temples in which we are accustomed to worship to be closed, so that on
+this, the Sabbath day, we have no longer any place of permitted
+worship but in the open air. That, however, has not been denied us;
+there is no prohibition to our meeting and praising God here, and this
+resource at least is allowed us, which, though it may put us to some
+slight inconvenience and discomfort, will not the less afford the
+sincere and devout an opportunity of raising their prayers to the
+Almighty, in company with brethren of the same faith and doctrines as
+themselves. We know that God does not dwell in temples made with
+hands; and I have only to remind you, my brethren, before giving place
+to our excellent ministers, who will lead our devotions this day, that
+the God we have assembled to worship is also a God of peace, who has
+told us, by the voice of his Son, not to revile those who revile us,
+nor smite those that smite us, but to bear patiently all things,
+promising that those who endure to the last shall be saved. I
+appointed this place,&quot; he continued, &quot;for our meeting, because it was
+far from any town, and consequently we shall have few here from idle
+curiosity, and afford no occasion of offence to any man. I begged you
+earnestly to come unarmed also, as I myself have done, that there
+might be no doubt of our views and purposes being pacific. I am happy
+to see that all have followed this advice, I believe without
+exception, and also that there are several women amongst us, which, I
+trust, is a sign that, in the strait and emergency in which we now
+are, they will not abandon their husbands, their fathers, and their
+brothers, for any inducement, but continue to serve God in the faith
+in which they have been brought up.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Having thus spoken, the Count gave place and descended amongst the
+people, retiring several steps from the little sort of temporary
+pulpit, and preparing to go through the service of the reformed
+church, as if he had been within the walls of the temple his father
+had built in Morseiul, and which was now ordered to be levelled with
+the ground.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a few words between Claude de l'Estang and Chopel, the latter
+mounted the pulpit and gave out a psalm, the ----, which he led
+himself, in a voice like thunder. The whole congregation joined; and
+though the verses that they repeated were in the simple unadorned
+words of the olden times, and the voices that sung them not always in
+perfect harmony, yet the sound of that melody in the midst of the
+desert had something strangely impressive, nay, even affecting. The
+hearts of a people that would not bow down before man, bowed down
+before God; and they who in persecution and despair had lost all trust
+on earth, in faith and hope raised their voices unto heaven with
+praise and adoration.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When the psalm was over, and the minds of all men prepared for prayer,
+the clergyman who had given out the psalm, closing his eyes and
+spreading his hands, turned his face towards the sky and began his
+address to the Almighty. We shall not pause upon the words that he
+made use of here, as it would be irreverent to use them lightly; but
+it is sufficient to say, that he mingled many themes with his address
+that both Claude de l'Estang and the Count de Morseiul wished had been
+omitted. He thanked God for the trial and purification to which he had
+subjected his people: but in doing so, he dwelt so long upon, and
+entered so deeply into, the nature of all those trials and grievances
+and the source from which they sprang, pointed out with such virulent
+acrimony the tyranny and the persecution which the reformed church had
+suffered, and clothed so aptly, nay, so eloquently, his petitions
+against the persecutors and enemies of the church, in the sublime
+language of scripture, that the Count could not but feel that he was
+very likely to stir up the people to seek their deliverance with their
+own hand and think themselves fully justified by holy writ; or, at all
+events, to exasperate their already excited passions, and render the
+least spark likely to cast them into a flame.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul was uneasy while this was proceeding, especially as
+the prayer lasted an extraordinary length of time, and he could not
+refrain from turning to examine the countenances of some of the
+persons present, in order to discover what was the effect produced
+upon them, especially as he saw a man, standing between him and the
+rock on which the preacher stood, grasp something under his cloak, as
+if the appearance of being unarmed was, in that case, not quite real.
+Near to him were one or two women wrapped up in the large grey cloaks
+of the country, and they obstructed his view to the right; but at some
+distance straight before him he saw the burly form of Virlay, the
+blacksmith, and close by him again the stern, but expressive,
+countenance of Armand Herval. Scattered round about, too, he remarked
+a considerable number of men with a single cock's feather stuck in the
+front of the hat, which, though bands of feathers and similar
+ornaments were very much affected, even by the lower classes of that
+period, was by no means a common decoration in the part of the country
+where he then was.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Every thing, indeed, was peaceable and orderly in the demeanour of the
+crowd: no one pressed upon the other, no one moved, no one spoke, but
+each and all stood in deep silence, listening to the words of the
+minister; but they listened with frowning brows and stern dark looks,
+and the young Count felt thankful that the lateness of the hour, and
+the distance from any town, rendered it unlikely that the proceedings
+would be interrupted by the interference, or even appearance, of any
+of the Catholic authorities of the province.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prayer of the clergyman Chopel at length came to an end; and, as
+had been previously arranged between them, Claude de l'Estang, in
+turn, advanced. Another hymn was sung; and the ejected minister of
+Auron commenced, what was then called amongst the Huguenots of France,
+&quot;the preaching in the desert.&quot; On mounting the rock that served them
+for a pulpit, the old man seemed a good deal affected; and twice he
+wiped away tears from his eyes, while he gazed round upon the people
+with a look of strong interest and affection, which every one present
+saw and felt deeply. He then paused for a moment in silent prayer,
+and, when it was concluded, took a step forward with the Bible open in
+his hand, his demeanour changed, the spirit of the orator upon him,
+and high and noble energy lighting up his eyes and shining on his
+lofty brow.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The nineteenth verse of the twenty-first chapter of St. Luke,&quot; he
+said, &quot;<i>In your patience possess ye your souls!</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My brethren, let us be patient, for to such as are so, is promised
+the kingdom of heaven. My brethren, let us be patient, for so we are
+taught by the living word of God. My brethren, let us be patient, for
+Christ was patient, even unto death, before us. What! shall we know
+that the saints and prophets of God have been scorned, and mocked, and
+persecuted, in all ages? what! shall we know that the apostles of
+Christ, the first teachers of the gospel of grace, have been scourged,
+and driven forth, and stoned and slain? what! shall we know that, for
+ages, the destroying sword was out, from land to land, against our
+brethren in the Lord? what! shall we know that he himself closed a
+life of poverty and endurance, by submitting willingly to insult,
+buffeting, and a torturing death?--and shall we not bear our cross
+meekly? What! I ask again, shall we know that the church of Christ was
+founded in persecution, built up by the death of saints, cemented by
+the blood of martyrs, and yet rose triumphant over the storms of
+heathen wrath; and shall we doubt that yet, even yet, we shall stand
+and not be cast down? Shall we refuse to seal the covenant with our
+blood, or to endure the reproach of our Lord even unto the last?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, my brethren, yes! God will give you, and me also, grace to do
+so; and though 'ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren,
+and kinsfolk, and friends, and some of you shall they cause to be put
+to death,' yet the faithful and the true shall endure unto the last,
+and '<i>in your patience possess ye your souls</i>.'</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But there is more required at your hands than patience, my brethren.
+There is constancy! perseverance in the way of the Lord! There must be
+no falling off in the time of difficulty or danger; there must be no
+hesitation in the service of our God. We have put our hands to the
+plough, and we must not look back. We have engaged in the great work,
+and we must not slacken our diligence. Remember, my brethren,
+remember, that the most fiery persecution is but the trial of our
+faith, and all who strive for a great reward, all who struggle for the
+glory of the kingdom of heaven, must be as gold ten times purified in
+the fire. Were it not so even,--were we not Christians,--had we not
+the word of God for our direction,--had we not the command of Christ
+to obey, where is the man amongst us that would falsify the truth,
+declare that thing wrong which he believed to be right, swear that he
+believed that which he knew to be false, put on the garb of hypocrisy
+and clothe himself with falsehood as with a garment, to shield himself
+from the scourge of the scorner or the sword of the persecutor?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If there be such a coward or such a hypocrite here, let him go forth
+from amongst us, and Satan, the father of lies, shall conduct him to
+the camp of the enemy. Where is the man amongst us, I say, that, were
+there nothing to restrain him but the inward voice of conscience,
+would show himself so base as to abandon the faith of his fathers, in
+the hour of persecution?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But when we know that we are right, when the word of God is our
+warrant, when our faith in Christ is our stay, when the object before
+us is the glory of God and our own salvation, who would be fool enough
+to barter eternal condemnation for the tranquillity of a day? Who
+would not rather sell all that he has, and take up his cross and
+follow Christ, than linger by the flesh-pots of Egypt, and dwell in
+the tents of sin?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Christ foretold, my brethren, that those who followed him faithfully
+should endure persecution to the end of the earth. He won us not by
+the promises of earthly glory, he seduced us not by the allurements of
+worldly wealth, he held out no inducement to our ambition by the
+promises of power and authority, he bribed not our pride by the hope
+of man's respect and reverence. Oh, no; himself, <i>The Word of God</i>,
+which is but to say all in one word, <i>Truth</i>; he told us all things
+truly; he laid before us, as our lot below, poverty, contempt, and
+scorn, the world's reproach, the calumny of the evil, chains,
+tortures, and imprisonment, contumely, persecution, and death. These
+he set before us as our fate, these he suffered as our example, these
+he endured with patience for our atonement! Those who became followers
+of Christ knew well the burden that they took up; saw the load that
+they had here to bear; and, strengthened by faith and by the Holy
+Spirit, shrunk not from the task, groaned not under the weight of the
+cross. They saw before their eyes the exceeding great reward,--the
+reward that was promised to them, the reward that is promised to us,
+the reward that is promised to all who shall endure unto the last,--to
+enter into the joy of our Master, to become a partaker of the kingdom
+reserved for him from before all worlds.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We must therefore, my brethren, endure; we must endure unto the last;
+but we must endure with patience, and with forbearance, and with
+meekness, and with gentleness; and 'it shall turn to us for a
+testimony,' it shall produce for us a reward. They may smite us here,
+and they may slay us, and they may bring us down to the dust of death;
+but he has promised that not a hair of our heads shall perish, and
+that <i>in our patience shall we possess our souls</i>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The woe that he denounced against Jerusalem, did it not fall upon it?
+When the day of vengeance came, that all things written were to be
+fulfilled, did not armies compass it about, and desolation draw nigh
+unto it, and was not distress great in the land and wrath upon the
+people, and did not millions fall by the sword, and were not millions
+led away captives into all nations, and was not Jerusalem trodden down
+of the Gentiles, and was there one stone left upon another?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If, then, God, the God of mercy, so fulfilled each word, when kindled
+to exercise wrath; how much more shall he fulfil every tittle of his
+gracious promises to those that serve him? If, then, the prophecies of
+destruction have been fulfilled, so, also, shall be the prophecies of
+grace and glory, by Him whose words pass not away, though heaven and
+earth may pass away. For sorrows and endurance in time, he has
+promised us glory and peace in eternity; and for the persecutions
+which we now suffer, he gives to those, who endure unto the last, the
+recompence of his eternal joy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;With endurance we shall live, and <i>with patience we shall possess our
+souls</i>; and we--if we so do, serving God in this life under all
+adversities--shall have peace, the peace of God which passeth all
+understanding; joy, the joy of the Lord, who has trodden down his
+enemies; glory, the glory of the knowledge of God, when he cometh with
+clouds and great glory, and every eye shall see him, and they, also,
+which pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of
+him. Even so, Amen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words of the preacher were poured forth rather than spoken. It
+seemed less like eloquence than like inspiration. His full, round,
+clear voice was heard through every part of his large auditory; not a
+word was lost, not a tone was indistinct, and the people listened with
+that deep stern silence which causes a general rustle, like the
+sighing of the wind, to take place through the multitude when he
+paused for a moment in his discourse, and every one drew deep the
+long-suppressed breath.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the same strain, and with the same powers of voice and gesture,
+Claude de l'Estang was going on with his sermon, when some sounds were
+heard at the farther part of the crowd, towards the spot where the
+scene was sheltered by the stunted wood we have mentioned: As those
+sounds were scarcely sufficient to give any interruption to the
+minister, being merely those apparently of some other persons
+arriving, the Count de Morseiul, and almost every one on that side of
+the preacher, remained gazing upon him as he went on with the same
+energy, and did not turn their heads to see what occasioned the noise.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Those, however, who were on the opposite side, and who, when looking
+towards the minister, had at the same time in view the spot from which
+the sounds proceeded, were seen to gaze sternly from time to time in
+that direction; and once or twice, notwithstanding the solemn words
+they heard, stooped down their heads together, and spoke in whispering
+consultation. These appearances at length induced the Count de
+Morseiul to turn his eyes that way; when he beheld a sight, which at
+once made his blood boil, but made him thankful also that he had come
+in such guise as even to act as a restraint upon himself, having no
+arms of any kind upon him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the skirt of the crowd were collected a party of eighteen or twenty
+dragoons, who were forcing their horses slowly in amongst the people,
+who drew back, and gazed upon them with looks of stern determined
+hatred. The purpose of the soldiers, indeed, seemed to be simply to
+insult and to annoy, for they did not proceed to any overt act of
+violence, and were so far separated from each other, in a disorderly
+manner, that it could only be supposed they came thither to find
+themselves sport, rather than to disperse the congregation by any
+lawful authority. The foremost of the whole party was the young
+Marquis de Hericourt, and Albert of Morseiul conceived, perhaps not
+unreasonably, that there might be some intention of giving him
+personal annoyance at the bottom of that young officer's conduct.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Distinguished from the rest of the people by his dress, the Count was
+very plainly to be seen from the spot where De Hericourt was, and the
+young dragoon slowly made his way towards him through the press,
+looking at the people on either side with but ill-concealed signs of
+contempt upon his countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count determined, as far as possible, to set an example of
+patience; and when the rash youth came close up to him, saying aloud,
+&quot;Ha, Monsieur de Morseiul, a lucky opportunity! I have long wished to
+hear a <i>prêche</i>,&quot; the Count merely raised his hand as a sign for the
+young man to keep silence, and pointed with his right hand to the
+pastor, who with an undisturbed demeanour and steady voice pursued his
+sermon as if not the slightest interruption had occurred, although the
+young dragoon on horseback in the midst of his people, was at that
+moment before him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">De Hericourt was bent upon mischief, however. Rash to the pitch of
+folly, he had neither inquired nor considered whether the people were
+armed or not, but having heard that one of the preachings in the
+desert was to take place, he had come, unauthorised, for the purpose
+of disturbing and dispersing the congregation, not by the force of
+law, but by insult and annoyance, which he thought the Protestants
+would not dare to resist. He listened, then, for a moment or two to
+the words of Claude de l'Estang, seeming, for an instant, somewhat
+struck with the impressive manner of the old man; but he soon got
+tired, and, turning the bridle of his horse, as if to pass round the
+Count de Morseiul, he said again, aloud, &quot;You've got a number of women
+here, Monsieur de Morseiul; pretty little heretics, I've no doubt! I
+should like to have a look at their faces.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">So saying, he spurred on unceremoniously, driving back five or six
+people before him, and caught hold of one of the women--whom we have
+noticed as standing not very far from the Count de Morseiul--trying,
+at the same time, to pull back the thick veil which was over her face.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count could endure no longer, more especially as, in the grey
+cloak and the veil with which the person assailed by the dragoon was
+covered, he thought he recognised the dress of the lady he had
+formerly seen at the house of Claude de l'Estang.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Starting forward then instantly to her side, he seized the bridle of
+De Hericourt's horse, and forced the animal back almost upon his
+haunches. The young officer stooped forward over his saddle bow,
+seeking for a pistol in his holster, and at the same moment addressing
+an insulting and contemptuous term to the Count. No sooner was it
+uttered, however, than he received one single buffet from the hand of
+Albert of Morseiul, which cast him headlong from his horse into the
+midst of the people.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Every one was rushing upon him; his dragoons were striving to force
+their way forward to the spot; the voice of Claude de l'Estang, though
+exerted to its utmost power, was unheard; and in another instant the
+rash young man would have been literally torn to pieces by the people
+he had insulted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But with stern and cool self-possession the Count de Morseiul strode
+over him, and held back those that were rushing forward, with his
+powerful arms, exclaiming, in a voice of thunder,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stand back, my friends, stand back! This is a private quarrel. I must
+have no odds against an adversary and a fellow-soldier. Stand back, I
+say! We are here man to man, and whoever dares to take him out of my
+hands is my enemy, not my friend. Rise, Monsieur de Hericourt,&quot; he
+said in a lower voice, &quot;rise, mount your horse, and be gone. I cannot
+protect you a minute longer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Some of the Count's servants, who had been standing near, had by this
+time made their way up to him, and with their help he cleared the
+space around, shouting to the dragoons who were striving to come up,
+and had not clearly seen the transaction which had taken place, &quot;Keep
+back, keep back!--I will answer for his life! If you come up there
+will be bloodshed!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the mean time the young man had sprung upon his feet, his dress
+soiled by the fall, his face glowing like fire, and fury flashing from
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have struck me,&quot; he cried, glaring upon the Count; &quot;you have
+struck me, and I will have your blood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush, Sir,&quot; said the Count, calmly. &quot;Do not show yourself quite a
+madman. Mount your horse, and begone while you may! I shall be at the
+château of Morseiul till twelve o'clock tomorrow,&quot; he added in a lower
+voice. &quot;Mount, mount!&quot; he proceeded in a quicker manner, seeing some
+movements on the other side of the crowd of a very menacing kind;
+&quot;Mount, if you would live and keep your soldiers' lives another
+minute!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">De Hericourt sprang into the saddle, and, while the Count, in that
+tone of command which was seldom disobeyed, exclaimed, &quot;Make way for
+him there; let no one impede him;&quot; he spurred on quickly through the
+crowd, gathering his men together as he went.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All eyes were turned to look after him, but the moment he and his
+troop were free from the people at the extreme edge of the crowd, he
+was seen to speak a word to the man at the head of the file. The
+soldiers immediately halted, faced round, and, carrying fire-arms as
+they did, coolly unslung their carbines.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The first impulse of that part of the crowd nearest to the dragoons,
+was to press back, while those on the opposite side strove to get
+forward, headed by Virlay and Armand Herval. The crush in the centre
+was consequently tremendous, but the Count de Morseiul succeeded in
+casting himself between the female he had saved and the troopers. At
+the very moment that he did so, the dragoons raised their fusees to
+their shoulders, and fired at once into the midst of the compact mass
+of people. Every shot told; and one unfortunate young man, about two
+paces from the Count de Morseiul, received no less than four shots in
+his head and throat. A mingled yell of rage and agony rose up from the
+people, while a loud exulting laugh broke from the soldiery. But their
+triumph was only for a moment, for they were instantly assailed by a
+shower of immense stones which knocked one of the troopers off his
+horse, and killed him on the spot.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Herval and Virlay, too, made their way round behind the rock on which
+the clergyman had been standing, and it now became apparent that, in
+that part of the crowd at least, arms were not wanting, for flash
+after flash broke from the dense mass of the advancing multitude, and
+swords and pikes were seen gleaming in the air.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The troopers at length turned their horses and fled, but not before
+they had suffered tremendously. The Huguenots pursued, and with
+peculiar skill and knowledge of the country, drove them hither and
+thither over the moor. Some having mounted the horses which brought
+them thither, pursued them into spots that they could not pass, while
+some on foot defended the passes and ravines. The Count de Morseiul
+and his servants mounted instantly, and rode far and wide over the
+place, attempting to stop the effusion of blood, and being, in many
+instances, successful in rescuing some of the soldiery from the hands
+of the people and from the death they well deserved. Thus passed more
+than an hour, till seeing that the light was beginning to fail, and
+that the last spot of the sun was just above the horizon, the Count
+turned back to the scene of that day's unfortunate meeting, in the
+hope of rendering some aid and assistance to the wounded who had been
+left behind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had by this time but one servant with him, and when he came to the
+spot where the meeting had been held, he found it quite deserted. The
+wounded and the dead had been carried away by those who remained; and,
+of the rest of the people who had been there, the greater part had
+been scattered abroad in pursuit of the fugitive soldiers, while part
+had fled in fear to their own homes. There was nothing but the cold
+grey rock, and the brown moor stained here and there with blood, and
+the dark purple streaks of the evening sky, and the east wind
+whistling mournfully through the thin trees.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think, Sir,&quot; said the servant, after his master had paused for some
+moments in melancholy mood, gazing on the scene around, &quot;I think, Sir,
+that I hear voices down by the water, where we put up the stork as we
+came.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count listened, and heard voices too, and he instantly turned his
+horse thither. By the side of that dark water he found a melancholy
+group, consisting of none other but Claude de l'Estang and two female
+figures, all kneeling round or supporting the form of a third person,
+also a female, who seemed severely hurt. This was the sight which
+presented itself to the eyes of the Count from the top of the bank
+above; and, dismounting, he sprang down to render what assistance he
+could.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His first attention was turned, of course, almost entirely to the
+wounded girl, whose head and shoulders were supported on the knee of
+one of the other women, while the pastor was pouring into her ear, in
+solemn tones, the words of hope and consolation--but they were words
+of hope and consolation referring to another world. The hand that lay
+upon her knee was fair and soft, the form seemed young and graceful;
+and, though the Count as he descended could not see her face, the
+novice's veil that hung from her head told him a sad tale in regard to
+the story of her life. He doubted not, from all he saw, that she was
+dying; and his heart sickened when he thought of the unhappy man who
+had brought her thither, and of what would be the feelings of his
+fierce and vehement heart when he heard the fate that had befallen
+her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had scarcely time to think of it, for, ere he had well reached the
+bottom of the descent, the sound of a horse coming furiously along was
+heard, and Armand Herval paused on the opposite side of the dell, and
+gazed down upon the group below. It seemed as if instinct told him
+that there was what he sought; for, without going on to the moor, he
+turned his horse's rein down the descent, though it was steep and
+dangerous, and in a moment had sprung from the beast's back and was
+kneeling by her he had loved.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It is scarcely to be told whether she was conscious of his presence or
+not, for the hand of death was strong upon her; but it is certain
+that, as he printed upon her hands the burning kisses of love in
+agony, and quenched them with his tears, it is certain that a smile
+came over her countenance before that last awful shudder with which
+the soul parted from the body for ever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After it was all over he gazed at her for a single instant without
+speaking. Every one present saw that he acted as if of right, and let
+him do what he would; and unpinning the veil from her long beautiful
+hair, he took and steeped it in the blood that was still,
+notwithstanding all that had been done to stanch it, welling from a
+deep wound in her breast, till every part of the fabric was wet
+with gore. He then took the veil, placed it in his brown, scarred
+bosom--upon his heart;--and raising his eyes and one hand to Heaven,
+murmured some words that were not distinctly heard. He had not uttered
+one audible sentence since he came up, but he now turned, and with a
+tone of intreaty addressed Claude de l'Estang.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The spirit will bless you, Sir,&quot; he said, &quot;for giving her comfort in
+the hour of death! May I bear her to your house till eleven o'clock
+to-night, when I may remove her to her own abode?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I must not refuse you, my poor young man,&quot; replied the clergyman.
+&quot;But I fear that my house will be no safe resting-place, even for the
+dead, just now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Herval grasped his arm, and said, in a low but emphatic tone, &quot;It is
+safe, Sir, against all the troops in Poitou. How long it may be so, I
+cannot tell; but as long as this arm can wield a sword, it shall not
+want defence. My Lord Count,&quot; he added, pointing to the dead body,
+&quot;did I not hear that you meet her murderer to-morrow at noon?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know not the hour or place he may appoint,&quot; replied the Count in a
+low deep voice; &quot;but we do meet! and there are things that call aloud
+for vengeance, Herval, which even I cannot forgive.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man laughed aloud, but that laugh was no voice of merriment. It
+was dreary, boding, horrible, and in good accordance with the
+circumstances and the scene. He replied nothing to the words of the
+Count, however, turning to the pastor and saying, &quot;Now, Sir, now! If
+you will give shelter to the dead for but an hour or two, you shall
+win deep gratitude of the living.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Willingly,&quot; replied the pastor. &quot;But then,&quot; he added, turning to one
+of the other two women who were present, &quot;Who shall protect you home,
+dear lady?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That will I do, at the risk of my life,&quot; said the Count; and the
+other woman, whom the pastor had not addressed, replied, &quot;It will be
+better so. We have been too long absent already.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Armand Herval had not noticed the brief words that were spoken, for he
+was gazing with an intense and eager look upon the fair countenance of
+the dead, with bitter anguish written in every line of his face. The
+pastor touched his arm gently, saying, &quot;Now, my son, let me and you
+carry the body. We can pass through the wood unseen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the other put him by, with his hand, saying, in a sad tone, &quot;I
+need no help;&quot; and then kneeled down by her side, he put his arms
+around her, saying, &quot;Let me bear thee in my bosom, sweet child, once
+only, once before the grave parteth us, and ere it shall unite us
+again. Oh, Claire, Claire,&quot; he added, kissing her cold lips
+passionately, &quot;Oh, Claire, Claire, was it for this I taught thee a
+purer faith, and brought thee hither to see the worship of the
+persecuted followers of the cross? Was it for this I bent down my
+nature, and became soft as a woman to suit my heart to yours? Oh,
+Claire, Claire, if I have brought thee to death, I will avenge thy
+death; and for every drop that falls from my eyes, I will have a drop
+of blood.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord!&quot; the old man said in a low tone;
+&quot;but let us haste, my son, for night is coming on fast. Farewell,
+lady. Albert, I trust them to thee. We shall meet again--if not here,
+in heaven!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Armand Herval took the corpse of the fair girl who had fallen, in his
+powerful arms, and bore her after the pastor towards the wood we have
+mentioned, while his horse, trained so to do, followed him with a
+regular pace, and entered the road through the copse immediately after
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul remained alone with the two ladies, his
+interposition in favour of one of whom had brought on the sad events
+which we have detailed. As soon as the pastor was gone, he advanced
+towards her, and held out both his hands with deep emotion. &quot;I cannot
+be mistaken,&quot; he said. &quot;The disguise might deceive any other eyes, but
+it cannot mine. Clémence! it must be Clémence! Am I not right?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She put her hands in his in return, saying, &quot;Oh, yes, you are right!
+But what, what shall I do, Monsieur de Morseuil? I am faint and weary
+with agitation, and all this terrible scene. I have left the carriage
+that brought me hither at two or three miles' distance, and, perhaps,
+it too has gone away on the report of the fliers from this awful
+place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will send up my servant immediately,&quot; said the Count, &quot;to see, and
+in the mean time rest here, Clémence. In this deep hollow we shall
+escape all passing eyes till his return, and you will have more
+shelter than any where else.--Where can the servant find the
+carriage?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence, who had raised her veil, looked towards her companion to
+explain more fully than she could do. But her attendant, Maria--for
+such was the person who accompanied her--judging, perhaps, that a word
+spoken at such a moment between two people, situated as were Clémence
+de Marly and the Count de Morseiul, might have more effect than whole
+hours of conversation at another time, took upon herself the task of
+telling the servant, saying, &quot;I can direct him, my Lord, better than
+any one. It were as well to bring your horse down here before he
+goes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count assented, and with a slow step she proceeded to fulfil her
+errand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Clémence de Marly trembled not a little. She felt that the moment for
+the decision of her fate for life was come. She felt that her heart
+and her faith must be plighted to Albert of Morseiul at that moment,
+or, perhaps, never. She felt that if she did so plight it, she
+plighted herself to care, to grief, to anxiety, to danger,--perhaps to
+destruction,--perhaps to desolation. But that very feeling took away
+all hesitation, all scruple, and made her, in a moment, make up her
+mind to let him see her heart as it really was, to cast away from her
+every vain and every proud feeling, and to stand, before him she
+loved, without disguise. The Count, too, felt, and felt strongly, that
+this was a moment which must not be let pass; and the instant the
+attendant had quitted them, he raised the lady's hand to his lips,
+pressing on it a warm and passionate kiss.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell me, Clémence, tell me, dear Clémence,&quot; he said, &quot;what is the
+meaning of this. What is the meaning of your presence here? Is it, is
+it that the only barrier which existed between us is removed? Is it
+that you are of the same faith as I am?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is that the only barrier, Albert?&quot; she said, shaking her head
+somewhat reproachfully. &quot;Is that the only barrier? You spoke of many.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I spoke of only one insurmountable,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;and I
+believed that to be insurmountable, Clémence, for I was even then
+aware of the decree, which did not appear till afterwards, but which
+forbade the marriage of Catholics and Protestants.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And was that the only insurmountable one?&quot; she demanded. &quot;Was that
+the only insurmountable barrier to our union?--What, if I had
+previously loved another?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And is it so, then?&quot; demanded the Count, with somewhat of sadness in
+his tone. &quot;And have you before loved another?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no!&quot; exclaimed Clémence eagerly, and placing the hand which she
+had withdrawn in his again; &quot;No, no! The woman was coming over me once
+more, but I will conquer the woman. No, I never did love another. Even
+if I had fancied it, I should now know, Albert, by what I feel at this
+moment, how idle such a fancy had been. But I never did fancy it. I
+never did believe it, even in the least degree; and now that I have
+said all that I can say, whatever may happen, never doubt me, Albert.
+Whatever you see, never entertain a suspicion. I have never loved
+another, and I can say nothing more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, yes! Oh, yes!&quot; he exclaimed, &quot;you can say more, Clémence. Say
+that you love me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She bent down her head, and Albert of Morseiul drew her gently to his
+bosom. &quot;Say it! Say it, dear Clémence!&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence hesitated, but at length she murmured something that no other
+ear but his could have heard, had it been ever so close. But he heard,
+and heard aright, that her reply was, &quot;But too well!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count sealed the words upon her lips with his, and Clémence de
+Marly hid her eyes upon his shoulder, for they were full of tears.
+&quot;And now,&quot; she added, raising them after a moment with one of her own
+sparkling smiles, &quot;and now, having said those awful words, of course I
+am henceforth a slave. But this is no scene for jest, Albert.
+Desolation and destruction is round us on every side, I fear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It matters not,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;if thy faith is the same as mine
+is----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is, it is!&quot; cried Clémence. &quot;It may have wavered, Albert; but,
+thanks to yon good creature who has just left us, the light has never
+been wholly extinguished in my mind. My mother was a Protestant, and
+in that faith she brought me up. She then, knowing that I must fall
+into other hands, left Maria with me, with charges to me never to let
+her quit me. I was but a child then,&quot; she continued, &quot;and they forced
+me to abjure. But their triumph lasted not an hour, for though I dared
+not show my feelings, I always felt that the path on which they would
+lead me was wrong, and strove, whenever I could, to return to a better
+way. To-day I came here at all risks, but I fear very much, Albert, I
+fear that destruction, and oppression, and grief, surround us on every
+side.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If thy faith be the same as mine, Clémence,&quot; said the Count, &quot;if thy
+heart be united with mine, I will fear nothing, I will dare all. If
+they will not suffer us to live in peace in this our native land,
+fortunately I have just transmitted to another country enough to
+support us in peace, and tranquillity, and ease.--And yet, oh yet,
+Clémence,&quot; he continued, his tone becoming sadder and his countenance
+losing its look of hope, &quot;and yet, oh yet, Clémence, when I think of
+that unhappy man who has just left us, and of the fair girl whose
+corpse he has now borne away in his arms;--when I remember that
+scarcely more than eight days have passed since he was animated with
+the same hopes that I am, founding those hopes upon the same schemes
+of flight, and trusting more than I have ever trusted to the bright
+hereafter,--when I think of that, and of his present fate, the agony
+that must now be wringing his heart, the dark obscurity of his bitter
+despair, I tremble to dream of the future, not for myself, but for
+thee, sweet girl. But we must fall upon some plan both of
+communicating when we will, and of acting constantly on one scheme and
+for one object. Here comes your faithful attendant. She must know our
+situation and our plans--only one word more. You have promised me
+this,&quot; he continued, once more raising her hand to his lips.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When and where you will,&quot; replied Clémence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you will fly with me, whenever I find the opportunity of doing
+so?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will,&quot; she answered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The attendant had now approached, and the Count took a step towards
+her, still holding Clémence by the hand, as if he feared to lose the
+precious boon she had bestowed upon him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She is mine, Madame,&quot; he said, addressing the attendant. &quot;She is
+mine, by every promise that can bind one human being to another.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And you are hers?&quot; demanded the attendant solemnly. &quot;And you are
+hers, my Lord Count, by the same promises?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am, by every thing I hold sacred,&quot; said the Count, raising his hand
+towards Heaven, &quot;now and for ever, till death take me from her. But
+ere we can be united, I fear, I fear that many things must be
+undergone. Alas, that I should recommend it! but she must even conceal
+her faith: for, from the cruel measures of the court, even now death
+or perpetual imprisonment in some unknown dungeon is the only fate
+reserved for the relapsed convert, as they call those who have been
+driven to embrace a false religion, and quitted it in renewed disgust.
+But I must trust to you to afford me the means of communicating with
+her at all times. The only chance for us, I fear, is flight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is the only one! it is the only one!&quot; replied the maid. &quot;Fly with
+her to England, my Lord. Fly with her as speedily as possible. Be
+warned, my Lord, and neither delay nor hesitate. The edge of the net
+is just falling on you. If you take your resolution at once, and quit
+the land before a week be over, you may be safe; but if you stay
+longer, every port in France will be closed against you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will make no delay,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Her happiness and her
+safety are now committed to my charge; inestimable trusts, which I
+must on no account risk. But I have some followers and dependants to
+provide for, even here. I have some friends to defend; and I must not
+show myself remiss in that; or she herself would hardly love me. It
+were easy, methinks, however, for you and your mistress to make your
+escape at once to England, and for me to join you there hereafter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh no, my lord, I fear not!&quot; replied the maid. &quot;I do not think
+Monsieur de Rouvré himself would object to her marrying you and
+flying. He shrewdly suspects, I think, that she is Protestant at
+heart; but he would never yield to her flying herself. But, hark! I
+hear horses coming. Let us draw back and be quiet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no sound of carriage-wheels, I fear,&quot; said Clémence,
+listening. &quot;Oh, Albert, all this day's sad events have quite
+overpowered me; and I dread the slightest sound.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count pressed her hand in his, and, as was usual with him in
+moments of danger, turned his eyes towards his sword-belt, forgetting
+that the blade was gone. The sound of horses' feet approaching
+rapidly, however, still continued; and, at length, a party of four
+persons, whose faces could not be well distinguished in the increasing
+darkness, stopped exactly opposite the spot where a little rough road
+led down into the hollow where the lovers were. One of the riders
+sprang to the ground in a moment, and, leaving his horse with the
+others, advanced, exclaiming aloud,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hollo! Ho! Albert de Morseiul! Hollo! where are you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is the voice of the Chevalier d'Evran,&quot; cried Clémence, clinging
+closer to her lover, as if with some degree of fear.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think it is,&quot; said the Count; &quot;but fear not! He is friendly to us
+all. Draw down your veil, however, my beloved; it is not necessary
+that he should see and know you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With the same shout the Chevalier continued to advance towards them,
+and the Count took a step or two forward to meet him. But, shaking his
+friend warmly by the hand, the Chevalier passed on at once to the
+lady, and, to the surprise of the Count, addressed her immediately by
+her name: &quot;Very pretty, indeed, Mademoiselle Clémence!&quot; he said; &quot;this
+is as dangerous a jest, I think, as ever was practised.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence hesitated not a moment, but replied at once, &quot;It is no jest,
+Sir! It is a dangerous reality, if you will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Poo, poo, silly girl,&quot; cried the Chevalier. &quot;By the Lord that lives,
+you will get yourself into the castle of Pignerol, or the Bastille, or
+some such pleasant abode! I have come at full speed to bring you
+back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stay yet a minute, Louis,&quot; said the Count somewhat gravely. &quot;There is
+another person to be consulted in this business, whom you do not seem
+to recollect. Mademoiselle de Marly is, for the time, under my
+protection; and you know we delegate such a duty to no one.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear Count,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;the good Duc de Rouvré will
+doubtless be infinitely obliged to you for the protection you have
+given to this fair lady; but having sent me to find her and bring her
+back, I must do so at once; and will only beg her to be wise enough to
+make no rash confessions as she goes. The affair, as far as she is
+concerned, is a jest at present: it is likely, I hear, to prove a
+serious jest to others. I left your man, who directed me hither, to
+bring up the carriage as far as possible: and now, Mademoiselle
+Clémence, we will go, with your good pleasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The tone of authority in which the Chevalier spoke by no means pleased
+Albert of Morseiul, who felt strong in his heart the newly acquired
+right of mutual love to protect Clémence de Marly himself. He was not
+of a character, however, to quarrel with his friend lightly, and he
+replied, &quot;Louis, we are too old friends for you to make me angry. As
+your proposal of conveying Mademoiselle de Marly back in her own
+carriage, coincides with what we had previously arranged, of course I
+shall not oppose it; but equally, of course, I accompany her to
+Ruffigny.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am afraid that cannot be, Albert,&quot; answered the Chevalier; and the
+resolute words, &quot;It must be!&quot; had just been uttered in reply, when
+Clémence interfered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is very amusing, gentlemen,&quot; she said in her ordinary tone of
+scornful playfulness, &quot;it is very amusing, indeed, to hear you calmly
+and quietly settling a matter that does not in the least depend upon
+yourselves. You forget that I am here, and that the decision must be
+mine. Monsieur le Chevalier, be so good as not to look authoritative,
+for, depend upon it, you have no more power here than that old
+hawthorn stump. Monsieur de Rouvré cannot delegate what he does not
+possess; and as I have never yet suffered any one to rule me, I shall
+not commence that bad practice to-night. You may now tell me, in
+secret, what are your motives in this business; but, depend upon it,
+that my own high judgment will decide in the end.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let it!&quot; replied the Chevalier; and bending down his head, he
+whispered a few words to Clémence in a quick and eager manner. She
+listened attentively, and when he had done, turned at once to the
+Count de Morseiul, struggling to keep up the same light manner, but in
+vain.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear,&quot; she said, &quot;Monsieur de Morseiul, that I must decide for the
+plan of the Chevalier, and that I must lay my potent commands upon you
+not to accompany or follow me. Nay more, I will forbid your coming to
+Ruffigny tomorrow; but the day after, unless you hear from me to the
+contrary, you may be permitted to inquire after my health.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul was deeply mortified; too much so, indeed, to reply
+in any other manner than by a stately bow. Clémence saw that he was
+hurt; and, though some unexplained motive prevented her from changing
+her resolution, she cast off reserve at once, and holding out her hand
+to him, said aloud, notwithstanding the presence of the Chevalier, &quot;Do
+you forgive me, Albert?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though unable to account for her conduct, the Count felt that he loved
+her deeply still, and he pressed his lips upon her hand warmly and
+eagerly, while Clémence added in a lower tone, but by no means one
+inaudible to those around who chose to listen, &quot;Have confidence in me,
+Albert! Have confidence in me, and remember you have promised never to
+doubt me whatever may happen. Oh, Albert, having once given my
+affection, believe me utterly incapable of trifling with yours even by
+a single thought.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will try, Clémence,&quot; he replied; &quot;but you must own there is
+something here to be explained.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is!&quot; she said, &quot;there is; and it shall be explained as soon as
+possible; but, in the mean time, trust me! Here comes the servant, I
+think: the carriage must be near.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was as she supposed; and the Count gave her his arm to assist her
+in climbing back to the level ground above, saying, at the same time
+in a tone of some coldness which he could not conquer, &quot;As the lady
+has herself decided, Chevalier, I shall not of course press my
+attendance farther than to the carriage door; but have you men enough
+with you to insure her safety? It is now completely dark.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quite enough!&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;quite enough, Albert;&quot; and he
+fell into silence till they reached the side of the vehicle, dropping,
+however, a few yards behind Clémence and her lover.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Every moment of existence is certainly precious, as a part of the
+irrevocable sum of time written against us in the book of life; but
+there is no occasion on which the full value of each instant is so
+entirely felt, in which every minute is so dear, so treasured, so
+inestimable in our eyes, as when we are about to part with her we
+love. Albert of Morseuil felt that it was so; and in the few short
+moments that passed ere they reached the carriage, words were spoken
+in a low murmuring tone, which, in the intensity of the feelings they
+expressed and excited, wrought more deeply on his heart and hers, than
+could the passage of long indifferent years. They were of those few
+words spoken in life that remain in the ear of memory for ever.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The fiery hand that, at the impious feast, wrote the fate of the
+Assyrian in characters of flame, left them to go out extinguished when
+the announcement was complete; but the words that the hand of deep and
+intense passion writes upon firm, high, and energetic hearts, remain
+for ever, even unto the grave itself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Those moments were brief, however, and Clémence and her attendant were
+soon upon their way; the Chevalier sprang upon his horse, and then
+held out his hand frankly to the Count. &quot;Albert,&quot; he said, laughing,
+&quot;I have never yet beheld so great a change of Love's making as that
+which the truant boy has wrought in thee. Thou wouldst even quarrel
+with thy oldest and dearest companion--thou who art no way
+quarrelsome. You have known me now long, Albert; love me well still.
+If you have ever seen me do a dishonest act, cast me off; if not, as I
+heard Clémence say just now--trust me!&quot; and thus saying, he galloped
+off, without waiting for any reply.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_05" href="#div2Ref_05">THE REVENGE.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">While Clémence de Marly cast herself back in the carriage; and, with
+the great excitement under which she had been acting for some time,
+now over, hid her eyes with her hands, and gave herself up to deep,
+and even to painful thought--while over that bright and beautiful
+countenance came a thousand varied expressions as she recollected all
+that had passed--while the look of horror rose there as she remembered
+all the fearful scenes she had beheld, the murderous treachery of the
+dragoons, the retribution taken by the people, and the death of the
+unhappy girl who had received one of the random shots--while that
+again was succeeded by the expression of admiration and enthusiasm, as
+she recalled the words and conduct of the Protestant pastor, and while
+a blush, half of shame and half of joy, succeeded, as she remembered
+all that had passed between her and Albert of Morseiul; the Count
+himself was wending his way slowly homeward, with feelings different
+from hers, and by no means so happy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She knew that difficulty and danger surrounded her, she knew that much
+was necessarily to be endured, much to be apprehended; but she had
+woman's greatest, strongest consolation. She had the great, the mighty
+support, that she was loved by him whom alone she loved. With her that
+was enough to carry her triumphant through all danger, to give her a
+spirit to resist all oppression, to support her under all trials, to
+overcome all fears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It may be asked, when we say that Albert of Morseiul's feelings were
+different, whether he then loved her less than she loved him, whether
+love in his bosom was less powerful, less all-sufficing than in hers.
+It would seem strange to answer, no; yet such was not the case. He
+loved her as much, as deeply, as she did him; he loved her as
+tenderly, as truly. His love--though there must always be a difference
+between the love of man and the love of woman--was as full, as
+perfect, as all-sufficing as her own, and yet his bosom was not so
+much at ease as hers, his heart did not feel the same confidence in
+its own happiness that hers did. But there were many different causes
+combined to produce that effect. In the first place, he knew the
+dangers, the obstacles, the difficulties, far better than she did. He
+knew them more intimately, more fully, more completely; they were all
+present to his mind at once; no bright hopes of changing circumstances
+came to relieve the prospect; but all, except the love of Clémence de
+Marly, was dark, obscure, and threatening around him. That love might
+have seemed, however, but as a brighter spot amidst the obscurity, had
+it not been that apprehensions for her were now added to all his
+apprehensions for his religion and his country. It might have seemed
+all the brighter for the obscurity, had it been itself quite
+unclouded, had there not been some shadows, though slight, some
+mystery to be struggled with, something to be forgotten or argued
+down.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During the few last minutes that he was with her, the magic
+fascination of her presence had conquered every thing, and seated love
+triumphant above all; but as he rode on, Albert de Morseiul pondered
+over what had occurred, thought of the influence which the Chevalier
+d'Evran had exerted over her, combined it with what he had seen before
+at Poitiers, and pronounced it in his own heart, &quot;very strange.&quot; He
+resolved not to think upon it, and yet he thought. He accused
+himself--the man of all others the least suspicious on the earth, by
+nature--he accused himself of being basely suspicious. He argued with
+himself that it was impossible that either on the part of Clémence or
+the Chevalier there should be any thing which could give him pain,
+when each, in the presence of the other, behaved to him as they had
+behaved that night; and yet there was something to be explained, which
+hung--like one of those thin veils of cloud that sometimes cover even
+the summer sun, prognosticating a weeping evening to a blithe
+noon--which hung over the only star that fate had left to shine upon
+his track, and he thought of it sadly and anxiously, and longed for
+something to bear it far away.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He struggled with such feelings and such reflections for some time;
+and then, forcing his thoughts to other things, he found that there
+was plenty, indeed, for him to consider and to provide against, plenty
+to inquire into and to ponder over, ere he resolved or acted. First
+came the recollection of the quarrel between himself and the young De
+Hericourt. He knew that the rash and cruel young man had made his
+escape from the field, for he himself, with two of his servants, had
+followed him close, and, by detaining a party of the pursuers, had
+afforded the commander of the dragoons an opportunity to fly. That he
+would immediately require that which is absurdly called satisfaction,
+for the blow which had been struck, there could be no earthly doubt,
+although the laws against duelling were at that time enforced with the
+utmost strictness, and there was not the slightest chance whatsoever
+of the King showing mercy to any Protestant engaged in a duel with a
+Roman Catholic.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No man more contemned or reprobated the idiotical custom of duelling
+than the Count himself; no man looked upon it in a truer light than he
+did; but yet must we not forgive him, if, even with such feelings and
+with such opinions, he prepared, without a thought or hesitation, to
+give his adversary the meeting he demanded? Can we severely blame him
+if he determined, with his own single arm, to avenge the wanton
+slaughter that had been committed, and to put the barrier of a just
+punishment between the murderer of so many innocent people and a
+repetition of the crime? Can we blame him, if, seeing no chance
+whatsoever of the law doing justice upon the offender, he
+resolved--risking at the same time his own life--to take the law into
+his hand, and seek justice for himself and others?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The next subject that started up for consideration was the general
+events of that day, and the question of what colouring would be given
+to those events at the court of France.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A peaceful body of people, meeting together for the worship of the
+Almighty, in defiance of no law, (for the edict concerning the
+expulsion of the Protestant pastors, and prohibiting the preaching of
+the reformed religion at all, had not yet appeared,) had been brutally
+insulted by a body of unauthorised armed men, had been fired upon by
+them without provocation, and had lost several of their number,
+murdered in cold blood and in a most cowardly manner, by the hands of
+the military. They had then, in their own defence, attacked and
+pursued their brutal assailants, and had slain several of them as a
+direct consequence of their own crimes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such were the simple facts of the case; but what was the tale, the
+Count asked himself, which would be told at the court of France, and
+vouched for by the words of those, who, having committed the great
+crime of unprovoked murder, would certainly entertain no scruple in
+regard to justifying it by the lesser crime of a false oath?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It will be represented,&quot; thought the Count, &quot;that a body of armed
+fanatics met for some illegal purpose, and intending no less than
+revolt against the King's government, attacked and slaughtered a small
+body of the royal troops sent to watch their movements. It will be
+represented that the dragoons fought gallantly against the rebels, and
+slew a great number of their body; and this, doubtless, will be
+vouched for by the words of respectable people, all delicately
+adjusted by Romish fraud; and while the sword and the axe are wetted
+with the blood of the innocent and the unoffending, the murderer, and
+his accomplices, may be loaded with honours and rewards!--But it shall
+not be so if I can stay it,&quot; he added. &quot;I will take the bold, perhaps
+the rash, resolution,--I will cast myself in the gap. I will make the
+truth known, and the voice thereof shall be heard throughout Europe,
+even if I fall myself. I, at least, was there unarmed: that can be
+proved. No weapon has touched my hand during this day, and therefore
+my testimony may be less suspected.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While he thus pondered, riding slowly on through the thick darkness
+which had now fallen completely around his path, he passed a little
+wood, which is called the wood of Jersel to this day; but, just as he
+had arrived at the opposite end, two men started out upon him as if to
+seize the bridle of his horse. Instantly, however, another voice
+exclaimed from behind, &quot;Back, back! I told you any one coming the
+other way. He cannot come that way, fools. We have driven him into the
+net, and he has but one path to follow. Let the man go on, whoever he
+is, and disturb him not.&quot; The men were, by this time, drawing back,
+and they instantly disappeared behind the trees; while the Count rode
+on with his servant at somewhat a quicker pace.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On his arrival at his own dwelling, Albert of Morseiul proceeded, at
+once, to the library of the château, and though Jerome Riquet strongly
+pressed him to take some refreshment, he applied himself at once to
+draw up a distinct statement of all that had occurred, nor quitted it
+till the night had two thirds waned. He then retired to rest, ordering
+himself to be called, without fail, if any body came to the château,
+demanding to see him. For the first hour, however, after he had lain
+down, as may well be supposed, he could not close his eyes. The
+obscurity seemed to encourage thought, and to call up all the fearful
+memories of the day. It was a fit canvass, the darkness of the night,
+for imagination to paint such awful pictures on. There is something
+soothing, however, in the grey twilight of the morning, which came at
+length, and then, but not till then, the Count slept. Though his
+slumber was disturbed and restless, it was unbroken for several hours;
+and it was nearly eleven o'clock in the day when, starting up suddenly
+from some troublous dream, he awoke and gazed wildly round the room,
+not knowing well where he was. The sight of the sun streaming into the
+apartment, however, showed him how long he had slept, and ringing the
+bell that lay by his bedside, he demanded eagerly of Jerome Riquet,
+who appeared in an instant, whether no one had been to seek him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man replied, &quot;No one,&quot; and informed his lord that the gates of the
+castle had not been opened during the morning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is strange!&quot; said the Count. &quot;If I hear not by twelve,&quot; he
+continued, &quot;I must set off without waiting. Send forward a courier,
+Riquet, as fast as possible towards Paris, giving notice at the
+post-houses that I come with four attendants, yourself one, and
+ordering horses to be prepared, for I must ride post to the capital.
+Have every thing ready in a couple of hours at the latest, for I must
+distance this morning's ordinary courier, and get to the court before
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If you ride as you usually do, my lord,&quot; replied the man, &quot;you will
+easily do that, for you seldom fail to kill all the horses and all the
+postilions; and if your humble servant were composed of any thing but
+bones and a good wit, you would have worn the flesh off him long ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am in no mood for jesting, Riquet,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;see that
+every thing is ready as I have said, and be prepared to accompany me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet, who was never yet known to have found too little time to do
+any thing on earth, took the rapid orders of his lord extremely
+coolly, aided him to dress, and then left him. He had scarcely been
+gone five minutes, however, before he returned with a face somewhat
+whiter than usual.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is the matter, sirrah?&quot; cried the Count somewhat sharply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, my lord,&quot; he said, &quot;here is the mayor, and the adjoint, and the
+counsellors, arrived in great terror and trepidation, to tell you that
+Maillard, the carrier, coming down from the way of Nantes with his
+packhorses, has seen the body of a young officer tied to a tree, in
+the little wood of Jersel. He was afraid to meddle with it himself,
+and they were afraid to go down till they had come to tell you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Send the men up,&quot; said the Count, &quot;and have horses saddled for me
+instantly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, Sir Mayor,&quot; he said, as the local magistrate entered, &quot;what is
+the meaning of this? What are these news you bring?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To say sooth, the mayor was somewhat embarrassed in presenting himself
+before the Count, as he had lately shown no slight symptoms of
+cowardly wavering in regard to the Protestant cause: nor would he have
+come now had he not been forced to do so by other members of the town
+council. He answered, then, with evident hesitation and timidity,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Terrible news, indeed, my Lord!--terrible news, indeed! This young
+man has been murdered, evidently; for he is tied to a tree, and a
+paper nailed above his head. So says Maillard, who was afraid to go
+near to read what was written; and then, my Lord, I was afraid to go
+down without your Lordship's sanction, as you are <i>haut justicier</i> for
+a great way round.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count's lip curled with a scornful sneer. &quot;It seems to me,&quot; he
+said, &quot;that Maillard and yourself are two egregious cowards. We will
+dispense with your presence, Mr. Mayor; and these other gentlemen will
+go down with me at once to see what this business is. Though the man
+might be tied to a tree, and very likely much hurt, that did not prove
+that he was dead; and very likely he might have been recovered, or, at
+least, have received the sacraments of the church, if Maillard and
+yourself had thought fit to be speedy in your measures. Come,
+gentlemen, let us set out at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The rebuked mayor slunk away with a hanging head, and the rest of the
+municipal council, elated exactly in proportion to the depression of
+their chief, followed the young Count, who led the way with a party of
+his servants to the wood of Jersel. On first entering that part of the
+road which traversed the wood the party perceived nothing; and the
+good citizens of Morseiul drew themselves a little more closely
+together, affected by certain personal apprehensions in regard to
+meddling with the night's work of one who seemed both powerful and
+unscrupulous. A moment after, however, the object which Maillard had
+seen was presented to their eyes, and, though crowding close together,
+curiosity got the better of fear, and they followed the Count up to
+the spot.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The moment the Count de Morseiul had heard the tale, he had formed his
+own conclusion, and in that conclusion he now found himself not wrong.
+The body that was tied to the tree was that of the young Marquis de
+Hericourt; but there were circumstances connected with the act of
+vengeance which had been thus perpetrated, that rendered it even more
+awful than he had expected, to the eyes of the Count de Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was no wound whatsoever upon the body, and the unhappy young man
+had evidently been tied to the tree before his death, for his hands,
+clenched in agony, were full of the large rugged bark of the elm,
+which he seemed to have torn off in dying. A strong rope round his
+middle pressed him tight against the tree. His arms and legs were
+also bound down to it, so that he could not escape; his hat and upper
+garments were off, and lying at a few yards' distance; and his
+shoulders and neck were bare, except where his throat was still
+pressed by the instrument used for his destruction. That instrument
+was the usual veil of a novice in a Catholic convent, entirely soaked
+and dabbled in blood, and twisted tightly up into the form of a rope.
+It had been wound twice round his neck, and evidently tightened till
+he had died of strangulation. A piece of paper was nailed upon the
+tree above his head, so high up, indeed, as to be out of the reach of
+any one present; but on it was written in a large bold hand which
+could easily be read, these words:--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The punishment inflicted on a murderer of the innocent, by Brown
+Keroual.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul gazed upon the horrible object thus presented to
+him in deep silence, communing with his own heart; while the
+magistrates of the town, and the attendants, as is common with
+inferior minds, felt the awe less deeply, and talked it over with each
+other in an under voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is very horrible, indeed,&quot; said the Count at length. &quot;I think,
+before we do any thing in the business, as this gentleman was of the
+Roman Catholic faith, and an officer in the King's service, we had
+better send down immediately to the Curé of Maubourg, and ask him to
+come up to receive the body.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The word of the young Count was of course law to those who surrounded
+him, and one of his own attendants having been despatched for the
+Curé, the good man came up with four or five of the villagers in less
+than half an hour. His countenance, which was mild and benevolent, was
+very sad, for he had received from the messenger an account of what
+had taken place. The young Count, who had some slight personal
+knowledge of him, and knew him still better by reputation, advanced
+some way to meet him, saying--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is a dreadful event, Monsieur le Curé, and I have thought it
+better to send for you rather than move the body of this young
+gentleman myself, knowing him to have been a Catholic, while all of us
+here present were of a different faith. Had not life been evidently
+long extinguished,&quot; he continued, &quot;we should not, of course, have
+scrupled in such a manner; but as it is, we have acted as we have
+done, in the hopes of meeting your own views upon the subject.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have done quite well, and wisely, my son,&quot; replied the Curé.
+&quot;Would to God that all dissensions in the church would cease, as I
+feel sure they would do, if all men would act as prudently as you have
+done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And as wisely and moderately as <i>you always do</i>, Monsieur le Curé,&quot;
+added the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Curé bowed his head, and advanced towards the tree, where he read
+the inscription over the head of the murdered man, and then gazed upon
+the veil that was round his throat.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He shook his head sadly as he did so, and then turning to the Count,
+he said, &quot;Perhaps you do not know the key of all this sad story. I
+heard it before I came hither. This morning, an hour before matins,
+the bell of the religious house of St. Hermand--you know it well,
+Count, I dare say, a mile or so beyond the <i>chêne vert</i>--was rung
+loudly, and on the portress opening the gate, four men, with their
+faces covered, carried in the body of one of the novices, called
+Claire Duval, who had been absent the whole night, causing great
+alarm. There was a shot wound in her breast; she was laid out for the
+grave; and, though none of the men spoke a word, but merely placed the
+body in the lodge, and then retired, a paper was found with it
+afterwards, saying, 'An innocent girl murdered by the base De
+Hericourt, and revenged by Brown Keroual.'--This, of course, I imagine,
+is the body of him called De Hericourt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is, indeed, Sir,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;the young Marquis de
+Hericourt, a relation not very distant of the Marquis de Louvois; and
+a brave, but rash, unprincipled, and weak young man he was. In your
+hands I leave the charge of the body, but any assistance that my
+servants can give you, or that my influence can procure, are quite at
+your service.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Curé' thanked him for his offer, but only requested that he would
+send him down some sort of a litter or conveyance, to carry the body
+to the church. The Count immediately promised to do so; and returning
+home he fulfilled his word. He then took some refreshment before his
+journey, wrote a brief note to the Duc de Rouvré, stating that he
+would have come over to see him immediately, but was obliged to go to
+Paris without loss of time; and then mounting his horse, and followed
+by his attendants, he rode to the first post-house, where taking
+post-horses, he proceeded at as rapid a pace as possible towards the
+capital.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_06" href="#div2Ref_06">THE COURT.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">We must once more--following the course of human nature as it is at
+all times, but more especially as it then was, before all the great
+asperities of the world were smoothed and softened down, and one
+universal railroad made life an easy and rapid course from one end to
+another--We must once more then, following the common course of being,
+shift the scene, and bring before our readers a new part of the great
+panorama of that day. It was then at the lordly palace of Versailles,
+in the time of its greatest and most extraordinary splendour, when the
+treasures of a world had been ransacked to adorn its halls, and art
+and genius had been called in to do what riches had been unable to
+accomplish; while yet every chamber throughout the building flamed
+with those far-famed groups, cast in solid gold, the designs of which
+had proceeded from the pencil of Le Brun, and the execution of which
+had employed a thousand of the most skilful hands in France; while yet
+marble, and porphyry, and jasper, shone in every apartment; and the
+rarest works, from every quarter of the world, were added to the
+richness of the other decorations: before, in short, the consequences
+of his own ambition, or his successor's faults and weaknesses, had
+stripped one splendid ornament from that extraordinary building, which
+Louis XIV. had erected in the noon of his splendour--it was then that
+took place the scene which we are about now to describe.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul had scarcely paused even to take needful rest on
+his way from Poitou to Paris, and he had arrived late at night at the
+untenanted dwelling of his fathers in the capital. The Counts de
+Morseiul had ever preferred the country to the town, and though they
+possessed a large house in the Place Royale, which then was, though it
+is now no longer a fashionable part of the city; that house had
+become, at it were, merely the dwelling-place of some old officers and
+attendants, who happened to have a lingering fondness for the busy
+haunts of men which their lord shared not in. The old white-headed
+porter, as he opened the gate for his young master, stared with wonder
+and surprise to see him there, and nothing of course was found
+prepared for his reception. But the Count was easily satisfied and
+easily pleased. Food could always be procured without any difficulty,
+in the great capital of all eating, but repose was what the young
+Count principally required; and, after having despatched a messenger
+to Versailles, to ask in due form an audience of the King as early as
+possible on the following morning, to cast himself on the first bed
+that could be got ready, and forgot in a few minutes all the cares,
+and sorrows, and anxieties, which had accompanied him on his way to
+the capital.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The request for an audience was conveyed through the Marquis of
+Seignelai, with whom the Count himself was well acquainted; and he
+doubted not that it would be granted immediately, if he had preceded,
+as he had every reason to believe he had, the ordinary courier from
+Poitou, bringing the news of the events which had taken place in that
+province. The letter of the young secretary, in return to his
+application, arrived the next morning; but it was cold and formal, and
+evidently written under the immediate dictation of the King. It merely
+notified to the Count that, for the next three days, the time
+appointed by his Majesty for business would be fully occupied; that,
+in the mean time, if the business which brought the Count to Paris
+were important, he would communicate it to the minister under whose
+department it came. The note went on to add, that if the business were
+not one requiring immediate despatch, the young Count would do well to
+come to Versailles, to signify the place of his abode at the palace,
+and to wait the monarch's leisure.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This was by no means the tone which Louis usually assumed towards one
+of the most gallant officers in his service; and, while the Count at
+once perceived that the King was offended with him on some account, he
+felt great difficulty in so shaping his conduct as to meet the
+exigency of the moment. As the only resource, he determined to see and
+interest Seignelai to obtain for him a more speedy audience; and he
+had the greater hopes of so doing, inasmuch as that minister was known
+to be jealous of and inimical to Louvois, one of the great persecutors
+of the Protestants.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While he was pondering over these things, and preparing to set out
+immediately for Versailles, another courier from the court arrived,
+bearing with him a communication of a very different character, which,
+upon the whole, surprised the Count, even more than the former one had
+done. It contained a general invitation to all the evening
+entertainments of the court; specifying not only those to which the
+great mass of the French nobility were admitted as a matter of course,
+but the more private and select parties of the King, to which none in
+general but his own especial friends and favourites were ever invited.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This gave Albert of Morseiul fresh matter for meditation, but also
+some hope that the King, whom he believed to be generous and
+kindhearted, had remembered the services he and his ancestors had
+rendered to the state, and had consequently made an effort to overcome
+any feeling of displeasure which he might have entertained in
+consequence of reports from Poitiers. He determined, however, to
+pursue his plan with regard to Seignelai, believing that it would be
+facilitated rather than otherwise by any change of feeling which had
+come over the monarch, and he accordingly proceeded to Versailles at
+once.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The secretary of state was not to be found in his apartments, but one
+of his attendants informed the Count that, at that hour, he would find
+him alone in the gardens, and he accordingly proceeded to seek him
+with all speed. As he passed by the orangery, however, he heard the
+sound of steps and gay voices speaking, and, in a moment after, stood
+in the presence of the King himself, who had passed through the
+orangery, and was now issuing forth into the gardens.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louis was at this time a man of the middle age, above the ordinary
+height, and finely proportioned in all his limbs. Though he still
+looked decidedly younger than he really was, and the age of forty was
+perhaps as much as any one would have assigned him, judging from
+appearance, yet he had lost all the slightness of the youthful figure.
+He was robust, and even stout, though by no means corpulent, and the
+ease and grace with which he moved showed that no power was impaired.
+His countenance was fine and impressive, though, perhaps, it might not
+have afforded to a very scrutinising physiognomist any indication of
+the highest qualities of the human mind. All the features were good,
+some remarkably handsome, but in most there was some peculiar defect,
+some slight want which took away from the effect of the whole. The
+expression was placable, but commanding, and grave rather than
+thoughtful; and the impression produced by its aspect was, that it was
+serious, less from natural disposition or intense occupation of mind,
+than from the consciousness that it was a condescension for that
+countenance to smile. The monarch's carriage, as he walked, also
+produced an effect somewhat similar on those who saw him for the first
+time. Every step was dignified, stately, and graceful; but there was
+something a little theatrical in the whole, joined with, or perhaps
+expressing, a knowledge that every step was marked and of importance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King's dress was exceedingly rich and costly; and certainly though
+bad taste in costume was then at its height, the monarch and the group
+that came close upon his steps, formed as glittering and gay an object
+as could be seen.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Amongst those who followed the King, however, were several
+ecclesiastics, and to the surprise of the young Count de Morseiul, one
+of those on whom his eye first fell was no other than the Abbé
+Pelisson, in eager but low conversation with the Bishop of Meaux.
+Louis himself was speaking with a familiar tone, alternately to the
+Prince de Marsillac, and to the well known financier Bechameil, whose
+exquisite taste in pictures, statues, and other works of art,
+recommended him greatly to the monarch.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No sooner did the King's look rest upon the young Count de Morseiul,
+than his brow became as dark as a thunder cloud, and he stopped
+suddenly in his walk. Scarcely had the Count time to remark that angry
+expression, however, before it had entirely passed away, and a grave
+and dignified smile succeeded. It was a common remark, at that time,
+that the King was to be judged by those who sought him, from his first
+aspect, and certainly, if that were the test in the present instance,
+his affection for the Count of Morseiul was but small.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louis was conscious that he had displayed bad feelings more openly
+than he usually permitted himself to do; and he now hastened to repair
+that fault, not by affecting the direct contrary sentiments, as some
+might have done, but by softening down his tone and demeanour to the
+degree of dignified disapprobation, which they might naturally be
+supposed to have reached.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said, as the young nobleman approached, &quot;I
+am glad, yet sorry, to see you. There are various reports have reached
+me from Poitou tending to create a belief that you have been, in some
+degree, wanting in due respect to my will; and I should have been glad
+that the falsehood of those reports had been proved before you again
+presented yourself. Your services, Sir, however, are not forgotten,
+and you have, on so many occasions, shown devotion, obedience, and
+gallantry, which might well set an example to the whole world, that I
+cannot believe there is any truth in what I have heard, and am
+willing, unless a painful conviction to the contrary is forced upon
+me, to look upon you, till the whole of this matter be fully
+investigated, in the same light as ever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King paused a moment, as if for reply; and the Count de Morseiul
+gladly seized the opportunity of saying, &quot;I came up post, Sire, last
+night, from Morseiul, for the purpose of casting myself at your
+Majesty's feet, and entreating you to believe that I would never
+willingly give you the slightest just cause for offence, in word,
+thought, or deed. I apprehended that some false or distorted
+statements, either made for the purpose of deceiving your Majesty, or
+originating in erroneous impressions, might have reached you
+concerning my conduct, as I know misapprehensions of my conduct had
+occurred in Poitiers itself. Such being the case, and various very
+painful events having taken place, I felt it my duty to beseech your
+Majesty to grant me an audience, in order that I might lay before you
+the pure and simple facts, which I am ready to vouch for on the honour
+of a French gentleman. I am most desirous, especially with regard to
+the latter events which have taken place, that your Majesty should be
+at once made aware of the facts as they really occurred, lest any
+misrepresentations should reach your ears, and prepare your mind to
+take an unfavourable view of acts which were performed in all loyalty,
+and with the most devoted affection to your Majesty's person.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young Count spoke with calm and dignified boldness. There was no
+hesitation, there was no wavering, there was no apprehension either in
+tone, manner, or words; and there was something in his whole demeanour
+which set at defiance the very thought of there being the slightest
+approach to falsehood or artifice in his nature. The King felt that it
+was so himself, notwithstanding many prejudices on all the questions
+which could arise between the Count and himself. But his line of
+conduct, by this time, had been fully determined, and he replied, &quot;As
+I caused you to be informed this morning, Monsieur de Morseiul, my
+arrangements do not permit me to give you so much time as will be
+necessary for the hearing of all you have to say for several days. In
+the mean while, however, fear not that your cause will be, in any
+degree, prejudged. We have already, by a courier arrived this morning,
+received full intelligence of all that has lately taken place in
+Poitou, and of the movements of some of our misguided subjects of the
+pretended reformed religion. We have ordered accurate information to
+be obtained upon the spot, by persons who cannot be considered as
+prejudiced, and we will give you audience as soon as such information
+has been fully collected. In the mean time you will remain at the
+court, and be treated here, in every respect, as a favoured and
+faithful servant, which will show you that no unjust prejudice has
+been created; though it is not to be denied that the first effect of
+the tidings we received from Poitou was to excite considerable anger
+against you. However, you owe a good deal, in those respects, to
+Monsieur Pelisson, who bore witness to your having gallantly defended
+his life from a bad party of robbers, and to your having saved from
+the flames a commission under our hand, although that commission was
+afterwards unaccountably abstracted. I hope to hear,&quot; the King
+continued, &quot;of your frequenting much the society of Monsieur Pelisson,
+and our respected and revered friend the Bishop of Meaux, by which you
+may doubtless derive great advantage, and perhaps arrive at those
+happy results which would make it our duty, as well as our pleasure,
+to favour you in the very highest degree.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The meaning of Louis was too evident to be mistaken; and, as the Count
+de Morseiul had not the slightest intention of encouraging even a hope
+that he would abandon the creed of his ancestors, he merely bowed in
+reply, and the King passed on. The Count was then about to retire
+immediately from the gardens, but Pelisson caught him by the sleeve as
+he passed, saying in a low voice,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come on, Monsieur de Morseiul, come on after the King. Believe me, I
+really wish you well; and it is of much consequence that you should
+show not only your attachment to his Majesty, by presenting yourself
+constantly at the court, but also that you are entering into none of
+the intrigues of those who are irritating him by opposition and
+cabals. You know Monsieur Bossuet, of course. Let us come on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I only know Monsieur Bossuet by reputation,&quot; replied the Count,
+bowing to the Bishop who had paused also, and at the same time turning
+to follow the royal train. &quot;I only know him by reputation, as who,
+throughout France, nay, throughout Europe, does not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The compliment will pass for Catholic, though it comes from a
+Protestant mouth,&quot; said one of two gentlemen who had been obliged to
+pause also by the halt of the party before them. But neither Bossuet
+nor the Count took any notice, but walked on, entering easily into
+conversation with each other; the eloquent prelate, who was not less
+keen and dexterous than he was zealous and learned, accommodating
+himself easily to the tone of the young Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pelisson, ere they had gone far, was inclined to have drawn the
+conversation to religious subjects, and was a little anxious to prove
+to the Count de Morseiul that, at the bottom, there was very little
+real difference between the Catholic and the Protestant faith, from
+which starting-point he intended to argue, as was his common custom,
+that as there was so little difference, and as in all the points of
+difference that did exist the Catholics were in the right, it was a
+bounden duty for every Protestant to renounce his heretical doctrines,
+and embrace the true religion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bossuet, however, was much more politic, and resisted all Pelisson's
+efforts to introduce such topics, by cutting across them immediately,
+and turning the conversation to something less evidently applicable to
+the Count de Morseiul. Something was said upon the subject of
+Jansenism, indeed, as they walked along; and Bossuet replied,
+smiling,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven forbid that those discussions should be renewed! I abhor
+controversy, and always avoid it, except when driven to it. I am
+anxious indeed, most anxious, that all men should see and renounce
+errors, and especially anxious, as I am in duty bound, when those
+errors are of such a nature as to affect their eternal salvation. But
+very little good, I doubt, has ever been done by controversy, though
+certainly still less by persecution; and if we were to choose between
+those two means, controversy would of course be the best.
+Unfortunately, however, it seldom ends but as a step to the other.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was something so moderate and so mild in the language of the
+prelate, that the young Count soon learned to take great pleasure in
+his discourse; and after these few brief words concerning religion,
+the Bishop of Meaux drew the conversation to arts and sciences, and
+the great improvements of every kind which had taken place in France
+under the government of Louis XIV.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were still speaking on this subject when the King turned at the
+end of the terrace, and with surprise saw the Count de Morseiul in his
+train, between Pelisson and Bossuet. A smile of what appeared to be
+dignified satisfaction came over the monarch's countenance, and as he
+passed he asked,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What are you discussing so eagerly, Monsieur de Meaux?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We are not discussing, sire,&quot; replied the Bishop, &quot;for we are all of
+one opinion. Monsieur de Morseiul was saying that in all his knowledge
+of history--which we know is very great--he cannot find one monarch
+whose reign has produced so great a change in society as that of Louis
+the Great.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King smiled graciously, and passed on. But the same sarcastic
+personage, who followed close behind the party to which the Count had
+attached himself, added to Bossuet's speech, almost loud enough for
+the King to hear, &quot;Except Mahomet! Except Mahomet, Monsieur de Meaux!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was impossible either for the Bishop, or the Count, or Pelisson, to
+repress a smile; but the only one of the party who turned to look was
+the Count, the others very well knowing the voice to be that of
+Villiers, whose strange method of paying court to Louis XIV. was by
+abusing every thing on which the monarch prided himself. He was
+slightly acquainted with the Count de Morseiul, having met him more
+than once on service, and seeing him turn his head, he came up and
+joined them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You spoil that man, all of you,&quot; he said, speaking of the King. &quot;All
+the world flatters him, till he does not know what is right and what
+is wrong, what is good and what is bad, what is beautiful and what is
+ugly.--Now, as we stand here upon this terrace,&quot; he continued, &quot;and
+look down over those gardens, is there any thing to be seen on the
+face of the earth more thoroughly and completely disgusting than they
+are? Is it possible for human ingenuity to devise any thing so
+mathematically detestable? One would suppose that La Hire, or Cassini,
+or some of the other clockmakers, had been engaged with their
+villanous compasses in marking out all those rounds, and triangles,
+and squares, so that the whole park and gardens, when seen, from my
+little room (which the King in his immense generosity gave me in the
+garret story of the palace), look exactly like a dusty leaf torn out
+of Euclid's Elements, with all the problems demonstrated upon it.
+Then, Monsieur de Morseiul, do pray look at those basins and statues.
+Here you have a set of black tadpoles croaking at an unfortunate woman
+in the midst, as black as themselves. There you have a striking
+representation of Neptune gone mad--perhaps it was meant for a storm
+at sea; and certainly, from the number of people death-sick all round,
+and pouring forth from their mouths into the basins, one might very
+easily conceive it to be so. There is not one better than another, and
+yet the King walks about amongst them all, and thinks it the finest
+thing that ever was seen upon the face of the earth, and has at this
+moment five-and-twenty thousand men working hard, to render it, if
+possible, uglier than before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul smiled; and, although he acknowledged that he
+loved the fair face of the country, unshaven and unornamented better
+than all that art could do, yet he said, that for the gardens of such
+a palace as that of Versailles, where solemn and reposing grandeur was
+required, and regular magnificence more than picturesque beauty, he
+did not see that better could have been done.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus passed the conversation, till the King, after having taken
+another turn, re-entered the building, and his courtiers quitted him
+at the foot of the staircase. The Count then inquired of Pelisson
+where he could best lodge in Versailles, and the Abbé pointed out to
+him a handsome house, very near that in which the Bishop of Meaux had
+taken up his abode for the time.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you intend to come speedily to Versailles?&quot; demanded the Bishop.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As I understood the King,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;it is his pleasure
+that I should do so; and consequently I shall merely go back to Paris
+to make my arrangements, and then return hither with all speed. I
+propose to be back by seven or eight o'clock this evening, if this
+house is still to be had.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For that I can answer,&quot; replied the Bishop. &quot;The only disagreeable
+thing you will find here is a want of food,&quot; he added, laughing, &quot;for
+the palace swallows up all; but if you will honour me by supping with
+me to-night, Monsieur le Comte, perhaps Monsieur Pelisson will join
+us, with one or two others, and we may spend a calm and pleasant
+evening, in talking over such things as chance or choice may select.
+We do so often in my poor abode. But indeed I forgot; perhaps you may
+prefer going to the theatre at the palace, for this is one of the
+nights when a play is performed there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, indeed,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;I hold myself not only flattered,
+but obliged, by your invitation, Monsieur de Meaux, and I will not
+fail to be with you at any hour you appoint.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The hour was accordingly named; and, taking his leave, the young Count
+de Morseiul sought his horses, and returned to Paris. His visit to
+Versailles, indeed, had not been so satisfactory as he could have
+wished; and while Jerome Riquet was making all the preparations for
+his master's change of abode, the Count himself leaned his head upon
+his hand, and revolved in deep thought all the bearings of his present
+situation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No one knew better than he did, that appearances are but little to be
+trusted at any court, and as little as in any other at the court of
+Louis XIV. He knew that the next word from the King's mouth might be
+an order to conduct him to the Bastille, and that very slight proofs
+of guilt would be required to change his adherence to his religion, if
+not into a capital crime, at least into a pretext for dooming him to
+perpetual imprisonment. He saw, also, though perhaps not to the full
+extent of the King's design, that Louis entertained some hopes of his
+abandoning his religion; and he doubted not that various efforts would
+be employed to induce him to do so--efforts difficult to be parried,
+painful to him to be the object of, and which might, perhaps, afford
+matter for deep offence if they, proved ineffectual.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He saw, and he knew too, that it was decidedly the resolution of the
+King and of his advisers to put down altogether the Protestant
+religion in France; that there was no hope, that there was no chance
+of mitigating, in any degree, the unchangeable spirit of intolerance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All these considerations urged the young Count to pursue a plan which
+had suggested itself at first to his mind, rather as the effect of
+despair than of calculation. It was to go back no more to Versailles;
+to return post-haste to Poitou; to collect with all speed the
+principal Protestants who might be affected by any harsh measures of
+the court; to demand of Clémence de Marly the fulfilment of her
+promise to fly with him; and, embarking with the rest at the nearest
+port, to seek safety and peace in another land.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The more he thought over this design the more he was inclined to adopt
+it; for although he evidently saw that tidings of what had taken place
+at the preaching in the desert had already reached the King's ears,
+and that the first effect was passed, yet he could not rely by any
+means upon the sincerity of the demeanour assumed towards him, and
+believed that even though he--if his military services were
+required--might be spared from political considerations, yet the great
+majority of the Protestants might be visited with severe inflictions,
+on account of the part they had taken in the transactions of that day.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">One consideration alone tended to make him pause ere he executed this
+purpose, which was, that having undertaken a task he was bound to
+execute it, and not to shrink from it while it was half completed;
+and, though anxious to do what he considered right in all things, he
+feared that by flying he might but be able to protect a few, while by
+remaining he might stand between many and destruction.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In this world we ponder and consider, and give time, and care, and
+anxiety, and thought to meditation over different lines of conduct,
+while calm, imperturbable fate stands by till the appointed moment,
+and then, without inquiring the result, decides the matter for us. The
+Count had sent a servant immediately after his return from Versailles
+to the house of Marshal Schomberg, to inquire whether that officer
+were in Paris, and if so, at what hour he would be visible. The
+servant returned bringing word that Marshal Schomberg had quitted the
+country, that his house and effects had been sold, and that it was
+generally supposed he never intended to return.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This was an example of the prompt execution of a resolution, which
+might well have induced the Count de Morseiul to follow it, especially
+as it showed Schomberg's opinion to be, that the affairs of the
+Protestants in France were utterly irretrievable, and that the danger
+to those who remained was imminent. Thus was another weight cast into
+the scale; but even while he was rising from the table at which he
+sat, in order to give directions for preparing for a still longer
+journey than that which he had notified to his servants before, Jerome
+Riquet entered the room and placed before him a note, written in a
+hand with which he was not at all acquainted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have thought much of my conduct strange, Albert--&quot; it began; and
+turning at once to the other page he saw the name of Clémence. &quot;You
+have thought much of my conduct strange, and now will you not think it
+still stranger, when I tell you that I have but two moments to write
+to you, and not even a moment to see you? I looked forward to tomorrow
+with hope and expectation; and now I suddenly learn that we are to set
+off within an hour for Paris. The order has been received from the
+King: the Duke will not make a moment's delay: for me to stay here
+alone is, of course, impossible; and I am obliged to leave Poitou
+without seeing you, without the possibility even of receiving an
+answer. Pray write to me immediately in Paris. Tell me that you
+forgive me for an involuntary fault; tell me that you forgive me for
+any thing I may have done to pain you. I say so, because your last
+look seemed to be reproachful; and yet, believe me, when I tell you
+upon my honour, that I could not but act as I have acted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, Albert! if I could but see you in Paris! I, who used to be so
+bold--I, who used to be so fearless, now feel as if I were going into
+a strange world, where there is need of protection, and guidance, and
+direction. I feel as if I had given up all control over myself; and if
+you were near me, if you were in Paris, I should have greater
+confidence, I should have greater courage, I should have more power to
+act, to speak, even to think rightly, than I have at present. Come,
+then, if it be possible, come then, if it be right; and if not, at all
+events write to me soon, write to me immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May I,--yes I may, for I feel it is true--call myself</p>
+
+<p class="right">&quot;Your Clémence.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The letter was dated on the very day that the Count himself had set
+off, and had evidently been sent over to the château of Morseiul
+shortly after his departure. Maître Riquet had contrived to linger in
+the room on one pretext or another while his master read the note, and
+the Count, turning towards him, demanded eagerly how it had come, and
+who had brought it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, Monseigneur,&quot; replied the man, &quot;the truth is, I always love to
+have a little information. In going through life I have found it like
+a snuff-box, which one should always carry; even if one does not take
+snuff one's self: it is so useful for one's friends!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come, come, Sir, to the point,&quot; said his master. &quot;How did this letter
+arrive? that is the question.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Just what I was going to tell you, my Lord,&quot; replied the man. &quot;I left
+behind me Pierre Martin to gather together a few stray things which I
+could not carry with me, and a few stray pieces of information which I
+could not learn myself, and to bring them after us to Paris with all
+speed; old doublets, black silk stockings, bottles of essence, cases
+of razors, true information regarding all the reports in the county of
+Poitou, and whatever letters might have arrived between our going and
+his coming.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the latter instance,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;you have done wisely,
+and more thoughtfully than myself. I do believe, Riquet, as you once
+said of yourself, you never forget any thing that is necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You do me barely justice, Sir,&quot; replied the man, &quot;for I remember
+always a great deal more than is necessary; so, seeing that the letter
+was in a lady's hand, I brought it you, my Lord, at once, without even
+waiting to look in at the end; which, perhaps, was imprudent, as very
+likely now I shall never be able to ascertain the contents.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are certainly not without your share of impudence, Maître
+Jerome,&quot; replied his master; &quot;which I suppose you would say is amongst
+your other good qualities. But now leave me; for I must think over
+this letter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet prepared to obey, but as he opened the door for his own exit,
+he drew two or three steps back, throwing it much wider, and giving
+admission to the Prince de Marsillac. His appearance did not by any
+means surprise the Count, for although he had seen him that very
+morning at Versailles, he had obtained not a moment to speak with him;
+and, as old friends, it was natural that, if any thing brought the
+Prince to Paris, he should call at the Hôtel de Morseiul, to talk over
+all that had taken place since their last meeting at Poitiers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear Count,&quot; he said, &quot;understanding from Monsieur de Meaux that
+you return to Versailles to-night, I have come to offer you a place
+down in my carriage, or to take a place in yours, that we may have a
+long chat over the scenes at Poitiers, and over the prospects of this
+good land of ours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Willingly,&quot; said the Count. &quot;I have no carriage with me, but I will
+willingly accompany you in yours. What time do you go?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As soon as you will,&quot; replied the Prince. &quot;I am ready to set out
+directly. I have finished all that I had to do in Paris, and return at
+once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count paused for a moment to calculate in his own mind whether it
+were possible that the Duc de Rouvré could reach Paris that night.
+Considering, however, the slow rate at which he must necessarily
+travel, accompanied by all his family, Albert of Morseiul
+saw that
+one, if not two days more, must elapse before his arrival.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; he said, having by this time determined at all events to
+pause in the neighbourhood of the capital till after he had seen
+Clémence--&quot;Well, as I have not dined, old friend, I will go through
+that necessary ceremony, against which my man Riquet has doubtless
+prepared, and then I will be ready to accompany you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nor have I dined either,&quot; replied the Prince; &quot;so if you will give a
+knife and fork to one you justly call an old friend I will dine with
+you, and we will send for the carriage in the meanwhile.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was something in the Prince's tone and manner, difficult to
+describe or to explain, which struck the Count as extraordinary. The
+calmest, the coolest, the most self-possessed man in France was a
+little embarrassed. But the Count made no remark, merely looking for a
+moment in his face--somewhat steadfastly indeed, and in such a manner
+that the other turned to the window, saying, in a careless tone, &quot;It
+was under those trees, I think, that the Duke of Guise killed
+Coligny.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count made no reply, but called some of his attendants, and bade
+them see what had been provided for dinner. In a few minutes it was
+announced as ready, and he sat down with his friend to table, doing
+the honours with perfect politeness and cheerfulness. Before the meal
+was concluded, it was announced that the Prince's carriage and
+servants had arrived, and, when all was ready, the Count de Morseiul
+proposed that they should depart, leaving his attendants to follow.
+Just as he had his foot upon the step of the carriage, however, the
+Count turned to his friend, and said, &quot;You have forgot, my good
+friend, to tell the coachman whether he is to drive to the Bastille,
+or Vincennes, or to Versailles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mistake,&quot; said the Prince, following him into the carriage: &quot;To
+Versailles, of course. I will explain to you the whole matter as we
+go. Within ten minutes after you left Versailles this morning,&quot; he
+continued, as soon as they were once fully on the way, &quot;I was sent for
+to the King about something referring to my post of Grand Veneur. I
+found Louvois with him in one of his furious and insolent moods, and
+the King bearing all with the utmost patience. It soon became apparent
+that the conversation referred to you, Louvois contending that you
+should never have been suffered to quit Versailles till some affairs
+that have taken place in Poitou were fully examined, declaring that
+you had only gone to Paris in order to make your escape from the
+country more conveniently. The King asked me my opinion; and I laughed
+at the idea to Louvois's face. He replied that I did not know all, or
+half, indeed, for that if I did I should not feel nearly so certain. I
+said I knew you better; and, to settle the matter at once, I added
+that, as I was going to Paris, I would undertake you came back with me
+in my carriage or I in yours. The King trusted me, as you see; and I
+thought it a great deal better to come in this manner as a friend,
+than to let Louvois send you a <i>lettre de cachet</i>, which you might
+even find a more tiresome companion than the Prince de Marsillac.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Undoubtedly I should,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;and I thank you much for
+the interest you have taken in the affair as well as for the candour
+of the confession. But now, my friend, since you have gone so far, go
+a little farther, and give me some insight, if you can, into what is
+taking place at the court just at present--I mean in reference to
+myself--for my situation is, as you may suppose, not the most
+pleasant; and is one in which a map of the country may be serviceable
+to me. I see none of my old friends about the court at present except
+yourself. Seignelai I have not been able to find----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And he would give you no information even if you did find him,&quot;
+replied the Prince. &quot;I can give you but very little, for I know but
+little. In the first place, however, let me tell you a great secret;
+that you are strongly suspected of being a Protestant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;I fear they have more than suspicion
+against me there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Confess it not,&quot; said his friend, &quot;confess it not! for just at
+present, it would be much more safe to confess high treason: but, in
+the next place, my dear Count, a report has gone abroad--quite false I
+know--that you are desperately in love with this fair Clémence de
+Marly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray,&quot; demanded the Count, smiling, &quot;in what manner would that
+affect me at the court, even were it true?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, now, to answer seriously,&quot; replied his friend, &quot;though, remember
+I speak only from the authority of my own imagination, I should say,
+that you are very likely to obtain her, with every sort of honour and
+distinction to boot, in spite of Hericourt and the Chevalier d'Evran,
+and all the rest, upon one small condition; which is, that you take a
+morning's walk into the Church of St. Laurent, or any other that may
+be more pleasant to you; stay about half an hour, read a set form,
+which means little or nothing, and go through some other ceremonies of
+the same kind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In fact,&quot; said the Count, &quot;make my renunciation in form, you mean to
+say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Prince nodded his head, and Albert of Morseiul fell into thought,
+well knowing that his friend was himself ignorant of one of the most
+important considerations of the whole; namely, the faith of Clémence
+de Marly herself. On that subject, of course, he did not choose to say
+any thing; but after remaining in thought for a few moments, he
+demanded,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray, my good friend, what is to be the result, if I do not
+choose to make this renunciation?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven only knows,&quot; replied the Prince. &quot;There are, at least, six or
+seven different sorts of fate that may befall you. Probably the choice
+will be left to yourself; whether you will have your head struck off
+in a gentlemanly way in the court of the Bastille, or be broken on the
+wheel; though I believe that process they are keeping for the Huguenot
+priests now,--ministers as you call them. If the King should be
+exceeding merciful, the castle of Pignerol, or the prison in the isle
+St. Marguerite, may afford you a comfortable little solitary dwelling
+for the rest of your life. I don't think it likely that he should send
+you to the galleys, though I am told they are pretty full of military
+men now. But if I were you, I would choose the axe: it is soonest
+over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think I should prefer a bullet,&quot; said the Count; &quot;but we shall see,
+my good friend, though I can't help thinking your anticipations are
+somewhat more sanguinary than necessary. I hear that Schomberg has
+taken his departure, and it must have been with the King's permission.
+Why should it not be the same in my case? I have served the king as
+well, though, perhaps, not quite so long.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But you are a born subject of France,&quot; replied the other; &quot;Schomberg
+is not; and, besides, Schomberg has given no offence, except remaining
+faithful to his religion. You have been heading preaching in the open
+fields they say, if not preaching yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly not the last,&quot; replied the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed!&quot; said his friend; &quot;they have manufactured a story, then, of
+your having addressed the people before any one else.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good God!&quot; exclaimed the Count; &quot;is it possible that people can
+pervert one's actions in such a manner? I merely besought the people
+to be orderly and tranquil, and added a hope that they had come
+unarmed as I had come.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It would seem that a number of you were armed, however,&quot; said the
+Prince, &quot;for some of the dragoons were killed it would appear; and, on
+my word, you owe a good deal to Pelisson; for if Louvois had obtained
+his way this morning, as usual, your head would have been in no slight
+danger. The Abbé stepped in, however, and said, that he had seen much
+of you in Poitou, and that from all he had heard and seen, his Majesty
+had not a more faithful or obedient subject in those parts.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am certainly very much obliged to him,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;But he
+has strangely altered his tone; for at Poitiers he would fain have
+proved me guilty all sorts of acts that I never committed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps he may have had cause to change,&quot; replied the Prince de
+Marsillac. &quot;It is known that he and St. Helie quarrelled violently
+before Pelisson's return. But at all events, your great security is in
+the fact, that there are two factions in the party who are engaged in
+putting down your sect. The one would do it by gentle means--bribery,
+corruption, persuasion, and the soft stringents of exclusion from
+place, rank, and emolument. The other breathes nothing but fire and
+blood, the destruction of rebels to the royal will, and the most
+signal punishment for all who differ in opinion from themselves. This
+last party would fain persuade the king that the Huguenots are in
+arms, or ready to take arms, throughout France, and that nothing is to
+be done but to send down armies to subdue them. But then the others
+come in and say, 'It is no such thing; the people are all quiet; they
+are submitting with a good grace, and if you do not drive them to
+despair, they will gradually return, one by one, to the bosom of the
+mother church, rather than endure all sorts of discomfort and
+disgrace!' Of this party are Pelisson, the good Bishop, and many other
+influential people; but, above all, Madame de Maintenon, whose power,
+in every thing but this, is supreme.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Had I not better see her,&quot; demanded the Count, &quot;and endeavour to
+interest her in our favour?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She dare not for her life receive you,&quot; replied the Prince. &quot;What is
+religion, or humanity, or generosity, or any thing else to her if it
+stand in the way of ambition? No, no, Morseiul! the good lady may
+perhaps speak a kind word for you in secret, and when it can be put in
+the form of an insinuation; but she is no Madame de Montespan who
+would have defended the innocent, and thrust herself in the way to
+prevent injustice, even if the blow had fallen upon herself. She dared
+to say to the King things that no other mortal dared, and would say
+them too, when her heart, or her understanding was convinced; but
+Madame de Maintenon creeps towards the crown, and dares not do a good
+action if it be a dangerous one. Do not attempt to see her, for she
+would certainly refuse; and if she thought that the very application
+had reached the King's ears, she would urge him to do something
+violent, merely to show him that she had nothing to do with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She has had much to do with me and mine,&quot; replied the Count, somewhat
+bitterly; &quot;for to my father, she and her mother owed support when none
+else would give it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She owed her bread to Madame de Montespan,&quot; replied the Prince, &quot;and
+yet ceased not her efforts till she had supplanted her. But,&quot; he
+added, after a pause, &quot;she is not altogether bad, either, and it is
+not improbable, that if there be any scheme going on for converting
+you by milder means than the wheel, as I believe there is, she may be
+the deviser of it. She was in the room this morning when the business
+was taking place between the King, Louvois, and Pelisson. She said
+nothing, but sat working at a distance, the very counterpart of a
+pie-bald cat that sat dozing in the corner; but she heard all, and I
+remarked that when the affair was settled, and other things began, she
+beckoned Pelisson to look at her embroidery, and spoke to him for some
+minutes in a low voice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Morseiul, may I advise you?&quot; the Prince continued, after a brief
+interval had taken place in the conversation; &quot;listen to me but one
+word! I know well that there is no chance of your changing your
+religion except upon conviction. Do not, however, enact the old Roman,
+or court too much the fate of martyrdom; but without taking any active
+step in the matter, let the whole plans of these good folks, as far as
+they affect yourself, go on unopposed: let them, in short, still
+believe that it is not impossible to convert you. Listen to
+Pelisson--pay attention to Bossuet--watch the progress of events--be
+converted if you can; and if not, you, at all events, will gain
+opportunities of retiring from the country with far greater ease and
+safety than at present, if you should be driven to such a step at
+last. In the mean time, this affair of the preaching will have blown
+over, and they will not dare to revive it against you if they let it
+slumber for some time. Think of it, Morseiul!--think of it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;and thank you sincerely; and indeed will
+do all that may be done with honour, not to offend the king or
+endanger myself;&quot; and thus the conversation ended on that subject; the
+Prince having said already far more than might have been expected from
+a courtier of Louis XIV.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_07" href="#div2Ref_07">THE CLOUDS AND THE SUNSHINE.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul had just time to take possession of his new
+abode, and make himself tolerably at his ease therein, before the hour
+arrived for proceeding to the house of the Bishop of Meaux, where he
+was received by the prelate with every sort of kindness.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He arrived before any body else, and Bossuet took him by the hand,
+saying, with a smile, &quot;Some of our good clergy, Monsieur de Morseiul,
+would perhaps be scandalized at receiving in their house so
+distinguished a Protestant as yourself; but I trust you know, what I
+have always endeavoured to prove, that I look upon all denominations
+of Christians as my brethren, and am only perhaps sometimes a
+little eager with them, out of what very likely you consider an
+<i>over-anxiety</i>, to induce them to embrace those doctrines which I
+think necessary to their salvation. Should it ever be so between you
+and me, Monsieur le Comte, will you forgive me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Willingly,&quot; replied the Count, thinking that the work of conversion
+was about to begin; but, to his surprise, Bossuet immediately changed
+the conversation, and turned it to the subject of the little party he
+had invited to meet the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not,&quot; he said, &quot;made it, as indeed I usually do, almost
+entirely of churchmen; for I feared you might think that I intended to
+overwhelm you under ecclesiastical authority: however, we have some
+belonging to the church, whom you will be glad to meet, if you do not
+know them already. The Abbé Renaudot will be here, who has a peculiar
+faculty for acquiring languages, such as I never knew in any one but
+himself. He understands no less than seventeen foreign languages, and
+twelve of those he speaks with the greatest facility. That, however,
+is one of his least qualities, as you may yourself judge when I tell
+you, that in this age, where interest and ambition swallow up every
+thing, he is the most disinterested man that perhaps ever lived.
+Possessed of one very small, poor benefice which gives him a scanty
+subsistence, he has constantly refused every other preferment; and no
+persuasion will induce him to do what he terms, 'encumber himself with
+wealth.' We shall also have La Broue, with whose virtues and good
+qualities you are already acquainted. D'Herbelot also wrote yesterday
+to invite himself. He has just returned from Italy, where that
+reverence was shown to him, which generous and expansive minds are
+always ready to display towards men of genius and of learning. He was
+received by the Grand Duke at Florence, and treated like a sovereign
+prince, though merely a poor French scholar. A house was prepared for
+him, the Secretary of State met him, and, as a parting present, a
+valuable library of oriental manuscripts was bestowed upon him by the
+Duke himself. To these grave people we have joined our lively friend
+Pelisson, and one whom doubtless you know, Boileau Despréaux. One
+cannot help loving him, and being amused with him, although we are
+forced to acknowledge that his sarcasm and his bitterness go a good
+deal too far. When he was a youth, they tell me, he was the best
+tempered boy in the world, and his father used to say of him, that all
+his other children had some sharpness and some talent, but that as for
+Nicholas, he was a good-natured lad, who would never speak ill of any
+one. One thing, however, I must tell you to his honour. He obtained
+some time ago, as I lament to say has frequently been done, a benefice
+in the church without being an ecclesiastic. The revenues of the
+benefice he spent, in those his young days, in lightness, if not in
+vice. He has since changed his conduct and his views, and not long
+ago, not only resigned the benefice, but paid back from his own purse
+all that he had received, to be spent in acts of charity amongst the
+deserving of the neighbourhood. This merits particular notice and
+record.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Bossuet was going on to mention several others who were likely to join
+their party, when two of those whom he had named arrived, and the
+others shortly after made their appearance. The evening passed, as
+such an evening may well be supposed to have passed, at the dwelling
+of the famous Bishop of Meaux. It was cheerful, though not gay; and
+subjects of deep and important interest were mingled with, and
+enlivened by many a light and lively sally, confined within the bounds
+of strict propriety, but none the less brilliant or amusing, for it is
+only weak and narrow intellects that are forced to fly to themes
+painful, injurious, or offensive, in order to seek materials with
+which to found a reputation for wit or talent.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The only matter, however, which was mentioned affecting at all the
+course of our present tale, and therefore the only one on which we
+shall pause, was discussed between Pelisson and the Abbé Renaudot,
+while the Count de Morseiul was standing close by them, speaking for a
+moment with D'Herbelot.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is there any news stirring at the court, Monsieur Pelisson?&quot; said
+Renaudot. &quot;You hear every thing, and I hear nothing of what is going
+on there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why there is nothing of any consequence, I believe,&quot; said Pelisson,
+in a loud voice. &quot;The only thing now I hear of is, that Mademoiselle
+Marly is going to be married at length.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What, La belle Clémence!&quot; cried Renaudot &quot;Who is the man that has
+touched her hard heart at length?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, an old lover,&quot; said Pelisson. &quot;Perseverance has carried the day.
+The Chevalier d'Evran is the man. The King gave his consent some few
+days ago, the Chevalier having come up express from Poitou to ask it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Every word reached the ear of the Count de Morseiul, and his mind
+reverted instantly to the conduct of the Chevalier and Clémence, and
+to the letter which he had received from her. As any man in love would
+do, under such circumstances, he resolved not to believe a word; but
+as most men in love would feel, he certainly felt himself not a little
+uneasy, not a little agitated, not a little pained even by the report.
+Unwilling, however, to hear any more, he walked to the other end of
+the room to take his leave, as it was now late.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Pelisson looked after him as he went, and seeing him bid Bossuet
+adieu, he followed his example, and accompanied the young Count down
+the stairs and throughout the few steps he had to take ere he reached
+his own dwelling. No word, however, was spoken by either regarding
+Clémence de Marly, and Albert of Morseiul retired at once, though
+certainly not to sleep. He revolved in his mind again and again the
+probability of Pelisson's story having any truth in it. He knew
+Clémence, and he knew the Chevalier, and he felt sure that he could
+trust them both; but that trust was all that he had to oppose to the
+very great likelihood which there existed, that the King, as he so
+frequently did, would take the arrangement of a marriage for Clémence
+de Marly into his own hands, without in the slightest degree
+consulting her inclination, or the inclination of any one concerned.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The prospect now presented to the mind of Albert of Morseiul was in
+the highest degree painful. Fresh difficulties, fresh dangers, were
+added to the many which were already likely to overwhelm him, if even,
+as he trusted she would, Clémence held firm by her plighted troth to
+him, and resisted what was then so hard to resist in France, the
+absolute will of the King. Still this new incident would only serve to
+show that instant flight was more absolutely necessary than before,
+would render any return to France utterly impossible, and would
+increase the danger and difficulty of executing that flight itself.
+But a question suggested itself to the Count's mind, which, though he
+answered it in the affirmative, left anxiety and doubt behind it.
+Would Clémence de Marly resist the will of the King? Could she do so?
+So many were the means to be employed to lead or drive her to
+obedience, so much might be done by leading her on from step to step,
+that bitter, very bitter anxiety took possession of her lover's heart.
+He persuaded himself that it was pain and anxiety on her account
+alone; but still he loved her too well, too truly, not to feel pained
+and anxious for himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the following morning, as soon as he had breakfasted, he wrote a
+brief note to Clémence, telling her that he was at Versailles, was
+most anxious to see her and converse with her, if it were but for a
+few minutes, and beseeching her to let him know immediately where he
+could do so speedily, as he had matters of very great importance to
+communicate to her at once. The letter was tender and affectionate;
+but still there was that in it, which might show the keen eyes of love
+that there was some great doubt and uneasiness pressing on the mind of
+the writer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As soon as the letter was written, he gave it into the hands of Jerome
+Riquet, directing him to carry it to Paris, to wait there for the
+arrival of the family of de Rouvré, if they had not yet come, and to
+find means to give it to Maria, the attendant of Mademoiselle de
+Marly. He was too well aware of Riquet's talents not to be quite sure
+that this commission would be executed in the best manner; and after
+his departure he strove to keep his mind as quiet as possible, and
+occupied himself in writing to his intendant at Morseiul, conveying
+orders for his principal attendants to come up to join him at
+Versailles directly, bringing with them a great variety of different
+things which were needful to him, but which had been left behind in
+the hurry of his departure. While he was writing, he was again visited
+by the Prince de Marsillac, who came in kindly to tell him that the
+report of Pelisson, who had passed the preceding evening with him,
+seemed to be operating highly in his favour at court.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am delighted,&quot; he said, &quot;that the good Abbé has had the first word,
+for St. Helie is expected to-night, and, depend upon it, his story
+would be very different. It will not be listened to now, however,&quot; he
+continued; &quot;and every day gained, depend upon it, is something. Take
+care, however, Count,&quot; he said, pointing to the papers on the table,
+&quot;take care of your correspondence; for though the King himself is
+above espionage, Louvois is not, I can tell you, and unless you send
+your letters by private couriers of your own, which might excite great
+suspicion, every word is sure to be known.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was going to send this letter by a private courier,&quot; said the
+Count; &quot;but as it is only intended to order up the rest of my train
+from Poitou, and some matters of that kind, I care not if it be known
+to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If it be to order up your train,&quot; replied the Prince, &quot;send it
+through Louvois himself. Write him a note instantly, saying, that as
+you understand he has a courier going, you will be glad if he will
+despatch that letter. It will be opened, read, and the most convincing
+proof afforded to the whole of them, that you have no intention of
+immediate flight, which is the principal thing they seem to apprehend.
+With this, clenching the report of Pelisson, you may set St. Helie at
+defiance, I should think.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count smiled. &quot;Heaven deliver me from the intrigues of a court,&quot;
+he said. He did, however, as he was advised; and the Prince de
+Marsillac carried off the letter and the note, promising to have them
+delivered to Louvois immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Several hours then passed anxiously, and although he knew that he
+could not receive an answer till two or three o'clock, and might
+perhaps not receive one at all that day, he could not help thinking
+the time long, and, marking the striking of the palace clock, as if it
+must have gone wrong for his express torment. The shortest possible
+space of time, however, in which it was possible to go and come
+between Versailles and Paris had scarcely expired after the departure
+of Riquet, when the valet again appeared. He brought with him a scrap
+of paper, which proved to be the back of the Count's own note to
+Clémence, unsealed, and with no address upon it; but written in a
+hasty hand within was found--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot--I dare not, see you at present, nor can I now write as I
+should desire to do. If what you wish to say is of immediate
+importance, write as before, and it is sure to reach me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was no signature, but the hand was that of Clémence de Marly;
+and the heart of Albert of Morseiul felt as if it would have broken.
+It seemed as if the last tie between him and happiness was severed. It
+seemed as if that hope, which would have afforded him strength, and
+support, and energy, to combat every difficulty and overleap every
+obstacle, was taken away from him; and for five or ten minutes he
+paced up and down the saloon in agony of mind unutterable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She is yielding already,&quot; he said at length, &quot;she is yielding
+already. The King's commands are hardly announced to her, ere she
+feels that she must give way. It is strange--it is most strange! I
+could have staked my life that with her it would have been
+otherwise!--and yet the influence which this Chevalier d'Evran seems
+always to have possessed over her is equally strange. If, as she has
+so solemnly told me, she is not really bound to him by any tie of
+affection, may she not be bound by some promise rashly given in former
+years? We have heard of such things. However, no promises to me shall
+stand in the way; she shall act freely, and at her own will, as far as
+I am concerned;&quot; and, sitting down, he wrote a few brief lines to
+Clémence, in which, though he did not pour out the bitterness of his
+heart, he showed how bitterly he was grieved.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The tidings I had to tell you,&quot; he said, &quot;were simply these, which I
+heard last night. The King destines your hand for another, and has
+already announced that such is the case. The few words that you have
+written show me that you are already aware of this fact, and that
+perhaps struggling between promises to me and an inclination to obey
+the royal authority, you are pained, and uncertain how to act. Such,
+at least, is the belief to which I am led by the few cold painful
+words which I have received. If that belief is right, it may make you
+more easy to know that, in such a case, Albert of Morseiul will never
+exact the fulfilment of a promise that Clémence de Marly is inclined
+to break.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He folded the note up, sealed it, and once more called for Riquet.
+Before the man appeared, however, some degree of hesitation had come
+over the heart of the Count, and he asked him,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who did you see at the Hôtel de Rouvré?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I saw,&quot; replied the man, &quot;some of the servants; and I saw two or
+three ecclesiastics looking after their valises in the court; and I
+saw Madame de Rouvré looking out of one of the windows with
+Mademoiselle Clémence, and the Chevalier d'Evran.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is enough,&quot; said the Count. &quot;I should wish this note taken back to
+Paris before nightfall, and given into the hands of the same person to
+whom you gave the other. Take some rest, Riquet. But I should like
+that to be delivered before nightfall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will deliver it, sir, and be back in time to dress you for the
+<i>Appartement</i>.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The <i>appartement</i>,&quot; said the Count, &quot;I had forgotten that, and most
+likely shall not go. Well,&quot; he added after a moment's thought, &quot;better
+go there than to the Bastille. But it matters not, Riquet, Jean can
+dress me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man bowed and retired. But by the time that it was necessary for
+the Count to commence dressing for the <i>appartement</i>, Riquet had
+returned, bringing with him, however, no answer to the note, for
+which, indeed, he had not waited. The Count suffered him to arrange
+his dress as he thought fit, and then proceeded to the palace, which
+was by this time beginning to be thronged with company.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">During one half of the life of Louis XIV. he was accustomed to throw
+open all the splendid public rooms of his palace three times in the
+week to all the chief nobility of his court and capital, and every
+thing that liberal, and even ostentatious, splendour could do to
+please the eye, delight the ear, or amuse the mind of those who were
+thus collected, was done by the monarch on the nights which were
+marked for what was called <i>appartement</i>. At an after period of his
+life, when the death of almost all his great ministers had cast the
+burden of all the affairs of state upon the King himself, he seldom,
+if ever, appeared at these assemblies, passing the hours, during which
+he furnished his court with amusement, in labouring diligently with
+one or other of his different ministers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the time we speak of, however, he almost every night showed himself
+in the <i>appartement</i> for some time, noticing every body with
+affability and kindness, and remarking, it was said, accurately who
+was present and who was not. It was considered a compliment to the
+monarch never to neglect any reasonable opportunity of paying court at
+these assemblies; and it is very certain that had the Count de
+Morseiul failed in presenting himself on the present occasion, his
+absence would have been regarded as a decided proof of disaffection.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He found the halls below, then, filled with guards and attendants; the
+staircase covered with officers, and guests arriving in immense
+crowds; while from the first room above poured forth the sound of a
+full orchestra, which was always the first attraction met with during
+the evening, as if to put the guests in harmony, and prepare their
+minds for pleasure and enjoyment. The music was of the finest kind
+that could be found in France, and no person ever rendered himself
+celebrated, even in any remote province, for peculiar skill or taste
+in playing on any instrument, without being sought out and brought to
+play at the concerts of the King. The concert room, which was the only
+one where the light was kept subdued, opened into a long suite of
+apartments, hall beyond hall, saloon beyond saloon, where the eye was
+dazzled by the blaze, and fatigued by the immense variety of beautiful
+and precious ornaments which were seen stretching away in brilliant
+perspective. Here tables were laid out for every sort of game that was
+then in fashion, from billiards to lansquenet; and the King took
+especial pains to make it particularly known to every person at his
+court, that it was not only his wish, but his especial command, if any
+man found any thing wanting, or required any thing whatever for his
+amusement or pleasure in the apartments, that he was to order some of
+the attendants to bring it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Perfect liberty reigned throughout the whole saloons, as far as was
+consistent with propriety of conduct. The courtiers made up their
+parties amongst themselves, chose their own amusements, followed their
+own pursuits. Every sort of refreshment was provided in abundance, and
+hundreds on hundreds of servants, in splendid dresses, were seen
+moving here and there throughout the rooms, supplying the wants, and
+fulfilling the wishes of all the guests, with the utmost promptitude,
+or waiting for their orders, and remarking, with anxious attention,
+that nothing was wanting to the convenience of any one.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The whole of the principal suite of rooms in the palace was thus
+thrown open, as we have said, three times in the week, with the
+exception of the great ball room, which was only opened on particular
+occasions. Sometimes, at the balls of the court, the <i>appartement</i> was
+not held, and the meeting took place in the ball-room itself. But at
+other times the ball followed the supper of the King, which took place
+invariably at ten o'clock, and the company invited proceeded from the
+<i>appartement</i> to the ball-room, leaving those whose age, health, or
+habits, gave them the privilege of not dancing, to amuse themselves
+with the games which were provided on the ordinary nights.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such was to be the case on the present evening, and such as we have
+described was the scene of splendour which opened upon the eyes of the
+Count de Morseiul as he entered the concert-room, and taking a seat at
+the end, gazed up the gallery, listening with pleasure to a calm and
+somewhat melancholy, but soothing strain of music. His mind, indeed,
+was too much occupied with painful feelings of many kinds for him to
+take any pleasure or great interest in the magnificence spread out
+before his eyes, which he had indeed often seen before, but which he
+might have seen again with some admiration, had his bosom been free
+and his heart at rest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At present, however, it was but dull pageantry to him, and the music
+was the thing that pleased him most; but when a gay and lively piece
+succeeded to that which he had first heard, he rose and walked on into
+the rooms beyond, striving to find amusement for his thoughts, though
+pleasure might not be there to be found. Although he was by no means a
+general frequenter of the Court, and always escaped from it to the
+calmer pleasures of the country as soon as possible, he was, of
+course, known to almost all the principal nobility of the realm, and
+to all the officers who had in any degree distinguished themselves in
+the service. Thus, in the very first room, he was stopped by a number
+of acquaintances; and, passing on amidst the buzz of many voices, and
+all the gay nothings of such a scene, he met from time to time with
+some one, whose talents, or whose virtues, or whose greater degree of
+intimacy with himself, enabled him to pause and enter into longer and
+more interesting conversation, either in reference to the present--its
+hopes and fears,--or to the period when last they met, and the events
+that then surrounded them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Although such things could not, of course, cure his mind of its
+melancholy, it afforded him some degree of occupation for his
+thoughts, till a sudden whisper ran through the rooms of &quot;The King!
+The King!&quot; and every body drew back from the centre of the apartments
+to allow the monarch to pass.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louis advanced from the inner rooms with that air of stately dignity,
+which we know, from the accounts both of his friends and enemies, to
+have been unrivalled in grace and majesty. His commanding person, his
+handsome features, his kingly carriage, and his slow and measured
+step, all bespoke at once the monarch, and afforded no bad indication
+of his character, with its many grand and extensive, if not noble
+qualities, its capaciousness, its ambition, and even its occasional
+littleness, for the somewhat theatrical demeanour was never lost, and
+the stage effect was not less in Louis's mind than in his person.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He paused to speak for a moment with several persons as he passed,
+stood at the lansquenet table where his brother and his son were
+seated, dropped an occasional word, always graceful and agreeable, at
+two or three of the other tables, and then paused for a moment and
+looked up and down the rooms, evidently feeling himself, what his
+whole people believed him to be, the greatest monarch that ever trod
+the earth. There was something, indeed, it must be acknowledged, in
+the mighty splendour of the scene around--in the inestimable amount of
+the earth's treasures there collected--in the blaze of light, the
+distant sound of the music, the dazzling loveliness of many there
+present--the courage, the learning, the talent, the genius collected
+in those halls; and in the knowledge that there was scarcely a man
+present who would not shed the last drop of his heart's blood in the
+defence of his King, there was something that might well turn giddy
+the brain of any man who felt himself placed on that awful pinnacle of
+power and greatness. Louis, however, was well accustomed to it, and,
+like the child and the lion, he had become familiar from youth with
+things which might make other men tremble. Thus he paused but for a
+moment to remark and to enjoy, and then advanced again through the
+apartments.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The next person that his eye fell upon was the Count de Morseiul; and
+his countenance showed in a moment how true had been the prophecy of
+the Prince de Marsillac, that a great change would take place in his
+feelings. He now smiled graciously upon the young Count, and paused to
+speak with him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I trust to see you often here, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall not fail, Sire,&quot; the Count replied, &quot;to pay my duty to your
+majesty as often as I am permitted to do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then you do not return soon to Poitou, Monsieur le Comte?&quot; said the
+King.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have thought it so improbable that I should do so, Sire,&quot; replied
+the Count, who evidently saw that Louvois had not failed to report his
+letter, &quot;that I have taken a hotel here, and have sent for my
+attendants this day. If I hoped that my presence in Poitou could be of
+any service to your majesty----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It may be, it may be, Count, in time to come,&quot; replied the King. &quot;In
+the mean time we will try to amuse you well here. I have heard that
+you are one of the best billiard-players in France. Follow me now to
+the billiard room, and, though I am out of practice, I will try a
+stroke or two with you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a game in which Louis excelled, as, indeed, he did in all
+games; and this was one which afterwards, we are told, made the
+fortune of the famous minister, Chamillart. The Count de Morseiul,
+therefore, received this invitation as a proof that he was very nearly
+re-established in the King's good graces. He feared not at all to
+compete with the monarch, as he himself was also out of practice, and,
+indeed, far more than the King; so that, though an excellent player,
+there was no chance of his being driven either to win the game against
+the monarch, or to make use of some man&#339;uvre to avoid doing so. He
+followed the King then willingly; but Louis, passing through the
+billiard-room, went on in the first place to the end of the suite of
+apartments, noticing every body to whom he wished to pay particular
+attention, and then returned to the game. A number of persons crowded
+round--so closely indeed, that the monarch exclaimed,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let us have room--let us have room! We will have none but the ladies
+so close to us: Ha, Monsieur de Morseiul?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The game then commenced, and went on with infinite skill and very
+nearly equal success on both parts. Louis became somewhat eager, but
+yet a suspicion crossed his mind that the young Count was purposely
+giving him the advantage, and at the end of some very good strokes he
+purposely placed his balls in an unfavourable position. The Count did
+not fail to take instant advantage of the opportunity, and had well
+nigh won the game. By an unfortunate stroke, however, he lost his
+advantage, and the King never let him have the table again till he was
+himself secure.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said, as he paused for a moment
+afterwards, &quot;you see you cannot beat me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I never even hoped it, Sire,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;In my own short day
+I have seen so many kings, generals, and statesmen try to do so with
+signal want of success, that I never entertained so presumptuous an
+expectation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The monarch smiled graciously, well pleased at a compliment from the
+young Huguenot nobleman which he had not expected; and as the game was
+one in which he took great pleasure, and which also displayed the
+graces of his person to the greatest advantage, he played a second
+game with the Count, which he won by only one stroke. He then left the
+table, and after speaking once more with several persons in the
+apartments, retired, not to re-appear till after his supper.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As soon as he was gone, the Prince de Marsillac once more approached
+the young Count, saying in a whisper,--&quot;You have not beaten the King,
+Morseiul, but you have conquered him: yet, take my advice, on no
+account leave the apartments till after the ball has begun. Let Louis
+see you there, for you know what a marking eye he has for every one
+who is in the rooms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he passed on, and the Count determined to follow his
+advice, though the hour and a half that was yet to elapse seemed
+tedious if not interminable to him. About a quarter of an hour before
+the supper of the King, however, as he sat listlessly leaning against
+one of the columns, he saw a party coming up from the concert room at
+a rapid pace, and long before the eye could distinctly see of what
+persons it was composed, his heart told him that Clémence de Marly was
+there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She came forward, leaning on the arm of the Duc de Rouvré, dressed
+with the utmost splendour, and followed by a party of several others
+who had just arrived. She was certainly not less lovely than ever. To
+the eyes of Albert de Morseiul, indeed, it seemed that she was more
+so: but there was an expression of deep sadness on that formerly gay
+and smiling countenance, which would have made the whole feelings of
+the Count de Morseiul change into grief for her grief, and anxiety for
+her anxiety, had there not been a certain degree of haughtiness,
+throned upon her brow and curling her lips, which bespoke more
+bitterness than depression of feeling. The Duc de Rouvré was, as I
+have said, proceeding rapidly through the rooms, and paused not to
+speak with any one. The eyes of Clémence, however, fell full upon the
+Count de Morseiul, and rested on him with their full melancholy light,
+while she noticed him with a calm and graceful inclination of the
+head, but passed on without a word.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The feelings of the Count de Morseiul were bitter indeed, as may well
+be imagined. &quot;So soon,&quot; he said to himself, &quot;so soon! By heaven I can
+understand now all that I have heard and wondered at: how, for a
+woman--an empty, vain, coquettish woman--a man may forget the regard
+of years, and cut his friend's throat as he would that of a stag or
+boar. Where is the Chevalier d'Evran I wonder? He does not appear in
+the train to-night; but perhaps he comes not till the ball. I will
+wait, however, the same time as if she had not been here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He moved not from his place, but remained leaning against the column;
+and, as is generally the case, not seeking, he was sought for. A
+number of people who knew him gathered round him; and, although he was
+in any thing but a mood for entertaining or being entertained, the
+very shortness of his replies, and the degree of melancholy bitterness
+that mingled with them, caused words that he never intended to be
+witty, to pass for wit, and protracted the torture of conversing with
+indifferent people upon indifferent subjects, when the heart is full
+of bitterness, and the mind occupied with its own sad business.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At length the doors of the ball room were thrown open, and the company
+poured in to arrange themselves before the monarch came. Several
+parties, indeed, remained playing at different games at the tables in
+the gallery, and the Count remained where he was, still leaning
+against the column, which was at the distance of ten or twelve yards
+from the doors of the ball room. Not above five minutes had elapsed
+before the King and his immediate attendants appeared, coming from his
+private supper room to be present at the ball. His eye, as he passed,
+ran over the various tables, making a graceful motion with his hand
+for the players not to rise; and as he approached the folding doors,
+he remarked the Count, and beckoned to him to come up. The Count
+immediately started forward, and the King demanded,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A gallant young man like you, do you not dance, Monsieur de
+Morseiul?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Taken completely by surprise at this piece of condescension, the Count
+replied,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas, Sire, I am not in spirits to dance; I should but cloud the
+gaiety of my fair partner, and she would wish herself any where else
+before the evening were over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louis smiled; and, so much accustomed as he was to attribute the
+sunshine and clouds upon his courtiers' brows to the effects of his
+favour or displeasure, he instantly put his own interpretation upon
+the words of the Count, and that interpretation raised the young
+nobleman much in the good graces of a monarch, who, though vain and
+despotic, was not naturally harsh and severe.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said, &quot;some slight displeasure
+which the King expressed yesterday morning, have rendered our gay
+fellow-soldier of Maestricht and Valenciennes so sad, let his sadness
+pass away, for his conduct here has effaced unfavourable reports, and
+if he persevere to the end in the same course, he may count upon the
+very highest favour.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Almost every circumstance combines on earth to prevent monarchs
+hearing the truth, even from the most sincere. Time, place, and
+circumstance is almost always against them; and in the present
+instance, the Count de Morseiul knew well, that neither the spot nor
+the moment were at all suited to any thing like an explanation. He
+could but reply, therefore, that the lightest displeasure of the King
+was of course enough to make him sad, and end his answer by one of
+those compliments which derive at least half their value, like paper
+money, from the good will of the receiver.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come, come,&quot; said the King gaily; &quot;shake off this melancholy,
+fellow-soldier. Come with me; and if I have rightly heard the secrets
+of certain hearts, I will find you a partner this night, who shall not
+wish herself any where else while dancing with the Count de Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count gazed upon the King with utter astonishment; and Louis,
+enjoying his surprise, led the way quickly on into the ball room, the
+Count following, as he bade him, close by his side, and amongst his
+principal officers. As soon as they had entered the ball room, Louis
+paused for an instant, and every one rose. The King's eyes, as well as
+those of the Count de Morseiul, ran round the vast saloon seeking for
+some particular object To Albert of Morseiul that object was soon
+discovered, placed between the Duchess de Rouvré, and Anette de
+Marville, at the very farthest part of the room. Louis, however, who
+was in good spirits, and in a mood peculiarly condescending, walked
+round the whole circle, pausing to speak to almost every married lady
+there, and twice turning suddenly towards the Count, perhaps with the
+purpose of teazing him a little, but seemingly as if about to point
+out the lady to whom he had alluded. At length, however, he reached
+the spot where the Duchess de Rouvré and her party were placed; and
+after speaking for a moment to the Duchess, while the cheek of
+Clémence de Marly became deadly pale and then glowed again fiery red,
+he turned suddenly towards her, and said--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Mademoiselle de Marly, or perhaps as I in gallantry ought to say,
+<i>Belle Clémence</i>, I have promised the Count de Morseiul here to find
+him a partner for this ball, who will dance with him throughout
+to-night, without wishing herself anywhere else. Now, as I have
+certain information that he is very hateful to you, there is but one
+thing which can make you execute the task to the full. Doubtless you,
+as well as all the rest of our court, feel nothing so great a pleasure
+as obeying the King's commands--at least, so they tell me--and
+therefore I command you to dance with him, and to be as happy as
+possible, and not to wish yourself any where else from this moment
+till the ball closes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He waited for no reply, but making a sign to the Count to remain by
+the side of his fair partner, proceeded round the rest of the circle.
+Nothing in the demeanour of Clémence de Marly but her varying colour
+had told how much she was agitated while the King spoke; but the words
+which the monarch had used were so pointed, and touched so directly
+upon the feelings between herself and Albert of Morseiul, that those
+who stood around pressed slightly forward as soon as Louis had gone
+on, to see how she was affected by what had passed. To her ear those
+words were most strange and extraordinary. It was evident that by some
+one the secret of her heart had been betrayed to the King, and equally
+evident that Louis had determined to countenance that love which she
+had fancied would make her happy in poverty, danger, or distress,
+announcing his approbation at the very moment that a temporary
+coldness had arisen between her and her lover, and that her heart was
+oppressed with those feelings of hopelessness, which will sometimes
+cross even our brightest and happiest days.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the Count de Morseiul the King's words had produced a different,
+but not a less powerful effect. The surprise and joy which he might
+have felt at finding himself suddenly pointed out by the monarch as
+the favoured suitor for the hand of her he loved, was well nigh done
+away by the conviction that the price the King put upon his ultimate
+approbation of their union was such as he could not pay. But
+nevertheless those words were most joyful, though they raised up some
+feeling of self-reproach in his heart. It was evident that the tale
+told by Pelisson regarding the Chevalier was false, or perhaps,
+indeed, originated in some pious fraud devised for the purpose of
+driving him more speedily to acknowledge himself a convert to the
+church of Rome. Whatever were the circumstances, however, it was clear
+that Clémence was herself unconscious of any such report, and that all
+the probabilities which imagination had built up to torment him were
+but idle dreams. He had pained himself enough indeed; but he had
+pained Clémence also, and his first wish was to offer her any
+atonement in his power.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such were the feelings and thoughts called up in the bosom of the
+young Count by the events which had just occurred. But the surprise of
+Clémence and her lover was far outdone by that of the Duke and Duchess
+de Rouvré, who, astonished at the favour into which their young friend
+seemed so suddenly to have risen, and equally astonished at the
+intimation given by the King of an attachment existing between the
+Count and Clémence, overflowed with joy and satisfaction as soon as
+the monarch left the spot, and expressed many a vain hope that, after
+all, the affairs which had commenced in darkness and shadow, would end
+in sunshine and light. Ere the Count could reply, or say one word to
+Clémence de Marly, the <i>bransle</i> began, and he led her forth to dance.
+There was but a moment for him to speak to her; but he did not lose
+that moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Clémence,&quot; he said, as he led her forward, &quot;I fear I have both pained
+you and wronged you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A bright and beautiful smile spread at once over her countenance. &quot;You
+have,&quot; she said; &quot;but those words are enough, Albeit! Say no more! the
+pain is done away; the wrong is forgotten.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not forgotten by me, sweet girl,&quot; he replied, in the same low
+tone; &quot;but I must speak to you long, and explain all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come to-morrow,&quot; she answered; &quot;all difficulties must now be done
+away. I, too, have something to explain, Albert,&quot; she added, &quot;but yet
+not every thing that I could wish to explain, and about that I will
+make you my only reproach. You promised not to doubt me--oh, keep that
+promise!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As she spoke the dance began, and of course their conversation for the
+time concluded. All eyes were upon the young Count--so rare a visiter
+at the palace, and upon her--so admired, so courted, so disdainful, as
+she was believed to be by every one present, but whose destiny seemed
+now decided, and whose heart everyone naturally believed to be won.
+Graceful by nature as well as by education, no two persons of the
+whole court could have been better fitted than Albert of Morseiul and
+Clémence de Marly to pass through the ordeal of such a scene as a
+court ball in those days; and though every eye was, as we have said,
+upon them, yet they had a great advantage on that night, which would
+have prevented any thing like embarrassment, even had not such scenes
+been quite familiar to them. They scarcely knew that any eyes were
+watching them, they were scarcely conscious of the presence of
+the glittering crowd around. Engrossed by their own individual
+feelings--deep, absorbing, overpowering, as those feelings
+were,--their spirits were wrapt up in themselves and in each other;
+they thought not of the dance, they thought not of the spectators, but
+left habit, and natural grace, and a fine ear, to do all that was
+requisite as far as the minuet was concerned. If either thought of the
+dance at all, it was only when the eyes of Albert of Morseiul rested
+on Clémence, and he thought her certainly more lovely and graceful
+than ever she had before appeared, or when his hand touched hers, and
+the thrill of that touch passed to his heart, speaking of love and
+hope and happiness to come. The effect was what might naturally be
+supposed--each danced more gracefully than perhaps they had ever done
+before; and one of those slight murmurs of admiration passed through
+the courtly crowd, and was confirmed by a gracious smile and gentle
+inclination of the head from the King himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We must not let him escape us,&quot; said the monarch in a low voice to
+the Prince de Marsillac. &quot;Certainly he is worthy of some trouble in
+recalling from his errors.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If he escape from the fair net your majesty has spread for him,&quot;
+replied the Prince, &quot;he will be the most cunning bird that ever I saw.
+Indeed, I should suppose he has no choice, when, if caught, he will
+have to thank his King for every thing, for honour, favour,
+distinction, his soul's salvation, and a fair wife that loves him. If
+he be not pressed till he takes fright, he will entangle himself so
+that no power can extricate him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He shall have every opportunity,&quot; said the King. &quot;I must not appear
+too much in the matter. You, Prince, see that they be left alone
+together, if possible, for a few minutes. Use what man&#339;uvre you
+will, and I will take care to countenance it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the court balls of that day it was the custom to dance throughout
+the night with one person, and the opportunity of conversing between
+those who were dancing was very small. A few brief words at the
+commencement, or at the end of each dance, was all that could be hoped
+for, and Clémence and her lover were fain to fix all their hopes of
+explanation and of longer intercourse upon the morrow. Suddenly,
+however, it was announced, before the hour at which the balls usually
+terminated, that the King had a lottery, to which all the married
+ladies of the court were invited.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The crowd poured into the apartment where the drawing of this lottery
+was to take place; every lady anxious for a ticket where all were
+prizes, and the tickets themselves given by the King; while those who
+were not to share in this splendid piece of generosity, were little
+less eager, desirous of seeing the prizes, and learning who it was
+that won them. All then, as we have said, poured out of the ball room,
+through the great gallery and other state-rooms in which the
+<i>appartement</i> was usually held.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There were only two who lingered--Clémence de Marly and Albert of
+Morseiul. They, however, remained to the last, and then followed
+slowly, employing the few minutes thus obtained in low spoken words of
+affection, perhaps all the warmer and all the tenderer for the
+coldness and the pain just passed. Ere three sentences, however, had
+been uttered, the good Duc de Rouvré approached, saying, &quot;Come,
+Clémence, come quick, or you will not find a place where you will
+see.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The eye of the Prince de Marsillac, however, was upon them; and,
+threading the mazes of the crowd, he took the Duke by the arm; and,
+drawing him aside with an important face, told him that the King
+wanted to speak with him immediately. The Duc de Rouvré darted quickly
+away to seek the monarch: and the Prince paused for a single instant
+ere he followed, to say in a low voice to the Count,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You will neither of you be required at the lottery, if you think that
+the lot you have drawn already is sufficiently good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count was not slow to understand the hint, and he gently led
+Clémence de Marly back into one of the vacant saloons.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Surely they will think it strange,&quot; she said; but ere the Count could
+reply, she added quickly; &quot;but, after all, what matters it if they
+do?--I would have it so, that every one may see and know the whole so
+clearly, that all persecution may be at an end. Now, Albert, now,&quot; she
+said, &quot;tell me what could make you write me so cruel a letter.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will in one word,&quot; he replied; &quot;but remember, Clémence, that I own
+I have been wrong, and in telling you the causes, in explaining the
+various circumstances which led me to believe that you were wavering
+in your engagements to me, I seek not to justify myself, but merely to
+explain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh never, never think it!&quot; she exclaimed, ere she would let him go
+on; &quot;whatever may happen, whatever appearances may be, never, Albert,
+never for one moment think that I am wavering! Once more, most
+solemnly, most truly, I assure you, that though perhaps fate may
+separate me from you, and circumstances over which we have no control
+render our union impossible, nothing--no, not the prospect of
+immediate death itself, shall ever induce me to give my hand to
+another. No circumstances can effect that, for that must be my
+voluntary act; and I can endure death, I can endure imprisonment, I
+can endure any thing they choose to inflict, except the wedding a man
+I do not love. Now, tell me,&quot; she continued, &quot;now let me hear, what
+could make you think I did so waver.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count related all that had taken place, the words which he had
+heard Pelisson make use of in conversation with an indifferent person,
+the mortification and pain he had felt at the words she had written in
+answer to his note, the confirmation of all his anxious fears by what
+Jerome Riquet had told him, and all the other probabilities that had
+arisen to make him believe that those fears were just.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence heard him sometimes with a look of pain, sometimes with a
+reproachful smile. &quot;After all, Albert,&quot; she said, &quot;perhaps you have
+had some cause--more cause indeed than jealous men often have, and yet
+you shall hear how simply all this may be accounted for. The day after
+we parted in Poitou, the Abbé de St. Helie arrived at Ruffigny, with
+several other persons of the same kind, and Monsieur de Rouvré found
+his house filled with spies upon his actions. He received, however, in
+the evening of the same day, an order to come to the court
+immediately, to give an account of the events which had taken place in
+his government. The same spies of Louvois accompanied us on the road,
+as well as the Chevalier d'Evran,--who was the person that had
+obtained from the King the order for the Duke to appear at court,
+rather than to remain in exile at Ruffigny, while his enemies said
+what they chose of him in his absence. We had not arrived in Paris ten
+minutes at the time your servant came. We were surrounded by spies of
+every kind; the good Duke was in a state of agitation impossible to
+describe, and so fearful that any thing like a Protestant should be
+seen in his house, or that any thing, in short, should occur to give
+probability to the charges against him, that I knew your coming would
+be dangerous both to yourself and to him, the house being filled with
+persons who were ready not only to report, but to pervert every thing
+that took place. On receiving your note, Maria called me out of the
+saloon; but my apartments were not prepared; servants were coming and
+going; no writing paper was to be procured; a pen and ink was obtained
+with difficulty. I knew if I were absent five minutes in the state of
+agitation, that pervaded the whole household, Madame de Rouvré would
+come to seek me, and I was consequently obliged to write the few words
+I did write in the greatest haste, and under the greatest anxiety.
+Maria was not even out of the room conveying those few words to your
+servant, when the Duchess came in, and I was glad hypocritically to
+affect great activity and neatness about the arrangement of my
+apartments, to conceal the real matter which had employed me. Such is
+the simple state of the case; and I never even heard of this other
+marriage, about which Pelisson must have made some mistake. Had I
+heard of it,&quot; she added, &quot;it would only have made me laugh.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see not why it should do so,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Surely, Louis
+d'Evran is--as I well know he is considered by many of the fair and
+the bright about this court--a person not to be despised by any woman.
+He evidently, too, exercises great influence over you, Clémence; and
+therefore the report itself was not such as I, at least, could treat
+as absurd, especially when, in addition to these facts, it was stated
+that the King had expressed his will that you should give him your
+hand.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To me, however, Albert,&quot; she replied, &quot;it must appear absurd, knowing
+and feeling as I do know and feel, that were the Chevalier d'Evran the
+only man I had ever seen, or ever were likely to see, that I should
+never even dream of marrying him. He may be much loved and liked by
+other women; doubtless he is, and sure I am he well deserves it. I
+like him, too, Albert. I scruple not to own it--I like him much; but
+that is very different from loving him as I love--as a woman should
+love her husband I mean to say. And now, Albert,&quot; she continued, &quot;with
+regard to the influence he has over me, I will tell you nothing more.
+That shall remain as a trial of your confidence in me. This influence
+will never be exerted but when it is right. Should it be exerted
+wrongly, it is at an end from that moment. When you wished to
+accompany me to Ruffigny, from that terrible scene in which we last
+parted, he represented to me in few words how Monsieur de Rouvré was
+situated. He showed me, that by bringing you there at such a time from
+such a scene, I should but bring destruction on that kind friend who
+had sheltered and protected my infancy and my youth, when I had none
+else to protect me. He showed me, too, that I should put an impassable
+barrier between you and me, for the time at least. He told me that no
+one but himself was aware of where I was, but that your accompanying
+me would instantly make it known to the whole world, and most likely
+produce the ruin of both. Now, tell me, Albert, was he not right to
+say all this? Was not his view a just one?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but yet he might have urged it in
+another manner. He might have explained the whole to me as well as to
+you: and still you leave unexplained, Clémence, how he should know
+where you were when you had concealed it so well, so unaccountably
+well, from the family at Ruffigny.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh! jealousy, jealousy,&quot; said Clémence, playfully; &quot;what a terrible
+and extraordinary thing jealousy is! and yet, Albert, perhaps a woman
+likes to see a little of it when she really loves. However, you are
+somewhat too hard upon the Chevalier, and you shall not wring from me
+any other secret just yet. You have wrung from me, Albert, too many of
+the secrets of my heart already, and I will not make you the spoilt
+child of love, by letting you have altogether your own way. As to my
+concealing from the family of Ruffigny, however, where I was going on
+that occasion, or on most others, it is very easily explained. Do you
+not know that till I was foolish enough at Poitiers to barter all the
+freedom of my heart, for love with but little confidence it would
+seem, I have always been a tyrant instead of a slave? Are you not
+aware that I have always done just as I liked with every one? and one
+of my reasons for exercising my power to the most extreme degree was,
+that my religious faith might never be controlled? Till this fierce
+persecution of the Protestants began, and till the King made it his
+great object, and announced his determination of putting down all but
+the Roman Catholic faith in the realm, Monsieur de Rouvré himself
+cared but little for the distinction of Protestant and Catholic, and
+even had he known what I was doing, though he might have objected,
+would not have strongly opposed me. I established my right, however,
+of doing what I liked, and going where I liked, and acting as I liked,
+on such firm grounds, that it was not easily shaken. Even now, had I
+chosen to see you to-day in Paris, I might have done it; but would you
+have thought the better of Clémence if she had risked the fortunes of
+him who has been more than a father to her? Nobody would, and nobody
+should have said me nay, if I had believed that it was just and right
+to bid you come. But I thought it was wrong, Albert. Now, however, I
+may bid you come in safety to all; and now that I have time and
+opportunity to make any arrangements I like, I may safely promise,
+that should any change come over the present aspect of our affairs,
+which change I fear must and will come, I will find means to see you
+at any time, and under any circumstances. But hark! from what I hear,
+the lottery is over, and the people departing. Let us go forward and
+join them, if it be but for a moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, she rose, and the Count led her on to the room where the
+distribution of the prizes had just taken place. Every one was now
+interested with another subject. A full hour had been given at the
+beginning of the evening to the affair of the Count de Morseiul and
+Mademoiselle de Marly, which was a far greater space of time, and far
+more attention than such a court might be expected to give, even to
+matters of the deepest and most vital importance. But no former
+impression could of course outlive the effect of a lottery. There was
+not one man or woman present whose thoughts were filled with any thing
+else than the prizes and their distributions; and the head of even the
+good Duchess of Rouvré herself, who was certainly of somewhat higher
+character than most of those present, was so filled with the grand
+engrossing theme, that nothing was talked of, as the party returned to
+Paris, but the prize which had fallen to the share of Madame de This,
+or the disappointment which had been met with by Madame de That; so
+that Clémence de Marly could lean back in the dark corner of the
+carriage, and enjoy her silence undisturbed.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_08" href="#div2Ref_08">THE HOUR OF HAPPINESS.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">At the levée of the King, on the succeeding morning, the young Count
+de Morseiul was permitted to appear for a few minutes. The monarch was
+evidently in haste, having somewhat broken in on his matutinal habits
+in consequence of the late hour at which he had retired on the night
+before.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They tell me you have a favour to ask, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; said
+the King. &quot;I hope it is not a very great one, for I have slept so well
+and am in such haste, that, perhaps, I might grant it, whether it were
+right or wrong.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is merely, Sire,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;to ask your gracious
+permission to proceed to Paris this morning, in order to visit
+Mademoiselle de Marly. Not knowing when it may be your royal pleasure
+to grant me the longer audience which you promised for some future
+time, I did not choose to absent myself from Versailles without your
+majesty's consent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louis smiled graciously, for no such tokens of deference were lost
+upon him. &quot;Most assuredly,&quot; he said, &quot;you have my full permission: and
+now I think of it--Bontems,&quot; he continued, turning to one of his
+<i>valets de chamber</i>, &quot;bring me that casket that is in the little
+cabinet below--now I think of it, the number of our ladies last night
+fell short at the lottery, and there was a prize of a pair of diamond
+earrings left. I had intended to have given them to La belle Clémence;
+but, somehow,&quot; he added, with a smile, &quot;she did not appear in the
+room. Perhaps, however, you know more of that than I do, Monsieur de
+Morseiul!--Oh, here is Bontems--give me the casket.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Taking out of the small ebony box which was now presented to him, a
+little case, containing a very handsome pair of diamond ear-rings, the
+King placed it in the hands of the young Count, saying, &quot;There,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, be my messenger to the fair lady. Give her those
+jewels from the King; and tell her, that I hope ere long she will be
+qualified to draw prizes in some not very distant lottery by appearing
+as one of the married ladies of our court. She has tortured all our
+gallant gentlemen's hearts too long, and we will not suffer our
+subjects to be thus ill treated. Do you stay in Paris all day,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, or do you come here to witness the new opera?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I did not propose to do either, Sire,&quot; replied the Count: &quot;I had, in
+fact, engaged myself to pass another pleasant evening at the house of
+Monsieur de Meaux.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed!&quot; said the King, evidently well pleased. &quot;That is all as it
+should be. I cannot but think, Monsieur de Morseiul, that if you pass
+many more evenings so well, either you will convert Monsieur de
+Meaux--which God forbid, or Monsieur de Meaux will convert you--which
+God grant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count bowed gravely; and, as the King turned to speak with some
+one else who was giving him a part of his dress, the young nobleman
+took it as a permission to retire; and, mounting his horse, which had
+been kept ready saddled, he made the best of his way towards the
+capital.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">That gay world, with its continual motion, was as animated then as
+now. Though the abode of the court was at Versailles, yet the distance
+was too small to make the portion of the population absolutely
+withdrawn from the metropolis at all important while all the other
+great bodies of the kingdom assembled, or were represented there.
+Thousands on thousands were hurrying through the streets; the same
+trades and occupations were going on then as now, with only this
+difference, that, at that period, luxury, and industry, and every
+productive art had reached, if not its highest, at least its most
+flourishing point; and all things presented, even down to the aspect
+of the city itself, that hollow splendour, that tinselled
+magnificence, that artificial excitement, that insecure prosperity,
+the falseness of all and each of which had afterwards to be proved,
+and which entailed a long period of fresh errors, bitter repentance,
+and terrible atonement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But through the gay crowd the Count de Morseiul passed on, noticing it
+little, if at all. He was urged on his way by the strongest of all
+human impulses, by love--first, ardent, pure, sincere, love--all the
+more deep, all the more intense, all the more over-powering, because
+he had not felt it at that earlier period, while the animal triumphs
+over the mental in almost all the affections of man. His heart and his
+spirit had lost nothing of their freshness to counterbalance the
+vigour and the power they had obtained, and at the age of seven or
+eight and twenty he loved with all the vehemence and ardour of a boy,
+while he felt with all the permanence and energy of manhood.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Though contrary, perhaps, to the rules and etiquettes of French life
+at that period, he took advantage both of the message with which he
+was charged from the King, and the sort of independence which Clémence
+de Marly had established for herself, to ask for her instead of either
+the Duke or the Duchess. He was not, indeed, without a hope that he
+should find her alone, and that hope was realised. She had expected
+him, and expected him early; and, perhaps, the good Duchess de Rouvré
+herself had fancied that such might be the case, and, remembering the
+warm affections of her own days, had abstained from presenting herself
+in the little saloon where Clémence de Marly had usually established
+her abode during their residence in Paris.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Had Albert of Morseiul entertained one doubt of the affection of
+Clémence de Marly, that doubt must have vanished in a moment--must
+have vanished at the look with which she rose to meet him. It was all
+brightness--it was all happiness. The blood mounted, it is true, into
+her cheeks, and into her temples; her beautiful lips trembled
+slightly, and her breath came fast; but the bright and radiant smile
+was not to be mistaken. The sparkling of the eyes spoke what words
+could not speak; and, though her tongue for a moment refused its
+office, the smile that played around the lips was eloquent of all that
+the heart felt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Not contented with the hand she gave, Albert of Morseiul took the
+other also; and not contented with the thrilling touch of those small
+hands, he threw his arms around her, and pressed her to his heart; and
+not contented--for love is the greatest of encroachers--with that dear
+embrace, he made his lips tell the tale of their own joy to hers, and
+once and again he tasted the happiness that none had ever tasted
+before: and then, as if asking pardon for the rashness of his love, he
+pressed another kiss upon her fair hand, and leading her back to her
+seat, took his place beside her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Fearful that he should forget, he almost immediately gave her the
+jewels that the King had sent. But what were jewels to Clémence de
+Marly at that moment? He told her, also, the message the King had
+given, especially that part which noted her absence from the room
+where the lottery had been drawn.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I would not have given those ten minutes,&quot; she replied eagerly, &quot;for
+all the jewels in his crown.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They then forgot the King, the court, and every thing but each other,
+and spent the moments of the next half hour in the joy, in the
+surpassing joy, of telling and feeling the happiness that each
+conferred upon the other.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Oh! those bright sunny hours of early love, of love in its purity
+and its truth, and its sincerity--of love, stripped of all that is
+evil, or low, or corrupt, and retaining but of earth sufficient to
+make it harmonise with earthly creatures like ourselves--full of
+affection--full of eager fire, but affection as unselfish as human
+nature will admit, and fire derived from heaven itself! How shall ye
+ever be replaced in after life? What tone shall ever supply the sound
+of that master chord after its vibrations have once ceased?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As the time wore on, however, and Albert of Morseiul remembered that
+there were many things on which it was necessary to speak at once to
+Clémence de Marly, the slight cloud of care came back upon his brow,
+and reading the sign of thought in a moment, she herself led the way,
+by saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But we must not forget, dear Albert, there is much to be thought of.
+We are spending our time in dreaming over our love, when we have to
+think of many more painful points in our situation. We have spoken of
+all that concerns our intercourse with each other; but of your
+situation at the court I am ignorant; and am not only ignorant of the
+cause, but astonished to find, that when I expected the most
+disastrous results, you are in high favour with the King, and
+apparently have all at your command.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not so, dear Clémence--alas! it is not so,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;the
+prosperity of my situation is as hollow as a courtier's heart--as
+fickle as any of the other smiles of fortune.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Before he could go on, however, to explain to her the real position in
+which he stood, Madame de Rouvré entered the room, and was delighted
+at seeing one whom she had always esteemed and loved. She might have
+remained long, but Clémence, with the manner which she was so much
+accustomed to assume, half playful, half peremptory, took up the
+little case of ear-rings from the table, saying, &quot;See what the King
+has sent me! and now, dear Duchess, you shall go away, and leave me to
+talk with my lover. It is so new a thing for me to have an
+acknowledged lover, and one, too, that I don't despise, that I have
+not half tired myself with my new plaything. Am not I a very saucy
+demoiselle?&quot; she added, kissing the Duchess, who was retiring with
+laughing obedience. &quot;But take the diamonds, and examine them at your
+leisure. They will serve to amuse you in the absence of your
+Clémence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If I were a lover now,&quot; said the Duchess smiling, &quot;I should say
+something about their not being half as bright as your eyes, Clémence.
+But words vary in their value so much, that what would be very smart
+and pleasant from a young man, is altogether worthless on the lips of
+an old woman. Let me see you before you go, Count. It is not fair that
+saucy girl should carry you off altogether.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, now, Albert,&quot; said Clémence, as soon as the Duchess was gone,
+&quot;tell me before we are interrupted again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count took up the tale then with his last day's sojourn in
+Brittany, and went on to detail minutely every thing that had occurred
+since his arrival in the capital; and, as he told her, her cheek grew
+somewhat paler till, in the end, she exclaimed, &quot;It is all as bad as
+it can be. You will never change your faith, Albert.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Could you love me, Clémence,&quot; he asked, &quot;if I did?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She put her hand before her eyes for a moment, then placed one of them
+in his, and replied, &quot;I should love you ever, Albert, with a woman's
+love, unchangeable and fixed. But I could not esteem you, as I would
+fain esteem him that I must love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So thought I,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;so judged I of my Clémence; and
+all that now remains to be thought of is, how is this to end, and what
+is to be our conduct to make the end as happy to ourselves as may be?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas!&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;I can answer neither question. The
+probability is that all must end badly, that your determination not to
+yield your religion to any inducements must soon be known; for depend
+upon it, Albert, they will press you on the subject more closely every
+day; and you are not made to conceal what you feel. The greater the
+expectations of your conversion have been, the more terrible will be
+the anger that your adherence to your own faith will produce; and
+depend upon it, the Prince de Marsillac takes a wrong view of the
+question; for it matters not whether this affair have passed away, or
+be revived against you,--power never yet wanted a pretext to draw the
+sword of persecution. Neither, Albert, can my change of faith be long
+concealed. I cannot insult God by the mockery of faith in things,
+regarding which my mind was long doubtful, but which I am now well
+assured, and thoroughly convinced, are false. In this you are in a
+better situation than myself, for you can but be accused of holding
+fast to the faith that you have ever professed: me they will accuse of
+falling into heresy with my eyes open. Perhaps they will add that I
+have done so for your love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, dear Clémence,&quot; he replied, &quot;the only path for us is the path
+of flight, speedy and rapid flight. I have already secured for us
+competence in another land; wealth I cannot secure, but competence is
+surely all that either you or I require.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All, all,&quot; replied Clémence; &quot;poverty with you, Albert, would be
+enough. But the time, and the manner of our flight, must be left to
+you. The distance between Paris and the frontier is so small, that we
+bad better effect it now, and not wait for any contingency. If you can
+find means to withdraw yourself from the court, I will find means to
+join you any where within two or three miles' journey of the capital.
+But write to me the place, the hour, and the time; and, as we love
+each other, Albert, and by the faith that we both hold, and for which
+we are both prepared to sacrifice so much, I will not fail you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What if it should be to-morrow?&quot; demanded the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence gazed at him for a moment with some agitation. &quot;Even if it
+should be tomorrow,&quot; she said at length, &quot;even if it should be
+to-morrow, I will come. But oh, Albert,&quot; she added, leaning her head
+upon his shoulder, &quot;I am weaker, more cowardly, more womanly than I
+thought. I would fain have it a day later: I would fain procrastinate
+even by a day. But never mind, never mind, Albert; should it be
+necessary, should you judge it right, should you think it requisite
+for your safety, let it be to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot yet judge,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;I think, I trust that it
+will not be so soon. I only put the question to make you aware that
+such a thing is possible, barely possible. In all probability the King
+will give me longer time. He cannot suppose that the work of
+conversion will take place by a miracle. I do not wish to play a
+double game with them, even in the least, Clémence, nor suffer them to
+believe that there is a chance even of my changing, when there is
+none; but still I would fain, for your sake as well as mine, delay a
+day or two.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Delays are dangerous, even to an old proverb,&quot; said Clémence; but ere
+she could conclude her sentence the Duc de Rouvré entered the room;
+and not choosing, or perhaps not having spirits at the moment to act
+towards him as she had done towards the Duchess, Clémence suffered the
+conversation to drop, and proceeded with him and her lover to the
+saloon of Madame.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In that saloon there appeared a number of persons, amongst whom were
+several that the Count de Morseiul knew slightly; but the beams of
+royal favour having fallen upon him with their full light during the
+night before, all those who had any knowledge of him were of course
+eager to improve such an acquaintance, and vied with each other in
+smiles and looks of pleasure on his appearance. Amongst others was the
+Chevalier de Rohan, whom we have noticed as forming one of the train
+of suitors who had followed Clémence de Marly to Poitiers; but he was
+now satisfied, apparently, that not even any fortunate accident could
+give the bright prize to him, and he merely bowed to her on her
+entrance, with the air of a worshipper at the shrine of an idol, while
+he grasped the hand of his successful rival, and declared himself
+delighted to see him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After remaining there for some time longer lingering in the sunshine
+of the looks of her he loved, the Count prepared to take his
+departure, especially as several other persons had been added to the
+circle, and their society fell as a weight and an incumbrance upon him
+when his whole thoughts were of Clémence de Marly. He had taken his
+leave and reached the door of the apartment, when, starting up with
+the ear-rings in her hand, she exclaimed--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stay, stay, Monsieur de Morseiul, I forgot to send my thanks to the
+King. Pray tell him,&quot; she added, advancing across the room to speak
+with the Count in a lower tone, &quot;Pray tell him how grateful I am to
+his Majesty for his kind remembrance; and remember,&quot; she said, in a
+voice that could be heard by no one but himself, &quot;to-morrow, should it
+be needful:--I am firmer now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul dared not speak all that he felt, with the language
+of the lips; but the eyes of her lover thanked Clémence de Marly
+sufficiently: and he, on his part, left her with feelings which the
+bustle and the crowd of the thronged capital struggled with and
+oppressed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He rode quick, then, in order to make his way out of the city as fast
+as possible; but ere he had passed the gate, he was overtaken by the
+Chevalier de Rohan, who came up to his side, saying, &quot;I am delighted
+to have overtaken you, my dear Count. Such a companion on this long
+dry tiresome journey to Versailles is, indeed, a delight; and I wished
+also particularly to speak to you regarding a scheme of mine, which, I
+trust, may bring me better days.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Now, the society of the Chevalier de Rohan, though his family was one
+of the highest in France, and though he held an important place at the
+court, was neither very agreeable nor very reputable; and the Count,
+therefore, replied briefly, &quot;I fear that, as I shall stop at several
+places, it will not be in my power to accompany you, Monsieur le
+Chevalier; but any thing I can do to serve you will give me pleasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, the fact is,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;that I was very
+unfortunate last night at play, and wished to ask if you would lend me
+a small sum till I receive my appointments from the King. If you are
+kind enough to do so, I doubt not before two days are over to recover
+all that I have lost, and ten times more, for I discovered the
+fortunate number last night when it was too late.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A faint and melancholy smile came over the Count's face, at the
+picture of human weakness that his companion's words displayed; and as
+the Chevalier was somewhat celebrated for borrowing without repaying,
+he asked what was the sum he required.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, a hundred Louis will be quite enough,&quot; replied the Chevalier, not
+encouraged to ask more by his companion's tone.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, Monsieur de Rohan,&quot; said the Count, &quot;I have not the sum with
+me, but I will send it to you on my arrival at Versailles, if that
+will be time enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quite! quite!&quot; replied de Rohan; &quot;any time before the tables are
+open.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed, indeed! my good friend,&quot; said the Count, &quot;I wish you would
+abandon such fatal habits; and, satisfied with having lost so much,
+live upon the income you have, without ruining yourself by trying to
+make it greater. However, I will send the money, and do with it what
+you will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are a prude! you are a prude!&quot; cried De Rohan, putting spurs to
+his horse; &quot;but I will tell you something more in your own way when we
+meet again.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_09" href="#div2Ref_09">THE UNKNOWN PERIL.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Dark and ominous as was the prospect of every thing around the Count
+de Morseuil, when the blessings of his bright days were passing away,
+one by one, and his best hope was exile, yet the interview which had
+just taken place between him and Clémence de Marly was like a bright
+summer hour in the midst of storms, and even when it was over, like
+the June sun, it left a long twilight of remembered joy behind it. But
+there are times in human life when dangers are manifold, when we are
+pressed upon by a thousand difficulties, and when, nevertheless,
+though the course we have determined on is full of risks and perils,
+sorrows and sufferings, we eagerly, perhaps even imprudently, hurry
+forward upon it, to avoid those very doubts and uncertainties, which
+are worse than actual pains.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such was the case with the Count de Morseuil, and he felt within him
+so strong an inclination to take the irrevocable step of quitting
+France for ever, and seeking peace and toleration in another land,
+that, much accustomed to examine and govern his own feelings, he
+paused, and pondered over the line of conduct he was about to pursue,
+during his visit to the Bishop of Meaux, perceiving in himself a half
+concealed purpose of forcing on the conversation to the subject of
+religion, and of showing Bossuet clearly, that there was no chance
+whatever of inducing him to abandon the religion of his fathers.
+Against this inclination, on reflection, he determined to be upon his
+guard, although he adhered rigidly to his resolution of countenancing,
+in no degree, a hope of his becoming a convert to the Roman Catholic
+faith; and his only doubt now was whether his passing two evenings so
+close together with the Bishop of Meaux, with whom he had so slight an
+acquaintance, might not afford some encouragement to expectations
+which he felt himself bound to check.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Having promised, however, he went, but at the same time made up his
+mind not to return to the prelate's abode speedily. On the present
+occasion, he not only found Bossuet alone, but was left with him for
+more than an hour, without any other visiter appearing. The good
+Bishop himself was well aware of the danger of scaring away those whom
+he sought to win; and, sincerely desirous, for the Count's own sake,
+of bringing him into that which he believed to be the only path to
+salvation, he was inclined to proceed calmly and gently in the work of
+his conversion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There were others, however, more eager than himself; the King was as
+impetuous in the apostolic zeal which he believed himself to feel, as
+he had formerly been in pursuits which though, certainly more gross
+and sensual, would perhaps, if accurately weighed, have been found to
+be as little selfish, vain, and personal, as the efforts that he made
+to convert his Protestant subjects. The hesitation even in regard to
+embracing the <i>King's creed</i> was an offence, and he urged on Bossuet
+eagerly to press the young Count, so far, at least, as to ascertain if
+there were or were not a prospect of his speedily following the
+example of Turenne, and so many others. The Bishop was thus driven to
+the subject, though against his will; and shortly after the young
+Count's appearance, he took him kindly and mildly by the hand, and led
+him into a small cabinet, where were ranged, in goodly order, a
+considerable number of works on the controversial divinity of the
+time. Amongst others, appeared some of the good prelate's own
+productions, such as &quot;L'Exposition de la Doctrine Catholique,&quot; the
+&quot;Traité de la Communion sous les deux Espèces,&quot; and the &quot;Histoire des
+Variations.&quot; Bossuet ran his finger over the titles as he pointed them
+out to the young Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wish, my young friend,&quot; he said, &quot;that I could prevail upon you to
+read some of these works: some perhaps even of my own, not from the
+vanity of an author alone, though I believe that the greatest
+compliment that has ever been paid to me was that which was paid by
+some of the pastors of your own sect, who asserted when I wrote that
+book,&quot; and he pointed to the Exposition, &quot;that I had altered the
+Catholic doctrines in order to suit them to the purposes of my
+defence. Nor indeed would they admit the contrary, till the full
+approbation of the head of our church stamped the work as containing
+the true doctrines of our holy faith. But, as I was saying, I wish I
+could persuade you to read some of these, not so much to gratify the
+vanity of an author, nor even simply to make a convert, but because I
+look upon you as one well worthy of saving, as a brand from the
+burning--and because I should look upon your recall to the bosom of
+the mother church as worth a hundred of any ordinary conversions. In
+short, my dear young friend, because I would save you from much
+unhappiness, in life, in death, and in eternity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I owe you deep thanks, Monsieur de Meaux,&quot; said the Count, &quot;for the
+interest that you take in me; and I will promise you most sincerely to
+read, with as unprejudiced an eye as possible, not only any but all of
+the works you have written on such subjects. I have already read some,
+and it is by no means too much to admit, that if any one could induce
+me to quit the faith in which I have been brought up, it would be
+Monsieur de Meaux. He will not think me wrong, however, when I say
+that I am, as yet, unconvinced. Nor will he be offended if I make one
+observation, or, rather, ask one question, in regard to something he
+has just said.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Far, far from it, my son,&quot; replied the Bishop. &quot;I am ever willing to
+explain any thing, to enter into the most open and candid exposition
+of every thing that I think or feel. I have no design to embarrass, or
+to perplex, or to obscure; my whole view is to make my own doctrine
+clear and explicit, so that the mind of the merest child may choose
+between the right and the wrong.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I merely wish to ask,&quot; said the Count, &quot;whether by the words
+'unhappiness in life, and in death,' you meant to allude to temporal
+or spiritual unhappiness? whether you meant delicately to point out to
+me that the hand of persecution is likely to be stretched out to
+oppress me? or----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No! no!&quot; cried Bossuet, eagerly. &quot;Heaven forbid that I should hold
+out as an inducement the apprehension of things that I disapprove of!
+No, Monsieur de Morseiul, I meant merely spiritual happiness and
+unhappiness, for I do not believe that any man can be perfectly happy
+in life while persisting in a wrong belief; certainly I believe that
+he must be unhappy in his death; and, alas! my son, reason and
+religion both teach me that he must be unhappy in eternity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The great question of eternity,&quot; replied the Count, solemnly, &quot;is in
+the hands of God. But the man, and the only man, who, in this sense,
+must be unhappy in life, in death, and in eternity, seems to me to be
+the man who is uncertain in his faith. In life and in death I can
+conceive the deist, or (if there be such a thing) the atheist--if
+perfectly convinced of the truth of his system--perfectly happy and
+perfectly contented. But the sceptic can never be happy. He who, in
+regard to religious belief, is doubtful, uncertain, wavering, must
+assuredly be unhappy in life and in death, though to God's great mercy
+we must refer the eternity. If I remain unshaken, Monsieur de Meaux,
+in my firm belief that what we call the reformed church is right in
+its views and doctrines, the only thing that can disturb or make me
+unhappy therein is temporal persecution. Were my faith in that church,
+however, shaken, I would abandon it immediately. I could not, I would
+not, remain in a state of doubt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The more anxious am I, my son,&quot; replied the Bishop, &quot;to withdraw you
+from that erroneous creed, for so firm and so decided a mind as yours
+is the very one which could the best appreciate the doctrines of the
+church of Rome, which are always clear, definite, and precise, the
+same to-day as they were yesterday, based upon decisions that never
+change, and not, as your faith does, admitting doubts and fostering
+variations. You must listen to me, my young friend. Indeed, I must
+have you listen to me. I hear some of our other friends in the next
+room; but we must converse more, and the sooner the better. You have
+visited me twice, but I will next visit you, for I think nothing
+should be left undone that may court a noble spirit back to the church
+of God.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he slowly led the way into the larger room, the young
+Count merely replying as he did so,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Would to God, Monsieur de Meaux, that by your example and by your
+exhortations you could prevent others from giving us Protestants the
+strongest of all temporal motives to remain attached to our own
+creed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What motive is that?&quot; demanded Bossuet, apparently in some surprise.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Persecution!&quot; replied the Count; &quot;for depend upon it, to all those
+who are worthy of being gained, persecution is the strongest motive of
+resistance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas! my son,&quot; replied Bossuet, &quot;that you should acknowledge such a
+thing as pride to have any thing on earth to do with the eternal
+salvation of your souls. An old friend of mine used to say, 'It is
+more often from pride than from want of judgment that people set
+themselves up against established opinions. Men find the first places
+occupied in the right party, and they do not choose to take up with
+back seats.' I have always known this to be true in the things of the
+world; but I think that pride should have nothing to do with the
+things of eternity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus ended the conversation between the Count and Bossuet on the
+subject of religion for that night. Two guests had arrived, more soon
+followed, and the conversation became more general. Still, however, as
+there were many ecclesiastics, the subject of religion was more than
+once introduced, the restraint which the presence of a Protestant
+nobleman had occasioned on the first visit of the Count having now
+been removed. The evening passed over calmly and tranquilly, however,
+till about ten o'clock at night, when the Count took his leave, and
+departed. The rest of the guests stayed later; and on issuing out into
+the street the young nobleman found himself alone in a clear, calm,
+moonlight night, with the irregular shadows of the long line of houses
+chequering the pavement with the yellow lustre of the moon.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Looking up into the wide open square beyond, the shadows were lost,
+and there the bright planet of the night seemed to pour forth a flood
+of radiance without let or obstruction. There was a fountain in the
+middle of the square, casting up its sparkling waters towards the sky,
+as if spirits were tossing about the moonbeams in their sport, and
+casting the bright rays from hand to hand. As the Count gazed,
+however, and thought that he would stroll on, giving himself up to
+calm reflection at that tranquil hour, and arranging his plans for the
+momentous future without disturbance from the hum of idle multitudes,
+a figure suddenly came between the fountain and his eyes, and crept
+slowly down on the dark side of the street towards him. He was
+standing at the moment in the shadow of Bossuet's porch, so as not to
+be seen: but the figure came down the street to the door of the
+Count's own dwelling, paused for a minute, as if in doubt, then walked
+over into the moonlight, and gazed up into the windows of the
+prelate's hotel. The Count instantly recognised the peculiar form and
+structure of his valet, Jerome Riquet, and, walking out from the porch
+towards his own house, he called the man to him, and asked it any
+thing were the matter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why yes, Sir,&quot; said Riquet in a low voice, &quot;so much so that I thought
+of doing what I never did in my life before--sending in for you, to
+know what to do. There has been a person seeking you twice or three
+times since you went, and saying he must speak with you immediately.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you know him?&quot; demanded the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh yes, I know him,&quot; answered Riquet; &quot;a determined devil he is too;
+a man in whom you used to place much confidence in the army, and who
+was born, I believe, upon your own lands--Armand Herval, you know him
+well. I could give him another name if I liked.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; said the Count, as tranquilly as possible; &quot;what of him,
+Riquet? What does he want here?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, Sir, that I can't tell,&quot; replied the man: &quot;but I greatly suspect
+he wants no good. He is dressed in black from his head to his feet;
+and his face is black enough too, that is to say, the look of it. It
+was always like a thunder cloud, and now it is like a thunder cloud
+gone mad. I don't think the man is sane, Sir; and the third time he
+came down here, about ten minutes ago, he said he could not stop a
+minute, that he had business directly; and so he went away, pulling
+his great dark hat and feather over his head, as if to prevent people
+from seeing how his eyes were flashing; and then I saw that the breast
+of his great heavy coat was full of something else than rosemary or
+honeycomb.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you mean? what do you mean?&quot; demanded the Count. &quot;What had he
+in his breast?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, I mean pistols, Sir,&quot; said the man; &quot;if I must speak good
+French, I say he had pistols, then. So thinking he was about some
+mischief, I crept after him from door to door, dodged him across the
+square, and saw him go in by a gate, that I thought was shut, into the
+garden behind the château. I went in after him, though I was in a
+desperate fright for fear any one should catch me; and I trembled so,
+that I shook three crowns in my pocket till they rang like sheep
+bells. I thought he would have heard me; but I watched him plant
+himself under one of the statues on the terrace, and there he stood
+like a statue himself. I defy you to have told the one from the other,
+or to have known Monsieur Herval from Monsieur Neptune. Whenever I saw
+that, I came back to look for you, and tell you what had happened; for
+you know, Sir, I am awfully afraid of firearms; and I had not even a
+pair of curling irons to fight him with.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That must be near the apartments of Louvois,&quot; said the young Count
+thoughtfully. &quot;This man may very likely seek to do him some injury.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;More likely the King, Sir,&quot; said the valet in a low voice. &quot;I have
+heard that his Majesty walks there on that terrace every fine night
+after the play for half an hour. He is quite alone, and it would be as
+much as one's liberty is worth to approach him at that time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come with me directly, Riquet,&quot; said the Count, &quot;and show me where
+this is. Station yourself at the gate you mention after I have gone
+in, and if you hear me call to you aloud, instantly give the alarm to
+the sentries. Come, quick, for the play must soon be over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, the young Count strode on, crossed the place, and, under
+the guidance of Riquet, approached the gate through which Herval had
+entered. The key was in the lock on the outside, and the door ajar;
+and, leaving the man in the shadow, the Count entered alone. The
+gardens appeared perfectly solitary, sleeping in the moonlight. The
+principal water-works were still; and no sound or motion was to be
+seen or heard, but such as proceeded from the smaller fountains that
+were sparkling on the terrace making the night musical with the
+plaintive murmur of their waters, or from the tops of the high trees
+as they were waved by the gentle wind. The palace was full of lights,
+and nothing was seen moving across any of the windows, so that it was
+evident that the play was not yet concluded; and the young Count
+looked about for the person he sought for a moment or two in vain.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At length, however, he saw the shadow cast by one of the groups of
+statues, alter itself somewhat in form; and instantly crossing the
+terrace to the spot, he saw Herval sitting on the first step which led
+from the terrace down to the gardens, his back leaning against the
+pedestal, and his arms crossed upon his chest. He did not hear the
+step of the young Count till he was close upon him; but the moment he
+did so, he started up, and drew a pistol from his breast. He soon
+perceived who it was, however; and the Count, saying in a low voice,
+&quot;My servants tell me you have been seeking me,&quot; drew him, though
+somewhat unwilling apparently, down the steps.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it you wanted with me?&quot; continued the Count, gazing in his
+face, to see whether the marks of insanity which Riquet had spoken of
+were visible to him. But there was nothing more in the man's
+countenance than its ordinary fierce and fiery expression when
+stimulated by high excitement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I came to you, Count,&quot; he said, &quot;to make you, if you will, the
+sharer of a glorious deed; and now you are here, you shall at least be
+the spectator thereof--the death of your great enemy--the death of him
+who tramples upon his fellow-creatures as upon grapes in the
+winepress--the death of the slayer of souls and bodies.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you mean Louvois?&quot; said the Count in a calm tone.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Louvois!&quot; scoffed the man. &quot;No I no! no! I mean him who gives fangs
+to the viper, and poison to the snake! I mean him without whom Louvois
+is but a bundle of dry reeds to be consumed to light the first fire
+that wants kindling, or to rot in its own emptiness! I mean the giver
+of the power, the lord of the persecutions: the harlot-monger, and the
+murderer, that calls himself King of France; and who, from that holy
+title, which he claims from God, thinks himself entitled to pile vice
+upon folly, and sin upon vice, and crime upon sin, till the
+destruction which he has so often courted to his own head shall this
+night fall upon him. The first of the brutal murderers that he sent
+down to rob our happy hearths of the jewel of their peace, this hand
+has slain; and the same that crushed the worm shall crush the serpent
+also.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count now saw that there was, indeed, in the state of Herval's
+mind, something different from its usual tone and character. It could
+hardly be said that the chief stay thereof was broken, so as to
+justify the absolute supposition of insanity; but it seemed as if one
+of the fine filaments of the mental texture had given way, leaving all
+the rest nearly as it was before, though with a confused and morbid
+line running through the whole web. It need not be said that Albert of
+Morseiul was determined to prevent at all or any risk the act that the
+man proposed to commit; but yet he wished to do so, without calling
+down death and torture on the head of one who was kindled almost into
+absolute madness, by wrongs which touched the finest affections of his
+heart, through religion and through love.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herval,&quot; he said, calmly, &quot;I am deeply grieved for you. You have
+suffered, I know how dreadfully; and you have suffered amongst the
+first of our persecuted sect: but still you must let me argue with
+you, for you act regarding all this matter in a wrong light, and you
+propose to commit a great and terrible crime.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Argue with me not, Count of Morseiul!&quot; cried the man; &quot;argue with me
+not, for I will hear no arguments. Doubtless you would have argued
+with me, too, about killing that small pitiful insect, that blind
+worm, who murdered her I loved, and three or four noble and brave men
+along with her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will tell you in a word, Herval,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;had you not
+slain him, I would have done so. My hand against his, alone, and my
+life against his. He had committed a base, foul, ungenerous murder,
+for which I knew that the corrupted law would give us no redress, and
+I was prepared to shelter under a custom which I abhor and detest in
+general, the execution of an act of justice which could be obtained by
+no other means. Had it been but for that poor girl's sake, I would
+have slain him like a dog.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank you, Count, thank you,&quot; cried the man, grasping his hand in his
+with the vehemence of actual phrensy. &quot;Thank you for those words from
+my very soul. But he was not worthy of your noble sword. He died the
+death that he deserved; strangled like a common felon, writhing and
+screaming for the mercy he had never shown.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To what he said on that head the Count did not reply; but he turned
+once more to the matter immediately before them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, Herval,&quot; he said, &quot;you see that I judge not unkindly or hardly
+by you. You must listen to my advice however----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not about this, not about this,&quot; cried the man, vehemently; &quot;I am
+desperate, and I am determined. I will not see whole herds of my
+fellow Christians slaughtered like swine to please the bloody butcher
+on the throne. I will not see the weak and the faint-hearted driven,
+by terror, to condemn their own souls and barter eternity for an hour
+of doubtful peace. I will not see the ignorant and the ill-instructed
+bought by scores, like cattle at a market. I will not see the infants
+torn from their mothers' arms to be offered a living sacrifice to the
+Moloch of Rome. This night he shall die, who has condemned so many
+others; this night he shall fall, who would work the fall of the pure
+church that condemns him. I will hear no advice: I will work the work
+for which I came, and then perish when I may. Was it not for this that
+every chance has favoured me? Was it not for this that the key was
+accidentally left in the door till such time as I laid my hand upon it
+and took it away? Was it not for this that no eye saw me seize upon
+that key, this morning, though thousands were passing by? Was it not
+for this that such a thing should happen on the very night in which he
+comes forth to walk upon that terrace' And shall I now pause,--shall I
+now listen to any man's advice, who tells me that I must hold my
+hand?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If you will not listen to my advice,&quot; said the Count, &quot;you must
+listen to my authority, Herval. The act you propose to commit you
+shall not commit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No!&quot; cried he. &quot;Who shall stop me?--Yours is but one life against
+mine, remember; and I care not how many fall, or how soon I fall
+myself either, so that this be accomplished.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My life, as you say,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;is but one. But even,
+Herval, if you were to take mine, which would neither be just nor
+grateful, if even you were to lose your own, which may yet be of great
+service to the cause of our faith, you could not, and you should not,
+take that of the King. If you are determined, I am determined too. My
+servant stands at yonder gate, and on the slightest noise he gives the
+alarm. Thus, then, I tell you,&quot; he continued, glancing his eyes
+towards the windows of the palace, across which various figures were
+now beginning to move; &quot;thus, then, I tell you, you must either
+instantly quit this place with me, or that struggle begins between us,
+which, end how it may as far as I am concerned, must instantly insure
+the safety of the King, and lead you to trial and execution. The way
+is still open for you to abandon this rash project at once, or to call
+down ruin upon your own head without the slightest possible chance of
+accomplishing your object.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have frustrated me,&quot; cried the man, &quot;you have foiled me! You have
+overthrown, by preventing a great and noble deed, the execution of a
+mighty scheme for the deliverance of this land, and the security of
+our suffering church! The consequences be upon your own head, Count of
+Morseiul! the consequences be upon your own head! I see that you have
+taken your measures too well, and that, even if you paid the just
+penalty for such interference, the result could not be accomplished.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come then,&quot; said the Count; &quot;come, Herval, I must forgive anger as I
+have thwarted a rash purpose; but make what speed you may to quit the
+gardens, for, ere another minute be over, many a one will be crossing
+that terrace to their own apartments.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he laid his hand upon the man's arm, to lead him gently
+away from the dangerous spot on which he stood. But Herval shook off
+his grasp sullenly, and walked on before with a slow and hesitating
+step, as if, every moment, he would have turned in order to effect his
+purpose. The Count doubted and feared that he would do so, and glad
+was he, indeed, when he saw him pass the gate which led out of the
+gardens. As soon as Herval had gone forth, the young Count closed the
+door, locked it, and threw the key over the wall, saying, &quot;There!
+thank God, it is now impossible!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay,&quot; replied the man. &quot;But there are other things possible, Count;
+and things that may cause more bloodshed and more confusion than one
+little pistol shot.--It would have saved all France,&quot; he continued,
+muttering to himself, &quot;it would have saved all France.--What a
+change!--But if we must fight it out in the field, we must.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While he spoke he walked onward towards the Count's house, in a sort
+of gloomy but not altogether silent reverie; in the intervals of
+which, he spoke or murmured to himself in a manner which almost seemed
+to justify the opinion expressed by Riquet, that he was insane.
+Suddenly turning round towards the valet who followed, however, he
+demanded sharply, &quot;Has there not been a tall man, with a green feather
+in his hat, asking for your lord two or three times to-day?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So I have heard,&quot; replied Riquet, &quot;from the Swiss, but I did not see
+him myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Swiss never informed me thereof,&quot; said the Count. &quot;Pray, who
+might he be, and what was his business?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;His name, Sir,&quot; replied Herval, &quot;is Hatréaumont, and his business was
+for your private ear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hatréaumont!&quot; said the Count in return. &quot;What, he who was an officer
+in the guards?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Herval nodded his head, and the Count went on: &quot;A brave man, a
+determined man he was; but in other respects a wild rash profligate.
+He can have no business for my private ear, that I should be glad or
+even willing to hear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know not that, Count,&quot; said Herval; &quot;he has glorious schemes in
+view, schemes which perhaps may save his country.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count shook his head; &quot;schemes,&quot; he said, &quot;which will bring ruin
+on himself, and on all connected with him. I have rarely known or
+heard of a man unprincipled and profligate in private life, who could
+be faithful and just in public affairs. Such men there may be perhaps;
+but the first face of the case is against them; for surely they who
+are not to be trusted between man and man, are still less to be
+trusted when greater temptations lie in their way, and greater
+interests are at stake.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, well,&quot; said Herval, &quot;he will not trouble you again. This was
+the last day of his stay in Paris, and ere to-morrow be two hours old,
+he will be far away.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray,&quot; demanded the Count, &quot;was it by his advice--he who owes
+nothing but gratitude to the King--was it by his advice that you were
+stationed where I found you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He knew nothing of it,&quot; said the man sharply, &quot;he knew nothing of it;
+nor did I intend that he should know, till it was all over--and now,&quot;
+he continued, &quot;what is to become of me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, in the first place,&quot; replied the Count &quot;you had better come in
+with me and take some refreshment. While we are doing so, we will
+think of the future for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man made no reply, but followed the Count, who led the way into
+his house, and then ordered some refreshments of various kinds to be
+set before his guest from Poitou, examining the man's countenance as
+he did so, and becoming more and more convinced that something
+certainly had given way in the brain to produce the wandering and
+unsettled eye which glared in his face, as well as the rash words and
+actions that he spoke and performed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now, Herval,&quot; he said, as soon as they were alone, &quot;there is but
+one question which you should ask yourself,--whether it is better for
+you to return at once to Poitou, or, since you are so far on your way
+to Holland, to take advantage of that circumstance, and speed to the
+frontier without delay. I know not what is the situation of your
+finances; but if money be wanting for either step, I am ready to
+supply you as an old comrade.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I want no money,&quot; exclaimed the man; &quot;I am wealthy in my station
+beyond yourself. What have I to do with money whose life is not worth
+an hour? I have a great mind to divide all I have into a hundred
+portions, spend one each day, and die at the end of it.--Holland! no,
+no; this is no time for me to quit France. I will be at my post at the
+coming moment; I will set off again to-night for Poitou. But let me
+tell you, Count--for I had forgotten--if you should yourself wish to
+secure aught in Holland--and I have heard that there is a lady dearer
+to you than all your broad lands--remember there is a schoolmaster
+living three doors on this side of the barrier of Passy, called
+Vandenenden, passing for a Fleming by birth, but in reality a native
+of Dort. He has regular communication with his native land, and will
+pass any thing you please with the utmost security.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank you for that information sincerely,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;it
+may be most useful to me. But give me one piece of information more,&quot;
+he added, as the man rose after having drank a glass of water, with a
+few drops of wine in it. &quot;What was the state of the province when you
+left it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If you mean, Count, what was the state of the reformed party,&quot; said
+Herval, gazing round with a look of wild carelessness, &quot;it was a girl
+in a consumption, where something is lost every day, no one knows how,
+and yet the whole looks as pretty as ever, till there is nothing but a
+skeleton remains. But there will be this difference, Count, there will
+be this difference. There will be strength found in the skeleton! Have
+you not heard? There were three thousand men, together with women and
+children, all converted at once, within ten miles of Niort; and it
+cost the priest so much bread and wine giving them the sacrament, that
+he swore he would make no more converts unless the King would double
+the value of the cure--ha! ha! ha!&quot; and laughing loud and wildly, he
+turned upon his heel and left the room without bidding the Count good
+night.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_10" href="#div2Ref_10">THE DECISION.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">About seven o'clock on the following morning, Jerome Riquet entered
+his master's room on tip toe, drew the curtains of his bed, and found
+him leaning on his arm, reading attentively. The subject of the
+Count's studies matters not. They were interrupted immediately; for a
+note, which the valet placed in his hands, caused him instantly to
+spring up to order his horses to be prepared with speed, and to set
+off for Paris at once, without waiting for the morning meal. The note
+which caused this sudden expedition contained but a few words. They
+were--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come to me immediately, if you can, for I have matter of deep moment
+on which I wish to speak with you. You must not come, however, to the
+Hôtel de Rouvré, for though it may seem strange in me to name another
+place to meet you, yet you will find with me one whom you will be
+surprised to see. I must not then hesitate to ask you to seek me
+towards ten o'clock, at number five in the street of the Jacobins; the
+house is that of a bookbinder, and in the shop you will find Maria.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It had no signature; but the handwriting was that of Clémence. All
+that had occurred within the last few days had shown the Count de
+Morseiul that the crisis of his fate was approaching, that a very few
+days, nay, a very few hours, might decide the fortunes of his future
+life for ever. The multitude of matters which had pressed for his
+consideration during the two or three preceding days, the various
+anxieties that he had suffered, the mingling of joy and hope with pain
+and apprehension, had all created a state of mind in which it was
+difficult to think calmly of the future. Now, however, he had regained
+complete mastery of his own mind: the short interval of repose which
+had taken place had removed all confusion, all agitation, from his
+thoughts; and as he rode on towards Paris somewhat slowly, finding
+that there was more than the necessary time to accomplish his journey,
+he revolved coolly and deliberately in his own mind the peculiar
+points in his situation, and questioned himself as to his conduct and
+his duty in regard to each.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">First, then, of course, came the image of Clémence; and in regard to
+his love for her, and her's for him, there was many a question to be
+asked, which was answered by his own heart, whether altogether fairly
+and candidly or not, those who know love and love's nature can best
+declare. In asking her to fly with him from France, then, he was going
+to take her from wealth, and splendour, and luxury, and soft nurture,
+and all the comforts and conveniences which, surrounding her from her
+earliest years, had made to her eyes poverty, and difficulty, and
+distress, seem but a recorded dream of which she knew nothing but that
+some men had felt such things.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had to offer her in a foreign land, indeed, competence, mere
+competence; but would competence to her, educated as she had been
+educated, be any thing else than another name for poverty? Even that
+competence itself might perhaps be insecure. It depended upon the
+doubtful faith of foreign merchants, from whom he had no security, and
+if that were gone, he had nought to depend upon but his sword, and a
+high name in arms. Could Clémence bear all this? he asked himself.
+Could the gay, the admired, the adored, endure seclusion and
+retirement, and almost solitude? Could the spoilt child of fortune
+undergo privation? Could she, who had been accustomed but to command
+to be obeyed, be contented with scanty service from foreign servants?
+Would she never repine? Would she never look back to the bright land
+of France, and think with regret of the high station from which she
+had voluntarily descended? Would she never even, by one repining
+thought in the depth of her heart, reproach him for having won her
+away, to share his exile and misery? Would he never see upon her
+countenance one shade of sorrow and dissatisfaction when petty cares
+weighed down the mind made for greater things, when small anxieties
+and daily discomforts interrupted the current of finer and higher
+thoughts, or when disrespect and coldness made the sad change felt to
+her, upon whose words the brightest and the best had hung?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His heart answered, No; that none of these things would ever arise to
+make him feel that he should not have taken her from her high fortunes
+to share his reverses. What could not love do, he asked himself, to
+brighten the lowliest lot? The grand face of nature would be still
+before them inexhaustible as a store of enjoyment; the communion of
+two high minds, he felt, could never be wanting while they were
+united: if they retained competence, they had all that was needful;
+and if for a time worse fell upon them, love would surely be strong
+enough to excite them to every effort and every exertion, each for the
+other, to cheer, to encourage, to alleviate; and would bring, too, its
+own reward. Besides, he remembered that he should never have to
+reproach himself with having led Clémence to difficulty and to
+danger--a reproach which, could it have been brought against him by
+conscience, would have imbittered all his joys--for her own situation,
+her own faith, required flight as well as his; and by making her his
+own, he only secured to her protection, support, affection, and
+guidance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such were some of the thoughts which crossed his mind regarding
+Clémence; but there was another consideration of more difficulty, a
+question on which he was less satisfied. His fellow Protestants
+throughout the land, and more especially those who looked up to him
+for aid and for direction, should he now leave them to their fate,
+even though he could not avert from them one blow, even though he
+could not save them from one single pang? Should he not stay to share
+their lot, to comfort or to fall with them?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The question would have been answered to once, laid they been firm and
+united amongst themselves. It needed not, indeed, that they should
+have armed to resist the royal authority against which they had no
+power to contend; it needed not that they should have attempted to
+build up the churches which had been thrown down, to replace the
+ministers who had been ejected, to petition for the restoration of
+rights which injustice had snatched from them: it needed none of these
+things to have induced him, without hesitation, to stay and partake of
+all that might befal them, if they had displayed a resolution of
+remaining calmly, firmly, though peaceably, attached to their faith,
+addressing their prayers to God in private, if public worship was
+forbidden them, and opposing to the iniquitous proceedings of their
+enemies that tranquil steady resistance of endurance, which seldom
+fails in ultimately repelling attack.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Had they so acted, the Count de Morseiul would have had no hesitation;
+but such was not the case. Even before the last severe measures, which
+have been recorded in this book, the inconveniences attending their
+situation, the apprehension of worse, and the prospect of immediate
+gain, had caused annually the conversion of hundreds of the Protestant
+population of France to the Roman Catholic faith. Nothing like a
+spirit of union had reigned amongst them for years; and now that
+danger and persecution fell upon them, each day brought to the court
+tidings of thousands upon thousands having at once professed
+conversion. Each bishop, each intendant, sent daily lists of the
+numbers who had quitted the religion of their fathers to embrace that
+of the state; and in almost all quarters, those who had courage to
+sacrifice something for conscience sake, were flying from the land, or
+preparing for flight.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He, too, had to remember that he was himself placed in a situation
+more difficult and dangerous than the rest. The question was not
+whether he should remain adhering calmly to his own faith, and living
+in tranquillity, though under oppression, or should fly to a foreign
+land; but there was a choice of three acts before him: whether he
+should remain to trial and perpetual imprisonment, if not death; or
+retiring to Poitou at once, raise the standard of hopeless revolt; or
+seek security in another country, leaving those to whom he could
+render no possible service.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The voice of reason certainly said, Fly! but yet it was painful to him
+to do so. Independent of all thoughts of what he left behind--the
+dwelling of his infancy, the tombs of his fathers, the bright land of
+his birth--independent of all this, there was the clinging to his own
+people, which few can feel deeply but those circumstanced as he was;
+which none indeed can feel now, when the last vestiges have been swept
+away of a system which, though in no slight degree dangerous and evil,
+had nevertheless many an amiable and many an admirable point. He loved
+not to leave them, he loved not to leave any fellow sufferer behind
+while he provided for his own safety; and though reason told him that
+on every motive he ought to fly, yet he felt that lingering
+inclination to remain, which required the voice of others to conquer
+entirely. Such were the principal questions which his mind had found
+to discuss during the last two days; but since the preceding night, a
+new subject for thought had arisen, a new question presented itself.
+It however was not so difficult of solution as the others. A dark
+attempt upon the King's life, which could hardly have failed of
+success, had been nearly executed; but that was not all. From Herval
+he had learned, that schemes, which there was much reason to believe
+were dangerous to the whole state, were at that moment in agitation,
+if not upon the point of being accomplished. He loved not to be the
+denouncer of any man; and for Herval himself, he felt pity mingled
+with blame, which made him glad that the length of time that had
+elapsed, had given him an opportunity of retiring once more to Poitou.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With regard to the proceedings of Hatréaumont, however, he had no
+scruple and no hesitation. It was right and necessary that the King
+should be made acquainted with the fact of dangerous designs being in
+agitation; and although he was well aware, that the task of informing
+the monarch of the truth would be a difficult and delicate one, so as
+not to bring the strong and unscrupulous hand of power upon persons
+who might be innocent, and were only accused by the word of a man whom
+he sincerely believed to be partially insane, yet he resolved to
+undertake that task, trusting to the firmness and uprightness of his
+own character, to insure that the execution of it should be such as to
+avoid doing injury to any one who was not guilty.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Men under such circumstances in general err from an inaccuracy or
+deficiency of statement, proceeding from the confusion and uncertainty
+of a mind oppressed and agitated by the burthen of important affairs,
+or difficult and intricate circumstances. The Count de Morseiul,
+however, saw his way clearly, and prepared to tell the King exactly
+the words which Herval had made use of, but at the same time to inform
+him, that he had much reason to believe that the man was insane, and
+that, therefore, but little reliance was to be placed upon his
+statement, except so far as the employing of precaution might be
+required.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The meditation over all these circumstances fully occupied the time
+till his arrival in Paris; and dismounting at his own house, he took
+his way alone and on foot towards the Rue des Jacobins. The capital at
+that period had but little of the light and graceful architectural
+beauty which the citizens have since endeavoured to give it; but there
+was, instead, a grey, mysterious looking grandeur about the vast piles
+of building of which it was composed, peculiar and entirely
+characteristic of the French metropolis. The great height of the
+houses, the smallness, in general, of the windows, their multitudes,
+their irregularities, the innumerable carriage entrances leading into
+court yards where cities and new worlds seemed to be opening on every
+side, the intricate alleys and passages that were seen branching here
+and there in unknown directions as the stranger took his way through
+the streets; every thing, in short, impressed upon the mind, as a keen
+and sensible perception, that fact, which, though common to all great
+capitals, is generally unfelt, that we are walking in the midst of a
+world of human beings with whom we have scarcely one feeling in
+sympathy; of whose habits, character, pursuits, pleasures, and pains
+we are utterly ignorant; who are living, moving, acting, feeling,
+undergoing life's great ordeal, smiling with rapture, writhing with
+anguish, melting with the bitter tears of sorrow and regret, inspired
+by hope, or palpitating with expectation around us on every side,
+without our having the slightest participation in any of their
+feelings, with scarcely a knowledge of their existence, and certainly
+none of their situation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was impossible to walk through the streets of Paris at that
+time--it was impossible even to walk through the older parts of the
+city when I myself remember it, without having that sensation strongly
+excited--without asking one's self as one gazed up at the small
+windows of some of the many tenanted houses, and saw the half-drawn
+curtain shading out even the scanty portion of sun that found its way
+thither: Is there sickness or death within? Are there tears over the
+departing couch of the beloved? Is there anguish over the bier of the
+gone? without asking one's self, as one gazed at some wide-open
+casement, courting the summer air, and perhaps with some light piece
+of drapery floating out into the street, Is that the abode of love and
+joy? Is happy heart there meeting happy heart? Are they smiling over
+the birth of the first-born, or watching the glad progress of a young
+spirit kindred with their own? without asking one's self, as the eye
+rested upon some squalid doorway, foul with uncleaned ages, or some
+window, thick and obscure with the dust of years, some dim alley, or
+some dark and loathsome passage, Is vice, and plunder, and iniquity
+there? Is there the feverish joy of sin mingled with remorse, and
+anguish, and apprehension? Is there the wasting and the gnawing
+effects of vice, sickness, and sorrow, worn limbs, corroded heart,
+nights of restless watchfulness, and days of ceaseless anguish? It was
+impossible to walk through that tall city, with its myriads living
+above myriads, house within house, and court within court, without
+asking one's self such questions, and without feeling that the whole
+intense and thrilling reality of the scene was rendered but more
+striking by the gay and careless multitude that tripped along, each
+seeming scarcely conscious that there was another being in the world
+but himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul was half an hour before his time; he walked
+somewhat slowly, and in picturing the feelings which a contemplative
+mind might experience in passing through Paris, we have pictured those
+which pressed for his attention, and crossed from time to time the
+current of his other thoughts. At length, however, he entered the Rue
+des Jacobins, and easily found the house to which he had been
+directed. It was a tall building of six stories, with a bookseller's
+shop upon the ground floor. Very different indeed, however, was it
+from a gay dwelling such as Paris now exhibits, with every new
+publication in blue and yellow flaming in the windows: but, through a
+small door, entrance was obtained into a long dark shop, where, on
+shelves, and in cases, and on benches, and on counters, were piled up
+manifold dusty volumes, whose state of tranquil slumber seemed to have
+been long undisturbed. A single pale apprentice, with an apron on and
+a brush in his hand, walked from one end of the shop to the other, or
+examined with slow inactivity the sheets of some unbound work, moving
+about his task with the same indifference to its speedy execution, as
+if the years of Mathuselah were bound up in his indentures.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count looked at the shop well, to ascertain that he was right, and
+then entered; but in the long dim vista of the counters and packages,
+the person he sought for was not to be seen; and not having
+contemplated such an occurrence, he was somewhat embarrassed as to the
+person he should ask for. To have inquired whether a lady were waiting
+for him there or not, might perhaps have been received as an insult by
+the master of the house, and yet he thought it would be imprudent to
+risk the name of Clémence de Marly, when she herself might not have
+given it. He felt sure that had she arrived, her attendant Maria would
+have been at the post where she had promised to place her; and, in
+order to occupy the time till she came, he determined to ask for some
+book, and then enter into desultory conversation with the lad in the
+shop, after having bought it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had scarcely spoken, however, when from behind a pile of solid
+literature which obscured still farther the end of the shop, the
+servant Maria came forth and advanced towards him. The matter was then
+easily explained, and the youth seemed in no degree surprised at the
+appointment, but proceeded to tie up the book which the Count had
+demanded, while Maria told him that her young lady had only just
+arrived, and was waiting for him up stairs. He followed her with a
+rapid step as she led the way, and at the third turning of a long dim
+narrow staircase, he found Clémence waiting at a door and listening as
+if for his arrival.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was something in the meeting under such circumstances which did
+away all feelings of reserve, such as perhaps might otherwise have
+still affected them towards each other; and Clémence, feeling that she
+was all his--that their fate was united for ever, felt scarcely a
+blush rise into her cheek when he, at once, pressed her to his heart
+upon their meeting. She spoke not, however, but held up her finger, as
+if to enjoin silence, and then led him through a little anteroom into
+a room beyond.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There, seated at a table with some books scattered upon it, appeared
+the good pastor of Auron, Claude de l'Estang. He was thinner, paler,
+more worn, than when first we endeavoured to depict him; but the light
+was not gone out in the clear bright eye, the same mild but
+intelligent smile hung upon the lip, the same high spirit was thrown
+upon the brow. He rose and grasped the young Count's hands eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, my dear Albert,&quot; he said, &quot;I am glad to see you! This sweet
+child,&quot; he added, after the first exclamation, &quot;wrote to me all that
+was between you and her. She is dear to my heart as if she were my
+own; and is she not my own. Did I not bring her back to the faith of
+her dear mother? Did I not rescue her from the evils of a corrupt
+perverted church? But of that we will speak not now, Albert. The
+moment I heard of it--the moment I heard that you were here, and had
+cast yourself, as it were, into the jaws of the lion, after the fatal
+night when that murderous youth, like Pilate, mingled our blood with
+our sacrifices--I resolved at once to make my way hither, at all and
+any risks, to speak to you, to exhort you, to tell you what I have
+decided in my own mind is the only plan for you to follow. I thought,
+indeed, when I set out--notwithstanding all that has occurred since
+you left Poitou, notwithstanding the scattering of the sheep and the
+driving forth of the shepherd, and the falling off of many, and the
+wavering of all the rest--I thought that here I might learn tidings
+which might make a change in my opinion, but that, at all events, it
+was right for me to come, in order that I might consult with you and
+others, and take our last final determination together. But, since I
+have heard from this dear child the situation in which you are placed,
+since I have heard from a weak brother, who has outwardly abjured the
+faith which he fondly clings to in his heart, things that you
+yourselves do not know, my opinion has been confirmed to the fullest
+extent, and I have only to say to you, Albert, fly! Fly with her
+immediately; save her from persecution, and anguish, and care; confirm
+her in the only true faith, and in the renunciation of every
+superstitious vanity of the church of Rome! Strengthen her, support
+her, protect her! Lose no time--no, not a day; for, if you do, danger
+to both, and, perhaps, everlasting separation in this world may be the
+consequence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am most ready and most willing,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;It is
+absolutely necessary, indeed, that I should return to Versailles, but
+only for a few hours. After that, I can return hither, and, without
+further delay, execute what I am fully convinced is the only plan for
+us to pursue.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is the only plan,&quot; said the clergyman. &quot;Are you aware, Albert,
+that, in the short space of five days, one half of the Protestants of
+Poitou have bent the knee to Baal? Are you aware that the very men
+who, a week ago, clung to you for aid and protection, would now fly
+from you, either in shame at their own degeneracy, or because you are
+marked out for indignation by the powers that be? Yes, Albert, they
+would fly from you! There is a remnant, indeed, faithful and true unto
+the last; but to them I shall say, as I say to you, they must go forth
+to other lands, and shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony
+against this place. There is nothing left you, Albert, but flight, and
+that speedy and unhesitating. I have told you that I have heard much
+from a weak brother, whose renunciation of his faith weighs heavy upon
+him. He is in the confidence, it would seem, of those who rule; and he
+has informed me that it is the determination of the Monarch and his
+council never to let you quit the court of France except as a follower
+of the popish church of Rome. Every temptation is to be held out to
+you to make you yield, every menace used to drive you on the way they
+want; and should your resistance become strong and decided, the order
+for your arrest is already made out, and needs but one word to cause
+its execution. Fly, then, fly, Albert, and even if not for your own
+sake for hers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am most willing, my good friend,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;I need no
+exhortation so to do. But is Clémence still willing to go with me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Can you doubt it, Albert,&quot; she said, &quot;with <i>his</i> approbation and
+advice?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yet, dear Clémence,&quot; said the Count, &quot;I should be wrong were I not to
+tell you what may happen. The danger, the risk of our escape, the
+fatigues, and labours, and anxieties of the journey, the perils that
+await us at every step you have made up your mind to. But, Clémence,
+have you thought of the change from affluence to mere competence, from
+splendour and luxury to bare necessaries, even perhaps to poverty
+itself, for all I have on earth depends upon the good faith of those
+to whom I have transmitted it, and I might arrive and find nothing.
+Have you thought of all this? Have you thought that it may last for
+years, that we may have to live, and die, and bring up our children in
+poverty----?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Out upon it, Albert!&quot; exclaimed the old man, angrily; &quot;wouldst thou
+take the part of the prince of this world against her better angel?
+But she will not doubt, she will not waver: I know she will not.
+Sooner than be a hypocrite, sooner than abandon troth and embrace
+error, she would cast herself upon the world, were it ten thousand
+times as bad--Out upon it! she fears not: she will have her husband,
+and her faith, and her God to support her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have not thought of all you suggest, Albert,&quot; replied Clémence more
+mildly, but still somewhat reproachfully, &quot;I have not thought of them,
+because it was unnecessary to think of them at all. Do you not love
+me, Albert? Do I not love you? Is not that love riches, and splendour,
+and luxury enough for us? But when, beside that all-sufficient love,
+we have the knowledge that we are doing our duty, that we are
+suffering for our conscience sake, that we have left all to follow
+what we believe the dictates of the great Author of our faith, there
+will be a satisfaction, a pride, a glory, that even a woman's heart
+can feel. Fear not for me, Albert; I understand your scruples, and
+though they require forgiveness I forgive them. Let us be guided by
+his advice,--I am sure that it is good,--and I am willing, most
+willing, to risk all and every thing under such circumstances, and for
+such a cause.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well then, so be it,&quot; said the Count; &quot;let us consider our decision
+as made. This very night, Clémence, I will return to Paris. This very
+night I will meet you here; but oh, my good friend,&quot; he continued,
+turning to the pastor, &quot;you whom I love and venerate as a father, you
+will easily understand what I feel when I say, that I could wish most
+anxiously that this dear girl, who is to accompany me through scenes
+of some peril, were united to me before we depart, not alone by the
+bonds of deep and true affection, not alone by the bonds of all the
+mutual promises and engagements which man and woman can plight towards
+each other, but by the sanction of that holy religion which first
+instituted such an union, and by the blessing of one of the ministers
+of Christ. I fear, however, it cannot be done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, my son, it can,&quot; replied the clergyman. &quot;Expelled from our
+temples, debarred from the performance of all those ceremonial rites,
+which are but the shadows and types of higher things, the abandonment
+of such ceremonies as we cannot exercise, can, in no degree, either in
+the sight of man or of God, as long as the side of law or justice is
+considered, affect the validity of such a contract, or do away, in the
+slightest degree, the solemn legality of an union complete in all the
+forms which we are enabled to give it. Even were it not so, I have
+power delegated to me by the synod of our church, without application
+to higher authorities, whose approbation, for many years, would have
+been difficult and embarrassing to obtain, to perform all the
+ceremonies of the church, upon due knowledge certified by me that they
+are not contrary, in the particular cases, to the law of God, or to
+those just ordinances of man to which we have ourselves subscribed. If
+you desire it, and if Clémence is willing, I will this very night,
+before you depart, give my blessing to your union, and doubt not that,
+with my certificate thereof, witnessed by proper witnesses, that union
+will be held good by the Protestant church throughout the world.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I fear not,&quot; exclaimed the Count. &quot;What say you, dear Clémence?
+Can you resolve upon this also,--speak, dear girl,&quot; he added as she
+paused in silence, covering her eyes with her hand. &quot;Speak! oh speak!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What should I say, Albert?&quot; she said. &quot;Do you dream that I would
+refuse? Do you suppose that I would reject the only thing which was
+wanting to give me confidence, and strength, and hope through all the
+perils that we may have to undergo?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert gazed on her with a look that thanked her to the full; and,
+after a brief moment given to happiness, he asked, &quot;But who shall be
+the witnesses?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Maria must be one,&quot; said Clémence, &quot;for she of course goes with us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One of my servants may be another,&quot; said the Count. &quot;But it is better
+to have several.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The master of this house and his son,&quot; said Claude de l'Estang, &quot;will
+make up a number more than sufficient; and all that remains, Albert,
+is for you to go and settle your affairs at Versailles, and return
+hither as soon as you may; though I wish, indeed, that it were
+possible for you not to go back to that place at all.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed it is quite necessary,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;not contemplating
+this meeting, I have left all the little store of wealth which I
+brought with me from Poitou in my house at Versailles. It is
+impossible to send for it without causing instant suspicion, and it is
+absolutely necessary, not only for the expences of the journey, but in
+order to secure some little sum for our subsistence, for a year or
+two, in case we shall find that, either by misfortune or by fraud, the
+money which I transmitted to Holland is not forthcoming.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is, indeed, most necessary,&quot; said Claude de l'Estang. &quot;I have
+heard that one of our poor ministers, who was banished some years ago
+from Languedoc, suffered most terribly in foreign lands before he
+could gain employment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But I can bring in my share,&quot; exclaimed Clémence, her eyes sparkling
+with gladness. &quot;I have a number of jewels, of different kinds: many
+purchased in other days with my own money; many given me by friends of
+my youth long years ago. They have cost, I know, in all many thousand
+livres. These are my own, and I will take them with me. Those that I
+have received from the Duke and Duchess, and other Roman Catholic
+friends, I shall leave to be given back to them again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do so, do so!&quot; said the pastor. &quot;There are some people, my dear
+child, who would wring a text from Scripture to bid you do the
+contrary, telling you to spoil the Egyptians; but I think that such
+injunctions as that must ever be applicable to particular cases alone,
+and the application must be made by God himself. I say, leave all that
+is not justly and absolutely your own: leave all that those who gave
+it would not give now, if they could see the use to which you are
+going to apply it. We shall rarely regret, my child, if ever, having
+been too just; we shall never cease to regret if we are once unjust.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul had remarked that, through the whole of this
+conversation, the pastor had never once mentioned himself or his own
+plans. It might however seem, that he left it to be understood that
+he, too, was about to fly from the land; but the Count de Morseiul
+knew him well, and was aware that he was one of those who would
+resolutely and firmly place himself in the way of perils which he
+would teach others to avoid. He did not choose even to suppose that
+the pastor was about to remain in the land which he advised them to
+quit; and he, therefore, demanded, &quot;At what hour, my good friend, will
+you be ready to give us your blessing and to go with us?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My son,&quot; replied the pastor, &quot;I will give my blessing on your union
+at any hour you like, for I dare not go out during the day. But, alas,
+I must not think of going with you. I say not, that I will not come
+hereafter, if Heaven enable me to do so; but it must be after I have
+seen every one of my flock, who is willing to sacrifice temporal to
+eternal things, in safety in another land before me. Nay, nay,
+Albert,&quot; he said, seeing the Count about to reply, &quot;urge me not in
+this matter, for I am sure I am right, and when such is the case I
+must be immoveable. As soon as all who are willing to go are gone, I
+will obey the injunction of the King, which orders the pastors and
+ministers of our church to quit the realm immediately----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed!&quot; exclaimed the Count. &quot;Has such an order been issued? I never
+heard of it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You hear, my son, very little here,&quot; replied the old man. &quot;Care is
+taken to keep unpleasant sights from the eyes of kings and courtiers.
+Pomp, and pageantry, and display, luxury and feasting, and music, and
+games, and revelry, they are the things for palaces and capitals; not
+the groans and tears of the wronged and injured, not the cries and
+murmurs of the oppressed. Some days have passed since the order
+appeared throughout all the provinces, and many of my brethren have
+already obeyed. I will obey it, too, but not till the last.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh,&quot; cried Clémence, &quot;dear and excellent friend, do not, do not
+expose yourself too far. Remember how much we may need your council
+and assistance hereafter. Remember what a stay and support your
+presence may be to the whole of your flock in other lands.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Those who do not fulfil their duties now, Clémence,&quot; said the pastor,
+&quot;upon the pretext of fulfilling them better hereafter, will fulfil
+none at all, my child. But say no more either of you; my determination
+is strong and fixed: and now, Albert,&quot; he added, with a faint smile,
+&quot;find some way of measuring her finger for the ring that is to make
+her yours, and if you could get some friendly notary to draw up a
+regular contract of marriage between you against this evening, all
+would be complete.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul took the fair hand of his promised bride, which she
+gave him with a blushing cheek, to measure it for the ring that was to
+be the symbol of their union. Upon the very finger was that ring which
+he had rescued for her when it had been taken away by the band of
+Herval, the coronet and the cypher in diamonds; and as he gazed upon
+it and tried it on his own finger, to judge of the size, a brief
+feeling of curiosity passed through his heart, and he thought, &quot;This,
+indeed, is strange: I am about to wed one, of whose history, and fate,
+and circumstances, both I myself, and almost every one around me, are
+ignorant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He lifted his look to her face, however, while he thus thought. Those
+large, pure, beautiful eyes were gazing upon him with tenderness and
+trust, and, replacing the ring upon her finger, he sealed his faith
+and confidence upon that fair hand with a kiss.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div2_11" href="#div2Ref_11">THE KING'S CLOSET.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">During the time that the young Count was absent from Versailles and
+busied, as we have represented, with those schemes on which his future
+woe or welfare seemed beyond all doubt to depend, a scene was taking
+place in the palace of the King, in which the Count was more
+interested than he could have supposed possible, and which, as will be
+seen at the close of this history, was destined to affect him as much
+as any of his own proceedings.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The scene, then, was in the King's cabinet at Versailles. A clock of a
+rich and singular construction stood exactly before the Monarch,
+marking out to him the portions of time which he could bestow upon
+each separate affair as it was brought before him. A large inkstand,
+containing innumerable pens, and a portfolio, half filled with
+writing, in the King's own hand, lay upon the table; wax of four
+different colours, blue, red, white, and yellow, were also placed
+before him, in a small case of marquetry, which contained likewise
+several seals, and an instrument of a peculiar form for spreading the
+wax: the walls were ornamented with a few very choice small pictures;
+a number of maps were there also, and a few, but very few, books.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Monarch was seated in a large arm chair, his right foot supported
+by a footstool, and his hand holding a pen as it rested on the table.
+The expression of his countenance was mild but intelligent, and before
+him stood--a little pale indeed, and affecting, certainly, greater awe
+and terror than he really did feel--a man, whom, as we described him
+before, may be passed over in silence as far as his personal
+appearance is concerned. This was no other than Jerome Riquet, the
+valet of the Count of Morseiul; and behind him appeared the figure of
+Bontems, Louis's confidential attendant, who instantly retreated in
+silence from the chamber, on a slow nod of the head from the King.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your name,&quot; said the Monarch, fixing his eyes full upon Riquet, &quot;is,
+I understand, Jerome Riquet, and you are valet to the young Count of
+Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have been his faithful valet in the field, and the camp, and the
+court, and the castle, for these many years, Sire,&quot; replied the man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I hear,&quot; continued the King, &quot;that you are a member of the holy
+catholic church, while your lord is of the religion which its
+professors call reformed. Now, answer me truly, how have you
+contrived--during the long period of service, surrounded, as you were,
+by Huguenot fellow servants and under a Huguenot lord--how have you
+contrived to fulfil the duties of your religion, I say, under such
+circumstances?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, Sire, nothing so easy,&quot; replied the man. &quot;May it please your
+Majesty, I was much better off, in most respects, than my brother
+Catholics; for on a fast day, Sire, by my lord's order, on my account,
+there was either fish, or some other meagre dish prepared, so that I
+had my choice. I could fast and grow thin, or sin and grow fat, as I
+thought fit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King's countenance fell a little at an uncalled-for joke in his
+presence, especially on a subject which, in his eyes, was of serious
+importance. Louis, however, was very rarely disposed to say a harsh
+word, unless it was impossible to help it; and he therefore passed
+over the valet's levity with merely the reproof of that displeased
+look, and then again demanded,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So, then, your lord gave you every facility of fulfilling the duties
+of your religion?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The greatest, Sire,&quot; replied the man. &quot;Except when we were in
+Holland, where there was no Catholic church to be found, he has always
+driven me to mass as if with a scourge. Even at Morseiul, scarcely a
+Sunday passed without his telling me to go to mass, and asking me if I
+had been.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This looks well for the young gentleman,&quot; said the King, seemingly
+well pleased with the account the man afforded. &quot;We have had different
+stories at court--that he was rank and bigoted, and furious against
+the Catholic religion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lord bless your Majesty!&quot; exclaimed the man, &quot;he is more than three
+quarters of a Catholic himself, and if the devil gets the other
+quarter it will only be because the Count is driven to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Speak not profanely, Sir, of things that are serious,&quot; said the King,
+&quot;nor presume, in my presence, to venture upon such jests.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he spoke, the whole aspect of his countenance changed, his brow
+grew dark, his lip curled, his voice became deeper, his head more
+erect, and that indescribable majesty, for which he was famous, took
+possession of his person, making the unfortunate Jerome Riquet ready
+to sink into the earth.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, Sir,&quot; continued the King, &quot;be not frightened; but give me clear
+and straight-forward answers in a serious tone. What you have told me
+of your young lord is satisfactory to me. I am most anxious to do him
+good and to show him favour. I have marked his gallant conduct as a
+soldier, and his upright and noble demeanour as a French gentleman,
+and I would fain save him from the destruction to which obstinacy may
+lead him. You say that he is three parts a Catholic already, and would
+be one altogether if it were not--at least so I understand you--that
+some one drove him to the contrary conduct. Now, who is it drives him,
+Sir? Speak to me plainly and explicitly, and no harm shall come to
+you.--Have you lost your tongue, Sir, or are you struck dumb?&quot; the
+King continued, seeing that Riquet remained silent, while his whole
+frame seemed to work with terror and agitation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Perhaps, had his lord been there, he might have discovered, at once,
+that Riquet was working himself up to assume an immense deal more of
+terror than he really felt; but the King, conscious of having assumed
+an overawing look which he had often seen produce effects somewhat
+similar, believed the fear of the valet to be entirely real, and was
+not at all surprised to see Riquet suddenly cast himself at his feet
+and burst into an amazing flood of tears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If I have offended your Majesty,&quot; cried the man, with a species of
+orientalism which was not at all displeasing to the ears of the
+despotic monarch of the French, &quot;if I have offended your Majesty, take
+my head! But you are now proceeding to question me upon matters in
+which what I have to tell and to speak of, may produce the most
+terrible results. I know not every word I utter that I may not be
+doing wrong--I know not that every word may not cost my life--and
+unless your Majesty will deign to grant me in writing your full and
+free pardon for all that I have done, I dare not, indeed I dare not go
+on; or if I do, terror will make me prevaricate, and attempt to
+conceal facts that the wisdom of your Majesty will soon discover.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, nay,&quot; exclaimed the King; &quot;before I give you such pardon, my
+good friend, I must know to what it extends. You may have committed
+twenty crimes, for aught I know; you may be a relapsed heretic, for
+aught I know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So help me God, Sire, no,&quot; exclaimed the man vehemently: &quot;I am a
+sincere, devout, and zealous Catholic, and have been so all my life.
+Here is the certificate of the parish priest in Poitou, Sire, in order
+that I might have the benefit of the indulgence,&quot; and he drew forth
+from his pocket a small piece of written paper which Louis read
+attentively, and which bestowed upon him so high a character for
+devotion to the Catholic faith, and for various other extraordinary
+virtues, that Louis thought he could not be far wrong in assuring him
+of the pardon he wanted, especially as Riquet, while he read, had
+relapsed into a passion of tears, and the moments allotted to the task
+of examining him were fleeting rapidly away. &quot;Well,&quot; he said, &quot;to make
+you at ease, I will grant you the pardon, under some conditions.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray put in, Sire,&quot; cried Riquet, with real joy sparkling in his
+eyes, &quot;pray put in that you take me under your royal protection, for
+fear the Count should be angry, or any of the heretics should attempt
+to take vengeance upon me.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That I will do also,&quot; replied Louis, and taking the pen he wrote
+rapidly a paper which, according to the old English form, would have
+been somewhat to the following effect, though the beginning of it, &quot;<i>A
+tous ceux</i>,&quot; &amp;c. may be somewhat freely translated.</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Know all men by these presents, that we, for especial reasons
+thereunto us moving, have granted our full and free pardon unto the
+person called Jerome Hardouin Riquet, for all crimes or offences that
+he may have committed up to the date of these presents, always
+excepted any crime which he may have committed against the holy church
+or our sovereign state of which he is not at this time charged, and
+which may be hereafter proved against him, and that we do also take
+the said Jerome Hardouin Riquet under our especial protection, warning
+all men to have regard unto the same, for such is our will.</p>
+
+<p class="right">&quot;<span class="sc">Louis</span>.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The King read the paper over, paused for a moment, as if he yet
+hesitated whether he should give it or not, and then with a sort of
+half smile, and a look expressive of something between carelessness
+and magnanimity, he held it out to the valet, who seized it and kissed
+it repeatedly. Then standing up before the monarch, he said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, Sire, safe in your Majesty's protection, I am ready and capable
+of answering distinctly and clearly any thing that you may ask me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King took the paper up again, into which he had looked to
+ascertain the various denominations of Maître Riquet, and then
+recommenced his questions as follows, returning in the first place to
+the one which Riquet had left unanswered, &quot;Who and what are the people
+who are driving, or are likely to drive, your master to remain
+obstinate in heresy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Please your Majesty,&quot; replied Riquet, &quot;the principal persons are, a
+very reverend and respectable gentleman, called the Abbé de St. Helie;
+also, the intendant of the province of Poitou, our reverend father the
+Bishop of Poitiers, Monsieur de Louvois, and I am not very sure that
+good Monsieur de Rouvré himself has not a part.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King gazed at the bold speaker for a moment or two, as if doubtful
+of his real intention; asking of himself whether the man spoke
+sincerely and simply, or whether a daring jest, or a still more
+impudent sarcasm, lay concealed in the words he used. The man's
+previous terror, however, and the air of perfect unconsciousness of
+offence with which he spoke, did much to convince Louis that he had no
+double meaning. His tone, however, was sharp and angry, as he asked,
+&quot;How now, Sir? How can some of the best and wisest, the most prudent
+and the most zealous men in the realm, drive any heretic to refuse
+obstinately the cup of salvation offered to him? I trust, you mean no
+offence, sirrah!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jerome Riquet's countenance instantly fell, and with a thousand
+lamentations and professions of profound respect for Louvois and St.
+Helie, and every one whom the King might trust and favour, he
+declared, that his only meaning was, that he believed his master and a
+great many other Protestants would have been converted long ago, if
+they had been led rather than driven. He added, that he had heard the
+young Count and the old one too say a thousand times, that some of the
+gentlemen he mentioned had done as much to prevent the Protestants
+from returning to the mother church, as Monsieur Bossuet had done to
+bring them back to it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louis paused and thought, and had not his prepossessions been so
+complete as they were, the plain truth which the valet told him might
+not have been unproductive of fruit. As it was it went in some degree
+to effect the real object which Riquet had in view; namely, to impress
+the King with a notion, that there was a great probability of the
+young Count being recalled to the bosom of the Catholic church,
+provided the means employed were gentleness and persuasion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It is very seldom, indeed, in this life, that we meet with any thing
+like pure and unmixed motives, and such were certainly not to be
+expected in the bosom of Jerome Riquet. His first object and design
+was certainly to serve his master; but, in so serving him, he had an
+eye to gratifications of his own also; for to his feelings and
+disposition Versailles was a much pleasanter place than Morseiul,
+Paris a more agreeable land than Poitou. He used to declare, that he
+was fond of the country, but liked it paved; that his avenues should
+always be houses, and his flocks and herds wear coats and petticoats.
+He naturally calculated, then, that if the King undertook the task of
+converting the young Count by gentle and quiet means, he would not
+fail to keep him in the delightful sojourning place of Versailles,
+while he, Jerome Riquet, amongst all the gods and goddesses of brass
+and marble, which were gathered together in the gardens, might play
+the part of Proteus, and take a thousand shapes, as might suit his
+versatile genius.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King thought over the reply of Riquet for some moments, somewhat
+struck by hearing that the arguments which the Protestants held
+amongst themselves were exactly similar to those which they had often
+put forth in addressing him. So much skill, however, had been employed
+by his council and advisers to open wide before him the path of error,
+and to close up the narrow footway of truth, that even when any one
+pulled away the brambles and briars with which the latter had been
+blocked up, and showed him that there was really another path, he
+refused to follow it, and chose the wider and more travelled road.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus his conclusion was, after those few minutes' thought,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is all very well, and very specious; but as we do not trust to a
+sick man to point out the remedies that will cure him, so must we not
+trust to these Huguenots to point out what would be the best means of
+converting them. However, Master Jerome Riquet, it is not in regard to
+opinions that I sent for you, I want to hear facts, if you please. Now
+tell me: do you remember, upon a certain occasion, a proclamation
+having been sent down to be read in the town of Morseiul, the King's
+officers having been insulted, and, I believe, pelted with stones, and
+the proclamation torn down?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Sire,&quot; replied Riquet boldly, for he was telling a lie, and
+therefore spoke confidently. &quot;I remember my master going out in haste
+one day to prevent, he said, any bad conduct on the part of the
+people, and I remember hearing that he had caused the proclamation to
+be made himself in the market-place, in spite of some riotous folk,
+who would willingly have opposed it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;High time that such folk should be put down,&quot; said the King. &quot;These
+are the peaceable and obedient subjects, which the advocates of the
+Huguenots would fain persuade me that they are. But one question more
+on this head: did you see the young Count of Morseuil cause the gates
+of the town to be shut in the face of my officers, or did you hear
+that he had done so, upon good authority?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Sire, I neither heard nor saw it,&quot; replied Riquet; &quot;and, for
+myself, I was safely in the castle during the whole day.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you remember,&quot; continued the King, looking at the paper, &quot;having
+carried notes or letters from your master to different Protestant
+gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, calling upon them to
+assemble and meet him at the house of another Huguenot, named M. de
+Corvoie?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Sire, oh no!&quot; replied the man. &quot;While we were at Poitiers, I only
+carried one note, and that was to the saddle-maker, who in repadding
+one of my lord's saddles, had done it so as to gall the horse's back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir, you are lying,&quot; said the King sternly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet once more cast himself upon his knees before the monarch,
+clasping his hands and exclaiming, &quot;May I lose your Majesty's favour
+for ever, if I am not telling you the exact truth. Let any one who
+dares to say that I carried any other note than that which I have
+mentioned be confronted with me this moment, and I will prove, that he
+is shamefully deceiving your Majesty, for no other note did I carry,
+no, not even a love letter. Otherwise, I could and would, not only
+tell your Majesty the fact, but every word that the notes contained.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is very extraordinary,&quot; said the King, &quot;and I shall take care to
+inquire into it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I trust your Majesty will,&quot; replied the man boldly, for it may be
+recollected that he had not carried any note, but had been merely
+charged with a message to M. de Corvoie: &quot;I trust that your Majesty
+will; for I assure you, on the faith of a valet de chambre, that no
+such transaction ever occurred. Did not they want to charge me--the
+very men who I dare say have brought this accusation--did they not
+want to charge me with having abstracted your Majesty's commission to
+Messieurs St. Helie and Pelisson, and with having placed a pack of
+cards in its stead; and were they not brought to shame by its being
+found out, that they themselves had done it, by fragments of the
+commission being found in one of their valises, wrapped like a dirty
+rag about an old tobacco box?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is this? How is this?&quot; exclaimed the King. &quot;I heard that the
+commission had been abstracted, but I heard not this result--fragments
+of the commission wrapping a tobacco box found in their own valises!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, Sire,&quot; replied the man, &quot;'tis all too true, for the examination
+was conducted in presence of Monsieur de Rouvré;&quot; and with earnest
+volubility Maître Jerome set to work, and, in his own particular
+manner, gave the monarch a long and detailed, but rapid account of
+what had taken place on the return of the Count de Morseiul to
+Poitiers, adding cunning commentaries in words, gesticulations, and
+grimaces, which scarcely left the King the power of retaining his due
+gravity, especially when Riquet personated to the life, the worthy
+Curé of Guadrieul, on the discovery of the paper in his valise.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While he was in the very act of making this detail, however, the door
+of the royal cabinet was opened, and a man of a harsh and disagreeable
+countenance, with a face somewhat red and blotched, but with great
+fire and intelligence in his eyes, entered the room, pausing for a
+single moment at the door, as if for permission.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come in, Monsieur de Louvois, come in,&quot; said the King. &quot;This is
+Jerome Riquet, the valet of the Count de Morseiul, whom I told you I
+intended to examine. He puts a very different face upon several
+matters, however, from that which we expected to find,&quot; and the King
+briefly recapitulated to his famous minister the information he had
+received from Riquet, leaving out however the first part of the
+conversation between them, which contained matter that could not be
+very agreeable to the minister.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A somewhat sneering smile came upon Louvois' countenance as he
+listened; and he replied, &quot;I am very happy to hear, Sire, that the
+Count de Morseiul is so good and faithful a servant to your Majesty.
+May I be permitted to ask this worthy person a question or two in your
+presence?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King bowed his head, and the minister, turning to Riquet, went on:
+&quot;Although we have much more reason to think favourably of your
+master,&quot; he said, &quot;than we had at first, yet there is one point in
+regard to which, though he did not actually commit a fault, he greatly
+neglected his duty, at least, so we are led to believe. We are
+assured, that shortly before he came up to Versailles, a great meeting
+of Huguenots in the open air took place upon a wild moor, within the
+limits of the young Count's lands, which meeting, though held for the
+peaceful purpose, we are told, of merely preaching in the open air,
+terminated in bloodshed, and an attack upon a small body of the King's
+dragoons who were watching the proceedings.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louvois' eye was fixed upon the valet all the time he spoke, and
+Jerome Riquet was making up his mind to deny steadily any knowledge of
+the transaction; but suddenly his whole views upon the subject were
+changed by the minister coming to the head and front of the Count's
+offence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now,&quot; continued Louvois, &quot;although there was certainly no law to
+compel the Count to be present on such an occasion, yet, when he knew
+that a meeting of this kind was about to take place on his own
+estates, and that dangerous consequences might ensue, he would but
+have shown his zeal and duty in the service of the King by going to
+the spot, and doing all that he could to make the proceedings tranquil
+and inoffensive.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But the Count did go, Sir,&quot; exclaimed Riquet, &quot;the Count did go, and
+I remember the fact of his going particularly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you ready to swear that he was there?&quot; demanded Louvois.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All I can say,&quot; replied the valet, &quot;is, that he left home for the
+purpose of going there. I was not present myself, but I heard from
+every one else that he was.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray at what hour did he return that night?&quot; demanded Louvois,
+&quot;for the events that I speak of did not take place till near
+nightfall, and if the Count had been there till the whole assemblage
+had dispersed, a thousand to one no harm would have ensued.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I cannot exactly tell at what hour he returned,&quot; said the valet, who
+was beginning to fancy that he was not exactly in the right road. &quot;It
+was after nightfall, however.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Recollect yourself,&quot; said Louvois, &quot;was it nine, ten o'clock.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It might be nearly ten,&quot; said the man.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And, I think,&quot; said Louvois, his lip curling with a smile, bitter and
+fiend-like, &quot;I think you were one of those, were you not, who went
+down on the following morning to the spot where the young Marquis de
+Hericourt had been murdered? Your name is amongst those who were seen
+there, so say no more. But now tell me, where is your master at this
+moment?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Jerome Riquet smarted under a strong perception of having been
+outwitted; and the consequence was, that knowing, or at least
+believing, that when a man falls into one such piece of ill luck, it
+generally goes on, with a sort of run against him; he made up his mind
+to know as little as possible about any thing, for fear of falling
+into a new error, and replied to Louvois' question, that he could not
+tell.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is he in his hotel at Versailles, or not, Sir?&quot; said the minister
+sternly; &quot;endeavour to forget for once that you are professionally a
+liar, and give a straight-forward answer, for on your telling truth
+depends your immediate transmission to the Bastille or not. Was your
+master at home when you left the house, or out?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He was out then, Sir, certainly,&quot; replied Riquet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On horseback, or on foot?&quot; demanded Louvois.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On horseback,&quot; replied the man. &quot;Now, answer me one other question,&quot;
+continued the minister. &quot;Have you not been heard, this very morning,
+to tell the head groom to have horses ready to go to Paris?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir,&quot; said Jerome, with a look of impudent raillery that he dared not
+assume towards the King, but which nothing upon earth could have
+repressed in addressing Louvois at that moment, &quot;Sir, I feel convinced
+that I must possess a valet de chambre without knowing it, for nobody
+on earth could repeat my words so accurately, unless I had some
+scoundrel of a valet to betray them as soon as they were spoken.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir, your impudence shall have its just punishment,&quot; said Louvois,
+taking up a pen and dipping it in the ink, but the King waved his
+hand, saying, &quot;Put down the pen, Monsieur de Louvois! You forget that
+you are in the King's cabinet and in his presence!--Riquet, you may
+retire.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet did not need a second bidding, but, with a look of profound awe
+and reverence towards Louis, laid his hand upon his heart, lifted up
+his shoulders, like the jaws of a crocodile ready to swallow up his
+head, and bowing almost to the ground, walked backward out of the
+room. Louvois stood before the King, for an instant, with a look of
+angry mortification, which he suppressed with difficulty. Louis
+suffered him to remain thus, and, perhaps, did not enjoy a little the
+humiliation he had inflicted upon a man whom he, more than once in his
+life, declared to be perfectly insupportable, though he could not do
+without him. At length, however, he spoke in a grave but not an angry
+tone, saying,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;From the questions that you asked that man just now, Monsieur de
+Louvois, I am led to believe that you have received some fresh
+information regarding this young gentleman--this Count de Morseiul. My
+determination up to this moment, strengthened by the advice of
+Monsieur de Meaux, Monsieur Pelisson, and others, is simply this: to
+pursue to the utmost the means of persuasion and conciliation in order
+to induce him, by fair means, to return to the bosom of the Catholic
+church.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Better, Sire,&quot; replied Louvois, &quot;far better cut him off like a
+withered and corrupted branch, unfit to be grafted on that goodly
+tree.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know, Marquis,&quot; said the King, &quot;that I am always amenable to
+reason. I have expressed the determination which I had taken under
+particular circumstances. If you have other circumstances to
+communicate to me which may make me alter that opinion, do so
+straight-forwardly. Kings are as liable to error as other
+men,--perhaps, indeed, more so; for they see truth at a distance, and
+require perspective glasses to examine it well, which are not always
+at hand. If I am wrong I am ready to change my resolution, though it
+is always a part of a king's duty to decide speedily when he can do it
+wisely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The simple fact, Sire,&quot; replied Louvois, with the mortification under
+which he still smarted affecting his tone of voice; &quot;the simple fact
+is, as your Majesty must have divined from the answers that man gave
+me, I have now clear and distinct proof that this Count de Morseiul
+has, throughout the insignificant but annoying troubles occasioned by
+the Huguenots in Poitou, been the great fomenter of all their
+discontent, and their leader in actual insurrection. He was not only
+present at this preaching in the desert, as these fanatics call it,
+and led all the proceedings, by a speech upon the occasion highly
+insulting to your Majesty's authority and dignity; with all which your
+Majesty has already been made acquainted----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But upon not very clear and conclusive evidence,&quot; said the King.
+&quot;Upon evidence, Monsieur de Louvois, which should condemn none of my
+subjects before a court of law, and, therefore, not before his
+sovereign. That he made a speech is clear; but some of the witnesses
+deposed, that it was only to recommend moderation and tranquillity,
+and to beseech them, on no account, to appear on such occasions with
+arms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All hypocrisy, Sire,&quot; replied Louvois. &quot;I have had two of the
+dragoons with me this morning who were present with my unfortunate
+cousin, young De Hericourt, and they are quite ready and willing to
+swear that he, this Count de Morseiul, began the affray by striking
+that young officer from his horse.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Without provocation?&quot; demanded the King, his brow growing somewhat
+cloudy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They saw none given,&quot; replied Louvois, &quot;and they were close to him.
+Not only this, but, as it is shown that he did not himself return to
+his own house till late at night; that De Hericourt never returned at
+all; and that the two were angry rivals for the hand of this very
+Mademoiselle de Marly, there is strong reason to believe that they met
+after the affair on the moor, and that the unhappy young man was slain
+by the hand of the Count of Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is something new, indeed,&quot; said the King. &quot;Have you any further
+information, Monsieur de Louvois?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Merely the following, Sire,&quot; replied the minister, &quot;that, in the
+course of yesterday evening, the famous fanatic minister, Claude de
+l'Estang, the great stay of the self-styled reformed church, who, on
+more than one occasion, in his youth opposed your royal father in
+arms, and has, through life, been the great friend and adviser of
+these Counts of Morseiul, arrived in Paris last night, sent a billet
+down to the Count this morning, and further, that the Count
+immediately went up to visit him. Unfortunately the news was
+communicated to me too late to take measures for tracking the Count
+from Versailles to the hiding-place of the minister, whom it is
+desirable to lay hands upon if possible. The Count was tracked,
+indeed, to his own hotel in Paris; but, just before I came hither, the
+messenger returned to tell me, that as soon as Monsieur de Morseiul
+had arrived at his own house he had gone out again on foot, and all
+further trace of him was lost. What I would urge upon your Majesty's
+attention, then, is this, that if you suffer him to trifle away many
+days, persuading you and good Monsieur Bossuet, that he intends to
+yield and return to the church, you will suffer this affair of the
+preaching, the tumult, the murder of some of your loyal subjects, and
+the previous factious conduct of this young man, to drop and be
+forgotten; and you cannot well revive it after any length of time, as
+it is known, already, that full information has been laid before you
+on the subject. It does seem to me, Sire,&quot; continued the minister,
+seeing that Louis was much moved by his reasonings, &quot;it does seem to
+me that you have but one choice. You must either, believing, as I do,
+that the Count de Morseiul has not the slightest intention of ever
+becoming a convert from the heresy which he now professes, determine
+upon arresting him and punishing him for the crimes with which he is
+charged, should they be proved; or else you must grant him your royal
+favour and pardon, put it out of your own power to investigate further
+the matter, bestow upon him the hand of Mademoiselle de Marly, and
+leave fate, and his own inclinations, to convert him to the Catholic
+faith, or not, as may happen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I certainly shall not take the latter alternative,&quot; replied the King.
+&quot;The circumstances you have brought forward are extremely strong,
+especially this renewed visit to Claude de l'Estang. I am not one to
+show indecision where firmness is necessary, Louvois. In an hour or
+two, whenever I think it probable that he is returned to Versailles, I
+will send to require his presence. I will question him myself upon his
+belief, ascertain the probability of his conversion, and determine at
+once. If I find your statement correct----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sire,&quot; cried Louvois, interrupting the King, as was too often his
+custom to do, &quot;there is little use of your asking him any questions
+but one simple one; the answer to which must, at once, satisfy so
+great and magnanimous a mind as yours, and you will see that I
+entertain no feeling of personal enmity to the young man by the
+question that I am about to suggest. If he answer that question
+candidly, straightforwardly, and, at once, in the manner and sense
+which your Majesty can approve, give him your favour, raise him high,
+distinguish him in every manner: but if he prevaricates, hesitates, or
+answers in a sense and manner which your Majesty cannot approve, send
+him to the Bastille.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what is the question?&quot; demanded the King eagerly. &quot;What is the
+question, Monsieur de Louvois?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This, Sire,&quot; replied Louvois: &quot;Monsieur de Morseiul, I beg and
+command of you, as your king and your benefactor, to tell me whether
+there is, or is not, really any chance of your ever becoming a convert
+to the true Catholic faith of this realm?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louvois, by putting such a question into the King's mouth, showed not
+only how intimately he was acquainted with Louis's weaknesses, but
+also how well he knew the firmness and candour of the young Count de
+Morseiul. He knew, in short, that the latter would tell the truth, and
+that the former would condemn it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing can be fairer,&quot; replied the King, &quot;nothing can be fairer,
+Monsieur de Louvois. I will put that question to him exactly, and upon
+his answer to it he shall stand or fall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So thoroughly am I convinced, Sire, of what the result will be,&quot;
+continued Louvois, &quot;that I will beseech your Majesty to give me
+authority to have him arrested immediately after he leaves you, in
+case you send me no order to the contrary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly,&quot; replied the King, &quot;certainly. I will sign the order
+immediately.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Allow me to remind you, Sire,&quot; replied Louvois, &quot;that you signed one
+the other day, which is already in the hands of Cantal, only you
+ordered me to suspend the execution. That will do quite well, and
+Cantal will be at hand to put it in force.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be it so,&quot; said the Monarch, &quot;be it so: but let Cantal be in the way
+at the time I send for the young Count, that I may signify to him that
+he is not to arrest the Count if the answer I receive satisfies me.
+And now, Monsieur de Louvois, what news regarding this business of
+Dunkirk?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King and his minister then turned to other matters, and having
+concluded the principal part of the affairs they had in hand, were
+talking somewhat lightly of other matters, when one of the attendants,
+who knew that the hour of Louvois was over, opened the door and
+interrupted their further conversation, by announcing, to the surprise
+of both, that the Count de Morseiul was in waiting, beseeching,
+earnestly, a moment's audience of the Monarch. The King turned his
+eyes upon Louvois, as if to inquire, &quot;What is the meaning of this?&quot;
+but a moment or two after he bade the attendant give the Count
+admission.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then I had better take my leave, Sire,&quot; said the minister, &quot;and give
+Cantal a hint to be in readiness;&quot; and taking up the papers from which
+he had been reading some extracts to the Monarch, Louvois bowed low
+and quitted the room.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5><span class="sc">London:<br>
+Printed by A. Spottiswoode,<br>
+New-Street-Square.</span></h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>THE HUGUENOT.</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3><a name="div3_00" href="#div3Ref_00">VOL. III.</a></h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5><span class="sc">London:<br>
+Printed by A. Spottiswoode,<br>
+New-Street-Square.</span></h5>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h4>THE</h4>
+<br>
+<h1>HUGUENOT</h1>
+<br>
+<h4>A TALE</h4>
+<br>
+<h5>OF</h5>
+<br>
+<h2>THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.</h2>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h5>BY THE AUTHOR OF</h5>
+<br>
+<h4>&quot;THE GIPSY,&quot; &quot;THE ROBBER,&quot;<br>
+&amp;c. &amp;c.</h4>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr class="W10">
+<br>
+<h4>IN THREE VOLUMES.</h4>
+<br>
+<h2>VOL. III.</h2>
+<br>
+<hr class="W10">
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>LONDON:</h3>
+
+<h5>PRINTED FOR</h5>
+
+<h4>LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, &amp; LONGMANS,</h4>
+
+<h5>PATERNOSTER-ROW.</h5>
+
+<h3>1839.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>THE HUGUENOT.</h1>
+<br>
+<hr class="W20">
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_01" href="#div3Ref_01">THE UNFORESEEN BLOW.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">To have judged by the affable and agreeable smile which Louvois bore
+upon his countenance as he passed the young Count de Morseuil in one
+of the anterooms, a stranger to that minister would have imagined that
+he was extremely well disposed towards the gentleman whom he was in
+fact labouring to ruin. No such error, however, could have taken place
+with regard to the aspect with which the King received the young
+Count, which, though not frowning and severe, was grave and somewhat
+stern.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The countenance and conduct of Albert of Morseiul was calm, tranquil,
+and serene; and Louis, who, intending to cut the interview as short as
+possible, had risen, could not help saying within himself, &quot;That looks
+not like the face of a man conscious of crime.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As the King paused while he made this remark to himself, the Count
+imagined that he waited for him to begin and open the cause of his
+coming; and, consequently, he said at once, &quot;Sire, I have ventured to
+intrude upon your Majesty, notwithstanding your intimation that you
+would send for me when your convenience served, inasmuch as I have
+matters of some importance to lay before you, which would bear no
+delay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray,&quot; demanded Louis, &quot;pray, Monsieur de Morseiul, before you
+proceed further, be so good as to inform me, whether the matters to
+which you allude refer to yourself or to the state?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By no means to myself,&quot; replied the Count, who was not altogether
+satisfied with the King's tone and manner. &quot;They refer entirely to the
+safety of the state and your Majesty. On my own affairs I would not
+have presumed to intrude upon you again.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well, then,&quot; said the King dryly, &quot;since such is the case, you
+will be good enough to communicate whatever you may have to say upon
+such subjects to Monsieur de Louvois, Monsieur de Seignelai, or
+Monsieur Colbert de Croissy, as the case may be; such being the usual
+course by which matters of importance are brought to my ears. And now,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, though I have but a single moment to attend to
+any thing at this particular time, let me ask you one question,--Is
+there or is there not any hope of my receiving the great gratification
+of being enabled to show you as much favour and distinction as I could
+wish, by your abjuring the heresy in which you have been unfortunately
+brought up, and seeking repose in the bosom of the Catholic church?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul felt that a crisis in his fate had arrived; but,
+with the question put to him so simply and straight-forwardly, he felt
+that he could not evade the decision, and he would not prevaricate
+even for safety.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If, Sire,&quot; he said, &quot;what your Majesty demands is to know my own
+opinion upon the subject at this moment--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I mean, Sir,&quot; said the King, &quot;plainly, Do you believe that there
+exists a likelihood of your becoming converted to the Catholic faith?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do not believe so, Sire,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;With deep and
+profound respect for your Majesty, with much veneration and regard for
+Monsieur Bossuet, and with all the advantage of being even now reading
+some of his works upon religion, I should be deceiving your Majesty, I
+should be wronging myself, I should be showing myself unworthy of the
+high opinion which Monsieur de Meaux has expressed of me, if I did not
+clearly and distinctly state that I see no likelihood whatsoever of my
+changing opinions instilled into me in infancy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, nay,&quot; cried the King, considerably moved and struck by the calm,
+yet respectful dignity of the young Count's demeanour. &quot;Think better
+of it! In God's name think better of it! Let me hope that the
+eloquence of Bossuet will prevail--let me hope that I may yet have the
+opportunity of conferring upon you all those favours that I am most
+eager to bestow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was an eagerness and sincerity in the King's manner, which
+affected the Count in turn. &quot;Alas, Sire,&quot; he said, &quot;what would I not
+do to merit the favour of such a King? but still I must not deceive
+you. Whatever hopes your Majesty is pleased to entertain of my
+conversion to the established religion of the realm, may be derived
+from the knowledge--from the powerful gratitude--which your Majesty's
+generosity and high qualities of every kind must call up in your
+subjects and your servants; or they may arise from your knowledge of
+the deep and persuasive eloquence of the Bishop of Meaux: but they
+must not arise from any thing that I have said, or can say, regarding
+the state of my mind at this moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I grieve, Monsieur de Morseiul, I grieve bitterly to hear it,&quot;
+replied the King; and he then paused, looking down thoughtfully for
+some moments; after which he added, &quot;Let me remonstrate with you, that
+nothing may be left undone, which I can do, to justify me in treating
+you as I could wish. Surely, Monsieur de Morseiul, there can be
+nothing very difficult to believe in that which so many--nay, I may
+say all the holiest, the wisest, and the best have believed, since the
+first preaching of our religion. Surely, the great body of authority
+which has accumulated throughout ages, in favour of the Catholic
+church, is not to be shaken by such men as Luther and Calvin. You
+yourselves acknowledge that there are--as there must ever be when
+heavenly things are revealed to earthly understanding--mysteries which
+we cannot subject to the ordinary test of human knowledge, in the
+whole scheme of our redemption--you acknowledge it; and yet with faith
+you believe in those mysteries, rejecting only those which do not suit
+you, and pretending that the Scripture does not warrant them. But let
+me ask you, upon what authority we are to rely for the right
+interpretation of those very passages? Is it to be upon the word of
+two such men as Luther and Calvin, learned though they might be, or on
+the authority of the church, throughout all ages, supported by the
+unbiassed opinions of a whole host of the learned and the wise in
+every century? Are we to rely upon the opinion of two men, originally
+stirred up by avarice and bad passions, in preference to the whole
+body of saints and martyrs, who have lived long lives of piety and
+holiness, meditating upon those very mysteries which you reject. I am
+but a weak and feeble advocate, Monsieur de Morseiul, and should not,
+perhaps, have raised my voice at all after the eloquence of a Bossuet
+has failed to produce its effect; but my zealous and anxious wish both
+to see you reunited to the church, and to show you that favour which
+such a conversion would justify, have made me say thus much.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young Count was too prudent by far to enter into any theological
+discussions with the King, and he, therefore, contented himself with
+replying, &quot;I fear, Sire, that our belief is not in our own power. Most
+sincerely do I hope and trust, that, if I be now in the wrong, God may
+open my eyes to the truth. At present however----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Say no more, Sir! say no more!&quot; said the King, bending his head as a
+signal that the young nobleman might retire. &quot;I am heartily sorry for
+your state of mind! I had hoped better things. As to any other
+information you may have to communicate, you will be pleased to give
+it to one of the secretaries of state, according to the department to
+which it naturally refers itself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King once more bowed his head, and the Count with a low
+inclination retired. &quot;I had better go at once to the apartments of
+Louvois,&quot; he thought; &quot;for this affair of Hatréaumont may be already
+on the eve of bursting forth, and I would fain have the last act of my
+stay in my native land one of loyalty to the King who drives me
+forth.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he reached the open air, then, he turned to the right, to seek
+the apartments of Louvois; but, ere he reached them, he was met by the
+Chevalier de Rohan, whom we have already mentioned, who stopped him
+with a gay and nonchalant air, saying, &quot;Oh, my dear Count, you have
+made my fortune! The hundred louis that you lent me have brought good
+luck, and I am now a richer man than I have been for the last twelve
+months. I won ten thousand franks yesterday.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And, doubtless, will lose them again today,&quot; answered the Count. &quot;I
+wish to Heaven you would change this life--but, my dear Chevalier, I
+must hasten on, for I am on business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When shall I have an hour to talk with you, Count?&quot; exclaimed the
+Chevalier de Rohan, still detaining him. &quot;I want very much to explain
+to you my plan for raising myself--I am down low enough, certainly,
+just now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When next we meet, Chevalier--when next we meet!&quot; said the Count,
+smiling as he thought of his approaching departure. &quot;I am in great
+haste now.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But ere he could disengage himself from the hold of the persevering
+Chevalier de Rohan, he felt a hand laid gently upon his arm, and
+turning round, saw a gentleman whose face was not familiar to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur le Comte de Morseiul, I believe,&quot; said the stranger; and, on
+the Count bowing his head, he went on. &quot;I have to apologise for
+interrupting your conversation; but I have a word for your private ear
+of some importance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier de Rohan had by this time turned away, with a nod of the
+head; and the Count replied to the other, &quot;I am in some haste, Sir.
+Pray, what may be your pleasure?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have an unpleasant task to perform towards you, Monsieur de
+Morseiul,&quot; said the stranger; &quot;but it is my wish to execute it as
+gently and delicately as possible. My orders are to arrest and convey
+you to the Bastille.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul felt that painful tightening of the heart which
+every man, thus suddenly stopped in the full career of liberty, and
+destined to be conveyed to long and uncertain imprisonment, to be shut
+out from all the happy sounds and sights of earth, to be debarred all
+the sweet intercourses of friendship and affection, has felt and must
+feel. At the same time all the various points of anxiety and
+difficulty in his situation rushed through his mind with such rapidity
+as to turn him dizzy with the whirling numbers of such painful
+thoughts. Clémence de Marly, whose hand was to have been his that very
+night, the good old pastor, his friends, his servants, all might, for
+aught he knew, be kept in utter ignorance of his fate for many days.
+The hands, too, of the unscrupulous and feelingless instruments of
+despotic power, would be in every cabinet of his house and his
+château, invading all the little storehouses of past affections,
+perhaps scattering to the winds all the fond memorials of the loved
+and dead. The dark lock of his mother's hair, which he had preserved
+from boyhood--the few fragments of her handwriting, and some verses
+that she had composed shortly before her death--all his father's
+letters to him, from the time that he first sent him forth, a gallant
+boy girt with the sword of a high race, to win renown, through all
+that period when the son, growing up in glory, shone back upon his
+father's name the light that he had thence received, and paid amply
+all the cares which had been bestowed upon him, by the joy of his
+great deeds, up to that sad moment, when, with a trembling hand, the
+dying parent announced to his son the commencement and progress of the
+fatal malady that carried him to the grave.--All these were to be
+opened, examined, perhaps dispersed by the cold, if not by the
+scornful; and all the sanctities of private affection violated.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such and a thousand other such feelings, rapid, innumerable, and, in
+some instances, contradictory to and opposing each other, rushed
+through his bosom in a moment at the announcement of the officer's
+errand. The whole facts of his situation, in short, with every minute
+particular, were conjured up before his eyes, as in a picture, by
+those few words; and the first effort of deliberate thought was made
+while De Cantal went on to say, &quot;As I have said, Monsieur de Morseiul,
+it is my wish to save you any unnecessary pain, and therefore I have
+ordered the carriage, which is to convey you to the Bastille, to wait
+at the further end of the first street. A couple of musketeers and
+myself will accompany you inside; so that there will be no unnecessary
+parade about the matter: and I doubt not that you will be liberated
+shortly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I trust it may be so, Sir,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;and am obliged to you
+for your kindness. I have violated no law, divine or human; and
+though, of course, I have many sins to atone towards my God, yet I
+have none towards my King. I am quite ready to accompany you, but I
+suppose that I shall not be permitted to return to my own house, even
+to seek those things which may be necessary for my comfort in the
+Bastille.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quite impossible, Sir,&quot; replied the officer. &quot;It would be as much as
+my head is worth to permit you to set foot in your own dwelling.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The thoughts of the young Count, as may well be supposed, were turned,
+at that moment, particularly to Clémence de Marly; and he was most
+anxious, on every account, to make his servants acquainted with the
+fact of his having been arrested, in the hope that Riquet would have
+the good sense to convey the tidings to the Hôtel de Rouvré. To have
+explained this, in any degree, to the officer who had him in charge,
+would have been to frustrate the whole design; and therefore he
+replied,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Far be it from me, Sir, to wish you to do any thing but your duty:
+but you see, as I have been accustomed, throughout my life, to
+somewhat perhaps too much luxury, I should be very desirous of
+procuring some changes of apparel. That, I am aware, may be permitted
+to me unless I am to be in the strictest and most severe kind of
+imprisonment which the Bastille admits of. You know by the orders you
+have received whether such is to be the case or not, and of course I
+do not wish you to deviate from your orders. Am I to be kept <i>au
+secret?</i>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh dear no, not at all,&quot; replied the officer. &quot;The order merely
+implies your safe custody; and, probably, unless some private commands
+are given farther, you will have what is called the great liberties of
+the Bastille: but still that would not, by any means, justify me in
+permitting you to go to your own house.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but it renders it perfectly possible--if you
+are, as I believe, disposed to treat a person in my unfortunate
+situation with kindness and liberality--for you to send down one of
+your own attendants to my valet, Jerome Riquet, with my orders to send
+me up, in the course of the day, such clothes as may be necessary for
+a week. Let the message be verbal, so as to guard against any
+dangerous communication; and let the clothes be addressed to the care
+of the governor of the prison, in order that they may be inspected
+before they are given to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, to that, of course, there can be no objection,&quot; replied the young
+officer. &quot;We will do it immediately. But we must lose no time,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, for the order is countersigned by Monsieur de
+Louvois, and you know he likes prompt obedience.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count accompanied him at a rapid pace, deriving no slight
+consolation under the unhappy circumstances in which he was placed, at
+the idea of Clémence being fully informed of the cause of his not
+appearing at the time he had promised. At the spot which Monsieur de
+Cantal had mentioned, was found a plain carriage, with a coachman and
+lackey in grey, and two musketeers of the guard seated quietly in the
+inside. While the Count was entering the vehicle, the officer called
+the lackey to his side and said, &quot;Run down as fast as possible to the
+house of the Count de Morseiul, and inquire for his valet. What did
+you say his name is, Monsieur de Morseiul?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Jerome Riquet,&quot; said the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, Jerome Riquet,&quot; said the officer. &quot;Inquire for his valet, Jerome
+Riquet: tell him that the King has judged it right that his master
+should pass a short time in the Bastille, and that, therefore, he must
+send up thither to-night, addressed to the care of the governor, what
+clothes he judges the Count may require. The house is next door but
+one to that of Monsieur de Meaux. Run quick, and take the little alley
+at the end of the street, so that you may join us at the corner of the
+road.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young officer then entered the carriage, and the coachman drove
+on; but before they proceeded along the high road they were obliged to
+pause for a moment or two, in order to give time for the arrival of
+the lackey, who, when he came, spoke a few words through the window to
+Monsieur de Cantal, in the course of which the word &quot;Exempt&quot; was
+frequently audible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is unpleasant,&quot; said the young officer, turning to the Count: &quot;I
+find that an Exempt has been sent to your house already,--to seal up
+your papers, I suppose; and, on hearing the man give the message to
+one of your servants, he was very angry, it seems, sending word to
+wait for him here; but, as I am not under his orders or authority, I
+think I shall even tell the coachman to go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He said this in a hesitating tone, however, evidently afraid that he
+had done wrong; and before he could execute his purpose of bidding the
+carriage proceed, the lackey said, &quot;Here comes the Exempt, Sir. Here
+he is!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In a moment after, a tall, meager, gaunt-looking man, dressed in the
+peculiar robes of an Exempt of the court, with a nose extraordinarily
+red, scarcely any eyebrows, and a mouth which seemed capable of
+swallowing the vehicle that he approached and all that it contained,
+came up to the side of the carriage, and spoke to the young officer
+through the window. The words that passed between them seemed to be
+sharp; and, at length, the Exempt exclaimed, in a louder tone, so as
+to be completely audible to the Count--although his articulation was
+of that round spluttering kind which rendered it very difficult to
+make out what he said--&quot;I shall do so, however, Sir; I shall do so,
+however. I have authority for what I do. I will suffer no such
+communications as these, and I will not quit the carriage till I have
+seen the prisoner safely lodged in the hands of the governor of the
+Bastille.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, Sir,&quot; replied the officer, a little heated; &quot;if you choose to
+overstep your duty I cannot help it, and certainly shall not attempt
+to prevent your going with the coachman if you think fit. In the
+inside of the carriage you shall not come, for there I will guard my
+prisoner myself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That you may do, Sir, if you like,&quot; cried the Exempt, shaking the
+awful mass of wig in which his head was plunged: &quot;but I will take care
+that there shall be no more communications.--Linen! What the devil
+does a prisoner in the Bastille want with linen? Why, in the very
+first packet sent to him there might be all sorts of treasonable
+things written upon the linen. Have we not heard of ink of sympathy
+and all manner of things?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, well, Sir,&quot; exclaimed the young officer: &quot;I saw no harm in what
+I was doing, or else I should not have done it. But get up, if you are
+going to get up, for I shall order the coachman to go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Exempt sprang up the high and difficult ascent which led to a
+coachbox of those days, with a degree of activity which could hardly
+have been expected from a person of his pompous dignity, and the coach
+then drove on upon its weary way to Paris.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A very violent and self-conceited person, indeed, that seems to be,&quot;
+said the Count. &quot;Do you know him?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not I,&quot; replied the young officer, &quot;though he threatens to make me
+know him pretty sufficiently, by complaining to Louvois about sending
+for these cursed clothes of yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The officer was evidently out of temper; and the Count, therefore,
+left him to himself, and fell into a fit of musing over his own
+situation. That fit of musing, dark and painful as it was, lasted,
+without cessation, till the vehicle entered one of the suburbs of the
+great city of Paris. There, however, it met with an interruption of a
+very unexpected kind; for, in trying to pass between two heavy carts,
+which were going along in opposite directions, the coachman contrived
+to get the wheels of the carriage locked with those of both the other
+vehicles; and with such force was this done that the lackey behind was
+thrown down and hurt, the Exempt himself nearly pitched off the
+coachbox, and obliged to cling with both his hands, while the coachman
+lost his hat and the reins.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The idea of making his escape crossed the mind of the Count de
+Morseiul; but he evidently saw that even if he were out of the
+carriage, surrounded as he was by a great number of people, without
+any large sum of money upon his person, and with the eyes of the
+officer, the musketeers, and the Exempt upon him, it would be vain to
+make the attempt.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">To render the situation of the vehicle as bad as possible, one of the
+horses, either irritated by the uncouth and not very gentle terms with
+which the coachman attempted to back out of the difficulty, or galled
+by part of the cart pressing upon it, began to kick most vehemently;
+and Monsieur de Cantal, the officer, having previously sent the two
+musketeers to aid the coachman and the Exempt in disentangling the
+carriage, now showed a strong inclination to go himself. After looking
+anxiously at the Count de Morseiul for a moment, he at length said, &quot;I
+must either go and set those men right, or suffer the carriage to be
+kicked to pieces. If I go, Monsieur de Morseiul, will you give me your
+word not to try to escape?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count paused for an instant; but then the same consideration
+returned upon him, and he replied, &quot;Go, Sir, go: I do give you my
+word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The officer then sprang out; but scarcely had he been away a moment,
+when the head of the Exempt appeared looking in at the window. &quot;Hist,
+hist, Monsieur de Morseiul!&quot; he said, in a voice totally different
+from that which he had used before, and which was wonderfully familiar
+to the ears of the Count; &quot;hist, hist! On the very first linen you
+receive, there will be information written for you. It will be
+invisible to all eyes till it is held to the fire. But the flame of a
+strong lamp will do, if you cannot sham an ague and get some wood to
+warm you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I can scarcely believe my eyes,&quot; said the Count, in the same low
+voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not doubt them, do not doubt them,&quot; said the Exempt. &quot;I knew of
+your arrest before you knew of it yourself, but could not warn you,
+and was making all ready when the man came to the hotel. I have
+sacrificed much for you, Count; as goodly a pair of eyebrows as ever
+valet had in this world; and I dare not blow my nose for fear of
+wiping off the paint: Louvois outwitted me this morning, and now I'll
+outwit him if I have but time. Heavens, how that beast is plunging and
+kicking! The pin I ran into its stomach is sticking there yet I
+suppose; ay, she's quieter now; here they come, and I must
+splutter.--Monsieur,&quot; he said, as the officer now returned to the side
+of the carriage, &quot;Monsieur, this is guarding your prisoner securely,
+is it not? Here I come to the window and find not a single soul to
+prevent his escaping, when he might have got out in a moment, and run
+up the Rue de Bièvre, and passed through the Rue de l'Ecole, and
+across the Place de l'Université, and then down to the river----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Psha!&quot; said the officer impatiently; &quot;let me have no more of this
+impertinence, Sir. The Count gave me his word that he would not
+escape. If I deliver my prisoner safely at the Bastille, that is
+sufficient, and I will not have my conduct questioned. If you have any
+complaint to make, make it to Monsieur de Louvois. Come, get up, Sir,
+don't answer; the carriage is now clear, and enough of it left
+together to carry us to the Bastille. Go on, coachman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The coachman, however, pertinaciously remained in a state of
+tranquillity, till the Exempt was once more comfortably seated by his
+side; and then the carriage rolling on through the back streets of the
+capital, made a little turn by the Rue de Jean Beausire, into the Rue
+St. Antoine, and approached the gates of that redoubted prison, in
+which so many of the best and noblest in France have lingered out, at
+different times, a part of their existence. To few, to very few, have
+the tall gloomy towers of that awful fortress appeared without
+creating feelings of pain and apprehension; and however confident he
+might be of his own innocence, however great might be his trust in the
+good providence and protection of God, however strong he might be in a
+good cause and a firm spirit, it cannot be denied that Albert of
+Morseiul felt deeply and painfully, and with an anxious and a
+sickening heart, his entrance into that dark solitary abode of crime,
+and sorrow, and suffering.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The carriage drew up just opposite the drawbridge, and the officer
+getting out, left his prisoner in charge of the two musketeers, and
+went forward to speak to the officer on guard at the gates. To him he
+notified, in due form, that he had brought a prisoner, with orders
+from the King for his incarceration; and the carriage, was kept for
+some time standing there, while the officer on guard proceeded to the
+dwelling of the governor, to demand the keys of the great gates. When
+he had obtained them and returned, the doors were opened; the guard
+was turned out under arms; the great drawbridge let down; the bell
+which communicated with the interior of the building rung; and the
+vehicle containing the Count, slowly rolled on into the outer court,
+called the Cour du Gouvernement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There the carriage paused, the governor of the prison having expressed
+his intention of coming down to receive the prisoner from the hands of
+the officer who brought him: otherwise, the carriage would have gone
+on into the inner court. A short pause ensued, and at length the
+well-known Besmaux was seen approaching, presenting exactly that
+appearance which might be expected from his character; for the traits
+of debauchery, levity, and ferocity, which distinguished his actual
+life, had stamped themselves upon his countenance in ineffacable
+characters.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, good day, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said, as the door of the
+carriage opened, and the Count descended. &quot;Monsieur de Cantal, your
+very humble servant. Gentlemen, both, you had better step into the
+Corps de Garde, where I will receive your prisoner, Monsieur de
+Cantal, and read the letters for his detention.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, with a slow and important step he walked into the
+building, seated himself, called for pen and ink, and a light, and
+then read the King's letter for the arrest and imprisonment of the
+Count de Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Louvois is varying these letters every day,&quot; he said;
+&quot;one never knows what one is doing. However, there stands the King's
+name, and that is quite enough; so, Monsieur de Morseiul, you are
+welcome to the Bastille. You are to have our great liberties, I
+suppose. I must beg you to give me your sword, however, and also every
+thing you have about your person, if you please; letters, papers,
+money, jewels, and every thing else, in short, except your seal, or
+your signet ring, which you keep for the purposes about to be
+explained to you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With very painful feelings the Count unbuckled his sword, and laid it
+down upon the table. He then gave up all the money that he possessed,
+one or two ordinary papers of no import, and the other usual articles
+of the same kind, which are borne about the person. The note which he
+had received from Clémence in the morning, he had luckily destroyed.
+While this was doing, the governor continued to write, examining the
+different things that he put down before him, and he then said, &quot;Is
+this all, Sir?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;upon my word.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One of the men must put his hands in your pocket, Count,&quot; said the
+governor; &quot;that is a ceremony everyone has to undergo here.&quot; The
+prisoner shut his teeth hard, but made no remark, and offered no
+resistance, though, if he had given way to his feelings, he would
+certainly have dashed the man to the ground at once, who, with
+unceremonious hands, now searched his person. When that also was over,
+Besmaux wrote down a few more words at the end of the list of things
+he had made out, and handed it to the Count to read. The only
+observation that the young nobleman made, was, that the governor had
+put down his sword as having a silver hilt, when the hilt was of gold.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, it is of gold, is it?&quot; said de Besmaux, taking it up and looking
+at it, while several of the attendants who stood round grinned from
+ear to ear. &quot;Well, we will alter it, and put it down gold. Now,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, will you have the goodness to sign that paper,
+which, with these letters, we fold up thus? and now with the seal
+which you retain, you will have the goodness to seal them, and write
+your name round the seal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With all these forms the Count complied, and the governor then
+intimated to him, that he was ready to conduct him into the interior
+of the Bastille, the spot where they then were, though within the
+walls and drawbridge, being actually considered as without the
+château.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here, then, I take leave of you, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; said the
+officer who had brought him thither, &quot;and I will do my best, on my
+return to Versailles, to insure that the clothes you want shall be
+sent, notwithstanding the interference of that impertinent Exempt, who
+took himself off on the outside of the drawbridge, and has doubtless
+gone back to lay his complaint against me before Louvois. I know the
+King, however; and knowing that he wishes no one to be treated with
+harshness or severity, have therefore no fear of the consequences.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count held out his hand to him frankly. &quot;I am very much obliged to
+you, Monsieur de Cantal,&quot; he said, &quot;for the kindness and politeness
+you have shown me. It is at such moments as these, that kindness and
+politeness become real benefits.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The officer took his hand respectfully, and then, without more words,
+retired; the carriage passed out; the gates creaked upon their hinges;
+and the heavy drawbridge swung slowly up, with a jarring sound of
+chains, and heavy iron work, sadly harmonious with the uses of the
+building, which they shut out from the world.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The governor then led the way towards the large and heavy mass of
+gloomy masonry, with its eight tall gaunt towers, which formed the
+real prison of the Bastille, and approached the gate in the centre,
+that looked towards the gardens and buildings of the arsenal. The
+drawbridge there was by this time down, and the gates were open for
+the admission of the prisoner; while what was called the staff of the
+Bastille stood ready to receive him, and the guard of the grand court
+was drawn up in line on either side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see we have an extensive court here,&quot; said the governor, leading
+the way. &quot;It is somewhat dark to be sure, on account of the buildings
+being so high; but, however, some of our people, when they have been
+accustomed to it for a year or two, find it cheerful enough. We will
+put you, I think, Monsieur de Morseiul, into what is called the Tower
+of Liberty, both because the name is a pleasant name--though it is but
+a name after all, either here or elsewhere--and also because it is
+close to the library, and as long as you have the great liberties,
+as they are called, you may go in there, and amuse yourself. Most of
+you Huguenots, I believe, are somewhat of bookworms, and when a man
+cannot find many of the living to talk to, he likes just as well to
+talk to the dead. I do not suppose, that, like some of our inmates
+here on their first arrival, you are going to mope and pine like a
+half-starved cat, or a sick hen. It is hard to bear at first I
+acknowledge; but there's nothing like bearing a thing gaily after all.
+This way, Monsieur de Morseiul, this way, and I will show you your
+apartment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He accordingly led him to the extreme angle of the grand court on the
+left hand, where a large transverse mass of architecture, containing
+the library, the hall of the council, and various other apartments,
+separated that part from the lesser court, called the Court of the
+well. A small stone doorway opened the way to a narrow spiral
+staircase, which made the head dizzy with its manifold turning; and
+about halfway up the steps the governor paused, and opened a door
+which communicated by a narrow but crooked passage, with a single
+tolerable sized chamber, handsomely furnished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You see we treat you well, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; said Besmaux; &quot;and
+if any thing can be done to make your residence here pleasant, we
+shall not fail to do it. There is but little use, if any, of causing
+doors to be locked or sentries to be placed. Some of the guards, or
+some of the officers of the staff, will be very willing to show you as
+much as is right of the rest of the building: and, in the mean time,
+can I serve you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In nothing, I am afraid,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;I have neither clothes,
+nor baggage, nor any thing else with me, which will put me to some
+inconvenience till they send it to me; but I understand that orders
+have been given to that effect already; and I should only be glad to
+have any clothes and linen that may arrive as soon as possible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will see to it, I will see to it,&quot; replied Besmaux. &quot;You have dined
+of course, Count; but to-night you will sup with me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If my stay here is to be long,&quot; said the Count, after thanking the
+governor for his invitation, &quot;I should, of course, be very glad to
+have the attendance of a domestic. I care not much, indeed, whether it
+be one of my own, or whether it be one with which you can supply me
+for the time, but I am not used to be without some sort of
+attendance.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The governor smiled. &quot;You must not be nice in the Bastille, Monsieur
+de Morseiul,&quot; he said; &quot;we all do with few attendants here, but we
+will see what can be done for you. At present we know nothing, but
+that here you are. The order for your reception is of that kind which
+leaves every thing doubtful but the fact that, for the time, you are
+not to be confined very strictly; and, indeed, as the letter is
+somewhat informal, as every thing is that comes from the hands of
+Monsieur de Louvois, I must write to him again for farther
+information. As soon as I receive it, the whole shall be arranged as
+far as I can to your satisfaction. In the mean time we will give you
+every indulgence, as far as our own general rules will allow, though,
+perhaps, you will think that share of indulgence very small.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count expressed his thanks in commonplace terms, well knowing the
+character of Besmaux, and that his fair speeches only promised a
+degree of courtesy which his actions generally failed to fulfil.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After lingering for a moment or two, the governor left his prisoner in
+the abode assigned to him, and returned to his own dwelling, without
+locking the door of the apartment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There are states of mind in which the necessity of calm contemplation
+is so strong and overpowering, that none of the ordinary motives which
+affect our nature have any influence upon us for the time,--states in
+which even vanity the most irritable, and curiosity the most active of
+our moral prompters in this world, slumber inactive, and leave thought
+and judgment paramount. Such was the case with the Count de Morseiul.
+Although he had certainly been interested with every thing concerning
+the prison, which was to be his abode for an undefined length of time;
+although all that took place indicative of his future destiny was, of
+course, not without attraction and excitement, he had grown weary of
+the formalities of his entrance into the Bastille, less because they
+were wearisome in themselves than because he longed to be alone, and
+to have a few minutes for calm and silent reflection.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he did come to reflect, however, the prospect presented was dark,
+gloomy, and sad. He was cut off from the escape he had meditated. The
+only thing that could have saved him from the most imminent dangers
+and difficulties, the only scheme which he had been able to fall upon
+to secure even the probability of peace and safety upon earth, had
+been now frustrated. The charges likely to be brought against him, if
+once averred by the decision of a court of justice, were such as, he
+well knew, could not and would not be followed by pardon; and when he
+looked at the chances that existed of those charges being sanctioned,
+confirmed, and declared just, by any commission that might sit to try
+him, he found that the probabilities were altogether against him; and
+that if party feeling biassed the opinion of one single magistrate,
+his cause was utterly lost. In cases where circumstantial evidence is
+every thing--and therein lies the horror and danger of judging by
+circumstantial evidence--so light a word, so small a turn will give a
+completely different view to the whole circumstances of any case, will
+so completely prejudice the question, and bias the minds of hearers,
+that he was quite aware if any zealous Catholics should be engaged in
+the task of persecuting him to the last, he could scarcely hope to
+escape from such serious imputations, as would justify perhaps his
+permanent detention, if not his death. He had been at the meeting of
+the Protestants on the moor, which though not illegal at the time, had
+been declared to be so since. He had then addressed the people, and
+had exhorted them to tranquillity and to peace; but where were the
+witnesses to come from in order to prove that such was the case. He
+had gone unarmed to that meeting; but others had been there in arms
+and with arms concealed. He, himself, with his own hand, had struck
+the first blow, from which such awful consequences had sprung; but how
+was he to prove the provocation which he had, in the first instance,
+received; or the protection which he had afterwards given to the base
+and unworthy young man, who had escaped from death by his means, only
+to become a murderer the moment after. The only witnesses that he
+could call were persons of the party inimical to the court, who might
+now be found with difficulty--when emigration was taking place from
+every part of France,--who would only be partially believed if they
+could be heard, and who would place themselves in danger by bearing
+testimony on his behalf.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The witnesses against him would be the hired miscreants who had fired
+into a body of unoffending people, but who were of the religion of the
+judges, the unscrupulous adherents of the cause to which those judges
+were bound by every tie of interest and of prejudice, and who were
+serving under a monarch that, on one terrible occasion, had stepped in
+to overrule the decision of a court of justice, and to inflict severer
+punishment than even his own creatures had dared to assign. Death,
+therefore, seemed to be the only probable end of his imprisonment,
+death, or eternal loss of liberty! and the Count knew the court, and
+the character of those with whom he had to deal, too well, to derive
+any degree of consolation from the lenity with which he was treated at
+first.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Had he been now in heart and mind, as he was not very long before,
+when quitting the army on the signature of the truce he had returned
+to the home of his ancestors, the prospect would have been far less
+terrible to him, far less painful. His heart was then in some degree
+solitary, his mind was comparatively alone in the world. He had spent
+the whole of his active life in scenes of danger and of strife. He had
+confronted death so often, that the lean and horrid monster had lost
+his terrors and become familiar with one, who had seemed to seek his
+acquaintance as if in sport. His ties to the world had been few; for
+the existence of bright days, and happy careless moments, and splendid
+fortune, and the means of luxury and enjoyment at command, are not the
+things that bind and attach us to life. The tie, the strong, the
+mighty tie of deep and powerful affection to some being, or beings,
+like himself, had been wanting. There were many that he liked; there
+were many that he esteemed; there were many he protected and supported
+even at that time; but he knew and felt that if he were gone the next
+moment, they would be liked, and esteemed, and supported, and
+protected by others, and would feel the same, or nearly the same,
+towards those who succeeded as towards him, when he had passed away
+from the green and sunny earth and left them to the care of newer
+friends.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But now other ties had arisen around him--ties, the strength, the
+durability, the firm pressure of which he had never known before.
+There was now a being on the earth to whom he was attached by feelings
+that can only once be felt, for whom he, himself, would have been
+ready to sacrifice every thing else; who for him, and for his love,
+had shewn herself willing to cast from her all of those bright and
+pageant-like days of splendour, in which she had once seemed to take
+so much delight. The tie, the strong tie of human affection--the
+rending of which is the great and agonising pang of death--had twined
+itself round his heart, and bound every feeling and every thought. The
+great, the surpassing quality of sentient being, the capability of
+loving, and being loved, had risen up to crush and to leave void all
+the lesser things of life, but also to give death terrors that it knew
+not before; to make the grave the bitter parting place where joy ends
+for ever, and to poison the shaft that lays us low with venom that is
+felt in agony ere the dark, dreamless sleep succeeds and extinguishes
+all.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But was this all that rendered his situation now more terrible than it
+had been before? Alas, no! The sense of religion was strong, and he
+might confidently trust that though earthly passion ended with the
+grave, and the mortal fire of his love for Clémence de Marly would
+there become extinct--he might confidently trust that, in another
+world, with his love for her exalted as well as purified, rendered
+more intense and sublime, though less passionate and human, they
+should meet again, known to each other, bound together by the immortal
+memory of vast affection, and only distinct from other spirits, bright
+and happy as themselves, by the glorious consciousness of love, and
+the intense happiness of having loved well, loved nobly, and to the
+last.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such might have been his consolation in the prospect of parting with
+her who had become so dear to him, if he had left her in calm and
+peaceful security, in a happy land, and without danger or difficulty
+surrounding her. But when he thought of the religion she had embraced,
+of the perils which surrounded her at every step, of the anguish which
+would fall upon her at his fate, of the utterly unprotected,
+uncomforted, unconsoled state in which she must remain, the heart of
+the strong warrior failed, and the trust of the Christian was drowned
+in human tears.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_02" href="#div3Ref_02">THE CONSPIRATORS.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">In such dark anticipations and gloomy reflections, as we have
+mentioned in the end of the last chapter, the Count de Morseiul passed
+the solitary hours, till a servant appeared to conduct him to the
+supper table of the governor. Had he not wished to think, indeed, he
+might have easily found amusement, either in the court below, where a
+number of the other prisoners were walking, or in the small library of
+the château; but he did wish to think, and however sad and sombre the
+stream of thought might be at that moment, its course only seemed too
+soon interrupted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The governor was civil, and even intended to be very affable; but
+Albert of Morseiul was not of a character to be amused with the
+anecdotes of a debauched soldier's life; and the only variety which
+the conversation of Besmaux afforded were tales of the regency of Anne
+of Austria, which, though they might at any other moment have served
+to entertain an idle hour, were too light and insignificant to take
+hold of a mind agitated and writhing like that of the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The governor thought his guest very dull, and, after having made
+various essays to enliven him, he proposed that they should sit down
+to play for sums, written upon pieces of paper, which were to be
+accounted for after the Count's liberation. The young nobleman would
+have certainly lost the good opinion of Besmaux for ever by declining
+this proposal, had it not so occurred that two incidents intervened
+which prevented him from pressing it. The first was the arrival of a
+large packet of linen and other clothes for the use of the Count; and
+the governor, who found a real pleasure in the execution of the task
+of a gaoler, proceeded to examine with his own eyes and hands every
+separate article which had been sent. It may be supposed that, after
+the intimation which he had received on the road, the young Count's
+heart felt no slight agitation and interest during the scrutiny; but
+if any thing was written in the manner which Riquet had stated, no
+discovery thereof was made; and, having completely satisfied himself,
+Besmaux ordered the packet to be carried to the chamber of the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The little excitement thus produced had scarcely worn away, when
+the great bell was heard to ring, and the officer upon guard
+appeared to demand the keys. According to the usual form the governor
+demanded--&quot;For whose admission?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For the admission,&quot; said the officer, reading from a scrap of paper,
+&quot;for the admission of Louis de Rohan, called the Chevalier de Rohan.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The governor started up in some surprise--&quot;On what charge?&quot; he
+demanded.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For high treason,&quot; replied the officer; and Besmaux immediately gave
+orders for the Chevalier to be brought to his apartments. &quot;Monsieur
+de Morseiul,&quot; he said, &quot;you will be good enough to follow that
+porte-clef, who will conduct you back to your chamber. Do you feel it
+cold?--for the King allows firing.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have felt it slightly cold,&quot; the Count replied, &quot;and of course the
+state of a prisoner does not tend to warm the heart.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Give wood to the Count in his chamber,&quot; said Besmaux, to one of the
+turnkeys, who had entered at the same time with the officer on guard;
+&quot;and now, good night, Count. No word to the prisoner, if you pass him
+on the stairs!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count rose and departed; and, as the governor had anticipated, met
+the Chevalier de Rohan at the foot of the stairs. That unfortunate
+gentleman was guarded by a musketeer on either side, and a man holding
+a torch preceding him. The moment that his eye fell upon the Count de
+Morseuil, he stopped, and appeared as if he were about to speak: but
+an officer who was behind, and, in whom the Count de Morseiul
+instantly recognised the Marquis of Brissac, major of the King's
+guard, exclaimed aloud, &quot;Pass on, Monsieur de Rohan!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count, who certainly had no desire to hold any communications with
+him, merely bowed his head, and followed by the turnkey, passed out
+into the court. Though Brissac knew him well, he took not the
+slightest notice of him as he passed, and the Count was conducted to
+his chamber in the tower of liberty, as it was called, where firing
+and lights were almost immediately afterwards brought him. On leaving
+him, however, the turnkey showed, by locking the heavy door without,
+that the name of the tower had but little real meaning, and the harsh
+sound of the grating iron fell heavy and painfully upon the Count's
+ear.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was, however, the hope before him of receiving some intelligence
+from his friends without, and as soon as he had made sure that the
+turnkey was gone for the night, he eagerly opened the packet of
+clothes that had been sent, and endeavoured, by the means which had
+been pointed out, to discover any thing which might be written on
+them. At first he was disappointed, and was beginning to fear that
+Riquet had been prevented from executing the purpose which he had
+entertained. At length, however, as he held one of the handkerchiefs
+before the fire, some slight yellow lines began to appear, grew
+gradually darker and darker, and assumed the form of letters, words,
+lines, and sentences. The first thing that was written at the top was
+in the hand of the valet himself, and contained words of hope and
+encouragement. It was to the following effect:--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear not; you shall soon be free. The lady has been told of all. The
+priest has gone safely back to Poitou. No suspicion attaches to any
+one, and means are taking to do away the evil.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The next sentences were in a different handwriting; and perhaps the
+young Count might not have been able to recognise whose it was--so
+different did it seem upon the linen, and in that ink, from the usual
+writing of Clémence,--had not the words been sufficient to show him
+from whom it proceeded.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear not, dear Albert,&quot; the writing went; &quot;I have heard all and
+grieve, but do not despond. I have been sent for to see one to-morrow
+morning early, who is all-powerful. She loved me in my childhood; she
+promised me many things in my youth, which I was too proud to accept;
+but I will now cast all pride away for the sake of him I love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A few lines more were written still further down, but as the Count was
+turning eagerly to read them, numerous sounds were heard from the
+court below, the clang of soldiers grounding their arms, and voices
+speaking, and the moment after, various footsteps might be
+distinguished ascending the staircase which came towards the room.
+Fearful that he should be discovered, the Count concealed the
+handkerchief in his bosom; but the steps passed by the door of his
+apartment, and, immediately after, heavy footfalls were heard in the
+room above, with voices speaking in sharp and angry tones. Those
+sounds soon ceased above, however; four or five persons were heard to
+descend the stairs, and then all became quiet, except that a quick
+footstep was still heard pacing backwards and forwards in the
+apartment over head.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is the Chevalier de Rohan,&quot; thought the Count. &quot;What crime I
+wonder can that weak libertine have committed, to deserve the rigorous
+imprisonment to which it seems he is to be subjected?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">With such brief thought, however, he dismissed the subject from his
+mind, and turned once more to the writing. By this time it had nearly
+vanished; but being again exposed to the fire it re-appeared, though
+more faintly than before. Fearful of interruption, the Count turned to
+the last lines which he had not read. They seemed to him, as far as he
+could judge, to be written in the hand of the Chevalier d'Evran, whom,
+to say sooth, in the joys and fears and agitations of the few
+preceding days, he had nearly forgotten.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have just returned to Paris, dear Albert,&quot; it said, &quot;having gone
+down to Poitou to secure evidence, which they would never have
+suffered to transpire, if some friend of yours had not been upon the
+spot. I have secured it. Fear not, therefore, for I and your belle
+Clémence are labouring together to set you free.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Oh, human nature, strange and extraordinary state of existence, how
+many contradictions dost thou contain! Although filled with such good
+hopes, although containing such proofs of friendship, although
+conveying such important intelligence, the lines written by the
+Chevalier d'Evran were not altogether pleasing to the Count de
+Morseiul, and he felt sensations that he was angry with himself for
+feeling, but which all his schooling of his own heart could scarcely
+banish.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall hate myself,&quot; he continued, &quot;if I feel thus. Must there ever
+be some counterbalancing thing in life and in feeling, to poize the
+bad against the good, and to make us less happy, less wise, less
+generous than we otherwise might be? Here new sensations have sprung
+up in my bosom, of a deeper and a finer kind than I ever knew before;
+and must there come some petty jealousy, some small, low, mean want of
+confidence, even in those I esteem and love to debase me as much as
+those other feelings might elevate me? I will think of such things no
+more; and will only think of Louis with gratitude and affection.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, or rather thus thinking, he re-read the lines that had
+been written by Clémence, and found therein a balm and a consolation
+which healed all the evil of the other. Having done so, his next care
+was to efface the writing; but that he found by no means difficult,
+damping the handkerchief in the cruise of water which had been left
+for him, and which, in a few minutes, left not a vestige of the lines
+which had been traced for his eye alone. He sat up for some time after
+this examination, soothed and calmed by the tidings he had received,
+and certainly far more tranquil in every respect than during the first
+few hours of his confinement.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The waning of the lights, however, which had been given to him, warned
+him, at length, that it was time to retire to rest, and after some
+brief prayers to the Almighty for guidance, protection, and
+deliverance, he undressed himself, extinguished the lights, and lay
+down to seek repose; but it was in vain that he did so, for as he lay
+on the small prison bed which was allotted to him, and gazed round
+upon the massy walls of the chamber in which he was confined, with the
+flickering light of the half-extinguished fire flashing from time to
+time on all the various objects round about, the sensation of
+imprisonment, of the utter loss of liberty, of being cut off from all
+correspondence or communication with his fellow-men, of being in the
+power and at the mercy of others, without any appeal against their
+will, or any means of deliverance from their hands, came upon him more
+strongly, more forcibly than ever, and made a heart, not easily bent
+or affected by any apprehensions, sink with a cold feeling of deep and
+utter despondency.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus passed several hours till, at length, weariness overcame thought,
+and he obtained sleep towards the morning. He was awakened by the
+entrance of one of the turnkeys, accompanied by the major of the
+Bastille; but the tidings which the latter officer brought to the
+Count de Morseiul were by no means pleasant, or calculated to confirm
+the hopes that the words of Clémence and the Chevalier d'Evran had
+held out to him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sorry to tell you, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said, &quot;that the
+governor last night received orders from Monsieur de Louvois to place
+you in stricter confinement, and he is, therefore, obliged to say that
+you can no longer be permitted to quit your chamber. Any thing that
+can be done, consistent with his duty, to render your confinement less
+painful to you, shall be done, depend upon it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The officer was then bowing, as if to retire; but the Count stopped
+him by asking, &quot;Is there any objection to my inquiring, Sir, whether
+there is a cause assigned for this new order?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In regard to that I am as ignorant as yourself,&quot; replied the major.
+&quot;All I can tell is, that the order was brought by Monsieur de Brissac
+at the same time that he conveyed hither the Chevalier de Rohan,&quot; and,
+without waiting for any further questions, he quitted the room in
+haste; and the turnkey, having brought the Count his breakfast, and,
+as far as possible, arranged the room with some degree of neatness,
+followed the major and locked the door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The full horrors of imprisonment now fell upon the Count de Morseiul,
+and the day wore away without his holding any further intercourse with
+any human being, except when his dinner and his supper were brought to
+him by one of the turnkeys. We need not pause upon his sensations, nor
+describe minutely all the dark and horrible anticipations which rose,
+like phantoms, to people his solitary chamber. Night came at length,
+and this night, at least, he slept; for the exhaustion of his
+corporeal frame, by the intense emotions of his mind, was far greater
+than that which could have been produced by a day of the most unusual
+exercise. Day had scarcely dawned on the following morning, however,
+when he was roused by two of the officers of the prison entering his
+chamber, and desiring him to rise, as an officer from the King was
+waiting to convey him to the royal chamber, at the arsenal, where a
+commission was sitting for the purpose of interrogating him and his
+accomplices. The Count made no observation, but hastened to do as he
+was directed; and, as soon as he was dressed, he descended the narrow
+and tortuous staircase into the great court of the Bastille, where he
+found the soldiers of the garrison drawn up in arms on either side,
+together with a number of officers belonging to the staff of the
+garrison, various turnkeys and other gaolers, and in their hands,
+evidently as prisoners, the unfortunate Chevalier de Rohan, and an old
+white-headed man, apparently of seventy years of age, with a shrewd
+and cunning countenance, more strongly expressive of acuteness than
+vigour of mind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Without suffering him to speak with any one, the officers of the
+prison placed him in file immediately after the Chevalier de Rohan--a
+gaoler, however, interposing between each of the prisoners and the one
+that followed;--and thus, between a double row of soldiery, they
+marched on into the <i>Cour du Gouvernement</i>, as if they were about to
+be conducted to the house of the governor. When they reached that
+court, however, they turned at once to the left, mounted a flight of
+steps leading to a raised terrace which overlooked the water, and then
+passing onward, approached the grating which separated that court from
+the gardens of the arsenal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At the grating appeared a large body of musketeers, commanded by an
+officer of the name of Jouvelle, who had served under the Count de
+Morseiul himself, and into his hands the officers of the Bastille
+delivered their prisoners, who were then marched, under a strong
+escort, to the arsenal, where the commission was sitting. All the
+gates of the gardens and of the building itself, the Count remarked,
+were in the hands of the musketeers of the King, and not another
+individual was to be seen besides the soldiery, in the gardens usually
+so thronged with the good citizens of Paris.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Passing through several of the narrow and intricate passages of the
+building, the three prisoners were placed in a room which seemed to
+have been destined for a military mess-room; and, while they were kept
+separate by their guards, an inferior officer was sent out to see
+whether the commission was ready to proceed. In a few minutes he
+returned with two officers of the court, who demanded the presence of
+Louis Chevalier de Rohan.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The interrogation of this prisoner lasted for a great length of
+time; but, at the end of about an hour and a half, the same officers
+re-appeared, demanding the presence of Affinius Vandenenden, upon
+which the old man, whom we have mentioned, rose and followed them out
+of the room. The Chevalier, however, had not returned with the
+officers, and during the space of half an hour longer the Count de
+Morseiul remained in suspense, in regard to what was proceeding. At
+length the officers once more appeared, and with them the captain of
+the musketeers, de Jouvelle, who, while the ushers pronounced the name
+of &quot;Albert Count of Morseiul,&quot; passed by the prisoner, as if to speak
+to one of the soldiers, saying, in a low voice, as he did so, &quot;Be of
+good cheer, Count; they have said nothing to criminate you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count passed on without reply, and followed the ushers into
+another chamber at the farther end of the passage, where he found a
+number of lawyers and counsellors of state assembled as a royal
+commission, and presided by the well-known La Reynie. The aspect of
+the room was not that of a court of justice, and it was evident that
+the commissioners met simply for the purpose of carrying on the
+preliminary interrogatories. The Count was furnished with a seat, and
+after a whispering consultation, for a moment, between La Reynie and
+one of his brethren, the former commenced the interrogation of the
+Count by assuring him of the clemency and mercy of the King's
+disposition, and adjuring him to tell, frankly and straight-forwardly,
+the whole truth, as the only means of clearing his reputation, and
+re-establishing himself in the royal favour. To this exordium the
+Count de Morseiul merely replied by an inclination of the head, very
+well knowing that with some of the gentlemen whom he saw before him it
+was advisable to be as niggardly of speech as possible. La Reynie then
+proceeded to ask how long he had been acquainted with the Chevalier de
+Rohan, and the Count replied that he had known him for many years.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When did you see him last?&quot; demanded the judge, &quot;and where?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the gardens of Versailles,&quot; answered the Count, calmly, &quot;not five
+minutes before I was myself arrested.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And upon what occasion,&quot; demanded the judge, &quot;did you see him
+previously?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I saw him,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;when I visited the Duc de Rouvré, at
+Poitiers, and once also upon the road between Paris and Versailles,
+about three or four days ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you sure that these are the only days that you have seen him?&quot;
+demanded the judge. &quot;Recollect yourself, Monsieur le Comte. I think
+you must have forgotten.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, I have not,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;I have only seen him on these
+two occasions since I arrived in Paris, and two or three times during
+my stay at Poitiers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, there is the fact,&quot; said La Reynie. &quot;You saw him frequently at
+Poitiers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I also saw various blacksmiths, and lackeys, and horse-boys,&quot; said
+the Count, unable to conceive what connection there could exist
+between any charges against himself and those against the Chevalier de
+Rohan, who was known to be a zealous Catholic, &quot;and with them, the
+blacksmiths, lackeys, and horse-boys, I had as much to do as I had
+with the Chevalier de Rohan, and no more.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray,&quot; continued La Reynie, in the same tone, &quot;what private
+conversations took place between you and the Chevalier at Poitiers? To
+the best of your recollection repeat the substance thereof.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count smiled. &quot;To the best of my recollection, then,&quot; he said,
+&quot;the substance was as follows: 'Good day, Count de Morseiul. Good
+morning, Monsieur de Rohan. What a beautiful day it is, Monsieur de
+Morseiul. It is the most charming weather I remember. There is a sad
+want of rain, Monsieur le Chevalier, and I fear the poor peasantry
+will suffer. Do you go out with the duke to hunt to-day? I think not,
+for my horses are tired.' Such, Sir, is the substance of the only
+private conversations that took place between myself and the Chevalier
+at Poitiers.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Was that all, Monsieur de Morseiul?&quot; demanded La Reynie, with
+tolerable good humour. &quot;Are you sure you have forgot nothing of equal
+importance?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I believe I have not forgot one word,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;except
+that, on one occasion, Monsieur de Rohan said to me, 'Your hat is
+unlooped, Count:' when, I am afraid, I looped it without thanking
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then, now to somewhat longer and more important conversations,
+my good young gentleman,&quot; said La Reynie. &quot;What has passed between you
+and the Chevalier de Rohan when you have met him since your arrival at
+the court?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, Sir,&quot; replied the Count, with a grave and somewhat grieved air,
+&quot;I give you my word that nothing passed between the Chevalier de Rohan
+and myself which at all affected his Majesty's service, and I would
+fain, if it were possible, avoid entering into particulars which, if
+told to every body, might be painful to a gentleman of my
+acquaintance, who, I trust, may yet clear himself of any serious
+charge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur le Comte de Morseiul,&quot; said the Counsellor Ormesson, &quot;we
+respect your motives, and have regard to the manner in which you have
+expressed them; but the Chevalier de Rohan, I am sorry to inform you,
+stands charged with high treason upon very strong presumptive
+evidence. There are particular circumstances which induce a belief
+that you may have had something to do with his schemes. We trust that
+such is not the case: but it is absolutely necessary that you should
+clearly and explicitly state the nature of any transactions which may
+have taken place between you and him, both for your own safety, for
+his, and out of respect and duty to the King.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, Sir, I have no other choice,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;but to yield
+to your reasons, and to beg that you would put your questions in such
+a shape that I may answer them distinctly and easily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; said La Reynie; &quot;we have always
+heard that you are a gentleman of honour, who would not prevaricate
+even to save his own life. Pray inform us what was the nature of the
+conversation between you and the Chevalier de Rohan, on the morning of
+the 23d of this month.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was a very short one,&quot; replied the Count, somewhat surprised to
+see what accurate information of his proceedings had been obtained.
+&quot;The Chevalier overtook me as I was going to Versailles, and on that
+occasion Monsieur de Rohan informed me that he had lost a large sum at
+the gaming table on the night before, and begged me to lend him a
+hundred louis, in the hopes of recovering it by the same means. I
+advised him strongly to abstain from such proceedings, but of course
+did not refuse to lend him what he asked.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then did you lend him the hundred louis on the spot?&quot; demanded La
+Reynie.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;I told him that I had not such a sum with
+me, but promised to send it to him at his lodgings in the course of
+the afternoon, which I did as soon as ever I arrived at Versailles.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray how happened it, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; demanded Ormesson, &quot;that
+as you were going to Versailles, and the Chevalier overtook you going
+thither also; you did not ride on together, as would seem natural for
+two gentlemen like yourselves?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay,&quot; replied the Count, smiling, &quot;that I think is pressing the
+matter rather too far, Monsieur. My society might not be pleasant to
+the Chevalier, or the reverse might be the case; or we might have
+other business by the way. A thousand circumstances of the same kind
+might occur.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then, I will put the question straightforwardly and at once,&quot;
+said Ormesson. &quot;Had you, or had you not, any reason to believe that
+the Chevalier de Rohan was at that time engaged in schemes dangerous
+to the state?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;None in the world,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;and no such feelings or ideas
+whatsoever had any share in preventing my riding on with the Chevalier
+de Rohan.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Commissioners looked at each other for a moment with an inquiring
+glance, and then La Reynie placed before the Count a note which was to
+the following effect:--</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;<span class="sc">My Dear Count</span>,</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:5%">&quot;I have received what you sent me, for which I return you many thanks,
+and I have not the slightest doubt, by your assistance, to be able to
+accomplish the purpose I have in view.</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:20%">&quot;Your devoted,</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:30%">&quot;<span class="sc">The Chevalier De Rohan</span>.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Pray, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; said the Counsellor, &quot;do you recognise
+that note?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most assuredly,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;I received that note from the
+Chevalier de Rohan, on the very evening of the day we have just
+mentioned.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And pray, what is the interpretation you put upon it?&quot; demanded La
+Reynie.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Simply,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;that he had received the hundred louis
+which I sent him, and hoped by employing them at the gaming-table to
+be enabled to win back the sum that he had lost.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It seems to me,&quot; said the judge, &quot;that the note will very well bear
+two interpretations, Count, and that supposing a gentleman unfortunate
+enough to have laid schemes for introducing a foreign enemy into the
+country, or for causing any of the provinces of the kingdom to revolt,
+and supposing him, at the same time, to be greatly straightened for
+money and assistance--it seems to me, I say, that the note before us
+is just such a one as he would write to a friend who had come to his
+aid at the moment of need, either by giving him aid of a pecuniary or
+of any other kind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;All I can say, Sir,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;is that the note before you
+I received from the Chevalier de Rohan, and that no other
+interpretation than the one I have given was, or could be, put upon it
+by me. I knew of no schemes whatsoever against the state, and the
+Chevalier himself had certainly no other meaning than the one I have
+assigned. It will be very easy for you, however, gentlemen, to place
+the note before the Chevalier, and make him explain it himself. Though
+an unfortunate gentleman, he is still a gentleman of honour, and will
+tell you the truth. We have had no conversation together upon the
+subject. We have not even interchanged a word as we came hither, and
+you can compare his statement with mine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perhaps that may have been done already, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; said
+Ormesson, &quot;but at all events we think we may close your examination
+for to-day. The interrogation may be resumed at a future period, when
+other things have become manifest; and we have only, at present, to
+exhort you, on all occasions, to deal frankly and openly with the
+court.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Such is always my custom to do, Sir,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;I stand
+before you conscious of my innocence of any crime whatsoever, and,
+having nothing to conceal, am always ready to state frankly and truly
+what I know, except when by so doing I may wound or injure others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he bowed to the Commissioners and retired. At the door of
+the chamber he found two musketeers waiting for his coming out, and,
+being placed between them, he was once more conducted back to the
+Bastille by the same way he had come. He was then led by the turnkeys,
+who were in waiting to receive him, to the same apartment which he had
+previously occupied; but before nightfall, it was notified to him that
+the liberties of the Bastille were restored to him, and he received
+some slight solace by knowing that he should not, for some time at
+least, be confined to the solitary discomfort of his own apartment,
+with no occupation but to stride from one side to the other, or gazing
+out of the narrow window, endeavour to gain a sight of what was
+passing in the rue St. Antoine.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_03" href="#div3Ref_03">THE EXECUTION.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Within the walls of the Bastille, some weeks passed over almost
+without incident, but not without pain to the Count de Morseiul; but
+it would be tedious to detail all the feelings and the thoughts that
+crossed each other in his bosom during that period. He was still
+allowed a great degree of liberty, was permitted to take exercise in
+the great court, to converse with many of the other prisoners, and to
+hear whispers of what was taking place in the world without. But none
+of those whispers gave him any tidings of those he loved, any
+indication of his own probable fate, or any news of the church to
+which he belonged; and he remarked with pain, that while many of the
+other prisoners received visits from their friends and acquaintances,
+either no one sought to see him, or else those who did so were
+excluded by some express order.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He grieved over this, and perhaps felt, with some degree of bitterness
+of spirit, that the iron of captivity might not only enter into the
+soul, but might wear and corrode the mind on which it pressed. Such
+feelings made him at once apply himself eagerly to every thing that
+could occupy his thoughts, and turn them from contemplations which he
+knew to be not only painful, but hurtful also; and he soon created for
+himself a number of those occupations which many an unhappy man
+besides himself has devised at different times for the solace of
+captivity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The library, however, was his greatest enjoyment. Though so fond of
+all manly exercises, and famous for his skill therein, he had from his
+youth loved the communing with other minds, in the pages which the
+hand of genius has traced, and which have been given forth as the
+deliberate effort of the writer's spirit. He loved, I say, that
+communing with other men's hearts and minds which is undisturbed by
+discussion, or wordy dispute, or any of the petty vanities that creep
+into the living conversation even of the great, the learned, and the
+good; and now, though the library was small, and perhaps not very well
+selected, yet there was many a book therein which afforded him sweet
+occupation during some, at least, of the melancholy hours of
+imprisonment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At other times he walked the length of the court yard, gaining where
+he could a gleam of sunshine; and rather than suffer his thoughts, as
+he did so walk, to dwell upon the painful theme of his own fate, he
+would count the very stones of the pavement, and moralise upon their
+shapes and colours. Almost every day, during the period we have
+mentioned, the guard was turned out, the prisoners having their
+liberties were ordered to keep back, and a train of others in the
+stricter state of imprisonment were marched out to the arsenal.
+Amongst these was usually the unhappy Chevalier de Rohan; and the
+wistful, longing gaze with which one day he looked round the court as
+he passed through, seeming to envy the other prisoners the sort of
+liberty they enjoyed, caused the Count de Morseiul to task severely
+his own heart for the repinings which he felt at his own situation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Various little occurrences of the same kind took place from time to
+time, affording a momentary matter of interest in the midst of the
+dark sameness of the prison life. At one period, during the whole of
+several nights, the Count de Morseiul heard at intervals voices which
+seemed to be shouting through speaking trumpets. The place from which
+the sound proceeded varied constantly; and the young prisoner could
+only conclude that some friends of one of the sad inhabitants of the
+Bastille were prowling round it, endeavouring to communicate
+intelligence. He listened eagerly, in the supposition that those
+sounds might be addressed to him; but though from time to time he
+could catch a single word, such as &quot;dead,&quot; &quot;told,&quot; &amp;c., he could make
+no continuous sense of what was said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The first time this occurred was shortly after his examination before
+the commission, and it continued, for three or four nights, to be
+repeated at different hours; but still the sounds were too distant for
+him to ascertain the meaning of the speakers, and he was obliged to
+content himself with believing that this intelligence was not intended
+for himself, and hoping that it had been more distinct to the
+unfortunate person for whose ears it was designed.<a name="div4Ref_02" href="#div4_02"><sup>[2]</sup></a> After having
+listened during the whole of one night, and the words not being
+repeated, he determined to ask one of his fellow-prisoners, who had
+the liberty like himself of walking in the court, whether he had heard
+it, and had been able to make out what was said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The personage whom he fixed upon in his own mind for that purpose was
+a tall, upright, elderly man, with a soldier-like air, and a good deal
+of frankness of manner, approaching, perhaps, to what is called
+bluffness, without being in the slightest degree rude or uncivil. He
+seemed to seek nobody, but to converse willingly with any one when he
+was sought--gave his opinion in few words, but distinctly, accurately,
+and positively--bore his imprisonment with perfect lightness and
+indifference--never referred in the slightest degree to the cause
+thereof or to his own history, though without appearing to avoid the
+subject at all--and, in short, impressed strongly on the minds of
+those who saw him, and were accustomed to judge of the world, that he
+was a frank, upright, straight-forward soldier, accustomed to various
+kinds of endurance, and bearing all with manly firmness and
+resolution.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He spoke French with great fluency and accuracy; but at times, in
+conversing with him, the Count de Morseiul had fancied he could remark
+a foreign accent, though very slight, and he was inclined to believe
+that the old officer was one of the Weimerians who had served so long
+in the pay of France. His countenance, indeed, was not like that of a
+German; there was more quickness and brightness of the eye, and the
+features were more elongated, and somewhat sharper than is common
+amongst the Teutonic races. But still a great part of the Weimerian
+troops had been levied on the borders of the Rhine, where the mixture
+of French and other blood often makes itself strongly to be remarked
+amongst the German population. His ordinary walk was from one corner
+of the court-yard to the opposite angle, which gave the utmost extent
+of space that could be had; and there the young Count, on descending
+the staircase, found him walking up and down with his usual quick pace
+and erect carriage. Though the old man neither paused nor noticed him
+further than by a passing &quot;Good morning, Sir,&quot; the Count joined him,
+and at once spoke of the matter in question.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you heard,&quot; he said, &quot;during this last night or two, some people
+shouting, apparently through speaking trumpets, as if they wished to
+convey intelligence to one of us prisoners?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Once or twice very faintly,&quot; replied the other. &quot;But I am on the
+opposite side of the prison to you, you know, and the sounds I heard
+seemed to come from your side, or, at all events, not further round
+than the Well Tower. Do you think they were addressed to you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I think not,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;and if they were, I certainly could
+make nothing of them. I looked out of my window to get a sight as far
+as possible of the speakers by the moonlight the other night, but I
+was not successful; for I can see, as I am placed, into the little
+Place St. Antoine, but no further. However, I tried to distinguish the
+voices, and certainly they were not those of any one I know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;A speaking trumpet makes a great difference,&quot; replied his companion.
+&quot;I should have liked to have heard them more distinctly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you think they were intended for you?&quot; said the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh dear no,&quot; replied the other; &quot;nobody can have any thing to tell
+me. If ever my liberty comes, it will come at once; and as to either
+trying me or punishing me in any other way than by imprisonment, that
+they dare not do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is in some degree a happy situation,&quot; said the Count. &quot;But I
+scarcely know how that can be, for judging by my own case, and that of
+many others, I have no slight reason to believe that they dare try or
+punish any man in France, whether guilty or not.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Any Frenchman you mean, Count,&quot; replied the stranger; &quot;but that does
+not happen to be my case; and though my own King may be rascal and
+fool enough to let me stay here wearing out the last days of a life,
+the greater part of which has been devoted to the service of himself
+and his ungrateful ancestors, yet I do not believe that he dare for
+his life suffer me to be publicly injured. A trial would, as a matter
+of course, be known sooner or later. They may poison me, perhaps,&quot; he
+continued, &quot;to keep me quiet, though I do not think it either. Your
+King is not so bad as that, though he is a great tyrant; but he is not
+bloody by his nature. However, Monsieur de Morseiul, as I am not in
+here for any crime, as I never had any thing to do with a conspiracy
+of any kind, as I am not a native of this country, or a subject of
+your King, as I have not a secret in the world, and little more money
+than will serve to feed and clothe me, I do not see that any one can
+have either object or interest in hallooing at me through a speaking
+trumpet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have excited my curiosity,&quot; said the Count, &quot;and a Frenchman's
+curiosity, you know, is always somewhat intrusive; but as you have
+just said that you have not a secret in the world, it will seem less
+impertinent than it otherwise would be if I ask what, in the name of
+fortune, you can be here for?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not in the least impertinent,&quot; replied the other. &quot;I am in here for
+something of the same kind that they tell me you are in here for:
+namely, for differing from the King of France in regard to
+transubstantiation; for thinking that he'll go to the devil at once
+when he dies, without stopping half-way at a posthouse, called
+Purgatory, which a set of scoundrels have established for their own
+particular convenience; and for judging it a great deal better that
+people should sing psalms, and say their prayers, in a language that
+they understand, than in a tongue they know not a word of. I mean, in
+short, for being a Protestant; for if it had not been for that, I
+should not have been in here. The fact was, I served long in this
+country in former times, and having taken it into my head to see it
+again, and to visit some old friends, I undertook a commission to
+bring back a couple of brats of a poor cousin of mine, who had been
+left here for their education. Louis found out what I was about,
+declared that I came to make Protestant converts, and shut me up in
+the Bastille, where I have been now nearly nine months. I sent a
+message over to the King of England by a fellow-prisoner who was set
+at liberty some time ago. But every one knows that Charles would have
+sold his own soul by the pound, and thrown his father and mother, and
+all his family, into the scale, for the sake of a few crowns, at any
+time. This Popish rascal, too, who is now on the throne, doubtless
+thinks that I am just as well where I am, so I calculate upon
+whistling away my days within the four walls of this court.--I don't
+care, it can't last very long. I was sixty-five on the third of last
+month, and though there feels some life in these old limbs, the days
+of Mathuselah, thank God, are gone by, and we've no more kicking about
+now for a thousand years. I shouldn't wonder,&quot; he continued, &quot;if the
+people you heard were hallooing to that unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, whom they dragged through this morning to be interrogated
+again. They say he'll have his head chopped off to a certainty. If we
+could have found out what the people said we might have told him, for
+prisoners will get at each other let them do what they like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I listened for one whole night,&quot; said the Count, &quot;but found it quite
+in vain. The judges I suppose are satisfied that I had nothing to do
+with this business of the Chevalier de Rohan's, otherwise they would
+have had me up again for examination.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God knows,&quot; replied his companion. &quot;Tyranny is like an actor at a
+country fair, and one never knows which way he will kick next.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus passed the conversation between the Count and the old English
+officer, whose name, somewhat disfigured indeed, may be found written
+in the registers of the Bastille as arrested on suspicion; for which
+crime he, like many others, was subjected to imprisonment for a
+lengthened period. He and the Count de Morseiul now usually took their
+walk together, and in his society the young nobleman found no small
+delight, for there was a sort of quaint indifference which gave salt
+and flavour to considerable good sense and originality of thought. The
+old man himself seemed to take a pleasure in conversing with the young
+Count; which was evidently not the case with the generality of his
+fellow-prisoners. One morning, however, towards the end of the period
+we have mentioned, the sound of the falling drawbridge was heard, the
+soldiers drew up in double line, the order for all the other prisoners
+to fall back was given, and the Chevalier de Rohan, followed by two or
+three other prisoners, amongst whom were Vandenenden and a lady, were
+brought in as if from examination.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The countenances of almost all were very pale, with the exception of
+that of the Chevalier de Rohan, which was inflamed, with a fiery spot
+on either cheek, while his eyes flashed fire, and his lips were
+absolutely covered with foam. Four times between the great gate of the
+court and the tower in which he was confined, he halted abruptly, and
+turning round with furious gestures to the guards and gaolers who
+surrounded him, poured forth a torrent of fierce and angry words,
+exclaiming that he had been deceived, cheated, that the King's name
+had been used to assure him of safety, and that now the King had
+retracted the promises and was going to murder him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was in vain that the guards tried to stop him, and endeavoured to
+force him onward. Still he turned round as soon as ever he had an
+opportunity, and shouted forth the same accusation with horrible
+imprecations and even blasphemies. The second prisoner, who seemed to
+be a military man, paused and regarded the Chevalier with a stern and
+somewhat scornful air, but the lady and the old man, Vandenenden, were
+drowned in tears, and from all the Count saw he concluded that the
+trial of the Chevalier and his accomplices had either terminated in
+their condemnation, or else had taken such a turn as showed that
+result to be inevitable.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From that time none of the prisoners who had the liberties of the
+Bastille were allowed to remain in the court when the Chevalier and
+his accomplices passed through it, an order being given before the
+gates were opened, for every one to retire to his own apartments.
+Three days after this new regulation, such an order having been given,
+the Count obeyed it willingly, for the weather had become cold and
+damp, and the court of the Bastille felt like a well. He had obtained
+permission to take some books out of the library, in which there was
+no fire allowed, and sitting by the embers in his own apartment, he
+was endeavouring to amuse himself by reading, when the sounds of what
+seemed to him carts, in greater numbers than usual, mingled with the
+tongues of many persons speaking, called him to the little window of
+his chamber.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He saw that the small Place St. Antoine was filled with a crowd of
+people surrounding two or three large carts as they seemed, but he
+could not make out what the persons present were about, and, after
+looking on for a few minutes, he returned to his book.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Every thing within the walls of the Bastille seemed to be unusually
+still and quiet, and for rather more than an hour and a half he read
+on, till some sound of a peculiar character, or some sudden impression
+on his own mind which he could not account for, made him again rise
+and hasten to the window. When he did so, a sight was presented to his
+eyes which would have required long years to efface its recollection.
+The carts which he had seen, and the materials they contained, had
+been by this time erected into a scaffold; and in the front thereof,
+turned towards the Rue St. Antoine, which, as well as the square
+itself, was filled with an immense multitude of people, was a block
+with the axe leaning against the side.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At one corner of the scaffold was erected a gibbet, and in the front,
+within a foot or two of the block, stood the unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, with a priest, on one side of him, pouring consolation or
+instruction into his ear, while the executioner, on the other side,
+was busily cutting off his hair to prepare his neck for the stroke.
+Two or three other prisoners were behind with several priests and the
+assistants of the executioner, and amongst them again was seen the
+form of the old man, Vandenenden, and of the lady whom the Count had
+beheld pass through the court of the castle.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man seemed scarcely able to support himself, and was upheld
+near the foot of the gallows by two of the guards; but the lady, with
+her head uncovered and her fine hair gathered together in a knot near
+the top of her head, stood alone, calm, and, to all appearance,
+perfectly self-possessed; and as she turned, for a moment, to look at
+the weak old man, whose writhing agitation at parting with a life that
+he could not expect to prolong for many years even if pardoned was
+truly lamentable, she showed the Count de Morseiul a fine though
+somewhat faded countenance, with every line expressive of perfect
+resolution and tranquillity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count de Morseiul was a brave man, who had confronted death a
+thousand times, who had seen it in many an awful shape and accompanied
+by many a terrible accessory; but when he looked at the upturned faces
+of the multitude, the block, the axe, the gibbet, the executioners,
+the cold grey sky above that spoke of hopelessness, the thronged
+windows all around teeming with gaping faces, and all the horrible
+parade of public execution, he could not but wonder at the
+self-possession and the calmness of that lady's look and demeanour, as
+one about to suffer in that awful scene.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His, however, was no heart that could delight in such spectacles, and
+withdrawing almost immediately from the window, he waited in deep
+thought. In about a minute after there was a sort of low murmur,
+followed by a heavy stroke; and then the murmur sounded like the
+rushing of a distant wind. In a few moments after that, again came
+another blow, and the Count thought that there was a suppressed
+scream, mingled with the wave-like sound of the multitude. Again came
+that harsh blow, accompanied by a similar noise, and, lastly, a loud
+shout, in which there were mingled tones of ferocity and derision,
+very different from any which had been heard before. Not aware of what
+could have produced the change, the Count was once more irresistibly
+led to the window, where he beheld swinging and writhing on the
+gibbet, the form of the old man Vandenenden, whose pusillanimity
+seemed to have excited the contempt and indignation of the populace.
+On the other parts of the scaffold the executioner and his assistants
+were seen gathering up the bloody ruins of the human temples they had
+overthrown. Sickened and pained, the Count turned away, and covered
+his eyes with his hands, asking himself in the low voice of thought,
+&quot;When will this be my fate also?&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_04" href="#div3Ref_04">THE WOMAN'S JUDGMENT.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">We must now, for a little, change the scene entirely; and, as we find
+often done most naturally, both in reality and poetry, bring the
+prison and the palace side by side. It was in one of the smaller
+chambers, then, of the palace at Versailles--exquisitely fitted up
+with furniture of the most costly, if not of the most splendid
+materials, with very great taste shown in every thing, grace in all
+the ornaments, harmony in all the colours, and a certain degree of
+justness and appropriateness in every object around--that there sat a
+lady, late on the evening of an autumnal day, busily reading from a
+book, illustrated with some of the richest and most beautiful
+miniatures that the artists of the French capital could then produce.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She was, at the time we speak, of somewhat past the middle age,--that
+is to say, she was nearly approaching to the age of fifty, but she
+looked considerably younger than she really was, and forty was the
+very extreme at which any one by the mere look would have ventured to
+place the number of her years. The rich worked candelabra of gold
+under which she was reading cast its light upon not a single grey
+hair. The form was full and rounded; the arms white and delicate; the
+hand, which in general loses its symmetry sooner than aught else,
+except, perhaps, the lips, was as tapering, as soft, and as beautiful
+in contour as ever. The eyes were large and expressive, and there was
+a thoughtfulness about the whole countenance which had nothing of
+melancholy in its character, perhaps a little of worldliness, but more
+of mind and intellect than either.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After she had been reading for some time, the door was quietly opened,
+and the King himself entered with a soft and almost noiseless step.
+The lady immediately laid down her book and rose, but the King took
+her by the hand, led her back to her chair, and seated himself beside
+her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Still busy, reading,&quot; he said.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am anxious to do so, your Majesty,&quot; she answered, &quot;at every moment
+that I can possibly command. In the sort of life which I am destined
+to lead, and in your Majesty's splendid court, temptations to forget
+what is right, and to think of nothing but pleasures and enjoyments,
+are so manifold, that one has need to have recourse to such calmer
+counsellors as these,&quot; and she laid her hand upon the book,
+&quot;counsellors who are not disturbed by such seductions, and whose words
+have with them a portion of the tranquillity of the dead.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words were of a soberer character than Louis had been accustomed
+to hear from the lips of woman during the greater part of his life,
+but still they did not displease him, and he replied only by saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But we must have a few more living counsels at present, Madame, for
+the fate of Louis----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Which is the fate of France,&quot; she said in so low a voice that it
+could scarcely be termed an interruption.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For the fate of Louis and of his domestic happiness--a word, alas,
+which is so little known to kings--is even now in the balance.
+Madame,&quot; he continued, taking that fair hand in his, &quot;Madame, it is
+scarcely necessary at this hour to tell you that I love you; it is
+scarcely necessary to speak what are the wishes and the hopes of the
+King; scarcely necessary to say what would be his conduct were not
+motives, strong and almost overpowering, opposed to all that he most
+desires.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Madame de Maintenon, for she it was, had risen from her seat; had
+withdrawn her hand from that of the King, and for a moment pressed
+both her hands tightly upon her heart, while her countenance, which
+had become as pale as death, spoke that the emotion which she felt was
+real.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cease, Sire; oh, cease,&quot; she exclaimed, &quot;if you would not have me
+drop at your feet! Indeed,&quot; she continued more vehemently, &quot;that is my
+proper place,&quot; and she cast herself at once upon her knees before the
+King, taking the hand from which she had just disengaged her own, to
+bend her lips over it with a look of reverence and affection.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hear me, Sire, hear me,&quot; she said, as the King endeavoured to raise
+her, &quot;hear me even as I am; for notwithstanding the deep and sincere
+love and veneration which are in my heart, I must yet offend in one
+person the monarch whom every voice in Europe proclaims the greatest
+in the earth; the man whom my own heart tells me is the most worthy to
+be loved. There is one, however, Sire, who must be loved and venerated
+first, and beyond all--I mean the Almighty; and from his law, and from
+his commands, nothing on earth shall ever induce me to swerve. Now,
+for more than a year, such has been my constant reply to your Majesty
+on these occasions. I have besought you, I have entreated you never to
+speak on such subjects again, unless that were possible which I know
+to be impossible.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay,&quot; replied the Monarch, interrupting her, and raising her with a
+little gentle force, &quot;nay, nothing is impossible, but for me to see
+you kneeling there.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh yes, indeed, indeed, it is, your Majesty!&quot; she said; &quot;I have long
+known it, I have long been sure of it. You once condescended to dream
+of it yourself; you mentioned it to me, and I for a single instant was
+deceived by hope; but as soon as I came to examine it, I became
+convinced, fully convinced, that such a thing was utterly and entirely
+impossible, that your Majesty should descend from your high station,
+and that you should oppose and over-rule the advice and opinion of
+courtiers and ministers, who, though perhaps a little touched with
+jealousy, can easily find sound and rational reasons enough to oppose
+your will in this instance. Oh, no, no, Sire, I know it is impossible;
+for Heaven's sake do not agitate me by a dream of happiness that can
+never be realised!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So little is it impossible, dear friend,&quot; replied the King, &quot;that it
+is scarcely half an hour ago since I spoke with Louvois upon the
+subject.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And what did he say?&quot; exclaimed Madame de Maintenon, with an
+eagerness that she could not master. &quot;He opposed it, of course--and
+doubtless wisely. But oh, Sire, you must grant me a favour: the last
+of many, but still a very great one. You must let me retire from your
+court, from this place of cruel and terrible temptation, where they
+look upon me, from the favour which your Majesty has been pleased to
+show me, in a light which I dare not name. No, Sire, no, I will never
+have it said, that I lived on at your court knowing that I bore the
+name of your concubine. However false, the imputation is too terrible
+to be undergone--I, who have ever raised my voice against such acts,
+I, who have risked offending your Majesty by remonstrances and
+exhortations. No, Sire, no! I cannot, indeed I cannot, undergo it any
+longer. It is terrible to me, it is injurious to your Majesty, who has
+so nobly triumphed over yourself in another instance. It matters not
+what Monsieur de Louvois has said, though I trust he said nothing on
+earth to lead you to believe that I am capable of yielding to unlawful
+love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh no,&quot; replied the King, &quot;his opposition was but to the marriage,
+and that as usual was rude, gross, and insulting to his King. I wonder
+that I have patience with him. But it will some day soon give way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hope and trust, Sire,&quot; cried Madame de Maintenon, clasping her
+hands earnestly, &quot;I hope and trust that your Majesty has not suffered
+insult on my account. Then, indeed, it were high time that I should
+go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied Louis, &quot;not absolute insult. Louvois means but to act
+well. He said every thing in opposition, I acknowledge, coarsely and
+rudely, and in the end he cast himself upon his knees before me,
+unsheathed his sword, and, offering the hilt, besought me to take his
+life, rather than to do what I contemplated.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He did!&quot; cried Madame de Maintenon, with a bright red spot in either
+cheek. &quot;He did! The famous minister of Louis XIV. has been studying at
+the theatre lately I know! But still, Sire, though doubtless he was
+right in some part of his view, Françoise d'Aubigné is not quite so
+lowly as to be an object of scorn to the son of Michael le Tellier,
+whose ancestors I believe sold drugs at Rheims, while my grandfather
+supported the throne of yours with his sword, his blood, and his
+wisdom. He might have spared his scorn, methinks, and saved his wit
+for argument. But I must not speak so freely in my own cause, for that
+it is my own, I acknowledge,&quot; and she wiped away some tears from her
+fine eyes. &quot;It is my own, for when I beseech your Majesty to let me
+leave you, I tear my own heart, I trample upon all my own feelings.
+But oh, believe me, Sire,&quot; she continued ardently, &quot;believe me when I
+say, that I would rather that heart were broken, as it soon will be,
+than that your Majesty should do any thing derogatory to your crown
+and dignity, or I must add, than I would do myself any thing in
+violation of the precepts of virtue and religion.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She wept a good deal; but she wept gracefully, and hers was one of
+those faces which looked none the worse for tears. The King gently
+drew her to her seat, for she had still been standing; saying, &quot;Nay,
+nay, be comforted. You have yet the King. You think not really then,&quot;
+he said, &quot;really and sincerely you think not, that there is any true
+degradation in a monarch wedding a subject? I ask you yourself, I ask
+you to speak candidly!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, Sire,&quot; cried Madame de Maintenon, &quot;how can you ask me, deeply
+interested as I am--how can you ask any woman? For we all feel alike
+in such things, and differently from you men. There is not one woman,
+proud or humble in your Majesty's court, that would not give you the
+same answer, if she spoke sincerely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed!&quot; exclaimed the King; &quot;then we men must be certainly in the
+wrong. But what think you,&quot; he continued, &quot;what think you, as a
+proof--what would yon fair girl Clémence de Marly say, were we to ask
+her? I saw her but now, as I passed, reading with the Dauphine in
+somewhat melancholy guise.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well may she be melancholy, Sire!&quot; replied the lady, somewhat sadly,
+&quot;when the King hears not her prayers. But methinks it would be hardly
+fair to make her a judge.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, why?&quot; demanded Louis quickly; &quot;because she is so proud and
+haughty?--Remember, you said the proudest in our court.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So I say still, Sire,&quot; replied Madame de Maintenon in a gentle tone;
+&quot;but I do not think her proud. She would be too favourable a judge;
+that was my sole objection. Her own station in the court is doubtful;
+and besides, Sire, you could not think of submitting that, on which
+none--no, not the wisest minister you have--can judge so well as
+yourself, to the decision of a girl.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear not,&quot; replied the King; &quot;I will but take her voice on the
+matter, without her knowing aught of that on which her opinion is
+called for. I would fain hear what a young and unpractised tongue
+would say. Let her be called in.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Madame de Maintenon hesitated for a moment. The risk seemed great; the
+object of long years was at stake; and her own fate, and that of
+France, might depend upon the words of a wild, proud girl. But she saw
+no means of avoiding the trial; and she rang the bell: even in the
+very act of doing so, remembering many a trait of Clémence, both in
+childhood and youth, which gave her some assurance. A page appeared
+instantly, and was despatched to the apartments of the Dauphine to
+call Mademoiselle de Marly to the presence of the King.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The feet of Clémence bore her thither like light, though her heart
+beat wildly with fear and agitation; and the hue of her cheek, once so
+bright and glowing, was now as pale as death. She was glad, however,
+to find the King and Madame de Maintenon alone, for she had succeeded
+in interesting the latter in the fate of the Count de Morseiul, and
+she doubted not that she would exert herself, as much as she dared to
+do for any one, to persuade the King to deal with him gently. So many
+long and weary days had passed, however, with but little progress,
+that she had well nigh sunk into despair, when the summons of this
+night made her suppose that her fate, and that of her lover, was upon
+the eve of being decided.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The page who conducted her closed the door as soon as she had entered,
+and Clémence stood before the King with feelings of awe and agitation,
+such as in former days she knew not that she could feel towards the
+greatest potentate on earth: but Clémence de Marly loved, and her
+whole feelings had been changed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Not a little was her surprise, however, when the King addressed her in
+a tone half playful, half serious,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come hither, spoiled beauty,&quot; he said, &quot;come hither: and sit down
+upon that stool--or, in truth, I should give you up this chair, for
+you are going to act a part that you never performed before--that of
+judge, and in a matter of taste, too.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence put her hand to her brow, as if to clear away the thoughts
+with which she had come thither. But, after gazing in the King's face
+for a moment with a bewildered look, she recovered herself, and
+replied,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed, Sire, I am, of all people, the most unfit; but I will do my
+best to please your Majesty. What may be the question?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why,&quot; answered the King, smiling at her evident surprise and
+embarrassment, the real cause of which he had quite forgotten in his
+own thoughts and feelings, &quot;why the matter is this; a new play has
+been submitted to us for approval by one of our best poets. It turns
+upon an ancient king becoming in love with one of his own subjects,
+and marrying her while his ministers wish him to marry a neighbouring
+queen. The question of the policy, however, is not the thing. We have
+settled all that, but the point in dispute between me and this fair
+lady is, whether the poet would have done better to have made the
+heroine turn out, after all, to be some princess unknown. I say not;
+but our sweet friend, whose opinion, perhaps, is better than my own,
+contends that it would have been better, in order to preserve the
+king's dignity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Madame de Maintenon panted for breath, and grasped the book that lay
+on the table to prevent herself from betraying her agitation; but she
+dared not say a word, nor even look up.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She was almost instantly relieved, however, for Clémence exclaimed,
+almost before the King had done speaking,--&quot;Oh, no! oh, no! Dear lady,
+you are wrong, believe me. Kings lose their dignity only by evil acts;
+they rise in transcendent majesty when they tread upon base
+prejudices. I know nothing of the policy; you tell me that is apart;
+and the only question is whether she was worthy that he chose. Was
+she, Sire--was she noble and good?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most noble, and most excellent!&quot; said the King.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Was she religious, wise, well educated?&quot; continued Clémence, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;She was all!&quot; answered Louis, &quot;all in a most eminent degree.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Was she in knowledge, demeanour, character, worthy of his love and of
+himself?&quot; asked the enthusiastic girl, with her whole face glowing.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In demeanour not inferior, in character equal, in knowledge
+superior--in all respects worthy!&quot; replied the Monarch, catching her
+enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But he was stopped by the agitated sobs of Madame de Maintenon, who,
+sinking from her chair at his feet, clasped his knees, exclaiming,
+&quot;Spare me, Sire! Spare me, or I shall die!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King gazed at her tenderly for a moment, then bent down his head,
+kissed her check, and, whispering a few brief words, placed her in the
+chair where he himself had been sitting. He then turned to Clémence de
+Marly, who stood by, astonished at the agitation that her words had
+produced, and fearful that the consequences might be the destruction
+of all her own hopes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The countenance of Louis, as he turned towards her, somewhat
+re-assured her; but still she could not help exclaiming with no slight
+anxiety, &quot;I hope, Sire, I have not offended. I fear I have done so
+unintentionally.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If you have,&quot; said the King, smiling upon her graciously, &quot;we will
+find a punishment for you; and as we have made you act as a judge
+where you little perhaps expected it, we will now make you a witness
+of things that you expected still less, but which your lips must never
+divulge till you are authorised to do so. Go as fast as possible to my
+oratory close by the little cabinet of audience, there you will find
+good Monsieur la Chaise: direct him to ring the bell, and--after
+having told Bontems to summon Monsieur de Montchevreuil and the
+Archbishop, who is still here, I think--to come hither himself as
+speedily as possible. You will accompany him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What were the King's intentions Clémence de Marly scarcely could
+divine; but seeing that her words had evidently given happiness both
+to the King and to Madame de Maintenon, and judging from that fact
+that her own best hopes for the deliverance of him she loved might be
+on the eve of accomplishment, she flew rather than ran to obey the
+King's directions. She found the King's confessor, La Chaise, waiting,
+evidently for the return of the King, with some impatience. The
+message which she brought him seemed to excite his astonishment
+greatly; but after pausing for a moment to consider what kind of event
+that message might indicate, the old man clasped his hands,
+exclaiming, &quot;This is God's work, the King's salvation is now secure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He then did as he had been directed, rang the bell for Bontems, gave
+the order as he had received it, and hurried after Clémence along the
+corridor of the palace. At the door of Madame de Maintenon's apartment
+the young lady paused, for there were voices speaking eagerly within,
+and she feared to intrude upon the monarch. His commands to return,
+however, had been distinct, and she consequently opened the door and
+entered. Madame de Maintenon was standing by the table with her eyes
+bent down, and her colour much heightened. The King was also standing,
+and with a slight frown upon his countenance was regarding a person
+who had been added to the party since Clémence had left it. This was
+no other than the minister Louvois, whose coarse harsh features seemed
+filled with sullen mortification, which even the presence of the King
+could scarcely restrain from breaking forth in angry words. His eyes
+were bent down, not in humility but in stubborness, his shoulders a
+little raised, and he was muttering rather than speaking when Clémence
+entered. The only words, however, that were audible were, &quot;Your
+Majesty's will must be a law to yourself as well as to your people. I
+have ventured in all sincerity to express my opinion, and have nothing
+more to say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The opening of the door caused Madame de Maintenon to raise her eyes,
+and when she saw Clémence and the confessor a glad and relieved smile
+played over her countenance, which was greatly increased by the words
+which the confessor addressed to the King immediately on his entrance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sire,&quot; he said, without waiting for Louis to speak, &quot;from what I have
+heard, and from what I see, I believe--nay, I am sure, that your
+Majesty is about to take a step which will, more than any that I know
+of, tend to insure your eternal salvation. Am I not right?&quot; and he
+extended his hand towards Madame de Maintenon, as if that gesture were
+quite sufficient to indicate his full meaning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are, my good father,&quot; replied the King; &quot;and I am happy to find
+that so wise and so good a man as yourself approves of what I am
+doing. Monsieur Louvois here still seems discontented, though I have
+conceded so much to his views of policy as to promise that this
+marriage shall remain for ever private.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What are views of policy,&quot; cried Père la Chaise, &quot;to your Majesty's
+eternal salvation? There are greater, there are higher considerations
+than worldly policy, Sire; but even were worldly policy all, I should
+differ with Monsieur Louvois, and say that you were acting as wisely
+in the things of this world as in reference to another.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God knows, and this lady knows,&quot; said Louvois, &quot;that my only
+opposition proceeds from views of policy. For herself, personally,&quot; he
+added, feeling that he might have offended one who was more powerful
+than even himself, &quot;for herself, personally, she well knows that I
+have the most deep and profound respect; and, since it is to be, I
+trust that his Majesty will allow me to be one of the witnesses.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Assuredly,&quot; replied the King. &quot;I had so determined in my own mind,
+Monsieur de Louvois; and as we need not have more than three, we will
+dispense with this young lady's presence. Oh, here comes the
+Archbishop and Montchevreuil; my good father La Chaise, let me beg you
+to prepare an altar, even here. I have determined that all doubt and
+discussion upon this subject shall be over to-night. Explain, I beg
+you, to Monsieur de Harlay what are my views and intentions. One word,
+belle Clémence,&quot; he added, advancing to Clémence, and speaking to her
+with a gracious smile, &quot;we shall not need your presence, fair lady,
+but you shall not want the bridemaid's presents. Come hither to-morrow
+half an hour before I go to the council; and as you have judged well
+and wisely in this cause to-night, we will endeavour to judge
+leniently on any cause that you may bring before us to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Although the King spoke low, his words did not escape the keen ear of
+Louvois; and when Clémence raised her eyes to reply, they met those of
+the minister gazing upon her with a look of fiend-like anger, which
+seemed to imply, &quot;You have triumphed over me for the time, and have
+thwarted me in a matter of deep moment. You think at the same time you
+have gained your own private end, but I will disappoint you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such at least was the interpretation that Clémence put upon that angry
+glance. For an instant it made her heart sink, but, recollecting her
+former courage the next instant, she replied boldly to the King, &quot;My
+trust is always in your Majesty alone. I have ever had that trust; and
+what I have seen to-night would show me clearly, that let us expect
+what we may of your Majesty's magnanimity and generosity no
+disappointment will await us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying she retired; and what farther passed in the chamber that
+she quitted--though it affected the destinies of Louis, and of France,
+and of Europe, more than any event which had taken place for
+years--remains in the records of history amongst those things which
+are known though not proved, and are never doubted even though no
+evidence of their reality exists.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_05" href="#div3Ref_05">THE ESCAPE.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The hope delayed, which maketh the heart sick, had its wearing effect
+upon the Count de Morseiul. His countenance showed it in every line;
+the florid hue of strong health was beginning to pass away; and one
+morning, in taking his usual walk up and down the court of the
+Bastille in company with the bluff old English officer we have
+mentioned, his companion, after gazing in his face for a moment, as if
+something therein had suddenly struck him, said, &quot;You look ill, young
+gentleman; what is the matter?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is it possible that I can be otherwise,&quot; said the Count,
+&quot;confined as I am here, and lingering on from day to day, without any
+knowledge of what is passing regarding myself, or of the fate of
+friends that I love, or of the condition of all those in whose
+happiness I am interested?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Poo! you must bear things more lightly,&quot; answered the old soldier.
+&quot;Why here, you, a youth, a mere boy, have plenty of time before you to
+spare a year or two for imprisonment. Think of what a difference there
+is between you and me: here am I without a day too much to spare in
+life; while to you neither months nor years are any thing. As to your
+friends without, too, trouble not your brain about them. The world
+would go on just as well without you and I, if we were put out of it
+to-morrow; friends would find new friends, sweethearts gain new
+lovers, servants betake them to new masters, and the roses would grow,
+and the birds would sing, and love, and war, and policy, and the wind
+of heaven, would have their course as if nothing had happened. There
+might be a few drops in some eyes which would fall like a spring
+shower, and be dried up again as soon. However,&quot; he added, seeing that
+his philosophy was not very much to the taste of the young Count, &quot;you
+must live in the world as long as I have done ere you can take such
+hard lessons home; and if it be but communication with your friends
+without that you want, I should think that might be obtained easily.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see not how that is to be done,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;If they had
+allowed me to have my valet here there would have been no difficulty,
+for I do not think that even stone walls would keep in his wit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, we can do without him, I dare say,&quot; replied the old man. &quot;If you
+write me down a note, containing few words, and no treason, doubtless
+I can find means, perhaps this very day, of sending it forth to any
+one that you will. In my apartment we shall find paper, which I got
+not long ago; some sort of ink we will easily manufacture for
+ourselves. So, come: that will revive hope a little for you; and
+though I cannot promise you an answer, yet perhaps one may be obtained
+too. There are old friends of mine that sometimes will drop in to see
+me; and what I propose to do, is to give your note to one of the
+prisoners I have spoken with, who expects to be liberated to-day or
+to-morrow, and direct the answer to be sent by some one who is likely
+to come to see me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The young Count gladly availed himself of this proposal; and the means
+of writing having, by one prison resource or another, been obtained,
+he wrote a few brief words, detailing the anxiety and pain he
+suffered, and begging some immediate information as to the probability
+of his obtaining his freedom, and regarding the situation of those
+that he loved best. He couched his meaning in language as vague as
+possible, and addressed the note to his valet, Jerome Riquet, fearing
+to write to Clémence, lest he should by any means draw suspicion and
+consequent evil upon her. The old English officer undertook to give
+all the necessary directions for its delivery, and when they met again
+in the evening, he assured him that the note was gone.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At an early hour on the following morning the Englishman was called
+away from him to speak with some one admitted by an order from the
+minister; and in about ten minutes after he joined the Count, and
+slipped a small piece of folded paper into his hand, saying, in a low
+voice, &quot;Do not look at it now, or leave me immediately, for there are
+several of these turnkeys about, and we must not create suspicion.&quot;
+After a few more turns, however, the old man said, &quot;Now, Monsieur de
+Morseiul,&quot; and the Count hastening to his chamber, opened the note
+which was in the handwriting of Riquet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have been obliged,&quot; it said, &quot;to keep out of the way, and to change
+my shape a dozen times, on account of the business of the Exempt;
+but--from what the Count says, and from hearing that Monsieur de
+Louvois swore last night by all the gods that he worships, that, on
+account of some offence just given, he will bring the Count's head to
+the block within a week, as he did that of Monsieur de Rohan--a bold
+stroke will be struck to-day. The Count will be set at liberty about
+two o'clock, and the moment he is at liberty he must neither go to
+King nor ministers, nor to his own house, either in Paris or at
+Versailles, but to the little inn called the Golden Cock, in the Rue
+du Faubourg St. Antoine, call himself Monsieur du Sac, and ask for the
+horse his servant brought. Having got it, let him ride on for Poitou
+as fast as he can go. He will meet friends by the way.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This was all that the note contained, and what was the bold stroke
+that Riquet alluded to the Count could not divine. He judged, indeed,
+that perhaps it was quite as well he should be ignorant of the facts;
+and after having impressed all the directions contained in the note
+upon his mind, he destroyed the paper, and was preparing to go down
+again into the court.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It so happened, however, that he paused for a moment, and took up one
+of the books which he was still reading, when an officer, who was
+called the Major of the Bastille, entered the room, and summoned him
+to the presence of the governor. The Count immediately followed, and
+passing through the gate into the Court of Government, he found
+Besmaux waiting in the corps de garde, with a blithe and smiling
+countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good morning, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he said; &quot;I have got some good
+news for you, which perhaps you do not expect.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He fixed his eyes scrutinisingly upon the Count's face, but all was
+calm. &quot;Here is an order for your liberation,&quot; he continued, &quot;which,
+doubtless, you will be glad to hear.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Most glad,&quot; exclaimed the Count; &quot;for, to say the truth, I am growing
+both sick and weary of this imprisonment, especially as I know that I
+have done nothing to deserve it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is better than being imprisoned knowing you have done something
+to deserve it,&quot; said Besmaux. &quot;However, here is the order; and though
+it is not exactly in accurate form, I must obey, I suppose, and set
+you at liberty, for here is the King's handwriting in every line.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That you must judge of yourself, Monsieur de Besmaux,&quot; replied the
+Count. &quot;But I hope, of course, that you will not detain me any longer
+than is necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no,&quot; said Besmaux; &quot;I must obey the order, for it is in the
+King's hand distinctly. Here are all the things that were upon your
+person, Monsieur de Morseiul. Be so good as to break the seal
+yourself, examine them, and give me an acknowledgment--as is usual
+here--that they have been returned to you. There is the ordinary form;
+you have nothing to do but to sign it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count did as he was required to do, and the governor then restored
+to him his sword, saying, &quot;There is your sword, Monsieur le Comte. It
+is customary to give some little acknowledgment to the turnkeys if you
+think fit; and now, Monsieur le Comte, you are free. Will you do me
+the honour of supping with me again to-night?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear not to-night, Monsieur de Besmaux; some other time I will have
+that pleasure. But, of course, after this unexpected and sudden
+enlargement, there is much to be done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Of course,&quot; replied the governor; &quot;you will have to thank the King,
+and Monsieur de Louvois, and all that. Some other time then be it. It
+is strange they have sent no carriage or horse for you. Perhaps you
+would like to wait till they arrive?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, no,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Freedom before every thing, Monsieur de
+Besmaux. By your permission I will send for the apparel I have left in
+my chamber. But now, to set my foot beyond the drawbridge is my great
+ambition.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We will conduct you so far,&quot; replied Besmaux, and led the way towards
+the gate. The drawbridge was lowered, the gates opened, and the Count,
+distributing the greater part of the money which had been restored to
+him amongst the turnkeys, turned and took leave of the governor, and
+issued forth from the Bastille. He remarked, however, that Besmaux,
+with the major of the prison, and two or three others, remained upon
+the bridge, as if they felt some suspicion, and were watching his
+farther proceedings. He, accordingly, rendered his pace somewhat slow,
+and turned towards his own hotel in Paris, while two or three boys,
+who hung about the gates of the Bastille, followed, importunately
+looking up in his face. He passed along two streets before he could
+get rid of them, but then, suddenly turning up one of the narrow lanes
+of the city, he made the best of his way to the little inn, or rather
+public house, which Jerome Riquet had pointed out to him in his
+letter, where a bright golden cock, somewhat larger than life, stood
+out into the street from a pole thrust into the front of the house.
+Before he turned in he looked down the street towards the Bastille,
+but saw no cause for suspicion, and entered the narrow entrance. As
+was not uncommon in such houses at that time, no door on either hand
+gave admission to the rooms of the inn till the visiter had threaded
+half way through the small ill-lighted passage. At length, however,
+doors appeared, and the sound of a footstep instantly called out a
+stout, jovial-looking personage, with a considerable nose and
+abundance of cheek and stomach, who, without saying any thing, merely
+planted himself directly in the Count's way.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you the landlord?&quot; demanded the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, Sir,&quot; replied the cabaretier, much more laconically than might
+have been expected from his appearance. &quot;Who are you?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am Monsieur du Sac,&quot; replied the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, oh!&quot; cried the host, laying his forefinger on the side of his
+face. &quot;If you are Monsieur du Sac, your horse will be ready in a
+crack. But you had better come into the stable; there are people
+drinking in the hall.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count followed him without saying any more, and found three horses
+standing ready saddled, and wanting only the girths tightened, and the
+bridles in their mouths. The centre one he instantly recognised as one
+of his own finest horses, famous for its great strength and courage.
+The other two were powerful animals, but of a different breed; and the
+Count was somewhat surprised when the landlord ordered a stable boy,
+who was found waiting, to make haste and girth them all up. The boy
+began with the farther horse; but the landlord then exclaimed, &quot;No,
+no, the gentleman's first, the others will do after;&quot; and in a moment
+the Count's horse was ready to set out.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Better go by the back gate, Sir,&quot; said the host; &quot;then if you follow
+round by the gardens of the convent of St. Mary, up the little lane to
+the left, you will come into the road again, where all is clear.
+Where's the bottle, boy, I told you to have ready? Monsieur du Sac
+will want a draught before he goes.&quot; A large bottle was instantly
+produced from a nook in the stable, and a tumbler full of excellent
+wine poured out. The Count took it, and drank, for excitement had made
+him thirsty, and he might well want that support, which the juice of
+the grape or any other thing could afford, when he reflected that the
+die was now cast; that he had been liberated from prison, as he could
+not doubt by some counterfeit order; and that he was flying from the
+court of France, certainly never to return, unless it were as a
+captive brought back probably to death.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The blow being struck, however, he was not a man to feel regret or
+hesitation, and there was something in the sensation of being at
+liberty, of having cast off the dark load of imprisonment, which was
+in itself inspiring. He sprang upon his horse then with joyful speed,
+cast the landlord one of the few gold pieces that remained in his
+purse, and while the boy held open the back gates of the inn court, he
+rode out once more free to turn his steps whithersoever he would. That
+part of the city was not unknown to him, and passing round the
+gardens, and through the narrow lanes which at that time were
+intermingled with the Faubourg St. Antoine, he entered the high road
+again just where the town ended, and the country began; and putting
+his horse into a quick pace, made the best of his way onward toward
+Poitou.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he now went forth he looked not back, and he had gone on for five
+or six miles, when the belief that he heard the feet of horses
+following fast made him pause and turn. He was not mistaken in the
+supposition. There were two horsemen on the road, about five or six
+hundred yards behind him; but they slackened their pace as soon as he
+paused; and remembering the words written by Jerome Riquet, that he
+would find friends upon the road, he thought it better not to inquire
+into the matter any further, but make the most of his time, and go on.
+He thus proceeded without drawing a rein for about five and thirty
+miles, the men who were behind him still keeping him in sight, but
+never approaching nearer than a certain distance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The road which he had chosen was that of Orleans, though not the most
+direct; but by taking it, he avoided all that part of the country
+through which he was most likely to be pursued if his flight were
+speedily discovered. At length, in the neighbourhood of the little
+town of Angerville, a man appeared on horseback at the turning of one
+of the roads. He was evidently waiting for some one, and rode up to
+the Count as soon as ever he appeared, saying merely, &quot;Monsieur du
+Sac.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The same,&quot; replied the Count; and the man immediately said, &quot;This
+way, then, Sir.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count followed without any reply, and the man rode on at a quick
+pace for the distance of fully three miles further. The horsemen
+turned as the Count had turned, but the road had become tortuous, and
+they were soon lost to his sight. At length, however, the high stone
+walls, overtopped with trees, and partly covered with ivy, which
+usually surrounded the park of an old French château, appeared, and
+making a circuit round three sides of this enclosure, the Count and
+his guide came suddenly to the large iron gates, which gave admission
+to a paved court leading to another set of gates, with a green
+esplanade and a terrace above; while the whole was crowned by a heavy
+mass of stonework, referable to no sort of architecture but itself.
+Round these courts were various small buildings, scarcely fitted
+indeed for human habitation, but appropriated to gardeners and
+gatekeepers, and other personages of the kind; and from one of these,
+as soon as the Count appeared, instantly rushed forth Jerome Riquet
+himself, kissing his master's hand with sincere joy and affection,
+which was not at all decreased by a consciousness that his liberation
+had been effected by the skill, genius, and intrigue of the said
+Jerome Riquet himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Dismount, my Lord, in all safety,&quot; he said; &quot;we have taken measures
+to insure that you should not be traced. Refreshments of every kind
+are ready for you; and if you so please, you can take a comfortable
+night's repose before you go on.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That were scarcely prudent, Riquet,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but I will
+at all events pause for a time, and you can tell me all that has
+happened. First, whose dwelling is this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The house of good Monsieur Perault at Angerville,&quot; replied the valet.
+&quot;He has been dead for about two months, and his old maître d'hôtel,
+being a friend of mine, and still in the family, gave me the keys of
+the château to be your first resting place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On entering the château, Albert of Morseiul found it completely
+thronged with his own servants; and the joyful faces that crowded
+round, some in smiles and some in tears, to see their young lord
+liberated, was not a little sweet to his heart. Some balm, indeed, was
+necessary to heal old wounds, before new ones were inflicted; and,
+though Riquet moved through the assembled attendants with the
+conscious dignity of one who had conferred the benefit in which they
+rejoiced, yet he hastened to lead his young lord on, and to have the
+room cleared, having much indeed to tell. His tale was painful to the
+Count in many respects; but, being given by snatches, as the various
+questions of his master elicited one fact after another, we will
+attempt to put it in more continuous form, and somewhat shorter
+language, taking it up at events which, though long past, were now
+first explained.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">From an accidental reference to the Count's journey from Morseiul to
+Poitiers, Riquet was led to declare the whole facts in regard to the
+commission which had been given by the King to Pelisson and St. Helie.
+The insatiable spirit of curiosity by which Maître Jerome was
+possessed, never let him rest till he had made the unhappy Curé of
+Guadrieul declare, by a man&#339;uvre before related, what was in the
+sheepskin bag he carried; and, as soon as the valet heard that it was
+a commission from the King, his curiosity was still more strongly
+excited to ascertain the precise contents. For the purpose of so
+doing, he attached himself firmly to the Curé during the rest of the
+evening, made him smoke manifold pipes, induced him to eat every
+promotive of drinking that he could lay his hands upon, plied him with
+wine, and then when half besotted, ventured to insinuate a wish to
+peep into the bag. The Curé, however, was firm to his trust even in
+the midst of drunkenness; he would peep into the bag with curious
+longings himself, but he would allow no one else to do so, and Riquet
+had no resource but to finish what he had so well commenced by a
+bottle of heady Burgundy in addition, which left the poor priest but
+strength enough to roll away to his chamber, and, conscious that he
+was burthened with matters which he was incompetent to defend, to lock
+the door tight behind him before he sunk insensible on his bed. He
+forgot, however, one thing, which it is as well for every one to
+remember; namely, that chambers have windows as well as doors; and
+Jerome Riquet, whose genius for running along house gutters was not
+less than his other high qualities, found not the slightest difficulty
+of effecting an entrance, and spending three or four hours in the
+examination of the sheepskin bag and its contents. With as much skill
+as if he had been brought up in the French post-office of that day, he
+opened the royal packet without even breaking the seals, and only
+inflicting a very slight and accidental tear on one part of the
+envelope, which the keen eyes of Pelisson had afterwards discovered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As soon as he saw the nature of the King's commission, Riquet,--who
+was no friend to persecution of any kind, and who well knew that all
+his master's plans would be frustrated, and the whole province of
+Poitou thrown into confusion if such a commission were opened on the
+first assembling of the states,--determined to do away with it
+altogether, and substitute an old pack of cards which he happened to
+have in his valise in place of that important document. He then
+proceeded to examine minutely and accurately the contents of the
+Curé's trunk mail, and more from a species of jocose malice than any
+thing else, he tore off a piece of the King's commission which could
+do no harm to any one, and folded it round the old tobacco box, which
+he had found wrapped up in a piece of paper very similar amongst the
+goods and chattels of the priest.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Besides this adventure, he had various others to detail to the Count,
+with the most important of which: namely, his interview with the King
+and Louvois at Versailles, the reader is already acquainted. But he
+went on from that point to relate, that, lingering about in the
+neighbourhood of the King's apartments, he had heard the order for his
+master's arrest given to Monsieur de Cantal. He flew home with all
+speed, but on arriving at the Count's hotel found that he had already
+gone to the palace, and that his arrest was certain.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His next question to himself was how he might best serve him under
+such circumstances; and, habituated from the very infancy of his
+valethood to travesty himself in all sorts of disguises, he determined
+instantly on assuming the character of an Exempt of one of the courts
+of law, as affording the greatest probability of answering his
+purpose. He felt a degree of enjoyment and excitement in every species
+of trick of the kind which carried him through, when the least
+timidity or hesitation would have frustrated his whole plans. The fact
+is, that although it may seem a contradiction in terms, yet Maître
+Jerome was never so much in his own character as when he was
+personating somebody else.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The result of his acting on this occasion we already know, as far as
+the Count was concerned; but the moment that he had seen him lodged in
+the Bastille, the valet, calculating that his frolic might render
+Versailles a dangerous neighbourhood, retired to the Count's hotel in
+Paris, where a part of his apparel was still to be found, compounded
+rapidly the sympathetic ink from one of the many receipts stored up in
+his brain, and then flew with a handkerchief, properly prepared, to
+Clémence de Marly, whom he found alone with the Chevalier d'Evran. As
+his master had not made him acquainted with the occasional feelings of
+jealousy which he had experienced towards that gentleman, Jerome
+believed he had fallen upon the two persons from whom, out of all the
+world, his master would be most delighted to hear. The whole facts of
+the Count's arrest then were detailed and discussed, and the words
+written, which, as we have seen, were received by Albert of Morseuil
+in prison.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Afraid to go back to Versailles, Riquet hastened away into Poitou
+leaving to Clémence de Marly and the Chevalier d'Evran the task of
+liberating his lord, of which they seemed to entertain considerable
+hopes. On his return, however, he found, first, that all his
+fellow-servants having been faithful to him, the investigations
+regarding the appearance of the Exempt had ended in nothing being
+discovered, except that somebody had profanely personated one of those
+awful personages; and, secondly, that the Count was not only still in
+durance, but that little, if any, progress had been made towards
+effecting his liberation. The Duc de Rouvré, who seemed to be restored
+to the King's favour, was now a guest at the palace of Versailles:
+with Clémence de Marly the valet could not obtain an interview, though
+he daily saw her in company with the Chevalier d'Evran, and the report
+began to be revived that the King intended to bestow her hand upon
+that gentleman, who was now in exceedingly high favour with the
+monarch.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A scheme now took possession of the mind of Riquet, which only
+suggested itself in utter despair of any other plan succeeding; and
+as, to use his own expression, the very attempt, if frustrated, would
+bring his head under the axe, he acknowledged to his lord that he had
+hesitated and trembled even while he prepared every thing for its
+execution. He went down once more into Poitou; he communicated with
+all the friends and most favoured vassals of his master; he obtained
+money and means for carrying every part of his scheme into effect, as
+soon as his lord should be liberated from the Bastille, and for
+securing his escape into Poitou, where a choice of plans remained
+before him, of which we shall have to speak hereafter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The great point, however, was to enable the Count to make his exit
+from the prison, and it was at this that the heart of Jerome Riquet
+failed. His was one of those far-seeing geniuses that never forget, in
+any situation, to obtain, from the circumstances of the present, any
+thing which may be, however remotely, advantageous in the future. Upon
+this principle he had acted in his conference with the King, and
+without any definite and immediate object but that of obtaining pardon
+for himself for past offences, he had induced the monarch, we must
+remember, to give him a document, of which he now proposed to take
+advantage. By a chemical process, very easily effected, he completely
+took out the ink in those parts of the document where his own name was
+written, and then, with slow and minute labour, substituted the name
+of his master in the place, imitating, even to the slightest stroke,
+the writing of the King. The date underwent the same change to suit
+his purpose, so that a complete pardon, in what appeared the undoubted
+hand of the King himself, was prepared for the Count de Morseiul.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This step having been taken, Riquet contemplated his work with pride,
+but fear, and the matter remained there for the whole day: but by the
+next morning he had become habituated to daring; and, resolved to make
+the document complete, he spent eight hours in forging, underneath, an
+order, in due form, for the Count's liberation; and the most practised
+eye could have scarcely found any difference between the lines there
+written and those of the King himself. In all probability, if Riquet
+could have obtained a scrap of Louvois' writing he would have added
+the countersign of the minister, but, as that was not to be had, he
+again laid the paper by, and was seized with some degree of panic at
+what he had done.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He had brought up, however, from Poitou, his lord's intendant, and
+several others of his confidential servants and attendants, promising
+them, with the utmost conceit and self-confidence, to set the Count at
+liberty. They now pressed him to fulfil his design, and while he
+hesitated, with some degree of tremour, the note which the old English
+officer had conveyed to him was put into his hands, and decided him at
+once. He entrusted the forged order to a person whom he could fully
+rely upon to deliver it at the gates of the Bastille, stationed his
+relays upon the road, and prepared every thing for his master's
+escape.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such was the account which he gave to his young lord, as he sat in the
+château of Angerville, and though he did not exactly express all that
+he had heard in regard to Clémence de Marly and the Chevalier d'Evran,
+he told quite enough to renew feelings in the bosom of the Count which
+he had struggled against long and eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who were the men,&quot; demanded the Count, &quot;that followed me on
+horseback?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Both of them, Sir,&quot; replied the man, &quot;were persons who would have
+delayed any pursuit of you at the peril of their own lives. One of
+them was your own man, Martin, whom you saved from being hung for a
+spy, by the night attack you made upon the Prince of Orange's
+quarters. The other, Sir, was poor Paul Virlay, who came up with the
+intendant of his own accord, with his heart well nigh broken, and with
+all the courage of despair about him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Poor Paul Virlay!&quot; exclaimed the Count--&quot;his heart well nigh broken!
+Why, what has happened to him, Jerome? I left him in health and in
+happiness.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, Sir,&quot; replied the man, &quot;but things have changed since then. Two
+hellish priests--I've a great mind to become a Huguenot myself--got
+hold of his little girl, and got her to say, or at least swore that
+she said, she would renounce her father's religion. He was furious;
+and her mother, who had been ill for some days, grew worse, and took
+to her bed. The girl said she never had said so; the priests said she
+had, and brought a witness; and they seized her in her father's own
+house, and carried her away to a convent. He was out when it happened,
+and when he came back he found his wife dying and his child gone. The
+mother died two days after; and Paul, poor fellow, whose brain was
+quite turned, was away for three days with his large sledgehammer with
+him, which nobody but himself could wield. Every body said that he was
+gone to seek after the priests, to dash their brains out with the
+hammer, but they heard of it, and escaped out of the province; and at
+the end of three days he came back quite calm and cool, but every body
+saw that his heart was broken. I saw him at Morseiul, poor fellow, and
+I have seldom seen so terrible a sight. The mayor, who has turned
+Catholic, you know, Sir, asked him if he had gone after the priests,
+to which he said 'No;' but every one thinks that he did.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While Riquet was telling this tale the Count had placed his hands
+before his eyes, and it was evident that he trembled violently, moved
+by terrible and strongly conflicting feelings, the fiery struggle of
+which might well have such an influence on his corporeal frame. He
+rose from his seat slowly, however, when the man had done, and walked
+up and down the room more than once with a stern heavy step. At
+length, turning to Riquet again, he demanded,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And in what state is the province?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, almost in a state of revolt, Sir,&quot; replied Riquet. &quot;As far as I
+can hear, there are as many as a couple of thousand men in arms in
+different places. It is true they are doing no great things; that the
+intendant of the province, sometimes with the Bishop, sometimes with
+the Abbé St. Helie, marches hither and thither with a large body of
+troops, and puts down the revolt here, or puts down the revolt there.
+Till he hears that it has broken out in another place, he remains
+where it last appeared, quartering his soldiers upon the inhabitants,
+and, in the order of the day, allowing them <i>to do every thing but
+kill</i>. Then he drives the people by thousands at a time to the
+churches of our religion, makes them take the mass, and breaks a few
+of them on the wheel when they spit the host out of their mouths. He
+then writes up to the King that he has made wonderful conversions; but
+before his letter can well reach Paris he is obliged to march to
+another part of the province, to put down the insurrection there, and
+to make converts, and break on the wheel as before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Say no more, say no more,&quot; cried the Count. &quot;Oh, God! wilt thou
+suffer this to go on?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Again he paced the room for several minutes, and then turning suddenly
+to Riquet, he said--&quot;Riquet, you have shown yourself at once devoted,
+courageous, and resolute in the highest degree.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, Sir,&quot; interrupted the man, &quot;you mistake: I am the most desperate
+coward that ever breathed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No jesting now, Riquet,&quot; said the Count, in a sorrowful tone; &quot;no
+jesting now. My spirits are too much crushed, my heart too much torn
+to suffer me to hear one light word. After all that you have done for
+me, will you do one act more? Have you the courage to return to Paris
+this night, and carry a letter for me to Mademoiselle de Marly, and to
+bring me back her reply?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, Sir, well,&quot; said Riquet, rubbing his hands, and then putting
+his fore-finger under his collar, and running it round his neck with a
+significant gesture, &quot;a man can be hanged but once in his life, at
+least as far as I know of; and, as Cæsar said, 'A brave man is but
+hanged once, a coward is hanged every day;' therefore, as I see no
+other object that my father and mother could have in bringing me into
+the world, but that I should be hanged in your service, I will go to
+Paris, at the risk of accomplishing my destiny, with all my heart.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hark you, Riquet,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;I will give you a means of
+security. If by any means you should be taken, and likely to be put to
+death for what you have done, tell those who take you, that, upon a
+distinct promise of pardon to you under the King's own hand, the Count
+of Morseiul will surrender himself in your place. I will give you that
+promise under my hand, if you like.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is not necessary, Sir,&quot; replied Riquet. &quot;Every body in all
+France knows that you keep your word. But pray write the letter
+quickly; for, ride as hard as I will, I shall have scarce time to
+reach Paris before bed-time; and I suppose you would not have the
+young lady wakened.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a degree of cold bitterness in Riquet's manner when he spoke
+thus of Clémence, which made the Count of Morseiul feel that the man
+thought he was deceived. But still, after what had passed before, he
+felt that he was bound to be more upon his guard against himself than
+against others; and he resolved that he would not be suspicious, that
+he would drive from his bosom every such feeling, that he would
+remember the indubitable proofs of affection that she had given him,
+and that he would act toward her as if her whole conduct had been
+under his eye, and had been such as he could most approve. The
+materials for writing were instantly procured, and while Riquet caused
+a fresh horse to be saddled, and prepared for his journey, the Count
+sat down and wrote as follows:--</p>
+<br>
+
+<p style="text-indent:5%">&quot;<span class="sc">My Beloved Clémence</span>,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thank God, I am once more at liberty; but the brightness of that
+blessing, great as it is under any circumstances, would be nearly all
+tarnished and lost if I had not the hope that you would share it with
+me. I am now some way on the road to Poitou, where I hear that the
+most horrible and aggravated barbarities are daily being committed
+upon my fellow Protestants. My conduct there must be determined by
+circumstances; but I will own that my blood boils at the butchery and
+persecution I hear of. I remember the dear and cheering promises you
+have made--I remember the willingness and the joyfulness with which
+those promises were made, and that recollection renders it not
+madness,--renders it not selfishness to say to you, Come to me, my
+Clémence, come to me as speedily as possible; come and decide for me,
+when perhaps I may not have calmness to decide for myself! Come, and
+let us unite our fate for ever, and so far acquire the power of
+setting the will of the world at defiance. Were it possible, I would
+trust entirely to your love and your promises, in the hope that you
+would suffer the bearer of this, most faithful and devoted as he has
+shown himself to be, to guide you to me; but I fear that the little
+time he dare stay in Paris would render it impossible for you to make
+your escape with him. Should this, as I fear, be the case, write to
+me, if it be but a few lines, to tell me how I can assist or aid you
+in your escape, and when it can be made. Adieu! Heaven bless and guard
+you.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Before he had concluded Riquet had again appeared, telling him that he
+was ready to set out, and taking the somewhat useless precaution to
+seal his letter, the Count gave it into his hands, and saw him depart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was now about five o'clock in the evening; and as he knew that many
+a weary and expectant hour must pass before the man could return, the
+Count conferred with all the various attendants who had been collected
+at Angerville, and found that the account which Riquet had given him
+of the state of Poitou was confirmed in every respect. Each had some
+tale of horror or of cruelty. Paul Virlay, however, whom he had asked
+for more than once, did not appear; and it was discovered on inquiry
+that he had not even remained at Angerville, but with the cold and
+sullen sort of despair that had fallen upon him had ridden on, now
+that he judged the Count was in safety.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After a time the young nobleman, anxious for some repose both of mind
+and of body, cast himself upon a bed, in the hope of obtaining sleep;
+but it visited not his eyelids; dark and horrible and agitating
+visions peopled the hours of darkness, though slumber had no share in
+calling them up. At length, full two hours before he had expected that
+Riquet could return, the sound of a horse's feet, coming at a rapid
+pace, struck the Count's ear, as he lay and listened to the howling of
+the November wind; and, starting up, he went to the window of the room
+and gazed out. It was a clear night, with the moon up, though there
+were some occasional clouds floating quickly over the sky, and he
+clearly saw that the horseman was Riquet, and alone. Proceeding into
+the other room where he had left a light, he hastened down to meet
+him, asking whether he had obtained an answer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have, Sir,&quot; replied the man; &quot;though I saw not the fair lady
+herself: yet Maria, the waiting woman, brought it in no long time.
+There it is;&quot; and drawing it from his pocket, he gave it into the
+Count's hand. Albert of Morseiul hastened back with the letter, and
+tore it eagerly open; but what were the words that his eyes saw?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Cruel and unkind,&quot; it began, &quot;and must I not add--alas, must I not
+add even to the man that I love--ungenerous and ungrateful? What would
+I not have sacrificed, what would I not have done, rather than that
+this should have occurred, and that the first use you make of your
+liberty should be to fly to wage actual war against the crown! How
+shall I dare look up? I, who for weeks have been pleading that no such
+thought would ever enter into your noble and loyal nature. No, Albert,
+I cannot follow the messenger you send; or, to use the more true and
+straight-forward word, I <i>will</i> not; and never by my presence with
+you, however much I may still love you, will I countenance the acts to
+which you are now hurrying.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was signed &quot;Clémence;&quot; but it fell from the Count's hand ere his
+eye had reached that word, and he gazed at it fixedly as it lay upon
+the ground for several moments, without attempting to raise it; then,
+turning with a sudden start to Riquet and another servant who stood
+by, as if for orders, he exclaimed--&quot;To horse!&quot;</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_06" href="#div3Ref_06">THE PASTOR'S PRISON.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The pillow of Clémence de Marly was wet with her tears, and sleep had
+not visited her eyes, when a quick knocking was heard at her door, and
+she demanded timidly who was there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is I, Madam,&quot; replied the voice of the Duchess de Rouvré's maid.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then wait a moment, Mariette,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;and I will open the
+door. She rose, put on a dressing gown, and by the light of the lamp
+which still stood unextinguished on the table, she raised and
+concealed, in a small casket, two letters which she had left open, and
+which bore evident signs of having been wept over before she retired
+to rest. The one was in the clear free handwriting of youth and
+strength; the other was in characters, every line of which spoke the
+feeble hand of age, infirmity, or sickness. When that was done, she
+opened the door which was locked, and admitted the Duchess's maid, who
+was followed into the room by her own attendant Maria, who usually
+slept in a little chamber hard by.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is the matter, Mariette?&quot; demanded the young lady. &quot;I can
+scarcely say that I have closed my eyes ere I am again disturbed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am sorry, Mademoiselle, to alarm you,&quot; replied the woman; &quot;but
+Maria would positively not wake you, so I was obliged to do it, for
+the Duke was sent for just as he was going to bed, and after remaining
+for two hours with the King has returned, and given immediate orders
+to prepare for a long journey. The Duchess sent me to let you know
+that such was the case, and that the carriages would be at the door in
+less than two hours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you know whither they are going,&quot; demanded Clémence, &quot;and if I am
+to accompany them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know nothing from the Duke or the Duchess, Mademoiselle,&quot; replied
+the woman, &quot;but the Duke's valet said that we were going either to
+Brittany or Poitou, for my lord had brought away a packet from the
+King addressed to somebody in those quarters; and you are going
+certainly, Mademoiselle, for the Duchess told me to tell you so, and
+the valet says that it is on account of you we are going; for that the
+Chevalier came back with my lord the Duke, and when he parted with
+him, said, 'Tell Clémence, she shall hear from me soon.'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence mused, but made no answer; and when in about an hour after,
+she descended to the saloon of the hotel, she found every thing in the
+confusion of departure, and the Duc de Rouvré standing by the table,
+at which his wife was seated, waiting for the moment of setting out,
+with a face wan, indeed, and somewhat anxious, but not so sorrowful or
+dejected as perhaps Clémence expected to see.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear, my dear Duke,&quot; she said, approaching him and leaning her two
+hands affectionately upon his arm, &quot;I fear that you, who have been to
+your poor Clémence a father indeed, are destined to have even more
+than a father's share of pains and anxieties with her. I am sure that
+all this to-night is owing to me, or to those that are dear to me, and
+that you have fallen under the King's displeasure on account of the
+rash steps of him whom I cannot yet cease to love.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not at all, my sweet Clémence; not at all, my sweet child,&quot; said the
+old nobleman, kissing her hand with that mingled air of gallant
+respect and affection which he always showed towards her. &quot;I do not
+mean to say, that your fair self has nothing to do with this business
+in any way, but certainly not in that way. It is about another
+business altogether, Clémence, that we are ordered to retire from the
+court; but not in disgrace, my dear young friend, we are by no means
+in disgrace. The King is perfectly satisfied that you have had no
+share in all the business of poor Albert of Morseiul; and when I told
+him how bitterly and deeply grieved you were, and how struck to the
+heart you seemed to have been, when you heard that the Count had fled
+to join the rebels in Poitou, he told me to bid you console yourself,
+saying, that he would find you another and a better husband soon.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence's eyes were bent down upon the ground with an expression of
+grief and pain; but she looked up in a moment, and said, &quot;Is it
+permitted me to ask you, my lord, how I am connected with this sudden
+removal?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay,&quot; he said, &quot;nay, sweet Clémence, that I must not tell you. I
+scruple not to say, that I think his Majesty is acting without due
+consideration; but, of course, my first duty, like that of all his
+other subjects, is to obey; and he particularly wishes that nothing
+should be said to you on the subject, as it might render one duty
+difficult by opposing to it another. At present the whole matter is
+quite simple; we have nothing to do but to set out as soon as these
+villanous lackeys have got the carriages ready.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, the Duke turned away, evidently wishing to avoid further
+inquiries, and in about half an hour after Clémence was rolling away
+from Versailles with the Duke and Duchess de Rouvré, followed by a
+long train of carriages and attendants.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It is needless to trace a melancholy journey in the darkest and
+gloomiest weather of the month of November; but it was evident that
+the Duc de Rouvré was in haste, travelling early and late, and it also
+appeared, from his conversation as they went, that, though he was
+charged with no special mission from the King, he proposed only
+pausing for a short time in Poitou, and then bending his steps to some
+of his other estates. Indeed, he suffered it to be understood that, in
+all probability, for many months he should take but little repose,
+frequently changing his place of abode, and travelling from one city
+to another. Although the health of Madame de Rouvré was by no means
+vigorous, and though far and rapid travelling never, at any time, had
+agreed with her, she made no objection, but seemed contented and happy
+with the arrangement, and even suggested that a journey to Italy might
+be beneficial to them all.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence wondered but was silent; and at length, late on the afternoon
+of the sixth day after their departure, they arrived at the small town
+of Thouars, over which was brooding the dark grey fogs of a November
+evening. Not many miles remained to travel from Thouars to Ruffigny;
+and the Duke, who was of course well known in that part of the
+country, received visits of congratulation on his arrival from the
+principal officers and inhabitants of the town. At these visits,
+however, Clémence was not present. She sent down an excuse for not
+appearing during the evening; and when the Duke sent up to say he
+wished to see her for a moment, she was not to be found, nor had she,
+indeed, returned at the end of an hour.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Where was Clémence de Marly? it may be asked. She was in the dark and
+gloomy abode, often of crime and often of innocence, but ever of
+anguish and of sorrow. She was in the prison of the old château of
+Thouars. Not, indeed, as one of those unfortunate beings, the
+involuntary inmates of the place, but as one coming upon the sad and
+solemn errand of visiting a dear and well-beloved friend for the last
+time. The office of governor of the prison, as it was seldom if ever
+used for the confinement of state offenders, had been suffered to fall
+into the hands of the mayor of the place, who delegated his charge to
+an old lieutenant, who again entrusted it to two subordinate gaolers,
+antique and rusty in their office as the keys they carried. It was
+with one of these that Clémence was speaking eagerly in the small dark
+passage that led into the interior of the building. She was habited in
+the ordinary grey cloak in which we have seen her twice before, and
+had with her still, on this occasion also, the faithful servant who
+had then attended her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come, come, pretty mistress,&quot; said the man, thrusting himself
+steadfastly in the way, &quot;I tell you it is as much as my head is worth.
+He is condemned to be broken on the wheel to-morrow, and I dare admit
+nobody to him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Look at these,&quot; said Clémence, pouring some gold pieces from her
+purse into her open hand. &quot;I offer you these if you will allow me to
+speak with him for an hour, and if you refuse I shall certainly insist
+upon seeing the lieutenant of the governor himself. You know what
+manner of man he is, and whether he will reject what I shall offer
+him; so he will get the money, and you will not, and I shall see the
+prisoner notwithstanding.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man's resolution was evidently shaken to the foundation. He was an
+old man and fond of gold. The sight was pleasant to him, and, putting
+forth his hand, he lifted one piece between his finger and thumb,
+turned it over, and dropped it back again upon the others. The sound
+completed what the touch had begun.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well,&quot; he said at length, &quot;I do not see why he should get it and I
+not. He is asleep, too, now in the arm-chair; so it were a pity to
+wake him. You want to be with the old man an hour, do you, young
+woman? Well, you must both go in then; and I must go away and be
+absent with the keys, for fear the lieutenant should wake and go to
+see the prisoner.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you mean to lock us in with him, then?&quot; exclaimed the maid, in
+some terror.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear not, Maria!&quot; said her mistress. &quot;You, who have ever given me
+encouragement and support, must not fear now. There is God even here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Be quick, then, and come along,&quot; said the gaoler, &quot;but first give me
+the money.&quot; Clémence poured it into his hand; and when he had got it,
+he paused, hesitating as if he were tempted by the spirit of evil to
+keep the gold and refuse her admission. But if such were the case, a
+moment's reflection showed him that to attempt it would be ruinous;
+and he, therefore, led the way along the passage in which they were,
+putting his finger upon his lips to enjoin silence, as they passed by
+a part of the prison which seemed to be inhabited by those who had
+some means of obtaining luxuries. At length, however, he lowered a
+lantern which he carried, and pointed to two or three steps which led
+into another passage, narrower, damper, and colder than the former. At
+the distance of about fifty feet from the steps this corridor was
+crossed by another; and turning to the right over a rough uneven
+flooring of earth, with the faint light of the lantern gleaming here
+and there on the damp green glistening mould of the walls, he walked
+on till he reached the end, and then opened a low heavy door.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All within was dark, and, as the man drew back to let his female
+companions pass, the attendant, Maria, laid her hand upon the lantern,
+saying, &quot;Give us a light, at least!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah! well, you may have it,&quot; grumbled forth the gaoler; and Clémence,
+who though resolute to her purpose, still felt the natural fears of
+her sex and her situation, turned to him, saying, &quot;I give you three
+more of those pieces when you open the door again for me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, I'll do that--I'll do that!&quot; replied the man, quickened by the
+gold; and while Maria took the lantern and passed the door, Clémence
+gazed down the step or two that led into the dungeon, and then with a
+pale cheek and wrung heart followed. The door closed behind them; the
+harsh bolt of the lock grated as the man turned the key; and, the
+power of retreat being at an end, the beautiful girl threw back the
+hood of the cloak, and gazed on before her into the obscure vault,
+which the feeble light of the lantern had scarcely deprived of any
+part of its darkness. The only thing that she could perceive, at
+first, was a large heavy pillar in the midst, supporting the pointed
+vault of the dungeon, with the faint outline of a low wooden bed, with
+the head thereof resting against the column.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No one spoke; and nothing but a faint moan broke the awful silence. It
+required the pause of a moment or two ere Clémence could overcome the
+feelings of her own heart sufficiently to take the lantern and
+advance; opening a part of the dim horn as she did so, in order to
+give greater light. A step or two farther forward brought her to the
+side of the bed; and the light of the lantern now showed her
+distinctly the venerable form of Claude de l'Estang stretched out upon
+the straw with which the pallet was filled. A heavy chain was round
+his middle, and the farther end thereof was fastened to a stanchion in
+the column.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The minister was dressed in a loose grey prison gown, and, although he
+saw the approach of some one in the abode of misery in which he was
+placed, he moved not at all, but remained with his arm bent under his
+head, his eyes turned slightly towards the door, his lower lip
+dropping as if with debility or pain, and his whole attitude
+displaying the utter lassitude and apathy of exhaustion and despair.
+When Clémence was within a foot or two of his side, however, he slowly
+raised his eyes towards her; and in a moment, when he beheld her face,
+a bright gleam came over his faded countenance, awakening in it all
+those peculiar signs and marks of strong intellect and intense feeling
+which the moment before had seemed extinct and gone. It was like the
+lightning flashing over some noble ruin in the midst of the deep
+darkness of the night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Is it you, my sweet child?&quot; he cried, in a faint voice that was
+scarcely audible even in the midst of the still silence. &quot;Is it you
+that have come to visit me in this abode of wretchedness and agony?
+This is indeed a blessing and a comfort; a blessing to see that there
+are some faithful even to the last, a comfort and a joy to find that
+she on whose truth and steadfastness I had fixed such hopes, has not
+deceived me;--and yet,&quot; he exclaimed, while Clémence gazed upon him
+with the tears rolling rapidly over her cheeks, and the sobs
+struggling hard for utterance, &quot;and yet, why, oh why have you come
+here? why have you risked so much, my child, to soothe the few short
+hours that to-morrow's noon shall see at an end?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, dear friend,&quot; said Clémence, kneeling down beside the pallet,
+&quot;could I do otherwise, when I was in this very town, than strive to
+see you, my guide, my instructor, my teacher in right, my warner of
+the path that I ought to shun? Could I do otherwise, when I thought
+that there was none to soothe, that there was none to console you,
+that in the darkness and the agony of these awful hours there was not
+one voice to speak comfort, or to say one word of sympathy?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My child, you are mistaken,&quot; replied the old man, striving to raise
+himself upon his arm, and sinking back again with a low groan. &quot;There
+has been one to comfort, there has been one to support me. He, to whom
+I go, has never abandoned me: neither in the midst of insult and
+degradation; no, nor in the moment of agony and torture, nor in those
+long and weary hours that have passed since they bore these ancient
+limbs from the rack on which they had bound them, and cast them down
+here to endure the time in darkness, in pain, and in utter
+helplessness, till at noon to-morrow the work will be accomplished on
+the bloody wheel, and the prisoner in this ruined clay will receive a
+joyful summons to fly far to his Redeemer's throne.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The tears rained down from the eyes of Clémence de Marly like the
+drops of a summer shower; but she dared not trust herself to speak:
+and after pausing to take breath, which came evidently with
+difficulty, the old man went on, &quot;But still I say, Clémence, still I
+say, why have you come hither? You know not the danger, you know not
+the peril in which you are.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What!&quot; cried Clémence, &quot;should I fear danger, should I fear peril in
+such a case as this? Let them do to me what they will, let them do to
+me what God permits them to do. To have knelt here beside you, to have
+spoken one word of comfort to you, to have wiped the drops from that
+venerable brow in this awful moment, would be a sufficient recompense
+to Clémence de Marly for all that she could suffer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God forbid,&quot; cried the pastor, &quot;that they should make you suffer as
+they can. You know not what it is, my child--you know not what it is!
+If it were possible that an immortal spirit, armed with God's truth,
+should consent unto a lie, that torture might well produce so awful a
+falling off! But you recall me, my child, to what I was saying. I have
+not been alone, I have not been uncomforted even here. The word of God
+has been with me in my heart, the Spirit of God has sustained my
+spirit, the sufferings of my Saviour have drowned my sufferings, the
+hope of immortality has made me bear the utmost pains of earth. When
+they had taken away the printed words from before mine eyes, when they
+had shut out the light of heaven, so that I could not have seen, even
+if the holy book had been left, they thought they had deprived me of
+my solace. But they forgot that every word thereof was in my heart;
+that it was written there, with the bright memories of my early days;
+that it was traced there with the calm recollections of my manhood;
+that it was printed there with sufferings and with tears; that it was
+graven there with smiles and joys; that with every act of my life, and
+thought of my past being, those words of the revealed will of God were
+mingled, and never could be separated; and it came back to me even
+here, and blessed me in the dungeon; it came back to me before the
+tribunal of my enemies, and gave me a mouth and wisdom; it came back
+to me on the torturing rack, and gave me strength to endure without a
+groan; it came back to me even as I was lying mangled here, and made
+the wheel of to-morrow seem a blessed resting-place.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas, alas!&quot; cried Clémence, &quot;when I see you here; when I see you
+thus suffering; when I see you thus the sport of cruelty and
+persecution, I feel that I have judged too harshly of poor Albert, in
+regard to his taking arms against the oppressors; I feel that perhaps,
+like him, I should have thus acted, even though I called the charge of
+ingratitude upon my head.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And is he free, then? is he free?&quot; demanded the pastor, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is free,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;and, as we hear, in arms against the
+King.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, entreat him to lay them down,&quot; exclaimed the pastor; &quot;beseech him
+not to attempt it Tell him that ruin and death can be the only
+consequences: tell him that the Protestant church is at an end in
+France: tell him that flight to lands where the pure faith is known
+and loved is the only hope: tell him that resistance is destruction to
+him, and to all others. Tell him so, my child, tell him so from me:
+tell him so--but, hark!&quot; he continued, &quot;what awful sound is that?&quot; for
+even while he was speaking, and apparently close to the spot where the
+dungeon was situated, a sharp explosion took place, followed by a
+multitude of heavy blows given with the most extraordinary rapidity.
+No voices were distinguished for some minutes; and the blows continued
+without a moment's cessation, thundering one upon the other with a
+vehemence and force which seemed to shake the whole building.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is surely,&quot; said Clémence, &quot;somebody attacking the prison door.
+Perhaps, oh Heaven! perhaps it is some one trying to deliver you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Heaven forbid!&quot; exclaimed the old man; &quot;Heaven forbid that they
+should madly rush to such an attempt for the purpose of saving, for a
+few short hours, this wretched frame from that death which will be a
+relief. Hark, do you not hear cries and shouts?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence listened, and she distinctly heard many voices apparently
+elevated, but at a distance, while the sound of the blows continued
+thundering upon what was evidently the door of the prison, and a low
+murmur, as if of persons speaking round, joined with the space to make
+the farther cries indistinct. A pause succeeded for a moment or two;
+but then came the sound of galloping horse, and then a sharp discharge
+of musketry, instantly followed by the loud report of fire-arms from a
+spot immediately adjacent to the building. Clémence clasped her hands
+in terror, while her attendant Maria, filled with the dangerous
+situation in which they were placed, ran and pushed the door of the
+dungeon, idly endeavouring to force it open.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the mean while, for two or three minutes nothing was heard but
+shouts and cries, with two or three musket shots; then came a volley,
+then another, then two or three more shots, then the charging of horse
+mingled with cries, and shouts, and screams, while still the
+thundering blows continued, and at length a loud and tremendous crash
+was heard shaking the whole building. A momentary pause succeeded, the
+blows were no longer heard, and the next sound was the rush of many
+feet. A moment of doubt and apprehension, of anxiety, nay of terror,
+followed. Clémence was joyful at the thought of the pastor's
+deliverance; but what, she asked herself, was to be her own fate, even
+if the purpose of those who approached was the good man's liberation.
+Another volley from without broke in upon the other sounds; but in an
+instant after the rushing of the feet approached the door where they
+were, and manifold voices were heard speaking.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is locked,&quot; cried one; &quot;where can the villain be with the keys?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Get back,&quot; cried another loud voice; &quot;give me but a fair stroke at
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A blow like thunder followed; and, seeming to fall upon the locks and
+bolts of the door, dashed them at once to pieces, driving a part of
+the wood-work into the dungeon itself. Two more blows cast the whole
+mass wrenched from its hinges to the ground. A multitude of people
+rushed in, some of them bearing lights, all armed to the teeth, some
+bloody, some begrimed with smoke and gunpowder; fierce excitement
+flashing from every eye, and eager energy upon every face.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is here, he is here,&quot; they shouted to the others without. &quot;Make
+way, make way, let us bring him out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But who are these women?&quot; cried another voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Friends, friends, dear friends, come to comfort me,&quot; cried the
+pastor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Blessings on the tongue that so often has taught us,&quot; cried other
+voices, while several ran forward and kissed his hands with tears;
+&quot;blessings on the heart that has guided and directed us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Stand back, my friends, stand back,&quot; cried a gigantic man, with an
+immense sledge-hammer in his hand, &quot;let me break the chain;&quot; and at a
+single blow he dashed the strong links to atoms.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now bring them all along!&quot; he cried, &quot;now bring them all along! Take
+up the good man on the bed, and carry him out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Bring them all along! bring them all along!&quot; cried a thousand voices,
+and without being listened to in any thing that she had to say,
+Clémence, clinging as closely as she could to her attendant, was
+hurried out along the narrow passages of the prison, which were now
+flashing with manifold lights, into the dark little square which was
+found filled with people. Multitudes of lights were in all the windows
+round, and, covering the prison, a strong band of men were drawn up
+facing the opposite street. A number of persons on horseback were in
+front of the band, and, by the lights which were flashing from the
+torches in the street, one commanding figure appeared to the eyes of
+Clémence at the very moment she was brought forth from the doors of
+the prison, stretching out his hand towards the men behind him, and
+shouting, in a voice that she could never forget, though now that
+voice was raised into tones of loud command, such as she had never
+heard it use. &quot;Hold! hold! the man that fires a shot dies! Not one
+unnecessary shot, not one unnecessary blow!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence strove to turn that way, and to fly towards the hotel where
+Monsieur de Rouvré lodged; but she was borne away by the stream, which
+seemed to be now retreating from the town. At the same moment an armed
+man laid gently hold of her cloak, seeing her efforts to free herself,
+and said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This way, lady, this way. It is madness for you to think to go back
+now. You are with friends. You are with one who will protect you with
+his life, for your kindness to the murdered and the lost.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She turned round to gaze upon him, not recollecting his voice; and his
+face, in the indistinct light, seemed to her like a face remembered in
+a dream, connected with the awful scene of the preaching on the moor,
+and the dark piece of water, and the dying girl killed by the shot of
+the dragoons. Ere she could ask any questions, however, the stream of
+people hurried her on, and in a few minutes she was out of Thouars,
+and in the midst of the open country round.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_07" href="#div3Ref_07">THE DEATH OF THE PERSECUTED.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">When the flight had been conducted for about two miles in the midst of
+the perfect darkness which surrounded the whole scene--for the lights
+and torches which had appeared in the town had been extinguished with
+the exception of one or two, on leaving it--the voice which had before
+addressed Clémence de Marly again spoke nearer, apparently giving
+command, as some one in authority over the others.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where is the litter?&quot; he exclaimed.--&quot;Where is the litter that was
+brought for the good minister? Bring it hither: he will be more easy
+in that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence had kept as near as she could to the spot where Claude de
+l'Estang was carried, and she now heard him answer in a faint and
+feeble voice,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not move me: in pity do not move me. My limbs are so strained and
+dislocated by the rack, that the slightest movement pains me. Carry me
+as I am, if you will; but move me not from this bed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then, place these two ladies in the litter,&quot; said the same
+voice. &quot;We shall go faster then.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Without asking her consent, Clémence de Marly was placed in the small
+hand-litter which had been brought for the pastor; her maid took the
+place by her side, and, lifted on the shoulders of four men, she was
+carried on more quickly, gaining a faint and indistinct view of what
+was passing around, from the more elevated situation in which she now
+was.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were mounting slowly the side of the hill, about two miles from
+the town of Thouars, and she could catch a distant view of the dark
+towers and masses of the town as it then existed, rising above the
+objects around. From thence, as far as her eye was able to
+distinguish, a stream of people was flowing on all along the road to
+the very spot where she was, and several detached parties were seen
+here and there, crossing the different eminences on either side, so
+that the force assembled must have been very considerable. She
+listened eagerly for any sound from the direction of Thouars,
+apprehensive at every moment that she would hear the firing renewed;
+for she knew, or at least she believed she knew, that Albert of
+Morseiul, with the better disciplined band which he seemed to command,
+would be the last to leave the city he had so boldly entered. Nothing,
+however, confirmed her expectation. There was a reddish light over the
+town, as if there were either fires in the streets, or that the houses
+were generally lighted up; but all was silent, except a dull distant
+murmur, heard when the sound of the marching feet ceased from any
+cause for a moment. Few words passed between Clémence and her
+attendant; for though Maria was a woman of a calm determined spirit in
+moments of immediate danger, and possessed with a degree of religious
+zeal, which was a strong support in times of peril and difficulty, yet
+the scenes in the prison and the dungeon, the horrors which she had
+only dreamt of before brought actually before her eyes, had not
+precisely unnerved, but had rendered her thoughtful and silent. The
+only sentence which she ventured to address to her mistress, without
+being spoken to, was,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, Madam, is the young Count so much to blame, after all?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas, Maria,&quot; replied Clémence, in the same low tone, &quot;I think that
+all are to blame, more or less. Deep provocation has certainly been
+given; but I do think that Albert ought to have acted differently. He
+had not these scenes before his eyes when he fled to put himself at
+the head of the insurgents; and ere he did so, he certainly owed
+something to me and something to the King. Nevertheless, since I have
+seen what I have seen, and heard what I have heard, I can make excuses
+which I could not make before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The attendant made no reply, and the conversation dropped. The march
+continued rapidly for three or four hours, till at length there was a
+short halt; and a brief consultation seemed to take place between two
+or three of the leaders on horseback. The principal part of the men on
+foot, exhausted as it appeared by great exertion, sat or lay down by
+the road side; but ere the conference had gone on for above five
+minutes, a cavalier, followed by several other men on horseback, came
+up at the full gallop; and again the deep mellow tones of that
+remarkable voice struck the ear of Clémence de Marly, and made her
+whole frame thrill. His words, or as they appeared commands, were but
+few; and, without either approaching the side of Claude de l'Estang or
+herself, he rode back again in haste, and the march was renewed.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ere long a fine cold rain began to fall, chilling those it lighted on
+to the very heart; and Clémence thought she perceived that as they
+advanced the number of people gradually fell away. At length, after a
+long and fatiguing march through the night, as the faint grey of the
+dawn began to appear, she found that, at the very utmost, there were
+not above a hundred of the armed Protestants around her. The party was
+evidently under the command of a short but powerfully made man, on
+horseback, whom she recognised as the person who had carried the
+unfortunate novice Claire in his arms to the house of Claude de
+l'Estang. He rode on constantly by the side of the bed in which the
+good pastor was carried on men's shoulders, and bowing down his head
+from time to time, he spoke to him with what seemed words of comfort
+and hope. They were now on a part of the road from Thouars towards
+Nantes, that passed through the midst of one of those wide sandy
+tracts called in France <i>landes</i>, across which a sort of causeway had
+been made by felled trees, rough and painful of passage even to the
+common carts of the country. This causeway, however, was soon quitted
+by command of Armand Herval. One party took its way through the sands
+to the right; and the rest, following the litters, bent their course
+across the country, towards a spot where a dark heavy line bounded the
+portion of the <i>landes</i> within sight, and seemed to denote a large
+wood of the deep black pine, which grows better than any other tree in
+that sandy soil. It was near an hour before they reached the wood; and
+even underneath its shadow the shifting sand continued, only
+diversified a little by a few thin blades of green grass, sufficient
+to feed the scanty flocks of sheep, which form the only riches of that
+tract.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the midst of the wood--where they had found or formed a little
+oasis around them--were two shepherds' cottages; and to these the
+party commanded by Armand Herval at once directed its course. An old
+man and two boys came out as they approached, but with no signs of
+surprise; and Claude de l'Estang was carried to one of the cottages,
+into which Clémence followed. She had caught a sight of the good man's
+face as they bore him past her, and she saw that there was another sad
+and painful task before her, for which she nerved her mind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, good Antoine,&quot; said Armand Herval, speaking to one of the
+shepherds, &quot;lead out the sheep with all speed, and take them over all
+the tracks of men and horses that you may meet with. You will do it
+carefully, I know. We have delivered the good man, as you see; but I
+fear--I fear much that we have after all come too late, for the
+butchers have put him to the question, and almost torn him limb from
+limb. God knows I made what speed I could, and so did the Count.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old shepherd to whom he spoke made no reply, but listened, gazing
+in his face with a look of deep melancholy. One of the younger men who
+stood by, however, said, &quot;We heard the firing. I suppose they strove
+hard to keep him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That they assuredly did!&quot; replied Herval, his brows knitting as he
+spoke; &quot;and if we had not been commanded by such a man, they would not
+only have kept him, but us too. One half of our people failed us.
+Boursault was not there. Kerac and his band never came. We were full
+seven hundred short, and then the petard went off too soon, and did no
+good, but brought the whole town upon us. They had dragoons, too, from
+Niort; and tried first to drive us back, then to take us in flank by
+the tower-street, then to barricade the way behind us; but they found
+they had to do with a Count de Morseiul, and they were met every
+where, and every where defeated. Yet, after all,&quot; continued the man,
+&quot;he will ruin us from his fear of shedding any blood but his own. But
+I must go in and see after the good man; and then speed to the woods.
+We shall be close round about, and one sound of a conch<a name="div4Ref_03" href="#div4_03"><sup>[3]</sup></a> will bring
+a couple of hundred to help you, good Antoine.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he went into the cottage, where Clémence had already
+taken her place by the side of the unhappy pastor's bed; and, on the
+approach of Herval, she raised her finger gently to indicate that he
+slept. He had, indeed, fallen into momentary slumber, utterly
+exhausted by suffering and fatigue; but the fallen temples--the
+sharpened features--the pale ashy hue of the countenance, showed to
+the eyes of Clémence, at least, that the sleep was not that from which
+he would wake refreshed and better. Herval, less acute in his
+perceptions, judged differently; and, after assuring Clémence in a
+whisper that she was quite in safety there, as the woods round were
+filled with the band, he left her, promising to return ere night.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence would fain have asked after Albert of Morseiul, and might,
+perhaps, have expressed a wish to see him; but there were strange
+feelings of timidity in her heart which kept her silent till the man
+was gone, and then she regretted that she had not spoken, and accused
+herself of weakness. During the time that she now sat watching by the
+pastor's side, she had matter enough for thought in her own situation.
+What was now to become of her, was a question that frequently
+addressed itself to her heart; and, more than once, as she thus sat
+and pondered, the warm ingenuous blood rushed up into her cheek at
+thoughts which naturally arose in her bosom from the consideration of
+the strange position in which she was placed. Albert of Morseiul had
+not seen her, she knew. He could not even divine or imagine that she
+was at Thouars at all, much less in the prison itself; but yet she
+felt somewhat reproachfully towards him, as if he should have divined
+that it was she whom he saw borne along, not far from the unhappy
+pastor. Though she acknowledged, too, in her own heart, that there
+were great excuses to be made for the decided part which her lover had
+taken in the insurrection of that part of the country, still she was
+not satisfied, altogether, with his having done so; still she called
+him, in her own heart, both rash and ungrateful.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">On the other hand, she remembered, that she had written to him in
+haste, and in some degree of anger, or, at least, of bitter
+disappointment; that she had refused, without explaining all the
+circumstances which prevented her, to share his flight as she had
+previously promised; that, hurried and confused, she had neither told
+him that, at the very time she was writing, the Duchess de Rouvré
+waited to accompany her to the court, and that to fly at such a moment
+was impossible; nor that, during the whole of the following day, she
+was to remain at Versailles, where the eyes of every one would be upon
+her, more especially attracted towards her by the news of her lover's
+flight, which must, by that time, be generally known. She feared, too,
+that in that letter she had expressed herself harshly, even unkindly;
+she feared that those very words might have driven the Count into the
+desperate course which he had adopted, and she asked herself, with
+feelings such as she had never experienced before, when contemplating
+a meeting with Albert of Morseiul, how would he receive her?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In short, in thinking of the Count, she felt that she had been
+somewhat in the wrong in regard to her conduct towards him. But she
+felt, also, at the same time, that he had been likewise in the wrong,
+and, therefore, what she had first to anticipate were the words of
+mutual reproach, rather than the words of mutual affection. Such was
+one painful theme of thought, and how she was to shape her own
+immediate conduct was another. To return to the house of the Duc de
+Rouvré seemed utterly out of the question. She had been found in the
+prison of Claude de l'Estang. Her religious feelings could no longer
+be concealed; her renunciation of the Catholic faith was sure, at that
+time, to be looked upon as nothing short of treason; and death or
+eternal imprisonment was the only fate that would befall her, if she
+were once cast into the hands of the Roman Catholic party.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">What then was she to do? Was she to throw herself at once upon the
+protection of Albert of Morseiul? Was she to bind her fate to his for
+ever, at the very moment when painful points of difference had arisen
+between them? Was she to cast herself upon his bounty as a suppliant,
+instead of holding the same proud situation she had formerly
+held,--instead of being enabled to confer upon him that which he would
+consider an inestimable benefit, while she herself enhanced its value
+beyond all price, by the sacrifice of all and every thing for him? Was
+she now, on the contrary,--when it seemed as if she had refused to
+make that sacrifice for his sake,--to come to him, as a fugitive,
+claiming his protection, to demand his bounty and his support, and to
+supplicate permission to share the fate in which he might think she
+had shown a disinclination to participate, till she was compelled to
+do so?</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The heart of Clémence de Marly was wrung at the thought. She knew that
+Albert of Morseiul was generous, noble, kind-hearted. She felt that,
+very likely, he might view the case in much brighter hues than she
+herself depicted it to her own mind; she felt that, if she were a
+suppliant to him, no reproach would ever spring to his lips; no cold
+averted look would ever tell her that he thought she had treated him
+ill. But she asked herself whether those reproaches would not be in
+his heart; and the pride, which might have taken arms and supported
+her under any distinct and open charge, gave way at the thought of
+being condemned, and yet cherished.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">How should she act, then? how should she act? she asked herself; and
+as Clémence de Marly was far from one of those perfect creatures who
+always act right from the first impulse, the struggle between
+contending feelings was long and terrible, and mingled with some
+tears. Her determination, however, was right at length.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will tell him all I have felt, and all I think,&quot; she said. &quot;I will
+utter no reproach: I will say not one word to wound him: I will let
+him see once more, how deeply and truly I love him. I will hear,
+without either pride or anger, any thing that Albert of Morseiul will
+say to me, and then, having done so, I will trust to his generosity to
+do the rest. I need not fear! Surely, I need not fear!&quot; and, with this
+resolution, she became more composed, the surest and the strongest
+proof that it was right.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But, to say the truth, since the perils of the night just passed,
+since she had beheld him she loved in a new character; since, with her
+own eyes, she had seen him commanding in the strife of men, and every
+thing seeming to yield to the will of his powerful and intrepid mind,
+new feelings had mingled with her love for him, of which, what she had
+experienced when he rode beside her at the hunting party at Poitiers,
+had been but, as it were, a type. It was not fear, but it was some
+degree of awe. She felt that, with all her own strength of mind, with
+all her own brightness of intellect and self-possession, there were
+mightier qualities in his character to which she must bow down: that
+she, in fact, was woman, altogether woman, in his presence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As she thus thought, a slight motion on the bed where Claude de
+l'Estang was laid made her turn her eyes thither. The old man had
+awoke from his short slumber, and his eyes, still bright and
+intelligent, notwithstanding the approach of death and the exhaustion
+of his shattered frame, were turned towards her with an earnest and a
+melancholy expression.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I hope you feel refreshed,&quot; said Clémence, bending over him. &quot;You
+have had some sleep; and I trust it has done you good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not deceive yourself, my dear child,&quot; replied the old man. &quot;No
+sleep can do me good, but that deep powerful one which is soon coming.
+I wait but God's will, Clémence, and I trust that he will soon give
+the spirit liberty. It will be in mercy, Clémence, that he sends
+death; for were life to be prolonged, think what it would be to this
+torn and mangled frame. Neither hand nor foot can I move, nor were it
+possible to give back strength to my limbs or ease to my body. Every
+hour that I remain, I look upon but as a trial of patience and of
+faith, and I will not murmur: no, Clémence, not even in thought,
+against His almighty will, who bids me drag on the weary minutes
+longer. But yet, when the last of those minutes has come, oh! how
+gladly shall I feel the summons that others dread and fly from! I
+would fain, my child,&quot; he said, &quot;I would fain hear: and from your
+lips: some of that blessed word which the misguided persecutors of our
+church deny unmutilated to the blind followers of their faith, though
+every word therein speaks hope, and consolation, and counsel, and
+direction to the heart of man.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas! good father,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;the Bible which I always carry
+with me, was left behind when I came to see you in prison, and I know
+not where to find one here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The people in this, or the neighbouring cottage, have one,&quot; said the
+pastor. &quot;They are good honest souls, whom I have often visited in
+former days.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As the good woman of the cottage had gone out, almost immediately
+after the arrival of the party, to procure some herbs, which she
+declared would soothe the pastor greatly, Clémence proceeded to the
+other cottage, where she found an old man with a Bible in his hand,
+busily reading a portion thereof to a little boy who stood near. He
+looked up, and gave her the book as soon as she told him the purpose
+for which she came, and then, following into the cottage where the
+pastor lay, he and the boy stood by, and listened attentively while
+she read such chapters as Claude de l'Estang expressed a wish to hear.
+Those chapters were not, in general, such as might have been supposed.
+They were not those which hold out the glorious promises of
+everlasting life to men who suffer for their faith in this state of
+being. They were not such as pourtray to us, in its real and spiritual
+character, that other world, to which the footsteps of all are
+tending. It seemed as if, of such things, the mind of the pastor was
+so fully convinced, so intimately and perfectly sure, that they were
+as parts of his own being. But the passages that he selected were
+those in which our Redeemer lays down all the bright, perfect, and
+unchangeable precepts for the rule and governance of man's own
+conduct, which form the only code of law and philosophy that can
+indeed be called divine. And in that last hour it seemed the greatest
+hope and consolation which the dying man could receive, to ponder upon
+those proofs of divine love and wisdom which nothing but the Spirit of
+God himself could have dictated.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus passed the whole of the day. From time to time Clémence paused,
+and the pastor spoke a few words to those who surrounded him: words of
+humble comment on what was read, or pious exhortation. At other times,
+when his fair companion was tired, the attendant Maria would take the
+book and read. No noises, no visit from without, disturbed the calm.
+It seemed as if their persecutors were at fault; and though from time
+to time one of the different members of those shepherd families passed
+in or out, no other persons were seen moving upon the face of the
+<i>landes</i>; no sounds were heard but their own low voices throughout the
+short light of a November day. To one fresh from the buzz of cities,
+and the busy activity of man, the contrast of the stillness and the
+solitude was strange; but doubly strange and exceeding solemn were
+they to the mind of her who came, fresh from the perturbed and fevered
+visions of the preceding night, and saw that day lapse away like a
+long and quiet sleep.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Towards the dusk of the evening, however, her attendant laid her hand
+upon her arm as she was still reading, saying, &quot;There is a change
+coming;&quot; and Clémence paused and gazed down upon the old man's
+countenance. It looked very grey; but whether from the shadows of the
+evening, or from the loss of whatever hue of living health remained,
+she could hardly tell. But the difference was not so great in the
+colour as in the expression. The look of pain and suffering which,
+notwithstanding all his efforts to bear his fate with tranquillity,
+had still marked that fine expressive countenance, was gone, and a
+calm and tranquil aspect had succeeded, although the features were
+extremely sharpened, the eye sunk, and the temples hollow. It was the
+look of a body and a spirit at peace; and, for a moment, as the eyes
+were turned up towards the sky, Clémence imagined that the spirit was
+gone: but the next moment he looked round towards her, as if inquiring
+why she stopped.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How are you, Sir?&quot; she said. &quot;You seem more at ease.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am quite at ease, Clémence,&quot; replied the old man. &quot;All pain has
+left me. I am somewhat cold, but that is natural; and for the last
+half hour the remains of yesterday's agony have been wearing away, as
+I have seen snow upon a hill's side melt in the April sunshine. It is
+strange, and scarcely to be believed, that death should be so
+pleasant; for this is death, my child, and I go away from this world
+of care and pain with a foretaste of the mercies of the next. It is
+very slow, but still it is coming, Clémence, and bringing healing on
+its wings. Death, the messenger of God's will, to one that trusts in
+his mercy, is indeed the harbinger of that peace of God which passes
+all understanding.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He paused a little, and his voice had grown considerably weaker, even
+while he spoke. &quot;God forgive my enemies,&quot; he said at length, &quot;and the
+mistaken men who persecute others for their soul's sake. God forgive
+them, and yield them a better light; for, oh how I wish that all men
+could feel death only as I feel it!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such were the last words of Claude de l'Estang. They were perfectly
+audible and distinct to every one present, and they were spoken with
+the usual calm sweet simplicity of manner which had characterised all
+the latter part of his life. But after he had again paused for two or
+three minutes, he opened his lips as if to say something more, but no
+sound was heard. He instantly felt that such was the case, and ceased;
+but he feebly stretched forth his hand toward Clémence, who bent her
+head over it, and dewed it with her tears.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When she raised her eyes, they fell upon the face of the dead.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_08" href="#div3Ref_08">THE DISCOVERY OF ERROR.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">We must now change the scene and time, though the spot to which we
+will conduct the reader is not situated more than ten miles from that
+in which the events took place recorded in the last chapter, and only
+one day's interval had elapsed. Considerably more inland, it presented
+none of that sandy appearance which characterises the <i>landes</i>. The
+vegetation also was totally different, the rich, even rank, grass
+spreading under the tall trees of the forest, and the ivy covering
+those which had lost their leaves thus early in the year.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a little château belonging to an inferior noble of the
+province, situated in the midst of one of those wide woods which the
+French of that day took the greatest pains to maintain in a
+flourishing condition, both for the sake of the fuel which they
+afforded, and the cover that they gave to the objects of the chase.
+The château itself was built, as usual, upon an eminence of
+considerable elevation, overlooking the forest world around, and in
+its immediate neighbourhood the wood was cleared away so as to give an
+open esplanade, along which, upon the present occasion, some fifteen
+hundred or two thousand men had passed the preceding day and night:
+having liberated the poor pastor of Auron on the night before. Some
+few tents of rude construction, some huts hastily raised, had been
+their only shelter; but they murmured not; and indeed it was not from
+such causes that any of those who deserted from the body of Protestant
+insurgents quitted the standard of their leader. It was, that the
+agents of the governing priesthood had long been busy amongst them,
+and had sapped the principles and shaken the resolution of many of
+those who even showed themselves willing to take arms, but who soon
+fell away in the hour of need, acting more detrimentally on their own
+cause than if they had absolutely opposed it, or abandoned it from the
+first. Doubts of each other, and hesitation in their purposes, had
+thus been spread through the Protestants; and though, of the number
+assembled there, few existed who had now either inclination or
+opportunity to turn back, yet they thought with gloomy apprehension
+upon the defection that was daily taking place in the great body of
+Huguenots throughout France; and their energies were chilled even if
+their resolution was not shaken.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The day of which we now speak rose with a brighter aspect than the
+preceding one, and it was scarcely more than daylight when the gates
+of the castle were opened, the horses of the Count de Morseiul and his
+immediate officers and attendants were brought out; and in a minute
+after, he himself, booted and spurred, and bearing energetic activity
+in his eye, came forth upon the esplanade, surrounded by a number of
+persons, who were giving him information, or receiving his orders. The
+men who were gathered in arms on the slope of the hill gazed up
+towards him with that sort of expectation which is near akin to hope;
+and the prompt rapidity of his gestures, the quickness with which he
+was speaking, the ease with which he seemed to comprehend every body,
+and the readiness and capability, if we may so call it, of his own
+demeanour, was marked by all those that looked upon him, and gave
+trust and confidence even to the faintest heart there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where is Riquet?&quot; the Count said, after speaking to some of the
+gentlemen who had taken arms; &quot;where is Riquet? He told me that two
+persons had arrived from Paris last night, and were safe in his
+chamber. Where is Riquet?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Riquet! Riquet!&quot; shouted several voices, sending the sound back into
+the castle; but in the mean time the Count went on speaking to those
+around them in a sorrowful tone.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So poor Monsieur de l'Estang is dead!&quot; he said. &quot;That is a shining
+light, indeed, put out. He died yesterday evening you say--God forgive
+me that I should regret him at such a moment as this, and wish that he
+had been left to us. There was not a nobler or a wiser, or, what is
+the same thing, a better man in France. I have known him from my
+childhood, gentlemen, and you must not think me weak that I cannot
+bear this loss as manly as might be,&quot; and he dashed a tear away from
+his eye. &quot;That they should torture such a venerable form as that!&quot; he
+added; &quot;that they should stretch upon the rack him, who never pained
+or tortured any one! These things are too fearful, gentlemen, almost
+to be believed. The time will come when they shall be looked upon but
+as a doubtful tale. Is it not six of our pastors, in Poitou alone,
+that they have broken on the wheel? Out upon them, inhuman savages!
+Out upon them! I say. But what was this you told me of some ladies
+having been freed from the prison?--Oh, here is Riquet. Now, sirrah,
+what are your tidings? Who are these personages from Paris?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One of them, Sir,&quot; replied Riquet, whose tone was changed in no
+degree by the new situation in which he was placed, &quot;one of them is
+your Lordship's own man, or rather your Lordship's man's man, Peter.
+He is the personage that I left in Paris to give the order for your
+liberation that you wot of.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay!&quot; said the Count; &quot;what made him so long in following us? He was
+not detained, by any chance, was he?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh no, my Lord,&quot; replied the valet, &quot;he was not detained, only he
+thought--he thought--I do not know very well what he thought. But,
+however, he stayed for two or three days, and is only just come on
+hither.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Does he bring any news?&quot; demanded the Count.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;None, but that the Prince de Conti is dead, very suddenly indeed, of
+the smallpox, caught of his fair wife; that all Protestants are
+ordered to quit Paris immediately; and that the Duke of Berwick has
+made formal abjuration.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I grieve for the Prince de Conti,&quot; said the Count, &quot;he was
+promising and soldier-like; though the other, the young Prince de la
+Roche-sur-Yon, is full of still higher qualities. So, the boy Duke of
+Berwick has abjured. That might be expected. No other news?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;None, my Lord, from him,&quot; replied the man, who evidently was a little
+embarrassed in speaking on the subject of his fellow-servant; and he
+added immediately, &quot;The other gentleman seems to have news; but he
+will communicate it to none but yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will speak with them both,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Bring them hither
+immediately, Riquet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, my Lord,&quot; said the valet, &quot;as to Peter, I do not well know
+where----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You must know where, within three minutes,&quot; replied the Count, who,
+in general interpreted pretty accurately the external signs and
+symbols of what was going on in Riquet's heart. &quot;You must know where,
+within three minutes, and that where must be here, by my side. Maître
+Riquet, remember, though somewhat indulgent in the saloon or the
+cabinet, I am not to be trifled with in the field. Now, gentlemen,
+what were we speaking of just now? Oh, these ladies. Have you any idea
+of what they were in prison for? Doubtless, for worshipping God
+according to their consciences. That is the great crime now. But I did
+not know that they had begun to persecute poor women;&quot; and a shade of
+deep melancholy came over his fine features, as he thought of what
+might be the situation of Clémence de Marly.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, it would seem, Sir,&quot; replied one of the gentlemen, &quot;from what I
+can hear, that the ladies were not there as prisoners; but were two
+charitable persons of the town of Thouars, who had come to give
+comfort and consolation to our poor friend, Monsieur de l'Estang.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God's blessing will be upon them,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;for it was a
+noble and a generous deed in such times as these. But here comes
+Master Riquet, with our two newly arrived friends. Good heavens, my
+old acquaintance of the Bastille! Sir, I am very glad to see you free,
+and should be glad to see you in this poor province of Poitou, could
+we but give you any other entertainment than bullets and hard blows,
+and scenes of sorrow or of strife.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No matter, no matter, my young friend,&quot; replied the old Englishman;
+&quot;to such entertainment I am well accustomed. It has been meat and
+drink to me from my youth; and though I cannot exactly say that I will
+take any other part in these transactions, being bound in honour, in
+some sense, not to do so, yet I will take my part in any dangers that
+are going, willingly. But do not let me stop you, if you are going to
+ask any questions of that fellow, who came the last five or six miles
+with me; for if you don't get him out of the hands of that rascal of
+yours, there will be no such thing as truth in him in five minutes.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Come hither, Peter,&quot; cried the Count. &quot;Maître Riquet you have face
+enough for any thing; so stand here. Now, Peter, the truth at one
+word! What was it that Riquet was telling you not to tell me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, my Lord,&quot; replied the man, glancing his eye from his master to
+the valet, and the awe of the former in a moment overpowering the awe
+of the latter; &quot;why, my Lord, he was saying, that there was no need to
+tell your Lordship that I never delivered the order that he gave me to
+deliver at the gates of the Bastille.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count stood for a moment gazing on him thunderstruck. &quot;You never
+delivered the order!&quot; he exclaimed. &quot;Do you mean to say you never
+delivered the order he gave you for my liberation?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, my Lord,&quot; replied the man, beginning to quake in every limb for
+fear that he had done something wrong. &quot;I never did deliver the order.
+But I'll tell your Lordship why. I thought there was no use of
+delivering it, for just as I was walking up to do so, and had made
+myself look as like a courier of the court as I could, I saw you
+yourself going along the Rue St. Antoine, with two boys staring up in
+your face, and I thought I might only make mischief for myself or you
+if I went and said any thing more about the matter. When I knew you
+were free, I thought that was quite enough.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly, certainly,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but in the name of Heaven,
+then, by whom have I been delivered?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, my Lord, that is difficult to say,&quot; replied Riquet, &quot;but not by
+that fellow who has brought me back the order as I gave it to him; and
+now--as very likely your Lordship would wish to know--I told him not
+to tell you, simply because it would tease you to no purpose, and take
+away from me the honour of having set your Lordship free, without
+doing you any good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are certainly impudent enough for your profession,&quot; replied the
+Count, &quot;and in this instance as foolish as knavish. The endeavour and
+the risk were still the same, and it is for that I owe you thanks, not
+for the success or want of success.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, Sir,&quot; replied Riquet, &quot;if all masters were so noble and generous,
+we poor valets should not get spoilt so early. But how you have been
+liberated, Heaven only knows.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That's a mistake,&quot; replied the old English officer; &quot;every body at
+the court of France knows. The King was in a liberating mood one week;
+and he himself gave an order for the Count's liberation one day, and
+for mine two days afterwards. I heard of it when I went to present
+myself before the King, and the whole court was ringing with what they
+called your ingratitude, Count; for by that time it was known on what
+errand you had set off hither.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count clasped his hands together, and looked down upon the ground.
+&quot;I fear,&quot; he said in a low voice, &quot;that I have been sadly misled.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not by me, my Lord, upon my honour!&quot; cried Riquet, with an earnest
+look. &quot;I did my best to serve you, and to deliver you; and I fully
+thought that by my means it had been done. The man can tell you that
+he had the order from me: he can produce it now--&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I blame you not, Riquet,&quot; said his master, &quot;I blame you not! you
+acted for the best; but most unhappily has this chanced, to bring
+discredit on a name which never yet was stained. It is now too late to
+think of it, however. My part is chosen, and there is no retracting.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;When on my visit to the court,&quot; said the old English officer, &quot;in
+order to return thanks for my liberation, and to demand certain acts
+of justice, I heard you blamed, I replied, my good Sir, that we in
+England held that private affections must never interfere with public
+duties; and that doubtless you felt the part you had chosen to be a
+public duty. They seemed not to relish the doctrine there--nor you
+fully to feel its force, I think.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear Sir,&quot; said the Count, &quot;I have not time to discuss nicely all
+the collateral points which affect that question. All I will say is,
+that in following such a broad rule, there is much need to be upon our
+guard against one of man's greatest enemies--his own deceitful heart;
+and to make sure that, in choosing the seeming part of public duty, to
+be not as much influenced by private affections--amongst which I class
+vanity, pride, anger, revenge--as in adopting the opposite course.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is true, too; that is true, too,&quot; replied the other. &quot;Man puts
+me in mind of an ape I once saw, whose greatest delight was to tickle
+himself; but if any one else tried to do it, he would bite to the
+bone. But I see you are about to march--and some of your people have
+got their troops already in motion. If you will allow me half an
+hour's conversation as we ride along, I shall be glad. I will get my
+horse, and mount in a minute.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The horse that brought you here must be tired,&quot; replied the Count;
+&quot;my people have several fresh ones. Riquet, see that a horse be
+saddled quickly for--this gentleman. A strange piece of ignorance,
+Sir,&quot; he continued, &quot;but I am still unacquainted with your name.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, Thomas Cecil, my good Count,&quot; replied the old officer, &quot;Sir
+Thomas Cecil; but I will go get the horse, and be with you in a
+moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count bowed his head, and while the Englishman was away, proceeded
+to conclude all his arrangements for the march. In something like
+regular order, but still with evident symptoms of no long training in
+the severe rules of military discipline, the Count's little force
+began to march, and a great part thereof was winding down the hill
+when the old Englishman returned.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is a fine troop,&quot; he said, &quot;just now getting into motion. If you
+had many such as that, you might do something.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;They are a hundred of my own Protestant tenantry and citizens,&quot;
+replied the Count. &quot;They have all served under me long in the late
+war, and were disbanded after the Truce of twenty years was signed.
+There is not a braver or steadier handful in Europe; and since I have
+been placed as I am, I make it a point to lead them at the head in any
+offensive operations on our part, and to follow with them in the rear
+in the event of retreat, which you see is the case now. You will let
+them precede us a little, and then we can converse at leisure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he mounted his horse, and after seeing the little body,
+which he called his legion, take its way down the hill, he followed
+accompanied by Sir Thomas, with a small party of attendants fifty
+yards behind them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now, my good Sir,&quot; said the young nobleman, &quot;you will not think
+me of scanty courtesy if I say that it may be necessary to tell me in
+what I can serve you; or, in fact, to speak more plainly, if I ask the
+object of your coming to my quarters, at once, as I am informed that
+the intendant of the province, with what troops he can bring together
+from Berry and Rouergue, forming altogether a very superior force to
+our own, is marching to attack us. If he can do so in our retreat, of
+course he will be glad to avail himself of the opportunity, especially
+as I have been led away from the part of the country which it is most
+easy to defend with such troops as ours, in order to prevent an act of
+brutal persecution which they were going to perpetrate on one of the
+best of men. Thus our time for conversation may be short.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, you have not let him surprise you, I hope?&quot; exclaimed the old
+officer.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not exactly that,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;but we are come into a part of
+the country where the people are principally Catholic, and we find a
+difficulty in getting information. I am also obliged to make a
+considerable movement to the left of my real line of retreat, in order
+to prevent one of our most gallant fellows, and his band of nearly
+three hundred men, from being cut off. He is, it is true, both brave
+and skilful, and quite capable of taking care of himself; but I am
+sorry to say grief and excitement have had an effect upon his brain,
+and he is occasionally quite insane, so that, without seeming to
+interfere with him too much, I am obliged, for the sake of those who
+are with him, to give more attention to his proceedings than might
+otherwise have been necessary.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count paused, and the old officer replied, in a thoughtful tone,
+&quot;I am in great hopes, from what I hear, that you will find more mild
+measures adopted towards you than you anticipate. Are you aware of who
+it is that has been sent down to command the troops in this district,
+in place of the former rash and cruel man?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;but, from what I have heard during these
+last four days, I have been led to believe that a man of far greater
+skill and science is at the head of the King's troops. All their
+combinations have been so much more masterly, that I have found it
+necessary to be extremely cautious, whereas a fortnight ago I could
+march from one side of the country to the other without any risk.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The officer,&quot; replied Sir Thomas Cecil, &quot;was raised to the rank of
+major-general for the purpose, and is, I understand, an old friend of
+yours, the Chevalier d'Evran.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count suddenly pulled up his horse, and gazed, for a moment, in
+the old man's face. &quot;Then,&quot; said he, &quot;the Protestant cause is
+ruined.--It is not solely on account of Louis d'Evran's skill,&quot; he
+added, &quot;that I say so: though if ever any one was made for a great
+commander he is that man; but he is mild and moderate, conciliating
+and good-humoured; and I have remarked that a little sort of fondness
+for mystery which he affects,--concealing all things that he intends
+in a sort of dark cloud, till it flashes forth like lightning,--has a
+very powerful effect upon all minds that are not of the first order.
+The only bond that has kept the Protestants together has been sharp
+and bitter persecution lately endured. If any one equally gentle and
+firm, powerful and yet conciliating, appears against us, I shall not
+have five hundred men left in two days.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And perhaps, Count,&quot; said the old man, &quot;not very sorry for it?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count turned his eyes upon him, and looked steadily in his face
+for a moment. &quot;That, I think,&quot; he said, &quot;is hardly a fair question, my
+good friend. I believe you, Sir, from all I have seen of you, to be an
+upright and honourable man, and I have looked upon you as a sincere
+Protestant, and one suffering, in some degree, from your attachment to
+that faith. I take it for granted, then, that nothing which I have
+said to you this day is to be repeated.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nothing, upon my honour,&quot; replied Sir Thomas Cecil, frankly. &quot;You are
+quite right in your estimation of me, I assure you. If I ask any
+question, it is for my own satisfaction, and because, Sir, I take an
+interest in you. Nothing that passes your lips shall be repeated by
+me without your permission; though I tell you fairly, and at once,
+that I am going very soon to the head quarters of the Chevalier
+d'Evran, to fulfil a mission to him, which will be unsuccessful I
+know, but which must still be fulfilled. Will you trust me so far as
+this, Count? Will you let me know whether you really wish this state
+of insurrection to go on; or would not rather, if mild--I will not
+call them equitable--terms could be obtained for the Protestants of
+this district, that peace should be restored and a hopeless struggle
+ended? I do not say hopeless,&quot; he continued, &quot;at all to disparage you
+efforts; but----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My dear Sir,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;act as bluntly by me as you did in
+the Bastille, call the struggle hopeless if you will. There are not
+ten men in my little force who do not know it to be hopeless, and
+those ten are fools. The only choice left, Sir, to the Protestants of
+this district when I arrived here was between timid despair and
+courageous despair; to die by the slow fire of persecution without
+resistance, or to die with swords in our hands in a good cause. We
+chose the latter, which afforded, indeed, the only hope of wringing
+toleration from our enemies by a vigorous effort. But I am as well
+aware as you are that we have no power sufficient to resist the power
+of the crown; that in the mountains, woods, and fastnesses of this
+district and of Brittany, upon which I am now retreating, I might,
+perhaps, frustrate the pursuit of the royal forces, for months, nay,
+for years; living, for weeks, as a chief of banditti, and only
+appearing for a single day, from time to time, as the general of an
+army. Day by day my followers would decrease; for the scissars of
+inconvenience often shear down the forces of an insurgent leader more
+fatally than the sharp sword of war. Then, a thousand to one, no means
+that I could take would prevent all my people from committing evil
+acts. I, and a just and holy cause, would acquire a bad name, and the
+whole would end by the worst of my people betraying me to death upon
+the scaffold. All this, Sir, was considered before I drew the sword;
+but you must remember that I had not the slightest idea whatsoever
+that the King had shown any disposition to treat me personally with
+any thing but bitter severity.--To return to your former question,
+then, and to answer it candidly and straight-forwardly, but merely
+remember between you and I, I should not grieve on such reasonable
+terms being granted to the generality of Protestants as would enable
+them to live peacefully, adhering to their own religion, though it be
+in private; to see my men reduced, as I have said, to five hundred,
+ay, or to one hundred: provided those gallant men, who, with firm
+determination, adhere to the faith of their fathers, and are resolved
+neither to conceal that faith nor submit to its oppression, have the
+means of seeking liberty of conscience in another land. As for
+myself,&quot; he continued, with a deep sigh, &quot;my mind is at present in
+such a state that I should little care, if once I saw this settled, to
+go to-morrow and lay my head at the foot of the King's throne. Abjure
+my religion I never will; live in a land where it is persecuted I
+never will; but life has lately become a load to me, and it were as
+well for all, under such circumstances, that it were terminated. This
+latter part of what I have said, Sir, you may tell the Chevalier
+d'Evran: namely that, on the Government granting such terms to the
+Protestants of this district as will insure the two objects I have
+mentioned, the Count of Morseiul is willing to surrender himself to
+the pleasure of the King; though, till such terms are granted, and my
+people so secured, nothing shall induce me to sheath the sword:--and
+yet I acknowledge that I am bitterly grieved and mortified that this
+error has taken place in regard to the order for my liberation, and
+that thus an imputation of ingratitude has been brought upon me which
+I do not deserve.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old officer held out his hand to him, and shook that of the Count
+heartily, adding with a somewhat profane oath, which characterises the
+English nation, &quot;Sir, you deserve your reputation!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He went on a minute or two afterwards to say, &quot;I have been accustomed,
+in some degree, to such transactions; and I will report your words and
+nothing more: but, by your leave, I think you had better alter the
+latter part, and stipulate that you shall be allowed yourself to
+emigrate with a certain number of your followers. Louvois is extremely
+anxious to keep from the King's ears the extent of this insurrection,
+having always persuaded him that there would be none. He will,
+therefore, be extremely glad to have it put down without more noise on
+easy terms, and doubtless he has given the Chevalier d'Evran
+instructions to that effect.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no,&quot; replied the Count; &quot;I must endeavour, Sir, to wipe away the
+stain that has been cast upon me. Do you propose to go to the
+Chevalier's head quarters at once?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not exactly,&quot; replied the old Englishman. &quot;I am first going to
+Thouars, having some business with the Duc de Rouvré.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good God!&quot; exclaimed the Count; &quot;is the Duc du Rouvré at Thouars?&quot;
+and a confused image of the truth, that Clémence de Marly had been one
+of the two persons found in the prison with Claude de l'Estang, now
+flashed on his mind. Ere the old man could reply, however, two of the
+persons who were following, and who seemed to have ridden some way
+to the left of the direct road, rode up as fast as they could come,
+and informed the Count de Morseiul, that what seemed a large body of
+men, was marching up towards their flank by a path which ran up the
+hollow-way between them and the opposite hills.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The little force of the Count had by this time emerged from the woods,
+and was marching along the side of the hill, that gradually sank away
+into those <i>landes</i>, across which Armand Herval had, as we have seen,
+led Clémence de Marly. Up the valley, on the left, lay a deep ravine,
+bringing the cross road from Thouars into the road in which the
+Huguenots were, so that the flank of the Count's force was exposed to
+the approach of the enemy on that side, though it had somewhat the
+advantage of the ground. No other line, however, had been open for
+him, the country on the other side leading into tracts much more
+exposed to attack; and, in fact, on that morning no choice had been
+left but either to run the risk of what now appeared to have happened,
+or to leave Herval and his men to their fate, they not having joined
+the main force on the preceding day as they had been directed to do.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count instantly turned his horse's head galloped to the spot from
+whence the men had seen the head of the enemy's column, paused for a
+single instant, in order, if possible, to ascertain their force, and
+then riding back, commanded the small troop, which he called his
+legion, to face about. While, by his orders, they traversed a piece
+of broken ground to the left, so as to approach a spot where the
+hollow-way debouched upon the open country, he sent five or six of his
+attendants with rapid orders to the different noblemen who were under
+his command, in regard to assuming a position upon the hill.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Tell Monsieur du Bar,&quot; he said to one of the men, &quot;to march on as
+quickly as possible till he reaches the windmill, to garnish that
+little wood on the slope with musketeers, to plant the two pieces of
+cannon by the mill so as to bear upon the road, to strengthen himself
+by the mill and the walls round it, and to hold that spot firm to the
+very last. Jean, bid the Marquis send off a man instantly to Herval,
+that he may join us with his Chauve-souris, and in the mean time ask
+him to keep the line of the hill from the left of Monsieur du Bar to
+the cottage on the slope, so that the enemy may not turn our flank. If
+I remember right, there are two farm roads there, so that all
+movements will be easy from right to left, or from front to rear. As
+soon as Herval comes up, let the Marquis throw him forward, with his
+marksmen, to cover my movements, and then commence the general retreat
+by detachments from each flank, holding firm by the mill and the wood
+to the last; for they dare not advance while those are in our hands. I
+can detain them here for a quarter of an hour, but not longer.--Sir
+Thomas Cecil,&quot; he added, &quot;take my advice, and ride off for Thouars
+with all speed. This will be a place for plenty of bullets, but no
+glory.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he galloped down to his troop; and in a moment after the
+old English officer, who stood with the utmost sang-froid to witness
+the fight, saw him charge into the hollow-way at the head of his men.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_09" href="#div3Ref_09">THE BATTLE AND THE RETREAT.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">We must now return to the small shepherds cottage in the <i>landes</i>;
+and, passing over the intervening day which had been occupied in the
+burial of the good pastor, we must take up the story of Clémence de
+Marly on the morning of which we have just been speaking. At an early
+hour on that day Armand Herval came into the cottage, where the people
+were setting before her the simple meal of ewe milk and black bread,
+which was all that they could afford to give; and, standing by her
+side with somewhat of a wild air, he asked her if she were ready to
+go. She had seen him several times on the preceding day, and his
+behaviour had always been so respectful, his grief for the death of
+Claude de l'Estang so sincere, and the emotions which he displayed at
+the burial of the body in the sand so deep and unaffected, that
+Clémence had conceived no slight confidence in a man, whom she might
+have shrunk from with terror, had she known that in him she beheld the
+same plunderer, who, under the name of Brown Keroual, had held her for
+some time a prisoner in the forest near Auron.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To go where, Sir?&quot; she demanded, with some degree of agitation. &quot;I
+knew not that I was about to go any where.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, yes!&quot; replied the man, in the same wild way. &quot;We should have gone
+yesterday, and I shall be broke for insubordination. You do not know
+how stern he is when he thinks fit, and how no prayers or intreaties
+can move him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Whom do you speak of, Sir?&quot; demanded Clémence. &quot;I do not know whom
+you mean.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, the General to be sure,&quot; replied the man, &quot;the
+Commander-in-Chief,--your husband--the Count de Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The blood rushed up into the cheek of Clémence de Marly. &quot;You are
+mistaken,&quot; she said; &quot;he is not my husband.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then he soon will be,&quot; replied the man with a laugh; &quot;though the
+grave is a cold bridal bed.--I know that, lady!--I know that full
+well; for when I held her to my heart on the day of our nuptials, the
+cheek that used to feel so warm when I kissed it, was as cold as
+stone; and when you come to kiss his cheek, or brow, too, after they
+have shot him, you will find it like ice--cold--cold--with a coldness
+that creeps to your very soul, and all the heat that used to be in
+your heart goes into your brain, and there you feel it burning like a
+coal.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence shuddered, both at the evident insanity of the person who was
+talking to her, and at the images which his words called up before her
+eyes. He was about to go on, but a tall, dark, powerful man came in
+from the cottage door where he had been previously standing, and laid
+hold of Herval's arm, saying, &quot;Come, Keroual, come. You are only
+frightening the lady; and, indeed, you ought to be upon the march.
+What will my Lord say? The fit is upon him now, Madam,&quot; he continued,
+addressing Clémence, &quot;but it will soon go away again. They drove him
+mad, by shooting a poor girl he was in love with at the preaching on
+the moor, which you may remember. I am not sure, but I think you were
+there too. If I could get him to play a little upon the musette at the
+door, the fit would soon leave him. He used to be so fond of it, and
+play it so well.--Poor fellow, he is terribly mad! See how he is
+looking at us without speaking.--Come Keroual, come; here is the
+musette at the door;&quot; and he led him away by the arm.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay,&quot; said the old shepherd as they went out, &quot;one is not much less
+mad than the other. There, they ought both to have gone to have joined
+the Count last night. But the burying of poor Monsieur de l'Estang
+seemed to set them both off; and now there are all the men drawn out
+and ready to march, and they will sit and play the musette there, Lord
+knows how long!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But what did they mean by asking if I were ready?&quot; said Clémence. &quot;Do
+they intend to take me with them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why yes, Madam,&quot; replied the old man; &quot;I suppose so. The litter was
+ready for you last night, and as the army is going to retreat I hear,
+it would not be safe for you to stay here, as the Catholics are coming
+up in great force under the Chevalier d'Evran.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence started and turned round, while the colour again rushed
+violently into her cheeks; and then she covered her eyes with her
+hands, as if to think more rapidly by shutting out all external
+objects. She was roused, however, almost immediately, by the sound of
+the musette, and saying, &quot;I will go! I am quite ready to go!&quot; she
+advanced to the door of the cottage.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was a strange and extraordinary sight that presented itself. Herval
+and Paul Virlay, dressed in a sort of anomalous military costume, and
+armed with manifold weapons, were sitting together on the stone bench
+at the cottage door, the one playing beautifully upon the instrument
+of his native province, and the other listening, apparently well
+satisfied; while several groups of men of every complexion and
+expression, were standing round, gazing upon the two, and attending to
+the music. The air that Herval or Keroual was playing was one of the
+ordinary psalm tunes in use amongst the Protestants, and he gave it
+vast expression; so that pleasure in the music and religious
+enthusiasm seemed entirely to withdraw the attention of the men from
+the madness of the act at that moment. Paul Virlay, however, was mad
+in that kind, if mad at all, which is anxious and cunning in
+concealing itself; and the moment he saw Clémence, he started up with
+somewhat of shame in his look, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;He is better now, Madam; he is better now. Come, Herval,&quot; he
+continued, touching his arm, &quot;let us go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Herval, however, continued till he had played the tune once over
+again, and then laying down the musette, he looked in Virlay's face
+for a moment without speaking; but at length replied,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very well, Paul, let us go. I am better now. Madam, I beg your
+pardon; I am afraid we have hurried you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Even as he spoke a messenger came up at full speed, his horse in a
+lather of foam, and eagerness and excitement in his countenance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the name of Heaven, Keroual, what are you about?&quot; he cried. &quot;Here
+is the Count and Monsieur du Bar engaged with the whole force of the
+enemy within two miles of you. In Heaven's name put your men in array,
+and march as fast as possible, or you will be cut off, and they
+defeated.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The look of intelligence and clear sense came back into Herval's
+countenance in a moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Good God! I have been very foolish,&quot; he said, putting his hand to his
+head. &quot;Quick, my men: each to his post: Sound the conch there. But the
+lady,&quot; he continued, turning to the man who had ridden up; &quot;what can
+we do with the lady?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, she must be taken with you, by all means,&quot; replied the man. &quot;We
+can send her on from the cross road into the front. They will sweep
+all this country, depend upon it; and they are not men to spare a
+lady.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence turned somewhat pale as the man spoke; and though, in fact,
+her fate was utterly in the hands of those who surrounded her, she
+turned an inquiring look upon Maria, who stood near, as if asking what
+she should do.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, go, lady! go!&quot; cried the attendant, in a language which the men
+did not understand, but which Clémence seemed to speak fluently; and
+after a few more words she retired into the cottage, to wait for the
+litter, while the band of Brown Keroual, some on horseback and some on
+foot, began to file off towards the scene of action. In a few minutes
+after the litter appeared; but by this time two mules had been
+procured for it, and, with a man who knew the country well for their
+driver, Clémence and Maria set off with the last troop of the
+Huguenots, which was brought up by Herval himself. He was now all
+intelligence and activity; and no one to see him could have conceived
+that it was the same man, whose mind but a few minutes before seemed
+totally lost. He urged on their march as fast as possible, pressing
+the party of foot which was attached to his mounted band; and in a few
+minutes after a sharp fire of musketry met the ear of Clémence as she
+was borne forward. This continued for a little time, as they passed
+round the edge of a low wood which flanked the hills on one side, and
+seemed the connecting link between the <i>landes</i> and the cultivated
+country. About five minutes after, however, louder and more rending
+sounds were heard; and it was evident that cannon were now employed on
+both sides. The voices of several people shouting, too, were heard,
+and a horse without a rider came rushing by, and startled the mules
+that bore the litter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence de Marly could but raise her prayers to God for his blessing
+on the right cause. It was not fear that she felt, for fear is
+personal. It was awe. It was the impressive consciousness of being in
+the midst of mighty scenes, which sometimes in her moments of wild
+enthusiasm she had wished to see, but which she now felt to be no
+matter for sport or curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Another instant she was out upon the side of the hill beyond the wood;
+and the whole scene laid open before her. That scene was very awful,
+notwithstanding the confusion which prevented her from comprehending
+clearly what was going on. A large body of troops was evidently
+marching up the valley to the attack of the heights. A windmill
+surrounded by some low stone walls, not a hundred yards to the left of
+the spot where she was placed, appeared at the moment she first saw it
+one blaze of fire, from the discharge of musketry and cannon, which
+seemed to be directed, as far as she could judge, against the flank of
+a body of cavalry coming up a road in the valley. On the slope of the
+hill, however, to the right, a considerable body of infantry was
+making its way up to the attack of the farther angle of the wood,
+round which she herself had just passed; and, from amongst the trees
+and brushwood, nearly stripped of their leaves as they were, she could
+see poured forth almost an incessant torrent of smoke and flame upon
+the assailing party, seeming almost at every other step to make them
+waver, as if ready to turn back.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The object, however, which engaged her principal attention was a small
+body of horsemen, apparently rallying, and reposing for a moment,
+under shelter of the fire from the hill. Why she knew not,--for the
+features of none of those composing that party were at all
+discernible,--but her heart beat anxiously, as if she felt that there
+was some beloved being there.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The next instant that small body of men was again put in motion, and
+galloping down like lightning, might be seen, though half hidden by
+the clouds of dust, to hurl itself violently against the head of the
+advancing column, like an avalanche against some mighty rock. Almost
+at the same moment, however, an officer rode furiously up to Herval,
+and gave him some directions in a quick and eager voice. Herval merely
+nodded his head; then turned to the driver of the mules, and told him
+to make as much haste as he could towards Mortagne, along the high
+road.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Remain with the head of the column,&quot; he said; &quot;and, above all things,
+keep your beasts to the work, for you must neither embarrass the
+march, nor let the lady be left behind.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The man obeyed at once; but before he had left the brow of the hill,
+Clémence saw the band of Keroual begin to descend towards the small
+body of cavaliers we have mentioned, while a company of musketeers, at
+a very few yards distance from her, began to file off as if for
+retreat. All the confusion of such a scene succeeded, the jostling,
+the rushing, the quarrels, the reproaches, the invectives, which take
+place upon the retreat of an irregular force. But several bodies of
+better disciplined men taking their way along the road close to
+Clémence, preserved some order and gave her some protection; and as
+they passed rapidly onward, the sounds of strife and contention, the
+shouts and vociferations of the various commanders, the rattle of the
+small arms and the roar of the artillery, gradually diminished; and
+while Clémence hoped in her heart that the battle was over, she looked
+round for some one coming up from the rear to inquire for the fate of
+him for whom her heart had beat principally during that morning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">For about half an hour, however, nobody came, the retreat assumed the
+appearance of an orderly march, and all was going on tranquilly, when
+a horseman came up at a quick pace, and pulled in his charger beside
+the litter. Clémence looked towards him. It was not the face that she
+expected to see, but, on the contrary, that of a tall, thin, hale old
+man, perfectly a stranger to her. He pulled off his hat with military
+courtesy, and bowed low.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I beg your pardon, Madam,&quot; he said, &quot;but I have just been informed of
+your name, quality, and situation, and also with the circumstances of
+your being brought from Thouare hither. I come to say,&quot; he added,
+lowering his voice and bending down, &quot;that I am just going to visit an
+old friend, the Duke de Rouvré, who, I understand, is your guardian.
+Now, I do not know whether you are here of your own good will, or
+whether there be any degree of force in the matter. Should you,
+however, be disposed to send any message to the Duke, I am ready to
+take it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I give you many thanks, Sir,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;but, of course, I
+can send no long message now, nor detailed explanation of my
+situation. Assure him only, and the Duchess, who has been a mother to
+me, of my deep love, and gratitude, and respect.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But shall I tell them,&quot; said the old man, &quot;that you are here with
+your consent, or without your consent?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You may tell them,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;that I was brought here indeed
+without my consent, though being here I must now remain voluntarily.
+My fate is decided.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do you mean to say, Madam?&quot; demanded the old gentleman, bluffly,
+&quot;that I am to tell them you are married? That is the only way in
+general that a woman's fate can be decided which I know of.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Sir,&quot; replied Clémence, colouring, &quot;there is in this country a
+different decision of one's fate. I am a Protestant! It must no
+longer, and it can no longer be concealed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A bright and noble smile came upon the old man's countenance. &quot;I beg
+your pardon, Madam,&quot; he said. &quot;I have spoken somewhat rudely, perhaps;
+but I will deliver your message, and at some future time may ask your
+pardon, if you will permit me, for having called the colour into a
+lady's cheek, a thing that I am not fond of doing, though it be
+beautiful to see.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, and bowing low, he was about to turn his horse and canter
+back again, when an eager look that lighted up Clémence's features,
+made him pause even before she spoke, and ride on a little further
+beside her.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You came from the rear, Sir, I think,&quot; she said, in a low and
+faltering voice. &quot;May I ask how has gone the day?--Is the Count de
+Morseiul safe?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old man smiled again sweetly upon her. &quot;Madam,&quot; he said, &quot;did not
+sad experience often show us that it were not so, I should think, from
+the fate of the Count of Morseiul this day, that a gallant and all
+daring heart is a buckler which neither steel nor lead can penetrate.
+I myself have sat and watched him, while in six successive charges he
+attacked and drove back an immensely superior force of the enemy's
+cavalry, charging and retreating every time under the most tremendous
+and well sustained fire of the light infantry on their flanks that
+ever I saw. Scarcely a man of his whole troop has escaped without
+wounds, and but too many are killed. The Count himself, however, is
+perfectly unhurt. I saw him five minutes ago bringing up the rear, and
+as by that time the enemy were showing no disposition to pursue
+vigorously, he may be considered as safe, having effected his retreat
+from a very difficult situation in the most masterly manner. Is there
+any one else, Madam, of whom I can give you information?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear not,&quot; replied the lady. &quot;There is, indeed, one that I would
+fain ask for; but as you have been with the Count de Morseiul,
+probably you do not know him. I mean the Chevalier d'Evran.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What, both the commanders!&quot; exclaimed the old gentleman, with a smile
+which again called the colour into Clémence's cheek. &quot;But I beg your
+pardon, Madam,&quot; he added; &quot;I have a better right to tell tales than to
+make comments. In this instance I cannot give you such accurate
+information as I did in the other, for I do not know the person of the
+Chevalier d'Evran. But as far as this little perspective glass could
+show me, the gentleman who has been commanding the royal forces, and
+whom I was informed was the Chevalier d'Evran, is still commanding
+them, and apparently unhurt. I discovered him by his philomot scarf,
+and sword knot, after losing sight of him for a time. But he was still
+upon horseback, commanding in the midst of his staff, and has the
+credit of having won the day, though the immense superiority of his
+forces rendered any other result out of the question, even if he had
+not acted as well and skilfully as he has done. I will now once more
+beg pardon for intruding upon you, and trust that fair fortune and
+prosperity may attend you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he turned and cantered away; and on looking round to her
+maid, Clémence perceived that Maria had drawn the hood of her grey
+cloak over her head.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_10" href="#div3Ref_10">THE LOVER'S REUNION.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The march was over, the pursuers left behind, and the Count of
+Morseiul had pitched his tents in a strong position, with some
+shepherds' huts and one or two cottages and farm-houses in the midst
+of his camp. A nunnery of no great extent, situated upon a little
+eminence, was within the limits of his position, and a small chapel
+belonging thereunto, nearly at the bottom of the hill, and commanding
+the passage of a stream and morass, was occupied by a strong body of
+his followers, under Herval and Virlay, while the Marquis du Bar, who
+had been slightly wounded in the course of that day's strife, insisted
+upon fixing his quarters on the most exposed side of the camp, where
+any attack was likely to take place.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">No attempt had been made to take possession of the nunnery, as it was
+only occupied by women, and as the Count was aware that in case of
+need, he could obtain entrance in a moment. At the same time he could
+fully depend not only upon the courage and firmness, but upon the
+vigilance of Du Bar, and he therefore looked upon his small force as
+completely in security. Provisions, too, had been found in abundance,
+and the people of the neighbouring country were somewhat better
+disposed towards the Huguenot cause, than those of the district which
+they had just left.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His men, however, had suffered tremendously, even in the brief
+struggle which had taken place with the overpowering force of the
+Catholics. Of his own troop, not more than thirty men were found
+capable of action at the end of that day, and, at least, one third of
+the whole Huguenot force was unfit for service. This was a lamentable
+prospect, as the insurgents had no points of strength to fall back
+upon, and had not the leaders been animated by the consciousness of
+having performed great actions in that day's contest and having held
+at bay the royal army with a force six times inferior in number, the
+proposal of dispersing and carrying on the warfare by desultory
+efforts in the woods, which was suggested in one of their little
+councils, would certainly have been adopted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the mean time, however, the spirit of the men was kept up, and
+their resolution fortified, by the prayers and exhortations of the
+various ministers who accompanied the camp; and on going round to the
+different quarters just after nightfall, the Count found some bodies
+of the Protestants still engaged in their religious exercises, some
+just concluded, but all less depressed at heart than he was himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When he had done his round, he paused before the door of one of the
+farm-houses--the best and most comfortable--and dismissing the men who
+had followed, he turned to enter. There was a slight degree of
+hesitation, however, seemed to come over him as he did so, and he
+remained for some moments with his hand upon the latch. He at length
+raised it, and entered the kitchen of the farm-house, where the family
+of the proprietor were assembled round the ample hearth, on which was
+a full supply of blazing wood. At that very moment, speaking to the
+mistress of the house, was Clémence's attendant, Maria; but Clémence
+herself was not present, and on inquiring for her, the Count was told
+that she was in an upper chamber, to which the woman immediately led
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul followed her step by step, and when the door
+opened, he saw Clémence sitting at the table, with her head resting on
+her hand, and her eyes turned towards the fire; but with such a look
+of deep sadness and painful thought, as made his heart ache to see and
+to know that he could not change it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here is the Count de Morseiul,&quot; said the maid; and instantly Clémence
+started up, and turned towards the door, while the Count entered, and
+the maid retired. The face of Clémence de Marly assumed two or three
+different expressions in a moment. There was joy to see him, there was
+doubt, there was apprehension; but she advanced towards him at once,
+and the look of love was not to be doubted. He took the hands that she
+held out to him, he kissed them tenderly and often: but still there
+was deep sadness on his brow, as there was in his heart, and his first
+words were, &quot;Oh, Clémence, at what a moment have you come to me at
+last!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Albert,&quot; she said in reply, &quot;I have much to say to you. Since I have
+been here, and seen what I have seen, I have found many excuses for
+your conduct; and I have learned to think that what I wrote briefly I
+may have written harshly and unkindly, and to blame myself as much,
+nay more than you: believing, though I had no time to explain why I
+could not come at the moment as I could have wished, yet, that I
+should still have added, such words as might show you that I was yours
+unchanged, however much I might judge that you had acted rashly,
+unadvisedly, and unlike yourself. I have determined to tell you all
+this at once, Albert, and, acknowledging that I blame myself, to
+shelter myself from all reproaches on your part in your kindness and
+generosity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Thanks, thanks, dearest Clémence,&quot; replied the Count, pressing her to
+his heart; &quot;this is, indeed, balm after such a day as this: but I
+think, my Clémence, when you hear all, you will yourself exculpate me
+from blame,--though I fear that the charge of ingratitude which others
+may bring against me, will never be done away in the less generous
+minds of the world in general, without a terrible sacrifice. You I
+know, Clémence, will believe every word I tell you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, every word!&quot; she exclaimed; &quot;to doubt you, Albert, were to doubt
+truth itself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then, believe, Clémence,&quot; he said, &quot;when I tell you, that till
+this morning,--till this very morning,--I had not the slightest idea
+whatsoever that my liberation was attributable to the King. Not only
+I, but all my domestics, every attendant that I have, my man Riquet
+himself, all believed that it was through an artifice of his that I
+had been set at liberty. Had I thought otherwise, upon my word, my
+first act would have been to fly to Versailles, to express my thanks,
+whatever my after conduct might have been.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He then explained to her every thing that had taken place, and the
+mistake under which he had himself laboured throughout.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What confirmed me in the belief that the whole of Riquet's story was
+perfectly correct,&quot; he said, &quot;was the fact that Besmaux, when he set
+me at liberty, observed that the order under which he did it, was not
+quite in the usual form, together with some remarks that he made upon
+there being no carriage sent for me with the order.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas! alas!&quot; cried Clémence, wringing her hands, &quot;it was my weakness;
+it was my foolish fears and anxiety, that produced all this mischief.
+Listen to my tale now, Albert, and forgive me, forgive me for what I
+have done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She then related to her lover almost all that had taken place between
+the King, herself, and Madame de Maintenon. We say almost, because she
+did not relate the whole; but though Albert of Morseiul saw it, he
+divined from what she did tell, that there were matters which she was
+bound not to divulge. Perhaps he divined the important truth itself,
+and at all events he did not love her a bit the less for a concealment
+which had no want of confidence in it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;On the following morning,&quot; she said, &quot;at the hour that the King had
+appointed, I did not fail to be in attendance. I found him writing;
+but it was soon over, and he handed me the paper, saying, 'There,
+lady, we have judged the cause that you have at heart as favourably as
+you judged ours last night. Tell him,' he added, 'when you see him,
+that--though we cannot alter the strict laws, which we have found it
+necessary to make, for his sake--we will grant him all that may
+reasonably make him happy, either in our own land, or in another!'&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I have borne arms against him,&quot; cried the Count, clasping his
+arms together.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yet hear me out, Albert,&quot; continued Clémence, &quot;for the fault is mine.
+The order was for your immediate liberation. I took it eagerly,
+thanked the King, and retired, well knowing that it ought to be
+countersigned by Louvois, and sent through his office. But during the
+evening before, on the occasion of something that was said, he gave me
+such a fiend-like look of revenge, that I knew he would seek your
+destruction, if not mine. I was well aware, too, that in many an
+instance he has interrupted the King's clemency, or his bounty; and
+weakly, most weakly, I sent the order without his signature--ay, and
+without a moment's delay, by a servant belonging to the Duc de Rouvré.
+Thus, thus it was, that I, in my eagerness for your safety, have
+plunged you into new dangers,--dangers from which, alas! I fear that
+there is scarcely a possible means of escape.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count looked down upon the ground for a moment, and he then
+replied, &quot;I will write to the King myself, Clémence. It is very
+possible that he will not even read the letter of a rebel with arms in
+his hand. But still it will be a satisfaction to me to do so. I must
+first get to the sea side, however, in order that I may place poor
+Riquet in security, for were the tale told and he afterwards
+discovered, I fear that no tortures would be considered too horrible
+to punish the daring act that he committed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I, too, will write,&quot; replied Clémence. &quot;I will write and tell the
+whole to one, who, though she will refuse at first, I know, to do any
+thing in our behalf, yet will not fail, calmly and quietly, to labour
+in our favour, thinking that she owes something to me. I will tell her
+the whole; I will tell her distinctly, Albert; and if you will procure
+it for me I will send her even the forged order that you mention, with
+the attestation of the man who brought it back from Paris.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul pressed her to his heart, and she added, &quot;At all
+events, Albert, we shall be able to fly. We are now not far from the
+sea; ships can easily be procured, and we may be happy in another
+land.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Albert of Morseiul kissed her cheek for his only reply: but his heart
+was sad, and he could scarcely command even a smile to countenance the
+false hope she had expressed. His own determinations were taken, his
+own resolutions formed; but he thought it better and more kind not to
+make them known to Clémence de Marly till the moment arrived for
+putting them in execution.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While they were yet speaking, the attendant again came into the room
+to inform the Count that three persons waited below to see him, and on
+going down he found Riquet, with one of the Protestants attached to
+the Marquis du Bar, and a gentleman, who appeared to be an inferior
+officer in the royal service. The two latter instantly stepped forward
+when he appeared.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur du Bar,&quot; said the Protestant soldier, &quot;has sent you this
+gentleman, bearing a flag of truce, from the Chevalier d'Evran. He
+carries a letter to yourself, and a letter to the lady from Thouars.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count bowed to the stranger, and begged to see the letter to
+himself. It was simply addressed to the Count de Morseiul, and he
+opened it with some emotion, for it was strange to see the hand of
+Louis d'Evran, writing to him as from one adversary to another. The
+style and tone of the letter, however, though it was very short, were
+precisely as if nothing had occurred to interrupt their intimacy, or
+array them hostilely against each other. It ran--</p>
+<br>
+
+<p style="text-indent:5%">&quot;<span class="sc">Dear Albert</span>,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I write to you simply to know whether I am to regard the
+communication made to me, on your part, by an English gentleman,
+called Sir Thomas Cecil, as formal and definitive, as I must be made
+aware of that fact before I can transmit it to the court. I trust and
+hope that good results may proceed from it: but you must not forget
+that it is an awful risk. For my part I will do my best to quiet the
+province with as little harshness as possible, and with that object I
+accepted, or rather may say, solicited this command. In every respect,
+however, my duty must be done to the King, and shall be so done to the
+utmost. You never in your life fought better than you did this
+morning. Your defence of the heights was quite a Turenne affair; but
+you made a mistake in your morning movement to the left, which showed
+me your flank. Perhaps, however, you had some reason for it, for I
+think there was a fresh corps came up towards the close of the affair.
+Look to yourself, dear Albert, for be you sure that I shall give you
+no breathing time; and so God speed you!</p>
+
+<p class="right">&quot;<span class="sc">Louis d'Evran</span>.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Post Scriptum. I find myself called upon by my duty, to require you
+formally to send back la belle Clémence to her good friend de Rouvré,
+and to address a letter to her upon the subject of her return.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count had read this epistle with a thoughtful and a somewhat
+frowning brow. It was quite characteristic of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+but yet there was something in it that did not please him. He turned,
+however, to the officer courteously, saying,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Chevalier d'Evran notifies to me, that he has sent a letter to
+Mademoiselle de Marly, and seems to leave it to me to deliver it. I
+would rather, however, that you did so yourself, if that lady will
+permit me to introduce you to her, when you can bear her answer from
+her own mouth. Riquet,&quot; he said, &quot;go up and inquire, whether
+Mademoiselle de Marly will grant this gentleman a few minutes'
+audience.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A short pause ensued: for Clémence hesitated for some time. At length,
+however, Riquet returned with an answer in the affirmative, and the
+Count led the officer to her presence.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am commanded, Madame,&quot; said the stranger, &quot;by Monsieur le Chevalier
+d'Evran, lieutenant-general of the province, to deliver you this
+letter, and to say, that, at any time to-morrow which you will name,
+he will send a proper carriage and attendants, to convey you back to
+the town of Thouars, from which he understands that you were forcibly
+carried away, some night ago.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence merely bowed her head, and held out her hand for the letter,
+which she opened and read. A faint smile came over her countenance as
+she proceeded, and when she had done, she handed the epistle to her
+lover, asking, &quot;What shall I do or say?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, I can give you no advice,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;In this matter,
+Clémence, you must act by your own judgment: advice from me, situated
+as you are now, would bear somewhat the character of dictation. Do you
+wish me to read the letter?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly,&quot; she replied. &quot;My mind will be easily made up as to the
+answer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count then proceeded to read the letter, which was merely one of
+form; and began--</p>
+<br>
+
+<p style="text-indent:5%">&quot;<span class="sc">Mademoiselle</span>,</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am urged by Monsieur le Duc de Rouvré, and feel it a part of my
+duty, to apply to you immediately to return to the care and protection
+of that gentleman and the Duchess, under whose charge and guardianship
+you have been placed by the King. Although we are fully informed that
+you were carried away from the town of Thouars without your own
+consent and approbation, we feel sure, from the high character and
+reputation of the Count de Morseiul, though now unfortunately in open
+rebellion, that he will be most anxious you should return, and will do
+all that he can to facilitate the arrangements for that purpose. Such
+being the case, let me exhort you, Mademoiselle, to make all haste to
+quit the camp of a body of men in open insurrection, and to place
+yourself under the protection of legitimate authority.</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:10%">&quot;I have the honour to be,</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:15%">&quot;Mademoiselle,</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:20%">&quot;Your devoted servant,</p>
+
+<p style="text-indent:30%">&quot;<span class="sc">Louis d'Evran</span>.&quot;</p>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count returned the letter with no other comment than, &quot;It is
+strange;&quot; and Clémence paused for a moment, gazing upon the back of
+the letter, but evidently occupied by deep thoughts.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">She then turned to the officer, who had remained standing, and
+said, &quot;I will not detain you, Sir, to write, as my answer must
+be merely what the Chevalier d'Evran expects. You will inform
+him--notwithstanding that it may seem bold of me to say so--that
+although I was certainly not brought here with my consent, I,
+nevertheless, am here by my consent; and as I have long been disposed
+to return to that faith in which I was originally instructed, and have
+for some time embraced it upon sincere conviction, I cannot consent to
+place myself in a situation where the exercise of the reformed
+religion will be denied to me; but must, on the contrary, remain with
+those who will protect and support me in my adherence to what I
+consider the only pure and true faith.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In short, Madam,&quot; replied the officer, &quot;I am to tell the Chevalier
+that you are a Huguenot?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Exactly, Sir,&quot; replied Clémence; &quot;and that I have been so for some
+time.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The officer showed an inclination to pause, and to add something to
+what had been said; but the Count stopped him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You are, Sir,&quot; he said, &quot;I think but the bearer of a letter; nothing
+in that has been shown us giving you at all the title of an envoy. You
+have, therefore, but to bear back the reply which this lady has
+given.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And your own, Sir,&quot; said the officer, &quot;which I have not received.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is as simple as her own, Sir,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Assure the
+Chevalier d'Evran of my best regard; tell him he may trust entirely
+and fully to the proposal made to him on my part, to which he alludes,
+as far at least as I myself am concerned. In respect, however, to what
+will satisfy the other leaders, who are in arms for the maintenance of
+their just liberties, and for the attainment of immunity in
+worshipping God according to their own consciences, he must deal with
+themselves. In that I cannot, and do not interfere, and have only to
+support them with my sword and counsels till such time as they have
+obtained their rights, or are satisfied with any arrangement
+proposed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall not fail,&quot; replied the officer, &quot;to convey these messages
+distinctly;&quot; and thus saying, he bowed, and left the room, followed by
+the Count of Morseiul, who, giving directions that his eyes should be
+properly bandaged, placed him in the hands of the Protestant soldier
+who had accompanied him, and of the guard which was waiting without.
+He then made a sign to Riquet to follow him up stairs, and bade his
+valet repeat to Clémence de Marly all that had occurred respecting his
+liberation from the Bastille.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And now, Riquet,&quot; he said, when the man had given a much more
+straight-forward and decided statement than he usually made, &quot;it is my
+intention, as soon as possible, to lay the whole of these facts before
+the King, feeling it due to my own honour to show him that I have not
+been so ungrateful as he thinks. As the act, however, which you have
+committed might prove very dangerous to you, if you should fall into
+the hands of the Catholic party, I shall take care, before I give this
+account, that you have an opportunity of seeking refuge in another
+land. I know that all countries are to you alike: and I will ensure
+that you shall be provided with full means of obtaining for yourself
+comfort and repose.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir,&quot; said the man, with some feeling, &quot;all countries, as you say,
+are to me alike. But such is not the case with regard to all masters.
+Please God, I will never serve another but yourself. If you quit the
+country, I will quit it with you: if you remain, I will remain. I am
+already--am I not?--in arms against the crown. I am just as much a
+rebel riding after you from place to place, and every now and then
+firing a musket when I think nobody sees me, as if I were at the head
+of the whole business, and people called it the rebellion of Riquet.
+You may therefore lay the whole statement before the King if you
+please, and I will myself write down the plain facts, in fewer words
+than a paper drawn up by a notary's clerk without a fee. I have no
+fear, Sir, of gathering together upon my shoulders a few more stray
+crimes and misdemeanours. That does not lie in the way of my
+cowardice. My neck is thin and long, and whether it be the axe or the
+cord that has to do with it, it will neither give the cord nor the
+edge much trouble; while I have always one consolation, which is, that
+if the experiment of hanging should prove disagreeable, it cannot be
+tried upon me twice. I will go and get the paper directly, Sir, which
+the man, Peter, brought back again. I will put down all his sayings
+and doings, and all my own; and the King, who is said to have a high
+taste in all branches of skill, ought to declare when he sees the
+order for your liberation which I manufactured, that there is not a
+piece of mosaic like it in all Versailles, and grant me a high reward
+for such a specimen of dexterity in my art.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear, you deceive yourself, Riquet,&quot; replied the Count; but the man
+shook his head. &quot;No, Sir, I do not,&quot; he said, &quot;I assure you. All
+things considered and well weighed, I do not think that I run a bit
+more risk by this matter being told to the King, than if it never
+reached his ears.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying he left the room, and Albert of Morseiul turned to other
+and sweeter thoughts. &quot;Dear, dear Clémence,&quot; he said, gazing tenderly
+upon her, &quot;you have now, indeed, chosen your part as I could expect
+Clémence to do, and by the words that you have this day spoken, you
+have swept away every feeling in my bosom that could give me a
+moment's pain.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Hush, Albert, hush,&quot; said Clémence. &quot;I know the kind of pain to
+which you allude. But you should never have entertained it. Love,
+Albert,--the love of a heart such as yours, ought never to doubt.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But, dear Clémence,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;is it possible for love to
+be satisfied while there is any thing touching its affection
+concealed?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence smiled, but shook her head; and as she was about to reply, a
+single musket shot was heard disturbing the tranquillity which had
+fallen over the camp. The Count listened, and his ear caught the
+distant sounds of &quot;Alerte! Alerte!&quot; followed almost immediately
+afterwards by a more general discharge of musketry. Clémence had
+turned very pale.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Fear not, dear Clémence,&quot; he said, &quot;this is merely a night attack
+upon some of our quarters which will soon be repelled, for I have
+taken sufficient precautions. I will see what it is, and return
+immediately.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying he left her, and Clémence, with a heart full of strong and
+mingled emotions, leaned her head upon the little table and wept.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_11" href="#div3Ref_11">THE NIGHT ATTACK.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Particular orders had been issued by the Count de Morseiul that no
+offence should be given to the religious feelings of the Catholics:
+and, in issuing his commands for the occupation of the little chapel
+at the bottom of the hill, he had directed that the building
+appropriated to the ceremonies of the church should not be entered,
+except in case of necessity; the porch and the sacristy being taken
+possession of, and the piece of consecrated ground around it, which
+was strongly walled, affording a sort of fort, in which the men
+constructed huts, or set up their tents.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They were accustomed, indeed, to abide in the forest, and found no
+difficulty or discomfort in taking their night's rest where they were.
+Three fine spreading yew trees, of unknown age and immense thickness,
+afforded a pleasant shelter to many; and wine, which had been found
+plentifully in the hamlet above, as well as in a little town at no
+great distance, flowed liberally amongst a body of men who had fought
+hard and marched long since the morning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a great difference, however, to be remarked between them and
+the religious insurgents of more northern countries; for though both
+the sterner fanaticism which characterised Scotland and England not
+long before, and the wilder imaginations and fanciful enthusiasms of
+the far south were occasionally to be found in individuals, the great
+mass were entirely and decidedly French, possessing the character of
+light, and somewhat thoughtless gaiety, so peculiar to that
+indifferent and laughter-loving nation.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus, though they had prayed earnestly, after having fought with
+determination in the cause which to them was the cause of conscience,
+they were now quite ready to forget both prayer and strife, till some
+other cause should re-produce the enthusiasm which gave vigour to
+either.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">They sat in groups, then, round fires of an old apple tree or two
+which they had pulled down, and drank the wine--procured, it must be
+acknowledged, by various different means; but though they sang not, as
+perhaps they might have done under other circumstances, nothing else
+distinguished them from any other party of gay French soldiers
+carousing after a laborious day.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Herval and Virlay, as the commanders of that peculiar body, had taken
+possession of the little sacristy, and made themselves as comfortable
+therein as circumstances admitted. They were both somewhat inclined to
+scoff at, and do dishonour to every thing connected with the
+ceremonies of the church of Rome; but the commands of the Count were
+still sufficiently potent with them to prevent them from indulging
+such feelings; and they remained conversing both over the events of
+the day, and also over past times, without any farther insult to the
+Roman Catholic faith than merely a scornful glance towards the
+vestments of the priests, the rich purple and lace of which excited
+their indignation even more than many articles of faith.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Several hours of the evening had thus worn away, and their
+conversation, far from being like that of their men without, was sad,
+dark, and solemn. The proximity of the convent had recalled to the
+mind of Herval the situation of her he had loved; and though they
+talked much of her fate, yet by some peculiar accident, which we shall
+not attempt to explain, that subject, dark and painful as it was, did
+not disturb his mental faculties as might have been expected. It
+produced, however, both on him and on Virlay, that dark and profound
+gloom, from which actions of a fierce and cruel nature more frequently
+have birth, than even from the keen and active excitement of strife
+and anger.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, and your child, too, Virlay,&quot; said Herval: &quot;it is strange, is it
+not, that we have not yet found her? I should not wonder if she were
+in this very convent, up here upon the hill. The Count will not surely
+want you to leave it unsearched, when we march to-morrow.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It matters little whether he do or not,&quot; replied Virlay. &quot;Search it I
+will; and that as soon as it be grey day-light. My child I will have,
+if she be in France: and, oh, Herval, how often, when we are near a
+monastery or a convent, do I long to put a torch to the gate of it,
+and burn it all to the ground!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no,&quot; replied Herval, &quot;that would not do; you would be burning the
+innocent with the guilty.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, true,&quot; answered Virlay, &quot;and thus I might burn my own poor
+child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ay, or my Claire,&quot; replied Herval,--&quot;that is to say, if she had been
+living, poor thing! You know they shot her, Paul. They shot her to the
+heart. But as I was saying, you might burn your own poor child, or the
+child of many a man that loves his as well as you do yours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I wonder if she be in there,&quot; said Paul Virlay. &quot;Why should I not
+take ten or twelve men up, and make them open the gates and see?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Better wait till day,&quot; replied Herval; &quot;better wait till day, Virlay.
+They have thousands of places that you might miss in the night. Hark!
+some one knocked at the door--Who is it? Come in!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Only a poor old woman,&quot; replied a voice from without, half opening
+the door, &quot;only a poor old woman soliciting charity and peace;&quot; and a
+minute after, with timid and shaking steps, a woman, dressed in a grey
+gown like the portress of some convent, gradually drew herself within
+the doorway, and crossed herself twenty times in a minute, as she
+gazed upon the two Protestants sitting with the gloom of their late
+conversation still upon their faces.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What do you want, old woman?&quot; said Herval sharply. &quot;Don't you know
+that you risk a great deal by coming out at this hour? My men are not
+lambs, nor wood pigeons, nor turtle doves.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, Heaven bless you, Sir, I know that,&quot; replied the old lady, &quot;and
+in a great fright I am too: but after all I'm the least in a fright in
+the convent; and Sister Bridget--when she came to me with her teeth
+chattering in her head just after the men had come round and knocked
+at the door, and swore they would burn the place to the ground before
+morning--she talked so much about my courage, that I thought I had
+some, and agreed to come down; and then when she had got me out, she
+locked the wicket, and vowed I should not come in till I had been down
+to do the errand. So I came quietly on, and through the little gate,
+and got out of the way of the great gate, because I saw there were a
+number of fires there; and when I saw a light under the sacristy door,
+I said to myself, the officers will be in there, and they will be
+gentler and kinder----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, and what was your errand when you did come?&quot; demanded Herval
+sharply.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, Sir,&quot; replied the old woman, &quot;we have a young lady amongst us--&quot;
+Paul Virlay started suddenly on his feet--&quot;and a sweet young lady she
+is too,&quot; continued the poor old nun, &quot;as sweet a young lady and as
+pretty as ever I set my eyes on, and she told our good lady mother,
+the superior----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is her name, woman?&quot; cried Paul Virlay, advancing upon the poor
+sister who retreated before him, but who still, with woman's intuitive
+tact in such things, saw that she had got the advantage. &quot;What is her
+name, woman? It is my child! Oh, Herval, it is my child!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;So she said to my lady mother,&quot; continued the good nun, as soon as
+she could make her voice heard; &quot;so she said to my lady mother, that
+she was sure that if her father was in the Count of Morseiul's camp,
+he would come up in a minute with a guard of men to protect the
+convent--especially if he knew that we had been kind and good to her.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Where is she?--Take me to her,&quot; cried Paul Virlay. &quot;Woman, take me to
+my child.--I will bring a guard,--I will protect you. Where is my poor
+Margette?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you her father, then, Sir?&quot; demanded the old woman. &quot;Is your name
+Monsieur Virlay?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, yes, yes,&quot; cried he impetuously: &quot;I am Paul Virlay, woman.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Then, Sir,&quot; she replied, &quot;if you will bring up a guard and undertake
+to protect the convent, you can have the young lady, only pray----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will take a guard,&quot; cried he; &quot;do not be afraid, woman! Nobody
+shall hurt you. I will take a guard,&quot; he continued speaking to Herval,
+as if in excuse for taking away part of the men from an important
+post, &quot;I will take a guard for fear there should be men up there, and
+they should want to keep Margette. The Count said, too, that the only
+reason he did not occupy the convent was, that he did not like to
+disturb the nuns. Now, when they ask it themselves, I may well go. You
+can send for me in a moment if I be wanted.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There is no fear of that,&quot; replied Herval; &quot;go, in God's name, and
+see your child.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Paul Virlay hastened away, drawing the old woman by the arm after him,
+while Herval remained behind shaking his head, with a melancholy
+motion, and saying, &quot;He will see his child again, and she will cling
+round his neck and kiss his cheek, and they will be happy: but I shall
+never see my poor Claire, as long as I linger on upon this dull
+world.&quot; He paused, and leaning his head upon his hand, plunged into
+melancholy thought.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a little bustle without, while Virlay chose out such men as
+he thought he could best depend upon, and then, that part of the camp
+did not exactly sink into tranquillity, but the general noise of the
+party was less. There was still loud talking amongst the men, and wine
+seemed to have done its work too, as in one or two instances,
+especially near the little sacristy, where the wilder and less
+tractable of Herval's band had been placed to be under his own eye,
+the psalms with which the evening had begun had deviated into gayer
+songs; and he sat and listened gravely, while one of the men near the
+door carolled to his comrades a light ditty.</p>
+<div class="poem2">
+
+<p class="t12"><b>SONG.</b></p>
+<br>
+<p class="t0">In the deep woods when I was young,</p>
+<p class="t2">Sly the happy, happy sunshine stole.</p>
+<p class="t0">Under the green leaves, where the birds sung,</p>
+<p class="t2">And merry, merry music filled the whole;</p>
+<p class="t4">For Mary sat there,<br>
+And all her care</p>
+<p class="t0">Was to outsing the linnet,--Dear little soul!</p>
+<br>
+<p class="t0">Through the long grass, then would I steal,</p>
+<p class="t2">In music and sunshine to have my part.</p>
+<p class="t0">That no one was coming, seemed she to feel,</p>
+<p class="t2">Till the warm kiss, made the sweet maid start.</p>
+<p class="t4">Then would she smile,<br>
+Through her blushes the while,</p>
+<p class="t0">And vow she did not love me,--Dear little heart!</p>
+<br>
+<p class="t0">The sunshine is stealing still through the trees.</p>
+<p class="t2">Still in the green woods the gay birds sing,</p>
+<p class="t0">But those leaves have fall'n by the wintry breeze,</p>
+<p class="t2">And many birds have dropped, that were then on the wing,</p>
+<p class="t4">All, all alone,<br>
+Beneath the cold stone,</p>
+<p class="t0">Lies my sweet Mary!--Poor little thing!</p>
+</div>
+
+<p class="normal">Herval wept bitterly. It was one of the songs of his own youth, which
+he had himself sung in many a joyous hour: a song which was the
+master-key to visions of early happiness, and touching in its light
+emptiness upon all the most painful themes of thought. The song, the
+dear song of remembered happiness, sung at that moment of painful
+bereavement, was like a soldier's child springing to meet its father
+returning from the wars, and unconsciously plunging the arrow head
+deeper into the wound from which he suffered.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As he thus sat and wept, he was suddenly roused by the sound of a
+single musket shot at no great distance, and starting up, he listened,
+when loud cries from the other side of the chapel caught his ear, and
+he rushed out. All was dark; not a star was in the sky; but the air
+was free from vapour, and looking towards the spot from which the
+sounds proceeded, he could see a dark body moving rapidly along the
+side of the hill, beyond the enclosure round the chapel. The shot that
+had been fired was not returned, and hurrying up to the spot as fast
+as possible, he clearly distinguished a column of infantry marching
+along at a quick pace in that direction, and evidently seeking to
+force its way between the convent and the chapel. There was none but a
+single sentry in that direction--the man who had discharged his
+musket--and Herval exclaimed in agony, &quot;Good God, how is this? They
+have been suffered to pass the morass and the stream!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fired as soon as I saw them,&quot; replied the man; &quot;but Virlay carried
+off all the men from down below there, and marched them up to the
+convent.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Herval struck his clenched hand against his brow, exclaiming, &quot;Fool
+that I was to suffer him!&quot; Then rushing back as fast as possible, he
+called all the rest of his troop to arms, and with the mere handful
+that assembled in a moment, rushed out by the gate through which the
+portress of the convent had entered, and attempted to cast himself in
+the way of the head of the enemy's column.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was in vain, however, that he did so. A company of light infantry
+faced about, and met his first furious attack with a tremendous fire,
+while the rest of the force moved on. The sound, however, of the
+combat thus commenced, roused the rest of the camp, and the Count of
+Morseiul, himself on foot, and at the head of a considerable body of
+the most determined Huguenots, was advancing, ere five minutes were
+over, not to repel the attack of the enemy--for by what he saw, Albert
+of Morseiul instantly became aware, that, his camp being forced at the
+strongest point, it was in vain to hope that the King's army could be
+repulsed--but at least to cover the retreat of his troops with as
+little loss as possible.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">All the confusion of a night combat now took place, the hurrying up by
+the dull and doubtful light; the cowardice that shows itself in many
+men when the eye of day is not upon them; the rashness and emotion of
+others, who indeed are not afraid, but only agitated; the mistakes of
+friends for foes, and foes for friends; the want of all knowledge of
+which party is successful in those points where the strife is going on
+at a distance.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">As far as it was possible in such circumstances, Albert of Morseiul
+restored some degree of order and regularity to the defence. Relying
+almost altogether upon his infantry, he held the royalists in check,
+while he sent orders to some of the inferior commanders to evacuate
+the camp in as orderly a manner as possible, gathering the horse
+together upon the brow of the hill, so as to be ready when the
+occasion served to charge and support the infantry. His particular
+directions were despatched to Monsieur du Bar to maintain his post to
+the last, as the Count well knew that the forces of the Chevalier
+d'Evran were sufficient to attack the Huguenot camp on both sides at
+once.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such, indeed, had been the plan of the Chevalier; but it was not
+followed correctly. He had placed himself at the head of the attack
+upon the side of the convent, as by far the most hazardous and
+difficult. The officer who commanded the other attack was a man of
+considerable skill, but he had with him the Intendant of the province;
+a personage as weak and presumptuous as he was cruel and bigoted: and
+insisting upon it, that the officer at the head of the troops had made
+a mistake in regard to the way, he entangled him in the morass, and
+delayed him for more than an hour.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Had the attack on that side succeeded, as well as that on the side of
+the chapel, the little force of the Huguenots must have been
+absolutely annihilated, and had the attack there even commenced at the
+same time that it began on the other side, the disasters of that night
+must have been tenfold greater than they proved. As it was, the Count
+de Morseiul had time to offer at least some resistance, and to
+organise his retreat. A horse was soon brought to him, and perceiving
+by the firing on the flank of the enemy's column, that Herval and his
+men were striving desperately to retrieve the error which had been
+committed, he called up a small body of horse, and making a gallant
+charge at their head, drove back some of the infantry companies that
+interposed between himself and the chapel, and opened a communication
+with Herval and the men. Giving orders to the officer in command of
+the horse to make another rapid charge, but not to entangle his men
+too far, the Count himself rode down to Herval, to ascertain what was
+proceeding in that quarter. He found the man covered with blood and
+gunpowder, raging like a wolf in the midst of a flock.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herval,&quot; he exclaimed, &quot;a great mistake has been committed. A handful
+of men could have defended that bridge against an army.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I know it, Count, I know it,&quot; replied Herval. &quot;I have been a fool,
+Virlay has been a madman. I should never have trusted him by himself.
+It is time I should die.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is rather time, Herval,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;that you should live
+and exert your good sense to remedy what is amiss. Do you not see that
+by spending your strength here you are doing no good, and losing your
+men every minute? Gather them together: quick, and follow me. We want
+support, there, upon the hill. The chapel is untenable now. Quick:
+lose not a moment. Good God!&quot; he said, &quot;they are not charging as I
+ordered, and in another moment we shall be cut off!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was indeed as he said. The young officer, to whom he had given the
+command, was shot through the head at the very moment that he was
+about to execute it. The charge was not made; the body which had been
+driven back by the Count were rallied by the Chevalier d'Evran; the
+infantry of the Huguenots, which had been guarding the heights,
+wavered before the superior force brought against them; and by the
+time that Herval's men were collected, a large body of foot interposed
+between the Count de Morseiul and the spot where he had left his
+troops. Nothing remained but to lead round Herval's little force by
+the hollow-way on the edge of the morass, and climbing the steeper
+part of the hill, by the road that led to the little hamlet and farm
+houses, to rejoin the principal body of the Protestants there, and to
+make one more effort to hold the hamlet against the advancing force of
+the royalists, till Monsieur du Bar had time to draw off his troops.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ere the Count, however, could reach the ground where he had fixed his
+own head quarters, both the infantry and cavalry, which he had left,
+had been driven back, and, by a terrible oversight, instead of
+retiring upon the hamlet, had taken the way to the right, along which
+the other bodies of troops had been ordered to retreat. The royalists
+thus, at the time that the Count arrived, were pouring in amongst the
+cottages and farm houses, and when he reached the little knoll
+immediately behind the house, where he had left Clémence de Marly, he
+was instantly assailed by a tremendous fire from behind the walls of
+the court yard, and the lower windows of the house itself. He had no
+troops with him but Herval's band, and a small body of foot which
+arrived at that moment to his assistance from the Marquis du Bar, and
+he paused for an instant in agony of heart, knowing and feeling that
+it was utterly hopeless to attempt to retake the farmhouse, and enable
+Clémence to effect her escape. The grief and pain of a whole life
+seemed summed up in that one moment.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will not,&quot; he cried, in the rashness of despair, &quot;I will not leave
+her without an effort.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Herval was by his side. &quot;Sir,&quot; he said, &quot;I must not live over this
+night. Let us advance at all risks.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count gave the order, and the men advanced gallantly, though the
+enemy's fire was terrible. They were actually scaling the wall of the
+court-yard, when suddenly a fire was opened upon them from the houses
+and walls on either side. Herval fell over amidst the enemy, the
+Count's horse dropped at once under him, and he felt himself drawn
+forcibly out from beneath the dying animal, and carried along by the
+men in full retreat from that scene of slaughter.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Here is a horse, Count,--here is a horse,&quot; cried a voice near him.
+&quot;Mount, quick, and oh take care of my poor girl. She is on with the
+troops before. I have lost you the battle, and know what must come of
+it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count turned and saw Paul Virlay by his side; but before he could
+reply the man left the bridle in his hand, and rushed into the midst
+of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Springing on the charger's back the Count gazed round him. Herval's
+band was all in confusion; but beginning to rally upon the body of
+infantry sent by Du Bar. The hamlet was in full possession of the
+enemy: the only means of communication between Du Bar and the troops
+that were retreating was along the hill side. Albert of Morseiul saw
+that if he did not maintain that line, his gallant friend would be cut
+off, and, for the moment, casting from his mind all the other bitter
+anxieties that preyed upon it, he hastened to occupy a little rising
+ground, terribly exposed, indeed, to the enemy's fire, but which would
+protect the flank of his friend's little corps, while they joined the
+rest who were in retreat. That he was just in time was proved to
+Albert of Morseiul, by the sound of a load cannonade, which commenced
+from the very direction of Du Bar's quarters; and, sending that
+officer orders to retreat directly, he remained, for twenty minutes,
+repelling every charge of the enemy; and, by the example of his own
+desperate courage and perfect self-command, seeming to inspire his men
+with resolution unconquerable. In the mean time the Marquis du Bar
+retreated before the other body of royalists which had now come up,
+and having seen his men in comparative safety, rode back, with a small
+body of horse, to aid the Count in covering the retreat. The royalists
+now, however, had gained their object; the camp of the Huguenots was
+in their hands; the slaughter on both sides had been dreadful,
+considering the short space of time which the strife had lasted; the
+country beyond was difficult and defensible, and the order for
+stopping further pursuit was given as soon as no more resistance was
+made in the Huguenot camp.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_12" href="#div3Ref_12">THE ROYALIST CAMP.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am astonished, Sir, that you should presume to interfere,&quot; said the
+Chevalier d'Evran, speaking to the Intendant of the province, whom he
+had found on riding down to the post of the second in command, in
+order to ascertain what was the cause of the attack having been so
+long delayed in that quarter. &quot;I am astonished that you should presume
+to interfere at all. The weak gentlemen who have hitherto been
+commanding in this country have been indulgent to such insolence: but
+you will find very different consequences if you attempt to practise
+it upon me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Insolence, Sir!--Insolence!&quot; exclaimed the intendant, foaming with
+rage and mortified pride at being thus addressed in the presence of
+many hundreds of witnesses. &quot;Insolence in me!--Why, who am I, Sir? Am
+I not the intendant of justice, police, and finance in this province?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, Sir, insolence!&quot; replied the Chevalier d'Evran. &quot;You are the
+intendant of justice, police, and finance; but before I assumed the
+command of the King's forces in this province, you yourself had
+required martial law to be proclaimed, so that you not only put every
+one else under the authority of the military power, but yourself also;
+and, by heavens, if you stare in my face in that manner one moment
+longer, I will have you hanged up to yonder tree. Bring a drum here,&quot;
+he continued, &quot;and summon four officers from the regiments of Lorraine
+and Berry. We will soon see who is to command here.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The unfortunate intendant turned as pale as ashes; for the gallantry
+and decision which the Chevalier d'Evran had shown since he assumed
+the command, were of a very impressive character, and gave weight to
+his threats. The officer who had laid the complaint against him,
+however, now interfered. &quot;For God's sake, General,&quot; he said, &quot;have
+mercy upon this poor man, and consider what will be the result of
+calling a drum-head court-martial.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I should always be very willing, Sir,&quot; replied the Chevalier, drawing
+up his fine person to its full height, &quot;I should always be very
+willing to attend to your recommendations; but, Sir, in the course of
+this night and the preceding day, I have obtained two great and signal
+successes over this body of insurgents; and I think that those
+successes will fully justify me in the eyes of the King, for punishing
+with such authority as is vested in my hands the person to whom we may
+attribute that our success was not complete, by the annihilation of
+the Huguenot party in the province. If the intendant chooses
+immediately to make a humble apology for what has passed, and to
+promise in the most solemn manner never to interfere in any one thing
+in my camp, or under my command, I will so far overlook the matter for
+the time, as not to carry this extreme measure into execution against
+him at once. But, in the mean time, I will hold it suspended over his
+head, and if required, execute it on the moment.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The apologies and promises were as full and ample as the Chevalier
+could demand; and, leaving strict orders that the worthy intendant
+should be kept in a sort of honourable surveillance in the camp, the
+Chevalier turned his horse's head, and rode back with his staff
+towards the village, smiling slightly over what had just passed, for,
+to say the truth, he had been acting a part much more harsh and severe
+than he was inclined to pursue in reality. The truth is, that after
+the engagement of the preceding morning, the intendant had shown some
+disposition to take possession of one or two prisoners that had fallen
+into the royalists' hands, for the purpose of employing the rack and
+the wheel in their conversion; but the Chevalier, having determined
+from the first to put a stop to such measures, had evaded all
+discussion for the time, very sure that ere long the intendant would
+give him an opportunity of depriving him, at least for the time, of
+all authority in the province.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The smile, however, was soon succeeded by a somewhat more anxious
+expression; for knowing as he did that Clémence de Marly was in the
+camp of the Huguenots, he was not a little apprehensive of what might
+have been her fate in the course of the struggle of that night. He had
+given particular instructions regarding her, however; had made it so
+fully understood, that he would have no unnecessary bloodshed, and had
+exhorted his troops and inferior officers so eloquently to regard the
+Protestants merely as erring brothers, as soon as the arms were out of
+their hands, that he felt little or no apprehension of any excesses
+being committed after the engagement. As soon, then, as he had
+ascertained that Mademoiselle de Marly was in the farmhouse on the top
+of the hill, and was perfectly safe, he contented himself with sending
+a message to her, telling her that he would visit her in the morning,
+and begging her in the mean time to put her mind completely at ease.
+He then proceeded to investigate the amount of his own loss, and that
+of the Huguenots. Nearly an equal number had fallen on each side; but
+the army of the Chevalier d'Evran could afford to lose a thousand men
+without any serious diminution of its strength, while the same loss on
+the part of the Protestant force reduced it in a lamentable degree.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now,&quot; thought the Chevalier, when he heard the result of the
+inquiries that he caused to be made, &quot;if I can but drive Albert of
+Morseiul to the sea, and force him to embark with the most determined
+of his sect, while the others lay down their arms and conform, we
+shall do very well. These battles were necessary to dishearten the
+desperate fellows, and to give me power to do them good, and treat
+them mercifully. But we may change our system now, and press them hard
+without losing the lives of gallant men. What this old Cecil tells me
+of the mistake about the liberation, may, if properly shown, mitigate
+a part of the King's anger towards Albert; but it will never do the
+whole, and I fear flight is his only resource. This offer that he has
+made, however, stands desperately in the way, and yet it must be
+communicated to the King. I dare not conceal it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">While he thus thought, sitting in the room of one of the cottages,
+information was brought him that one of the wounded Huguenots, who was
+kept with other prisoners in a barn hard by, was very anxious to see
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I will come immediately,&quot; he replied to the officer, and then sitting
+down, he wrote a brief despatch to Louvois, in which he detailed all
+the events that had occurred; but at the same time, knowing the views
+of the minister, he intimated that the only means of keeping the
+extent of the insurrection from the King's knowledge, and from general
+publicity throughout the whole of Europe, would be to give him the
+full power of pardoning all men on laying down their arms. He begged
+the minister to believe that he had not the slightest desire
+whatsoever that the little services he had performed should be
+reported to Louis; but at the same time he pointed out that those
+services could not be ultimately beneficial, unless the power that he
+demanded was granted to him, and all other authority in the province
+superseded for at least one month. He felt very sure that this would
+be granted by Louvois, as that minister had become greatly alarmed,
+and had openly expressed to the young commander his anxiety lest the
+extent of the revolt which had taken place in consequence of measures
+he had advised, should ruin him for ever with the King. The Chevalier
+trusted, also--although he was obliged, in the end of his epistle, to
+state the proposal made by the Count de Morseiul--that the powers
+granted by the minister would be such as to enable him to serve that
+nobleman.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When this despatch was concluded, and sent off, he demanded where the
+person was who had wished to see him, and was led to a small out-house
+close by the farm in which Clémence abode. The door, which was
+padlocked, and at which a sentry appeared, was opened to give him
+admission, and he found stretched upon piles of straw on the floor of
+the building two or three men, apparently in a dying state, and
+another seated in a somewhat extraordinary attitude in one corner of
+the shed. The sight was very horrible; the straw in many parts was
+stained with blood, and anguish was legibly written on the pale
+countenances of the dying.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Who was the prisoner that wished to speak with me?&quot; said the
+Chevalier, going in; but they each answered by claiming to be heard:
+one demanding a little water, one asking to be taken into the open
+air, and one who, before the words had fully passed his lips, lay a
+corpse upon the straw, asking pardon and life, and promising obedience
+and conversion. The Chevalier ordered every thing that could make them
+comfortable to be supplied as far as possible, adding some sharp
+reproaches to his own people for the state in which he found the
+wounded: and he then said, &quot;But there was some one who, as I
+understood, wished to speak with me more particularly.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It was I,&quot; said the man who was sitting down in the corner, at once
+starting up into the likeness of Jerome Riquet; while at the same
+moment another faint voice from the farther part of the building said,
+&quot;It was I, General. I told the officer who came here, that I would
+fain see you about the Count de Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Riquet,&quot; said the Chevalier, &quot;I will attend to you presently. You
+seem well, and unhurt; answer me three questions, and I may say
+something that will satisfy you in return. Have you been engaged in
+this unfortunate business simply as the servant of the Count de
+Morseiul?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As nothing else, upon my word, Sir,&quot; replied Riquet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Are you a Catholic or a Protestant?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;As Catholic as salt fish on a Friday,&quot; replied Riquet. &quot;Surrounded on
+all sides by heretics, I was at one time in great fear for myself,
+like a man in a city where there is a plague. But bless you, Sir, I
+found it was not catching, and here I am more Catholic than ever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you, then, in any instance, borne arms in this war?&quot; demanded
+the Chevalier.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, on my honour, Chevalier,&quot; replied the valet. &quot;No arms have I
+borne except a shaving-brush, a razor, a pair of tweezers, and a
+toothpick.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, then,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;I can promise you pardon; but
+remember you are a prisoner on parole. Do you give me your word that
+you will not try to escape?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lord bless you, Sir,&quot; replied the man, &quot;I would not escape for the
+world. I am with the winning side. You don't suppose Riquet's a fool,
+to go over to the poor devils that you're driving into the sea!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Scoundrel!&quot; said a deep but faint voice from the other side of the
+building; and telling Riquet to bring the light with him, the
+Chevalier advanced to the spot, where, stretched upon the straw, in
+the most remote corner of the shed, lay the unfortunate Armand Herval,
+dying from the effects of at least twenty wounds. As soon as the eyes
+of the wounded man fell upon Riquet, he exclaimed, angrily,--&quot;Get thee
+hence, traitor! Let me not see your face, scoundrel! To abandon thus
+your noble lord at the first moment of misfortune!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You mistake, Monsieur,&quot; replied Riquet quietly--&quot;I am not a bit more
+of a scoundrel than you are, Monsieur Herval, nor, indeed, of a
+traitor either: every one serves his lord in his own way, Master
+Herval, that's all. You in your way, and I in mine. If you had waited
+a little, to hear what I had to say to the Chevalier, you would have
+seen that I was quite as ready to make sacrifices for my Lord as
+yourself.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Herval!&quot; said the Chevalier, as he listened to their conversation;
+&quot;that name is surely familiar to me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well it might be,&quot; answered Riquet; &quot;for I dare say my Lord must have
+told you, Monsieur le Chevalier. This man, or I am much mistaken,
+would have killed the King himself, if my Lord had not prevented him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Indeed!&quot; demanded the Chevalier. &quot;Can we get any proof of this?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Proof, Sir?&quot; replied the dying man; &quot;it was on that account I sent
+for you. The Count de Morseiul is ruined; and the cause of the
+reformed church is over; and all this evil has happened through my
+fault. I have heard, too, that he has offered to surrender himself to
+the axe, in order to buy safety for the rest of us. But surely the
+King--let him be as great a tyrant as he may--will not murder the man
+that saved his life.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The King, Sir, is no tyrant,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;but a generous
+and noble master to those who are obedient and loyal: even to the
+disobedient he is most merciful; and if this fact could be made known
+to him, and proved beyond all doubt, I feel perfectly convinced that
+he would not only pardon the Count de Morseiul for his past errors,
+but show him some mark of favour, in gratitude for what he has done.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The King does know it,&quot; replied Herval, sharply; &quot;the King must know
+it; for I have heard that the whole papers of Hatréaumont fell into
+the hands of Louvois; and I have myself seen that foul tiger's name
+written to an order for my arrest as one of Hatréaumont's
+accomplices.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But that does not prove,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;that either the
+King or Louvois knew of this act of the Count's.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It does prove it,&quot; replied the dying man; &quot;for the only letter I ever
+wrote to Hatréaumont in my life was to tell him that I had failed in
+my purpose of killing the tyrant; that every thing had gone fair till
+the Count de Morseiul came in between me and him, and declared, that I
+should take his life first. I told him all, every thing--how I got
+into the gardens of Versailles at night, and hid under the terrace
+where the King walked alone--how yon babbling fool betrayed my purpose
+to the Count, and he came and prevented me doing the deed I ought to
+have done, even if I had taken his life first. I told him all this,
+and I cursed the Count of Morseiul in my madness, over again and
+again--and now the man whose life he saved is seeking to bring him to
+the block.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is extraordinary and important,&quot; said the Chevalier: &quot;I cannot
+believe that the King knows it. Louvois must have kept it from his
+ears. Will you make a deposition of this, my good fellow, as early
+to-morrow as we can get proper witnesses and a notary?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Early to-morrow?&quot; said the man faintly, &quot;early to-morrow,
+Chevalier?--I shall never see a to-morrow. Now is your only moment,
+and as for witnesses, quick, get paper and pen and ink. There is not
+half an hour's life in me. If you had come when first I sent, there
+would have been plenty of time. But now every moment is a loss.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Quick, Riquet,&quot; cried the Chevalier, &quot;bid the officer at the door run
+to my quarters, and bring down pen and ink and paper, without a
+moment's delay.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet lost no time, and the Chevalier endeavoured as far as possible
+to keep Herval quiet till the means of writing were brought. The dying
+man would go on speaking, however, but with his voice becoming lower
+and lower, and his ideas evidently in some degree confused. Once or
+twice he spoke as if he were at Versailles, and in the presence of the
+King: then seemed as if he fancied himself conversing with
+Hatréaumont; and then again pronounced the name of Claire more than
+once, and talked of happiness. When Riquet and the officer returned,
+however, with the materials for writing, he had still strength and
+recollection enough to commence his declaration in a formal manner.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I, Armand Herval,&quot; he said, &quot;do hereby declare, and on the bed of
+death affirm most solemnly, that had it not been that the Count de
+Morseiul prevented me, I would have shot the King of France, upon the
+terrace at Versailles, after the play, on the night before the arrest
+of the Chevalier de Rohan, and that all I said was perfectly true, in
+a letter which was written by me to Monsieur de Hatréaumont, dated on
+the--I cannot recollect the day:&quot; he added, in a lower tone, &quot;it seems
+as if a mist had come over that part of my memory.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Never mind,&quot; said the Chevalier, &quot;go on, my good friend, go on, the
+date is unimportant.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Was it the twenty-fourth or the twenty-fifth?&quot; continued the man. &quot;I
+cannot recollect for the life of me, your Majesty. It's a short life,
+too. Mine will soon be spent, and Claire's is all gone----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He spoke very faintly, indeed; and the Chevalier said, &quot;You forget, my
+friend, you forget. We were talking of the Count de Morseiul.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah!&quot; cried the man, with a greater effort, and starting up on
+the straw--&quot;Ah, so we were.--What a fool I am!--Write it down,
+quick!--Write it down, quick!--But take your fingers off my
+throat!--Take your fingers off my throat!--I cannot speak if you stop
+my breath!--What's the use of putting out the light?--Why do you put
+out the light?--Oh, Heaven, it is death, it is death,&quot; and, falling
+back upon the straw, the strong frame shook for a moment, as if an
+ague had seized him, and then all was still.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier d'Evran shut his teeth close, saying, &quot;This is
+unfortunate. However, you are a witness, Riquet, to all that he said.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Lord bless you, noble Sir,&quot; replied the valet, &quot;nobody will believe a
+word that I say. I should consider my character ruined for ever if
+there was any body, in all Europe, that would believe me upon my
+oath.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I had forgot,&quot; said the Chevalier, dryly; &quot;your character is in no
+danger, I believe, on that score. But my word will be believed, and my
+voice, at least, shall be heard.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, Sir,&quot; replied Riquet, perhaps a little piqued at the
+Chevalier's reply, &quot;let me add my voice too; for though they may
+believe me in nothing else, they may, perhaps, believe me in a
+confession which will go to twist my own neck. I wish to be sent to
+the King, Sir; though if you can find out when he is in a good humour
+I should prefer it. But my object is to inform him that it was
+altogether my fault, and my foolishness, and my crime, that prevented
+the Count de Morseiul from going to Versailles as soon as he was
+liberated from the Bastille to throw himself at the King's feet. If it
+had not been for that aforesaid foolishness of mine he would never
+have come hither, would never have led the rebels at all, and most
+likely, by this time, would have been as high in the King's good
+graces as ever.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have heard all this before,&quot; said the Chevalier. &quot;But are you
+positively resolved, my good friend, to go voluntarily and make
+confession of all these things?--Do you remember the consequences?--Do
+you think of the risks?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, Sir,&quot; replied Riquet, &quot;I do quite the contrary. I try to forget
+them all as fast as possible, being resolved to go at any rate, and,
+therefore, judging that the less I think about risks and consequences
+the better.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;By Heaven, thou art right,&quot; replied the Chevalier, &quot;and thou shalt
+have a bottle of Burgundy, if there be one in the camp, to keep warm
+thy good philosophy. See, there is the grey of the morning coming in,
+and I may well go away satisfied with having found one man in the
+world who is not so great a scoundrel as I thought him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier returned to the hut in which he had established his
+quarters, and cast himself down for an hour's repose; but before the
+daylight had been long in the sky he was on foot again, and at the
+door of the farm-house which contained Clémence de Marly. He was
+immediately admitted; and, strange as it may seem, if the Count de
+Morseiul had witnessed that meeting, it would certainly have wrung his
+heart more than the loss of a great battle. The royalist commander
+advanced at once to his fair prisoner, and, putting his arms slightly
+round her, kissed her cheek without any apparent reluctance on her
+part; and her first exclamation was, &quot;Oh, Louis, I am glad to see you
+safe! You know not how my heart is torn!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I dare say it is, my pretty Clémence,&quot; replied the Chevalier, in his
+usual light tone; &quot;but you, who have been doing nothing else but
+tearing other people's hearts for the last five years, must take your
+turn now. You have placed me in a terrible predicament, however,
+thoughtless girl,&quot; he added. &quot;You are obstinate as an Arragonese mule
+about this matter of religion, and will not be contented till you have
+got yourself roasted in this world as preparatory to----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But tell me, Louis--tell me about him!&quot; demanded Clémence. &quot;Is he
+safe? Has he escaped from this awful night?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I suppose you mean Morseiul, by <i>he</i> and <i>him</i>,&quot; said the Chevalier,
+&quot;and if so, he is safe, as far as I know. He has escaped. That is to
+say, he has not been taken, thank God--though one time he was very
+near it; for, by the flash of the guns, I saw his face in the middle
+of our men:--but I dare say now, Clémence, that you would a
+thousand-fold rather have me killed than this heretic of yours?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do not be unkind, Louis,&quot; replied Clémence--&quot;I would of course rather
+have neither of you killed; but now that you have got me, tell me what
+is to be my fate?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Why, that question is difficult to answer,&quot; said the Chevalier;
+&quot;Heaven knows, I did not want you, Madam. I was obliged to write you a
+formal summons to return, for mere decency's sake; but I certainly
+never expected you would obey it. You might have said, No, silly girl,
+without telling all the world that you had turned Huguenot--all for
+the love of a gallant knight.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nonsense, Louis! Do speak seriously,&quot; replied Clémence: &quot;you very
+well know I was what you call a Huguenot long before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Not quite, Clémence! not quite!&quot; cried the Chevalier: &quot;you were what
+may be called Huguenoting. But this rash and imprudent determination
+of declaring your feelings, doubts, or whatever they may be, at the
+very moment when the sword of persecution is drawn, was, indeed, very
+silly, Clémence. What is to be done now is rendered doubly difficult,
+and I suppose I must of course connive at your escape. We must take
+means to have an intimation conveyed for some trading vessels to hover
+about the coast, to give you an opportunity of getting away till this
+fierce bigotry has gone by. It will not last long; and in a year or
+two, I doubt not, exiles will be permitted to return. The only
+difficulty will be to have the ships opportunely; but I think I can
+manage that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, do, do, Louis!&quot; exclaimed Clémence, eagerly. &quot;That is all that
+can be desired; and pray try to persuade Albert to fly at once.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Nay, nay,&quot; replied the Chevalier, laughing, &quot;that must not be my
+task, Clémence. On that subject I dare not say a word. But you may
+well do what you will. I will take care that the means of flight to
+another country shall be provided for you, and you may take with you
+any one that is willing to go.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;But then,&quot; exclaimed Clémence, &quot;I must have the opportunity of
+persuading him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Certainly,&quot; exclaimed the Chevalier: &quot;the first thing you have to do
+is to get out of my camp as fast as you can. I would not have you
+three days here for the world; for as affairs go at present, I cannot
+answer that the power of protecting you will be left to me for three
+days. However,&quot; he added, after a moment's thought, &quot;to-day you must
+stay and march on with us, and before to-morrow, I trust I shall be
+able to put you under such protection as will insure you safety and
+support in your flight; and now, pretty maid, I must leave you. We
+shall begin to march about noon. In the mean time there is a courier
+going to Montaigu, so send off thither for whatever you may need to
+make you comfortable. An easy horse shall be ready for you; and if at
+any time you may feel yourself inclined to gallop away, you may take
+him with you as a present from me. By the way, little heretic,&quot; he
+added, when he got to the door, &quot;you will want money for your
+peregrinations.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, no,&quot; replied Clémence, &quot;I have plenty. I have plenty, I assure
+you. I have near two hundred double louis which I took to the prison
+in hopes----.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Little do you know of what you may want, silly girl,&quot; replied the
+Chevalier. &quot;Why one of these very merchant ships may demand the half
+of that for carrying you over. Here,&quot; he added, drawing forth a
+leathern purse embroidered in gold--&quot;I don't know how much there is
+here, but you must take it too; and if by any unforeseen circumstance
+you should need more when in England, draw on me what they call a bill
+of exchange.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence took the money without ceremony, as if it were a mere matter
+of course, and only added, &quot;Come and see me again before we march,
+Louis.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Chevalier nodded his head and left her.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_13" href="#div3Ref_13">THE LAST EFFORTS.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">To describe the military man&#339;uvres which took place during the
+three or four following days would be neither amusing nor instructive
+to the reader. Suffice it to say, that the small force of the Count de
+Morseiul diminished as he retreated, while the army of the Chevalier
+d'Evran was increased by the arrival of two new regiments. The latter
+had thus an opportunity of extending his line, and frustrating a
+vigorous effort made by the Count to cut his way into Brittany. Every
+effort that the Protestant leader made to bring to his aid those who
+had promised very soon to join him, only showed him that the
+estimation which he had formed of the degree of vigour and unanimity
+to be expected from the Huguenots was but too accurate. Almost all
+those determined and daring leaders of the lower orders who had given
+energy and activity to all the movements of the insurgents had fallen
+in the preceding skirmishes. Herval was heard of no more; Paul Virlay
+had been seen by one of the soldiers to fall by a shot through the
+head towards the close of the last affair; and at length, with not
+more than five hundred men under his command, Albert of Morseiul found
+himself shut in between a force of eight thousand men and the sea. The
+only consolation that he had was to hear that Clémence de Marly was
+safe, and the only hope was that some vessels from Rochelle, for which
+he had despatched a shallop in haste, might be tempted by the large
+sum he offered to hasten round and carry off a certain portion of his
+troops, comprising the principal leaders, while the rest laid down
+their arms, and he himself surrendered to the fate that awaited him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Such were his plans and purposes when the last day of the insurrection
+dawned upon the world; and we must pause for an instant to describe
+the situation of his little force on that eventful morning.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There is upon that coast a small rocky island, not so high as the
+celebrated Mont St. Michel, which is on the opposite side of the
+peninsula of Brittany, but in almost every other respect similar to
+that famous rock. At the time we speak of this island was fortified,
+and the guns of the castle commanded almost entirely the small bay in
+which it was situated. At low water the island becomes a peninsula,
+being joined to the land like the Mont St. Michel by a narrow neck of
+land, along the top of which there ran a paved causeway, covered
+entirely by the sea to the depth of five or six feet at the time of
+high water. The commandant of the fort was a Protestant gentleman who
+had distinguished himself in some degree in the service. He had been
+raised, and greatly favoured by the influence of the Counts of
+Morseiul, and owed his post to them. He had not only promised to
+co-operate with the young Count in the commencement of the unfortunate
+revolt, but he had sent him some assistance, and a large quantity of
+ammunition; and when the Count found that he was cut off from forcing
+his way into Brittany on the one hand, or reaching Sainctonge on the
+other, he had shaped his course past Montaigu towards the little bay
+in which this island was situated, and had succeeded in reaching it,
+notwithstanding the efforts of the royalist corps to prevent him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Opposite to the island was a small village, on a high bank above the
+sea-shore. It possessed a large church, and two or three walled farm
+houses; and during one half of the night after his arrival, the Count
+toiled with the country people, who were principally Protestants, to
+throw up breastworks and plant pallisades, so as to fortify the
+village in as strong a manner as possible. Four cannon, which were all
+that he possessed, were planted to command the principal road leading
+to the village, and ere morning the whole was brought to such a
+condition as to enable the little band of Protestants to offer a
+determined and lengthened resistance, should they be driven to do so.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Was it then, it may be asked, the purpose of the Count to offer that
+resistance? It certainly was not; but feeling perfectly sure that the
+Chevalier d'Evran was disposed to grant the Protestants the most
+lenient terms consistent with his duty, he took these measures in
+order to give him the best excuse for treating with the insurgents,
+and granting them a favourable capitulation. &quot;If,&quot; he thought, &quot;the
+Chevalier can show to the King that it would have cost him two or
+three thousand of his best troops to overcome or slaughter a poor body
+of five hundred men, Louis is too wise and too good a soldier himself
+not to hold him perfectly justified for granting the mildest terms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When all was completed, the Count cast himself down to rest, and slept
+for some time from utter exhaustion. By the first ray of morning,
+however, he was upon the shore, looking towards the sea, and beheld,
+to his no small joy and satisfaction, three vessels, at the distance
+of about four or five miles, standing off and on, as if waiting for
+the tide to enter the bay. The tide, however, though not quite at the
+ebb, had sank so low that there was no chance of their being able to
+come in till it had quite gone down and risen again; and Albert of
+Morseiul looked with anxiety for the passing of six or seven hours,
+which must thus elapse.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">His anxiety now led him to the other side of the village, and going to
+one of the farm houses, situated at the corner of a small cart-road
+which he had barricaded, he went up to a window on the first floor,
+and looked over the wide view that sloped away below. There appeared,
+what he had expected to find, the camp of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+hemming him in on all sides. The distance between the village and the
+first tents was about two miles, so that at any time, without more
+than half an hour's notice, the attack upon his little fortress might
+commence. He was quite prepared, it is true, and doubted not to be
+able to maintain his post for many hours, knowing that his men would
+fight with the energy of despair.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But no movement whatsoever in the royalist camp indicated any great
+haste to attack him. There were no groups of officers busily
+reconnoitring; there were no regiments drawn up as if to march to the
+assault; and the only objects that were seen were two files of
+soldiers marching along to relieve the guard at different points of
+the camp. All this was satisfactory to an experienced eye like that of
+the Count de Morseiul, and well knowing his opponent, he judged that
+the Chevalier was waiting for some reply from Paris, ere he gave any
+answer to the terms which he, the Count, had suggested.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">He paused, therefore, for nearly twenty minutes, gazing over the
+scene, when suddenly, from a point of the camp where nothing seemed
+stirring before, a little group of persons on horseback drew out, and
+rode swiftly towards the village. The moment after the Count perceived
+that two of those persons were clad in women's garments; and the
+rapidity with which they came, showed him that they were fearful of
+being stopped. Going down from the window in haste, he sprang upon
+horseback, and with the attendants who were waiting for him below,
+rode out upon the side of the hill, in order to assist the fugitives
+in case of need; but no sign of pursuit took place till one half of
+the distance or more had been passed by the little party; and the
+Count dismounting about a quarter of a mile from the village, watched
+their coming with eager eyes and a beating heart, as he recognised the
+form of Clémence de Marly. When she was beyond all risk of being
+overtaken, a small party of cavaliers issued forth from another part
+of the camp, and rode on towards the village, but slowly, and they
+were still at more than a miles distance when Clémence was in the arms
+of her lover, and weeping upon his bosom. He led her in as fast as
+possible, followed by the maid Maria, and no less a person than Jerome
+Riquet, who seemed to have found of breaking his word so strong a
+temptation, that he could not resist it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A rumour had spread amongst the Protestants in the town that something
+of interest was proceeding without, and when the Count and Clémence
+turned towards the village, they found that their meeting had been
+witnessed by many eyes. But in the faces of those they passed, Albert
+of Morseiul read courage brightened, and resolution strengthened, by
+that which they had just seen; and there was not a man within that
+little encampment whose heart did not feel elevated and confirmed by
+witnessing the bursting forth of those tender and ennobling feelings,
+which ever, when pure and true, dignify man's spirit, and brighten his
+mind.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When they were within the barriers, the Count turned for a moment to
+look at the other group which had drawn out from the camp; but it did
+not seem that they were in pursuit of Clémence, for they shaped their
+course along the road towards the principal entrance of the village,
+and when the Count turned, he clearly saw them displaying a flag of
+truce. He led Clémence into the house where he had taken up his head
+quarters, however, and saying a few soothing words, left her to see
+what was the intelligence which the Chevalier's envoys conveyed. As he
+walked down he met a messenger coming to demand his presence at the
+barrier; and on approaching it, he found waiting, in the guard-house,
+the old English officer, Sir Thomas Cecil, with one or two French,
+gentlemen with whom he was slightly acquainted.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; said the old Englishman, &quot;I have been charged
+by Major-General the Chevalier d'Evran to communicate to you the only
+terms which he is permitted by the King to grant under the
+circumstances in which you respectively stand. He was long in hopes
+that those terms would have been more favourable than they are, and
+they are very painful to me to announce. But as you conveyed to him a
+message through me, he thought that I ought to undertake to bear the
+reply.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank you, my dear Sir,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;most sincerely for
+undertaking the task. But, as a preliminary, let me tell you before
+these gentlemen who have come with you, as well as before Monsieur du
+Bar here, and my own friends around me, that the only terms which I
+will accept are those which I notified to the Chevalier d'Evran
+through you, namely, permission for any one hundred of my friends of
+the reformed religion to retire from France unmolested; a free pardon
+to all the rest, except myself, on laying down their arms, and a
+promise that they shall be permitted to exercise their religion in
+private without annoyance. On these conditions we will immediately lay
+down our arms, and I will surrender myself at discretion to his
+Majesty's pleasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, no!--No, no!&quot; cried several voices amongst the Protestants; &quot;we
+cannot submit to that. We will die at our post with arms in our hands,
+rather than that the Count shall be sacrificed.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;My good friends,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;that is a personal matter
+altogether. I have made the best terms that I can for you, and I have
+done what I judge right for myself; knowing that the only way of
+dealing with his Majesty is to throw myself upon his magnanimity.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The old Englishman wiped away a tear from his eye. &quot;I am sorry to
+say, Sir,&quot; he rejoined, &quot;that I cannot even mention such favourable
+terms as those. On condition of your immediately laying down your
+arms, the Chevalier d'Evran, in the name of the King, offers the
+following:--Permission for every one not absolutely a subject of
+France to leave the country unmolested. Free pardon to all but the
+actual leaders of the revolt, specified in the following list. They
+must unconditionally surrender to the King's pleasure, and trust to
+his mercy.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The list apparently contained about fifty names; at the head of which
+stood that of the Count of Morseiul. The Count looked round upon the
+Protestant gentlemen by whom he was surrounded. On all their
+countenances but one or two there was awe, but not fear. As the only
+reply needful, the Marquis du Bar laid his finger upon the hilt of his
+sword, and the Count turning to Sir Thomas Cecil, said, &quot;You perceive,
+Sir, that it is utterly impossible we can accede to this demand. I
+know not whether it has been made under any mistaken impression; but
+when I offered what I did offer through you to the Chevalier d'Evran,
+I was just as certain that we should be reduced to the situation in
+which we are at present as I am now--nay, expected it to be worse than
+it is. We can but die, Sir; and I have not the slightest objection to
+lead you round the preparations which I have made for resisting to the
+last; so that if our blood must be shed, and the Chevalier is
+determined to sacrifice the lives of a large body of our royal
+master's troops, he may be satisfied that he cannot carry this
+position without the loss of two or three thousand men.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is not necessary, Count. It is not necessary,&quot; replied the old
+officer. &quot;The Chevalier has no choice; the terms are dictated by
+higher authority; and all that he can do farther than signify those
+terms to you is to grant you five hours to consider of them. If you
+like to accept a truce for that time you may take it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count was not a little surprised at this indulgence, but he took
+care to express none; and accepting the truce willingly, suffered the
+old officer to depart. One or two of the young French officers, whom
+he had known in the army, wrung his hand as they went away, and
+besought him, with kindly feelings, to think well of what he was
+about. One of them, however, ere he went, whispered a more important
+word in his ear.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;There are ships out at sea,&quot; he said. &quot;You and the other leaders may
+get off before the five hours are out.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count took no notice, but wished him Good-by; and returning with
+Monsieur du Bar and the rest of the officers, he held a brief
+consultation with them in the saloon of the little inn.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Had we more boats,&quot; he said, &quot;the matter would be easily managed. But
+there are but two on the shore, which will not carry out above twenty
+of us. However, my good friends, it becomes necessary to take some
+prompt resolution. I have begun to be somewhat doubtful to-day of Le
+Luc, who commands in the fort. He has sent me no answer to my note of
+last night, and though I do not believe that he would be so great a
+scoundrel, after all his promises, as to turn against us, yet I must
+ascertain decidedly what are his intentions; for he might sink the
+boats as they passed under his guns. If he be still friendly to us,
+and willing really to aid us, we are safe, for while the soldiery lay
+down their arms and surrender upon promise of free pardon, you,
+gentlemen, who all of you, I find, are upon this long list of
+proscription, can march along the causeway into the fort, and embark
+in the ships that lie out there. If, on the contrary, we find him a
+traitor, we must make the boats hold as many as they will, and take
+the chance of the scoundrel firing upon them. I shall only claim to
+have one place reserved in one of the boats.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Two,&quot; said du Bar; &quot;surely two, Morseiul. Did I not see a lady?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is for her I speak,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Du Bar, in pity do not
+urge me in matters where my resolution is taken. I have pangs and
+agony at my heart sufficient at this moment, believe me, to be spared
+that of refusing a friend.--Now then, gentlemen,&quot; he added, after a
+moment's pause, &quot;let five of you accompany me along the causeway which
+must be passable by this time, to speak to Governor Le Luc. If you
+will mount your horses, I will be down with you in an instant,&quot; and he
+went up to take one hurried embrace of her he loved, and to explain to
+her what had happened, and what was proposed, concealing from her, as
+far as he could, the dangers and difficulties of their situation; but
+concealing from her still more carefully his own purpose of
+surrendering at discretion.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">When this was done he went down, and finding the other gentlemen
+ready, sprang upon his horse, without noticing that a multitude of the
+inferior Protestants had gathered round, and seemed to be watching
+them with somewhat suspicious eyes.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The sea had not quite left the causeway dry, except in one or two
+places, and the sands were still quite covered. But the only result of
+this was to force the Count and his train to proceed slowly, and one
+by one, while he himself led the way, the white stone pavement being
+clearly discernible through the thin water.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In the mean time, however, the Protestants who had been gazing at him
+as he mounted, gathered into knots together, and seemed to be speaking
+hastily and discontentedly. Some of the inferior officers joined them,
+and a great deal of tumult and talking ensued, which called out
+several of the gentlemen of the party to remonstrate. But remonstrance
+seemed in vain, and the crowd soon after trooped away out of the
+little open space where they had assembled, in the direction of the
+corps de garde, where the small battery of cannon was placed. Various
+broken sentences, however, were heard from time to time, such as, &quot;I
+would hardly have believed it. To take care of themselves, and leave
+us to perish. I always said, we should be made the sacrifice. Better
+be a Catholic and at peace, than that.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ride after the Count and tell him what is going on,&quot; said one of the
+gentlemen to another, &quot;while I go to our good minister, Monsieur
+Vigni, and get him to reason with them. You see they are mistaking the
+matter altogether, and think that we are going to abandon them. Make
+haste, or it will be too late.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The suggestion was instantly followed; but ere the officer could get
+his horse and ride down to the sea shore, the Count and his party were
+nearly at the fort, and to them we must now turn.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The progress of the young general of the Huguenots had been slower
+than it might have been, not only on account of the causeway being
+partially covered with water, but also because the stone, with which
+it was composed, had in some places been broken up or carried away. He
+at length reached, however, the fortified head of the causeway at the
+foot of the rock, and then demanded admission to speak with the
+governor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">This was refused him; but as such might naturally be the case, his
+suspicions were but little increased by that event. He, however,
+directed the officer in command immediately to send up and inform the
+governor Le Luc of his being there, and of his desire to speak with
+him.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">After keeping him some time, the officer returned, saying, &quot;that
+Monsieur le Luc would come down himself to speak with the Count,&quot; and
+during the period that the Protestant leaders were thus occupied in
+waiting for the appearance of the governor, the Protestant officer
+arrived from the village, bringing news that the soldiery which had
+been left behind were in a state of actual mutiny, having entirely
+mistaken the object of the Count and his companions, and imagined that
+they were engaged in seeking their own safety, leaving the soldiers to
+meet whatever fate might befall them.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;In the name of Heaven, ride back, Du Bar,&quot; said the Count, &quot;and quiet
+them till I return. It is better for me to stay and speak to this
+worthy gentleman, who seems to be showing us a cold face, as you know
+he owes every thing to my house. I will return instantly, as soon as
+he condescends to favour us with his presence.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Du Bar did not reply, but turned his horse, for they were still kept
+on the outside even of the causeway head, and rode back as fast as he
+could go, accompanied by one of the other officers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count remained, growing more and more impatient every moment; and
+the governor, perhaps thinking that he would get tired of waiting, and
+retire without an answer, kept him nearly half an hour before he made
+his appearance. He then came down with that dull and dogged look,
+which generally accompanies the purpose of disgraceful actions; and
+the Count, restraining his indignation, called to him to cause the
+drawbridge to be lowered, in order that he might speak to him more
+privately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;No, indeed,&quot; replied the governor, with a scoff; &quot;with the little
+force I have in here, I shall not think of causing the drawbridge to
+be lowered, when I know that the village is occupied by a large party
+of armed traitors.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Traitors!&quot; exclaimed the Count; but again overcoming his anger, he
+added, in a cooler tone, &quot;Monsieur le Luc, up to this moment I have
+believed you to be of the reformed church.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I am so no longer,&quot; muttered the governor.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Well, Sir,&quot; continued the Count, &quot;there are other things which may
+have influence upon men of honour and good feeling besides their
+religion. There is at the village, as you say, a large party of
+Protestant gentlemen, assembled in defence of their liberty and
+freedom of conscience: they find themselves unable to resist the power
+of those that would oppress them; terms are proposed for extending a
+free pardon to all but some thirty or forty; those thirty or forty are
+desirous of obtaining shelter in this fortress for one or two hours at
+the utmost, till they can embark in those ships, which are waiting for
+the rising of the tide. Now, Monsieur le Luc, my father gave you the
+first commission that you held under the crown. He obtained for you
+your first promotion, and I bestowed upon you the post in this
+fortress which you now hold. Will you, Sir, grant us the shelter that
+we demand at your hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Very pretty,&quot; replied Le Luc, &quot;to talk of honour, and ask me to
+betray the trust that the King reposes in me.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Still the Count kept his temper. &quot;You refuse, then?&quot; he demanded.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yes, that I do,&quot; answered the governor in a rude tone; &quot;and the
+sooner you take yourself back to the land the better, for I am in no
+humour to be trifled with.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">It was with difficulty that the Count restrained himself; but there
+was one chance more, and he tried it.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Yet another word, my good friend,&quot; he said. &quot;There is a matter in
+which you can favour us without endangering your own safety, or
+getting into discredit with the government. If we attempt to pass to
+the ships in what boats we can find, will you pledge me your word that
+you do not fire into them?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;If you do not make haste away from the gates of this fortress,&quot;
+replied the governor, who saw, by the quivering of the Count's lip the
+contempt that he could not help feeling, &quot;I will fire upon you where
+you are, and will sink the boat of every traitor that comes within
+shot.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sir,&quot; said the Count, &quot;you are a dastardly, pitiful, contemptible
+scoundrel. It is only happy for you that the drawbridge is between us,
+or I would treat you like an ill-conditioned hound, and lash you
+within an inch of your life under my horse's feet.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You shall hear more, traitor; you shall hear more in a minute,&quot;
+replied the governor. &quot;And mind I tell you, the faster you go the
+better for you.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, he turned away, and mounted the zigzag staircase in the
+rock with a rapid step. The Count paused, and turned his horse; but at
+that very moment he saw a party of horsemen at the other end of the
+causeway apparently coming towards him with great speed, part of them
+upon the sands, which by this time had been left dry, part of them
+following the road in the midst.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It is Du Bar and the rest,&quot; said he, in a low voice, to one of the
+gentlemen near him. &quot;I have a very great mind to stay here, and try to
+punish that fellow for his insolence. I could swim that little bit of
+sea in a moment, and the drawbridge once in our possession, the castle
+would be ours.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Count, Count,&quot; shouted the officer of the guard from the
+fortress-side of the drawbridge &quot;for God's sake make haste and ride
+back. I hear that governor of ours giving orders for charging the
+cannon with grape. He will fire upon you as sure as I am alive, for he
+sent word to the Chevalier d'Evran last night that he would do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I thank you, Sir, for your courtesy,&quot; replied the Count calmly.
+&quot;Under these circumstances, my friends, it is better for us to so
+back.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The other officers put their horses into a quick pace, and they rode
+on; but they had scarcely gone a hundred yards when the cannon of the
+castle opened a fire of grape upon them. The shot, however, flew over
+their heads, as they were too near the walls to be easily hit, except
+from the drawbridge, where the Count could see preparations being made
+for following up the same course. At the same moment, however, he
+pulled up his horse, exclaiming, &quot;Good God, that is not the Marquis du
+Bar: it is the Chevalier d'Evran!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The officers who were with him paused also, and to their surprise, and
+somewhat to their consternation, perceived that, shut in as they were
+by the sea on two sides, and by the fortress on another, the only open
+ground before them was occupied by the Commander-in-chief of the
+royalist forces, with a numerous staff, and a small escort of cavalry.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have nothing for it, my friends,&quot; said the Count de Morseiul in a
+low, calm tone, &quot;but to surrender; it is evident our men have
+capitulated in the village. Let us ride on and meet them.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying he spurred on his horse, while the Chevalier d'Evran
+galloped forward on his side, waving his hat, and shaking his clenched
+fist towards the people on the walls of the fort. They either did not
+recognise him, however, or did not choose to obey his commands; and
+before he and the Count de Morseiul met, a second discharge of
+grape-shot took place from the cannon of the castle. At the same
+moment the Count de Morseiul beheld the Chevalier d'Evran suddenly
+check up his horse, press his hand upon his side, and fall headlong to
+the ground, while one of the horses of the Count's party was killed
+upon the spot, and an officer of the Chevalier's staff fell wounded,
+but rose up again immediately.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count galloped eagerly on to the spot where he had seen the
+Chevalier d'Evran fall, and the memory of long friendship came
+painfully back upon his heart. Before he had reached the group of
+soldiers and officers, however, five or six men had raised the
+unfortunate commander from the ground, and were bearing him rapidly
+back towards the village. So eagerly were those who remained
+conversing together, and so fully occupied with their own thoughts,
+that the Count de Morseiul might, to all appearance, have passed by
+them without opposition or inquiry; but he himself drew in his rein,
+demanding, &quot;Is he much hurt?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas! Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; replied the officer, who seemed to be
+next in command, &quot;he is dead! Killed on the spot by that infernal
+shot! and a nobler gentleman, or better soldier, never lived. But some
+of your own people are killed also; are they not?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One of the horses only, I believe,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Pray, may I
+ask how all this has happened?--Poor Louis!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ride on, ride on, Charliot,&quot; said the officer, speaking to one of his
+own men before he answered the Count, &quot;that scoundrel will fire upon
+us again. Tell him I will hang him over the drawbridge if he fires
+another shot Monsieur de Morseiul, I will explain all this as we ride
+back, for you will have but little time to make your arrangements.
+Scarcely half an hour ago as Monsieur d'Evran and the rest of us were
+reconnoitring pretty close to your camp, a party of your men came out
+and offered to capitulate on certain terms, which the Chevalier
+instantly agreed to, and they gave us possession of the gate and the
+corps de garde. Just at that moment, however, came up Monsieur du Bar,
+who remonstrated somewhat angrily with the Chevalier on signing a
+capitulation with the men, when he had given the officers a truce of
+five hours to consider of his terms. He represented that in those five
+hours all the gentlemen named in the proscribed list might have made
+their escape. On that the Chevalier replied, that he intended to take
+no advantage; that the truce should be held to exist notwithstanding
+the capitulation; and that every gentleman on that list might act
+exactly as he pleased, without any one trying to impede him. He could
+not suffer them, of course, to pass through our camp; but if they
+could escape by sea they might. He said, however, that he wished to
+speak with this Le Luc, and that he would take the liberty of riding
+down through the village. Du Bar then asked if he intended to bid Le
+Luc fire on the boats or ships. He answered quite the contrary; that
+his only intention was to supersede him in his command, and put an
+officer in his place who would keep the truce to the letter. You have,
+therefore, yet four hours nearly, to do what you will in, Monsieur de
+Morseiul; for I, of course, taking the Chevalier's command, shall
+maintain all his arrangements, and act in their full spirit.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count had listened sadly and attentively, and when the royalist
+officer had done speaking, he replied that by his leave he would ride
+on as fast as possible to the village, and consult with his
+companions.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Do so! do so!&quot; answered the other; &quot;and now I think of it, I had
+better go on to the fort, and put the Chevelier's intentions in
+execution. For this firing upon you may be considered already a breach
+of the truce. I shall find you on my return; and at the little auberge
+you will meet with an English gentleman most anxious to speak with
+you.&quot; Thus saying, he turned again towards the fort, and the Count,
+with a sad heart, rode back to the village.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_14" href="#div3Ref_14">THE BITTER PARTING.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">Just at the entrance of the village, the Count met with his companion
+Du Bar.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Have you heard all?&quot; demanded that officer. &quot;What is to be done?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Get the boats ready with all speed,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;The tide
+will turn within half an hour, the ships will be able to come farther
+in. Twenty or thirty persons may get off in the first boats, which
+must come back again for a second freight. I see clearly, my friend,
+that there is no intention of dealing harshly with us. All the
+officers wish us to escape, and there will be no more firing from the
+castle. I must leave the embarkation, and all that, to you, Du Bar,
+for I have things to go through that will try my heart to the utmost.
+I must have a few minutes to make up my mind to parting with my
+friends and companions, and all that I love on earth, forever.--Du
+Bar,&quot; he continued, while the other wrung his hand affectionately,
+&quot;there will be a young lady who will accompany you, and that girl, the
+daughter of poor Virlay. You have a wife and children yourself, whom
+you love, I know, fondly and devotedly. They are in safety, you told
+me, on those opposite shores which I shall never see. But let me
+beseech you,--by the memory of these dark and terrible days, when the
+hand that now presses yours is laid in the dust, as I know too well
+must soon be the case,--let me beseech you, I say, to give every aid
+and assistance to those two that I now commit to your charge. Be to
+the one as a brother, Du Bar, and to the other as a father. I know you
+to be honest and true as you are brave and wise; and I shall lay my
+head upon the block with more peace at my heart, if you promise me
+that which I now ask.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I do, I do,&quot; replied the Marquis, with the tears standing in his
+eyes. &quot;I do promise you, from my heart, and I would fain persuade you
+even now to consider----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the Count waved his hand and rode on.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a considerable crowd round the entrance of the little inn,
+and he had some difficulty in making his way in. At the door of the
+room where he had fixed his own quarters, he found two or three of the
+royalist soldiers; but, passing by them, he entered the room, when a
+sight met his eye which might well chill and wring his heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The room was nearly empty, but stretched upon the long table, which
+occupied the midst, was the fine noble form of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+now still in death. Standing near the head of the body, was the old
+English officer, Sir Thomas Cecil, with an air of deep stern grief
+upon his fine and striking countenance. His hat was off, showing his
+white hair, his arms were crossed upon his chest, his head was erect
+as ever, and nothing like a tear was in his eye: but there was no
+mistaking the expression of his countenance. It was that of intense
+sorrow. But on the other side of the table grief was displaying itself
+in a different manner, and in a different form. For there knelt
+Clémence de Marly, with her beautiful head bent down over the dead
+body; her hair, fallen from its bindings, scattered wildly, partly
+over her own shoulders, partly over the breast of the Chevalier; her
+left hand clasping that of the dead man, her eyes and face buried on
+his bosom, while the convulsing sobs that shook her whole frame, told
+how bitterly she was weeping.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count paused with a look of deep sadness: but there was no anger
+or jealousy in his countenance. The old English officer, however, as
+soon as he perceived him, hurried forward, and took both his hands,
+saying, in a low and solemn voice, &quot;You must let her weep, Count, you
+must let her weep! It is her brother!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I have been sure of it for several days,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;She
+told me not, but I knew it from what she did tell me. This day of
+agony, however, Sir, is not yet over. I must disturb her grief but to
+waken her to more. You know the short time that is allowed for flight.
+You know the fate that would await her here if she were to remain in
+this country as what is called a relapsed heretic, by the cruel
+persecutors of this land. Within two hours from this time, my good
+Sir, she must take her departure for ever. The boats will be ready,
+and not a moment must be lost; and in those two short hours she must
+part with one who loves her as well as ever woman yet was loved, with
+one who truly believes she loves him as well as woman's heart can
+love--and who shall say where is the boundary of that boundless
+affection? She must part with him, Sir, for ever, and with her native
+land.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;This is not her native land,&quot; replied the old officer. &quot;The lady
+Clémence Cecil, Sir, is an English woman. But in one respect you say
+true. My poor niece must go, for I have experienced in my own person,
+as you know, now daring is the injustice of arbitrary power in this
+land, in the prisons of which, I, an English subject, have been
+detained for more than a year and a half, till our own papistical and
+despotic King chose to apply to your despot for my liberation, and for
+the restoration of my brother's children. She must leave this land
+indeed. But your words imply that you must stay behind. Tell me, tell
+me, my noble friend, is this absolutely necessary, in honour and in
+conscience?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count grasped his hand, and pointed to the dead body. &quot;I promised
+him,&quot; he said, &quot;who lies there, that I would surrender myself to the
+King's pleasure. I have every reason to believe, that, in
+consideration of that promise, he dealt as favourably with us as he
+was permitted; that he even went beyond the strict line of his duty to
+give us some facilities of escape; and I must hold my promise to the
+dead as well as if he were here to claim it.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God forbid,&quot; said Sir Thomas Cecil, &quot;that I should say one word
+against it, terrible as is your determination--for you must well know
+the fate that awaits you. It seems to me that there was only that one
+act wanting, to make you all that our poor Clémence ought to love on
+earth, at the very moment she is to lose you for ever. See, she is
+raising her head. Speak to her, my friend, speak to her!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count advanced and threw his arms round her. He knew that the
+grief which she felt was one that words could do nothing to mitigate,
+and the only consolation that he offered was thus by pressing her
+fondly to his heart, as if to express that there was love and
+tenderness yet left for her on earth. Clémence rose and wiped; way her
+tears, for she felt he might think that some doubt of his affection
+mingled with her grief for her brother, if she suffered it to fall
+into excess.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Oh, Albert,&quot; she said, &quot;this is very terrible. I have but you
+now----&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A hesitation came over the Count de Morseiul as she spoke those words,
+gazing tenderly and confidingly upon him: a hesitation, as to whether
+he should at once tell her his determination, or not let her know that
+he was about to remain behind, till she was absolutely in the boat
+destined to bear her away. It was a terrible question that he thus put
+to his own heart. But he thought it would be cruel not to tell her,
+however dreadful might be the struggle to witness and to share.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Alas, Clémence,&quot; he replied, &quot;I must soon trust you, for a time at
+least, to other guidance, to other protection than my own. The boats
+are preparing to carry off a certain number of our friends to England.
+You must go in one of them, Clémence, and that immediately. Your noble
+uncle here, for such I understand he is, Sir Thomas Cecil, will
+protect you I know, and be a father to you. The Marquis du Bar, too,
+one of the noblest of men, will be to you, as a brother.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence replied not, but gazed with a look of deep, earnest,
+imploring inquiry in the countenance of her lover, and after a moment
+he answered that look by adding, &quot;I have given my promise, Clémence,
+to remain behind!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;To death, to death!&quot; cried Clémence, casting herself upon his bosom,
+and weeping bitterly, &quot;you are remaining to die. I know it, I know it,
+and I will never quit you!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count kissed her tenderly, and pressed her to his heart; but he
+suffered not his resolution to be shaken. &quot;Listen to me, my Clémence,&quot;
+he said. &quot;What may be my fate I know not: but I trust in God's mercy,
+and in my own uprightness of intentions. But think, Clémence, only
+think, dear Clémence, how terrible would be my feelings, how tenfold
+deep and agonising would be all that I may have to suffer, if I knew
+that, not only I myself was in danger, but that you also were in still
+greater peril. If I knew that you were in imprisonment, that the
+having followed the dictates of your conscience was imputed to you as
+a crime; that you were to be tormented by the agony of trial, before a
+tyrannical tribunal, and doomed to torture, to cruel death, or to
+eternal imprisonment. Conceive, Clémence, conceive how my heart would
+be wrung under such circumstances. Conceive how to every pang that I
+may otherwise suffer would be added the infinite weight of grief, and
+indignation, and suspense on your account. Conceive all this, and
+then, oh Clémence, be merciful, be kind, and give me the blessing of
+seeing you depart in safety, as a consolation and a support under all
+that I may have myself to suffer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence wept bitterly upon his bosom, and the Count soothed her by
+every endearing and tender word. At length, she suddenly raised her
+head, as if some new idea had struck her, and she exclaimed, &quot;I will
+go, Albert. I will go upon one condition, without torturing you more
+by opposition.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is that condition, dear Clémence?&quot; demanded the Count, gazing on
+her face, which was glowing warmly even through her tears. &quot;What is
+that condition, dearest Clémence?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence hid her face again upon his breast, and answered, &quot;It is,
+that I may become your wife before I quit this shore. We have
+Protestant ministers here; the ceremony can be easily performed. My
+uncle, I know, will offer no opposition; and I would fain bear the
+name of one so noble and so beloved, to another land, and to the
+grave, which may, perhaps, soon reunite us.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count's heart was wrung, but he replied, &quot;Oh, beloved Clémence,
+why, why propose that which must not--which cannot be; why propose
+that which, though so tempting to every feeling of my heart, would
+cover me with well-deserved shame if I yielded to it?--Think, think
+Clémence, what would deservedly be said of me if I were to consent--if
+I were to allow you to become my wife; to part with you at the altar,
+and perhaps by my death as a condemned criminal, to leave you an
+unprotected widow within a few days.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence clasped her hands, vehemently exclaiming, &quot;So help me Heaven
+as I would rather be the widow of Albert of Morseiul, than the wife of
+any other man that ever lived on earth!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Sir Thomas Cecil, however, interposed. &quot;Clémence,&quot; he said, &quot;your
+lover is right: but he will not use arguments to persuade you that I
+may use. This is a severe and bitter trial. The Almighty only knows
+how it will terminate: but, my dear child, remember that this is no
+ordinary man you love. Let his character be complete to the last! Do
+not--do not, by any solicitation of your's, Clémence, take the least
+brightness from his bright example. Let him go on, my child, to do
+what he believes his duty at all risks, and through all sacrifices.
+Let there not be one selfish spot from the beginning to the end for
+man to point at; and the Almighty will protect and reward him to whom
+he has given power to act uprightly to the last;--if not in this
+world, in another he will be blest, Clémence, and to that other we
+must turn our hopes of happiness, for here it is God's will that we
+should have tribulation.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Clémence clasped her hands, and bent down her eyes to the ground. For
+several minutes she remained as if in deep thought, and then said, in
+a low but a firmer voice, &quot;Albert, I yield; and knowing from what is
+in my own heart, how dreadful this moment must be to you, I will not
+render it more dreadful by asking you any thing more that you must
+refuse. I will endeavour to be as calm as I can, Albert;--but weep I
+must. Perhaps,&quot; she added, with a faint, faint smile upon her lips, &quot;I
+might weep less if there were no hope; if it were all despair: but I
+see a glimmering for exertion on my part, if not exactly for hope; and
+that exertion may certainly be better made in another land than if I
+were to remain here:--and now for the pain of departure. That must be
+undergone, and I am ready to undergo it rather at once than when I
+have forgotten my faint resolution. Do you go with me?&quot; she continued,
+turning to her uncle; &quot;if it be needful that you stay, I fear not to
+go alone.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Sir Thomas Cecil, however, replied that he was ready to accompany her.
+Her maid, Maria, was warned to prepare with all speed; and ere a few
+more sentences were spoken on either part, the Marquis du Bar came to
+inform the Count, that the boats were afloat, and the vessels standing
+in, as far as they could into the bay. The Huguenot gentlemen
+mentioned in the list of proscription were already on the shore, and
+not a little eager to be in the first boats to put off. The soldiery
+were drawn up under arms to await the expiration of the truce; and as
+the Count and Sir Thomas Cecil led down Clémence, weeping bitterly, to
+the sands, a murmur of sympathy and compassion ran through the crowd,
+and through the ranks of the soldiery, and the gentlemen drew back to
+give her the first place in the boats. Before they reached the edge,
+however, the Count, whose eye had been raised for a moment to the
+vessels, pointed towards them with a smile of satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Gentlemen,&quot; he said, looking round, &quot;I am happy to see that you will
+all be able to get off without risk. Do you not perceive they are
+sending off their boats for you? Clémence,&quot; he said, in a lower voice,
+&quot;will you go at once, or will you wait till the other boats arrive,
+and all go together?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Let me wait--let me wait,&quot; said Clémence, in the same low tone.
+&quot;Every moment that my hand touches yours is a treasure.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The other boats came in rapidly with the returning tide; and as soon
+as their keels touched the sand, and a few words had been spoken to
+ascertain that all was right and understood, the Count turned and
+said,--</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Now, gentlemen.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There were some twenty or thirty yards of shallow water between the
+sands and the boats, and Albert of Morseiul raised Clémence in his
+arms, and carried her to the edge of the first. Neither of them spoke
+a word; but as leaning over, he placed her in the boat, she felt his
+arms clasp more tightly round her, and his lips were pressed upon
+hers.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;The Almighty bless thee!&quot; and &quot;God protect and deliver you!&quot; was all
+that was said on either side; and the Count turned back to the shore.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">One by one the different officers advanced to him in silence, and
+grasped his hand before they proceeded to the boats. When they were
+all in, and the boats began to push off, the Count pulled off his hat,
+and stood bareheaded, looking up to Heaven. But at that moment a loud
+shout burst from the soldiery, of &quot;The Count, the Count, they have
+forgotten the Count!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">But the Count of Morseiul turned round towards them, and said aloud,
+in his usual calm, firm tone: &quot;They have not forgotten me, my friends.
+It was you that were mistaken when you thought that I had forgotten
+you. I remain to meet my fate, whatever it may be.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">A number of men in the ranks instantly threw down their muskets, and
+rushing forward, clasped his knees, beseeching him to go. But he waved
+his hand, saying gently, &quot;It is in vain, my friends! My determination
+has been taken for many days. Go back to your ranks, my good fellows,
+go back to your ranks! I will but see the boats safe, and then join
+you, to surrender the village and lay down our arms.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count then turned again to the sea, and watched the four boats row
+onward from the shore. They reached the vessels in safety in a few
+minutes; in a few minutes more the boats belonging to the village
+began to row back empty. After a little pause some more canvass was
+seen displayed upon the yards of the vessels. They began to move; they
+sailed out of the harbour; and, after gazing down upon the sand
+fixedly and intently while one might count a hundred, the Count of
+Morseiul, feeling himself solitary, turned, gave the word of command,
+and marched the men back into the village. He entered immediately into
+the room where the Chevalier d'Evran lay, and although by this time
+all the principal officers of the royalist force were there, with
+several other persons, amongst whom was his own servant Riquet, he
+walked silently up to the head of the corpse, and gazed for several
+minutes on the dead man's face. Then lifting the cold hand, he pressed
+it affectionately in his.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;God receive thee, Louis! God receive thee!&quot; he said, and his eyes
+filled with the first tears that they had shed that day.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I see no use now, Sir,&quot; he continued, turning to the officer who had
+taken the command of the royal forces, &quot;I see no use of delaying any
+longer the surrender of the village. I am ready in person to give it
+up to you this moment, and also to surrender my sword. The only favour
+I have to ask is, that you will make it known to his Majesty that I
+had no share in the event by which my unhappy friend here fell. The
+shot which slew him was intended for me, as you are doubtless aware.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Perfectly,&quot; replied the commander; &quot;and I have already sent off a
+despatch to the King, giving him an account of the events of this
+morning; and I myself, joined with all the officers here present, have
+not failed to testify our sense of the noble, upright, and
+disinterested conduct of the Count of Morseiul. I would fain speak
+with him a word alone, however,&quot; and he drew him aside to the window.
+&quot;Count,&quot; he said, &quot;I shall not demand your sword, nor in any way
+affect your liberty, if you will promise to go to Paris immediately,
+and surrender yourself there. If you would take my advice, you would
+go at once to the King, and cast yourself at his feet. Ask for no
+audience, but seek admission to him at some public moment If fortune
+favours you, which I trust it will, you may have an opportunity of
+explaining to his Majesty many things that have probably been
+misrepresented.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I shall certainly follow your advice,&quot; said the Count, &quot;since you put
+it in my power to do so.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Ah, gentlemen,&quot; cried Riquet, who had been listening unperceived to
+all they said. &quot;If the poor Chevalier had lived, the Count would have
+been quite safe, for he had the means of proving that the Count saved
+the King's life not long ago, of which his Majesty knows nothing. I
+heard the man Herval make his confession to the Chevalier with my own
+ears; but he could not take it down, for the man died before pen and
+ink could do their work.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;That is unfortunate, indeed,&quot; said the commander; &quot;but still you can
+give your testimony of the facts, my good friend.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Bless you, Sir,&quot; replied Riquet, &quot;they will never believe any thing I
+can say.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I fear not, indeed,&quot; replied the Count. &quot;Besides, Sir, my good friend
+Riquet, if he went to Paris, would have so much to confess on his own
+account, that they would not mind what he said in regard to the
+confessions of others.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Unfortunately, too,&quot; said the commander, &quot;all the papers of
+Hatréaumont, if I remember right, were ordered to be burnt by the
+common hangman. Such was the sentence of the court, I know, and it
+must have been executed long ago. However, Count, the plan that I have
+proposed is still the best. Speed to Paris with what haste you may;
+cast yourself upon the King's mercy; tell him all and every thing, if
+he will permit you to do so, and engage all your friends to support
+your cause at the same moment. Take your way at once into Brittany,&quot;
+he added, dropping his voice, &quot;and from thence to Paris; for I very
+much fear that the result would be fatal if you were to fall into the
+hands of the intendant of Poitou. He is exasperated to the highest
+degree. You have surrendered at discretion, taken with arms in your
+hand. He has already broken on the wheel two or three under the same
+circumstances; and I dare not deal with him in the same way that the
+Chevalier d'Evran did, for I have not sufficient power.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count thanked him for his advice, and followed it; and, as we must
+not pause upon such circumstances as the surrender of the village, we
+shall let that event be supposed to have taken place; and in our next
+chapter shall, if possible, pursue this sad history to its conclusion.</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3><a name="div3_15" href="#div3Ref_15">THE END.</a></h3>
+<br>
+
+<p class="normal">It was in the great reception room at Versailles, an hour after the
+King had held the council, which failed not to meet every day. His
+mood was neither more nor less severe than ordinary; for if, on the
+one hand, events had taken place which had given him pleasure, other
+events had reached his ears from the south of France, which showed
+him, notwithstanding all Louvois's efforts to conceal the extent of
+the evil, that serious disturbances in the Cevennes, and other parts
+of France, near the mouth of the Rhone, were likely to follow the
+measures which had been adopted against the Protestants.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louvois himself was present, and in no very placable mood, the King
+having replied to him more than once during the morning haughtily and
+angrily, and repressed the insolence by which his demeanour was
+sometimes characterised, with that severe dignity which the minister
+was very willing to see exercised towards any one but himself.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louis, who was dressed in the most sumptuous manner, held in his hand
+a roll of papers, which had been given him just before his entrance
+into the chamber; but he did not read them, and merely turned them
+round and round from time to time, as if he were handling a truncheon.
+Many eyes were fixed upon him, and various were the hopes and fears
+which the aspect of that one man created in the breasts of those who
+surrounded him. All, however, were silent at that moment, for an event
+was about to take place highly flattering to the pride of the
+ostentatious King of France, and the eyes of all were fixed upon the
+doors at the end of the hall.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">At length they opened, and a fine looking middle-aged man, dressed in
+a robe of red velvet, followed by four others in black velvet, was led
+into the apartment and approached the King. He bowed low and
+reverently, and then addressed the French sovereign without
+embarrassment, and with apparent ease, assuring the monarch in vague,
+but still flattering terms, that the republic of Genoa, of which he
+was Doge, had entertained nothing, throughout the course of events
+lately passed, but profound respect for the crown of France.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Somewhat to the left of the King, amongst the multitude of French
+princes and officers, appeared one or two groups, consisting of the
+ambassadors from different barbaric nations; and, while the Doge of
+Genoa spoke, offering excuses for the conduct of the state he ruled,
+the eye of Louis glanced from time to time to the Indian envoys in
+their gorgeous apparel, as they eagerly asked questions of their
+interpreter, and were told that it was the prince of an independent
+state come to humble himself before the mighty monarch that he had
+offended. When the audience of the Doge of Genoa was over, and he
+withdrew, a multitude of the courtiers followed, so that the audience
+hall was nearly clear, and the King paused for a moment, talking over
+the Doge's demeanour to those who surrounded him, and apparently about
+to retire immediately. He had taken a step forward, indeed, to do so,
+when the Prince de Marsillac, who certainly dared to press the King
+upon disagreeable subjects, when no one else would run the risk,
+advanced, and, bowing low, pointed to the papers in the King's hand.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I ventured, Sire,&quot; he said, &quot;before your Majesty came here, to
+present to you those papers which you promised to look at.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King's brow instantly darkened. &quot;I see at once, Prince,&quot; he said,
+&quot;that they refer to the Count of Morseiul, a rebel, as I am informed,
+taken with arms in his hand, in regard to whom the laws of the land
+must have their course.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Prince was somewhat abashed, and hesitated; but another gentleman
+stepped forward with stern and somewhat harsh features, but with a
+noble air and look that bespoke fearless sincerity.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is it, Montausier?&quot; said the King, sharply addressing that
+celebrated nobleman, who is supposed to have been represented by
+Molière under the character of the misanthrope.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Merely to say, Sire,&quot; replied the Duke in a firm, strong tone of
+voice, &quot;that some one has falsified the truth to your Majesty. My
+nephew, in command of the troops to whom the Count surrendered,
+informs me that he was not taken with arms in his hand, as you have
+said; but, on the contrary, (and here lies a great difference,)
+surrendered voluntarily, when, according to the truce of five hours
+granted to the Huguenots by the Chevalier d'Evran, he had every
+opportunity of escaping to England had he so pleased, as all the rest
+of the leaders on that occasion did.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How is this, Sir?&quot; demanded the King, turning to Louvois. &quot;I speak
+from your statements, and I hope you have not made me speak falsely.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sire,&quot; replied Louvois, with a look of effrontery, &quot;I have just heard
+that what the Duke says is the case; but I judged that all such points
+could naturally be investigated at the Count's trial.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King seemed struck with this observation; but Montausier instantly
+replied--&quot;Monsieur de Louvois, if his Majesty will permit me to tell
+you so, you have been, for the first time in your life, sadly tardy in
+receiving information; for my nephew informs me that he gave you
+intelligence of this fact no less than three days ago; and, in the
+next place, you are very well aware of what you have not thought fit
+to say, that by investigating such things at a trial, you would
+directly frustrate the express object for which the Count de Morseiul
+surrendered himself when he might have escaped, which was to cast
+himself at the King's feet, and explain to him the strange and
+extraordinary misconception by which he was cast into rebellion, and
+to prove that as soon as ever he discovered the mistake which had been
+committed, he had expressed himself ready to surrender, and trust to
+the King's clemency, which is as great a quality as his justice.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louvois's face had grown fiery red. &quot;Expressed his readiness to
+surrender!&quot; cried he with a scoff. &quot;Did he not fight two battles after
+that?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;How, Sir?&quot; exclaimed the King. &quot;I had understood from you that no
+battles had been fought at all. Mere skirmishes you said--affairs of
+posts--that the insurrection was nothing but the revolt of a few
+peasants.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louvois stammered forth some excuse about the numbers being
+insignificant, and the whole business crushed within nine days after
+the Chevalier d'Evran took the command; but the King turned away
+angrily, saying, &quot;Monsieur de Louvois, no more interruption. I find in
+my middle age, as I found in my youth, that a king must see with his
+own eyes. Now, Marsillac, what is it you wish? What is it you desire
+of me, Montausier?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;For my part, Sire,&quot; replied the Prince de Marsillac, &quot;I only desire
+that your Majesty should run your eyes over those papers. They are
+very brief, and to the point; and every fact that is therein stated I
+can assure you can be proved on indisputable authority.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And I,&quot; said the Duke of Montausier, &quot;have only to beg that your
+Majesty would see and hear the Count of Morseiul. From him, as every
+man here present knows, you will hear the pure and simple truth, which
+is a thing that happens to your Majesty perhaps once in five or six
+years, and will do you good.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King smiled, and turned his eyes upon the papers; and when he had
+read them nearly through, he smiled again, even more gaily than
+before.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;It turns out, gentlemen,&quot; he said, &quot;that an affair has happened to me
+which I fancy happens to us all more than once in our lives. I have
+been completely cheated by a valet. I remember giving the villain the
+paper well, out of which it seems he manufactured a free pardon for
+his master. At all events, this frees the Count from the charge of
+base ingratitude which has been heavily urged against him. Your
+statement of his willing surrender, Montausier, greatly diminishes his
+actual and undoubted crime; and as I have complied with the request of
+the Prince de Marsillac, and looked at the papers, I must not refuse
+you yours. Either to-day, if the Count have arrived, or to-morrow, I
+will hear his story from his own lips.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sire,&quot; replied the Duke of Montausier, &quot;I have been daring enough to
+receive him in my apartments.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The cloud came slightly again over Louis's countenance; but though he
+replied with dignified gravity, yet it was not with anger. &quot;You have
+done wrong,&quot; he said; &quot;but since it is so, call him to my presence.
+All you ladies and gentlemen around shall judge if I deal harshly with
+him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was a pretty girl standing not far from the King, and close
+between her own mother and the interpreter of the ambassadors from
+Siam. We have spoken of her before, under the name of Annette de
+Marville; and while she had remained in that spot, her eyes had more
+than once involuntarily filled with tears. She was timid and retiring
+in her nature; and as the Duke of Montausier turned away to obey the
+King, every one was surprised to hear her voice raised sufficiently
+loud to reach even the ear of Louis himself, saying to the
+interpreter, &quot;Tell them that they are now going to see how
+magnanimously the King will pardon one who has offended him.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King looked another way; but it was evident to those who were
+accustomed to watch his countenance, that he connected the words he
+had just heard with the humiliation he had inflicted on the Doge of
+Genoa, and that the contrast struck and pleased him not a little.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">In a very short time, before this impression had at all faded away,
+the door again opened, and the Duke of Montausier re-entered with the
+Count of Morseiul. The latter was pale, but perfectly firm and
+composed. He did not wear his sword, but he carried it sheathed in his
+hand, and advancing directly towards Louis, he bent one knee before
+the King, at the same time laying down the weapon at the monarch's
+feet.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sire,&quot; he said, without rising, &quot;I have brought you a sword, which
+for more than ten years was drawn in every campaign in your Majesty's
+service. It has, unfortunately, been drawn against you; and that it
+has been so, and at the very moment when your Majesty had a right to
+expect gratitude at my hands, is the bitterest recollection of my
+life; so bitter indeed, so horrible, so painful, that the moment I
+discovered the terrible error into which I had been hurried, the
+moment that I discovered that I owed my liberation to your Majesty, I
+instantly determined, whatever might be the result of the events that
+were then taking place, to surrender myself, unconditionally, to your
+Majesty's pleasure, to embrace no means of escape, to reject every
+opportunity of flight; and if your indignation so far overcame your
+mercy as to doom me to death, to submit to it, not alone with courage,
+which every man in your Majesty's service possesses, but with perfect
+resignation to your royal will.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The words, the manner, the action, all pleased the King, and the
+countenance with which he looked upon the young nobleman was by no
+means severe.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You have, I fear, greatly erred, Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; he replied.
+&quot;But still I believe you have been much misled. Is there any favour
+that you have to ask me?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The Count gazed up in the King's face, still kneeling; and every head
+was bent forward, every ear listened eagerly. A momentary pause
+followed, as if there was a great struggle within him; and then he
+answered. &quot;Sire, I will not ask my life of your Majesty;--not from any
+false pride, for I feel and acknowledge that it is yours to give or to
+take,--but because my conduct, however much it might originate in
+mistake, must appear so ungrateful to you that you cannot, at this
+moment, feel I deserve your mercy. The only favour I will ask, then,
+is this: that should I be brought to a trial, which must end, as I
+know, inevitably in my fall, you will read every word of my
+deposition, and I therein promise to give your Majesty a full and true
+account, without the falsification of a single word, of all that has
+taken place in this last lamentable business.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Louvois took a half step forward as if to speak, and not a little
+anxiety was upon his countenance. But, contrary to the general
+impression of those present, all that the Count had said had pleased
+the King; though his latter words had not a little alarmed the
+minister, who knew that truths might be displayed which he was most
+anxious to conceal.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Monsieur de Morseiul,&quot; replied the King, &quot;I will promise what you
+ask, at all events. But what you have said has pleased me, for it
+shows that you understand my spirit towards my subjects, and that I
+can grant without being asked. Your life, Sir, is given to you. What
+punishment we shall inflict may, perhaps, depend upon the sentence of
+a judicial court or of our council.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;May it please your Majesty,&quot; said Louvois, stepping forward, &quot;to hear
+me one moment. You have, perhaps, thought me inimical to Monsieur de
+Morseiul, but such, indeed, is not the case; and I would propose, that
+instead of subjecting him to any trial at all, you, at once, pronounce
+sentence of banishment upon him, which is all the mercy that he can
+expect. His estates, as ought to be the case, must be forfeited to the
+crown.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;And he driven forth,&quot; said the King, &quot;to employ his military talents
+in the service of our enemies.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Never, never, never, Sire!&quot; exclaimed the Count, clasping his hands
+eagerly. &quot;Never should my sword be drawn against my native land. I
+would rather beg my bread in misery, from door to door: I would rather
+live in want, and die in sorrow, than do so base an act!&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">There was truth and zeal upon his countenance, and Louvois urged what
+he had proposed; but while he was addressing the Monarch, in a lower
+tone, one of the side doors of the hall opened, and a lady came partly
+in, speaking to some one behind her, as if she knew not that any one
+was in the hall. The moment that she perceived her mistake, Madame de
+Maintenon drew back; but the King advanced a step and besought her to
+come in.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We want your presence much, Madam,&quot; he said with a smile, &quot;for we
+cannot decide upon what is to be done with this young culprit. But you
+seem in haste, and who is this with you? I have somewhere seen his
+face before.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King might well fail to recognise the countenance of Jerome
+Riquet, for it was at that moment actually cadaverous in appearance,
+from the various emotions that were going on in his heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;I was at that moment seeking your Majesty,&quot; said Madame de Maintenon,
+advancing with her usual calm grace, &quot;and was passing this way to your
+cabinet, to crave an audience ere you went out. But I thought the
+ceremony of the day was over.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What are your commands, Madam?&quot; said the King. &quot;Your wishes are to be
+attended to at all times.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;You know, Sir,&quot; she said, &quot;that I am not fond of ever asking one, who
+is only over generous to his servants, for any thing. But I was eager
+at that moment to beseech your Majesty to grant at once your pardon to
+this unfortunate man who some time ago committed a great crime in
+misapplying your Majesty's handwriting, and who has now just committed
+another, for which I understand the officers of justice are in pursuit
+of him, though the swiftness of the horse which brought him here has
+enabled him to escape for the moment. He found out my apartments, I
+know not how, and I brought him instantly to your Majesty as soon as I
+had heard his story, and read this paper.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What is this paper?&quot; demanded the King, taking it; &quot;ticketed I see in
+the hand of Monsieur de la Reynie, 'Letter from the said Herval to the
+Sieur de Hatréaumont!' How come you possessed of this, sirrah?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Riquet advanced and knelt before the King, while Louvois suddenly
+seemed to recollect some business, and retired from the circle.
+&quot;Sire,&quot; said the valet, in the briefest possible terms, &quot;in serving my
+master I was taken by your Majesty's forces, shut up in a barn with
+some wounded prisoners, heard the well known leader, Herval, confess
+to the Chevalier d'Evran, that he had written a letter to the traitor
+Hatréaumont, regarding his having been prevented from murdering your
+Majesty by the Count de Morseiul, (in which prevention I had some
+little share). The man died before his words could be taken down. The
+Chevalier d'Evran said it did not signify, for you would believe his
+evidence. But the Chevalier d'Evran was killed. My word I knew would
+not be believed; but I heard that the papers of Hatréaumont were to be
+burnt this day by the common hangman, opposite the Bastille.<a name="div4Ref_04" href="#div4_04"><sup>[4]</sup></a> I had
+a swift horse saddled. I got close to the fire. I fixed my eyes upon
+the papers one by one as they were thrown in, till seeing the writing
+of Herval, I seized the letter, and galloped hither as hard as I
+could. This is my tale, Sire, and on my word it is true.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The King hastily opened the paper, and read the contents, the
+expression of his countenance changing several times as he proceeded.
+But when he had done, he turned towards the Count, saying, &quot;Monsieur
+de Morseiul, I require no one now to advise me how to act towards you.
+You are freely and entirely pardoned. I have given up the hope again
+of ever seeing you cast away the errors of your faith. But even that
+must not make me harsh towards the man who has saved my life. I would
+only fain know how it was that you did not inform me of this at the
+time?&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Sire,&quot; replied the Count, &quot;I came to your Majesty for the purpose.
+Your Majesty most remember, that I told you that I had matters of deep
+importance to communicate. You referred me to Monsieur de Louvois, and
+as I was proceeding to his house, I was arrested. In the Bastille I
+was allowed to communicate with no one, and the rest you know.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;We have been all very unfortunate, Count,&quot; replied the King.
+&quot;However, I trust, that these embarrassments are at an end. You have
+your free pardon for the past, and now for the future. I cannot
+violate in your favour the laws that I have laid down for the
+regulation of the land, and for the establishment of one general
+religion throughout the country. If you stay in France, you, with
+others, lose the means of exercising the ceremonies of your sect. But,
+as I said to the Count de Schomberg, I say to you: in consideration of
+the great services that you have rendered, I will allow you to sell
+all your possessions if you choose to retire to another land, and this
+is, I fear, all I can do.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your Majesty overwhelms me with bounty,&quot; said the Count, &quot;but there
+are yet two favours that I would ask.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;What more?&quot; said the King.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;One request is, Sire,&quot; said the Count, &quot;to be allowed once in every
+year to present myself before your Majesty; and the other, that I may
+retain the château and the immediate grounds around it belonging to my
+ancestors. Thus every fond recollection that I have attached to France
+will still be gratified; and though in exile, I shall live a Frenchman
+to the last.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Your request is granted,&quot; replied the King, with a smile. &quot;And now,
+gentlemen and ladies, as by your faces round I judge you are all well
+satisfied, we will not detain you longer.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Thus saying, Louis turned and withdrew.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">Ere the Count of Morseiul retired from the room, and before any of his
+friends therein could speak with him, Madame de Maintenon said a word
+in his ear in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">&quot;Go to the hotel of the British ambassador,&quot; she said. &quot;You will there
+find those that you do not expect.&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The heart of the Count of Morseiul beat high. He had words of
+gratitude to speak to many there present; but as soon as that was
+done, he hurried to Paris without a moment's pause; and in a few
+minutes clasped Clémence de Marly to a joyful heart.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">We need not tell here the brief story she related of her flight from
+the coast of France to London; and of her having found an affectionate
+parent in one who, by the wiles of an artful second wife, and an
+intriguing priest, had been persuaded to leave his children, by a
+first marriage with a Protestant lady, to the charge of her Catholic
+relations in France; and to the care of the King of that country.
+Louis had become the godfather of the eldest (known to us as the
+Chevalier d'Evran), while the earl himself was in exile during the
+troubles of the great rebellion. A Catholic himself, the Earl had been
+easily induced to believe that his children's salvation depended upon
+their being educated in a Catholic country; even though concealed
+there from Protestant relations by assumed names. But on the death of
+his second wife, all his feelings of natural affection returned, and
+during an illness, which made him believe that he was on his
+death-bed, he sent his brother to seek and bring back his children. We
+need not enter into the detail any farther. The reader can and will
+imagine it all. All that remains to be said is, that Clémence, in her
+eagerness, had easily persuaded that parent, whose only child she now
+was--for the three which had sprung from the second marriage had not
+survived--to hasten over to Paris, invested with every authority from
+the King, with whom his religion rendered him a favourite, to solicit
+the pardon of the Count of Morseiul. In consequence of the
+considerable round the Count was obliged to take in his journey to the
+capital, and the difficulty of obtaining an audience of the King, she
+had arrived the day before his fate was finally decided.</p>
+
+<p class="normal">The only part of that fate which could yet be doubtful, was now in her
+hands; and, if the King of France had shown himself merciful to the
+Count de Morseiul, she showed herself devoted to him through life,
+making him as happy, as the combination of the rarest qualities of
+mind and person with the noblest, and the deepest, and the dearest
+qualities of the heart, could make such a man as we have endeavoured</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>FOOTNOTES</h3>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_01" href="#div4Ref_01">Footnote 1</a>: On many occasions each lady remained with her first
+partner during the whole of a ball night; but this was not
+invariable.</p>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_02" href="#div4Ref_02">Footnote 2</a>: The words were intended for the unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, and were &quot;Hatréaumont est mort, et n'a rien dit.&quot; The unhappy
+prisoner, like the Count de Morseiul, was not able to distinguish the
+meaning of his friends; otherwise those words, if he had shaped his
+course accordingly, would have insured his safety.</p>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_03" href="#div4Ref_03">Footnote 3</a>: This large shell is used in many of the sea-coast
+districts of France still, for the purpose of giving signals. The
+sound, when properly blown, is very powerful and peculiar. They assert
+that across a level country it can be heard six miles. I have myself
+heard it more than two, and so distinctly, that it must have been
+audible at a much greater distance.</p>
+<br>
+<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_04" href="#div4Ref_04">Footnote 4</a>: The papers of Hatréaumont were preserved for some time
+after his death, in order to give light in regard to the guilt of his
+
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III), by 
+G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
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+</pre>
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+</body>
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diff --git a/39520.txt b/39520.txt
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+++ b/39520.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,21724 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III), by
+G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III)
+       A Tale of the French Protestants.
+
+Author: G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
+
+Release Date: April 23, 2012 [EBook #39520]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HUGUENOT: (VOLUMES I-III) ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by
+Google Books (Oxford University)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+   1. Page scan source:
+      http://books.google.com/books?id=nXoEAAAAQAAJ&
+      (Oxford University)
+
+   2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+
+                               VOL. I.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 THE
+
+                               HUGUENOT
+
+                                A TALE
+
+                                  OF
+
+                       THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.
+
+
+
+
+                           BY THE AUTHOR OF
+
+                      "THE GIPSY," "THE ROBBER,"
+                               &c. &c.
+
+
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+                          IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+                               VOL. I.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                               LONDON:
+
+                             PRINTED FOR
+
+               LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
+
+                           PATERNOSTER-ROW.
+
+                                1839.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                             DEDICATION.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                                  TO
+
+                           CHARLES RUDOLPHE
+
+                            LORD CLINTON,
+
+                             &c. &c. &c.
+
+
+
+My Lord,
+
+Although I, of course, look upon the book, which I now venture to
+dedicate to one whom I so much esteem and respect, with those parental
+prejudices which make us often overlook all defects, and magnify any
+good qualities in our offspring, yet, believe me, I feel that it is
+very far inferior to that which I could wish to present to you. Do
+not, then, measure my regard by the value of the work, but accept it
+only as a very slight testimony of great esteem; and, at the same
+time, allow me, even in my Dedication, to say a few words concerning
+the book itself.
+
+I will not trouble you or the public with any reasoning upon the
+general conduct of the story--why I suddenly changed the scene here,
+or flew off to another character there,--why I gave but a glimpse of
+such a personage, or dwelt long and minutely upon another. I believe
+and trust that those who read the work attentively will discover
+strong reasons for all such proceedings, and I am quite sure that much
+thought and care was bestowed on each step of the kind before it was
+taken. Your own good taste will decide whether I was right or wrong,
+and blame or approve, I know, whatever I might plead. The public will
+do so also; and, as a general rule, I think it best to conceal, as far
+as possible, in all cases, the machinery of a composition of this
+kind, suffering the wheels to produce their effect without being
+publicly exhibited.
+
+I have heard many authors blamed, however, and, doubtless, have been
+so myself, for frequently changing the scene or character before the
+reader's eyes. There are people who read a romance only for the story,
+and these are always displeased with anything that interrupts their
+straightforward progress. But nature does not tell _her_ stories in
+such a way as these readers desire; and, in the course of human life,
+there are always little incidents occurring, which seem of no earthly
+importance at the time, but which, in years long after, affect persons
+and produce events where no one could imagine that such a connexion is
+likely to be brought about.
+
+I have always in this respect, as in all others, endeavoured to the
+best of my abilities to copy nature; and those readers who pass over
+little incidents, because they seem at the time irrelevant, or run on
+to follow the history of one character whenever a less interesting
+personage is brought upon the scene, will derive little either of
+profit or pleasure from any well constructed work of fiction. I have,
+as far as possible, avoided in all my works bringing prominently
+forward any character or any scene which has not a direct influence
+upon the progress and end of the tales; but I have equally avoided
+pointing out to the superficial reader, by any flourish of trumpets,
+that the personage he thinks of no importance is "to turn out a great
+man in the end," or that the scene which seems unconnected and
+irrelevant will be found not without results.
+
+Besides these considerations, however, I trust every romance-writer in
+the present day proposes to himself greater objects than the mere
+telling of a good story. He who, in the course of a well-conceived and
+interesting tale, excites our good passions to high and noble
+aspirations; depicts our bad passions so as to teach us to abhor and
+govern them; arrays our sympathies on the side of virtue, benevolence,
+and right; expands our hearts, and makes the circle of our feelings
+and affections more comprehensive; stores our imaginations with images
+bright, and sweet, and beautiful; makes us more intimately and
+philosophically acquainted with the characters of our fellow-men; and,
+in short, causes the reader to rise wiser and with a higher
+appreciation of all that is good and great,--attains the grand object
+at which every man should aim, and deserves the thanks and admiration
+of mankind. Even he who makes the attempt, though without such
+success, does something, and never can write altogether in vain.
+
+That you, to whom I inscribe this work, can appreciate such purposes,
+and will encourage the attempt, even where, as in these pages, it goes
+little beyond endeavour, is no slight pleasure to me: nor is it an
+unmeaning or insincere compliment when I say, that though I yield my
+own opinions to no man, yet I have often thought of you and yours
+while I have been writing these volumes. I know not whether you
+remember saying one day, after we had visited together the school
+instituted by our noble acquaintance Guicciardini, "that whether it
+succeeded or failed, the endeavour to do good ought to immortalize
+him." Perhaps you have forgotten the words, but I have not.
+
+Allow me, ere I end this long epistle, to add something in regard to
+the truth of the representations made in the work, and the foundation
+on which the story rests. If you will look into the curious "Memoires
+Historiques sur la Bastille," published in 1789 (vol. i., page 203),
+you will find some of the bare facts, as they are stated in the Great
+Register of the Bastille, on which the plot of the tale that follows
+entirely hinges.
+
+Of course I cannot forestall my story by alluding more particularly to
+those facts; and I have only further to say on that subject, that for
+many reasons I have altered the names inserted in the Great Register.
+I have also taken the same liberty with regard to the scenes of many
+events which really occurred, placing in Poitou what sometimes took
+place in Dauphiny, sometimes in Provence. Nor have I felt myself bound
+in all instances to respect the exact dates, having judged it
+expedient to bring many events within a short compass which were
+spread over a greater space of time. I have endeavoured, however, to
+represent most accurately, without prejudice or favour, the conduct of
+the French Catholics to French Protestants, and of Protestants to
+Catholics, during the persecutions of the seventeenth century. My
+love and esteem for many excellent Catholics--priests as well as
+laity--would prevent me, I believe, from viewing the question of the
+revocation of the edict of Nantes, and the consequences thereof, with
+a prejudiced eye; and when I read the following passages in the
+writings, not of a Protestant, but of a sincere Catholic, I am only
+inclined to doubt whether I have not softened the picture of
+persecution.
+
+
+"Il restait peu a faire pour exciter le zele du roi contre une
+religion solemnellement frappee des plus eclatans anathemes par
+l'eglise universelle, et qui s'en etait elle-meme frappee la premiere
+en se separant de tout l'antiquite sur des points de foi fondamentaux.
+
+"Le roi etait devenu devot, et devot dans la derniere ignorance. A la
+devotion se joignit la politique. On voulut lui plaire par les
+endroits qui le touchaient le plus sensiblement, la devotion et
+l'autorite. On lui peignit les Huguenots avec les plus noires
+couleurs; un etat dans un etat, parvenu a ce point de licence a force
+de desordres, de revoltes, de guerres civiles, d'alliances etrangeres,
+de resistance a force ouverte contre les rois ses predecesseurs, et
+jusqu'a lui-meme reduit a vivre en traite avec eux. Mais on se garda
+bien de lui apprendre la source de tant de maux, les origines de leurs
+divers degres et de leurs progres, pourquoi et par qui les Huguenots
+furent premierement armes, puis soutenus, et surtout de lui dire un
+seul mot des projets de si longue main pourpenses, des horreurs et des
+attentats de la ligue contre sa couronne, contre sa maison, contre son
+pere, son aieul, et tous les siens.
+
+"On lui voila avec autant de soin ce que l'evangile, et d'apres cette
+divine loi les apotres, et tous les peres et leur suite, enseignent la
+maniere de precher Jesus Christ, de convertir les infideles et les
+heretiques, et de se conduire en ce qui regarde la religion. On toucha
+un devot de la douceur de faire, aux depens d'autrui, une penitence
+facile qu'on lui persuada sure pour l'autre monde.  *  *  *  *  *
+
+"Les grands ministres n'etaient plus alors. Le Tellier au lit de la
+mort, son funeste fils etait le seul qui restat, car Seignelay ne
+faisait guere que poindre. Louvois, avide de guerre, atterre sous le
+poids d'une treve de vingt ans, qui ne faisait presque que d'etre
+signee, espera qu'un si grand coup porte aux Huguenots reunirait tout
+le Protestantisme de l'Europe, et s'applaudit en attendant de ce que
+le roi ne pouvant frapper sur les Huguenots que par ses troupes, il en
+serait le principal executeur, et par la de plus en plus en credit.
+L'esprit et le genie de Madame de Maintenon, tel qu'il vient d'etre
+represente avec exactitude, n'etait rien moins que propre, ni capable
+d'aucune affaire au-dela de l'intrigue. Elle n'etait pas nee ni
+nourrie a voir sur celle-ci au-dela de ce qui lui en etait presente,
+moins encore pour ne pas saisir avec ardeur une occasion si naturelle
+de plaire, d'admirer, de s'affermir de plus en plus par la devotion.
+Qui d'ailleurs eut su un mot de ce qui ne se deliberait qu'entre le
+confesseur, le ministre alors comme unique, et l'epouse nouvelle et
+cherie; et qui de plus eut ose contredire? C'est ainsi que sont menes
+a tout, par une voie ou par une autre, les rois qui, par grandeur, par
+defiance, par abandon a ceux qui les tiennent, par paresse ou par
+orgueil, ne se communiquent qu'a deux ou trois personnes, et bien
+souvent a moins, et qui mettent entre eux et tout le reste de leurs
+sujets une barriere insurmontable.
+
+"La revocation de l'edit de Nantes, sans le moindre pretexte et sans
+aucun besoin, et les diverses proscriptions plutot que declarations
+qui la suivirent, furent les fruits de ce complot affreux qui depeupla
+un quart du royaume; qui ruina son commerce; qui l'affaiblit dans
+toutes ses parties; qui le mit si longtemps au pillage public et avoue
+des dragons; qui autorisa les tourmens et les supplices dans lesquels
+ils firent reellement mourir tant d'innocens de tout sexe par
+milliers; qui ruina un peuple si nombreux; qui dechira un monde de
+familles; qui arma les parens contre les parens pour avoir leur bien
+et les laisser mourir de faim; qui fit passer nos manufactures aux
+etrangers, fit fleurir et regorger leurs etats aux depens du notre, et
+leur fit batir de nouvelles villes; qui leur donna le spectacle d'un
+si prodigieux peuple proscrit, nu, fugitif, errant sans crime,
+cherchant asile loin de sa patrie; qui mit nobles, riches, vieillards,
+gens souvent tres-estimes pour leur piete, leur savoir, leur vertu,
+des gens aises, faibles, delicats, a la ruine, et sous le nerf
+tres-effectif du comite, pour cause unique de religion; enfin qui,
+pour comble de toutes horreurs, remplit toutes les provinces du
+royaume de parjures et de sacrileges, ou tout retentissait de
+hurlemens de ces infortunees victimes de l'erreur, pendant que tant
+d'autres sacrifiaient leur conscience a leurs biens et a leur repos,
+et achetaient l'un et l'autre par des abjurations simulees, d'ou sans
+intervalle on les trainait a adorer ce qu'ils ne croyaient point, et a
+recevoir reellement le divin corps du saint des saints, tandis qu'ils
+demeuraient persuades qu'ils ne mangeaient que du pain qu'ils devaient
+encore abhorrer. Telle fut l'abomination generale enfantee par la
+flatterie et par la cruaute. De la torture a l'abjuration, et de
+celle-ci a la communion, il n'y avait pas souvent vingt-quatre heures
+de distance, et leurs bourreaux etaient leurs conducteurs et leurs
+temoins. Ceux qui, par la suite, eurent l'air d'etre changes avec plus
+de loisir, ne tarderent pas par leur fuite ou par leur conduite a
+dementir leur pretendu retour."--_St. Simon_, vol. xiii. p. 113. ed.
+1829.
+
+
+I have now nothing further to say, my dear Lord Clinton, but to beg
+your pardon for having already said so much, and to express a hope
+that you and the public will deal leniently by that which is now
+offered to you, with the highest respect and esteem, by
+
+
+                     Yours most faithfully,
+
+                                  G. P. R. James.
+
+_Fair Oak Lodge, Petersfield_.
+       17_th Nov_. 1838.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+              THE HERO, HIS FRIEND, AND HIS DWELLING IN
+                       THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
+
+
+There is a small town in one of the remote provinces of France, about
+ten miles from the sea shore, and two or three hundred from the
+capital, on the appearance of which it may be as well to dwell for a
+short time; noticing not alone its houses and its streets as they
+appeared in the seventeenth century, but its inhabitants, their
+feelings, and their customs, at that period.
+
+Were we not to make this formal sort of presentation, the reader would
+feel as if set down suddenly amidst a crowd of strangers with no one
+to introduce him, with no one to unpadlock the barrier which the
+cautious laws of society set up between man and man, to guard against
+the wild-beast propensities of the race of intellectual tigers to
+which we belong. Now, however, if we manage skilfully, the reader may
+become as familiar with the people of another day, and scenes of
+another land, as if they had been the playfellows of his childhood,
+and the haunts of his youth; and may go on calmly with those to whom
+he is thus introduced through the dark and painful events which are
+recorded in the pages that follow.
+
+That part of France in which our scene is laid, presents features
+which differ very much from the dull and uninteresting aspect of the
+land from Calais to Paris, and from Paris to the mountains of
+Switzerland--the route generally pursued by our travelling countrymen,
+whether they go forth to make what is usually called the grand tour,
+or content themselves with idling away a long space of mispent time
+amongst the Helvetian mountains. In the district that I speak of, the
+face of the country, though it cannot perhaps be called mountainous,
+is richly varied, running up into occasional high and pointed hills,
+presenting frequent masses of rock and wood, diversified by a mile or
+two, here and there, of soft pasture and meadow; with innumerable
+streams--some calm and peaceful, some fierce and torrent-like, some
+sparkling and playful, giving an air of life and glad activity to the
+land through which they flow. These manifold streams shed also a hue
+of indescribable verdure, a fresh leafyness of aspect, that is most
+grateful to the eye; and though there is not there, as in our own
+land, the frequent hedge-row, with its sweet village associations, yet
+there is no want of high umbrageous trees scattered here and there,
+besides the thick woods that, in many places, occupy several leagues
+in extent, and the lesser copses that nest themselves in many a dell.
+
+The district that we speak of is bright in its skies and warm in its
+sunshine, though it is not precisely in the region of the richest
+vine; and there are scarcely five days, during six months of the year,
+in which, on every stony bank or on the short soft turf above the
+large lizards may not be seen basking in their coats of green and
+gold. There are not, indeed, the cloudless skies of Italy, which,
+notwithstanding their splendid colouring, are insipid from their very
+cloudlessness: no, but wreathed in grand masses by the free air,
+sometimes drifting from the British channel, sometimes sweeping from
+the wide western ocean, the clouds and the sunshine sport together in
+the heaven, while the shadow and the light chase each other over the
+earth below, and ever and anon comes down a passing shower, refreshing
+the lands it lights upon, and leaving them brighter than before.
+
+On the top of one of the tall rocky hills we have mentioned, in very
+remote feudal times,--for we find it mentioned in all the wars
+undertaken by the Edwards and the Henries in their vain endeavours to
+grasp a crown that did not belong to them,--a town had been built and
+fortified, circumscribed by large stone walls flanked by round towers,
+and crowned by the square keep of a castle, only one wall of which has
+been left, for now near a century and a half. This town was of small
+size, occupying nothing but the summit of the hill, and was strictly
+confined within the walls; and, indeed, below, on three sides, were
+such steep ascents--in some places showing precipitous spaces of rude
+rock, and in others covered with short, green, slippery turf--that it
+was scarcely possible for the inhabitants to have built beyond the
+walls, except on one side, even if they had been so inclined.
+
+In such times of danger, however, it had been the object of those who
+possessed the town to keep that fourth side, by which the ascent was
+more easy, clear from all houses and buildings of any kind, so that
+the quarrels from the cross-bow, the arrows from the bow, or the balls
+from the cannon--as different ages brought different inventions--might
+sweep down unimpeded upon any approaching enemy, and that the eye
+might also have a free range to discover the approach of a foe. Thus
+that gentler slope was not even broken by a road till the end of the
+sixteenth century, the way up to the town from the valley below being
+constructed with great skill and care upon one of the steepest sides
+of the hill, by means of wide short platforms, each of which was
+defended by some particular fortification of its own, while the whole
+line of the valley and the lower part of the road were commanded by
+the cannon of the castle of St. Anne, a rude old fortress on an
+inferior hill, of little or no use to any persons but those who
+possessed the higher and more important works above. Through the
+valley and winding round the foot of the hill of St. Anne was a wide,
+clear, beautiful stream, navigable up to that spot, and falling into
+the sea at the distance of ten or twelve miles in a direct line, but
+which contrived to extend its course, by the tortuous path that it
+pursued amongst the hills, to a length of nearly twenty leagues.
+
+Such as we have described was the situation, in feudal times, of the
+small town that we shall call Morseiul; but ere the commencement of
+our tale those feudal times had passed away. Even during the wars of
+the League the town had remained in tranquillity and repose. It was
+remote from the general scene of strife; and although it had sent out
+many who aided, and not insignificantly, in upholding the throne of
+Henry IV., there was but one occasion on which the tide of war flowed
+near its walls, and then speedily retreated, and left it unassailed.
+
+Under these circumstances fortifications were soon
+neglected--precautions were no longer taken--the cannon for half a
+century remained upon the walls unused--rust and honeycomb began to
+gnaw into the heart of the iron--sheds were erected in the
+embrasures--houses succeeded--gardens were laid out in the round
+towers--the castle of St. Anne fell utterly into ruins--and some of
+the patriotic and compassionate inhabitants thought it a hard tax upon
+the sinews of the horses, who in those days carried from place to
+place the merchandise of the country, to be forced to climb the zizgag
+path of one of the more precipitous sides of the hill. Thus in the
+early part of the reign of Louis XIII. a petition was addressed by the
+inhabitants to their count, who still retained all his feudal rights
+and privileges, beseeching him to construct or permit the construction
+of a gate upon the southern side of the town, and a road down the
+easier descent.
+
+The count, who was a good-humoured man, a nobleman of the school of
+Henry IV., and as fond of the people of the good town as they were of
+him, was quite willing to gratify them in any reasonable desire; but
+he was the more moved to do what they wished in the present instance,
+inasmuch as some ten or fifteen years before he had himself broken
+through the old rules and regulations established in the commune, and
+not only built himself a chateau beyond the walls of that very side,
+but laid out a space of two or three acres of ground in such a manner
+as to give him shade when he wanted it, and sunshine when the shade
+was not agreeable.
+
+Of the chateau we shall speak hereafter: but it is only here necessary
+to say, that in building this dwelling beyond the walls, the Count de
+Morseiul of that day had forgotten altogether the possibility of
+carrying a road down that side of the hill. He had constructed a way
+for himself into the town by enlarging an old postern in the walls,
+which he caused to open into his garden, and by this postern, whenever
+he sought to issue forth into the country beyond, he took his way into
+the town, traversed the square, and followed the old zigzag road down
+the steep side of the hill. The peasantry, indeed, had not failed to
+think of that which their lord had overlooked, and when they had a
+dozen or two of pigeons, or a pair of fowls, or a fat calf to present
+to the seigneur, they almost invariably brought it by the slope up the
+hill. A path had thus been worn from the valley below in the precise
+direction which was best fitted for the road, and whenever the good
+townsmen presented their petition to the count, it instantly struck
+him how very convenient such a road would be to himself as well as to
+them.
+
+Now the count was neither a cunning nor an ungenerous man; and the
+moment he saw that the advantage to be derived would be to himself, he
+determined to open the gate, and make the road at his own expense
+without subjecting the commune or the peasantry to corvee or fine. He
+told the inhabitants so at once, and they, as they well might be, were
+grateful to him in consequence. He made the road, and a handsome one
+it was; and he threw down a part of the wall, and erected a splendid
+gate in its place. He gave no name, indeed, to either; but the people
+immediately and universally bestowed a name on both, and called them
+the Count's Gate, and the Count's Road, so that the act was
+perpetuated by the grateful memory of those whom it benefited.
+
+As, following the example of the earth on which we live, every thing
+upon its surface moves forward, or perhaps we may say appears to move
+forward, while very likely it is going but in a circle, the opening of
+the gate and the making of the road was speedily followed by another
+step, which was the building of houses by the road-side; so that, at
+the period when our tale commences, the whole aspect, appearance, and
+construction of the town was altered. A long street, with gardens at
+the back of the houses, extended all the way down the gentle slope of
+the hill; the gate had been widened, the summit had been cleared of a
+great number of small houses, and a view was opened straight up into a
+fine gay-looking market square at the top, with the ruined wall of the
+old keep, raising its high head covered with ivy on the western side,
+and to the north the little church, with its tall thin-slated spire
+rising high, not only above the buildings of the town itself, but the
+whole of the country round, and forming a remarkable object, which was
+seen for many leagues at sea.
+
+We are in this account supposing the reader to be looking up the
+street, which was turned towards the south, and was consequently full
+of sunshine towards the middle of the day. It would, indeed, have been
+intolerably hot in the summer, had it not been that the blessed
+irregularity of the houses contrived to give some shade at every hour
+of the four and twenty. But from the bottom of that street almost up
+to the top was to be seen, upon the left hand, rising above the
+buildings of the street itself, the weathercocks, and round turrets,
+and pointed roofs and loop-holes, and windows innumerable, which
+marked the chateau built by the count who had constructed the road;
+while here and there, too, were also seen the tops of the tall limes
+and elms with which he had shaded his gardens, and which had now grown
+up into tall splendid trees, flourishing in the years which had
+brought him to decay and death.
+
+Into the little town of Morseiul had been early introduced the
+doctrines of Calvin, and the inhabitants clung to those doctrines with
+peculiar pertinacity. They had constantly sent volunteers to the
+protestant army; they had bestirred themselves in aid of La Rochelle,
+and had even despatched succour to the protestants of the far south.
+The weak, bigotted, and treacherous Louis XIII. had declared that they
+were the most obstinate heretics in his dominions, and had threatened
+against them many things, which the wisdom of his great minister had
+prevented him from performing. But the counts of Morseiul themselves
+had at all times rendered great services to the state: they had proved
+themselves on all occasions gallant and determined soldiers and
+skilful politicians; and, though they too held firm by the religion of
+their ancestors, and set equally at defiance both threats and
+seductions--which conduct formed the strongest link between them and
+their people--Richelieu had judged that it would be hazardous to drive
+them into open resistance to the crown. We may indeed surmise that he
+judged it unnecessary also, inasmuch as there can be no doubt that in
+his dealings with the Huguenots he treated them solely as a political
+party, and not as a religious sect.
+
+Such being the case, though somewhat courting the persecutions of the
+times, the town of Morseiul had been left unmolested in the exercise
+of its religious tenets, and had enjoyed not only all the liberty
+which was granted to the protestants of France by the edict of Nantes,
+but various other privileges, obtained perhaps by a little
+encroachment, and retained by right of prescription.
+
+The inhabitants were a hardy and determined race, frank and
+good-humoured, and possessing from various points in their position a
+great degree of simplicity in manners and character, mingled with much
+religious fervour. They had, indeed, of late years, been somewhat
+polished, or perhaps one might call it, corrupted. They had acquired
+more wants and more wishes from the increasing luxuriousness of the
+day; had heard with wonder, and not perhaps without some longing, of
+the splendours and the marvels and the gaieties of the court of Louis
+XIV., then in the bright and butterfly days of its youthful
+ostentation; and they felt strongly and beneficially the general
+impulse given to every sort of commerce by the genius of Colbert, and
+applied themselves to derive the utmost advantage therefrom, by
+pursuing with skill, activity, and perseverance, various manufactures,
+in which they displayed no small ingenuity. A good number of them had
+become wealthy, and all of them indeed were well off in the station of
+life in which they were placed. The artisan was rich for an artisan,
+as well as the burgess for a burgess; but they were all simple in
+their habits, not without their little pride, or without their
+luxuries on a holyday; but frugal and thoughtful as they were
+industrious. Such was the town of Morseiul and its inhabitants in the
+year 168--.
+
+We must now turn to the chateau of the count, and to its denizens
+at the time of the opening of our tale. The chateau was built, as we
+have said, on the outside of the walls of the town, and was one of
+those odd buildings of which many a specimen has come down to us. It
+seemed to have been built by detached impulses, and upon no general
+plan, though, to admit nothing but the truth, the construction
+was attributable all to one person. The great hall was along,
+wide-spreading piece of architecture, with a high roof, and a row of
+windows turned to the south side, which was the front of the chateau.
+Then came two or three square masses of stone-work on either side of
+the hall, with the gables projecting to the front, no two of them of
+the same height and size; and many of them separated either by a tall
+round tower, with loopholes all the way up, like button-holes in the
+front of a waistcoat, or broken towards the roof by a turret stuck on
+and projecting from the rest of the building. On the western side of
+the chateau was a large square tower, with numerous windows, placed
+with some degree of regularity; and on the eastern, was an octangular
+tower containing a separate entrance of a somewhat Gothic character.
+Two large wings projected behind towards the town on which the chateau
+unceremoniously turned its back, and the large open space of ground
+thus enclosed, was again divided into two by a heavy transverse mass
+of building, as irregular as the external parts of the whole. The
+mansion was completed by the stables and offices for the servants and
+retainers, and the whole was pitched in the centre of a platform,
+which had formerly been one of the bastions of the town.
+
+Behind the chateau, and between the building and the walls, were
+numerous trees, giving that space the name of the bocage, and through
+this lay the little walk that led to the postern, which was originally
+the only exit from the chateau. In front was a tolerably wide
+esplanade, extending to the edge of the bastion, and from the edge of
+the terrace descended a flight of steps to the slope below, on which
+had been laid out a flower-garden, separated from the rest of the
+ground by a stone wall, surmounted by flower-pots in the shape of
+vases. The remaining portion of the space enclosed was planted,
+according to the taste of that day, with straight rows of trees, on
+the beauties of which it is unnecessary to dwell.
+
+The interior of the castle was fitted up in the taste of the reign of
+Henry IV. and Louis XIII., few changes having taken place since the
+time it was first furnished, immediately after it was built. Some of
+the rooms, indeed, contained the furniture of the older castle
+formerly inhabited by the counts, which furniture was of a much more
+remote age, and had been condemned, by scornful posterity, to the
+dusty oblivion which we so fondly pile upon our ancestors. It may be
+as well, however, to conduct the reader into one of the rooms of that
+chateau, and, telling him that we have ourselves sat therein,
+furnished exactly as it was then furnished, and looking exactly as it
+then looked, endeavour to make him see it as the glass of memory now
+gives it back to us.
+
+It was a large oblong room, with a vaulted roof: not dome-shaped,
+indeed, for it was flat at the top; but from the walls towards the
+centre, it sloped for a considerable way before it received the
+flattened form which we mention. It was indeed a four-sided vault,
+with the top of the arches cut off. On two sides were windows, or
+perhaps we should call them casements, with the glass set in leaden
+frames, and opening only in part. The hearth and chimney were of
+enormous dimensions, with a seat on either side of the fire-place,
+which was a sort of raised platform of brick-work, ornamented with two
+large andirons grinning with lions' heads, for the reception of the
+fuel.
+
+Over the chimney again was a wide slab of marble, supported by two
+marble scrolls; and a tablet, on which was recorded, with very
+tolerable latinity, that that chateau had been built by Francis Count
+of Morseiul, in the year of grace one thousand five hundred and
+ninety. Above this marble, far blacker than the dark oak panelling
+which supported it, hung an immense ebony frame, carved with a
+thousand curious figures, and containing a large round mirror of
+polished metal, reflecting, though in a different size, all the
+objects that the room contained. On the two sides of the chamber were
+one or two fine portraits by Rubens and Vandyke, also in ebony frames,
+but cursed with an internal border of gold. A multitude of high-backed
+chairs, only fitted for men in armour, and ladies with whalebone
+bodices; four cabinets of ebony, chequered with small lines of inlaid
+ivory, with immense locks, marked out by heavy, but not inelegant,
+silver shields; and two or three round tables, much too small for the
+size of the room, made up the rest of the furniture of the apartment,
+if we except some curious specimens of porcelain, and one or two
+curiosities brought by different members of the family from foreign
+lands. There was also a lute upon one of the tables, and ten long
+glasses, with a vein of gold in their taper stalks, ranged in battle
+array upon the mantelpiece.
+
+The moment at which we shall begin our tale was about the hour of
+dinner in the province, at that period a very different hour from that
+at which we dine in the present day. The windows were all open, the
+bright sunshine was pouring in and throwing the small square panes
+into lozenges upon the flooring; and from that room, which was high up
+in the castle, might be seen as wide spread and beautiful a landscape
+as ever the eye rested upon, a world of verdure, streams, and woods,
+and hills, with the bright sky above.
+
+Such was the chamber and its aspect at the period that we speak of;
+and we must now turn to those who inhabited it, and, in the first
+place, must depict them to the reader's eye, before we enter into any
+remarks or detailed account of their several characters, which,
+perhaps, we may be inclined to give in this instance, even while we
+admit that in general it is far better to suffer our personages to
+develope themselves and tell their own tale to the reader.
+
+In all, there were some seven persons in that room; but there were
+only two upon whom we shall at present pause. They were seated at a
+table in the midst, on which were spread forth various viands in
+abundance, upon plates of silver of a rich and handsome form; while a
+profusion of the same metal in the shape of cups, forks, spoons, and
+lavers appeared upon another table near, which had been converted into
+a temporary sort of buffet. Ranged on the same buffet was also a
+multitude of green glass bottles, containing apparently, by their
+dusty aspect and well-worn corks, several kinds of old and choice
+wine; and five servants in plain but rich liveries, according to the
+fashion of that day, bustled about to serve the two superior persons
+at the table.
+
+Those two persons were apparently very nearly of the same age, about
+the same height; and in corporeal powers they seemed also evenly
+matched; but in every other respect they were as different as can well
+be conceived. The one who sat at the side of the table farthest from
+the door was a man of about six or seven and twenty years of age, with
+a dark brown complexion, clear and healthy though not florid, and with
+large, full, deep-coloured gray eyes, fringed with long black lashes.
+His hair and mustaches were jet black; and the character of his
+countenance, for the moment at least, was serious and thoughtful. He
+was evidently a very powerful and vigorous man, deep-chested, long in
+the arm; and though, at first look, his form seemed somewhat spare,
+yet every motion displayed the swelling of strong muscles called into
+action; and few there were in that day who could have stood unmoved a
+buffet from his hand. Such was Albert Count of Morseiul, an officer so
+distinguished during the first wars of Louis XIV., that it is only
+necessary to name him to bring to the reader's recollection a long
+train of splendid actions.
+
+Opposite to him sat a friend and comrade, who had gone through many a
+campaign with him, who had shared watchings, and dangers, and toils,
+had stood side by side with him in the "imminent deadly breach," and
+who was very much beloved by the Count, although the other often
+contrived to tease and annoy him, and sometimes to give him pain, by a
+certain idle and careless levity which had arisen amongst the young
+nobles of France some twenty years before, and had not yet been put
+out by that great extinguisher, the courtly form and ceremony which
+Louis XIV. placed upon every movement of the imagination.
+
+The friend was, as we have said, very different from his host.
+Although not more than a year younger than the count, he had a less
+manly look, which might perhaps be owing to the difference of
+colouring; for he was of that fair complexion which the pictures of
+Vandyk have shown us can be combined with great vigour and character
+of expression. His features were marked and fine, his hazel eye
+piercing and quick, and his well-cut lip, varying indeed with every
+changing feeling or momentary emotion, still gave, by the peculiar
+bend in which it was fashioned when in repose, a peculiar tone of
+scornful playfulness to every expression his countenance assumed. In
+form, he appeared at first sight more powerful, perhaps, than the
+count; but a second glance was sufficient to show that such was not
+the case; and, though there was indeed little difference, if any
+thing, it was not in his favour.
+
+We must pause for an instant to notice the dress of the two friends;
+not indeed to describe pourpoints or paint rich lace, but speak of
+their garments, as the taste thereof might be supposed to betoken some
+points in the character of each. The dress of the Count de Morseiul
+was in taste of the day; which was certainly as bad a taste, as far as
+it affected the habiliments of the male part of the human race, as
+could be devised; but he had contrived, by the exercise of his own
+judgment in the colouring, to deprive it of a part of its
+frightfulness. The hues were all deep-toned, but rich and harmonious;
+and though there was no want of fine lace, the ribands, which were
+then the reigning mode of the day, were reduced to as few in number as
+any Parisian tailor would consent to withhold from the garb of a high
+nobleman.
+
+His friend, however, the Chevalier d'Evran, having opinions of his own
+to which he adhered with a wilful pertinacity, did not fully give in
+to the fashion of the times; and retained, as far as possible, without
+making himself a spectacle, the costume of an earlier period. If we
+may coin a word for the occasion, there was a good deal of Vandykism
+still about it. All the colours, too, were light and sunshiny;
+philomot and blue, and pink and gold; and jewels were not wanting, nor
+rich lace where they could be worn with taste; for though the liking
+was for splendour, and for a shining and glittering appearance, yet in
+all the arrangements there was a fine taste visibly predominant.
+
+Such, then, was the general appearance of the two friends; and after
+partaking of the good things which both the table and the buffet
+displayed,--for during the meal itself the conversation was brief and
+limited to a few questions and answers,--the Chevalier turned his
+chair somewhat more towards the window, and gazing out over the
+prospect which was spread forth before his eyes, he said,--
+
+"And so, Albert, this is Morseiul; and here thou art again after an
+absence of six years!"
+
+"Even so, Louis," replied the Count, "even so. This is Morseiul; and I
+know not whether it be from that inherent love of the place in which
+some of our happiest days have been spent, or whether the country
+round us be in reality more lovely than any other that I have seen
+since I left it, yet just when you spoke I was thinking of asking you
+whether you were or were not satisfied with my boasted Morseiul."
+
+"It may well be lovelier than any you have seen since you left it,"
+replied the Chevalier; "for, as far as I know aught of your history,
+and I think I could account for every day of your life since last you
+were here, you have seen nothing since but the flat prettiness of the
+Beauvoisis, the green spinage plate of the Cambresis, or the
+interminable flats of Flanders, where plains are varied by canals, and
+the only eminence to be seen for forty miles round one is the top of a
+windmill. Well may Morseiul be prettier than that, and no great
+compliment to Morseiul either; but I will tell you something more,
+Albert. I have seen Morseiul long ago. Ay, and sat in these halls, and
+drank of that wine, and looked out of that window, and thought then as
+I think now, that it is, indeed, as fair a land as ever I should wish
+to cast my eyes on."
+
+"Indeed, Louis!" exclaimed his companion; "how happens it, then, if
+you know the place so well, that you have listened to all my praises
+thereof, and come hither with me purposely to see it, without giving
+me one hint that you knew of the existence of such a place upon the
+surface of the globe?"
+
+"Why it has happened from two causes," replied the Chevalier, "and
+perhaps from three. In the first place, did you never discover that I
+have the gift of secrecy in a very high degree?"
+
+"Why I have certainly discovered," replied the Count with a smile,
+"that you are fond of a mystery; and sometimes, Louis, when there's no
+great need of one."
+
+"Most cuttingly and ungenerously answered," replied the Chevalier,
+with a laugh; "but granting the fact, as a man does when he denies it
+strenuously in his mind all the time---but granting the fact, was not
+that one good and sufficient cause for my not saying a word about it?
+And in the next place, Albert, if I had told you I had been here, and
+knew it very nearly as well as you do yourself, it would have deprived
+you of the whole pleasure of relating the wonders and the marvels of
+Morseiul, which would have been most ungenerous of me, seeing and
+knowing the delight you took therein; and perhaps there might be
+another cause," he added in a graver tone. "Perhaps I might hesitate
+to talk to you, Albert,--to you, with whom filial affection is not the
+evanescent thing that weeps like an April shower for half an hour over
+the loss of those we love, and then is wafted away in sparkling and in
+light--I might have hesitated, I say, to speak with you of times when
+one whom you have loved and lost sat in these halls and commanded in
+these lands."
+
+"I thank you, Louis," replied the Count; "I thank you from my heart;
+but you might have spoken of him. My memory of my dead father is
+something different from such things in general. It is the memory of
+him, Louis, and not of my own loss; and, therefore, as every thought
+of him is pleasing, satisfying, ennobling to my heart: as I can call
+up every circumstance in which I have seen him placed, every word
+which I have heard him speak, every action which I have seen him
+perform, with pride, and pleasure, and advantage, I love to let my
+thoughts rest upon the memories of his life; and though I can behold
+him no more living, yet I may thus enable myself to dwell with him in
+the past. We may be sure, Louis, that those who try to banish the
+loved and the departed from their thoughts, and from their
+conversation, have more selfishness in their love, have more
+selfishness in their sorrow, than real affection or than real esteem.
+The pangs which draw tears from us over the tomb may be permitted to
+us as a weakness, not unenviable: a lapse of sorrow for the broken tie
+and the loss of immediate communion, is also but a just tribute to
+ourselves and to the gone. But those who really loved the dead, and
+justly loved them, will cherish memory for their sakes; while those
+whose love was weak, or not founded on esteem, or selfish, may well
+give up a time to hopeless sorrow, and then banish the painful memory
+from their mind for ever: but it shows either that there must have
+been something wrong in the affection of the past, or a want of hope
+in the eternal meeting of the future. No, no, Louis, I live with my
+dead father every hour; I call to mind his looks, his words, his
+gestures; and as I never think to meet a man who could speak one evil
+word of him, I never fear to hear him mentioned, and to dwell upon his
+name."
+
+The Chevalier was silent for a moment, for the feelings of his
+companion were too hallowed for a jest; but he replied immediately
+after, "I believe you are quite right, Albert; but to banish all
+serious themes, which you know do not suit me, my love of mystery,
+which, as you well know, is a part of my nature, was quite sufficient
+to prevent my mentioning the subject. I wonder I was fool enough to
+let the whole secret out now. I should only have told you, by rights,
+just enough to excite your curiosity, in order that I might then
+disappoint you."
+
+"As you have gone so far, however," replied the Count with a smile,
+"you may as well tell the whole story at once, as it must be told,
+sooner or later, I suppose."
+
+"On my word, I do not know whether I can make up my mind to such
+unusual frankness," answered the Chevalier: "I have already done quite
+enough to lose my reputation. However, as you seem anxious----"
+
+"Not in the least," answered the Count, "I am quite satisfied. I was
+so before, and am so still, and shall be so if you resolutely maintain
+your mystery, concluding that you have some good reason for doing so."
+
+"Oh no," answered the Chevalier, "I never had a good reason for any
+thing I did in my life: I make a point of never having one; and the
+very insinuation of such a thing will make me unravel the whole matter
+at once, and show you that there is no mystery at all in the matter.
+You may have heard, perchance, that the Duc de Rouvre, who, by the
+way, is just appointed governor of the province, has a certain
+property with a certain chateau, called Ruffigny, which----"
+
+"Which marches with my own," exclaimed the Count.
+
+"Exactly what I was going to say," rejoined the Chevalier; "a certain
+property, called Ruffigny, which marches with your own, and a chateau
+thereupon some five leagues hence. Now, the excellent Duke, being an
+old friend, and distant relation indeed, of my family, it is scarcely
+possible, with common decency, for me to be more than ten years at a
+time without visiting him; and accordingly, about ten years ago, I
+being then a sprightly youth, shortly about to fit on my first arms,
+came down and spent the space of about a month in that very chateau of
+Ruffigny, and the Duke brought me over here to dine with your father,
+and hunt the wild boar in the woods behind St. Anne."
+
+"It is very odd," said the Count, "I have no recollection of it."
+
+"How should you?" demanded his friend, "as you were then gone upon
+your first campaign, under Duras, upon the Rhine. It was not, in all
+probability, worth your father's while to write you word that a young
+scapegrace had been brought to dine with him, and had run his _couteau
+de chasse_ up to the hilt in the boar's gullet."
+
+"Oh, I now remember," exclaimed the Count; "I heard of that, but I
+forgot the name. Have you not been here since then?"
+
+"Not I," replied the Chevalier. "The Duke asked me, indeed, to return
+the following year; but something prevented him from returning
+himself, and I believe he has never come back to Ruffigny since. A man
+who has so many castles as he has cannot favour any one of them above
+once in six or seven years or so."
+
+"He is coming down now, however," replied the Count; "for, of course,
+the affairs of his government must bring him here, if it be but to
+hold the states."
+
+"Ay, but he does not come to Ruffigny," replied the Chevalier. "He
+goes to Poitiers. I know all about his movements; and I'll tell you
+what, Morseiul: take care how you go to visit him at Poitiers, for you
+might chance not to come back unscathed."
+
+"How so?" demanded the Count, turning sharply as if with some
+surprise. "Is there any thing new against us poor Huguenots?"
+
+"Poo, I spoke not of that," replied the Chevalier. "You sectarians
+seem to have a sort of hereditary feeling of martyrdom in you, as if
+your chief ancestor had been St. Bartholomew himself, and the saint,
+being skinned alive, had given the world a skinless posterity, which
+makes them all feel alarmed lest any one should touch them."
+
+"It is an ominous name, St. Bartholomew, you must acknowledge to the
+ears of a Huguenot," replied the Count. "But what is it I have to
+fear, if not that, Louis?"
+
+"What is it you have to fear!" rejoined the Chevalier. "Why, a pair of
+the brightest eyes in all France--I believe I might say in all
+Europe."
+
+The Count shook his head with a smile.
+
+"Well then," continued the Chevalier, "a pair of lips that look like
+twin roses; eyebrows that give a meaning to every lustrous look of the
+eyes; a hand small, white, and delicate, with fingers tapering and
+rounded like those with which the Venus of the Greeks gathers around
+her timid form the unwilling drapery; a foot such as no sandle-shod
+goddess of the golden age could match: and a form which would have
+left the sculptor nothing to seek in other beauties but herself."
+
+The Count laughed aloud. "I am quite safe," he said, "quite safe,
+Louis, quite safe. I have nothing on earth to fear."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed his companion, in the same gay tone. "Pray, what
+panoply of proof do you possess sufficient to resist such arms as
+these when brought against you?"
+
+"Mine is twofold," answered the Count. "In the first place, your own
+enthusiasm cannot be misunderstood, and, of course, I do not become
+the rival of my friend. Our great hero, Conde, has set all soldiers a
+better example."
+
+"What then, do you intend to follow his example in regard to the
+Chatillon?" demanded the Chevalier; "to yield me the lady, and as soon
+as I am comfortably killed off, make love to my widow? But no, no,
+Albert, I stand not in your way; there are other attractions for me, I
+tell you fairly! Even if it were not so, let every man in love, as in
+war, do the best for himself. But, at all events, I tell you take care
+of yourself if you go to Poitiers, unless, indeed, you have some
+better armour than the thought of rivalry with me."
+
+"I must go to Poitiers of course," replied the Count, "when the
+governor comes down; but yet I shall go without fear, as I think you
+might by this time know. Have you not seen me amongst the fairest, and
+the gayest, and the sweetest of this world's daughters, and yet I do
+not think in all the catalogue you could find one cabalistic name
+sufficiently powerful to conjure up a sigh from my lips."
+
+"Why, to say the truth," replied the Chevalier, "I have often thought
+you as cold as a cannon ball before it is fired; but then, my dear
+Count, all that time you have had something else to do, something to
+excite, to interest, and to engross you. But now the stir and bustle
+of the camp is over,--the march, the countermarch, the advance, the
+retreat is done,--the fierce excitement of the battle-field does not
+bring forth all the energies of a fiery heart,--the trumpet no longer
+calls you from the ear of the fair one, before the whispered tale of
+love be well begun. In this piping time of peace, why, man, you have
+nothing for it but to make love, or die of melancholy. If you have a
+charm, let us hear what it is!"
+
+"Oh, I am no man of mysteries," replied the Count, "and my tale is
+very soon told. It is just five years ago--I was at that time in the
+heyday of all sorts of passions, in love, I believe, with every thing
+in woman's form that came in my way,--when, after spending the winter
+in Paris, I came down here to take leave of my father before joining
+the army in Flanders. It seemed as if he felt that we were parting for
+the last time, for he gave me many a caution, and many a warning
+regarding the woman that I might choose for my wife. He exacted no
+promise indeed, nor gave his counsels the shape of a command; but,
+amongst other injunctions, which I would most unwillingly violate, he
+strongly advised me never to wed any one of a different religious
+creed from myself. About the same time, however, a little incident
+occurred, which fancy worked up so strongly as to have had an effect
+upon my whole after feelings. You know the deep and bowery lanes and
+roads about the place, how beautifully the sunshine streams amongst
+them, how richly the song of the birds sound in the trees above, how
+full of a sparkling and fanciful light is the whole scenery round us
+when we dive into its depths. I was always fond of wandering through
+these scenes, and one day about that time I was out alone, at some
+distance beyond the castle of St. Anne's, when suddenly, as I was
+musing, and gazing, and drinking in, as it were, the sights and sounds
+around me, I heard the cry of dogs, and the sound of horns. But they
+were distant, and they passed away, and I went on wandering slowly,
+with my horse's bridle hanging loosely over my arm, till suddenly I
+heard the sound of galloping hoofs; and, immediately after, down the
+little road in which I was, came a gay wild horse of the Limousin,
+with a fair girl upon its back, who should hardly have been trusted to
+ride a fiery creature like that. She was not, indeed, a mere child,
+being apparently some sixteen or seventeen years of age, but extreme
+youth was in every feature and in every line, and, I might add, beauty
+also, for never in my life did I behold such visionlike loveliness as
+hers. The horse, with some sudden fright, must have darted away while
+she had laid down the rein, for at the time I met her, though not
+broken, it was floating at his feet, hazarding at every instant to
+throw him down. She sat firmly in the seat, and rode with grace and
+ease; but she was evidently much frightened, and as soon as she saw
+some one before her in the lane, she pointed with an eager gesture to
+the rein, and uttered some words which I did not hear. I easily
+divined her meaning however, and turning my own horse loose, knowing I
+could catch him again in a moment, I snatched at the rein of her horse
+as he passed, ran for a moment by its side, not to check it too
+sharply, then brought it to a halt, and asked her if she would alight.
+She bowed her head gracefully, and smiled most sweetly, replying, as
+soon as he could find breath, with many thanks for the service I had
+rendered her, that she was not hurt, and but a little frightened, the
+horse having darted away while she had laid down the rein to put on
+her gloves. She would not alight she said, but must return quickly to
+her friends, who would be frightened, and, without saying more, she
+again gracefully bent her head, turned her horse, and cantered rapidly
+away. I saw her once afterwards, passing along with a gay cortege,
+composed of persons that I did not know. As we passed each other she
+recognised me instantly, and, with a heightened colour, noticed me by
+another marked inclination of the head. When I had passed on, I could
+judge by her own gestures and those of the persons around her, that
+she was telling them what had occurred, and explaining to them the
+sign of recognition which she had made. On this second occasion she
+seemed to my eyes even more lovely than before. Her voice, too, though
+I had heard it so little, was the most musical that ever spoke to the
+heart of man, and I pondered and thought over the vision of loveliness
+that I had just seen, till it took so strong a hold of my heart and my
+imagination, that I could not rest satisfied without seeking to behold
+it again. I rode through all the country round; I was every day, and
+almost all day, on horseback; I called at every neighbouring house; I
+inquired at every place where I was likely to meet with information,
+but I could never see, or speak with, or hear of that fair creature
+again, and the time came rapidly on when I was compelled to rejoin the
+army. I thought of her often, however, I have thought of her ever
+since; that lovely face, that sweet voice will never go from my mind,
+and reason and fancy combine to make me resolve never to wed any one
+that I do not think as lovely as herself."
+
+"Pray what share had reason," demanded the Chevalier, "in a business
+altogether so unreasonable? Poo! my dear Albert, you have worked
+yourself into a boyish fancy of love, and then have clung to it, I
+suppose, as the last bit of boyhood left about you. What had reason to
+do with your seeing a pretty girl in a dark lane, and fancying there
+was nothing like her upon earth?"
+
+"With that, nothing certainly," replied the Count, "but with my
+after-determination much. Before that time long I had began to school
+myself a good deal on account of a propensity not so much to fall in
+love, but, as you term it, Louis, to make love to every fair creature
+I met with. I had found it needful to put some check upon myself: and
+if an artificial one was to be chosen, I did not see why this should
+not be selected as well as any other. I determined that, as the
+knights of old, and our own troubadours too, if you will, and even--as
+by your laughing I suppose you would have it--excellent Don Quixote
+himself, that pattern of all true gentlemen, vowed and dedicated
+themselves to some fair lady, whom they had seen even less frequently
+than I had her--I determined, I say, that I would encourage this fancy
+of loving my fair horsewoman, and would employ the image of beauty,
+which imagination, perhaps, had its share in framing, and the fine
+qualities of the mind and heart, which were shadowed out beneath that
+lovely exterior, as a test, a touchstone, whereby to try and to
+correct my feelings towards others, and to approach none with words of
+love who did not appear to me as beautiful in form as she was, and who
+did not seem at least equal to the standard which fancy had raised up
+under her image. The matter perhaps was carried farther than I
+intended, the feeling became more intense than I had expected. For
+some time I sincerely and truly fancied myself in love; but even since
+reason has come to my aid in such a matter, and I know how much
+imagination has to do with the whole, yet from that one circumstance,
+from that fanciful accident, my standard of perfection in woman has
+been raised so high, that I find none who have attained it; and yet so
+habitual has it become with me to apply it to every one I see, that
+whenever I am introduced to any beautiful creature, to whom I might
+otherwise become attached, the fanciful image rises up, and the new
+acquaintance is tried and ever is found wanting."
+
+"Thou art a strange composition, my good friend the Count," said the
+Chevalier, "but we shall see, now that peace and tranquillity have
+fallen over the world, whether you can go on still resisting with the
+courage of a martyr. I don't believe a word of it, although, to say
+sooth, your quality of heretic is something in your favour. But, in
+the name of fortune, tell me what are all those loud and tumultuous
+sounds which are borne by the wind through the open window. Your good
+people of Morseiul are not in rebellion, I hope."
+
+"Not that I know of," replied the Count, with a smile at the very idea
+of such a thing as rebellion under Louis XIV.; "but I will call my
+fellow Riquet, who ought, I think, to have been called Scapin, for I
+am sure Moliere must have had a presentiment of the approaching birth
+of such a scoundrel. He will tell us all about it; for if a thing
+takes place on the other side of the earth, Riquet knows it all within
+five minutes after it happens."
+
+Before he had well finished speaking, the person he alluded to
+entered. But Riquet deserves a pause for separate notice.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                   THE VALET--THE TOWNSPEOPLE--THE
+                            PROCLAMATION.
+
+
+The personage who entered the room, which on that the first actual day
+after his arrival at his own dwelling the Count de Morseiul had used
+as a dining-room, was the representative of an extinct race, combining
+in his own person all the faults and absurdities with all the talents
+and even virtues which were sometimes mingled together in that strange
+composition, the old French valet. It is a creature that we find
+recorded in the pages of many an antique play, now either banished
+altogether from the stage, or very seldom acted; but, alas! the being
+itself is extinct; and even were we to find a fossil specimen in some
+unexplored bed of blue clay, we should gain but a very inadequate idea
+of all its various properties and movements. We have still the roguish
+valet in sad abundance--a sort of common house-rat; and we have,
+moreover, the sly and the silent, the loquacious and the lying, the
+pilfering and the impudent valet, with a thousand other varieties; but
+the old French valet, that mithridatic compound of many curious
+essences, is no longer upon the earth, having gone absolutely out of
+date and being at the same period with his famous contemporary "_le
+Marquis_."
+
+At the time we speak of, however, the French valet was in full
+perfection; and, as we have said, an epitome of the whole race and
+class was to be found in Maitre Jerome Riquet, who now entered the
+room, and advanced with an operatic step towards his lord. He was a
+man perhaps of forty years of age, which, as experience and constant
+practice were absolute requisites in his profession, was a great
+advantage to him, for he had lost not one particle of the activity of
+youth, seeming to possess either a power of ubiquity, or a rapidity of
+locomotion which rendered applicable to him the famous description of
+the bird which flew so fast "as to be in two places at once."
+Quicksilver, or a lover's hours of happiness, a swallow, or the wind,
+were as nothing when compared to his rapidity; and it is also to be
+remarked, that the rapidity of the mind went hand in hand with the
+rapidity of the body, enabling him to comprehend his master's orders
+before they were spoken, to answer a question before it was asked, and
+to determine with unerring sagacity by a single glance whether it
+would be most for his interests or his purposes to understand or
+misunderstand the coming words before they were pronounced.
+
+Riquet was slightly made, though by no means fulfilling the immortal
+caricature of the gates of Calais; but when dressed in his own
+appropriate costume, he contrived to make himself look more meagre
+than he really was, perhaps with a view of rendering his person less
+recognisable when, dressed in a suit of his master's clothes with
+sundry additions and ornaments of his own device, he appeared enlarged
+with false calves to his legs, and manifold paddings on his breast and
+shoulders, enacting with great success the part of the Marquis of
+Kerousac, or of any other place which he chose to raise into the
+dignity of a marquisate for his own especial use.
+
+His features, it is true, were so peculiar in their cast and
+expression, that it would have seemed at first sight utterly
+impossible for the face of Jerome Riquet to be taken for any other
+thing upon the earth than the face of Jerome Riquet. The figure
+thereof was long, and the jaws of the form called lantern, with high
+cheek bones, and a forehead so covered with protuberances, that it
+seemed made on purpose for the demonstration of phrenology. Along this
+forehead, in almost a straight line drawn from a point immediately
+between the eyes, at a very acute angle towards the zenith, were a
+pair of eyebrows, strongly marked throughout their whole course, but
+decorated by an obtrusive tuft near the nose, from which tuft now
+stuck out several long grey bristles. The eyes themselves were sharp,
+small, and brilliant; but being under the especial protection of the
+superincumbent eyebrows, they followed the same line, leaving a long
+lean cheek on either side, only relieved by a congregation of
+radiating wrinkles at the corners of the eyelids. The mouth was as
+wide as any man could well desire for the ordinary purposes of life,
+and it was low down too in the face, leaving plenty of room for the
+nose above, which was as peculiar in its construction as any that ever
+was brought from "the promontory of noses." It was neither the
+judaical hook nose, nor the pure aquiline, nor the semi-judaical
+Italian, nor the vulture, nor the sheep, nor the horse nose. It had no
+affinity whatever to the "nez retrousse," nor was it the bottle, nor
+the ace of clubs. It was a nose _sui generis_, and starting from
+between the two bushy eyebrows, it made its way out, with a slight
+parabolic curve downwards, till it had reached about the distance of
+an inch and a half from the fundamental base line of the face. Having
+attained that elevation, it came to a sharp abrupt point, through the
+thin skin of which the white gristle seemed inclined to force its way,
+and then suddenly dropping a perpendicular, it joined itself on to the
+lower part of the face, at a right angle with the upper lip, with the
+extensive territories of which it did not interfere in the slightest
+degree, being as it were a thing apart, while the nostrils started up
+again, running in the same line as the eyes and eyebrows.
+
+Such in personal appearance was Jerome Riquet, and his mental
+conformation was not at all less singular. Of this mental conformation
+we shall have to give some illustrations hereafter; but yet, to deal
+fairly by him, we must afford some sketch of his inner man in
+juxtaposition with his corporeal qualities. In the first place,
+without the reality of being a coward, he affected cowardice as a very
+convenient reputation, which might be serviceable on many occasions,
+and could be shaken off whenever he thought fit. "A brave man," he
+said, "has something to keep up, he must never be cowardly; but a
+poltroon can be a brave man, without derogating from a well-earned
+reputation, whenever he pleases. No, no, I like variety; I'll be a
+coward, and a brave man only when it suits me." He sometimes, indeed,
+nearly betrayed himself, by burlesquing fear, especially when any raw
+soldier was near, for he had an invincible inclination to amuse
+himself with the weaknesses of others, and knew how contagious a
+disease fear is.
+
+The next remarkable trait in his character was a mixture of honesty
+and roguery, which left him many doubts in his own mind as to whether
+he was by nature a knave or a simpleton. He would pilfer from his
+master any thing he could lay his hands upon, if he thought his master
+did not really want it; but had that master fallen into difficulties
+or dangers he would have given him his last louis, or laid down his
+life to save him. He would pick the locks of a cabinet to see what it
+contained, and ingeniously turn the best folded letter inside out to
+read the contents; but no power on earth would ever have made him
+divulge to others that which he practised such unjustifiable means to
+learn.
+
+He was also a most determined liar, both by habit and inclination. He
+preferred it, he said, to truth. It evinced greater powers of the
+human mind. Telling truth, he said, only required the use of one's
+tongue and one's memory; but to lie, and to lie well, demanded
+imagination, judgment, courage, and, in short, all the higher
+qualities of the human intellect. He could sometimes, however, tell
+the truth, when he saw that it was absolutely necessary. All that he
+had was a disposition to falsehood, controllable under particular
+circumstances, but always returning when those circumstances were
+removed.
+
+As to the religion of Maitre Jerome Riquet, the less that is said upon
+the matter the better for the honour of that individual. He had but
+one sense of religion, indeed, and his definition of religion will
+give that sense its clearest exposition. In explaining his views one
+day on the subject to a fellow valet, he was known to declare that
+religion consisted in expressing those opinions concerning what was
+within a man's body, and what was to become of it after death, which
+were most likely to be beneficial to that body in the circumstances in
+which it was placed. Now, to say the truth, in order to act in
+accordance with this definition, Maitre Jerome had a difficult part to
+perform. His parents and relations were all Catholics and having been
+introduced at an early age into the house of a Huguenot nobleman, and
+attached for many years to the person of his son, with only one other
+Catholic in the household, it would seem to have been the natural
+course of policy for the valet, under his liberal view of things, to
+abandon Catholicism, and betake himself to the pleasant heresy of his
+masters. But Riquet had a more extensive conception of things than
+that. He saw and knew that Catholicism was the great predominant
+religion of the country; he knew that it was the predominant religion
+of the court also; and he had a sort of instinctive foresight from the
+beginning of the persecutions and severities--the dark clouds of which
+were now gathering fast around the Huguenots, and were likely sooner
+or later to overwhelm them.
+
+Now, like the famous Erasmus, Jerome Riquet had no will to be made a
+martyr of; and though he could live very comfortable in a Huguenot
+family, and attach himself to its lords, he did not think it at all
+necessary to attach himself to its religion also, but, on the
+contrary, went to mass when he had nothing else to do, confessed what
+sins he thought fit to acknowledge or to invent once every four or
+five years, swore that he performed all the penances assigned to him,
+and tormented the Protestant maid-servants of the chateau, by vowing
+that they were all destined to eternal condemnation, that there was
+not a nook in purgatory hot enough to bake away their sins, and that a
+place was reserved for them in the bottomless pit itself, with Arians
+and Socinians, and all the heretics and heresiarchs from the beginning
+of the world. After having given way to one of these tirades, he would
+generally burst into a loud fit of laughter at the absurdity of all
+religious contentions, and run away leaving his fellow-servants with a
+full conviction that he had no religion at all.
+
+He dared not, it is true, indulge in such licences towards his master;
+but he very well knew that the young Count was not a bigot himself,
+and would not by any means think that he served him better if he
+changed his religion. In times of persecution and danger, indeed, the
+Count might have imagined that there was a risk of a very zealous
+Catholic being induced to injure or betray his Protestant lord; but
+the Count well knew Jerome to be any thing but a zealous Catholic, and
+he had not the slightest fear that any hatred of Protestantism or love
+for the church of Rome would ever induce the worthy valet to do any
+thing against the lord to whom he had attached himself.
+
+Such, then, was Jerome Riquet; and we shall pause no longer upon his
+other characteristic qualities than to say, that he was the
+exemplification of the word clever; that there was scarcely any thing
+to which he could not turn his hand, and that though light, and lying
+and pilfering, and impudent beyond all impudence, he was capable of
+strong attachments and warm affections; and if we may use a very
+colloquial expression to characterise his proceedings, there was fully
+as much fun as malice in his roguery. A love of adventure and of jest
+was his predominant passion; and although all the good things and
+consolations of this life by no means came amiss to him, yet in the
+illegitimate means which he took to acquire them he found a greater
+pleasure even than in their enjoyment when obtained.
+
+When the door opened, as we have said, and Riquet presented himself,
+the eyes of the Count de Morseiul fixed upon him at once; and he
+immediately gathered from the ludicrous expression of fear which the
+valet had contrived to throw into his face, that something of a
+serious nature had really happened in the town, though he doubted not
+that it was by no means sufficient to cause the astonishment and
+terror which Jerome affected. Before he could ask any questions,
+however, Jerome, advancing with the step of a ballet master, cast
+himself on one knee at the Count's feet, exclaiming,--
+
+"My lord, I come to you for protection and for safety."
+
+"Why, what is the matter, Jerome?" exclaimed the Count. "What rogue's
+trick have you been playing now? Is it a cudgel or the gallows that
+you fear?"
+
+"Neither, my good lord," replied Jerome, "but it is the fagot and the
+stake. I fear the rage of your excited and insubordinate people in the
+town of Morseiul, who are now in a state of heretical insurrection,
+tearing down the king's proclamations, trampling his edicts under
+foot, and insulting his officers; and as I happen, I believe, to be
+the only Catholic in the place, I run the risk of being one of the
+first to be sacrificed, if their insane vehemence leads them into
+further acts of phrenzy."
+
+"Get up, fool, get up," cried the Count, shaking him off as he clung
+to his knee; "tell me, if you can speak truth and common sense, what
+is it you mean, and what has occasioned all these shouts that we heard
+just now?"
+
+"I mean, my lord," said Riquet, starting up and putting himself in an
+attitude, "I mean all that I say. There is some proclamation," he
+continued in a more natural tone, "concerning the performance of the
+true Catholic and apostolic religion, which some of the king's
+officers posted up on the gate at the bottom of the Count's street,
+and which the people instantly tore down. The huissier and the rest
+were proceeding up the street to read the edict in the great square,
+amidst the shouts and imprecations of the vulgar; but I saw them
+gathering together stones, and bringing out cudgels, which showed me
+that harder arguments were about to be used than words; and as there
+is no knowing where such matters may end, I made haste to take care of
+my own poor innocent skin, and lay myself at your feet, humbly craving
+your protection."
+
+"Then, get out of my way," said the Count, putting him on one side,
+and moving towards the door. "Louis, we must go and see after this.
+This is some new attack upon us poor Huguenots--some other Jesuitical
+infraction of the privileges assured to us by our good King Henry
+IV. We must quiet the people, however, and see what the offence
+is;--though, God help us," he added with a sigh, "since the
+parliaments have succumbed there is no legal means left us of
+obtaining redress. Some day or another these bad advisers of our noble
+and magnificent monarch will drive the Protestant part of his people
+into madness, or compel them to raise the standard of revolt against
+him, or to fly to other lands, and seek the exercise of their religion
+unoppressed."
+
+"Hush, hush, hush, Morseiul," said his companion, laying his hand
+kindly on his arm, "your words are hasty. You do not know how small a
+matter constitutes treason now-a-days, or how easy is the passage to
+the Bastille."
+
+"Oh! I know--I know quite well," replied the Count; "and that many a
+faithful and loyal subject, who has served his king and country well,
+has found his way there before me. I love and admire my king. I will
+serve him with my whole soul and the last drop of my blood, and all I
+claim in return is that liberty of my own free thoughts which no man
+can take from me. Chains cannot bind that down; bastilles cannot shut
+it in; and every attempt to crush it is but an effort of tyranny both
+impotent and cruel. However, we must calm the people. Where is my hat,
+knave?"
+
+"I have often wished, my dear Morseiul," said the Chevalier, as they
+followed the valet, who ran on to get the Count's hat: "I have often
+wished that you would give yourself a little time to think and to
+examine. I am very sure that if you did you would follow the example
+of the greatest man of modern times, abjure your religious errors, and
+gain the high station and renown which you so well deserve."
+
+"What, do you mean Turenne?" exclaimed the Count. "Never, Louis,
+never! I grant him, Louis, to have been one of the greatest men of
+this, or perhaps of any other age, mighty as a warrior, just,
+clearsighted, kind-hearted, and comprehensive as a politician, and
+perhaps as great in the noble and honest simplicity of his nature as
+in any other point of view. I grant him all and every thing that you
+could say in his favour. I grant every thing that his most
+enthusiastic admirers can assert; but _God forbid that we should ever
+imitate the weakness of a great man's life_. No, no, Chevalier, it is
+one of the most perverted uses of example to justify wrong because the
+good have been tempted to commit it. No man's example, no man's
+opinion to me is worth any thing, however good or however wise he may
+be, if there be stamped upon its face the broad and unequivocal marks
+of wrong."
+
+By this time they had reached the vestibule from which a little flight
+of steps conducted into the garden, and Maitre Jerome stood there with
+his lord's hat and polished cane in his hand. The Count took them with
+a quick gesture and passed on, followed by his friend, who raised his
+eyebrows a little with a look of regret, as his only answer to the
+last words. These words had been heard by the valet also, and the
+raising of the eyebrows was not unmarked; and Maitre Jerome,
+understanding the whole train of the argument, as well as if he had
+heard every syllable, commented upon what he considered his lord's
+imbecility by a shrug of the shoulders, in which his head almost
+utterly disappeared.
+
+In the mean time the young Count and his friend passed up the little
+avenue to the postern gate, opened it, and entered the town of
+Morseiul; and then, by a short and narrow street, which was at that
+moment all in shadow, entered the market square, at which they
+arrived, by the shorter path they pursued, long before the officers
+who were about to read the proclamation. A great number of persons
+were collected in the square, and it was evident that by this time the
+whole place was in a state of great excitement. The Chevalier was in
+some fear for the effect of the coming scene upon his friend; and, as
+they entered the market place, he stopped him, laying his hand upon
+his arm, and saying,--
+
+"Morseiul, you are a good deal heated, pause for one moment and think
+of what you are about. For the sake of yourself and of your country,
+if not for mine; neither say nor do any thing rashly."
+
+The Count turned towards him with a calm and gentle smile, and grasped
+his hand.
+
+"Thank you, Louis," he said, "thank you, though your caution, believe
+me, is unnecessary. You will see that I act as calmly and as
+reasonably, that I speak as quietly and as peacefully as the most
+earnest Catholic could desire. Heaven forbid," he added, "that I
+should say one word, or make one allusion to any thing that could
+farther excite the passions of the people than they are likely to be
+excited already. Civil strife, Louis, is the most awful of all things
+so long as it lasts, and seldom, very seldom if ever obtains the end
+for which it first commenced. But even if I did not think so," he
+added in a lower voice, "I know that the Protestants of France have no
+power to struggle with the force of the crown, unless--" and his voice
+fell almost to a whisper, "unless the crown force upon them the
+energetic vigour of despair."
+
+The two had paused while they thus spoke, and while they heard the
+murmuring sounds of the people coming up the hill from the right hand,
+the noise of several persons running could be distinguished on the
+other side, and turning round towards the postern, the Count saw that,
+thanks to the care and foresight of Maitre Jerome, a great number of
+his domestics and attendants were coming up at full speed to join him,
+so that when he again advanced, he was accompanied by ten or twelve
+persons ready to obey without hesitation or difficulty the slightest
+command that he should give. As there was no telling the turn which
+events might take, he was not sorry that it should be so; and as he
+now advanced towards the centre of the square the sight of his
+liveries instantly attracted the attention of the people, and he was
+recognised with joyful exclamations of "The Count! The Count!"
+
+Gladness was in every face at his approach, for the minds of the
+populace were in that state of anxious hesitation, in which the
+presence and direction of any one to whom they are accustomed to look
+up is an absolute blessing. Taking off his hat and bowing repeatedly
+to every one around him, speaking to many, and recognising every one
+with whom he was personally acquainted with a frank and good-humoured
+smile, the Count advanced through the people, who gathered upon his
+path as he proceeded, till he reached the top of the hill, and
+obtained a clear view of what was passing below.
+
+Had not one known the painful and angry feelings which were then
+excited, it would have been a pleasant and a cheerful scene. The sun
+had by this time got sufficiently round to the westward to throw long
+shadows from the irregular gable-ended houses more than half way
+across the wide open road that conducted from the valley to the top of
+the hill. The perspective, too, was strongly marked by the lines of
+the buildings; the other side of the road was in bright light; there
+was a beautiful prospect of hill and dale seen out beyond the town;
+numerous booths and stalls, kept by peasant women with bright dresses
+and snowy caps, chequered the whole extent; and up the centre of the
+street, approaching slowly, were the officers of the district, with a
+small party of military, followed on either side by a much more
+considerable number of the lower order of town's people and peasantry.
+
+Such was the scene upon which the eyes of the Count de Morseiul fell;
+and it must be admitted, that when he saw the military his heart beat
+with considerable feelings of indignation, for we must remember that
+in towns like that which was under his rule the feudal customs still
+existed to a very great extent. It was still called his town of
+Morseiul. The king, indeed, ruled; the laws of the land were
+administered in the king's name; but the custody, defence, and
+government of the town of Morseiul was absolutely in the hands of the
+Count, or of the persons to whom he delegated his power during his
+absence. It was regularly, in fact, garrisoned in his name; and there
+were many instances, scarcely twenty years before, in which the
+garrisons of such towns had resisted in arms the royal authority; and
+if not held to be fully justified, at all events had passed without
+punishment, because they were acting under the orders of him in whose
+name they were levied. The attempt, therefore, of any body of the
+king's troops to penetrate into the Count's town of Morseiul, without
+his having been formally deprived of the command thereof, seemed to
+him one of the most outrageous violations of his privileges which it
+was possible to imagine; and his heart consequently beat, as we have
+said, with feelings of high indignation. He suppressed them, however,
+with the calm determination of doing what was right; and turned to
+gaze upon the people who surrounded him, in order to ascertain as far
+as possible by what feelings they were affected.
+
+His own attendants had congregated immediately behind him; on his
+right hand stood his friend the Chevalier; on his left, about half a
+step behind, so as to be near the Count, but not to appear obtrusive,
+was a personage of considerable importance in the little town of
+Morseiul, though he exercised a handicraft employment, and worked
+daily with his own hands, even while he directed others. This was Paul
+Virlay, the principal blacksmith of the place. He was at this time a
+man of about fifty years of age, tall, and herculean in all his
+proportions. The small head, the broad muscular chest and shoulders,
+the brawny arms, the immense thick hands, the thin flanks, and the
+stout legs and thighs, all bespoke extraordinary strength. He was very
+dark in complexion, with short-cut curly black hair, grizzled with
+grey; and the features of his face, though short, and by no means
+handsome, had a good and a frank expression, but at all times somewhat
+stern.
+
+At the present moment his brow was more contracted than usual; not
+that there was any other particular mark of very strongly excited
+passions upon his countenance; and the attitude he had assumed was one
+of calm and reposing strength, resting with his right hand supported
+by one of the common quarter-staffs of the country, a full inch and a
+half thick, much in the same position which he frequently assumed
+when, pausing in his toil, he talked with his workmen, leaving the
+sledge hammer, that usually descended with such awful strength, to
+support the hand which wielded it at other times like a feather.
+
+Behind him again, was a great multitude of the town's people of
+different classes, though the mayor and the municipal officers had
+thought fit to absent themselves carefully from the scene of probable
+strife. But the eyes of the Count fell, as we have said, upon Paul
+Virlay; and knowing him to be a man both highly respected in his own
+class, and of considerable wealth and importance in the city, he
+addressed him in the first instance, saying,--
+
+"Good morrow, Virlay, it is long since I have seen you all. What is
+all this about?"
+
+"You don't forget us, Count Albert, even when you are away," replied
+the blacksmith, with his brow unbending. "We know that very well, and
+have proofs of it too, when any thing good is to be done; but this
+seems to me to be a bad business. We hear that the king has suppressed
+the chamber of the edict, which was our greatest safeguard; and now my
+boy tells me, for I sent him down to see when they first came to the
+bottom of the hill, that this is a proclamation forbidding us from
+holding synods; and be you sure, sir, that the time is not far distant
+when they will try to stop us altogether from worshipping God in our
+own way. What think you, my lord?" he said, in a lower tone, "Were it
+not better to show them at once that they cannot go on?" and his looks
+spoke much more than even his words.
+
+"No, Virlay," replied the Count; "no, by no means. You see the people
+are in tumult below evidently. Any unadvised and illegal resistance to
+the royal authority will immediately call upon us harsh measures, and
+be made the pretext by any bad advisers who may surround the king for
+irritating his royal mind against us. Let us hear what the
+proclamation really is; even should it be harsh and unjust, which from
+the king's merciful nature we will hope is not the case: let us listen
+to it calmly and peaceably, and after having considered well, and
+taken the advice and opinion of wise and experienced men, let us then
+make what representations to the king we may think fit, and petition
+him in his clemency to do us right."
+
+"Clemency!" said the blacksmith. "However, my lord, you know better
+than I, but I hope they will not say any thing to make our blood boil,
+that's all."
+
+"Even if they should," replied the Count, "we must prevent it from
+boiling over. Virlay, I rely upon you, as one of the most sensible men
+in the place, not only to restrain yourself, but to aid me in
+restraining others. The king has every right to send his own officers
+to make his will known to his people."
+
+"But the dragoons," said Virlay, fixing his eyes upon the soldiers;
+"what business have they here? Why they might, Count Albert----"
+
+The Count stopped him.
+
+"They are yet without the real bounds of the town, Virlay," he said;
+"and they do not enter into it! Send some one you can trust for the
+mayor with all speed; unhook the gates from the bars that keep them
+back; place a couple of men behind each; I will prevent the military
+from entering into the town: but I trust to you, and the other men of
+good sense who surround me, to guard the king's officers and the
+king's authority from any insult, and to suffer the proclamation of
+his will to take place in the market-place without any opposition or
+tumult whatsoever."
+
+"I will do my best, Count," replied the blacksmith, "for I am sure you
+are a true friend to us--and we may well trust in you."
+
+The crowd from below had in the meantime advanced steadily up the
+hill, surrounding the officers of the crown and the soldiery; and by
+this time the whole mass was within a hundred and fifty yards of the
+spot where the Count and his companions stood. Their progress had been
+without violence, indeed, but not without hootings and outcry, which
+seemed greatly to annoy the officer in command of the soldiers, he
+having been accustomed alone to the court of the grand monarch, and to
+the scenes in the neighbourhood of the capital, where the people might
+well be said to lick the dust beneath the feet of their pageant-loving
+king. It seemed, then, something so strange and monstrous to his ears,
+that any expression of the royal will should be received otherwise
+than with the most deep and devoted submission, that he was more than
+once tempted to turn and charge the multitude. A prudent
+consideration, however, of the numbers by which he was surrounded, and
+the scantiness of his own band, overcame all such purposes; and,
+though foaming with indignation, he continued to advance, without
+noticing the shouts that assailed him, and playing with the manifold
+ribands and pieces of silk that decorated his buff coat and his sword
+knot, to conceal his vexation and annoyance.
+
+"Who have we here at the head of them?" demanded the Count, turning to
+the Chevalier. "His face is not unknown to me."
+
+"As far as I can see," replied his companion, "it is young Hericourt,
+a nephew of Le Tellier's--do you not remember? as brave as a lion,
+but moreover a young coxcomb, who thinks that he can do every thing,
+and that nothing can be done without him; as stupid as an owl too.
+I wonder you do not recollect his getting great credit for
+taking the little fort of the _bec de l'oie_ by a sheer act of
+stupidity,--getting himself and his party entangled between the two
+forts, and while Lamets was advancing to extricate him, forcing his
+way in, from not knowing what else to do."
+
+"I remember, I remember," said the Count, with a smile; "he was well
+rewarded for his fortunate mistake. But what does he here, I wonder? I
+thought he never quitted the precincts of Versailles, but to follow
+the King to the camp."
+
+"He is the worst person who could have been sent upon this errand,"
+replied the Chevalier; "for he is certain to make mischief wherever he
+goes. He has attached himself much to the Rouvres, however, of late,
+and I suppose Le Tellier has given him some post about the new
+governor, in order that his rule may not be the most tranquil in the
+world."
+
+While they were speaking, the eyes of the people who were coming up
+the hill fell upon the group that had assembled just in front of the
+gates, with the Count, his friend, and his servants, in the
+foreground; and immediately a loud shout made itself heard, of "The
+Count! the Count! Long live the Count!" followed by various other
+exclamations, such as "He will protect us! He will see justice done
+us! Long live our own good Count!"
+
+I The moment that the Count's name was thus loudly pronounced, the
+young officer, turning to those who followed, gave some orders in a
+low voice, and then, spurring on his horse through the crowd, rode
+directly up to the Count de Morseiul; who, as he saw him approaching,
+turned to the Chevalier, saying, "You bear witness, Louis, that I deal
+with this matter as moderately and loyally as may be."
+
+"I trust, for the sake of all," said the Chevalier, "that you will.
+You know, Albert, that I do not care two straws for one religion more
+than the other; and think that a man can serve God singing the psalms
+of Clement Marot as well, or perhaps better, than if he sung them in
+Latin, without, perhaps, understanding them. But for Heaven's sake
+keep peace in the inside of the country at all events. But here comes
+our young dragoon."
+
+As he spoke, the young officer rode up with a good deal of irritation
+evident in his countenance. He seemed to be three or four and twenty
+years of age, of a complexion extremely fair, and with a countenance
+sufficiently unmeaning, though all the features were good. He bowed
+familiarly to the Chevalier, and more distantly to the Count de
+Morseuil; but addressed himself at once to the latter:--
+
+"I have the honour," he said, "I presume, of speaking to the Count de
+Morseuil, and I must say that I hope he will give me his aid in
+causing proclamation of the king's will amongst these mutinous and
+rebellious people of his town of Morseuil."
+
+"My friend the Chevalier here tells me," replied the Count, "that I
+have the honour of seeing Monsieur de Hericourt----"
+
+"The Marquis Auguste de Hericourt," interrupted the young officer.
+
+"Well, sir, well," said the Count, somewhat impatiently, "I stand
+corrected: the Marquis Auguste de Hericourt, and I am very happy to
+have the honour of seeing him, and also to inform him that I will
+myself ensure that the king's will is, as he says, proclaimed in my
+town of Morseiul by the proper officers, taking care to accompany them
+into the town myself for that purpose, although I cannot but defend my
+poor townsmen from the accusation of being mutinous and rebellious
+subjects, nothing being further from the thoughts of any one here
+present than mutiny or rebellion."
+
+"Do you not hear the cries and shouts?" cried the young officer. "Do
+you not see the threatening aspect of the people?"
+
+"I hear some shouts, certainly," answered the Count, "as if something
+had given offence or displeasure; but what it is I do not know. I
+trust and hope that it is nothing in any proclamation of the king's;
+and if I should find it to be so, when I hear the proclamation read, I
+shall take every means to put an end to such demonstrations of
+disappointment or grief, at once. We have always the means of
+approaching the royal ear, and I feel sure that there will be no
+occasion for clamour or outcry in order to obtain justice at the hands
+of our most gracious and wise monarch.--But allow me to observe,
+Monsieur le Marquis," he continued somewhat more quickly, "your
+dragoons are approaching rather too near the gates of Morseiul."
+
+"You do not intend, I presume, sir," said the young officer sharply,
+"to refuse an entrance to the officers of the King, charged with a
+proclamation from his Majesty!"
+
+"Not to the King's proper civil officers," replied the Count, keeping
+his eye, while he spoke, warily fixed upon the dragoons. "But, most
+assuredly, I do intend to refuse admittance to any body of military
+whatsoever, great or small, while I retain the post with which his
+Majesty has entrusted me of governor to this place."
+
+There was a pause for a single instant, and the young officer turned
+his head, without replying, towards the soldiers, on whom the Count's
+eye also was still fixed. There was something, however, suspicious in
+their movements. They had now reached the brow of the hill, and were
+within twenty yards of the gate. They formed into a double file as
+they came up in front of the civil officers, and the head man of each
+file was seen passing a word to those behind him. At the moment their
+officer turned his head towards them, they began to move forward in
+quicker time, and in a moment more would have passed the gates;
+but at that instant the clear full voice of the Count de Morseiul was
+heard exclaiming, in a tone that rose above all the rest of the
+sounds--
+
+"Close the gates!" and the two ponderous masses of wood, which had not
+been shut for many years, swung forward grating on their hinges, and
+at once barred all entrance into the town.
+
+"What is the meaning of this, Monsieur de Hericourt?" continued the
+Count. "Your men deserve a severe reprimand, sir, for attempting to
+enter the town without my permission or your orders."
+
+The young man turned very red, but he was not ready with a reply, and
+the Chevalier, willing as far as possible to prevent any unpleasant
+consequences, and yet not to lose a jest, exclaimed--
+
+"I suppose the Marquis took it for the bec de l'oie, but he is
+mistaken, you see."
+
+"He might have found it a trap for a goose, if not a goose's bill,"
+said a loud voice from behind; but the Marquis either did not or would
+not hear any thing but the pleasant part of the allusion, and, bowing
+to the Chevalier with a smile, he said, "Oh, you are too good,
+Monsieur le Chevalier, the affair you mention was but a trifle, far
+more owing to the courage of my men than to any skill on my part. But,
+in the present instance, I must say, Count," he added, turning towards
+the other, "that the king's officers must be admitted to make
+proclamations in the town of Morseiul."
+
+"The king's civil officers shall, sir," replied the Count, "as I
+informed you before: but no soldiers, on any pretence whatsoever.
+However, sir," he continued, seeing the young officer mustering up a
+superabundant degree of energy, "I think it will be much the best plan
+for you to do me the honour of reposing yourself, with any two or
+three of your attendants you may think fit, at my poor chateau here,
+without the walls, while your troopers can refresh themselves at the
+little auberge at the foot of the hill. My friend, the Chevalier here,
+will do the honours of my house till I return, and I will accompany
+the officers charged with the proclamation, and see that they meet
+with no obstruction in the fulfilment of their duty."
+
+"I do not know that I am justified," said the young officer,
+hesitating, "in not insisting upon seeing the proclamation made
+myself."
+
+"I am afraid there will be no use of insisting," replied the Count;
+"and depend upon it, sir, you will serve the king better by suffering
+the proclamation to be made quietly, than even by risking a
+disturbance by protracting, unnecessarily, an irritating discussion. I
+wish to treat you with all respect, and with the distinction due to
+your high merit. Farther, I have nothing to say, but that I am
+governor of Morseiul, and as such undertake to see the king's
+proclamation duly made within the walls."
+
+The hesitation of the young dragoon was only increased by the cool and
+determined tone of the Count. Murmurs were rising amongst the people
+round, and the voice of Paul Virlay was heard muttering,
+
+"He had better decide quickly, or we shall not be able to keep the
+good men quiet."
+
+The Marquis heard the words, and instantly began to bristle up, to fix
+himself more firmly in the saddle, and put his hand towards the hilt
+of his sword; but the Chevalier advanced close to his side, and spoke
+to him for a moment or two in a low voice. Nothing was heard of their
+conversation, even by the Count de Morseiul
+, but the words "good
+wine--pleasant evening--laugh over the whole affair."
+
+But at length the young courtier bowed his head to the Count, saying,
+"Well then, sir, I repose the trust in you, knowing you to be a man of
+such high honour, that you would not undertake what you could not
+perform, nor fail to execute punctually that which you had undertaken.
+I will do myself the honour of waiting your return with the Chevalier,
+at your chateau."
+
+After some further words of civility on both parts, the young officer
+dismounted and threw his rein to a page, and then formally placing the
+civil officers under the care and protection of the Count de Morseiul,
+he gave orders to his dragoons to bend their steps down the hill, and
+refresh themselves at the auberge below; while he, bowing again to the
+Count, took his way with the Chevalier and a single attendant along
+the esplanade which led to the gates of the chateau without the walls.
+The civil officers, who had certainly been somewhat maltreated as they
+came up the hill, seemed not a little unwilling to see the dragoons
+depart, and a loud shout, mingled of triumph and scorn, with which the
+people treated the soldiers as they turned to march down the hill,
+certainly did not at all tend to comfort or re-assure the poor
+huissiers, greffiers, and other officers. The shout caused the young
+marquis, who had proceeded twenty or thirty steps upon his way, to
+stop short, and turn round, imagining that some new collision had
+taken place between the town's people and the rest; but seeing that
+all was quiet he walked on again the moment after, and the Count,
+causing the civil officers to be surrounded by his own attendants,
+ordered the wicket to be opened, and led the way in, calling to Virlay
+to accompany him, and urging upon him the necessity of preserving
+peace and order, let the nature of the proclamation be what it might.
+
+"I have given you my promise, Count," replied the blacksmith, "to do
+my best, and I won't fail; but I won't answer for myself or others on
+any other occasion."
+
+"We are only speaking of the present," replied the Count; "for other
+occasions other measures, as the case may be: but at present every
+thing requires us to submit without any opposition.--Where can this
+cowardly mayor be," he said, "that he does not choose to show himself
+in a matter like this? But the proclamation must be made without him,
+if he do not appear."
+
+They had by this time advanced into the midst of the great square, and
+the Count signified to the officer charged with the proclamation, that
+it had better be made at once: but for some moments what he suggested
+could not be accomplished from the pressure of the people, the crowd
+amounting by this time to many hundred persons. The Count, his
+attendants, and Virlay, however, contrived, with some difficulty, to
+clear a little space around, the first by entreaties and
+expostulations, and the blacksmith by sundry thrusts of his strong
+quarterstaff and menaces, with an arm which few of those there present
+seemed inclined to encounter.
+
+The Count then took off his hat, and the officer began to read the
+proclamation, which was long and wordy; but which, like many another
+act of the crown then taking place from day to day, had a direct
+tendency to deprive the protestants of France of the privileges which
+had been secured to them by Henry IV. Amongst other galling and unjust
+decrees here announced to the people was one which--after stating that
+many persons of the religion affecting the title of _reformed_, being
+ill-disposed towards the king's government, were selling their landed
+property with the view of emigrating to other lands--went on to
+declare and to give warning to all purchasers, that if heretical
+persons effecting such sales did quit the country within one year
+after having sold their property, the whole would be considered as
+confiscated to the state, and that purchasers would receive no
+indemnity.
+
+When this part of the proclamation was read, the eyes of the sturdy
+blacksmith turned upon the Count, who, by a gesture of the hand,
+endeavoured to suppress all signs of disapprobation amongst the
+multitude. It was in vain, however; for a loud shout of indignation
+burst forth from them, which was followed by another, when the
+proclamation went on to declare, that the mayors of towns, professing
+the protestant faith, should be deprived of the rank of nobles, which
+had been formerly granted to them. The proclamation then proceeded
+with various other notices of the same kind, and the indignation of
+the people was loud and unrestrained. The presence of the Count,
+however, and the exertions of Virlay, and several influential people,
+who were opposed to a rash collision with the authority of the king,
+prevented any act of violence from being committed, and when the whole
+ceremony was complete, the officers were led back to the gates by the
+Count, who gave orders that they should be conducted in safety beyond
+the precincts of the place by his own attendants.
+
+After returning into the great square, and holding a momentary
+conversation with some of the principal persons present, he returned
+by the postern to his own abode, where he found his friend and the
+young officer, apparently forgetting altogether the unpleasant events
+of the morning, and laughing and talking gaily over indifferent
+subjects.
+
+"I have the pleasure of informing you, Monsieur de Hericourt," said
+the Count when he appeared, "that the proclamation has been made
+without interruption, and that the king's officers have been conducted
+out of the town in safety. We have therefore nothing more of an
+unpleasant kind to discuss, and I trust that you will take some
+refreshment."
+
+Wine, and various sorts of meats, which were considered as delicacies
+in those days, were brought and set before the young courtier, who did
+justice to all, declaring that he had never in his life tasted any
+thing more exquisite than the produce of the Count's cellars. He even
+ventured to praise the dishes, though he insinuated, much to the
+indignation of the cook, to whom it was repeated by an attendant, that
+there was a shade too much of taragon in one of the ragouts, and that
+if a matelotte had been five minutes more cooked, the fish would have
+been tenderer, and the flavour more decided. The Count smiled, and
+apologised for the error, reminding him, that the poor rustics in the
+country could not boast the skill and delicacy, or even perhaps the
+nicety of natural taste of the artists of the capital. He then turned
+the conversation to matters of some greater importance, and inquired
+when they were to expect the presence of the Duc de Rouvre in the
+province.
+
+The young Marquis opened his eyes at the question, as if he looked
+upon it as a sign of the most utter and perfect ignorance and
+rusticity that could be conceived.
+
+"Is it possible, Monsieur le Comte," he said, "that you, so high in
+the service of the king, and so highly esteemed, as I may add, at
+court, are not aware that the duke arrived at Poitiers nearly five
+days ago? I had the honour of accompanying him thither, and he has
+himself been within the last three days as near as seven leagues to
+the very place where we are now sitting."
+
+"You must remember, my good sir," replied the Count, "as some excuse
+for my ignorance, that I received his Majesty's gracious permission to
+return hither upon some important affairs direct from the army,
+without visiting the court, and that I only arrived late last night.
+Pray, when you return to Monsieur de Rouvre, present my compliments to
+him, and tell him that I shall do myself the honour of waiting upon
+him, to congratulate him and the Duchess upon their safe arrival in
+the province, without any delay."
+
+"Wait till they are fully established at Poitiers," replied the young
+officer. "They are now upon a little tour through the province, not
+choosing to stay at Poitiers yet," he added, sinking his voice into a
+low and confidential tone, "because their household is not in complete
+order. None of the new liveries are made; the guard of the governor is
+not yet organised; two cooks and three servers have not arrived from
+Paris. Nothing is in order, in short. In a week, I trust, we shall be
+more complete, and then indeed I do not think that the household of
+any governor in the kingdom will exceed in taste, if not in splendour,
+that of the Duc de Rouvre."
+
+"Which is, I presume," said the Chevalier, "under the direction and
+superintendence of the refined and celebrated good taste of the
+Marquis Auguste de Hericourt."
+
+"Why, to say the truth," replied the young nobleman, "my excellent
+friend De Rouvre has some confidence in my judgment of such things: I
+may say, indeed, has implicit faith therein, as he has given all that
+department over to me for the time, beseeching me to undertake it, and
+of course I cannot disappoint him."
+
+"Of course not! of course not!" replied the Chevalier, and in such
+conversation passed on some time, the worthy Marquis de Hericourt,
+swallowed up in himself, not at all perceiving a certain degree of
+impatience in the Count de Morseiul, which might have afforded any
+other man a hint to take his departure. He lingered over his wine; he
+lingered over his dessert; he perambulated the gardens; he criticised
+the various arrangements of the chateau with that minute attention to
+nothings, which is the most insufferable of all things when obtruded
+upon a mind bent upon matters of deep importance.
+
+It was thus fully five o'clock in the afternoon before he took his
+departure, and the Count forced himself to perform every act of
+civility by him to the last moment. As soon as he was gone, however,
+the young nobleman turned quickly to his friend, saying,--
+
+"I thought that contemptible piece of emptiness would never depart,
+and of course, Louis, after what has taken place this morning, it is
+absolutely necessary for me to consult with some of my friends of the
+same creed as myself. I will not in any degree involve you in these
+matters, as the very fact of your knowing any of our proceedings might
+hereafter be detrimental to you; and I only make this excuse because I
+owe it to the long friendship between us not to withhold any part of
+my confidence from you, except out of consideration for yourself."
+
+"Act as you think fit, my dear Albert," replied his friend; "but only
+act with moderation. If you want my advice on any occasion, ask it,
+without minding whether you compromise me or not; I'm quite sure that
+I am much too bad a Catholic to sacrifice my friend's secrets either
+to Pellisson, La Chaise, or Le Tellier. If I am not mistaken, the
+devil himself will make the fourth at their card-table some day, and
+perhaps Louvois will stand by and bet."
+
+"Oh! I entertain no fear of your betraying me," answered the Count
+with a smile; "but I should entertain great fear of embroiling you
+with the court."
+
+"Only take care not to embroil yourself," replied the Chevalier. "I am
+sure I wish there were no such thing as sects in the world. If you
+could but take a glance at the state of England, which is split into
+more sects than it contains cities, I am sure you would be of
+Turenne's opinion, and come into the bosom of the mother church, if it
+were but for the sake of getting rid of such confusion. Nay, shake not
+your wise head. If the truth be told, you are a Protestant because you
+were bred so in your youth; and one half of the world has no other
+motive either for its religion or its politics. But get thee gone,
+Albert, get thee gone. Consult with your wise friends, and come back
+more Huguenotised than ever."
+
+The Count would have made some further apologies for leaving him, but
+his friend would not hear them, and sending for his horse, Albert of
+Morseiul took his departure from his chateau, forbidding any of his
+attendants to follow him.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                             THE PASTOR.
+
+
+The Count's orders were given so distinctly for no one to accompany
+him on his way, that none of his domestics presumed even to gaze after
+him from the gate, or to mark the path he took. As he wished to call
+no attention, he kept under the walls of the town, riding slowly along
+over the green till he came to the zigzag path which we have before
+mentioned as being now almost entirely disused. He had cast a large
+cloak around him, of that kind which at an after period degenerated
+into what was called a roquelaure, and his person was thus
+sufficiently concealed to prevent him from being recognised by any
+body at a distance.
+
+At the foot of the zigzag which he now descended he chose a path which
+led along the bank of the river for some way to the right, and then
+entered into a beautiful wooded lane between high banks. The sun was
+shining full over the world, but with a tempered and gentle light from
+the point of its declination at which it had arrived. The rays,
+however, did not in general reach the road, except where the bank
+sloped away; and then pouring through the green leaves and branches of
+the wild briar the honeysuckle and the hazel, it streamed upon the
+miniature cliffs of yellow sand on the opposite side, and chequered
+the uneven path which the young Count was pursuing. The birds had as
+yet lost little of their full song, and the deep round tones of
+the blackbird bidding the golden day adieu as he saw the great
+light-bearer descending in the heaven, poured forth from beneath the
+holly bushes, with a melancholy and a moralising sound, speaking to
+the heart of man with the grand philosophic voice of nature, and
+counselling peace and affection, and meditation on the bounties of
+God.
+
+It is impossible to ride through such scenes at such an hour on the
+evening of bright summer days without feeling the calm and elevating
+influence of all things, whether mute or tuneful, taught by almighty
+beneficence to celebrate either by aspect or by song the close of
+another day's being and enjoyment. The effect upon the heart of the
+Count de Morseiul was full and deep. He had been riding slowly before,
+but after passing through the lane for about a minute, he gently drew
+in the bridle upon his horse till the beast went slower still, then
+laid the rein quietly upon his neck, and gave himself up to
+meditation.
+
+The chief theme in his mind at that moment was certainly the state and
+prospects of himself and his fellow Protestants: and perhaps--even in
+experiencing all the beauty and the peacefulness of the scene through
+which he wandered, the calm tone of enjoyment in every thing around,
+the voice of tranquillity that spoke in every sound--his feelings
+towards those who unnecessarily disturbed the contented existence of
+an industrious and happy race, might become bitterer, and his
+indignation grow more deep and stern, though more melancholy and
+tranquil. What had the Huguenots done, he asked himself, for
+persecution to seek them out there in the midst of their calm and
+pleasant dwellings--to fill them with fiery passions that they knew
+not of before--to drive them to acts which they as well as their
+enemies might bitterly repent at an after period--and to mar scenes
+which seemed destined for the purest and happiest enjoyment that the
+nature of man and its harmony with the other works of God can produce,
+by anxiety, care, strife, and perhaps with bloodshed?
+
+What had the Huguenots done? he asked himself. Had they not served
+their king as loyally, as valiantly, as readily in the battle field,
+and upon the wide ocean, as the most zealous Catholic amongst them
+all? Had not the most splendid victories which his arms had obtained
+by land been won for him by Huguenot generals? Was not even then a
+Huguenot seaman carrying the thunders of his navy into the ports of
+Spain? Were the Huguenots less loyal subjects, less industrious
+mechanics, less estimable as citizens, than any other of the natives
+of the land? Far from it. The contrary was known to be the fact--the
+decided contrary. They were more peaceable, they were more tranquil,
+they were more industrious, they were more ready to contribute either
+their blood or their treasure to the service of the state than the
+great mass of the Catholic population; and yet tormenting exactions,
+insults, cavillings, inquiries, and investigations, all tending to
+irritate and to enrage, were going on day by day, and were clearly to
+be followed soon by the persecuting sword itself.
+
+On such themes he paused and thought as he went on, and the first
+effect produced upon his mind was of course painful and gloomy. As the
+sweetest music sounding at the same time with inharmonious notes can
+but produce harsh dissonance, so the brightest scenes to a mind filled
+with painful thoughts seems but to deepen their sadness. Still,
+however, after a time, the objects around him, and their bright
+tranquillity, had their effect upon the heart of the Count; his
+feelings grew calmer, and the magic power of association came to lay
+out a road whereby fancy might lead his thoughts to gentler themes.
+The path that he was pursuing led him at length to the spot where the
+little adventure had occurred which he had related in the course of
+the morning to his friend. He never passed by that spot without giving
+a thought to the fair girl he had there met; but now he dwelt upon the
+recollection longer than he otherwise might have done, in consequence
+of having spoken of her and of their meeting that very day. He smiled
+as he thought of the whole, for there was nothing like pain of any
+kind mingled with the remembrance. It was merely a fanciful dream he
+had cherished, half amused at himself for the little romance he had
+got up in his own mind, half employing the romance itself as a check
+upon the very imagination that had framed it.
+
+"She was certainly very lovely," he thought as he rode on, "and her
+voice was certainly very sweet; and unless nature, as is but too often
+the case, had in her instance become accomplice to a falsehood, that
+form, that face, that voice, must have betokened a bright spirit and a
+noble heart. Alas! why is it," he went on to ask himself, "why is it
+that the countenance, if we read it aright, should not be the correct
+interpreter of the heart? Doubtless such was at first God's will, and
+the serpent taught us, though we could not conceal our hearts from the
+Almighty, to falsify the stamp he had fixed upon them for our fellow
+men. And yet it is strange--however much we may have gained from
+experience, however painfully we may learn that man's heart is written
+in his actions, not in his face--it is strange we ever judge more or
+less by the same deceitful countenance, and guess by its expressions,
+if not by its features, though we might as well judge of what is at
+the bottom of a deep stream by the waves that agitate its surface."
+
+In such fanciful dreams he went on, often turning again to the fair
+vision that he had there seen, sometimes wondering who she could have
+been, and sometimes deciding and deciding the question wrongly in his
+own mind, but never suffering the wild expectation which he had once
+nourished of meeting her again to cross his mind--for he had found
+that to indulge it rendered him uneasy, and unfit for more real
+pursuits.
+
+At length, the lane winding out upon some hills where the short dry
+turf betokened a rocky soil below, took its way through a country of a
+less pleasing aspect. Here the Count de Morseiul put his horse into a
+quicker pace, and after descending into another low valley full of
+streams and long luxuriant grass, he climbed slowly a high hill,
+surmounted by a towering spire. The village to which the spire
+belonged was very small, and consisted entirely of the low houses of
+an agricultural population. They were neat, clean, and cheerful
+however in aspect, and there was an attention to niceness of exterior
+visible every where, not very frequently found amongst the lower
+classes of any country.
+
+There was scarcely any one in the street, as the Count passed, except,
+indeed, a few children enjoying their evening sport, and taking the
+day's last hour of happy life, before the setting sun brought the
+temporary extinction of their bright activity. There was also at the
+end of the town a good old dame sitting at a cottage door and spinning
+in the tempered sunshine of the evening, while her grey cat rolled
+happy in the dust beside her; but the whole of the rest of the
+villagers were still in the fields.
+
+The Count rode on, giving the dame "good even" as he passed; and,
+leaving what seemed the last house of the village behind him, he took
+his way along a road shadowed by tall walnut trees growing upon the
+edge of a hill, which towered up in high and broken banks on the left,
+and sloped away upon the right, displaying the whole track of country
+through which the young nobleman had just passed, bright in the
+evening light below, with his own town and castle rising up a fellow
+hill to that on which he now stood, at the distance of some seven or
+eight miles.
+
+As he turned one sharp angle of the hill, however, he suddenly drew in
+his rein on seeing a carriage before him. It was stationary, however,
+and the two boorish looking servants, dressed in grey, who accompanied
+it, were standing at the edge of the hill, gazing over the country, as
+if the scene were new to them; while the horses, which the coachman
+had left to their own discretion, were stamping in a state of listless
+dozing, to keep off the flies which the season rendered troublesome.
+
+It was evident that the carriage was held in waiting for some one, and
+the Count, after pausing for a single instant, rode on, looking in as
+he passed it. There was no one, however, within the wide and clumsy
+vehicle, and the servants, though they stared at the young stranger,
+took no notice, and made no sign of reverence as he went by them; with
+which, indeed, he was well satisfied, not desiring to be recognised by
+any one who might noise his proceedings abroad.
+
+He rode on then with somewhat of a quicker pace, to a spot where, at
+the side of the road, a little wicket gale led into a small grove of
+old trees, through which a path conducted to a neat stone-built house,
+of small size, with its garden around it: flowers on the one hand, and
+pot-herbs on the other. Nothing could present an aspect cleaner,
+neater, more tasteful than the house and the garden. Not a straw was
+out of its place in the thatch, and every flower-bed of the little
+parterre was trimmed exactly with the same scrupulous care. The door
+was of wood, painted grey, with a rope and handle by the side, to
+which was attached a large bell, but, though at almost all times that
+door stood open, it was closed on the present occasion. The young
+Count took his way through the grove and the garden straight to the
+door, as if familiar with the path of old, leaving his horse, however,
+under the trees, not far from the outer gate. On finding the door
+closed, he pulled the handle of the bell, though somewhat gently; but,
+for a moment or two, no one replied, and he rang again, on which
+second summons a maid servant, of some forty or fifty years, appeared,
+bearing on her head a towering structure of white linen, in the shape
+of a cap, not unlike in shape and snowy whiteness the uncovered peak
+of some mountain ridge in the Alps.
+
+On her appearance she uttered an exclamation of pleasure at the sight
+of the young Count, whom she instantly recognised; and, on his asking
+for her master, she replied, that he was busy in conference with two
+ladies, but that she was sure that the Count de Morseiul might go in
+at any time. She pointed onward with her hand, as she spoke, down the
+clean nicely-sanded passage to the door of a small room at the back of
+the house, looking over the prospect which we have mentioned. It was
+evidently the good woman's intention that the Count should go in and
+announce himself; but he did not choose to do so, and sent her forward
+to ask if he might be admitted. A full clear round voice instantly
+answered from within, on her application, "Certainly, certainly," and,
+taking that as his warrant, the Count advanced into the room at once.
+He found it tenanted by three people, on only one of whom, however, we
+shall pause, as the other two, consisting of a lady, dressed in a sort
+of half mourning, with a thick veil which she had drawn over her face
+before the Count entered, and another who was apparently a female
+servant of a superior class, instantly quitted the room, merely saying
+to their companion,
+
+"I will not forget."
+
+The third was a man of sixty-two or sixty-three years of age, dressed
+in black, without sword or any ornament to his plain straight cut
+clothes. His head was bare, though a small black velvet cap lay on the
+table beside him, and his white hair, which was suffered to grow very
+long at the back and on the temples, fell down his neck, and met the
+plain white collar of his shirt, which was turned back upon his
+shoulders. The top of his head was bald, rising up from a fine wide
+forehead, with all those characteristic marks of expansion and
+elevation which we are generally inclined to associate in our own
+minds with the idea of powerful intellect and noble feelings. The
+countenance, too, was fine, the features straight, clear, and
+well-defined, though the eyes, which had been originally fine and
+large, were somewhat hollowed by age, and the cheeks, sunken also,
+left the bones beneath the eyes rather too prominent. The chin was
+rounded and fine, and the teeth white and undecayed; but, in other
+respects, the marks of age were very visible. There were lines and
+furrows about the brow; and, on the cheeks; and, between the eyebrows,
+there was a deep dent, which might give, in some degree, an air of
+sternness, but seemed still more the effect of intense thought, and
+perhaps of anxious care.
+
+The form of the old man bore evident traces of the powerful and
+vigorous mould in which it had been originally cast; the shoulders
+were broad, the chest deep, the arms long and sinewy, the hands large
+and muscular. The complexion had been originally brown, and perhaps at
+one time florid; but now it was pale, without a trace of colour any
+where but in the lips, which for a man of that age were remarkably
+full and red. The eye, the light of the soul, was still bright and
+sparkling. It gave no evidence of decay, varying frequently in
+expression from keen and eager rapidity of thought, and from the rapid
+changes of feeling in a heart still full of strong emotions.
+
+Such--though the picture is but a faint one--such was the appearance
+of Claude de l'Estang, Huguenot minister of the small village of
+Auron, at equal distances from Ruffigny and Morseiul. He had played,
+in his youth, a conspicuous part in defence of the Huguenot cause; he
+had been a soldier as well as a preacher, and the sword and musket had
+been familiar to his hands, so long as the religion of his fathers was
+assailed by open persecution. No sooner, however, did those times seem
+to have passed away, than, casting from him the weapons of carnal
+warfare, he resumed the exercise of the profession to which he had
+been originally destined, and became, for the time, one of the most
+popular preachers in the south of France.
+
+Though his life was irreproachable, his manners pure, and his talents
+high, Claude de l'Estang had not been without his portion of the
+faults and failings of humanity. He had been ambitious in his
+particular manner; he had been vain; he had loved the admiration and
+applause of the multitude; he had coveted the fame of eloquence, and
+the reputation of superior sanctity; youth, and youth's eagerness,
+joined with the energy inseparable from high genius, had carried his
+natural errors to an extreme: but long before the period of which we
+now speak, years, and still more sorrows, had worked a great and
+beneficial, but painful alteration. His first disappointment was the
+disappointment of the brightest hopes of youth, complicated with all
+that could aggravate the crossing of early love; for there was joined
+unto it the blasting of all bright confidence in woman's sincerity,
+and the destruction of that trust in the eternal happiness of one whom
+he could never cease to love which was more painful to the mind of a
+sincere and enthusiastic follower of his own particular creed than the
+loss of all his other hopes together. He had loved early, and loved
+above his station; and encouraged by hope, and by the smiles of one
+who fancied that she loved in return, his ambition had been stimulated
+by passion, till all the great energies of his mind were called forth
+to raise himself to the highest celebrity. When he had attained all,
+however, when he saw multitudes flock to hear his voice, and thousands
+hanging upon the words of his lips as upon oracles, even then, at the
+moment when he thought every thing must yield to him, he had seen an
+unexpected degree of coldness come upon her he loved, and apparent
+reluctance to fulfil the promises which had been given when his estate
+was lowlier. Some slight opposition on the part of noble and wealthy
+parents--opposition that would have yielded to entreaties less than
+urgent, was assigned as the cause of the hesitation which wrung his
+heart. The very duties which he himself had inculcated, and which, had
+there been real love at heart, would have found a very different
+interpretation, were now urged in opposition to his wishes; and,
+mortified and pained, Claude de l'Estang watched anxiously for the
+ultimate result. We need not pause upon all the steps; the end was,
+that he saw her, to whom he had devoted every affection of a warm and
+energetic heart, break her engagements to him, wed an enemy of her
+father's creed, renounce the religion in which she had been brought
+up, and after some years of ephemeral glitter in a corrupt court,
+become faithless to the husband for whom she had become faithless to
+her religion, and end her days, in bitterness, in a convent, where her
+faith was suspected, and her real sins daily reproved.
+
+In the meanwhile, Claude de l'Estang had wrestled with his own nature.
+He had refrained from showing mortification, or grief, or despair; he
+had kept the serpent within his own bosom, and fed him upon his own
+heart: he had abandoned not his pulpit; he had neglected, in no
+degree, his flock; he had publicly held up as a warning to others the
+dereliction of her whom he most loved, as one who had gone out from
+amongst them because she was not of them; he had become sterner,
+indeed more severe, in his doctrines as well as in his manners, and
+this first sorrow had a tendency rather to harden than to soften his
+heart.
+
+The next thing, however, which he had to undergo, was the punishment
+of that harshness. A youth of a gentle but eager disposition, who had
+been his own loved companion and friend, whom he still esteemed highly
+for a thousand good and engaging qualities, was betrayed into an
+error, on the circumstances of which we will not pause. Suffice it to
+say that it proceeded from strong passion and circumstances of
+temptation, and that for it he was eager and willing to make
+atonement. He was one of the congregation of Claude de l'Estang,
+however, and the minister showed himself the more determined, on
+account of the friendship that existed between them, not to suffer the
+fault to pass without the humiliation of public penitence; and he
+exacted all, to the utmost tittle, that a harsh church, in its
+extremest laws, could demand, ere it received a sinner back into its
+bosom again. The young man submitted, feeling deep repentance, and
+believing his own powers of endurance to be greater than they were.
+But the effect was awful. From the church door, when he had performed
+the act demanded of him, fancying that the finger of scorn would be
+pointed at him for ever, he fled to his own home with reason cast
+headlong from her throne. Ere two hours were over he had died by his
+own hand; scrawling with his blood, as it flowed from him, a brief
+epistle to his former friend to tell him that the act was his.
+
+That awful day, and those few lines, not only filled the bosom of the
+minister with remorse and grief, but it opened his eyes to every thing
+that had been dark in his own bosom. It showed him that he had made a
+vanity of dealing with his friend more severely than he would have
+done with others; that it was for his own reputation's sake that he
+had thus acted; that there was pride in the severe austerity of his
+life; that there was something like hypocrisy in the calm exterior
+with which he had covered over a broken heart. He felt that he had
+mighty enemies to combat in himself; and, as his heart was originally
+pure and upright, his energies great, and his power over himself
+immense, he determined that he would at once commence the war, and
+never end it till--to use his own words--"he had subdued every strong
+hold of the evil spirit in his breast, and expelled the enemy of his
+eternal Master for ever."
+
+He succeeded in his undertaking: his very first act was to resign to
+others the cure of his congregation in Rochelle; the next to apply for
+and obtain the cure of the little Protestant congregation, in the
+remote village of Auron. Every argument was brought forward to induce
+him to stay in La Rochelle, but every argument proved inefficacious.
+The vanity of popularity he fancied might be a snare to him, and he
+refused all entreaties. When he came amongst the good villagers, he
+altered the whole tone and character of his preaching. It became
+simple, calm, unadorned, suited in every respect to the capacity of
+the lowest person that heard him. All the fire of his eloquence was
+confined to urging upon his hearers their duties, in the tone of one
+whose whole soul and expectations were staked upon their salvation. He
+became mild and gentle, too, though firm when it was needful; and the
+reputation which he had formerly coveted still followed him when he
+sought to cast it off. No synod of the Protestant clergy took place
+without the opinion of Claude de l'Estang being cited almost without
+appeal; and whenever advice, or consolation, or support was wanting,
+men would travel for miles to seek it at the humble dwelling of the
+village pastor.
+
+His celebrity, joined with his mildness, gained great immunities for
+himself and his flock, during the early part of the reign of Louis
+XIV. At first, indeed, when he took upon himself the charge of Auron,
+the Catholic authorities of the neighbouring towns, holding in
+remembrance his former character, imagined that he had come there to
+make proselytes, and prepared to wage the strife with vehemence
+against him. The intendant of the province was urged to visit the
+little village of Auron, to cause the spire of the church--which had
+been suffered to remain, as all the inhabitants of the neighbouring
+district were Protestants--to be pulled down, and the building reduced
+to the shape and dimensions to which the temples of the Protestants
+were generally restricted: but ere the pastor had been many months
+there, his conduct was so different from what had been expected; he
+kept himself so completely aloof from every thing like cabal or
+intrigue; he showed so little disposition to encroach upon the rights,
+or to assail the religion, of others; that, knowing his talents and
+his energies when roused into action, the neighbouring Catholics
+embraced the opinion, that it would be better to leave him
+undisturbed.
+
+The intendant of the province was a wise and a moderate man, and
+although, when urged, he could not neglect to visit the little town of
+Auron, yet he did so after as much delay as possible, and with the
+determination of dealing as mildly with its pastor, and its
+population, as was possible. When he came, he found the minister so
+mild, so humble, so unlike what he had been represented, that his good
+intentions were strengthened. He was obliged to say, that he must have
+the spire of the church taken down, although it was shown that there
+was not one Catholic family to be offended by the sight within seven
+or eight miles around. But Claude de l'Estang only smiled at the
+proposal, saying, that he could preach quite as well if it were away;
+and the intendant, though he declared that it was absolutely necessary
+to be done, by some accident always forgot to give orders to that
+effect; and even at a later period discovered that the spire, both
+from its own height and from the height of the hill on which it stood,
+sometimes acted as a landmark to ships at sea.
+
+Thus the spire remained; and here, in calm tranquillity, Claude de
+l'Estang had, at the time we speak of, passed more than thirty years
+of his life. A small private fortune of his own enabled him to
+exercise any benevolent feelings to which his situation might give
+rise: simple in habits, he required little for himself; active and
+energetic in mind, he never wanted time to attend to the spiritual and
+temporal wants of his flock with the most minute attention. Though
+ever grave and sad himself, he was ever well pleased to see the
+peasantry happy and amused; and he felt practically every day, in
+comparing Auron with Rochelle, how much better is love than
+popularity. No magistrate, no judge, had any occupation in the town of
+Auron, for the veneration in which he was held was a law to the place.
+Any disputes that occurred amongst the inhabitants in consequence of
+the inseparable selfishnesses of our nature, were instantly referred
+to him; and he was sure to decide in such a way as instantly to
+satisfy the great bulk of the villagers that he was right. There were
+no recusants; for though there might be individuals who, from folly or
+obstinacy, or the blindness of selfishness, would have opposed his
+decision if it had stood unsupported, yet when the great mass of their
+fellow villagers were against them also, they dared not utter a word.
+If there was any evil committed; if youth, and either youth's passions
+or its follies produced wrong, the pastor had learned ever to censure
+mildly, to endeavour to amend rather than to punish, and to repair the
+evil that had been done, rather than to castigate him to whom it was
+attributable.
+
+In such occupations passed the greater part of his time; and he felt
+to the very heart the truth of the words--even in this world--that
+"blessed are the peace-makers." The rest of his time he devoted either
+to study or to relaxation. What he called study was the deep intense
+application of his mind to the knowledge and interpretation of the
+Holy Scriptures, whether in translation or in the original languages.
+What he called relaxation divided itself into two parts: the reading
+of that high classical literature, which had formed the great
+enjoyment of his youth, and by attention to which his eloquence had
+been chiefly formed; and the cultivation of his flower-garden, of
+which he was extremely fond, together with the superintendence of the
+little farm which surrounded his mansion. His life, in short, was a
+life of primeval simplicity: his pleasures few, but sweet and
+innocent; his course of existence, for many years at least, smooth and
+unvaried, remote from strife, and dedicated to do good.
+
+From time to time, indeed, persons of a higher rank, and of thoughts
+and manners much more refined than those of the villagers by whom he
+was surrounded, would visit his retirement, to seek his advice or
+enjoy his conversation; and on these occasions he certainly did feel a
+refreshment of mind from the living communion with persons of equal
+intellect, which could not be gained even from his converse with the
+mighty dead. Still it never made him wish to return to situations in
+which such opportunities were more frequent, if not constant. "It is
+enough as it is," he said; "it now comes like a refreshing shower upon
+the soil of the heart, teaching it to bring forth flowers; but,
+perhaps, if that rain were more plentiful and continued always, there
+would be nothing but flowers and no fruit. I love my solitude, though
+perhaps I love it not unbroken."
+
+It rarely happened that these visits had any thing that was at all
+painful or annoying in them, for the means of communication between
+one part of the country and another were in that day scanty; and those
+who came to see him could in no degree be moved by curiosity, but must
+either be instigated by some motive of much importance, or brought
+thither by the desire of a mind capable of comprehending and
+appreciating his. He seldom, we may almost say he never, went out to
+visit any one but the members of his own flock in his spiritual
+capacity. He had twice, indeed, in thirty years, been at the chateau
+of Morseiul, but that was first on the occasion of a dangerous illness
+of the Countess, the mother of Count Albert, and then, on the
+commencement of those encroachments upon the rights of the Huguenots,
+which had now been some time in progress.
+
+The Counts of Morseiul, however, both father and son, visited him
+often. The first he had regarded well nigh as a brother; the latter he
+looked upon almost in the light of a son. He loved their conversation
+from its sincerity, its candour, and its vigour. The experience of the
+old Count, which came united with none of the hardness of heart and
+feeling which experience too often brings; the freshness of mind, the
+fanciful enthusiasms of the younger nobleman, alike interested,
+pleased, and attached him. With both there were points of immediate
+communication, by which his mind entered instantly into the thoughts
+and feelings of theirs; and he felt throughout every fresh
+conversation with them, that he was dealing with persons worthy of
+communication with him, both by brightness and elevation of intellect,
+by earnest energy of character, by virtue, honour, and uprightness,
+and by the rare gem of unchangeable truth.
+
+It may well be supposed, then, that he rose to meet the young Count de
+Morseiul, of whose return to his own domains he had not been made
+aware, with a smile of unmixed satisfaction.
+
+"Welcome, my dear Albert," he said, addressing him by the name which
+he had used towards him from childhood; "welcome back to your own
+dwelling and your own people. How have you fared in the wars? How have
+you fared in perilous camps and in the field, and in the still more
+perilous court? And how long is it since you returned to Morseiul?"
+
+"I have fared well, dear friend," replied the Count, "in all; have had
+some opportunity of serving the king, and have received more thanks
+than those services deserved. In regard to the court, where I could
+neither serve him nor myself, nor any one else, I have escaped its
+perils this year, by obtaining permission to come straight from the
+army to Morseiul, without visiting either Paris or Versailles; and
+now, as to your last question, when I arrived, I would say but
+yesterday afternoon, were it not that you would, I know, thank me for
+coming to see you so speedily, when in truth I only intended to come
+to-morrow, had not some circumstances, not so pleasant as I could
+wish, though not so bad as I fear may follow, brought me hither, to
+consult with you to-day."
+
+A slight cloud came over the old man's countenance as his younger
+companion spoke.
+
+"Is the difficulty in which you seek counsel, Albert," he demanded,
+"in your own household, or in the household of our suffering church?"
+
+"Alas," replied the Count, "it is in the latter, my excellent friend;
+had it been in my own household, unless some urgent cause impelled me,
+I should not have thus troubled you."
+
+"I feared so, I feared so," replied the old man; "I have heard
+something of these matters of late:--so they will not leave us in
+repose!" And as he spoke he rose from the chair he had resumed after
+welcoming the Count, and paced the room backwards and forwards more
+than once.
+
+"It is in vain," he said at length, casting himself back into his
+seat, "to let such things agitate me. The disposal of all is in a
+better and a firmer hand than mine. 'On this rock will I found my
+church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!' So said
+our divine Master; and I need not tell you, Albert of Morseiul, that
+when he said, 'on this rock,' he meant on the rock of faith, and did
+not mean the trumpery juggle, the buffoon-like playing on the name of
+Peter, which 'the disciples of a corrupt sect would attribute to him.
+He has founded his church upon the rock of faith, and thereon do I
+build my hope; for I cannot but see that the enemy are preparing the
+spear and making ready the bow against us. Whether it be God's will
+that we shall resist, as we have done in former times, and be enabled,
+though but a handful amongst a multitude, to smite the enemies and the
+perverters of our pure religion, or whether we shall be called upon to
+die as martyrs, and seal our faith by the pouring out of our blood,
+leaving another ensample to the elect that come after us, will be
+pointed out by the circumstances in which we are placed. But I see
+clearly that the sword is out to smite us, and we must either resist
+or endure."
+
+"It is precisely on that point," replied the Count, "that I came to
+consult with you. Measures of a strong, a harassing, and of an unjust
+nature, are taking place against us, because we will not say we
+believe that which we are sure is false, and follow doctrines which
+our soul repudiates. Did I hope, my excellent friend, that the matter
+would stop here; did I expect that such measures of petty annoyance as
+I have heard proclaimed in the town of Morseiul to-day, or any thing,
+indeed, similar to those measures, would be the final end and limit of
+the attack upon our liberties and our faith, I should be most anxious
+to calm the minds of the people, to persuade them to endure rather
+than to resist, and to remember that patience will cure many things: I
+should ask you, I should beseech even you, plighted as you are to
+support the cause of truth and righteousness, to aid me in my efforts,
+and to remember at what an awful price indemnity must be bought; to
+remember how fearful, how terrible, must be the scenes through which
+we wade to the attainment of those equal rights which should be
+granted even without our seeking them."
+
+"And I would aid you! and I would remember!" exclaimed the pastor,
+grasping his hand, "so help me the God of my trust, Albert of
+Morseiul," he continued more vehemently, "as I have ever avoided for
+long years every cause of strife and dissension, every matter of
+offence thrown in my way by those who would persecute us. Nay more,
+far more; when my counsels have been sought, when my advice has been
+required, the words that I have spoken have always been pacific, not
+alone peaceful in sound, but peaceful in spirit and in intent, and
+peaceful in every tendency; I have counselled submission where I might
+have stirred up war; I have advised mild means and supplications, when
+the time for successful resistance was pointed out both by just cause
+for bitter indignation, and by the embarrassment of our enemies in
+consequence of their over ambition: and now I tell thee, Albert, I
+tell thee with pain and apprehension, that I doubt, that I much doubt,
+whether in so doing I have acted right or wrong; whether, by such
+timid counsels, the happy moment has not been suffered to slip;
+whether our enemies, more wise in their generation than we are, have
+not taken advantage of our forbearance, have not waited till they
+themselves were in every way prepared, and are now ready to execute
+the iniquitous designs which have only been suspended in consequence
+of ambitious efforts in other quarters."
+
+"I fear, indeed, that it is so," replied the young Count; "but,
+nevertheless, neither you nor any other person has cause to reproach
+himself for such conduct. Forbearance, even if taken advantage of by
+insidious enemies, must always be satisfactory to one's own heart."
+
+"I know not, I know not," replied the old man. "In my early days,
+Albert, these hands have grasped the sword in defence of my religion;
+and we were then taught that resistance to the will of those bigots
+and tyrants who would crush out the last spark of the pure worship of
+God, and substitute in its place the gross idolatry which disfigures
+this land, was a duty to the Author of our faith. We were taught that
+resistance was not optional, but compulsory; and that to our children,
+and to our brethren, and to our ancestors, we owed the same
+determined, persevering, uncompromising efforts that were required
+from us by the service of the Lord likewise. We were taught that we
+should never surrender, that we should never hesitate, that we should
+never compromise, till the liberty of the true reformed church of
+France was established upon a sure and permanent basis, or the last
+drop of blood in the veins of her saints was poured out into the cup
+of martyrdom. Such were the doctrines, Albert, that were taught in my
+youth, such were the doctrines under which I myself became a humble
+soldier of the cross. But, alas, lulled with the rest of my brethren
+into a fatal security, thinking that no farther infraction of our
+liberties would take place, believing that we should always be
+permitted to worship the God of our salvation according to the
+dictates of our own conscience--perhaps even believing, Albert, that
+some degree of contumely and persecution, some stigma attached to the
+poor name of Huguenot, might be beneficial, if not necessary, in our
+frail condition as mortal men, to be a bond of union amongst us to
+maintain our religion in its purity, and to keep alive the flame of
+zeal;--believing all this, I have not bestirred myself to resist small
+encroachments, I have even counselled others to pass them over without
+notice. Now, however, I am convinced that it is the intention, perhaps
+not of the King, for men say that he is kind and clement, but of the
+base men that surround him, gradually to sap the foundations of our
+church, and cast it down altogether. I have seen it in every act that
+has been taking place of late, have marked it in every proceeding of
+the court; and, though slow and insidious, covered with base pretexts
+and pitiful quibbles, the progress of our enemies has been sure, and I
+fear that it may be too late to close the door against them: I could
+recall all their acts one by one, and the summing up would clearly
+show, that the idolatrous priesthood of this popish land are
+determined not to suffer a purer faith to remain any longer as an
+offence and reproach unto them."
+
+"I much wish," replied the Count earnestly, "that you would put down,
+in order, these encroachments. I have been long absent, serving in the
+field, where my faith has, of course, been no obstacle, and where we
+have little discussion of such matters: but if I had them clearly
+stated before me, I and the other Protestant noblemen of France might
+draw up a petition to the king, whose natural sense of right is very
+strong, which would induce him to do us justice----"
+
+The old man shook his head with a look of melancholy doubt, but the
+Count immediately added, repeating the words he had just used, "to do
+us justice, or to make such a declaration of his intentions, as to
+enable us to take measures to meet the exigency of the moment."
+
+"Willingly, most willingly," said Claude de l'Estang, "will I tell you
+all that is done, and has been doing, by our enemies. I will tell you
+also, Albert, all the false and absurd charges that they urge against
+us to justify their own iniquitous dealings towards us. We will
+consider the whole together calmly and dispassionately, and take
+counsel as to what may best be done. God forbid that I should see the
+blood of my fellow Christians shed; but God forbid, also, that I
+should see his holy church overthrown."
+
+"You speak of charges against us, sir," said the Count, with some
+surprise in his countenance: "I knew not that even malice itself could
+find or forge a charge against the Huguenots of France. At the court
+and in the camp there is no charge; tell me what we have done in the
+provinces to give even a foundation for a charge."
+
+"Nothing, my young friend," replied the clergyman; "we have done
+nothing but defend the immunities secured unto us by the hand of the
+very king who now seeks to snatch them from us. We have not even
+defended, as perhaps we should, the unalienable privileges given us by
+a greater king. No; the insidious plan of our deceitful enemies has
+been to attack us first, and then to lay resistance to our charge as a
+crime. Take but a few instances. In the towns of Tonnay and of Privas,
+the reformed religion was not only the dominant religion, but the sole
+religion, and had been so for near a century; the inhabitants were all
+Protestants, tranquil, quiet, industrious. There were no religious
+contentions, there were no jealous feuds, when some one, prompted by
+the fiend, whispered to the crown that means should be taken to
+establish, in those places, the authority of the idolatrous church;
+that opportunity should be given for making converts from the pure to
+the corrupted faith; that in the end the pillage of the Protestant
+congregations should be permitted to the Romish priesthood. An order
+was instantly given for opening a Romish church in a place where there
+were no Papists, and for preaching against our creed in the midst of
+its sincere followers. The church was accordingly opened; the singing
+of Latin masses, and the exhibition of idolatrous processions
+commenced where such things had not been known in the memory of man: a
+few boys hooted, and instantly there was raised a cry, that the Romish
+priests were interrupted in their functions, that the ceremonies of
+the church were opposed by the whole mass of Huguenots. What was the
+result? The parliament of Paris gave authenticity to the calumny, by
+granting letters of protection to the intruding clergy; and then,
+taking its own act as proof of the guilt of the Huguenots, commanded
+our temples to be pulled down, and the free exercise of our religion
+in that place to be abolished. This was the case at Tonnay; and if at
+the same time the decree, which announced its fate to that city, had
+boldly forbidden our worship throughout the land, we might have
+displayed some union, and made some successful resistance. But our
+enemies were too wise to give us such a general motive: they struck an
+isolated blow here, and an isolated blow there; they knew man's
+selfishness; they foresaw how apathetic we should be to the injuries
+of our fellows; and they were right. The Huguenots of France made no
+effort in favour of those who suffered; some never inquired into the
+question at all, and believed that the people of Tonnay had brought
+the evil on their own heads; some shrugged the indifferent shoulder,
+and thought it not worth while to trouble the peace of the whole
+community for the sake of a single small town. Had it been your town
+of Morseiul it would have been the same, for such has been the case
+with Privas, with Dexodun, with Melle, with Chevreux, with Vitre, and
+full fifty more; and not one Protestant has moved to support the
+rights of his brother. Whenever, indeed, any thing has occurred
+affecting the whole body, then men have flocked to us, demanding
+advice and assistance; they have talked of open resistance, of
+immediate war, of defending their rights, of opposing further
+aggressions; but I have ever seen, Albert, that, mingled with a few
+determined and noble spirits, there have been many selfish, many
+indifferent; and I know that, unless some strong and universal bond of
+union be given them, some great common motive be afforded, thousands
+will fall off in the hour of need, and leave their defenders in the
+hands of the enemy. For this reason, as well as for many others, I
+have always urged peace where peace can be obtained; but I see now
+such rapid progress made against us, that I tremble between two
+terrible results."
+
+The young Count gazed thoughtfully in the pastor's face for a few
+moments ere he replied. "I fear," he said at length, "that we have not
+yet a sufficient motive to bind all men, as is most needful in the
+strong assertion of a common cause.--Heaven forbid that we should do
+or even think of aught disloyal or rebellious; but I doubt much,
+though the new injury we have received is gross, that it will furnish
+a sufficient motive to unite all our brethren in one general
+representation to the king of our general grievances. Yet there are
+many points in the edict I heard read to-day wounding to the vanity of
+influential men amongst us, and that motive will often move them when
+others fail. But listen, and tell me what you think. These were the
+chief heads of the proclamation:"--and he went on to recapitulate all
+that he had heard, the old man listening with attention while he
+spoke.
+
+"I fear there is no bond of union here," replied the pastor,
+commenting upon some of the heads which the young Count had given him;
+"rather, my good young friend, matter for dissension. They have
+cunningly thrown in more than one apple of discord to divide the
+mayors of the Protestant towns from their people, ay, and even to make
+the pastors odious to the flock."
+
+"Let us, however," said the Count, "endeavour to act as unitedly as
+possible--let us keep a wary eye upon the proceedings of our
+enemies--let us be prepared to seize the fit moment for opposition,
+that we may seize it before it be necessary to resist in a manner that
+may be imputed to us as disloyal. Doubtless, at the assembling of the
+states of the province, which will take place shortly, there will be a
+great number of the Protestant nobles present, and I will endeavour to
+bring them to a general conference, in the course of which we may
+perhaps----"
+
+"Hark!" said the old man, "there is the noise of a horse's feet;" and
+the next instant a loud ringing of the bell was heard, followed by the
+sound of a voice in the passage speaking to the maid servant in
+jocular and facetious tones, with which the young Count was well
+acquainted.
+
+"It is my rascally valet, Riquet," he said. "He's always thrusting
+himself where he has no business."
+
+"I wonder you retain him in your service," said the pastor; "I have
+marked him in your father's time, and have heard you both say that he
+is a knave."
+
+"And yet he loves me," said the young Count; "and I do in truth
+believe would sooner injure himself than me."
+
+The old man shook his head with an expression of doubt; but the
+Count went on: "However, I did not wish him to know that I came here
+to-night, and still less should wish him to be acquainted with the
+nature of my errand. He is a Papist, you know, and may suspect,
+perhaps, that we are holding a secret council with others. We had
+better, therefore, give him admittance at once."
+
+There was a small silver bell stood on the table beside the pastor;
+and, as the maid did not come in, he rang it, inquired who it was that
+had arrived when she did make her appearance, and then ordered the
+valet to be admitted.
+
+"What brought you here, Maitre Jerome?" demanded the young Count,
+somewhat sternly, as the valet entered on his tiptoes, with a look of
+supreme self-satisfaction.
+
+"Why, my lord," replied the man, "scarcely had you set out when there
+arrived a courier from the Duc de Rouvre, bringing you a packet. He
+was asked to leave it, as you were absent; but he said it was of vast
+importance, and that he was to get your answer from your own mouth: so
+he would give it to nobody. I took him into what used to be called the
+page's room, and made him drink deep of chateau Thierry, picked his
+pocket of the packet while he was looking out of the window, and
+seeing that he was tired to death, commended him to his bed, with a
+night cap of good liquor, promising to wake him as soon as you
+returned, and then set off with the packet to seek you, Monsieur le
+Comte."
+
+"And pray what was the object of all this trickery?" demanded the
+Count. "If you be not careful, Maitre Jerome, you will place your neck
+in a cord some day."
+
+"So my mother used to say," replied the man, with cool effrontery;
+"but I only wished to serve your lordship, and knowing that there were
+difficult matters in hand, thought you might like to read the packet
+first, in order to be prepared to give a ready answer. We could easily
+seal up the letter again, and slip it into the courier's jerkin--which
+the poor fool put under his head when he went to sleep, thinking to
+secure the packet that was already gone. He would then present it to
+you in due form, and you give your answer without any apparent
+forethought."
+
+The Count could not refrain from turning a smiling look upon the
+pastor, who, however, bent down his eyes and shook his head with a
+disapproving sigh.
+
+The Count at the same time tore open the packet which the servant had
+handed to him, with a ruthless roughness, that made good Jerome Riquet
+start, and cry "Oh!" with an expression of pain upon his countenance,
+to see not the slightest possibility left of ever patching up the
+letter again, so as to make it appear as if it had never been opened.
+
+"And I suppose, Master Jerome," continued the Count, while making his
+way into the packet, "that you took the trouble of watching me when I
+set out this afternoon."
+
+"Heaven forbid, sir," replied the man; "that would have been both
+very impertinent, and an unnecessary waste of time and attention, as I
+knew quite well where you were going. As soon as you had been out to
+hear the proclamation and keep the people quiet, and came home and sat
+with the shuttlecock Marquis de Hericourt, and then ordered your
+horse, I said to myself, and I told Henriot, 'his lordship is gone
+to consult with Monsieur Claude de l'Estang; and where, indeed,
+could he go so well as to one who is respected by the Catholics
+almost as much as by the Huguenots? Whom could he apply to so wisely
+as to one whose counsels are always judicious, always peaceful, and
+always benevolent?'" and having finished this piece of oratory,
+Riquet--perceiving that his master, busy in the letter, gave him no
+attention--made a low but somewhat grotesque reverence to the good
+pastor, bending his head, rounding his back, and elevating his
+shoulders, while his long thin legs stuck out below, so that he
+assumed very much the appearance of a sleeping crane.
+
+The pastor, however, shook his head, replying gravely, "My good
+friend, I have lived more than sixty-five years in the world, and yet
+I trust age has not diminished the intellect which experience may have
+tended to improve."
+
+By the time he had said this the young Count had read to the end of
+the short letter which he had received, and put it before the pastor.
+
+"This is kind," he said, "and courteous of my good friend the Duke,
+who, though I have not seen him for many years, still retains his
+regard for our family. Jerome, you may retire," he added, "and wait
+for me without. This letter which you have brought is of no importance
+whatever, a mere letter of civility, so that either you or the Duke's
+courier have lied."
+
+"Oh, it was the courier, sir," replied the valet, with his usual quiet
+impudence, "it was the courier of course, otherwise there is no truth
+in the old proverb, _Cheat like a valet, lie like a courier_. I always
+keep to my own department, sir;" and so saying he marched out of the
+room.
+
+In the mean time Claude de l'Estang had read the letter, which invited
+the young Count to visit the Duc de Rouvre at Poitiers, and take up
+his abode in the governor's house some days before the meeting of the
+states. It went on to express great regard for the young nobleman
+himself, and high veneration for his father's memory; and then,
+glancing at the religious differences existing in the province, and
+the measures which had been lately taken against the Huguenots, it
+went on to state that the writer was anxious to receive the private
+advice and opinion of the young Count as to the best means of
+extinguishing all irritation on such subjects.
+
+"Were this from any other man than the Duc de Rouvre," said the
+pastor, "I should say that it was specious and intended to mislead;
+but the Duc has always shown himself favourable to the Protestants as
+a politician, and I have some reason to believe is not unfavourable to
+their doctrines in his heart: but go, my son, go as speedily as
+possible, and God grant that your efforts may conclude with peace."
+
+After a few more words of the same tenor, the pastor and his young
+friend separated, and the Count and his valet, mounting their horses,
+took their way back towards the chateau, with the shades of night
+beginning to gather quickly about them.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                        UNEXPECTED COMPANIONS.
+
+
+The two horsemen rode to the village at a quick rate, but then
+slackened their pace, and passed through the single little street at a
+walk. The scene, however, was now changed; the children were no longer
+playing before the doors; from out of the windows of some of the
+cottages streamed forth the reddish light of a resin candle; from
+others was heard issuing the sound of a psalm, sung before the
+inhabitants retired to rest; and at the doors of others again appeared
+a peasant returned late from the toil of the day, and--as is so
+natural to the heart of man--pausing in the thickening twilight to
+take one more look of the world, before the darkness of night shut it
+out altogether. A star or two was beginning to appear in the sky; the
+bats were flitting hither and thither through the dusk; and, though it
+was still warm and mild, every thing betokened the rapid approach of
+night.
+
+From the village the Count rode on, relapsing, after having spoken a
+few words to his servant, into the same meditative mood which had
+possessed him on his way to Auron. He hastened not his pace, and after
+he had gone about three miles complete darkness surrounded him. There
+was no moon in the sky; the road by which he had come, steep, stony,
+and irregular, required full light to render it safe for his horse's
+knees; and, after the animal had tripped more than once, the Count
+struck into a path to the right, which led by a little _detour_ into
+the high road from Paris to Poitiers.
+
+High roads, however, in those days were very different things from
+those which they have now become; and there is scarcely a parish road
+in England, or a commercial road in France, which is not wider, more
+open, and better in every respect than the high road we speak of was
+at that time. When he had gained it, however, the Count went on more
+easily till he arrived at the spot where it entered one of the large
+woods which supplied the inhabitants with fuel in a country
+unproductive of coal. There, however, he met with an obstruction which
+he had not at all anticipated. As he approached the outskirts of the
+wood, there was a sudden flash to the right, and a ball whistled
+across the Count's path, but without hitting either himself or his
+servant.
+
+He was too much accustomed to scenes in which such winged messengers
+of death were common, to be startled by the shot, but merely muttering
+to himself, "This is unpleasant; we must put a stop to this so near
+Morseiul," he considered whether it would be better for him to push
+his horse forward or to go back upon the open road. But the matter was
+settled for him by others; for he was surrounded in a moment by five
+or six men, who speedily pulled him off his horse, though he made no
+effort to resist where resistance he saw would be vain, and then
+demanded his name in an imperative and threatening manner. He heard,
+however, at the same time, the galloping of the horse of Jerome
+Riquet, who had remained some twenty or thirty yards behind him; and
+perfectly certain, therefore, that very efficient aid would soon be
+brought to deliver him, he determined to procrastinate as far as
+possible, in the hopes of taking some of the plunderers who had
+established themselves so near his dwelling.
+
+"I cannot see," he said, "what your business can be with my name; if
+it is my money that you want, any that I have upon my person you can
+take.--My good friend, you will oblige me by not holding my collar so
+tight; it gives me a feeling of strangulation, which, as you may
+perhaps some day know, is not very pleasant."
+
+The man who held him, and who seemed the principal of the group, did
+not appear to be at all offended at being reminded of what might be
+the end of his exploits, but let go his collar, laughing and saying,
+"You are merry! however, your money we shall take as our own right. It
+is fair toll you know; and your name we must have too, as being
+officers of the King's highway, if not of the King, we have certainly
+a right to ask for passports."
+
+"Heaven forbid that I should deny any of your rights," replied the
+Count; "my money I will give you with all my heart: but my name is my
+own, and I do not choose to give that to any one."
+
+"Well, then, we must take you where we can see your face," replied the
+other. "Then if we know you, well and good, you shall go on; if we do
+not know you, we shall find means to make you speak more clearly, I
+will warrant."
+
+"He is one of them! he is one of them, be you sure," replied a second
+voice. "I would tie him to a tree and shoot him at once out of the
+way."
+
+"No, no," rejoined the first; "I think I know his tongue. It is Maitre
+Nicolas, the notary--not a bad man in his way. Bring him along, and
+his horse too; we shall soon see."
+
+Though the Count, perhaps, might not consider himself flattered by
+being taken for Maitre Nicolas the notary, he began to perceive that
+there was something more in the conduct of these men than the common
+desire of plunder, some personal motive either of revenge or enmity;
+and, as he well knew that he was generally loved throughout the
+neighbourhood, he had no apprehensions as to the result regarding
+himself. He was anxious, however, to see more of his captors'
+proceedings, and therefore accompanied them without any effort to
+undeceive them as to who he was. They led him along for about a
+quarter of a mile down the high road through the wood, then struck
+into a narrower path to the right, only in use for wood-carts, and
+then again took a foot path, which brought them to a spot where a
+bright light was seen glimmering through the trees before them. It was
+evident that some wider road than that which they were following at
+the moment led also to the point to which it tended, for the sound of
+horses' feet was heard in that direction, and a creaking, as if of
+some heavy carriage wheels.
+
+"There is brown Keroual," said one of the men, "come back from the
+other end of the wood, and I'll bet you two louis to two deniers that
+he's got hold of them. Don't you hear the wheels? I think we might let
+you go," he added, turning towards the Count, and trying to get a full
+glance of his face by the light that flashed through the leaves.
+
+At that moment, however, one of his companions replied, "Take him on,
+take him on! You can't tell what wheels they are. They may be
+sending away those women."
+
+This seemed to decide the matter somewhat to the satisfaction of
+Albert de Morseiul, who was not a little anxious to witness what was
+going on; and the men accordingly led him forward through the bushes,
+which partially obstructed the path, till coming suddenly to an open
+space under a high sandy bank, he found himself in the midst of a
+scene, upon which we must pause for a moment.
+
+There was a large wood fire in the midst of the open space; and both
+to the right and left led away a small road, deeply channelled by the
+wheels of sand carts. The high bank above was crowned with the fine
+trees of the wood, amongst the branches and stems of which the light
+of the fire and of one or, two torches lost itself; while the fuller
+light below shone upon three or four curious groups of human beings.
+One of these groups was gathered together near the fire, and consisted
+of seven men, some lying down, some standing, all of them well armed,
+and some of them with carbines in their hands; their dress in a great
+degree resembled that of the English soldiery at the time of Cromwell,
+though the usurper had been dead, and the fashion of such clothing
+gone out, about twenty years. A few of them had their faces bare, but
+the greater part had something drawn over their countenance so as
+completely to disguise it. In general, this covering was a mere piece
+of silk or cloth with slits made for the eyes, but in two instances a
+regular mask appeared.
+
+At a little distance from the fire, farther under the bank, sat two
+ladies, one richly habited in the taste of that day, and with the
+upper part of the face covered by the common black velvet riding mask,
+the other dressed more simply, but still handsomely, with a large
+watch hanging by her side, and two or three rings still upon her
+hands, notwithstanding the company in which she was found. There were
+some large grey cloaks spread upon the ground beneath them, to protect
+them apparently from the damp of the ground; and standing near,
+leaning on a musket, apparently as a guard over them, was one of the
+same fraternity that appeared by the side of the fire.
+
+At some distance up the road to the right, a carriage was seen
+stationary, with the horses taken out and cropping the grass by the
+side; but the eyes of the whole party under the bank were turned to
+the other side, where, at the entrance of the road into the open
+space, appeared a second carriage drawn by four mules, which had just
+been led up by a party of the banditti, who were the first that had
+appeared mounted.
+
+From the door of the vehicle, which was now brought to a halt, its
+tenants were in the very act of descending, with fear and
+unwillingness written upon their countenances. The two first that came
+forth were ecclesiastics of the Catholic church: the first, a man who
+might well be considered as remarkably ugly, had his countenance not
+been expressive, and its expression indicative of considerable talent.
+The second was a much handsomer man in every respect, but with a keen,
+sly, fox-like aspect, and a constant habit of biting his nether lip,
+of which he could not divest himself, even at a moment when, to judge
+by his countenance, he was possessed by extraordinary fear. After them
+came another man, dressed as a layman, one or two domestics, and a fat
+inferior priest, with a dirty and a greasy countenance, full of
+nothing but large black eyes and dull stupidity.
+
+While they were thus making their unwilling exit from the carriage,
+several of those who had brought them thither were mounted upon
+different parts of the vehicle, busily cutting off, opening, and
+emptying various valises, trunk-mails, and other contrivances for
+conveying luggage.
+
+The attention of the other actors in the scene was so much taken up by
+this group, that no one seemed to notice the arrival of the party
+which brought the Count thither; and though the man who had led it had
+resumed a grasp of his collar, as if to demonstrate that the Count was
+the captive of his bow and spear, he was himself so intensely occupied
+in looking at the proceedings round the carriage, that he paused close
+to the wood for several minutes. At length, however, he recollected
+himself, and, by advancing two or three steps with those that
+followed, called the attention of the rest from the carriage and its
+ejected tenants to the new captive that had been brought in. The light
+flashed full upon the Count as the man held him; but the moment the
+eyes of the group around the fire were turned upon him, several voices
+exclaimed in a tone of surprise and consternation, "The Count! The
+Count! The Count de Morseiul!"
+
+No sooner did the first of the ecclesiastics, who had descended from
+the carriage, hear the exclamation, than he turned his eyes in that
+way also, ran forward, and, catching the Count by the hand, exclaimed,
+"Monsieur de Morseiul, my dear friend, I claim your protection. These
+men threaten to murder me!"
+
+"Monsieur Pelisson," replied the Count, "I greatly grieve that I can
+give you no protection. I am a prisoner to these men, as you see,
+myself, and, were I not of another creed, might, for aught I know,
+have to apply to you to shrive me! for they have threatened to tie me
+to a tree, and shoot me likewise."
+
+"Good God! this is very horrible," cried Pelisson, in utter terror and
+consternation. "Pray, Monsieur de St. Helie," he exclaimed, turning to
+the other ecclesiastic who followed, "Pray, exhort these men--you are
+so eloquent!"
+
+"I--I--I--I can exhort nobody," stammered forth the other, trembling
+in every limb.
+
+A change, however, was working itself in their favour; for the moment
+that the Count's name had been publicly announced, a great degree of
+agitation and movement had taken place amongst the robbers. Those who
+had been lying down started up, those who had been plundering the
+carriage abandoned their pillage, and joined their companions by the
+fire; the man who had grasped the Count let go his hold, as if he had
+burnt his hand, and a rapid consultation evidently took place amongst
+the rest, which the Count himself was not a little surprised to see,
+as, amongst those whose faces were uncovered, there was not a single
+individual whom he could recognise as having ever beheld before.
+
+The movement of Pelisson, however, and the words which passed between
+him and the Count again called their attention in that direction from
+the consultation which was going on. Two men, both masked, separated
+themselves from the rest, one a very tall and powerful man, somewhat
+richly though not tastefully dressed; the other a short, broad-made,
+sturdy looking person, who only wanted the accompaniment of a
+bandoleer over his buff coat to be a perfect representation of the
+parliamentary soldier of Great Britain. The lesser man took upon
+himself to be spokesman, though they both advanced direct towards the
+Count.
+
+"We are sorry for what has happened, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said;
+"we had not the slightest intention of disturbing you upon your road,
+and it was this fellow's stupidness and the darkness of the night that
+has caused the mistake. I have only to say, as I said before, that we
+are sorry for it, and that you are quite at liberty to go when you
+like."
+
+The Count's determination was taken in a moment. "I am happy to hear,"
+he said, "that you are sorry for one offence at least against the laws
+of the country; but, in regard to my going, if I go, I have not the
+slightest intention of going alone. I am not a person to abandon my
+companions in distress, and I must insist upon some of the parties
+here present being liberated as well as myself."
+
+Pelisson looked at him with an imploring glance; the Abbe de St. Helie
+elapsed his hands together, and gazed anxiously in his face; while the
+man to whom he had spoken replied in a surly tone,--
+
+"We would fain treat you well, Sir Count, and do you no harm; so go
+your way in God's name, and do not meddle with what does not concern
+you, for fear worse come of it. You are not leading the forlorn hope
+at Maestricht now, remember."
+
+"Oh!" said the Count, with a meaning nod of the head, as if the man's
+allusion had let him into some secret; but ere he could reply further,
+the taller and more athletic of the two whispered a few words to his
+companion in a low voice, and the other, after a moment's pause of
+hesitation, turned once more to the Count and said, "Well, sir, what
+is it you would have? We respect and love you, and would do much to
+please you. What do you demand?"
+
+"In the first place," replied the Count de Morseiul, speaking very
+slowly and distinctly, and using as many words as he possibly could,
+knowing that every moment was something gained by bringing succour
+nearer; "in the first place, as I am sure that you are too much men of
+honour, and too courteous in your nature a great deal----"
+
+"Come, come, Sir Count," replied the man, interrupting him, "cut your
+story short. We have honour of our own particular kind; but as to our
+nature being courteous, it is not. We are neither fools, babies, nor
+frequenters of the painted chambers of Paris, but freemen of the
+forest. What I ask is, what do you demand?"
+
+"In the first place," replied the Count, taking a step forward towards
+the spot where the two ladies were sitting, and pointing in that
+direction with his hand, "in the first place, I demand that you should
+set those two ladies at liberty!"
+
+"They might have been at liberty long ago," replied the man, "if they
+had chosen to say whence they came and whither they were going.
+However, go they shall, as you ask it; but I should like to have those
+rings and that watch first."
+
+"Fie," said the Count, "you surely would not touch the trinkets. Their
+purses, I dare say, have been taken already."
+
+"Those were given up at first," replied the man, "and we should have
+had the watch and rings too if we had not been interrupted by this
+other affair. Come, pretty one," he added, turning to the younger of
+the two ladies, who had both risen when they heard the intercession
+that was made for them, and were gazing on the young Count with eager
+anxiety, "come, let us see if there be any diamonds amongst those
+rings, for we must not let diamonds get out of the forest. They are
+better than gold a great deal."
+
+Thus saying, he advanced towards her, and took the small delicate
+beautiful fingers, on which the rings appeared, in his rough grasp.
+
+"I fear, lady," said the Count, who had followed him, "that I cannot
+protect you farther. We must feel grateful for your being permitted to
+go at all."
+
+"We owe you a deep debt of gratitude as it is, sir," replied the elder
+lady; and the younger added immediately, "indeed we do: but let them
+take the rings," she continued, drawing them from her fingers.--"All
+but one," she added suddenly, "all but one."
+
+"What, a wedding-ring," cried the man, with a loud laugh, "or a
+lover's token, I suppose, for I see no wedding-ring here."
+
+"No, sir," she said, drawing up her head somewhat proudly, "but the
+gift of a mother that loved me, and who is most dear to me still in
+memory. Pray, let me keep it. This is the ring."
+
+"Why, that is worth all the rest," said the man, looking at it. "No,
+no, my pretty mistress, we must have this."
+
+The Count de Morseiul had stood by, somewhat pale, and with a manner
+which, for the first time, betrayed some degree of agitation. But he
+now interposed, seeing, by the trembling of her hand, how much emotion
+the man's words produced upon the young lady, though he could not
+behold her countenance.
+
+"What is the value of the ring?" he demanded of the man.
+
+"Why, some twenty louis, I dare say," he replied.
+
+"Well, I will give you double the amount for it," said the Count. "I
+have not the money upon me, for your men have taken all I had; but you
+can trust me, and I will pay it to any one whom you will send to the
+chateau of Morseiul, and pledge my honour they shall come and go in
+safety, and without inquiry."
+
+"Your honour, my Lord Count, is worth the city of Poitiers," replied
+the man. "There is the ring," and he gave it into the Count's hand.
+
+Albert de Morseiul took it, and gazed at it by the fire-light for a
+moment with some attention, and with some emotion. It was formed of
+diamonds, and, according to a fashion common in that day, formed the
+initials, probably of some proper name, C. S., surmounted by a Count's
+coronet.
+
+"Lady," he said, after he had looked at it, "this ring is almost as
+strong a temptation to me as to our friend here. I long to keep it
+till its fair owner, once more at liberty, may come to claim it at my
+hands. That would be ungenerous, however, and so I suppose I must give
+it back."
+
+So saying, he replaced it on her finger, and, with an air of courteous
+gallantry, raised the small fair hand to his lips. She bent down her
+head over her hand and his, as if to gaze at the recovered ring, and
+he felt a warm drop fall from the bright eyes that sparkled through
+the mask upon it.
+
+"And now," he said, turning to the man who had acted as chief of the
+band, "and now you will let the ladies depart."
+
+"Yes," replied the man, "but one of our people must drive them to the
+place where we tied the lackeys to the trees."
+
+"They are safe, upon your honour, though?" said the Count.
+
+"Upon my honour they are," answered the man bluffly. "I should like to
+see the man that would wag a finger at them when I say they are free."
+
+"Come then, quick," said the Count, turning to the ladies; "let us not
+lose the fortunate moment;" and he took her hand to lead her to the
+carriage, which he had remarked standing farther down the road. But
+both Pelisson and St. Helie threw themselves in his way, exclaiming
+aloud, "For God's sake do not leave us! For Heaven's sake do not
+abandon us!"
+
+"No, no," replied the Count. "My good friends," he added, turning to
+the band, "pray offer these good gentlemen no wrong, at least till my
+return. Perhaps I can hit upon some terms between you and them, and
+also tell you a piece of news which will make you change your
+determination."
+
+"Not easily," said the leader; "but we will not harm them till you
+come back, if you are only going to take the ladies to the carriage.
+You, Stephen, drive it to the place where the lackeys were left."
+
+"I will return instantly," said the Count, and he led the younger lady
+on, the elder following. Till they reached the carriage, and during a
+part of the time occupied in tying the horses again to it, all were
+silent; but at length the younger lady ventured to say, in a low
+voice,--
+
+"How can I ever thank you, Monsieur de Morseiul?"
+
+The Count did not reply to the question, but he said, as he was
+handing her in,--
+
+"Am I not right? Have we not met before?"
+
+"It is years ago," she said, in the same low tone; "but," she added
+the moment after, just as the man was about to drive away, "we shall
+meet again, and if we do, say nothing of this meeting, I beseech you;
+but remember only that I am deeply grateful."
+
+The carriage drove away, and the Count remained for a moment
+listening. He then returned to the mixed group by the fire, where the
+agitation of terror in the case of the Abbe de St. Helie had worked
+itself up to such a pitch during his absence, that the tears were
+streaming copiously from the unhappy man's eyes, while the band that
+had made him a captive stood round gazing upon him with some contempt,
+but certainly no appearance of pity. Pelisson, on his part, displayed
+a greater degree of firmness, remaining with his hands clasped
+together, and his eyes fixed upon the ground, but without any other
+sign of fear than some paleness of his countenance, and an occasional
+movement of the lips, as if he were in prayer.
+
+The Count advanced into the midst of the group, and perceiving that
+the leader of the band into whose hands they had fallen looked to him
+to speak first, and maintained a sort of dogged silence which augured
+but ill for the two ecclesiastics, he said, "Now, my good friend, what
+do you intend to do with these gentlemen?"
+
+"I intend," replied the man in a stern tone, "to shoot the two that
+are standing there without fail, to scourge that black-faced priest by
+the carriage till he has not a bit of skin on his back, and send the
+lackeys trooping."
+
+"You are of course jesting," said the Count. "You are not a man, I am
+sure, to commit deliberate murder. But you have frightened them
+enough.--Let me hear what you intend to do, without a jest."
+
+"There has been no jest spoken," replied the man fiercely. "I have
+told you my intentions, and I shall not change. These two villains
+have come down into a peaceful province, and amongst a happy people,
+to bring dissension, and persecution, and hatred amongst us, and they
+shall taste the first bitter fruits of their own works. I shall
+certainly not let them escape; and I can tell the old Jesuit Le
+Tellier, and his tyrant son, Louvois, that they may send as many of
+such firebrands down as they will; I will do my best to meet them, and
+extinguish them in their own blood."
+
+"I really do not know what you mean," replied the Count. "Monsieur
+Pelisson, I cannot conceive, from what I know of you, that you are a
+man to undertake such evil tasks as this good gentleman accuses you
+of. We of the reformed religion certainly regretted that you had
+thought fit to fall back into what we consider to be a great error,
+but we never supposed that you would deal hardly with your reformed
+brethren."
+
+"Neither do I, Count," replied Pelisson, firmly. "It is natural that,
+having abandoned errors, I should seek to lead others to follow the
+same course; but no harsh means have I ever practised, no harsh means
+have I ever counselled. On the contrary, I have advocated gentleness,
+peace, persuasion, exhortation, kindness, equity, on all occasions.
+But it is in vain, my good young gentleman," he added, looking at his
+captors, "it is all in vain. These men are determined to take our
+blood, and it is in vain to try to stay them; though the retribution
+which will fall upon them, and I fear, too, upon your own sect, will
+be awful, when our fate reaches the ears of the King. But it is in
+vain, as I have said. You have done your best for us, and I thank you
+from my heart. Bear witness, every one!" he continued, raising his
+voice, "bear witness, every one, that this noble gentleman, the Count
+de Morseiul, has no share in the terrible act these men are going to
+commit, and that he has done his best to save us."
+
+"No one will suspect me, Monsieur Pelisson," replied the Count. "But I
+must yet do something more," he added, believing, not wrongly, that
+the words and demeanour of Pelisson must have had some effect upon the
+body of men by whom they were surrounded, and also having some hope
+now that aid might be at hand. "I must yet do something more, and the
+time I believe is come for doing it. Listen to me, sir," he added,
+addressing the man who had led the band throughout. "I beg of you
+instantly to set these two gentlemen at liberty. I beg of you, both
+for your own sake and for the sake of the reformed church, to which I
+belong, and to whose instigations this act will be attributed; and if
+you will not attend to my entreaties you must attend to my command--I
+command you to set them at liberty!"
+
+"Command!" said the man, with a scornful laugh. "Your commands are
+likely to be mighty potent here, in the green wood, Sir Count! Now,
+listen to my commands to you. Make the best of your time and get away
+from this spot without delay, for if you stay you shall either see
+those two men shot before your face, or you shall be shot with them.
+So be quick."
+
+"Be it as you say, my good friend," replied the Count coolly. "We
+shall have bloody work of it; but before you go on, remember, I tell
+you, you shall take my life with theirs; and let me warn you of
+another thing which you do not know, the first shot that is fired, the
+first loud word that is spoken," he added, dropping his voice, "will
+bring destruction on the heads of all."
+
+The man to whom he spoke gazed in his face with some surprise, as if
+not clearly understanding his meaning, while the rest of the band
+appeared eagerly whispering together, in a manner which might be
+interpreted to bespeak some difference of opinion between themselves
+and their leader.
+
+The ear of the Count was quick; while conducting the two ladies to
+their carriage, he had heard uncertain sounds at a distance, which he
+had little doubted were occasioned by the arrival of some party from
+the castle in search of him: while he had spoken to the chief of the
+band in favour of Pelisson and his companions, he had again caught the
+same sounds, but more distinctly. He had heard voices, and the
+trampling of horse, and taking advantage of the momentary hesitation
+which seemed to affect his opponent, he exclaimed, "Hark!" and lifted
+up his hand to enjoin silence. The sounds, though distant, were now
+very distinct, and he added, "You hear! They are in search of me with
+all the force from the castle. You did not know that my servant was
+behind when I was taken, and fled to seek succour."
+
+His opponent stamped his foot upon the ground, and laid his hand upon
+a pistol in his belt, fingering the hammer of the lock in a very
+ominous manner; but the Count once more interposed, anxious on many
+accounts to prevent a collision.
+
+"Come," he said, "I wish to do you no injury. Let us compromise the
+matter. Set the party you have taken free, and doubtless they will
+abandon to your care and guidance all the baggage and money that they
+may possess. What say you, Monsieur Pelisson?"
+
+"Willingly, willingly," cried Pelisson, to whom all the last words
+spoken had been a relief.
+
+"Willingly, willingly," cried the Abbe de St. Helie; the tears which
+had been streaming from fear changing suddenly into the tears of joy,
+and flowing on as rapidly as ever. Their enemy, however, seemed still
+to hesitate; but the taller man, whom we have before seen exercising
+some influence over him, pulled him by the sleeve once more, and
+whispered to him eagerly for a brief space. He listened to him for an
+instant, partly turning away his head, then shook himself pettishly
+free from his grasp, saying, "Well, I suppose it must be so. I will
+set them free now; but a day of reckoning will come, if they take not
+a warning from what has passed. Gather all those things together, my
+men. Each one take something, and let us be off as fast as we can.
+Stand to your arms, though; stand to your arms, some of you. Those
+fellows are coming devilish near, and may find their way up here."
+
+"They shall not injure you," said the Count. "I break no engagements,
+even when only implied."
+
+At that moment, however, the Abbe de St. Helie, having sufficiently
+recovered from the terror into which he had been cast to give some
+thought to what he was about, exclaimed aloud, "But the King's
+commission--the King's commission! They must not take that;" and
+rushing towards the baggage he seized a white leather bag, which
+seemed to contain some especial treasure; but scarcely had he got it
+in his hand when the chief of their captors snatched it violently from
+him, and dashed it into the midst of the fire, where he set his foot
+upon it, as if to insure that it should be burnt, even at the risk of
+injuring himself.
+
+Albert de Morseiul was an officer in the King's service, and had been
+brought up in his youth with high notions of devoted loyalty and
+reverence for the royal authority, which even the free spirit of the
+reformed religion which he professed had not been able to diminish.
+The insult offered to the monarch's commission then struck him with
+indignation; and, starting forward, he grasped the man who would have
+destroyed it by the chest, exclaiming, "Sir, would you insult the King
+himself?"
+
+The man replied not, but strove to keep down his foot upon the packet.
+The young Count, however, was as powerful in frame as himself, and
+considerably taller; and, after a momentary struggle, he cast him
+back, while the Abbe de St. Helie snatched the packet from the flames.
+
+What would have been the result of this strife, in which both the
+robber's blood and that of the young Count were heated, would be
+difficult to say, for the man had drawn the pistol from his belt, and
+the click of the lock was plainly heard as he cocked it; but just at
+that minute the men who had been engaged in stripping the trunk mails
+of their contents, caught a sight of a party of horsemen coming up the
+road; and gathering every thing that was most valuable together, they
+retreated quickly around their leader. Abandoning his contention with
+the Count, he now promptly formed them into line, collected all the
+various articles belonging to themselves which were scattered about,
+and retreated in the direction of the opposite road, offering a firm
+face of five men abreast, with their carbines cocked, and levelled to
+the horsemen, who were now coming up thick into the open space where
+all these events had passed.
+
+At the head of the horsemen appeared the Chevalier d'Evran, armed in
+haste to deliver or avenge his friend; but, as the Count saw that he
+was now master of the field, and that the robbers were retreating in a
+very threatening attitude, which might produce bloodshed if they were
+not immediately shown that no molestation would be offered to them, he
+took a rapid step or two forward, exclaiming to his own party,--
+
+"Halt, halt! We have come to a compromise before you arrived, and are
+all at liberty. Thanks, Louis, a thousand thanks, however, for your
+succour!"
+
+The Count's men paused promptly at his command, and the robbers
+retreated slowly up the other road, facing round every ten or twelve
+steps, fully prepared for defence, like an old lion pursued by the
+hunters. In the mean while the Chevalier sprung from his horse, and
+grasped his friend's hand eagerly.
+
+"Why, Albert," he exclaimed, "Albert, this would never do! You who,
+though one of the rashest officers in the service, had escaped balls
+and pikes, and bayonets and sabres, to run the risk of being killed by
+a ditch-fighting freebooter, within a mile or two of your own hearth!
+Why, when that rascal Jerome there came and told me, I thought I
+should have gone mad; but I was determined to ride the rascals down
+like wolves, if I found they had injured you."
+
+"Oh, no," replied the Count, "they showed no inclination to injure me;
+and, indeed, it would appear, as far as I am concerned, that the whole
+matter was a mistake, for to me they were very respectful. In truth, I
+seemed to be in wonderful favour with them, and my only difficulty was
+in saving M. Pelisson and this reverend gentleman here. But,
+notwithstanding these worthy men's reverence for myself, I must set to
+work to put this down as soon as ever I come back from Poitiers."
+
+"I am sure, Monsieur le Comte," said the Abbe de St. Helie, "we owe
+you every thing this night, and your conduct shall never be blotted
+out from our grateful remembrance."
+
+The Count bowed low, but somewhat stiffly; then, shaking Pelisson by
+the hand, he said, "I am happy to have been of any service to you
+both, gentlemen. My good friend, Monsieur Pelisson, I trust that you
+will not be any the worse for this short, though unpleasant, sojourn
+in the forest. I will not ask you and your friend to return and stop
+awhile at the chateau of Morseiul, as in all probability Monsieur de
+St. Helie might not relish abiding under the roof of a heretic. But
+besides that," he added with a smile, "besides that, in regard to
+which of course I speak in jest, I doubt not you are anxious to
+proceed. Morseiul is out of your way, and in an hour and a half you
+will reach the auberge of Quatremoulins."
+
+"But, sir, shall we be safe, shall we be safe?" exclaimed the Abbe de
+St. Helie, who was now examining the vehicle in which they had been
+travelling with anxious eyes. "Gracious God!" he exclaimed, ere the
+Count could answer, "look! there is a ball which has gone through the
+carriage within an inch of my head!"
+
+The Count de Morseiul looked at the Chevalier, and they both laughed.
+
+"There is a proverb in England, my good Abbe," said the Chevalier,
+"that a miss is as good as a mile; but if you will take my advice you
+will plant yourself just in the same spot again, or put your valise to
+raise you just opposite the shot-hole, for there are a thousand
+chances to one that, if you are shot at a thousand times, no bullet
+ever comes there again."
+
+The Abbe did not seem much to like the pleasantry, for in his mind the
+subject was far too serious a one to admit of a joke; and the Count de
+Morseiul replied to his former question,--"Depend upon it you are in
+perfect safety. But to make that more sure, the Chevalier and I will
+return to Morseiul with only one or two attendants, and send the rest
+of my men to escort you to the inn. However, gentlemen, if you will
+take my advice, you will not travel by night any more when you are in
+this part of the country; for, from what that fellow said, I should
+suppose the peasantry have got some evil notion of your intended
+proceedings here, and it might be dangerous to trust yourselves with
+them too much. There are such things, you must remember, as shooting
+from behind hedges, and from the tops of banks; and you must not
+forget that, in this part of the world, where our lanes are cut deep
+down between the fields, our orchards thick, and our woods many, it is
+no easy matter to ascertain where there is an enemy. As I take it for
+granted you are going towards Poitiers, Monsieur Pelisson, I shall
+most likely see you soon again. We will all accompany you out of the
+wood, and then you shall have a sufficient escort to ensure your
+safety."
+
+Pelisson thanked him again and again. The trunk mails, and what
+portion of their contents the robbers had left, were gathered
+together, the carriage re-loaded, and its human burden placed safely
+in it. Pelisson and the Abbe de St. Helie, after having ascertained
+that the injuries inflicted by the fire upon the precious packet in
+the sheep-skin bag extended no farther than that outer cover, gave the
+word that they were ready; and moving on in slow procession, the
+carriage, its denizens, and their escort of cavaliers made their exit
+from the road, after which the Count and the Chevalier took leave of
+the others to return to the castle of Morseiul; and thus ended the
+adventures of the night.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                 THE JOURNEY, AND SOME OF ITS EVENTS.
+
+
+We will pass over all comments which took place amongst the parties to
+the scene which we described in our last chapter, and will take up our
+story again with the interval of a single day.
+
+How happy would it often be for us in life if we could thus blot out a
+single day! if, out of our existence as out of our history, we could
+extirpate one four and twenty hours, its never-to-be-recalled deeds,
+its thoughts affecting the mind for ever, its events affecting the
+whole course of after-existence! How happy would it be if we could
+blot it out from being! and often, too often, how happy would it be if
+we could blot it out from memory--from memory, the treasurer of our
+joys and pains--memory, whose important charge differs from the bright
+office of hope, in the sad particular of having to deal with nothing
+but realities!
+
+However, with the Count de Morseiul and his friend the Chevalier
+d'Evran, that day had passed in nothing which left regret. The Count
+had explained to his friend that he judged it necessary to go to
+Poitiers at once: the Chevalier had very willingly agreed to accompany
+him, saying, that he would take the good old Duke by surprise: they
+had then enjoyed every thing that Morseiul afforded of enjoyable; they
+had wandered by the glassy stream, they had ridden through the
+beautiful scenes around, they had hunted the boar in the Count's green
+woods, they had tasted with moderation his good wine, and the rich
+fruits of a sunny land; and thus that day had passed over without a
+cloud.
+
+Although the King of France had given over, by this time, the habit
+with which he set out, in the light and active days of his first
+manhood, and no longer made all his journeys on horseback, yet the
+custom was kept up by a great part of his nobility and officers, and
+it was very usual to ride post upon a journey, that is to say, to
+mount whatever horse the postmaster chose to give, and ride on to the
+next relay, accompanied by a postilion on another horse, carrying the
+baggage. The Count de Morseiul, however, did not follow this plan, as
+he had no inclination to appear in the city of Poitiers, which at that
+time boasted of being the largest city in France, except Paris, in the
+character of a courier. As he loved not carriages, however, and had
+plenty of fiery horses in his stable panting for exercise, he sent
+forward a relay himself to a distant inn upon the road, and, on the
+morning we speak of, accompanied by his friend and a large body of
+their servants, rode calmly on upon the way, proposing to make a
+journey of about five and thirty miles that day.
+
+"It is politic of me, D'Evran," he said, conversing with the
+Chevalier, "it is politic of me to carry you away from Morseiul so
+soon; as you have promised to give me one whole month, for fear you
+should become tired of your abode, and exhaust all its little stock of
+amusements and pleasures too rapidly. Satiety is a great evil, and
+surely one of the minor policies of life is to guard against it."
+
+"No fear of my getting tired of Morseiul so soon," replied the
+Chevalier; "but I cannot agree entirely to your view of satiety. I
+have often had many doubts as to whether it be really an evil or not."
+
+"I have none," replied the Count; "it seems to me the greatest of
+intellectual evils; it seems to me to be to the mind what despair is
+to the heart, and in the mind of a young man is surely what premature
+decrepitude is to the body. Good God, Louis, how can you entertain a
+doubt? The idea of losing one sense, one fine perception, is surely
+horrible enough; but tenfold horrible must be the idea of losing them
+altogether; or, what comes to the same thing, of losing the enjoyment
+that they confer upon us?"
+
+"Nay, but, Albert," said the Chevalier, who was fond of playing with
+his own wit as a bright weapon, without considering its dangerous
+nature, and took no little pleasure in calling forth, even against
+himself, the enthusiastic eagerness of his friend; "nay, but, Albert,
+what I contend for is, that satiety is true wisdom; that it is a
+perfect, thorough knowledge of all enjoyments, and a proper estimation
+of their emptiness."
+
+"Hold, hold," exclaimed the Count, "that is a very different thing; to
+my mind satiety is the exhaustion of our own powers of enjoying, not
+the discovery of the want of a power of conferring enjoyment in other
+things. Because a man loses the sense of smelling, that will not
+deprive the rose of its sweet odour. Does a tyrant cut out my tongue?
+the delicious flavour of the peach will remain, though I taste it not;
+though he blind my eyes, the face of nature will flourish and look
+fair as much as ever. No, no, satiety is the deprivation, by over
+enjoyment, of our own powers of receiving; and not a just estimate of
+the powers of other things in giving pleasure."
+
+"But you will own," said the Chevalier, "that a deep and minute
+acquaintance with any source of enjoyment naturally tends to diminish
+the gratification that we at first received from it. You will not deny
+that moralist and philosopher, from Solomon down to our own days, have
+all been right in pointing out the vanity of all things. _Vanitas
+vanitatis_, my dear Count, has been the stamp fixed by every great
+mind that the world has yet produced upon the objects of human
+enjoyment. This has been the acme, this the conclusion at which wisdom
+has arrived; and surely the sooner we ourselves arrive at it in life
+the better."
+
+"Heaven forbid," exclaimed the Count; "Heaven forbid, either that it
+should be so, or that such should be your real and mature opinion. You
+say that a minute acquaintance with the sources of enjoyment
+diminishes the gratification they afford. There is undoubtedly
+something lost in every case of such minute acquaintance; but it is by
+the loss of a peculiar and distinct source of pleasure accompanying
+every other enjoyment the first time it is tasted, and never going
+beyond. I mean novelty--the bloom upon the ripe plum, which renders it
+beautiful to the eye as well as refreshing to the taste--brush away
+the bloom, the plum is no longer so beautiful, but the taste no less
+refreshing. Setting aside the diminution made for the loss of that
+novelty, I deny your position."
+
+The Chevalier laughed at his friend's eagerness.
+
+"You will not surely deny, Morseiul," he said, "that there is no
+pleasure, no enjoyment, really satisfactory to the human heart; and,
+consequently, the more intimately we become acquainted with it, the
+more clearly do we see its emptiness."
+
+"Had you said at the first," replied the Count, "that our acquaintance
+with pleasures show their insufficiency, I should have admitted the
+truth of your assertion; but to discover the insufficiency of one
+pleasure seems to me only a step towards the enjoyment of pleasures of
+a higher quality."
+
+"But we may exhaust them all," said the Chevalier, "and then
+comes--what but satiety?"
+
+"No," replied the Count, "not satiety, aspirations for and hopes of
+higher pleasures still; the last, the grandest, the noblest seeking
+for enjoyment that the universe can afford; the pursuit that leads us
+through the gates of the tomb to those abodes where the imperfections
+of enjoyment end, where the seeds of decay grow not up with the
+flowers that we plant, where the fruit is without the husk, and the
+music without the dissonance. This still is left us when all other
+enjoyments of life are exhausted, or have been tasted, or have been
+cast away, or have been destroyed. Depend upon it, Louis, that even
+the knowledge we acquire of the insufficiency of earth's enjoyment
+gives us greater power to advance in the scale of enjoyment; and that,
+if we choose to learn our lesson from the picture given us of the
+earthly paradise, we shall find a grand moral in the tree of eternal
+life having been planted by the tree of knowledge."
+
+"But still, my dear Count," replied the Chevalier, "you seem still to
+approach to my argument, while you deny its force. If such be the
+result of satiety, as you say it is, namely, to lead us to the
+aspiration after higher enjoyments, till those aspirations point to
+another world, surely it is better to arrive at that result as soon as
+possible."
+
+"No," replied the Count; "in the first place, I did not say that such
+was the result of satiety; I said that it was the result of
+discovering by experience the insufficiency of all earthly enjoyments
+to give perfect satisfaction to a high and immortal spirit and
+well-regulated mind. Satiety I hold to be quite the reverse of this; I
+hold it to be the degradation of our faculties of enjoyment, either by
+excessive indulgence, or by evil direction. The man who follows such a
+course of life as to produce any chance of reaching satiety, tends
+downward instead of upward, to lower rather than to higher pleasures,
+and exhausts his own capabilities, not the blessings of God. The
+opposite course produces the opposite result; we know and learn that
+all God's creations afford us some enjoyment, although we know and
+learn, at the same time, that it has been his will that none of those
+enjoyments upon earth should give complete and final satisfaction. Our
+capabilities of enjoying by enjoying properly are not blunted but
+acuminated; we fly from satiety instead of approaching it; and even
+while we learn to aspire to higher things, we lose not a particle of
+the power--except by the natural decay of our faculties--of enjoying
+even the slight foretaste that Heaven has given us here."
+
+"Solomon, Solomon, Solomon!" said his companion, "Solomon was
+evidently a misanthrope either by nature or by satiety. He had seen
+every thing under the sun, and he pronounced every thing vanity--ay,
+lighter than vanity itself."
+
+"And he was right," replied the Count; "every thing is lighter than
+vanity itself, when comparing the things of this world with the things
+of eternity. But you know," he added with a smile, "that we Huguenots,
+as you call us, acknowledge no authority against the clear operation
+of reason, looking upon no man as perfect but one. If you were to tell
+me that it was right to put a friend in a dangerous place where he was
+sure to be killed for the purpose of marrying his widow, I should not
+a bit more believe that it was right, because David had done it; and
+even if you were to prove to me that through the whole writings of
+Solomon there was not, as I believe there is, a continual comparison
+between earthly things and heavenly things, I should still say that
+you were in the wrong; the satiety that he felt being a just
+punishment upon him for the excesses he committed and the follies to
+which he gave way, and by no means a proof of his wisdom, any more
+than those follies and excesses themselves. Long before we have
+exhausted the manifold pleasures which Heaven has given us here by
+moderate and virtuous enjoyment--long before we have even discovered
+by experience the insufficiency of one half that we may properly
+enjoy, the span of man's life is finished; and at the gates of death
+he may think himself happy, if, while he has learnt to desire the more
+perfect enjoyment of heavenly things, he has not rendered himself
+unfit for that enjoyment, by having depraved his faculties to satiety
+by excess."
+
+"Well, well," said the Chevalier, seeing that his friend spoke
+earnestly, "I am afraid I must give up Solomon, Albert. If I remember
+right, the man had some hundreds of wives or so; and I am sure he
+might well cry out that all is vanity after that. I wonder they did
+not all fall upon him at once, and smother him under looking-glasses
+and bonbonnieres."
+
+The Count saw that his friend turned the matter into a joke, and, from
+his long acquaintance with him, he doubted not that he had been
+carrying on the discussion from first to last for sport. He was not
+angry or cross about it; but, of an eager and of an earnest
+disposition, he could not play with subjects of value, like an
+unconscious child tossing jewels to and fro, and he remained
+thoughtful for some time. While the Chevalier continued to jest upon a
+thousand things, sometimes connecting one joke with another in rapid
+and long succession, sometimes pausing for a moment or two, and taking
+his next subject from any accidental circumstance in their ride or
+feature in the scene around, the Count gradually resumed the
+conversation upon indifferent matters. Having only in view, however,
+in any extracts that we may give from their conversation, either to
+forward the progress of their history or to display the peculiar
+character of each, we shall dwell no longer upon their words during
+the rest of the ride to a little village, some seventeen miles from
+the chateau, where they stayed a moment to water their horses. The
+Count was looking down, watching the animals drink; but the Chevalier,
+who was gazing at every thing in the place, suddenly exclaimed,
+
+"Surely there cannot be two such ugly heads as that in France! The
+Abbe Pelisson, as I live! Why, Monsieur Pelisson," he exclaimed,
+advancing till he was directly under the window from which the head of
+the Abbe was protruded, "how have you stuck here by the way?"
+
+"Alas! my good sir," replied the Abbe, "the fright of the day before
+yesterday had such an effect upon my poor companion de St. Helie, that
+he was quite unable to proceed. He is better this afternoon, and we
+shall set out in an hour, after he has taken something to refresh him
+and give him strength."
+
+"You will overtake us at our next lodging," said the Chevalier.
+
+"Oh no, we shall pass you far," replied the Abbe. "We shall still have
+five hours' light, and as we travel by post, we may calculate upon
+going between five and six miles an hour."
+
+The Count on his part made no comment, but merely nodded his head to
+Pelisson; and when the Chevalier's brief conversation was at an end,
+they rode on. The village which they had fixed upon for their
+resting-place that night was a large straggling open collection of
+houses, which had grown up on either side of the wide road, simply
+because it happened to be at a convenient distance from many other
+places. The buildings were scattered, and separated by large gardens
+or courts, and the inn itself was in fact the only respectable
+dwelling in the place, having been an old brick-built country seat in
+former days, with the walls that defended it from attack still
+standing round the court, the windows rattling and quivering with the
+wind and their antiquity, the rooms wide and lofty, and perhaps a
+little cheerless, and the kitchen, which formed the entrance, as black
+as the smoke of many generations could render it.
+
+The whole house was prepared to meet the Count de Morseiul, his coming
+having been announced by the servants sent on with the horses; and did
+ducks and fowls in various countries write the histories of their
+several races, that morning would have been memorable for the massacre
+that took place, and only be comparable to the day of St. Bartholomew.
+But the culinary art was great in France then as it is now, and the
+cook, knowing that she had a difficult task to perform, exerted her
+utmost ingenuity to render tough poultry tender, and insipid viands
+savoury, for the distinguished guest that was to dine and sleep within
+those walls. Though the preparations had been begun at an early hour,
+yet they were by no means concluded when the party arrived; and while
+Jerome Riquet plunged into the kitchen, and communicated to the cook a
+thousand secrets from the vast stores of his own mind, the Count and
+his friend gazed forth from the window of a high, wide, square-shaped
+room over the wide prospect, which lay in gentle undulations beneath
+their eyes, with the road that they themselves had just passed taking,
+as it were, a standing leap over each of the little hills that it met
+with in its way.
+
+The day had been remarkably fine during the earlier portion thereof,
+but towards three o'clock clouds had come over, not indeed veiling the
+sky under a sheet of sombre grey, but fleeting lightly across the blue
+expanse, like the momentary cares of infancy, and passing away, after
+dropping a few large tears, which the joyful sun dried up again the
+moment after. As the Count and his friend gazed forth, however, a
+heavier shower was seen sweeping over the prospect, the sky became
+quite covered, a grey mist--through which, however, a yellow gleam was
+seen, saying that the summer night was not far off,--advanced over
+wood and field, and hill and dale, and dashing down with all the
+impetuous and short-lived fury of an angry boy, the cloud poured forth
+its burden on the earth. While yet it was raging in its utmost wrath,
+the plain carriage of Pelisson and his companions was seen rolling
+slowly onward towards the village, with coachman and lackey holding
+down the drenched head towards the storm, and shading the defenceless
+neck. All the windows of the vehicle were closed, in order, if
+possible, to keep out the wind and rain; but constructed as carriages
+were in those days, there was no great protection to be found in them
+from the breath or the drops of heaven; and, as the rumbling vehicle
+approached the village, the head of Pelisson was seen suddenly thrust
+forth on the safest side, shouting something to the coachman, who
+seemed inclined to go through all the signs in the subjunctive mood of
+the verb, _not to hear_. After repeating three times his words, the
+Abbe drew his head in again, and the carriage entered the village.
+
+"For a hundred louis," said the Chevalier, "we have the company of
+Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie to-night. I beseech thee, Albert,
+tell them they cannot lodge here, if it be but to see their rueful
+faces. Look, look! There comes the vehicle, like the ark of Noah,
+discovered by some fortunate chance on Ararat, and set upon the wheels
+of Pharaoh's chariot, fished out of the Red Sea. Where could they pick
+up such an antediluvian conveyance? Look, the ark stops! Now, open the
+window, Noah. Out comes the door!" and, as he spoke, he had matter for
+more merriment, for the first person that issued forth was the fat
+black-faced priest in his greasy cassock. "The raven! The raven!"
+shouted the Chevalier, laughing aloud, "What beast next, Count? What
+beast next?"
+
+"Hush, hush! Louis," said his friend, in a lower tone; "they will hear
+you, and it is a pity to give pain."
+
+"True, oh most sapient Albert," answered the Chevalier, "and you shall
+see how courteous I can be. I will even take the raven by the claw--if
+you give me but time to order a basin and napkin in the adjoining room
+for the necessary ablution afterwards. Oh, Monsieur Pelisson,
+enchanted to see you!" he continued, as the Abbe entered the room;
+"Monsieur de St. Helie, this is indeed delightful; Monsieur de
+Beaumanoir, allow me to take you by the hand," he added, advancing
+towards the greasy priest.
+
+"You mistake me for some one else," said the priest, drawing slightly
+back, turning his shoulder, and speaking through his teeth like a
+muzzled bear: "I am the Cure de Guadrieul."
+
+"True, true, I forgot," went on the Chevalier in the same wild way.
+"Enchanted to see you, Monsieur le Cure de Guadrieul! How much we are
+bound to laud and love this shower for having given us the felicity of
+your society."
+
+"I am sure I have no cause to laud it," said the priest, "for all the
+rain has come in at that crazy window, and run into my neck, besides
+drenching my soutane."
+
+The Chevalier might have gone on for an hour, but the Count came to
+the relief of the poor priest. He notified to Pelisson and his
+companions, that the house and all that it contained had been engaged
+by him, but he pressed them to remain as his guests so cordially, that
+Monsieur de St. Helie, who--though he loved not Huguenots, loved damp
+weather worse and savoury viands more--consented readily, warned by
+the rising odours from the kitchen, that he might certainly go farther
+and fare worse. Chambers were found for the new guests, and, before an
+hour had passed, the whole party was seated at a groaning board, the
+plentiful supply on which made Monsieur de St. Helie open his eyes
+with well satisfied astonishment. We are not quite sure, indeed, that
+he did not feel a greater respect for protestantism than he had ever
+felt before; and so placable and mild had he evidently become, that
+the Chevalier whispered, to his friend, while apparently speaking of
+something else, "For Heaven's sake, Morseiul, never suffer your people
+to give that man such a feast again! Three such dinners would make him
+condemn his own soul, and turn heretic."
+
+Pelisson was cheerful as usual, mild and gentle, a little plausible
+perhaps, and somewhat too courtier like, but still rendering himself
+most agreeable, both by his manner and by a sort of indescribable ease
+and grace in his conversation and language. Behind the chair of the
+Count, as a sort of nomenclator of the different dishes, had placed
+himself worthy Maitre Jerome Riquet. Now, Heaven knows that no person
+was naturally more simple in his tastes than Albert of Morseiul; but
+he had left, as usual, all the minor arrangements of his comfort to
+others, and certainly Jerome Riquet, as soon as he heard that two
+Catholic abbes and a priest were about to dine at the table of his
+master, had not relaxed in any of his efforts to excel all excellence,
+determined to astound the ecclesiastics by the luxury and splendour of
+a country inn. Had it produced nothing but parchment and jack-boots,
+Jerome Riquet would have discovered means of sending in entree upon
+entree in various different forms, and under various different names.
+But as it was, notice of the Count's coming having been given the day
+before, and vast preparations made by the worthy aubergiste, the
+suppers of Versailles were little more refined than that to which
+Pelisson and his companions now sat down; while, according to Jerome's
+directions, two servants stood behind every chair, and the Count was
+graced by his own additional presence at the right elbow.
+
+Riquet himself had not only taken up that position as the _Piece de
+resistance_, but as the _Piece de parade_, and, as was not uncustomary
+then, he mingled with what was going forward at table whenever it
+suited him. Often by a happy exhortation upon some dish, or
+observation upon some wine, he contrived to turn the conversation in a
+different direction when it was proceeding in a way that did not
+please him. About half way through the meal, however, his attention
+seemed to be caught by something awkward in the position of the Cure
+de Guadrieul, and from time to time he turned a sort of anxious and
+inquiring glance towards him, wondering whether he sat so high in his
+chair from the natural conformation of short legs and a long body, or
+from some adventitious substance placed beneath his nether man.
+
+He made various movements to discover it; but, in the meantime, the
+conversation went on, and the Count having been naturally drawn by the
+observation of some other person to pay Pelisson a compliment upon his
+graceful style, the Abbe replied, "Oh, my style is nothing, Monsieur
+le Comte, though you are good enough to praise it; and besides, after
+all, it is but style. I had a brother once, poor fellow!" he added,
+"who might indeed have claimed your praise; for, in addition to good
+style, which he possessed in an infinitely higher degree than myself,
+he had a peculiar art of speaking briefly, which, Heaven knows, I have
+not, and of leaving nothing unsaid that could be said upon the subject
+he treated. When he was only nineteen years of age he was admitted to
+the academy of Castres; but, upon his admission, they made this
+singular and flattering condition with him, namely, that he should
+never speak upon any subject till every body else had spoken, 'for,'
+said the academicians, 'when he speaks first, he never leaves any body
+else any thing to say upon the subject, and when he speaks last he
+finds a thousand things to say that nobody else has said.' Besides all
+this," he continued, "my brother had another great and inestimable
+advantage over me."
+
+"Pray what was that?" demanded the Count.
+
+"He was not hideous," replied Pelisson.
+
+"Oh, I do not think that such an advantage," said the Chevalier. "It
+is the duty of a woman to be handsome; but I think men have a right to
+be ugly if they like."
+
+"So say I," replied Pelisson; "but Mademoiselle de Scudery says that I
+abuse the privilege, and upon my word I think so, for just before I
+came from Paris something happened which is worth telling. I was
+walking along," he continued, "quite soberly and thoughtfully down the
+Rue de Beauvoisis--you know that little street that leads up by the
+convent of St. Mary--when coming opposite to a large house nearly at
+the corner, I was suddenly met by as beautiful a creature as ever I
+saw, with her soubrette by her side, and her loup in her hand, so that
+I could quite see her face. She was extremely well dressed, and, in
+fact, altogether fit to be the Goddess of an Idyl. However, as I did
+not know her, I was passing quietly on, when suddenly she stopped,
+took me by the hand, and said, in an earnest voice, 'Do me the
+pleasure, sir, of accompanying me for one moment.' On my word,
+gentlemen, I did not know what was going to happen, but I was a great
+deal too gallant, of course, to refuse her; when, without another
+word, she led me to the door of the house, up the stairs, rang the
+bell on the first floor, and conducted me into an anteroom. A servant
+threw open another door for her; and then bringing me into a second
+room, where I found a gentleman of good mien with two sticks in his
+hand, she presented me to him with these singular words: '_Line for
+line, sir, like that! Remember, line for line, sir, like that!_' and
+then turning on her heel she walked away, leaving me petrified with
+astonishment. The gentleman in whose presence I stood seemed no less
+surprised for a moment than myself; but the instant after he burst
+into a violent fit of laughter, which made me a little angry.
+
+"'Pray, sir, what is the meaning of all this?' I asked. 'Do you not
+know that lady?' he rejoined. 'No, sir,' I replied, 'I neither know
+her nor you.' 'Oh, as for me,' replied the gentleman, 'you have seen
+me more than once before, Monsieur Pelisson, though you do not know
+me. I am Mignard, the painter; but as to the lady, I must either not
+give you the clue to her bringing you here, or not give you her name,
+which you like.' 'Give me the clue; give me the clue,' replied I: 'the
+lady's name I will find out hereafter.'
+
+"'Do not be offended then,' he said, 'but the truth is, I am painting
+for that lady a picture of the temptation in the wilderness. She came
+to see it this morning, and a violent dispute arose between us as to
+how I was to represent the devil; she contending that he was to be
+excessively ugly, and I, that though disfigured by bad passions, there
+was to be the beauty of an angel fallen. She left me a minute ago in a
+fit of playful pettishness, when lo and behold she returns almost
+instantly, bringing you in her hand, and saying, 'Line for line, like
+that.' I leave you to draw your own conclusion."
+
+"I did draw my own conclusion," continued Pelisson, "and got out of
+the way of Monsieur Mignard's brush as fast as possible, only saying,
+that I thought the lady very much in the wrong, for there could lie no
+great temptation under such an exterior as mine."
+
+His auditors laughed both at the story and at the simplicity with
+which it was told, and no one laughed more heartily than the
+black-faced priest. But while he was chuckling on his seat, Maitre
+Jerome, who had glided round behind him, suddenly seized hold of two
+leathern strings that hung down over the edge of the chair, and
+exclaiming, "That must be very inconvenient to your reverence," he
+pulled out from underneath him, by a sudden jerk which nearly laid him
+at his length on the floor, the identical sheep-skin bag which had
+nearly been burnt to pieces in the wood.
+
+The priest started up with terror and dismay, exclaiming, "Give it to
+me: give it to me, sirrah. How dare you take it from under me? It is
+the King's commission to Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie for putting
+down heresy in Poitou."
+
+A sudden grave look and a dead silence succeeded this unexpected
+announcement; but while the priest snatched the packet from Jerome
+Riquet's profane hands, declaring that he had promised not to part
+with it for a moment, Pelisson made his voice heard, saying,
+
+"You mistake, my good brother; such is not the object of the
+commission, as the King explained it to me. On the contrary, his
+Majesty said that, when it was opened at Poitiers, we would find that
+the whole object and scope of it was to heal the religious differences
+of the province in the mildest and most gentle manner possible."
+
+"I trust it may be found so, Monsieur Pelisson," replied the Count
+gravely, turning his eyes from the Abbe de St. Helie, who said
+nothing. "I trust it may be found so;" and though it was evident that
+some damp was thrown upon his good spirits, he turned the conversation
+courteously and easily to other subjects: while Jerome Riquet,
+satisfied in regard to the nature of the packet, made a thousand
+apologies to the Cure of Guadrieul, loaded his plate with delicacies,
+and then returned to his master's elbow.
+
+After supper, for so the meal was then called, the party separated.
+The Chevalier d'Evran, for motives of his own, attached himself
+closely, for the time being, to the Abbe de St. Helie, and engaged him
+in a party at trick track; the young Count strolled out in the evening
+light with Pelisson, both carefully avoiding any religious subjects
+from the delicacy of their mutual position; the fat priest went to
+gossip with Maitre Jerome, and smoke a pipe in the kitchen of the inn;
+and the serving men made love to the village girls, or caroled in the
+court-yard.
+
+Thus ended the first day's journey of the Count de Morseiul towards
+Poitiers. On the following morning he had taken his departure before
+the ecclesiastics had risen, leaving the servants, who were to follow
+with the horses, to make them fully aware that they had been his
+guests during their stay at the inn; and on the third day, at about
+five o'clock in the afternoon, he came under the high rocky banks
+which guard the entrance to the ancient city which was to be the end
+of his journey.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VI.
+
+                       THE LADY AND HER LOVERS.
+
+
+The city of Poitiers is a beautiful old town, at least it is a town in
+which there is much to interest; the memories of many remote periods
+cross and intersect each other, like the arches of a Gothic church,
+forming a fretwork over head of varied and solemn, though dim,
+associations. The Roman, and the Goth, and the Frank, and the
+Englishman, have all there left indelible traces of their footsteps;
+and each spot through the streets of that city, and through the
+neighbouring country, is shadowed or brightened by the recollection of
+great and extraordinary deeds in the past. There is something in it,
+also, unlike any other town in the world; the number and extent of its
+gardens, the distance between its various houses, would make it look
+more like an orchard than a town, did not, every here and there, rise
+up some striking edifice, some fine church, bearing in its windows the
+leopards, or the fleurs de lis, as the case may be; a townhouse, a
+broken citadel, or a Roman amphitheatre in ruins, and all amidst rich
+green gardens, and grapes, and flowering shrubs.
+
+The Count de Morseiul and his train, after passing the gates of the
+city, which were then duly watched and warded, rode on to the house of
+the governor, which was, at that time, in the great square. It had
+probably been a Roman building, of which part of the portico had been
+preserved, forming the end of one of the wings; for, during three or
+four centuries, a tall porch had remained there supported by three
+columns. Though the principal gate was in the centre of the house, it
+was usual for the people of the town to enter by this porch; and such
+was the only purpose that it served. The whole aspect of the place has
+been altered long since; the governor's house has been changed into an
+inn, where I have slept on more than one occasion; and of the three
+columns nothing more remains but the name, which has descended to the
+hotel. It was in that time, however, a large brick building, with an
+immense arched gateway in the centre, under which Goliath of Gath
+himself might have passed on horseback with a feather in his cap.
+Beyond this was the inner court, with the usual buildings around it;
+but upon a large and magnificent scale, and on the left, under the
+arch-way, rose a wide flight of stone steps, leading to the principal
+apartments above.
+
+Throughout the whole town, and especially in the neighbourhood of the
+governor's house, there appeared, on the day of the Count's arrival, a
+greater degree of bustle and activity than Poitiers generally
+displays; and as he drew up his horse under the archway, to ascend the
+stairs, several peasant girls, after pausing to look at the cavaliers,
+passed on into the courts beyond, loaded with baskets full of flowers,
+and fruit, and green branches.
+
+As he had sent on a messenger the day before to announce his approach,
+the Count de Morseiul knew that he was expected; and it was evident,
+from the sudden rushing forth of all the servants, the rapid and long
+ringing of the great bell, which went up stairs, and a thousand other
+such signs, that orders had been given to treat him with especial
+distinction. While some of the masters of the stable took possession
+of his grooms and horse-boys, to show them to the place appointed for
+them, two other servants, in costumes which certainly did honour to
+the taste of M. le Marquis Auguste de Hericourt, marshalled the Count
+and the Chevalier--followed by their respective valets and pages,
+without which men of their rank and fortune travelled not in that
+day--to the vestibule at the top of the staircase.
+
+A step beyond the door of the vestibule, which was also a step beyond
+what etiquette required, the governor of the province was already
+waiting to receive the Count de Morseiul. He was a frank, amiable, and
+kind-hearted old gentleman, as tall, and as thin, and as brown as a
+cypress tree; and grasping the Count's hand, he welcomed him to
+Poitiers as an old friend, and the son of an old friend, and likewise,
+perhaps we might say, as one whose high character and fame, as a
+soldier, he greatly and sincerely admired. While speaking to the Count
+so eagerly that he saw nothing else, the governor felt a hand laid
+upon his arm, and, turning, beheld the Chevalier, whom he welcomed
+also warmly, though in a peculiar tone of intimacy which he had not
+used towards the Count de Morseiul.
+
+"Ah, d'Evran," he said, "what brought you here, mad boy? I wanted not
+to see you; but I can tell you I shall put you in a garret, as you
+deserve, for the house is filled to the doors. This is our first grand
+reception, our little provincial _appartement_. All the nobility in
+the neighbourhood are flocking in, and, as we cannot lodge them all,
+we are obliged to begin our entertainment as early as possible, in
+order to suffer some of them to get home betimes. This must plead my
+apology, my dear Count, for not giving you more spacious apartments
+yourself, and for not taking you at once to the Duchess, who is all
+anxiety to see our hero. Some refreshments shall be taken to you in
+your own apartment, to your little salon, where, perhaps, you will
+give a corner to this wild Chevalier; for there is that young puppy
+Hericourt, who only arrived last night, up to the elbows in the
+dining-room in all sort of finery and foolery."
+
+"But where is la belle Clemence?" demanded the Chevalier. "Where is
+the beauty of beauties? Will she not give me a quarter of an hour in
+her boudoir, think you, Duke?"
+
+"Get along with you," replied the Duke: "Clemence does not want to see
+you. Go and refresh yourself with the Count: by that time we shall
+have found a place to put you in; and when you have cast off your
+dusty apparel, ransacked the perfumers, sought out your best lace, and
+made yourself look as insupportably conceited as you used to do two
+years ago at Versailles, it will be time for you to present yourself
+in our reception-room, and there you can see Clemence, who, I dare
+say, will laugh at you to your heart's content."
+
+"So be it--so be it," replied the Chevalier, with a well-satisfied
+air. "Come, Count, we must obey the governor: see if he do not make
+himself as despotic here as his Majesty in Paris. Which is our way,
+Monsieur de Rouvre?" and with that appearance of indifference which
+has always been a current sort of affectation with men of the world,
+from the days of Horace downwards, he followed the servants to the
+handsome apartments prepared for the Count de Morseiul, which
+certainly needed no apology.
+
+On the table the Count found a packet of letters, which M. de Rouvre
+had brought for him from Paris. They contained nothing of any great
+importance, being principally from old military companions; but after
+the Chevalier had taken some refreshments with him, and retired to the
+apartments which had been prepared in haste for him, the Count took up
+the letters, and, carried forward by the memory of old times, went on
+reading, forgetful of the necessity of dressing himself for the
+approaching fete. He promised himself little or no pleasure indeed
+therein, for he expected to see few, if any, with whom he was
+acquainted; and his mind was too deeply occupied with important and
+even painful subjects, for him to think of mingling in lighter scenes
+with any very agreeable sensations.
+
+He did not remember then the necessity of preparation, till he had to
+call for lights, and heard the roll of carriage-wheels, and the
+clattering of horses. He then, however, hastened to repair his
+forgetfulness; but Jerome was not as prompt and ready as usual, or
+else he was far more careful of his master's appearance. We will not,
+indeed, pause upon all the minute points of his toilet; but certainly,
+by the time that the valet would acknowledge that his master was fit
+to go down, he had given to the Count's fine person every advantage
+that dress can bestow; and perhaps Albert of Morseiul did not look at
+all the worse for that air of high and thoughtful intelligence, which
+the deep interests whereon his mind was fixed, called up in a
+countenance, with the fine and noble features of which, that
+expression was so peculiarly suited.
+
+When, at length, he entered the little saloon that had been allotted
+to him, he found one of the officers of the governor waiting, with his
+own page, to conduct him to the reception-rooms; and, on asking if the
+Chevalier was ready, he found that he had been there seeking him, and
+had gone down. It was a slight reproach for his tardiness, and the
+Count hastened to follow. The way was not long, but the stairs had
+been left somewhat dark, as but little time had been given for
+preparation; and when the doors were opened for the young Count, a
+blaze of light and a scene of magnificence burst upon his eyes, which
+he had not been prepared to see in that remote part of France.
+
+The rooms were brilliantly, though softly, lighted, and the principal
+blaze came from the great saloon at the farther end. Rich hangings and
+decorations were not wanting, but as they were, of course, to be
+procured with greater difficulty than in Paris, the places where many
+draperies would have hung, or where gilded scrolls, trophies, and
+other fanciful embellishments would have appeared, were filled up with
+much better taste from the storehouses of nature; and garlands, and
+green boughs, and the multitude of flowers which that part of the
+country produces, occupied every vacant space. A very excellent band
+of musicians, which the Duke had brought with him from the capital,
+was posted in an elevated gallery of the great saloon; and the sweet
+notes of many popular melodies of the day came pouring down the long
+suite of apartments, softened, but not rendered indistinct by the
+distance. In the first chamber which the Count entered were a great
+number of the inferior officers of the governor, in their dresses of
+ceremony, giving that ante-chamber an air of almost regal state; and
+through the midst of them was passing, at the moment, a party of the
+high nobles of the province, who had just arrived before the Count
+came in.
+
+Though not above one half of the invited had yet appeared, there were
+numerous groups in every part of the rooms; and at more than one of
+the tables, which, as customary in that age, were set out for play,
+the young Count found persons whom he knew, and stopped to speak with
+them as he advanced. The Duke and Duchess de Rouvre had taken their
+station in the great saloon; but in the smaller saloon immediately
+preceding it, Albert de Morseiul paused by one of the tables, to speak
+to the Prince de Marsillac, who was leaning against it; not playing,
+but turning his back with an air of indifference upon the scene
+beyond.
+
+"Ah, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, "it is an unexpected pleasure to
+see you here; I thought you were in Flanders."
+
+"I was so fourteen days ago," replied the Count; "but as little did I
+expect to see you."
+
+"Oh, this is in some sort my native country," replied the Prince; "and
+being here upon family affairs, I could not, of course, hesitate to
+come and grace the first entertainment of the good Duke. There seems a
+promise of a goodly assembly; and, indeed, there are attractions
+enough, what between a new governor, a new governess, and Clemence de
+Marly."
+
+"And pray who is Clemence de Marly?" demanded the Count. "I am a
+rustic, you see, and have never yet heard of her."
+
+"Rustic, indeed!" said the Prince; "why all the Parisian world is mad
+about her. She is the most admired, the most adored, I may say, of all
+the stars or comets, or what not, that have appeared in my day; as
+beautiful as Hebe, as graceful as the brightest of the Graces, as
+proud as Juno, about ten times colder than Diana, and as witty as
+Madame de Cornuel. People began to fancy that the King himself was in
+love with her; only you know that now, under the domination L'Amie de
+l'Amie, those days of folly and scandal have gone by, and, on my word,
+the saucy beauty treated majesty no better than she does nobility. I
+myself heard her----"
+
+"But who is Clemence de Marly?" demanded the Count again; "you have
+not satisfied me, Marsillac. Of what race or family is she? I know of
+no such name or family connected with the Rouvres."
+
+The Prince replied in a lower tone, "She is an orphan, a foundling, an
+any thing you like. Some say," he added in a whisper, "a natural child
+of the King's own; but others again, and this is the true story, say
+that she is a natural child of De Rouvre's. There was a tale some time
+ago, you know, before he married, about him and the Countess de ----,
+a person of very large fortune; and as this girl has wealth at
+command, and lives always with the Rouvres, there can be no doubt of
+the matter. Madame de Rouvre, having no family, wisely treats her as
+her child, and spoils her as if she were her grandchild. They used to
+say she was to be married to your friend the Chevalier d'Evran, whom I
+saw hanging at her elbow just now. Hericourt vows that he will cut the
+throat of any man who marries her without his consent; but Louvois is
+supposed to have laid out a match for her even nearer to his race than
+that; Segnelai is not without hopes of carrying off the prize for some
+of his people; and they seem in these days to care no more for the
+bend sinister than if the Adam and Eve laws still prevailed, and we
+were all the children of nature together."
+
+"This is the fair lady that d'Evran has been talking to me about,"
+replied the Count; "but he talked of her and her beauty so coolly,
+that I can scarcely suppose he is much in love."
+
+"Just come round hither and look at him then," said Marsillac, moving
+a little farther down, so as to give a fuller view into the other
+room. "You know d'Evran's way of being in love; lying down upon a sofa
+and playing with a feather fan, while the lady stands at the distance
+of two yards from him, and he says more clever things to her in five
+minutes than any body else can say in an hour. There he is doing it
+even now."
+
+The Count moved slowly into the place which Marsillac had left for
+him, so as not to attract attention by flagrant examination of what
+was going on, and then raised his eyes towards the part of the great
+saloon at which the Prince had been looking. The group that they
+lighted on was certainly in every respect a singular one. In the
+centre of it stood or rather leaned beside a high-backed chair, in an
+attitude of the most perfect grace that it is possible to conceive,
+which could not have been studied, for there was ease and nature in
+every line, a young lady, apparently of one or two and twenty years of
+age, whose beauty was both of a very exquisite and a very singular
+cast. It fully justified the description which had been given of it by
+the Chevalier d'Evran; the eyes were deep deep blue, but fringed with
+long and dark lashes, thickset but smooth, and sweeping in one even
+graceful fringe. The lips were, indeed, twin roses; the complexion
+delicately fair, and yet the face bearing in the cheek the warm hue of
+undiminished health. Those lips, even when not speaking, were always a
+little, a very little, parted, showing the bright pearl-like teeth
+beneath; the brow was smooth and fair, and yet the eyebrow which
+marked the exact line of the forehead above the eyes, changed, by the
+slightest elevation or depression, the whole aspect of the countenance
+with every passing emotion. With every change, too, the other features
+harmonised, and there was a bright sparklingness about the face, even
+at that distance, which made it, to the eyes of the Count, resemble a
+lovely landscape in an early summer morning, where every thing seems
+fresh life and brightness. The ear, too, which was slightly turned
+towards them, was most beautiful; and the form, though the dress of
+that day did not serve to expose it much, was seen swelling through
+the drapery in every line of exquisite beauty. The hand, the arm, the
+foot, the neck and throat, were all perfect as any sculptor could have
+desired to model; and the whole, with the grace of the attitude and
+the beauty of the expression, formed an object that one might have
+well wished to look at for long hours.
+
+On the right of the lady, precisely as the Prince had described him,
+lay the Chevalier d'Evran, richly dressed, and, perhaps, affecting a
+little more indifference than he really felt. Half kneeling, half
+sitting, at her feet, was the Marquis de Hericourt, saying nothing,
+but looking up in her face with an expression which plainly implied
+that he was marveling whether she or himself were the loveliest
+creature upon earth. On her left hand stood a gentleman whom the Count
+instantly recognised as one of the highest and most distinguished
+nobles of the court of Louis XIV., several years older than either the
+Marquis or the Chevalier, but still apparently as much if not more
+smitten than either. Behind her, and round about her, in various
+attitudes, were half a dozen others, each striving to catch her
+attention for a single moment; but it was to the elder gentleman whom
+we have mentioned that she principally listened, except, indeed, when
+some witticism of the Chevalier caused her to turn and smile upon him
+for a moment. Amongst the rest of the little train behind her were two
+personages, for neither of whom the Count de Morseiul entertained any
+very great esteem: the Chevalier de Rohan, a ruined and dissipated
+scion of one of the first families in France, and a gentleman of the
+name of Hatreoumont, whom the Count had known while serving with the
+army in Flanders, and who, though brave as a lion, bore such a
+character for restless and unprincipled scheming, that the Count had
+soon reduced their communication to a mere passing bow.
+
+All the rest of those who surrounded her were distinguished as far as
+high station and wealth went, and many were marked for higher and
+better qualities; but, in general, she seemed to treat them all as
+mere slaves, sending one hither with a message, and another thither
+for something that she wanted, with an air of proud command, as if
+they were born but to obey her will.
+
+The group was, as we have said, an interesting and a curious one; but
+what was there in it that made the Count de Morseiul turn deadly pale?
+What was there in it that made his heart beat with feelings which he
+had never known before in gazing at any proud beauty of this world?
+What was it made him experience different sensations towards that
+lady, the first time that he beheld her, from those which he had ever
+felt towards others?
+
+Was it the first time that he had ever beheld her? Oh, no. There,
+though the features were somewhat changed by the passing of a few
+years, though the beauty of the girl had expanded into the beauty of
+the woman, though the form had acquired roundness and _contour_
+without losing one line of grace, there, in that countenance and in
+that form, he beheld again the dream of his young imagination; there
+he saw her of whom he had thought so often, and with whose image he
+had sported in fancy, till the playfellow of his imagination had
+become the master of his feelings: and now that he did see her, he saw
+her in a situation and under circumstances that gave him pain. All the
+beauty of person indeed which he had so much admired was there; but
+all those charms of the heart and of the mind, which his fancy had
+read in the book of that beauty seemed now reversed, and he saw but a
+spoilt, proud, lovely girl, apparently as vain and frivolous as the
+rest of a vain and frivolous court.
+
+"You are silent long, de Morseiul," said the Prince de Marsillac; "you
+are silent very long. You seem amongst the smitten, my good friend.
+What! shall we see the fair lands and chateaux of the first Protestant
+gentleman in France laid at the feet of yon pretty dame? Take my
+advice, Morseiul; take the advice of an elder man than yourself. Order
+your horses to be saddled early to-morrow morning, and get you back to
+your castle or to the army. Even if she were to have you, Morseiul,
+she would never suit you: her heart, man, is as cold as a Russian
+winter, and as hard as the nether millstone, and never in this world
+will she love any other thing but her own pretty self."
+
+"I am not at all afraid of her," replied the Count; "I have seen her
+before, and was only admiring the group around her."
+
+"Seen her and forgotten her!" exclaimed Marsillac, "so as not to
+remember her when I spoke of her! In the name of Heaven let her not
+hear that. Nay, tell it not at the court, if you would maintain your
+reputation for wit, wisdom, and good taste. But I suppose, in fact,
+you are as cold as she is. Go and speak to her, Morseiul; go and speak
+to her, for I see indeed you are quite safe."
+
+"Not I, indeed," said the Count; "I shall go and speak to the Duke and
+his excellent lady: and I suppose in time shall have to go through all
+sorts of necessary formalities with la belle Clemence; but till it is
+needful I have no inclination to increase any lady's vanity who seems
+to have so much of it already."
+
+Thus saying, he turned away, only hearing the Prince exclaim, "O
+mighty Sybarite!" and moving with easy grace through the room, he
+advanced into the great saloon, cast his eyes round the whole extent,
+looking for the Duke and Duchess, and passing over la belle Clemence
+and her party with a mere casual glance, as if he scarcely saw or
+noticed her. There was an immediate whisper in the little group
+itself; several of those around took upon them to tell her who he was,
+and all eyes followed him as with the same calm and graceful, but
+somewhat stately, steps he advanced to the spot where the Duke and
+Duchess were placed, and was warmly greeted by the latter as an old
+and valued friend.
+
+She made a place for him by her side, and leaning down from time to
+time by the good old lady's chair, he took the opportunity of each
+interval between the appearance of the new guests to address to her
+some little kindly and graceful observation, calling back her memory
+to old times, when she had fondled his boyhood, and, by mingling
+perhaps a little of the melancholy that adheres to the past with more
+cheerful subjects, rendered them thereby not the less pleasant.
+
+The Duchess was well pleased with his attention, and for some time
+seemed inclined to enjoy it alone; but at length she said, "I must not
+keep you here, Count, all night, or I shall have the Duke jealous at
+sixty, which would never do. You must go and say sweet things, as in
+duty bound, to younger dames than I am. See, there is Mademoiselle de
+Fronsac, as pretty a creature as ever was seen, and our Clemence. You
+know Clemence, do you not?--but look, Mademoiselle de Fronsac, as if
+to give you a fair opportunity, has dropped her bracelet."
+
+The Count advanced to pick up the bracelet for the young lady to whom
+his attention had been called; but his purpose was anticipated by a
+gentleman who stood near, and at the same moment the Chevalier seeing
+his friend detached from the side of the Duchess, crossed the saloon
+towards him, and took him by the arm. "Come, Albert," he said, "come!
+this is affectation. You must come and undergo the ordeal of those
+bright eyes. She has been speaking of you, and with deep interest, I
+assure you."
+
+The Count smiled. "To mortify some culprit lover!" he said, "or give a
+pang to some young foolish heart. Was it you, Louis?" he asked in the
+same tone; "was it you she sought to teaze, by speaking with interest
+of another?"
+
+"You are wrong, Albert," said the Chevalier in a low voice, leading
+him gradually towards the spot, "you are wrong--I do not seek Clemence
+de Marly. My resolution has long been taken. I shall never marry--nor
+would any consideration upon earth lead her to marry me. I know that
+full well; but while I say so, I tell you too that you do her
+injustice. You must not judge of her at once."
+
+They were now within a few steps of the spot where Clemence stood, and
+the Count, who had been looking down while he advanced, listening to
+the low words of the Chevalier, now raised his eyes as the other took
+a step forward to introduce him. To his surprise he saw the colour
+varying in the cheek of the lovely being before whom he stood, and a
+slight degree of flutter in her manner and appearance, which Albert de
+Morseiul could only account for by supposing that the scene in which
+they had last met, the robbers, and the wood, and the plunder of the
+carriage, had risen up before her eyes, and produced the agitation he
+saw in one, who was apparently so self-possessed in her usual
+demeanour. There upon her finger too, he saw the identical ring that
+he had saved for her from the robbers; and as he was in no way vain,
+he attributed the heightened colour to all those remembrances. But
+while he recalled that evening, his feelings towards Clemence grew
+less severe--he felt there was a tie between them of some interest, he
+felt too that her demeanour then had been very different from that
+which it appeared to be now. Though scarcely ten words had been spoken
+in the wood, those words had been all indicative of deep feelings and
+strong affections; there had been the signs of the heart, the clinging
+memories of love, the pure sensations of an unworldly spirit; and when
+he now gazed upon her, surrounded by flatterers and lovers, heartless
+herself, and seeming to take no delight but in sporting with the
+hearts of others, the ancient story of the two separate spirits in the
+same form seemed realised before him, and he knew not how to reconcile
+the opposite traits that he observed.
+
+All this passed through his mind in a moment. Rapid thought, that,
+winging its way along the high road of time, can cover years in a
+single instant, had glanced over all that we have said, even while the
+words of introduction were hanging upon the tongue of the Chevalier
+d'Evran. The Count bowed low but gravely, met the full glance of those
+lustrous eyes without the slightest change of countenance, and was
+about to have added some common place and formal compliment; but
+Clemence de Marly spoke first.
+
+"I sent the Chevalier to you, Monsieur de Morseiul," she said with the
+same musical voice which he remembered so well, "because you seemed
+not to recognise me; and I wished to thank you for a service that you
+rendered long ago to a wild girl who might probably have been killed
+by a fiery horse that she was riding, had you not stopped it, and
+given her back the rein which she had lost. Perhaps you have forgotten
+it, for I hear that great acts are so common to the Count de Morseiul
+that he is likely not to recollect what was to him a trifling event.
+To me, however, the service was important, and I have not forgotten
+either it or the person who rendered it."
+
+The eye of the Chevalier d'Evran was upon the Count de Morseiul while
+the lady spoke, and there was a sparkling brightness in it which his
+friend scarcely understood. At the same time, however, it was scarcely
+possible for human nature to hear such words from such lips totally
+unmoved.
+
+"Your pardon, madam," replied the Count, "I have never forgotten the
+adventure either; but I did not expect that you would have remembered
+so trifling a service. I recollected you the moment that I saw you;
+but did not of course venture to claim to be recognised on the merit
+of so insignificant an act."
+
+"I can answer for his not having forgotten it," said the Chevalier
+d'Evran, "for it is not more than five or six days ago, Mademoiselle
+de Marly, that he told me the whole circumstances, and if I would I
+could mention----"
+
+The colour rose slightly in the Count de Morseiul's cheek, as the
+Chevalier d'Evran gazed upon him with a malicious smile; but the
+latter, however, paused in his career, only adding, "If I would, I
+could mention all this grave Count's comments upon that event;--but I
+suppose I must not."
+
+"Nay, nay," exclaimed Clemence, "I insist upon your telling us. You
+are our bondsman and slave. As you have vowed worship and true
+service, I command you, Monsieur le Chevalier, to tell the whole
+without reserve--to give us the secrets of the enemy's camp."
+
+"I hope, madam," said the Count, willing to turn the conversation, and
+yet knowing very well that he might obviate his own purpose if he
+showed any anxiety to do so, "I hope, madam, that you do not class me
+amongst the enemy; if you do, I can assure you, you are very much
+mistaken."
+
+"That is what I wish to know, Count," replied the lady, smiling; "it
+is for that very purpose of knowing whether you are of the friends or
+the enemies, that I put the Chevalier here upon his honour as to your
+comments."
+
+"I suppose, madam," said the elder gentleman to whom she had been
+speaking during the former part of the evening, and who did not seem
+at all well pleased with the interruption occasioned by the Count's
+presence, "I suppose, madam, if you put the Chevalier upon his honour,
+he will be obliged to keep secret that which was intrusted to him in
+confidence."
+
+Clemence turned and gazed at him for a moment in silence, and then
+said, "You are right, Monsieur le Duc de Melcourt, though I did not
+think to hear you take part against me. I will find means to punish
+you, and to show you my power and authority in a way that perhaps you
+do not know. Monsieur le Chevalier, we shall excuse you for your
+contumacy, having the means of arriving at information by a higher
+power. Monsieur de Morseiul," she continued, raising her head with a
+look of queenly authority, "we command you to give us the information
+yourself; but that the ears of these worthy cavaliers and gentlemen
+who stand around may not be gratified by the intelligence, we will
+permit you to lead us to the dance which we see they are preparing for
+in the other room."
+
+She extended her hand towards him. He could not of course refuse to
+take it; and after giving one glance of gay and haughty irony at the
+group she left behind, Clemence de Marly moved forward towards the
+other room with Albert of Morseiul. With the same air of proud
+consciousness she passed through the whole of the first saloon; but
+the moment that she entered the second, which was comparatively
+vacant, as the dancers were gathering in the third, her manner
+entirely altered. The Count felt her hand rest somewhat languidly in
+his; her carriage lost a great degree of its stately dignity; the look
+of coquettish pride passed away; and she said, "Monsieur de Morseiul,
+I need not tell you that my object in exercising, in this instance,
+that right of doing any thing that I like unquestioned which I have
+found it convenient to assume, is not to ask you any foolish question
+of what you may have said or thought concerning a person but little
+worthy of your thoughts at all. Perhaps, indeed, you may have already
+guessed my object in thus forcing you, as it were, to dance with me
+against your will; but that does not render it the less necessary for
+me to take the first, perhaps the only opportunity I may have of
+thanking you deeply, sincerely, and truly, for the great service, and
+the kind, the manly, the chivalrous manner in which it was performed,
+that you rendered me on the night of Monday last. I have my own
+particular reasons--and perhaps may have reasons also for many other
+things that appear strange--for not wishing that adventure to be
+mentioned any where. Although I had with me two servants attached to
+the carriage, and also my old and faithful attendant whom you saw,
+there was no chance of my secret being betrayed by any one but by you.
+I was not sure that I had made my wishes plain when I left you, and
+was anxious about to-night; but I saw in a moment from your whole
+demeanour in entering the room that I was quite safe, and I may add my
+thanks for that, to my thanks for the service itself."
+
+"The service, lady, required no thanks," replied the Count. "I do
+believe there is not a gentleman in France that would not have done
+the same for any woman upon earth."
+
+Clemence shook her head with a grave--even a melancholy look,
+replying, "You estimate them too highly, Count. We women have better
+opportunities of judging them; and I know that there are not three
+gentlemen in France, and perhaps six in Europe, who would do any thing
+for any woman without some selfish, if not some base motive--unless
+his own gratification were consulted rather than her comfort."
+
+"Nay, nay, nay; you are bitter, indeed," said the Count. "On my word I
+believe that there is not one French gentleman who would not, as I
+have said, have done the same for any woman; and certainly when it was
+done for you, any little merit that it might have had otherwise, was
+quite lost."
+
+"Hush, hush," said Clemence, with a blush and a somewhat reproachful
+smile, "hush, hush, Monsieur de Morseiul; you forget that I am
+accustomed to hear such sweet speeches from morning till night, and
+know their right value. If you would prove to me that you really
+esteem me, do not take your tone from those empty coxcombs that
+flutter through such scenes as these. Be to me, as far as we are
+brought into communication together, the same Count de Morseiul that I
+have heard you are to others, frank, straightforward, sincere."
+
+"Indeed I will," replied the Count, feeling the full influence of all
+his fanciful dreams in the past, reviving in the present; "but will
+you never be offended?"
+
+"There is little chance," she replied as they moved on, "that we
+should ever see enough of each other for me to be offended. You, I
+hear, avoid the court as far as possible. I am doomed to spend the
+greater part of my life there; and I fear there is very little chance
+of the Duke, my guardian, going to the quiet shades of Ruffigny, where
+first I had the pleasure of seeing you."
+
+"Were you then at Ruffigny when I first saw you?" demanded the Count
+with some surprise.
+
+"Yes," she answered; "but I was staying there with some of my own
+relations, who were on a visit to the Duke. Do you remember--I dare
+say you do not--do you remember meeting me some days after with a
+party on horseback?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "I have it all before my eyes even now."
+
+"And the lady who was upon my left hand?" she said.
+
+"Quite well," replied the Count; "was that your mother?"
+
+"Alas, no," replied Clemence, "that was my step-mother; my mother died
+three years before. But to return to what we were saying, I do not
+pretend to be less vain than other women, and therefore can scarcely
+answer for it, that, if you were to tell me harsh truths, I might not
+be offended; but I will tell you what, Monsieur de Morseiul, I would
+try--I would try as steadily as possible, not to be offended; and even
+if I were, I know my own mind sufficiently to say I would conquer it
+before the sun went down twice."
+
+"That is all that I could desire," replied the Count; "and if you
+promise me to do so, I will always be sincere and straightforward with
+you."
+
+"What an opportunity that promise gives," replied the lady, "of asking
+you to be sincere at once, and tell me what were the comments of which
+the Chevalier spoke. Would that be ungenerous, Monsieur de Morseiul?"
+
+"I think it would," replied the Count; "but I will pledge myself to
+one thing, that if you keep your promise towards me for one month, and
+take no offence at any thing I may say, I will tell you myself what
+those comments were without the slightest concealment whatsoever."
+
+The eyes of Clemence de Marly sparkled, as she answered, "You shall
+see;" but they had lingered so long that the dance was on the eve of
+commencing, and they were forced to hurry on into the other room.
+There the Count found the eyes of the Prince de Marsillac wherever he
+turned; and there was a peculiar expression on his countenance--not
+precisely a smile, but yet approaching to it--with a slight touch of
+sarcastic bitterness on the lip, which was annoying. Could the Count
+have heard, however, the conversation that was going on amongst two or
+three of the group which he and Clemence had quitted shortly before,
+he might have felt still more annoyed. There were three persons who
+took but a small part in that conversation, the Chevalier, the young
+Marquis de Hericourt, and the Duc de Melcourt. It was one of those
+that stood behind who first spoke.
+
+"How long will she be?" he demanded.
+
+"In doing what?" said another.
+
+"In fixing the fetters," replied the first; "in making him one of the
+train."
+
+"Not two whole days," said the second.
+
+"Not two whole hours I say," added a third; "look at them now, how
+they stand in the middle chamber: depend upon it when the Count comes
+back we shall all have to make him our bow, and welcome him as one of
+us."
+
+There was a little shrivelled old man who sat behind, and had, as yet,
+said nothing.
+
+"He will never be one of you, gentlemen," he now said, joining in, "he
+will never be one of you, for he sets out with a great advantage over
+you."
+
+"What is that?" demanded two or three voices at once.
+
+"Why," replied the old man, "he is the first man under sixty I ever
+heard her even civil to in my life. There is Monsieur le Duc there;
+you know he's out of the question, because he's past the age."
+
+The Duc de Melcourt looked a little mortified, and said, "Sir, you are
+mistaken; and at all events she never said any thing civil to you,
+though you are so much past the age."
+
+"I never asked her," replied the other.
+
+"But there is the Chevalier d'Evran," replied one of the younger men,
+"she has said three or four civil things to him this very night:--I
+heard her."
+
+"As much bitter as sweet in them," replied the old man; "but, at all
+events, she does not love him."
+
+"She loves me more than you know," said the Chevalier quietly; and
+turning on his heel he went to join a gay party on the opposite side
+of the room, and perversely paid devoted attention to a fair lady whom
+he cared nothing about, and to whom the morals of any other court
+would have required him to pay no attentions but those of ordinary
+civility.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VII.
+
+                         THE GROWTH OF LOVE.
+
+
+The entertainment was kept up late; many of the guests scarcely
+departed before daylight; those who were invited to remain the night
+at the governor's house, retired when they thought fit; and every one
+acknowledged that this was the most splendid and the most agreeable
+fete that had been given in Poitiers for many years. What were the
+feelings, however, of the Count de Morseiul as, at an hour certainly
+not later than one in the morning, he sought his own apartments? We
+must not afford those feelings much space; and we will only record
+what he saw before he left the hall, leaving the mind of the reader to
+supply the rest.
+
+On leading back Clemence de Marly to her seat, he had entered into
+conversation for a moment with some persons whom he knew; and when he
+turned towards her again, he saw not only that she was surrounded by
+almost all those who had been about her before, but that a number of
+young cavaliers freshly arrived had swelled her train, and that her
+demeanour was precisely the same as that which had, at his first
+entrance, removed her from the high place in which his imagination had
+enthroned her. Every flattery seemed to be received as merely her
+due--every attention but as a tribute that she had a right to command.
+On some of her slaves she smiled more graciously than on others, but
+certainly was not without giving that encouragement to many which may
+be afforded by saucy harshness as much as by attention and
+condescension. She did not, indeed, dance frequently[1]; that was a
+favour reserved for few; but the whole of the rest of her conduct
+displeased Albert of Morseiul; and he was grieved--very much
+grieved--to feel that it had power to give him pain.
+
+
+---------------------
+
+[Footnote 1: On many occasions each lady remained with her first
+partner during the whole of a ball night; but this was not
+invariable.]
+
+---------------------
+
+
+Under these circumstances, then, he resolved to witness it no more,
+and retired to his own apartments, determined, as far as possible, to
+conquer his own feelings while they were yet to be conquered, and to
+rule his heart so long as it was his own to rule.
+
+It was late on the following morning before any of the guests
+assembled at the breakfast-table; but when the whole had met, the
+party was so large, that but little pleasant conversation could take
+place with any one. The Duke de Rouvre paid the greatest attention to
+the Count, and displayed a marked anxiety to distinguish and to please
+him. Clemence de Marly was entirely surrounded by her little train;
+and her pleasure in the homage she received seemed evident to Albert
+of Morseiul. The Chevalier d'Evran was somewhat thoughtful and grave,
+and more than once turned his eyes quickly from the face of Clemence
+to that of his friend. In the hours that had lately passed, however,
+Albert of Morseiul had practised the lesson of commanding himself,
+which he had learnt long before, and he was now perfect at the task.
+He took no notice whatsoever of the fair girl's demeanour towards
+others; and though, as usual, calm and grave, he bore his part in the
+conversation with earnestness and attention; and it so happened that
+on more than one occasion something was said which called up the deep
+poetical fire of his nature, and led him briefly to pour forth in
+eloquent words the fine and high-toned feelings of his heart.
+
+All who were present knew his high character, and all were struck with
+his words and with his manner; so that once or twice, even when
+speaking casually on things of no very great importance, he was
+annoyed at finding a sudden deep silence spread round the table, and
+every one listening to what he said. If any thing could have repaid
+him for the annoyance, it might have been to see the lustrous eyes of
+Clemence de Marly fixed intent upon his countenance till they met his,
+and then dropped with a slight heightening of the colour, or turned
+sparkling to those round her, while her lips gave utterance to some
+gay jest, intended to cover the fit of eager attention in which she
+had been detected.
+
+Alas, however, it must be owned, that to find those eyes so gazing
+upon him was no compensation, but rather was painful to Albert of
+Morseiul; for it only served to encourage feelings which he was
+determined to conquer. He would fain have had it otherwise; he would
+have felt nothing but calm indifference towards Clemence de Marly; and
+yet he knew, from what he had experienced on the preceding night, that
+he did not feel towards her entirely as he did towards other women. He
+thought, however, that by dedicating himself altogether to the great
+and important subject which had filled his thoughts when he came to
+Poitiers, by giving up all his thoughts to that, and by making his
+stay as brief as possible, he should be enabled to avoid those things,
+both in the society of Clemence herself, and in his own inmost
+thoughts, which might become dangerous to his peace.
+
+During the course of breakfast he revolved these things in his mind,
+and before it was over his thoughts were more strongly directed than
+ever to the affairs of the Protestants, by the appearance of the Abbes
+de St. Helie and Pelisson. He determined then to endeavour, as far as
+possible, in the very first instance, to discover from them what was
+the nature of the measures about to be pursued by the court of France
+towards the Huguenots. In the next place, he purposed to inquire
+explicitly of the Duc de Rouvre what course of conduct he intended to
+follow towards the Protestants of the province; and, having
+ascertained these facts, to consult with all the wisest and the best
+of the Huguenot leaders, who might happen to be at Poitiers, to
+determine with them the line of action to be followed, according to
+circumstances, and then to return at once to Morseiul.
+
+He took an opportunity then, as soon as breakfast was over, of
+conversing with Pelisson and St. Helie, while the Duke and Duchess of
+Rouvre were busy in receiving the adieus of some of their departing
+guests. With the frank sincerity of his native character he demanded,
+straightforwardly, of the two ecclesiastics, what was the course of
+conduct that their commission directed them to pursue; and Pelisson
+had half replied, saying, that they had better open their commission
+at once before the Duke de Rouvre, and see the contents, when his more
+cunning and politic friend interrupted him, saying, that he had
+express orders not to open the packet till the meeting of the states,
+which was to take place in about eight days. This announcement
+differing, in some degree, from the account which he had given before,
+excited not unjustly the Count's suspicion; and, knowing that he
+should have a more candid reply from the Duke himself, he determined,
+in the next instance, to apply to him.
+
+He did so not long after, and the Duke retired with him into his
+library.
+
+"My dear Morseiul," he said, grasping the young Count's hand, "you
+know that I myself am an advocate for the utmost toleration, that I am
+so far from entertaining any ill will towards my brethren who differ
+with me in some respects, that more than one of my relations have
+married Huguenots. This is very well known at the court also. The King
+is fully aware of it, and I cannot but hope that my late appointment,
+as governor of this province, is a sign that, notwithstanding all the
+rumours lately afloat, his Majesty intends to deal kindly and well
+with all denominations of his subjects. I must not conceal from you,
+however, that there are rumours in Paris of a different kind; that
+there are not people wanting who declare that the King and his council
+are determined no longer to have any more than one religion in France,
+and that the most vigorous means are to be employed to carry this
+resolution into effect. Nor shall I attempt to deny to you, that the
+coming of Pelisson and St. Helie here seems to me a very ominous and
+unpleasant occurrence. The presence of the first I should care little
+about, as he is frank, and I believe sincere, wishes well, and would
+always act kindly; but the other is a shrewd knave, a bigot, I
+believe, more by policy than by any great devotion for our holy
+church, malevolent, selfish, and cunning. They bear a commission
+which, it seems, is not to be owned till the meeting of the states.
+This looks like a purpose of controlling me in my own government, of
+putting a power over me whereof I am to stand in awe. Now, should I
+find that such is the case, I shall undoubtedly beseech his Majesty to
+permit me to retire from public life."
+
+"For Heaven's sake do not do so just at present," said the Count de
+Morseiul. "We have need, my dear friend, of every moderate and
+enlightened man like yourself to keep the country quiet at a moment
+when affairs seem verging towards a terrible convulsion. You must
+remember, and I hope the King will remember, that the Protestants are
+a great and important body in France; that there are two or three
+millions of us in this country; that we demand nothing but the calm
+and quiet exercise of our own religious opinions; but that, at the
+same time, there are many resolute and determined men amongst us, and
+many eager and fiery spirits, who may be urged into acts of resistance
+if they be opprest. All wise and sensible Huguenots will endeavour, as
+far as may be, to seek peace and tranquillity; but suppose that
+resistance be once begun, in consequence of an attempt to debar us of
+the free exercise of the rights secured to us by the edict of Nantes,
+can the King, or any body else, expect even his most loyal and
+best-intentioned Protestant subjects to aid in keeping down and
+oppressing their brethren?"
+
+"Not in oppressing, not in oppressing, my dear Count," said the Duke;
+"we must not attribute to our beloved sovereign even the thought of
+oppressing his subjects."
+
+"Nothing but oppression could drive any of us to resistance," replied
+the Count; "and it is not from the King at all that we anticipate
+oppression, but from those that surround him. Need I point to Louvois,
+to whom the King, by his own acknowledgment, yields his own better
+judgment?"
+
+The Duke was silent, and his young friend proceeded: "If we have not
+to fear oppression, my lord, there is nothing to be feared throughout
+the land but if we have, I would fain know what shape that oppression
+is likely to take, both as a sincere member of what we call the
+reformed church, and as a loyal and devoted subject of the King. I
+would fain know, in order that, in my own neighbourhood, and amongst
+my own people, I may do all in my power to maintain peace and
+tranquillity; which I cannot at all answer for, if such proclamations
+be suddenly made amongst the people when they are unprepared, as were
+made five days ago in my town of Morseiul, nearly creating a serious
+disturbance therein. The appearance of the military, also, did
+infinite harm, and the renewal of such scenes might quickly irritate a
+small body of the people into revolt; that small body would be joined
+by greater numbers, and the flame of civil war would spread throughout
+the country."
+
+"The proclamation," replied the Duke, "was the King's, and of course
+it was necessary to make it instantly. With regard to the military,
+the intendant of the province demanded that a force should be sent to
+insure that the proclamation was made peacefully; so having no one
+else in whom I could at all trust, I sent young Hericourt, with as
+small a force as possible, as I could not, of course, refuse the
+application."
+
+"Of the intendant of the province, my dear Duke," replied the Count,
+"I shall say nothing, except that he is as opposite as possible in
+mind, in character, and manners to the Duc de Rouvre. A man of low
+origin, chosen from the _Maitres des requetes_, as all these
+intendants are, cannot be supposed to view such questions in a grand
+and fine point of view. Individual instances certainly may sometimes
+occur, but unfortunately they have not occurred in Poitiers. Our only
+safety is in the Duc de Rouvre; but I am most anxious, if possible, to
+act in concert with him in keeping tranquillity throughout the
+province."
+
+"I know you are, my dear young friend, I know you are," replied the
+Duke; "wait, however, for a few days. I expect several other gentlemen
+in Poitiers of your persuasion in religious matters. I will see and
+confer with you all as to what may be done, in the best spirit towards
+you, believe me. I have sent, or am sending, letters to every eminent
+man of the so-called reformed religion throughout this district,
+begging him to give me the aid of his advice. When we have others
+here, we can take counsel together, and act accordingly."
+
+The young Count of course submitted, whatever were the private reasons
+which induced him to wish to quit Poitiers as soon as possible. He
+felt that a long sojourn there might be dangerous to him; he saw that
+the feelings of his heart might trample under foot the resolutions of
+his judgment. But, obliged as he was to remain, he now took the wisest
+course that circumstances permitted him to pursue. He saw Clemence de
+Marly as little as possible; and that portion of time which courtesy
+compelled him to give up to her, was only yielded to her society upon
+those public occasions when he fancied that her demeanour to others
+was likely to counteract the effect of her fascinations upon himself.
+On these occasions he always appeared attentive, courteous, and
+desirous to please her. Perhaps at times even, there shone through his
+demeanour those indications of deeper feelings and of a passion which
+might have become strong and overpowering, which were not likely to
+escape a woman's eye. But his general conduct was by no means that of
+a lover. He was never one of the train. He came and went, and spoke
+for a few moments in his usual calm and equable manner, but nothing
+more; and Clemence de Marly, it must be confessed, was somewhat
+piqued.
+
+It was not that she sought to display the Count de Morseiul to the
+world as one of the idle train of adorers that followed her, for she
+despised them, and esteemed him too much to wish him amongst them; but
+it was that she thought her beauty, and her graces, and her mind; ay!
+and the feeling and noble heart which she knew to exist in her own
+bosom--forgetting that she took pains to conceal it--might all have
+had a greater effect upon the Count than they had apparently produced.
+
+She thought that she merited more than he seemed to be inclined to
+give; and there was something also in the little mysterious link of
+connexion between them, which had, in some degree, excited her
+imagination, and taught her to believe that the Count would take a
+deeper interest in her than he appeared to do. There was a little
+disappointment, a little surprise, a good deal of mortification.--Was
+there any thing more? We shall see! at present we have to deal with
+her conduct more than with her feelings, and that conduct, perhaps,
+was not such as was best calculated to win the Count's regard. It is
+true, she paid less attention to the train that followed her; she
+treated the generality of them with almost undisguised contempt. It
+seemed as if her haughtiness towards them in general, increased; but
+then she was far more with the Chevalier d'Evran. She was seen walking
+in the gardens with him, with a single servant a step behind, and
+twice the Count de Morseiul entered the saloon, and found her sitting
+alone with him in eager conversation.
+
+He felt more and more each day that it was time for him to quit the
+city of Poitiers, but still he was detained there by circumstances
+that he could not alter; and on the fifth day after his arrival,
+having passed a somewhat sleepless night, and feeling his brow hot and
+aching, he went down into the wide gardens of the house to enjoy the
+fresh morning air in comfort. It was an hour when those gardens seldom
+possessed a tenant, but at the turn of the first walk he met Clemence
+de Marly alone. She seemed to be returning from the farther part of
+the grounds, and had her eyes bent upon the earth, with a
+thoughtful--nay, with even a melancholy look. If they had not been so
+near when he saw her, he might, perhaps, have turned to avoid a
+meeting which he feared; but she was within a few steps, and raised
+her eyes instantly as she heard the sound of approaching feet. The
+colour came into her cheek as she saw him, but only slightly, and she
+acknowledged his salutation by a graceful inclination of the head.
+
+"You are an early riser, Mademoiselle de Marly," said the Count, as
+she paused to speak with him.
+
+"I have always been so," she answered. "I love the soft breath of the
+morning air."
+
+"It is one of the great secrets of health and beauty," rejoined the
+Count; But she shook her head with a smile, saying,--
+
+"Such are not my objects in early rising, Monsieur de Morseiul. Health
+I scarcely value as it deserves, as I never knew the want of it; and
+beauty I value not at all.--It is true! whatever you may think."
+
+"Still, beauty has its value," replied the Count. "It is a grand and
+noble gift of God; but I acknowledge it ought to be the mint mark of
+the gold."
+
+"It is one of the most dangerous gifts of Heaven," replied Clemence,
+vehemently. "It is often one of the most burdensome! It is dangerous
+to ourselves, to our own hearts, to our own eternal happiness. It is
+burdensome in all its consequences. Too much beauty to a woman is like
+overgrown wealth to a man:--with this sad difference, that he can
+always do good with his possession, and she can do none with hers. And
+now Monsieur de Morseiul thinks me a hypocrite; and, though he
+promised ever to be straightforward with me, he will not say so."
+
+"Nay, indeed," replied the Count, "I am far from thinking that there
+is aught of hypocrisy in what you say, lady. I may think such feelings
+and thoughts evanescent with you, but I believe you feel them at the
+time."
+
+Clemence shook her head with a melancholy--almost a reproachful look.
+"They are not evanescent," she said earnestly. "They are constant,
+steadfast; have been for years." Even while she spoke she turned to
+leave him; and he thought, as she quickly averted her head, that there
+was something like a tear in her bright eye.
+
+He could not resist; and he followed her rapidly, saying, "I hope I
+have not offended."
+
+"Oh no!" she answered, turning to him, and letting him see without
+disguise that the tear was really there; "oh no! Monsieur de Morseiul!
+There was nothing said that could offend me. Do you not know that,
+like a child putting its hand upon an instrument of music without
+knowing he will produce any sound, a mere casual word will often be
+spoken unconsciously, which, by some unseen mechanism in the breast of
+another, will awaken emotions which we never intended to call up? Our
+little conversation roused the thoughts of many years in a moment, but
+there was nothing said that could in the least offend. You know we
+vain women, Count," she added in a lighter mood, "are only offended
+with our lovers. It is on them that we pour forth our caprices. So,
+for Heaven's sake, take care how you become my lover, for then I
+should certainly be offended with you every five minutes."
+
+"Would it be so terrible to you, then, to see me your lover?" demanded
+the Count in the same tone.
+
+"To be sure," she answered, half playfully, half seriously; "it would
+be a sad exchange, would it not? to give a friend for a slave.
+Besides, I doubt not that you have loved a thousand times before. But
+tell me, Count, do you think any one can love more than once?"
+
+"From my own experience I cannot speak," replied the Count, "for I am
+a very stony-hearted person, but I should think that a man might."
+
+"And woman not!" she interrupted eagerly. "Poor women! You hem us in
+on all sides!--But after all, perhaps, you are right," she added,
+after a moment's pause. "There is, there must be a difference between
+the love of man and the love of woman. Hers is the first fresh
+brightness of the heart, which never can be known again; hers is the
+flower which, once broken off, is succeeded by no other; hers is the
+intense--the deep--the all engrossing, which, when once come and gone,
+leaves the exhausted heart without the power of feeling such things
+again. With man it is different: love has not that sway over him that
+it has over a woman. It is not with him the only thing, the end, the
+object of his being. It takes possession of him but as a part, and,
+therefore, may be known more than once, perhaps. But, with woman, that
+fire once kindled must be the funeral pile of her own heart. As the
+ancients fabled, flowers may spring up from the ashes, but as far as
+real love is concerned, after the first true affection, the heart is
+with the dead."
+
+She paused, and both were silent; for there was something in the words
+which she spoke which had a deeper effect upon Albert of Morseiul than
+he had imagined any thing could have produced. He struggled against
+himself, however, and then replied, "You took me up too quickly, lady.
+I was not going to say that it is impossible for woman to love twice.
+I do not know, I cannot judge; but I think it very possible that the
+ancients, to whom you have just alluded, may have intended to figure
+love under the image of the ph[oe]nix; and I do fully believe that
+many a woman may have fancied herself in love a dozen times before she
+was so really."
+
+"Fancy herself in love!" exclaimed Clemence, in a tone almost
+indignant. "Fancy herself in love, Monsieur de Morseiul! I should
+think it less difficult to love twice than to fancy one's self in love
+at all, if one were not really so. We may perhaps fancy qualities in a
+person who does not truly possess them, and thus, adorned by our own
+imagination, may love him; but still it is not that we fancy we are in
+love, but are really in love with the creature of our fancy. However,
+I will talk about it no more. It is a thing that does not do to think
+of. I wonder if ever there was a man that was really worth loving."
+
+The Count replied, but he could not get her to pursue the subject any
+farther; she studiously rambled away to other things; and, after
+speaking of some matters of minor import, darted back at once to the
+point at which the conversation had begun, as if the rest had been but
+a temporary dream, interpolated as it were between matters of more
+serious moment. The Count had been endeavouring to bring her back to
+the subject of the heart's feelings; for though he felt that it was a
+dangerous one--a most dangerous one--one that might well lead to words
+that could never be recalled, yet he longed to gain some insight into
+that heart which he could not but think was filled with finer things
+than she suffered to appear. She would not listen, however, nor be
+led, and replied as if she had not in the slightest degree attended to
+what he had been saying,--
+
+"No, Monsieur de Morseiul, no, it is neither for health's sake nor for
+beauty's that I rise early and seek the morning air. I will tell you
+why it is. In those early and solitary hours, and those hours alone, I
+can have some communion with my own heart--I can converse with the
+being within myself--I can hold conference, too, with what I never
+meet alone at other hours,--nature, and nature's God. The soft air of
+the morning has a voice only to be heard when crowds are far away. The
+leaves of the green trees have tongues, drowned in the idle gabble of
+a foolish multitude, but heard in the calm quiet of the early morning.
+The fields, the brooks, the birds, the insects, all have their
+language, if we will listen to it; but what are fields, and brooks,
+and birds, and trees, and the soft air, when I am surrounded by a
+tribe of things as empty as the sounding brass or tinkling cymbal? Can
+I think of any thing more dignified than a padusoie when one baby man
+is whispering softly in my ear, 'The violet, Mademoiselle, suits
+better with your complexion than with any other that the earth ever
+produced, which shows that complexion's exceeding brightness;' and
+another tells me that the blackness of my hair would make a raven
+blush, or that my eyes are fit to people the heaven with stars! But it
+is time that I should go to my task," she continued; "so adieu,
+Monsieur de Morseiul. If you walk on straight to the ramparts you will
+find the view beautiful, and the air fresh."
+
+Thus saying, she turned and left him, and the hint not to follow was
+too plain to be misunderstood. He walked on then towards the ramparts
+with his arms crossed upon his chest, and his eyes bent upon the
+ground. He did not soliloquise, for his nature was not one of those
+which frequently give way to such weaknesses. It was his thoughts that
+spoke, and spoke plainly, though silently.
+
+"She is, indeed, lovely," he thought, "and she is, indeed, enchanting.
+If she would but give her heart way she is all that I pictured to
+myself, all that I dreamed of, though with a sad mixture of faults
+from which her original nature was free. But, alas! it is evident that
+she either does love or has loved another, and she herself confesses
+that she cannot love twice. Perhaps she has spoken thus plainly as a
+warning, and if so, how much ought I to thank her for her frankness?
+Besides, she is of another creed. I must dream upon this subject no
+more.--Yet who can be the man that has won that young heart, and then
+perhaps thought it not worth the wearing? Surely, surely it cannot be
+D'Evran, and yet she evidently likes his society better than that of
+any one. She seeks him rather than otherwise. How can I tell what may
+have passed, what may be passing between them even now? Yet she is
+evidently not at ease at heart, and he too told me but the other day
+that it was his determination never to marry. He--made for loving and
+being beloved!--he never marry!--It must be so; some quarrel has taken
+place between them, some breach which they think irremediable. How
+often is it when such things are the case that lovers will fancy that
+they are cool, and calm, and determined, and can live like friends and
+acquaintances, forgetting the warmer feelings that have once existed
+between them! Yes, it must be so," he continued, as he pondered over
+all the different circumstances; "it must be so, and they will soon be
+reconciled. I will crush these foolish feelings in my heart; I will
+banish all weak remembrances; and to do so effectually, I will quit
+this place as soon as possible, leaving Louis here, if he chooses to
+stay."
+
+Thus musing, with a sad heart and bitterer feelings than he would even
+admit to himself, Albert de Morseiul walked on in the direction which
+Clemence had pointed out, and passing through various long allies,
+planted in the taste of that day, arrived at a spot where some steps
+led up to the ramparts of the town, which commanded a beautiful view
+over the gently undulating country round Poitiers, with more than one
+little river meandering through the fields around. Leaning his arms on
+the low breastwork, he paused and gazed over a scene on which, at any
+other time, he might have looked with feelings of deep interest, and
+noted every little mound and tree, marking, as he was wont, each light
+and shadow, and following each turn of the Clain or Boivre. Now,
+however, there was nothing but a vague vision of green and sunny
+things before his eyes, while the sight of the spirit was fixed
+intensely upon the deeper and darker things of his own heart.
+
+Alas, alas, it must be said, he felt that he loved Clemence de Marly.
+Notwithstanding all he had seen, notwithstanding all he had condemned,
+notwithstanding the fear that she could not make him happy even if he
+could obtain her, the belief that it would be impossible to win her,
+and the conviction that she loved another--alas, he felt, and felt
+bitterly, that at length, indeed, he loved, and loved with the whole
+energy of his nature. He reproached himself with weakness; he accused
+himself of the follies that he had so often condemned in others. Was
+it her mere beauty that he loved? he asked himself. Was it the mere
+perfection of form and colour that, in a few short years, would fleet
+with fleeting seasons, and give place to irremediable decay? Was he,
+who had believed that loveliness could have no effect on him, was he
+caught by the painted glittering of a mere beautiful statue? No; he
+felt there was something more. He felt that she had given him
+sufficient insight into her original nature to show him that, though
+spoiled by after circumstances, she had been made by the hand of God
+that which he had always believed he could love, that bright being
+where the beautiful form, and the beautiful heart, and the beautiful
+mind were all attuned together in one grand and comprehensive harmony
+of nature. He felt that such was the case, and his sensations were
+only the bitterer that it should be so.
+
+He had thus paused and meditated some little time full of his own
+thoughts and nothing else, when a hand was suddenly laid upon his
+shoulder, and, turning round, he saw his friend the Chevalier.
+
+"Why, Albert," he said, "in what melancholy guise are you here
+meditating? I met Clemence upon the stairs just now, and she told me
+that I should find you here, tasting the morning air upon the
+ramparts. I expected to see you with your eye roving enchanted over
+this fine scene, looking as usual halfway between a mad poet and a mad
+painter; and lo! instead of that, here you are planted upon the
+rampart like a dragoon officer in garrison in a dull Dutch town, with
+your heel beating melancholy time on the pavement, and your eyes
+profoundly cast into the town ditch. In the name of Heaven, why did
+you not make Clemence come on to enliven you?"
+
+The Count smiled with a somewhat bitter smile. "It would have hardly
+been necessary, and hardly right to try," he replied; "but you
+miscalculate my power, D'Evran. The lady left me with an intelligible
+hint, not only that she was not about to follow me, but that I was not
+to follow her."
+
+"What, saucy with you, too!" cried the Chevalier laughing. "I did not
+think that she would have had determination enough for that."
+
+"Nay, nay, you are mistaken, Louis," replied the Count; "not in the
+least saucy, as you term it, but quite mistress of herself, of course,
+to do as she pleased."
+
+"And yet, Albert," said the Chevalier, "and yet I do believe that
+there is not a man in France with whom she would so willingly have
+walked through these gardens as with yourself. Nay, do not be foolish
+or blind, Albert. I heard her saying to Marsillac but yesterday, when
+he called to take his leave, that she had seen at Poitiers more than
+she had ever seen in her life before, a courtier who was not a fool, a
+soldier who was not a libertine, and a man of nearly thirty who had
+some good feelings left."
+
+The Count gazed steadfastly into the Chevalier's face for a moment, as
+if he would have read into his very soul, and then replied, "Come,
+Louis, let us go back. If she meant me, she was pleased to be
+complimentary, and had probably quarrelled with her real lover, and
+knew that he was in hearing."
+
+The Chevalier gave himself a turn round upon his heel, without reply,
+sang a bar or two of a gay air, at that time fashionable in Paris, and
+then walked back to the governor's house with the Count, who, from
+every thing he had seen and heard, but the more firmly determined to
+hasten his steps from Poitiers as fast as possible.
+
+The hour of breakfast had not yet arrived when they entered the house,
+and the Count turned to his own apartments, seeking to remain in
+solitude for a few minutes, not in order to indulge in thoughts and
+reflections which he felt to be unnerving, but to make a vigorous
+effort to recover all his composure, and pass the rest of the two or
+three days which he had to remain as if nothing had given any
+disturbance to the usual tranquil course of his feelings. In the
+ante-room, however, he found Maitre Jerome, sitting watching the door,
+like a cat before the hole of a mouse; and the moment he entered
+Jerome sprang up, saying,--
+
+"Oh, Monseigneur, I have something to say to you, which may not be
+amiss to hear quickly. I have discovered the exact nature of the
+commission of Monsieur de St. Helie, which you wanted to know."
+
+The Count beckoned him into the inner chamber, and demanded, looking
+at him sternly, "Truth or falsehood, Riquet? This is no joking
+matter!"
+
+"Truth, upon my honour, sir," replied the man; "I would deceive you on
+no account whatsoever; and now, pray, sir, ask no questions, but let
+me tell my tale. It is truth, for once in my life, depend upon it. I
+can tell truth upon an occasion, sir, when it suits me."
+
+"But how am I to be sure of the accuracy of the information, if I ask
+you no questions, Riquet?" said the Count.
+
+"You may be quite sure of it, sir," replied the man, "though I must not
+tell you how I came at my tale. Suppose, I say, only suppose that I
+had heard Monsieur de St. Helie repeating it word for word to Monsieur
+Pelisson, and the Cure de Guadrieul had confirmed it. I say, suppose
+it were so, and be sure that my authority is quite as good."
+
+"Well, well," said his master, "go on."
+
+"Well, then, sir," continued the servant, "of course, as a good
+Catholic, I hope that you and all the other Huguenots of France may be
+thoroughly roasted in good time; but, nevertheless, as you happen to
+be my master in this world, I am in duty bound to tell you what I
+heard. Monsieur de St. Helie, then, and Monsieur Pelisson are
+commanded to demand of the states of the province, effectual measures
+to be taken for the purpose of bringing into the bosom of the church,
+without delay, all the Huguenots within their jurisdiction. In
+expressing this demand there are a great many soft words used, and
+much talk of gentleness and persuasion; but Huguenots' children are to
+be brought over by all means; they are to be received to renounce
+their errors at seven years old. No more Huguenots are to be permitted
+to keep schools. They are to be excluded from all public offices of
+any kind or character whatsoever. They are no longer to be allowed to
+call their religion _the reformed religion_----"
+
+"Enough, enough," said the Count, stopping him, "and more than enough.
+Is this information sure?"
+
+"Most sure, sir," replied the man, with a solemnity that admitted no
+doubt of his sincerity, "and the commission ended with the words, that
+these means were to be taken in preparation for those ulterior steps
+which the King was determined to employ."
+
+The Count made no reply, but paced the room for two or three minutes
+in considerable agitation. "I wanted something to rouse me," he said,
+at length, "and I have it now, indeed! Quick, Riquet, call Claude, and
+Beyhours, and Martin; tell them to saddle their horses, for I want
+them to carry some notes. When you have done that, come hither
+yourself, and say not a word of this affair to any one."
+
+When the man returned, he found three notes written and addressed to
+different protestant noblemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, which
+his lord directed him to give to the servants named, to carry them to
+their several destinations; and then added, "Now, Riquet, I have a
+commission for you yourself; I will not give you a note, as that is
+useless. You would know the contents of it before you got to the end
+of your journey: of that I am well aware."
+
+"Certainly, sir," replied the man, with his usual effrontery; "I
+always make a point of that, for then I can tell the purport on my
+arrival if I lose the note by the way."
+
+"I know it," replied the Count, "but I believe you, notwithstanding,
+to be faithful and attached to me, and that you can be silent when it
+is necessary."
+
+"As the grave, sir," replied the man.
+
+"Well, then," continued his master, "you know the chateau of the
+Maille, at about two leagues' distance. Go thither--ask to speak to
+Monsieur de Corvoie--tell him that I will be with him to-morrow about
+mid-day--that I have matters of the deepest importance to communicate
+to him--and that I have asked three other gentlemen of our own
+persuasion to meet me at his house to-morrow. Say nothing more and
+nothing less."
+
+"Sir, I will cut it on all sides exactly as you have commanded,"
+replied the man, "and will bear you his message back immediately, if
+there should be any."
+
+These arrangements being made, the Count descended to the breakfast
+table, where he found the Chevalier seated by the side of Clemence de
+Marly. The Count had resolved that during his stay he would notice the
+conduct of Clemence as little as possible; that he would endeavour to
+look upon her as a being that could never be his; but, nevertheless,
+he could not now help noticing that though she and the Chevalier might
+not converse much together, there was from time to time a few words
+passed between them in a low voice, evidently referring to things
+apart from the general conversation that was going on. He steeled his
+heart, though with agony to himself, and pleading the necessity of
+visiting some friends in the neighbourhood, mounted his horse
+immediately after breakfast, and was absent from Poitiers the greater
+part of the day.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                         THE MEETING AND THE CHASE.
+
+
+On the following morning, at breakfast, some sports and diversions
+were proposed; and the governor, who wished to afford amusement to all
+parties and to keep them in especial good humour till after the
+meeting of the states, proposed to set out almost immediately to force
+a stag in the neighbouring woods. There were several young noblemen
+present, swelling the train of la belle Clemence, but she had shown
+herself somewhat grave, and less lively than usual; and after the
+proposal had been made and agreed to by almost all, she remarked the
+silence of the Count de Morseiul, saying, that she feared, from the
+profound silence that he kept, they were again to be deprived of the
+pleasure of Monsieur de Morseiul's society, as they had been on their
+ride of the day before. She spoke in rather a low voice, and, perhaps
+one might say, timidly, for her manner was very different from that
+which she usually assumed.
+
+"I fear, fair lady," replied the Count, who felt that under any other
+circumstances her speech would have been a sore temptation, "I fear
+that I have engaged myself to visit a friend in the neighbourhood at
+noon to-day."
+
+"Oh, we will take no excuse," cried the Duc de Rouvre; "indeed, Count,
+you must send a messenger to tell your friend you cannot come. You who
+are famed for your skill in forest sports must positively be with us."
+
+The Count, however, remained firm, saying, that he had appointed to
+meet his friend on business of importance to them both; and the Duc de
+Rouvre was of course silent. The young De Hericourt, who had been
+absent for a day or two, and had only lately returned, gazed at
+Clemence with a sort of ironical smile, as he saw upon her countenance
+a look of mortification which she could not or would not restrain; but
+the Count saw it too, and was struck with it; for, though skilful by
+habit in reading the hearts of those with whom he was brought into
+contact, he could not perfectly satisfy himself with regard to the
+nature of that look and the feelings from which it sprung. He felt,
+too, that something more than a dry refusal was, perhaps, owing in
+mere courtesy to Clemence for the wish she had expressed for his
+society, and he added,--
+
+"I do assure you, Mademoiselle de Marly, that nothing could have been
+so great a temptation to me as the thought of accompanying you, and
+our gay friends here, to wake the woods with the sounds of horns and
+dogs, and I grieve very much that this appointment should have been
+made so unfortunately."
+
+"Indeed," she exclaimed, brightening up, "if such be your feelings I
+will coax _ma reine_, as I always call our good Duchess, to coax the
+governor, who never refuses any thing to her, though he refuses plenty
+of things to me, to delay the party for an hour. Then we shall be some
+time getting to the woodside, you know; some time making all our
+preparations; and you shall come and join us whenever you have done.
+We will make noise enough to let you know where we are."
+
+Of course there was now no refusing; the Count promised to come if the
+important business in which he was about to be engaged was over in
+time, and Clemence repaid him with a smile, such as she but rarely
+gave to any. It was now well nigh time for him to depart; and after
+shutting himself up for a few minutes alone, in order to think over
+the circumstances about to be discussed, he set out, with some
+servants, and rode rapidly to the chateau of the Maille. He found
+several horses in the court yard, and judged rightly, from that sight,
+that the others had arrived before him. He found them all assembled in
+the large hall, and each greeted him gladly and kindly, looking with
+some eagerness for what he had to communicate. But the master of the
+chateau asked him to pause for a moment, adding,--
+
+"I have a friend here who arrived last night, and whom you will all be
+glad to see. He will join us in a moment, as he is but writing a short
+despatch in another room."
+
+"Who is he?" demanded the Count; "is it Monsieur de l'Estang?"
+
+"Oh no," replied the other. "He is a man of arms instead of a man of
+peace." But almost as he spoke the door opened, and the famous
+Marechal de Schomberg entered the room.
+
+"I am happy to see you all, gentlemen," he said; "Monsieur de
+Morseiul, my good friend," he continued, shaking him warmly by the
+hand, "I am delighted to meet you. I have not seen you since we were
+fellow-soldiers together in very troublous times."
+
+"I hope, Marshal," replied the Count, "that at the present we may be
+fellow-pacificators instead of fellow-soldiers. We are all
+Protestants, gentlemen, and as what I have lately learned affects us
+all, I thought it much the best plan, before I took any steps in
+consequence, in my own neighbourhood, to consult with you, and see
+whether we could not draw up such a remonstrance and plain statement
+of our case to the King, as to induce him to oppose the evil
+intentions of his ministers, and once more guarantee to us the full
+and entire enjoyment of those rights in which he promised us security
+on his accession to the throne, but which have been sadly encroached
+upon and curtailed within the last ten years."
+
+"They have, indeed," said the Count de Champclair; "but I trust,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, you have nothing to tell us which may lead us to
+believe that greater encroachments still are intended."
+
+Marshal Schomberg shook his head with a melancholy smile; but he did
+not interrupt the Count de Morseiul, who proceeded to relate what he
+knew of the mission of Pelisson and St. Helie, and the further
+information which he had gained in regard to their commission on the
+preceding day. The first burst of anger and indignation was greater
+than he expected, and nothing was talked of for a few minutes but
+active resistance to the powers of the crown, of reviving the days of
+the League or those of Louis XIII., and defending their rights and
+privileges to the last. Marshal Schomberg, however eminently
+distinguished for his attachment to his religion, maintained a
+profound silence during the whole of the first ebullitions; and at
+length Monsieur de Champclair remarked, "The Marshal does not seem to
+think well of our purposes. What would he have us do, thus brought to
+bay?"
+
+"My good friends," replied Schomberg, with his slight foreign accent,
+"I think only that you do not altogether consider how times have
+changed since the days of Louis XIII. Even then the reformed church of
+France was not successful in resisting the King, and now resistance,
+unless men were driven to it by despair, would be madness. Forced as I
+am to be much about the court, I have seen and known these matters in
+their progress more intimately than any of you, and can but believe
+that our sole hope will rest in showing the King the utmost
+submission, while at the same time we represent to him the grievances
+that we suffer."
+
+"But does he not know those grievances already?" exclaimed one of the
+other gentlemen; "are they not his own act and deed?"
+
+"They are, it is true," replied Schomberg, mildly, "but he does not
+know one half of the consequences which his own acts produce. Let me
+remind you that it is the people who surround the King that urge him
+to these acts, and it is consequently their greatest interest to
+prevent him from knowing the evil consequences thereof. Not one half
+of the severities that are exercised in the provinces--indeed I may
+say, no severities at all--are exercised towards the Protestants in
+the immediate neighbourhood of Paris, Versailles, or Fontainbleau.
+They take especial care that the eyes of majesty, and the ear of
+authority, shall not be opened to the cries, groans, or sufferings of
+an injured people. Louis the Great is utterly ignorant that the
+Protestants have suffered, or are likely to suffer, under any of his
+acts. The King has been always, more or less, a bigot, and his mother
+was the same: Colbert is dead, who stood between us and our enemies.
+His son is a mere boy, unable if not unwilling to defend us. The fury,
+Louvois, and his old Jesuitical father, are, in fact, the only
+ministers that remain, and they have been our enemies from the
+beginning. But they have now stronger motives to persecute us. The
+King must be ruled by some passion; he is tired of the domination of
+Louvois, and that minister seeks now for some new hold upon his
+master. He supported his tottering power for many years by the
+influence of Madame de Montespan. Madame de Montespan has fallen; and
+a new reign has commenced under a woman, who is the enemy of that
+great bad man; but she also is a bigot, and the minister clearly sees
+that if he would remain a day in power he must link Madame Scarron to
+himself in some general plan which will identify their interests
+together. She sees, and he sees, that whatever be that plan it must
+comprise something which affords occupation to the bigoted zeal of the
+King. The Jesuits see that too, and are very willing to furnish such
+occupation; but the King, who thinks himself a new St. George, is
+tired of persecuting Jansenism. That dragon is too small and too
+tenacious of life to afford a subject of interest to the King any
+longer; when he thinks it is quite dead, it revives again, and crawls
+feebly here and there, so that the saint is weary of killing a
+creature that seems immortal. Under these circumstances they have
+turned his eyes and thoughts towards the Protestants; and what have
+they proposed to him which might not seduce a glory-loving monarch
+like himself? They have promised him that he shall effect what none of
+his ancestors could ever accomplish, by completely triumphing over
+subjects who have shown that they can resist powerfully when
+oppressed. They have promised him this glory as an absolute monarch.
+They have promised him almost apostolic glory in converting people
+whom he believes to be heretics. They have promised him the
+establishment of one, and one only religion in France; and they have
+promised him that, by so doing, he will inflict a bitter wound on
+those Protestant princes with whom he has been so long contending.
+Such are the motives by which they lead on the mind of Louis to severe
+acts against us; but there is yet one other motive; and to that I will
+particularly call your attention, as it ought, I think, greatly to
+affect our conduct. They have misrepresented the followers of the
+reformed religion in France as a turbulent, rebellious, obstinate race
+of men, who adhere to their own creed more out of opposition to the
+sovereign than from any real attachment to the religion of their
+forefathers. By long and artful reasonings they have persuaded the
+King that such is the case. He himself told me long ago, that
+individually there are a great many good men, and brave men, and loyal
+men amongst us; but that as a body we are the most stiff-necked and
+rebellious race he ever read of in history."
+
+"Have we not been driven to rebellion?" demanded Monsieur de
+Champclair, "have we not been driven to resistance? Have we ever taken
+arms but in our own defence?"
+
+"True," replied Schomberg, "quite true. But kings unfortunately see
+through the eyes of others. The causes of our resistance are hidden
+from him scrupulously. The resistance itself is urged upon him
+vehemently."
+
+"Then it is absolutely necessary," said the Count de Morseiul, "that
+he should be made clearly and distinctly to know how much we have been
+aggrieved, how peaceably and loyally we are really disposed, and how
+little but the bitterest fruits can ever be reaped from the seeds that
+are now sowing."
+
+"Precisely," replied Schomberg. "That is precisely what I should
+propose to do. Let us present a humble remonstrance to the King,
+making a true statement of our case. Let us make him aware of the
+evils that have accrued, of the evils that still must accrue from
+persecution; but in the language of the deepest loyalty and most
+submissive obedience. Let us open his eyes, in fact, to the real state
+of the case. This is our only hope, for in resistance I fear there is
+none. The Protestant people are apathetic, they are not united--and
+they are not sufficiently numerous, even if they were united, to
+contend successfully with the forces of a great empire in a time of
+external peace."
+
+"I do not know that," exclaimed Monsieur de Champclair. But he had the
+great majority of the persons who were then present against him, and,
+in a desultory conversation that followed, those who had most
+vehemently advocated resistance but a few minutes before, who had been
+all fire and fury, and talked loudly of sacrificing their lives a
+thousand times rather than sacrificing their religion, viewed the
+matter in a very different light now when the first eagerness was
+over. One declared that not an able-bodied man in forty would take the
+field in defence of his religion; another said, that they had surely
+had warning enough at La Rochelle; another spoke, with a shudder, of
+Alaix. In short, Albert de Morseiul had an epitome in that small
+meeting of the doubts, fears, and hesitations; the apathy, the
+weakness, the renitency which would affect the great body of
+Protestants, if called upon suddenly to act together. He was forced,
+then, to content himself with pressing strongly upon the attention of
+all present the necessity of adopting instantly the suggestion of
+Marshal Schomberg, and of drawing up a representation to the King, to
+be signed as rapidly as possible by the chief Protestants throughout
+the kingdom, and transmitted to Schomberg, who was even then on his
+way towards Paris.
+
+Vain discussions next ensued in regard to the tone of the
+remonstrance, and the terms that were to be employed; and those who
+were inclined to be more bold in words than in deeds, proposed such
+expressions as would have entirely obviated the result sought to be
+obtained, giving the petition the character of a threatening and
+mutinous manifesto. Though this effect was self-evident, yet the terms
+had nearly been adopted by the majority of those present, and most
+likely would have been so, had not a fortunate suggestion struck the
+mind of Albert of Morseiul.
+
+"My good friends," he said, "there is one thing which we have
+forgotten to consider. We are all of us soldiers and country
+gentlemen, and many of us have, perhaps, a certain tincture of belles
+lettres; but a petition from the whole body of Protestants should be
+drawn up by some person eminent alike for learning, wisdom, and piety,
+whose very name may be a recommendation to that which he produces.
+What say you, then, to request Monsieur Claude de l'Estang to draw up
+the petition for our whole body. I intend to leave Poitiers to-morrow,
+and will communicate your desire to him. The paper shall be sent to
+you all as soon as it is drawn up, and nothing will remain but to
+place our hands to it, and lay it before the King."
+
+The proposal was received with joy by all; for even those who were
+pressing their own plans obstinately were at heart glad to be
+delivered from the responsibility; and this having been decided, the
+meeting broke up.
+
+The Count de Morseiul lingered for a few minutes after the rest were
+gone to speak with Marshal Schomberg, who asked, "So you are not going
+to wait for the opening of the states?"
+
+"I see no use of so doing," replied the Count; "now that I know the
+measures which the King's commission dictates, I have nothing farther
+to detain me. But tell me, Marshal, do you really believe that Louvois
+and his abettors will urge the King seriously to such steps?"
+
+"To a thousand others," replied Schomberg; "to a thousand harsher, and
+a thousand more dangerous measures. I can tell you that it is already
+determined to prohibit for the future the marriages of Catholics and
+Protestants. That, indeed, were no great evil, and I think rather
+favourable to us, than not; but it is only one out of many
+encroachments on the liberty of conscience, and, depend upon it, our
+sole hope is in opening the King's eyes to our real character as a
+body, and to the awful evils likely to ensue from oppressing us."
+
+"But should we be unable so to do," demanded the Count, "what remains
+for us then, my noble friend? Must we calmly submit to increasing
+persecution? must we renounce our faith? must we resist and die?"
+
+"If by our death," replied Schomberg firmly, but sadly, "we could seal
+for those who come after us, even with our hearts' blood, a covenant
+of safety--if by our fall in defence of our religion we could cement,
+as with the blood of martyrs, the edifice of the reformed church--if
+there were even a hope that our destruction could purchase immunity to
+our brethren or our children, I should say that there is but one
+course before us. But, alas! my good young friend, do you not know, as
+well as I do, that resistance is hopeless in itself, and must be
+ruinous in its consequences; that it must bring torture, persecution,
+misery, upon the women, the children, the helpless; that it must crush
+out the last spark of toleration that is likely to be left; and that
+the ultimate ruin of our church in France will but be hastened
+thereby? No one deserving the title of man, gentleman, or Christian,
+will abandon his religion under persecution; but there is another
+course to be taken, and it I shall take, if these acts against us be
+not stayed. I will quit the land--I will make myself a home elsewhere.
+My faith shall be my country, as my sword has been my inheritance!
+Would you take my advice, my dear Count, you would follow my example,
+and forming your determination before hand, be prepared to act when
+necessary."
+
+The Count shook his head. "I thank you," he said, "I thank you, and
+will give what you propose the fullest consideration; but it is a
+resolution that cannot be taken at once--at least by such as feel as I
+do. Oh! my good friend, remember how many ties I have to break asunder
+before I can act as you propose. There are all the sweet memories of
+youth, the clinging household dreams of infancy, the sunny home of my
+first days, when life's pilgrimage took its commencement in a garden
+of flowers. I must quit all these,--every dear thing to which the
+remembrance of my brightest days is attached--and spend the autumn and
+the winter of my latter life in scenes where there is not even a
+memory of its spring. I must quit all these, Schomberg. I must quit
+more. I must quit the faithful people that have surrounded me from my
+boyhood--who have grown up with me like brothers--who have watched
+over me like fathers--who have loved me with that hereditary love that
+none but lord and vassal can feel towards each other--who would lay
+down their lives to serve me, and who look to me for direction,
+protection, and support. I must quit them, I must leave them a prey to
+those who would tear and destroy them. I must leave, too, the grave of
+my father, the tombs of my ancestors, round which the associations of
+the past have wreathed a chain of glorious memories that should bind
+me not to abandon them. I, too, should have my grave there, Schomberg;
+I, too, should take my place amongst the many who have served their
+country, and left a name without a stain. When I have sought the
+battle field, have I not thought of them, and burned to accomplish
+deeds like theirs? When I have been tempted to do any thing that is
+wrong, have I not thought upon their pure renown, and cast the
+temptation from me like a slimy worm? And should I leave those tombs
+now? Were it not better to do as they would have done, to hang out my
+banner from the walls against oppression, and when the sword which
+they have transmitted to me can defend my right no longer, perish on
+the spot which is hallowed by the possession of their ashes?"
+
+"No, my friend, no," replied Schomberg, "it were not better, for
+neither could you so best do honour to their name, neither would your
+death and sacrifice avail aught to the great cause of religious
+liberty. But there is more to be considered, Albert of Morseiul; you
+might not gain the fate you sought for. The perverse bullet and the
+unwilling steel often, too often, will not do their fatal mission upon
+him that courts them. How often do we see that the timid, the
+cowardly, or the man who has a thousand sweet inducements to seek long
+life, meets death in the first field he enters, while he who in
+despair or rage walks up to the flashing cannon's mouth escapes as by
+a miracle? Think; Morseiul, if such were to be your case, what would
+be the result: first to linger in imprisonment, next to see the
+exterminating sword of persecution busy amongst those that you had led
+on into revolt, to know that their hearths were made desolate, their
+children orphans, their patrimony given to others, their wives and
+daughters delivered to the brutal insolence of victorious soldiers;
+and then, knowing all this, to end your own days as a common criminal,
+stretched on a scaffold on the torturing wheel, amidst the shouts and
+derisions of superstitious bigots, with the fraudulent voice of
+monkish hypocrisy pouring into your dying ear insults to your religion
+and to your God. Think of all this! and think also, that, at that last
+moment, you would know that you yourself had brought it all to pass,
+without the chance of effecting one single benefit to yourself or
+others."
+
+The Count put his hand before his eyes, but made no reply; and then,
+wringing Marshal Schomberg's hand, he mounted his horse and rode
+slowly away.
+
+For a considerable distance he went on towards Poitiers at the same
+slow pace, filled with dark and gloomy thoughts, and with nothing but
+despair on every side. He felt that the words of Marshal Schomberg
+were true to their fullest extent, and a sort of presage of the coming
+events seemed to gather slowly upon his heart, like dark clouds upon
+the verge of the sky. His only hope reduced itself to the same narrow
+bounds which had long contained those of Schomberg; the result,
+namely, of the proposed petition to the King.
+
+But there were one or two words which Schomberg had dropped
+accidentally, and which it would seem, from what we have told before,
+ought not to have produced such painful and bitter feelings in the
+breast of Albert of Morseiul as they did produce. They were those
+words which referred to the prohibition about to be decreed against
+the marriages of Protestants and Catholics. What was it to him, he
+asked himself, whether Catholics and Protestants might or might not
+marry? Was not his determination taken with regard to the only person
+whom he could have ever loved? and did it matter that another barrier
+was placed between them, when there were barriers impassable before.
+But still he felt the announcement deeply and painfully; reason had no
+power to check and overcome those sensations; and oppressed and
+overloaded as his mind then was, it wandered vaguely from misery to
+misery, and seemed to take a pleasure in calling up every thing that
+could increase its own pain and anguish.
+
+When he had thus ridden along for somewhat more than two miles, he
+suddenly heard a horn winded lowly in the distance, and, as he
+fancied, the cry of dogs. It called to his mind his promise to
+Clemence de Marly. He felt that his frame of mind was in strange
+contrast with a gay hunting scene. Yet he had promised to go as soon
+as ever he was free, and he was not a man to break his promise, even
+when it was a light one. He turned his horse's head, then, in the
+direction of the spot from which the sound seemed to proceed, still
+going on slowly and gloomily.
+
+A moment after he heard the sounds again. The memory of happy days,
+and of his old forest sports, came upon him, and he made a strong
+effort against the darker spirit in his bosom.
+
+"I will drive these gloomy thoughts from me," he said, "if it be but
+for an hour; I will yet know one bright moment more. For this day I
+will be a boy again, and to-morrow I will cast all behind me, and
+plunge into the stream of care and strife!"
+
+As he thus thought he touched his horse with the spur; the gallant
+beast bounded off like lightning; the cry of the hounds, the sound of
+the horns came nearer and nearer; and in a few moments more the Count
+came suddenly upon a relay of horses and dogs, established upon the
+side of a hill, as was then customary, for the purpose of giving fresh
+vigour to the chase when it had been abated by weariness.
+
+"Is the deer expected to pass here?" demanded the Count, speaking to
+one of the _veneurs_, and judging instantly, by his own practised eye,
+that it would take another direction.
+
+"The young Marquis Hericourt thought so," replied the man, "but he
+knows nothing about it."
+
+At that moment the gallant stag itself was seen, at the distance of
+about half a mile, bounding along in the upland towards a point
+directly opposite; and the Count knowing that he must come upon the
+hunt at the turn of the valley, spurred on at all speed, followed by
+his attendants. In a few minutes more a few of the huntsmen were seen;
+and, in another, Clemence de Marly was before his eyes. She was
+glowing with exercise and eagerness, her eyes bright as stars, her
+clustering hair floating back from her face, her whole aspect like
+that which she bore, when first he saw her in all the brightness of
+her youth and beauty. The Chevalier was seen at a distance amusing
+himself by teasing, almost into madness, a fiery horse, that was eager
+to bound forward before all the rest; the train of suitors, and of
+flatterers, that generally followed her, was scattered about the
+field; and, in a moment--with his hat off, his dark hair curling round
+his brow, his features lighted up with a smile which was strangely
+mingled with the strong lines of deep emotions just passed, like the
+sun scattering the remnants of a thunder cloud; with his chest thrown
+forward, his head bending to a graceful salute, and his person erect
+as a column--Albert of Morseiul was by the side of Clemence de Marly
+and galloping on with her, seeming but of one piece with the noble
+animal that bore him.
+
+The eyes of almost all those that followed, or were around, were
+turned to those two; and certainly almost every thing else in the gay
+and splendid scene through which they moved seemed to go out
+extinguished by the comparison. In the whole air, and aspect, and
+figure of each, there was that clear, concentrated expression of
+grace, dignity, and power, that seems almost immortal; so that the
+Duke de Rouvre and his train, the gay nobles, the dogs, the huntsmen,
+and the whole array, were for an instant forgotten. Men forgot even
+themselves for a time to wonder and admire.
+
+Unconscious that such was the case, Albert de Morseiul and Clemence de
+Marly rode on; and he--with his fate, as he conceived, sealed, and his
+determination taken--cast off all cold and chilling restraint, and
+appeared what he really was--nay, more, appeared what he was when
+eager, animated, and with all the fine qualities of his heart and mind
+welling over in a moment of excitement. All the tales that she had
+heard of him as he appeared in the battle field, or in the moment of
+difficulty and danger, were now realised to the mind of Clemence de
+Marly, and while she wondered and enjoyed, she felt that for the first
+time in her life, she had met with one to whom her own high heart and
+spirit must yield. Her eyes sunk beneath the eagle gaze of his; her
+hand held the rein more timidly; new feelings came upon her, doubts of
+her own sufficiency, of her own courage, of her own strength, of her
+own beauty, of her own worthiness: she felt that she had admired and
+esteemed Albert of Morseiul before, but she felt that there was
+something more strange, more potent in her bosom now.
+
+We must pause on no other scene of that hunting. Throughout the whole
+of that afternoon the Count gave way to the same spirit. Whether alone
+with Clemence, or surrounded by others, the high and powerful mind
+broke forth with fearless energy. A bright and poetical imagination; a
+clear and cultivated understanding; a decision of character and of
+tone, founded on the consciousness of rectitude and of great powers; a
+wit as graceful as it was keen, aided by the advantages of striking
+beauty, and a deep-toned voice of striking melody, left every one so
+far behind, so out of all comparison, that even the vainest there felt
+it themselves, and felt it with mortification and anger. The hunting
+was over, and by chance or by design Albert of Morseiul was placed
+next to Clemence de Marly at supper. The Duke de Rouvre had noticed
+the brightening change which had come over his young friend, and
+attributing it to a wrong cause, he said good-humouredly,--
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul, happy am I to see you shake off your sadness.
+You are so much more cheerful, that I doubt not you have heard good
+news to-day."
+
+This was spoken at some distance across the table, and every one heard
+it; but the young Count replied calmly, "Alas! no, my Lord; I was
+determined to have one more day of happiness, and therefore cast away
+every other thought but the pleasure of the society by which I was
+surrounded. I gave way to that pleasure altogether this day, because I
+am sorry to say, I must quit your hospitable roof tomorrow, in order
+to return to Morseiul, fearing that I shall not be able to come to
+Poitiers again, while I remain in this part of France."
+
+Clemence de Marly turned very pale, but then again the blood rushed
+powerfully over her face. But the Duke de Rouvre, by replying
+immediately, called attention away from her.
+
+"Nay, nay, Monsieur le Comte," he said, "you promised me to stay for
+several days, longer, and I cannot part with an old friend, and the
+son of an old friend, so soon."
+
+"I said, my Lord, that I would stay if it were possible," replied the
+Count. "But I can assure you that it is not possible; various
+important causes of the greatest consequence not only to me, but to
+the state, call me imperatively away, when, indeed, there are but too
+many inducements to stay here."
+
+"I know one of the causes," said the Duke; "I hear you have taken
+measures for suppressing that daring band of plunderers--_night
+hawks_, as they call themselves, who have for some time hung about
+that part of the country, and who got possession of poor Monsieur
+Pelisson and Monsieur St. Helie, as they were telling me the other
+day; but you might trust that to your seneschals, Count."
+
+"Indeed I cannot, my Lord Duke," replied the Count; "that affair has
+more branches than you know of--or, perhaps I should say, more roots
+to be eradicated. Besides there are many other things."
+
+"Well, well," said the Duke, "if it must be so, it must. However, as
+soon as the states have ceased to hold their meetings, I shall come
+for a little repose to Ruffigny, and then, if you have not been fully
+successful, I will do my best to help you; but we are not going to
+lose our friend Louis here too. Chevalier, do you go back with your
+friend?"
+
+"Not to hunt robbers," replied the Chevalier with a smile; "I would
+almost as soon hunt rats with the Dauphin. Besides, he has never asked
+me; this is the first intelligence I had of his intention."
+
+"I only formed it this morning," replied the Count. "But you have
+promised me a whole month, Louis, and you shall give it me when you
+find it most pleasant to yourself."
+
+"Well, I shall linger on here for a few days," replied the Chevalier,
+"if the governor will feed and lodge me; and then, when I have seen
+all the bright things that are done by the states, I will come and
+join you at Morseiul."
+
+Thus ended the discussion which followed the young Count's
+announcement. No further conversation took place between him and
+Clemence, who devoted her whole attention, during the rest of the
+evening, either to the Chevalier, the Duc de Melcourt, or the young
+Marquis de Hericourt. The hour for Albert de Morseiul's departure was
+announced as immediately after breakfast on the following day; but
+Clemence de Marly did not appear that morning at the table, for the
+first time since his arrival at Poitiers. When the hour was come, and
+his horses were prepared, he took leave of the rest of the party, and
+with many painful emotions at his heart quitted the saloon, the Duke
+and the Chevalier, with one or two others, accompanying him to the top
+of the stairs. At that moment, however, as he was about to descend,
+Clemence appeared as if going into the saloon. She was somewhat paler
+than usual; but her manner was the same as ever.
+
+"So, Monsieur de Morseiul," she said, "you are going! I wish you a
+happy journey;" and thus treating him like a mere common acquaintance,
+she bowed her head and entered the saloon.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IX.
+
+                            THE DISCOVERY.
+
+
+Two days after the departure of the Count de Morseiul, the states of
+the province were opened in form; but neither with the states nor with
+their proceedings shall we have any thing to do, and will merely
+notice an event which occurred on the eve of their meeting.
+
+On the day preceding, a vast number of gentlemen from all parts of the
+province had flocked into the city. The house of the governor was
+again filled to the very doors, and though the formal opening of the
+states was deferred till the succeeding day, they nominally commenced
+their assembly on the day after the Count's departure. The colleagues,
+Pelisson and St. Helie, had separated after their arrival in Poitiers,
+the former having gone to the bishop's palace, where he busied himself
+in his usual occupation at this time, namely, in diffusing large sums
+of money through the province by different channels, for the purpose
+of bribing all persons who might be found weak or wavering in the
+Protestant faith to abandon their religion, and profess themselves
+Catholics. St. Helie had remained at the house of the governor,
+following occupations more suited to his genius, that of watching
+every thing that was done, of gaining information concerning the views
+and feelings of all persons likely to be present at the assembly of
+the states, and of endeavouring to form a party for his own purposes
+amidst the more fierce, intolerant, and bigoted of the influential
+Catholics of the province.
+
+The Duke de Rouvre could not avoid showing this personage every sort
+of civility, for, indeed, such was the King's command; but at the same
+time he could not conceal from himself that the Abbe was a spy upon
+his actions, and was intended to be a check upon his conduct, and, as
+may well be supposed under such circumstances, he was not particularly
+pleased with his guest.
+
+On the day preceding the regular opening of the states, then, after
+some of the preliminary formalities had been gone through, the Duc de
+Rouvre, while conversing in his saloon with twelve or fourteen of the
+principal Roman Catholic gentry, who had come to visit him as if by
+accident, but in reality by a previous arrangement with others, was
+not agreeably surprised to see the Abbe de St. Helie, followed by
+Pelisson and the Cure of Guadrieul, enter the room in somewhat a
+formal manner, and advance towards him with a face of business. He
+bowed low, however, as it was the first time he had seen the Abbe that
+morning, greeted Pelisson somewhat more warmly, and suffered the third
+personage of the party to walk up in bull-like sullenness with nothing
+but a formal inclination of the head.
+
+"It is time, my Lord," said the Abbe de St. Helie, "to fulfil the
+order of the King, and to open in your presence the commission with
+which he has entrusted us, of the nature of which we are ourselves in
+some sort ignorant up to this moment."
+
+"I thought, gentlemen," said the Duke, "that you informed me the
+commission was not to be opened till after the opening of the states."
+
+"No, my Lord," replied the Abbe, "I said, till after the meeting of
+the states, which were convened to meet to-day."
+
+"Well then, gentlemen," said the Duke, "I will give you my attention
+in a few minutes. You see I am at present occupied with friends, but
+in half an hour I shall be prepared to receive you in my cabinet upon
+any business that may remain to be transacted between us."
+
+"I see no reason, my Lord," replied the Abbe, "why the commission
+should not be opened before the gentlemen here present, all of whom
+are sincere Christians, and zealous supporters of the true faith."
+
+"No earthly reason whatever," replied the Duke sharply, "except that I
+choose to do my own business in my own way, in my own house, and in my
+own government."
+
+"I am sorry to suggest any alterations in your Lordship's plans,"
+replied the Abbe with a cool sneer, "but I have authority for what I
+am doing. The King's express directions are to open the commission in
+presence of your Lordship, _and other competent witnesses_."
+
+"Oh, if such be the case," said the Duke, much mortified, "there could
+be no witnesses more competent, and none perhaps better prepared than
+the present. Pray open your commission, gentlemen. My good sirs, take
+your seats round this table. Let us give the matter, if possible, some
+air of regularity. Without there! Send for my secretary. We will wait
+till he comes, if you please, Monsieur de St. Helie. What splendid
+weather this is, gentlemen. We have not had one wet day for nearly two
+months, and yet a gentle rain every morning."
+
+The persons present ranged themselves round the table, the Cure de
+Guadrieul produced the leathern bag which contained the commission,
+and laid it down heavily before him, and as soon as the Duke's
+secretary appeared, a large knot upon the leathern strings of the bag
+was cut with a penknife, and the whole packet handed to the Abbe de
+St. Helie, who had placed himself at the governor's right hand.
+Opening the mouth of the bag, then, the Abbe took forth a large
+parchment packet, sealed up at both ends with the royal arms of
+France. The governor asked to look at the superscription, and finding
+it addressed in the usual terms to the Abbe St. Helie and Pelisson, he
+gave it back to the former, who with an important countenance and slow
+formality began to break the seals.
+
+Two or three paper covers were within in order to keep the precious
+document secure, and one by one the Abbe unfolded them, till he came
+to the last, which was also sealed, but which was much smaller than
+the size of the outer parcel had given reason to expect. He broke the
+seal himself, however, and produced the contents, when, to the
+astonishment of every body, and the merriment of the younger persons
+present, there appeared nothing but a pack of cards.
+
+The Duc de Rouvre looked on dryly, not a smile curled his countenance,
+and he said, gazing at the Abbe de St. Helie, who sat in stupified
+silence,--
+
+"I admire the sagacity and propriety with which it has been judged
+necessary to appoint witnesses for the opening of this commission,--or
+of this game, perhaps I ought to say, Monsieur de St. Helie.
+Gentlemen, I trust that you are perfectly satisfied; but I must ask
+you whether it be necessary to direct my secretary to take a proces
+verbal of the contents, import, and extent of the Abbe's commission?"
+
+In the mean time Pelisson had reached across, and taken up the papers
+which had surrounded the cards. He examined them minutely and long;
+but at length replied to the Duke's sneer by saying,--
+
+"Perhaps it may be more necessary, my Lord, than you imagine. It seems
+to me from the appearance of these papers that the packet has been
+opened before. There is a slight tear in the parchment, which tear is
+evidently not new."
+
+"You must look to that yourselves, gentlemen," said the Duc de Rouvre,
+seriously angry; "the commission has been in your charge and custody,
+and in that of no one else. You best know whether you have opened it
+before the time or not. Secretary, as these gentlemen demand it, make
+a note that we have this day seen opened by the Abbe de St. Helie in
+our presence a packet addressed to him and Monsieur de Pelisson,
+purporting to be a commission for certain purposes addressed to them
+by his Most Christian Majesty; and that on the said packet being so
+opened, there has been found in it nothing but a pack of cards, not in
+the most cleanly condition."
+
+"Pray let him add," said Pelisson, "that I have declared my opinion,
+from the appearance of the papers, that the said packet had been
+previously opened."
+
+"Let that also be noted," said the Duke; "but it must be noted also
+that Monsieur de Pelisson did not make that observation till after the
+packet had been opened, and the cards discovered, that the seals were
+unbroken, and the leathern bag entire; and now, gentlemen," he
+continued, "after having interrupted my conversation with these noble
+gentlemen here present to witness the opening of a pack of
+cards--which may indeed be the commencement of a game that I don't
+understand--perhaps you will excuse me for rising and resuming our
+more agreeable occupation."
+
+Pelisson bowed his head, calm and undisturbed; the Abbe de St. Helie
+looked stupified, mortified, and angry beyond all measure; and the
+dull priest of Guadrieul, upon whom the eyes of both of his superiors
+were turned from time to time with an expression of no very doubtful
+import, looked swallowed up in stolid fear and astonishment. The
+governor and his guests in general had risen and scattered themselves
+about the room, and after speaking to the Abbe de St. Helie for a few
+moments, Pelisson advanced, and took his leave in a few words, saying,
+that of course it was their duty to inform the King of what had
+occurred, and that therefore they must proceed to write quickly before
+the ordinary set out.
+
+The governor bowed stiffly, and merely replied that he himself could
+not think of troubling the King upon a trifle of such minor
+importance, and therefore left them to make their communication in
+their own terms. The three then retired, and the rest of the party
+soon after separated; but the worthy governor had not been left half
+an hour alone before he received a billet from the bishop, requesting
+an audience, which was immediately granted. He came, accompanied by
+Pelisson and the Cure de Guadrieul, who remained without while the
+archbishop and his companion held a previous conference with the
+governor. The Cure was then called in, and remained some time with
+them. He was then sent out again to the ante-chamber, then recalled,
+and nearly two hours passed in what was apparently an unpleasant
+discussion, for at the end of that time when the governor returned to
+the saloon from his own cabinet, Clemence de Marly, the Duchess, and
+the Chevalier d'Evran, all remarked that he was very much agitated and
+heated.
+
+In a minute or two afterwards his secretary followed him into the room
+with a note, apparently just written, in his hand, and asked if that
+would do.
+
+The governor read the note, and replied, "Yes! Send it off directly,"
+he said. "Bid the messenger give my very best regards to the Count de
+Morseiul! Lay the strictest injunctions upon him also not to stop this
+night till he has overtaken the Count. If the Count be in bed when he
+reaches the place where he is, he need not of course disturb him till
+the morning.--But bid him say every thing that is kind from me."
+
+Clemence de Marly rose, and with a winning grace that was more natural
+to her than the capricious pride she sometimes assumed, walked up to
+the Duke, glided her arm through his, and drew the old nobleman into
+one of the deep windows. She spoke with him for several minutes
+earnestly, and he replied as if endeavouring to parry by a jest some
+question he did not choose to answer.
+
+"Nay, nay," she was heard to say at length, "my dear guardian, you
+_shall_ tell me, and you know that Clemence is more absolute than the
+King."
+
+"We will talk about it to-morrow, Clemence," replied the Duke, "and
+perhaps I may tell you; but you shall make your confession in return,
+fair lady."
+
+She blushed a little and turned away, and thus the conversation ended.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+                             THE RECALL.
+
+
+Albert of Morseiul rode on his way with a heart ill at case. The
+excitement of the preceding night was gone, and the lassitude that
+succeeded it was like the weakness after a fever. It seemed to him
+that the last cheerful hours of life were over, and the rest was all
+to be strife and anguish; that the last of all the sweet dreams, with
+which hope and youth deck the future, were done and passed away, and
+nothing but the stern grey reality was left. It is hard and sorrowful
+to make up the mind to any parting, and tenfold hard and sorrowful to
+make up the mind to our parting with the sweet promising fancies of
+our early days, to put ourselves under a harsher guide for ever, and
+follow with him a rugged and a cheerless path, when before we had been
+treading on sweet sunshiny flowers. In general, it is true, the wise
+beneficence of Heaven has provided that we should not part with all at
+once, but that the visions and the dreams, like the many gay
+companions of our boyhood, should either be abandoned for others, or
+drop away from our side, one by one, till all are gone, and we hardly
+mark which is the last. But there are times when all are snatched away
+together, or, as in the case of Albert of Morseiul, when the last that
+is taken is the brightest and the best, and the parting is clear,
+defined, and terrible.
+
+Bitter, bitter, then, were his feelings as he rode away from Poitiers,
+and made up his mind that the last dream of youth was over, that the
+nourished vision of long years was dissipated, that the bubble was
+burst, and that all was gone; that she who, half ideal, half real, had
+been that object round which both memory and imagination had clung as
+the something splendid for the future, was not what he had dreamt of,
+and even if she were, could never, never be his; and that at length
+that theme of thought was gone from him for ever. That moment and that
+spot seemed to form the parting place, where youth, imagination, and
+happiness were left behind, and care, reality, and anxiety started
+forward with latter life.
+
+Though, as we have endeavoured on more than one occasion to show, the
+Count de Morseiul was a man of strong imagination and of deep and
+intense feelings, yet he possessed qualities of other kinds, which
+served to counterbalance and to rule those dangerous gifts, not,
+indeed, preventing them from having their effect upon himself,
+paining, grieving, and wearing him, but sufficient to prevent
+imagination from clouding his judgment, or strong feeling from warping
+his conduct from the stern path which judgment dictated. He applied
+himself then to examine distinctly what were the probabilities of the
+future, and what was the line of conduct that it became him to pursue.
+He doubted not, indeed he felt strongly convinced, that Clemence de
+Marly would ultimately give her hand to the Chevalier d'Evran, to his
+friend and companion. He believed that, for the time, some accidental
+circumstance might have alienated them from each other, and that,
+perhaps on both sides, any warmer and more eager passion that they
+once had felt, might have been a little cooled; but still he doubted
+not, from all he saw, that Clemence would yet be his friend's bride,
+and the first part of his own task was to prepare his mind to bear
+that event with calmness, and firmness, and dignity, whenever it
+should happen. As his thoughts reverted, however, to the situation of
+his fellow Huguenots, and the probable fate that awaited them, he saw
+a prospect of relief from the agony of his own personal feelings in
+the strife that was likely to ensue from their persecution; and
+perhaps he drew a hope even from the prospect of an early grave.
+
+With such thoughts struggling in his breast, and with all the varied
+emotions which the imagination of the reader may well supply, Albert
+of Morseiul rode on till he reached the house appointed for his second
+resting place. Every thing had been prepared for his reception, and
+all the external appliances were ready to insure comfort, so that
+there was not even any little bodily want or irritation to withdraw
+his attention from the gloomy pictures presented by his own thoughts.
+
+With a tact in such matters which was peculiarly his own, Jerome
+Riquet took especial care that the dinner set before his master should
+be of the very simplest kind, and instead of crowding the room with
+servants, as he had done on a former occasion, he, who on the journey
+acted the part of major domo, waited upon the Count at table alone,
+only suffering another servant to carry in and remove the dishes. He
+had taken the precaution of bringing with him some wine from Poitiers,
+which he had induced the sommelier of the archbishop to pilfer from
+the best bin in his master's cellar, and he now endeavoured to seduce
+his master, whose deep depression he had seen and deplored during
+their journey, into taking more of the fragrant juice than usual, not,
+indeed, by saying one word upon the subject, but by filling his glass
+whenever he saw it empty.
+
+Now Jerome Riquet would have given the tip of one of his ears to have
+been made quite sure of what was the chief cause of the Count's
+anxiety. That he was anxious about the state of the Protestant cause
+the valet well knew; that he was in some degree moved by feelings of
+love towards Clemence de Marly, Riquet very easily divined. But Jerome
+Riquet was, as we have before said on more than one occasion, shrewd
+and intelligent, and in nothing more so than in matters where the
+heart was concerned. It is true he had never been in the room five
+times when Clemence and his master were together, but there are such
+things in the world wherein we live as half open doors, chinks,
+key-holes, and garret windows; and in the arts and mysteries of all
+these, Jerome Riquet was a most decided proficient. He had thus seen
+quite enough to make him feel very sure, that whatever might be
+Clemence de Marly's feelings towards others, her feelings towards his
+master were not by any means unfavourable; and after much speculation
+he had arranged in his own mind--from a knowledge of the somewhat
+chivalrous generosity in his master's character--that he and the
+Chevalier d'Evran were in love with the same person, and that the
+Count, even with the greater probability of success, had abandoned the
+pursuit of his passion, rather than become the rival of his friend.
+
+Riquet wished much to be assured of this fact, however; and to know
+whether it was really and truly the proximate cause of the melancholy
+he beheld, or whether there was some deeper and more powerful motive
+still, concealed from those eyes which he thought were privileged to
+pry into every secret of his master. Thus, after dinner was over, and
+the dessert was put upon the table--though he had wisely forborne up
+to that moment to do, to say, or to allow any thing that could disturb
+the train of the Count's thoughts--he could resist no longer, and
+again quickly filled up his young lord's glass as he saw it empty.
+
+His master put it aside with the back of his hand, saying, "No more!"
+
+"Oh, my Lord," said Riquet, "you will not surely refuse to drink that
+glass to the health of Mademoiselle Clemence!"
+
+The Count, who knew him thoroughly, and in general perceived very
+clearly all the turnings and windings through which he pursued his
+purposes, turned round, gazing in his face for a moment as he bent
+over his shoulder, and then replied with a melancholy smile,
+"Certainly not, Riquet. Health and happiness to her!" and he drank the
+wine.
+
+The look and the words were quite sufficient for Jerome Riquet, though
+the Count was not aware that it would be so; but the cunning valet saw
+clearly, that, whatever other causes might mingle with the melancholy
+of his master, love for Clemence de Marly had a principal share
+therein; and, confirmed in his own opinion of his lord's motive in
+quitting Poitiers, his first thought, when he cleared away and left
+him, was, by what artful scheme or cunning device he could carry him
+back to Poitiers against his own will, and plunge him inextricably
+into the pursuit of her he loved.
+
+Several plans suggested themselves to his mind, which was fertile in
+all such sort of intrigues, and it is very probable that, though he
+had to do with a keen and a clear-sighted man, he might have succeeded
+unaided in his object; but he suddenly received assistance which he
+little expected, by the arrival, at their first resting-place, of a
+courier from the Duc de Rouvre, towards the hour of ten at night.
+
+Riquet was instantly called to the messenger; and, telling him that
+the Count was so busy that he could see nobody at that moment, the
+valet charged himself with the delivery of the note and the message,
+while the governor's servant sat down to refresh himself after a long
+and fatiguing ride. Riquet took a lamp with him to light himself up
+the stairs, though he had gone up and down all night without any, and
+before he reached the door of the Count's room, he had of course made
+himself acquainted with the whole contents of the note, so that when
+he returned to the kitchen to converse with the messenger, he was
+perfectly prepared to cross-examine him upon the various transactions
+at Poitiers with sagacity and acuteness.
+
+The whole story of the cards found in the King's packet had of course
+made a great sensation in the household of the governor, and Riquet
+now laughed immoderately at the tale, declaring most irreverently that
+he had never known Louis le Grand was such a wag. There is nothing
+like laughter for opening the doors of the heart, and letting its
+secrets troop out by dozens. The courier joined in the merriment of
+the valet, and Riquet had no difficulty in extracting from him every
+thing else that he knew. The after conferences between the governor,
+Pelisson, and the Archbishop, were displayed as far as the messenger
+had power to withdraw the veil, and the general opinion entertained in
+the governor's household that some suspicion attached to the young
+Count in regard to that packet, and that the courier himself had been
+sent to recall him to Poitiers, was also communicated in full to the
+valet. To the surprise of the courier, however, Riquet laughed more
+inordinately than ever, declaring that the governor, and the
+Archbishop, and St. Helie, and Pelisson, must all have been mad or
+drunk when they were so engaged.
+
+In the mean time the Count de Morseiul had opened the letter from the
+governor, and read the contents, which informed him that a pack of
+cards had been found, in place of a commission, in the packet given by
+the King to Messieurs St  Helie and Pelisson; that those gentlemen
+declared that the packet had been opened; and that they had come with
+the Bishop for the purpose of making formal application to the
+governor to recall him, the Count de Morseiul, to Poitiers, alleging
+that the only period at which the real commission could have been
+abstracted was while they were in his company at an inn on the road.
+They had also pointed out, the Duke said, that the Count, as one of
+the principal Protestant leaders, was a person more interested than
+any other, both to ascertain the contents of that packet, and to
+abstract the commission, in case its contents were such as they
+imagined them to have been; and at the same lime they said there was
+good reason to believe that, in consequence of the knowledge thus
+obtained, he, the Count de Morseiul, had called together a meeting of
+Protestant gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, had
+communicated to them the plans and purposes of the government, and had
+concerted schemes for frustrating the King's designs. The Duc de
+Rouvre then went on to say, that as he knew and fully confided in the
+honour and integrity of the Count de Morseiul, and as the Bishop and
+Monsieur Pelisson had produced no corroborative proof of their
+allegation whatsoever, he by no means required or demanded the Count
+to return to Poitiers, but thought fit to communicate to him the
+facts, and to leave him to act according to his own judgment.
+
+The Count paced the room in no slight agitation for several minutes
+after he had read the letter; but it was not the abstraction of the
+King's commission, if such an act had really taken place, nor the
+accusation insinuated, rather than made, against himself, which
+agitated him on the present occasion. The accusation he regarded as
+absurd, the abstraction of the commission merely laughable; a
+suspicion indeed might cross his mind that Riquet had had a hand in
+it, but he knew well that he himself had none, and therefore he cast
+the matter from his mind at once. But his agitation proceeded from the
+thought of being obliged to go back to Poitiers--from the fear of
+seeing all his good resolutions overthrown--from the idea of meeting
+once more, surrounded with greater difficulties and danger than ever,
+her whom he now but too clearly felt to be the only being that he had
+ever loved.
+
+To the emotions which such considerations produced, he gave up a
+considerable time, and then, taking up the bell, he rang it sharply,
+ordering the page that appeared to send Riquet to him. He simply told
+the valet what had occurred, and ordered his horses to be saddled to
+return to Poitiers the next morning at day break. He insinuated no
+suspicion, though he fixed his eyes strongly upon the man's
+countenance, when he spoke of the abstraction of the commission, but
+the face of Riquet changed not in the least, except in consequence of
+a slight irrepressible chuckle which took place at the mention of the
+appearance of the cards. The Count did not wish to inquire into the
+matter, but, from what he saw of Riquet's manner, he judged that his
+servant had nothing to do with the transaction; and, setting out early
+the next morning, he went back to Poitiers at full speed, hiring
+horses when his own were too tired to proceed, so that he reached the
+house of the governor towards nine o'clock on the same night.
+
+He was immediately ushered into the saloon, where the family of
+Monsieur de Rouvre and a very small party besides were assembled, and,
+apologising for the dustiness and disarray of his appearance to the
+Duke, who met him near the door, he said that he had only presented
+himself to show that he had lost not a moment in returning to repel
+the false insinuations made against him. He was then about to leave
+the room, hastily glancing his eye over the party beyond, and seeing
+that his friend the Chevalier was not present; but the voice of the
+Duchess de Rouvre called him to her side, saying,--
+
+"We will all, I am sure, excuse dust and disarray for the pleasure of
+Monsieur de Morseiul's society. Is it not so, Madame de Beaune? Is it
+not so, Clemence?"
+
+Clemence had scarcely looked up since the Count's arrival, but she now
+did so with a slight inclination of the head, and replied, "The Count
+de Morseiul, my queen, values the pleasure of his society so highly
+that he is disposed to give us but little of it, it would appear."
+
+The words were scarcely spoken when the Count, with his own peculiar,
+graceful, but energetic manner, walked straight up to Clemence de
+Marly, and stopped opposite to her, saying gravely, but not angrily,
+"I assure you, dear lady, I do not deserve your sarcasm. If you knew,
+on the contrary, how great was the pleasure that I myself have derived
+from this society, you would estimate the sacrifice I made in quitting
+it, and approve, rather than condemn, the self-command and resolution
+I have shown."
+
+Clemence looked suddenly up in his face with one of her bright beaming
+smiles, and then frankly extended her hand to him. "I was wrong," she
+said; "forgive me, Monsieur de Morseiul! You know a spoilt woman
+always thinks that she has done penance enough when she has forced
+herself to say I was wrong."
+
+If the whole world had been present, Albert of Morseiul could not have
+refrained from bending down his lips to that fair hand; but he did so
+calmly and respectfully, and then turning to the Duchess, he said that
+if she would permit him, he would but do away the dust and disarray of
+his apparel, and return in a moment. The petition was not of course
+refused: his toilet was hasty, and occupied but a few minutes; and he
+returned as quickly as possible to the hall, where he passed the rest
+of the evening without giving any farther thoughts or words to painful
+themes, except in asking the governor to beg the presence of the
+Bishop, Monsieur Pelisson, and the Abbe de St. Helie, as early as
+possible on the following morning, in order that the whole business
+might be over before the hour appointed for the meeting of the states.
+
+The Bishop, who was an eager and somewhat bigoted man, was quite
+willing to pursue the matter at once; and before breakfast on the
+following day, he, with the two Abbes and the Cure de Guadrieul, met
+the Count de Morseiul in the cabinet of the governor.
+
+There was something in the frank, upright, and gallant bearing of the
+young nobleman that impressed even the superstitious bigots to whom he
+was opposed with feelings of doubt as to the truth of their own
+suspicions, and even with some sensations of shame for having urged
+those suspicions almost in the form of direct charges. They hesitated,
+therefore, as to the mode of their attack, and the Count, impatient of
+delay, commenced the business at once by addressing the Bishop.
+
+"My noble friend, the Duke here present," he said, "has communicated
+to me, my Lord, both by letter and by word of mouth, a strange scene
+that has been enacted here regarding a commission, real or supposed,
+given by the King to the Abbes of St. Helie and Pelisson. It seems,
+that when the packet supposed to contain the commission was produced,
+a pack of cards was found therein, instead of what was expected; that
+Monsieur Pelisson found reason to suppose that the packet had been
+previously opened; and that he then did--what Monsieur Pelisson should
+not have done, considering the acquaintance that he has with me and
+with my character--namely, charged me with having opened, by some
+private means, the packet containing his commission, abstracted and
+destroyed the commission itself, and substituted a pack of cards in
+its place."
+
+"Stop, stop, my dear Count," said Pelisson, "you are mistaken as to
+the facts. I never made such an accusation, whatever others did. All I
+said was, that you were the only person interested in the abstraction
+of that commission who had possessed any opportunity of destroying
+it."
+
+"And in so saying, sir, you spoke falsely," replied the Count de
+Morseiul; "for, in the first place, you insinuated what was not the
+case, that I have had an opportunity of destroying it; and, in the
+next place, you forgot that for three quarters of an hour, or perhaps
+more, for aught I know, your whole baggage was in the hands of a body
+of plunderers, while neither you, buried in your devotions, under the
+expectation of immediate death, nor Monsieur de St. Helie, weeping,
+trembling, and insane in the agony of unmanly fear, had the slightest
+knowledge of what was done with any thing in your possession; so that
+the plunderers, if they had chosen it, might have re-written you a new
+commission, ordering you both to be scourged back from Poitiers to
+Paris. I only say this to show the absurdity of the insinuations you
+have put forth. Here, in a journey which has probably taken you seven
+or eight days to perform, in the course of which you must have slept
+at seven or eight different inns upon the road, and during which you
+were for a length of time in the hands of a body of notorious
+plunderers, you only choose to fix upon me, who entertained you with
+civility and kindness, who delivered you from death itself, and who
+saved from the flames and restored to your own hands, at the risk of
+my life, the very commission which you now insinuate I had some share
+in abstracting from the paper that contained it. Besides, sir, if I
+remember rightly, that packet was entrusted to the care of a personage
+attendant upon yourselves, and who watched it like the fabled guardian
+of the golden fleece."
+
+"But the guardian of the fleece slumbered, sir," replied Pelisson,
+who, to say the truth, was really ashamed of the charge which had been
+brought against the Count de Morseiul, and was very glad of an
+opportunity to escape from the firm grasp of the Count's arguments by
+a figure of speech. "Besides, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, "had you
+but listened a little longer you would have heard, that though I said
+yours was the only party which had an opportunity of taking it, and
+were interested in its destruction, I never charged you with doing so,
+or commanding it to be done; but I said that some of your servants,
+thinking to do you a pleasure, might have performed the exchange,
+which certainly must have been accomplished with great slight of
+hand."
+
+"You do not escape me so, sir," replied the young Count; "if I know
+any thing of the laws of the land, or, indeed, of the laws of common
+sense and right reason, you are first bound to prove that a crime has
+been committed, before you dare to accuse any one of committing it.
+You must show that there ever has been, in reality, a commission in
+that packet. If I understood Monsieur de Rouvre's letter right, the
+seals of the King were found unbroken on the packet, and not the
+slightest appearance of its having been opened was remarked, till you,
+Monsieur Pelisson, discovered that there was such an appearance after
+the fact. The King may have been jesting with you; Monsieur de Louvois
+may have been making sport of you; a drunken clerk of the cabinet may
+have committed some blunder in a state of inebriety; no crime may have
+been committed at all, for aught we know."
+
+"My good sir," said the Bishop haughtily, "you show how little you
+know of the King and of the court of the King by supposing that any
+such transactions could take place."
+
+"My Lord," replied the Count, gazing upon him with a smile of
+ineffable contempt, "when you were a little Cure in the small town of
+Castelnaudry, my father supported the late King of France with his
+right hand, and with the voice of his counsel: when you were trooping
+after a band of rebels in the train of the house of Vendome, I was
+page of honour to our present gracious monarch, in dangers and
+difficulties, in scantiness, and in want: when you have been fattening
+in a rich diocese, obtained by no services to the crown, I have fought
+beside my monarch, and led his troops up to the cannon of his enemies'
+ramparts: I have sat beside him in his council of war, and ever have
+been graciously received by him in the midst of his court; and let me
+tell you, my Lord Bishop, that it is not more improbable, nay, not
+more impossible, that Louis XIV. should play a scurvy jest upon two
+respectable ecclesiastics, than that the Count of Morseiul should open
+a paper not addressed to himself."
+
+"Both good and true," my young friend, said the Duc de Rouvre; "no one
+who knows you could suspect you of such a thing for a moment."
+
+"But we may his servants," said the Abbe de St. Helie sharply, though
+he had hitherto remained silent, knowing that he himself had been the
+chief instigator of the charge, and fearing to call upon himself the
+indignation of the young Count.
+
+"Well, gentlemen," said the Count de Morseiul, "although I should have
+every right to demand that you should first of all establish the
+absolute fact of the abstraction of this packet upon proper testimony,
+I will not only permit, but even demand, that all my servants who
+accompanied me from Morseiul shall be brought in and examined one by
+one; and if you find any of them to whom you can fairly attach a
+suspicion, I will give him up to you at once, to do what you think fit
+with. I have communicated to them the contents of Monsieur de Rouvre's
+letter, but have said nothing further to them on the subject. They
+must all be arrived by this time: I beg that you would call them in
+yourselves in what order you please."
+
+"By your leave, by your leave," said the Abbe de St. Helie, seeing
+that the Bishop was about to speak; "we will have your valet;
+Jerome--I think I heard him so called. Let us have him, if you
+please."
+
+Jerome was accordingly brought in, and appeared with a face of worthy
+astonishment.
+
+Having in this instance not to deal with the Count, of whom he stood
+in some degree of awe, though that awe did not in the least diminish
+his malevolence, the Abbe de St. Helie proceeded to conduct the
+examination of Riquet himself. "You, Master Jerome Riquet," he
+commenced, "you are, I presume, of the church pretending to be
+reformed?"
+
+"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Riquet, in a tone of well assumed horror.
+"No, reverend sir, I am of the Holy Roman and Apostolical Church, and
+have never yet gone astray from it."
+
+This announcement did not well suit the purposes of the Abbe, who,
+judging from the intolerant feelings of his own heart, had never
+doubted that the confidential servant of the young Count would be
+found to be a zealous Huguenot. He exclaimed, however, "I am glad to
+hear it--I am glad to hear it! But let us speak a little further,
+Monsieur Jerome. It was you, I think, who snatched from under our good
+brother here, Monsieur le Cure de Guadrieul, a certain sheep leather
+bag, containing our commission from his Majesty. Was it not so?"
+
+"I certainly did gently withdraw from under the reverend gentleman,"
+replied Riquet, "a bag on which he was sitting, and which he took back
+again, as you saw, declaring it to be the King's commission for
+exterminating the Huguenots, which did my soul good to hear. I gave it
+back with all reverence, as you saw, and had it not in my hands a
+minute, though I did think--though I did indeed know----"
+
+"Did think? did know, what?" demanded the Abbe.
+
+"That it could not have been in safer hands than mine," added Riquet;
+and though St  Helie urged him vehemently, he could get him to give
+him no farther explanation. Angry at being foiled--and such probably
+was the result that Riquet intended to produce--the Abbe lost all
+caution and reserve. "Come, come, Master Jerome Riquet," he exclaimed
+in a sharp voice, "come, come; remember that there is such a place as
+the Bastille. Tell us the truth, sir! tell us the truth! This paper
+was stolen! You evidently know something about it! Tell us the
+truth, or means shall be found to make you. Now, answer me! If your
+baggage were searched at this moment, would not the packet be found
+therein--or have you dared to destroy it?"
+
+Jerome Riquet now affected to bristle up in turn. His eyes flashed,
+his large nostrils expanded like a pair of extinguishers, and he
+replied, "No, Abbe, no; neither the one nor the other. But since I,
+one of the King's most loyal Catholic subjects, am accused in this
+way, I will speak out  I will say that you two gentlemen should have
+taken better care of the commission yourselves, and that though not
+one scrap will be found in my valise, or in the baggage of any other
+person belonging to my lord, I would not be answerable that more than
+a scrap was not found amongst the baggage of some that are accusing
+others."
+
+"How now, sirrah," cried the Abbe de St  Helie, "do you dare to say
+that either Monsieur Pelisson or I----"
+
+"Nothing about either of you two reverend sirs," replied the valet,
+"nothing about either of you two! But first let my valise be brought
+in and examined. Monsieur has been pleased to say that there is
+something there; and I swear by every thing I hold dear, or by any
+other oath your reverences please, that I have not touched a thing in
+it since I heard of this business about the cards. Let it be brought
+in, I say, and examined. May I tell the people without, my Lord Duke,
+to bring in every thing I have in the world, and lay it down here
+before you?"
+
+The Duke immediately assented, and while Jerome Riquet, without
+entirely leaving the room, bade the attendants in the ante-chamber
+bring in every thing, every thing they could find in his room, St.
+Helie and Pelisson looked in each others faces with glances of some
+embarrassment and wonder, while the Count de Morseiul gazed sternly
+down on the table, firmly believing that Master Jerome Riquet was
+engaged in playing off some specious trick which he himself could not
+detect, and was bound not to expose.
+
+The goods and chattels of the valet were brought in, and a various and
+motley display they made; for whether he had arranged the whole on
+purpose out of sheer impudence, or had left matters to take their
+course accidentally, his valise presented a number of objects
+certainly not his own property, and to most of which his master, if he
+had remarked them, might have laid claim. The Count was silent,
+however, and though the manifold collection of silk stockings,
+ribands, lace, doublets, &c. &c. &c., were drawn forth to the very
+bottom, yet nothing the least bearing upon the question of the
+abstraction of the commission was found throughout the whole.
+
+As he shook the last vest, to show that there was nothing in it, a
+smile of triumph shone upon the countenance of Jerome Riquet, and he
+demanded, "Now, gentlemen, are you satisfied that I have no share in
+this business?"
+
+The Abbe de St  Helie was hastening to acknowledge that he was
+satisfied, for he was timid as well as malevolent; and having lost the
+hold, which he thought he might have had on Jerome Riquet, the
+menacing words which the valet had made use of filled his mind with
+apprehensions, lest some suspicion should be raised up in the mind of
+the King, or of Louvois, that he himself had had a share in the
+disappearance of the paper. Not so, however, Pelisson, who, though he
+had learnt the lesson of sycophancy and flattery with wonderful
+aptitude, was naturally a man of courage and resolution, and before
+Monsieur de St. Helie could well finish what he had to say, he
+exclaimed aloud,--
+
+"Stop, stop, Master Jerome Riquet, we are undoubtedly satisfied that
+the papers are not in your valise, and I think it probable that you
+have had nothing to do with the matter; but you threw out an
+insinuation just now of which we must hear more. What was the meaning
+of the words you made use of when you said that, you would not be
+answerable that more than a scrap was not found amongst the baggage of
+some that are accusing others?"
+
+Jerome Riquet hesitated, and either felt or affected a disinclination
+to explain himself; but Pelisson persisted, notwithstanding sundry
+twitches of the sleeve given to him both by the Abbe de St. Helie and
+the Bishop himself.
+
+"I must have this matter cleared up," said Pelisson, "and I do not
+rise till it is. Explain yourself, sir, or I shall apply both to your
+lord and to the governor, to insist upon your so doing."
+
+Jerome Riquet looked towards the Count, who immediately said, "What
+your meaning was, Riquet, you best know; but you must have had some
+meaning, and it is fit that you should explain it."
+
+"Well, then," said Riquet, shaking his head upon his shoulders with an
+important look, "what I mean is this; that if ever I saw a man who had
+an inclination to see the contents of a packet that did not belong to
+him, it was Monsieur le Cure de Guadrieul there. He knows very well
+that he talked to me for half an hour of how easy it would be to get
+the packet out of the bag, and he seemed to have a very great
+inclination to do it."
+
+While he made this insinuation, the dull, fat, leaden-looking mass of
+the Cure de Guadrieul was seen heaving with some internal convulsion:
+his breath came thick, his cheeks and his breast expanded, his eyes
+grew red and fierce, his hands trembled with rage; and starting up
+from his seat he exclaimed,--
+
+"Me? me? By the Lord I will strangle thee with my own hands," and he
+sprang towards Jerome Riquet, as if to execute his threat; while the
+governor exclaimed in a voice of thunder, "Sit down, sir; and, as you
+have joined in accusing others, learn to bear the retaliation, as
+indeed you must."
+
+"Can he deny what I say?" demanded Riquet, stretching out his three
+fore-fingers, and shaking them in the Cure's face; "can he deny that
+he talked to me for half an hour about the easiness of purloining the
+commission, and told me of a thousand instances of the same kind, that
+have taken place before now? No, he cannot deny it!"
+
+"I did talk to thee, base miscreant," said the Cure, still swelling
+with rage, "but it was to show why I always sat upon the bag, and
+slept with it under my head, ever after that affair with the robbers."
+
+"Mark that, gentlemen," said the Count de Morseiul.
+
+"Well, sir, we do mark it," said the Bishop; "that proves nothing
+against the Cure but extreme care and precaution."
+
+"Nor can I prove any thing directly, Monseigneur," cried Riquet; "but
+still I have a strange suspicion that the very night I speak of did
+not go over without the fingers of Monsieur le Cure being in the bag.
+Let me ask him another question, and let him mind how he answers it.
+Was he, or was he not, seen by more than one person dabbling at the
+mouth of the bag?"
+
+"That was only to see that the knot was fast," replied the Cure,
+glaring round him with a look of growing bewilderment and horror.
+
+"Ay, ay," continued Riquet, with a glance of calm contempt that almost
+drove the man mad; "ay, ay, all I wish is that I had an opportunity of
+looking into your baggage as you have had of looking into mine."
+
+"And so you shall, by Heaven," cried the Duc de Rouvre. "I will have
+it brought from his chamber this instant."
+
+"I don't care," cried the priest; "let it be brought; you will find
+nothing there."
+
+But the Abbe de St. Helie and the Bishop both interposed. Though
+Pelisson said nothing, and looked mortified and pained, the others
+urged every thing that they could think of for the protection of the
+baggage of the ecclesiastic, without the slightest consideration of
+equity or justice whatsoever; but the governor was firm, replying,--
+
+"Gentlemen, I will be responsible for my conduct both to the King and
+to the King of kings; and, in one word, I tell you that this baggage
+shall be examined. You have brought back the Count de Morseiul, and
+his whole train, on charges and insinuations which you have not been
+able to establish; and you would now fain shrink from a little trouble
+and inconvenience, which ought to be taken, in order to clear one of
+yourselves of an imputation accompanied by a few singular facts.
+Maitre Riquet, call one of my servants from the door, but do not leave
+the room yourself."
+
+As soon as the servant appeared, the governor, notwithstanding the
+renewed opposition of the two ecclesiastics, ordered the whole baggage
+and effects of the Cure de Guadrieul to be brought down from the
+chamber that he inhabited. This was accordingly done, and besides a
+number of stray articles of apparel almost as miscellaneous in
+character and appearance as those which the opening of Riquet's valise
+had displayed, there was a large sort of trunk-mail which appeared to
+be carefully locked. The Cure had looked on with a grim and scowling
+smile while his various goods and chattels were displayed upon the
+floor of the governor's cabinet, and then turning to St. Helie with a
+growl, which might have been supposed to proceed from a calumniated
+bear, he said,--
+
+"Don't be afraid. They can't find any thing;" and advancing to his
+effects he shook them one after the other, and turned out the pockets,
+when there were any, to show that there was nothing concealed. He then
+produced a large key, and opening the trunk-mail took out, one by one,
+the various things that it contained. He had nearly got to the bottom,
+and was displaying a store of tobacco pipes, some of which were
+wrapped up in pieces of paper, some in their original naked whiteness,
+when in the midst of them appeared what seemed a tobacco box, also
+wrapped up in paper.
+
+The moment the eyes of Riquet fell upon it he exclaimed, "Stop, stop,
+what is that? There is writing on that paper. Monsieur le Duc, I pray
+you to examine what is on that paper."
+
+The eyes of the Cure, who had it in his hand, fixed for an instant
+upon the tobacco box and its envelope, and his fingers instantly
+relaxed their grasp and suffered it to drop upon the ground. Well,
+indeed, they might do so, for the very first words that were seen
+were, "I pray God to have you, Messieurs Pelisson and St. Helie, in
+his holy, care," with the signature of "Louis."
+
+The governor unrolled the paper which, though it was but a fragment,
+left not the slightest doubt that it was part either of a commission
+or of a letter of instructions from the King to the two ecclesiastics.
+With his mouth wide open, his eyes ready to start from their sockets,
+his face become as pale as death, and his limbs scarcely able to
+support him, the unfortunate Cure de Guadrieul stood gasping in the
+middle of the room, unable to utter a word. All eyes were fixed upon
+him, all brows were frowning upon him, and the only thing which could
+have roused him, if it had been possible for any thing to rouse him at
+that moment, was the extraordinary face which Jerome Riquet was
+making, in a vain endeavour to mingle in his countenance a certain
+portion of compassion with contempt and reprobation. Nobody spoke for
+a moment or two after the governor had read the contents; but at
+length the Duc de Rouvre said, in a dry, severe tone,--
+
+"Secretary, you have made a note of all this; you will keep also the
+fragment of paper. My Lord the Bishop, Messieurs Pelisson and St.
+Helie, after the painful and distressing event of this examination, I
+shall make no comment whatsoever upon what has taken place. I beg that
+you would remove this personage the Cure de Guadrieul from my house,
+to do with him as you think fit. You will not, of course, be surprised
+when you remember the threatening language which you three were
+pleased to use towards myself, two days ago, in order to induce me to
+cause the arrest of the Count de Morseiul, upon a charge of crimes of
+which he was not guilty--Monsieur Pelisson, do not interrupt me: I
+know you were more moderate than the rest; but as you were acting
+together, I must look upon the words of one, your spokesman, to be the
+words of all--You will not be surprised I say, recollecting these
+facts, that I send off a special messenger to his Majesty this night,
+in order to give him my own statement of all these occurrences, and to
+beseech him to take those steps which to me seem necessary for
+maintaining the peace and tranquillity of the province. I, gentlemen,
+do not encroach upon the rights and privileges of others; and, so long
+as his Majesty is pleased to hold me in an official situation, I will
+not suffer any one to trench upon my privileges and legitimate
+authority. As the hour for the daily meeting of the states is now fast
+approaching, however, I will bid you farewell, begging you to take
+this personage with you, and, as I have said, deal with him as you
+think fit, for I wish to exercise no severity upon any ecclesiastic."
+
+The persons he addressed had nothing to say in reply, though the
+Bishop thought fit to harangue the little party for a moment upon his
+own authority and high dignity, and Pelisson endeavoured to involve a
+bad business in a cloud of words. They were all, however, desperately
+mortified, and not a little alarmed; for there was no doubt that they
+had proceeded far beyond the point where their legitimate authority
+ended, in pressing the governor to severe measures against the Count
+de Morseiul. The loss of the packet, too, might now be attributed to
+themselves, instead of to him; the delay in executing the King's will,
+as it had been expressed, would be laid to their charge; the Duc de
+Rouvre was evidently highly irritated against them, and his
+representations to the throne on the subject were likely to be
+listened to with peculiar attention, as they were coupled with the
+announcement to the King that the states, by his skilful management,
+had voted at once a much larger sum as a gift than any one at the
+court had anticipated. All these considerations alarmed the whole
+party, though indeed Pelisson, who had more knowledge of human nature
+than the other two, trusted, with some degree of hope, that the cloak
+of religious zeal would cover all other sins. His greatest
+apprehension proceeded from the supposition that the King would cast
+the blame of the loss of the packet on themselves, and would attribute
+the negligence which had caused it to want of respect to his person.
+He therefore set himself straightway to consider how such a result
+might be obviated. The Bishop and the Abbe de St. Helie took an
+unceremonious leave of the governor and his friend, and pushing the
+culprit Cure of Guadrieul out before them, quitted the cabinet in
+haste. Pelisson paused for a moment to say a word or two more in order
+to mitigate, as far as possible, the severity of the governor's
+report; but Monsieur de Rouvre was in no very placable mood, and the
+conference soon terminated, leaving the governor and the Count to
+discuss the affair, half laughingly, half seriously.
+
+The invitation of the Duc de Rouvre was now pressing and strong, that
+the young Count de Morseiul should remain at least two days longer at
+Poitiers, and he coupled that invitation with the direct intimation
+that it was most necessary he should do so, as he the Duke had yet to
+learn in some degree the temper of the states in regard to the
+important questions between the Catholics and Protestants. The young
+Count consequently agreed to remain; taking the precaution, however,
+of writing at full to Claude de l'Estang, and sending off the letter
+by one of his own trustworthy servants, beseeching him to draw up the
+petition which the Protestant gentry had agreed upon, and to have it
+ready by the time at which he proposed to arrive at Morseiul.
+
+During the greater part of those two days which followed he saw little
+of Clemence de Marly. Without any cause assigned, she had been absent
+from all the spots where he was most likely to see her, except on
+those occasions when she was necessarily surrounded by a crowd. After
+breakfast, she remained but a moment in the salle: on the first day
+she did not appear at dinner; and on the second, she was absent from
+the breakfast table. The Chevalier d'Evran was also absent, and every
+thing tended to confirm, in the mind of the young Count de Morseiul,
+the impression which he had received, that his friend was the lover of
+her whom he himself loved, and that some cause of disagreement, either
+temporary or permanent, had arisen between them. Nothing, however,
+tended to confirm this idea more than the appearance of Clemence
+herself when she was present. There was an anxiety in the expression
+of her eyes; a thoughtfulness about her brow; an impatience of
+society; an occasional absence of mind, which was hardly to be
+mistaken. Her whole appearance was that of a person struggling with
+strong feelings, which were in reality getting the mastery.
+
+She showed no particular inclination after his return--except as we
+have seen on the first evening--to speak with the Count de Morseiul,
+either in public or in private. Words of civility passed between them,
+of course, and every little courtesy was, perhaps, more scrupulously
+observed than usual with her; but on that evening which closed the
+last day of the young Count's proposed stay, a change took place.
+
+A large party had assembled at the governor's house; and though he
+himself looked both grave and anxious, he was doing the honours of his
+dwelling to every one with as much courtesy as possible, when
+suddenly, seeing the Count de Morseiul standing alone, near the
+doorway of the second room, he crossed over to speak with him, saying,
+"Albert, Clemence was seeking for you a moment ago. Where is she? have
+you seen her?"
+
+Ere the young Count could reply, Clemence de Marly herself came up, as
+if about to speak with the Duke, whose hand she took in hers, in the
+sort of daughter-like manner in which she always behaved to him.
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul," she said, with a thoughtful lustre shining in
+her eyes, and giving a deeper and brighter expression to her whole
+countenance, "I have come to take refuge with you from that young De
+Hericourt, who evidently intends to persecute me during the whole
+evening.--But stay, stay, Monseigneur," she added, turning to the
+Duke, who seemed about to leave them, to speak with some one else:
+"before you go, hear what I am going to say to Monsieur de Morseiul.
+You are going, Count, I hear, to take your departure to-morrow morning
+early: if you would walk with me for half an hour in the gardens ere
+you leave us, you would much oblige me, as I wish to speak with
+you.--Now, dear King of Poitou," she continued, turning to the Duke,
+"you may go. I have no more secrets to make you a witness of."
+
+The Duke replied not exactly to her words, but seemed fully to
+comprehend them; and saying, "Not to-night, Clemence! remember, not
+tonight!" he left her under the charge of the Count de Morseiul, and
+proceeded to attend to his other guests.
+
+Placed in a situation somewhat strange, and, as it were, forced to
+appear as one of the attendant train of the bright and beautiful girl,
+from whose dangerous fascinations he was eager to fly, for a single
+instant Albert of Morseiul felt slightly embarrassed; but unexpected
+situations seldom so much affected him as to produce any thing like
+ungraceful hesitation of manner. Clemence de Marly might not, perhaps,
+even perceive that the Count was at all embarrassed, for she was
+deeply occupied with her own fancies; and though she conversed with
+him not gaily, but intelligently, there was evidently another train of
+thought going on in her breast all the time, which sometimes made her
+answer wide from the mark, and then smile at her own absence of mind.
+
+The eyes of the young Marquis de Hericourt followed her wherever she
+turned, and certainly bore not the most placable expression towards
+the Count de Morseiul; but his anger or his watching disturbed neither
+Clemence nor her companion, who both had busy thoughts enough to
+occupy them. After some time the excitement of the dance seemed to
+rouse Clemence from her musing fit; and, though confined to subjects
+of ordinary interest, the conversation between her and the Count
+became of a deeper tone and character, and her heart seemed to take
+part in it as well as her mind. Albert of Morseiul felt it far more
+dangerous than before; for though they might but speak of a picture,
+or a statue, or a song, with which he could have conversed with a
+connoisseur of any kind, perhaps with more profit, as far as mere
+knowledge of the subject went, yet there was a refinement of taste
+evident in the manner in which Clemence viewed every thing, a
+sparkling grace given by her imagination to every subject that she
+touched upon, when her feelings were really interested therein, which
+was very, very winning to a mind like that of Albert de Morseiul.
+
+Is it possible, under such circumstances, always to be upon one's
+guard? Is it possible, when the heart loves deeply, always to conquer
+it with so powerful an effort, as not to let it have the rule even for
+an hour? If it be, such was not the case with the young Count de
+Morseiul. He forgot not his resolutions, it is true; but he gave
+himself up to happiness for the moment, and spoke with warmth,
+enthusiasm, and eagerness, which can seldom, if ever, be displayed to
+a person we do not love. There was a light, too, in his eye when he
+gazed on Clemence de Marly--a look in which regret was mingled with
+tenderness, and in which the cloud of despair only shadowed, but did
+not darken the fire of passion--which might well show her, unless her
+eyes were dazzled by their own light, that she was loved, and loved by
+a being of a higher and more energetic character than those which
+usually surrounded her.
+
+Perhaps she did see it--perhaps she did not grieve to see it--for her
+eyes became subdued by his; her mellow and beautiful voice took a
+softer tone; the colour came and went in her cheek; and before the end
+of the dance in which they were engaged, her whole appearance, her
+whole manner, made the Count ask himself, "What am I doing?"
+
+Clemence de Marly seemed to have addressed the same question to her
+own heart; for as soon as the dance was over, the cloud of thoughtful
+sadness came back upon her brow, and she said, "I am fatigued. I shall
+dance no more to-night. All the people are doubtless come now, and
+dear Madame de Rouvre will move no more; so I shall go and set myself
+down in state beside her, and get her to shield me from annoyance
+to-night."
+
+The Count led her towards the Duchess, intending himself to seek his
+chamber soon after; but as they went, Clemence said to him in a low
+tone, "Do you see that pretty girl sitting there by her mother, old
+Madame de Marville, so modest, and so gentle and retiring. She is as
+good a little creature as ever breathed, and as pretty, yet nobody
+leads her out to dance. If I had a brother, I should like him to marry
+that girl. She would not bring him fortune, but she would bring him
+happiness. I wish, Monsieur de Morseiul, you would go and ask her to
+dance."
+
+Though he was anxious to retire, and full of other thoughts, Albert of
+Morseiul would not have refused for the world; and Clemence, leading
+him up to her friend, said, "Annette, here is Monsieur le Comte de
+Morseiul wishes to dance with you: I am sure you will, for your
+friend's sake."
+
+The young lady bowed her head with a slight timid blush, and rising,
+allowed the Count to lead her to the dance.
+
+No great opportunity of conversing existed; but Albert of Morseiul
+took especial pains to show himself as courteous and as kind as
+possible. Annette de Marville led the conversation herself to Clemence
+de Marly, and nothing could exceed the enthusiastic admiration with
+which she spoke of her friend. Perhaps a little to the surprise of the
+Count, she never mentioned Clemence's beauty, or her grace, or her
+wit; matters which, in those days, and at the court of Louis XIV.,
+were the only topics for praise, the only attractions coveted. She
+spoke of her high and noble feelings, her enthusiastic and
+affectionate heart; and, in answer to something which the Count said
+not quite so laudatory as she would have had it, she exclaimed,--
+
+"Oh! but Clemence does not do herself justice in the world. It is only
+to those who know her most intimately that her shy heart will show
+itself."
+
+The words sunk into the mind of the Count de Morseiul; and when the
+dance was concluded, and he had led back his fair companion to her
+seat, he retired speedily to his own apartments, to meditate over what
+he had heard, and what had taken place.
+
+
+
+
+                       END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+
+                               VOL. II.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 THE
+
+                               HUGUENOT
+
+                                A TALE
+
+                                  OF
+
+                       THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.
+
+
+
+
+                           BY THE AUTHOR OF
+
+                      "THE GIPSY," "THE ROBBER,"
+                               &c. &c.
+
+
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+                          IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+                               VOL. II.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                               LONDON:
+
+                             PRINTED FOR
+
+               LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
+
+                           PATERNOSTER-ROW.
+
+                                1839.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                          THE EXPLANATIONS.
+
+
+Silent and lonely thought is a sad dispeller of enchantments. Under
+its power, the visions, and hopes, and indistinct dreams, which had
+fluttered before the eyes of the Count de Morseiul during the magic
+moments he had passed with Clemence de Marly, fled like fairies at the
+approach of the sun, within a very short period after he had retired
+to his chamber; and all that remained was a sort of reproachful
+mournful ness, when he thought over his own conduct and the indulgence
+of those feelings which he feared he had displayed but too plainly.
+With such thoughts he lay down to rest; but they were not soothing
+companions of the pillow, and it was long ere he slept. From time to
+time he heard the sound of music from the halls below; and in the
+intervals, when some open door gave a freer passage to the sound, gay
+laughing voices came merry on the ear, speaking cheerfulness, and
+happiness, and contentment, and ignorance, of the cares and sorrows
+and anxieties of life.
+
+"Alas!" thought the Count, as he lay and listened, "alas! that such
+bright illusions should ever pass away, and that those should ever
+learn the touch of grief and anguish and despair, who are now laughing
+in the heedless merriment of youth, unconscious of danger or of
+sorrow. And yet, perhaps," he continued, "could we lay bare the hearts
+of those now seemingly so gay--could we examine what is their ordinary
+state, and what their feelings were, even a few short moments before
+they entered those saloons--we might find there also as much care and
+pain as in any other scene of life, and bless the glad merriment that
+lulls human pangs and anxieties for a time, though it cannot quench
+them altogether."
+
+Though he went to sleep late, he rose early on the following morning,
+not forgetful of his appointment with Clemence de Marly. Fearful,
+however, that she might be in the gardens before him, he dressed
+himself and hastened out without the loss of a single minute, not a
+little anxious to know what was the nature of the communication which
+she had to make to him, and with which the Duc de Rouvre was evidently
+acquainted. He was in truth, anxious in regard to every part of their
+conversation, he was anxious in regard to its result; but still he did
+not lay out at all the conduct he was to pursue towards her, feeling
+that he had wakened from the dream of the evening before, and was not
+likely to indulge in such visions again. There was nobody in the part
+of the garden near the house; and he walked on in the direction which
+she had pointed out to him, till he had nearly reached the rampart,
+and thus satisfied himself that she had not yet arrived. He then
+turned back by the same path, and before he had gone half way down, he
+beheld Clemence coming towards him, but at some distance.
+
+She was certainly looking more lovely than ever; and he could not but
+feel that, even in her very gayest and most sparkling moods, there was
+a charm wanting in comparison with her more serious and thoughtful
+aspect. Clemence was now evidently a good deal agitated. It often
+happens, when we have an act of importance to perform, especially when
+that act is unusual to us, that even in revolving it in our own minds,
+and preparing for the moment, we overpower ourselves, as it were, by
+the force of our own thoughts, and, by guarding against agitation,
+give agitation the better opportunity to assail us.
+
+Albert of Morseiul saw that Clemence was much moved, and he prepared
+to soothe her by every means in his power. The only efficacious means
+being to draw her attention to ordinary things. "Let me offer you my
+arm," he said in a kindly tone; and leading her on, he spoke of the
+beauty of the morning, and then of Anette de Marville, and then of
+other indifferent things. Clemence seemed to understand his object;
+and though she at first smiled, as if to intimate that she did so, she
+gave her mind up to his guidance, and for five or ten minutes touched
+upon no subject but the most ordinary topics of conversation. As they
+approached the rampart, however, and she had an opportunity of looking
+along it, and ascertaining that there was no one there, she said,--
+
+"Now I am better, now I can speak of other things.--Monsieur de
+Morseiul," she continued, "although I am accustomed to do
+extraordinary things, and to behave, in many respects, unlike other
+people, I dare say you do not suppose that I would have taken the very
+bold step of asking any gentleman to meet me here, as I have done you
+this day, without a motive sufficient to justify me, even in your
+sight."
+
+"I am quite sure of it," replied the Count; "and though you may think
+me, perhaps, a harsh censor, I am not at all inclined to be so in your
+case."
+
+"Indeed?" she said, with a somewhat mournful shake of the head;
+"Indeed?--But, however, Monsieur de Morseiul, what I have to tell you
+is substantial, real, and more important than any feelings or
+inclinations. I shall have to pain you--to grieve you--to call up
+apprehensions--to prepare you, perhaps, for suffering! Oh God!" she
+cried, bursting suddenly into tears, "that I should have to do this!"
+
+The Count took her hand and pressed it to his lips, and besought her
+to be calm and soothed. "Do not be apprehensive, do not be grieved,"
+he said: "calm yourself, dear lady, calm yourself, Clemence! I am
+prepared for much sorrow; I am prepared for danger and anxiety. I have
+for some time seen nothing but clouds and storms in the future!"
+
+"But not such as these," replied Clemence, "not such as these. But I
+will not keep you in suspense, for that is worse than all now. The
+task, though a painful one, has been of my own seeking. First,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, to speak of that which I know is dearest to
+your heart--your religious liberty is in danger--it is more than in
+danger--it is at an end. The whole resolutions of the court are now
+made known--at least, amongst the principal Catholics of France. The
+reformed church is to be swept away--there is no longer to be any but
+one religion tolerated throughout the kingdom--your temples are to be
+overthrown--your ministers to be forbidden, on pain of death, to
+worship God as their forefathers have done--the edict of Nantes is to
+be revoked entirely;" and, clasping her hands together, she gazed in
+his face, while she added, in a low, tremulous, but distinct, voice,
+"you are to be driven to the mass at the point of the pike--your
+children are to be taken from you to be educated in another faith!"
+
+Till she uttered the last words Albert de Morseiul had remained with
+his eyes bent upon the ground, though deep feelings of agitation were
+evident in every line of his fine countenance. But when she spoke of
+the Protestants being driven to mass at the point of the pike, and
+their children being taken from them to be educated in the Catholic
+religion, he threw back his head, gazing up to heaven with a look of
+firm determination, while his left hand, by a natural movement, fell
+upon the hilt of his sword.
+
+Clemence de Marly, as he did so, gazed upon him earnestly through the
+tears that were still in her eyes, and then exclaimed, as she saw how
+terribly moved he was, "These are dreadful tidings for me to tell
+Monsieur de Morseiul; you must hate me, I am sure you must hate me!"
+
+"Hate you?" exclaimed the Count, clasping both her hands in his, while
+in that agitating moment--carried away by the strength of his own
+feelings, and by the tokens she displayed of deep interest in him and
+his--every barrier gave way before the passion of his heart. "Hate
+you? oh God! I love you but too well, too deeply--better, more deeply,
+than you can ever know, or divine, or dream of!"
+
+Clemence turned away her head, with a face glowing like the rose; but
+she left her hands in his, without an effort to withdraw them, though
+she exclaimed, "Say not so! say not so!--Or at least," she added,
+turning round once more towards him--"say not so till you have heard
+all; for I have much, much more to tell, more painful, more terrible
+still. Let me have one moment to recover," and, withdrawing her hands,
+she placed them over her eyes for an instant. After a very brief pause
+she added, "Now, Monsieur de Morseiul, I can go on. You are here in
+great danger. You have been in great danger ever since you have been
+here; and it has only been the power and authority of the Duke that
+has protected you. After your first intercourse with the governor, the
+bishop and the two ecclesiastics, a party has been made in the town,
+in the states, and in the province, against you, and, alas! against
+the good Duc de Rouvre too. Finding that they were likely to incur the
+anger of the King for something that had happened, if they did not
+make good their own case against you, they have laboured, I may say,
+night and day, to counteract the measures of the Duke with the states,
+so as to make him obnoxious to the King. They have pretended that
+you,--while you were here before--held illegal meetings with Huguenots
+in the neighbourhood, in order to oppose and frustrate the measures of
+the King. They have got the intendant of the province upon their side,
+and they insisted, to Monsieur de Rouvre, on your being instantly
+arrested, they having proffered distinct information of your having
+held a meeting with other Protestant noblemen, about three miles from
+this place, on the day of the hunting. Do you remember that day?"
+
+"I shall never forget it!" replied the Count, gazing upon her with a
+look that made her eyes sink again.
+
+"Well," she continued, "Monsieur de Rouvre would not consent; and when
+the intendant threatened to arrest you on his own responsibility, the
+governor was obliged to say that he would defend you, and protect you,
+if necessary, by the interposition of the military force at his
+command. This created a complete breach, which is now only apparently
+healed. Both parties have applied to the King, and Monsieur de Rouvre
+entertained the strongest hopes till yesterday that the decision would
+have been in his favour, both inasmuch as justice was on his side, and
+as he had obtained from the states a large supply, which he knew would
+be most gratifying and acceptable to the court; but suddenly,
+yesterday morning, news arrived of the general measures which the
+council intended to pursue. These I have already told you, and they
+showed the Duke that every thing would give way to bigotry and
+superstition. Various letters communicated the same intelligence to
+others as well as to the Duke, but I having----"
+
+She paused and hesitated, while the colour came and went rapidly in
+her cheek. "Speak, dear lady, speak," said the Count eagerly.
+
+"I believe I may speak," she said, "after something that you said but
+now. I was going to say that, I having before taken upon me, perhaps
+sillily, when first these men brought their false charge against you,
+to meddle with this business, from feelings that I must not and cannot
+explain, and having then made the Duke tell me the whole business, by
+earnest prayers and entreaties--that he seeing that I was--that I was
+interested in the matter, told me all the rest, and gave me permission
+to tell you the whole this morning, in order that you may guard
+against the measures that he fears are coming; 'I mustn't tell him
+myself,' he said, 'and, as the business has been communicated alone to
+Catholics, he is not likely to hear it, till too late. Nevertheless,
+it is no secret, the matter having been told openly to at least twenty
+people in this town. You can therefore do it yourself, Clemence, that
+he may not say I have lured him back here into the jaws of his
+enemies.' Thus then Monsieur de Morseiul," she continued more
+collectedly, "thus it is that I have acted as I have acted; and oh, if
+you would take my advice, painful as I acknowledge it is to give it,
+you would proceed instantly to Morseiul, and then either fly to
+England, or to some other country where you will be in safety."
+
+"How shall I thank you!" replied Albert of Morseiul, taking her hand,
+and casting behind him all consideration of his own fate and that of
+his fellow Protestants, to be thought of at an after moment, while,
+for the time, he gave his whole attention to the words which he had
+himself just spoken with regard to his love for Clemence de Marly "How
+shall I ever thank you for the interest you have taken in me, for your
+kindness, for your generous kindness, and for all the pain that this I
+see has caused you! Pray, Clemence, pray add one more boon to those
+you have conferred, forgive the rash and presumptuous words I spoke
+just now--and forget them also."
+
+"Forget them!" exclaimed Clemence, clasping her hands and raising her
+bright eyes to his. "Forget them! Never, as long as I have being!
+Forgive them, Monsieur de Morseiul; that were easily done if I could
+believe them true."
+
+"They are as true as Heaven!" replied the Count; "But oh, Clemence,
+Clemence, lead me not away into false dreams! lead me not away to
+think that possible which is impossible.--Can it, ought it to be?"
+
+"I know not what you mean," replied Clemence, with a look
+somewhat bewildered, somewhat hurt. "All I know is, Monsieur de
+Morseiul, that you have spoken words which justify me to myself for
+feelings--ay, and perhaps for actions,--in regard to which I was
+doubtful--fearful--which sometimes made me blush when I thought of
+them. The words that you have spoken take away that blush. I feel that
+I had not mistaken you; but yet," she added, "tell me before you go,
+for I feel that it must be soon. What is it that you mean? What is the
+import of your question?"
+
+"Oh, it means much and many things, Clemence," replied the Count: "it
+takes in a wide range of painful feelings; and when I acknowledge, and
+again and again say, that the words I have spoken are true as Heaven;
+when, again and again, I say that I love you deeply, devotedly,
+entirely, better than aught else on earth, I grieve that I have said
+them, I feel that I have done wrong."
+
+Clemence de Marly withdrew her hand, not sharply, not coldly, but
+mournfully, and she raised her fair countenance towards the sky as if
+asking, with apprehension at her heart, "What is thy will, oh
+Heaven?"--"Albert of Morseiul," she said, "if you have any cause to
+regret that those words have been spoken, let them be for ever between
+us as if unspoken. They shall never by me be repeated to any one. You
+may perhaps one day, years hence," and as she spoke her eyes filled
+with tears,--"you may perhaps regret what you are now doing; but it
+will be a consolation to you then to know, that even though you spoke
+words of love and then recalled them, they were ever, as they ever
+shall be, a consolation and a comfort to me. The only thing on earth
+that I could fear was the blame of my own heart for having thought you
+loved me,--and perhaps loved," she added, while a deep blush again
+spread over all her countenance, "and perhaps loved, when you did not.
+You have shielded me from that blame: you have taken away all
+self-reproach; and now God speed you, Albert! Choose your own path,
+follow the dictates of your own heart, and your own conscience, and
+farewell!"
+
+"Stay, stay, Clemence," said the Count de Morseiul, detaining her by
+the hand. "Yet listen to me; yet hear me a few words farther!"
+
+She turned round upon him with one of her former smiles. "You know how
+easily such requests are granted," she said; "you know how willingly I
+would fain believe you all that is noble, and just, and honourable,
+and perfectly incapable of trifling with a woman's heart."
+
+"First, then," said the Count, "let me assure you that the words I
+have spoken were not, as you seemed to have imagined, for your ear
+alone, to be disavowed before the world. Ever shall I be ready,
+willing, eager to avow those words, and the love I feel, and have
+spoken of, will never, can never die away in my heart. But oh,
+Clemence, do you remember the words that passed between us in this
+very garden, as to whether a woman could love twice? Do you remember
+what you acknowledged yourself on that occasion?"
+
+"And do you believe, then," said Clemence, "after all that you have
+seen, that I have ever loved? Do you believe," she said, with the
+bright but scornful smile that sometimes crossed her lip, "that
+because Clemence de Marly has suffered herself to be surrounded
+by fools and coxcombs, the one to neutralise and oppose the
+other--whereas if she had not done so, she must have chosen one from
+the herd to be her lord and master, and have become his slave--do you
+imagine, I say, that she has fallen in love with pretty Monsieur de
+Hericourt, with his hair frizzled like a piece of pastry, his wit as
+keen as a baby's wooden sword, and his courage of that high
+discriminating quality which might be well led on by a child's
+trumpet? Or with the German prince, who, though a brave man and not
+without sense, is as courteous as an Italian mountebank's dancing
+bear, who thinks himself the pink of politeness when he hands round a
+hat to gather the sous, growling between his teeth all the time that
+he does so? Or with the Duc de Melcourt, who though polished and keen,
+and brave as his sword, is as cold-hearted as the iron that lies
+within that scabbard, and in seeking Clemence de Marly seeks three
+requisite things to accomplish a French nobleman's household, a large
+fortune which may pay cooks and serving men, and give at least two
+gilded coaches more: a handsome wife that cares nothing for her
+husband, and is not likely to disturb him by her love; and some
+influence at court which may obtain for him the next blue riband
+vacant?--Out upon them all!" she added vehemently; "and fie, fie, fie,
+upon you, Albert of Morseiul! If I thought that you could love a
+person of whom you judged so meanly, I should believe you unworthy of
+another thought from me."
+
+It is useless to deny, that every word she spoke was pleasant to the
+ear of the Count de Morseiul; but yet she had not exactly touched the
+point towards which his own apprehensions regarding her had turned,
+and though he did not choose to name the Chevalier, he still went on.
+"I have thought nothing of the kind you speak of Clemence," he
+replied, "but I may have thought it possible for you to have met with
+another more worthy of your thoughts and of your affection than any of
+these; that you may have loved him; and that on some quarrel, either
+temporary or permanent, your indignation towards him, and your
+determination not to let him see the pain he has occasioned, may have
+made you fancy yourself in love with another. May not this be the
+case? But still, even were it not so, there is much--But I ask," he
+added, seeing the colour of Clemence fluttering like the changing
+colours on the plumage of a bird, "but I ask again, may it not have
+been so?"
+
+Clemence gazed at him intently and steadfastly for a moment, and there
+was evidently a struggle going on in her breast of some kind. Perhaps
+Albert of Morseiul might misunderstand the nature of that struggle;
+indeed, it is clear he did so in some degree, for it certainly
+confirmed him in the apprehensions which he had entertained. The air
+and the expression of Clemence varied considerably while she gazed
+upon him. For a moment there was the air of proud beauty and careless
+caprice with which she treated the lovers of whom she had just spoken
+so lightly; and the next, as some memory seemed to cross her mind, the
+haughty look died away into one of subdued tenderness and affection.
+An instant after, sadness and sorrow came over her face like a cloud,
+and her eyes appeared to be filling with irrepressible tears. She
+conquered that, too; and when she replied, it was with a smile so
+strangely mingled with various expressions, that it was difficult to
+discern which predominated. There was a certain degree of pride in her
+tone; there was sorrow upon her brow; and yet there was a playfulness
+round her eyes and lips, as if something made her happy amidst it all.
+
+"Such might be the case," she replied, "such is very likely to be the
+case with all women. But pray, Sir--having settled it all so well and
+so wisely--who was the favoured person who had thus won Clemence de
+Marly's love, while some few others were seeking for it in vain? Your
+falcon, Fancy, was certainly not without a lure. I see it clearly,
+Monsieur de Morseiul."
+
+"It might be one," replied the Count, "whose rival I would never
+become, even were other things done away; it might be one long and
+deeply regarded by myself."
+
+"The Chevalier, the Chevalier!" exclaimed Clemence, with her whole
+face brightening into a merry smile. "No, no, no! You have been
+deceiving yourself. No, no, Count; the Chevalier d'Evran never has
+been, never will be, any thing to me but that which he is now; we have
+had no quarrel, we have had no coldness. It is quite possible,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, believe me, even for a weak woman like myself to
+feel friendship and place confidence without love."
+
+She strove in some degree to withdraw the hand that the Count had
+taken, as if she were about to leave him; but the Count detained it,
+gently saying, "Stay yet one moment, Clemence; let us yet have but one
+word more of explanation before we part."
+
+"No," she replied, disengaging her hand, "no; we have had explanations
+enough. Never wed a woman of whom you have a single doubt, Sir. No,
+no," she added, with a look slightly triumphant perhaps, somewhat
+sorrowful, but somewhat playful withal; "no, no! Clemence de Marly has
+already, perhaps, said somewhat too much already! But one thing I will
+tell you, Albert of Morseiul--you love her! She sees it, she knows it,
+and from henceforth she will not doubt it--for a woman does not trust
+by halves like a man. You love her! You will love her! and, though you
+have perhaps somewhat humiliated her; though you have made the proud
+humble and the gay melancholy, it is perhaps no bad lesson for her,
+and she will now make you sue, before you gain as a previous lover
+that which you now seem to require some pressing to accept  Adieu,
+Monsieur de Morseiul; there is, I see, somebody coming; adieu."
+
+"Stay yet a moment, Clemence; hear me yet urge something in my
+defence," exclaimed her lover. But Clemence proceeded down the steps
+from the rampart, only pausing and turning to say in a tone of greater
+tenderness and interest,--
+
+"Farewell, Albert, farewell; and for God's sake forget not the warning
+that I gave you this morning, nor any of the matters so much more
+worthy of attention than the worthless love of a gay capricious girl."
+
+Thus saying, she hastened on, and passing by the person who was coming
+forward from the house--and who was merely a servant attached to the
+Count de Morseiul, as usual hunting out his master to interrupt him at
+the most inappropriate time--she hurried to a small door to the left
+of the building, entered, and mounting a back staircase which led
+towards her own apartments, she sought shelter therein from all the
+many eyes that were at that time beginning to move about the place;
+for her face was a tablet on which strong and recent emotion was
+deeply and legibly written.
+
+Nor had that emotion passed, indeed; but, on the contrary, new and
+agitating thoughts had been swelling upon her all the way through the
+gardens, as she returned alone--the memories of one of those short but
+important lapses of time which change with the power of an enchanter
+the whole course of our being, which alter feeling and thoughts and
+hope and expectation, give a different direction to aspiration and
+effort and ambition, which add wings and a fiery sword to enthusiasm,
+and, in fact, turn the thread of destiny upon a new track through the
+labyrinth of life.
+
+There was in the midst of those memories one bright and beautiful
+spot; but it was mingled with so many contending feelings--there was
+so much alloy to that pure gold--that, when at length she reached her
+dressing-room and cast herself into a chair, she became completely
+overpowered, and, bursting into tears, wept bitterly and long.
+
+The old and faithful attendant whom Albert of Morseiul
+ had seen with
+her in the forest, and who was indeed far superior to the station
+which she filled, both by talents, education, and heart, now
+witnessing the emotion of her young mistress, glided up and took her
+hand in hers, trying by every quiet attention to tranquillise and
+soothe her. It was in vain, for a long time, however, that she did so;
+and when at length Clemence had recovered in some degree her
+composure, and began to dry her eyes, the attendant asked, eagerly,
+"Dear, dear child, what is it has grieved you so?"
+
+"I will tell you, Maria; I will tell you in a minute," replied
+Clemence. "You who have been a sharer of all my thoughts from my
+infancy--you who were given me as a friend by the dear mother I have
+lost--you who have preserved for me so much, and have preserved me
+myself so often--I will tell you all and every thing. I will have no
+concealment in this from you; for I feel, as if I were a prophet, that
+terrible and troublous times are coming; that it is my fate to take a
+deep and painful part therein; and that I shall need one like you to
+counsel, and advise, and assist, and support me in many a danger, and,
+for aught I know, in many a calamity."
+
+"Dear Clemence, dear child," said the attendant, "I will ever do my
+best to soothe and comfort you; and what little assistance I can give
+shall be given; but I have trusted and I have hoped for many days--now
+both from what I have seen and what I have heard--that there was a
+stronger hand than that of a weak old woman soon about to be plighted
+to support and defend you for life."
+
+"Who do you mean?" exclaimed Clemence eagerly; "who are you speaking
+of, Maria?"
+
+"Can you not divine?" demanded the old lady; "can you not divine that
+I mean him that we saw in the forest--him, who seemed to my old eyes
+to wed you then, with the ring that your mother gave you, when she
+told you never to part with it to any one but to the man who was to
+place it again on your finger as your husband."
+
+"Good heaven!" exclaimed Clemence, "I never thought of that! I am his
+wife then, Maria--at least I shall ever consider myself such."
+
+"But will he consider you so too?" demanded the attendant; "and do you
+love him enough to consider him so, dear child? I have never seen you
+love any one yet, and I only began to hope that you would love him
+when I saw your colour change as often as his name was mentioned."
+
+"I have said I would tell you all, Maria," replied Clemence, "and I
+will tell you all. I never have loved any one before; and how could I,
+surrounded as I have been by the empty, and the vain, and the
+vicious,--by a crowd so full of vices, and so barren of virtues, that
+a man thought himself superior to the whole world, if he had but one
+good quality to recommend him: and what were the qualities on which
+they piqued themselves? If a man had wit, he thought himself a match
+for an empress; if he had courage, though that, to say the truth, was
+the most general quality, he felt himself privileged to be a
+libertine, and a gamester, and an atheist; and, instead of feeling
+shame, he gloried in his faults. How could I love any of such men? How
+could I esteem them--the first step to love? I have but heard one
+instance of true affection in the court of France--that of poor Conti
+to the King's daughter; and I never fancied myself such a paragon as
+to be the second woman that could raise such attachment. Nothing less,
+however, would satisfy me, and therefore I determined to shape my
+course accordingly. I resolved to let the crowd that chose it follow,
+and flatter, and affect to worship, as much as ever they so pleased.
+It was their doing, not mine. I mean not to say that it did not please
+and amuse me: I mean not to say that I did not feel some sort of
+satisfaction--which I now see was wrong to feel--in using as slaves,
+in ordering here and there, in trampling upon and mortifying a set of
+beings that I contemned and despised, and that valued me alone for
+gifts which I valued not myself. Had there been one man amongst them
+that at all deserved me--that gave one thought to my mind or to my
+heart, rather than to my beauty or my fortune--he would have hated me
+for the manner in which I treated him and others; and I might have
+learned to love him, even while he learned to contemn me. Such was not
+the case, however, for there was not one that did so. Had I declared
+my determination of never marrying, to be the slave of a being I
+despised, they would soon have put me in a convent, or at least have
+tried to do so; and I feared they might. Therefore it was I went on
+upon the same plan, sitting like a waxen virgin in a shrine, letting
+adorers come and worship as much as they pleased, and taking notice of
+none. There is not one of them that can say that I ever gave him aught
+but a cutting speech, or an expression of my contempt  It is now
+several years ago, but you must remember it well, when we were first
+with the Duke at Ruffigny."
+
+"Oh, I remember it well," replied the attendant, "and the hunting, and
+your laying down the bridle like a wild careless girl, as you then
+were, and the horse running away with you, and this very Count de
+Morseiul saving you by stopping it  Ay, I remember it all well, and
+you told me how gallant and handsome he looked, and all he had said;
+and I laughed, and told you you were in love with him."
+
+"I was not in love," replied Clemence, with the colour slightly
+deepening in her cheek, "I was not in love; but I might soon have been
+so even then. I thought a great deal about him; I was very young, had
+mixed not at all with the world, and he was certainly at that time, in
+personal appearance, what might well realise the dream of a young and
+enthusiastic imagination.--He is older and graver now," she added,
+musing, "and time has made a change on him; but yet I scarcely think
+he is less handsome. However, I thought of him a good deal then,
+especially after I had met him the second time, and discovered who he
+was: and I thought of him often afterwards. Wherever there was any
+gallant action done, I was sure to listen eagerly, expecting to hear
+his name.--And how often did I hear it, Maria! Not a campaign passed
+but some new praises fell upon the Count de Morseiul. He had defended
+this post like some ancient hero, against whole legions of the enemy.
+He had thrown himself into that small fort, which was considered
+untenable, and held an army at bay for weeks. He had been the first to
+plant his foot on the breach; he had been the last in the rear upon a
+retreat. The peasant's cottage, the citizen's fire-side, owed their
+safety to him; and the ministers of another religion than his own had
+found shelter and protection beneath his sword. I know not how it was,
+but when all these tales were told me, his image always rose up before
+me as I had seen him, and I pictured him in every action. I could see
+him leading the charging squadrons. I could see him standing in the
+deadly breach. I could see the women and the children, and the
+conquered and the wounded, clinging to his knees, and could see him
+saving them. I did not love him, Maria, but I thought of him a great
+deal more than of any one else in all the world. Well, then, after
+some years, came the last great service that he rendered us, not many
+weeks ago, and was not his demeanour then, Maria--was not his whole
+air and conduct in the midst of danger to himself and others--the
+peremptory demand of our liberation--the restoration of the ring I
+valued--the easy unshaken courtesy in a moment of agitation and
+risk,--was it not all noble, all chivalrous, all such as a woman's
+imagination might well dwell upon?"
+
+"It was, indeed," replied Maria, "and ever since then I have thought
+that you loved him."
+
+"In the mean time," continued Clemence, "in the mean time I had also
+become sadly spoilt. I had grown capricious, and vain, and haughty, by
+indulging such feelings for several years, in pursuit of my own
+system; and when the Count appeared at Poitiers, I do not know that I
+was inclined to treat him well. Not that I would ever have behaved to
+him as I did to others; but I scarcely knew how to behave better. I
+believed myself privileged to say and do any thing I thought right, to
+exact any thing, nay, to command any thing. I was surprised when I
+found he took no notice of me; I was mortified perhaps; I determined,
+if ever I made him happy at last, to punish him for his first
+indifference,--to punish him, how think you? To make him love me, to
+make him doubtful of whether I loved him, and to make him figure in
+the train of those whom I myself despised. But, oh, Maria, I soon
+found that I could not accomplish what I sought. There was a power, a
+command in his nature that overawed, that commanded me. Instead of
+teaching him to love me, and making him learn to doubt that I loved
+him, I soon found that it was I that loved, and learned to doubt that
+he loved me. Then came restlessness and disquietude. From time to time
+I saw--I felt that he loved me, and then again I doubted, and strove
+to make him show it more clearly, by the very means best calculated to
+make him crush it altogether. I affected to listen to the frivolous
+and the vain, to smile upon the beings I despised, to assume
+indifference towards the only one I loved. Thus it went on till the
+last day of his stay, when he refused to accompany us on our hunting
+party, but left me with a promise to join us if he could. I was
+disappointed, mortified. I doubted if he would keep his promise. I
+doubted whether he had any inclination to do so, and I strove to
+forget, in the excitement of the chase, the bitterness of that which I
+suffered. Suddenly, however, I caught a glance of him riding down
+towards us. He came up to my side, he rode on by me, he attended to
+me, he spoke to me alone; there was a grace, and a dignity, and a
+glory about his person that was new and strange; he seemed as if some
+new inspiration had come upon him. On every subject that we spoke of
+he poured forth his soul in words of fire. His eyes and his
+countenance beamed with living light, such as I had never before
+beheld; every thing vanished from my eyes and thoughts but him; every
+thing seemed small and insignificant and to bow before him; the very
+fiery charger that he rode seemed to obey, with scarcely a sign or
+indication of his will. The cavaliers around looked but like his
+attendants, and I--I Maria--proud, and haughty, and vain as I had
+encouraged myself to be--I felt that I was in the presence of my
+master, and that, there, beside me, was the only man on earth that I
+could willingly and implicitly obey--I felt subdued, but not
+depressed--I felt, perhaps, as a woman ought to feel towards a man she
+loves, that I was competent to be his companion and his friend, to
+share his thoughts, to respond to all his feelings, to enter into his
+views and opinions, to meet him, in short, with a mind yielding, but
+scarcely to be called inferior, different in quality, but harmonious
+in love and thought. I felt that he was one who would never wish me to
+be a slave; but one that I should be prompt and ready to bend to and
+obey. Can I tell you, Maria, all the agony that took possession of my
+heart when I found that the whole bright scene was to pass away like a
+dream? Since then many a painful thing has happened. I have wrung my
+heart, I have embittered my repose by fancying that I have loved,
+where I was not loved in return, that I have been the person to seek,
+and he to despise me. But this day, this day, Maria, has come an
+explanation. He has told me that he loves me, he has told me that
+he has loved me long; he has taken away that shame, he has given me
+that comfort. We both foresee many difficulties, pangs, and anxieties;
+but, alas! Maria, I see plainly, not only that he discovers in the
+future far more difficulties, and dangers, and obstacles between us
+than I myself perceive, but also that he disapproves of much of my
+conduct--that doubts and apprehensions mingle with his love--that it
+is a thing which he has striven against, not from his apprehension of
+difficulties, but from his doubts of me and of my nature; that love
+has mastered him for a time; but still has not subdued him altogether.
+It is a bitter and a sad thing," she added, placing her hands over her
+eyes.
+
+"But, dear child," said the attendant, "it will be easy for you to
+remove all such doubts and apprehensions."
+
+"Hush, hush," replied Clemence, "let me finish, Maria, and then say no
+more upon this score to-day. I will hear all you can say tomorrow. He
+is gone by this time; God knows whether we shall ever meet again. But,
+at all events, my conduct is determined; I will act in every respect,
+whether he be with me or whether he be absent from me, whether he
+misunderstands me or whether he conceives my motives exactly--I will
+act as I know he would approve if he could see every action and every
+movement of my heart. I will cast behind me all those things which I
+now feel were wrong; though, Heaven knows, I did not see that there
+was the slightest evil in any of them, till love for him has, with the
+quickness of a flash of lightning, opened my eyes in regard to my
+conduct towards others. I will do all, in short, that he ought to love
+me for; and, in doing that, I will in no degree seek him, but leave
+fate and God's will to work out my destiny, trusting that with such
+purposes I shall be less miserable than I have been for the last week.
+And now, Maria," she added, "I have given you the picture of a woman's
+heart. Let us dwell no more upon this theme, for I must wash away
+these tears, these new invaders of eyes that have seldom known them
+before, and go as soon as possible to Monsieur de Rouvre, to inform
+him of a part, at least, of my conversation with the Count."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                             THE RETURN.
+
+
+Sometimes, amidst the storms and tempests of life, when the rain of
+sorrow has been pouring down amain, and the lightning of wrath been
+flashing on our path, the clouds overhead, heavy and loaded with
+mischief to come, and the thunder rolling round and round after the
+flash, there will come a brief calm moment of sweet tranquillity, as
+if wrath and enmity, and strife and care, and misfortune, had cast
+themselves down to rest, exhausted with their fury. Happy is the man
+who in such moments can throw from him remembrance of the past, and
+apprehension of the future, and taste the refreshing power without
+alloy. But seldom can we do so: the passed-by storm is fresh on
+memory, the threatening aspect of the sky is full before our eyes, and
+such was the case with Albert of Morseiul, as on the third day after
+leaving Poitiers he rode on towards his own abode.
+
+The degree of impatient anxiety under which he had laboured had caused
+him to make the two first days' journeys as long as possible, so that
+not above ten or twelve miles, or at most fifteen, lay between him and
+his own chateau, when he set out on that third morning from the inn.
+
+Nothing occurred to disturb his journey; every thing passed in peace
+and tranquillity; known, loved, and respected in that part of the
+country, the people vied with each other as to which should show him
+the most affectionate civility, and no news either from the capital or
+Poitiers had reached him to dissipate the apparent calm around. Every
+thing wore the aspect of peace throughout the country. The peasant's
+wife sunned herself at the door of her cottage, with distaff and
+spindle in hand, plying lightly her daily toil, while her children ran
+or crawled about before her, full of enjoyment themselves, and giving
+enjoyment to her who beheld them. The peasant pursued his labour in
+the fields, and cheered it by a song; and although the Count knew many
+of those whom he saw to be Protestants, there was no appearance of
+anxiety or apprehension amongst them. Every thing was cheerful, and
+contented, and tranquil, and the peace of the scene sank into his
+heart. Angels may be supposed to look upon this earth's pleasures with
+a feeling of melancholy though not sadness, from a knowledge of their
+fragility; and so Albert of Morseiul, though he felt in some degree
+calmed and tranquillised by what he saw, yet could not prevent a
+sensation of deep melancholy from mingling with his other feelings, as
+he thought, "This can but last for a very, very little time."
+
+At length he turned into the very wood where he had encountered the
+robbers, which now bore, of course, a very different aspect in the
+full daylight from that which it had borne in the depth of the night.
+The summer sunshine was now streaming through the green leaves, and
+far away between the wide bolls of the trees, the mossy ground might
+be seen carpeted with velvet softness, and chequered with bright
+catches and streams of light. The road, too, though not in the full
+sunshine, was crossed here and there by long lines of radiance, and
+the sky over head was seen clear and blue, while every projecting
+branch of the tall trees above caught the light, and sparkled with a
+brighter green.
+
+The aspect of this scene was more tranquillising still than the last;
+but it did not chase the Count's deep melancholy; and, finding that he
+was riding very slow, which only afforded time for thought when
+thought was useless, he turned round to see if his attendants were
+near, intending to ride on faster, if they were within sight. The road
+was very nearly straight; and, at the distance of four or five hundred
+yards, passing one of the soft green refreshing shadows cast by the
+wood, he saw the body of servants riding gaily on after him,
+conversing together. Between him and them, however, just issuing from
+one of the green wood paths, which joined the high road, was another
+figure, which immediately called the Count's attention. It was that of
+an old man, plain and simple in his own appearance, but mounted on a
+mule, gaily tricked and caparisoned, as was the universal custom in
+those days, with fringes and knobs of red worsted, and bells of many a
+size and shape about its collar and head-stall. The rider was not one
+of those whom men forget easily; and, though he was at a considerable
+distance as well as the attendants, the Count instantly recognised
+good Claude de l'Estang.
+
+Seeing the Count pause, the old man put his mule into a quicker pace,
+and rode on towards him. When he came near he wished his young friend
+joy of his return, but his own face was any thing but joyful.
+
+"We shall all be indeed glad to see you, my dear Albert," he said,
+"for we have very great need of your return on every account. Besides
+all these grievous and iniquitous proceedings against the Protestants,
+we have in our own bosom men who I hear had the impudence even to
+attack you; but who have since committed various other outrages of a
+marked and peculiar character. One man, I learn, has been shot dead
+upon the spot, another has been wounded severely, a third has been
+robbed and maltreated. But I cannot discover that any one has met with
+harshness, except such as are distinguished for a somewhat inordinate
+zeal in favour of the Catholic faith. Not a Protestant has been
+attacked, which marks the matter more particularly, and the peasantry
+themselves are beginning to notice the fact, so that it will not be
+long before their priests take notice of it, and the eyes of the state
+will be turned angrily upon us."
+
+"I fear indeed that it will be so," replied the Count; "but whether
+the result will or will not be evil, God in his wisdom only knows."
+
+"How is this, my dear Albert?" exclaimed the clergyman. "You sent to
+me to ask that I should draw up a humble petition to the King,
+representing the Protestants as peaceful, humble, obedient subjects,
+and surely we must take every measure that we may not by our own
+actions give the lie to our own words."
+
+"I will certainly, my dear friend," replied the Count, "take every
+measure that it is possible for man to take, to put down this evil
+system of plunder and violence, whether it be carried on by
+Protestants or Catholics. There is a notorious violation of the law,
+and I am determined to put it down if it be possible, without any
+regard whatsoever to distinction between the two religions. The
+petition to the King was necessary when I wrote about it, and is so
+still, for it was then our only hope, and it may now be taken as a
+proof that even to the last moment we were willing to show ourselves
+humble, devoted, and loyal. I expect nothing from it but that result;
+but that result itself is something."
+
+"I fear, my son," said the old man, "that you have heard bad news
+since you wrote to me."
+
+"The worst," replied the Count, with a melancholy shake of the head,
+"the very worst that can be given. They intend, I understand from
+authority that cannot be doubted, to suppress entirely the free
+exercise of our religion in France, and to revoke the edict of our
+good King Henry which secured it to us."
+
+The old man dropped the reins upon his mule's neck, and raised his
+eyes appealingly to heaven. "Terrible, indeed!" he said; "but I can
+scarcely credit it."
+
+"It is but too true--but too certain!" replied the Count; "and yet
+terrible as this is--horrible, infamous, detestable as is the cruelty
+and tyranny of the act itself, the means by which it is to be carried
+into execution are still more cruel, tyrannical, and detestable."
+
+The old man gazed in his face as if he had hardly voice to demand what
+those means were; but after a brief pause the Count went on: "To sum
+up all in one word, they intend to take the Protestant children from
+the Protestant mother, from the father, from the brother, and
+forbidding all intercourse, to place them in the hands of the enemies
+of our faith, to be educated in the superstitions that we abhor."
+
+"God will avert it!" said the old man; "it cannot be that even the
+sins and the follies of him who now sits upon the throne of France
+should deserve the signal punishment of being thus utterly given up
+and abandoned by the spirit of God to the tyrannical and brutal
+foolishness of his own heart. I cannot believe that it will ever be
+executed. I cannot believe that it will ever be attempted. I doubt not
+they will go on as they have begun; that they will send smooth-faced
+priests with cunning devices, as they have done indeed since you went
+hence, to bribe and buy to the domination of Satan the weak and
+wavering of our flocks, and send lists of them to the King, to swell
+his heart with the pride of having made converts. I can easily
+conceive that they will be permitted to take from us places and
+dignities, to drive us by every sort of annoyance, so that the gold
+may be purified from the dross, the corn may be winnowed from the
+chaff. All this they will do, for all this undoubtedly we sinners have
+deserved. But I do not believe that they will be permitted to do more,
+and my trust is not in man but in God. For the sins that we have
+committed, for the weakness we have displayed, for murmurs and
+rebellion against his will, for sinful doubts and apprehensions of his
+mercy, from the earthliness of our thoughts, and the want of purity in
+all our dealings, God may permit us to be smitten severely, terribly;
+but the fiery sword of his vengeance will not go out against his
+people beyond a certain point. He has built his church upon a rock,
+and there shall it stand; nor will I ever believe that the reformed
+church of France shall be extinguished in the land, nor that the
+people who have sought God with sincerity shall be left desolate. We
+will trust in him, my son! We will trust in him!"
+
+"Ay," said the Count; "but my excellent old friend, it now becomes our
+duty to think seriously what, means, under God's will, we may use in
+defence of his church. I myself have thought upon it long and eagerly,
+but I have thought of it in vain, for the subject is so difficult and
+so embarrassed, that without some one to counsel me, some one to aid
+me, I can fix upon no plan that offers even a probability of success.
+I must speak with you before to-morrow be over, long and earnestly. I
+know not why I should not turn to your dwelling with you even now," he
+added; "I know not when I may be taken away from the midst of you, for
+much personal danger threatens myself. But, however, what I have to
+say must be said alone, and in private. The man Riquet is behind, and
+though I believe he is faithful to me, and holds but loosely by his
+Popish creed, I must not trust too far. Let us turn towards your
+dwelling."
+
+"Be it so, be it so," replied the old man; and wending on their way
+through the forest for some distance farther, they took the first road
+that turned to the right, and pursued the forest path that ran along
+through the bottom of the deep valleys, in which some part of the wood
+was scattered.
+
+It had been a bright and a beautiful day, but the air was warm and
+sultry; and the horses of the Count looked more fatigued than might
+have been expected from so short a journey. The old clergyman and his
+young friend spoke but little more as they went along; and it was only
+to comment upon the tired condition of the horses, and the oppressive
+state of the atmosphere that they did so.
+
+"It is as well, my son," said Claude de l'Estang at length, "it is as
+well that you have turned with me, for depend upon it we shall have a
+storm. Do you not see those large harsh masses of cloud rising above
+the trees?"
+
+"I have remarked them some time," replied the Count, "and twice I
+thought I saw a flash."
+
+"Hark!" exclaimed the clergyman, and there was evidently a sound of
+thunder not very distant. "Let us ride a little quicker," the old man
+continued; "we are just coming to the slope of the hill where the wood
+ends, and then we are not far from Auron."
+
+The Count did as the pastor asked him, and the moment after they
+issued out from the wood, upon the shoulder of a gentle eminence, with
+green slopes declining, from either side of the road, into the
+valleys. A tall hill rose gradually to the left, along the side of
+which the highway was cut; and full in their view to the right,--but
+two or three miles on, across the valley, left by the eminence along
+which they rode--appeared the high conical hill of Auron, crowned, as
+we have before described it, with the little village spire.
+
+Though there were some detached masses of cloud sweeping over the sky
+above them, and twisting themselves into harsh curious forms, the sun
+was still shining warm and strong upon the spot where they were, while
+the storm, the voice of which they had heard in the wood, was seen
+treading the valleys and hills beyond towards Auron, wrapped in a
+mantle of dark vapours and shadows. The contrast between the bright
+sunshine and sparkling light around them, with the sweeping thunder
+clouds that were pouring forth their mingled wrath upon the beautiful
+country beyond, was very fine, and the Count drew in his horse for a
+moment to gaze upon it more at ease.
+
+"You see, though they have been busy in seducing my flock, over
+there," said the pastor, fixing his eyes with a look of affection upon
+Auron, "you see they have still left me my spire to the church. I
+fear, not from any good will to me or mine," he added, "but because
+they say it acts as a sort of landmark at sea."
+
+The Count made no reply, for he thought that the time was not far
+distant when that peaceful village would be the scene of persecution,
+if not of desolation, and the building where a quiet and industrious
+population had worshipped God for ages, according to the dictates of
+their own consciences, would be taken from them. His only answer then
+was a melancholy smile, as he rode slowly on again, still gazing on
+the village and the storm, the flashes of the lightning blazing across
+the path from time to time, as if the cloud from which they issued had
+been close above the travellers. Scarcely, however, had the Count and
+his companion gone a hundred yards along the side of the hill, when a
+bright fitful line of intense light darted across the curtain of the
+dark cloud before their eyes, aimed like a fiery javelin cast by the
+unerring hand of the destroying angel at the pointed spire of the
+village church. The shape of the spire was instantly changed; a part
+evidently fell in ruins; and, the next moment, the whole of that which
+stood, blazed forth in flames, like a fiery beacon raised on the
+highest hill of an invaded land to tell that strife and bloodshed have
+begun.
+
+"It is accomplished!" cried the pastor, as he gazed upon the
+destruction of the spire. "It is accomplished! Oh, Albert, how natural
+is weakness and superstition to the human heart! Can we see the fall
+of that building in which for many a long year our pure faith has
+offered up its prayers, unmingled with the vanities of a false creed,
+and not feel as if the will of God were against us--as if that were a
+sign unto us that his favour had past from us, at least in this
+land--as if it were a warning for us to gird ourselves, and, shaking
+off the dust of our feet, to seek another place of abiding?"
+
+He paused not while he spoke, however, but rode on quickly, in order
+to aid and direct in saving any part of the building that yet
+remained; but as they went he still continued to pour forth many a
+sorrowful ejaculation, mingling, with personal grief for the
+destruction of an object which had for long years been familiar with
+his eye, and associated with every feeling of home, and peace, and of
+happy dwelling amongst his own people, and of high duties well
+performed, vague feelings of awe, and perhaps of superstition, as he
+read in that sight a warning, and a sign, and a shadowing forth of the
+Almighty will, that the church whereof he was a member was destined to
+destruction also.
+
+Before the party reached the village, the spire had been completely
+consumed; but the peasantry had fortunately succeeded in preventing
+the fire from reaching the body of the building, and the rain was now
+pouring down in torrents, as the tears of an angel of wrath over the
+accomplishment of his painful mission; so that all that remained was
+to ascertain what damage had been done. Both the clergyman and the
+Count remarked several strangers standing round the church offering no
+assistance to any one, and only communing together occasionally in a
+low voice on the proceedings of the Protestant population. Albert of
+Morseiul gazed upon them with some surprise, and at length said, "I
+think, gentlemen, you might have given some little aid and assistance
+in this matter."
+
+"What!" cried one of the men, "aid in upholding a temple of heretics!
+What, keep from the destruction with which God has marked it, a
+building which man should long ago have pulled down!"
+
+"I did not know you, gentlemen," replied the Count. "There are some
+circumstances in which people may be expected to remember that they
+are fellow-men and fellow-Christians, before they think of sects or
+denominations."
+
+Thus saying, he turned and left them, accompanying Claude de l'Estang
+to his dwelling.
+
+"Never mind them, Albert, never mind them," said the pastor as they
+walked along. "These are the men who are engaged daily in seducing my
+flock. I have seen them more than once as I have been going hither and
+thither amongst the people; but I have heeded them not, nor ever
+spoken to them. Those who can sell themselves for gold--and gold is
+the means of persuasion that they are now adopting--are not steadfast
+or faithful in any religion, and are more likely to corrupt others,
+and to lead to great defection by falling away in a moment of need,
+than to serve or prop the cause to which they pretend to be attached.
+I trust that God's grace will reach them in time; but in a moment of
+increasing danger like this, I would rather that they showed
+themselves at once. I would rather, if they are to sell themselves
+either for safety or for gold, that they should sell themselves at
+once, and let us know them before the fiery ordeal comes. I would
+rather have to say, they went forth from us, because they were not of
+us, than think them children of light, and find them children of
+darkness."
+
+"I fear," said the Count in a low voice, "I fear that they are waging
+the war against us, my good friend, in a manner which will deprive us
+of all unanimity. It is no longer what it was in former times, when
+the persecuting sword was all we had to fear and to resist. We have
+now the artful tongues of oily and deceitful disputants. We have all
+the hellish cunning of a sect which allows every means to be
+admissible, every falsehood, every misstatement, every perversion,
+every deceit, to be just, and right, and righteous, so that the object
+to be obtained is the promotion of their own creed. Thus the great
+mass of the weak or the ill-informed may be affected by their
+teachers; while at the same time gold is held out to allure the
+covetous--the deprivation of rank, station, office, and emolument,
+is employed to drive the ambitious, the slothful, and the
+indifferent--and threats of greater severity of persecution, mental
+torture, insult, indignity, and even death itself, are held over the
+heads of the coward and the fearful."
+
+They thus conversed as they went along, and the opinion of each but
+served to depress the hopes of the other more and more. Both were well
+acquainted with the spirit of doubt and disunion that reigned amongst
+the Protestants of France, a spirit of disunion which had been
+planted, fostered, and encouraged by every art that a body of cunning
+and unscrupulous men could employ to weaken the power of their
+adversaries. On arriving at the house of Claude de l'Estang, the
+pastor put into the hands of his young friend the petition to the King
+which he had drawn up, and which perfectly meeting his views, was
+immediately sent off for general signature, in order to be transmitted
+to Paris, and presented to the monarch. Long before it reached him,
+however, the final and decisive blow had been struck, and, therefore,
+we shall notice that paper no more.
+
+A long conversation ensued between the pastor and his young friend;
+and it was evident to the Count de Morseiul, that the opinions of
+Claude de l'Estang himself, stern and fervent as they had been in
+youth, now rendered milder by age, and perhaps by sorrow, tended
+directly to general and unquestioning submission, rather than to
+resistance: not indeed to the abandonment of any religious principle,
+not to the slightest sacrifice of faith, not to the slightest
+conformity of what he deemed a false religion. No; he proposed and he
+advised to suffer in patience for the creed that he held; to see even
+the temples of the reformed church destroyed, if such an extreme
+should be adopted; to see persons of the purer faith excluded from
+offices and dignity, and rank and emoluments; even to suffer, should
+it be necessary, plunder, oppression, and imprisonment itself, without
+yielding one religious doctrine; but at the same time without offering
+any resistance to the royal authority.
+
+"But should they go still farther," said the Count, "should they
+attempt to interdict altogether the exercise of our religion; should
+they take the child from the mother, the sister from the care of the
+brother; should they force upon us Roman rites, and demand from us
+confessions of papistical belief, what are we to do then, my good old
+friend?"
+
+"Our religious duties," replied the pastor, "we must not forbear to
+exercise, even if the sword hung over us that was to slay us at the
+first word. As for the rest, I trust and believe that it will not come
+to pass; but if it should, there will be no choice left us but
+resistance or flight. Ask me not, Albert, to decide now upon which of
+the two we should choose. It must ever be a dark, a painful, and a
+terrible decision when the time comes that it is necessary to make it;
+and perhaps the decision itself may be affected far more by the acts
+of others than by our own. We must determine according to
+circumstances; but, in the mean time, let us as far as possible be
+prepared for either of the two painful alternatives. We must make
+great sacrifices, Albert, and I know that you are one of those who
+would ever be ready to make such for your fellow Christians. If we are
+driven to flee from the land of our birth, and to seek a home in other
+countries; if by the waters of Babylon we must sit down and weep,
+thinking of the Jerusalem that we shall never behold again, there will
+be many, very many of our brethren compelled to fly with but little
+means of support, and perhaps it may be long before in other lands
+they obtain such employment as will enable them to maintain themselves
+by the work of their own hands. Those who are richer must minister
+unto them, Albert. Luckily I myself can do something in that sort, for
+long ago, when there was no thought of this persecution, I sold what
+little land I had, intending to spend the amount in relieving any
+distress that I might see amongst my people, and to trust to the altar
+that I served for support in my old age. But little of this sum has
+been as yet expended, and if I did but know any hands in which I could
+trust it in a foreign land, either in England or in Holland, I would
+transmit it thither instantly. You too, Albert, if I have heard right,
+derived considerable wealth in money from some distant relation
+lately. For your own sake as well as others, it were better to place
+that in safety in foreign lands, for I find that it would be dangerous
+now to attempt to sell any landed possessions, and if you were forced
+to leave this country you might find yourself suddenly reduced to want
+in the midst of strangers."
+
+"I have not only thought of this before," replied the Count, "but I
+have already taken measures for transmitting that sum to Holland. As
+soon as I heard of the unjust prohibitions regarding the sale of lands
+by Protestants, I wrote to Holland to a banker whom I knew there in
+days of old, an honest man and a sincere friend, though somewhat too
+fond of gain. The sum I can thus transmit is far more than enough to
+give me competence for life, and if you please I can transmit thither
+the little store you speak of also."
+
+"Willingly, willingly," replied the pastor; "it may be a benefit to
+others if not to me.--Albert," he added, "I shall never quit this
+land! I feel it, I know it! My ministry must be accomplished here till
+the last: and whether I shall be taken from you by some of the
+ordinary events of nature, or whether God wills it that I should seal
+with my blood the defence of my faith and my testimony against the
+church of Rome, I know not; but I am sure, I feel sure, that I shall
+never quit the land in which I was born."
+
+Albert of Morseiul did not attempt to argue with Claude de l'Estang
+upon this prejudice, for he knew it was one of those which, like some
+trees and shrubs, root themselves but the more firmly from being
+shaken, and from an ineffectual endeavour being made to pluck them
+out.
+
+For nearly two hours the young Count remained at the house of the
+clergyman discussing all the various topics connected with their
+situation, while his servants were scattered about in different
+dwellings of the village. At the end of that time, however, Master
+Jerome Riquet made his appearance at the pastor's house, to inform his
+lord (from a participation in whose actions he judged he had been too
+long excluded) that the storm had passed away; and, ordering his
+horses to be brought up, after a few more words with Claude de
+l'Estang, the Count mounted and pursued his way homeward to the
+chateau of Morseiul.
+
+Throwing his rein to the groom, the young nobleman walked on through
+the vestibule, and entered the great hall. It was calm and solitary,
+with the bright evening sunshine streaming through the tall windows
+and chequering the stone floor. Nothing was moving but a multitude of
+bright motes dancing in the sunbeam, and one of the banners of the
+house of Morseiul shaken by the wind as the door opened and closed on
+the Count's entrance. The whole aspect of the place told that it had
+not been tenanted for some time. Every thing was beautifully clean
+indeed, but the tall-backed chairs ranged straight along the walls,
+the table standing exactly in the midst, the unsullied whiteness of
+the stone floor, not even marked with the print of a dog's foot, all
+spoke plainly that it had been long untenanted. The Count gazed round
+it in silent melancholy, marked the waving banner and the dancing
+motes, and, if we may use the term, the solemn cheerfulness of that
+wide hall; and then said to himself, ere he turned again to leave it,
+
+"Such will it be, and so the sun will shine, when I am gone afar--or
+in the grave."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER III.
+
+                          NEW ACQUAINTANCES.
+
+
+We will now lead the reader into another and very different scene from
+any of those into which we have as yet conducted him. It is a small
+but cheerful sitting-room, or parlour, in the house of a comfortable
+citizen of the town of Morseiul. There was every thing that could be
+required for comfort, and a little for show. The corner cupboard which
+protruded its round stomach into the room, like that of some fat
+alderman of the olden time, was ornamented with a variety of little
+gewgaws, and nick-nacks of silver, displayed in quaint array upon the
+shelves; and, besides several brass lamps and sconces wonderfully well
+polished, which were never lighted, were a number of articles of
+porcelain, of a kind which was then somewhat rare, and is now nearly
+invaluable. The two windows of this little parlour looked out upon the
+great square or market place, towards the southern corner of which it
+was situated, and commanded a view of a large blacksmith's forge on
+the opposite side, close by the gate leading down to what was called
+the Count's road. There was a door out of this parlour, a black oaken
+door, with panels richly carved and ornamented, which appeared to lead
+into a room at the back, and another similar door at the side, opening
+into the passage which went straight through the house from the square
+into the garden behind.
+
+At the table in the midst of this room--which table, at the moment we
+speak of, that is, half past eight o'clock in the morning, was
+decorated with a large pewter dish, containing a savoury ragout of
+veal, flanked by two bottles of cider and four drinking cups--sat the
+burly person of good Paul Virlay, the rich blacksmith, who, being well
+to do in the world, and enabled by competence to take his ease, had
+not yet gone out to superintend the work which his men were carrying
+on at the forge opposite.
+
+Another effect of his easy situation in life was, that he had time to
+perform those necessary ablutions too much required by the faces and
+hands of all blacksmiths, but which, alas! all blacksmiths are but too
+apt to neglect. It is true that, had he washed his face and hands for
+ever, or, after the prescribed rule of the Arabian Nights, had scoured
+them "forty times with alkali, and forty times with the ashes of the
+same plant," his face and hands would still have retained a certain
+glowing coppery brown hue, which they had acquired by the action of
+sun, and air, and fire, and hard work, and which they likewise
+possessed, it must be confessed, in some degree from nature. At the
+table with Paul Virlay were three other personages. The first was his
+daughter, a sweet little girl of thirteen or fourteen years of age,
+and the second his wife, a goodly dame, perhaps two years or three
+years older than himself, and who, being terribly marked with the
+smallpox, had never possessed any beauty. Thus, at his marriage,
+Virlay, who had been in much request amongst the young ladies of
+Morseiul, declared that he had taken the good working horse instead of
+the jennet. She had always been extremely careful, laborious, active,
+and economical; somewhat given to smartness of apparel, indeed, but by
+no means to extravagance, and though decorating herself with black
+velvet riband, and large ornaments of gold, yet careful that the
+riband was not worn out too soon, and the gold ornaments neither
+bruised nor broken.
+
+On her right hand, between herself and her husband, sat the fourth
+person of the party, who was no other than the lady's brother, a
+stout, broad-made, determined-looking man, who had served long in the
+army under the Count; and had risen as high, by his daring courage and
+somewhat rash gallantry, as any person not of noble blood could rise,
+except under very extraordinary circumstances. He had accumulated, it
+was said, a considerable sum of money--perhaps not by the most
+justifiable of all dealings with the inhabitants of conquered
+districts--so that Armand Herval was an object of not a little
+attention, and what we may call cupidity, to the unmarried young
+ladies of Morseiul. That town was not, indeed, his regular dwelling
+place, for his abode was at a small town nearer to the sea coast, some
+five or six miles off; but he frequently came to visit his sister and
+brother-in-law, over both of whom he exercised very considerable
+influence, although, as frequently is the case, the latter was
+naturally a man of much stronger natural sense than himself. It is in
+almost all instances, indeed, energy that gives power; and with
+persons not well educated, or not very highly endowed by nature, that
+energy loses none of its effect from approaching somewhat towards
+rashness. Such then was the case with Paul Virlay and his
+brother-in-law. When unmoved by any strong passions, however, Armand
+Herval was quite the man to lead and to seduce. He was gay, blithe,
+cheerful, full of frolic, fearless of consequences, specious in
+reasoning, possessing much jest and repartee, overflowing with tales,
+or anecdotes, of what he had seen, or heard, or done in the wars; and
+it was only when crossed, or opposed, or excited by wine or anger,
+that the darker and more fiery spirit of the somewhat ruthless trooper
+would break forth and overawe those that surrounded him.
+
+On the present morning there was a strange mixture in his demeanour of
+a sad and serious thoughtfulness, with gaiety and even merriment. He
+laughed and jested with his niece, he took a pleasure in teasing his
+sister, but he spoke, once or twice, in a low and bitter tone to Paul
+Virlay upon various matters which were taking place in the
+neighbourhood, and did not even altogether spare the Count de Morseiul
+himself. At that, however, Virlay bristled up; and his brother-in-law,
+who had done it more from a spirit of teasing than aught else, only
+laughed at his anger, and turned the discourse to something else. He
+eat and drank abundantly of the breakfast set before him; laughed at
+the cleanness of Virlay's face and hands, and the smartness of his
+brown jerkin, and insisted that his little niece should run to the
+window to see whether the men were working properly, saying that her
+father was no longer fit for his trade.
+
+The girl did as she was bid, and replied immediately, "I do not see
+the men at all, but I see the young Count just turning the corner."
+
+"That is early," cried Virlay, laying down his fork. "Is he on
+horseback?"
+
+"No, he is on foot," replied the girl, "and nobody with him."--"He is
+coming over here, I declare he is coming over here," cried the girl,
+clapping her hands.
+
+"Nonsense," cried Virlay, starting up, as well as his wife and
+brother-in-law.
+
+"Not nonsense at all, Paul," cried Herval. "He is making straight for
+the house, so I shall be off as fast as I can by the back door. I am
+not fond of making low bows, and standing with my hat in my hand, when
+I can help it."
+
+"Stay, stay," cried Virlay; "do not go yet, Armand, I have much to
+talk with you about."
+
+But his brother-in-law shook his head, and darted through the oak door
+we have mentioned, into the room beyond. Madame Virlay bestirred
+herself to give order and dignity to the breakfast table; but before
+she could accomplish that purpose the Count was in the open passage,
+and knocking at the door of the room for admission.
+
+Virlay opened it immediately, and the young nobleman entered with that
+frank and graceful bearing which was part, indeed, of his inheritance,
+but which secured to him that hereditary love for his race which the
+virtues and kindness of his forefathers had established amongst the
+people.
+
+"Good morrow, Virlay," he said. "Good morrow, Madame Virlay! Oh, my
+pretty Margette, why you have grown so great a girl that I must call
+you so no longer, lest the people say that I am making love to
+you.--Virlay," he added, in a graver tone, "I would fain speak a word
+or two with you on business. I would not send for you to the chateau
+for various reasons, but cannot we go into the next room for a moment
+or two?"
+
+Virlay made a sign to his wife and daughter to retire, and placed a
+seat for the Count. "No, my lord," he said, "you shall not give
+yourself that trouble. Shot the door, wife, and remember, no
+eves-dropping!"
+
+"Bless thee, Paul," exclaimed his wife, bridling with a little
+indignation; "do you think I would listen to what my Lord Count says
+to you? I know better, I trust," and she shut the door.
+
+Perhaps neither the Count, however, nor Virlay were quite certain of
+the lady's discretion under such circumstances, and they, therefore,
+both remained near the window, and conversed in low tones.
+
+"I come to speak to you, Virlay," said the Count, in somewhat of a
+grave tone, "both as an influential man and as a sensible man--though
+he may have his little faults," he added, fixing his eyes somewhat
+meaningly upon the blacksmith's face, "and who may suffer himself to
+be a little too much led by others; but who, nevertheless, has the
+best intentions, I know, and who will always, sooner or later,
+remember that one must not do wrong that right may come of it."
+
+The blacksmith replied nothing, but kept his eyes fixed upon the
+ground, though the red became somewhat deeper in his brown cheek, and
+an expression of consciousness was to be seen in every feature of his
+countenance.
+
+"What I want to speak with you about is this," continued the Count:
+"since I have been away, during this last campaign, there has sprung
+up, it seems, a dangerous band in this part of the province;
+consisting of men who are carrying on a system of violence,
+depredation, and intimidation, which must be put a stop to. What I
+want to consult with you in regard to, is the best means of putting
+down this band, for put down I am determined it shall be, and that
+right speedily."
+
+"You will not be able to put them down, my lord!" replied the
+blacksmith. "If mere simple plunder were the object of these persons,
+the thing would be easily done. You would have the whole people to aid
+you, and nothing would be more easy. But, my lord, such is not the
+case. The men may plunder--I do not say that it is not so--but they
+only plunder their enemies. It has always been so in this part of the
+country, as the good Count, your father, well knew, and always will be
+so to the end of the world. People have given these bands different
+names, at different times, and from different circumstances. Once they
+were called _les Faucons_, because, at that time, the minister was
+sending down men into the country, taxing the salt and the fish, and
+when any of them came, one of these bands stooped upon him, like a
+falcon, carried him off, and he was never heard of more. At another
+time they were called _les Eperviers_, the hawks, because they hovered
+over all the country and caught what they could. That was the time
+when the King sent down so many soldiers, that they could not carry
+off the collectors without hovering round them for a long time. Now
+they call them _les Chauve-souris_, or the bats, because they fly
+about just at the setting-in of night, and woe be to the persecuting
+Papist that falls in their way. To-morrow, if obliged to do the work
+later at night, they may be called _les Hiboux_, or the owls; and the
+time may come, perhaps, when they will be called _les Loups_ or _les
+Chouettes_, the wolves or the screech-owls: but they will do no harm
+to any one but their enemies. An honest man, who seeks to harm nobody,
+may go from one end of the province to another,--ay, and through all
+Brittany, too, as well as Poitou, without meeting with the least
+annoyance. But if it be different, if he be an oppressor of the
+people, a seller of men's souls, let him see that he travels by
+daylight only, and even then he wo'n't be very safe."
+
+"I do not know," said the Count, "that I am either an oppressor of the
+people, or a buyer and seller of men's souls; and yet, my good friend
+Virlay, these Chauve-souris, as you call them, fastened their claws
+upon me, and put me to no slight inconvenience and discomfort. They
+might have shot me, too, for they fired right at my horse. You may
+have heard of all this before, I dare say," he added, with a smile.
+
+The blacksmith did not reply for a moment; but then he said, "I dare
+say, my lord, it was some mistake. I doubt not that they did not know
+you; or that some foolish fellow, as will happen sometimes, went
+beyond his orders."
+
+"But then again," said the Count, "they both attacked and plundered
+two ladies, defenceless women, who could have given them no offence."
+
+"Some hangers-on of a governor that was sent down to oppress the
+province," replied the blacksmith. "These bands, my lord, know all
+that's passing through the country better than you do yourself."
+
+"But in this instance," said the Count, "they certainly knew not what
+they were about, for instead of a governor sent down to oppress the
+province, Monsieur de Rouvre is the very man to stand between the
+province and oppression, and, from all I hear, is likely to give up
+the post and the court, and retire to Ruffigny, if the measures of the
+council are what he judges unfair towards us."
+
+"If he do that," said the blacksmith, "he will have a better body
+guard at Ruffigny than ever he had at Poitiers. But what is it you
+want me to do, Monsieur le Comte? I have no power to put down these
+bands. I have no sway with them or against them."
+
+"What I want you to do," replied the Count, "is to use your whole
+power and influence in every way, to put a stop to a system which
+cannot be suffered to go on. Sorry should I be to draw the sword
+against these mistaken people, but I must have them no more on the
+lands and lordships of Morseiul, where they have quartered themselves
+I find during my absence. I must have my forests free of such deer,
+and you know, Virlay, when I say a thing I will keep my word. I have
+been in their hands, and they were civil to me, respected my person,
+did something towards obeying my directions; and, although I know two
+of them, however well concealed they might be," he added, laying
+strong emphasis on the words, "I will in no degree betray the
+knowledge I acquired. I only wish to make it fully understood, that I
+wish this band to be dispersed. I am well aware of the evil custom
+that you allude to, and how deeply it has rooted itself in the habits
+of the people; but I tell you, Virlay, that this is likely to produce
+more evil to the cause of the reformed church than any thing that
+could be devised. At all events, it is contrary altogether to the laws
+of the land, and to civil order, and whatever be the pretext, I will
+not tolerate it on my lands. I wish the bands to be dispersed, the
+night meetings to be abandoned, the men to pursue their lawful
+employments, and in other hours to take their necessary rest. But, at
+all events, as I have said before, within my jurisdiction they shall
+not remain. If they go to the lands of other lords, I cannot of course
+help it; but I trust that those other lords will have spirit and
+decision enough to drive them off their territories. Let us say no
+more about it, Virlay. You understand me distinctly, and know my whole
+meaning; and now, let me know when, and how, I may best obtain a
+meeting with a person called Brown Keroual, for I must make him hear
+reason also."
+
+The blacksmith paused for two or three minutes before he answered.
+"Why, my lord," he said at length, "I ought not to tell you any thing
+about him, perhaps, by that name. On all accounts, perhaps I ought
+not; but yet I know I can trust you; and I am sure you will take no
+advantage. So I'll only ask you one thing, not to go down to where he
+is, with too many people about you, for fear of bad consequences if
+there should be any of his folks about."
+
+"I shall go down," said the Count, "towards the place where I hear he
+is generally to be met with, with only two servants; and when I come
+near enough, I shall give the horse to the servants, and walk forward
+on foot."
+
+"You will be as safe as in your own chateau, then," said the
+blacksmith; "but you must not go for a couple of days, as where he
+will be tomorrow, and next day, I cannot tell. But if, on the day
+after, you will be just at the hour when the but begins to flit, at a
+little turn of the river about six miles down.--You know the high rock
+just between the river and the forest, with the tall tree upon it,
+which they call the _chene vert_."
+
+"I know it well. I know it well," said the Count. "But on which side
+of the rock do you mean? the tall face flanks the river, the back
+slopes away towards the wood."
+
+"At the back, at the back," replied the blacksmith. "Amongst the old
+hawthorns that lie scattered down the slope. You will find him there
+at the hour I mention."
+
+"I will be there," said the Count in reply, "and I will allow the
+intervening time for the band to quit the woods of Morseiul. But if it
+have not done so by the morning after, there will be a difference
+between us, which I should be sorry for."
+
+Thus saying, the Count left the worthy townsman, and took his way back
+to the chateau.
+
+In the two days that intervened, nothing occurred to vary the course
+of his existence. He entertained some expectation of receiving letters
+from Poitiers, but none arrived. He heard nothing from the governor,
+from the Chevalier d'Evran, or from Clemence de Marly; and from Paris,
+also, the ordinary courier brought no tidings for the young Count. A
+lull had come over the tempestuous season of his days, and we shall
+now follow him on his expedition to the _chent vert_, under which, be
+it said, we have ourselves sat many an hour thinking over and
+commenting upon the deeds we now record.
+
+The Count, as he had said, took but two servants with him, and rode
+slowly on through, the evening air, with his mind somewhat relieved by
+the absence of any fresh excitement, and by the calm refreshing
+commune of his spirit with itself. On the preceding day there had been
+another thunder storm; but the two which had occurred had served to
+clear and somewhat cool the atmosphere, though the breath of the air
+was still full of summer.
+
+When at the distance of about a mile and a half from the spot which
+the blacksmith had indicated, the Count gave his horse to his
+servants, and bade them wait there for his return. He wandered on
+slowly, slackening his pace as much to enjoy the beauty and brightness
+of the scene around, as to let the appointed time arrive for his
+meeting with the leader of the band we have mentioned. When he had
+gone on about a hundred yards, however, he heard in the distance the
+wild but characteristic notes of a little instrument, at that time,
+and even in the present day, delighted in throughout Poitou, and known
+there by the pleasant and harmonious name of the musette. Sooth to
+say, it differs but little, though it does in a degree, from the
+ordinary bagpipe; and yet there is not a peasant in Poitou, and
+scarcely a noble of the province either, who will not tell you that it
+is the sweetest and most harmonious instrument in the world. It
+requires, however, to be heard in a peculiar manner, and at peculiar
+seasons: either, as very often happens in the small towns of that
+district, in the dead of the night, when it breaks upon the ear as the
+player walks along the street beneath your window, with a solemn and
+plaintive melody, that seems scarcely of the earth; or else in the
+morning and evening tide, heard at some little distance amongst the
+hills and valleys of that sunny land, when it sounds like the spirit
+of the winds, singing a wild ditty to the loveliness of the scene.
+
+The Count de Morseiul had quite sufficient national, or perhaps we
+should say provincial, feeling to love the sound of the musette; and
+he paused to listen, as, with a peculiar beauty and delicacy of touch,
+the player poured on the sounds from the very direction in which he
+was proceeding. He did not hasten his pace, however, enjoying it as he
+went; and still the nearer and nearer he came to the _chent vert_, the
+closer he seemed to approach to the spot whence the sounds issued. It
+is true the player could not see him, as he came in an oblique line
+from the side of the water, to which at various places the wood
+approached very near. But the moment that the Count turned the angle
+of the rock which we have mentioned, and on the top of which stood the
+large evergreen oak, from which it took its name, he beheld a group
+which might well have furnished a picture for a Phyllis and a Corydon
+to any pastoral poet that ever penned an idyl or an eclogue.
+
+Seated on a little grassy knoll, under one of the green hawthorns, was
+a girl apparently above the common class, with a veil, which she
+seemed to have lately worn over her head, cast down beside her, and
+with her dark hair falling partly upon her face as it bent over that
+of a man, seated, or rather stretched, at her feet, who, supporting
+himself on one elbow, was producing from the favourite instrument of
+the country the sounds which the Count had heard.
+
+Lying before them, and turning its sagacious eyes from the face of the
+one to the face of the other, was a large rough dog, and the girl's
+hand, which was fair and small, was engaged in gently caressing the
+animal's head as the Count came up. So occupied were they with each
+other, and so full were the tones of the music, that it was the dog
+who first perceived the approach of a stranger, and bounded barking
+forward towards the Count, as if the young nobleman were undoubtedly
+an intruder. The girl and her lover--for who could doubt that he was
+such?--both rose at the same time, and she, casting her veil over her
+head, darted away with all speed towards the wood, while her companion
+called after her, "Not far, not far."
+
+The Count then perceived, somewhat to his surprise, that the veil she
+wore was that of a novice in a convent. Notwithstanding the barking of
+the dog, and the somewhat fierce and uncertain aspect of his master,
+the Count advanced with the same slow, steady pace, and in a minute or
+two after was standing within five steps of Armand Herval. That good
+personage had remained fixed to his place, and for sometime had not
+recognised the young Count; but the moment he did so, a change came
+over his countenance, and he saluted him with an air of military
+respect.
+
+"Good day, Armand," said the Count, "I am afraid I have disturbed your
+young friend; but pray go after her, and tell her that I am neither
+spy nor enemy, so she need not be alarmed. Come back and speak to me,
+however, for I want a few minutes' conversation with you.--Have you
+seen your brother-in-law Virlay, lately?"
+
+"Not for several days," replied Armand; "but I will go after her, my
+Lord, and see her safe, and come back to you in a minute."
+
+"Do so," replied the Count, "and I will wait for you here. Will you
+not stay with me, good dog?" he added, patting the dog's head and
+casting himself down upon the ground; but the dog followed his master,
+and the Count remained alone, thinking over the little picture which
+had been so unexpectedly presented to his eyes.
+
+"This lets me into much of the history," he thought. "Here is a motive
+and an object both for accumulating wealth and intimidating the
+Papists! But how can he contrive to get the girl out of a convent to
+sit with him here, listening to him playing the musette, while it is
+yet the open day? It is true, we are at a great distance from any town
+or village. The only religious house near, either, is that upon the
+hill two miles farther down. Though I cannot prevent this business, I
+must give him some caution;" and then he set himself to think over the
+whole affair again, and to endeavour to account for an event which was
+less likely perhaps to take place in that province, in the midst of a
+Protestant population, than in any other part of France.
+
+Some time passed ere Armand Herval returned, and by this time the
+twilight was growing thick and grey.
+
+"It is later than I thought, Herval," said the young Count, rising
+from the ground, on which he had been stretched, as the other came up;
+"I shall hardly have time to say all I had to say, even if the person
+were here that I came to converse with."
+
+"Then you did not come to see me, my Lord?" demanded Herval, in a tone
+perhaps expressive of a little mortification.
+
+"No, Herval," replied the Count with a slight smile, "I came to see a
+person called Brown Keroual: but," he added, after a moment's pause,
+"if you are likely to stay here, I will leave the message with you."
+
+The Count stopped as if for a reply, and his companion answered,
+"Speak, speak, my Lord Count! Your message shall not fail to reach
+him."
+
+"Well then, Armand," replied the nobleman, "tell Keroual this for me:
+first, that I know him--that I recognised him the moment he spoke when
+last we met; but that having some regard for him, I do not intend to
+take any advantage whatever of that knowledge to his prejudice,
+although he be engaged in wrong and unlawful deeds. However, I came
+here to meet him, in order to reason with him on his conduct, for he
+is a good and a gallant soldier, and would now have been an
+officer--for I recommended him for advancement--had it not been for
+that plundering of the priory of St. Amand, which was thrown in my
+teeth by Monsieur de Louvois whenever I mentioned his name."
+
+"If Louvois had been in it," replied his companion, "it would not have
+escaped half as well as it did; for I think, according to the very
+doctrines of their popish church, the good act of burning one Louvois
+would be quite enough to obtain pardon for the sin of burning a whole
+score of monks along with him. But what were you going to say farther,
+sir?"
+
+"Why, to Brown Keroual," continued the Count, "I was going to say,
+that he is engaged in a matter contrary to all law and order, heading
+a band of robbers which must be----"
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir," interrupted Herval somewhat impatiently,
+"not robbers! If you please, a band of _chauve-souris_. They rob no
+man: they only plunder the enemy; and let me tell you, my Lord Count,
+that there is many a man more or less joined with that band, who would
+just as soon think of robbing another as you would.--Has any thing
+been asked for the ring, though it was the ring of a Papist? Was not
+the money that was taken from you restored?"
+
+"It was," replied the Count; "but we must not be too nice about our
+terms, Herval. I do not know any law, human or divine, that allows a
+man to pick and choose at his own will and pleasure whom he will rob,
+and whom he will murder."
+
+"Ay, my noble Lord," answered the man, getting warm; "but there is a
+law of nature, which, after all, is a law of God, and which not only
+justifies but requires us to destroy him who would destroy us; and,
+whether it be straightforwardly that he is seeking our destruction, or
+by cunning and crooked paths, it matters not, we have a right to
+prevent him by every means in our power, and if we catch hold of him,
+to knock him on the head like a viper or any other noxious vermin."
+
+"In all cases but direct attack," answered the Count, "civil society
+gives our defence into the hands of the law."
+
+"But when the law and its ministers are leagued with the destroyers,
+with the real plunderers, with the real disturbers of the public
+peace," exclaimed the man vehemently, "we must make a new law for
+ourselves, and be its officers also."
+
+The Count did not interrupt him, as he was very well pleased to be
+made acquainted clearly with all the views and opinions of that body
+of men whom Armand Herval might be supposed to represent; and the
+soldier went on with great volubility, and some eloquence, to defend
+the right of resistance with all the well-known arguments upon the
+subject, which have been repeated and combated a thousand times; but
+he came not a bit nearer than any who had gone before him to the real
+question at issue, namely, where the duty of submission ceased and the
+right of resistance began. We must remember that not only the higher
+orders, but also the lower classes of French Protestants were at that
+time much more generally enlightened and accustomed to the use of
+their own reason, than the Catholics, and the natural consequence of
+any attempt to oppress them, was to render such arguments as those
+used by Herval, very common amongst them. Neither was the Count de
+Morseiul prepared to oppose the general scope of the man's reasoning,
+though he was determined to resist the practical misapplication of it,
+which was then actively going on in the province.
+
+"I will not argue with you, Herval," he said, "nor will I attempt to
+persuade you that what the council is doing now, and may do against us
+poor Protestants, is right, feeling it as I do to be wrong. But,
+nevertheless, I think--nay, I am sure--that such proceedings, as those
+of the band we speak of, are perfectly incompatible with our duty to
+the King and our fellow-subjects, and likely to produce infinitely
+greater evil to the reformed religion than good. The existence of such
+bands will give an excuse for sending a large military force into the
+province, for persecuting the Protestants still farther, and for
+taking such precautions that even, if a crisis were to come, in which
+the resistance to oppression which you speak of were necessary, it
+would be rendered hopeless by the prepared state of the enemy. In the
+mean time it is wrong, because, at the best, it is carrying on what
+you call hostilities without a declaration of war; it is dangerous to
+the peaceful even of our own friends, as has been shown in my case,
+and in that of two ladies of the governor's family, who is most warmly
+interested in our behalf; and it is degrading a powerful and just
+cause in the eyes of all men, by giving its supporters the air of
+night plunderers."
+
+"As for a declaration of war," replied Herval, "they have made that
+themselves by their own acts, and as to the rest of what you say, sir,
+there are objections certainly. Did I but see our noblemen like
+yourself, and our ministers preparing a good resistance to tyranny and
+injustice, I would be as quiet as a lamb. But I see nothing of the
+kind; you are all sitting still in your houses, and waiting till they
+come to cut your throats. So as there must and shall be resistance of
+some kind, and it must begin by the lower instead of the higher, we
+must even take the lesser of two evils, and go on as we have done."
+
+Armand Herval spoke, as was common with him when at all heated, with
+very little reverence or respect in his tone; but Albert of Morseiul
+was not of a character to suffer himself to be irritated in the
+slightest degree by any want of formal respect. No man knew better how
+to preserve his own dignity without making any exaction, and he
+accordingly replied, with perfect calmness,--
+
+"I should be sorry, Armand, that our good friend Brown Keroual should
+persist in conduct which may make a division amongst different classes
+of the Protestants, at the very moment that we require union for our
+common safety. You will therefore let him know at once, that I am
+determined, upon my own lands, to put an end to this system; that my
+forest and my moors shall no longer hold these _chauve-souris_. The
+day after to-morrow I shall begin my operations, and as I know the
+country as well as any man in it, shall have no difficulty in putting
+my plans in execution. Keroual knows me for a man of my word, and I
+must not have one single man disguised and in arms any where within my
+jurisdiction at the end of three days from this time."
+
+The man smiled with a grim but less dissatisfied look than the Count
+had expected. "They none of them wish to give you offence, sir," he
+replied, "and can easily move off your lands to others."
+
+"That they must do," replied the Count, "but there is something more
+still to be said. When once off my lands, they may doubtless consider
+that the matter is at an end; but such is not the case."
+
+"My Lord, if you follow us off your lands," said Armand, dropping
+farther disguise, and making use of the pronoun of the first person,
+"if you follow us off your own lands, you must take the consequences."
+
+"I am always prepared to do so," replied the Count. "My purpose is not
+of course to follow any of you off my own lands, unless I am summoned
+to do so; but if I am summoned, which will immediately be the case if
+there be any renewal of outrages whatsoever, I shall most assuredly
+use my whole power, and employ my whole means, to put down that which
+I know to be wrong."
+
+The man to whom he spoke gazed sternly upon the ground for a moment or
+two, and seemed to be struggling with various contending feelings.
+"Come, my Lord Count," he said at length, "I will tell you what. Every
+one who has served under you knows that you are as brave a man, as
+kind an officer, and as skilful a commander as any that ever lived,
+and we are all willing to do what we can to please you in your own
+way. If you would put yourself at our head, there is not a man amongst
+us that would not follow you to death itself.--No, but hear me out, my
+Lord; don't answer till you have heard.--We get quicker information
+than even you can get, for with us it flies from mouth to mouth like
+lightning. We have no long written letters, but as soon as a thing is
+known, one man tells it to another, and so it comes down here. Now we
+know what most likely you don't know, that every thing is settled in
+Paris for putting down the reformed religion altogether. We know, too,
+which I see you don't know, that the Duc de Rouvre has received orders
+from the court to resign the government of the province, and retire to
+Ruffigny, without presenting himself at the court. Now depend upon it,
+my Lord, before a fortnight be over, you will have to rouse yourself
+against this oppression, to make the voice of remonstrance heard in
+firmer tones, and with arms in your hand. You know it as well as I do,
+and I know you are no more afraid of doing it than I am; but only,
+like all the rest of the people about the court, you have gone mad
+concerning a thing called loyalty, and have got your head filled with
+ideas of respect and veneration for the King--simply because he is the
+King and wears a crown--when if the truth were known, he is not so
+much worthy of respect and veneration as any of our peasants who drive
+a team of oxen, with a whip of sheep leather, from one end of the
+field to the other. A selfish, voluptuous, adulterous tyrant----"
+
+"Hush, hush," exclaimed the Count, "I can neither stay nor hear, if
+you proceed in such terms as those."
+
+"Well, well," said the man, "though what I say is true, and you know
+it, my Lord Count, I wo'n't go on if it offends you. But what I was
+going to say besides is this. You have got your head filled with these
+ideas; you wish to do every thing respectfully and loyally; you wish
+to show the most profound respect for the law, and be compelled to
+resist before you do resist. But are our enemies doing the same
+towards us? Are they showing any respect for the law, or for justice,
+or good faith, honour, honesty, or treaties? No, no, they are taking
+step by step, and ruining us piecemeal! My Lord, you are like a man in
+a fortress, with a truce between him and a perfidious enemy, who takes
+advantage of his good nature to get possession of one outpost after
+another, then marches over the glacis, lodges himself on the
+counterscarp, erects his batteries, points his cannon, and says, 'Now,
+surrender, or I'll blow you to pieces!' This is what you are suffering
+to be done, my Lord; and, at one word, if you, Count, will come and
+put yourself at our head to resist oppression, you shall have two
+hundred men at one whistle; and ere five days be over you shall have
+two thousand; before ten days ten thousand. Will you do it?"
+
+"Undoubtedly not," replied the Count. "Were the time to come that all
+other means having failed, I should be forced to stand upon my own
+defence, and the defence of my fellow Protestants, I would openly
+plant my banner on the hill of Morseiul, stand upon the
+straightforward justice of my cause, point to the unvarying loyalty of
+my life, and demand simple justice for myself and my brethren."
+
+"And you would find all confusion and consternation in your own
+party," replied the man, "not a skeleton even of a regiment ready to
+support you, the timid abandoning you, and the brave unprepared. You
+would find, on the other side, the enemy upon you before you knew
+where you were; instead of justice you would get persecution, and,
+before a fortnight was over, your head would be rolling about the
+Place de Greve. Well, well, be it so!--I will help you yet, my Lord,
+whether you like it or not, and when the day of danger comes, you may
+find Brown Keroual and his band nearer to your hand than you imagine.
+In the mean time, we will keep as quiet as may be. But if you hear of
+a few Jesuits and Lazarites being hung, you must not be surprised,
+that's all.--Have you any thing farther to say to me, my Lord? for it
+is now quite dark; and, like a sober peaceable man," he added with a
+laugh, "I must be going home to supper. One or two of my companions
+may come to fetch me, too."
+
+"I have nothing farther to say, Armand," replied the Count, "except,
+perhaps, it were a word of caution about that young person I saw with
+you just now; and who, I must say, I was sorry to see with you."
+
+"Why, my Lord, why?" demanded the man quickly; "you don't suppose I
+would do her hurt. I would not injure her, so help me God! for the
+whole world. If you had not come up, I should have taken her back in
+five minutes."
+
+"I do not suppose you would wrong her, Herval," said the Count, "by no
+means do I suppose such a thing; but she out here with you, with a
+novice's veil on! She is evidently some Roman Catholic girl in a
+monastery, and I would have you cautious on that account."
+
+"Oh, my lord," replied the man, "the time for caution is all over now.
+We are soon coming to a setting to rights of all those things. Quiet
+cannot be kept up above a fortnight longer, and then the doors of more
+than one convent will be as wide open as the sea. One of three things
+must then happen. We shall either have established our rights, and my
+little novice will be out of her fetters; or we shall be defeated and
+I killed, and that matter over; or defeated, yet living and flying
+away with her, pretty soul, to some country where we may be united in
+peace."
+
+"Yes, yes," replied the Count; "but you do not reflect what you may
+bring upon her head in the mean time. She may be removed from that
+convent to another, where you can never reach her. If these wanderings
+with you are detected, she may be subjected too to punishments and
+penances, such as you have no idea of."
+
+The man laughed aloud. "No fear, my Lord, no fear," he said; "the good
+mothers dare no more send her away than they dare lose their right
+hand. They would fancy the convent in flames the very first night she
+slept out of it. Why, she is their guardian angel, at least so they
+think; and she is specially appointed to bring their tribute,
+consisting of a silver crown and a flask of wine, twice in the week to
+Brown Keroual, in virtue of which they obtain his protection against
+all bands and companies whatsoever. The only stipulation they made
+when the tribute was demanded, was, that he was on no account to tell
+the director; and when the director, who is a greater old woman than
+any one amongst them, heard it in confession, he added, a fifteen sous
+piece once a week for himself, with no other stipulation than that
+Brown Keroual was not to tell the Bishop; so that twice in the week
+the dear child brings me the tribute--ay, and the real tribute, for
+which I sought, of her own sweet company. Nobody dares watch her,
+nobody dares follow her; and as she is always absent the same time,
+and always back again before the bat's wing is to be seen flitting in
+the air, they ask no questions, but judging the distance long, exempt
+her from vespers, that she may accomplish it more easily. And now, my
+Lord Count," he continued, "I must leave you, for my people will be
+waiting for me. I think where we now stand is off your lordship's
+ground, for I could not well give up this meeting place. But farther
+than this, I shall not come, till the time when you shall be very
+willing to thank Brown Keroual for his help."
+
+The Count made no reply to his words, but wishing him good night, he
+left him, and rejoined his servants. He then rode quickly homeward,
+but was somewhat surprised, as he climbed the steep towards the
+castle, to see a full blaze of light pouring through the windows of
+the lesser hall. On entering the gates, however, he saw several horses
+and servants in the liveries of the Chevalier d'Evran, and found his
+friend seated at supper in the hall above.
+
+"You see, Albert," said the Chevalier, rising and grasping his hand as
+he came in, "you see what liberties I take, and what account I make of
+your friendship. Here I come, and order all sorts of viands without
+ceremony, simply because I have ridden hard and am desperately an
+hungred."
+
+His countenance was frank and open, though not perhaps so cheerful in
+its expression as usual; his manner was free and unembarrassed, and
+seemed not as if any thing that had occurred at Poitiers would have
+the slightest tendency to diminish the friendship and intimacy that
+existed between him and the Count. Albert of Morseiul, however, could
+not feel exactly the same. He could not divest his mind of a vague
+feeling of jealous disquietude in regard to the confident intimacy
+which seemed to exist between the Chevalier d'Evran and Clemence de
+Marly. However hopeless might be his own love towards her--however
+much he might have taught himself that despair was in his case
+wisdom--however strong might be his resolutions to resist every
+temptation to seek her society any more, there was something painful
+to him that he could not overcome, in the idea of the Chevalier being
+constantly at her side; and although his regard and affection for his
+friend were not diminished, yet there was an unpleasant feeling at his
+heart when he saw him, which perhaps might make some difference in his
+manner.
+
+"Many thanks for doing so, Louis," he answered, struggling hard
+against his own feelings, "many thanks for doing so. What news bring
+you from Poitiers?"
+
+The Chevalier did not appear to feel any difference in the manner of
+his friend, and replied, "But little news, Albert, and that not good.
+I was but one day in Poitiers before I set off in haste. I found every
+thing in confusion and derangement. The states split into factions;
+the governor, the intendant, and the bishop, at open war with each
+other; cabals of the basest and blackest character going on in every
+quarter of the town; good Madame de Rouvre wishing her husband any
+thing but a governor; and Clemence de Marly looking pale, ill, and
+sorrowful. I stayed but a sufficient time," he continued, not giving
+the Count an opportunity to make any observations, "I stayed but a
+sufficient time to make myself thoroughly acquainted with all that was
+proceeding, and then set off at once for the purpose of proceeding to
+Paris with all speed. I came to spend two or three hours with you,
+Albert, at the most, for I must hurry on without delay. The King, you
+know, is my godfather, and I trust that my representation of what is
+taking place at Poitiers may do some good. If it do not, de Rouvre is
+ruined, and a most pitiful intrigue triumphant."
+
+"I trust in Heaven that you may be successful," replied the Count;
+"but proceed with your supper, d'Evran."
+
+"I will, I will," replied the Chevalier, "but will you let me give you
+one more proof of how much at home I can make myself in your house, by
+giving an order to your servants?"
+
+"Most assuredly," replied the Count; "you have nothing to do but to
+speak."
+
+"It is this, then," said the Chevalier; "you will be good enough,
+Master Jerome Riquet, to make all these worthy gentlemen who are
+assisting you to serve my supper march out of the room in single file.
+Now come, Master Riquet, do it in an officer-like way. You have seen
+service, I know."
+
+Riquet seemed well pleased at the honourable task conferred upon him,
+and according to the Chevalier's direction made the servants troop out
+of the room one by one, he himself preparing to remain as a
+confidential person to serve the Count and his friend during the
+conversation which he doubted not was to ensue. The Chevalier,
+however, as soon as he saw himself obeyed so far, again raised his
+voice, saying,--
+
+"Now, Master Riquet, you have executed the man[oe]uvre so well, that
+it is a pity your men should be without their officer. You will be
+good enough to follow them."
+
+Riquet made a sort of semi-pirouette on the tips of his toes, and
+disappointed, though perhaps not surprised, marched out of the room,
+and shut the door.
+
+"Albert," said the Chevalier, as soon as he was gone, "I am afraid,
+very much afraid, that all is lost for the cause of you Huguenots.
+There are people about the King, who must be mad to counsel him as
+they do. All the news I have, which perhaps you know already, is as
+sad as it can be. There wants but one more step to be taken for the
+utter abolition of what you call the reformed religion in France--I
+mean the abolition of the privileges granted by the edict of
+Nantes--and perhaps that step will be taken before I can reach Paris."
+
+"So quickly?" exclaimed the Count.
+
+"Even so!" rejoined his friend. "All the mad-like steps which have
+been taken by the council have been applauded by one general roar of
+the whole clergy of France. Petition after petition has come in from
+every Catholic body through the land, beseeching the King to do you
+every sort of injustice, and I feel convinced that they are persuading
+him, while he is risking a civil war, ruining his provinces, and
+exasperating some of his most faithful subjects, that he is acting
+justly, politicly and religiously, and is, in short, a saint upon
+earth, notwithstanding all his mistresses. I pretend to no power over
+the King or influence with him, except inasmuch as I can often say to
+him, in my wild rambling way, things that nobody else could say, and
+dare to tell him under the same cloak many an unpleasant fact that
+others will not tell him. However, my object now is to open his eyes
+about de Rouvre, to whom I am too deeply bound by ties of gratitude to
+see him injured and calumniated, if I can help it. I would fain ask
+you, Albert, what you intend to do, how you intend to act, when these
+rash measures are pushed to the extreme against you; but yet it is
+unfair to give you the pain of refusing me, and perhaps unwise to seek
+a share in secrets which I ought not to know, or, knowing, to reveal."
+
+"As far as any thing has yet passed," replied the Count, "there is
+nothing either to conceal or to reveal, Louis. It will be difficult
+for the King to tire out my loyalty. I am determined to bear to the
+very utmost. What I shall do when the very utmost bound of endurance
+is passed I do not know, having as yet settled nothing in my own
+mind."
+
+"I cannot think," continued the Chevalier, "that the King will
+individually treat you ill, who have served him so well; but with
+regard to your religion, depend upon it the utmost extremes are
+determined upon already."
+
+"I grieve to hear it," replied the Count, "but it is not more than I
+expected. The rapidity of these measures gives no time for calm and
+loyal remonstrance or petition to make the King aware of the real
+truth."
+
+"Such is indeed the case," said the Chevalier. "Couriers are arriving
+at Poitiers and taking their departure again five or six times in the
+day, killing the horses on the road, setting off fat men themselves
+and returning thin.--I know this is no joking matter, Albert, and I am
+anxious to do what little good I can. I am therefore going to follow
+the example of these couriers, and as soon as I have seen the King,
+and obtained some satisfaction on these matters, I shall return hither
+with all speed to watch the progress of events, and if possible to
+shield and protect my friends. In this quarter of the world," he
+added, holding out his hand to the Count with a frank smile, "in this
+quarter of the world are all those for whom I entertain any very
+sincere affection; de Rouvre, who has befriended me from my youth, and
+never lost an opportunity of serving me; you, Albert, who have been my
+companion for many years in perils and dangers, to whom I owe the
+immense benefit of a good example, and the no less inestimable
+blessing of a noble mind to communicate with under all circumstances."
+
+"And Clemence de Marly," said the Count, with a melancholy smile, "of
+course you will add Clemence de Marly, Chevalier."
+
+"Assuredly," replied the Chevalier, "assuredly, Albert, I will add
+Clemence de Marly. I will not ask you, Albert, why you look at me
+reproachfully. Clemence, I believe from my heart, loves you, and I
+scruple not to tell you so. If it were not for the cursed obstacle of
+your religion, you might both be happy. That is a terrible obstacle,
+it is true; but were it not for that--I say--you might both be happy,
+and your example and her love for you might do away the only faults
+she has, and make her to you a perfect angel, though there is not one
+other man in France, perhaps, whom she could endure or render happy.
+She also, and her fate, are amongst the objects of my journey to
+Paris; but of that I shall tell you nothing till I can tell you all."
+
+"I know you are a man of mysteries," said the Count with a faint
+smile, "and therefore I suppose I must neither attempt to investigate
+this, nor to enquire how it is, that the gay and gallant Chevalier
+d'Evran is in one way insensible to charms which he is so sensible of
+in other respects."
+
+"You are right, Albert, not to make any such attempt," replied the
+Chevalier. "With respect to love for Clemence, a thousand causes may
+have produced the peculiar feelings I entertain towards her. I may
+_have loved_ and been cured."
+
+The Count made no reply, but fell into a reverie; and after gazing on
+him for a minute or two the Chevalier added, "You, Albert, love her,
+and are not cured."
+
+His friend, however, was still silent, and, changing the conversation,
+the Chevalier talked of indifferent things, and did not return to
+subjects of such painful interest, till midnight came, and he once
+more took his departure from the chateau of Morseiul.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                     THE PREACHING IN THE DESERT.
+
+
+Again we must pass over a brief space of time, and also somewhat
+change the scene, but not very far. In the interval, the acts of a
+bigoted and despotic monarch had been guided by the advice of cruel
+and injudicious ministers, till the formal prohibition of the opening
+of any Protestant place of worship throughout France for the service
+of God, according to the consciences of the members of the reformed
+church, had been proclaimed throughout the land. Such had been the
+change, or rather the progress, made in that time; and the falling off
+of many leading Protestants, the disunion which existed amongst
+others, the overstrained loyalty of some, and the irresolution of
+many, had shown to even the calmer and the firmer spirits, who might
+still have conducted resistance against tyranny to a successful
+result, that though, perhaps, they might shed oceans of blood, the
+Protestant cause in France was lost, at least for the time.
+
+The scene, too, we have said, was changed.
+
+It was no longer the city of Poitiers, with its multitudes and its gay
+parties; it was no longer the chateau, with its lord and his
+attendants; it was no longer the country town, with its citizens and
+its artizans; but it was upon one of those dark brown moors of which
+so many are to be found on the borders of Brittany and Poitou, under
+the canopy of heaven alone, and with nothing but the bleakest objects
+in nature round about.
+
+The moor had a gentle slope towards the westward. It was covered with
+gorse and heath, interspersed with old ragged hawthorns, stunted and
+partly withered, as we often see, some being brought up in poverty and
+neglect, never knowing care or shelter, stinted and sickly, and
+shrivelling with premature decay. Cast here and there amongst the
+thorns, too, were large masses of rock and cold grey stone, the
+appearance of which in that place was difficult to account for, as
+there was no higher ground around from which such masses could have
+fallen. A small wood of pines had been planted near the summit of the
+ground, but they, too, had decayed prematurely in that ungrateful
+soil; and though each tree presented here and there some scrubby tufts
+of dark green foliage, the principal branches stood out, white and
+blasted, skeleton fingers pointing in despairing mockery at the wind
+that withered them.
+
+The hour was about six o'clock in the evening, and as if to accord
+with the earth below it, there was a cold and wintry look about the
+sky which the season did not justify; and the long blue lines of dark
+cloud, mingled with streaks of yellow and orange towards the verge of
+heaven, seemed to bespeak an early autumn. There was one little pond
+in the foreground of the picture sunk deep amongst some banks and
+hawthorn bushes, and looking dark and stern as every thing around it.
+Flapping up from it, however, scared by the noise of a horse's feet,
+rose a large white stork, contrasting strangely with the dim shadowy
+waters.
+
+The person that startled the bird by passing nearer to him than any
+body else had done, rode forward close by the head of the pond to a
+spot about three hundred yards farther on, where a great multitude of
+people were assembled, perhaps to the number of two thousand. He was
+followed by several servants; but it is to be remarked that both
+servants and lord were unarmed. He himself did not even wear the
+customary sword, without which not a gentleman in France was seen at
+any distance from his own house, and no apparent arms of any kind, not
+even the small knife or dagger, often worn by a page, was visible
+amongst the attendants. There was a buzz of many voices as he
+approached, but it was instantly silenced, when, dismounting from his
+horse, he gave the rein to a servant, and then advanced to meet one or
+two persons who drew out from the crowd as if privileged by intimacy
+to speak with him. The first of these was Claude de l'Estang, whose
+hand he took and shook affectionately, though mournfully. The second
+was a tall thin ravenous-looking personage, with sharp-cut lengthened
+features, a keen, but somewhat unsettled, we might almost use the word
+phrenzied, eye, and an expression of countenance altogether neither
+very benevolent nor very prepossessing. He also took the Count's hand,
+saying, "I am glad to see thee, my son; I am glad to see thee. Thou
+art somewhat behind the time, and in this great day of backsliding and
+falling off I feared that even thou, one of our chief props and
+greatest lights, might have departed from us into the camp of the
+Philistines."
+
+"Fear not, Monsieur Chopel," replied the Count; "I trust there is no
+danger of such weakness on my part. I was detained to write a letter
+in answer to one from good Monsieur de Rouvre, who has suffered so
+much in our cause, and who, it seems, arrived at Ruffigny last night."
+
+"I know he did," said Claude de l'Estang; "but pray, my dear Albert,
+before either myself or our good brother, Monsieur Chopel, attempt to
+lead the devotions of the people, do you speak a few words of comfort
+and consolation to them, and above all things counsel them to peace
+and tranquil doings."
+
+The Count paused and seemed to hesitate for a moment. In truth, the
+task that was put upon him was not pleasant to him, and he would fain
+have avoided it; but accustomed to overcome all repugnance to that
+which was right, he conquered himself with scarcely a struggle, and
+advanced with Claude de l'Estang into the midst of the people, who
+made way with respectful reverence, as he sought for some slightly
+elevated point from which to address them more easily. Chopel and
+l'Estang, however, had chosen a sort of rude rock for their pulpit
+before he came, and having been led thither, the Count mounted upon
+it, and took off his hat, as a sign that he was about to speak. All
+voices were immediately hushed, and he then went on.
+
+"My brethren," he said, "we are here assembled to worship God
+according to our own consciences, and to the rules and doctrines of
+the reformed church. In so doing we are not failing in our duty to the
+King, who, as sovereign of these realms, is the person whom, under
+God, we are most bound to obey and reverence. It has seemed fit to his
+Majesty, from motives, upon which I will not touch, to withdraw from
+us much that was granted by his predecessors. He has ordered the
+temples in which we are accustomed to worship to be closed, so that on
+this, the Sabbath day, we have no longer any place of permitted
+worship but in the open air. That, however, has not been denied us;
+there is no prohibition to our meeting and praising God here, and this
+resource at least is allowed us, which, though it may put us to some
+slight inconvenience and discomfort, will not the less afford the
+sincere and devout an opportunity of raising their prayers to the
+Almighty, in company with brethren of the same faith and doctrines as
+themselves. We know that God does not dwell in temples made with
+hands; and I have only to remind you, my brethren, before giving place
+to our excellent ministers, who will lead our devotions this day, that
+the God we have assembled to worship is also a God of peace, who has
+told us, by the voice of his Son, not to revile those who revile us,
+nor smite those that smite us, but to bear patiently all things,
+promising that those who endure to the last shall be saved. I
+appointed this place," he continued, "for our meeting, because it was
+far from any town, and consequently we shall have few here from idle
+curiosity, and afford no occasion of offence to any man. I begged you
+earnestly to come unarmed also, as I myself have done, that there
+might be no doubt of our views and purposes being pacific. I am happy
+to see that all have followed this advice, I believe without
+exception, and also that there are several women amongst us, which, I
+trust, is a sign that, in the strait and emergency in which we now
+are, they will not abandon their husbands, their fathers, and their
+brothers, for any inducement, but continue to serve God in the faith
+in which they have been brought up."
+
+Having thus spoken, the Count gave place and descended amongst the
+people, retiring several steps from the little sort of temporary
+pulpit, and preparing to go through the service of the reformed
+church, as if he had been within the walls of the temple his father
+had built in Morseiul, and which was now ordered to be levelled with
+the ground.
+
+After a few words between Claude de l'Estang and Chopel, the latter
+mounted the pulpit and gave out a psalm, the ----, which he led
+himself, in a voice like thunder. The whole congregation joined; and
+though the verses that they repeated were in the simple unadorned
+words of the olden times, and the voices that sung them not always in
+perfect harmony, yet the sound of that melody in the midst of the
+desert had something strangely impressive, nay, even affecting. The
+hearts of a people that would not bow down before man, bowed down
+before God; and they who in persecution and despair had lost all trust
+on earth, in faith and hope raised their voices unto heaven with
+praise and adoration.
+
+When the psalm was over, and the minds of all men prepared for prayer,
+the clergyman who had given out the psalm, closing his eyes and
+spreading his hands, turned his face towards the sky and began his
+address to the Almighty. We shall not pause upon the words that he
+made use of here, as it would be irreverent to use them lightly; but
+it is sufficient to say, that he mingled many themes with his address
+that both Claude de l'Estang and the Count de Morseiul wished had been
+omitted. He thanked God for the trial and purification to which he had
+subjected his people: but in doing so, he dwelt so long upon, and
+entered so deeply into, the nature of all those trials and grievances
+and the source from which they sprang, pointed out with such virulent
+acrimony the tyranny and the persecution which the reformed church had
+suffered, and clothed so aptly, nay, so eloquently, his petitions
+against the persecutors and enemies of the church, in the sublime
+language of scripture, that the Count could not but feel that he was
+very likely to stir up the people to seek their deliverance with their
+own hand and think themselves fully justified by holy writ; or, at all
+events, to exasperate their already excited passions, and render the
+least spark likely to cast them into a flame.
+
+Albert of Morseiul was uneasy while this was proceeding, especially as
+the prayer lasted an extraordinary length of time, and he could not
+refrain from turning to examine the countenances of some of the
+persons present, in order to discover what was the effect produced
+upon them, especially as he saw a man, standing between him and the
+rock on which the preacher stood, grasp something under his cloak, as
+if the appearance of being unarmed was, in that case, not quite real.
+Near to him were one or two women wrapped up in the large grey cloaks
+of the country, and they obstructed his view to the right; but at some
+distance straight before him he saw the burly form of Virlay, the
+blacksmith, and close by him again the stern, but expressive,
+countenance of Armand Herval. Scattered round about, too, he remarked
+a considerable number of men with a single cock's feather stuck in the
+front of the hat, which, though bands of feathers and similar
+ornaments were very much affected, even by the lower classes of that
+period, was by no means a common decoration in the part of the country
+where he then was.
+
+Every thing, indeed, was peaceable and orderly in the demeanour of the
+crowd: no one pressed upon the other, no one moved, no one spoke, but
+each and all stood in deep silence, listening to the words of the
+minister; but they listened with frowning brows and stern dark looks,
+and the young Count felt thankful that the lateness of the hour, and
+the distance from any town, rendered it unlikely that the proceedings
+would be interrupted by the interference, or even appearance, of any
+of the Catholic authorities of the province.
+
+The prayer of the clergyman Chopel at length came to an end; and, as
+had been previously arranged between them, Claude de l'Estang, in
+turn, advanced. Another hymn was sung; and the ejected minister of
+Auron commenced, what was then called amongst the Huguenots of France,
+"the preaching in the desert." On mounting the rock that served them
+for a pulpit, the old man seemed a good deal affected; and twice he
+wiped away tears from his eyes, while he gazed round upon the people
+with a look of strong interest and affection, which every one present
+saw and felt deeply. He then paused for a moment in silent prayer,
+and, when it was concluded, took a step forward with the Bible open in
+his hand, his demeanour changed, the spirit of the orator upon him,
+and high and noble energy lighting up his eyes and shining on his
+lofty brow.
+
+"The nineteenth verse of the twenty-first chapter of St. Luke," he
+said, "_In your patience possess ye your souls!_"
+
+"My brethren, let us be patient, for to such as are so, is promised
+the kingdom of heaven. My brethren, let us be patient, for so we are
+taught by the living word of God. My brethren, let us be patient, for
+Christ was patient, even unto death, before us. What! shall we know
+that the saints and prophets of God have been scorned, and mocked, and
+persecuted, in all ages? what! shall we know that the apostles of
+Christ, the first teachers of the gospel of grace, have been scourged,
+and driven forth, and stoned and slain? what! shall we know that, for
+ages, the destroying sword was out, from land to land, against our
+brethren in the Lord? what! shall we know that he himself closed a
+life of poverty and endurance, by submitting willingly to insult,
+buffeting, and a torturing death?--and shall we not bear our cross
+meekly? What! I ask again, shall we know that the church of Christ was
+founded in persecution, built up by the death of saints, cemented by
+the blood of martyrs, and yet rose triumphant over the storms of
+heathen wrath; and shall we doubt that yet, even yet, we shall stand
+and not be cast down? Shall we refuse to seal the covenant with our
+blood, or to endure the reproach of our Lord even unto the last?
+
+"Yes, my brethren, yes! God will give you, and me also, grace to do
+so; and though 'ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren,
+and kinsfolk, and friends, and some of you shall they cause to be put
+to death,' yet the faithful and the true shall endure unto the last,
+and '_in your patience possess ye your souls_.'
+
+"But there is more required at your hands than patience, my brethren.
+There is constancy! perseverance in the way of the Lord! There must be
+no falling off in the time of difficulty or danger; there must be no
+hesitation in the service of our God. We have put our hands to the
+plough, and we must not look back. We have engaged in the great work,
+and we must not slacken our diligence. Remember, my brethren,
+remember, that the most fiery persecution is but the trial of our
+faith, and all who strive for a great reward, all who struggle for the
+glory of the kingdom of heaven, must be as gold ten times purified in
+the fire. Were it not so even,--were we not Christians,--had we not
+the word of God for our direction,--had we not the command of Christ
+to obey, where is the man amongst us that would falsify the truth,
+declare that thing wrong which he believed to be right, swear that he
+believed that which he knew to be false, put on the garb of hypocrisy
+and clothe himself with falsehood as with a garment, to shield himself
+from the scourge of the scorner or the sword of the persecutor?
+
+"If there be such a coward or such a hypocrite here, let him go forth
+from amongst us, and Satan, the father of lies, shall conduct him to
+the camp of the enemy. Where is the man amongst us, I say, that, were
+there nothing to restrain him but the inward voice of conscience,
+would show himself so base as to abandon the faith of his fathers, in
+the hour of persecution?
+
+"But when we know that we are right, when the word of God is our
+warrant, when our faith in Christ is our stay, when the object before
+us is the glory of God and our own salvation, who would be fool enough
+to barter eternal condemnation for the tranquillity of a day? Who
+would not rather sell all that he has, and take up his cross and
+follow Christ, than linger by the flesh-pots of Egypt, and dwell in
+the tents of sin?
+
+"Christ foretold, my brethren, that those who followed him faithfully
+should endure persecution to the end of the earth. He won us not by
+the promises of earthly glory, he seduced us not by the allurements of
+worldly wealth, he held out no inducement to our ambition by the
+promises of power and authority, he bribed not our pride by the hope
+of man's respect and reverence. Oh, no; himself, _The Word of God_,
+which is but to say all in one word, _Truth_; he told us all things
+truly; he laid before us, as our lot below, poverty, contempt, and
+scorn, the world's reproach, the calumny of the evil, chains,
+tortures, and imprisonment, contumely, persecution, and death. These
+he set before us as our fate, these he suffered as our example, these
+he endured with patience for our atonement! Those who became followers
+of Christ knew well the burden that they took up; saw the load that
+they had here to bear; and, strengthened by faith and by the Holy
+Spirit, shrunk not from the task, groaned not under the weight of the
+cross. They saw before their eyes the exceeding great reward,--the
+reward that was promised to them, the reward that is promised to us,
+the reward that is promised to all who shall endure unto the last,--to
+enter into the joy of our Master, to become a partaker of the kingdom
+reserved for him from before all worlds.
+
+"We must therefore, my brethren, endure; we must endure unto the last;
+but we must endure with patience, and with forbearance, and with
+meekness, and with gentleness; and 'it shall turn to us for a
+testimony,' it shall produce for us a reward. They may smite us here,
+and they may slay us, and they may bring us down to the dust of death;
+but he has promised that not a hair of our heads shall perish, and
+that _in our patience shall we possess our souls_.
+
+"The woe that he denounced against Jerusalem, did it not fall upon it?
+When the day of vengeance came, that all things written were to be
+fulfilled, did not armies compass it about, and desolation draw nigh
+unto it, and was not distress great in the land and wrath upon the
+people, and did not millions fall by the sword, and were not millions
+led away captives into all nations, and was not Jerusalem trodden down
+of the Gentiles, and was there one stone left upon another?
+
+"If, then, God, the God of mercy, so fulfilled each word, when kindled
+to exercise wrath; how much more shall he fulfil every tittle of his
+gracious promises to those that serve him? If, then, the prophecies of
+destruction have been fulfilled, so, also, shall be the prophecies of
+grace and glory, by Him whose words pass not away, though heaven and
+earth may pass away. For sorrows and endurance in time, he has
+promised us glory and peace in eternity; and for the persecutions
+which we now suffer, he gives to those, who endure unto the last, the
+recompence of his eternal joy.
+
+"With endurance we shall live, and _with patience we shall possess our
+souls_; and we--if we so do, serving God in this life under all
+adversities--shall have peace, the peace of God which passeth all
+understanding; joy, the joy of the Lord, who has trodden down his
+enemies; glory, the glory of the knowledge of God, when he cometh with
+clouds and great glory, and every eye shall see him, and they, also,
+which pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of
+him. Even so, Amen."
+
+The words of the preacher were poured forth rather than spoken. It
+seemed less like eloquence than like inspiration. His full, round,
+clear voice was heard through every part of his large auditory; not a
+word was lost, not a tone was indistinct, and the people listened with
+that deep stern silence which causes a general rustle, like the
+sighing of the wind, to take place through the multitude when he
+paused for a moment in his discourse, and every one drew deep the
+long-suppressed breath.
+
+In the same strain, and with the same powers of voice and gesture,
+Claude de l'Estang was going on with his sermon, when some sounds were
+heard at the farther part of the crowd, towards the spot where the
+scene was sheltered by the stunted wood we have mentioned: As those
+sounds were scarcely sufficient to give any interruption to the
+minister, being merely those apparently of some other persons
+arriving, the Count de Morseiul, and almost every one on that side of
+the preacher, remained gazing upon him as he went on with the same
+energy, and did not turn their heads to see what occasioned the noise.
+
+Those, however, who were on the opposite side, and who, when looking
+towards the minister, had at the same time in view the spot from which
+the sounds proceeded, were seen to gaze sternly from time to time in
+that direction; and once or twice, notwithstanding the solemn words
+they heard, stooped down their heads together, and spoke in whispering
+consultation. These appearances at length induced the Count de
+Morseiul to turn his eyes that way; when he beheld a sight, which at
+once made his blood boil, but made him thankful also that he had come
+in such guise as even to act as a restraint upon himself, having no
+arms of any kind upon him.
+
+At the skirt of the crowd were collected a party of eighteen or twenty
+dragoons, who were forcing their horses slowly in amongst the people,
+who drew back, and gazed upon them with looks of stern determined
+hatred. The purpose of the soldiers, indeed, seemed to be simply to
+insult and to annoy, for they did not proceed to any overt act of
+violence, and were so far separated from each other, in a disorderly
+manner, that it could only be supposed they came thither to find
+themselves sport, rather than to disperse the congregation by any
+lawful authority. The foremost of the whole party was the young
+Marquis de Hericourt, and Albert of Morseiul conceived, perhaps not
+unreasonably, that there might be some intention of giving him
+personal annoyance at the bottom of that young officer's conduct.
+
+Distinguished from the rest of the people by his dress, the Count was
+very plainly to be seen from the spot where De Hericourt was, and the
+young dragoon slowly made his way towards him through the press,
+looking at the people on either side with but ill-concealed signs of
+contempt upon his countenance.
+
+The Count determined, as far as possible, to set an example of
+patience; and when the rash youth came close up to him, saying aloud,
+"Ha, Monsieur de Morseiul, a lucky opportunity! I have long wished to
+hear a _preche_," the Count merely raised his hand as a sign for the
+young man to keep silence, and pointed with his right hand to the
+pastor, who with an undisturbed demeanour and steady voice pursued his
+sermon as if not the slightest interruption had occurred, although the
+young dragoon on horseback in the midst of his people, was at that
+moment before him.
+
+De Hericourt was bent upon mischief, however. Rash to the pitch of
+folly, he had neither inquired nor considered whether the people were
+armed or not, but having heard that one of the preachings in the
+desert was to take place, he had come, unauthorised, for the purpose
+of disturbing and dispersing the congregation, not by the force of
+law, but by insult and annoyance, which he thought the Protestants
+would not dare to resist. He listened, then, for a moment or two to
+the words of Claude de l'Estang, seeming, for an instant, somewhat
+struck with the impressive manner of the old man; but he soon got
+tired, and, turning the bridle of his horse, as if to pass round the
+Count de Morseiul, he said again, aloud, "You've got a number of women
+here, Monsieur de Morseiul; pretty little heretics, I've no doubt! I
+should like to have a look at their faces."
+
+So saying, he spurred on unceremoniously, driving back five or six
+people before him, and caught hold of one of the women--whom we have
+noticed as standing not very far from the Count de Morseiul--trying,
+at the same time, to pull back the thick veil which was over her face.
+
+The Count could endure no longer, more especially as, in the grey
+cloak and the veil with which the person assailed by the dragoon was
+covered, he thought he recognised the dress of the lady he had
+formerly seen at the house of Claude de l'Estang.
+
+Starting forward then instantly to her side, he seized the bridle of
+De Hericourt's horse, and forced the animal back almost upon his
+haunches. The young officer stooped forward over his saddle bow,
+seeking for a pistol in his holster, and at the same moment addressing
+an insulting and contemptuous term to the Count. No sooner was it
+uttered, however, than he received one single buffet from the hand of
+Albert of Morseiul, which cast him headlong from his horse into the
+midst of the people.
+
+Every one was rushing upon him; his dragoons were striving to force
+their way forward to the spot; the voice of Claude de l'Estang, though
+exerted to its utmost power, was unheard; and in another instant the
+rash young man would have been literally torn to pieces by the people
+he had insulted.
+
+But with stern and cool self-possession the Count de Morseiul strode
+over him, and held back those that were rushing forward, with his
+powerful arms, exclaiming, in a voice of thunder,--
+
+"Stand back, my friends, stand back! This is a private quarrel. I must
+have no odds against an adversary and a fellow-soldier. Stand back, I
+say! We are here man to man, and whoever dares to take him out of my
+hands is my enemy, not my friend. Rise, Monsieur de Hericourt," he
+said in a lower voice, "rise, mount your horse, and be gone. I cannot
+protect you a minute longer."
+
+Some of the Count's servants, who had been standing near, had by this
+time made their way up to him, and with their help he cleared the
+space around, shouting to the dragoons who were striving to come up,
+and had not clearly seen the transaction which had taken place, "Keep
+back, keep back!--I will answer for his life! If you come up there
+will be bloodshed!"
+
+In the mean time the young man had sprung upon his feet, his dress
+soiled by the fall, his face glowing like fire, and fury flashing from
+his eyes.
+
+"You have struck me," he cried, glaring upon the Count; "you have
+struck me, and I will have your blood."
+
+"Hush, Sir," said the Count, calmly. "Do not show yourself quite a
+madman. Mount your horse, and begone while you may! I shall be at the
+chateau of Morseiul till twelve o'clock tomorrow," he added in a lower
+voice. "Mount, mount!" he proceeded in a quicker manner, seeing some
+movements on the other side of the crowd of a very menacing kind;
+"Mount, if you would live and keep your soldiers' lives another
+minute!"
+
+De Hericourt sprang into the saddle, and, while the Count, in that
+tone of command which was seldom disobeyed, exclaimed, "Make way for
+him there; let no one impede him;" he spurred on quickly through the
+crowd, gathering his men together as he went.
+
+All eyes were turned to look after him, but the moment he and his
+troop were free from the people at the extreme edge of the crowd, he
+was seen to speak a word to the man at the head of the file. The
+soldiers immediately halted, faced round, and, carrying fire-arms as
+they did, coolly unslung their carbines.
+
+The first impulse of that part of the crowd nearest to the dragoons,
+was to press back, while those on the opposite side strove to get
+forward, headed by Virlay and Armand Herval. The crush in the centre
+was consequently tremendous, but the Count de Morseiul succeeded in
+casting himself between the female he had saved and the troopers. At
+the very moment that he did so, the dragoons raised their fusees to
+their shoulders, and fired at once into the midst of the compact mass
+of people. Every shot told; and one unfortunate young man, about two
+paces from the Count de Morseiul, received no less than four shots in
+his head and throat. A mingled yell of rage and agony rose up from the
+people, while a loud exulting laugh broke from the soldiery. But their
+triumph was only for a moment, for they were instantly assailed by a
+shower of immense stones which knocked one of the troopers off his
+horse, and killed him on the spot.
+
+Herval and Virlay, too, made their way round behind the rock on which
+the clergyman had been standing, and it now became apparent that, in
+that part of the crowd at least, arms were not wanting, for flash
+after flash broke from the dense mass of the advancing multitude, and
+swords and pikes were seen gleaming in the air.
+
+The troopers at length turned their horses and fled, but not before
+they had suffered tremendously. The Huguenots pursued, and with
+peculiar skill and knowledge of the country, drove them hither and
+thither over the moor. Some having mounted the horses which brought
+them thither, pursued them into spots that they could not pass, while
+some on foot defended the passes and ravines. The Count de Morseiul
+and his servants mounted instantly, and rode far and wide over the
+place, attempting to stop the effusion of blood, and being, in many
+instances, successful in rescuing some of the soldiery from the hands
+of the people and from the death they well deserved. Thus passed more
+than an hour, till seeing that the light was beginning to fail, and
+that the last spot of the sun was just above the horizon, the Count
+turned back to the scene of that day's unfortunate meeting, in the
+hope of rendering some aid and assistance to the wounded who had been
+left behind.
+
+He had by this time but one servant with him, and when he came to the
+spot where the meeting had been held, he found it quite deserted. The
+wounded and the dead had been carried away by those who remained; and,
+of the rest of the people who had been there, the greater part had
+been scattered abroad in pursuit of the fugitive soldiers, while part
+had fled in fear to their own homes. There was nothing but the cold
+grey rock, and the brown moor stained here and there with blood, and
+the dark purple streaks of the evening sky, and the east wind
+whistling mournfully through the thin trees.
+
+"I think, Sir," said the servant, after his master had paused for some
+moments in melancholy mood, gazing on the scene around, "I think, Sir,
+that I hear voices down by the water, where we put up the stork as we
+came."
+
+The Count listened, and heard voices too, and he instantly turned his
+horse thither. By the side of that dark water he found a melancholy
+group, consisting of none other but Claude de l'Estang and two female
+figures, all kneeling round or supporting the form of a third person,
+also a female, who seemed severely hurt. This was the sight which
+presented itself to the eyes of the Count from the top of the bank
+above; and, dismounting, he sprang down to render what assistance he
+could.
+
+His first attention was turned, of course, almost entirely to the
+wounded girl, whose head and shoulders were supported on the knee of
+one of the other women, while the pastor was pouring into her ear, in
+solemn tones, the words of hope and consolation--but they were words
+of hope and consolation referring to another world. The hand that lay
+upon her knee was fair and soft, the form seemed young and graceful;
+and, though the Count as he descended could not see her face, the
+novice's veil that hung from her head told him a sad tale in regard to
+the story of her life. He doubted not, from all he saw, that she was
+dying; and his heart sickened when he thought of the unhappy man who
+had brought her thither, and of what would be the feelings of his
+fierce and vehement heart when he heard the fate that had befallen
+her.
+
+He had scarcely time to think of it, for, ere he had well reached the
+bottom of the descent, the sound of a horse coming furiously along was
+heard, and Armand Herval paused on the opposite side of the dell, and
+gazed down upon the group below. It seemed as if instinct told him
+that there was what he sought; for, without going on to the moor, he
+turned his horse's rein down the descent, though it was steep and
+dangerous, and in a moment had sprung from the beast's back and was
+kneeling by her he had loved.
+
+It is scarcely to be told whether she was conscious of his presence or
+not, for the hand of death was strong upon her; but it is certain
+that, as he printed upon her hands the burning kisses of love in
+agony, and quenched them with his tears, it is certain that a smile
+came over her countenance before that last awful shudder with which
+the soul parted from the body for ever.
+
+After it was all over he gazed at her for a single instant without
+speaking. Every one present saw that he acted as if of right, and let
+him do what he would; and unpinning the veil from her long beautiful
+hair, he took and steeped it in the blood that was still,
+notwithstanding all that had been done to stanch it, welling from a
+deep wound in her breast, till every part of the fabric was wet
+with gore. He then took the veil, placed it in his brown, scarred
+bosom--upon his heart;--and raising his eyes and one hand to Heaven,
+murmured some words that were not distinctly heard. He had not uttered
+one audible sentence since he came up, but he now turned, and with a
+tone of intreaty addressed Claude de l'Estang.
+
+"The spirit will bless you, Sir," he said, "for giving her comfort in
+the hour of death! May I bear her to your house till eleven o'clock
+to-night, when I may remove her to her own abode?"
+
+"I must not refuse you, my poor young man," replied the clergyman.
+"But I fear that my house will be no safe resting-place, even for the
+dead, just now."
+
+Herval grasped his arm, and said, in a low but emphatic tone, "It is
+safe, Sir, against all the troops in Poitou. How long it may be so, I
+cannot tell; but as long as this arm can wield a sword, it shall not
+want defence. My Lord Count," he added, pointing to the dead body,
+"did I not hear that you meet her murderer to-morrow at noon?"
+
+"I know not the hour or place he may appoint," replied the Count in a
+low deep voice; "but we do meet! and there are things that call aloud
+for vengeance, Herval, which even I cannot forgive."
+
+The man laughed aloud, but that laugh was no voice of merriment. It
+was dreary, boding, horrible, and in good accordance with the
+circumstances and the scene. He replied nothing to the words of the
+Count, however, turning to the pastor and saying, "Now, Sir, now! If
+you will give shelter to the dead for but an hour or two, you shall
+win deep gratitude of the living."
+
+"Willingly," replied the pastor. "But then," he added, turning to one
+of the other two women who were present, "Who shall protect you home,
+dear lady?"
+
+"That will I do, at the risk of my life," said the Count; and the
+other woman, whom the pastor had not addressed, replied, "It will be
+better so. We have been too long absent already."
+
+Armand Herval had not noticed the brief words that were spoken, for he
+was gazing with an intense and eager look upon the fair countenance of
+the dead, with bitter anguish written in every line of his face. The
+pastor touched his arm gently, saying, "Now, my son, let me and you
+carry the body. We can pass through the wood unseen."
+
+But the other put him by, with his hand, saying, in a sad tone, "I
+need no help;" and then kneeled down by her side, he put his arms
+around her, saying, "Let me bear thee in my bosom, sweet child, once
+only, once before the grave parteth us, and ere it shall unite us
+again. Oh, Claire, Claire," he added, kissing her cold lips
+passionately, "Oh, Claire, Claire, was it for this I taught thee a
+purer faith, and brought thee hither to see the worship of the
+persecuted followers of the cross? Was it for this I bent down my
+nature, and became soft as a woman to suit my heart to yours? Oh,
+Claire, Claire, if I have brought thee to death, I will avenge thy
+death; and for every drop that falls from my eyes, I will have a drop
+of blood."
+
+"Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord!" the old man said in a low tone;
+"but let us haste, my son, for night is coming on fast. Farewell,
+lady. Albert, I trust them to thee. We shall meet again--if not here,
+in heaven!"
+
+Armand Herval took the corpse of the fair girl who had fallen, in his
+powerful arms, and bore her after the pastor towards the wood we have
+mentioned, while his horse, trained so to do, followed him with a
+regular pace, and entered the road through the copse immediately after
+him.
+
+Albert of Morseiul remained alone with the two ladies, his
+interposition in favour of one of whom had brought on the sad events
+which we have detailed. As soon as the pastor was gone, he advanced
+towards her, and held out both his hands with deep emotion. "I cannot
+be mistaken," he said. "The disguise might deceive any other eyes, but
+it cannot mine. Clemence! it must be Clemence! Am I not right?"
+
+She put her hands in his in return, saying, "Oh, yes, you are right!
+But what, what shall I do, Monsieur de Morseuil? I am faint and weary
+with agitation, and all this terrible scene. I have left the carriage
+that brought me hither at two or three miles' distance, and, perhaps,
+it too has gone away on the report of the fliers from this awful
+place."
+
+"I will send up my servant immediately," said the Count, "to see, and
+in the mean time rest here, Clemence. In this deep hollow we shall
+escape all passing eyes till his return, and you will have more
+shelter than any where else.--Where can the servant find the
+carriage?"
+
+Clemence, who had raised her veil, looked towards her companion to
+explain more fully than she could do. But her attendant, Maria--for
+such was the person who accompanied her--judging, perhaps, that a word
+spoken at such a moment between two people, situated as were Clemence
+de Marly and the Count de Morseiul, might have more effect than whole
+hours of conversation at another time, took upon herself the task of
+telling the servant, saying, "I can direct him, my Lord, better than
+any one. It were as well to bring your horse down here before he
+goes."
+
+The Count assented, and with a slow step she proceeded to fulfil her
+errand.
+
+"Clemence de Marly trembled not a little. She felt that the moment for
+the decision of her fate for life was come. She felt that her heart
+and her faith must be plighted to Albert of Morseiul at that moment,
+or, perhaps, never. She felt that if she did so plight it, she
+plighted herself to care, to grief, to anxiety, to danger,--perhaps to
+destruction,--perhaps to desolation. But that very feeling took away
+all hesitation, all scruple, and made her, in a moment, make up her
+mind to let him see her heart as it really was, to cast away from her
+every vain and every proud feeling, and to stand, before him she
+loved, without disguise. The Count, too, felt, and felt strongly, that
+this was a moment which must not be let pass; and the instant the
+attendant had quitted them, he raised the lady's hand to his lips,
+pressing on it a warm and passionate kiss.
+
+"Tell me, Clemence, tell me, dear Clemence," he said, "what is the
+meaning of this. What is the meaning of your presence here? Is it, is
+it that the only barrier which existed between us is removed? Is it
+that you are of the same faith as I am?"
+
+"Is that the only barrier, Albert?" she said, shaking her head
+somewhat reproachfully. "Is that the only barrier? You spoke of many."
+
+"I spoke of only one insurmountable," replied the Count, "and I
+believed that to be insurmountable, Clemence, for I was even then
+aware of the decree, which did not appear till afterwards, but which
+forbade the marriage of Catholics and Protestants."
+
+"And was that the only insurmountable one?" she demanded. "Was that
+the only insurmountable barrier to our union?--What, if I had
+previously loved another?"
+
+"And is it so, then?" demanded the Count, with somewhat of sadness in
+his tone. "And have you before loved another?"
+
+"No, no!" exclaimed Clemence eagerly, and placing the hand which she
+had withdrawn in his again; "No, no! The woman was coming over me once
+more, but I will conquer the woman. No, I never did love another. Even
+if I had fancied it, I should now know, Albert, by what I feel at this
+moment, how idle such a fancy had been. But I never did fancy it. I
+never did believe it, even in the least degree; and now that I have
+said all that I can say, whatever may happen, never doubt me, Albert.
+Whatever you see, never entertain a suspicion. I have never loved
+another, and I can say nothing more."
+
+"Yes, yes! Oh, yes!" he exclaimed, "you can say more, Clemence. Say
+that you love me."
+
+She bent down her head, and Albert of Morseiul drew her gently to his
+bosom. "Say it! Say it, dear Clemence!" he said.
+
+Clemence hesitated, but at length she murmured something that no other
+ear but his could have heard, had it been ever so close. But he heard,
+and heard aright, that her reply was, "But too well!"
+
+The Count sealed the words upon her lips with his, and Clemence de
+Marly hid her eyes upon his shoulder, for they were full of tears.
+"And now," she added, raising them after a moment with one of her own
+sparkling smiles, "and now, having said those awful words, of course I
+am henceforth a slave. But this is no scene for jest, Albert.
+Desolation and destruction is round us on every side, I fear."
+
+"It matters not," replied the Count, "if thy faith is the same as mine
+is----"
+
+"It is, it is!" cried Clemence. "It may have wavered, Albert; but,
+thanks to yon good creature who has just left us, the light has never
+been wholly extinguished in my mind. My mother was a Protestant, and
+in that faith she brought me up. She then, knowing that I must fall
+into other hands, left Maria with me, with charges to me never to let
+her quit me. I was but a child then," she continued, "and they forced
+me to abjure. But their triumph lasted not an hour, for though I dared
+not show my feelings, I always felt that the path on which they would
+lead me was wrong, and strove, whenever I could, to return to a better
+way. To-day I came here at all risks, but I fear very much, Albert, I
+fear that destruction, and oppression, and grief, surround us on every
+side."
+
+"If thy faith be the same as mine, Clemence," said the Count, "if thy
+heart be united with mine, I will fear nothing, I will dare all. If
+they will not suffer us to live in peace in this our native land,
+fortunately I have just transmitted to another country enough to
+support us in peace, and tranquillity, and ease.--And yet, oh yet,
+Clemence," he continued, his tone becoming sadder and his countenance
+losing its look of hope, "and yet, oh yet, Clemence, when I think of
+that unhappy man who has just left us, and of the fair girl whose
+corpse he has now borne away in his arms;--when I remember that
+scarcely more than eight days have passed since he was animated with
+the same hopes that I am, founding those hopes upon the same schemes
+of flight, and trusting more than I have ever trusted to the bright
+hereafter,--when I think of that, and of his present fate, the agony
+that must now be wringing his heart, the dark obscurity of his bitter
+despair, I tremble to dream of the future, not for myself, but for
+thee, sweet girl. But we must fall upon some plan both of
+communicating when we will, and of acting constantly on one scheme and
+for one object. Here comes your faithful attendant. She must know our
+situation and our plans--only one word more. You have promised me
+this," he continued, once more raising her hand to his lips.
+
+"When and where you will," replied Clemence.
+
+"And you will fly with me, whenever I find the opportunity of doing
+so?"
+
+"I will," she answered.
+
+The attendant had now approached, and the Count took a step towards
+her, still holding Clemence by the hand, as if he feared to lose the
+precious boon she had bestowed upon him.
+
+"She is mine, Madame," he said, addressing the attendant. "She is
+mine, by every promise that can bind one human being to another."
+
+"And you are hers?" demanded the attendant solemnly. "And you are
+hers, my Lord Count, by the same promises?"
+
+"I am, by every thing I hold sacred," said the Count, raising his hand
+towards Heaven, "now and for ever, till death take me from her. But
+ere we can be united, I fear, I fear that many things must be
+undergone. Alas, that I should recommend it! but she must even conceal
+her faith: for, from the cruel measures of the court, even now death
+or perpetual imprisonment in some unknown dungeon is the only fate
+reserved for the relapsed convert, as they call those who have been
+driven to embrace a false religion, and quitted it in renewed disgust.
+But I must trust to you to afford me the means of communicating with
+her at all times. The only chance for us, I fear, is flight."
+
+"It is the only one! it is the only one!" replied the maid. "Fly with
+her to England, my Lord. Fly with her as speedily as possible. Be
+warned, my Lord, and neither delay nor hesitate. The edge of the net
+is just falling on you. If you take your resolution at once, and quit
+the land before a week be over, you may be safe; but if you stay
+longer, every port in France will be closed against you."
+
+"I will make no delay," replied the Count. "Her happiness and her
+safety are now committed to my charge; inestimable trusts, which I
+must on no account risk. But I have some followers and dependants to
+provide for, even here. I have some friends to defend; and I must not
+show myself remiss in that; or she herself would hardly love me. It
+were easy, methinks, however, for you and your mistress to make your
+escape at once to England, and for me to join you there hereafter."
+
+"Oh no, my lord, I fear not!" replied the maid. "I do not think
+Monsieur de Rouvre himself would object to her marrying you and
+flying. He shrewdly suspects, I think, that she is Protestant at
+heart; but he would never yield to her flying herself. But, hark! I
+hear horses coming. Let us draw back and be quiet."
+
+"There is no sound of carriage-wheels, I fear," said Clemence,
+listening. "Oh, Albert, all this day's sad events have quite
+overpowered me; and I dread the slightest sound."
+
+The Count pressed her hand in his, and, as was usual with him in
+moments of danger, turned his eyes towards his sword-belt, forgetting
+that the blade was gone. The sound of horses' feet approaching
+rapidly, however, still continued; and, at length, a party of four
+persons, whose faces could not be well distinguished in the increasing
+darkness, stopped exactly opposite the spot where a little rough road
+led down into the hollow where the lovers were. One of the riders
+sprang to the ground in a moment, and, leaving his horse with the
+others, advanced, exclaiming aloud,--
+
+"Hollo! Ho! Albert de Morseiul! Hollo! where are you?"
+
+"It is the voice of the Chevalier d'Evran," cried Clemence, clinging
+closer to her lover, as if with some degree of fear.
+
+"I think it is," said the Count; "but fear not! He is friendly to us
+all. Draw down your veil, however, my beloved; it is not necessary
+that he should see and know you."
+
+With the same shout the Chevalier continued to advance towards them,
+and the Count took a step or two forward to meet him. But, shaking his
+friend warmly by the hand, the Chevalier passed on at once to the
+lady, and, to the surprise of the Count, addressed her immediately by
+her name: "Very pretty, indeed, Mademoiselle Clemence!" he said; "this
+is as dangerous a jest, I think, as ever was practised."
+
+Clemence hesitated not a moment, but replied at once, "It is no jest,
+Sir! It is a dangerous reality, if you will."
+
+"Poo, poo, silly girl," cried the Chevalier. "By the Lord that lives,
+you will get yourself into the castle of Pignerol, or the Bastille, or
+some such pleasant abode! I have come at full speed to bring you
+back."
+
+"Stay yet a minute, Louis," said the Count somewhat gravely. "There is
+another person to be consulted in this business, whom you do not seem
+to recollect. Mademoiselle de Marly is, for the time, under my
+protection; and you know we delegate such a duty to no one."
+
+"My dear Count," replied the Chevalier, "the good Duc de Rouvre will
+doubtless be infinitely obliged to you for the protection you have
+given to this fair lady; but having sent me to find her and bring her
+back, I must do so at once; and will only beg her to be wise enough to
+make no rash confessions as she goes. The affair, as far as she is
+concerned, is a jest at present: it is likely, I hear, to prove a
+serious jest to others. I left your man, who directed me hither, to
+bring up the carriage as far as possible: and now, Mademoiselle
+Clemence, we will go, with your good pleasure."
+
+The tone of authority in which the Chevalier spoke by no means pleased
+Albert of Morseiul, who felt strong in his heart the newly acquired
+right of mutual love to protect Clemence de Marly himself. He was not
+of a character, however, to quarrel with his friend lightly, and he
+replied, "Louis, we are too old friends for you to make me angry. As
+your proposal of conveying Mademoiselle de Marly back in her own
+carriage, coincides with what we had previously arranged, of course I
+shall not oppose it; but equally, of course, I accompany her to
+Ruffigny."
+
+"I am afraid that cannot be, Albert," answered the Chevalier; and the
+resolute words, "It must be!" had just been uttered in reply, when
+Clemence interfered.
+
+"It is very amusing, gentlemen," she said in her ordinary tone of
+scornful playfulness, "it is very amusing, indeed, to hear you calmly
+and quietly settling a matter that does not in the least depend upon
+yourselves. You forget that I am here, and that the decision must be
+mine. Monsieur le Chevalier, be so good as not to look authoritative,
+for, depend upon it, you have no more power here than that old
+hawthorn stump. Monsieur de Rouvre cannot delegate what he does not
+possess; and as I have never yet suffered any one to rule me, I shall
+not commence that bad practice to-night. You may now tell me, in
+secret, what are your motives in this business; but, depend upon it,
+that my own high judgment will decide in the end."
+
+"Let it!" replied the Chevalier; and bending down his head, he
+whispered a few words to Clemence in a quick and eager manner. She
+listened attentively, and when he had done, turned at once to the
+Count de Morseiul, struggling to keep up the same light manner, but in
+vain.
+
+"I fear," she said, "Monsieur de Morseiul, that I must decide for the
+plan of the Chevalier, and that I must lay my potent commands upon you
+not to accompany or follow me. Nay more, I will forbid your coming to
+Ruffigny tomorrow; but the day after, unless you hear from me to the
+contrary, you may be permitted to inquire after my health."
+
+Albert of Morseiul was deeply mortified; too much so, indeed, to reply
+in any other manner than by a stately bow. Clemence saw that he was
+hurt; and, though some unexplained motive prevented her from changing
+her resolution, she cast off reserve at once, and holding out her hand
+to him, said aloud, notwithstanding the presence of the Chevalier, "Do
+you forgive me, Albert?"
+
+Though unable to account for her conduct, the Count felt that he loved
+her deeply still, and he pressed his lips upon her hand warmly and
+eagerly, while Clemence added in a lower tone, but by no means one
+inaudible to those around who chose to listen, "Have confidence in me,
+Albert! Have confidence in me, and remember you have promised never to
+doubt me whatever may happen. Oh, Albert, having once given my
+affection, believe me utterly incapable of trifling with yours even by
+a single thought."
+
+"I will try, Clemence," he replied; "but you must own there is
+something here to be explained."
+
+"There is!" she said, "there is; and it shall be explained as soon as
+possible; but, in the mean time, trust me! Here comes the servant, I
+think: the carriage must be near."
+
+It was as she supposed; and the Count gave her his arm to assist her
+in climbing back to the level ground above, saying, at the same time
+in a tone of some coldness which he could not conquer, "As the lady
+has herself decided, Chevalier, I shall not of course press my
+attendance farther than to the carriage door; but have you men enough
+with you to insure her safety? It is now completely dark."
+
+"Quite enough!" replied the Chevalier, "quite enough, Albert;" and he
+fell into silence till they reached the side of the vehicle, dropping,
+however, a few yards behind Clemence and her lover.
+
+Every moment of existence is certainly precious, as a part of the
+irrevocable sum of time written against us in the book of life; but
+there is no occasion on which the full value of each instant is so
+entirely felt, in which every minute is so dear, so treasured, so
+inestimable in our eyes, as when we are about to part with her we
+love. Albert of Morseuil felt that it was so; and in the few short
+moments that passed ere they reached the carriage, words were spoken
+in a low murmuring tone, which, in the intensity of the feelings they
+expressed and excited, wrought more deeply on his heart and hers, than
+could the passage of long indifferent years. They were of those few
+words spoken in life that remain in the ear of memory for ever.
+
+The fiery hand that, at the impious feast, wrote the fate of the
+Assyrian in characters of flame, left them to go out extinguished when
+the announcement was complete; but the words that the hand of deep and
+intense passion writes upon firm, high, and energetic hearts, remain
+for ever, even unto the grave itself.
+
+Those moments were brief, however, and Clemence and her attendant were
+soon upon their way; the Chevalier sprang upon his horse, and then
+held out his hand frankly to the Count. "Albert," he said, laughing,
+"I have never yet beheld so great a change of Love's making as that
+which the truant boy has wrought in thee. Thou wouldst even quarrel
+with thy oldest and dearest companion--thou who art no way
+quarrelsome. You have known me now long, Albert; love me well still.
+If you have ever seen me do a dishonest act, cast me off; if not, as I
+heard Clemence say just now--trust me!" and thus saying, he galloped
+off, without waiting for any reply.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                             THE REVENGE.
+
+
+While Clemence de Marly cast herself back in the carriage; and, with
+the great excitement under which she had been acting for some time,
+now over, hid her eyes with her hands, and gave herself up to deep,
+and even to painful thought--while over that bright and beautiful
+countenance came a thousand varied expressions as she recollected all
+that had passed--while the look of horror rose there as she remembered
+all the fearful scenes she had beheld, the murderous treachery of the
+dragoons, the retribution taken by the people, and the death of the
+unhappy girl who had received one of the random shots--while that
+again was succeeded by the expression of admiration and enthusiasm, as
+she recalled the words and conduct of the Protestant pastor, and while
+a blush, half of shame and half of joy, succeeded, as she remembered
+all that had passed between her and Albert of Morseiul; the Count
+himself was wending his way slowly homeward, with feelings different
+from hers, and by no means so happy.
+
+She knew that difficulty and danger surrounded her, she knew that much
+was necessarily to be endured, much to be apprehended; but she had
+woman's greatest, strongest consolation. She had the great, the mighty
+support, that she was loved by him whom alone she loved. With her that
+was enough to carry her triumphant through all danger, to give her a
+spirit to resist all oppression, to support her under all trials, to
+overcome all fears.
+
+It may be asked, when we say that Albert of Morseiul's feelings were
+different, whether he then loved her less than she loved him, whether
+love in his bosom was less powerful, less all-sufficing than in hers.
+It would seem strange to answer, no; yet such was not the case. He
+loved her as much, as deeply, as she did him; he loved her as
+tenderly, as truly. His love--though there must always be a difference
+between the love of man and the love of woman--was as full, as
+perfect, as all-sufficing as her own, and yet his bosom was not so
+much at ease as hers, his heart did not feel the same confidence in
+its own happiness that hers did. But there were many different causes
+combined to produce that effect. In the first place, he knew the
+dangers, the obstacles, the difficulties, far better than she did. He
+knew them more intimately, more fully, more completely; they were all
+present to his mind at once; no bright hopes of changing circumstances
+came to relieve the prospect; but all, except the love of Clemence de
+Marly, was dark, obscure, and threatening around him. That love might
+have seemed, however, but as a brighter spot amidst the obscurity, had
+it not been that apprehensions for her were now added to all his
+apprehensions for his religion and his country. It might have seemed
+all the brighter for the obscurity, had it been itself quite
+unclouded, had there not been some shadows, though slight, some
+mystery to be struggled with, something to be forgotten or argued
+down.
+
+During the few last minutes that he was with her, the magic
+fascination of her presence had conquered every thing, and seated love
+triumphant above all; but as he rode on, Albert de Morseiul pondered
+over what had occurred, thought of the influence which the Chevalier
+d'Evran had exerted over her, combined it with what he had seen before
+at Poitiers, and pronounced it in his own heart, "very strange." He
+resolved not to think upon it, and yet he thought. He accused
+himself--the man of all others the least suspicious on the earth, by
+nature--he accused himself of being basely suspicious. He argued with
+himself that it was impossible that either on the part of Clemence or
+the Chevalier there should be any thing which could give him pain,
+when each, in the presence of the other, behaved to him as they had
+behaved that night; and yet there was something to be explained, which
+hung--like one of those thin veils of cloud that sometimes cover even
+the summer sun, prognosticating a weeping evening to a blithe
+noon--which hung over the only star that fate had left to shine upon
+his track, and he thought of it sadly and anxiously, and longed for
+something to bear it far away.
+
+He struggled with such feelings and such reflections for some time;
+and then, forcing his thoughts to other things, he found that there
+was plenty, indeed, for him to consider and to provide against, plenty
+to inquire into and to ponder over, ere he resolved or acted. First
+came the recollection of the quarrel between himself and the young De
+Hericourt. He knew that the rash and cruel young man had made his
+escape from the field, for he himself, with two of his servants, had
+followed him close, and, by detaining a party of the pursuers, had
+afforded the commander of the dragoons an opportunity to fly. That he
+would immediately require that which is absurdly called satisfaction,
+for the blow which had been struck, there could be no earthly doubt,
+although the laws against duelling were at that time enforced with the
+utmost strictness, and there was not the slightest chance whatsoever
+of the King showing mercy to any Protestant engaged in a duel with a
+Roman Catholic.
+
+No man more contemned or reprobated the idiotical custom of duelling
+than the Count himself; no man looked upon it in a truer light than he
+did; but yet must we not forgive him, if, even with such feelings and
+with such opinions, he prepared, without a thought or hesitation, to
+give his adversary the meeting he demanded? Can we severely blame him
+if he determined, with his own single arm, to avenge the wanton
+slaughter that had been committed, and to put the barrier of a just
+punishment between the murderer of so many innocent people and a
+repetition of the crime? Can we blame him, if, seeing no chance
+whatsoever of the law doing justice upon the offender, he
+resolved--risking at the same time his own life--to take the law into
+his hand, and seek justice for himself and others?
+
+The next subject that started up for consideration was the general
+events of that day, and the question of what colouring would be given
+to those events at the court of France.
+
+A peaceful body of people, meeting together for the worship of the
+Almighty, in defiance of no law, (for the edict concerning the
+expulsion of the Protestant pastors, and prohibiting the preaching of
+the reformed religion at all, had not yet appeared,) had been brutally
+insulted by a body of unauthorised armed men, had been fired upon by
+them without provocation, and had lost several of their number,
+murdered in cold blood and in a most cowardly manner, by the hands of
+the military. They had then, in their own defence, attacked and
+pursued their brutal assailants, and had slain several of them as a
+direct consequence of their own crimes.
+
+Such were the simple facts of the case; but what was the tale, the
+Count asked himself, which would be told at the court of France, and
+vouched for by the words of those, who, having committed the great
+crime of unprovoked murder, would certainly entertain no scruple in
+regard to justifying it by the lesser crime of a false oath?
+
+"It will be represented," thought the Count, "that a body of armed
+fanatics met for some illegal purpose, and intending no less than
+revolt against the King's government, attacked and slaughtered a small
+body of the royal troops sent to watch their movements. It will be
+represented that the dragoons fought gallantly against the rebels, and
+slew a great number of their body; and this, doubtless, will be
+vouched for by the words of respectable people, all delicately
+adjusted by Romish fraud; and while the sword and the axe are wetted
+with the blood of the innocent and the unoffending, the murderer, and
+his accomplices, may be loaded with honours and rewards!--But it shall
+not be so if I can stay it," he added. "I will take the bold, perhaps
+the rash, resolution,--I will cast myself in the gap. I will make the
+truth known, and the voice thereof shall be heard throughout Europe,
+even if I fall myself. I, at least, was there unarmed: that can be
+proved. No weapon has touched my hand during this day, and therefore
+my testimony may be less suspected."
+
+While he thus pondered, riding slowly on through the thick darkness
+which had now fallen completely around his path, he passed a little
+wood, which is called the wood of Jersel to this day; but, just as he
+had arrived at the opposite end, two men started out upon him as if to
+seize the bridle of his horse. Instantly, however, another voice
+exclaimed from behind, "Back, back! I told you any one coming the
+other way. He cannot come that way, fools. We have driven him into the
+net, and he has but one path to follow. Let the man go on, whoever he
+is, and disturb him not." The men were, by this time, drawing back,
+and they instantly disappeared behind the trees; while the Count rode
+on with his servant at somewhat a quicker pace.
+
+On his arrival at his own dwelling, Albert of Morseiul proceeded, at
+once, to the library of the chateau, and though Jerome Riquet strongly
+pressed him to take some refreshment, he applied himself at once to
+draw up a distinct statement of all that had occurred, nor quitted it
+till the night had two thirds waned. He then retired to rest, ordering
+himself to be called, without fail, if any body came to the chateau,
+demanding to see him. For the first hour, however, after he had lain
+down, as may well be supposed, he could not close his eyes. The
+obscurity seemed to encourage thought, and to call up all the fearful
+memories of the day. It was a fit canvass, the darkness of the night,
+for imagination to paint such awful pictures on. There is something
+soothing, however, in the grey twilight of the morning, which came at
+length, and then, but not till then, the Count slept. Though his
+slumber was disturbed and restless, it was unbroken for several hours;
+and it was nearly eleven o'clock in the day when, starting up suddenly
+from some troublous dream, he awoke and gazed wildly round the room,
+not knowing well where he was. The sight of the sun streaming into the
+apartment, however, showed him how long he had slept, and ringing the
+bell that lay by his bedside, he demanded eagerly of Jerome Riquet,
+who appeared in an instant, whether no one had been to seek him.
+
+The man replied, "No one," and informed his lord that the gates of the
+castle had not been opened during the morning.
+
+"It is strange!" said the Count. "If I hear not by twelve," he
+continued, "I must set off without waiting. Send forward a courier,
+Riquet, as fast as possible towards Paris, giving notice at the
+post-houses that I come with four attendants, yourself one, and
+ordering horses to be prepared, for I must ride post to the capital.
+Have every thing ready in a couple of hours at the latest, for I must
+distance this morning's ordinary courier, and get to the court before
+him."
+
+"If you ride as you usually do, my lord," replied the man, "you will
+easily do that, for you seldom fail to kill all the horses and all the
+postilions; and if your humble servant were composed of any thing but
+bones and a good wit, you would have worn the flesh off him long ago."
+
+"I am in no mood for jesting, Riquet," replied the Count; "see that
+every thing is ready as I have said, and be prepared to accompany me."
+
+Riquet, who was never yet known to have found too little time to do
+any thing on earth, took the rapid orders of his lord extremely
+coolly, aided him to dress, and then left him. He had scarcely been
+gone five minutes, however, before he returned with a face somewhat
+whiter than usual.
+
+"What is the matter, sirrah?" cried the Count somewhat sharply.
+
+"Why, my lord," he said, "here is the mayor, and the adjoint, and the
+counsellors, arrived in great terror and trepidation, to tell you that
+Maillard, the carrier, coming down from the way of Nantes with his
+packhorses, has seen the body of a young officer tied to a tree, in
+the little wood of Jersel. He was afraid to meddle with it himself,
+and they were afraid to go down till they had come to tell you."
+
+"Send the men up," said the Count, "and have horses saddled for me
+instantly."
+
+"Now, Sir Mayor," he said, as the local magistrate entered, "what is
+the meaning of this? What are these news you bring?"
+
+To say sooth, the mayor was somewhat embarrassed in presenting himself
+before the Count, as he had lately shown no slight symptoms of
+cowardly wavering in regard to the Protestant cause: nor would he have
+come now had he not been forced to do so by other members of the town
+council. He answered, then, with evident hesitation and timidity,--
+
+"Terrible news, indeed, my Lord!--terrible news, indeed! This young
+man has been murdered, evidently; for he is tied to a tree, and a
+paper nailed above his head. So says Maillard, who was afraid to go
+near to read what was written; and then, my Lord, I was afraid to go
+down without your Lordship's sanction, as you are _haut justicier_ for
+a great way round."
+
+The Count's lip curled with a scornful sneer. "It seems to me," he
+said, "that Maillard and yourself are two egregious cowards. We will
+dispense with your presence, Mr. Mayor; and these other gentlemen will
+go down with me at once to see what this business is. Though the man
+might be tied to a tree, and very likely much hurt, that did not prove
+that he was dead; and very likely he might have been recovered, or, at
+least, have received the sacraments of the church, if Maillard and
+yourself had thought fit to be speedy in your measures. Come,
+gentlemen, let us set out at once."
+
+The rebuked mayor slunk away with a hanging head, and the rest of the
+municipal council, elated exactly in proportion to the depression of
+their chief, followed the young Count, who led the way with a party of
+his servants to the wood of Jersel. On first entering that part of the
+road which traversed the wood the party perceived nothing; and the
+good citizens of Morseiul drew themselves a little more closely
+together, affected by certain personal apprehensions in regard to
+meddling with the night's work of one who seemed both powerful and
+unscrupulous. A moment after, however, the object which Maillard had
+seen was presented to their eyes, and, though crowding close together,
+curiosity got the better of fear, and they followed the Count up to
+the spot.
+
+The moment the Count de Morseiul had heard the tale, he had formed his
+own conclusion, and in that conclusion he now found himself not wrong.
+The body that was tied to the tree was that of the young Marquis de
+Hericourt; but there were circumstances connected with the act of
+vengeance which had been thus perpetrated, that rendered it even more
+awful than he had expected, to the eyes of the Count de Morseiul.
+
+There was no wound whatsoever upon the body, and the unhappy young man
+had evidently been tied to the tree before his death, for his hands,
+clenched in agony, were full of the large rugged bark of the elm,
+which he seemed to have torn off in dying. A strong rope round his
+middle pressed him tight against the tree. His arms and legs were
+also bound down to it, so that he could not escape; his hat and upper
+garments were off, and lying at a few yards' distance; and his
+shoulders and neck were bare, except where his throat was still
+pressed by the instrument used for his destruction. That instrument
+was the usual veil of a novice in a Catholic convent, entirely soaked
+and dabbled in blood, and twisted tightly up into the form of a rope.
+It had been wound twice round his neck, and evidently tightened till
+he had died of strangulation. A piece of paper was nailed upon the
+tree above his head, so high up, indeed, as to be out of the reach of
+any one present; but on it was written in a large bold hand which
+could easily be read, these words:--
+
+"The punishment inflicted on a murderer of the innocent, by Brown
+Keroual."
+
+The Count de Morseiul gazed upon the horrible object thus presented to
+him in deep silence, communing with his own heart; while the
+magistrates of the town, and the attendants, as is common with
+inferior minds, felt the awe less deeply, and talked it over with each
+other in an under voice.
+
+"This is very horrible, indeed," said the Count at length. "I think,
+before we do any thing in the business, as this gentleman was of the
+Roman Catholic faith, and an officer in the King's service, we had
+better send down immediately to the Cure of Maubourg, and ask him to
+come up to receive the body."
+
+The word of the young Count was of course law to those who surrounded
+him, and one of his own attendants having been despatched for the
+Cure, the good man came up with four or five of the villagers in less
+than half an hour. His countenance, which was mild and benevolent, was
+very sad, for he had received from the messenger an account of what
+had taken place. The young Count, who had some slight personal
+knowledge of him, and knew him still better by reputation, advanced
+some way to meet him, saying--
+
+"This is a dreadful event, Monsieur le Cure, and I have thought it
+better to send for you rather than move the body of this young
+gentleman myself, knowing him to have been a Catholic, while all of us
+here present were of a different faith. Had not life been evidently
+long extinguished," he continued, "we should not, of course, have
+scrupled in such a manner; but as it is, we have acted as we have
+done, in the hopes of meeting your own views upon the subject."
+
+"You have done quite well, and wisely, my son," replied the Cure.
+"Would to God that all dissensions in the church would cease, as I
+feel sure they would do, if all men would act as prudently as you have
+done."
+
+"And as wisely and moderately as _you always do_, Monsieur le Cure,"
+added the Count.
+
+The Cure bowed his head, and advanced towards the tree, where he read
+the inscription over the head of the murdered man, and then gazed upon
+the veil that was round his throat.
+
+He shook his head sadly as he did so, and then turning to the Count,
+he said, "Perhaps you do not know the key of all this sad story. I
+heard it before I came hither. This morning, an hour before matins,
+the bell of the religious house of St. Hermand--you know it well,
+Count, I dare say, a mile or so beyond the _chene vert_--was rung
+loudly, and on the portress opening the gate, four men, with their
+faces covered, carried in the body of one of the novices, called
+Claire Duval, who had been absent the whole night, causing great
+alarm. There was a shot wound in her breast; she was laid out for the
+grave; and, though none of the men spoke a word, but merely placed the
+body in the lodge, and then retired, a paper was found with it
+afterwards, saying, 'An innocent girl murdered by the base De
+Hericourt, and revenged by Brown Keroual.'--This, of course, I imagine,
+is the body of him called De Hericourt."
+
+"It is, indeed, Sir," replied the Count, "the young Marquis de
+Hericourt, a relation not very distant of the Marquis de Louvois; and
+a brave, but rash, unprincipled, and weak young man he was. In your
+hands I leave the charge of the body, but any assistance that my
+servants can give you, or that my influence can procure, are quite at
+your service."
+
+The Cure' thanked him for his offer, but only requested that he would
+send him down some sort of a litter or conveyance, to carry the body
+to the church. The Count immediately promised to do so; and returning
+home he fulfilled his word. He then took some refreshment before his
+journey, wrote a brief note to the Duc de Rouvre, stating that he
+would have come over to see him immediately, but was obliged to go to
+Paris without loss of time; and then mounting his horse, and followed
+by his attendants, he rode to the first post-house, where taking
+post-horses, he proceeded at as rapid a pace as possible towards the
+capital.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VI.
+
+                              THE COURT.
+
+
+We must once more--following the course of human nature as it is at
+all times, but more especially as it then was, before all the great
+asperities of the world were smoothed and softened down, and one
+universal railroad made life an easy and rapid course from one end to
+another--We must once more then, following the common course of being,
+shift the scene, and bring before our readers a new part of the great
+panorama of that day. It was then at the lordly palace of Versailles,
+in the time of its greatest and most extraordinary splendour, when the
+treasures of a world had been ransacked to adorn its halls, and art
+and genius had been called in to do what riches had been unable to
+accomplish; while yet every chamber throughout the building flamed
+with those far-famed groups, cast in solid gold, the designs of which
+had proceeded from the pencil of Le Brun, and the execution of which
+had employed a thousand of the most skilful hands in France; while yet
+marble, and porphyry, and jasper, shone in every apartment; and the
+rarest works, from every quarter of the world, were added to the
+richness of the other decorations: before, in short, the consequences
+of his own ambition, or his successor's faults and weaknesses, had
+stripped one splendid ornament from that extraordinary building, which
+Louis XIV. had erected in the noon of his splendour--it was then that
+took place the scene which we are about now to describe.
+
+The Count de Morseiul had scarcely paused even to take needful rest on
+his way from Poitou to Paris, and he had arrived late at night at the
+untenanted dwelling of his fathers in the capital. The Counts de
+Morseiul had ever preferred the country to the town, and though they
+possessed a large house in the Place Royale, which then was, though it
+is now no longer a fashionable part of the city; that house had
+become, at it were, merely the dwelling-place of some old officers and
+attendants, who happened to have a lingering fondness for the busy
+haunts of men which their lord shared not in. The old white-headed
+porter, as he opened the gate for his young master, stared with wonder
+and surprise to see him there, and nothing of course was found
+prepared for his reception. But the Count was easily satisfied and
+easily pleased. Food could always be procured without any difficulty,
+in the great capital of all eating, but repose was what the young
+Count principally required; and, after having despatched a messenger
+to Versailles, to ask in due form an audience of the King as early as
+possible on the following morning, to cast himself on the first bed
+that could be got ready, and forgot in a few minutes all the cares,
+and sorrows, and anxieties, which had accompanied him on his way to
+the capital.
+
+The request for an audience was conveyed through the Marquis of
+Seignelai, with whom the Count himself was well acquainted; and he
+doubted not that it would be granted immediately, if he had preceded,
+as he had every reason to believe he had, the ordinary courier from
+Poitou, bringing the news of the events which had taken place in that
+province. The letter of the young secretary, in return to his
+application, arrived the next morning; but it was cold and formal, and
+evidently written under the immediate dictation of the King. It merely
+notified to the Count that, for the next three days, the time
+appointed by his Majesty for business would be fully occupied; that,
+in the mean time, if the business which brought the Count to Paris
+were important, he would communicate it to the minister under whose
+department it came. The note went on to add, that if the business were
+not one requiring immediate despatch, the young Count would do well to
+come to Versailles, to signify the place of his abode at the palace,
+and to wait the monarch's leisure.
+
+This was by no means the tone which Louis usually assumed towards one
+of the most gallant officers in his service; and, while the Count at
+once perceived that the King was offended with him on some account, he
+felt great difficulty in so shaping his conduct as to meet the
+exigency of the moment. As the only resource, he determined to see and
+interest Seignelai to obtain for him a more speedy audience; and he
+had the greater hopes of so doing, inasmuch as that minister was known
+to be jealous of and inimical to Louvois, one of the great persecutors
+of the Protestants.
+
+While he was pondering over these things, and preparing to set out
+immediately for Versailles, another courier from the court arrived,
+bearing with him a communication of a very different character, which,
+upon the whole, surprised the Count, even more than the former one had
+done. It contained a general invitation to all the evening
+entertainments of the court; specifying not only those to which the
+great mass of the French nobility were admitted as a matter of course,
+but the more private and select parties of the King, to which none in
+general but his own especial friends and favourites were ever invited.
+
+This gave Albert of Morseiul fresh matter for meditation, but also
+some hope that the King, whom he believed to be generous and
+kindhearted, had remembered the services he and his ancestors had
+rendered to the state, and had consequently made an effort to overcome
+any feeling of displeasure which he might have entertained in
+consequence of reports from Poitiers. He determined, however, to
+pursue his plan with regard to Seignelai, believing that it would be
+facilitated rather than otherwise by any change of feeling which had
+come over the monarch, and he accordingly proceeded to Versailles at
+once.
+
+The secretary of state was not to be found in his apartments, but one
+of his attendants informed the Count that, at that hour, he would find
+him alone in the gardens, and he accordingly proceeded to seek him
+with all speed. As he passed by the orangery, however, he heard the
+sound of steps and gay voices speaking, and, in a moment after, stood
+in the presence of the King himself, who had passed through the
+orangery, and was now issuing forth into the gardens.
+
+Louis was at this time a man of the middle age, above the ordinary
+height, and finely proportioned in all his limbs. Though he still
+looked decidedly younger than he really was, and the age of forty was
+perhaps as much as any one would have assigned him, judging from
+appearance, yet he had lost all the slightness of the youthful figure.
+He was robust, and even stout, though by no means corpulent, and the
+ease and grace with which he moved showed that no power was impaired.
+His countenance was fine and impressive, though, perhaps, it might not
+have afforded to a very scrutinising physiognomist any indication of
+the highest qualities of the human mind. All the features were good,
+some remarkably handsome, but in most there was some peculiar defect,
+some slight want which took away from the effect of the whole. The
+expression was placable, but commanding, and grave rather than
+thoughtful; and the impression produced by its aspect was, that it was
+serious, less from natural disposition or intense occupation of mind,
+than from the consciousness that it was a condescension for that
+countenance to smile. The monarch's carriage, as he walked, also
+produced an effect somewhat similar on those who saw him for the first
+time. Every step was dignified, stately, and graceful; but there was
+something a little theatrical in the whole, joined with, or perhaps
+expressing, a knowledge that every step was marked and of importance.
+
+The King's dress was exceedingly rich and costly; and certainly though
+bad taste in costume was then at its height, the monarch and the group
+that came close upon his steps, formed as glittering and gay an object
+as could be seen.
+
+Amongst those who followed the King, however, were several
+ecclesiastics, and to the surprise of the young Count de Morseiul, one
+of those on whom his eye first fell was no other than the Abbe
+Pelisson, in eager but low conversation with the Bishop of Meaux.
+Louis himself was speaking with a familiar tone, alternately to the
+Prince de Marsillac, and to the well known financier Bechameil, whose
+exquisite taste in pictures, statues, and other works of art,
+recommended him greatly to the monarch.
+
+No sooner did the King's look rest upon the young Count de Morseiul,
+than his brow became as dark as a thunder cloud, and he stopped
+suddenly in his walk. Scarcely had the Count time to remark that angry
+expression, however, before it had entirely passed away, and a grave
+and dignified smile succeeded. It was a common remark, at that time,
+that the King was to be judged by those who sought him, from his first
+aspect, and certainly, if that were the test in the present instance,
+his affection for the Count of Morseiul was but small.
+
+Louis was conscious that he had displayed bad feelings more openly
+than he usually permitted himself to do; and he now hastened to repair
+that fault, not by affecting the direct contrary sentiments, as some
+might have done, but by softening down his tone and demeanour to the
+degree of dignified disapprobation, which they might naturally be
+supposed to have reached.
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, as the young nobleman approached, "I
+am glad, yet sorry, to see you. There are various reports have reached
+me from Poitou tending to create a belief that you have been, in some
+degree, wanting in due respect to my will; and I should have been glad
+that the falsehood of those reports had been proved before you again
+presented yourself. Your services, Sir, however, are not forgotten,
+and you have, on so many occasions, shown devotion, obedience, and
+gallantry, which might well set an example to the whole world, that I
+cannot believe there is any truth in what I have heard, and am
+willing, unless a painful conviction to the contrary is forced upon
+me, to look upon you, till the whole of this matter be fully
+investigated, in the same light as ever."
+
+The King paused a moment, as if for reply; and the Count de Morseiul
+gladly seized the opportunity of saying, "I came up post, Sire, last
+night, from Morseiul, for the purpose of casting myself at your
+Majesty's feet, and entreating you to believe that I would never
+willingly give you the slightest just cause for offence, in word,
+thought, or deed. I apprehended that some false or distorted
+statements, either made for the purpose of deceiving your Majesty, or
+originating in erroneous impressions, might have reached you
+concerning my conduct, as I know misapprehensions of my conduct had
+occurred in Poitiers itself. Such being the case, and various very
+painful events having taken place, I felt it my duty to beseech your
+Majesty to grant me an audience, in order that I might lay before you
+the pure and simple facts, which I am ready to vouch for on the honour
+of a French gentleman. I am most desirous, especially with regard to
+the latter events which have taken place, that your Majesty should be
+at once made aware of the facts as they really occurred, lest any
+misrepresentations should reach your ears, and prepare your mind to
+take an unfavourable view of acts which were performed in all loyalty,
+and with the most devoted affection to your Majesty's person."
+
+The young Count spoke with calm and dignified boldness. There was no
+hesitation, there was no wavering, there was no apprehension either in
+tone, manner, or words; and there was something in his whole demeanour
+which set at defiance the very thought of there being the slightest
+approach to falsehood or artifice in his nature. The King felt that it
+was so himself, notwithstanding many prejudices on all the questions
+which could arise between the Count and himself. But his line of
+conduct, by this time, had been fully determined, and he replied, "As
+I caused you to be informed this morning, Monsieur de Morseiul, my
+arrangements do not permit me to give you so much time as will be
+necessary for the hearing of all you have to say for several days. In
+the mean while, however, fear not that your cause will be, in any
+degree, prejudged. We have already, by a courier arrived this morning,
+received full intelligence of all that has lately taken place in
+Poitou, and of the movements of some of our misguided subjects of the
+pretended reformed religion. We have ordered accurate information to
+be obtained upon the spot, by persons who cannot be considered as
+prejudiced, and we will give you audience as soon as such information
+has been fully collected. In the mean time you will remain at the
+court, and be treated here, in every respect, as a favoured and
+faithful servant, which will show you that no unjust prejudice has
+been created; though it is not to be denied that the first effect of
+the tidings we received from Poitou was to excite considerable anger
+against you. However, you owe a good deal, in those respects, to
+Monsieur Pelisson, who bore witness to your having gallantly defended
+his life from a bad party of robbers, and to your having saved from
+the flames a commission under our hand, although that commission was
+afterwards unaccountably abstracted. I hope to hear," the King
+continued, "of your frequenting much the society of Monsieur Pelisson,
+and our respected and revered friend the Bishop of Meaux, by which you
+may doubtless derive great advantage, and perhaps arrive at those
+happy results which would make it our duty, as well as our pleasure,
+to favour you in the very highest degree."
+
+The meaning of Louis was too evident to be mistaken; and, as the Count
+de Morseiul had not the slightest intention of encouraging even a hope
+that he would abandon the creed of his ancestors, he merely bowed in
+reply, and the King passed on. The Count was then about to retire
+immediately from the gardens, but Pelisson caught him by the sleeve as
+he passed, saying in a low voice,--
+
+"Come on, Monsieur de Morseiul, come on after the King. Believe me, I
+really wish you well; and it is of much consequence that you should
+show not only your attachment to his Majesty, by presenting yourself
+constantly at the court, but also that you are entering into none of
+the intrigues of those who are irritating him by opposition and
+cabals. You know Monsieur Bossuet, of course. Let us come on."
+
+"I only know Monsieur Bossuet by reputation," replied the Count,
+bowing to the Bishop who had paused also, and at the same time turning
+to follow the royal train. "I only know him by reputation, as who,
+throughout France, nay, throughout Europe, does not?"
+
+"The compliment will pass for Catholic, though it comes from a
+Protestant mouth," said one of two gentlemen who had been obliged to
+pause also by the halt of the party before them. But neither Bossuet
+nor the Count took any notice, but walked on, entering easily into
+conversation with each other; the eloquent prelate, who was not less
+keen and dexterous than he was zealous and learned, accommodating
+himself easily to the tone of the young Count.
+
+Pelisson, ere they had gone far, was inclined to have drawn the
+conversation to religious subjects, and was a little anxious to prove
+to the Count de Morseiul that, at the bottom, there was very little
+real difference between the Catholic and the Protestant faith, from
+which starting-point he intended to argue, as was his common custom,
+that as there was so little difference, and as in all the points of
+difference that did exist the Catholics were in the right, it was a
+bounden duty for every Protestant to renounce his heretical doctrines,
+and embrace the true religion.
+
+Bossuet, however, was much more politic, and resisted all Pelisson's
+efforts to introduce such topics, by cutting across them immediately,
+and turning the conversation to something less evidently applicable to
+the Count de Morseiul. Something was said upon the subject of
+Jansenism, indeed, as they walked along; and Bossuet replied,
+smiling,--
+
+"Heaven forbid that those discussions should be renewed! I abhor
+controversy, and always avoid it, except when driven to it. I am
+anxious indeed, most anxious, that all men should see and renounce
+errors, and especially anxious, as I am in duty bound, when those
+errors are of such a nature as to affect their eternal salvation. But
+very little good, I doubt, has ever been done by controversy, though
+certainly still less by persecution; and if we were to choose between
+those two means, controversy would of course be the best.
+Unfortunately, however, it seldom ends but as a step to the other."
+
+There was something so moderate and so mild in the language of the
+prelate, that the young Count soon learned to take great pleasure in
+his discourse; and after these few brief words concerning religion,
+the Bishop of Meaux drew the conversation to arts and sciences, and
+the great improvements of every kind which had taken place in France
+under the government of Louis XIV.
+
+They were still speaking on this subject when the King turned at the
+end of the terrace, and with surprise saw the Count de Morseiul in his
+train, between Pelisson and Bossuet. A smile of what appeared to be
+dignified satisfaction came over the monarch's countenance, and as he
+passed he asked,--
+
+"What are you discussing so eagerly, Monsieur de Meaux?"
+
+"We are not discussing, sire," replied the Bishop, "for we are all of
+one opinion. Monsieur de Morseiul was saying that in all his knowledge
+of history--which we know is very great--he cannot find one monarch
+whose reign has produced so great a change in society as that of Louis
+the Great."
+
+The King smiled graciously, and passed on. But the same sarcastic
+personage, who followed close behind the party to which the Count had
+attached himself, added to Bossuet's speech, almost loud enough for
+the King to hear, "Except Mahomet! Except Mahomet, Monsieur de Meaux!"
+
+It was impossible either for the Bishop, or the Count, or Pelisson, to
+repress a smile; but the only one of the party who turned to look was
+the Count, the others very well knowing the voice to be that of
+Villiers, whose strange method of paying court to Louis XIV. was by
+abusing every thing on which the monarch prided himself. He was
+slightly acquainted with the Count de Morseiul, having met him more
+than once on service, and seeing him turn his head, he came up and
+joined them.
+
+"You spoil that man, all of you," he said, speaking of the King. "All
+the world flatters him, till he does not know what is right and what
+is wrong, what is good and what is bad, what is beautiful and what is
+ugly.--Now, as we stand here upon this terrace," he continued, "and
+look down over those gardens, is there any thing to be seen on the
+face of the earth more thoroughly and completely disgusting than they
+are? Is it possible for human ingenuity to devise any thing so
+mathematically detestable? One would suppose that La Hire, or Cassini,
+or some of the other clockmakers, had been engaged with their
+villanous compasses in marking out all those rounds, and triangles,
+and squares, so that the whole park and gardens, when seen, from my
+little room (which the King in his immense generosity gave me in the
+garret story of the palace), look exactly like a dusty leaf torn out
+of Euclid's Elements, with all the problems demonstrated upon it.
+Then, Monsieur de Morseiul, do pray look at those basins and statues.
+Here you have a set of black tadpoles croaking at an unfortunate woman
+in the midst, as black as themselves. There you have a striking
+representation of Neptune gone mad--perhaps it was meant for a storm
+at sea; and certainly, from the number of people death-sick all round,
+and pouring forth from their mouths into the basins, one might very
+easily conceive it to be so. There is not one better than another, and
+yet the King walks about amongst them all, and thinks it the finest
+thing that ever was seen upon the face of the earth, and has at this
+moment five-and-twenty thousand men working hard, to render it, if
+possible, uglier than before."
+
+The Count de Morseiul smiled; and, although he acknowledged that he
+loved the fair face of the country, unshaven and unornamented better
+than all that art could do, yet he said, that for the gardens of such
+a palace as that of Versailles, where solemn and reposing grandeur was
+required, and regular magnificence more than picturesque beauty, he
+did not see that better could have been done.
+
+Thus passed the conversation, till the King, after having taken
+another turn, re-entered the building, and his courtiers quitted him
+at the foot of the staircase. The Count then inquired of Pelisson
+where he could best lodge in Versailles, and the Abbe pointed out to
+him a handsome house, very near that in which the Bishop of Meaux had
+taken up his abode for the time.
+
+"Do you intend to come speedily to Versailles?" demanded the Bishop.
+
+"As I understood the King," replied the Count, "it is his pleasure
+that I should do so; and consequently I shall merely go back to Paris
+to make my arrangements, and then return hither with all speed. I
+propose to be back by seven or eight o'clock this evening, if this
+house is still to be had."
+
+"For that I can answer," replied the Bishop. "The only disagreeable
+thing you will find here is a want of food," he added, laughing, "for
+the palace swallows up all; but if you will honour me by supping with
+me to-night, Monsieur le Comte, perhaps Monsieur Pelisson will join
+us, with one or two others, and we may spend a calm and pleasant
+evening, in talking over such things as chance or choice may select.
+We do so often in my poor abode. But indeed I forgot; perhaps you may
+prefer going to the theatre at the palace, for this is one of the
+nights when a play is performed there."
+
+"No, indeed," replied the Count. "I hold myself not only flattered,
+but obliged, by your invitation, Monsieur de Meaux, and I will not
+fail to be with you at any hour you appoint."
+
+The hour was accordingly named; and, taking his leave, the young Count
+de Morseiul sought his horses, and returned to Paris. His visit to
+Versailles, indeed, had not been so satisfactory as he could have
+wished; and while Jerome Riquet was making all the preparations for
+his master's change of abode, the Count himself leaned his head upon
+his hand, and revolved in deep thought all the bearings of his present
+situation.
+
+No one knew better than he did, that appearances are but little to be
+trusted at any court, and as little as in any other at the court of
+Louis XIV. He knew that the next word from the King's mouth might be
+an order to conduct him to the Bastille, and that very slight proofs
+of guilt would be required to change his adherence to his religion, if
+not into a capital crime, at least into a pretext for dooming him to
+perpetual imprisonment. He saw, also, though perhaps not to the full
+extent of the King's design, that Louis entertained some hopes of his
+abandoning his religion; and he doubted not that various efforts would
+be employed to induce him to do so--efforts difficult to be parried,
+painful to him to be the object of, and which might, perhaps, afford
+matter for deep offence if they, proved ineffectual.
+
+He saw, and he knew too, that it was decidedly the resolution of the
+King and of his advisers to put down altogether the Protestant
+religion in France; that there was no hope, that there was no chance
+of mitigating, in any degree, the unchangeable spirit of intolerance.
+
+All these considerations urged the young Count to pursue a plan which
+had suggested itself at first to his mind, rather as the effect of
+despair than of calculation. It was to go back no more to Versailles;
+to return post-haste to Poitou; to collect with all speed the
+principal Protestants who might be affected by any harsh measures of
+the court; to demand of Clemence de Marly the fulfilment of her
+promise to fly with him; and, embarking with the rest at the nearest
+port, to seek safety and peace in another land.
+
+The more he thought over this design the more he was inclined to adopt
+it; for although he evidently saw that tidings of what had taken place
+at the preaching in the desert had already reached the King's ears,
+and that the first effect was passed, yet he could not rely by any
+means upon the sincerity of the demeanour assumed towards him, and
+believed that even though he--if his military services were
+required--might be spared from political considerations, yet the great
+majority of the Protestants might be visited with severe inflictions,
+on account of the part they had taken in the transactions of that day.
+
+One consideration alone tended to make him pause ere he executed this
+purpose, which was, that having undertaken a task he was bound to
+execute it, and not to shrink from it while it was half completed;
+and, though anxious to do what he considered right in all things, he
+feared that by flying he might but be able to protect a few, while by
+remaining he might stand between many and destruction.
+
+In this world we ponder and consider, and give time, and care, and
+anxiety, and thought to meditation over different lines of conduct,
+while calm, imperturbable fate stands by till the appointed moment,
+and then, without inquiring the result, decides the matter for us. The
+Count had sent a servant immediately after his return from Versailles
+to the house of Marshal Schomberg, to inquire whether that officer
+were in Paris, and if so, at what hour he would be visible. The
+servant returned bringing word that Marshal Schomberg had quitted the
+country, that his house and effects had been sold, and that it was
+generally supposed he never intended to return.
+
+This was an example of the prompt execution of a resolution, which
+might well have induced the Count de Morseiul to follow it, especially
+as it showed Schomberg's opinion to be, that the affairs of the
+Protestants in France were utterly irretrievable, and that the danger
+to those who remained was imminent. Thus was another weight cast into
+the scale; but even while he was rising from the table at which he
+sat, in order to give directions for preparing for a still longer
+journey than that which he had notified to his servants before, Jerome
+Riquet entered the room and placed before him a note, written in a
+hand with which he was not at all acquainted.
+
+"You have thought much of my conduct strange, Albert--" it began; and
+turning at once to the other page he saw the name of Clemence. "You
+have thought much of my conduct strange, and now will you not think it
+still stranger, when I tell you that I have but two moments to write
+to you, and not even a moment to see you? I looked forward to tomorrow
+with hope and expectation; and now I suddenly learn that we are to set
+off within an hour for Paris. The order has been received from the
+King: the Duke will not make a moment's delay: for me to stay here
+alone is, of course, impossible; and I am obliged to leave Poitou
+without seeing you, without the possibility even of receiving an
+answer. Pray write to me immediately in Paris. Tell me that you
+forgive me for an involuntary fault; tell me that you forgive me for
+any thing I may have done to pain you. I say so, because your last
+look seemed to be reproachful; and yet, believe me, when I tell you
+upon my honour, that I could not but act as I have acted.
+
+"Oh, Albert! if I could but see you in Paris! I, who used to be so
+bold--I, who used to be so fearless, now feel as if I were going into
+a strange world, where there is need of protection, and guidance, and
+direction. I feel as if I had given up all control over myself; and if
+you were near me, if you were in Paris, I should have greater
+confidence, I should have greater courage, I should have more power to
+act, to speak, even to think rightly, than I have at present. Come,
+then, if it be possible, come then, if it be right; and if not, at all
+events write to me soon, write to me immediately.
+
+"May I,--yes I may, for I feel it is true--call myself
+
+                                         "Your Clemence."
+
+
+The letter was dated on the very day that the Count himself had set
+off, and had evidently been sent over to the chateau of Morseiul
+shortly after his departure. Maitre Riquet had contrived to linger in
+the room on one pretext or another while his master read the note, and
+the Count, turning towards him, demanded eagerly how it had come, and
+who had brought it.
+
+"Why, Monseigneur," replied the man, "the truth is, I always love to
+have a little information. In going through life I have found it like
+a snuff-box, which one should always carry; even if one does not take
+snuff one's self: it is so useful for one's friends!"
+
+"Come, come, Sir, to the point," said his master. "How did this letter
+arrive? that is the question."
+
+"Just what I was going to tell you, my Lord," replied the man. "I left
+behind me Pierre Martin to gather together a few stray things which I
+could not carry with me, and a few stray pieces of information which I
+could not learn myself, and to bring them after us to Paris with all
+speed; old doublets, black silk stockings, bottles of essence, cases
+of razors, true information regarding all the reports in the county of
+Poitou, and whatever letters might have arrived between our going and
+his coming."
+
+"In the latter instance," replied the Count, "you have done wisely,
+and more thoughtfully than myself. I do believe, Riquet, as you once
+said of yourself, you never forget any thing that is necessary."
+
+"You do me barely justice, Sir," replied the man, "for I remember
+always a great deal more than is necessary; so, seeing that the letter
+was in a lady's hand, I brought it you, my Lord, at once, without even
+waiting to look in at the end; which, perhaps, was imprudent, as very
+likely now I shall never be able to ascertain the contents."
+
+"You are certainly not without your share of impudence, Maitre
+Jerome," replied his master; "which I suppose you would say is amongst
+your other good qualities. But now leave me; for I must think over
+this letter."
+
+Riquet prepared to obey, but as he opened the door for his own exit,
+he drew two or three steps back, throwing it much wider, and giving
+admission to the Prince de Marsillac. His appearance did not by any
+means surprise the Count, for although he had seen him that very
+morning at Versailles, he had obtained not a moment to speak with him;
+and, as old friends, it was natural that, if any thing brought the
+Prince to Paris, he should call at the Hotel de Morseiul, to talk over
+all that had taken place since their last meeting at Poitiers.
+
+"My dear Count," he said, "understanding from Monsieur de Meaux that
+you return to Versailles to-night, I have come to offer you a place
+down in my carriage, or to take a place in yours, that we may have a
+long chat over the scenes at Poitiers, and over the prospects of this
+good land of ours."
+
+"Willingly," said the Count. "I have no carriage with me, but I will
+willingly accompany you in yours. What time do you go?"
+
+"As soon as you will," replied the Prince. "I am ready to set out
+directly. I have finished all that I had to do in Paris, and return at
+once."
+
+The Count paused for a moment to calculate in his own mind whether it
+were possible that the Duc de Rouvre could reach Paris that night.
+Considering, however, the slow rate at which he must necessarily
+travel, accompanied by all his family, Albert of Morseiul
+ saw that
+one, if not two days more, must elapse before his arrival.
+
+"Well," he said, having by this time determined at all events to
+pause in the neighbourhood of the capital till after he had seen
+Clemence--"Well, as I have not dined, old friend, I will go through
+that necessary ceremony, against which my man Riquet has doubtless
+prepared, and then I will be ready to accompany you."
+
+"Nor have I dined either," replied the Prince; "so if you will give a
+knife and fork to one you justly call an old friend I will dine with
+you, and we will send for the carriage in the meanwhile."
+
+There was something in the Prince's tone and manner, difficult to
+describe or to explain, which struck the Count as extraordinary. The
+calmest, the coolest, the most self-possessed man in France was a
+little embarrassed. But the Count made no remark, merely looking for a
+moment in his face--somewhat steadfastly indeed, and in such a manner
+that the other turned to the window, saying, in a careless tone, "It
+was under those trees, I think, that the Duke of Guise killed
+Coligny."
+
+The Count made no reply, but called some of his attendants, and bade
+them see what had been provided for dinner. In a few minutes it was
+announced as ready, and he sat down with his friend to table, doing
+the honours with perfect politeness and cheerfulness. Before the meal
+was concluded, it was announced that the Prince's carriage and
+servants had arrived, and, when all was ready, the Count de Morseiul
+proposed that they should depart, leaving his attendants to follow.
+Just as he had his foot upon the step of the carriage, however, the
+Count turned to his friend, and said, "You have forgot, my good
+friend, to tell the coachman whether he is to drive to the Bastille,
+or Vincennes, or to Versailles."
+
+"You mistake," said the Prince, following him into the carriage: "To
+Versailles, of course. I will explain to you the whole matter as we
+go. Within ten minutes after you left Versailles this morning," he
+continued, as soon as they were once fully on the way, "I was sent for
+to the King about something referring to my post of Grand Veneur. I
+found Louvois with him in one of his furious and insolent moods, and
+the King bearing all with the utmost patience. It soon became apparent
+that the conversation referred to you, Louvois contending that you
+should never have been suffered to quit Versailles till some affairs
+that have taken place in Poitou were fully examined, declaring that
+you had only gone to Paris in order to make your escape from the
+country more conveniently. The King asked me my opinion; and I laughed
+at the idea to Louvois's face. He replied that I did not know all, or
+half, indeed, for that if I did I should not feel nearly so certain. I
+said I knew you better; and, to settle the matter at once, I added
+that, as I was going to Paris, I would undertake you came back with me
+in my carriage or I in yours. The King trusted me, as you see; and I
+thought it a great deal better to come in this manner as a friend,
+than to let Louvois send you a _lettre de cachet_, which you might
+even find a more tiresome companion than the Prince de Marsillac."
+
+"Undoubtedly I should," replied the Count, "and I thank you much for
+the interest you have taken in the affair as well as for the candour
+of the confession. But now, my friend, since you have gone so far, go
+a little farther, and give me some insight, if you can, into what is
+taking place at the court just at present--I mean in reference to
+myself--for my situation is, as you may suppose, not the most
+pleasant; and is one in which a map of the country may be serviceable
+to me. I see none of my old friends about the court at present except
+yourself. Seignelai I have not been able to find----"
+
+"And he would give you no information even if you did find him,"
+replied the Prince. "I can give you but very little, for I know but
+little. In the first place, however, let me tell you a great secret;
+that you are strongly suspected of being a Protestant."
+
+"Indeed," replied the Count; "I fear they have more than suspicion
+against me there."
+
+"Confess it not," said his friend, "confess it not! for just at
+present, it would be much more safe to confess high treason: but, in
+the next place, my dear Count, a report has gone abroad--quite false I
+know--that you are desperately in love with this fair Clemence de
+Marly."
+
+"And pray," demanded the Count, smiling, "in what manner would that
+affect me at the court, even were it true?"
+
+"Why, now, to answer seriously," replied his friend, "though, remember
+I speak only from the authority of my own imagination, I should say,
+that you are very likely to obtain her, with every sort of honour and
+distinction to boot, in spite of Hericourt and the Chevalier d'Evran,
+and all the rest, upon one small condition; which is, that you take a
+morning's walk into the Church of St. Laurent, or any other that may
+be more pleasant to you; stay about half an hour, read a set form,
+which means little or nothing, and go through some other ceremonies of
+the same kind."
+
+"In fact," said the Count, "make my renunciation in form, you mean to
+say."
+
+The Prince nodded his head, and Albert of Morseiul fell into thought,
+well knowing that his friend was himself ignorant of one of the most
+important considerations of the whole; namely, the faith of Clemence
+de Marly herself. On that subject, of course, he did not choose to say
+any thing; but after remaining in thought for a few moments, he
+demanded,--
+
+"And pray, my good friend, what is to be the result, if I do not
+choose to make this renunciation?"
+
+"Heaven only knows," replied the Prince. "There are, at least, six or
+seven different sorts of fate that may befall you. Probably the choice
+will be left to yourself; whether you will have your head struck off
+in a gentlemanly way in the court of the Bastille, or be broken on the
+wheel; though I believe that process they are keeping for the Huguenot
+priests now,--ministers as you call them. If the King should be
+exceeding merciful, the castle of Pignerol, or the prison in the isle
+St. Marguerite, may afford you a comfortable little solitary dwelling
+for the rest of your life. I don't think it likely that he should send
+you to the galleys, though I am told they are pretty full of military
+men now. But if I were you, I would choose the axe: it is soonest
+over."
+
+"I think I should prefer a bullet," said the Count; "but we shall see,
+my good friend, though I can't help thinking your anticipations are
+somewhat more sanguinary than necessary. I hear that Schomberg has
+taken his departure, and it must have been with the King's permission.
+Why should it not be the same in my case? I have served the king as
+well, though, perhaps, not quite so long."
+
+"But you are a born subject of France," replied the other; "Schomberg
+is not; and, besides, Schomberg has given no offence, except remaining
+faithful to his religion. You have been heading preaching in the open
+fields they say, if not preaching yourself."
+
+"Certainly not the last," replied the Count.
+
+"Indeed!" said his friend; "they have manufactured a story, then, of
+your having addressed the people before any one else."
+
+"Good God!" exclaimed the Count; "is it possible that people can
+pervert one's actions in such a manner? I merely besought the people
+to be orderly and tranquil, and added a hope that they had come
+unarmed as I had come."
+
+"It would seem that a number of you were armed, however," said the
+Prince, "for some of the dragoons were killed it would appear; and, on
+my word, you owe a good deal to Pelisson; for if Louvois had obtained
+his way this morning, as usual, your head would have been in no slight
+danger. The Abbe stepped in, however, and said, that he had seen much
+of you in Poitou, and that from all he had heard and seen, his Majesty
+had not a more faithful or obedient subject in those parts."
+
+"I am certainly very much obliged to him," replied the Count. "But he
+has strangely altered his tone; for at Poitiers he would fain have
+proved me guilty all sorts of acts that I never committed."
+
+"Perhaps he may have had cause to change," replied the Prince de
+Marsillac. "It is known that he and St. Helie quarrelled violently
+before Pelisson's return. But at all events, your great security is in
+the fact, that there are two factions in the party who are engaged in
+putting down your sect. The one would do it by gentle means--bribery,
+corruption, persuasion, and the soft stringents of exclusion from
+place, rank, and emolument. The other breathes nothing but fire and
+blood, the destruction of rebels to the royal will, and the most
+signal punishment for all who differ in opinion from themselves. This
+last party would fain persuade the king that the Huguenots are in
+arms, or ready to take arms, throughout France, and that nothing is to
+be done but to send down armies to subdue them. But then the others
+come in and say, 'It is no such thing; the people are all quiet; they
+are submitting with a good grace, and if you do not drive them to
+despair, they will gradually return, one by one, to the bosom of the
+mother church, rather than endure all sorts of discomfort and
+disgrace!' Of this party are Pelisson, the good Bishop, and many other
+influential people; but, above all, Madame de Maintenon, whose power,
+in every thing but this, is supreme."
+
+"Had I not better see her," demanded the Count, "and endeavour to
+interest her in our favour?"
+
+"She dare not for her life receive you," replied the Prince. "What is
+religion, or humanity, or generosity, or any thing else to her if it
+stand in the way of ambition? No, no, Morseiul! the good lady may
+perhaps speak a kind word for you in secret, and when it can be put in
+the form of an insinuation; but she is no Madame de Montespan who
+would have defended the innocent, and thrust herself in the way to
+prevent injustice, even if the blow had fallen upon herself. She dared
+to say to the King things that no other mortal dared, and would say
+them too, when her heart, or her understanding was convinced; but
+Madame de Maintenon creeps towards the crown, and dares not do a good
+action if it be a dangerous one. Do not attempt to see her, for she
+would certainly refuse; and if she thought that the very application
+had reached the King's ears, she would urge him to do something
+violent, merely to show him that she had nothing to do with you."
+
+"She has had much to do with me and mine," replied the Count, somewhat
+bitterly; "for to my father, she and her mother owed support when none
+else would give it."
+
+"She owed her bread to Madame de Montespan," replied the Prince, "and
+yet ceased not her efforts till she had supplanted her. But," he
+added, after a pause, "she is not altogether bad, either, and it is
+not improbable, that if there be any scheme going on for converting
+you by milder means than the wheel, as I believe there is, she may be
+the deviser of it. She was in the room this morning when the business
+was taking place between the King, Louvois, and Pelisson. She said
+nothing, but sat working at a distance, the very counterpart of a
+pie-bald cat that sat dozing in the corner; but she heard all, and I
+remarked that when the affair was settled, and other things began, she
+beckoned Pelisson to look at her embroidery, and spoke to him for some
+minutes in a low voice."
+
+"Morseiul, may I advise you?" the Prince continued, after a brief
+interval had taken place in the conversation; "listen to me but one
+word! I know well that there is no chance of your changing your
+religion except upon conviction. Do not, however, enact the old Roman,
+or court too much the fate of martyrdom; but without taking any active
+step in the matter, let the whole plans of these good folks, as far as
+they affect yourself, go on unopposed: let them, in short, still
+believe that it is not impossible to convert you. Listen to
+Pelisson--pay attention to Bossuet--watch the progress of events--be
+converted if you can; and if not, you, at all events, will gain
+opportunities of retiring from the country with far greater ease and
+safety than at present, if you should be driven to such a step at
+last. In the mean time, this affair of the preaching will have blown
+over, and they will not dare to revive it against you if they let it
+slumber for some time. Think of it, Morseiul!--think of it!"
+
+"I will," replied the Count, "and thank you sincerely; and indeed will
+do all that may be done with honour, not to offend the king or
+endanger myself;" and thus the conversation ended on that subject; the
+Prince having said already far more than might have been expected from
+a courtier of Louis XIV.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VII.
+
+                     THE CLOUDS AND THE SUNSHINE.
+
+
+The Count de Morseiul had just time to take possession of his new
+abode, and make himself tolerably at his ease therein, before the hour
+arrived for proceeding to the house of the Bishop of Meaux, where he
+was received by the prelate with every sort of kindness.
+
+He arrived before any body else, and Bossuet took him by the hand,
+saying, with a smile, "Some of our good clergy, Monsieur de Morseiul,
+would perhaps be scandalized at receiving in their house so
+distinguished a Protestant as yourself; but I trust you know, what I
+have always endeavoured to prove, that I look upon all denominations
+of Christians as my brethren, and am only perhaps sometimes a
+little eager with them, out of what very likely you consider an
+_over-anxiety_, to induce them to embrace those doctrines which I
+think necessary to their salvation. Should it ever be so between you
+and me, Monsieur le Comte, will you forgive me.
+
+"Willingly," replied the Count, thinking that the work of conversion
+was about to begin; but, to his surprise, Bossuet immediately changed
+the conversation, and turned it to the subject of the little party he
+had invited to meet the Count.
+
+"I have not," he said, "made it, as indeed I usually do, almost
+entirely of churchmen; for I feared you might think that I intended to
+overwhelm you under ecclesiastical authority: however, we have some
+belonging to the church, whom you will be glad to meet, if you do not
+know them already. The Abbe Renaudot will be here, who has a peculiar
+faculty for acquiring languages, such as I never knew in any one but
+himself. He understands no less than seventeen foreign languages, and
+twelve of those he speaks with the greatest facility. That, however,
+is one of his least qualities, as you may yourself judge when I tell
+you, that in this age, where interest and ambition swallow up every
+thing, he is the most disinterested man that perhaps ever lived.
+Possessed of one very small, poor benefice which gives him a scanty
+subsistence, he has constantly refused every other preferment; and no
+persuasion will induce him to do what he terms, 'encumber himself with
+wealth.' We shall also have La Broue, with whose virtues and good
+qualities you are already acquainted. D'Herbelot also wrote yesterday
+to invite himself. He has just returned from Italy, where that
+reverence was shown to him, which generous and expansive minds are
+always ready to display towards men of genius and of learning. He was
+received by the Grand Duke at Florence, and treated like a sovereign
+prince, though merely a poor French scholar. A house was prepared for
+him, the Secretary of State met him, and, as a parting present, a
+valuable library of oriental manuscripts was bestowed upon him by the
+Duke himself. To these grave people we have joined our lively friend
+Pelisson, and one whom doubtless you know, Boileau Despreaux. One
+cannot help loving him, and being amused with him, although we are
+forced to acknowledge that his sarcasm and his bitterness go a good
+deal too far. When he was a youth, they tell me, he was the best
+tempered boy in the world, and his father used to say of him, that all
+his other children had some sharpness and some talent, but that as for
+Nicholas, he was a good-natured lad, who would never speak ill of any
+one. One thing, however, I must tell you to his honour. He obtained
+some time ago, as I lament to say has frequently been done, a benefice
+in the church without being an ecclesiastic. The revenues of the
+benefice he spent, in those his young days, in lightness, if not in
+vice. He has since changed his conduct and his views, and not long
+ago, not only resigned the benefice, but paid back from his own purse
+all that he had received, to be spent in acts of charity amongst the
+deserving of the neighbourhood. This merits particular notice and
+record."
+
+Bossuet was going on to mention several others who were likely to join
+their party, when two of those whom he had named arrived, and the
+others shortly after made their appearance. The evening passed, as
+such an evening may well be supposed to have passed, at the dwelling
+of the famous Bishop of Meaux. It was cheerful, though not gay; and
+subjects of deep and important interest were mingled with, and
+enlivened by many a light and lively sally, confined within the bounds
+of strict propriety, but none the less brilliant or amusing, for it is
+only weak and narrow intellects that are forced to fly to themes
+painful, injurious, or offensive, in order to seek materials with
+which to found a reputation for wit or talent.
+
+The only matter, however, which was mentioned affecting at all the
+course of our present tale, and therefore the only one on which we
+shall pause, was discussed between Pelisson and the Abbe Renaudot,
+while the Count de Morseiul was standing close by them, speaking for a
+moment with D'Herbelot.
+
+"Is there any news stirring at the court, Monsieur Pelisson?" said
+Renaudot. "You hear every thing, and I hear nothing of what is going
+on there."
+
+"Why there is nothing of any consequence, I believe," said Pelisson,
+in a loud voice. "The only thing now I hear of is, that Mademoiselle
+Marly is going to be married at length."
+
+"What, La belle Clemence!" cried Renaudot  "Who is the man that has
+touched her hard heart at length?"
+
+"Oh, an old lover," said Pelisson. "Perseverance has carried the day.
+The Chevalier d'Evran is the man. The King gave his consent some few
+days ago, the Chevalier having come up express from Poitou to ask it."
+
+Every word reached the ear of the Count de Morseiul, and his mind
+reverted instantly to the conduct of the Chevalier and Clemence, and
+to the letter which he had received from her. As any man in love would
+do, under such circumstances, he resolved not to believe a word; but
+as most men in love would feel, he certainly felt himself not a little
+uneasy, not a little agitated, not a little pained even by the report.
+Unwilling, however, to hear any more, he walked to the other end of
+the room to take his leave, as it was now late.
+
+Pelisson looked after him as he went, and seeing him bid Bossuet
+adieu, he followed his example, and accompanied the young Count down
+the stairs and throughout the few steps he had to take ere he reached
+his own dwelling. No word, however, was spoken by either regarding
+Clemence de Marly, and Albert of Morseiul retired at once, though
+certainly not to sleep. He revolved in his mind again and again the
+probability of Pelisson's story having any truth in it. He knew
+Clemence, and he knew the Chevalier, and he felt sure that he could
+trust them both; but that trust was all that he had to oppose to the
+very great likelihood which there existed, that the King, as he so
+frequently did, would take the arrangement of a marriage for Clemence
+de Marly into his own hands, without in the slightest degree
+consulting her inclination, or the inclination of any one concerned.
+
+The prospect now presented to the mind of Albert of Morseiul was in
+the highest degree painful. Fresh difficulties, fresh dangers, were
+added to the many which were already likely to overwhelm him, if even,
+as he trusted she would, Clemence held firm by her plighted troth to
+him, and resisted what was then so hard to resist in France, the
+absolute will of the King. Still this new incident would only serve to
+show that instant flight was more absolutely necessary than before,
+would render any return to France utterly impossible, and would
+increase the danger and difficulty of executing that flight itself.
+But a question suggested itself to the Count's mind, which, though he
+answered it in the affirmative, left anxiety and doubt behind it.
+Would Clemence de Marly resist the will of the King? Could she do so?
+So many were the means to be employed to lead or drive her to
+obedience, so much might be done by leading her on from step to step,
+that bitter, very bitter anxiety took possession of her lover's heart.
+He persuaded himself that it was pain and anxiety on her account
+alone; but still he loved her too well, too truly, not to feel pained
+and anxious for himself.
+
+On the following morning, as soon as he had breakfasted, he wrote a
+brief note to Clemence, telling her that he was at Versailles, was
+most anxious to see her and converse with her, if it were but for a
+few minutes, and beseeching her to let him know immediately where he
+could do so speedily, as he had matters of very great importance to
+communicate to her at once. The letter was tender and affectionate;
+but still there was that in it, which might show the keen eyes of love
+that there was some great doubt and uneasiness pressing on the mind of
+the writer.
+
+As soon as the letter was written, he gave it into the hands of Jerome
+Riquet, directing him to carry it to Paris, to wait there for the
+arrival of the family of de Rouvre, if they had not yet come, and to
+find means to give it to Maria, the attendant of Mademoiselle de
+Marly. He was too well aware of Riquet's talents not to be quite sure
+that this commission would be executed in the best manner; and after
+his departure he strove to keep his mind as quiet as possible, and
+occupied himself in writing to his intendant at Morseiul, conveying
+orders for his principal attendants to come up to join him at
+Versailles directly, bringing with them a great variety of different
+things which were needful to him, but which had been left behind in
+the hurry of his departure. While he was writing, he was again visited
+by the Prince de Marsillac, who came in kindly to tell him that the
+report of Pelisson, who had passed the preceding evening with him,
+seemed to be operating highly in his favour at court.
+
+"I am delighted," he said, "that the good Abbe has had the first word,
+for St. Helie is expected to-night, and, depend upon it, his story
+would be very different. It will not be listened to now, however," he
+continued; "and every day gained, depend upon it, is something. Take
+care, however, Count," he said, pointing to the papers on the table,
+"take care of your correspondence; for though the King himself is
+above espionage, Louvois is not, I can tell you, and unless you send
+your letters by private couriers of your own, which might excite great
+suspicion, every word is sure to be known."
+
+"I was going to send this letter by a private courier," said the
+Count; "but as it is only intended to order up the rest of my train
+from Poitou, and some matters of that kind, I care not if it be known
+to-morrow."
+
+"If it be to order up your train," replied the Prince, "send it
+through Louvois himself. Write him a note instantly, saying, that as
+you understand he has a courier going, you will be glad if he will
+despatch that letter. It will be opened, read, and the most convincing
+proof afforded to the whole of them, that you have no intention of
+immediate flight, which is the principal thing they seem to apprehend.
+With this, clenching the report of Pelisson, you may set St. Helie at
+defiance, I should think."
+
+The Count smiled. "Heaven deliver me from the intrigues of a court,"
+he said. He did, however, as he was advised; and the Prince de
+Marsillac carried off the letter and the note, promising to have them
+delivered to Louvois immediately.
+
+Several hours then passed anxiously, and although he knew that he
+could not receive an answer till two or three o'clock, and might
+perhaps not receive one at all that day, he could not help thinking
+the time long, and, marking the striking of the palace clock, as if it
+must have gone wrong for his express torment. The shortest possible
+space of time, however, in which it was possible to go and come
+between Versailles and Paris had scarcely expired after the departure
+of Riquet, when the valet again appeared. He brought with him a scrap
+of paper, which proved to be the back of the Count's own note to
+Clemence, unsealed, and with no address upon it; but written in a
+hasty hand within was found--
+
+"I cannot--I dare not, see you at present, nor can I now write as I
+should desire to do. If what you wish to say is of immediate
+importance, write as before, and it is sure to reach me."
+
+There was no signature, but the hand was that of Clemence de Marly;
+and the heart of Albert of Morseiul felt as if it would have broken.
+It seemed as if the last tie between him and happiness was severed. It
+seemed as if that hope, which would have afforded him strength, and
+support, and energy, to combat every difficulty and overleap every
+obstacle, was taken away from him; and for five or ten minutes he
+paced up and down the saloon in agony of mind unutterable.
+
+"She is yielding already," he said at length, "she is yielding
+already. The King's commands are hardly announced to her, ere she
+feels that she must give way. It is strange--it is most strange! I
+could have staked my life that with her it would have been
+otherwise!--and yet the influence which this Chevalier d'Evran seems
+always to have possessed over her is equally strange. If, as she has
+so solemnly told me, she is not really bound to him by any tie of
+affection, may she not be bound by some promise rashly given in former
+years? We have heard of such things. However, no promises to me shall
+stand in the way; she shall act freely, and at her own will, as far as
+I am concerned;" and, sitting down, he wrote a few brief lines to
+Clemence, in which, though he did not pour out the bitterness of his
+heart, he showed how bitterly he was grieved.
+
+"The tidings I had to tell you," he said, "were simply these, which I
+heard last night. The King destines your hand for another, and has
+already announced that such is the case. The few words that you have
+written show me that you are already aware of this fact, and that
+perhaps struggling between promises to me and an inclination to obey
+the royal authority, you are pained, and uncertain how to act. Such,
+at least, is the belief to which I am led by the few cold painful
+words which I have received. If that belief is right, it may make you
+more easy to know that, in such a case, Albert of Morseiul will never
+exact the fulfilment of a promise that Clemence de Marly is inclined
+to break."
+
+He folded the note up, sealed it, and once more called for Riquet.
+Before the man appeared, however, some degree of hesitation had come
+over the heart of the Count, and he asked him,--
+
+"Who did you see at the Hotel de Rouvre?"
+
+"I saw," replied the man, "some of the servants; and I saw two or
+three ecclesiastics looking after their valises in the court; and I
+saw Madame de Rouvre looking out of one of the windows with
+Mademoiselle Clemence, and the Chevalier d'Evran."
+
+"It is enough," said the Count. "I should wish this note taken back to
+Paris before nightfall, and given into the hands of the same person to
+whom you gave the other. Take some rest, Riquet. But I should like
+that to be delivered before nightfall."
+
+"I will deliver it, sir, and be back in time to dress you for the
+_Appartement_."
+
+"The _appartement_," said the Count, "I had forgotten that, and most
+likely shall not go. Well," he added after a moment's thought, "better
+go there than to the Bastille. But it matters not, Riquet, Jean can
+dress me."
+
+The man bowed and retired. But by the time that it was necessary for
+the Count to commence dressing for the _appartement_, Riquet had
+returned, bringing with him, however, no answer to the note, for
+which, indeed, he had not waited. The Count suffered him to arrange
+his dress as he thought fit, and then proceeded to the palace, which
+was by this time beginning to be thronged with company.
+
+During one half of the life of Louis XIV. he was accustomed to throw
+open all the splendid public rooms of his palace three times in the
+week to all the chief nobility of his court and capital, and every
+thing that liberal, and even ostentatious, splendour could do to
+please the eye, delight the ear, or amuse the mind of those who were
+thus collected, was done by the monarch on the nights which were
+marked for what was called _appartement_. At an after period of his
+life, when the death of almost all his great ministers had cast the
+burden of all the affairs of state upon the King himself, he seldom,
+if ever, appeared at these assemblies, passing the hours, during which
+he furnished his court with amusement, in labouring diligently with
+one or other of his different ministers.
+
+At the time we speak of, however, he almost every night showed himself
+in the _appartement_ for some time, noticing every body with
+affability and kindness, and remarking, it was said, accurately who
+was present and who was not. It was considered a compliment to the
+monarch never to neglect any reasonable opportunity of paying court at
+these assemblies; and it is very certain that had the Count de
+Morseiul failed in presenting himself on the present occasion, his
+absence would have been regarded as a decided proof of disaffection.
+
+He found the halls below, then, filled with guards and attendants; the
+staircase covered with officers, and guests arriving in immense
+crowds; while from the first room above poured forth the sound of a
+full orchestra, which was always the first attraction met with during
+the evening, as if to put the guests in harmony, and prepare their
+minds for pleasure and enjoyment. The music was of the finest kind
+that could be found in France, and no person ever rendered himself
+celebrated, even in any remote province, for peculiar skill or taste
+in playing on any instrument, without being sought out and brought to
+play at the concerts of the King. The concert room, which was the only
+one where the light was kept subdued, opened into a long suite of
+apartments, hall beyond hall, saloon beyond saloon, where the eye was
+dazzled by the blaze, and fatigued by the immense variety of beautiful
+and precious ornaments which were seen stretching away in brilliant
+perspective. Here tables were laid out for every sort of game that was
+then in fashion, from billiards to lansquenet; and the King took
+especial pains to make it particularly known to every person at his
+court, that it was not only his wish, but his especial command, if any
+man found any thing wanting, or required any thing whatever for his
+amusement or pleasure in the apartments, that he was to order some of
+the attendants to bring it.
+
+Perfect liberty reigned throughout the whole saloons, as far as was
+consistent with propriety of conduct. The courtiers made up their
+parties amongst themselves, chose their own amusements, followed their
+own pursuits. Every sort of refreshment was provided in abundance, and
+hundreds on hundreds of servants, in splendid dresses, were seen
+moving here and there throughout the rooms, supplying the wants, and
+fulfilling the wishes of all the guests, with the utmost promptitude,
+or waiting for their orders, and remarking, with anxious attention,
+that nothing was wanting to the convenience of any one.
+
+The whole of the principal suite of rooms in the palace was thus
+thrown open, as we have said, three times in the week, with the
+exception of the great ball room, which was only opened on particular
+occasions. Sometimes, at the balls of the court, the _appartement_ was
+not held, and the meeting took place in the ball-room itself. But at
+other times the ball followed the supper of the King, which took place
+invariably at ten o'clock, and the company invited proceeded from the
+_appartement_ to the ball-room, leaving those whose age, health, or
+habits, gave them the privilege of not dancing, to amuse themselves
+with the games which were provided on the ordinary nights.
+
+Such was to be the case on the present evening, and such as we have
+described was the scene of splendour which opened upon the eyes of the
+Count de Morseiul as he entered the concert-room, and taking a seat at
+the end, gazed up the gallery, listening with pleasure to a calm and
+somewhat melancholy, but soothing strain of music. His mind, indeed,
+was too much occupied with painful feelings of many kinds for him to
+take any pleasure or great interest in the magnificence spread out
+before his eyes, which he had indeed often seen before, but which he
+might have seen again with some admiration, had his bosom been free
+and his heart at rest.
+
+At present, however, it was but dull pageantry to him, and the music
+was the thing that pleased him most; but when a gay and lively piece
+succeeded to that which he had first heard, he rose and walked on into
+the rooms beyond, striving to find amusement for his thoughts, though
+pleasure might not be there to be found. Although he was by no means a
+general frequenter of the Court, and always escaped from it to the
+calmer pleasures of the country as soon as possible, he was, of
+course, known to almost all the principal nobility of the realm, and
+to all the officers who had in any degree distinguished themselves in
+the service. Thus, in the very first room, he was stopped by a number
+of acquaintances; and, passing on amidst the buzz of many voices, and
+all the gay nothings of such a scene, he met from time to time with
+some one, whose talents, or whose virtues, or whose greater degree of
+intimacy with himself, enabled him to pause and enter into longer and
+more interesting conversation, either in reference to the present--its
+hopes and fears,--or to the period when last they met, and the events
+that then surrounded them.
+
+Although such things could not, of course, cure his mind of its
+melancholy, it afforded him some degree of occupation for his
+thoughts, till a sudden whisper ran through the rooms of "The King!
+The King!" and every body drew back from the centre of the apartments
+to allow the monarch to pass.
+
+Louis advanced from the inner rooms with that air of stately dignity,
+which we know, from the accounts both of his friends and enemies, to
+have been unrivalled in grace and majesty. His commanding person, his
+handsome features, his kingly carriage, and his slow and measured
+step, all bespoke at once the monarch, and afforded no bad indication
+of his character, with its many grand and extensive, if not noble
+qualities, its capaciousness, its ambition, and even its occasional
+littleness, for the somewhat theatrical demeanour was never lost, and
+the stage effect was not less in Louis's mind than in his person.
+
+He paused to speak for a moment with several persons as he passed,
+stood at the lansquenet table where his brother and his son were
+seated, dropped an occasional word, always graceful and agreeable, at
+two or three of the other tables, and then paused for a moment and
+looked up and down the rooms, evidently feeling himself, what his
+whole people believed him to be, the greatest monarch that ever trod
+the earth. There was something, indeed, it must be acknowledged, in
+the mighty splendour of the scene around--in the inestimable amount of
+the earth's treasures there collected--in the blaze of light, the
+distant sound of the music, the dazzling loveliness of many there
+present--the courage, the learning, the talent, the genius collected
+in those halls; and in the knowledge that there was scarcely a man
+present who would not shed the last drop of his heart's blood in the
+defence of his King, there was something that might well turn giddy
+the brain of any man who felt himself placed on that awful pinnacle of
+power and greatness. Louis, however, was well accustomed to it, and,
+like the child and the lion, he had become familiar from youth with
+things which might make other men tremble. Thus he paused but for a
+moment to remark and to enjoy, and then advanced again through the
+apartments.
+
+The next person that his eye fell upon was the Count de Morseiul; and
+his countenance showed in a moment how true had been the prophecy of
+the Prince de Marsillac, that a great change would take place in his
+feelings. He now smiled graciously upon the young Count, and paused to
+speak with him.
+
+"I trust to see you often here, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said.
+
+"I shall not fail, Sire," the Count replied, "to pay my duty to your
+majesty as often as I am permitted to do so."
+
+"Then you do not return soon to Poitou, Monsieur le Comte?" said the
+King.
+
+"I have thought it so improbable that I should do so, Sire," replied
+the Count, who evidently saw that Louvois had not failed to report his
+letter, "that I have taken a hotel here, and have sent for my
+attendants this day. If I hoped that my presence in Poitou could be of
+any service to your majesty----"
+
+"It may be, it may be, Count, in time to come," replied the King. "In
+the mean time we will try to amuse you well here. I have heard that
+you are one of the best billiard-players in France. Follow me now to
+the billiard room, and, though I am out of practice, I will try a
+stroke or two with you."
+
+It was a game in which Louis excelled, as, indeed, he did in all
+games; and this was one which afterwards, we are told, made the
+fortune of the famous minister, Chamillart. The Count de Morseiul,
+therefore, received this invitation as a proof that he was very nearly
+re-established in the King's good graces. He feared not at all to
+compete with the monarch, as he himself was also out of practice, and,
+indeed, far more than the King; so that, though an excellent player,
+there was no chance of his being driven either to win the game against
+the monarch, or to make use of some man[oe]uvre to avoid doing so. He
+followed the King then willingly; but Louis, passing through the
+billiard-room, went on in the first place to the end of the suite of
+apartments, noticing every body to whom he wished to pay particular
+attention, and then returned to the game. A number of persons crowded
+round--so closely indeed, that the monarch exclaimed,--
+
+"Let us have room--let us have room! We will have none but the ladies
+so close to us: Ha, Monsieur de Morseiul?"
+
+The game then commenced, and went on with infinite skill and very
+nearly equal success on both parts. Louis became somewhat eager, but
+yet a suspicion crossed his mind that the young Count was purposely
+giving him the advantage, and at the end of some very good strokes he
+purposely placed his balls in an unfavourable position. The Count did
+not fail to take instant advantage of the opportunity, and had well
+nigh won the game. By an unfortunate stroke, however, he lost his
+advantage, and the King never let him have the table again till he was
+himself secure.
+
+"You see, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, as he paused for a moment
+afterwards, "you see you cannot beat me."
+
+"I never even hoped it, Sire," replied the Count. "In my own short day
+I have seen so many kings, generals, and statesmen try to do so with
+signal want of success, that I never entertained so presumptuous an
+expectation."
+
+The monarch smiled graciously, well pleased at a compliment from the
+young Huguenot nobleman which he had not expected; and as the game was
+one in which he took great pleasure, and which also displayed the
+graces of his person to the greatest advantage, he played a second
+game with the Count, which he won by only one stroke. He then left the
+table, and after speaking once more with several persons in the
+apartments, retired, not to re-appear till after his supper.
+
+As soon as he was gone, the Prince de Marsillac once more approached
+the young Count, saying in a whisper,--"You have not beaten the King,
+Morseiul, but you have conquered him: yet, take my advice, on no
+account leave the apartments till after the ball has begun. Let Louis
+see you there, for you know what a marking eye he has for every one
+who is in the rooms."
+
+Thus saying, he passed on, and the Count determined to follow his
+advice, though the hour and a half that was yet to elapse seemed
+tedious if not interminable to him. About a quarter of an hour before
+the supper of the King, however, as he sat listlessly leaning against
+one of the columns, he saw a party coming up from the concert room at
+a rapid pace, and long before the eye could distinctly see of what
+persons it was composed, his heart told him that Clemence de Marly was
+there.
+
+She came forward, leaning on the arm of the Duc de Rouvre, dressed
+with the utmost splendour, and followed by a party of several others
+who had just arrived. She was certainly not less lovely than ever. To
+the eyes of Albert de Morseiul, indeed, it seemed that she was more
+so: but there was an expression of deep sadness on that formerly gay
+and smiling countenance, which would have made the whole feelings of
+the Count de Morseiul change into grief for her grief, and anxiety for
+her anxiety, had there not been a certain degree of haughtiness,
+throned upon her brow and curling her lips, which bespoke more
+bitterness than depression of feeling. The Duc de Rouvre was, as I
+have said, proceeding rapidly through the rooms, and paused not to
+speak with any one. The eyes of Clemence, however, fell full upon the
+Count de Morseiul, and rested on him with their full melancholy light,
+while she noticed him with a calm and graceful inclination of the
+head, but passed on without a word.
+
+The feelings of the Count de Morseiul were bitter indeed, as may well
+be imagined. "So soon," he said to himself, "so soon! By heaven I can
+understand now all that I have heard and wondered at: how, for a
+woman--an empty, vain, coquettish woman--a man may forget the regard
+of years, and cut his friend's throat as he would that of a stag or
+boar. Where is the Chevalier d'Evran I wonder? He does not appear in
+the train to-night; but perhaps he comes not till the ball. I will
+wait, however, the same time as if she had not been here."
+
+He moved not from his place, but remained leaning against the column;
+and, as is generally the case, not seeking, he was sought for. A
+number of people who knew him gathered round him; and, although he was
+in any thing but a mood for entertaining or being entertained, the
+very shortness of his replies, and the degree of melancholy bitterness
+that mingled with them, caused words that he never intended to be
+witty, to pass for wit, and protracted the torture of conversing with
+indifferent people upon indifferent subjects, when the heart is full
+of bitterness, and the mind occupied with its own sad business.
+
+At length the doors of the ball room were thrown open, and the company
+poured in to arrange themselves before the monarch came. Several
+parties, indeed, remained playing at different games at the tables in
+the gallery, and the Count remained where he was, still leaning
+against the column, which was at the distance of ten or twelve yards
+from the doors of the ball room. Not above five minutes had elapsed
+before the King and his immediate attendants appeared, coming from his
+private supper room to be present at the ball. His eye, as he passed,
+ran over the various tables, making a graceful motion with his hand
+for the players not to rise; and as he approached the folding doors,
+he remarked the Count, and beckoned to him to come up. The Count
+immediately started forward, and the King demanded,
+
+"A gallant young man like you, do you not dance, Monsieur de
+Morseiul?"
+
+Taken completely by surprise at this piece of condescension, the Count
+replied,
+
+"Alas, Sire, I am not in spirits to dance; I should but cloud the
+gaiety of my fair partner, and she would wish herself any where else
+before the evening were over."
+
+Louis smiled; and, so much accustomed as he was to attribute the
+sunshine and clouds upon his courtiers' brows to the effects of his
+favour or displeasure, he instantly put his own interpretation upon
+the words of the Count, and that interpretation raised the young
+nobleman much in the good graces of a monarch, who, though vain and
+despotic, was not naturally harsh and severe.
+
+"If, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, "some slight displeasure
+which the King expressed yesterday morning, have rendered our gay
+fellow-soldier of Maestricht and Valenciennes so sad, let his sadness
+pass away, for his conduct here has effaced unfavourable reports, and
+if he persevere to the end in the same course, he may count upon the
+very highest favour."
+
+Almost every circumstance combines on earth to prevent monarchs
+hearing the truth, even from the most sincere. Time, place, and
+circumstance is almost always against them; and in the present
+instance, the Count de Morseiul knew well, that neither the spot nor
+the moment were at all suited to any thing like an explanation. He
+could but reply, therefore, that the lightest displeasure of the King
+was of course enough to make him sad, and end his answer by one of
+those compliments which derive at least half their value, like paper
+money, from the good will of the receiver.
+
+"Come, come," said the King gaily; "shake off this melancholy,
+fellow-soldier. Come with me; and if I have rightly heard the secrets
+of certain hearts, I will find you a partner this night, who shall not
+wish herself any where else while dancing with the Count de Morseiul."
+
+The Count gazed upon the King with utter astonishment; and Louis,
+enjoying his surprise, led the way quickly on into the ball room, the
+Count following, as he bade him, close by his side, and amongst his
+principal officers. As soon as they had entered the ball room, Louis
+paused for an instant, and every one rose. The King's eyes, as well as
+those of the Count de Morseiul, ran round the vast saloon seeking for
+some particular object  To Albert of Morseiul that object was soon
+discovered, placed between the Duchess de Rouvre, and Anette de
+Marville, at the very farthest part of the room. Louis, however, who
+was in good spirits, and in a mood peculiarly condescending, walked
+round the whole circle, pausing to speak to almost every married lady
+there, and twice turning suddenly towards the Count, perhaps with the
+purpose of teazing him a little, but seemingly as if about to point
+out the lady to whom he had alluded. At length, however, he reached
+the spot where the Duchess de Rouvre and her party were placed; and
+after speaking for a moment to the Duchess, while the cheek of
+Clemence de Marly became deadly pale and then glowed again fiery red,
+he turned suddenly towards her, and said--
+
+"Mademoiselle de Marly, or perhaps as I in gallantry ought to say,
+_Belle Clemence_, I have promised the Count de Morseiul here to find
+him a partner for this ball, who will dance with him throughout
+to-night, without wishing herself anywhere else. Now, as I have
+certain information that he is very hateful to you, there is but one
+thing which can make you execute the task to the full. Doubtless you,
+as well as all the rest of our court, feel nothing so great a pleasure
+as obeying the King's commands--at least, so they tell me--and
+therefore I command you to dance with him, and to be as happy as
+possible, and not to wish yourself any where else from this moment
+till the ball closes."
+
+He waited for no reply, but making a sign to the Count to remain by
+the side of his fair partner, proceeded round the rest of the circle.
+Nothing in the demeanour of Clemence de Marly but her varying colour
+had told how much she was agitated while the King spoke; but the words
+which the monarch had used were so pointed, and touched so directly
+upon the feelings between herself and Albert of Morseiul, that those
+who stood around pressed slightly forward as soon as Louis had gone
+on, to see how she was affected by what had passed. To her ear those
+words were most strange and extraordinary. It was evident that by some
+one the secret of her heart had been betrayed to the King, and equally
+evident that Louis had determined to countenance that love which she
+had fancied would make her happy in poverty, danger, or distress,
+announcing his approbation at the very moment that a temporary
+coldness had arisen between her and her lover, and that her heart was
+oppressed with those feelings of hopelessness, which will sometimes
+cross even our brightest and happiest days.
+
+On the Count de Morseiul the King's words had produced a different,
+but not a less powerful effect. The surprise and joy which he might
+have felt at finding himself suddenly pointed out by the monarch as
+the favoured suitor for the hand of her he loved, was well nigh done
+away by the conviction that the price the King put upon his ultimate
+approbation of their union was such as he could not pay. But
+nevertheless those words were most joyful, though they raised up some
+feeling of self-reproach in his heart. It was evident that the tale
+told by Pelisson regarding the Chevalier was false, or perhaps,
+indeed, originated in some pious fraud devised for the purpose of
+driving him more speedily to acknowledge himself a convert to the
+church of Rome. Whatever were the circumstances, however, it was clear
+that Clemence was herself unconscious of any such report, and that all
+the probabilities which imagination had built up to torment him were
+but idle dreams. He had pained himself enough indeed; but he had
+pained Clemence also, and his first wish was to offer her any
+atonement in his power.
+
+Such were the feelings and thoughts called up in the bosom of the
+young Count by the events which had just occurred. But the surprise of
+Clemence and her lover was far outdone by that of the Duke and Duchess
+de Rouvre, who, astonished at the favour into which their young friend
+seemed so suddenly to have risen, and equally astonished at the
+intimation given by the King of an attachment existing between the
+Count and Clemence, overflowed with joy and satisfaction as soon as
+the monarch left the spot, and expressed many a vain hope that, after
+all, the affairs which had commenced in darkness and shadow, would end
+in sunshine and light. Ere the Count could reply, or say one word to
+Clemence de Marly, the _bransle_ began, and he led her forth to dance.
+There was but a moment for him to speak to her; but he did not lose
+that moment.
+
+"Clemence," he said, as he led her forward, "I fear I have both pained
+you and wronged you."
+
+A bright and beautiful smile spread at once over her countenance. "You
+have," she said; "but those words are enough, Albeit! Say no more! the
+pain is done away; the wrong is forgotten."
+
+"It is not forgotten by me, sweet girl," he replied, in the same low
+tone; "but I must speak to you long, and explain all."
+
+"Come to-morrow," she answered; "all difficulties must now be done
+away. I, too, have something to explain, Albert," she added, "but yet
+not every thing that I could wish to explain, and about that I will
+make you my only reproach. You promised not to doubt me--oh, keep that
+promise!"
+
+As she spoke the dance began, and of course their conversation for the
+time concluded. All eyes were upon the young Count--so rare a visiter
+at the palace, and upon her--so admired, so courted, so disdainful, as
+she was believed to be by every one present, but whose destiny seemed
+now decided, and whose heart everyone naturally believed to be won.
+Graceful by nature as well as by education, no two persons of the
+whole court could have been better fitted than Albert of Morseiul and
+Clemence de Marly to pass through the ordeal of such a scene as a
+court ball in those days; and though every eye was, as we have said,
+upon them, yet they had a great advantage on that night, which would
+have prevented any thing like embarrassment, even had not such scenes
+been quite familiar to them. They scarcely knew that any eyes were
+watching them, they were scarcely conscious of the presence of
+the glittering crowd around. Engrossed by their own individual
+feelings--deep, absorbing, overpowering, as those feelings
+were,--their spirits were wrapt up in themselves and in each other;
+they thought not of the dance, they thought not of the spectators, but
+left habit, and natural grace, and a fine ear, to do all that was
+requisite as far as the minuet was concerned. If either thought of the
+dance at all, it was only when the eyes of Albert of Morseiul rested
+on Clemence, and he thought her certainly more lovely and graceful
+than ever she had before appeared, or when his hand touched hers, and
+the thrill of that touch passed to his heart, speaking of love and
+hope and happiness to come. The effect was what might naturally be
+supposed--each danced more gracefully than perhaps they had ever done
+before; and one of those slight murmurs of admiration passed through
+the courtly crowd, and was confirmed by a gracious smile and gentle
+inclination of the head from the King himself.
+
+"We must not let him escape us," said the monarch in a low voice to
+the Prince de Marsillac. "Certainly he is worthy of some trouble in
+recalling from his errors."
+
+"If he escape from the fair net your majesty has spread for him,"
+replied the Prince, "he will be the most cunning bird that ever I saw.
+Indeed, I should suppose he has no choice, when, if caught, he will
+have to thank his King for every thing, for honour, favour,
+distinction, his soul's salvation, and a fair wife that loves him. If
+he be not pressed till he takes fright, he will entangle himself so
+that no power can extricate him."
+
+"He shall have every opportunity," said the King. "I must not appear
+too much in the matter. You, Prince, see that they be left alone
+together, if possible, for a few minutes. Use what man[oe]uvre you
+will, and I will take care to countenance it."
+
+At the court balls of that day it was the custom to dance throughout
+the night with one person, and the opportunity of conversing between
+those who were dancing was very small. A few brief words at the
+commencement, or at the end of each dance, was all that could be hoped
+for, and Clemence and her lover were fain to fix all their hopes of
+explanation and of longer intercourse upon the morrow. Suddenly,
+however, it was announced, before the hour at which the balls usually
+terminated, that the King had a lottery, to which all the married
+ladies of the court were invited.
+
+The crowd poured into the apartment where the drawing of this lottery
+was to take place; every lady anxious for a ticket where all were
+prizes, and the tickets themselves given by the King; while those who
+were not to share in this splendid piece of generosity, were little
+less eager, desirous of seeing the prizes, and learning who it was
+that won them. All then, as we have said, poured out of the ball room,
+through the great gallery and other state-rooms in which the
+_appartement_ was usually held.
+
+There were only two who lingered--Clemence de Marly and Albert of
+Morseiul. They, however, remained to the last, and then followed
+slowly, employing the few minutes thus obtained in low spoken words of
+affection, perhaps all the warmer and all the tenderer for the
+coldness and the pain just passed. Ere three sentences, however, had
+been uttered, the good Duc de Rouvre approached, saying, "Come,
+Clemence, come quick, or you will not find a place where you will
+see."
+
+The eye of the Prince de Marsillac, however, was upon them; and,
+threading the mazes of the crowd, he took the Duke by the arm; and,
+drawing him aside with an important face, told him that the King
+wanted to speak with him immediately. The Duc de Rouvre darted quickly
+away to seek the monarch: and the Prince paused for a single instant
+ere he followed, to say in a low voice to the Count,--
+
+"You will neither of you be required at the lottery, if you think that
+the lot you have drawn already is sufficiently good."
+
+The Count was not slow to understand the hint, and he gently led
+Clemence de Marly back into one of the vacant saloons.
+
+"Surely they will think it strange," she said; but ere the Count could
+reply, she added quickly; "but, after all, what matters it if they
+do?--I would have it so, that every one may see and know the whole so
+clearly, that all persecution may be at an end. Now, Albert, now," she
+said, "tell me what could make you write me so cruel a letter."
+
+"I will in one word," he replied; "but remember, Clemence, that I own
+I have been wrong, and in telling you the causes, in explaining the
+various circumstances which led me to believe that you were wavering
+in your engagements to me, I seek not to justify myself, but merely to
+explain."
+
+"Oh never, never think it!" she exclaimed, ere she would let him go
+on; "whatever may happen, whatever appearances may be, never, Albert,
+never for one moment think that I am wavering! Once more, most
+solemnly, most truly, I assure you, that though perhaps fate may
+separate me from you, and circumstances over which we have no control
+render our union impossible, nothing--no, not the prospect of
+immediate death itself, shall ever induce me to give my hand to
+another. No circumstances can effect that, for that must be my
+voluntary act; and I can endure death, I can endure imprisonment, I
+can endure any thing they choose to inflict, except the wedding a man
+I do not love. Now, tell me," she continued, "now let me hear, what
+could make you think I did so waver."
+
+The Count related all that had taken place, the words which he had
+heard Pelisson make use of in conversation with an indifferent person,
+the mortification and pain he had felt at the words she had written in
+answer to his note, the confirmation of all his anxious fears by what
+Jerome Riquet had told him, and all the other probabilities that had
+arisen to make him believe that those fears were just.
+
+Clemence heard him sometimes with a look of pain, sometimes with a
+reproachful smile. "After all, Albert," she said, "perhaps you have
+had some cause--more cause indeed than jealous men often have, and yet
+you shall hear how simply all this may be accounted for. The day after
+we parted in Poitou, the Abbe de St. Helie arrived at Ruffigny, with
+several other persons of the same kind, and Monsieur de Rouvre found
+his house filled with spies upon his actions. He received, however, in
+the evening of the same day, an order to come to the court
+immediately, to give an account of the events which had taken place in
+his government. The same spies of Louvois accompanied us on the road,
+as well as the Chevalier d'Evran,--who was the person that had
+obtained from the King the order for the Duke to appear at court,
+rather than to remain in exile at Ruffigny, while his enemies said
+what they chose of him in his absence. We had not arrived in Paris ten
+minutes at the time your servant came. We were surrounded by spies of
+every kind; the good Duke was in a state of agitation impossible to
+describe, and so fearful that any thing like a Protestant should be
+seen in his house, or that any thing, in short, should occur to give
+probability to the charges against him, that I knew your coming would
+be dangerous both to yourself and to him, the house being filled with
+persons who were ready not only to report, but to pervert every thing
+that took place. On receiving your note, Maria called me out of the
+saloon; but my apartments were not prepared; servants were coming and
+going; no writing paper was to be procured; a pen and ink was obtained
+with difficulty. I knew if I were absent five minutes in the state of
+agitation, that pervaded the whole household, Madame de Rouvre would
+come to seek me, and I was consequently obliged to write the few words
+I did write in the greatest haste, and under the greatest anxiety.
+Maria was not even out of the room conveying those few words to your
+servant, when the Duchess came in, and I was glad hypocritically to
+affect great activity and neatness about the arrangement of my
+apartments, to conceal the real matter which had employed me. Such is
+the simple state of the case; and I never even heard of this other
+marriage, about which Pelisson must have made some mistake. Had I
+heard of it," she added, "it would only have made me laugh."
+
+"I see not why it should do so," replied the Count. "Surely, Louis
+d'Evran is--as I well know he is considered by many of the fair and
+the bright about this court--a person not to be despised by any woman.
+He evidently, too, exercises great influence over you, Clemence; and
+therefore the report itself was not such as I, at least, could treat
+as absurd, especially when, in addition to these facts, it was stated
+that the King had expressed his will that you should give him your
+hand."
+
+"To me, however, Albert," she replied, "it must appear absurd, knowing
+and feeling as I do know and feel, that were the Chevalier d'Evran the
+only man I had ever seen, or ever were likely to see, that I should
+never even dream of marrying him. He may be much loved and liked by
+other women; doubtless he is, and sure I am he well deserves it. I
+like him, too, Albert. I scruple not to own it--I like him much; but
+that is very different from loving him as I love--as a woman should
+love her husband I mean to say. And now, Albert," she continued, "with
+regard to the influence he has over me, I will tell you nothing more.
+That shall remain as a trial of your confidence in me. This influence
+will never be exerted but when it is right. Should it be exerted
+wrongly, it is at an end from that moment. When you wished to
+accompany me to Ruffigny, from that terrible scene in which we last
+parted, he represented to me in few words how Monsieur de Rouvre was
+situated. He showed me, that by bringing you there at such a time from
+such a scene, I should but bring destruction on that kind friend who
+had sheltered and protected my infancy and my youth, when I had none
+else to protect me. He showed me, too, that I should put an impassable
+barrier between you and me, for the time at least. He told me that no
+one but himself was aware of where I was, but that your accompanying
+me would instantly make it known to the whole world, and most likely
+produce the ruin of both. Now, tell me, Albert, was he not right to
+say all this? Was not his view a just one?"
+
+"It was," replied the Count; "but yet he might have urged it in
+another manner. He might have explained the whole to me as well as to
+you: and still you leave unexplained, Clemence, how he should know
+where you were when you had concealed it so well, so unaccountably
+well, from the family at Ruffigny."
+
+"Oh! jealousy, jealousy," said Clemence, playfully; "what a terrible
+and extraordinary thing jealousy is! and yet, Albert, perhaps a woman
+likes to see a little of it when she really loves. However, you are
+somewhat too hard upon the Chevalier, and you shall not wring from me
+any other secret just yet. You have wrung from me, Albert, too many of
+the secrets of my heart already, and I will not make you the spoilt
+child of love, by letting you have altogether your own way. As to my
+concealing from the family of Ruffigny, however, where I was going on
+that occasion, or on most others, it is very easily explained. Do you
+not know that till I was foolish enough at Poitiers to barter all the
+freedom of my heart, for love with but little confidence it would
+seem, I have always been a tyrant instead of a slave? Are you not
+aware that I have always done just as I liked with every one? and one
+of my reasons for exercising my power to the most extreme degree was,
+that my religious faith might never be controlled? Till this fierce
+persecution of the Protestants began, and till the King made it his
+great object, and announced his determination of putting down all but
+the Roman Catholic faith in the realm, Monsieur de Rouvre himself
+cared but little for the distinction of Protestant and Catholic, and
+even had he known what I was doing, though he might have objected,
+would not have strongly opposed me. I established my right, however,
+of doing what I liked, and going where I liked, and acting as I liked,
+on such firm grounds, that it was not easily shaken. Even now, had I
+chosen to see you to-day in Paris, I might have done it; but would you
+have thought the better of Clemence if she had risked the fortunes of
+him who has been more than a father to her? Nobody would, and nobody
+should have said me nay, if I had believed that it was just and right
+to bid you come. But I thought it was wrong, Albert. Now, however, I
+may bid you come in safety to all; and now that I have time and
+opportunity to make any arrangements I like, I may safely promise,
+that should any change come over the present aspect of our affairs,
+which change I fear must and will come, I will find means to see you
+at any time, and under any circumstances. But hark! from what I hear,
+the lottery is over, and the people departing. Let us go forward and
+join them, if it be but for a moment."
+
+Thus saying, she rose, and the Count led her on to the room where the
+distribution of the prizes had just taken place. Every one was now
+interested with another subject. A full hour had been given at the
+beginning of the evening to the affair of the Count de Morseiul and
+Mademoiselle de Marly, which was a far greater space of time, and far
+more attention than such a court might be expected to give, even to
+matters of the deepest and most vital importance. But no former
+impression could of course outlive the effect of a lottery. There was
+not one man or woman present whose thoughts were filled with any thing
+else than the prizes and their distributions; and the head of even the
+good Duchess of Rouvre herself, who was certainly of somewhat higher
+character than most of those present, was so filled with the grand
+engrossing theme, that nothing was talked of, as the party returned to
+Paris, but the prize which had fallen to the share of Madame de This,
+or the disappointment which had been met with by Madame de That; so
+that Clemence de Marly could lean back in the dark corner of the
+carriage, and enjoy her silence undisturbed.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                        THE HOUR OF HAPPINESS.
+
+
+At the levee of the King, on the succeeding morning, the young Count
+de Morseiul was permitted to appear for a few minutes. The monarch was
+evidently in haste, having somewhat broken in on his matutinal habits
+in consequence of the late hour at which he had retired on the night
+before.
+
+"They tell me you have a favour to ask, Monsieur de Morseiul," said
+the King. "I hope it is not a very great one, for I have slept so well
+and am in such haste, that, perhaps, I might grant it, whether it were
+right or wrong."
+
+"It is merely, Sire," replied the Count, "to ask your gracious
+permission to proceed to Paris this morning, in order to visit
+Mademoiselle de Marly. Not knowing when it may be your royal pleasure
+to grant me the longer audience which you promised for some future
+time, I did not choose to absent myself from Versailles without your
+majesty's consent."
+
+Louis smiled graciously, for no such tokens of deference were lost
+upon him. "Most assuredly," he said, "you have my full permission: and
+now I think of it--Bontems," he continued, turning to one of his
+_valets de chamber_, "bring me that casket that is in the little
+cabinet below--now I think of it, the number of our ladies last night
+fell short at the lottery, and there was a prize of a pair of diamond
+earrings left. I had intended to have given them to La belle Clemence;
+but, somehow," he added, with a smile, "she did not appear in the
+room. Perhaps, however, you know more of that than I do, Monsieur de
+Morseiul!--Oh, here is Bontems--give me the casket."
+
+Taking out of the small ebony box which was now presented to him, a
+little case, containing a very handsome pair of diamond ear-rings, the
+King placed it in the hands of the young Count, saying, "There,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, be my messenger to the fair lady. Give her those
+jewels from the King; and tell her, that I hope ere long she will be
+qualified to draw prizes in some not very distant lottery by appearing
+as one of the married ladies of our court. She has tortured all our
+gallant gentlemen's hearts too long, and we will not suffer our
+subjects to be thus ill treated. Do you stay in Paris all day,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, or do you come here to witness the new opera?"
+
+"I did not propose to do either, Sire," replied the Count: "I had, in
+fact, engaged myself to pass another pleasant evening at the house of
+Monsieur de Meaux."
+
+"Indeed!" said the King, evidently well pleased. "That is all as it
+should be. I cannot but think, Monsieur de Morseiul, that if you pass
+many more evenings so well, either you will convert Monsieur de
+Meaux--which God forbid, or Monsieur de Meaux will convert you--which
+God grant."
+
+The Count bowed gravely; and, as the King turned to speak with some
+one else who was giving him a part of his dress, the young nobleman
+took it as a permission to retire; and, mounting his horse, which had
+been kept ready saddled, he made the best of his way towards the
+capital.
+
+That gay world, with its continual motion, was as animated then as
+now. Though the abode of the court was at Versailles, yet the distance
+was too small to make the portion of the population absolutely
+withdrawn from the metropolis at all important while all the other
+great bodies of the kingdom assembled, or were represented there.
+Thousands on thousands were hurrying through the streets; the same
+trades and occupations were going on then as now, with only this
+difference, that, at that period, luxury, and industry, and every
+productive art had reached, if not its highest, at least its most
+flourishing point; and all things presented, even down to the aspect
+of the city itself, that hollow splendour, that tinselled
+magnificence, that artificial excitement, that insecure prosperity,
+the falseness of all and each of which had afterwards to be proved,
+and which entailed a long period of fresh errors, bitter repentance,
+and terrible atonement.
+
+But through the gay crowd the Count de Morseiul passed on, noticing it
+little, if at all. He was urged on his way by the strongest of all
+human impulses, by love--first, ardent, pure, sincere, love--all the
+more deep, all the more intense, all the more over-powering, because
+he had not felt it at that earlier period, while the animal triumphs
+over the mental in almost all the affections of man. His heart and his
+spirit had lost nothing of their freshness to counterbalance the
+vigour and the power they had obtained, and at the age of seven or
+eight and twenty he loved with all the vehemence and ardour of a boy,
+while he felt with all the permanence and energy of manhood.
+
+Though contrary, perhaps, to the rules and etiquettes of French life
+at that period, he took advantage both of the message with which he
+was charged from the King, and the sort of independence which Clemence
+de Marly had established for herself, to ask for her instead of either
+the Duke or the Duchess. He was not, indeed, without a hope that he
+should find her alone, and that hope was realised. She had expected
+him, and expected him early; and, perhaps, the good Duchess de Rouvre
+herself had fancied that such might be the case, and, remembering the
+warm affections of her own days, had abstained from presenting herself
+in the little saloon where Clemence de Marly had usually established
+her abode during their residence in Paris.
+
+Had Albert of Morseiul entertained one doubt of the affection of
+Clemence de Marly, that doubt must have vanished in a moment--must
+have vanished at the look with which she rose to meet him. It was all
+brightness--it was all happiness. The blood mounted, it is true, into
+her cheeks, and into her temples; her beautiful lips trembled
+slightly, and her breath came fast; but the bright and radiant smile
+was not to be mistaken. The sparkling of the eyes spoke what words
+could not speak; and, though her tongue for a moment refused its
+office, the smile that played around the lips was eloquent of all that
+the heart felt.
+
+Not contented with the hand she gave, Albert of Morseiul took the
+other also; and not contented with the thrilling touch of those small
+hands, he threw his arms around her, and pressed her to his heart; and
+not contented--for love is the greatest of encroachers--with that dear
+embrace, he made his lips tell the tale of their own joy to hers, and
+once and again he tasted the happiness that none had ever tasted
+before: and then, as if asking pardon for the rashness of his love, he
+pressed another kiss upon her fair hand, and leading her back to her
+seat, took his place beside her.
+
+Fearful that he should forget, he almost immediately gave her the
+jewels that the King had sent. But what were jewels to Clemence de
+Marly at that moment? He told her, also, the message the King had
+given, especially that part which noted her absence from the room
+where the lottery had been drawn.
+
+"I would not have given those ten minutes," she replied eagerly, "for
+all the jewels in his crown."
+
+They then forgot the King, the court, and every thing but each other,
+and spent the moments of the next half hour in the joy, in the
+surpassing joy, of telling and feeling the happiness that each
+conferred upon the other.
+
+Oh! those bright sunny hours of early love, of love in its purity
+and its truth, and its sincerity--of love, stripped of all that is
+evil, or low, or corrupt, and retaining but of earth sufficient to
+make it harmonise with earthly creatures like ourselves--full of
+affection--full of eager fire, but affection as unselfish as human
+nature will admit, and fire derived from heaven itself! How shall ye
+ever be replaced in after life? What tone shall ever supply the sound
+of that master chord after its vibrations have once ceased?
+
+As the time wore on, however, and Albert of Morseiul remembered that
+there were many things on which it was necessary to speak at once to
+Clemence de Marly, the slight cloud of care came back upon his brow,
+and reading the sign of thought in a moment, she herself led the way,
+by saying,--
+
+"But we must not forget, dear Albert, there is much to be thought of.
+We are spending our time in dreaming over our love, when we have to
+think of many more painful points in our situation. We have spoken of
+all that concerns our intercourse with each other; but of your
+situation at the court I am ignorant; and am not only ignorant of the
+cause, but astonished to find, that when I expected the most
+disastrous results, you are in high favour with the King, and
+apparently have all at your command."
+
+"Not so, dear Clemence--alas! it is not so," replied the Count; "the
+prosperity of my situation is as hollow as a courtier's heart--as
+fickle as any of the other smiles of fortune."
+
+Before he could go on, however, to explain to her the real position in
+which he stood, Madame de Rouvre entered the room, and was delighted
+at seeing one whom she had always esteemed and loved. She might have
+remained long, but Clemence, with the manner which she was so much
+accustomed to assume, half playful, half peremptory, took up the
+little case of ear-rings from the table, saying, "See what the King
+has sent me! and now, dear Duchess, you shall go away, and leave me to
+talk with my lover. It is so new a thing for me to have an
+acknowledged lover, and one, too, that I don't despise, that I have
+not half tired myself with my new plaything. Am not I a very saucy
+demoiselle?" she added, kissing the Duchess, who was retiring with
+laughing obedience. "But take the diamonds, and examine them at your
+leisure. They will serve to amuse you in the absence of your
+Clemence."
+
+"If I were a lover now," said the Duchess smiling, "I should say
+something about their not being half as bright as your eyes, Clemence.
+But words vary in their value so much, that what would be very smart
+and pleasant from a young man, is altogether worthless on the lips of
+an old woman. Let me see you before you go, Count. It is not fair that
+saucy girl should carry you off altogether."
+
+"Now, now, Albert," said Clemence, as soon as the Duchess was gone,
+"tell me before we are interrupted again."
+
+The Count took up the tale then with his last day's sojourn in
+Brittany, and went on to detail minutely every thing that had occurred
+since his arrival in the capital; and, as he told her, her cheek grew
+somewhat paler till, in the end, she exclaimed, "It is all as bad as
+it can be. You will never change your faith, Albert."
+
+"Could you love me, Clemence," he asked, "if I did?"
+
+She put her hand before her eyes for a moment, then placed one of them
+in his, and replied, "I should love you ever, Albert, with a woman's
+love, unchangeable and fixed. But I could not esteem you, as I would
+fain esteem him that I must love."
+
+"So thought I," replied the Count, "so judged I of my Clemence; and
+all that now remains to be thought of is, how is this to end, and what
+is to be our conduct to make the end as happy to ourselves as may be?"
+
+"Alas!" replied Clemence, "I can answer neither question. The
+probability is that all must end badly, that your determination not to
+yield your religion to any inducements must soon be known; for depend
+upon it, Albert, they will press you on the subject more closely every
+day; and you are not made to conceal what you feel. The greater the
+expectations of your conversion have been, the more terrible will be
+the anger that your adherence to your own faith will produce; and
+depend upon it, the Prince de Marsillac takes a wrong view of the
+question; for it matters not whether this affair have passed away, or
+be revived against you,--power never yet wanted a pretext to draw the
+sword of persecution. Neither, Albert, can my change of faith be long
+concealed. I cannot insult God by the mockery of faith in things,
+regarding which my mind was long doubtful, but which I am now well
+assured, and thoroughly convinced, are false. In this you are in a
+better situation than myself, for you can but be accused of holding
+fast to the faith that you have ever professed: me they will accuse of
+falling into heresy with my eyes open. Perhaps they will add that I
+have done so for your love."
+
+"Then, dear Clemence," he replied, "the only path for us is the path
+of flight, speedy and rapid flight. I have already secured for us
+competence in another land; wealth I cannot secure, but competence is
+surely all that either you or I require."
+
+"All, all," replied Clemence; "poverty with you, Albert, would be
+enough. But the time, and the manner of our flight, must be left to
+you. The distance between Paris and the frontier is so small, that we
+bad better effect it now, and not wait for any contingency. If you can
+find means to withdraw yourself from the court, I will find means to
+join you any where within two or three miles' journey of the capital.
+But write to me the place, the hour, and the time; and, as we love
+each other, Albert, and by the faith that we both hold, and for which
+we are both prepared to sacrifice so much, I will not fail you."
+
+"What if it should be to-morrow?" demanded the Count.
+
+Clemence gazed at him for a moment with some agitation. "Even if it
+should be tomorrow," she said at length, "even if it should be
+to-morrow, I will come. But oh, Albert," she added, leaning her head
+upon his shoulder, "I am weaker, more cowardly, more womanly than I
+thought. I would fain have it a day later: I would fain procrastinate
+even by a day. But never mind, never mind, Albert; should it be
+necessary, should you judge it right, should you think it requisite
+for your safety, let it be to-morrow."
+
+"I cannot yet judge," replied the Count; "I think, I trust that it
+will not be so soon. I only put the question to make you aware that
+such a thing is possible, barely possible. In all probability the King
+will give me longer time. He cannot suppose that the work of
+conversion will take place by a miracle. I do not wish to play a
+double game with them, even in the least, Clemence, nor suffer them to
+believe that there is a chance even of my changing, when there is
+none; but still I would fain, for your sake as well as mine, delay a
+day or two."
+
+"Delays are dangerous, even to an old proverb," said Clemence; but ere
+she could conclude her sentence the Duc de Rouvre entered the room;
+and not choosing, or perhaps not having spirits at the moment to act
+towards him as she had done towards the Duchess, Clemence suffered the
+conversation to drop, and proceeded with him and her lover to the
+saloon of Madame.
+
+In that saloon there appeared a number of persons, amongst whom were
+several that the Count de Morseiul knew slightly; but the beams of
+royal favour having fallen upon him with their full light during the
+night before, all those who had any knowledge of him were of course
+eager to improve such an acquaintance, and vied with each other in
+smiles and looks of pleasure on his appearance. Amongst others was the
+Chevalier de Rohan, whom we have noticed as forming one of the train
+of suitors who had followed Clemence de Marly to Poitiers; but he was
+now satisfied, apparently, that not even any fortunate accident could
+give the bright prize to him, and he merely bowed to her on her
+entrance, with the air of a worshipper at the shrine of an idol, while
+he grasped the hand of his successful rival, and declared himself
+delighted to see him.
+
+After remaining there for some time longer lingering in the sunshine
+of the looks of her he loved, the Count prepared to take his
+departure, especially as several other persons had been added to the
+circle, and their society fell as a weight and an incumbrance upon him
+when his whole thoughts were of Clemence de Marly. He had taken his
+leave and reached the door of the apartment, when, starting up with
+the ear-rings in her hand, she exclaimed--
+
+"Stay, stay, Monsieur de Morseiul, I forgot to send my thanks to the
+King. Pray tell him," she added, advancing across the room to speak
+with the Count in a lower tone, "Pray tell him how grateful I am to
+his Majesty for his kind remembrance; and remember," she said, in a
+voice that could be heard by no one but himself, "to-morrow, should it
+be needful:--I am firmer now."
+
+Albert of Morseiul dared not speak all that he felt, with the language
+of the lips; but the eyes of her lover thanked Clemence de Marly
+sufficiently: and he, on his part, left her with feelings which the
+bustle and the crowd of the thronged capital struggled with and
+oppressed.
+
+He rode quick, then, in order to make his way out of the city as fast
+as possible; but ere he had passed the gate, he was overtaken by the
+Chevalier de Rohan, who came up to his side, saying, "I am delighted
+to have overtaken you, my dear Count. Such a companion on this long
+dry tiresome journey to Versailles is, indeed, a delight; and I wished
+also particularly to speak to you regarding a scheme of mine, which, I
+trust, may bring me better days."
+
+Now, the society of the Chevalier de Rohan, though his family was one
+of the highest in France, and though he held an important place at the
+court, was neither very agreeable nor very reputable; and the Count,
+therefore, replied briefly, "I fear that, as I shall stop at several
+places, it will not be in my power to accompany you, Monsieur le
+Chevalier; but any thing I can do to serve you will give me pleasure."
+
+"Why, the fact is," replied the Chevalier, "that I was very
+unfortunate last night at play, and wished to ask if you would lend me
+a small sum till I receive my appointments from the King. If you are
+kind enough to do so, I doubt not before two days are over to recover
+all that I have lost, and ten times more, for I discovered the
+fortunate number last night when it was too late."
+
+A faint and melancholy smile came over the Count's face, at the
+picture of human weakness that his companion's words displayed; and as
+the Chevalier was somewhat celebrated for borrowing without repaying,
+he asked what was the sum he required.
+
+"Oh, a hundred Louis will be quite enough," replied the Chevalier, not
+encouraged to ask more by his companion's tone.
+
+"Well, Monsieur de Rohan," said the Count, "I have not the sum with
+me, but I will send it to you on my arrival at Versailles, if that
+will be time enough."
+
+"Quite! quite!" replied de Rohan; "any time before the tables are
+open."
+
+"Indeed, indeed! my good friend," said the Count, "I wish you would
+abandon such fatal habits; and, satisfied with having lost so much,
+live upon the income you have, without ruining yourself by trying to
+make it greater. However, I will send the money, and do with it what
+you will."
+
+"You are a prude! you are a prude!" cried De Rohan, putting spurs to
+his horse; "but I will tell you something more in your own way when we
+meet again."
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IX.
+
+                          THE UNKNOWN PERIL.
+
+
+Dark and ominous as was the prospect of every thing around the Count
+de Morseuil, when the blessings of his bright days were passing away,
+one by one, and his best hope was exile, yet the interview which had
+just taken place between him and Clemence de Marly was like a bright
+summer hour in the midst of storms, and even when it was over, like
+the June sun, it left a long twilight of remembered joy behind it. But
+there are times in human life when dangers are manifold, when we are
+pressed upon by a thousand difficulties, and when, nevertheless,
+though the course we have determined on is full of risks and perils,
+sorrows and sufferings, we eagerly, perhaps even imprudently, hurry
+forward upon it, to avoid those very doubts and uncertainties, which
+are worse than actual pains.
+
+Such was the case with the Count de Morseuil, and he felt within him
+so strong an inclination to take the irrevocable step of quitting
+France for ever, and seeking peace and toleration in another land,
+that, much accustomed to examine and govern his own feelings, he
+paused, and pondered over the line of conduct he was about to pursue,
+during his visit to the Bishop of Meaux, perceiving in himself a half
+concealed purpose of forcing on the conversation to the subject of
+religion, and of showing Bossuet clearly, that there was no chance
+whatever of inducing him to abandon the religion of his fathers.
+Against this inclination, on reflection, he determined to be upon his
+guard, although he adhered rigidly to his resolution of countenancing,
+in no degree, a hope of his becoming a convert to the Roman Catholic
+faith; and his only doubt now was whether his passing two evenings so
+close together with the Bishop of Meaux, with whom he had so slight an
+acquaintance, might not afford some encouragement to expectations
+which he felt himself bound to check.
+
+Having promised, however, he went, but at the same time made up his
+mind not to return to the prelate's abode speedily. On the present
+occasion, he not only found Bossuet alone, but was left with him for
+more than an hour, without any other visiter appearing. The good
+Bishop himself was well aware of the danger of scaring away those whom
+he sought to win; and, sincerely desirous, for the Count's own sake,
+of bringing him into that which he believed to be the only path to
+salvation, he was inclined to proceed calmly and gently in the work of
+his conversion.
+
+There were others, however, more eager than himself; the King was as
+impetuous in the apostolic zeal which he believed himself to feel, as
+he had formerly been in pursuits which though, certainly more gross
+and sensual, would perhaps, if accurately weighed, have been found to
+be as little selfish, vain, and personal, as the efforts that he made
+to convert his Protestant subjects. The hesitation even in regard to
+embracing the _King's creed_ was an offence, and he urged on Bossuet
+eagerly to press the young Count, so far, at least, as to ascertain if
+there were or were not a prospect of his speedily following the
+example of Turenne, and so many others. The Bishop was thus driven to
+the subject, though against his will; and shortly after the young
+Count's appearance, he took him kindly and mildly by the hand, and led
+him into a small cabinet, where were ranged, in goodly order, a
+considerable number of works on the controversial divinity of the
+time. Amongst others, appeared some of the good prelate's own
+productions, such as "L'Exposition de la Doctrine Catholique," the
+"Traite de la Communion sous les deux Especes," and the "Histoire des
+Variations." Bossuet ran his finger over the titles as he pointed them
+out to the young Count.
+
+"I wish, my young friend," he said, "that I could prevail upon you to
+read some of these works: some perhaps even of my own, not from the
+vanity of an author alone, though I believe that the greatest
+compliment that has ever been paid to me was that which was paid by
+some of the pastors of your own sect, who asserted when I wrote that
+book," and he pointed to the Exposition, "that I had altered the
+Catholic doctrines in order to suit them to the purposes of my
+defence. Nor indeed would they admit the contrary, till the full
+approbation of the head of our church stamped the work as containing
+the true doctrines of our holy faith. But, as I was saying, I wish I
+could persuade you to read some of these, not so much to gratify the
+vanity of an author, nor even simply to make a convert, but because I
+look upon you as one well worthy of saving, as a brand from the
+burning--and because I should look upon your recall to the bosom of
+the mother church as worth a hundred of any ordinary conversions. In
+short, my dear young friend, because I would save you from much
+unhappiness, in life, in death, and in eternity."
+
+"I owe you deep thanks, Monsieur de Meaux," said the Count, "for the
+interest that you take in me; and I will promise you most sincerely to
+read, with as unprejudiced an eye as possible, not only any but all of
+the works you have written on such subjects. I have already read some,
+and it is by no means too much to admit, that if any one could induce
+me to quit the faith in which I have been brought up, it would be
+Monsieur de Meaux. He will not think me wrong, however, when I say
+that I am, as yet, unconvinced. Nor will he be offended if I make one
+observation, or, rather, ask one question, in regard to something he
+has just said."
+
+"Far, far from it, my son," replied the Bishop. "I am ever willing to
+explain any thing, to enter into the most open and candid exposition
+of every thing that I think or feel. I have no design to embarrass, or
+to perplex, or to obscure; my whole view is to make my own doctrine
+clear and explicit, so that the mind of the merest child may choose
+between the right and the wrong."
+
+"I merely wish to ask," said the Count, "whether by the words
+'unhappiness in life, and in death,' you meant to allude to temporal
+or spiritual unhappiness? whether you meant delicately to point out to
+me that the hand of persecution is likely to be stretched out to
+oppress me? or----"
+
+"No! no!" cried Bossuet, eagerly. "Heaven forbid that I should hold
+out as an inducement the apprehension of things that I disapprove of!
+No, Monsieur de Morseiul, I meant merely spiritual happiness and
+unhappiness, for I do not believe that any man can be perfectly happy
+in life while persisting in a wrong belief; certainly I believe that
+he must be unhappy in his death; and, alas! my son, reason and
+religion both teach me that he must be unhappy in eternity."
+
+"The great question of eternity," replied the Count, solemnly, "is in
+the hands of God. But the man, and the only man, who, in this sense,
+must be unhappy in life, in death, and in eternity, seems to me to be
+the man who is uncertain in his faith. In life and in death I can
+conceive the deist, or (if there be such a thing) the atheist--if
+perfectly convinced of the truth of his system--perfectly happy and
+perfectly contented. But the sceptic can never be happy. He who, in
+regard to religious belief, is doubtful, uncertain, wavering, must
+assuredly be unhappy in life and in death, though to God's great mercy
+we must refer the eternity. If I remain unshaken, Monsieur de Meaux,
+in my firm belief that what we call the reformed church is right in
+its views and doctrines, the only thing that can disturb or make me
+unhappy therein is temporal persecution. Were my faith in that church,
+however, shaken, I would abandon it immediately. I could not, I would
+not, remain in a state of doubt."
+
+"The more anxious am I, my son," replied the Bishop, "to withdraw you
+from that erroneous creed, for so firm and so decided a mind as yours
+is the very one which could the best appreciate the doctrines of the
+church of Rome, which are always clear, definite, and precise, the
+same to-day as they were yesterday, based upon decisions that never
+change, and not, as your faith does, admitting doubts and fostering
+variations. You must listen to me, my young friend. Indeed, I must
+have you listen to me. I hear some of our other friends in the next
+room; but we must converse more, and the sooner the better. You have
+visited me twice, but I will next visit you, for I think nothing
+should be left undone that may court a noble spirit back to the church
+of God."
+
+Thus saying, he slowly led the way into the larger room, the young
+Count merely replying as he did so,--
+
+"Would to God, Monsieur de Meaux, that by your example and by your
+exhortations you could prevent others from giving us Protestants the
+strongest of all temporal motives to remain attached to our own
+creed."
+
+"What motive is that?" demanded Bossuet, apparently in some surprise.
+
+"Persecution!" replied the Count; "for depend upon it, to all those
+who are worthy of being gained, persecution is the strongest motive of
+resistance."
+
+"Alas! my son," replied Bossuet, "that you should acknowledge such a
+thing as pride to have any thing on earth to do with the eternal
+salvation of your souls. An old friend of mine used to say, 'It is
+more often from pride than from want of judgment that people set
+themselves up against established opinions. Men find the first places
+occupied in the right party, and they do not choose to take up with
+back seats.' I have always known this to be true in the things of the
+world; but I think that pride should have nothing to do with the
+things of eternity."
+
+Thus ended the conversation between the Count and Bossuet on the
+subject of religion for that night. Two guests had arrived, more soon
+followed, and the conversation became more general. Still, however, as
+there were many ecclesiastics, the subject of religion was more than
+once introduced, the restraint which the presence of a Protestant
+nobleman had occasioned on the first visit of the Count having now
+been removed. The evening passed over calmly and tranquilly, however,
+till about ten o'clock at night, when the Count took his leave, and
+departed. The rest of the guests stayed later; and on issuing out into
+the street the young nobleman found himself alone in a clear, calm,
+moonlight night, with the irregular shadows of the long line of houses
+chequering the pavement with the yellow lustre of the moon.
+
+Looking up into the wide open square beyond, the shadows were lost,
+and there the bright planet of the night seemed to pour forth a flood
+of radiance without let or obstruction. There was a fountain in the
+middle of the square, casting up its sparkling waters towards the sky,
+as if spirits were tossing about the moonbeams in their sport, and
+casting the bright rays from hand to hand. As the Count gazed,
+however, and thought that he would stroll on, giving himself up to
+calm reflection at that tranquil hour, and arranging his plans for the
+momentous future without disturbance from the hum of idle multitudes,
+a figure suddenly came between the fountain and his eyes, and crept
+slowly down on the dark side of the street towards him. He was
+standing at the moment in the shadow of Bossuet's porch, so as not to
+be seen: but the figure came down the street to the door of the
+Count's own dwelling, paused for a minute, as if in doubt, then walked
+over into the moonlight, and gazed up into the windows of the
+prelate's hotel. The Count instantly recognised the peculiar form and
+structure of his valet, Jerome Riquet, and, walking out from the porch
+towards his own house, he called the man to him, and asked it any
+thing were the matter.
+
+"Why yes, Sir," said Riquet in a low voice, "so much so that I thought
+of doing what I never did in my life before--sending in for you, to
+know what to do. There has been a person seeking you twice or three
+times since you went, and saying he must speak with you immediately."
+
+"Do you know him?" demanded the Count.
+
+"Oh yes, I know him," answered Riquet; "a determined devil he is too;
+a man in whom you used to place much confidence in the army, and who
+was born, I believe, upon your own lands--Armand Herval, you know him
+well. I could give him another name if I liked."
+
+"Well," said the Count, as tranquilly as possible; "what of him,
+Riquet? What does he want here?"
+
+"Ay, Sir, that I can't tell," replied the man: "but I greatly suspect
+he wants no good. He is dressed in black from his head to his feet;
+and his face is black enough too, that is to say, the look of it. It
+was always like a thunder cloud, and now it is like a thunder cloud
+gone mad. I don't think the man is sane, Sir; and the third time he
+came down here, about ten minutes ago, he said he could not stop a
+minute, that he had business directly; and so he went away, pulling
+his great dark hat and feather over his head, as if to prevent people
+from seeing how his eyes were flashing; and then I saw that the breast
+of his great heavy coat was full of something else than rosemary or
+honeycomb."
+
+"What do you mean? what do you mean?" demanded the Count. "What had he
+in his breast?"
+
+"Why, I mean pistols, Sir," said the man; "if I must speak good
+French, I say he had pistols, then. So thinking he was about some
+mischief, I crept after him from door to door, dodged him across the
+square, and saw him go in by a gate, that I thought was shut, into the
+garden behind the chateau. I went in after him, though I was in a
+desperate fright for fear any one should catch me; and I trembled so,
+that I shook three crowns in my pocket till they rang like sheep
+bells. I thought he would have heard me; but I watched him plant
+himself under one of the statues on the terrace, and there he stood
+like a statue himself. I defy you to have told the one from the other,
+or to have known Monsieur Herval from Monsieur Neptune. Whenever I saw
+that, I came back to look for you, and tell you what had happened; for
+you know, Sir, I am awfully afraid of firearms; and I had not even a
+pair of curling irons to fight him with."
+
+"That must be near the apartments of Louvois," said the young Count
+thoughtfully. "This man may very likely seek to do him some injury."
+
+"More likely the King, Sir," said the valet in a low voice. "I have
+heard that his Majesty walks there on that terrace every fine night
+after the play for half an hour. He is quite alone, and it would be as
+much as one's liberty is worth to approach him at that time."
+
+"Come with me directly, Riquet," said the Count, "and show me where
+this is. Station yourself at the gate you mention after I have gone
+in, and if you hear me call to you aloud, instantly give the alarm to
+the sentries. Come, quick, for the play must soon be over."
+
+Thus saying, the young Count strode on, crossed the place, and, under
+the guidance of Riquet, approached the gate through which Herval had
+entered. The key was in the lock on the outside, and the door ajar;
+and, leaving the man in the shadow, the Count entered alone. The
+gardens appeared perfectly solitary, sleeping in the moonlight. The
+principal water-works were still; and no sound or motion was to be
+seen or heard, but such as proceeded from the smaller fountains that
+were sparkling on the terrace making the night musical with the
+plaintive murmur of their waters, or from the tops of the high trees
+as they were waved by the gentle wind. The palace was full of lights,
+and nothing was seen moving across any of the windows, so that it was
+evident that the play was not yet concluded; and the young Count
+looked about for the person he sought for a moment or two in vain.
+
+At length, however, he saw the shadow cast by one of the groups of
+statues, alter itself somewhat in form; and instantly crossing the
+terrace to the spot, he saw Herval sitting on the first step which led
+from the terrace down to the gardens, his back leaning against the
+pedestal, and his arms crossed upon his chest. He did not hear the
+step of the young Count till he was close upon him; but the moment he
+did so, he started up, and drew a pistol from his breast. He soon
+perceived who it was, however; and the Count, saying in a low voice,
+"My servants tell me you have been seeking me," drew him, though
+somewhat unwilling apparently, down the steps.
+
+"What is it you wanted with me?" continued the Count, gazing in his
+face, to see whether the marks of insanity which Riquet had spoken of
+were visible to him. But there was nothing more in the man's
+countenance than its ordinary fierce and fiery expression when
+stimulated by high excitement.
+
+"I came to you, Count," he said, "to make you, if you will, the
+sharer of a glorious deed; and now you are here, you shall at least be
+the spectator thereof--the death of your great enemy--the death of him
+who tramples upon his fellow-creatures as upon grapes in the
+winepress--the death of the slayer of souls and bodies."
+
+"Do you mean Louvois?" said the Count in a calm tone.
+
+"Louvois!" scoffed the man. "No I no! no! I mean him who gives fangs
+to the viper, and poison to the snake! I mean him without whom Louvois
+is but a bundle of dry reeds to be consumed to light the first fire
+that wants kindling, or to rot in its own emptiness! I mean the giver
+of the power, the lord of the persecutions: the harlot-monger, and the
+murderer, that calls himself King of France; and who, from that holy
+title, which he claims from God, thinks himself entitled to pile vice
+upon folly, and sin upon vice, and crime upon sin, till the
+destruction which he has so often courted to his own head shall this
+night fall upon him. The first of the brutal murderers that he sent
+down to rob our happy hearths of the jewel of their peace, this hand
+has slain; and the same that crushed the worm shall crush the serpent
+also."
+
+The Count now saw that there was, indeed, in the state of Herval's
+mind, something different from its usual tone and character. It could
+hardly be said that the chief stay thereof was broken, so as to
+justify the absolute supposition of insanity; but it seemed as if one
+of the fine filaments of the mental texture had given way, leaving all
+the rest nearly as it was before, though with a confused and morbid
+line running through the whole web. It need not be said that Albert of
+Morseiul was determined to prevent at all or any risk the act that the
+man proposed to commit; but yet he wished to do so, without calling
+down death and torture on the head of one who was kindled almost into
+absolute madness, by wrongs which touched the finest affections of his
+heart, through religion and through love.
+
+"Herval," he said, calmly, "I am deeply grieved for you. You have
+suffered, I know how dreadfully; and you have suffered amongst the
+first of our persecuted sect: but still you must let me argue with
+you, for you act regarding all this matter in a wrong light, and you
+propose to commit a great and terrible crime."
+
+"Argue with me not, Count of Morseiul!" cried the man; "argue with me
+not, for I will hear no arguments. Doubtless you would have argued
+with me, too, about killing that small pitiful insect, that blind
+worm, who murdered her I loved, and three or four noble and brave men
+along with her."
+
+"I will tell you in a word, Herval," replied the Count, "had you not
+slain him, I would have done so. My hand against his, alone, and my
+life against his. He had committed a base, foul, ungenerous murder,
+for which I knew that the corrupted law would give us no redress, and
+I was prepared to shelter under a custom which I abhor and detest in
+general, the execution of an act of justice which could be obtained by
+no other means. Had it been but for that poor girl's sake, I would
+have slain him like a dog."
+
+"Thank you, Count, thank you," cried the man, grasping his hand in his
+with the vehemence of actual phrensy. "Thank you for those words from
+my very soul. But he was not worthy of your noble sword. He died the
+death that he deserved; strangled like a common felon, writhing and
+screaming for the mercy he had never shown."
+
+To what he said on that head the Count did not reply; but he turned
+once more to the matter immediately before them.
+
+"Now, Herval," he said, "you see that I judge not unkindly or hardly
+by you. You must listen to my advice however----"
+
+"Not about this, not about this," cried the man, vehemently; "I am
+desperate, and I am determined. I will not see whole herds of my
+fellow Christians slaughtered like swine to please the bloody butcher
+on the throne. I will not see the weak and the faint-hearted driven,
+by terror, to condemn their own souls and barter eternity for an hour
+of doubtful peace. I will not see the ignorant and the ill-instructed
+bought by scores, like cattle at a market. I will not see the infants
+torn from their mothers' arms to be offered a living sacrifice to the
+Moloch of Rome. This night he shall die, who has condemned so many
+others; this night he shall fall, who would work the fall of the pure
+church that condemns him. I will hear no advice: I will work the work
+for which I came, and then perish when I may. Was it not for this that
+every chance has favoured me? Was it not for this that the key was
+accidentally left in the door till such time as I laid my hand upon it
+and took it away? Was it not for this that no eye saw me seize upon
+that key, this morning, though thousands were passing by? Was it not
+for this that such a thing should happen on the very night in which he
+comes forth to walk upon that terrace' And shall I now pause,--shall I
+now listen to any man's advice, who tells me that I must hold my
+hand?"
+
+"If you will not listen to my advice," said the Count, "you must
+listen to my authority, Herval. The act you propose to commit you
+shall not commit."
+
+"No!" cried he. "Who shall stop me?--Yours is but one life against
+mine, remember; and I care not how many fall, or how soon I fall
+myself either, so that this be accomplished."
+
+"My life, as you say," replied the Count, "is but one. But even,
+Herval, if you were to take mine, which would neither be just nor
+grateful, if even you were to lose your own, which may yet be of great
+service to the cause of our faith, you could not, and you should not,
+take that of the King. If you are determined, I am determined too. My
+servant stands at yonder gate, and on the slightest noise he gives the
+alarm. Thus, then, I tell you," he continued, glancing his eyes
+towards the windows of the palace, across which various figures were
+now beginning to move; "thus, then, I tell you, you must either
+instantly quit this place with me, or that struggle begins between us,
+which, end how it may as far as I am concerned, must instantly insure
+the safety of the King, and lead you to trial and execution. The way
+is still open for you to abandon this rash project at once, or to call
+down ruin upon your own head without the slightest possible chance of
+accomplishing your object."
+
+"You have frustrated me," cried the man, "you have foiled me! You have
+overthrown, by preventing a great and noble deed, the execution of a
+mighty scheme for the deliverance of this land, and the security of
+our suffering church! The consequences be upon your own head, Count of
+Morseiul! the consequences be upon your own head! I see that you have
+taken your measures too well, and that, even if you paid the just
+penalty for such interference, the result could not be accomplished."
+
+"Come then," said the Count; "come, Herval, I must forgive anger as I
+have thwarted a rash purpose; but make what speed you may to quit the
+gardens, for, ere another minute be over, many a one will be crossing
+that terrace to their own apartments."
+
+Thus saying, he laid his hand upon the man's arm, to lead him gently
+away from the dangerous spot on which he stood. But Herval shook off
+his grasp sullenly, and walked on before with a slow and hesitating
+step, as if, every moment, he would have turned in order to effect his
+purpose. The Count doubted and feared that he would do so, and glad
+was he, indeed, when he saw him pass the gate which led out of the
+gardens. As soon as Herval had gone forth, the young Count closed the
+door, locked it, and threw the key over the wall, saying, "There!
+thank God, it is now impossible!"
+
+"Ay," replied the man. "But there are other things possible, Count;
+and things that may cause more bloodshed and more confusion than one
+little pistol shot.--It would have saved all France," he continued,
+muttering to himself, "it would have saved all France.--What a
+change!--But if we must fight it out in the field, we must."
+
+While he spoke he walked onward towards the Count's house, in a sort
+of gloomy but not altogether silent reverie; in the intervals of
+which, he spoke or murmured to himself in a manner which almost seemed
+to justify the opinion expressed by Riquet, that he was insane.
+Suddenly turning round towards the valet who followed, however, he
+demanded sharply, "Has there not been a tall man, with a green feather
+in his hat, asking for your lord two or three times to-day?"
+
+"So I have heard," replied Riquet, "from the Swiss, but I did not see
+him myself."
+
+"The Swiss never informed me thereof," said the Count. "Pray, who
+might he be, and what was his business?"
+
+"His name, Sir," replied Herval, "is Hatreaumont, and his business was
+for your private ear."
+
+"Hatreaumont!" said the Count in return. "What, he who was an officer
+in the guards?"
+
+Herval nodded his head, and the Count went on: "A brave man, a
+determined man he was; but in other respects a wild rash profligate.
+He can have no business for my private ear, that I should be glad or
+even willing to hear."
+
+"You know not that, Count," said Herval; "he has glorious schemes in
+view, schemes which perhaps may save his country."
+
+The Count shook his head; "schemes," he said, "which will bring ruin
+on himself, and on all connected with him. I have rarely known or
+heard of a man unprincipled and profligate in private life, who could
+be faithful and just in public affairs. Such men there may be perhaps;
+but the first face of the case is against them; for surely they who
+are not to be trusted between man and man, are still less to be
+trusted when greater temptations lie in their way, and greater
+interests are at stake."
+
+"Well, well," said Herval, "he will not trouble you again. This was
+the last day of his stay in Paris, and ere to-morrow be two hours old,
+he will be far away."
+
+"And pray," demanded the Count, "was it by his advice--he who owes
+nothing but gratitude to the King--was it by his advice that you were
+stationed where I found you?"
+
+"He knew nothing of it," said the man sharply, "he knew nothing of it;
+nor did I intend that he should know, till it was all over--and now,"
+he continued, "what is to become of me?"
+
+"Why, in the first place," replied the Count "you had better come in
+with me and take some refreshment. While we are doing so, we will
+think of the future for you."
+
+The man made no reply, but followed the Count, who led the way into
+his house, and then ordered some refreshments of various kinds to be
+set before his guest from Poitou, examining the man's countenance as
+he did so, and becoming more and more convinced that something
+certainly had given way in the brain to produce the wandering and
+unsettled eye which glared in his face, as well as the rash words and
+actions that he spoke and performed.
+
+"And now, Herval," he said, as soon as they were alone, "there is but
+one question which you should ask yourself,--whether it is better for
+you to return at once to Poitou, or, since you are so far on your way
+to Holland, to take advantage of that circumstance, and speed to the
+frontier without delay. I know not what is the situation of your
+finances; but if money be wanting for either step, I am ready to
+supply you as an old comrade."
+
+"I want no money," exclaimed the man; "I am wealthy in my station
+beyond yourself. What have I to do with money whose life is not worth
+an hour? I have a great mind to divide all I have into a hundred
+portions, spend one each day, and die at the end of it.--Holland! no,
+no; this is no time for me to quit France. I will be at my post at the
+coming moment; I will set off again to-night for Poitou. But let me
+tell you, Count--for I had forgotten--if you should yourself wish to
+secure aught in Holland--and I have heard that there is a lady dearer
+to you than all your broad lands--remember there is a schoolmaster
+living three doors on this side of the barrier of Passy, called
+Vandenenden, passing for a Fleming by birth, but in reality a native
+of Dort. He has regular communication with his native land, and will
+pass any thing you please with the utmost security."
+
+"I thank you for that information sincerely," replied the Count; "it
+may be most useful to me. But give me one piece of information more,"
+he added, as the man rose after having drank a glass of water, with a
+few drops of wine in it. "What was the state of the province when you
+left it?"
+
+"If you mean, Count, what was the state of the reformed party," said
+Herval, gazing round with a look of wild carelessness, "it was a girl
+in a consumption, where something is lost every day, no one knows how,
+and yet the whole looks as pretty as ever, till there is nothing but a
+skeleton remains. But there will be this difference, Count, there will
+be this difference. There will be strength found in the skeleton! Have
+you not heard? There were three thousand men, together with women and
+children, all converted at once, within ten miles of Niort; and it
+cost the priest so much bread and wine giving them the sacrament, that
+he swore he would make no more converts unless the King would double
+the value of the cure--ha! ha! ha!" and laughing loud and wildly, he
+turned upon his heel and left the room without bidding the Count good
+night.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+                            THE DECISION.
+
+
+About seven o'clock on the following morning, Jerome Riquet entered
+his master's room on tip toe, drew the curtains of his bed, and found
+him leaning on his arm, reading attentively. The subject of the
+Count's studies matters not. They were interrupted immediately; for a
+note, which the valet placed in his hands, caused him instantly to
+spring up to order his horses to be prepared with speed, and to set
+off for Paris at once, without waiting for the morning meal. The note
+which caused this sudden expedition contained but a few words. They
+were--
+
+"Come to me immediately, if you can, for I have matter of deep moment
+on which I wish to speak with you. You must not come, however, to the
+Hotel de Rouvre, for though it may seem strange in me to name another
+place to meet you, yet you will find with me one whom you will be
+surprised to see. I must not then hesitate to ask you to seek me
+towards ten o'clock, at number five in the street of the Jacobins; the
+house is that of a bookbinder, and in the shop you will find Maria."
+
+It had no signature; but the handwriting was that of Clemence. All
+that had occurred within the last few days had shown the Count de
+Morseiul that the crisis of his fate was approaching, that a very few
+days, nay, a very few hours, might decide the fortunes of his future
+life for ever. The multitude of matters which had pressed for his
+consideration during the two or three preceding days, the various
+anxieties that he had suffered, the mingling of joy and hope with pain
+and apprehension, had all created a state of mind in which it was
+difficult to think calmly of the future. Now, however, he had regained
+complete mastery of his own mind: the short interval of repose which
+had taken place had removed all confusion, all agitation, from his
+thoughts; and as he rode on towards Paris somewhat slowly, finding
+that there was more than the necessary time to accomplish his journey,
+he revolved coolly and deliberately in his own mind the peculiar
+points in his situation, and questioned himself as to his conduct and
+his duty in regard to each.
+
+First, then, of course, came the image of Clemence; and in regard to
+his love for her, and her's for him, there was many a question to be
+asked, which was answered by his own heart, whether altogether fairly
+and candidly or not, those who know love and love's nature can best
+declare. In asking her to fly with him from France, then, he was going
+to take her from wealth, and splendour, and luxury, and soft nurture,
+and all the comforts and conveniences which, surrounding her from her
+earliest years, had made to her eyes poverty, and difficulty, and
+distress, seem but a recorded dream of which she knew nothing but that
+some men had felt such things.
+
+He had to offer her in a foreign land, indeed, competence, mere
+competence; but would competence to her, educated as she had been
+educated, be any thing else than another name for poverty? Even that
+competence itself might perhaps be insecure. It depended upon the
+doubtful faith of foreign merchants, from whom he had no security, and
+if that were gone, he had nought to depend upon but his sword, and a
+high name in arms. Could Clemence bear all this? he asked himself.
+Could the gay, the admired, the adored, endure seclusion and
+retirement, and almost solitude? Could the spoilt child of fortune
+undergo privation? Could she, who had been accustomed but to command
+to be obeyed, be contented with scanty service from foreign servants?
+Would she never repine? Would she never look back to the bright land
+of France, and think with regret of the high station from which she
+had voluntarily descended? Would she never even, by one repining
+thought in the depth of her heart, reproach him for having won her
+away, to share his exile and misery? Would he never see upon her
+countenance one shade of sorrow and dissatisfaction when petty cares
+weighed down the mind made for greater things, when small anxieties
+and daily discomforts interrupted the current of finer and higher
+thoughts, or when disrespect and coldness made the sad change felt to
+her, upon whose words the brightest and the best had hung?
+
+His heart answered, No; that none of these things would ever arise to
+make him feel that he should not have taken her from her high fortunes
+to share his reverses. What could not love do, he asked himself, to
+brighten the lowliest lot? The grand face of nature would be still
+before them inexhaustible as a store of enjoyment; the communion of
+two high minds, he felt, could never be wanting while they were
+united: if they retained competence, they had all that was needful;
+and if for a time worse fell upon them, love would surely be strong
+enough to excite them to every effort and every exertion, each for the
+other, to cheer, to encourage, to alleviate; and would bring, too, its
+own reward. Besides, he remembered that he should never have to
+reproach himself with having led Clemence to difficulty and to
+danger--a reproach which, could it have been brought against him by
+conscience, would have imbittered all his joys--for her own situation,
+her own faith, required flight as well as his; and by making her his
+own, he only secured to her protection, support, affection, and
+guidance.
+
+Such were some of the thoughts which crossed his mind regarding
+Clemence; but there was another consideration of more difficulty, a
+question on which he was less satisfied. His fellow Protestants
+throughout the land, and more especially those who looked up to him
+for aid and for direction, should he now leave them to their fate,
+even though he could not avert from them one blow, even though he
+could not save them from one single pang? Should he not stay to share
+their lot, to comfort or to fall with them?
+
+The question would have been answered to once, laid they been firm and
+united amongst themselves. It needed not, indeed, that they should
+have armed to resist the royal authority against which they had no
+power to contend; it needed not that they should have attempted to
+build up the churches which had been thrown down, to replace the
+ministers who had been ejected, to petition for the restoration of
+rights which injustice had snatched from them: it needed none of these
+things to have induced him, without hesitation, to stay and partake of
+all that might befal them, if they had displayed a resolution of
+remaining calmly, firmly, though peaceably, attached to their faith,
+addressing their prayers to God in private, if public worship was
+forbidden them, and opposing to the iniquitous proceedings of their
+enemies that tranquil steady resistance of endurance, which seldom
+fails in ultimately repelling attack.
+
+Had they so acted, the Count de Morseiul would have had no hesitation;
+but such was not the case. Even before the last severe measures, which
+have been recorded in this book, the inconveniences attending their
+situation, the apprehension of worse, and the prospect of immediate
+gain, had caused annually the conversion of hundreds of the Protestant
+population of France to the Roman Catholic faith. Nothing like a
+spirit of union had reigned amongst them for years; and now that
+danger and persecution fell upon them, each day brought to the court
+tidings of thousands upon thousands having at once professed
+conversion. Each bishop, each intendant, sent daily lists of the
+numbers who had quitted the religion of their fathers to embrace that
+of the state; and in almost all quarters, those who had courage to
+sacrifice something for conscience sake, were flying from the land, or
+preparing for flight.
+
+He, too, had to remember that he was himself placed in a situation
+more difficult and dangerous than the rest. The question was not
+whether he should remain adhering calmly to his own faith, and living
+in tranquillity, though under oppression, or should fly to a foreign
+land; but there was a choice of three acts before him: whether he
+should remain to trial and perpetual imprisonment, if not death; or
+retiring to Poitou at once, raise the standard of hopeless revolt; or
+seek security in another country, leaving those to whom he could
+render no possible service.
+
+The voice of reason certainly said, Fly! but yet it was painful to him
+to do so. Independent of all thoughts of what he left behind--the
+dwelling of his infancy, the tombs of his fathers, the bright land of
+his birth--independent of all this, there was the clinging to his own
+people, which few can feel deeply but those circumstanced as he was;
+which none indeed can feel now, when the last vestiges have been swept
+away of a system which, though in no slight degree dangerous and evil,
+had nevertheless many an amiable and many an admirable point. He loved
+not to leave them, he loved not to leave any fellow sufferer behind
+while he provided for his own safety; and though reason told him that
+on every motive he ought to fly, yet he felt that lingering
+inclination to remain, which required the voice of others to conquer
+entirely. Such were the principal questions which his mind had found
+to discuss during the last two days; but since the preceding night, a
+new subject for thought had arisen, a new question presented itself.
+It however was not so difficult of solution as the others. A dark
+attempt upon the King's life, which could hardly have failed of
+success, had been nearly executed; but that was not all. From Herval
+he had learned, that schemes, which there was much reason to believe
+were dangerous to the whole state, were at that moment in agitation,
+if not upon the point of being accomplished. He loved not to be the
+denouncer of any man; and for Herval himself, he felt pity mingled
+with blame, which made him glad that the length of time that had
+elapsed, had given him an opportunity of retiring once more to Poitou.
+
+With regard to the proceedings of Hatreaumont, however, he had no
+scruple and no hesitation. It was right and necessary that the King
+should be made acquainted with the fact of dangerous designs being in
+agitation; and although he was well aware, that the task of informing
+the monarch of the truth would be a difficult and delicate one, so as
+not to bring the strong and unscrupulous hand of power upon persons
+who might be innocent, and were only accused by the word of a man whom
+he sincerely believed to be partially insane, yet he resolved to
+undertake that task, trusting to the firmness and uprightness of his
+own character, to insure that the execution of it should be such as to
+avoid doing injury to any one who was not guilty.
+
+Men under such circumstances in general err from an inaccuracy or
+deficiency of statement, proceeding from the confusion and uncertainty
+of a mind oppressed and agitated by the burthen of important affairs,
+or difficult and intricate circumstances. The Count de Morseiul,
+however, saw his way clearly, and prepared to tell the King exactly
+the words which Herval had made use of, but at the same time to inform
+him, that he had much reason to believe that the man was insane, and
+that, therefore, but little reliance was to be placed upon his
+statement, except so far as the employing of precaution might be
+required.
+
+The meditation over all these circumstances fully occupied the time
+till his arrival in Paris; and dismounting at his own house, he took
+his way alone and on foot towards the Rue des Jacobins. The capital at
+that period had but little of the light and graceful architectural
+beauty which the citizens have since endeavoured to give it; but there
+was, instead, a grey, mysterious looking grandeur about the vast piles
+of building of which it was composed, peculiar and entirely
+characteristic of the French metropolis. The great height of the
+houses, the smallness, in general, of the windows, their multitudes,
+their irregularities, the innumerable carriage entrances leading into
+court yards where cities and new worlds seemed to be opening on every
+side, the intricate alleys and passages that were seen branching here
+and there in unknown directions as the stranger took his way through
+the streets; every thing, in short, impressed upon the mind, as a keen
+and sensible perception, that fact, which, though common to all great
+capitals, is generally unfelt, that we are walking in the midst of a
+world of human beings with whom we have scarcely one feeling in
+sympathy; of whose habits, character, pursuits, pleasures, and pains
+we are utterly ignorant; who are living, moving, acting, feeling,
+undergoing life's great ordeal, smiling with rapture, writhing with
+anguish, melting with the bitter tears of sorrow and regret, inspired
+by hope, or palpitating with expectation around us on every side,
+without our having the slightest participation in any of their
+feelings, with scarcely a knowledge of their existence, and certainly
+none of their situation.
+
+It was impossible to walk through the streets of Paris at that
+time--it was impossible even to walk through the older parts of the
+city when I myself remember it, without having that sensation strongly
+excited--without asking one's self as one gazed up at the small
+windows of some of the many tenanted houses, and saw the half-drawn
+curtain shading out even the scanty portion of sun that found its way
+thither: Is there sickness or death within? Are there tears over the
+departing couch of the beloved? Is there anguish over the bier of the
+gone? without asking one's self, as one gazed at some wide-open
+casement, courting the summer air, and perhaps with some light piece
+of drapery floating out into the street, Is that the abode of love and
+joy? Is happy heart there meeting happy heart? Are they smiling over
+the birth of the first-born, or watching the glad progress of a young
+spirit kindred with their own? without asking one's self, as the eye
+rested upon some squalid doorway, foul with uncleaned ages, or some
+window, thick and obscure with the dust of years, some dim alley, or
+some dark and loathsome passage, Is vice, and plunder, and iniquity
+there? Is there the feverish joy of sin mingled with remorse, and
+anguish, and apprehension? Is there the wasting and the gnawing
+effects of vice, sickness, and sorrow, worn limbs, corroded heart,
+nights of restless watchfulness, and days of ceaseless anguish? It was
+impossible to walk through that tall city, with its myriads living
+above myriads, house within house, and court within court, without
+asking one's self such questions, and without feeling that the whole
+intense and thrilling reality of the scene was rendered but more
+striking by the gay and careless multitude that tripped along, each
+seeming scarcely conscious that there was another being in the world
+but himself.
+
+The Count de Morseiul was half an hour before his time; he walked
+somewhat slowly, and in picturing the feelings which a contemplative
+mind might experience in passing through Paris, we have pictured those
+which pressed for his attention, and crossed from time to time the
+current of his other thoughts. At length, however, he entered the Rue
+des Jacobins, and easily found the house to which he had been
+directed. It was a tall building of six stories, with a bookseller's
+shop upon the ground floor. Very different indeed, however, was it
+from a gay dwelling such as Paris now exhibits, with every new
+publication in blue and yellow flaming in the windows: but, through a
+small door, entrance was obtained into a long dark shop, where, on
+shelves, and in cases, and on benches, and on counters, were piled up
+manifold dusty volumes, whose state of tranquil slumber seemed to have
+been long undisturbed. A single pale apprentice, with an apron on and
+a brush in his hand, walked from one end of the shop to the other, or
+examined with slow inactivity the sheets of some unbound work, moving
+about his task with the same indifference to its speedy execution, as
+if the years of Mathuselah were bound up in his indentures.
+
+The Count looked at the shop well, to ascertain that he was right, and
+then entered; but in the long dim vista of the counters and packages,
+the person he sought for was not to be seen; and not having
+contemplated such an occurrence, he was somewhat embarrassed as to the
+person he should ask for. To have inquired whether a lady were waiting
+for him there or not, might perhaps have been received as an insult by
+the master of the house, and yet he thought it would be imprudent to
+risk the name of Clemence de Marly, when she herself might not have
+given it. He felt sure that had she arrived, her attendant Maria would
+have been at the post where she had promised to place her; and, in
+order to occupy the time till she came, he determined to ask for some
+book, and then enter into desultory conversation with the lad in the
+shop, after having bought it.
+
+He had scarcely spoken, however, when from behind a pile of solid
+literature which obscured still farther the end of the shop, the
+servant Maria came forth and advanced towards him. The matter was then
+easily explained, and the youth seemed in no degree surprised at the
+appointment, but proceeded to tie up the book which the Count had
+demanded, while Maria told him that her young lady had only just
+arrived, and was waiting for him up stairs. He followed her with a
+rapid step as she led the way, and at the third turning of a long dim
+narrow staircase, he found Clemence waiting at a door and listening as
+if for his arrival.
+
+There was something in the meeting under such circumstances which did
+away all feelings of reserve, such as perhaps might otherwise have
+still affected them towards each other; and Clemence, feeling that she
+was all his--that their fate was united for ever, felt scarcely a
+blush rise into her cheek when he, at once, pressed her to his heart
+upon their meeting. She spoke not, however, but held up her finger, as
+if to enjoin silence, and then led him through a little anteroom into
+a room beyond.
+
+There, seated at a table with some books scattered upon it, appeared
+the good pastor of Auron, Claude de l'Estang. He was thinner, paler,
+more worn, than when first we endeavoured to depict him; but the light
+was not gone out in the clear bright eye, the same mild but
+intelligent smile hung upon the lip, the same high spirit was thrown
+upon the brow. He rose and grasped the young Count's hands eagerly.
+
+"Oh, my dear Albert," he said, "I am glad to see you! This sweet
+child," he added, after the first exclamation, "wrote to me all that
+was between you and her. She is dear to my heart as if she were my
+own; and is she not my own. Did I not bring her back to the faith of
+her dear mother? Did I not rescue her from the evils of a corrupt
+perverted church? But of that we will speak not now, Albert. The
+moment I heard of it--the moment I heard that you were here, and had
+cast yourself, as it were, into the jaws of the lion, after the fatal
+night when that murderous youth, like Pilate, mingled our blood with
+our sacrifices--I resolved at once to make my way hither, at all and
+any risks, to speak to you, to exhort you, to tell you what I have
+decided in my own mind is the only plan for you to follow. I thought,
+indeed, when I set out--notwithstanding all that has occurred since
+you left Poitou, notwithstanding the scattering of the sheep and the
+driving forth of the shepherd, and the falling off of many, and the
+wavering of all the rest--I thought that here I might learn tidings
+which might make a change in my opinion, but that, at all events, it
+was right for me to come, in order that I might consult with you and
+others, and take our last final determination together. But, since I
+have heard from this dear child the situation in which you are placed,
+since I have heard from a weak brother, who has outwardly abjured the
+faith which he fondly clings to in his heart, things that you
+yourselves do not know, my opinion has been confirmed to the fullest
+extent, and I have only to say to you, Albert, fly! Fly with her
+immediately; save her from persecution, and anguish, and care; confirm
+her in the only true faith, and in the renunciation of every
+superstitious vanity of the church of Rome! Strengthen her, support
+her, protect her! Lose no time--no, not a day; for, if you do, danger
+to both, and, perhaps, everlasting separation in this world may be the
+consequence."
+
+"I am most ready and most willing," replied the Count. "It is
+absolutely necessary, indeed, that I should return to Versailles, but
+only for a few hours. After that, I can return hither, and, without
+further delay, execute what I am fully convinced is the only plan for
+us to pursue."
+
+"It is the only plan," said the clergyman. "Are you aware, Albert,
+that, in the short space of five days, one half of the Protestants of
+Poitou have bent the knee to Baal? Are you aware that the very men
+who, a week ago, clung to you for aid and protection, would now fly
+from you, either in shame at their own degeneracy, or because you are
+marked out for indignation by the powers that be? Yes, Albert, they
+would fly from you! There is a remnant, indeed, faithful and true unto
+the last; but to them I shall say, as I say to you, they must go forth
+to other lands, and shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony
+against this place. There is nothing left you, Albert, but flight, and
+that speedy and unhesitating. I have told you that I have heard much
+from a weak brother, whose renunciation of his faith weighs heavy upon
+him. He is in the confidence, it would seem, of those who rule; and he
+has informed me that it is the determination of the Monarch and his
+council never to let you quit the court of France except as a follower
+of the popish church of Rome. Every temptation is to be held out to
+you to make you yield, every menace used to drive you on the way they
+want; and should your resistance become strong and decided, the order
+for your arrest is already made out, and needs but one word to cause
+its execution. Fly, then, fly, Albert, and even if not for your own
+sake for hers."
+
+"I am most willing, my good friend," replied the Count. "I need no
+exhortation so to do. But is Clemence still willing to go with me?"
+
+"Can you doubt it, Albert," she said, "with _his_ approbation and
+advice?"
+
+"Yet, dear Clemence," said the Count, "I should be wrong were I not to
+tell you what may happen. The danger, the risk of our escape, the
+fatigues, and labours, and anxieties of the journey, the perils that
+await us at every step you have made up your mind to. But, Clemence,
+have you thought of the change from affluence to mere competence, from
+splendour and luxury to bare necessaries, even perhaps to poverty
+itself, for all I have on earth depends upon the good faith of those
+to whom I have transmitted it, and I might arrive and find nothing.
+Have you thought of all this? Have you thought that it may last for
+years, that we may have to live, and die, and bring up our children in
+poverty----?"
+
+"Out upon it, Albert!" exclaimed the old man, angrily; "wouldst thou
+take the part of the prince of this world against her better angel?
+But she will not doubt, she will not waver: I know she will not.
+Sooner than be a hypocrite, sooner than abandon troth and embrace
+error, she would cast herself upon the world, were it ten thousand
+times as bad--Out upon it! she fears not: she will have her husband,
+and her faith, and her God to support her."
+
+"I have not thought of all you suggest, Albert," replied Clemence more
+mildly, but still somewhat reproachfully, "I have not thought of them,
+because it was unnecessary to think of them at all. Do you not love
+me, Albert? Do I not love you? Is not that love riches, and splendour,
+and luxury enough for us? But when, beside that all-sufficient love,
+we have the knowledge that we are doing our duty, that we are
+suffering for our conscience sake, that we have left all to follow
+what we believe the dictates of the great Author of our faith, there
+will be a satisfaction, a pride, a glory, that even a woman's heart
+can feel. Fear not for me, Albert; I understand your scruples, and
+though they require forgiveness I forgive them. Let us be guided by
+his advice,--I am sure that it is good,--and I am willing, most
+willing, to risk all and every thing under such circumstances, and for
+such a cause."
+
+"Well then, so be it," said the Count; "let us consider our decision
+as made. This very night, Clemence, I will return to Paris. This very
+night I will meet you here; but oh, my good friend," he continued,
+turning to the pastor, "you whom I love and venerate as a father, you
+will easily understand what I feel when I say, that I could wish most
+anxiously that this dear girl, who is to accompany me through scenes
+of some peril, were united to me before we depart, not alone by the
+bonds of deep and true affection, not alone by the bonds of all the
+mutual promises and engagements which man and woman can plight towards
+each other, but by the sanction of that holy religion which first
+instituted such an union, and by the blessing of one of the ministers
+of Christ. I fear, however, it cannot be done."
+
+"Nay, my son, it can," replied the clergyman. "Expelled from our
+temples, debarred from the performance of all those ceremonial rites,
+which are but the shadows and types of higher things, the abandonment
+of such ceremonies as we cannot exercise, can, in no degree, either in
+the sight of man or of God, as long as the side of law or justice is
+considered, affect the validity of such a contract, or do away, in the
+slightest degree, the solemn legality of an union complete in all the
+forms which we are enabled to give it. Even were it not so, I have
+power delegated to me by the synod of our church, without application
+to higher authorities, whose approbation, for many years, would have
+been difficult and embarrassing to obtain, to perform all the
+ceremonies of the church, upon due knowledge certified by me that they
+are not contrary, in the particular cases, to the law of God, or to
+those just ordinances of man to which we have ourselves subscribed. If
+you desire it, and if Clemence is willing, I will this very night,
+before you depart, give my blessing to your union, and doubt not that,
+with my certificate thereof, witnessed by proper witnesses, that union
+will be held good by the Protestant church throughout the world."
+
+"Then I fear not," exclaimed the Count. "What say you, dear Clemence?
+Can you resolve upon this also,--speak, dear girl," he added as she
+paused in silence, covering her eyes with her hand. "Speak! oh speak!"
+
+"What should I say, Albert?" she said. "Do you dream that I would
+refuse? Do you suppose that I would reject the only thing which was
+wanting to give me confidence, and strength, and hope through all the
+perils that we may have to undergo?"
+
+Albert gazed on her with a look that thanked her to the full; and,
+after a brief moment given to happiness, he asked, "But who shall be
+the witnesses?"
+
+"Maria must be one," said Clemence, "for she of course goes with us."
+
+"One of my servants may be another," said the Count. "But it is better
+to have several."
+
+"The master of this house and his son," said Claude de l'Estang, "will
+make up a number more than sufficient; and all that remains, Albert,
+is for you to go and settle your affairs at Versailles, and return
+hither as soon as you may; though I wish, indeed, that it were
+possible for you not to go back to that place at all."
+
+"Indeed it is quite necessary," replied the Count; "not contemplating
+this meeting, I have left all the little store of wealth which I
+brought with me from Poitou in my house at Versailles. It is
+impossible to send for it without causing instant suspicion, and it is
+absolutely necessary, not only for the expences of the journey, but in
+order to secure some little sum for our subsistence, for a year or
+two, in case we shall find that, either by misfortune or by fraud, the
+money which I transmitted to Holland is not forthcoming."
+
+"It is, indeed, most necessary," said Claude de l'Estang. "I have
+heard that one of our poor ministers, who was banished some years ago
+from Languedoc, suffered most terribly in foreign lands before he
+could gain employment."
+
+"But I can bring in my share," exclaimed Clemence, her eyes sparkling
+with gladness. "I have a number of jewels, of different kinds: many
+purchased in other days with my own money; many given me by friends of
+my youth long years ago. They have cost, I know, in all many thousand
+livres. These are my own, and I will take them with me. Those that I
+have received from the Duke and Duchess, and other Roman Catholic
+friends, I shall leave to be given back to them again."
+
+"Do so, do so!" said the pastor. "There are some people, my dear
+child, who would wring a text from Scripture to bid you do the
+contrary, telling you to spoil the Egyptians; but I think that such
+injunctions as that must ever be applicable to particular cases alone,
+and the application must be made by God himself. I say, leave all that
+is not justly and absolutely your own: leave all that those who gave
+it would not give now, if they could see the use to which you are
+going to apply it. We shall rarely regret, my child, if ever, having
+been too just; we shall never cease to regret if we are once unjust."
+
+The Count de Morseiul had remarked that, through the whole of this
+conversation, the pastor had never once mentioned himself or his own
+plans. It might however seem, that he left it to be understood that
+he, too, was about to fly from the land; but the Count de Morseiul
+knew him well, and was aware that he was one of those who would
+resolutely and firmly place himself in the way of perils which he
+would teach others to avoid. He did not choose even to suppose that
+the pastor was about to remain in the land which he advised them to
+quit; and he, therefore, demanded, "At what hour, my good friend, will
+you be ready to give us your blessing and to go with us?"
+
+"My son," replied the pastor, "I will give my blessing on your union
+at any hour you like, for I dare not go out during the day. But, alas,
+I must not think of going with you. I say not, that I will not come
+hereafter, if Heaven enable me to do so; but it must be after I have
+seen every one of my flock, who is willing to sacrifice temporal to
+eternal things, in safety in another land before me. Nay, nay,
+Albert," he said, seeing the Count about to reply, "urge me not in
+this matter, for I am sure I am right, and when such is the case I
+must be immoveable. As soon as all who are willing to go are gone, I
+will obey the injunction of the King, which orders the pastors and
+ministers of our church to quit the realm immediately----"
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed the Count. "Has such an order been issued? I never
+heard of it."
+
+"You hear, my son, very little here," replied the old man. "Care is
+taken to keep unpleasant sights from the eyes of kings and courtiers.
+Pomp, and pageantry, and display, luxury and feasting, and music, and
+games, and revelry, they are the things for palaces and capitals; not
+the groans and tears of the wronged and injured, not the cries and
+murmurs of the oppressed. Some days have passed since the order
+appeared throughout all the provinces, and many of my brethren have
+already obeyed. I will obey it, too, but not till the last."
+
+"Oh," cried Clemence, "dear and excellent friend, do not, do not
+expose yourself too far. Remember how much we may need your council
+and assistance hereafter. Remember what a stay and support your
+presence may be to the whole of your flock in other lands."
+
+"Those who do not fulfil their duties now, Clemence," said the pastor,
+"upon the pretext of fulfilling them better hereafter, will fulfil
+none at all, my child. But say no more either of you; my determination
+is strong and fixed: and now, Albert," he added, with a faint smile,
+"find some way of measuring her finger for the ring that is to make
+her yours, and if you could get some friendly notary to draw up a
+regular contract of marriage between you against this evening, all
+would be complete."
+
+Albert of Morseiul took the fair hand of his promised bride, which she
+gave him with a blushing cheek, to measure it for the ring that was to
+be the symbol of their union. Upon the very finger was that ring which
+he had rescued for her when it had been taken away by the band of
+Herval, the coronet and the cypher in diamonds; and as he gazed upon
+it and tried it on his own finger, to judge of the size, a brief
+feeling of curiosity passed through his heart, and he thought, "This,
+indeed, is strange: I am about to wed one, of whose history, and fate,
+and circumstances, both I myself, and almost every one around me, are
+ignorant."
+
+He lifted his look to her face, however, while he thus thought. Those
+large, pure, beautiful eyes were gazing upon him with tenderness and
+trust, and, replacing the ring upon her finger, he sealed his faith
+and confidence upon that fair hand with a kiss.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XI.
+
+                          THE KING'S CLOSET.
+
+
+During the time that the young Count was absent from Versailles and
+busied, as we have represented, with those schemes on which his future
+woe or welfare seemed beyond all doubt to depend, a scene was taking
+place in the palace of the King, in which the Count was more
+interested than he could have supposed possible, and which, as will be
+seen at the close of this history, was destined to affect him as much
+as any of his own proceedings.
+
+The scene, then, was in the King's cabinet at Versailles. A clock of a
+rich and singular construction stood exactly before the Monarch,
+marking out to him the portions of time which he could bestow upon
+each separate affair as it was brought before him. A large inkstand,
+containing innumerable pens, and a portfolio, half filled with
+writing, in the King's own hand, lay upon the table; wax of four
+different colours, blue, red, white, and yellow, were also placed
+before him, in a small case of marquetry, which contained likewise
+several seals, and an instrument of a peculiar form for spreading the
+wax: the walls were ornamented with a few very choice small pictures;
+a number of maps were there also, and a few, but very few, books.
+
+The Monarch was seated in a large arm chair, his right foot supported
+by a footstool, and his hand holding a pen as it rested on the table.
+The expression of his countenance was mild but intelligent, and before
+him stood--a little pale indeed, and affecting, certainly, greater awe
+and terror than he really did feel--a man, whom, as we described him
+before, may be passed over in silence as far as his personal
+appearance is concerned. This was no other than Jerome Riquet, the
+valet of the Count of Morseiul; and behind him appeared the figure of
+Bontems, Louis's confidential attendant, who instantly retreated in
+silence from the chamber, on a slow nod of the head from the King.
+
+"Your name," said the Monarch, fixing his eyes full upon Riquet, "is,
+I understand, Jerome Riquet, and you are valet to the young Count of
+Morseiul."
+
+"I have been his faithful valet in the field, and the camp, and the
+court, and the castle, for these many years, Sire," replied the man.
+
+"And I hear," continued the King, "that you are a member of the holy
+catholic church, while your lord is of the religion which its
+professors call reformed. Now, answer me truly, how have you
+contrived--during the long period of service, surrounded, as you were,
+by Huguenot fellow servants and under a Huguenot lord--how have you
+contrived to fulfil the duties of your religion, I say, under such
+circumstances?"
+
+"Oh, Sire, nothing so easy," replied the man. "May it please your
+Majesty, I was much better off, in most respects, than my brother
+Catholics; for on a fast day, Sire, by my lord's order, on my account,
+there was either fish, or some other meagre dish prepared, so that I
+had my choice. I could fast and grow thin, or sin and grow fat, as I
+thought fit."
+
+The King's countenance fell a little at an uncalled-for joke in his
+presence, especially on a subject which, in his eyes, was of serious
+importance. Louis, however, was very rarely disposed to say a harsh
+word, unless it was impossible to help it; and he therefore passed
+over the valet's levity with merely the reproof of that displeased
+look, and then again demanded,--
+
+"So, then, your lord gave you every facility of fulfilling the duties
+of your religion?"
+
+"The greatest, Sire," replied the man. "Except when we were in
+Holland, where there was no Catholic church to be found, he has always
+driven me to mass as if with a scourge. Even at Morseiul, scarcely a
+Sunday passed without his telling me to go to mass, and asking me if I
+had been."
+
+"This looks well for the young gentleman," said the King, seemingly
+well pleased with the account the man afforded. "We have had different
+stories at court--that he was rank and bigoted, and furious against
+the Catholic religion."
+
+"Lord bless your Majesty!" exclaimed the man, "he is more than three
+quarters of a Catholic himself, and if the devil gets the other
+quarter it will only be because the Count is driven to him."
+
+"Speak not profanely, Sir, of things that are serious," said the King,
+"nor presume, in my presence, to venture upon such jests."
+
+As he spoke, the whole aspect of his countenance changed, his brow
+grew dark, his lip curled, his voice became deeper, his head more
+erect, and that indescribable majesty, for which he was famous, took
+possession of his person, making the unfortunate Jerome Riquet ready
+to sink into the earth.
+
+"Now, Sir," continued the King, "be not frightened; but give me clear
+and straight-forward answers in a serious tone. What you have told me
+of your young lord is satisfactory to me. I am most anxious to do him
+good and to show him favour. I have marked his gallant conduct as a
+soldier, and his upright and noble demeanour as a French gentleman,
+and I would fain save him from the destruction to which obstinacy may
+lead him. You say that he is three parts a Catholic already, and would
+be one altogether if it were not--at least so I understand you--that
+some one drove him to the contrary conduct. Now, who is it drives him,
+Sir? Speak to me plainly and explicitly, and no harm shall come to
+you.--Have you lost your tongue, Sir, or are you struck dumb?" the
+King continued, seeing that Riquet remained silent, while his whole
+frame seemed to work with terror and agitation.
+
+Perhaps, had his lord been there, he might have discovered, at once,
+that Riquet was working himself up to assume an immense deal more of
+terror than he really felt; but the King, conscious of having assumed
+an overawing look which he had often seen produce effects somewhat
+similar, believed the fear of the valet to be entirely real, and was
+not at all surprised to see Riquet suddenly cast himself at his feet
+and burst into an amazing flood of tears.
+
+"If I have offended your Majesty," cried the man, with a species of
+orientalism which was not at all displeasing to the ears of the
+despotic monarch of the French, "if I have offended your Majesty, take
+my head! But you are now proceeding to question me upon matters in
+which what I have to tell and to speak of, may produce the most
+terrible results. I know not every word I utter that I may not be
+doing wrong--I know not that every word may not cost my life--and
+unless your Majesty will deign to grant me in writing your full and
+free pardon for all that I have done, I dare not, indeed I dare not go
+on; or if I do, terror will make me prevaricate, and attempt to
+conceal facts that the wisdom of your Majesty will soon discover."
+
+"Nay, nay," exclaimed the King; "before I give you such pardon, my
+good friend, I must know to what it extends. You may have committed
+twenty crimes, for aught I know; you may be a relapsed heretic, for
+aught I know."
+
+"So help me God, Sire, no," exclaimed the man vehemently: "I am a
+sincere, devout, and zealous Catholic, and have been so all my life.
+Here is the certificate of the parish priest in Poitou, Sire, in order
+that I might have the benefit of the indulgence," and he drew forth
+from his pocket a small piece of written paper which Louis read
+attentively, and which bestowed upon him so high a character for
+devotion to the Catholic faith, and for various other extraordinary
+virtues, that Louis thought he could not be far wrong in assuring him
+of the pardon he wanted, especially as Riquet, while he read, had
+relapsed into a passion of tears, and the moments allotted to the task
+of examining him were fleeting rapidly away. "Well," he said, "to make
+you at ease, I will grant you the pardon, under some conditions."
+
+"And pray put in, Sire," cried Riquet, with real joy sparkling in his
+eyes, "pray put in that you take me under your royal protection, for
+fear the Count should be angry, or any of the heretics should attempt
+to take vengeance upon me.
+
+"That I will do also," replied Louis, and taking the pen he wrote
+rapidly a paper which, according to the old English form, would have
+been somewhat to the following effect, though the beginning of it, "_A
+tous ceux_," &c. may be somewhat freely translated.
+
+
+"Know all men by these presents, that we, for especial reasons
+thereunto us moving, have granted our full and free pardon unto the
+person called Jerome Hardouin Riquet, for all crimes or offences that
+he may have committed up to the date of these presents, always
+excepted any crime which he may have committed against the holy church
+or our sovereign state of which he is not at this time charged, and
+which may be hereafter proved against him, and that we do also take
+the said Jerome Hardouin Riquet under our especial protection, warning
+all men to have regard unto the same, for such is our will.
+
+                                         "Louis."
+
+
+The King read the paper over, paused for a moment, as if he yet
+hesitated whether he should give it or not, and then with a sort of
+half smile, and a look expressive of something between carelessness
+and magnanimity, he held it out to the valet, who seized it and kissed
+it repeatedly. Then standing up before the monarch, he said,--
+
+"Now, Sire, safe in your Majesty's protection, I am ready and capable
+of answering distinctly and clearly any thing that you may ask me."
+
+The King took the paper up again, into which he had looked to
+ascertain the various denominations of Maitre Riquet, and then
+recommenced his questions as follows, returning in the first place to
+the one which Riquet had left unanswered, "Who and what are the people
+who are driving, or are likely to drive, your master to remain
+obstinate in heresy."
+
+"Please your Majesty," replied Riquet, "the principal persons are, a
+very reverend and respectable gentleman, called the Abbe de St. Helie;
+also, the intendant of the province of Poitou, our reverend father the
+Bishop of Poitiers, Monsieur de Louvois, and I am not very sure that
+good Monsieur de Rouvre himself has not a part."
+
+The King gazed at the bold speaker for a moment or two, as if doubtful
+of his real intention; asking of himself whether the man spoke
+sincerely and simply, or whether a daring jest, or a still more
+impudent sarcasm, lay concealed in the words he used. The man's
+previous terror, however, and the air of perfect unconsciousness of
+offence with which he spoke, did much to convince Louis that he had no
+double meaning. His tone, however, was sharp and angry, as he asked,
+"How now, Sir? How can some of the best and wisest, the most prudent
+and the most zealous men in the realm, drive any heretic to refuse
+obstinately the cup of salvation offered to him? I trust, you mean no
+offence, sirrah!"
+
+Jerome Riquet's countenance instantly fell, and with a thousand
+lamentations and professions of profound respect for Louvois and St.
+Helie, and every one whom the King might trust and favour, he
+declared, that his only meaning was, that he believed his master and a
+great many other Protestants would have been converted long ago, if
+they had been led rather than driven. He added, that he had heard the
+young Count and the old one too say a thousand times, that some of the
+gentlemen he mentioned had done as much to prevent the Protestants
+from returning to the mother church, as Monsieur Bossuet had done to
+bring them back to it.
+
+Louis paused and thought, and had not his prepossessions been so
+complete as they were, the plain truth which the valet told him might
+not have been unproductive of fruit. As it was it went in some degree
+to effect the real object which Riquet had in view; namely, to impress
+the King with a notion, that there was a great probability of the
+young Count being recalled to the bosom of the Catholic church,
+provided the means employed were gentleness and persuasion.
+
+It is very seldom, indeed, in this life, that we meet with any thing
+like pure and unmixed motives, and such were certainly not to be
+expected in the bosom of Jerome Riquet. His first object and design
+was certainly to serve his master; but, in so serving him, he had an
+eye to gratifications of his own also; for to his feelings and
+disposition Versailles was a much pleasanter place than Morseiul,
+Paris a more agreeable land than Poitou. He used to declare, that he
+was fond of the country, but liked it paved; that his avenues should
+always be houses, and his flocks and herds wear coats and petticoats.
+He naturally calculated, then, that if the King undertook the task of
+converting the young Count by gentle and quiet means, he would not
+fail to keep him in the delightful sojourning place of Versailles,
+while he, Jerome Riquet, amongst all the gods and goddesses of brass
+and marble, which were gathered together in the gardens, might play
+the part of Proteus, and take a thousand shapes, as might suit his
+versatile genius.
+
+The King thought over the reply of Riquet for some moments, somewhat
+struck by hearing that the arguments which the Protestants held
+amongst themselves were exactly similar to those which they had often
+put forth in addressing him. So much skill, however, had been employed
+by his council and advisers to open wide before him the path of error,
+and to close up the narrow footway of truth, that even when any one
+pulled away the brambles and briars with which the latter had been
+blocked up, and showed him that there was really another path, he
+refused to follow it, and chose the wider and more travelled road.
+
+Thus his conclusion was, after those few minutes' thought,--
+
+"This is all very well, and very specious; but as we do not trust to a
+sick man to point out the remedies that will cure him, so must we not
+trust to these Huguenots to point out what would be the best means of
+converting them. However, Master Jerome Riquet, it is not in regard to
+opinions that I sent for you, I want to hear facts, if you please. Now
+tell me: do you remember, upon a certain occasion, a proclamation
+having been sent down to be read in the town of Morseiul, the King's
+officers having been insulted, and, I believe, pelted with stones, and
+the proclamation torn down?"
+
+"No, Sire," replied Riquet boldly, for he was telling a lie, and
+therefore spoke confidently. "I remember my master going out in haste
+one day to prevent, he said, any bad conduct on the part of the
+people, and I remember hearing that he had caused the proclamation to
+be made himself in the market-place, in spite of some riotous folk,
+who would willingly have opposed it."
+
+"High time that such folk should be put down," said the King. "These
+are the peaceable and obedient subjects, which the advocates of the
+Huguenots would fain persuade me that they are. But one question more
+on this head: did you see the young Count of Morseuil cause the gates
+of the town to be shut in the face of my officers, or did you hear
+that he had done so, upon good authority?"
+
+"No, Sire, I neither heard nor saw it," replied Riquet; "and, for
+myself, I was safely in the castle during the whole day."
+
+"Do you remember," continued the King, looking at the paper, "having
+carried notes or letters from your master to different Protestant
+gentlemen in the neighbourhood of Poitiers, calling upon them to
+assemble and meet him at the house of another Huguenot, named M. de
+Corvoie?"
+
+"No, Sire, oh no!" replied the man. "While we were at Poitiers, I only
+carried one note, and that was to the saddle-maker, who in repadding
+one of my lord's saddles, had done it so as to gall the horse's back."
+
+"Sir, you are lying," said the King sternly.
+
+Riquet once more cast himself upon his knees before the monarch,
+clasping his hands and exclaiming, "May I lose your Majesty's favour
+for ever, if I am not telling you the exact truth. Let any one who
+dares to say that I carried any other note than that which I have
+mentioned be confronted with me this moment, and I will prove, that he
+is shamefully deceiving your Majesty, for no other note did I carry,
+no, not even a love letter. Otherwise, I could and would, not only
+tell your Majesty the fact, but every word that the notes contained."
+
+"This is very extraordinary," said the King, "and I shall take care to
+inquire into it."
+
+"I trust your Majesty will," replied the man boldly, for it may be
+recollected that he had not carried any note, but had been merely
+charged with a message to M. de Corvoie: "I trust that your Majesty
+will; for I assure you, on the faith of a valet de chambre, that no
+such transaction ever occurred. Did not they want to charge me--the
+very men who I dare say have brought this accusation--did they not
+want to charge me with having abstracted your Majesty's commission to
+Messieurs St. Helie and Pelisson, and with having placed a pack of
+cards in its stead; and were they not brought to shame by its being
+found out, that they themselves had done it, by fragments of the
+commission being found in one of their valises, wrapped like a dirty
+rag about an old tobacco box?"
+
+"How is this? How is this?" exclaimed the King. "I heard that the
+commission had been abstracted, but I heard not this result--fragments
+of the commission wrapping a tobacco box found in their own valises!"
+
+"Ay, Sire," replied the man, "'tis all too true, for the examination
+was conducted in presence of Monsieur de Rouvre;" and with earnest
+volubility Maitre Jerome set to work, and, in his own particular
+manner, gave the monarch a long and detailed, but rapid account of
+what had taken place on the return of the Count de Morseiul to
+Poitiers, adding cunning commentaries in words, gesticulations, and
+grimaces, which scarcely left the King the power of retaining his due
+gravity, especially when Riquet personated to the life, the worthy
+Cure of Guadrieul, on the discovery of the paper in his valise.
+
+While he was in the very act of making this detail, however, the door
+of the royal cabinet was opened, and a man of a harsh and disagreeable
+countenance, with a face somewhat red and blotched, but with great
+fire and intelligence in his eyes, entered the room, pausing for a
+single moment at the door, as if for permission.
+
+"Come in, Monsieur de Louvois, come in," said the King. "This is
+Jerome Riquet, the valet of the Count de Morseiul, whom I told you I
+intended to examine. He puts a very different face upon several
+matters, however, from that which we expected to find," and the King
+briefly recapitulated to his famous minister the information he had
+received from Riquet, leaving out however the first part of the
+conversation between them, which contained matter that could not be
+very agreeable to the minister.
+
+A somewhat sneering smile came upon Louvois' countenance as he
+listened; and he replied, "I am very happy to hear, Sire, that the
+Count de Morseiul is so good and faithful a servant to your Majesty.
+May I be permitted to ask this worthy person a question or two in your
+presence?"
+
+The King bowed his head, and the minister, turning to Riquet, went on:
+"Although we have much more reason to think favourably of your
+master," he said, "than we had at first, yet there is one point in
+regard to which, though he did not actually commit a fault, he greatly
+neglected his duty, at least, so we are led to believe. We are
+assured, that shortly before he came up to Versailles, a great meeting
+of Huguenots in the open air took place upon a wild moor, within the
+limits of the young Count's lands, which meeting, though held for the
+peaceful purpose, we are told, of merely preaching in the open air,
+terminated in bloodshed, and an attack upon a small body of the King's
+dragoons who were watching the proceedings."
+
+Louvois' eye was fixed upon the valet all the time he spoke, and
+Jerome Riquet was making up his mind to deny steadily any knowledge of
+the transaction; but suddenly his whole views upon the subject were
+changed by the minister coming to the head and front of the Count's
+offence.
+
+"Now," continued Louvois, "although there was certainly no law to
+compel the Count to be present on such an occasion, yet, when he knew
+that a meeting of this kind was about to take place on his own
+estates, and that dangerous consequences might ensue, he would but
+have shown his zeal and duty in the service of the King by going to
+the spot, and doing all that he could to make the proceedings tranquil
+and inoffensive."
+
+"But the Count did go, Sir," exclaimed Riquet, "the Count did go, and
+I remember the fact of his going particularly."
+
+"Are you ready to swear that he was there?" demanded Louvois.
+
+"All I can say," replied the valet, "is, that he left home for the
+purpose of going there. I was not present myself, but I heard from
+every one else that he was."
+
+"And pray at what hour did he return that night?" demanded Louvois,
+"for the events that I speak of did not take place till near
+nightfall, and if the Count had been there till the whole assemblage
+had dispersed, a thousand to one no harm would have ensued."
+
+"I cannot exactly tell at what hour he returned," said the valet, who
+was beginning to fancy that he was not exactly in the right road. "It
+was after nightfall, however."
+
+"Recollect yourself," said Louvois, "was it nine, ten o'clock."
+
+"It might be nearly ten," said the man.
+
+"And, I think," said Louvois, his lip curling with a smile, bitter and
+fiend-like, "I think you were one of those, were you not, who went
+down on the following morning to the spot where the young Marquis de
+Hericourt had been murdered? Your name is amongst those who were seen
+there, so say no more. But now tell me, where is your master at this
+moment?"
+
+Jerome Riquet smarted under a strong perception of having been
+outwitted; and the consequence was, that knowing, or at least
+believing, that when a man falls into one such piece of ill luck, it
+generally goes on, with a sort of run against him; he made up his mind
+to know as little as possible about any thing, for fear of falling
+into a new error, and replied to Louvois' question, that he could not
+tell.
+
+"Is he in his hotel at Versailles, or not, Sir?" said the minister
+sternly; "endeavour to forget for once that you are professionally a
+liar, and give a straight-forward answer, for on your telling truth
+depends your immediate transmission to the Bastille or not. Was your
+master at home when you left the house, or out?"
+
+"He was out then, Sir, certainly," replied Riquet.
+
+"On horseback, or on foot?" demanded Louvois.
+
+"On horseback," replied the man. "Now, answer me one other question,"
+continued the minister. "Have you not been heard, this very morning,
+to tell the head groom to have horses ready to go to Paris?"
+
+"Sir," said Jerome, with a look of impudent raillery that he dared not
+assume towards the King, but which nothing upon earth could have
+repressed in addressing Louvois at that moment, "Sir, I feel convinced
+that I must possess a valet de chambre without knowing it, for nobody
+on earth could repeat my words so accurately, unless I had some
+scoundrel of a valet to betray them as soon as they were spoken."
+
+"Sir, your impudence shall have its just punishment," said Louvois,
+taking up a pen and dipping it in the ink, but the King waved his
+hand, saying, "Put down the pen, Monsieur de Louvois! You forget that
+you are in the King's cabinet and in his presence!--Riquet, you may
+retire."
+
+Riquet did not need a second bidding, but, with a look of profound awe
+and reverence towards Louis, laid his hand upon his heart, lifted up
+his shoulders, like the jaws of a crocodile ready to swallow up his
+head, and bowing almost to the ground, walked backward out of the
+room. Louvois stood before the King, for an instant, with a look of
+angry mortification, which he suppressed with difficulty. Louis
+suffered him to remain thus, and, perhaps, did not enjoy a little the
+humiliation he had inflicted upon a man whom he, more than once in his
+life, declared to be perfectly insupportable, though he could not do
+without him. At length, however, he spoke in a grave but not an angry
+tone, saying,
+
+"From the questions that you asked that man just now, Monsieur de
+Louvois, I am led to believe that you have received some fresh
+information regarding this young gentleman--this Count de Morseiul. My
+determination up to this moment, strengthened by the advice of
+Monsieur de Meaux, Monsieur Pelisson, and others, is simply this: to
+pursue to the utmost the means of persuasion and conciliation in order
+to induce him, by fair means, to return to the bosom of the Catholic
+church."
+
+"Better, Sire," replied Louvois, "far better cut him off like a
+withered and corrupted branch, unfit to be grafted on that goodly
+tree."
+
+"You know, Marquis," said the King, "that I am always amenable to
+reason. I have expressed the determination which I had taken under
+particular circumstances. If you have other circumstances to
+communicate to me which may make me alter that opinion, do so
+straight-forwardly. Kings are as liable to error as other
+men,--perhaps, indeed, more so; for they see truth at a distance, and
+require perspective glasses to examine it well, which are not always
+at hand. If I am wrong I am ready to change my resolution, though it
+is always a part of a king's duty to decide speedily when he can do it
+wisely."
+
+"The simple fact, Sire," replied Louvois, with the mortification under
+which he still smarted affecting his tone of voice; "the simple fact
+is, as your Majesty must have divined from the answers that man gave
+me, I have now clear and distinct proof that this Count de Morseiul
+has, throughout the insignificant but annoying troubles occasioned by
+the Huguenots in Poitou, been the great fomenter of all their
+discontent, and their leader in actual insurrection. He was not only
+present at this preaching in the desert, as these fanatics call it,
+and led all the proceedings, by a speech upon the occasion highly
+insulting to your Majesty's authority and dignity; with all which your
+Majesty has already been made acquainted----"
+
+"But upon not very clear and conclusive evidence," said the King.
+"Upon evidence, Monsieur de Louvois, which should condemn none of my
+subjects before a court of law, and, therefore, not before his
+sovereign. That he made a speech is clear; but some of the witnesses
+deposed, that it was only to recommend moderation and tranquillity,
+and to beseech them, on no account, to appear on such occasions with
+arms."
+
+"All hypocrisy, Sire," replied Louvois. "I have had two of the
+dragoons with me this morning who were present with my unfortunate
+cousin, young De Hericourt, and they are quite ready and willing to
+swear that he, this Count de Morseiul, began the affray by striking
+that young officer from his horse."
+
+"Without provocation?" demanded the King, his brow growing somewhat
+cloudy.
+
+"They saw none given," replied Louvois, "and they were close to him.
+Not only this, but, as it is shown that he did not himself return to
+his own house till late at night; that De Hericourt never returned at
+all; and that the two were angry rivals for the hand of this very
+Mademoiselle de Marly, there is strong reason to believe that they met
+after the affair on the moor, and that the unhappy young man was slain
+by the hand of the Count of Morseiul."
+
+"This is something new, indeed," said the King. "Have you any further
+information, Monsieur de Louvois?"
+
+"Merely the following, Sire," replied the minister, "that, in the
+course of yesterday evening, the famous fanatic minister, Claude de
+l'Estang, the great stay of the self-styled reformed church, who, on
+more than one occasion, in his youth opposed your royal father in
+arms, and has, through life, been the great friend and adviser of
+these Counts of Morseiul, arrived in Paris last night, sent a billet
+down to the Count this morning, and further, that the Count
+immediately went up to visit him. Unfortunately the news was
+communicated to me too late to take measures for tracking the Count
+from Versailles to the hiding-place of the minister, whom it is
+desirable to lay hands upon if possible. The Count was tracked,
+indeed, to his own hotel in Paris; but, just before I came hither, the
+messenger returned to tell me, that as soon as Monsieur de Morseiul
+had arrived at his own house he had gone out again on foot, and all
+further trace of him was lost. What I would urge upon your Majesty's
+attention, then, is this, that if you suffer him to trifle away many
+days, persuading you and good Monsieur Bossuet, that he intends to
+yield and return to the church, you will suffer this affair of the
+preaching, the tumult, the murder of some of your loyal subjects, and
+the previous factious conduct of this young man, to drop and be
+forgotten; and you cannot well revive it after any length of time, as
+it is known, already, that full information has been laid before you
+on the subject. It does seem to me, Sire," continued the minister,
+seeing that Louis was much moved by his reasonings, "it does seem to
+me that you have but one choice. You must either, believing, as I do,
+that the Count de Morseiul has not the slightest intention of ever
+becoming a convert from the heresy which he now professes, determine
+upon arresting him and punishing him for the crimes with which he is
+charged, should they be proved; or else you must grant him your royal
+favour and pardon, put it out of your own power to investigate further
+the matter, bestow upon him the hand of Mademoiselle de Marly, and
+leave fate, and his own inclinations, to convert him to the Catholic
+faith, or not, as may happen."
+
+"I certainly shall not take the latter alternative," replied the King.
+"The circumstances you have brought forward are extremely strong,
+especially this renewed visit to Claude de l'Estang. I am not one to
+show indecision where firmness is necessary, Louvois. In an hour or
+two, whenever I think it probable that he is returned to Versailles, I
+will send to require his presence. I will question him myself upon his
+belief, ascertain the probability of his conversion, and determine at
+once. If I find your statement correct----"
+
+"Sire," cried Louvois, interrupting the King, as was too often his
+custom to do, "there is little use of your asking him any questions
+but one simple one; the answer to which must, at once, satisfy so
+great and magnanimous a mind as yours, and you will see that I
+entertain no feeling of personal enmity to the young man by the
+question that I am about to suggest. If he answer that question
+candidly, straightforwardly, and, at once, in the manner and sense
+which your Majesty can approve, give him your favour, raise him high,
+distinguish him in every manner: but if he prevaricates, hesitates, or
+answers in a sense and manner which your Majesty cannot approve, send
+him to the Bastille."
+
+"But what is the question?" demanded the King eagerly. "What is the
+question, Monsieur de Louvois?"
+
+"This, Sire," replied Louvois: "Monsieur de Morseiul, I beg and
+command of you, as your king and your benefactor, to tell me whether
+there is, or is not, really any chance of your ever becoming a convert
+to the true Catholic faith of this realm?"
+
+Louvois, by putting such a question into the King's mouth, showed not
+only how intimately he was acquainted with Louis's weaknesses, but
+also how well he knew the firmness and candour of the young Count de
+Morseiul. He knew, in short, that the latter would tell the truth, and
+that the former would condemn it.
+
+"Nothing can be fairer," replied the King, "nothing can be fairer,
+Monsieur de Louvois. I will put that question to him exactly, and upon
+his answer to it he shall stand or fall."
+
+"So thoroughly am I convinced, Sire, of what the result will be,"
+continued Louvois, "that I will beseech your Majesty to give me
+authority to have him arrested immediately after he leaves you, in
+case you send me no order to the contrary."
+
+"Certainly," replied the King, "certainly. I will sign the order
+immediately."
+
+"Allow me to remind you, Sire," replied Louvois, "that you signed one
+the other day, which is already in the hands of Cantal, only you
+ordered me to suspend the execution. That will do quite well, and
+Cantal will be at hand to put it in force."
+
+"Be it so," said the Monarch, "be it so: but let Cantal be in the way
+at the time I send for the young Count, that I may signify to him that
+he is not to arrest the Count if the answer I receive satisfies me.
+And now, Monsieur de Louvois, what news regarding this business of
+Dunkirk?"
+
+The King and his minister then turned to other matters, and having
+concluded the principal part of the affairs they had in hand, were
+talking somewhat lightly of other matters, when one of the attendants,
+who knew that the hour of Louvois was over, opened the door and
+interrupted their further conversation, by announcing, to the surprise
+of both, that the Count de Morseiul was in waiting, beseeching,
+earnestly, a moment's audience of the Monarch. The King turned his
+eyes upon Louvois, as if to inquire, "What is the meaning of this?"
+but a moment or two after he bade the attendant give the Count
+admission.
+
+"Then I had better take my leave, Sire," said the minister, "and give
+Cantal a hint to be in readiness;" and taking up the papers from which
+he had been reading some extracts to the Monarch, Louvois bowed low
+and quitted the room.
+
+
+
+                      END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+
+                              VOL. III.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                               London:
+                     Printed by A. Spottiswoode,
+                          New-Street-Square.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                                 THE
+
+                               HUGUENOT
+
+                                A TALE
+
+                                  OF
+
+                       THE FRENCH PROTESTANTS.
+
+
+
+
+                           BY THE AUTHOR OF
+
+                      "THE GIPSY," "THE ROBBER,"
+                               &c. &c.
+
+
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+                          IN THREE VOLUMES.
+
+                              VOL. III.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+                               LONDON:
+
+                             PRINTED FOR
+
+               LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN, & LONGMANS,
+
+                           PATERNOSTER-ROW.
+
+                                1839.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                            THE HUGUENOT.
+
+                              *   *   *
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER I.
+
+                         THE UNFORESEEN BLOW.
+
+
+To have judged by the affable and agreeable smile which Louvois bore
+upon his countenance as he passed the young Count de Morseuil in one
+of the anterooms, a stranger to that minister would have imagined that
+he was extremely well disposed towards the gentleman whom he was in
+fact labouring to ruin. No such error, however, could have taken place
+with regard to the aspect with which the King received the young
+Count, which, though not frowning and severe, was grave and somewhat
+stern.
+
+The countenance and conduct of Albert of Morseiul was calm, tranquil,
+and serene; and Louis, who, intending to cut the interview as short as
+possible, had risen, could not help saying within himself, "That looks
+not like the face of a man conscious of crime."
+
+As the King paused while he made this remark to himself, the Count
+imagined that he waited for him to begin and open the cause of his
+coming; and, consequently, he said at once, "Sire, I have ventured to
+intrude upon your Majesty, notwithstanding your intimation that you
+would send for me when your convenience served, inasmuch as I have
+matters of some importance to lay before you, which would bear no
+delay."
+
+"Pray," demanded Louis, "pray, Monsieur de Morseiul, before you
+proceed further, be so good as to inform me, whether the matters to
+which you allude refer to yourself or to the state?"
+
+"By no means to myself," replied the Count, who was not altogether
+satisfied with the King's tone and manner. "They refer entirely to the
+safety of the state and your Majesty. On my own affairs I would not
+have presumed to intrude upon you again."
+
+"Very well, then," said the King dryly, "since such is the case, you
+will be good enough to communicate whatever you may have to say upon
+such subjects to Monsieur de Louvois, Monsieur de Seignelai, or
+Monsieur Colbert de Croissy, as the case may be; such being the usual
+course by which matters of importance are brought to my ears. And now,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, though I have but a single moment to attend to
+any thing at this particular time, let me ask you one question,--Is
+there or is there not any hope of my receiving the great gratification
+of being enabled to show you as much favour and distinction as I could
+wish, by your abjuring the heresy in which you have been unfortunately
+brought up, and seeking repose in the bosom of the Catholic church?"
+
+The Count de Morseiul felt that a crisis in his fate had arrived; but,
+with the question put to him so simply and straight-forwardly, he felt
+that he could not evade the decision, and he would not prevaricate
+even for safety.
+
+"If, Sire," he said, "what your Majesty demands is to know my own
+opinion upon the subject at this moment--"
+
+"I mean, Sir," said the King, "plainly, Do you believe that there
+exists a likelihood of your becoming converted to the Catholic faith?"
+
+"I do not believe so, Sire," replied the Count. "With deep and
+profound respect for your Majesty, with much veneration and regard for
+Monsieur Bossuet, and with all the advantage of being even now reading
+some of his works upon religion, I should be deceiving your Majesty, I
+should be wronging myself, I should be showing myself unworthy of the
+high opinion which Monsieur de Meaux has expressed of me, if I did not
+clearly and distinctly state that I see no likelihood whatsoever of my
+changing opinions instilled into me in infancy."
+
+"Nay, nay," cried the King, considerably moved and struck by the calm,
+yet respectful dignity of the young Count's demeanour. "Think better
+of it! In God's name think better of it! Let me hope that the
+eloquence of Bossuet will prevail--let me hope that I may yet have the
+opportunity of conferring upon you all those favours that I am most
+eager to bestow."
+
+There was an eagerness and sincerity in the King's manner, which
+affected the Count in turn. "Alas, Sire," he said, "what would I not
+do to merit the favour of such a King? but still I must not deceive
+you. Whatever hopes your Majesty is pleased to entertain of my
+conversion to the established religion of the realm, may be derived
+from the knowledge--from the powerful gratitude--which your Majesty's
+generosity and high qualities of every kind must call up in your
+subjects and your servants; or they may arise from your knowledge of
+the deep and persuasive eloquence of the Bishop of Meaux: but they
+must not arise from any thing that I have said, or can say, regarding
+the state of my mind at this moment."
+
+"I grieve, Monsieur de Morseiul, I grieve bitterly to hear it,"
+replied the King; and he then paused, looking down thoughtfully for
+some moments; after which he added, "Let me remonstrate with you, that
+nothing may be left undone, which I can do, to justify me in treating
+you as I could wish. Surely, Monsieur de Morseiul, there can be
+nothing very difficult to believe in that which so many--nay, I may
+say all the holiest, the wisest, and the best have believed, since the
+first preaching of our religion. Surely, the great body of authority
+which has accumulated throughout ages, in favour of the Catholic
+church, is not to be shaken by such men as Luther and Calvin. You
+yourselves acknowledge that there are--as there must ever be when
+heavenly things are revealed to earthly understanding--mysteries which
+we cannot subject to the ordinary test of human knowledge, in the
+whole scheme of our redemption--you acknowledge it; and yet with faith
+you believe in those mysteries, rejecting only those which do not suit
+you, and pretending that the Scripture does not warrant them. But let
+me ask you, upon what authority we are to rely for the right
+interpretation of those very passages? Is it to be upon the word of
+two such men as Luther and Calvin, learned though they might be, or on
+the authority of the church, throughout all ages, supported by the
+unbiassed opinions of a whole host of the learned and the wise in
+every century? Are we to rely upon the opinion of two men, originally
+stirred up by avarice and bad passions, in preference to the whole
+body of saints and martyrs, who have lived long lives of piety and
+holiness, meditating upon those very mysteries which you reject. I am
+but a weak and feeble advocate, Monsieur de Morseiul, and should not,
+perhaps, have raised my voice at all after the eloquence of a Bossuet
+has failed to produce its effect; but my zealous and anxious wish both
+to see you reunited to the church, and to show you that favour which
+such a conversion would justify, have made me say thus much."
+
+The young Count was too prudent by far to enter into any theological
+discussions with the King, and he, therefore, contented himself with
+replying, "I fear, Sire, that our belief is not in our own power. Most
+sincerely do I hope and trust, that, if I be now in the wrong, God may
+open my eyes to the truth. At present however----"
+
+"Say no more, Sir! say no more!" said the King, bending his head as a
+signal that the young nobleman might retire. "I am heartily sorry for
+your state of mind! I had hoped better things. As to any other
+information you may have to communicate, you will be pleased to give
+it to one of the secretaries of state, according to the department to
+which it naturally refers itself."
+
+The King once more bowed his head, and the Count with a low
+inclination retired. "I had better go at once to the apartments of
+Louvois," he thought; "for this affair of Hatreaumont may be already
+on the eve of bursting forth, and I would fain have the last act of my
+stay in my native land one of loyalty to the King who drives me
+forth."
+
+When he reached the open air, then, he turned to the right, to seek
+the apartments of Louvois; but, ere he reached them, he was met by the
+Chevalier de Rohan, whom we have already mentioned, who stopped him
+with a gay and nonchalant air, saying, "Oh, my dear Count, you have
+made my fortune! The hundred louis that you lent me have brought good
+luck, and I am now a richer man than I have been for the last twelve
+months. I won ten thousand franks yesterday."
+
+"And, doubtless, will lose them again today," answered the Count. "I
+wish to Heaven you would change this life--but, my dear Chevalier, I
+must hasten on, for I am on business."
+
+"When shall I have an hour to talk with you, Count?" exclaimed the
+Chevalier de Rohan, still detaining him. "I want very much to explain
+to you my plan for raising myself--I am down low enough, certainly,
+just now."
+
+"When next we meet, Chevalier--when next we meet!" said the Count,
+smiling as he thought of his approaching departure. "I am in great
+haste now."
+
+But ere he could disengage himself from the hold of the persevering
+Chevalier de Rohan, he felt a hand laid gently upon his arm, and
+turning round, saw a gentleman whose face was not familiar to him.
+
+"Monsieur le Comte de Morseiul, I believe," said the stranger; and, on
+the Count bowing his head, he went on. "I have to apologise for
+interrupting your conversation; but I have a word for your private ear
+of some importance."
+
+The Chevalier de Rohan had by this time turned away, with a nod of the
+head; and the Count replied to the other, "I am in some haste, Sir.
+Pray, what may be your pleasure?"
+
+"I have an unpleasant task to perform towards you, Monsieur de
+Morseiul," said the stranger; "but it is my wish to execute it as
+gently and delicately as possible. My orders are to arrest and convey
+you to the Bastille."
+
+The Count de Morseiul felt that painful tightening of the heart which
+every man, thus suddenly stopped in the full career of liberty, and
+destined to be conveyed to long and uncertain imprisonment, to be shut
+out from all the happy sounds and sights of earth, to be debarred all
+the sweet intercourses of friendship and affection, has felt and must
+feel. At the same time all the various points of anxiety and
+difficulty in his situation rushed through his mind with such rapidity
+as to turn him dizzy with the whirling numbers of such painful
+thoughts. Clemence de Marly, whose hand was to have been his that very
+night, the good old pastor, his friends, his servants, all might, for
+aught he knew, be kept in utter ignorance of his fate for many days.
+The hands, too, of the unscrupulous and feelingless instruments of
+despotic power, would be in every cabinet of his house and his
+chateau, invading all the little storehouses of past affections,
+perhaps scattering to the winds all the fond memorials of the loved
+and dead. The dark lock of his mother's hair, which he had preserved
+from boyhood--the few fragments of her handwriting, and some verses
+that she had composed shortly before her death--all his father's
+letters to him, from the time that he first sent him forth, a gallant
+boy girt with the sword of a high race, to win renown, through all
+that period when the son, growing up in glory, shone back upon his
+father's name the light that he had thence received, and paid amply
+all the cares which had been bestowed upon him, by the joy of his
+great deeds, up to that sad moment, when, with a trembling hand, the
+dying parent announced to his son the commencement and progress of the
+fatal malady that carried him to the grave.--All these were to be
+opened, examined, perhaps dispersed by the cold, if not by the
+scornful; and all the sanctities of private affection violated.
+
+Such and a thousand other such feelings, rapid, innumerable, and, in
+some instances, contradictory to and opposing each other, rushed
+through his bosom in a moment at the announcement of the officer's
+errand. The whole facts of his situation, in short, with every minute
+particular, were conjured up before his eyes, as in a picture, by
+those few words; and the first effort of deliberate thought was made
+while De Cantal went on to say, "As I have said, Monsieur de Morseiul,
+it is my wish to save you any unnecessary pain, and therefore I have
+ordered the carriage, which is to convey you to the Bastille, to wait
+at the further end of the first street. A couple of musketeers and
+myself will accompany you inside; so that there will be no unnecessary
+parade about the matter: and I doubt not that you will be liberated
+shortly."
+
+"I trust it may be so, Sir," replied the Count; "and am obliged to you
+for your kindness. I have violated no law, divine or human; and
+though, of course, I have many sins to atone towards my God, yet I
+have none towards my King. I am quite ready to accompany you, but I
+suppose that I shall not be permitted to return to my own house, even
+to seek those things which may be necessary for my comfort in the
+Bastille."
+
+"Quite impossible, Sir," replied the officer. "It would be as much as
+my head is worth to permit you to set foot in your own dwelling."
+
+The thoughts of the young Count, as may well be supposed, were turned,
+at that moment, particularly to Clemence de Marly; and he was most
+anxious, on every account, to make his servants acquainted with the
+fact of his having been arrested, in the hope that Riquet would have
+the good sense to convey the tidings to the Hotel de Rouvre. To have
+explained this, in any degree, to the officer who had him in charge,
+would have been to frustrate the whole design; and therefore he
+replied,
+
+"Far be it from me, Sir, to wish you to do any thing but your duty:
+but you see, as I have been accustomed, throughout my life, to
+somewhat perhaps too much luxury, I should be very desirous of
+procuring some changes of apparel. That, I am aware, may be permitted
+to me unless I am to be in the strictest and most severe kind of
+imprisonment which the Bastille admits of. You know by the orders you
+have received whether such is to be the case or not, and of course I
+do not wish you to deviate from your orders. Am I to be kept _au
+secret?_"
+
+"Oh dear no, not at all," replied the officer. "The order merely
+implies your safe custody; and, probably, unless some private commands
+are given farther, you will have what is called the great liberties of
+the Bastille: but still that would not, by any means, justify me in
+permitting you to go to your own house."
+
+"No," replied the Count; "but it renders it perfectly possible--if you
+are, as I believe, disposed to treat a person in my unfortunate
+situation with kindness and liberality--for you to send down one of
+your own attendants to my valet, Jerome Riquet, with my orders to send
+me up, in the course of the day, such clothes as may be necessary for
+a week. Let the message be verbal, so as to guard against any
+dangerous communication; and let the clothes be addressed to the care
+of the governor of the prison, in order that they may be inspected
+before they are given to me."
+
+"Oh, to that, of course, there can be no objection," replied the young
+officer. "We will do it immediately. But we must lose no time,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, for the order is countersigned by Monsieur de
+Louvois, and you know he likes prompt obedience."
+
+The Count accompanied him at a rapid pace, deriving no slight
+consolation under the unhappy circumstances in which he was placed, at
+the idea of Clemence being fully informed of the cause of his not
+appearing at the time he had promised. At the spot which Monsieur de
+Cantal had mentioned, was found a plain carriage, with a coachman and
+lackey in grey, and two musketeers of the guard seated quietly in the
+inside. While the Count was entering the vehicle, the officer called
+the lackey to his side and said, "Run down as fast as possible to the
+house of the Count de Morseiul, and inquire for his valet. What did
+you say his name is, Monsieur de Morseiul?"
+
+"Jerome Riquet," said the Count.
+
+"Ay, Jerome Riquet," said the officer. "Inquire for his valet, Jerome
+Riquet: tell him that the King has judged it right that his master
+should pass a short time in the Bastille, and that, therefore, he must
+send up thither to-night, addressed to the care of the governor, what
+clothes he judges the Count may require. The house is next door but
+one to that of Monsieur de Meaux. Run quick, and take the little alley
+at the end of the street, so that you may join us at the corner of the
+road."
+
+The young officer then entered the carriage, and the coachman drove
+on; but before they proceeded along the high road they were obliged to
+pause for a moment or two, in order to give time for the arrival of
+the lackey, who, when he came, spoke a few words through the window to
+Monsieur de Cantal, in the course of which the word "Exempt" was
+frequently audible.
+
+"That is unpleasant," said the young officer, turning to the Count: "I
+find that an Exempt has been sent to your house already,--to seal up
+your papers, I suppose; and, on hearing the man give the message to
+one of your servants, he was very angry, it seems, sending word to
+wait for him here; but, as I am not under his orders or authority, I
+think I shall even tell the coachman to go on."
+
+He said this in a hesitating tone, however, evidently afraid that he
+had done wrong; and before he could execute his purpose of bidding the
+carriage proceed, the lackey said, "Here comes the Exempt, Sir. Here
+he is!"
+
+In a moment after, a tall, meager, gaunt-looking man, dressed in the
+peculiar robes of an Exempt of the court, with a nose extraordinarily
+red, scarcely any eyebrows, and a mouth which seemed capable of
+swallowing the vehicle that he approached and all that it contained,
+came up to the side of the carriage, and spoke to the young officer
+through the window. The words that passed between them seemed to be
+sharp; and, at length, the Exempt exclaimed, in a louder tone, so as
+to be completely audible to the Count--although his articulation was
+of that round spluttering kind which rendered it very difficult to
+make out what he said--"I shall do so, however, Sir; I shall do so,
+however. I have authority for what I do. I will suffer no such
+communications as these, and I will not quit the carriage till I have
+seen the prisoner safely lodged in the hands of the governor of the
+Bastille."
+
+"Well, Sir," replied the officer, a little heated; "if you choose to
+overstep your duty I cannot help it, and certainly shall not attempt
+to prevent your going with the coachman if you think fit. In the
+inside of the carriage you shall not come, for there I will guard my
+prisoner myself."
+
+"That you may do, Sir, if you like," cried the Exempt, shaking the
+awful mass of wig in which his head was plunged: "but I will take care
+that there shall be no more communications.--Linen! What the devil
+does a prisoner in the Bastille want with linen? Why, in the very
+first packet sent to him there might be all sorts of treasonable
+things written upon the linen. Have we not heard of ink of sympathy
+and all manner of things?"
+
+"Well, well, Sir," exclaimed the young officer: "I saw no harm in what
+I was doing, or else I should not have done it. But get up, if you are
+going to get up, for I shall order the coachman to go on."
+
+The Exempt sprang up the high and difficult ascent which led to a
+coachbox of those days, with a degree of activity which could hardly
+have been expected from a person of his pompous dignity, and the coach
+then drove on upon its weary way to Paris.
+
+"A very violent and self-conceited person, indeed, that seems to be,"
+said the Count. "Do you know him?"
+
+"Not I," replied the young officer, "though he threatens to make me
+know him pretty sufficiently, by complaining to Louvois about sending
+for these cursed clothes of yours."
+
+The officer was evidently out of temper; and the Count, therefore,
+left him to himself, and fell into a fit of musing over his own
+situation. That fit of musing, dark and painful as it was, lasted,
+without cessation, till the vehicle entered one of the suburbs of the
+great city of Paris. There, however, it met with an interruption of a
+very unexpected kind; for, in trying to pass between two heavy carts,
+which were going along in opposite directions, the coachman contrived
+to get the wheels of the carriage locked with those of both the other
+vehicles; and with such force was this done that the lackey behind was
+thrown down and hurt, the Exempt himself nearly pitched off the
+coachbox, and obliged to cling with both his hands, while the coachman
+lost his hat and the reins.
+
+The idea of making his escape crossed the mind of the Count de
+Morseiul; but he evidently saw that even if he were out of the
+carriage, surrounded as he was by a great number of people, without
+any large sum of money upon his person, and with the eyes of the
+officer, the musketeers, and the Exempt upon him, it would be vain to
+make the attempt.
+
+To render the situation of the vehicle as bad as possible, one of the
+horses, either irritated by the uncouth and not very gentle terms with
+which the coachman attempted to back out of the difficulty, or galled
+by part of the cart pressing upon it, began to kick most vehemently;
+and Monsieur de Cantal, the officer, having previously sent the two
+musketeers to aid the coachman and the Exempt in disentangling the
+carriage, now showed a strong inclination to go himself. After looking
+anxiously at the Count de Morseiul for a moment, he at length said, "I
+must either go and set those men right, or suffer the carriage to be
+kicked to pieces. If I go, Monsieur de Morseiul, will you give me your
+word not to try to escape?"
+
+The Count paused for an instant; but then the same consideration
+returned upon him, and he replied, "Go, Sir, go: I do give you my
+word."
+
+The officer then sprang out; but scarcely had he been away a moment,
+when the head of the Exempt appeared looking in at the window. "Hist,
+hist, Monsieur de Morseiul!" he said, in a voice totally different
+from that which he had used before, and which was wonderfully familiar
+to the ears of the Count; "hist, hist! On the very first linen you
+receive, there will be information written for you. It will be
+invisible to all eyes till it is held to the fire. But the flame of a
+strong lamp will do, if you cannot sham an ague and get some wood to
+warm you."
+
+"I can scarcely believe my eyes," said the Count, in the same low
+voice.
+
+"Do not doubt them, do not doubt them," said the Exempt. "I knew of
+your arrest before you knew of it yourself, but could not warn you,
+and was making all ready when the man came to the hotel. I have
+sacrificed much for you, Count; as goodly a pair of eyebrows as ever
+valet had in this world; and I dare not blow my nose for fear of
+wiping off the paint: Louvois outwitted me this morning, and now I'll
+outwit him if I have but time. Heavens, how that beast is plunging and
+kicking! The pin I ran into its stomach is sticking there yet I
+suppose; ay, she's quieter now; here they come, and I must
+splutter.--Monsieur," he said, as the officer now returned to the side
+of the carriage, "Monsieur, this is guarding your prisoner securely,
+is it not? Here I come to the window and find not a single soul to
+prevent his escaping, when he might have got out in a moment, and run
+up the Rue de Bievre, and passed through the Rue de l'Ecole, and
+across the Place de l'Universite, and then down to the river----"
+
+"Psha!" said the officer impatiently; "let me have no more of this
+impertinence, Sir. The Count gave me his word that he would not
+escape. If I deliver my prisoner safely at the Bastille, that is
+sufficient, and I will not have my conduct questioned. If you have any
+complaint to make, make it to Monsieur de Louvois. Come, get up, Sir,
+don't answer; the carriage is now clear, and enough of it left
+together to carry us to the Bastille. Go on, coachman."
+
+The coachman, however, pertinaciously remained in a state of
+tranquillity, till the Exempt was once more comfortably seated by his
+side; and then the carriage rolling on through the back streets of the
+capital, made a little turn by the Rue de Jean Beausire, into the Rue
+St. Antoine, and approached the gates of that redoubted prison, in
+which so many of the best and noblest in France have lingered out, at
+different times, a part of their existence. To few, to very few, have
+the tall gloomy towers of that awful fortress appeared without
+creating feelings of pain and apprehension; and however confident he
+might be of his own innocence, however great might be his trust in the
+good providence and protection of God, however strong he might be in a
+good cause and a firm spirit, it cannot be denied that Albert of
+Morseiul felt deeply and painfully, and with an anxious and a
+sickening heart, his entrance into that dark solitary abode of crime,
+and sorrow, and suffering.
+
+The carriage drew up just opposite the drawbridge, and the officer
+getting out, left his prisoner in charge of the two musketeers, and
+went forward to speak to the officer on guard at the gates. To him he
+notified, in due form, that he had brought a prisoner, with orders
+from the King for his incarceration; and the carriage, was kept for
+some time standing there, while the officer on guard proceeded to the
+dwelling of the governor, to demand the keys of the great gates. When
+he had obtained them and returned, the doors were opened; the guard
+was turned out under arms; the great drawbridge let down; the bell
+which communicated with the interior of the building rung; and the
+vehicle containing the Count, slowly rolled on into the outer court,
+called the Cour du Gouvernement.
+
+There the carriage paused, the governor of the prison having expressed
+his intention of coming down to receive the prisoner from the hands of
+the officer who brought him: otherwise, the carriage would have gone
+on into the inner court. A short pause ensued, and at length the
+well-known Besmaux was seen approaching, presenting exactly that
+appearance which might be expected from his character; for the traits
+of debauchery, levity, and ferocity, which distinguished his actual
+life, had stamped themselves upon his countenance in ineffacable
+characters.
+
+"Ah, good day, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, as the door of the
+carriage opened, and the Count descended. "Monsieur de Cantal, your
+very humble servant. Gentlemen, both, you had better step into the
+Corps de Garde, where I will receive your prisoner, Monsieur de
+Cantal, and read the letters for his detention."
+
+Thus saying, with a slow and important step he walked into the
+building, seated himself, called for pen and ink, and a light, and
+then read the King's letter for the arrest and imprisonment of the
+Count de Morseiul.
+
+"Monsieur de Louvois is varying these letters every day," he said;
+"one never knows what one is doing. However, there stands the King's
+name, and that is quite enough; so, Monsieur de Morseiul, you are
+welcome to the Bastille. You are to have our great liberties, I
+suppose. I must beg you to give me your sword, however, and also every
+thing you have about your person, if you please; letters, papers,
+money, jewels, and every thing else, in short, except your seal, or
+your signet ring, which you keep for the purposes about to be
+explained to you."
+
+With very painful feelings the Count unbuckled his sword, and laid it
+down upon the table. He then gave up all the money that he possessed,
+one or two ordinary papers of no import, and the other usual articles
+of the same kind, which are borne about the person. The note which he
+had received from Clemence in the morning, he had luckily destroyed.
+While this was doing, the governor continued to write, examining the
+different things that he put down before him, and he then said, "Is
+this all, Sir?"
+
+"It is," replied the Count, "upon my word."
+
+"One of the men must put his hands in your pocket, Count," said the
+governor; "that is a ceremony everyone has to undergo here." The
+prisoner shut his teeth hard, but made no remark, and offered no
+resistance, though, if he had given way to his feelings, he would
+certainly have dashed the man to the ground at once, who, with
+unceremonious hands, now searched his person. When that also was over,
+Besmaux wrote down a few more words at the end of the list of things
+he had made out, and handed it to the Count to read. The only
+observation that the young nobleman made, was, that the governor had
+put down his sword as having a silver hilt, when the hilt was of gold.
+
+"Ah, it is of gold, is it?" said de Besmaux, taking it up and looking
+at it, while several of the attendants who stood round grinned from
+ear to ear. "Well, we will alter it, and put it down gold. Now,
+Monsieur de Morseiul, will you have the goodness to sign that paper,
+which, with these letters, we fold up thus? and now with the seal
+which you retain, you will have the goodness to seal them, and write
+your name round the seal."
+
+With all these forms the Count complied, and the governor then
+intimated to him, that he was ready to conduct him into the interior
+of the Bastille, the spot where they then were, though within the
+walls and drawbridge, being actually considered as without the
+chateau.
+
+"Here, then, I take leave of you, Monsieur de Morseiul," said the
+officer who had brought him thither, "and I will do my best, on my
+return to Versailles, to insure that the clothes you want shall be
+sent, notwithstanding the interference of that impertinent Exempt, who
+took himself off on the outside of the drawbridge, and has doubtless
+gone back to lay his complaint against me before Louvois. I know the
+King, however; and knowing that he wishes no one to be treated with
+harshness or severity, have therefore no fear of the consequences."
+
+The Count held out his hand to him frankly. "I am very much obliged to
+you, Monsieur de Cantal," he said, "for the kindness and politeness
+you have shown me. It is at such moments as these, that kindness and
+politeness become real benefits."
+
+The officer took his hand respectfully, and then, without more words,
+retired; the carriage passed out; the gates creaked upon their hinges;
+and the heavy drawbridge swung slowly up, with a jarring sound of
+chains, and heavy iron work, sadly harmonious with the uses of the
+building, which they shut out from the world.
+
+The governor then led the way towards the large and heavy mass of
+gloomy masonry, with its eight tall gaunt towers, which formed the
+real prison of the Bastille, and approached the gate in the centre,
+that looked towards the gardens and buildings of the arsenal. The
+drawbridge there was by this time down, and the gates were open for
+the admission of the prisoner; while what was called the staff of the
+Bastille stood ready to receive him, and the guard of the grand court
+was drawn up in line on either side.
+
+"You see we have an extensive court here," said the governor, leading
+the way. "It is somewhat dark to be sure, on account of the buildings
+being so high; but, however, some of our people, when they have been
+accustomed to it for a year or two, find it cheerful enough. We will
+put you, I think, Monsieur de Morseiul, into what is called the Tower
+of Liberty, both because the name is a pleasant name--though it is but
+a name after all, either here or elsewhere--and also because it is
+close to the library, and as long as you have the great liberties,
+as they are called, you may go in there, and amuse yourself. Most of
+you Huguenots, I believe, are somewhat of bookworms, and when a man
+cannot find many of the living to talk to, he likes just as well to
+talk to the dead. I do not suppose, that, like some of our inmates
+here on their first arrival, you are going to mope and pine like a
+half-starved cat, or a sick hen. It is hard to bear at first I
+acknowledge; but there's nothing like bearing a thing gaily after all.
+This way, Monsieur de Morseiul, this way, and I will show you your
+apartment."
+
+He accordingly led him to the extreme angle of the grand court on the
+left hand, where a large transverse mass of architecture, containing
+the library, the hall of the council, and various other apartments,
+separated that part from the lesser court, called the Court of the
+well. A small stone doorway opened the way to a narrow spiral
+staircase, which made the head dizzy with its manifold turning; and
+about halfway up the steps the governor paused, and opened a door
+which communicated by a narrow but crooked passage, with a single
+tolerable sized chamber, handsomely furnished.
+
+"You see we treat you well, Monsieur de Morseiul," said Besmaux; "and
+if any thing can be done to make your residence here pleasant, we
+shall not fail to do it. There is but little use, if any, of causing
+doors to be locked or sentries to be placed. Some of the guards, or
+some of the officers of the staff, will be very willing to show you as
+much as is right of the rest of the building: and, in the mean time,
+can I serve you?"
+
+"In nothing, I am afraid," replied the Count. "I have neither clothes,
+nor baggage, nor any thing else with me, which will put me to some
+inconvenience till they send it to me; but I understand that orders
+have been given to that effect already; and I should only be glad to
+have any clothes and linen that may arrive as soon as possible."
+
+"I will see to it, I will see to it," replied Besmaux. "You have dined
+of course, Count; but to-night you will sup with me."
+
+"If my stay here is to be long," said the Count, after thanking the
+governor for his invitation, "I should, of course, be very glad to
+have the attendance of a domestic. I care not much, indeed, whether it
+be one of my own, or whether it be one with which you can supply me
+for the time, but I am not used to be without some sort of
+attendance."
+
+The governor smiled. "You must not be nice in the Bastille, Monsieur
+de Morseiul," he said; "we all do with few attendants here, but we
+will see what can be done for you. At present we know nothing, but
+that here you are. The order for your reception is of that kind which
+leaves every thing doubtful but the fact that, for the time, you are
+not to be confined very strictly; and, indeed, as the letter is
+somewhat informal, as every thing is that comes from the hands of
+Monsieur de Louvois, I must write to him again for farther
+information. As soon as I receive it, the whole shall be arranged as
+far as I can to your satisfaction. In the mean time we will give you
+every indulgence, as far as our own general rules will allow, though,
+perhaps, you will think that share of indulgence very small."
+
+The Count expressed his thanks in commonplace terms, well knowing the
+character of Besmaux, and that his fair speeches only promised a
+degree of courtesy which his actions generally failed to fulfil.
+
+After lingering for a moment or two, the governor left his prisoner in
+the abode assigned to him, and returned to his own dwelling, without
+locking the door of the apartment.
+
+There are states of mind in which the necessity of calm contemplation
+is so strong and overpowering, that none of the ordinary motives which
+affect our nature have any influence upon us for the time,--states in
+which even vanity the most irritable, and curiosity the most active of
+our moral prompters in this world, slumber inactive, and leave thought
+and judgment paramount. Such was the case with the Count de Morseiul.
+Although he had certainly been interested with every thing concerning
+the prison, which was to be his abode for an undefined length of time;
+although all that took place indicative of his future destiny was, of
+course, not without attraction and excitement, he had grown weary of
+the formalities of his entrance into the Bastille, less because they
+were wearisome in themselves than because he longed to be alone, and
+to have a few minutes for calm and silent reflection.
+
+When he did come to reflect, however, the prospect presented was dark,
+gloomy, and sad. He was cut off from the escape he had meditated. The
+only thing that could have saved him from the most imminent dangers
+and difficulties, the only scheme which he had been able to fall upon
+to secure even the probability of peace and safety upon earth, had
+been now frustrated. The charges likely to be brought against him, if
+once averred by the decision of a court of justice, were such as, he
+well knew, could not and would not be followed by pardon; and when he
+looked at the chances that existed of those charges being sanctioned,
+confirmed, and declared just, by any commission that might sit to try
+him, he found that the probabilities were altogether against him; and
+that if party feeling biassed the opinion of one single magistrate,
+his cause was utterly lost. In cases where circumstantial evidence is
+every thing--and therein lies the horror and danger of judging by
+circumstantial evidence--so light a word, so small a turn will give a
+completely different view to the whole circumstances of any case, will
+so completely prejudice the question, and bias the minds of hearers,
+that he was quite aware if any zealous Catholics should be engaged in
+the task of persecuting him to the last, he could scarcely hope to
+escape from such serious imputations, as would justify perhaps his
+permanent detention, if not his death. He had been at the meeting of
+the Protestants on the moor, which though not illegal at the time, had
+been declared to be so since. He had then addressed the people, and
+had exhorted them to tranquillity and to peace; but where were the
+witnesses to come from in order to prove that such was the case. He
+had gone unarmed to that meeting; but others had been there in arms
+and with arms concealed. He, himself, with his own hand, had struck
+the first blow, from which such awful consequences had sprung; but how
+was he to prove the provocation which he had, in the first instance,
+received; or the protection which he had afterwards given to the base
+and unworthy young man, who had escaped from death by his means, only
+to become a murderer the moment after. The only witnesses that he
+could call were persons of the party inimical to the court, who might
+now be found with difficulty--when emigration was taking place from
+every part of France,--who would only be partially believed if they
+could be heard, and who would place themselves in danger by bearing
+testimony on his behalf.
+
+The witnesses against him would be the hired miscreants who had fired
+into a body of unoffending people, but who were of the religion of the
+judges, the unscrupulous adherents of the cause to which those judges
+were bound by every tie of interest and of prejudice, and who were
+serving under a monarch that, on one terrible occasion, had stepped in
+to overrule the decision of a court of justice, and to inflict severer
+punishment than even his own creatures had dared to assign. Death,
+therefore, seemed to be the only probable end of his imprisonment,
+death, or eternal loss of liberty! and the Count knew the court, and
+the character of those with whom he had to deal, too well, to derive
+any degree of consolation from the lenity with which he was treated at
+first.
+
+Had he been now in heart and mind, as he was not very long before,
+when quitting the army on the signature of the truce he had returned
+to the home of his ancestors, the prospect would have been far less
+terrible to him, far less painful. His heart was then in some degree
+solitary, his mind was comparatively alone in the world. He had spent
+the whole of his active life in scenes of danger and of strife. He had
+confronted death so often, that the lean and horrid monster had lost
+his terrors and become familiar with one, who had seemed to seek his
+acquaintance as if in sport. His ties to the world had been few; for
+the existence of bright days, and happy careless moments, and splendid
+fortune, and the means of luxury and enjoyment at command, are not the
+things that bind and attach us to life. The tie, the strong, the
+mighty tie of deep and powerful affection to some being, or beings,
+like himself, had been wanting. There were many that he liked; there
+were many that he esteemed; there were many he protected and supported
+even at that time; but he knew and felt that if he were gone the next
+moment, they would be liked, and esteemed, and supported, and
+protected by others, and would feel the same, or nearly the same,
+towards those who succeeded as towards him, when he had passed away
+from the green and sunny earth and left them to the care of newer
+friends.
+
+But now other ties had arisen around him--ties, the strength, the
+durability, the firm pressure of which he had never known before.
+There was now a being on the earth to whom he was attached by feelings
+that can only once be felt, for whom he, himself, would have been
+ready to sacrifice every thing else; who for him, and for his love,
+had shewn herself willing to cast from her all of those bright and
+pageant-like days of splendour, in which she had once seemed to take
+so much delight. The tie, the strong tie of human affection--the
+rending of which is the great and agonising pang of death--had twined
+itself round his heart, and bound every feeling and every thought. The
+great, the surpassing quality of sentient being, the capability of
+loving, and being loved, had risen up to crush and to leave void all
+the lesser things of life, but also to give death terrors that it knew
+not before; to make the grave the bitter parting place where joy ends
+for ever, and to poison the shaft that lays us low with venom that is
+felt in agony ere the dark, dreamless sleep succeeds and extinguishes
+all.
+
+But was this all that rendered his situation now more terrible than it
+had been before? Alas, no! The sense of religion was strong, and he
+might confidently trust that though earthly passion ended with the
+grave, and the mortal fire of his love for Clemence de Marly would
+there become extinct--he might confidently trust that, in another
+world, with his love for her exalted as well as purified, rendered
+more intense and sublime, though less passionate and human, they
+should meet again, known to each other, bound together by the immortal
+memory of vast affection, and only distinct from other spirits, bright
+and happy as themselves, by the glorious consciousness of love, and
+the intense happiness of having loved well, loved nobly, and to the
+last.
+
+Such might have been his consolation in the prospect of parting with
+her who had become so dear to him, if he had left her in calm and
+peaceful security, in a happy land, and without danger or difficulty
+surrounding her. But when he thought of the religion she had embraced,
+of the perils which surrounded her at every step, of the anguish which
+would fall upon her at his fate, of the utterly unprotected,
+uncomforted, unconsoled state in which she must remain, the heart of
+the strong warrior failed, and the trust of the Christian was drowned
+in human tears.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER II.
+
+                          THE CONSPIRATORS.
+
+
+In such dark anticipations and gloomy reflections, as we have
+mentioned in the end of the last chapter, the Count de Morseiul passed
+the solitary hours, till a servant appeared to conduct him to the
+supper table of the governor. Had he not wished to think, indeed, he
+might have easily found amusement, either in the court below, where a
+number of the other prisoners were walking, or in the small library of
+the chateau; but he did wish to think, and however sad and sombre the
+stream of thought might be at that moment, its course only seemed too
+soon interrupted.
+
+The governor was civil, and even intended to be very affable; but
+Albert of Morseiul was not of a character to be amused with the
+anecdotes of a debauched soldier's life; and the only variety which
+the conversation of Besmaux afforded were tales of the regency of Anne
+of Austria, which, though they might at any other moment have served
+to entertain an idle hour, were too light and insignificant to take
+hold of a mind agitated and writhing like that of the Count.
+
+The governor thought his guest very dull, and, after having made
+various essays to enliven him, he proposed that they should sit down
+to play for sums, written upon pieces of paper, which were to be
+accounted for after the Count's liberation. The young nobleman would
+have certainly lost the good opinion of Besmaux for ever by declining
+this proposal, had it not so occurred that two incidents intervened
+which prevented him from pressing it. The first was the arrival of a
+large packet of linen and other clothes for the use of the Count; and
+the governor, who found a real pleasure in the execution of the task
+of a gaoler, proceeded to examine with his own eyes and hands every
+separate article which had been sent. It may be supposed that, after
+the intimation which he had received on the road, the young Count's
+heart felt no slight agitation and interest during the scrutiny; but
+if any thing was written in the manner which Riquet had stated, no
+discovery thereof was made; and, having completely satisfied himself,
+Besmaux ordered the packet to be carried to the chamber of the Count.
+
+The little excitement thus produced had scarcely worn away, when
+the great bell was heard to ring, and the officer upon guard
+appeared to demand the keys. According to the usual form the governor
+demanded--"For whose admission?"
+
+"For the admission," said the officer, reading from a scrap of paper,
+"for the admission of Louis de Rohan, called the Chevalier de Rohan."
+
+The governor started up in some surprise--"On what charge?" he
+demanded.
+
+"For high treason," replied the officer; and Besmaux immediately gave
+orders for the Chevalier to be brought to his apartments. "Monsieur
+de Morseiul," he said, "you will be good enough to follow that
+porte-clef, who will conduct you back to your chamber. Do you feel it
+cold?--for the King allows firing."
+
+"I have felt it slightly cold," the Count replied, "and of course the
+state of a prisoner does not tend to warm the heart."
+
+"Give wood to the Count in his chamber," said Besmaux, to one of the
+turnkeys, who had entered at the same time with the officer on guard;
+"and now, good night, Count. No word to the prisoner, if you pass him
+on the stairs!"
+
+The Count rose and departed; and, as the governor had anticipated, met
+the Chevalier de Rohan at the foot of the stairs. That unfortunate
+gentleman was guarded by a musketeer on either side, and a man holding
+a torch preceding him. The moment that his eye fell upon the Count de
+Morseuil, he stopped, and appeared as if he were about to speak: but
+an officer who was behind, and, in whom the Count de Morseiul
+instantly recognised the Marquis of Brissac, major of the King's
+guard, exclaimed aloud, "Pass on, Monsieur de Rohan!"
+
+The Count, who certainly had no desire to hold any communications with
+him, merely bowed his head, and followed by the turnkey, passed out
+into the court. Though Brissac knew him well, he took not the
+slightest notice of him as he passed, and the Count was conducted to
+his chamber in the tower of liberty, as it was called, where firing
+and lights were almost immediately afterwards brought him. On leaving
+him, however, the turnkey showed, by locking the heavy door without,
+that the name of the tower had but little real meaning, and the harsh
+sound of the grating iron fell heavy and painfully upon the Count's
+ear.
+
+There was, however, the hope before him of receiving some intelligence
+from his friends without, and as soon as he had made sure that the
+turnkey was gone for the night, he eagerly opened the packet of
+clothes that had been sent, and endeavoured, by the means which had
+been pointed out, to discover any thing which might be written on
+them. At first he was disappointed, and was beginning to fear that
+Riquet had been prevented from executing the purpose which he had
+entertained. At length, however, as he held one of the handkerchiefs
+before the fire, some slight yellow lines began to appear, grew
+gradually darker and darker, and assumed the form of letters, words,
+lines, and sentences. The first thing that was written at the top was
+in the hand of the valet himself, and contained words of hope and
+encouragement. It was to the following effect:--
+
+"Fear not; you shall soon be free. The lady has been told of all. The
+priest has gone safely back to Poitou. No suspicion attaches to any
+one, and means are taking to do away the evil."
+
+The next sentences were in a different handwriting; and perhaps the
+young Count might not have been able to recognise whose it was--so
+different did it seem upon the linen, and in that ink, from the usual
+writing of Clemence,--had not the words been sufficient to show him
+from whom it proceeded.
+
+"Fear not, dear Albert," the writing went; "I have heard all and
+grieve, but do not despond. I have been sent for to see one to-morrow
+morning early, who is all-powerful. She loved me in my childhood; she
+promised me many things in my youth, which I was too proud to accept;
+but I will now cast all pride away for the sake of him I love."
+
+A few lines more were written still further down, but as the Count was
+turning eagerly to read them, numerous sounds were heard from the
+court below, the clang of soldiers grounding their arms, and voices
+speaking, and the moment after, various footsteps might be
+distinguished ascending the staircase which came towards the room.
+Fearful that he should be discovered, the Count concealed the
+handkerchief in his bosom; but the steps passed by the door of his
+apartment, and, immediately after, heavy footfalls were heard in the
+room above, with voices speaking in sharp and angry tones. Those
+sounds soon ceased above, however; four or five persons were heard to
+descend the stairs, and then all became quiet, except that a quick
+footstep was still heard pacing backwards and forwards in the
+apartment over head.
+
+"That is the Chevalier de Rohan," thought the Count. "What crime I
+wonder can that weak libertine have committed, to deserve the rigorous
+imprisonment to which it seems he is to be subjected?"
+
+With such brief thought, however, he dismissed the subject from his
+mind, and turned once more to the writing. By this time it had nearly
+vanished; but being again exposed to the fire it re-appeared, though
+more faintly than before. Fearful of interruption, the Count turned to
+the last lines which he had not read. They seemed to him, as far as he
+could judge, to be written in the hand of the Chevalier d'Evran, whom,
+to say sooth, in the joys and fears and agitations of the few
+preceding days, he had nearly forgotten.
+
+"I have just returned to Paris, dear Albert," it said, "having gone
+down to Poitou to secure evidence, which they would never have
+suffered to transpire, if some friend of yours had not been upon the
+spot. I have secured it. Fear not, therefore, for I and your belle
+Clemence are labouring together to set you free."
+
+Oh, human nature, strange and extraordinary state of existence, how
+many contradictions dost thou contain! Although filled with such good
+hopes, although containing such proofs of friendship, although
+conveying such important intelligence, the lines written by the
+Chevalier d'Evran were not altogether pleasing to the Count de
+Morseiul, and he felt sensations that he was angry with himself for
+feeling, but which all his schooling of his own heart could scarcely
+banish.
+
+"I shall hate myself," he continued, "if I feel thus. Must there ever
+be some counterbalancing thing in life and in feeling, to poize the
+bad against the good, and to make us less happy, less wise, less
+generous than we otherwise might be? Here new sensations have sprung
+up in my bosom, of a deeper and a finer kind than I ever knew before;
+and must there come some petty jealousy, some small, low, mean want of
+confidence, even in those I esteem and love to debase me as much as
+those other feelings might elevate me? I will think of such things no
+more; and will only think of Louis with gratitude and affection."
+
+Thus saying, or rather thus thinking, he re-read the lines that had
+been written by Clemence, and found therein a balm and a consolation
+which healed all the evil of the other. Having done so, his next care
+was to efface the writing; but that he found by no means difficult,
+damping the handkerchief in the cruise of water which had been left
+for him, and which, in a few minutes, left not a vestige of the lines
+which had been traced for his eye alone. He sat up for some time after
+this examination, soothed and calmed by the tidings he had received,
+and certainly far more tranquil in every respect than during the first
+few hours of his confinement.
+
+The waning of the lights, however, which had been given to him, warned
+him, at length, that it was time to retire to rest, and after some
+brief prayers to the Almighty for guidance, protection, and
+deliverance, he undressed himself, extinguished the lights, and lay
+down to seek repose; but it was in vain that he did so, for as he lay
+on the small prison bed which was allotted to him, and gazed round
+upon the massy walls of the chamber in which he was confined, with the
+flickering light of the half-extinguished fire flashing from time to
+time on all the various objects round about, the sensation of
+imprisonment, of the utter loss of liberty, of being cut off from all
+correspondence or communication with his fellow-men, of being in the
+power and at the mercy of others, without any appeal against their
+will, or any means of deliverance from their hands, came upon him more
+strongly, more forcibly than ever, and made a heart, not easily bent
+or affected by any apprehensions, sink with a cold feeling of deep and
+utter despondency.
+
+Thus passed several hours till, at length, weariness overcame thought,
+and he obtained sleep towards the morning. He was awakened by the
+entrance of one of the turnkeys, accompanied by the major of the
+Bastille; but the tidings which the latter officer brought to the
+Count de Morseiul were by no means pleasant, or calculated to confirm
+the hopes that the words of Clemence and the Chevalier d'Evran had
+held out to him.
+
+"I am sorry to tell you, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said, "that the
+governor last night received orders from Monsieur de Louvois to place
+you in stricter confinement, and he is, therefore, obliged to say that
+you can no longer be permitted to quit your chamber. Any thing that
+can be done, consistent with his duty, to render your confinement less
+painful to you, shall be done, depend upon it."
+
+The officer was then bowing, as if to retire; but the Count stopped
+him by asking, "Is there any objection to my inquiring, Sir, whether
+there is a cause assigned for this new order?"
+
+"In regard to that I am as ignorant as yourself," replied the major.
+"All I can tell is, that the order was brought by Monsieur de Brissac
+at the same time that he conveyed hither the Chevalier de Rohan," and,
+without waiting for any further questions, he quitted the room in
+haste; and the turnkey, having brought the Count his breakfast, and,
+as far as possible, arranged the room with some degree of neatness,
+followed the major and locked the door.
+
+The full horrors of imprisonment now fell upon the Count de Morseiul,
+and the day wore away without his holding any further intercourse with
+any human being, except when his dinner and his supper were brought to
+him by one of the turnkeys. We need not pause upon his sensations, nor
+describe minutely all the dark and horrible anticipations which rose,
+like phantoms, to people his solitary chamber. Night came at length,
+and this night, at least, he slept; for the exhaustion of his
+corporeal frame, by the intense emotions of his mind, was far greater
+than that which could have been produced by a day of the most unusual
+exercise. Day had scarcely dawned on the following morning, however,
+when he was roused by two of the officers of the prison entering his
+chamber, and desiring him to rise, as an officer from the King was
+waiting to convey him to the royal chamber, at the arsenal, where a
+commission was sitting for the purpose of interrogating him and his
+accomplices. The Count made no observation, but hastened to do as he
+was directed; and, as soon as he was dressed, he descended the narrow
+and tortuous staircase into the great court of the Bastille, where he
+found the soldiers of the garrison drawn up in arms on either side,
+together with a number of officers belonging to the staff of the
+garrison, various turnkeys and other gaolers, and in their hands,
+evidently as prisoners, the unfortunate Chevalier de Rohan, and an old
+white-headed man, apparently of seventy years of age, with a shrewd
+and cunning countenance, more strongly expressive of acuteness than
+vigour of mind.
+
+Without suffering him to speak with any one, the officers of the
+prison placed him in file immediately after the Chevalier de Rohan--a
+gaoler, however, interposing between each of the prisoners and the one
+that followed;--and thus, between a double row of soldiery, they
+marched on into the _Cour du Gouvernement_, as if they were about to
+be conducted to the house of the governor. When they reached that
+court, however, they turned at once to the left, mounted a flight of
+steps leading to a raised terrace which overlooked the water, and then
+passing onward, approached the grating which separated that court from
+the gardens of the arsenal.
+
+At the grating appeared a large body of musketeers, commanded by an
+officer of the name of Jouvelle, who had served under the Count de
+Morseiul himself, and into his hands the officers of the Bastille
+delivered their prisoners, who were then marched, under a strong
+escort, to the arsenal, where the commission was sitting. All the
+gates of the gardens and of the building itself, the Count remarked,
+were in the hands of the musketeers of the King, and not another
+individual was to be seen besides the soldiery, in the gardens usually
+so thronged with the good citizens of Paris.
+
+Passing through several of the narrow and intricate passages of the
+building, the three prisoners were placed in a room which seemed to
+have been destined for a military mess-room; and, while they were kept
+separate by their guards, an inferior officer was sent out to see
+whether the commission was ready to proceed. In a few minutes he
+returned with two officers of the court, who demanded the presence of
+Louis Chevalier de Rohan.
+
+The interrogation of this prisoner lasted for a great length of
+time; but, at the end of about an hour and a half, the same officers
+re-appeared, demanding the presence of Affinius Vandenenden, upon
+which the old man, whom we have mentioned, rose and followed them out
+of the room. The Chevalier, however, had not returned with the
+officers, and during the space of half an hour longer the Count de
+Morseiul remained in suspense, in regard to what was proceeding. At
+length the officers once more appeared, and with them the captain of
+the musketeers, de Jouvelle, who, while the ushers pronounced the name
+of "Albert Count of Morseiul," passed by the prisoner, as if to speak
+to one of the soldiers, saying, in a low voice, as he did so, "Be of
+good cheer, Count; they have said nothing to criminate you."
+
+The Count passed on without reply, and followed the ushers into
+another chamber at the farther end of the passage, where he found a
+number of lawyers and counsellors of state assembled as a royal
+commission, and presided by the well-known La Reynie. The aspect of
+the room was not that of a court of justice, and it was evident that
+the commissioners met simply for the purpose of carrying on the
+preliminary interrogatories. The Count was furnished with a seat, and
+after a whispering consultation, for a moment, between La Reynie and
+one of his brethren, the former commenced the interrogation of the
+Count by assuring him of the clemency and mercy of the King's
+disposition, and adjuring him to tell, frankly and straight-forwardly,
+the whole truth, as the only means of clearing his reputation, and
+re-establishing himself in the royal favour. To this exordium the
+Count de Morseiul merely replied by an inclination of the head, very
+well knowing that with some of the gentlemen whom he saw before him it
+was advisable to be as niggardly of speech as possible. La Reynie then
+proceeded to ask how long he had been acquainted with the Chevalier de
+Rohan, and the Count replied that he had known him for many years.
+
+"When did you see him last?" demanded the judge, "and where?"
+
+"In the gardens of Versailles," answered the Count, calmly, "not five
+minutes before I was myself arrested."
+
+"And upon what occasion," demanded the judge, "did you see him
+previously?"
+
+"I saw him," replied the Count, "when I visited the Duc de Rouvre, at
+Poitiers, and once also upon the road between Paris and Versailles,
+about three or four days ago."
+
+"Are you sure that these are the only days that you have seen him?"
+demanded the judge. "Recollect yourself, Monsieur le Comte. I think
+you must have forgotten."
+
+"No, I have not," replied the Count. "I have only seen him on these
+two occasions since I arrived in Paris, and two or three times during
+my stay at Poitiers."
+
+"Ay, there is the fact," said La Reynie. "You saw him frequently at
+Poitiers."
+
+"I also saw various blacksmiths, and lackeys, and horse-boys," said
+the Count, unable to conceive what connection there could exist
+between any charges against himself and those against the Chevalier de
+Rohan, who was known to be a zealous Catholic, "and with them, the
+blacksmiths, lackeys, and horse-boys, I had as much to do as I had
+with the Chevalier de Rohan, and no more."
+
+"And pray," continued La Reynie, in the same tone, "what private
+conversations took place between you and the Chevalier at Poitiers? To
+the best of your recollection repeat the substance thereof."
+
+The Count smiled. "To the best of my recollection, then," he said,
+"the substance was as follows: 'Good day, Count de Morseiul. Good
+morning, Monsieur de Rohan. What a beautiful day it is, Monsieur de
+Morseiul. It is the most charming weather I remember. There is a sad
+want of rain, Monsieur le Chevalier, and I fear the poor peasantry
+will suffer. Do you go out with the duke to hunt to-day? I think not,
+for my horses are tired.' Such, Sir, is the substance of the only
+private conversations that took place between myself and the Chevalier
+at Poitiers."
+
+"Was that all, Monsieur de Morseiul?" demanded La Reynie, with
+tolerable good humour. "Are you sure you have forgot nothing of equal
+importance?"
+
+"I believe I have not forgot one word," replied the Count, "except
+that, on one occasion, Monsieur de Rohan said to me, 'Your hat is
+unlooped, Count:' when, I am afraid, I looped it without thanking
+him."
+
+"Well, then, now to somewhat longer and more important conversations,
+my good young gentleman," said La Reynie. "What has passed between you
+and the Chevalier de Rohan when you have met him since your arrival at
+the court?"
+
+"Why, Sir," replied the Count, with a grave and somewhat grieved air,
+"I give you my word that nothing passed between the Chevalier de Rohan
+and myself which at all affected his Majesty's service, and I would
+fain, if it were possible, avoid entering into particulars which, if
+told to every body, might be painful to a gentleman of my
+acquaintance, who, I trust, may yet clear himself of any serious
+charge."
+
+"Monsieur le Comte de Morseiul," said the Counsellor Ormesson, "we
+respect your motives, and have regard to the manner in which you have
+expressed them; but the Chevalier de Rohan, I am sorry to inform you,
+stands charged with high treason upon very strong presumptive
+evidence. There are particular circumstances which induce a belief
+that you may have had something to do with his schemes. We trust that
+such is not the case: but it is absolutely necessary that you should
+clearly and explicitly state the nature of any transactions which may
+have taken place between you and him, both for your own safety, for
+his, and out of respect and duty to the King."
+
+"Then, Sir, I have no other choice," replied the Count, "but to yield
+to your reasons, and to beg that you would put your questions in such
+a shape that I may answer them distinctly and easily."
+
+"Very well, Monsieur de Morseiul," said La Reynie; "we have always
+heard that you are a gentleman of honour, who would not prevaricate
+even to save his own life. Pray inform us what was the nature of the
+conversation between you and the Chevalier de Rohan, on the morning of
+the 23d of this month."
+
+"It was a very short one," replied the Count, somewhat surprised to
+see what accurate information of his proceedings had been obtained.
+"The Chevalier overtook me as I was going to Versailles, and on that
+occasion Monsieur de Rohan informed me that he had lost a large sum at
+the gaming table on the night before, and begged me to lend him a
+hundred louis, in the hopes of recovering it by the same means. I
+advised him strongly to abstain from such proceedings, but of course
+did not refuse to lend him what he asked."
+
+"Then did you lend him the hundred louis on the spot?" demanded La
+Reynie.
+
+"No," replied the Count; "I told him that I had not such a sum with
+me, but promised to send it to him at his lodgings in the course of
+the afternoon, which I did as soon as ever I arrived at Versailles."
+
+"Pray how happened it, Monsieur de Morseiul," demanded Ormesson, "that
+as you were going to Versailles, and the Chevalier overtook you going
+thither also; you did not ride on together, as would seem natural for
+two gentlemen like yourselves?"
+
+"Nay," replied the Count, smiling, "that I think is pressing the
+matter rather too far, Monsieur. My society might not be pleasant to
+the Chevalier, or the reverse might be the case; or we might have
+other business by the way. A thousand circumstances of the same kind
+might occur."
+
+"Well, then, I will put the question straightforwardly and at once,"
+said Ormesson. "Had you, or had you not, any reason to believe that
+the Chevalier de Rohan was at that time engaged in schemes dangerous
+to the state?"
+
+"None in the world," replied the Count, "and no such feelings or ideas
+whatsoever had any share in preventing my riding on with the Chevalier
+de Rohan."
+
+The Commissioners looked at each other for a moment with an inquiring
+glance, and then La Reynie placed before the Count a note which was to
+the following effect:--
+
+
+"My Dear Count,
+
+"I have received what you sent me, for which I return you many thanks,
+and I have not the slightest doubt, by your assistance, to be able to
+accomplish the purpose I have in view.
+
+                           "Your devoted,
+
+                               "The Chevalier De Rohan."
+
+
+"Pray, Monsieur de Morseiul," said the Counsellor, "do you recognise
+that note?"
+
+"Most assuredly," replied the Count. "I received that note from the
+Chevalier de Rohan, on the very evening of the day we have just
+mentioned."
+
+"And pray, what is the interpretation you put upon it?" demanded La
+Reynie.
+
+"Simply," replied the Count, "that he had received the hundred louis
+which I sent him, and hoped by employing them at the gaming-table to
+be enabled to win back the sum that he had lost."
+
+"It seems to me," said the judge, "that the note will very well bear
+two interpretations, Count, and that supposing a gentleman unfortunate
+enough to have laid schemes for introducing a foreign enemy into the
+country, or for causing any of the provinces of the kingdom to revolt,
+and supposing him, at the same time, to be greatly straightened for
+money and assistance--it seems to me, I say, that the note before us
+is just such a one as he would write to a friend who had come to his
+aid at the moment of need, either by giving him aid of a pecuniary or
+of any other kind."
+
+"All I can say, Sir," replied the Count, "is that the note before you
+I received from the Chevalier de Rohan, and that no other
+interpretation than the one I have given was, or could be, put upon it
+by me. I knew of no schemes whatsoever against the state, and the
+Chevalier himself had certainly no other meaning than the one I have
+assigned. It will be very easy for you, however, gentlemen, to place
+the note before the Chevalier, and make him explain it himself. Though
+an unfortunate gentleman, he is still a gentleman of honour, and will
+tell you the truth. We have had no conversation together upon the
+subject. We have not even interchanged a word as we came hither, and
+you can compare his statement with mine."
+
+"Perhaps that may have been done already, Monsieur de Morseiul," said
+Ormesson, "but at all events we think we may close your examination
+for to-day. The interrogation may be resumed at a future period, when
+other things have become manifest; and we have only, at present, to
+exhort you, on all occasions, to deal frankly and openly with the
+court."
+
+"Such is always my custom to do, Sir," replied the Count. "I stand
+before you conscious of my innocence of any crime whatsoever, and,
+having nothing to conceal, am always ready to state frankly and truly
+what I know, except when by so doing I may wound or injure others."
+
+Thus saying, he bowed to the Commissioners and retired. At the door of
+the chamber he found two musketeers waiting for his coming out, and,
+being placed between them, he was once more conducted back to the
+Bastille by the same way he had come. He was then led by the turnkeys,
+who were in waiting to receive him, to the same apartment which he had
+previously occupied; but before nightfall, it was notified to him that
+the liberties of the Bastille were restored to him, and he received
+some slight solace by knowing that he should not, for some time at
+least, be confined to the solitary discomfort of his own apartment,
+with no occupation but to stride from one side to the other, or gazing
+out of the narrow window, endeavour to gain a sight of what was
+passing in the rue St. Antoine.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III.
+
+                            THE EXECUTION.
+
+
+Within the walls of the Bastille, some weeks passed over almost
+without incident, but not without pain to the Count de Morseiul; but
+it would be tedious to detail all the feelings and the thoughts that
+crossed each other in his bosom during that period. He was still
+allowed a great degree of liberty, was permitted to take exercise in
+the great court, to converse with many of the other prisoners, and to
+hear whispers of what was taking place in the world without. But none
+of those whispers gave him any tidings of those he loved, any
+indication of his own probable fate, or any news of the church to
+which he belonged; and he remarked with pain, that while many of the
+other prisoners received visits from their friends and acquaintances,
+either no one sought to see him, or else those who did so were
+excluded by some express order.
+
+He grieved over this, and perhaps felt, with some degree of bitterness
+of spirit, that the iron of captivity might not only enter into the
+soul, but might wear and corrode the mind on which it pressed. Such
+feelings made him at once apply himself eagerly to every thing that
+could occupy his thoughts, and turn them from contemplations which he
+knew to be not only painful, but hurtful also; and he soon created for
+himself a number of those occupations which many an unhappy man
+besides himself has devised at different times for the solace of
+captivity.
+
+The library, however, was his greatest enjoyment. Though so fond of
+all manly exercises, and famous for his skill therein, he had from his
+youth loved the communing with other minds, in the pages which the
+hand of genius has traced, and which have been given forth as the
+deliberate effort of the writer's spirit. He loved, I say, that
+communing with other men's hearts and minds which is undisturbed by
+discussion, or wordy dispute, or any of the petty vanities that creep
+into the living conversation even of the great, the learned, and the
+good; and now, though the library was small, and perhaps not very well
+selected, yet there was many a book therein which afforded him sweet
+occupation during some, at least, of the melancholy hours of
+imprisonment.
+
+At other times he walked the length of the court yard, gaining where
+he could a gleam of sunshine; and rather than suffer his thoughts, as
+he did so walk, to dwell upon the painful theme of his own fate, he
+would count the very stones of the pavement, and moralise upon their
+shapes and colours. Almost every day, during the period we have
+mentioned, the guard was turned out, the prisoners having their
+liberties were ordered to keep back, and a train of others in the
+stricter state of imprisonment were marched out to the arsenal.
+Amongst these was usually the unhappy Chevalier de Rohan; and the
+wistful, longing gaze with which one day he looked round the court as
+he passed through, seeming to envy the other prisoners the sort of
+liberty they enjoyed, caused the Count de Morseiul to task severely
+his own heart for the repinings which he felt at his own situation.
+
+Various little occurrences of the same kind took place from time to
+time, affording a momentary matter of interest in the midst of the
+dark sameness of the prison life. At one period, during the whole of
+several nights, the Count de Morseiul heard at intervals voices which
+seemed to be shouting through speaking trumpets. The place from which
+the sound proceeded varied constantly; and the young prisoner could
+only conclude that some friends of one of the sad inhabitants of the
+Bastille were prowling round it, endeavouring to communicate
+intelligence. He listened eagerly, in the supposition that those
+sounds might be addressed to him; but though from time to time he
+could catch a single word, such as "dead," "told," &c., he could make
+no continuous sense of what was said.
+
+The first time this occurred was shortly after his examination before
+the commission, and it continued, for three or four nights, to be
+repeated at different hours; but still the sounds were too distant for
+him to ascertain the meaning of the speakers, and he was obliged to
+content himself with believing that this intelligence was not intended
+for himself, and hoping that it had been more distinct to the
+unfortunate person for whose ears it was designed.[2] After having
+listened during the whole of one night, and the words not being
+repeated, he determined to ask one of his fellow-prisoners, who had
+the liberty like himself of walking in the court, whether he had heard
+it, and had been able to make out what was said.
+
+
+---------------------
+
+[Footnote 2: The words were intended for the unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, and were "Hatreaumont est mort, et n'a rien dit." The unhappy
+prisoner, like the Count de Morseiul, was not able to distinguish the
+meaning of his friends; otherwise those words, if he had shaped his
+course accordingly, would have insured his safety.]
+
+---------------------
+
+
+The personage whom he fixed upon in his own mind for that purpose was
+a tall, upright, elderly man, with a soldier-like air, and a good deal
+of frankness of manner, approaching, perhaps, to what is called
+bluffness, without being in the slightest degree rude or uncivil. He
+seemed to seek nobody, but to converse willingly with any one when he
+was sought--gave his opinion in few words, but distinctly, accurately,
+and positively--bore his imprisonment with perfect lightness and
+indifference--never referred in the slightest degree to the cause
+thereof or to his own history, though without appearing to avoid the
+subject at all--and, in short, impressed strongly on the minds of
+those who saw him, and were accustomed to judge of the world, that he
+was a frank, upright, straight-forward soldier, accustomed to various
+kinds of endurance, and bearing all with manly firmness and
+resolution.
+
+He spoke French with great fluency and accuracy; but at times, in
+conversing with him, the Count de Morseiul had fancied he could remark
+a foreign accent, though very slight, and he was inclined to believe
+that the old officer was one of the Weimerians who had served so long
+in the pay of France. His countenance, indeed, was not like that of a
+German; there was more quickness and brightness of the eye, and the
+features were more elongated, and somewhat sharper than is common
+amongst the Teutonic races. But still a great part of the Weimerian
+troops had been levied on the borders of the Rhine, where the mixture
+of French and other blood often makes itself strongly to be remarked
+amongst the German population. His ordinary walk was from one corner
+of the court-yard to the opposite angle, which gave the utmost extent
+of space that could be had; and there the young Count, on descending
+the staircase, found him walking up and down with his usual quick pace
+and erect carriage. Though the old man neither paused nor noticed him
+further than by a passing "Good morning, Sir," the Count joined him,
+and at once spoke of the matter in question.
+
+"Have you heard," he said, "during this last night or two, some people
+shouting, apparently through speaking trumpets, as if they wished to
+convey intelligence to one of us prisoners?"
+
+"Once or twice very faintly," replied the other. "But I am on the
+opposite side of the prison to you, you know, and the sounds I heard
+seemed to come from your side, or, at all events, not further round
+than the Well Tower. Do you think they were addressed to you?"
+
+"I think not," replied the Count; "and if they were, I certainly could
+make nothing of them. I looked out of my window to get a sight as far
+as possible of the speakers by the moonlight the other night, but I
+was not successful; for I can see, as I am placed, into the little
+Place St. Antoine, but no further. However, I tried to distinguish the
+voices, and certainly they were not those of any one I know."
+
+"A speaking trumpet makes a great difference," replied his companion.
+"I should have liked to have heard them more distinctly."
+
+"Do you think they were intended for you?" said the Count.
+
+"Oh dear no," replied the other; "nobody can have any thing to tell
+me. If ever my liberty comes, it will come at once; and as to either
+trying me or punishing me in any other way than by imprisonment, that
+they dare not do."
+
+"That is in some degree a happy situation," said the Count. "But I
+scarcely know how that can be, for judging by my own case, and that of
+many others, I have no slight reason to believe that they dare try or
+punish any man in France, whether guilty or not."
+
+"Any Frenchman you mean, Count," replied the stranger; "but that does
+not happen to be my case; and though my own King may be rascal and
+fool enough to let me stay here wearing out the last days of a life,
+the greater part of which has been devoted to the service of himself
+and his ungrateful ancestors, yet I do not believe that he dare for
+his life suffer me to be publicly injured. A trial would, as a matter
+of course, be known sooner or later. They may poison me, perhaps," he
+continued, "to keep me quiet, though I do not think it either. Your
+King is not so bad as that, though he is a great tyrant; but he is not
+bloody by his nature. However, Monsieur de Morseiul, as I am not in
+here for any crime, as I never had any thing to do with a conspiracy
+of any kind, as I am not a native of this country, or a subject of
+your King, as I have not a secret in the world, and little more money
+than will serve to feed and clothe me, I do not see that any one can
+have either object or interest in hallooing at me through a speaking
+trumpet."
+
+"You have excited my curiosity," said the Count, "and a Frenchman's
+curiosity, you know, is always somewhat intrusive; but as you have
+just said that you have not a secret in the world, it will seem less
+impertinent than it otherwise would be if I ask what, in the name of
+fortune, you can be here for?"
+
+"Not in the least impertinent," replied the other. "I am in here for
+something of the same kind that they tell me you are in here for:
+namely, for differing from the King of France in regard to
+transubstantiation; for thinking that he'll go to the devil at once
+when he dies, without stopping half-way at a posthouse, called
+Purgatory, which a set of scoundrels have established for their own
+particular convenience; and for judging it a great deal better that
+people should sing psalms, and say their prayers, in a language that
+they understand, than in a tongue they know not a word of. I mean, in
+short, for being a Protestant; for if it had not been for that, I
+should not have been in here. The fact was, I served long in this
+country in former times, and having taken it into my head to see it
+again, and to visit some old friends, I undertook a commission to
+bring back a couple of brats of a poor cousin of mine, who had been
+left here for their education. Louis found out what I was about,
+declared that I came to make Protestant converts, and shut me up in
+the Bastille, where I have been now nearly nine months. I sent a
+message over to the King of England by a fellow-prisoner who was set
+at liberty some time ago. But every one knows that Charles would have
+sold his own soul by the pound, and thrown his father and mother, and
+all his family, into the scale, for the sake of a few crowns, at any
+time. This Popish rascal, too, who is now on the throne, doubtless
+thinks that I am just as well where I am, so I calculate upon
+whistling away my days within the four walls of this court.--I don't
+care, it can't last very long. I was sixty-five on the third of last
+month, and though there feels some life in these old limbs, the days
+of Mathuselah, thank God, are gone by, and we've no more kicking about
+now for a thousand years. I shouldn't wonder," he continued, "if the
+people you heard were hallooing to that unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, whom they dragged through this morning to be interrogated
+again. They say he'll have his head chopped off to a certainty. If we
+could have found out what the people said we might have told him, for
+prisoners will get at each other let them do what they like."
+
+"I listened for one whole night," said the Count, "but found it quite
+in vain. The judges I suppose are satisfied that I had nothing to do
+with this business of the Chevalier de Rohan's, otherwise they would
+have had me up again for examination."
+
+"God knows," replied his companion. "Tyranny is like an actor at a
+country fair, and one never knows which way he will kick next."
+
+Thus passed the conversation between the Count and the old English
+officer, whose name, somewhat disfigured indeed, may be found written
+in the registers of the Bastille as arrested on suspicion; for which
+crime he, like many others, was subjected to imprisonment for a
+lengthened period. He and the Count de Morseiul now usually took their
+walk together, and in his society the young nobleman found no small
+delight, for there was a sort of quaint indifference which gave salt
+and flavour to considerable good sense and originality of thought. The
+old man himself seemed to take a pleasure in conversing with the young
+Count; which was evidently not the case with the generality of his
+fellow-prisoners. One morning, however, towards the end of the period
+we have mentioned, the sound of the falling drawbridge was heard, the
+soldiers drew up in double line, the order for all the other prisoners
+to fall back was given, and the Chevalier de Rohan, followed by two or
+three other prisoners, amongst whom were Vandenenden and a lady, were
+brought in as if from examination.
+
+The countenances of almost all were very pale, with the exception of
+that of the Chevalier de Rohan, which was inflamed, with a fiery spot
+on either cheek, while his eyes flashed fire, and his lips were
+absolutely covered with foam. Four times between the great gate of the
+court and the tower in which he was confined, he halted abruptly, and
+turning round with furious gestures to the guards and gaolers who
+surrounded him, poured forth a torrent of fierce and angry words,
+exclaiming that he had been deceived, cheated, that the King's name
+had been used to assure him of safety, and that now the King had
+retracted the promises and was going to murder him.
+
+It was in vain that the guards tried to stop him, and endeavoured to
+force him onward. Still he turned round as soon as ever he had an
+opportunity, and shouted forth the same accusation with horrible
+imprecations and even blasphemies. The second prisoner, who seemed to
+be a military man, paused and regarded the Chevalier with a stern and
+somewhat scornful air, but the lady and the old man, Vandenenden, were
+drowned in tears, and from all the Count saw he concluded that the
+trial of the Chevalier and his accomplices had either terminated in
+their condemnation, or else had taken such a turn as showed that
+result to be inevitable.
+
+From that time none of the prisoners who had the liberties of the
+Bastille were allowed to remain in the court when the Chevalier and
+his accomplices passed through it, an order being given before the
+gates were opened, for every one to retire to his own apartments.
+Three days after this new regulation, such an order having been given,
+the Count obeyed it willingly, for the weather had become cold and
+damp, and the court of the Bastille felt like a well. He had obtained
+permission to take some books out of the library, in which there was
+no fire allowed, and sitting by the embers in his own apartment, he
+was endeavouring to amuse himself by reading, when the sounds of what
+seemed to him carts, in greater numbers than usual, mingled with the
+tongues of many persons speaking, called him to the little window of
+his chamber.
+
+He saw that the small Place St. Antoine was filled with a crowd of
+people surrounding two or three large carts as they seemed, but he
+could not make out what the persons present were about, and, after
+looking on for a few minutes, he returned to his book.
+
+Every thing within the walls of the Bastille seemed to be unusually
+still and quiet, and for rather more than an hour and a half he read
+on, till some sound of a peculiar character, or some sudden impression
+on his own mind which he could not account for, made him again rise
+and hasten to the window. When he did so, a sight was presented to his
+eyes which would have required long years to efface its recollection.
+The carts which he had seen, and the materials they contained, had
+been by this time erected into a scaffold; and in the front thereof,
+turned towards the Rue St. Antoine, which, as well as the square
+itself, was filled with an immense multitude of people, was a block
+with the axe leaning against the side.
+
+At one corner of the scaffold was erected a gibbet, and in the front,
+within a foot or two of the block, stood the unfortunate Chevalier de
+Rohan, with a priest, on one side of him, pouring consolation or
+instruction into his ear, while the executioner, on the other side,
+was busily cutting off his hair to prepare his neck for the stroke.
+Two or three other prisoners were behind with several priests and the
+assistants of the executioner, and amongst them again was seen the
+form of the old man, Vandenenden, and of the lady whom the Count had
+beheld pass through the court of the castle.
+
+The old man seemed scarcely able to support himself, and was upheld
+near the foot of the gallows by two of the guards; but the lady, with
+her head uncovered and her fine hair gathered together in a knot near
+the top of her head, stood alone, calm, and, to all appearance,
+perfectly self-possessed; and as she turned, for a moment, to look at
+the weak old man, whose writhing agitation at parting with a life that
+he could not expect to prolong for many years even if pardoned was
+truly lamentable, she showed the Count de Morseiul a fine though
+somewhat faded countenance, with every line expressive of perfect
+resolution and tranquillity.
+
+The Count de Morseiul was a brave man, who had confronted death a
+thousand times, who had seen it in many an awful shape and accompanied
+by many a terrible accessory; but when he looked at the upturned faces
+of the multitude, the block, the axe, the gibbet, the executioners,
+the cold grey sky above that spoke of hopelessness, the thronged
+windows all around teeming with gaping faces, and all the horrible
+parade of public execution, he could not but wonder at the
+self-possession and the calmness of that lady's look and demeanour, as
+one about to suffer in that awful scene.
+
+His, however, was no heart that could delight in such spectacles, and
+withdrawing almost immediately from the window, he waited in deep
+thought. In about a minute after there was a sort of low murmur,
+followed by a heavy stroke; and then the murmur sounded like the
+rushing of a distant wind. In a few moments after that, again came
+another blow, and the Count thought that there was a suppressed
+scream, mingled with the wave-like sound of the multitude. Again came
+that harsh blow, accompanied by a similar noise, and, lastly, a loud
+shout, in which there were mingled tones of ferocity and derision,
+very different from any which had been heard before. Not aware of what
+could have produced the change, the Count was once more irresistibly
+led to the window, where he beheld swinging and writhing on the
+gibbet, the form of the old man Vandenenden, whose pusillanimity
+seemed to have excited the contempt and indignation of the populace.
+On the other parts of the scaffold the executioner and his assistants
+were seen gathering up the bloody ruins of the human temples they had
+overthrown. Sickened and pained, the Count turned away, and covered
+his eyes with his hands, asking himself in the low voice of thought,
+"When will this be my fate also?"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IV.
+
+                        THE WOMAN'S JUDGMENT.
+
+
+We must now, for a little, change the scene entirely; and, as we find
+often done most naturally, both in reality and poetry, bring the
+prison and the palace side by side. It was in one of the smaller
+chambers, then, of the palace at Versailles--exquisitely fitted up
+with furniture of the most costly, if not of the most splendid
+materials, with very great taste shown in every thing, grace in all
+the ornaments, harmony in all the colours, and a certain degree of
+justness and appropriateness in every object around--that there sat a
+lady, late on the evening of an autumnal day, busily reading from a
+book, illustrated with some of the richest and most beautiful
+miniatures that the artists of the French capital could then produce.
+
+She was, at the time we speak, of somewhat past the middle age,--that
+is to say, she was nearly approaching to the age of fifty, but she
+looked considerably younger than she really was, and forty was the
+very extreme at which any one by the mere look would have ventured to
+place the number of her years. The rich worked candelabra of gold
+under which she was reading cast its light upon not a single grey
+hair. The form was full and rounded; the arms white and delicate; the
+hand, which in general loses its symmetry sooner than aught else,
+except, perhaps, the lips, was as tapering, as soft, and as beautiful
+in contour as ever. The eyes were large and expressive, and there was
+a thoughtfulness about the whole countenance which had nothing of
+melancholy in its character, perhaps a little of worldliness, but more
+of mind and intellect than either.
+
+After she had been reading for some time, the door was quietly opened,
+and the King himself entered with a soft and almost noiseless step.
+The lady immediately laid down her book and rose, but the King took
+her by the hand, led her back to her chair, and seated himself beside
+her.
+
+"Still busy, reading," he said.
+
+"I am anxious to do so, your Majesty," she answered, "at every moment
+that I can possibly command. In the sort of life which I am destined
+to lead, and in your Majesty's splendid court, temptations to forget
+what is right, and to think of nothing but pleasures and enjoyments,
+are so manifold, that one has need to have recourse to such calmer
+counsellors as these," and she laid her hand upon the book,
+"counsellors who are not disturbed by such seductions, and whose words
+have with them a portion of the tranquillity of the dead."
+
+The words were of a soberer character than Louis had been accustomed
+to hear from the lips of woman during the greater part of his life,
+but still they did not displease him, and he replied only by saying,--
+
+"But we must have a few more living counsels at present, Madame, for
+the fate of Louis----"
+
+"Which is the fate of France," she said in so low a voice that it
+could scarcely be termed an interruption.
+
+"For the fate of Louis and of his domestic happiness--a word, alas,
+which is so little known to kings--is even now in the balance.
+Madame," he continued, taking that fair hand in his, "Madame, it is
+scarcely necessary at this hour to tell you that I love you; it is
+scarcely necessary to speak what are the wishes and the hopes of the
+King; scarcely necessary to say what would be his conduct were not
+motives, strong and almost overpowering, opposed to all that he most
+desires."
+
+Madame de Maintenon, for she it was, had risen from her seat; had
+withdrawn her hand from that of the King, and for a moment pressed
+both her hands tightly upon her heart, while her countenance, which
+had become as pale as death, spoke that the emotion which she felt was
+real.
+
+"Cease, Sire; oh, cease," she exclaimed, "if you would not have me
+drop at your feet! Indeed," she continued more vehemently, "that is my
+proper place," and she cast herself at once upon her knees before the
+King, taking the hand from which she had just disengaged her own, to
+bend her lips over it with a look of reverence and affection.
+
+"Hear me, Sire, hear me," she said, as the King endeavoured to raise
+her, "hear me even as I am; for notwithstanding the deep and sincere
+love and veneration which are in my heart, I must yet offend in one
+person the monarch whom every voice in Europe proclaims the greatest
+in the earth; the man whom my own heart tells me is the most worthy to
+be loved. There is one, however, Sire, who must be loved and venerated
+first, and beyond all--I mean the Almighty; and from his law, and from
+his commands, nothing on earth shall ever induce me to swerve. Now,
+for more than a year, such has been my constant reply to your Majesty
+on these occasions. I have besought you, I have entreated you never to
+speak on such subjects again, unless that were possible which I know
+to be impossible."
+
+"Nay," replied the Monarch, interrupting her, and raising her with a
+little gentle force, "nay, nothing is impossible, but for me to see
+you kneeling there."
+
+"Oh yes, indeed, indeed, it is, your Majesty!" she said; "I have long
+known it, I have long been sure of it. You once condescended to dream
+of it yourself; you mentioned it to me, and I for a single instant was
+deceived by hope; but as soon as I came to examine it, I became
+convinced, fully convinced, that such a thing was utterly and entirely
+impossible, that your Majesty should descend from your high station,
+and that you should oppose and over-rule the advice and opinion of
+courtiers and ministers, who, though perhaps a little touched with
+jealousy, can easily find sound and rational reasons enough to oppose
+your will in this instance. Oh, no, no, Sire, I know it is impossible;
+for Heaven's sake do not agitate me by a dream of happiness that can
+never be realised!"
+
+"So little is it impossible, dear friend," replied the King, "that it
+is scarcely half an hour ago since I spoke with Louvois upon the
+subject."
+
+"And what did he say?" exclaimed Madame de Maintenon, with an
+eagerness that she could not master. "He opposed it, of course--and
+doubtless wisely. But oh, Sire, you must grant me a favour: the last
+of many, but still a very great one. You must let me retire from your
+court, from this place of cruel and terrible temptation, where they
+look upon me, from the favour which your Majesty has been pleased to
+show me, in a light which I dare not name. No, Sire, no, I will never
+have it said, that I lived on at your court knowing that I bore the
+name of your concubine. However false, the imputation is too terrible
+to be undergone--I, who have ever raised my voice against such acts,
+I, who have risked offending your Majesty by remonstrances and
+exhortations. No, Sire, no! I cannot, indeed I cannot, undergo it any
+longer. It is terrible to me, it is injurious to your Majesty, who has
+so nobly triumphed over yourself in another instance. It matters not
+what Monsieur de Louvois has said, though I trust he said nothing on
+earth to lead you to believe that I am capable of yielding to unlawful
+love."
+
+"Oh no," replied the King, "his opposition was but to the marriage,
+and that as usual was rude, gross, and insulting to his King. I wonder
+that I have patience with him. But it will some day soon give way."
+
+"I hope and trust, Sire," cried Madame de Maintenon, clasping her
+hands earnestly, "I hope and trust that your Majesty has not suffered
+insult on my account. Then, indeed, it were high time that I should
+go."
+
+"No," replied Louis, "not absolute insult. Louvois means but to act
+well. He said every thing in opposition, I acknowledge, coarsely and
+rudely, and in the end he cast himself upon his knees before me,
+unsheathed his sword, and, offering the hilt, besought me to take his
+life, rather than to do what I contemplated."
+
+"He did!" cried Madame de Maintenon, with a bright red spot in either
+cheek. "He did! The famous minister of Louis XIV. has been studying at
+the theatre lately I know! But still, Sire, though doubtless he was
+right in some part of his view, Francoise d'Aubigne is not quite so
+lowly as to be an object of scorn to the son of Michael le Tellier,
+whose ancestors I believe sold drugs at Rheims, while my grandfather
+supported the throne of yours with his sword, his blood, and his
+wisdom. He might have spared his scorn, methinks, and saved his wit
+for argument. But I must not speak so freely in my own cause, for that
+it is my own, I acknowledge," and she wiped away some tears from her
+fine eyes. "It is my own, for when I beseech your Majesty to let me
+leave you, I tear my own heart, I trample upon all my own feelings.
+But oh, believe me, Sire," she continued ardently, "believe me when I
+say, that I would rather that heart were broken, as it soon will be,
+than that your Majesty should do any thing derogatory to your crown
+and dignity, or I must add, than I would do myself any thing in
+violation of the precepts of virtue and religion."
+
+She wept a good deal; but she wept gracefully, and hers was one of
+those faces which looked none the worse for tears. The King gently
+drew her to her seat, for she had still been standing; saying, "Nay,
+nay, be comforted. You have yet the King. You think not really then,"
+he said, "really and sincerely you think not, that there is any true
+degradation in a monarch wedding a subject? I ask you yourself, I ask
+you to speak candidly!"
+
+"Nay, Sire," cried Madame de Maintenon, "how can you ask me, deeply
+interested as I am--how can you ask any woman? For we all feel alike
+in such things, and differently from you men. There is not one woman,
+proud or humble in your Majesty's court, that would not give you the
+same answer, if she spoke sincerely."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed the King; "then we men must be certainly in the
+wrong. But what think you," he continued, "what think you, as a
+proof--what would yon fair girl Clemence de Marly say, were we to ask
+her? I saw her but now, as I passed, reading with the Dauphine in
+somewhat melancholy guise."
+
+"Well may she be melancholy, Sire!" replied the lady, somewhat sadly,
+"when the King hears not her prayers. But methinks it would be hardly
+fair to make her a judge."
+
+"Why, why?" demanded Louis quickly; "because she is so proud and
+haughty?--Remember, you said the proudest in our court."
+
+"So I say still, Sire," replied Madame de Maintenon in a gentle tone;
+"but I do not think her proud. She would be too favourable a judge;
+that was my sole objection. Her own station in the court is doubtful;
+and besides, Sire, you could not think of submitting that, on which
+none--no, not the wisest minister you have--can judge so well as
+yourself, to the decision of a girl."
+
+"Fear not," replied the King; "I will but take her voice on the
+matter, without her knowing aught of that on which her opinion is
+called for. I would fain hear what a young and unpractised tongue
+would say. Let her be called in."
+
+Madame de Maintenon hesitated for a moment. The risk seemed great; the
+object of long years was at stake; and her own fate, and that of
+France, might depend upon the words of a wild, proud girl. But she saw
+no means of avoiding the trial; and she rang the bell: even in the
+very act of doing so, remembering many a trait of Clemence, both in
+childhood and youth, which gave her some assurance. A page appeared
+instantly, and was despatched to the apartments of the Dauphine to
+call Mademoiselle de Marly to the presence of the King.
+
+The feet of Clemence bore her thither like light, though her heart
+beat wildly with fear and agitation; and the hue of her cheek, once so
+bright and glowing, was now as pale as death. She was glad, however,
+to find the King and Madame de Maintenon alone, for she had succeeded
+in interesting the latter in the fate of the Count de Morseiul, and
+she doubted not that she would exert herself, as much as she dared to
+do for any one, to persuade the King to deal with him gently. So many
+long and weary days had passed, however, with but little progress,
+that she had well nigh sunk into despair, when the summons of this
+night made her suppose that her fate, and that of her lover, was upon
+the eve of being decided.
+
+The page who conducted her closed the door as soon as she had entered,
+and Clemence stood before the King with feelings of awe and agitation,
+such as in former days she knew not that she could feel towards the
+greatest potentate on earth: but Clemence de Marly loved, and her
+whole feelings had been changed.
+
+Not a little was her surprise, however, when the King addressed her in
+a tone half playful, half serious,--
+
+"Come hither, spoiled beauty," he said, "come hither: and sit down
+upon that stool--or, in truth, I should give you up this chair, for
+you are going to act a part that you never performed before--that of
+judge, and in a matter of taste, too."
+
+Clemence put her hand to her brow, as if to clear away the thoughts
+with which she had come thither. But, after gazing in the King's face
+for a moment with a bewildered look, she recovered herself, and
+replied,--
+
+"Indeed, Sire, I am, of all people, the most unfit; but I will do my
+best to please your Majesty. What may be the question?"
+
+"Why," answered the King, smiling at her evident surprise and
+embarrassment, the real cause of which he had quite forgotten in his
+own thoughts and feelings, "why the matter is this; a new play has
+been submitted to us for approval by one of our best poets. It turns
+upon an ancient king becoming in love with one of his own subjects,
+and marrying her while his ministers wish him to marry a neighbouring
+queen. The question of the policy, however, is not the thing. We have
+settled all that, but the point in dispute between me and this fair
+lady is, whether the poet would have done better to have made the
+heroine turn out, after all, to be some princess unknown. I say not;
+but our sweet friend, whose opinion, perhaps, is better than my own,
+contends that it would have been better, in order to preserve the
+king's dignity."
+
+Madame de Maintenon panted for breath, and grasped the book that lay
+on the table to prevent herself from betraying her agitation; but she
+dared not say a word, nor even look up.
+
+She was almost instantly relieved, however, for Clemence exclaimed,
+almost before the King had done speaking,--"Oh, no! oh, no! Dear lady,
+you are wrong, believe me. Kings lose their dignity only by evil acts;
+they rise in transcendent majesty when they tread upon base
+prejudices. I know nothing of the policy; you tell me that is apart;
+and the only question is whether she was worthy that he chose. Was
+she, Sire--was she noble and good?"
+
+"Most noble, and most excellent!" said the King.
+
+"Was she religious, wise, well educated?" continued Clemence, eagerly.
+
+"She was all!" answered Louis, "all in a most eminent degree."
+
+"Was she in knowledge, demeanour, character, worthy of his love and of
+himself?" asked the enthusiastic girl, with her whole face glowing.
+
+"In demeanour not inferior, in character equal, in knowledge
+superior--in all respects worthy!" replied the Monarch, catching her
+enthusiasm.
+
+But he was stopped by the agitated sobs of Madame de Maintenon, who,
+sinking from her chair at his feet, clasped his knees, exclaiming,
+"Spare me, Sire! Spare me, or I shall die!"
+
+The King gazed at her tenderly for a moment, then bent down his head,
+kissed her check, and, whispering a few brief words, placed her in the
+chair where he himself had been sitting. He then turned to Clemence de
+Marly, who stood by, astonished at the agitation that her words had
+produced, and fearful that the consequences might be the destruction
+of all her own hopes.
+
+The countenance of Louis, as he turned towards her, somewhat
+re-assured her; but still she could not help exclaiming with no slight
+anxiety, "I hope, Sire, I have not offended. I fear I have done so
+unintentionally."
+
+"If you have," said the King, smiling upon her graciously, "we will
+find a punishment for you; and as we have made you act as a judge
+where you little perhaps expected it, we will now make you a witness
+of things that you expected still less, but which your lips must never
+divulge till you are authorised to do so. Go as fast as possible to my
+oratory close by the little cabinet of audience, there you will find
+good Monsieur la Chaise: direct him to ring the bell, and--after
+having told Bontems to summon Monsieur de Montchevreuil and the
+Archbishop, who is still here, I think--to come hither himself as
+speedily as possible. You will accompany him."
+
+What were the King's intentions Clemence de Marly scarcely could
+divine; but seeing that her words had evidently given happiness both
+to the King and to Madame de Maintenon, and judging from that fact
+that her own best hopes for the deliverance of him she loved might be
+on the eve of accomplishment, she flew rather than ran to obey the
+King's directions. She found the King's confessor, La Chaise, waiting,
+evidently for the return of the King, with some impatience. The
+message which she brought him seemed to excite his astonishment
+greatly; but after pausing for a moment to consider what kind of event
+that message might indicate, the old man clasped his hands,
+exclaiming, "This is God's work, the King's salvation is now secure."
+
+He then did as he had been directed, rang the bell for Bontems, gave
+the order as he had received it, and hurried after Clemence along the
+corridor of the palace. At the door of Madame de Maintenon's apartment
+the young lady paused, for there were voices speaking eagerly within,
+and she feared to intrude upon the monarch. His commands to return,
+however, had been distinct, and she consequently opened the door and
+entered. Madame de Maintenon was standing by the table with her eyes
+bent down, and her colour much heightened. The King was also standing,
+and with a slight frown upon his countenance was regarding a person
+who had been added to the party since Clemence had left it. This was
+no other than the minister Louvois, whose coarse harsh features seemed
+filled with sullen mortification, which even the presence of the King
+could scarcely restrain from breaking forth in angry words. His eyes
+were bent down, not in humility but in stubborness, his shoulders a
+little raised, and he was muttering rather than speaking when Clemence
+entered. The only words, however, that were audible were, "Your
+Majesty's will must be a law to yourself as well as to your people. I
+have ventured in all sincerity to express my opinion, and have nothing
+more to say."
+
+The opening of the door caused Madame de Maintenon to raise her eyes,
+and when she saw Clemence and the confessor a glad and relieved smile
+played over her countenance, which was greatly increased by the words
+which the confessor addressed to the King immediately on his entrance.
+
+"Sire," he said, without waiting for Louis to speak, "from what I have
+heard, and from what I see, I believe--nay, I am sure, that your
+Majesty is about to take a step which will, more than any that I know
+of, tend to insure your eternal salvation. Am I not right?" and he
+extended his hand towards Madame de Maintenon, as if that gesture were
+quite sufficient to indicate his full meaning.
+
+"You are, my good father," replied the King; "and I am happy to find
+that so wise and so good a man as yourself approves of what I am
+doing. Monsieur Louvois here still seems discontented, though I have
+conceded so much to his views of policy as to promise that this
+marriage shall remain for ever private."
+
+"What are views of policy," cried Pere la Chaise, "to your Majesty's
+eternal salvation? There are greater, there are higher considerations
+than worldly policy, Sire; but even were worldly policy all, I should
+differ with Monsieur Louvois, and say that you were acting as wisely
+in the things of this world as in reference to another."
+
+"God knows, and this lady knows," said Louvois, "that my only
+opposition proceeds from views of policy. For herself, personally," he
+added, feeling that he might have offended one who was more powerful
+than even himself, "for herself, personally, she well knows that I
+have the most deep and profound respect; and, since it is to be, I
+trust that his Majesty will allow me to be one of the witnesses."
+
+"Assuredly," replied the King. "I had so determined in my own mind,
+Monsieur de Louvois; and as we need not have more than three, we will
+dispense with this young lady's presence. Oh, here comes the
+Archbishop and Montchevreuil; my good father La Chaise, let me beg you
+to prepare an altar, even here. I have determined that all doubt and
+discussion upon this subject shall be over to-night. Explain, I beg
+you, to Monsieur de Harlay what are my views and intentions. One word,
+belle Clemence," he added, advancing to Clemence, and speaking to her
+with a gracious smile, "we shall not need your presence, fair lady,
+but you shall not want the bridemaid's presents. Come hither to-morrow
+half an hour before I go to the council; and as you have judged well
+and wisely in this cause to-night, we will endeavour to judge
+leniently on any cause that you may bring before us to-morrow."
+
+Although the King spoke low, his words did not escape the keen ear of
+Louvois; and when Clemence raised her eyes to reply, they met those of
+the minister gazing upon her with a look of fiend-like anger, which
+seemed to imply, "You have triumphed over me for the time, and have
+thwarted me in a matter of deep moment. You think at the same time you
+have gained your own private end, but I will disappoint you."
+
+Such at least was the interpretation that Clemence put upon that angry
+glance. For an instant it made her heart sink, but, recollecting her
+former courage the next instant, she replied boldly to the King, "My
+trust is always in your Majesty alone. I have ever had that trust; and
+what I have seen to-night would show me clearly, that let us expect
+what we may of your Majesty's magnanimity and generosity no
+disappointment will await us."
+
+Thus saying she retired; and what farther passed in the chamber that
+she quitted--though it affected the destinies of Louis, and of France,
+and of Europe, more than any event which had taken place for
+years--remains in the records of history amongst those things which
+are known though not proved, and are never doubted even though no
+evidence of their reality exists.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER V.
+
+                             THE ESCAPE.
+
+
+The hope delayed, which maketh the heart sick, had its wearing effect
+upon the Count de Morseiul. His countenance showed it in every line;
+the florid hue of strong health was beginning to pass away; and one
+morning, in taking his usual walk up and down the court of the
+Bastille in company with the bluff old English officer we have
+mentioned, his companion, after gazing in his face for a moment, as if
+something therein had suddenly struck him, said, "You look ill, young
+gentleman; what is the matter?"
+
+"How is it possible that I can be otherwise," said the Count,
+"confined as I am here, and lingering on from day to day, without any
+knowledge of what is passing regarding myself, or of the fate of
+friends that I love, or of the condition of all those in whose
+happiness I am interested?"
+
+"Poo! you must bear things more lightly," answered the old soldier.
+"Why here, you, a youth, a mere boy, have plenty of time before you to
+spare a year or two for imprisonment. Think of what a difference there
+is between you and me: here am I without a day too much to spare in
+life; while to you neither months nor years are any thing. As to your
+friends without, too, trouble not your brain about them. The world
+would go on just as well without you and I, if we were put out of it
+to-morrow; friends would find new friends, sweethearts gain new
+lovers, servants betake them to new masters, and the roses would grow,
+and the birds would sing, and love, and war, and policy, and the wind
+of heaven, would have their course as if nothing had happened. There
+might be a few drops in some eyes which would fall like a spring
+shower, and be dried up again as soon. However," he added, seeing that
+his philosophy was not very much to the taste of the young Count, "you
+must live in the world as long as I have done ere you can take such
+hard lessons home; and if it be but communication with your friends
+without that you want, I should think that might be obtained easily."
+
+"I see not how that is to be done," replied the Count. "If they had
+allowed me to have my valet here there would have been no difficulty,
+for I do not think that even stone walls would keep in his wit."
+
+"Oh, we can do without him, I dare say," replied the old man. "If you
+write me down a note, containing few words, and no treason, doubtless
+I can find means, perhaps this very day, of sending it forth to any
+one that you will. In my apartment we shall find paper, which I got
+not long ago; some sort of ink we will easily manufacture for
+ourselves. So, come: that will revive hope a little for you; and
+though I cannot promise you an answer, yet perhaps one may be obtained
+too. There are old friends of mine that sometimes will drop in to see
+me; and what I propose to do, is to give your note to one of the
+prisoners I have spoken with, who expects to be liberated to-day or
+to-morrow, and direct the answer to be sent by some one who is likely
+to come to see me."
+
+The young Count gladly availed himself of this proposal; and the means
+of writing having, by one prison resource or another, been obtained,
+he wrote a few brief words, detailing the anxiety and pain he
+suffered, and begging some immediate information as to the probability
+of his obtaining his freedom, and regarding the situation of those
+that he loved best. He couched his meaning in language as vague as
+possible, and addressed the note to his valet, Jerome Riquet, fearing
+to write to Clemence, lest he should by any means draw suspicion and
+consequent evil upon her. The old English officer undertook to give
+all the necessary directions for its delivery, and when they met again
+in the evening, he assured him that the note was gone.
+
+At an early hour on the following morning the Englishman was called
+away from him to speak with some one admitted by an order from the
+minister; and in about ten minutes after he joined the Count, and
+slipped a small piece of folded paper into his hand, saying, in a low
+voice, "Do not look at it now, or leave me immediately, for there are
+several of these turnkeys about, and we must not create suspicion."
+After a few more turns, however, the old man said, "Now, Monsieur de
+Morseiul," and the Count hastening to his chamber, opened the note
+which was in the handwriting of Riquet.
+
+"I have been obliged," it said, "to keep out of the way, and to change
+my shape a dozen times, on account of the business of the Exempt;
+but--from what the Count says, and from hearing that Monsieur de
+Louvois swore last night by all the gods that he worships, that, on
+account of some offence just given, he will bring the Count's head to
+the block within a week, as he did that of Monsieur de Rohan--a bold
+stroke will be struck to-day. The Count will be set at liberty about
+two o'clock, and the moment he is at liberty he must neither go to
+King nor ministers, nor to his own house, either in Paris or at
+Versailles, but to the little inn called the Golden Cock, in the Rue
+du Faubourg St. Antoine, call himself Monsieur du Sac, and ask for the
+horse his servant brought. Having got it, let him ride on for Poitou
+as fast as he can go. He will meet friends by the way."
+
+This was all that the note contained, and what was the bold stroke
+that Riquet alluded to the Count could not divine. He judged, indeed,
+that perhaps it was quite as well he should be ignorant of the facts;
+and after having impressed all the directions contained in the note
+upon his mind, he destroyed the paper, and was preparing to go down
+again into the court.
+
+It so happened, however, that he paused for a moment, and took up one
+of the books which he was still reading, when an officer, who was
+called the Major of the Bastille, entered the room, and summoned him
+to the presence of the governor. The Count immediately followed, and
+passing through the gate into the Court of Government, he found
+Besmaux waiting in the corps de garde, with a blithe and smiling
+countenance.
+
+"Good morning, Monsieur de Morseiul," he said; "I have got some good
+news for you, which perhaps you do not expect."
+
+He fixed his eyes scrutinisingly upon the Count's face, but all was
+calm. "Here is an order for your liberation," he continued, "which,
+doubtless, you will be glad to hear."
+
+"Most glad," exclaimed the Count; "for, to say the truth, I am growing
+both sick and weary of this imprisonment, especially as I know that I
+have done nothing to deserve it."
+
+"That is better than being imprisoned knowing you have done something
+to deserve it," said Besmaux. "However, here is the order; and though
+it is not exactly in accurate form, I must obey, I suppose, and set
+you at liberty, for here is the King's handwriting in every line."
+
+"That you must judge of yourself, Monsieur de Besmaux," replied the
+Count. "But I hope, of course, that you will not detain me any longer
+than is necessary."
+
+"No, no," said Besmaux; "I must obey the order, for it is in the
+King's hand distinctly. Here are all the things that were upon your
+person, Monsieur de Morseiul. Be so good as to break the seal
+yourself, examine them, and give me an acknowledgment--as is usual
+here--that they have been returned to you. There is the ordinary form;
+you have nothing to do but to sign it."
+
+The Count did as he was required to do, and the governor then restored
+to him his sword, saying, "There is your sword, Monsieur le Comte. It
+is customary to give some little acknowledgment to the turnkeys if you
+think fit; and now, Monsieur le Comte, you are free. Will you do me
+the honour of supping with me again to-night?"
+
+"I fear not to-night, Monsieur de Besmaux; some other time I will have
+that pleasure. But, of course, after this unexpected and sudden
+enlargement, there is much to be done."
+
+"Of course," replied the governor; "you will have to thank the King,
+and Monsieur de Louvois, and all that. Some other time then be it. It
+is strange they have sent no carriage or horse for you. Perhaps you
+would like to wait till they arrive?"
+
+"Oh, no," replied the Count. "Freedom before every thing, Monsieur de
+Besmaux. By your permission I will send for the apparel I have left in
+my chamber. But now, to set my foot beyond the drawbridge is my great
+ambition."
+
+"We will conduct you so far," replied Besmaux, and led the way towards
+the gate. The drawbridge was lowered, the gates opened, and the Count,
+distributing the greater part of the money which had been restored to
+him amongst the turnkeys, turned and took leave of the governor, and
+issued forth from the Bastille. He remarked, however, that Besmaux,
+with the major of the prison, and two or three others, remained upon
+the bridge, as if they felt some suspicion, and were watching his
+farther proceedings. He, accordingly, rendered his pace somewhat slow,
+and turned towards his own hotel in Paris, while two or three boys,
+who hung about the gates of the Bastille, followed, importunately
+looking up in his face. He passed along two streets before he could
+get rid of them, but then, suddenly turning up one of the narrow lanes
+of the city, he made the best of his way to the little inn, or rather
+public house, which Jerome Riquet had pointed out to him in his
+letter, where a bright golden cock, somewhat larger than life, stood
+out into the street from a pole thrust into the front of the house.
+Before he turned in he looked down the street towards the Bastille,
+but saw no cause for suspicion, and entered the narrow entrance. As
+was not uncommon in such houses at that time, no door on either hand
+gave admission to the rooms of the inn till the visiter had threaded
+half way through the small ill-lighted passage. At length, however,
+doors appeared, and the sound of a footstep instantly called out a
+stout, jovial-looking personage, with a considerable nose and
+abundance of cheek and stomach, who, without saying any thing, merely
+planted himself directly in the Count's way.
+
+"Are you the landlord?" demanded the Count.
+
+"Yes, Sir," replied the cabaretier, much more laconically than might
+have been expected from his appearance. "Who are you?"
+
+"I am Monsieur du Sac," replied the Count.
+
+"Oh, oh!" cried the host, laying his forefinger on the side of his
+face. "If you are Monsieur du Sac, your horse will be ready in a
+crack. But you had better come into the stable; there are people
+drinking in the hall."
+
+The Count followed him without saying any more, and found three horses
+standing ready saddled, and wanting only the girths tightened, and the
+bridles in their mouths. The centre one he instantly recognised as one
+of his own finest horses, famous for its great strength and courage.
+The other two were powerful animals, but of a different breed; and the
+Count was somewhat surprised when the landlord ordered a stable boy,
+who was found waiting, to make haste and girth them all up. The boy
+began with the farther horse; but the landlord then exclaimed, "No,
+no, the gentleman's first, the others will do after;" and in a moment
+the Count's horse was ready to set out.
+
+"Better go by the back gate, Sir," said the host; "then if you follow
+round by the gardens of the convent of St. Mary, up the little lane to
+the left, you will come into the road again, where all is clear.
+Where's the bottle, boy, I told you to have ready? Monsieur du Sac
+will want a draught before he goes." A large bottle was instantly
+produced from a nook in the stable, and a tumbler full of excellent
+wine poured out. The Count took it, and drank, for excitement had made
+him thirsty, and he might well want that support, which the juice of
+the grape or any other thing could afford, when he reflected that the
+die was now cast; that he had been liberated from prison, as he could
+not doubt by some counterfeit order; and that he was flying from the
+court of France, certainly never to return, unless it were as a
+captive brought back probably to death.
+
+The blow being struck, however, he was not a man to feel regret or
+hesitation, and there was something in the sensation of being at
+liberty, of having cast off the dark load of imprisonment, which was
+in itself inspiring. He sprang upon his horse then with joyful speed,
+cast the landlord one of the few gold pieces that remained in his
+purse, and while the boy held open the back gates of the inn court, he
+rode out once more free to turn his steps whithersoever he would. That
+part of the city was not unknown to him, and passing round the
+gardens, and through the narrow lanes which at that time were
+intermingled with the Faubourg St. Antoine, he entered the high road
+again just where the town ended, and the country began; and putting
+his horse into a quick pace, made the best of his way onward toward
+Poitou.
+
+As he now went forth he looked not back, and he had gone on for five
+or six miles, when the belief that he heard the feet of horses
+following fast made him pause and turn. He was not mistaken in the
+supposition. There were two horsemen on the road, about five or six
+hundred yards behind him; but they slackened their pace as soon as he
+paused; and remembering the words written by Jerome Riquet, that he
+would find friends upon the road, he thought it better not to inquire
+into the matter any further, but make the most of his time, and go on.
+He thus proceeded without drawing a rein for about five and thirty
+miles, the men who were behind him still keeping him in sight, but
+never approaching nearer than a certain distance.
+
+The road which he had chosen was that of Orleans, though not the most
+direct; but by taking it, he avoided all that part of the country
+through which he was most likely to be pursued if his flight were
+speedily discovered. At length, in the neighbourhood of the little
+town of Angerville, a man appeared on horseback at the turning of one
+of the roads. He was evidently waiting for some one, and rode up to
+the Count as soon as ever he appeared, saying merely, "Monsieur du
+Sac."
+
+"The same," replied the Count; and the man immediately said, "This
+way, then, Sir."
+
+The Count followed without any reply, and the man rode on at a quick
+pace for the distance of fully three miles further. The horsemen
+turned as the Count had turned, but the road had become tortuous, and
+they were soon lost to his sight. At length, however, the high stone
+walls, overtopped with trees, and partly covered with ivy, which
+usually surrounded the park of an old French chateau, appeared, and
+making a circuit round three sides of this enclosure, the Count and
+his guide came suddenly to the large iron gates, which gave admission
+to a paved court leading to another set of gates, with a green
+esplanade and a terrace above; while the whole was crowned by a heavy
+mass of stonework, referable to no sort of architecture but itself.
+Round these courts were various small buildings, scarcely fitted
+indeed for human habitation, but appropriated to gardeners and
+gatekeepers, and other personages of the kind; and from one of these,
+as soon as the Count appeared, instantly rushed forth Jerome Riquet
+himself, kissing his master's hand with sincere joy and affection,
+which was not at all decreased by a consciousness that his liberation
+had been effected by the skill, genius, and intrigue of the said
+Jerome Riquet himself.
+
+"Dismount, my Lord, in all safety," he said; "we have taken measures
+to insure that you should not be traced. Refreshments of every kind
+are ready for you; and if you so please, you can take a comfortable
+night's repose before you go on."
+
+"That were scarcely prudent, Riquet," replied the Count; "but I will
+at all events pause for a time, and you can tell me all that has
+happened. First, whose dwelling is this?"
+
+"The house of good Monsieur Perault at Angerville," replied the valet.
+"He has been dead for about two months, and his old maitre d'hotel,
+being a friend of mine, and still in the family, gave me the keys of
+the chateau to be your first resting place."
+
+On entering the chateau, Albert of Morseiul found it completely
+thronged with his own servants; and the joyful faces that crowded
+round, some in smiles and some in tears, to see their young lord
+liberated, was not a little sweet to his heart. Some balm, indeed, was
+necessary to heal old wounds, before new ones were inflicted; and,
+though Riquet moved through the assembled attendants with the
+conscious dignity of one who had conferred the benefit in which they
+rejoiced, yet he hastened to lead his young lord on, and to have the
+room cleared, having much indeed to tell. His tale was painful to the
+Count in many respects; but, being given by snatches, as the various
+questions of his master elicited one fact after another, we will
+attempt to put it in more continuous form, and somewhat shorter
+language, taking it up at events which, though long past, were now
+first explained.
+
+From an accidental reference to the Count's journey from Morseiul to
+Poitiers, Riquet was led to declare the whole facts in regard to the
+commission which had been given by the King to Pelisson and St. Helie.
+The insatiable spirit of curiosity by which Maitre Jerome was
+possessed, never let him rest till he had made the unhappy Cure of
+Guadrieul declare, by a man[oe]uvre before related, what was in the
+sheepskin bag he carried; and, as soon as the valet heard that it was
+a commission from the King, his curiosity was still more strongly
+excited to ascertain the precise contents. For the purpose of so
+doing, he attached himself firmly to the Cure during the rest of the
+evening, made him smoke manifold pipes, induced him to eat every
+promotive of drinking that he could lay his hands upon, plied him with
+wine, and then when half besotted, ventured to insinuate a wish to
+peep into the bag. The Cure, however, was firm to his trust even in
+the midst of drunkenness; he would peep into the bag with curious
+longings himself, but he would allow no one else to do so, and Riquet
+had no resource but to finish what he had so well commenced by a
+bottle of heady Burgundy in addition, which left the poor priest but
+strength enough to roll away to his chamber, and, conscious that he
+was burthened with matters which he was incompetent to defend, to lock
+the door tight behind him before he sunk insensible on his bed. He
+forgot, however, one thing, which it is as well for every one to
+remember; namely, that chambers have windows as well as doors; and
+Jerome Riquet, whose genius for running along house gutters was not
+less than his other high qualities, found not the slightest difficulty
+of effecting an entrance, and spending three or four hours in the
+examination of the sheepskin bag and its contents. With as much skill
+as if he had been brought up in the French post-office of that day, he
+opened the royal packet without even breaking the seals, and only
+inflicting a very slight and accidental tear on one part of the
+envelope, which the keen eyes of Pelisson had afterwards discovered.
+
+As soon as he saw the nature of the King's commission, Riquet,--who
+was no friend to persecution of any kind, and who well knew that all
+his master's plans would be frustrated, and the whole province of
+Poitou thrown into confusion if such a commission were opened on the
+first assembling of the states,--determined to do away with it
+altogether, and substitute an old pack of cards which he happened to
+have in his valise in place of that important document. He then
+proceeded to examine minutely and accurately the contents of the
+Cure's trunk mail, and more from a species of jocose malice than any
+thing else, he tore off a piece of the King's commission which could
+do no harm to any one, and folded it round the old tobacco box, which
+he had found wrapped up in a piece of paper very similar amongst the
+goods and chattels of the priest.
+
+Besides this adventure, he had various others to detail to the Count,
+with the most important of which: namely, his interview with the King
+and Louvois at Versailles, the reader is already acquainted. But he
+went on from that point to relate, that, lingering about in the
+neighbourhood of the King's apartments, he had heard the order for his
+master's arrest given to Monsieur de Cantal. He flew home with all
+speed, but on arriving at the Count's hotel found that he had already
+gone to the palace, and that his arrest was certain.
+
+His next question to himself was how he might best serve him under
+such circumstances; and, habituated from the very infancy of his
+valethood to travesty himself in all sorts of disguises, he determined
+instantly on assuming the character of an Exempt of one of the courts
+of law, as affording the greatest probability of answering his
+purpose. He felt a degree of enjoyment and excitement in every species
+of trick of the kind which carried him through, when the least
+timidity or hesitation would have frustrated his whole plans. The fact
+is, that although it may seem a contradiction in terms, yet Maitre
+Jerome was never so much in his own character as when he was
+personating somebody else.
+
+The result of his acting on this occasion we already know, as far as
+the Count was concerned; but the moment that he had seen him lodged in
+the Bastille, the valet, calculating that his frolic might render
+Versailles a dangerous neighbourhood, retired to the Count's hotel in
+Paris, where a part of his apparel was still to be found, compounded
+rapidly the sympathetic ink from one of the many receipts stored up in
+his brain, and then flew with a handkerchief, properly prepared, to
+Clemence de Marly, whom he found alone with the Chevalier d'Evran. As
+his master had not made him acquainted with the occasional feelings of
+jealousy which he had experienced towards that gentleman, Jerome
+believed he had fallen upon the two persons from whom, out of all the
+world, his master would be most delighted to hear. The whole facts of
+the Count's arrest then were detailed and discussed, and the words
+written, which, as we have seen, were received by Albert of Morseuil
+in prison.
+
+Afraid to go back to Versailles, Riquet hastened away into Poitou
+leaving to Clemence de Marly and the Chevalier d'Evran the task of
+liberating his lord, of which they seemed to entertain considerable
+hopes. On his return, however, he found, first, that all his
+fellow-servants having been faithful to him, the investigations
+regarding the appearance of the Exempt had ended in nothing being
+discovered, except that somebody had profanely personated one of those
+awful personages; and, secondly, that the Count was not only still in
+durance, but that little, if any, progress had been made towards
+effecting his liberation. The Duc de Rouvre, who seemed to be restored
+to the King's favour, was now a guest at the palace of Versailles:
+with Clemence de Marly the valet could not obtain an interview, though
+he daily saw her in company with the Chevalier d'Evran, and the report
+began to be revived that the King intended to bestow her hand upon
+that gentleman, who was now in exceedingly high favour with the
+monarch.
+
+A scheme now took possession of the mind of Riquet, which only
+suggested itself in utter despair of any other plan succeeding; and
+as, to use his own expression, the very attempt, if frustrated, would
+bring his head under the axe, he acknowledged to his lord that he had
+hesitated and trembled even while he prepared every thing for its
+execution. He went down once more into Poitou; he communicated with
+all the friends and most favoured vassals of his master; he obtained
+money and means for carrying every part of his scheme into effect, as
+soon as his lord should be liberated from the Bastille, and for
+securing his escape into Poitou, where a choice of plans remained
+before him, of which we shall have to speak hereafter.
+
+The great point, however, was to enable the Count to make his exit
+from the prison, and it was at this that the heart of Jerome Riquet
+failed. His was one of those far-seeing geniuses that never forget, in
+any situation, to obtain, from the circumstances of the present, any
+thing which may be, however remotely, advantageous in the future. Upon
+this principle he had acted in his conference with the King, and
+without any definite and immediate object but that of obtaining pardon
+for himself for past offences, he had induced the monarch, we must
+remember, to give him a document, of which he now proposed to take
+advantage. By a chemical process, very easily effected, he completely
+took out the ink in those parts of the document where his own name was
+written, and then, with slow and minute labour, substituted the name
+of his master in the place, imitating, even to the slightest stroke,
+the writing of the King. The date underwent the same change to suit
+his purpose, so that a complete pardon, in what appeared the undoubted
+hand of the King himself, was prepared for the Count de Morseiul.
+
+This step having been taken, Riquet contemplated his work with pride,
+but fear, and the matter remained there for the whole day: but by the
+next morning he had become habituated to daring; and, resolved to make
+the document complete, he spent eight hours in forging, underneath, an
+order, in due form, for the Count's liberation; and the most practised
+eye could have scarcely found any difference between the lines there
+written and those of the King himself. In all probability, if Riquet
+could have obtained a scrap of Louvois' writing he would have added
+the countersign of the minister, but, as that was not to be had, he
+again laid the paper by, and was seized with some degree of panic at
+what he had done.
+
+He had brought up, however, from Poitou, his lord's intendant, and
+several others of his confidential servants and attendants, promising
+them, with the utmost conceit and self-confidence, to set the Count at
+liberty. They now pressed him to fulfil his design, and while he
+hesitated, with some degree of tremour, the note which the old English
+officer had conveyed to him was put into his hands, and decided him at
+once. He entrusted the forged order to a person whom he could fully
+rely upon to deliver it at the gates of the Bastille, stationed his
+relays upon the road, and prepared every thing for his master's
+escape.
+
+Such was the account which he gave to his young lord, as he sat in the
+chateau of Angerville, and though he did not exactly express all that
+he had heard in regard to Clemence de Marly and the Chevalier d'Evran,
+he told quite enough to renew feelings in the bosom of the Count which
+he had struggled against long and eagerly.
+
+"Who were the men," demanded the Count, "that followed me on
+horseback?"
+
+"Both of them, Sir," replied the man, "were persons who would have
+delayed any pursuit of you at the peril of their own lives. One of
+them was your own man, Martin, whom you saved from being hung for a
+spy, by the night attack you made upon the Prince of Orange's
+quarters. The other, Sir, was poor Paul Virlay, who came up with the
+intendant of his own accord, with his heart well nigh broken, and with
+all the courage of despair about him."
+
+"Poor Paul Virlay!" exclaimed the Count--"his heart well nigh broken!
+Why, what has happened to him, Jerome? I left him in health and in
+happiness."
+
+"Ay, Sir," replied the man, "but things have changed since then. Two
+hellish priests--I've a great mind to become a Huguenot myself--got
+hold of his little girl, and got her to say, or at least swore that
+she said, she would renounce her father's religion. He was furious;
+and her mother, who had been ill for some days, grew worse, and took
+to her bed. The girl said she never had said so; the priests said she
+had, and brought a witness; and they seized her in her father's own
+house, and carried her away to a convent. He was out when it happened,
+and when he came back he found his wife dying and his child gone. The
+mother died two days after; and Paul, poor fellow, whose brain was
+quite turned, was away for three days with his large sledgehammer with
+him, which nobody but himself could wield. Every body said that he was
+gone to seek after the priests, to dash their brains out with the
+hammer, but they heard of it, and escaped out of the province; and at
+the end of three days he came back quite calm and cool, but every body
+saw that his heart was broken. I saw him at Morseiul, poor fellow, and
+I have seldom seen so terrible a sight. The mayor, who has turned
+Catholic, you know, Sir, asked him if he had gone after the priests,
+to which he said 'No;' but every one thinks that he did."
+
+While Riquet was telling this tale the Count had placed his hands
+before his eyes, and it was evident that he trembled violently, moved
+by terrible and strongly conflicting feelings, the fiery struggle of
+which might well have such an influence on his corporeal frame. He
+rose from his seat slowly, however, when the man had done, and walked
+up and down the room more than once with a stern heavy step. At
+length, turning to Riquet again, he demanded,
+
+"And in what state is the province?"
+
+"Why, almost in a state of revolt, Sir," replied Riquet. "As far as I
+can hear, there are as many as a couple of thousand men in arms in
+different places. It is true they are doing no great things; that the
+intendant of the province, sometimes with the Bishop, sometimes with
+the Abbe St. Helie, marches hither and thither with a large body of
+troops, and puts down the revolt here, or puts down the revolt there.
+Till he hears that it has broken out in another place, he remains
+where it last appeared, quartering his soldiers upon the inhabitants,
+and, in the order of the day, allowing them _to do every thing but
+kill_. Then he drives the people by thousands at a time to the
+churches of our religion, makes them take the mass, and breaks a few
+of them on the wheel when they spit the host out of their mouths. He
+then writes up to the King that he has made wonderful conversions; but
+before his letter can well reach Paris he is obliged to march to
+another part of the province, to put down the insurrection there, and
+to make converts, and break on the wheel as before."
+
+"Say no more, say no more," cried the Count. "Oh, God! wilt thou
+suffer this to go on?"
+
+Again he paced the room for several minutes, and then turning suddenly
+to Riquet, he said--"Riquet, you have shown yourself at once devoted,
+courageous, and resolute in the highest degree."
+
+"Oh, Sir," interrupted the man, "you mistake: I am the most desperate
+coward that ever breathed."
+
+"No jesting now, Riquet," said the Count, in a sorrowful tone; "no
+jesting now. My spirits are too much crushed, my heart too much torn
+to suffer me to hear one light word. After all that you have done for
+me, will you do one act more? Have you the courage to return to Paris
+this night, and carry a letter for me to Mademoiselle de Marly, and to
+bring me back her reply?"
+
+"Well, Sir, well," said Riquet, rubbing his hands, and then putting
+his fore-finger under his collar, and running it round his neck with a
+significant gesture, "a man can be hanged but once in his life, at
+least as far as I know of; and, as Caesar said, 'A brave man is but
+hanged once, a coward is hanged every day;' therefore, as I see no
+other object that my father and mother could have in bringing me into
+the world, but that I should be hanged in your service, I will go to
+Paris, at the risk of accomplishing my destiny, with all my heart."
+
+"Hark you, Riquet," replied the Count, "I will give you a means of
+security. If by any means you should be taken, and likely to be put to
+death for what you have done, tell those who take you, that, upon a
+distinct promise of pardon to you under the King's own hand, the Count
+of Morseiul will surrender himself in your place. I will give you that
+promise under my hand, if you like."
+
+"That is not necessary, Sir," replied Riquet. "Every body in all
+France knows that you keep your word. But pray write the letter
+quickly; for, ride as hard as I will, I shall have scarce time to
+reach Paris before bed-time; and I suppose you would not have the
+young lady wakened."
+
+There was a degree of cold bitterness in Riquet's manner when he spoke
+thus of Clemence, which made the Count of Morseiul feel that the man
+thought he was deceived. But still, after what had passed before, he
+felt that he was bound to be more upon his guard against himself than
+against others; and he resolved that he would not be suspicious, that
+he would drive from his bosom every such feeling, that he would
+remember the indubitable proofs of affection that she had given him,
+and that he would act toward her as if her whole conduct had been
+under his eye, and had been such as he could most approve. The
+materials for writing were instantly procured, and while Riquet caused
+a fresh horse to be saddled, and prepared for his journey, the Count
+sat down and wrote as follows:--
+
+
+"My Beloved Clemence,
+
+"Thank God, I am once more at liberty; but the brightness of that
+blessing, great as it is under any circumstances, would be nearly all
+tarnished and lost if I had not the hope that you would share it with
+me. I am now some way on the road to Poitou, where I hear that the
+most horrible and aggravated barbarities are daily being committed
+upon my fellow Protestants. My conduct there must be determined by
+circumstances; but I will own that my blood boils at the butchery and
+persecution I hear of. I remember the dear and cheering promises you
+have made--I remember the willingness and the joyfulness with which
+those promises were made, and that recollection renders it not
+madness,--renders it not selfishness to say to you, Come to me, my
+Clemence, come to me as speedily as possible; come and decide for me,
+when perhaps I may not have calmness to decide for myself! Come, and
+let us unite our fate for ever, and so far acquire the power of
+setting the will of the world at defiance. Were it possible, I would
+trust entirely to your love and your promises, in the hope that you
+would suffer the bearer of this, most faithful and devoted as he has
+shown himself to be, to guide you to me; but I fear that the little
+time he dare stay in Paris would render it impossible for you to make
+your escape with him. Should this, as I fear, be the case, write to
+me, if it be but a few lines, to tell me how I can assist or aid you
+in your escape, and when it can be made. Adieu! Heaven bless and guard
+you."
+
+
+Before he had concluded Riquet had again appeared, telling him that he
+was ready to set out, and taking the somewhat useless precaution to
+seal his letter, the Count gave it into his hands, and saw him depart.
+
+It was now about five o'clock in the evening; and as he knew that many
+a weary and expectant hour must pass before the man could return, the
+Count conferred with all the various attendants who had been collected
+at Angerville, and found that the account which Riquet had given him
+of the state of Poitou was confirmed in every respect. Each had some
+tale of horror or of cruelty. Paul Virlay, however, whom he had asked
+for more than once, did not appear; and it was discovered on inquiry
+that he had not even remained at Angerville, but with the cold and
+sullen sort of despair that had fallen upon him had ridden on, now
+that he judged the Count was in safety.
+
+After a time the young nobleman, anxious for some repose both of mind
+and of body, cast himself upon a bed, in the hope of obtaining sleep;
+but it visited not his eyelids; dark and horrible and agitating
+visions peopled the hours of darkness, though slumber had no share in
+calling them up. At length, full two hours before he had expected that
+Riquet could return, the sound of a horse's feet, coming at a rapid
+pace, struck the Count's ear, as he lay and listened to the howling of
+the November wind; and, starting up, he went to the window of the room
+and gazed out. It was a clear night, with the moon up, though there
+were some occasional clouds floating quickly over the sky, and he
+clearly saw that the horseman was Riquet, and alone. Proceeding into
+the other room where he had left a light, he hastened down to meet
+him, asking whether he had obtained an answer.
+
+"I have, Sir," replied the man; "though I saw not the fair lady
+herself: yet Maria, the waiting woman, brought it in no long time.
+There it is;" and drawing it from his pocket, he gave it into the
+Count's hand. Albert of Morseiul hastened back with the letter, and
+tore it eagerly open; but what were the words that his eyes saw?
+
+"Cruel and unkind," it began, "and must I not add--alas, must I not
+add even to the man that I love--ungenerous and ungrateful? What would
+I not have sacrificed, what would I not have done, rather than that
+this should have occurred, and that the first use you make of your
+liberty should be to fly to wage actual war against the crown! How
+shall I dare look up? I, who for weeks have been pleading that no such
+thought would ever enter into your noble and loyal nature. No, Albert,
+I cannot follow the messenger you send; or, to use the more true and
+straight-forward word, I _will_ not; and never by my presence with
+you, however much I may still love you, will I countenance the acts to
+which you are now hurrying."
+
+It was signed "Clemence;" but it fell from the Count's hand ere his
+eye had reached that word, and he gazed at it fixedly as it lay upon
+the ground for several moments, without attempting to raise it; then,
+turning with a sudden start to Riquet and another servant who stood
+by, as if for orders, he exclaimed--"To horse!"
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VI.
+
+                         THE PASTOR'S PRISON.
+
+
+The pillow of Clemence de Marly was wet with her tears, and sleep had
+not visited her eyes, when a quick knocking was heard at her door, and
+she demanded timidly who was there.
+
+"It is I, Madam," replied the voice of the Duchess de Rouvre's maid.
+
+"Then wait a moment, Mariette," replied Clemence, "and I will open the
+door. She rose, put on a dressing gown, and by the light of the lamp
+which still stood unextinguished on the table, she raised and
+concealed, in a small casket, two letters which she had left open, and
+which bore evident signs of having been wept over before she retired
+to rest. The one was in the clear free handwriting of youth and
+strength; the other was in characters, every line of which spoke the
+feeble hand of age, infirmity, or sickness. When that was done, she
+opened the door which was locked, and admitted the Duchess's maid, who
+was followed into the room by her own attendant Maria, who usually
+slept in a little chamber hard by.
+
+"What is the matter, Mariette?" demanded the young lady. "I can
+scarcely say that I have closed my eyes ere I am again disturbed."
+
+"I am sorry, Mademoiselle, to alarm you," replied the woman; "but
+Maria would positively not wake you, so I was obliged to do it, for
+the Duke was sent for just as he was going to bed, and after remaining
+for two hours with the King has returned, and given immediate orders
+to prepare for a long journey. The Duchess sent me to let you know
+that such was the case, and that the carriages would be at the door in
+less than two hours."
+
+"Do you know whither they are going," demanded Clemence, "and if I am
+to accompany them?"
+
+"I know nothing from the Duke or the Duchess, Mademoiselle," replied
+the woman, "but the Duke's valet said that we were going either to
+Brittany or Poitou, for my lord had brought away a packet from the
+King addressed to somebody in those quarters; and you are going
+certainly, Mademoiselle, for the Duchess told me to tell you so, and
+the valet says that it is on account of you we are going; for that the
+Chevalier came back with my lord the Duke, and when he parted with
+him, said, 'Tell Clemence, she shall hear from me soon.'"
+
+Clemence mused, but made no answer; and when in about an hour after,
+she descended to the saloon of the hotel, she found every thing in the
+confusion of departure, and the Duc de Rouvre standing by the table,
+at which his wife was seated, waiting for the moment of setting out,
+with a face wan, indeed, and somewhat anxious, but not so sorrowful or
+dejected as perhaps Clemence expected to see.
+
+"I fear, my dear Duke," she said, approaching him and leaning her two
+hands affectionately upon his arm, "I fear that you, who have been to
+your poor Clemence a father indeed, are destined to have even more
+than a father's share of pains and anxieties with her. I am sure that
+all this to-night is owing to me, or to those that are dear to me, and
+that you have fallen under the King's displeasure on account of the
+rash steps of him whom I cannot yet cease to love."
+
+"Not at all, my sweet Clemence; not at all, my sweet child," said the
+old nobleman, kissing her hand with that mingled air of gallant
+respect and affection which he always showed towards her. "I do not
+mean to say, that your fair self has nothing to do with this business
+in any way, but certainly not in that way. It is about another
+business altogether, Clemence, that we are ordered to retire from the
+court; but not in disgrace, my dear young friend, we are by no means
+in disgrace. The King is perfectly satisfied that you have had no
+share in all the business of poor Albert of Morseiul; and when I told
+him how bitterly and deeply grieved you were, and how struck to the
+heart you seemed to have been, when you heard that the Count had fled
+to join the rebels in Poitou, he told me to bid you console yourself,
+saying, that he would find you another and a better husband soon."
+
+Clemence's eyes were bent down upon the ground with an expression of
+grief and pain; but she looked up in a moment, and said, "Is it
+permitted me to ask you, my lord, how I am connected with this sudden
+removal?"
+
+"Nay," he said, "nay, sweet Clemence, that I must not tell you. I
+scruple not to say, that I think his Majesty is acting without due
+consideration; but, of course, my first duty, like that of all his
+other subjects, is to obey; and he particularly wishes that nothing
+should be said to you on the subject, as it might render one duty
+difficult by opposing to it another. At present the whole matter is
+quite simple; we have nothing to do but to set out as soon as these
+villanous lackeys have got the carriages ready."
+
+Thus saying, the Duke turned away, evidently wishing to avoid further
+inquiries, and in about half an hour after Clemence was rolling away
+from Versailles with the Duke and Duchess de Rouvre, followed by a
+long train of carriages and attendants.
+
+It is needless to trace a melancholy journey in the darkest and
+gloomiest weather of the month of November; but it was evident that
+the Duc de Rouvre was in haste, travelling early and late, and it also
+appeared, from his conversation as they went, that, though he was
+charged with no special mission from the King, he proposed only
+pausing for a short time in Poitou, and then bending his steps to some
+of his other estates. Indeed, he suffered it to be understood that, in
+all probability, for many months he should take but little repose,
+frequently changing his place of abode, and travelling from one city
+to another. Although the health of Madame de Rouvre was by no means
+vigorous, and though far and rapid travelling never, at any time, had
+agreed with her, she made no objection, but seemed contented and happy
+with the arrangement, and even suggested that a journey to Italy might
+be beneficial to them all.
+
+Clemence wondered but was silent; and at length, late on the afternoon
+of the sixth day after their departure, they arrived at the small town
+of Thouars, over which was brooding the dark grey fogs of a November
+evening. Not many miles remained to travel from Thouars to Ruffigny;
+and the Duke, who was of course well known in that part of the
+country, received visits of congratulation on his arrival from the
+principal officers and inhabitants of the town. At these visits,
+however, Clemence was not present. She sent down an excuse for not
+appearing during the evening; and when the Duke sent up to say he
+wished to see her for a moment, she was not to be found, nor had she,
+indeed, returned at the end of an hour.
+
+Where was Clemence de Marly? it may be asked. She was in the dark and
+gloomy abode, often of crime and often of innocence, but ever of
+anguish and of sorrow. She was in the prison of the old chateau of
+Thouars. Not, indeed, as one of those unfortunate beings, the
+involuntary inmates of the place, but as one coming upon the sad and
+solemn errand of visiting a dear and well-beloved friend for the last
+time. The office of governor of the prison, as it was seldom if ever
+used for the confinement of state offenders, had been suffered to fall
+into the hands of the mayor of the place, who delegated his charge to
+an old lieutenant, who again entrusted it to two subordinate gaolers,
+antique and rusty in their office as the keys they carried. It was
+with one of these that Clemence was speaking eagerly in the small dark
+passage that led into the interior of the building. She was habited in
+the ordinary grey cloak in which we have seen her twice before, and
+had with her still, on this occasion also, the faithful servant who
+had then attended her.
+
+"Come, come, pretty mistress," said the man, thrusting himself
+steadfastly in the way, "I tell you it is as much as my head is worth.
+He is condemned to be broken on the wheel to-morrow, and I dare admit
+nobody to him."
+
+"Look at these," said Clemence, pouring some gold pieces from her
+purse into her open hand. "I offer you these if you will allow me to
+speak with him for an hour, and if you refuse I shall certainly insist
+upon seeing the lieutenant of the governor himself. You know what
+manner of man he is, and whether he will reject what I shall offer
+him; so he will get the money, and you will not, and I shall see the
+prisoner notwithstanding."
+
+The man's resolution was evidently shaken to the foundation. He was an
+old man and fond of gold. The sight was pleasant to him, and, putting
+forth his hand, he lifted one piece between his finger and thumb,
+turned it over, and dropped it back again upon the others. The sound
+completed what the touch had begun.
+
+"Well," he said at length, "I do not see why he should get it and I
+not. He is asleep, too, now in the arm-chair; so it were a pity to
+wake him. You want to be with the old man an hour, do you, young
+woman? Well, you must both go in then; and I must go away and be
+absent with the keys, for fear the lieutenant should wake and go to
+see the prisoner."
+
+"Do you mean to lock us in with him, then?" exclaimed the maid, in
+some terror.
+
+"Fear not, Maria!" said her mistress. "You, who have ever given me
+encouragement and support, must not fear now. There is God even here."
+
+"Be quick, then, and come along," said the gaoler, "but first give me
+the money." Clemence poured it into his hand; and when he had got it,
+he paused, hesitating as if he were tempted by the spirit of evil to
+keep the gold and refuse her admission. But if such were the case, a
+moment's reflection showed him that to attempt it would be ruinous;
+and he, therefore, led the way along the passage in which they were,
+putting his finger upon his lips to enjoin silence, as they passed by
+a part of the prison which seemed to be inhabited by those who had
+some means of obtaining luxuries. At length, however, he lowered a
+lantern which he carried, and pointed to two or three steps which led
+into another passage, narrower, damper, and colder than the former. At
+the distance of about fifty feet from the steps this corridor was
+crossed by another; and turning to the right over a rough uneven
+flooring of earth, with the faint light of the lantern gleaming here
+and there on the damp green glistening mould of the walls, he walked
+on till he reached the end, and then opened a low heavy door.
+
+All within was dark, and, as the man drew back to let his female
+companions pass, the attendant, Maria, laid her hand upon the lantern,
+saying, "Give us a light, at least!"
+
+"Ah! well, you may have it," grumbled forth the gaoler; and Clemence,
+who though resolute to her purpose, still felt the natural fears of
+her sex and her situation, turned to him, saying, "I give you three
+more of those pieces when you open the door again for me."
+
+"Oh, I'll do that--I'll do that!" replied the man, quickened by the
+gold; and while Maria took the lantern and passed the door, Clemence
+gazed down the step or two that led into the dungeon, and then with a
+pale cheek and wrung heart followed. The door closed behind them; the
+harsh bolt of the lock grated as the man turned the key; and, the
+power of retreat being at an end, the beautiful girl threw back the
+hood of the cloak, and gazed on before her into the obscure vault,
+which the feeble light of the lantern had scarcely deprived of any
+part of its darkness. The only thing that she could perceive, at
+first, was a large heavy pillar in the midst, supporting the pointed
+vault of the dungeon, with the faint outline of a low wooden bed, with
+the head thereof resting against the column.
+
+No one spoke; and nothing but a faint moan broke the awful silence. It
+required the pause of a moment or two ere Clemence could overcome the
+feelings of her own heart sufficiently to take the lantern and
+advance; opening a part of the dim horn as she did so, in order to
+give greater light. A step or two farther forward brought her to the
+side of the bed; and the light of the lantern now showed her
+distinctly the venerable form of Claude de l'Estang stretched out upon
+the straw with which the pallet was filled. A heavy chain was round
+his middle, and the farther end thereof was fastened to a stanchion in
+the column.
+
+The minister was dressed in a loose grey prison gown, and, although he
+saw the approach of some one in the abode of misery in which he was
+placed, he moved not at all, but remained with his arm bent under his
+head, his eyes turned slightly towards the door, his lower lip
+dropping as if with debility or pain, and his whole attitude
+displaying the utter lassitude and apathy of exhaustion and despair.
+When Clemence was within a foot or two of his side, however, he slowly
+raised his eyes towards her; and in a moment, when he beheld her face,
+a bright gleam came over his faded countenance, awakening in it all
+those peculiar signs and marks of strong intellect and intense feeling
+which the moment before had seemed extinct and gone. It was like the
+lightning flashing over some noble ruin in the midst of the deep
+darkness of the night.
+
+"Is it you, my sweet child?" he cried, in a faint voice that was
+scarcely audible even in the midst of the still silence. "Is it you
+that have come to visit me in this abode of wretchedness and agony?
+This is indeed a blessing and a comfort; a blessing to see that there
+are some faithful even to the last, a comfort and a joy to find that
+she on whose truth and steadfastness I had fixed such hopes, has not
+deceived me;--and yet," he exclaimed, while Clemence gazed upon him
+with the tears rolling rapidly over her cheeks, and the sobs
+struggling hard for utterance, "and yet, why, oh why have you come
+here? why have you risked so much, my child, to soothe the few short
+hours that to-morrow's noon shall see at an end?"
+
+"Oh, dear friend," said Clemence, kneeling down beside the pallet,
+"could I do otherwise, when I was in this very town, than strive to
+see you, my guide, my instructor, my teacher in right, my warner of
+the path that I ought to shun? Could I do otherwise, when I thought
+that there was none to soothe, that there was none to console you,
+that in the darkness and the agony of these awful hours there was not
+one voice to speak comfort, or to say one word of sympathy?"
+
+"My child, you are mistaken," replied the old man, striving to raise
+himself upon his arm, and sinking back again with a low groan. "There
+has been one to comfort, there has been one to support me. He, to whom
+I go, has never abandoned me: neither in the midst of insult and
+degradation; no, nor in the moment of agony and torture, nor in those
+long and weary hours that have passed since they bore these ancient
+limbs from the rack on which they had bound them, and cast them down
+here to endure the time in darkness, in pain, and in utter
+helplessness, till at noon to-morrow the work will be accomplished on
+the bloody wheel, and the prisoner in this ruined clay will receive a
+joyful summons to fly far to his Redeemer's throne."
+
+The tears rained down from the eyes of Clemence de Marly like the
+drops of a summer shower; but she dared not trust herself to speak:
+and after pausing to take breath, which came evidently with
+difficulty, the old man went on, "But still I say, Clemence, still I
+say, why have you come hither? You know not the danger, you know not
+the peril in which you are."
+
+"What!" cried Clemence, "should I fear danger, should I fear peril in
+such a case as this? Let them do to me what they will, let them do to
+me what God permits them to do. To have knelt here beside you, to have
+spoken one word of comfort to you, to have wiped the drops from that
+venerable brow in this awful moment, would be a sufficient recompense
+to Clemence de Marly for all that she could suffer."
+
+"God forbid," cried the pastor, "that they should make you suffer as
+they can. You know not what it is, my child--you know not what it is!
+If it were possible that an immortal spirit, armed with God's truth,
+should consent unto a lie, that torture might well produce so awful a
+falling off! But you recall me, my child, to what I was saying. I have
+not been alone, I have not been uncomforted even here. The word of God
+has been with me in my heart, the Spirit of God has sustained my
+spirit, the sufferings of my Saviour have drowned my sufferings, the
+hope of immortality has made me bear the utmost pains of earth. When
+they had taken away the printed words from before mine eyes, when they
+had shut out the light of heaven, so that I could not have seen, even
+if the holy book had been left, they thought they had deprived me of
+my solace. But they forgot that every word thereof was in my heart;
+that it was written there, with the bright memories of my early days;
+that it was traced there with the calm recollections of my manhood;
+that it was printed there with sufferings and with tears; that it was
+graven there with smiles and joys; that with every act of my life, and
+thought of my past being, those words of the revealed will of God were
+mingled, and never could be separated; and it came back to me even
+here, and blessed me in the dungeon; it came back to me before the
+tribunal of my enemies, and gave me a mouth and wisdom; it came back
+to me on the torturing rack, and gave me strength to endure without a
+groan; it came back to me even as I was lying mangled here, and made
+the wheel of to-morrow seem a blessed resting-place."
+
+"Alas, alas!" cried Clemence, "when I see you here; when I see you
+thus suffering; when I see you thus the sport of cruelty and
+persecution, I feel that I have judged too harshly of poor Albert, in
+regard to his taking arms against the oppressors; I feel that perhaps,
+like him, I should have thus acted, even though I called the charge of
+ingratitude upon my head."
+
+"And is he free, then? is he free?" demanded the pastor, eagerly.
+
+"He is free," replied Clemence, "and, as we hear, in arms against the
+King."
+
+"Oh, entreat him to lay them down," exclaimed the pastor; "beseech him
+not to attempt it  Tell him that ruin and death can be the only
+consequences: tell him that the Protestant church is at an end in
+France: tell him that flight to lands where the pure faith is known
+and loved is the only hope: tell him that resistance is destruction to
+him, and to all others. Tell him so, my child, tell him so from me:
+tell him so--but, hark!" he continued, "what awful sound is that?" for
+even while he was speaking, and apparently close to the spot where the
+dungeon was situated, a sharp explosion took place, followed by a
+multitude of heavy blows given with the most extraordinary rapidity.
+No voices were distinguished for some minutes; and the blows continued
+without a moment's cessation, thundering one upon the other with a
+vehemence and force which seemed to shake the whole building.
+
+"It is surely," said Clemence, "somebody attacking the prison door.
+Perhaps, oh Heaven! perhaps it is some one trying to deliver you."
+
+"Heaven forbid!" exclaimed the old man; "Heaven forbid that they
+should madly rush to such an attempt for the purpose of saving, for a
+few short hours, this wretched frame from that death which will be a
+relief. Hark, do you not hear cries and shouts?"
+
+Clemence listened, and she distinctly heard many voices apparently
+elevated, but at a distance, while the sound of the blows continued
+thundering upon what was evidently the door of the prison, and a low
+murmur, as if of persons speaking round, joined with the space to make
+the farther cries indistinct. A pause succeeded for a moment or two;
+but then came the sound of galloping horse, and then a sharp discharge
+of musketry, instantly followed by the loud report of fire-arms from a
+spot immediately adjacent to the building. Clemence clasped her hands
+in terror, while her attendant Maria, filled with the dangerous
+situation in which they were placed, ran and pushed the door of the
+dungeon, idly endeavouring to force it open.
+
+In the mean while, for two or three minutes nothing was heard but
+shouts and cries, with two or three musket shots; then came a volley,
+then another, then two or three more shots, then the charging of horse
+mingled with cries, and shouts, and screams, while still the
+thundering blows continued, and at length a loud and tremendous crash
+was heard shaking the whole building. A momentary pause succeeded, the
+blows were no longer heard, and the next sound was the rush of many
+feet. A moment of doubt and apprehension, of anxiety, nay of terror,
+followed. Clemence was joyful at the thought of the pastor's
+deliverance; but what, she asked herself, was to be her own fate, even
+if the purpose of those who approached was the good man's liberation.
+Another volley from without broke in upon the other sounds; but in an
+instant after the rushing of the feet approached the door where they
+were, and manifold voices were heard speaking.
+
+"It is locked," cried one; "where can the villain be with the keys?"
+
+"Get back," cried another loud voice; "give me but a fair stroke at
+it."
+
+A blow like thunder followed; and, seeming to fall upon the locks and
+bolts of the door, dashed them at once to pieces, driving a part of
+the wood-work into the dungeon itself. Two more blows cast the whole
+mass wrenched from its hinges to the ground. A multitude of people
+rushed in, some of them bearing lights, all armed to the teeth, some
+bloody, some begrimed with smoke and gunpowder; fierce excitement
+flashing from every eye, and eager energy upon every face.
+
+"He is here, he is here," they shouted to the others without. "Make
+way, make way, let us bring him out."
+
+"But who are these women?" cried another voice.
+
+"Friends, friends, dear friends, come to comfort me," cried the
+pastor.
+
+"Blessings on the tongue that so often has taught us," cried other
+voices, while several ran forward and kissed his hands with tears;
+"blessings on the heart that has guided and directed us."
+
+"Stand back, my friends, stand back," cried a gigantic man, with an
+immense sledge-hammer in his hand, "let me break the chain;" and at a
+single blow he dashed the strong links to atoms.
+
+"Now bring them all along!" he cried, "now bring them all along! Take
+up the good man on the bed, and carry him out."
+
+"Bring them all along! bring them all along!" cried a thousand voices,
+and without being listened to in any thing that she had to say,
+Clemence, clinging as closely as she could to her attendant, was
+hurried out along the narrow passages of the prison, which were now
+flashing with manifold lights, into the dark little square which was
+found filled with people. Multitudes of lights were in all the windows
+round, and, covering the prison, a strong band of men were drawn up
+facing the opposite street. A number of persons on horseback were in
+front of the band, and, by the lights which were flashing from the
+torches in the street, one commanding figure appeared to the eyes of
+Clemence at the very moment she was brought forth from the doors of
+the prison, stretching out his hand towards the men behind him, and
+shouting, in a voice that she could never forget, though now that
+voice was raised into tones of loud command, such as she had never
+heard it use. "Hold! hold! the man that fires a shot dies! Not one
+unnecessary shot, not one unnecessary blow!"
+
+Clemence strove to turn that way, and to fly towards the hotel where
+Monsieur de Rouvre lodged; but she was borne away by the stream, which
+seemed to be now retreating from the town. At the same moment an armed
+man laid gently hold of her cloak, seeing her efforts to free herself,
+and said,--
+
+"This way, lady, this way. It is madness for you to think to go back
+now. You are with friends. You are with one who will protect you with
+his life, for your kindness to the murdered and the lost."
+
+She turned round to gaze upon him, not recollecting his voice; and his
+face, in the indistinct light, seemed to her like a face remembered in
+a dream, connected with the awful scene of the preaching on the moor,
+and the dark piece of water, and the dying girl killed by the shot of
+the dragoons. Ere she could ask any questions, however, the stream of
+people hurried her on, and in a few minutes she was out of Thouars,
+and in the midst of the open country round.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VII.
+
+                     THE DEATH OF THE PERSECUTED.
+
+
+When the flight had been conducted for about two miles in the midst of
+the perfect darkness which surrounded the whole scene--for the lights
+and torches which had appeared in the town had been extinguished with
+the exception of one or two, on leaving it--the voice which had before
+addressed Clemence de Marly again spoke nearer, apparently giving
+command, as some one in authority over the others.
+
+"Where is the litter?" he exclaimed.--"Where is the litter that was
+brought for the good minister? Bring it hither: he will be more easy
+in that."
+
+Clemence had kept as near as she could to the spot where Claude de
+l'Estang was carried, and she now heard him answer in a faint and
+feeble voice,--
+
+"Do not move me: in pity do not move me. My limbs are so strained and
+dislocated by the rack, that the slightest movement pains me. Carry me
+as I am, if you will; but move me not from this bed."
+
+"Well, then, place these two ladies in the litter," said the same
+voice. "We shall go faster then."
+
+Without asking her consent, Clemence de Marly was placed in the small
+hand-litter which had been brought for the pastor; her maid took the
+place by her side, and, lifted on the shoulders of four men, she was
+carried on more quickly, gaining a faint and indistinct view of what
+was passing around, from the more elevated situation in which she now
+was.
+
+They were mounting slowly the side of the hill, about two miles from
+the town of Thouars, and she could catch a distant view of the dark
+towers and masses of the town as it then existed, rising above the
+objects around. From thence, as far as her eye was able to
+distinguish, a stream of people was flowing on all along the road to
+the very spot where she was, and several detached parties were seen
+here and there, crossing the different eminences on either side, so
+that the force assembled must have been very considerable. She
+listened eagerly for any sound from the direction of Thouars,
+apprehensive at every moment that she would hear the firing renewed;
+for she knew, or at least she believed she knew, that Albert of
+Morseiul, with the better disciplined band which he seemed to command,
+would be the last to leave the city he had so boldly entered. Nothing,
+however, confirmed her expectation. There was a reddish light over the
+town, as if there were either fires in the streets, or that the houses
+were generally lighted up; but all was silent, except a dull distant
+murmur, heard when the sound of the marching feet ceased from any
+cause for a moment. Few words passed between Clemence and her
+attendant; for though Maria was a woman of a calm determined spirit in
+moments of immediate danger, and possessed with a degree of religious
+zeal, which was a strong support in times of peril and difficulty, yet
+the scenes in the prison and the dungeon, the horrors which she had
+only dreamt of before brought actually before her eyes, had not
+precisely unnerved, but had rendered her thoughtful and silent. The
+only sentence which she ventured to address to her mistress, without
+being spoken to, was,--
+
+"Oh, Madam, is the young Count so much to blame, after all?"
+
+"Alas, Maria," replied Clemence, in the same low tone, "I think that
+all are to blame, more or less. Deep provocation has certainly been
+given; but I do think that Albert ought to have acted differently. He
+had not these scenes before his eyes when he fled to put himself at
+the head of the insurgents; and ere he did so, he certainly owed
+something to me and something to the King. Nevertheless, since I have
+seen what I have seen, and heard what I have heard, I can make excuses
+which I could not make before."
+
+The attendant made no reply, and the conversation dropped. The march
+continued rapidly for three or four hours, till at length there was a
+short halt; and a brief consultation seemed to take place between two
+or three of the leaders on horseback. The principal part of the men on
+foot, exhausted as it appeared by great exertion, sat or lay down by
+the road side; but ere the conference had gone on for above five
+minutes, a cavalier, followed by several other men on horseback, came
+up at the full gallop; and again the deep mellow tones of that
+remarkable voice struck the ear of Clemence de Marly, and made her
+whole frame thrill. His words, or as they appeared commands, were but
+few; and, without either approaching the side of Claude de l'Estang or
+herself, he rode back again in haste, and the march was renewed.
+
+Ere long a fine cold rain began to fall, chilling those it lighted on
+to the very heart; and Clemence thought she perceived that as they
+advanced the number of people gradually fell away. At length, after a
+long and fatiguing march through the night, as the faint grey of the
+dawn began to appear, she found that, at the very utmost, there were
+not above a hundred of the armed Protestants around her. The party was
+evidently under the command of a short but powerfully made man, on
+horseback, whom she recognised as the person who had carried the
+unfortunate novice Claire in his arms to the house of Claude de
+l'Estang. He rode on constantly by the side of the bed in which the
+good pastor was carried on men's shoulders, and bowing down his head
+from time to time, he spoke to him with what seemed words of comfort
+and hope. They were now on a part of the road from Thouars towards
+Nantes, that passed through the midst of one of those wide sandy
+tracts called in France _landes_, across which a sort of causeway had
+been made by felled trees, rough and painful of passage even to the
+common carts of the country. This causeway, however, was soon quitted
+by command of Armand Herval. One party took its way through the sands
+to the right; and the rest, following the litters, bent their course
+across the country, towards a spot where a dark heavy line bounded the
+portion of the _landes_ within sight, and seemed to denote a large
+wood of the deep black pine, which grows better than any other tree in
+that sandy soil. It was near an hour before they reached the wood; and
+even underneath its shadow the shifting sand continued, only
+diversified a little by a few thin blades of green grass, sufficient
+to feed the scanty flocks of sheep, which form the only riches of that
+tract.
+
+In the midst of the wood--where they had found or formed a little
+oasis around them--were two shepherds' cottages; and to these the
+party commanded by Armand Herval at once directed its course. An old
+man and two boys came out as they approached, but with no signs of
+surprise; and Claude de l'Estang was carried to one of the cottages,
+into which Clemence followed. She had caught a sight of the good man's
+face as they bore him past her, and she saw that there was another sad
+and painful task before her, for which she nerved her mind.
+
+"Now, good Antoine," said Armand Herval, speaking to one of the
+shepherds, "lead out the sheep with all speed, and take them over all
+the tracks of men and horses that you may meet with. You will do it
+carefully, I know. We have delivered the good man, as you see; but I
+fear--I fear much that we have after all come too late, for the
+butchers have put him to the question, and almost torn him limb from
+limb. God knows I made what speed I could, and so did the Count."
+
+The old shepherd to whom he spoke made no reply, but listened, gazing
+in his face with a look of deep melancholy. One of the younger men who
+stood by, however, said, "We heard the firing. I suppose they strove
+hard to keep him."
+
+"That they assuredly did!" replied Herval, his brows knitting as he
+spoke; "and if we had not been commanded by such a man, they would not
+only have kept him, but us too. One half of our people failed us.
+Boursault was not there. Kerac and his band never came. We were full
+seven hundred short, and then the petard went off too soon, and did no
+good, but brought the whole town upon us. They had dragoons, too, from
+Niort; and tried first to drive us back, then to take us in flank by
+the tower-street, then to barricade the way behind us; but they found
+they had to do with a Count de Morseiul, and they were met every
+where, and every where defeated. Yet, after all," continued the man,
+"he will ruin us from his fear of shedding any blood but his own. But
+I must go in and see after the good man; and then speed to the woods.
+We shall be close round about, and one sound of a conch[3] will bring
+a couple of hundred to help you, good Antoine."
+
+
+---------------------
+
+[Footnote 3: This large shell is used in many of the sea-coast
+districts of France still, for the purpose of giving signals. The
+sound, when properly blown, is very powerful and peculiar. They assert
+that across a level country it can be heard six miles. I have myself
+heard it more than two, and so distinctly, that it must have been
+audible at a much greater distance.]
+
+---------------------
+
+
+Thus saying, he went into the cottage, where Clemence had already
+taken her place by the side of the unhappy pastor's bed; and, on the
+approach of Herval, she raised her finger gently to indicate that he
+slept. He had, indeed, fallen into momentary slumber, utterly
+exhausted by suffering and fatigue; but the fallen temples--the
+sharpened features--the pale ashy hue of the countenance, showed to
+the eyes of Clemence, at least, that the sleep was not that from which
+he would wake refreshed and better. Herval, less acute in his
+perceptions, judged differently; and, after assuring Clemence in a
+whisper that she was quite in safety there, as the woods round were
+filled with the band, he left her, promising to return ere night.
+
+Clemence would fain have asked after Albert of Morseiul, and might,
+perhaps, have expressed a wish to see him; but there were strange
+feelings of timidity in her heart which kept her silent till the man
+was gone, and then she regretted that she had not spoken, and accused
+herself of weakness. During the time that she now sat watching by the
+pastor's side, she had matter enough for thought in her own situation.
+What was now to become of her, was a question that frequently
+addressed itself to her heart; and, more than once, as she thus sat
+and pondered, the warm ingenuous blood rushed up into her cheek at
+thoughts which naturally arose in her bosom from the consideration of
+the strange position in which she was placed. Albert of Morseiul had
+not seen her, she knew. He could not even divine or imagine that she
+was at Thouars at all, much less in the prison itself; but yet she
+felt somewhat reproachfully towards him, as if he should have divined
+that it was she whom he saw borne along, not far from the unhappy
+pastor. Though she acknowledged, too, in her own heart, that there
+were great excuses to be made for the decided part which her lover had
+taken in the insurrection of that part of the country, still she was
+not satisfied, altogether, with his having done so; still she called
+him, in her own heart, both rash and ungrateful.
+
+On the other hand, she remembered, that she had written to him in
+haste, and in some degree of anger, or, at least, of bitter
+disappointment; that she had refused, without explaining all the
+circumstances which prevented her, to share his flight as she had
+previously promised; that, hurried and confused, she had neither told
+him that, at the very time she was writing, the Duchess de Rouvre
+waited to accompany her to the court, and that to fly at such a moment
+was impossible; nor that, during the whole of the following day, she
+was to remain at Versailles, where the eyes of every one would be upon
+her, more especially attracted towards her by the news of her lover's
+flight, which must, by that time, be generally known. She feared, too,
+that in that letter she had expressed herself harshly, even unkindly;
+she feared that those very words might have driven the Count into the
+desperate course which he had adopted, and she asked herself, with
+feelings such as she had never experienced before, when contemplating
+a meeting with Albert of Morseiul, how would he receive her?
+
+In short, in thinking of the Count, she felt that she had been
+somewhat in the wrong in regard to her conduct towards him. But she
+felt, also, at the same time, that he had been likewise in the wrong,
+and, therefore, what she had first to anticipate were the words of
+mutual reproach, rather than the words of mutual affection. Such was
+one painful theme of thought, and how she was to shape her own
+immediate conduct was another. To return to the house of the Duc de
+Rouvre seemed utterly out of the question. She had been found in the
+prison of Claude de l'Estang. Her religious feelings could no longer
+be concealed; her renunciation of the Catholic faith was sure, at that
+time, to be looked upon as nothing short of treason; and death or
+eternal imprisonment was the only fate that would befall her, if she
+were once cast into the hands of the Roman Catholic party.
+
+What then was she to do? Was she to throw herself at once upon the
+protection of Albert of Morseiul? Was she to bind her fate to his for
+ever, at the very moment when painful points of difference had arisen
+between them? Was she to cast herself upon his bounty as a suppliant,
+instead of holding the same proud situation she had formerly
+held,--instead of being enabled to confer upon him that which he would
+consider an inestimable benefit, while she herself enhanced its value
+beyond all price, by the sacrifice of all and every thing for him? Was
+she now, on the contrary,--when it seemed as if she had refused to
+make that sacrifice for his sake,--to come to him, as a fugitive,
+claiming his protection, to demand his bounty and his support, and to
+supplicate permission to share the fate in which he might think she
+had shown a disinclination to participate, till she was compelled to
+do so?
+
+The heart of Clemence de Marly was wrung at the thought. She knew that
+Albert of Morseiul was generous, noble, kind-hearted. She felt that,
+very likely, he might view the case in much brighter hues than she
+herself depicted it to her own mind; she felt that, if she were a
+suppliant to him, no reproach would ever spring to his lips; no cold
+averted look would ever tell her that he thought she had treated him
+ill. But she asked herself whether those reproaches would not be in
+his heart; and the pride, which might have taken arms and supported
+her under any distinct and open charge, gave way at the thought of
+being condemned, and yet cherished.
+
+How should she act, then? how should she act? she asked herself; and
+as Clemence de Marly was far from one of those perfect creatures who
+always act right from the first impulse, the struggle between
+contending feelings was long and terrible, and mingled with some
+tears. Her determination, however, was right at length.
+
+"I will tell him all I have felt, and all I think," she said. "I will
+utter no reproach: I will say not one word to wound him: I will let
+him see once more, how deeply and truly I love him. I will hear,
+without either pride or anger, any thing that Albert of Morseiul will
+say to me, and then, having done so, I will trust to his generosity to
+do the rest. I need not fear! Surely, I need not fear!" and, with this
+resolution, she became more composed, the surest and the strongest
+proof that it was right.
+
+But, to say the truth, since the perils of the night just passed,
+since she had beheld him she loved in a new character; since, with her
+own eyes, she had seen him commanding in the strife of men, and every
+thing seeming to yield to the will of his powerful and intrepid mind,
+new feelings had mingled with her love for him, of which, what she had
+experienced when he rode beside her at the hunting party at Poitiers,
+had been but, as it were, a type. It was not fear, but it was some
+degree of awe. She felt that, with all her own strength of mind, with
+all her own brightness of intellect and self-possession, there were
+mightier qualities in his character to which she must bow down: that
+she, in fact, was woman, altogether woman, in his presence.
+
+As she thus thought, a slight motion on the bed where Claude de
+l'Estang was laid made her turn her eyes thither. The old man had
+awoke from his short slumber, and his eyes, still bright and
+intelligent, notwithstanding the approach of death and the exhaustion
+of his shattered frame, were turned towards her with an earnest and a
+melancholy expression.
+
+"I hope you feel refreshed," said Clemence, bending over him. "You
+have had some sleep; and I trust it has done you good."
+
+"Do not deceive yourself, my dear child," replied the old man. "No
+sleep can do me good, but that deep powerful one which is soon coming.
+I wait but God's will, Clemence, and I trust that he will soon give
+the spirit liberty. It will be in mercy, Clemence, that he sends
+death; for were life to be prolonged, think what it would be to this
+torn and mangled frame. Neither hand nor foot can I move, nor were it
+possible to give back strength to my limbs or ease to my body. Every
+hour that I remain, I look upon but as a trial of patience and of
+faith, and I will not murmur: no, Clemence, not even in thought,
+against His almighty will, who bids me drag on the weary minutes
+longer. But yet, when the last of those minutes has come, oh! how
+gladly shall I feel the summons that others dread and fly from! I
+would fain, my child," he said, "I would fain hear: and from your
+lips: some of that blessed word which the misguided persecutors of our
+church deny unmutilated to the blind followers of their faith, though
+every word therein speaks hope, and consolation, and counsel, and
+direction to the heart of man."
+
+"Alas! good father," replied Clemence, "the Bible which I always carry
+with me, was left behind when I came to see you in prison, and I know
+not where to find one here."
+
+"The people in this, or the neighbouring cottage, have one," said the
+pastor. "They are good honest souls, whom I have often visited in
+former days."
+
+As the good woman of the cottage had gone out, almost immediately
+after the arrival of the party, to procure some herbs, which she
+declared would soothe the pastor greatly, Clemence proceeded to the
+other cottage, where she found an old man with a Bible in his hand,
+busily reading a portion thereof to a little boy who stood near. He
+looked up, and gave her the book as soon as she told him the purpose
+for which she came, and then, following into the cottage where the
+pastor lay, he and the boy stood by, and listened attentively while
+she read such chapters as Claude de l'Estang expressed a wish to hear.
+Those chapters were not, in general, such as might have been supposed.
+They were not those which hold out the glorious promises of
+everlasting life to men who suffer for their faith in this state of
+being. They were not such as pourtray to us, in its real and spiritual
+character, that other world, to which the footsteps of all are
+tending. It seemed as if, of such things, the mind of the pastor was
+so fully convinced, so intimately and perfectly sure, that they were
+as parts of his own being. But the passages that he selected were
+those in which our Redeemer lays down all the bright, perfect, and
+unchangeable precepts for the rule and governance of man's own
+conduct, which form the only code of law and philosophy that can
+indeed be called divine. And in that last hour it seemed the greatest
+hope and consolation which the dying man could receive, to ponder upon
+those proofs of divine love and wisdom which nothing but the Spirit of
+God himself could have dictated.
+
+Thus passed the whole of the day. From time to time Clemence paused,
+and the pastor spoke a few words to those who surrounded him: words of
+humble comment on what was read, or pious exhortation. At other times,
+when his fair companion was tired, the attendant Maria would take the
+book and read. No noises, no visit from without, disturbed the calm.
+It seemed as if their persecutors were at fault; and though from time
+to time one of the different members of those shepherd families passed
+in or out, no other persons were seen moving upon the face of the
+_landes_; no sounds were heard but their own low voices throughout the
+short light of a November day. To one fresh from the buzz of cities,
+and the busy activity of man, the contrast of the stillness and the
+solitude was strange; but doubly strange and exceeding solemn were
+they to the mind of her who came, fresh from the perturbed and fevered
+visions of the preceding night, and saw that day lapse away like a
+long and quiet sleep.
+
+Towards the dusk of the evening, however, her attendant laid her hand
+upon her arm as she was still reading, saying, "There is a change
+coming;" and Clemence paused and gazed down upon the old man's
+countenance. It looked very grey; but whether from the shadows of the
+evening, or from the loss of whatever hue of living health remained,
+she could hardly tell. But the difference was not so great in the
+colour as in the expression. The look of pain and suffering which,
+notwithstanding all his efforts to bear his fate with tranquillity,
+had still marked that fine expressive countenance, was gone, and a
+calm and tranquil aspect had succeeded, although the features were
+extremely sharpened, the eye sunk, and the temples hollow. It was the
+look of a body and a spirit at peace; and, for a moment, as the eyes
+were turned up towards the sky, Clemence imagined that the spirit was
+gone: but the next moment he looked round towards her, as if inquiring
+why she stopped.
+
+"How are you, Sir?" she said. "You seem more at ease."
+
+"I am quite at ease, Clemence," replied the old man. "All pain has
+left me. I am somewhat cold, but that is natural; and for the last
+half hour the remains of yesterday's agony have been wearing away, as
+I have seen snow upon a hill's side melt in the April sunshine. It is
+strange, and scarcely to be believed, that death should be so
+pleasant; for this is death, my child, and I go away from this world
+of care and pain with a foretaste of the mercies of the next. It is
+very slow, but still it is coming, Clemence, and bringing healing on
+its wings. Death, the messenger of God's will, to one that trusts in
+his mercy, is indeed the harbinger of that peace of God which passes
+all understanding."
+
+He paused a little, and his voice had grown considerably weaker, even
+while he spoke. "God forgive my enemies," he said at length, "and the
+mistaken men who persecute others for their soul's sake. God forgive
+them, and yield them a better light; for, oh how I wish that all men
+could feel death only as I feel it!"
+
+Such were the last words of Claude de l'Estang. They were perfectly
+audible and distinct to every one present, and they were spoken with
+the usual calm sweet simplicity of manner which had characterised all
+the latter part of his life. But after he had again paused for two or
+three minutes, he opened his lips as if to say something more, but no
+sound was heard. He instantly felt that such was the case, and ceased;
+but he feebly stretched forth his hand toward Clemence, who bent her
+head over it, and dewed it with her tears.
+
+When she raised her eyes, they fell upon the face of the dead.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER VIII.
+
+                       THE DISCOVERY OF ERROR.
+
+
+We must now change the scene and time, though the spot to which we
+will conduct the reader is not situated more than ten miles from that
+in which the events took place recorded in the last chapter, and only
+one day's interval had elapsed. Considerably more inland, it presented
+none of that sandy appearance which characterises the _landes_. The
+vegetation also was totally different, the rich, even rank, grass
+spreading under the tall trees of the forest, and the ivy covering
+those which had lost their leaves thus early in the year.
+
+There was a little chateau belonging to an inferior noble of the
+province, situated in the midst of one of those wide woods which the
+French of that day took the greatest pains to maintain in a
+flourishing condition, both for the sake of the fuel which they
+afforded, and the cover that they gave to the objects of the chase.
+The chateau itself was built, as usual, upon an eminence of
+considerable elevation, overlooking the forest world around, and in
+its immediate neighbourhood the wood was cleared away so as to give an
+open esplanade, along which, upon the present occasion, some fifteen
+hundred or two thousand men had passed the preceding day and night:
+having liberated the poor pastor of Auron on the night before. Some
+few tents of rude construction, some huts hastily raised, had been
+their only shelter; but they murmured not; and indeed it was not from
+such causes that any of those who deserted from the body of Protestant
+insurgents quitted the standard of their leader. It was, that the
+agents of the governing priesthood had long been busy amongst them,
+and had sapped the principles and shaken the resolution of many of
+those who even showed themselves willing to take arms, but who soon
+fell away in the hour of need, acting more detrimentally on their own
+cause than if they had absolutely opposed it, or abandoned it from the
+first. Doubts of each other, and hesitation in their purposes, had
+thus been spread through the Protestants; and though, of the number
+assembled there, few existed who had now either inclination or
+opportunity to turn back, yet they thought with gloomy apprehension
+upon the defection that was daily taking place in the great body of
+Huguenots throughout France; and their energies were chilled even if
+their resolution was not shaken.
+
+The day of which we now speak rose with a brighter aspect than the
+preceding one, and it was scarcely more than daylight when the gates
+of the castle were opened, the horses of the Count de Morseiul and his
+immediate officers and attendants were brought out; and in a minute
+after, he himself, booted and spurred, and bearing energetic activity
+in his eye, came forth upon the esplanade, surrounded by a number of
+persons, who were giving him information, or receiving his orders. The
+men who were gathered in arms on the slope of the hill gazed up
+towards him with that sort of expectation which is near akin to hope;
+and the prompt rapidity of his gestures, the quickness with which he
+was speaking, the ease with which he seemed to comprehend every body,
+and the readiness and capability, if we may so call it, of his own
+demeanour, was marked by all those that looked upon him, and gave
+trust and confidence even to the faintest heart there.
+
+"Where is Riquet?" the Count said, after speaking to some of the
+gentlemen who had taken arms; "where is Riquet? He told me that two
+persons had arrived from Paris last night, and were safe in his
+chamber. Where is Riquet?"
+
+"Riquet! Riquet!" shouted several voices, sending the sound back into
+the castle; but in the mean time the Count went on speaking to those
+around them in a sorrowful tone.
+
+"So poor Monsieur de l'Estang is dead!" he said. "That is a shining
+light, indeed, put out. He died yesterday evening you say--God forgive
+me that I should regret him at such a moment as this, and wish that he
+had been left to us. There was not a nobler or a wiser, or, what is
+the same thing, a better man in France. I have known him from my
+childhood, gentlemen, and you must not think me weak that I cannot
+bear this loss as manly as might be," and he dashed a tear away from
+his eye. "That they should torture such a venerable form as that!" he
+added; "that they should stretch upon the rack him, who never pained
+or tortured any one! These things are too fearful, gentlemen, almost
+to be believed. The time will come when they shall be looked upon but
+as a doubtful tale. Is it not six of our pastors, in Poitou alone,
+that they have broken on the wheel? Out upon them, inhuman savages!
+Out upon them! I say. But what was this you told me of some ladies
+having been freed from the prison?--Oh, here is Riquet. Now, sirrah,
+what are your tidings? Who are these personages from Paris?"
+
+"One of them, Sir," replied Riquet, whose tone was changed in no
+degree by the new situation in which he was placed, "one of them is
+your Lordship's own man, or rather your Lordship's man's man, Peter.
+He is the personage that I left in Paris to give the order for your
+liberation that you wot of."
+
+"Ay!" said the Count; "what made him so long in following us? He was
+not detained, by any chance, was he?"
+
+"Oh no, my Lord," replied the valet, "he was not detained, only he
+thought--he thought--I do not know very well what he thought.  But,
+however, he stayed for two or three days, and is only just come on
+hither."
+
+"Does he bring any news?" demanded the Count.
+
+"None, but that the Prince de Conti is dead, very suddenly indeed, of
+the smallpox, caught of his fair wife; that all Protestants are
+ordered to quit Paris immediately; and that the Duke of Berwick has
+made formal abjuration."
+
+"I grieve for the Prince de Conti," said the Count, "he was
+promising and soldier-like; though the other, the young Prince de la
+Roche-sur-Yon, is full of still higher qualities. So, the boy Duke of
+Berwick has abjured. That might be expected. No other news?"
+
+"None, my Lord, from him," replied the man, who evidently was a little
+embarrassed in speaking on the subject of his fellow-servant; and he
+added immediately, "The other gentleman seems to have news; but he
+will communicate it to none but yourself."
+
+"I will speak with them both," replied the Count. "Bring them hither
+immediately, Riquet."
+
+"Why, my Lord," said the valet, "as to Peter, I do not well know
+where----"
+
+"You must know where, within three minutes," replied the Count, who,
+in general interpreted pretty accurately the external signs and
+symbols of what was going on in Riquet's heart. "You must know where,
+within three minutes, and that where must be here, by my side. Maitre
+Riquet, remember, though somewhat indulgent in the saloon or the
+cabinet, I am not to be trifled with in the field. Now, gentlemen,
+what were we speaking of just now? Oh, these ladies. Have you any idea
+of what they were in prison for? Doubtless, for worshipping God
+according to their consciences. That is the great crime now. But I did
+not know that they had begun to persecute poor women;" and a shade of
+deep melancholy came over his fine features, as he thought of what
+might be the situation of Clemence de Marly.
+
+"Why, it would seem, Sir," replied one of the gentlemen, "from what I
+can hear, that the ladies were not there as prisoners; but were two
+charitable persons of the town of Thouars, who had come to give
+comfort and consolation to our poor friend, Monsieur de l'Estang."
+
+"God's blessing will be upon them," replied the Count, "for it was a
+noble and a generous deed in such times as these. But here comes
+Master Riquet, with our two newly arrived friends. Good heavens, my
+old acquaintance of the Bastille! Sir, I am very glad to see you free,
+and should be glad to see you in this poor province of Poitou, could
+we but give you any other entertainment than bullets and hard blows,
+and scenes of sorrow or of strife."
+
+"No matter, no matter, my young friend," replied the old Englishman;
+"to such entertainment I am well accustomed. It has been meat and
+drink to me from my youth; and though I cannot exactly say that I will
+take any other part in these transactions, being bound in honour, in
+some sense, not to do so, yet I will take my part in any dangers that
+are going, willingly. But do not let me stop you, if you are going to
+ask any questions of that fellow, who came the last five or six miles
+with me; for if you don't get him out of the hands of that rascal of
+yours, there will be no such thing as truth in him in five minutes."
+
+"Come hither, Peter," cried the Count. "Maitre Riquet you have face
+enough for any thing; so stand here. Now, Peter, the truth at one
+word! What was it that Riquet was telling you not to tell me?"
+
+"Why, my Lord," replied the man, glancing his eye from his master to
+the valet, and the awe of the former in a moment overpowering the awe
+of the latter; "why, my Lord, he was saying, that there was no need to
+tell your Lordship that I never delivered the order that he gave me to
+deliver at the gates of the Bastille."
+
+The Count stood for a moment gazing on him thunderstruck. "You never
+delivered the order!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean to say you never
+delivered the order he gave you for my liberation?"
+
+"No, my Lord," replied the man, beginning to quake in every limb for
+fear that he had done something wrong. "I never did deliver the order.
+But I'll tell your Lordship why. I thought there was no use of
+delivering it, for just as I was walking up to do so, and had made
+myself look as like a courier of the court as I could, I saw you
+yourself going along the Rue St. Antoine, with two boys staring up in
+your face, and I thought I might only make mischief for myself or you
+if I went and said any thing more about the matter. When I knew you
+were free, I thought that was quite enough."
+
+"Certainly, certainly," replied the Count; "but in the name of Heaven,
+then, by whom have I been delivered?"
+
+"Why, my Lord, that is difficult to say," replied Riquet, "but not by
+that fellow who has brought me back the order as I gave it to him; and
+now--as very likely your Lordship would wish to know--I told him not
+to tell you, simply because it would tease you to no purpose, and take
+away from me the honour of having set your Lordship free, without
+doing you any good."
+
+"You are certainly impudent enough for your profession," replied the
+Count, "and in this instance as foolish as knavish. The endeavour and
+the risk were still the same, and it is for that I owe you thanks, not
+for the success or want of success."
+
+"Ah, Sir," replied Riquet, "if all masters were so noble and generous,
+we poor valets should not get spoilt so early. But how you have been
+liberated, Heaven only knows."
+
+"That's a mistake," replied the old English officer; "every body at
+the court of France knows. The King was in a liberating mood one week;
+and he himself gave an order for the Count's liberation one day, and
+for mine two days afterwards. I heard of it when I went to present
+myself before the King, and the whole court was ringing with what they
+called your ingratitude, Count; for by that time it was known on what
+errand you had set off hither."
+
+The Count clasped his hands together, and looked down upon the ground.
+"I fear," he said in a low voice, "that I have been sadly misled."
+
+"Not by me, my Lord, upon my honour!" cried Riquet, with an earnest
+look. "I did my best to serve you, and to deliver you; and I fully
+thought that by my means it had been done. The man can tell you that
+he had the order from me: he can produce it now--"
+
+"I blame you not, Riquet," said his master, "I blame you not! you
+acted for the best; but most unhappily has this chanced, to bring
+discredit on a name which never yet was stained. It is now too late to
+think of it, however. My part is chosen, and there is no retracting."
+
+"When on my visit to the court," said the old English officer, "in
+order to return thanks for my liberation, and to demand certain acts
+of justice, I heard you blamed, I replied, my good Sir, that we in
+England held that private affections must never interfere with public
+duties; and that doubtless you felt the part you had chosen to be a
+public duty. They seemed not to relish the doctrine there--nor you
+fully to feel its force, I think."
+
+"My dear Sir," said the Count, "I have not time to discuss nicely all
+the collateral points which affect that question. All I will say is,
+that in following such a broad rule, there is much need to be upon our
+guard against one of man's greatest enemies--his own deceitful heart;
+and to make sure that, in choosing the seeming part of public duty, to
+be not as much influenced by private affections--amongst which I class
+vanity, pride, anger, revenge--as in adopting the opposite course."
+
+"That is true, too; that is true, too," replied the other. "Man puts
+me in mind of an ape I once saw, whose greatest delight was to tickle
+himself; but if any one else tried to do it, he would bite to the
+bone. But I see you are about to march--and some of your people have
+got their troops already in motion. If you will allow me half an
+hour's conversation as we ride along, I shall be glad. I will get my
+horse, and mount in a minute."
+
+"The horse that brought you here must be tired," replied the Count;
+"my people have several fresh ones. Riquet, see that a horse be
+saddled quickly for--this gentleman. A strange piece of ignorance,
+Sir," he continued, "but I am still unacquainted with your name."
+
+"Oh, Thomas Cecil, my good Count," replied the old officer, "Sir
+Thomas Cecil; but I will go get the horse, and be with you in a
+moment."
+
+The Count bowed his head, and while the Englishman was away, proceeded
+to conclude all his arrangements for the march. In something like
+regular order, but still with evident symptoms of no long training in
+the severe rules of military discipline, the Count's little force
+began to march, and a great part thereof was winding down the hill
+when the old Englishman returned.
+
+"That is a fine troop," he said, "just now getting into motion. If you
+had many such as that, you might do something."
+
+"They are a hundred of my own Protestant tenantry and citizens,"
+replied the Count. "They have all served under me long in the late
+war, and were disbanded after the Truce of twenty years was signed.
+There is not a braver or steadier handful in Europe; and since I have
+been placed as I am, I make it a point to lead them at the head in any
+offensive operations on our part, and to follow with them in the rear
+in the event of retreat, which you see is the case now. You will let
+them precede us a little, and then we can converse at leisure."
+
+Thus saying, he mounted his horse, and after seeing the little body,
+which he called his legion, take its way down the hill, he followed
+accompanied by Sir Thomas, with a small party of attendants fifty
+yards behind them.
+
+"And now, my good Sir," said the young nobleman, "you will not think
+me of scanty courtesy if I say that it may be necessary to tell me in
+what I can serve you; or, in fact, to speak more plainly, if I ask the
+object of your coming to my quarters, at once, as I am informed that
+the intendant of the province, with what troops he can bring together
+from Berry and Rouergue, forming altogether a very superior force to
+our own, is marching to attack us. If he can do so in our retreat, of
+course he will be glad to avail himself of the opportunity, especially
+as I have been led away from the part of the country which it is most
+easy to defend with such troops as ours, in order to prevent an act of
+brutal persecution which they were going to perpetrate on one of the
+best of men. Thus our time for conversation may be short."
+
+"Why, you have not let him surprise you, I hope?" exclaimed the old
+officer.
+
+"Not exactly that," replied the Count; "but we are come into a part of
+the country where the people are principally Catholic, and we find a
+difficulty in getting information. I am also obliged to make a
+considerable movement to the left of my real line of retreat, in order
+to prevent one of our most gallant fellows, and his band of nearly
+three hundred men, from being cut off. He is, it is true, both brave
+and skilful, and quite capable of taking care of himself; but I am
+sorry to say grief and excitement have had an effect upon his brain,
+and he is occasionally quite insane, so that, without seeming to
+interfere with him too much, I am obliged, for the sake of those who
+are with him, to give more attention to his proceedings than might
+otherwise have been necessary."
+
+The Count paused, and the old officer replied, in a thoughtful tone,
+"I am in great hopes, from what I hear, that you will find more mild
+measures adopted towards you than you anticipate. Are you aware of who
+it is that has been sent down to command the troops in this district,
+in place of the former rash and cruel man?"
+
+"No," replied the Count, "but, from what I have heard during these
+last four days, I have been led to believe that a man of far greater
+skill and science is at the head of the King's troops. All their
+combinations have been so much more masterly, that I have found it
+necessary to be extremely cautious, whereas a fortnight ago I could
+march from one side of the country to the other without any risk."
+
+"The officer," replied Sir Thomas Cecil, "was raised to the rank of
+major-general for the purpose, and is, I understand, an old friend of
+yours, the Chevalier d'Evran."
+
+The Count suddenly pulled up his horse, and gazed, for a moment, in
+the old man's face. "Then," said he, "the Protestant cause is
+ruined.--It is not solely on account of Louis d'Evran's skill," he
+added, "that I say so: though if ever any one was made for a great
+commander he is that man; but he is mild and moderate, conciliating
+and good-humoured; and I have remarked that a little sort of fondness
+for mystery which he affects,--concealing all things that he intends
+in a sort of dark cloud, till it flashes forth like lightning,--has a
+very powerful effect upon all minds that are not of the first order.
+The only bond that has kept the Protestants together has been sharp
+and bitter persecution lately endured. If any one equally gentle and
+firm, powerful and yet conciliating, appears against us, I shall not
+have five hundred men left in two days."
+
+"And perhaps, Count," said the old man, "not very sorry for it?"
+
+The Count turned his eyes upon him, and looked steadily in his face
+for a moment. "That, I think," he said, "is hardly a fair question, my
+good friend. I believe you, Sir, from all I have seen of you, to be an
+upright and honourable man, and I have looked upon you as a sincere
+Protestant, and one suffering, in some degree, from your attachment to
+that faith. I take it for granted, then, that nothing which I have
+said to you this day is to be repeated."
+
+"Nothing, upon my honour," replied Sir Thomas Cecil, frankly. "You are
+quite right in your estimation of me, I assure you. If I ask any
+question, it is for my own satisfaction, and because, Sir, I take an
+interest in you. Nothing that passes your lips shall be repeated by
+me without your permission; though I tell you fairly, and at once,
+that I am going very soon to the head quarters of the Chevalier
+d'Evran, to fulfil a mission to him, which will be unsuccessful I
+know, but which must still be fulfilled. Will you trust me so far as
+this, Count? Will you let me know whether you really wish this state
+of insurrection to go on; or would not rather, if mild--I will not
+call them equitable--terms could be obtained for the Protestants of
+this district, that peace should be restored and a hopeless struggle
+ended? I do not say hopeless," he continued, "at all to disparage you
+efforts; but----"
+
+"My dear Sir," replied the Count, "act as bluntly by me as you did in
+the Bastille, call the struggle hopeless if you will. There are not
+ten men in my little force who do not know it to be hopeless, and
+those ten are fools. The only choice left, Sir, to the Protestants of
+this district when I arrived here was between timid despair and
+courageous despair; to die by the slow fire of persecution without
+resistance, or to die with swords in our hands in a good cause. We
+chose the latter, which afforded, indeed, the only hope of wringing
+toleration from our enemies by a vigorous effort. But I am as well
+aware as you are that we have no power sufficient to resist the power
+of the crown; that in the mountains, woods, and fastnesses of this
+district and of Brittany, upon which I am now retreating, I might,
+perhaps, frustrate the pursuit of the royal forces, for months, nay,
+for years; living, for weeks, as a chief of banditti, and only
+appearing for a single day, from time to time, as the general of an
+army. Day by day my followers would decrease; for the scissars of
+inconvenience often shear down the forces of an insurgent leader more
+fatally than the sharp sword of war. Then, a thousand to one, no means
+that I could take would prevent all my people from committing evil
+acts. I, and a just and holy cause, would acquire a bad name, and the
+whole would end by the worst of my people betraying me to death upon
+the scaffold. All this, Sir, was considered before I drew the sword;
+but you must remember that I had not the slightest idea whatsoever
+that the King had shown any disposition to treat me personally with
+any thing but bitter severity.--To return to your former question,
+then, and to answer it candidly and straight-forwardly, but merely
+remember between you and I, I should not grieve on such reasonable
+terms being granted to the generality of Protestants as would enable
+them to live peacefully, adhering to their own religion, though it be
+in private; to see my men reduced, as I have said, to five hundred,
+ay, or to one hundred: provided those gallant men, who, with firm
+determination, adhere to the faith of their fathers, and are resolved
+neither to conceal that faith nor submit to its oppression, have the
+means of seeking liberty of conscience in another land. As for
+myself," he continued, with a deep sigh, "my mind is at present in
+such a state that I should little care, if once I saw this settled, to
+go to-morrow and lay my head at the foot of the King's throne. Abjure
+my religion I never will; live in a land where it is persecuted I
+never will; but life has lately become a load to me, and it were as
+well for all, under such circumstances, that it were terminated. This
+latter part of what I have said, Sir, you may tell the Chevalier
+d'Evran: namely that, on the Government granting such terms to the
+Protestants of this district as will insure the two objects I have
+mentioned, the Count of Morseiul is willing to surrender himself to
+the pleasure of the King; though, till such terms are granted, and my
+people so secured, nothing shall induce me to sheath the sword:--and
+yet I acknowledge that I am bitterly grieved and mortified that this
+error has taken place in regard to the order for my liberation, and
+that thus an imputation of ingratitude has been brought upon me which
+I do not deserve."
+
+The old officer held out his hand to him, and shook that of the Count
+heartily, adding with a somewhat profane oath, which characterises the
+English nation, "Sir, you deserve your reputation!"
+
+He went on a minute or two afterwards to say, "I have been accustomed,
+in some degree, to such transactions; and I will report your words and
+nothing more: but, by your leave, I think you had better alter the
+latter part, and stipulate that you shall be allowed yourself to
+emigrate with a certain number of your followers. Louvois is extremely
+anxious to keep from the King's ears the extent of this insurrection,
+having always persuaded him that there would be none. He will,
+therefore, be extremely glad to have it put down without more noise on
+easy terms, and doubtless he has given the Chevalier d'Evran
+instructions to that effect."
+
+"No, no," replied the Count; "I must endeavour, Sir, to wipe away the
+stain that has been cast upon me. Do you propose to go to the
+Chevalier's head quarters at once?"
+
+"Not exactly," replied the old Englishman. "I am first going to
+Thouars, having some business with the Duc de Rouvre."
+
+"Good God!" exclaimed the Count; "is the Duc du Rouvre at Thouars?"
+and a confused image of the truth, that Clemence de Marly had been one
+of the two persons found in the prison with Claude de l'Estang, now
+flashed on his mind. Ere the old man could reply, however, two of the
+persons who were following, and who seemed to have ridden some way
+to the left of the direct road, rode up as fast as they could come,
+and informed the Count de Morseiul, that what seemed a large body of
+men, was marching up towards their flank by a path which ran up the
+hollow-way between them and the opposite hills.
+
+The little force of the Count had by this time emerged from the woods,
+and was marching along the side of the hill, that gradually sank away
+into those _landes_, across which Armand Herval had, as we have seen,
+led Clemence de Marly. Up the valley, on the left, lay a deep ravine,
+bringing the cross road from Thouars into the road in which the
+Huguenots were, so that the flank of the Count's force was exposed to
+the approach of the enemy on that side, though it had somewhat the
+advantage of the ground. No other line, however, had been open for
+him, the country on the other side leading into tracts much more
+exposed to attack; and, in fact, on that morning no choice had been
+left but either to run the risk of what now appeared to have happened,
+or to leave Herval and his men to their fate, they not having joined
+the main force on the preceding day as they had been directed to do.
+
+The Count instantly turned his horse's head galloped to the spot from
+whence the men had seen the head of the enemy's column, paused for a
+single instant, in order, if possible, to ascertain their force, and
+then riding back, commanded the small troop, which he called his
+legion, to face about. While, by his orders, they traversed a piece
+of broken ground to the left, so as to approach a spot where the
+hollow-way debouched upon the open country, he sent five or six of his
+attendants with rapid orders to the different noblemen who were under
+his command, in regard to assuming a position upon the hill.
+
+"Tell Monsieur du Bar," he said to one of the men, "to march on as
+quickly as possible till he reaches the windmill, to garnish that
+little wood on the slope with musketeers, to plant the two pieces of
+cannon by the mill so as to bear upon the road, to strengthen himself
+by the mill and the walls round it, and to hold that spot firm to the
+very last. Jean, bid the Marquis send off a man instantly to Herval,
+that he may join us with his Chauve-souris, and in the mean time ask
+him to keep the line of the hill from the left of Monsieur du Bar to
+the cottage on the slope, so that the enemy may not turn our flank. If
+I remember right, there are two farm roads there, so that all
+movements will be easy from right to left, or from front to rear. As
+soon as Herval comes up, let the Marquis throw him forward, with his
+marksmen, to cover my movements, and then commence the general retreat
+by detachments from each flank, holding firm by the mill and the wood
+to the last; for they dare not advance while those are in our hands. I
+can detain them here for a quarter of an hour, but not longer.--Sir
+Thomas Cecil," he added, "take my advice, and ride off for Thouars
+with all speed. This will be a place for plenty of bullets, but no
+glory."
+
+Thus saying, he galloped down to his troop; and in a moment after the
+old English officer, who stood with the utmost sang-froid to witness
+the fight, saw him charge into the hollow-way at the head of his men.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER IX.
+
+                     THE BATTLE AND THE RETREAT.
+
+
+We must now return to the small shepherds cottage in the _landes_;
+and, passing over the intervening day which had been occupied in the
+burial of the good pastor, we must take up the story of Clemence de
+Marly on the morning of which we have just been speaking. At an early
+hour on that day Armand Herval came into the cottage, where the people
+were setting before her the simple meal of ewe milk and black bread,
+which was all that they could afford to give; and, standing by her
+side with somewhat of a wild air, he asked her if she were ready to
+go. She had seen him several times on the preceding day, and his
+behaviour had always been so respectful, his grief for the death of
+Claude de l'Estang so sincere, and the emotions which he displayed at
+the burial of the body in the sand so deep and unaffected, that
+Clemence had conceived no slight confidence in a man, whom she might
+have shrunk from with terror, had she known that in him she beheld the
+same plunderer, who, under the name of Brown Keroual, had held her for
+some time a prisoner in the forest near Auron.
+
+"To go where, Sir?" she demanded, with some degree of agitation. "I
+knew not that I was about to go any where."
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied the man, in the same wild way. "We should have gone
+yesterday, and I shall be broke for insubordination. You do not know
+how stern he is when he thinks fit, and how no prayers or intreaties
+can move him."
+
+"Whom do you speak of, Sir?" demanded Clemence. "I do not know whom
+you mean."
+
+"Why, the General to be sure," replied the man, "the
+Commander-in-Chief,--your husband--the Count de Morseiul."
+
+The blood rushed up into the cheek of Clemence de Marly. "You are
+mistaken," she said; "he is not my husband."
+
+"Then he soon will be," replied the man with a laugh; "though the
+grave is a cold bridal bed.--I know that, lady!--I know that full
+well; for when I held her to my heart on the day of our nuptials, the
+cheek that used to feel so warm when I kissed it, was as cold as
+stone; and when you come to kiss his cheek, or brow, too, after they
+have shot him, you will find it like ice--cold--cold--with a coldness
+that creeps to your very soul, and all the heat that used to be in
+your heart goes into your brain, and there you feel it burning like a
+coal."
+
+Clemence shuddered, both at the evident insanity of the person who was
+talking to her, and at the images which his words called up before her
+eyes. He was about to go on, but a tall, dark, powerful man came in
+from the cottage door where he had been previously standing, and laid
+hold of Herval's arm, saying, "Come, Keroual, come. You are only
+frightening the lady; and, indeed, you ought to be upon the march.
+What will my Lord say? The fit is upon him now, Madam," he continued,
+addressing Clemence, "but it will soon go away again. They drove him
+mad, by shooting a poor girl he was in love with at the preaching on
+the moor, which you may remember. I am not sure, but I think you were
+there too. If I could get him to play a little upon the musette at the
+door, the fit would soon leave him. He used to be so fond of it, and
+play it so well.--Poor fellow, he is terribly mad! See how he is
+looking at us without speaking.--Come Keroual, come; here is the
+musette at the door;" and he led him away by the arm.
+
+"Ay," said the old shepherd as they went out, "one is not much less
+mad than the other. There, they ought both to have gone to have joined
+the Count last night. But the burying of poor Monsieur de l'Estang
+seemed to set them both off; and now there are all the men drawn out
+and ready to march, and they will sit and play the musette there, Lord
+knows how long!"
+
+"But what did they mean by asking if I were ready?" said Clemence. "Do
+they intend to take me with them?"
+
+"Why yes, Madam," replied the old man; "I suppose so. The litter was
+ready for you last night, and as the army is going to retreat I hear,
+it would not be safe for you to stay here, as the Catholics are coming
+up in great force under the Chevalier d'Evran."
+
+Clemence started and turned round, while the colour again rushed
+violently into her cheeks; and then she covered her eyes with her
+hands, as if to think more rapidly by shutting out all external
+objects. She was roused, however, almost immediately, by the sound of
+the musette, and saying, "I will go! I am quite ready to go!" she
+advanced to the door of the cottage.
+
+It was a strange and extraordinary sight that presented itself. Herval
+and Paul Virlay, dressed in a sort of anomalous military costume, and
+armed with manifold weapons, were sitting together on the stone bench
+at the cottage door, the one playing beautifully upon the instrument
+of his native province, and the other listening, apparently well
+satisfied; while several groups of men of every complexion and
+expression, were standing round, gazing upon the two, and attending to
+the music. The air that Herval or Keroual was playing was one of the
+ordinary psalm tunes in use amongst the Protestants, and he gave it
+vast expression; so that pleasure in the music and religious
+enthusiasm seemed entirely to withdraw the attention of the men from
+the madness of the act at that moment. Paul Virlay, however, was mad
+in that kind, if mad at all, which is anxious and cunning in
+concealing itself; and the moment he saw Clemence, he started up with
+somewhat of shame in his look, saying,--
+
+"He is better now, Madam; he is better now. Come, Herval," he
+continued, touching his arm, "let us go."
+
+Herval, however, continued till he had played the tune once over
+again, and then laying down the musette, he looked in Virlay's face
+for a moment without speaking; but at length replied,--
+
+"Very well, Paul, let us go. I am better now. Madam, I beg your
+pardon; I am afraid we have hurried you."
+
+Even as he spoke a messenger came up at full speed, his horse in a
+lather of foam, and eagerness and excitement in his countenance.
+
+"In the name of Heaven, Keroual, what are you about?" he cried. "Here
+is the Count and Monsieur du Bar engaged with the whole force of the
+enemy within two miles of you. In Heaven's name put your men in array,
+and march as fast as possible, or you will be cut off, and they
+defeated."
+
+The look of intelligence and clear sense came back into Herval's
+countenance in a moment.
+
+"Good God! I have been very foolish," he said, putting his hand to his
+head. "Quick, my men: each to his post: Sound the conch there. But the
+lady," he continued, turning to the man who had ridden up; "what can
+we do with the lady?"
+
+"Oh, she must be taken with you, by all means," replied the man. "We
+can send her on from the cross road into the front. They will sweep
+all this country, depend upon it; and they are not men to spare a
+lady."
+
+Clemence turned somewhat pale as the man spoke; and though, in fact,
+her fate was utterly in the hands of those who surrounded her, she
+turned an inquiring look upon Maria, who stood near, as if asking what
+she should do.
+
+"Oh, go, lady! go!" cried the attendant, in a language which the men
+did not understand, but which Clemence seemed to speak fluently; and
+after a few more words she retired into the cottage, to wait for the
+litter, while the band of Brown Keroual, some on horseback and some on
+foot, began to file off towards the scene of action. In a few minutes
+after the litter appeared; but by this time two mules had been
+procured for it, and, with a man who knew the country well for their
+driver, Clemence and Maria set off with the last troop of the
+Huguenots, which was brought up by Herval himself. He was now all
+intelligence and activity; and no one to see him could have conceived
+that it was the same man, whose mind but a few minutes before seemed
+totally lost. He urged on their march as fast as possible, pressing
+the party of foot which was attached to his mounted band; and in a few
+minutes after a sharp fire of musketry met the ear of Clemence as she
+was borne forward. This continued for a little time, as they passed
+round the edge of a low wood which flanked the hills on one side, and
+seemed the connecting link between the _landes_ and the cultivated
+country. About five minutes after, however, louder and more rending
+sounds were heard; and it was evident that cannon were now employed on
+both sides. The voices of several people shouting, too, were heard,
+and a horse without a rider came rushing by, and startled the mules
+that bore the litter.
+
+Clemence de Marly could but raise her prayers to God for his blessing
+on the right cause. It was not fear that she felt, for fear is
+personal. It was awe. It was the impressive consciousness of being in
+the midst of mighty scenes, which sometimes in her moments of wild
+enthusiasm she had wished to see, but which she now felt to be no
+matter for sport or curiosity.
+
+Another instant she was out upon the side of the hill beyond the wood;
+and the whole scene laid open before her. That scene was very awful,
+notwithstanding the confusion which prevented her from comprehending
+clearly what was going on. A large body of troops was evidently
+marching up the valley to the attack of the heights. A windmill
+surrounded by some low stone walls, not a hundred yards to the left of
+the spot where she was placed, appeared at the moment she first saw it
+one blaze of fire, from the discharge of musketry and cannon, which
+seemed to be directed, as far as she could judge, against the flank of
+a body of cavalry coming up a road in the valley. On the slope of the
+hill, however, to the right, a considerable body of infantry was
+making its way up to the attack of the farther angle of the wood,
+round which she herself had just passed; and, from amongst the trees
+and brushwood, nearly stripped of their leaves as they were, she could
+see poured forth almost an incessant torrent of smoke and flame upon
+the assailing party, seeming almost at every other step to make them
+waver, as if ready to turn back.
+
+The object, however, which engaged her principal attention was a small
+body of horsemen, apparently rallying, and reposing for a moment,
+under shelter of the fire from the hill. Why she knew not,--for the
+features of none of those composing that party were at all
+discernible,--but her heart beat anxiously, as if she felt that there
+was some beloved being there.
+
+The next instant that small body of men was again put in motion, and
+galloping down like lightning, might be seen, though half hidden by
+the clouds of dust, to hurl itself violently against the head of the
+advancing column, like an avalanche against some mighty rock. Almost
+at the same moment, however, an officer rode furiously up to Herval,
+and gave him some directions in a quick and eager voice. Herval merely
+nodded his head; then turned to the driver of the mules, and told him
+to make as much haste as he could towards Mortagne, along the high
+road.
+
+"Remain with the head of the column," he said; "and, above all things,
+keep your beasts to the work, for you must neither embarrass the
+march, nor let the lady be left behind."
+
+The man obeyed at once; but before he had left the brow of the hill,
+Clemence saw the band of Keroual begin to descend towards the small
+body of cavaliers we have mentioned, while a company of musketeers, at
+a very few yards distance from her, began to file off as if for
+retreat. All the confusion of such a scene succeeded, the jostling,
+the rushing, the quarrels, the reproaches, the invectives, which take
+place upon the retreat of an irregular force. But several bodies of
+better disciplined men taking their way along the road close to
+Clemence, preserved some order and gave her some protection; and as
+they passed rapidly onward, the sounds of strife and contention, the
+shouts and vociferations of the various commanders, the rattle of the
+small arms and the roar of the artillery, gradually diminished; and
+while Clemence hoped in her heart that the battle was over, she looked
+round for some one coming up from the rear to inquire for the fate of
+him for whom her heart had beat principally during that morning.
+
+For about half an hour, however, nobody came, the retreat assumed the
+appearance of an orderly march, and all was going on tranquilly, when
+a horseman came up at a quick pace, and pulled in his charger beside
+the litter. Clemence looked towards him. It was not the face that she
+expected to see, but, on the contrary, that of a tall, thin, hale old
+man, perfectly a stranger to her. He pulled off his hat with military
+courtesy, and bowed low.
+
+"I beg your pardon, Madam," he said, "but I have just been informed of
+your name, quality, and situation, and also with the circumstances of
+your being brought from Thouare hither. I come to say," he added,
+lowering his voice and bending down, "that I am just going to visit an
+old friend, the Duke de Rouvre, who, I understand, is your guardian.
+Now, I do not know whether you are here of your own good will, or
+whether there be any degree of force in the matter. Should you,
+however, be disposed to send any message to the Duke, I am ready to
+take it."
+
+"I give you many thanks, Sir," replied Clemence, "but, of course, I
+can send no long message now, nor detailed explanation of my
+situation. Assure him only, and the Duchess, who has been a mother to
+me, of my deep love, and gratitude, and respect."
+
+"But shall I tell them," said the old man, "that you are here with
+your consent, or without your consent?"
+
+"You may tell them," replied Clemence, "that I was brought here indeed
+without my consent, though being here I must now remain voluntarily.
+My fate is decided."
+
+"Do you mean to say, Madam?" demanded the old gentleman, bluffly,
+"that I am to tell them you are married? That is the only way in
+general that a woman's fate can be decided which I know of."
+
+"No, Sir," replied Clemence, colouring, "there is in this country a
+different decision of one's fate. I am a Protestant! It must no
+longer, and it can no longer be concealed."
+
+A bright and noble smile came upon the old man's countenance. "I beg
+your pardon, Madam," he said. "I have spoken somewhat rudely, perhaps;
+but I will deliver your message, and at some future time may ask your
+pardon, if you will permit me, for having called the colour into a
+lady's cheek, a thing that I am not fond of doing, though it be
+beautiful to see."
+
+Thus saying, and bowing low, he was about to turn his horse and canter
+back again, when an eager look that lighted up Clemence's features,
+made him pause even before she spoke, and ride on a little further
+beside her.
+
+"You came from the rear, Sir, I think," she said, in a low and
+faltering voice. "May I ask how has gone the day?--Is the Count de
+Morseiul safe?"
+
+The old man smiled again sweetly upon her. "Madam," he said, "did not
+sad experience often show us that it were not so, I should think, from
+the fate of the Count of Morseiul this day, that a gallant and all
+daring heart is a buckler which neither steel nor lead can penetrate.
+I myself have sat and watched him, while in six successive charges he
+attacked and drove back an immensely superior force of the enemy's
+cavalry, charging and retreating every time under the most tremendous
+and well sustained fire of the light infantry on their flanks that
+ever I saw. Scarcely a man of his whole troop has escaped without
+wounds, and but too many are killed. The Count himself, however, is
+perfectly unhurt. I saw him five minutes ago bringing up the rear, and
+as by that time the enemy were showing no disposition to pursue
+vigorously, he may be considered as safe, having effected his retreat
+from a very difficult situation in the most masterly manner. Is there
+any one else, Madam, of whom I can give you information?"
+
+"I fear not," replied the lady. "There is, indeed, one that I would
+fain ask for; but as you have been with the Count de Morseiul,
+probably you do not know him. I mean the Chevalier d'Evran."
+
+"What, both the commanders!" exclaimed the old gentleman, with a smile
+which again called the colour into Clemence's cheek. "But I beg your
+pardon, Madam," he added; "I have a better right to tell tales than to
+make comments. In this instance I cannot give you such accurate
+information as I did in the other, for I do not know the person of the
+Chevalier d'Evran. But as far as this little perspective glass could
+show me, the gentleman who has been commanding the royal forces, and
+whom I was informed was the Chevalier d'Evran, is still commanding
+them, and apparently unhurt. I discovered him by his philomot scarf,
+and sword knot, after losing sight of him for a time. But he was still
+upon horseback, commanding in the midst of his staff, and has the
+credit of having won the day, though the immense superiority of his
+forces rendered any other result out of the question, even if he had
+not acted as well and skilfully as he has done. I will now once more
+beg pardon for intruding upon you, and trust that fair fortune and
+prosperity may attend you."
+
+Thus saying, he turned and cantered away; and on looking round to her
+maid, Clemence perceived that Maria had drawn the hood of her grey
+cloak over her head.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER X.
+
+                         THE LOVER'S REUNION.
+
+
+The march was over, the pursuers left behind, and the Count of
+Morseiul had pitched his tents in a strong position, with some
+shepherds' huts and one or two cottages and farm-houses in the midst
+of his camp. A nunnery of no great extent, situated upon a little
+eminence, was within the limits of his position, and a small chapel
+belonging thereunto, nearly at the bottom of the hill, and commanding
+the passage of a stream and morass, was occupied by a strong body of
+his followers, under Herval and Virlay, while the Marquis du Bar, who
+had been slightly wounded in the course of that day's strife, insisted
+upon fixing his quarters on the most exposed side of the camp, where
+any attack was likely to take place.
+
+No attempt had been made to take possession of the nunnery, as it was
+only occupied by women, and as the Count was aware that in case of
+need, he could obtain entrance in a moment. At the same time he could
+fully depend not only upon the courage and firmness, but upon the
+vigilance of Du Bar, and he therefore looked upon his small force as
+completely in security. Provisions, too, had been found in abundance,
+and the people of the neighbouring country were somewhat better
+disposed towards the Huguenot cause, than those of the district which
+they had just left.
+
+His men, however, had suffered tremendously, even in the brief
+struggle which had taken place with the overpowering force of the
+Catholics. Of his own troop, not more than thirty men were found
+capable of action at the end of that day, and, at least, one third of
+the whole Huguenot force was unfit for service. This was a lamentable
+prospect, as the insurgents had no points of strength to fall back
+upon, and had not the leaders been animated by the consciousness of
+having performed great actions in that day's contest and having held
+at bay the royal army with a force six times inferior in number, the
+proposal of dispersing and carrying on the warfare by desultory
+efforts in the woods, which was suggested in one of their little
+councils, would certainly have been adopted.
+
+In the mean time, however, the spirit of the men was kept up, and
+their resolution fortified, by the prayers and exhortations of the
+various ministers who accompanied the camp; and on going round to the
+different quarters just after nightfall, the Count found some bodies
+of the Protestants still engaged in their religious exercises, some
+just concluded, but all less depressed at heart than he was himself.
+
+When he had done his round, he paused before the door of one of the
+farm-houses--the best and most comfortable--and dismissing the men who
+had followed, he turned to enter. There was a slight degree of
+hesitation, however, seemed to come over him as he did so, and he
+remained for some moments with his hand upon the latch. He at length
+raised it, and entered the kitchen of the farm-house, where the family
+of the proprietor were assembled round the ample hearth, on which was
+a full supply of blazing wood. At that very moment, speaking to the
+mistress of the house, was Clemence's attendant, Maria; but Clemence
+herself was not present, and on inquiring for her, the Count was told
+that she was in an upper chamber, to which the woman immediately led
+him.
+
+Albert of Morseiul followed her step by step, and when the door
+opened, he saw Clemence sitting at the table, with her head resting on
+her hand, and her eyes turned towards the fire; but with such a look
+of deep sadness and painful thought, as made his heart ache to see and
+to know that he could not change it.
+
+"Here is the Count de Morseiul," said the maid; and instantly Clemence
+started up, and turned towards the door, while the Count entered, and
+the maid retired. The face of Clemence de Marly assumed two or three
+different expressions in a moment. There was joy to see him, there was
+doubt, there was apprehension; but she advanced towards him at once,
+and the look of love was not to be doubted. He took the hands that she
+held out to him, he kissed them tenderly and often: but still there
+was deep sadness on his brow, as there was in his heart, and his first
+words were, "Oh, Clemence, at what a moment have you come to me at
+last!"
+
+"Albert," she said in reply, "I have much to say to you. Since I have
+been here, and seen what I have seen, I have found many excuses for
+your conduct; and I have learned to think that what I wrote briefly I
+may have written harshly and unkindly, and to blame myself as much,
+nay more than you: believing, though I had no time to explain why I
+could not come at the moment as I could have wished, yet, that I
+should still have added, such words as might show you that I was yours
+unchanged, however much I might judge that you had acted rashly,
+unadvisedly, and unlike yourself. I have determined to tell you all
+this at once, Albert, and, acknowledging that I blame myself, to
+shelter myself from all reproaches on your part in your kindness and
+generosity."
+
+"Thanks, thanks, dearest Clemence," replied the Count, pressing her to
+his heart; "this is, indeed, balm after such a day as this: but I
+think, my Clemence, when you hear all, you will yourself exculpate me
+from blame,--though I fear that the charge of ingratitude which others
+may bring against me, will never be done away in the less generous
+minds of the world in general, without a terrible sacrifice. You I
+know, Clemence, will believe every word I tell you."
+
+"Oh, every word!" she exclaimed; "to doubt you, Albert, were to doubt
+truth itself."
+
+"Well, then, believe, Clemence," he said, "when I tell you, that till
+this morning,--till this very morning,--I had not the slightest idea
+whatsoever that my liberation was attributable to the King. Not only
+I, but all my domestics, every attendant that I have, my man Riquet
+himself, all believed that it was through an artifice of his that I
+had been set at liberty. Had I thought otherwise, upon my word, my
+first act would have been to fly to Versailles, to express my thanks,
+whatever my after conduct might have been."
+
+He then explained to her every thing that had taken place, and the
+mistake under which he had himself laboured throughout.
+
+"What confirmed me in the belief that the whole of Riquet's story was
+perfectly correct," he said, "was the fact that Besmaux, when he set
+me at liberty, observed that the order under which he did it, was not
+quite in the usual form, together with some remarks that he made upon
+there being no carriage sent for me with the order."
+
+"Alas! alas!" cried Clemence, wringing her hands, "it was my weakness;
+it was my foolish fears and anxiety, that produced all this mischief.
+Listen to my tale now, Albert, and forgive me, forgive me for what I
+have done."
+
+She then related to her lover almost all that had taken place between
+the King, herself, and Madame de Maintenon. We say almost, because she
+did not relate the whole; but though Albert of Morseiul saw it, he
+divined from what she did tell, that there were matters which she was
+bound not to divulge. Perhaps he divined the important truth itself,
+and at all events he did not love her a bit the less for a concealment
+which had no want of confidence in it.
+
+"On the following morning," she said, "at the hour that the King had
+appointed, I did not fail to be in attendance. I found him writing;
+but it was soon over, and he handed me the paper, saying, 'There,
+lady, we have judged the cause that you have at heart as favourably as
+you judged ours last night. Tell him,' he added, 'when you see him,
+that--though we cannot alter the strict laws, which we have found it
+necessary to make, for his sake--we will grant him all that may
+reasonably make him happy, either in our own land, or in another!'"
+
+"And I have borne arms against him," cried the Count, clasping his
+arms together.
+
+"Yet hear me out, Albert," continued Clemence, "for the fault is mine.
+The order was for your immediate liberation. I took it eagerly,
+thanked the King, and retired, well knowing that it ought to be
+countersigned by Louvois, and sent through his office. But during the
+evening before, on the occasion of something that was said, he gave me
+such a fiend-like look of revenge, that I knew he would seek your
+destruction, if not mine. I was well aware, too, that in many an
+instance he has interrupted the King's clemency, or his bounty; and
+weakly, most weakly, I sent the order without his signature--ay, and
+without a moment's delay, by a servant belonging to the Duc de Rouvre.
+Thus, thus it was, that I, in my eagerness for your safety, have
+plunged you into new dangers,--dangers from which, alas! I fear that
+there is scarcely a possible means of escape."
+
+The Count looked down upon the ground for a moment, and he then
+replied, "I will write to the King myself, Clemence. It is very
+possible that he will not even read the letter of a rebel with arms in
+his hand. But still it will be a satisfaction to me to do so. I must
+first get to the sea side, however, in order that I may place poor
+Riquet in security, for were the tale told and he afterwards
+discovered, I fear that no tortures would be considered too horrible
+to punish the daring act that he committed."
+
+"I, too, will write," replied Clemence. "I will write and tell the
+whole to one, who, though she will refuse at first, I know, to do any
+thing in our behalf, yet will not fail, calmly and quietly, to labour
+in our favour, thinking that she owes something to me. I will tell her
+the whole; I will tell her distinctly, Albert; and if you will procure
+it for me I will send her even the forged order that you mention, with
+the attestation of the man who brought it back from Paris."
+
+Albert of Morseiul pressed her to his heart, and she added, "At all
+events, Albert, we shall be able to fly. We are now not far from the
+sea; ships can easily be procured, and we may be happy in another
+land."
+
+Albert of Morseiul kissed her cheek for his only reply: but his heart
+was sad, and he could scarcely command even a smile to countenance the
+false hope she had expressed. His own determinations were taken, his
+own resolutions formed; but he thought it better and more kind not to
+make them known to Clemence de Marly till the moment arrived for
+putting them in execution.
+
+While they were yet speaking, the attendant again came into the room
+to inform the Count that three persons waited below to see him, and on
+going down he found Riquet, with one of the Protestants attached to
+the Marquis du Bar, and a gentleman, who appeared to be an inferior
+officer in the royal service. The two latter instantly stepped forward
+when he appeared.
+
+"Monsieur du Bar," said the Protestant soldier, "has sent you this
+gentleman, bearing a flag of truce, from the Chevalier d'Evran. He
+carries a letter to yourself, and a letter to the lady from Thouars."
+
+The Count bowed to the stranger, and begged to see the letter to
+himself. It was simply addressed to the Count de Morseiul, and he
+opened it with some emotion, for it was strange to see the hand of
+Louis d'Evran, writing to him as from one adversary to another. The
+style and tone of the letter, however, though it was very short, were
+precisely as if nothing had occurred to interrupt their intimacy, or
+array them hostilely against each other. It ran--
+
+
+"Dear Albert,
+
+"I write to you simply to know whether I am to regard the
+communication made to me, on your part, by an English gentleman,
+called Sir Thomas Cecil, as formal and definitive, as I must be made
+aware of that fact before I can transmit it to the court. I trust and
+hope that good results may proceed from it: but you must not forget
+that it is an awful risk. For my part I will do my best to quiet the
+province with as little harshness as possible, and with that object I
+accepted, or rather may say, solicited this command. In every respect,
+however, my duty must be done to the King, and shall be so done to the
+utmost. You never in your life fought better than you did this
+morning. Your defence of the heights was quite a Turenne affair; but
+you made a mistake in your morning movement to the left, which showed
+me your flank. Perhaps, however, you had some reason for it, for I
+think there was a fresh corps came up towards the close of the affair.
+Look to yourself, dear Albert, for be you sure that I shall give you
+no breathing time; and so God speed you!
+
+                                         "Louis d'Evran.
+
+"Post Scriptum. I find myself called upon by my duty, to require you
+formally to send back la belle Clemence to her good friend de Rouvre,
+and to address a letter to her upon the subject of her return."
+
+
+The Count had read this epistle with a thoughtful and a somewhat
+frowning brow. It was quite characteristic of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+but yet there was something in it that did not please him. He turned,
+however, to the officer courteously, saying,--
+
+"The Chevalier d'Evran notifies to me, that he has sent a letter to
+Mademoiselle de Marly, and seems to leave it to me to deliver it. I
+would rather, however, that you did so yourself, if that lady will
+permit me to introduce you to her, when you can bear her answer from
+her own mouth. Riquet," he said, "go up and inquire, whether
+Mademoiselle de Marly will grant this gentleman a few minutes'
+audience."
+
+A short pause ensued: for Clemence hesitated for some time. At length,
+however, Riquet returned with an answer in the affirmative, and the
+Count led the officer to her presence.
+
+"I am commanded, Madame," said the stranger, "by Monsieur le Chevalier
+d'Evran, lieutenant-general of the province, to deliver you this
+letter, and to say, that, at any time to-morrow which you will name,
+he will send a proper carriage and attendants, to convey you back to
+the town of Thouars, from which he understands that you were forcibly
+carried away, some night ago."
+
+Clemence merely bowed her head, and held out her hand for the letter,
+which she opened and read. A faint smile came over her countenance as
+she proceeded, and when she had done, she handed the epistle to her
+lover, asking, "What shall I do or say?"
+
+"Nay, I can give you no advice," replied the Count. "In this matter,
+Clemence, you must act by your own judgment: advice from me, situated
+as you are now, would bear somewhat the character of dictation. Do you
+wish me to read the letter?"
+
+"Certainly," she replied. "My mind will be easily made up as to the
+answer."
+
+The Count then proceeded to read the letter, which was merely one of
+form; and began--
+
+
+"Mademoiselle,
+
+"I am urged by Monsieur le Duc de Rouvre, and feel it a part of my
+duty, to apply to you immediately to return to the care and protection
+of that gentleman and the Duchess, under whose charge and guardianship
+you have been placed by the King. Although we are fully informed that
+you were carried away from the town of Thouars without your own
+consent and approbation, we feel sure, from the high character and
+reputation of the Count de Morseiul, though now unfortunately in open
+rebellion, that he will be most anxious you should return, and will do
+all that he can to facilitate the arrangements for that purpose. Such
+being the case, let me exhort you, Mademoiselle, to make all haste to
+quit the camp of a body of men in open insurrection, and to place
+yourself under the protection of legitimate authority.
+
+             "I have the honour to be,
+
+                "Mademoiselle,
+
+                   "Your devoted servant,
+
+                            "Louis d'Evran."
+
+
+The Count returned the letter with no other comment than, "It is
+strange;" and Clemence paused for a moment, gazing upon the back of
+the letter, but evidently occupied by deep thoughts.
+
+She then turned to the officer, who had remained standing, and
+said, "I will not detain you, Sir, to write, as my answer must
+be merely what the Chevalier d'Evran expects. You will inform
+him--notwithstanding that it may seem bold of me to say so--that
+although I was certainly not brought here with my consent, I,
+nevertheless, am here by my consent; and as I have long been disposed
+to return to that faith in which I was originally instructed, and have
+for some time embraced it upon sincere conviction, I cannot consent to
+place myself in a situation where the exercise of the reformed
+religion will be denied to me; but must, on the contrary, remain with
+those who will protect and support me in my adherence to what I
+consider the only pure and true faith."
+
+"In short, Madam," replied the officer, "I am to tell the Chevalier
+that you are a Huguenot?"
+
+"Exactly, Sir," replied Clemence; "and that I have been so for some
+time."
+
+The officer showed an inclination to pause, and to add something to
+what had been said; but the Count stopped him.
+
+"You are, Sir," he said, "I think but the bearer of a letter; nothing
+in that has been shown us giving you at all the title of an envoy. You
+have, therefore, but to bear back the reply which this lady has
+given."
+
+"And your own, Sir," said the officer, "which I have not received."
+
+"It is as simple as her own, Sir," replied the Count. "Assure the
+Chevalier d'Evran of my best regard; tell him he may trust entirely
+and fully to the proposal made to him on my part, to which he alludes,
+as far at least as I myself am concerned. In respect, however, to what
+will satisfy the other leaders, who are in arms for the maintenance of
+their just liberties, and for the attainment of immunity in
+worshipping God according to their own consciences, he must deal with
+themselves. In that I cannot, and do not interfere, and have only to
+support them with my sword and counsels till such time as they have
+obtained their rights, or are satisfied with any arrangement
+proposed."
+
+"I shall not fail," replied the officer, "to convey these messages
+distinctly;" and thus saying, he bowed, and left the room, followed by
+the Count of Morseiul, who, giving directions that his eyes should be
+properly bandaged, placed him in the hands of the Protestant soldier
+who had accompanied him, and of the guard which was waiting without.
+He then made a sign to Riquet to follow him up stairs, and bade his
+valet repeat to Clemence de Marly all that had occurred respecting his
+liberation from the Bastille.
+
+"And now, Riquet," he said, when the man had given a much more
+straight-forward and decided statement than he usually made, "it is my
+intention, as soon as possible, to lay the whole of these facts before
+the King, feeling it due to my own honour to show him that I have not
+been so ungrateful as he thinks. As the act, however, which you have
+committed might prove very dangerous to you, if you should fall into
+the hands of the Catholic party, I shall take care, before I give this
+account, that you have an opportunity of seeking refuge in another
+land. I know that all countries are to you alike: and I will ensure
+that you shall be provided with full means of obtaining for yourself
+comfort and repose."
+
+"Sir," said the man, with some feeling, "all countries, as you say,
+are to me alike. But such is not the case with regard to all masters.
+Please God, I will never serve another but yourself. If you quit the
+country, I will quit it with you: if you remain, I will remain. I am
+already--am I not?--in arms against the crown. I am just as much a
+rebel riding after you from place to place, and every now and then
+firing a musket when I think nobody sees me, as if I were at the head
+of the whole business, and people called it the rebellion of Riquet.
+You may therefore lay the whole statement before the King if you
+please, and I will myself write down the plain facts, in fewer words
+than a paper drawn up by a notary's clerk without a fee. I have no
+fear, Sir, of gathering together upon my shoulders a few more stray
+crimes and misdemeanours. That does not lie in the way of my
+cowardice. My neck is thin and long, and whether it be the axe or the
+cord that has to do with it, it will neither give the cord nor the
+edge much trouble; while I have always one consolation, which is, that
+if the experiment of hanging should prove disagreeable, it cannot be
+tried upon me twice. I will go and get the paper directly, Sir, which
+the man, Peter, brought back again. I will put down all his sayings
+and doings, and all my own; and the King, who is said to have a high
+taste in all branches of skill, ought to declare when he sees the
+order for your liberation which I manufactured, that there is not a
+piece of mosaic like it in all Versailles, and grant me a high reward
+for such a specimen of dexterity in my art."
+
+"I fear, you deceive yourself, Riquet," replied the Count; but the man
+shook his head. "No, Sir, I do not," he said, "I assure you. All
+things considered and well weighed, I do not think that I run a bit
+more risk by this matter being told to the King, than if it never
+reached his ears."
+
+Thus saying he left the room, and Albert of Morseiul turned to other
+and sweeter thoughts. "Dear, dear Clemence," he said, gazing tenderly
+upon her, "you have now, indeed, chosen your part as I could expect
+Clemence to do, and by the words that you have this day spoken, you
+have swept away every feeling in my bosom that could give me a
+moment's pain."
+
+"Hush, Albert, hush," said Clemence. "I know the kind of pain to
+which you allude. But you should never have entertained it. Love,
+Albert,--the love of a heart such as yours, ought never to doubt."
+
+"But, dear Clemence," replied the Count, "is it possible for love to
+be satisfied while there is any thing touching its affection
+concealed?"
+
+Clemence smiled, but shook her head; and as she was about to reply, a
+single musket shot was heard disturbing the tranquillity which had
+fallen over the camp. The Count listened, and his ear caught the
+distant sounds of "Alerte! Alerte!" followed almost immediately
+afterwards by a more general discharge of musketry. Clemence had
+turned very pale.
+
+"Fear not, dear Clemence," he said, "this is merely a night attack
+upon some of our quarters which will soon be repelled, for I have
+taken sufficient precautions. I will see what it is, and return
+immediately."
+
+Thus saying he left her, and Clemence, with a heart full of strong and
+mingled emotions, leaned her head upon the little table and wept.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XI.
+
+                          THE NIGHT ATTACK.
+
+
+Particular orders had been issued by the Count de Morseiul that no
+offence should be given to the religious feelings of the Catholics:
+and, in issuing his commands for the occupation of the little chapel
+at the bottom of the hill, he had directed that the building
+appropriated to the ceremonies of the church should not be entered,
+except in case of necessity; the porch and the sacristy being taken
+possession of, and the piece of consecrated ground around it, which
+was strongly walled, affording a sort of fort, in which the men
+constructed huts, or set up their tents.
+
+They were accustomed, indeed, to abide in the forest, and found no
+difficulty or discomfort in taking their night's rest where they were.
+Three fine spreading yew trees, of unknown age and immense thickness,
+afforded a pleasant shelter to many; and wine, which had been found
+plentifully in the hamlet above, as well as in a little town at no
+great distance, flowed liberally amongst a body of men who had fought
+hard and marched long since the morning.
+
+There was a great difference, however, to be remarked between them and
+the religious insurgents of more northern countries; for though both
+the sterner fanaticism which characterised Scotland and England not
+long before, and the wilder imaginations and fanciful enthusiasms of
+the far south were occasionally to be found in individuals, the great
+mass were entirely and decidedly French, possessing the character of
+light, and somewhat thoughtless gaiety, so peculiar to that
+indifferent and laughter-loving nation.
+
+Thus, though they had prayed earnestly, after having fought with
+determination in the cause which to them was the cause of conscience,
+they were now quite ready to forget both prayer and strife, till some
+other cause should re-produce the enthusiasm which gave vigour to
+either.
+
+They sat in groups, then, round fires of an old apple tree or two
+which they had pulled down, and drank the wine--procured, it must be
+acknowledged, by various different means; but though they sang not, as
+perhaps they might have done under other circumstances, nothing else
+distinguished them from any other party of gay French soldiers
+carousing after a laborious day.
+
+Herval and Virlay, as the commanders of that peculiar body, had taken
+possession of the little sacristy, and made themselves as comfortable
+therein as circumstances admitted. They were both somewhat inclined to
+scoff at, and do dishonour to every thing connected with the
+ceremonies of the church of Rome; but the commands of the Count were
+still sufficiently potent with them to prevent them from indulging
+such feelings; and they remained conversing both over the events of
+the day, and also over past times, without any farther insult to the
+Roman Catholic faith than merely a scornful glance towards the
+vestments of the priests, the rich purple and lace of which excited
+their indignation even more than many articles of faith.
+
+Several hours of the evening had thus worn away, and their
+conversation, far from being like that of their men without, was sad,
+dark, and solemn. The proximity of the convent had recalled to the
+mind of Herval the situation of her he had loved; and though they
+talked much of her fate, yet by some peculiar accident, which we shall
+not attempt to explain, that subject, dark and painful as it was, did
+not disturb his mental faculties as might have been expected. It
+produced, however, both on him and on Virlay, that dark and profound
+gloom, from which actions of a fierce and cruel nature more frequently
+have birth, than even from the keen and active excitement of strife
+and anger.
+
+"Ay, and your child, too, Virlay," said Herval: "it is strange, is it
+not, that we have not yet found her? I should not wonder if she were
+in this very convent, up here upon the hill. The Count will not surely
+want you to leave it unsearched, when we march to-morrow."
+
+"It matters little whether he do or not," replied Virlay. "Search it I
+will; and that as soon as it be grey day-light. My child I will have,
+if she be in France: and, oh, Herval, how often, when we are near a
+monastery or a convent, do I long to put a torch to the gate of it,
+and burn it all to the ground!"
+
+"No, no," replied Herval, "that would not do; you would be burning the
+innocent with the guilty."
+
+"Ay, true," answered Virlay, "and thus I might burn my own poor
+child."
+
+"Ay, or my Claire," replied Herval,--"that is to say, if she had been
+living, poor thing! You know they shot her, Paul. They shot her to the
+heart. But as I was saying, you might burn your own poor child, or the
+child of many a man that loves his as well as you do yours."
+
+"I wonder if she be in there," said Paul Virlay. "Why should I not
+take ten or twelve men up, and make them open the gates and see?"
+
+"Better wait till day," replied Herval; "better wait till day, Virlay.
+They have thousands of places that you might miss in the night. Hark!
+some one knocked at the door--Who is it? Come in!"
+
+"Only a poor old woman," replied a voice from without, half opening
+the door, "only a poor old woman soliciting charity and peace;" and a
+minute after, with timid and shaking steps, a woman, dressed in a grey
+gown like the portress of some convent, gradually drew herself within
+the doorway, and crossed herself twenty times in a minute, as she
+gazed upon the two Protestants sitting with the gloom of their late
+conversation still upon their faces.
+
+"What do you want, old woman?" said Herval sharply. "Don't you know
+that you risk a great deal by coming out at this hour? My men are not
+lambs, nor wood pigeons, nor turtle doves."
+
+"Oh, Heaven bless you, Sir, I know that," replied the old lady, "and
+in a great fright I am too: but after all I'm the least in a fright in
+the convent; and Sister Bridget--when she came to me with her teeth
+chattering in her head just after the men had come round and knocked
+at the door, and swore they would burn the place to the ground before
+morning--she talked so much about my courage, that I thought I had
+some, and agreed to come down; and then when she had got me out, she
+locked the wicket, and vowed I should not come in till I had been down
+to do the errand. So I came quietly on, and through the little gate,
+and got out of the way of the great gate, because I saw there were a
+number of fires there; and when I saw a light under the sacristy door,
+I said to myself, the officers will be in there, and they will be
+gentler and kinder----"
+
+"Well, and what was your errand when you did come?" demanded Herval
+sharply.
+
+"Why, Sir," replied the old woman, "we have a young lady amongst us--"
+Paul Virlay started suddenly on his feet--"and a sweet young lady she
+is too," continued the poor old nun, "as sweet a young lady and as
+pretty as ever I set my eyes on, and she told our good lady mother,
+the superior----"
+
+"What is her name, woman?" cried Paul Virlay, advancing upon the poor
+sister who retreated before him, but who still, with woman's intuitive
+tact in such things, saw that she had got the advantage. "What is her
+name, woman? It is my child! Oh, Herval, it is my child!"
+
+"So she said to my lady mother," continued the good nun, as soon as
+she could make her voice heard; "so she said to my lady mother, that
+she was sure that if her father was in the Count of Morseiul's camp,
+he would come up in a minute with a guard of men to protect the
+convent--especially if he knew that we had been kind and good to her."
+
+"Where is she?--Take me to her," cried Paul Virlay. "Woman, take me to
+my child.--I will bring a guard,--I will protect you. Where is my poor
+Margette?"
+
+"Are you her father, then, Sir?" demanded the old woman. "Is your name
+Monsieur Virlay?"
+
+"Yes, yes, yes," cried he impetuously: "I am Paul Virlay, woman."
+
+"Then, Sir," she replied, "if you will bring up a guard and undertake
+to protect the convent, you can have the young lady, only pray----"
+
+"I will take a guard," cried he; "do not be afraid, woman! Nobody
+shall hurt you. I will take a guard," he continued speaking to Herval,
+as if in excuse for taking away part of the men from an important
+post, "I will take a guard for fear there should be men up there, and
+they should want to keep Margette. The Count said, too, that the only
+reason he did not occupy the convent was, that he did not like to
+disturb the nuns. Now, when they ask it themselves, I may well go. You
+can send for me in a moment if I be wanted."
+
+"There is no fear of that," replied Herval; "go, in God's name, and
+see your child."
+
+Paul Virlay hastened away, drawing the old woman by the arm after him,
+while Herval remained behind shaking his head, with a melancholy
+motion, and saying, "He will see his child again, and she will cling
+round his neck and kiss his cheek, and they will be happy: but I shall
+never see my poor Claire, as long as I linger on upon this dull
+world." He paused, and leaning his head upon his hand, plunged into
+melancholy thought.
+
+There was a little bustle without, while Virlay chose out such men as
+he thought he could best depend upon, and then, that part of the camp
+did not exactly sink into tranquillity, but the general noise of the
+party was less. There was still loud talking amongst the men, and wine
+seemed to have done its work too, as in one or two instances,
+especially near the little sacristy, where the wilder and less
+tractable of Herval's band had been placed to be under his own eye,
+the psalms with which the evening had begun had deviated into gayer
+songs; and he sat and listened gravely, while one of the men near the
+door carolled to his comrades a light ditty.
+
+
+                                SONG.
+
+       In the deep woods when I was young,
+         Sly the happy, happy sunshine stole.
+       Under the green leaves, where the birds sung,
+         And merry, merry music filled the whole;
+              For Mary sat there,
+              And all her care
+       Was to outsing the linnet,--Dear little soul!
+
+       Through the long grass, then would I steal,
+         In music and sunshine to have my part.
+       That no one was coming, seemed she to feel,
+         Till the warm kiss, made the sweet maid start.
+              Then would she smile,
+              Through her blushes the while,
+       And vow she did not love me,--Dear little heart!
+
+       The sunshine is stealing still through the trees.
+         Still in the green woods the gay birds sing,
+       But those leaves have fall'n by the wintry breeze,
+         And many birds have dropped, that were then on the wing,
+              All, all alone,
+              Beneath the cold stone,
+       Lies my sweet Mary!--Poor little thing!
+
+
+Herval wept bitterly. It was one of the songs of his own youth, which
+he had himself sung in many a joyous hour: a song which was the
+master-key to visions of early happiness, and touching in its light
+emptiness upon all the most painful themes of thought. The song, the
+dear song of remembered happiness, sung at that moment of painful
+bereavement, was like a soldier's child springing to meet its father
+returning from the wars, and unconsciously plunging the arrow head
+deeper into the wound from which he suffered.
+
+As he thus sat and wept, he was suddenly roused by the sound of a
+single musket shot at no great distance, and starting up, he listened,
+when loud cries from the other side of the chapel caught his ear, and
+he rushed out. All was dark; not a star was in the sky; but the air
+was free from vapour, and looking towards the spot from which the
+sounds proceeded, he could see a dark body moving rapidly along the
+side of the hill, beyond the enclosure round the chapel. The shot that
+had been fired was not returned, and hurrying up to the spot as fast
+as possible, he clearly distinguished a column of infantry marching
+along at a quick pace in that direction, and evidently seeking to
+force its way between the convent and the chapel. There was none but a
+single sentry in that direction--the man who had discharged his
+musket--and Herval exclaimed in agony, "Good God, how is this? They
+have been suffered to pass the morass and the stream!"
+
+"I fired as soon as I saw them," replied the man; "but Virlay carried
+off all the men from down below there, and marched them up to the
+convent."
+
+Herval struck his clenched hand against his brow, exclaiming, "Fool
+that I was to suffer him!" Then rushing back as fast as possible, he
+called all the rest of his troop to arms, and with the mere handful
+that assembled in a moment, rushed out by the gate through which the
+portress of the convent had entered, and attempted to cast himself in
+the way of the head of the enemy's column.
+
+It was in vain, however, that he did so. A company of light infantry
+faced about, and met his first furious attack with a tremendous fire,
+while the rest of the force moved on. The sound, however, of the
+combat thus commenced, roused the rest of the camp, and the Count of
+Morseiul, himself on foot, and at the head of a considerable body of
+the most determined Huguenots, was advancing, ere five minutes were
+over, not to repel the attack of the enemy--for by what he saw, Albert
+of Morseiul instantly became aware, that, his camp being forced at the
+strongest point, it was in vain to hope that the King's army could be
+repulsed--but at least to cover the retreat of his troops with as
+little loss as possible.
+
+All the confusion of a night combat now took place, the hurrying up by
+the dull and doubtful light; the cowardice that shows itself in many
+men when the eye of day is not upon them; the rashness and emotion of
+others, who indeed are not afraid, but only agitated; the mistakes of
+friends for foes, and foes for friends; the want of all knowledge of
+which party is successful in those points where the strife is going on
+at a distance.
+
+As far as it was possible in such circumstances, Albert of Morseiul
+restored some degree of order and regularity to the defence. Relying
+almost altogether upon his infantry, he held the royalists in check,
+while he sent orders to some of the inferior commanders to evacuate
+the camp in as orderly a manner as possible, gathering the horse
+together upon the brow of the hill, so as to be ready when the
+occasion served to charge and support the infantry. His particular
+directions were despatched to Monsieur du Bar to maintain his post to
+the last, as the Count well knew that the forces of the Chevalier
+d'Evran were sufficient to attack the Huguenot camp on both sides at
+once.
+
+Such, indeed, had been the plan of the Chevalier; but it was not
+followed correctly. He had placed himself at the head of the attack
+upon the side of the convent, as by far the most hazardous and
+difficult. The officer who commanded the other attack was a man of
+considerable skill, but he had with him the Intendant of the province;
+a personage as weak and presumptuous as he was cruel and bigoted: and
+insisting upon it, that the officer at the head of the troops had made
+a mistake in regard to the way, he entangled him in the morass, and
+delayed him for more than an hour.
+
+Had the attack on that side succeeded, as well as that on the side of
+the chapel, the little force of the Huguenots must have been
+absolutely annihilated, and had the attack there even commenced at the
+same time that it began on the other side, the disasters of that night
+must have been tenfold greater than they proved. As it was, the Count
+de Morseiul had time to offer at least some resistance, and to
+organise his retreat. A horse was soon brought to him, and perceiving
+by the firing on the flank of the enemy's column, that Herval and his
+men were striving desperately to retrieve the error which had been
+committed, he called up a small body of horse, and making a gallant
+charge at their head, drove back some of the infantry companies that
+interposed between himself and the chapel, and opened a communication
+with Herval and the men. Giving orders to the officer in command of
+the horse to make another rapid charge, but not to entangle his men
+too far, the Count himself rode down to Herval, to ascertain what was
+proceeding in that quarter. He found the man covered with blood and
+gunpowder, raging like a wolf in the midst of a flock.
+
+"Herval," he exclaimed, "a great mistake has been committed. A handful
+of men could have defended that bridge against an army."
+
+"I know it, Count, I know it," replied Herval. "I have been a fool,
+Virlay has been a madman. I should never have trusted him by himself.
+It is time I should die."
+
+"It is rather time, Herval," replied the Count, "that you should live
+and exert your good sense to remedy what is amiss. Do you not see that
+by spending your strength here you are doing no good, and losing your
+men every minute? Gather them together: quick, and follow me. We want
+support, there, upon the hill. The chapel is untenable now. Quick:
+lose not a moment. Good God!" he said, "they are not charging as I
+ordered, and in another moment we shall be cut off!"
+
+It was indeed as he said. The young officer, to whom he had given the
+command, was shot through the head at the very moment that he was
+about to execute it. The charge was not made; the body which had been
+driven back by the Count were rallied by the Chevalier d'Evran; the
+infantry of the Huguenots, which had been guarding the heights,
+wavered before the superior force brought against them; and by the
+time that Herval's men were collected, a large body of foot interposed
+between the Count de Morseiul and the spot where he had left his
+troops. Nothing remained but to lead round Herval's little force by
+the hollow-way on the edge of the morass, and climbing the steeper
+part of the hill, by the road that led to the little hamlet and farm
+houses, to rejoin the principal body of the Protestants there, and to
+make one more effort to hold the hamlet against the advancing force of
+the royalists, till Monsieur du Bar had time to draw off his troops.
+
+Ere the Count, however, could reach the ground where he had fixed his
+own head quarters, both the infantry and cavalry, which he had left,
+had been driven back, and, by a terrible oversight, instead of
+retiring upon the hamlet, had taken the way to the right, along which
+the other bodies of troops had been ordered to retreat. The royalists
+thus, at the time that the Count arrived, were pouring in amongst the
+cottages and farm houses, and when he reached the little knoll
+immediately behind the house, where he had left Clemence de Marly, he
+was instantly assailed by a tremendous fire from behind the walls of
+the court yard, and the lower windows of the house itself. He had no
+troops with him but Herval's band, and a small body of foot which
+arrived at that moment to his assistance from the Marquis du Bar, and
+he paused for an instant in agony of heart, knowing and feeling that
+it was utterly hopeless to attempt to retake the farmhouse, and enable
+Clemence to effect her escape. The grief and pain of a whole life
+seemed summed up in that one moment.
+
+"I will not," he cried, in the rashness of despair, "I will not leave
+her without an effort."
+
+Herval was by his side. "Sir," he said, "I must not live over this
+night. Let us advance at all risks."
+
+The Count gave the order, and the men advanced gallantly, though the
+enemy's fire was terrible. They were actually scaling the wall of the
+court-yard, when suddenly a fire was opened upon them from the houses
+and walls on either side. Herval fell over amidst the enemy, the
+Count's horse dropped at once under him, and he felt himself drawn
+forcibly out from beneath the dying animal, and carried along by the
+men in full retreat from that scene of slaughter.
+
+"Here is a horse, Count,--here is a horse," cried a voice near him.
+"Mount, quick, and oh take care of my poor girl. She is on with the
+troops before. I have lost you the battle, and know what must come of
+it."
+
+The Count turned and saw Paul Virlay by his side; but before he could
+reply the man left the bridle in his hand, and rushed into the midst
+of the enemy.
+
+Springing on the charger's back the Count gazed round him. Herval's
+band was all in confusion; but beginning to rally upon the body of
+infantry sent by Du Bar. The hamlet was in full possession of the
+enemy: the only means of communication between Du Bar and the troops
+that were retreating was along the hill side. Albert of Morseiul saw
+that if he did not maintain that line, his gallant friend would be cut
+off, and, for the moment, casting from his mind all the other bitter
+anxieties that preyed upon it, he hastened to occupy a little rising
+ground, terribly exposed, indeed, to the enemy's fire, but which would
+protect the flank of his friend's little corps, while they joined the
+rest who were in retreat. That he was just in time was proved to
+Albert of Morseiul, by the sound of a load cannonade, which commenced
+from the very direction of Du Bar's quarters; and, sending that
+officer orders to retreat directly, he remained, for twenty minutes,
+repelling every charge of the enemy; and, by the example of his own
+desperate courage and perfect self-command, seeming to inspire his men
+with resolution unconquerable. In the mean time the Marquis du Bar
+retreated before the other body of royalists which had now come up,
+and having seen his men in comparative safety, rode back, with a small
+body of horse, to aid the Count in covering the retreat. The royalists
+now, however, had gained their object; the camp of the Huguenots was
+in their hands; the slaughter on both sides had been dreadful,
+considering the short space of time which the strife had lasted; the
+country beyond was difficult and defensible, and the order for
+stopping further pursuit was given as soon as no more resistance was
+made in the Huguenot camp.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XII.
+
+                          THE ROYALIST CAMP.
+
+
+"I am astonished, Sir, that you should presume to interfere," said the
+Chevalier d'Evran, speaking to the Intendant of the province, whom he
+had found on riding down to the post of the second in command, in
+order to ascertain what was the cause of the attack having been so
+long delayed in that quarter. "I am astonished that you should presume
+to interfere at all. The weak gentlemen who have hitherto been
+commanding in this country have been indulgent to such insolence: but
+you will find very different consequences if you attempt to practise
+it upon me."
+
+"Insolence, Sir!--Insolence!" exclaimed the intendant, foaming with
+rage and mortified pride at being thus addressed in the presence of
+many hundreds of witnesses. "Insolence in me!--Why, who am I, Sir? Am
+I not the intendant of justice, police, and finance in this province?"
+
+"Yes, Sir, insolence!" replied the Chevalier d'Evran. "You are the
+intendant of justice, police, and finance; but before I assumed the
+command of the King's forces in this province, you yourself had
+required martial law to be proclaimed, so that you not only put every
+one else under the authority of the military power, but yourself also;
+and, by heavens, if you stare in my face in that manner one moment
+longer, I will have you hanged up to yonder tree. Bring a drum here,"
+he continued, "and summon four officers from the regiments of Lorraine
+and Berry. We will soon see who is to command here."
+
+The unfortunate intendant turned as pale as ashes; for the gallantry
+and decision which the Chevalier d'Evran had shown since he assumed
+the command, were of a very impressive character, and gave weight to
+his threats. The officer who had laid the complaint against him,
+however, now interfered. "For God's sake, General," he said, "have
+mercy upon this poor man, and consider what will be the result of
+calling a drum-head court-martial."
+
+"I should always be very willing, Sir," replied the Chevalier, drawing
+up his fine person to its full height, "I should always be very
+willing to attend to your recommendations; but, Sir, in the course of
+this night and the preceding day, I have obtained two great and signal
+successes over this body of insurgents; and I think that those
+successes will fully justify me in the eyes of the King, for punishing
+with such authority as is vested in my hands the person to whom we may
+attribute that our success was not complete, by the annihilation of
+the Huguenot party in the province. If the intendant chooses
+immediately to make a humble apology for what has passed, and to
+promise in the most solemn manner never to interfere in any one thing
+in my camp, or under my command, I will so far overlook the matter for
+the time, as not to carry this extreme measure into execution against
+him at once. But, in the mean time, I will hold it suspended over his
+head, and if required, execute it on the moment."
+
+The apologies and promises were as full and ample as the Chevalier
+could demand; and, leaving strict orders that the worthy intendant
+should be kept in a sort of honourable surveillance in the camp, the
+Chevalier turned his horse's head, and rode back with his staff
+towards the village, smiling slightly over what had just passed, for,
+to say the truth, he had been acting a part much more harsh and severe
+than he was inclined to pursue in reality. The truth is, that after
+the engagement of the preceding morning, the intendant had shown some
+disposition to take possession of one or two prisoners that had fallen
+into the royalists' hands, for the purpose of employing the rack and
+the wheel in their conversion; but the Chevalier, having determined
+from the first to put a stop to such measures, had evaded all
+discussion for the time, very sure that ere long the intendant would
+give him an opportunity of depriving him, at least for the time, of
+all authority in the province.
+
+The smile, however, was soon succeeded by a somewhat more anxious
+expression; for knowing as he did that Clemence de Marly was in the
+camp of the Huguenots, he was not a little apprehensive of what might
+have been her fate in the course of the struggle of that night. He had
+given particular instructions regarding her, however; had made it so
+fully understood, that he would have no unnecessary bloodshed, and had
+exhorted his troops and inferior officers so eloquently to regard the
+Protestants merely as erring brothers, as soon as the arms were out of
+their hands, that he felt little or no apprehension of any excesses
+being committed after the engagement. As soon, then, as he had
+ascertained that Mademoiselle de Marly was in the farmhouse on the top
+of the hill, and was perfectly safe, he contented himself with sending
+a message to her, telling her that he would visit her in the morning,
+and begging her in the mean time to put her mind completely at ease.
+He then proceeded to investigate the amount of his own loss, and that
+of the Huguenots. Nearly an equal number had fallen on each side; but
+the army of the Chevalier d'Evran could afford to lose a thousand men
+without any serious diminution of its strength, while the same loss on
+the part of the Protestant force reduced it in a lamentable degree.
+
+"Now," thought the Chevalier, when he heard the result of the
+inquiries that he caused to be made, "if I can but drive Albert of
+Morseiul to the sea, and force him to embark with the most determined
+of his sect, while the others lay down their arms and conform, we
+shall do very well. These battles were necessary to dishearten the
+desperate fellows, and to give me power to do them good, and treat
+them mercifully. But we may change our system now, and press them hard
+without losing the lives of gallant men. What this old Cecil tells me
+of the mistake about the liberation, may, if properly shown, mitigate
+a part of the King's anger towards Albert; but it will never do the
+whole, and I fear flight is his only resource. This offer that he has
+made, however, stands desperately in the way, and yet it must be
+communicated to the King. I dare not conceal it."
+
+While he thus thought, sitting in the room of one of the cottages,
+information was brought him that one of the wounded Huguenots, who was
+kept with other prisoners in a barn hard by, was very anxious to see
+him.
+
+"I will come immediately," he replied to the officer, and then sitting
+down, he wrote a brief despatch to Louvois, in which he detailed all
+the events that had occurred; but at the same time, knowing the views
+of the minister, he intimated that the only means of keeping the
+extent of the insurrection from the King's knowledge, and from general
+publicity throughout the whole of Europe, would be to give him the
+full power of pardoning all men on laying down their arms. He begged
+the minister to believe that he had not the slightest desire
+whatsoever that the little services he had performed should be
+reported to Louis; but at the same time he pointed out that those
+services could not be ultimately beneficial, unless the power that he
+demanded was granted to him, and all other authority in the province
+superseded for at least one month. He felt very sure that this would
+be granted by Louvois, as that minister had become greatly alarmed,
+and had openly expressed to the young commander his anxiety lest the
+extent of the revolt which had taken place in consequence of measures
+he had advised, should ruin him for ever with the King. The Chevalier
+trusted, also--although he was obliged, in the end of his epistle, to
+state the proposal made by the Count de Morseiul--that the powers
+granted by the minister would be such as to enable him to serve that
+nobleman.
+
+When this despatch was concluded, and sent off, he demanded where the
+person was who had wished to see him, and was led to a small out-house
+close by the farm in which Clemence abode. The door, which was
+padlocked, and at which a sentry appeared, was opened to give him
+admission, and he found stretched upon piles of straw on the floor of
+the building two or three men, apparently in a dying state, and
+another seated in a somewhat extraordinary attitude in one corner of
+the shed. The sight was very horrible; the straw in many parts was
+stained with blood, and anguish was legibly written on the pale
+countenances of the dying.
+
+"Who was the prisoner that wished to speak with me?" said the
+Chevalier, going in; but they each answered by claiming to be heard:
+one demanding a little water, one asking to be taken into the open
+air, and one who, before the words had fully passed his lips, lay a
+corpse upon the straw, asking pardon and life, and promising obedience
+and conversion. The Chevalier ordered every thing that could make them
+comfortable to be supplied as far as possible, adding some sharp
+reproaches to his own people for the state in which he found the
+wounded: and he then said, "But there was some one who, as I
+understood, wished to speak with me more particularly."
+
+"It was I," said the man who was sitting down in the corner, at once
+starting up into the likeness of Jerome Riquet; while at the same
+moment another faint voice from the farther part of the building said,
+"It was I, General. I told the officer who came here, that I would
+fain see you about the Count de Morseiul."
+
+"Riquet," said the Chevalier, "I will attend to you presently. You
+seem well, and unhurt; answer me three questions, and I may say
+something that will satisfy you in return. Have you been engaged in
+this unfortunate business simply as the servant of the Count de
+Morseiul?"
+
+"As nothing else, upon my word, Sir," replied Riquet.
+
+"Are you a Catholic or a Protestant?"
+
+"As Catholic as salt fish on a Friday," replied Riquet. "Surrounded on
+all sides by heretics, I was at one time in great fear for myself,
+like a man in a city where there is a plague. But bless you, Sir, I
+found it was not catching, and here I am more Catholic than ever."
+
+"Have you, then, in any instance, borne arms in this war?" demanded
+the Chevalier.
+
+"No, on my honour, Chevalier," replied the valet. "No arms have I
+borne except a shaving-brush, a razor, a pair of tweezers, and a
+toothpick."
+
+"Well, then," replied the Chevalier, "I can promise you pardon; but
+remember you are a prisoner on parole. Do you give me your word that
+you will not try to escape?"
+
+"Lord bless you, Sir," replied the man, "I would not escape for the
+world. I am with the winning side. You don't suppose Riquet's a fool,
+to go over to the poor devils that you're driving into the sea!"
+
+"Scoundrel!" said a deep but faint voice from the other side of the
+building; and telling Riquet to bring the light with him, the
+Chevalier advanced to the spot, where, stretched upon the straw, in
+the most remote corner of the shed, lay the unfortunate Armand Herval,
+dying from the effects of at least twenty wounds. As soon as the eyes
+of the wounded man fell upon Riquet, he exclaimed, angrily,--"Get thee
+hence, traitor! Let me not see your face, scoundrel! To abandon thus
+your noble lord at the first moment of misfortune!"
+
+"You mistake, Monsieur," replied Riquet quietly--"I am not a bit more
+of a scoundrel than you are, Monsieur Herval, nor, indeed, of a
+traitor either: every one serves his lord in his own way, Master
+Herval, that's all. You in your way, and I in mine. If you had waited
+a little, to hear what I had to say to the Chevalier, you would have
+seen that I was quite as ready to make sacrifices for my Lord as
+yourself."
+
+"Herval!" said the Chevalier, as he listened to their conversation;
+"that name is surely familiar to me."
+
+"Well it might be," answered Riquet; "for I dare say my Lord must have
+told you, Monsieur le Chevalier. This man, or I am much mistaken,
+would have killed the King himself, if my Lord had not prevented him."
+
+"Indeed!" demanded the Chevalier. "Can we get any proof of this?"
+
+"Proof, Sir?" replied the dying man; "it was on that account I sent
+for you. The Count de Morseiul is ruined; and the cause of the
+reformed church is over; and all this evil has happened through my
+fault. I have heard, too, that he has offered to surrender himself to
+the axe, in order to buy safety for the rest of us. But surely the
+King--let him be as great a tyrant as he may--will not murder the man
+that saved his life."
+
+"The King, Sir, is no tyrant," replied the Chevalier, "but a generous
+and noble master to those who are obedient and loyal: even to the
+disobedient he is most merciful; and if this fact could be made known
+to him, and proved beyond all doubt, I feel perfectly convinced that
+he would not only pardon the Count de Morseiul for his past errors,
+but show him some mark of favour, in gratitude for what he has done."
+
+"The King does know it," replied Herval, sharply; "the King must know
+it; for I have heard that the whole papers of Hatreaumont fell into
+the hands of Louvois; and I have myself seen that foul tiger's name
+written to an order for my arrest as one of Hatreaumont's
+accomplices."
+
+"But that does not prove," replied the Chevalier, "that either the
+King or Louvois knew of this act of the Count's."
+
+"It does prove it," replied the dying man; "for the only letter I ever
+wrote to Hatreaumont in my life was to tell him that I had failed in
+my purpose of killing the tyrant; that every thing had gone fair till
+the Count de Morseiul came in between me and him, and declared, that I
+should take his life first. I told him all, every thing--how I got
+into the gardens of Versailles at night, and hid under the terrace
+where the King walked alone--how yon babbling fool betrayed my purpose
+to the Count, and he came and prevented me doing the deed I ought to
+have done, even if I had taken his life first. I told him all this,
+and I cursed the Count of Morseiul in my madness, over again and
+again--and now the man whose life he saved is seeking to bring him to
+the block."
+
+"This is extraordinary and important," said the Chevalier: "I cannot
+believe that the King knows it. Louvois must have kept it from his
+ears. Will you make a deposition of this, my good fellow, as early
+to-morrow as we can get proper witnesses and a notary?"
+
+"Early to-morrow?" said the man faintly, "early to-morrow,
+Chevalier?--I shall never see a to-morrow. Now is your only moment,
+and as for witnesses, quick, get paper and pen and ink. There is not
+half an hour's life in me. If you had come when first I sent, there
+would have been plenty of time. But now every moment is a loss."
+
+"Quick, Riquet," cried the Chevalier, "bid the officer at the door run
+to my quarters, and bring down pen and ink and paper, without a
+moment's delay."
+
+Riquet lost no time, and the Chevalier endeavoured as far as possible
+to keep Herval quiet till the means of writing were brought. The dying
+man would go on speaking, however, but with his voice becoming lower
+and lower, and his ideas evidently in some degree confused. Once or
+twice he spoke as if he were at Versailles, and in the presence of the
+King: then seemed as if he fancied himself conversing with
+Hatreaumont; and then again pronounced the name of Claire more than
+once, and talked of happiness. When Riquet and the officer returned,
+however, with the materials for writing, he had still strength and
+recollection enough to commence his declaration in a formal manner.
+
+"I, Armand Herval," he said, "do hereby declare, and on the bed of
+death affirm most solemnly, that had it not been that the Count de
+Morseiul prevented me, I would have shot the King of France, upon the
+terrace at Versailles, after the play, on the night before the arrest
+of the Chevalier de Rohan, and that all I said was perfectly true, in
+a letter which was written by me to Monsieur de Hatreaumont, dated on
+the--I cannot recollect the day:" he added, in a lower tone, "it seems
+as if a mist had come over that part of my memory."
+
+"Never mind," said the Chevalier, "go on, my good friend, go on, the
+date is unimportant."
+
+"Was it the twenty-fourth or the twenty-fifth?" continued the man. "I
+cannot recollect for the life of me, your Majesty. It's a short life,
+too. Mine will soon be spent, and Claire's is all gone----"
+
+He spoke very faintly, indeed; and the Chevalier said, "You forget, my
+friend, you forget. We were talking of the Count de Morseiul."
+
+"Ah!" cried the man, with a greater effort, and starting up on
+the straw--"Ah, so we were.--What a fool I am!--Write it down,
+quick!--Write it down, quick!--But take your fingers off my
+throat!--Take your fingers off my throat!--I cannot speak if you stop
+my breath!--What's the use of putting out the light?--Why do you put
+out the light?--Oh, Heaven, it is death, it is death," and, falling
+back upon the straw, the strong frame shook for a moment, as if an
+ague had seized him, and then all was still.
+
+The Chevalier d'Evran shut his teeth close, saying, "This is
+unfortunate. However, you are a witness, Riquet, to all that he said."
+
+"Lord bless you, noble Sir," replied the valet, "nobody will believe a
+word that I say. I should consider my character ruined for ever if
+there was any body, in all Europe, that would believe me upon my
+oath."
+
+"I had forgot," said the Chevalier, dryly; "your character is in no
+danger, I believe, on that score. But my word will be believed, and my
+voice, at least, shall be heard."
+
+"Well, Sir," replied Riquet, perhaps a little piqued at the
+Chevalier's reply, "let me add my voice too; for though they may
+believe me in nothing else, they may, perhaps, believe me in a
+confession which will go to twist my own neck. I wish to be sent to
+the King, Sir; though if you can find out when he is in a good humour
+I should prefer it. But my object is to inform him that it was
+altogether my fault, and my foolishness, and my crime, that prevented
+the Count de Morseiul from going to Versailles as soon as he was
+liberated from the Bastille to throw himself at the King's feet. If it
+had not been for that aforesaid foolishness of mine he would never
+have come hither, would never have led the rebels at all, and most
+likely, by this time, would have been as high in the King's good
+graces as ever."
+
+"I have heard all this before," said the Chevalier. "But are you
+positively resolved, my good friend, to go voluntarily and make
+confession of all these things?--Do you remember the consequences?--Do
+you think of the risks?"
+
+"No, Sir," replied Riquet, "I do quite the contrary. I try to forget
+them all as fast as possible, being resolved to go at any rate, and,
+therefore, judging that the less I think about risks and consequences
+the better."
+
+"By Heaven, thou art right," replied the Chevalier, "and thou shalt
+have a bottle of Burgundy, if there be one in the camp, to keep warm
+thy good philosophy. See, there is the grey of the morning coming in,
+and I may well go away satisfied with having found one man in the
+world who is not so great a scoundrel as I thought him."
+
+The Chevalier returned to the hut in which he had established his
+quarters, and cast himself down for an hour's repose; but before the
+daylight had been long in the sky he was on foot again, and at the
+door of the farm-house which contained Clemence de Marly. He was
+immediately admitted; and, strange as it may seem, if the Count de
+Morseiul had witnessed that meeting, it would certainly have wrung his
+heart more than the loss of a great battle. The royalist commander
+advanced at once to his fair prisoner, and, putting his arms slightly
+round her, kissed her cheek without any apparent reluctance on her
+part; and her first exclamation was, "Oh, Louis, I am glad to see you
+safe! You know not how my heart is torn!"
+
+"I dare say it is, my pretty Clemence," replied the Chevalier, in his
+usual light tone; "but you, who have been doing nothing else but
+tearing other people's hearts for the last five years, must take your
+turn now. You have placed me in a terrible predicament, however,
+thoughtless girl," he added. "You are obstinate as an Arragonese mule
+about this matter of religion, and will not be contented till you have
+got yourself roasted in this world as preparatory to----"
+
+"But tell me, Louis--tell me about him!" demanded Clemence. "Is he
+safe? Has he escaped from this awful night?"
+
+"I suppose you mean Morseiul, by _he_ and _him_," said the Chevalier,
+"and if so, he is safe, as far as I know. He has escaped. That is to
+say, he has not been taken, thank God--though one time he was very
+near it; for, by the flash of the guns, I saw his face in the middle
+of our men:--but I dare say now, Clemence, that you would a
+thousand-fold rather have me killed than this heretic of yours?"
+
+"Do not be unkind, Louis," replied Clemence--"I would of course rather
+have neither of you killed; but now that you have got me, tell me what
+is to be my fate?"
+
+"Why, that question is difficult to answer," said the Chevalier;
+"Heaven knows, I did not want you, Madam. I was obliged to write you a
+formal summons to return, for mere decency's sake; but I certainly
+never expected you would obey it. You might have said, No, silly girl,
+without telling all the world that you had turned Huguenot--all for
+the love of a gallant knight."
+
+"Nonsense, Louis! Do speak seriously," replied Clemence: "you very
+well know I was what you call a Huguenot long before."
+
+"Not quite, Clemence! not quite!" cried the Chevalier: "you were what
+may be called Huguenoting. But this rash and imprudent determination
+of declaring your feelings, doubts, or whatever they may be, at the
+very moment when the sword of persecution is drawn, was, indeed, very
+silly, Clemence. What is to be done now is rendered doubly difficult,
+and I suppose I must of course connive at your escape. We must take
+means to have an intimation conveyed for some trading vessels to hover
+about the coast, to give you an opportunity of getting away till this
+fierce bigotry has gone by. It will not last long; and in a year or
+two, I doubt not, exiles will be permitted to return. The only
+difficulty will be to have the ships opportunely; but I think I can
+manage that."
+
+"Oh, do, do, Louis!" exclaimed Clemence, eagerly. "That is all that
+can be desired; and pray try to persuade Albert to fly at once."
+
+"Nay, nay," replied the Chevalier, laughing, "that must not be my
+task, Clemence. On that subject I dare not say a word. But you may
+well do what you will. I will take care that the means of flight to
+another country shall be provided for you, and you may take with you
+any one that is willing to go."
+
+"But then," exclaimed Clemence, "I must have the opportunity of
+persuading him."
+
+"Certainly," exclaimed the Chevalier: "the first thing you have to do
+is to get out of my camp as fast as you can. I would not have you
+three days here for the world; for as affairs go at present, I cannot
+answer that the power of protecting you will be left to me for three
+days. However," he added, after a moment's thought, "to-day you must
+stay and march on with us, and before to-morrow, I trust I shall be
+able to put you under such protection as will insure you safety and
+support in your flight; and now, pretty maid, I must leave you. We
+shall begin to march about noon. In the mean time there is a courier
+going to Montaigu, so send off thither for whatever you may need to
+make you comfortable. An easy horse shall be ready for you; and if at
+any time you may feel yourself inclined to gallop away, you may take
+him with you as a present from me. By the way, little heretic," he
+added, when he got to the door, "you will want money for your
+peregrinations."
+
+"Oh, no," replied Clemence, "I have plenty. I have plenty, I assure
+you. I have near two hundred double louis which I took to the prison
+in hopes----."
+
+"Little do you know of what you may want, silly girl," replied the
+Chevalier. "Why one of these very merchant ships may demand the half
+of that for carrying you over. Here," he added, drawing forth a
+leathern purse embroidered in gold--"I don't know how much there is
+here, but you must take it too; and if by any unforeseen circumstance
+you should need more when in England, draw on me what they call a bill
+of exchange."
+
+Clemence took the money without ceremony, as if it were a mere matter
+of course, and only added, "Come and see me again before we march,
+Louis."
+
+The Chevalier nodded his head and left her.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XIII
+
+                          THE LAST EFFORTS.
+
+
+To describe the military man[oe]uvres which took place during the
+three or four following days would be neither amusing nor instructive
+to the reader. Suffice it to say, that the small force of the Count de
+Morseiul diminished as he retreated, while the army of the Chevalier
+d'Evran was increased by the arrival of two new regiments. The latter
+had thus an opportunity of extending his line, and frustrating a
+vigorous effort made by the Count to cut his way into Brittany. Every
+effort that the Protestant leader made to bring to his aid those who
+had promised very soon to join him, only showed him that the
+estimation which he had formed of the degree of vigour and unanimity
+to be expected from the Huguenots was but too accurate. Almost all
+those determined and daring leaders of the lower orders who had given
+energy and activity to all the movements of the insurgents had fallen
+in the preceding skirmishes. Herval was heard of no more; Paul Virlay
+had been seen by one of the soldiers to fall by a shot through the
+head towards the close of the last affair; and at length, with not
+more than five hundred men under his command, Albert of Morseiul found
+himself shut in between a force of eight thousand men and the sea. The
+only consolation that he had was to hear that Clemence de Marly was
+safe, and the only hope was that some vessels from Rochelle, for which
+he had despatched a shallop in haste, might be tempted by the large
+sum he offered to hasten round and carry off a certain portion of his
+troops, comprising the principal leaders, while the rest laid down
+their arms, and he himself surrendered to the fate that awaited him.
+
+Such were his plans and purposes when the last day of the insurrection
+dawned upon the world; and we must pause for an instant to describe
+the situation of his little force on that eventful morning.
+
+There is upon that coast a small rocky island, not so high as the
+celebrated Mont St. Michel, which is on the opposite side of the
+peninsula of Brittany, but in almost every other respect similar to
+that famous rock. At the time we speak of this island was fortified,
+and the guns of the castle commanded almost entirely the small bay in
+which it was situated. At low water the island becomes a peninsula,
+being joined to the land like the Mont St. Michel by a narrow neck of
+land, along the top of which there ran a paved causeway, covered
+entirely by the sea to the depth of five or six feet at the time of
+high water. The commandant of the fort was a Protestant gentleman who
+had distinguished himself in some degree in the service. He had been
+raised, and greatly favoured by the influence of the Counts of
+Morseiul, and owed his post to them. He had not only promised to
+co-operate with the young Count in the commencement of the unfortunate
+revolt, but he had sent him some assistance, and a large quantity of
+ammunition; and when the Count found that he was cut off from forcing
+his way into Brittany on the one hand, or reaching Sainctonge on the
+other, he had shaped his course past Montaigu towards the little bay
+in which this island was situated, and had succeeded in reaching it,
+notwithstanding the efforts of the royalist corps to prevent him.
+
+Opposite to the island was a small village, on a high bank above the
+sea-shore. It possessed a large church, and two or three walled farm
+houses; and during one half of the night after his arrival, the Count
+toiled with the country people, who were principally Protestants, to
+throw up breastworks and plant pallisades, so as to fortify the
+village in as strong a manner as possible. Four cannon, which were all
+that he possessed, were planted to command the principal road leading
+to the village, and ere morning the whole was brought to such a
+condition as to enable the little band of Protestants to offer a
+determined and lengthened resistance, should they be driven to do so.
+
+Was it then, it may be asked, the purpose of the Count to offer that
+resistance? It certainly was not; but feeling perfectly sure that the
+Chevalier d'Evran was disposed to grant the Protestants the most
+lenient terms consistent with his duty, he took these measures in
+order to give him the best excuse for treating with the insurgents,
+and granting them a favourable capitulation. "If," he thought, "the
+Chevalier can show to the King that it would have cost him two or
+three thousand of his best troops to overcome or slaughter a poor body
+of five hundred men, Louis is too wise and too good a soldier himself
+not to hold him perfectly justified for granting the mildest terms."
+
+When all was completed, the Count cast himself down to rest, and slept
+for some time from utter exhaustion. By the first ray of morning,
+however, he was upon the shore, looking towards the sea, and beheld,
+to his no small joy and satisfaction, three vessels, at the distance
+of about four or five miles, standing off and on, as if waiting for
+the tide to enter the bay. The tide, however, though not quite at the
+ebb, had sank so low that there was no chance of their being able to
+come in till it had quite gone down and risen again; and Albert of
+Morseiul looked with anxiety for the passing of six or seven hours,
+which must thus elapse.
+
+His anxiety now led him to the other side of the village, and going to
+one of the farm houses, situated at the corner of a small cart-road
+which he had barricaded, he went up to a window on the first floor,
+and looked over the wide view that sloped away below. There appeared,
+what he had expected to find, the camp of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+hemming him in on all sides. The distance between the village and the
+first tents was about two miles, so that at any time, without more
+than half an hour's notice, the attack upon his little fortress might
+commence. He was quite prepared, it is true, and doubted not to be
+able to maintain his post for many hours, knowing that his men would
+fight with the energy of despair.
+
+But no movement whatsoever in the royalist camp indicated any great
+haste to attack him. There were no groups of officers busily
+reconnoitring; there were no regiments drawn up as if to march to the
+assault; and the only objects that were seen were two files of
+soldiers marching along to relieve the guard at different points of
+the camp. All this was satisfactory to an experienced eye like that of
+the Count de Morseiul, and well knowing his opponent, he judged that
+the Chevalier was waiting for some reply from Paris, ere he gave any
+answer to the terms which he, the Count, had suggested.
+
+He paused, therefore, for nearly twenty minutes, gazing over the
+scene, when suddenly, from a point of the camp where nothing seemed
+stirring before, a little group of persons on horseback drew out, and
+rode swiftly towards the village. The moment after the Count perceived
+that two of those persons were clad in women's garments; and the
+rapidity with which they came, showed him that they were fearful of
+being stopped. Going down from the window in haste, he sprang upon
+horseback, and with the attendants who were waiting for him below,
+rode out upon the side of the hill, in order to assist the fugitives
+in case of need; but no sign of pursuit took place till one half of
+the distance or more had been passed by the little party; and the
+Count dismounting about a quarter of a mile from the village, watched
+their coming with eager eyes and a beating heart, as he recognised the
+form of Clemence de Marly. When she was beyond all risk of being
+overtaken, a small party of cavaliers issued forth from another part
+of the camp, and rode on towards the village, but slowly, and they
+were still at more than a miles distance when Clemence was in the arms
+of her lover, and weeping upon his bosom. He led her in as fast as
+possible, followed by the maid Maria, and no less a person than Jerome
+Riquet, who seemed to have found of breaking his word so strong a
+temptation, that he could not resist it.
+
+A rumour had spread amongst the Protestants in the town that something
+of interest was proceeding without, and when the Count and Clemence
+turned towards the village, they found that their meeting had been
+witnessed by many eyes. But in the faces of those they passed, Albert
+of Morseiul read courage brightened, and resolution strengthened, by
+that which they had just seen; and there was not a man within that
+little encampment whose heart did not feel elevated and confirmed by
+witnessing the bursting forth of those tender and ennobling feelings,
+which ever, when pure and true, dignify man's spirit, and brighten his
+mind.
+
+When they were within the barriers, the Count turned for a moment to
+look at the other group which had drawn out from the camp; but it did
+not seem that they were in pursuit of Clemence, for they shaped their
+course along the road towards the principal entrance of the village,
+and when the Count turned, he clearly saw them displaying a flag of
+truce. He led Clemence into the house where he had taken up his head
+quarters, however, and saying a few soothing words, left her to see
+what was the intelligence which the Chevalier's envoys conveyed. As he
+walked down he met a messenger coming to demand his presence at the
+barrier; and on approaching it, he found waiting, in the guard-house,
+the old English officer, Sir Thomas Cecil, with one or two French,
+gentlemen with whom he was slightly acquainted.
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul," said the old Englishman, "I have been charged
+by Major-General the Chevalier d'Evran to communicate to you the only
+terms which he is permitted by the King to grant under the
+circumstances in which you respectively stand. He was long in hopes
+that those terms would have been more favourable than they are, and
+they are very painful to me to announce. But as you conveyed to him a
+message through me, he thought that I ought to undertake to bear the
+reply."
+
+"I thank you, my dear Sir," replied the Count, "most sincerely for
+undertaking the task. But, as a preliminary, let me tell you before
+these gentlemen who have come with you, as well as before Monsieur du
+Bar here, and my own friends around me, that the only terms which I
+will accept are those which I notified to the Chevalier d'Evran
+through you, namely, permission for any one hundred of my friends of
+the reformed religion to retire from France unmolested; a free pardon
+to all the rest, except myself, on laying down their arms, and a
+promise that they shall be permitted to exercise their religion in
+private without annoyance. On these conditions we will immediately lay
+down our arms, and I will surrender myself at discretion to his
+Majesty's pleasure."
+
+"No, no!--No, no!" cried several voices amongst the Protestants; "we
+cannot submit to that. We will die at our post with arms in our hands,
+rather than that the Count shall be sacrificed."
+
+"My good friends," replied the Count, "that is a personal matter
+altogether. I have made the best terms that I can for you, and I have
+done what I judge right for myself; knowing that the only way of
+dealing with his Majesty is to throw myself upon his magnanimity."
+
+The old Englishman wiped away a tear from his eye. "I am sorry to
+say, Sir," he rejoined, "that I cannot even mention such favourable
+terms as those. On condition of your immediately laying down your
+arms, the Chevalier d'Evran, in the name of the King, offers the
+following:--Permission for every one not absolutely a subject of
+France to leave the country unmolested. Free pardon to all but the
+actual leaders of the revolt, specified in the following list. They
+must unconditionally surrender to the King's pleasure, and trust to
+his mercy."
+
+The list apparently contained about fifty names; at the head of which
+stood that of the Count of Morseiul. The Count looked round upon the
+Protestant gentlemen by whom he was surrounded. On all their
+countenances but one or two there was awe, but not fear. As the only
+reply needful, the Marquis du Bar laid his finger upon the hilt of his
+sword, and the Count turning to Sir Thomas Cecil, said, "You perceive,
+Sir, that it is utterly impossible we can accede to this demand. I
+know not whether it has been made under any mistaken impression; but
+when I offered what I did offer through you to the Chevalier d'Evran,
+I was just as certain that we should be reduced to the situation in
+which we are at present as I am now--nay, expected it to be worse than
+it is. We can but die, Sir; and I have not the slightest objection to
+lead you round the preparations which I have made for resisting to the
+last; so that if our blood must be shed, and the Chevalier is
+determined to sacrifice the lives of a large body of our royal
+master's troops, he may be satisfied that he cannot carry this
+position without the loss of two or three thousand men."
+
+"It is not necessary, Count. It is not necessary," replied the old
+officer. "The Chevalier has no choice; the terms are dictated by
+higher authority; and all that he can do farther than signify those
+terms to you is to grant you five hours to consider of them. If you
+like to accept a truce for that time you may take it."
+
+The Count was not a little surprised at this indulgence, but he took
+care to express none; and accepting the truce willingly, suffered the
+old officer to depart. One or two of the young French officers, whom
+he had known in the army, wrung his hand as they went away, and
+besought him, with kindly feelings, to think well of what he was
+about. One of them, however, ere he went, whispered a more important
+word in his ear.
+
+"There are ships out at sea," he said. "You and the other leaders may
+get off before the five hours are out."
+
+The Count took no notice, but wished him Good-by; and returning with
+Monsieur du Bar and the rest of the officers, he held a brief
+consultation with them in the saloon of the little inn.
+
+"Had we more boats," he said, "the matter would be easily managed. But
+there are but two on the shore, which will not carry out above twenty
+of us. However, my good friends, it becomes necessary to take some
+prompt resolution. I have begun to be somewhat doubtful to-day of Le
+Luc, who commands in the fort. He has sent me no answer to my note of
+last night, and though I do not believe that he would be so great a
+scoundrel, after all his promises, as to turn against us, yet I must
+ascertain decidedly what are his intentions; for he might sink the
+boats as they passed under his guns. If he be still friendly to us,
+and willing really to aid us, we are safe, for while the soldiery lay
+down their arms and surrender upon promise of free pardon, you,
+gentlemen, who all of you, I find, are upon this long list of
+proscription, can march along the causeway into the fort, and embark
+in the ships that lie out there. If, on the contrary, we find him a
+traitor, we must make the boats hold as many as they will, and take
+the chance of the scoundrel firing upon them. I shall only claim to
+have one place reserved in one of the boats."
+
+"Two," said du Bar; "surely two, Morseiul. Did I not see a lady?"
+
+"It is for her I speak," replied the Count. "Du Bar, in pity do not
+urge me in matters where my resolution is taken. I have pangs and
+agony at my heart sufficient at this moment, believe me, to be spared
+that of refusing a friend.--Now then, gentlemen," he added, after a
+moment's pause, "let five of you accompany me along the causeway which
+must be passable by this time, to speak to Governor Le Luc. If you
+will mount your horses, I will be down with you in an instant," and he
+went up to take one hurried embrace of her he loved, and to explain to
+her what had happened, and what was proposed, concealing from her, as
+far as he could, the dangers and difficulties of their situation; but
+concealing from her still more carefully his own purpose of
+surrendering at discretion.
+
+When this was done he went down, and finding the other gentlemen
+ready, sprang upon his horse, without noticing that a multitude of the
+inferior Protestants had gathered round, and seemed to be watching
+them with somewhat suspicious eyes.
+
+The sea had not quite left the causeway dry, except in one or two
+places, and the sands were still quite covered. But the only result of
+this was to force the Count and his train to proceed slowly, and one
+by one, while he himself led the way, the white stone pavement being
+clearly discernible through the thin water.
+
+In the mean time, however, the Protestants who had been gazing at him
+as he mounted, gathered into knots together, and seemed to be speaking
+hastily and discontentedly. Some of the inferior officers joined them,
+and a great deal of tumult and talking ensued, which called out
+several of the gentlemen of the party to remonstrate. But remonstrance
+seemed in vain, and the crowd soon after trooped away out of the
+little open space where they had assembled, in the direction of the
+corps de garde, where the small battery of cannon was placed. Various
+broken sentences, however, were heard from time to time, such as, "I
+would hardly have believed it. To take care of themselves, and leave
+us to perish. I always said, we should be made the sacrifice. Better
+be a Catholic and at peace, than that."
+
+"Ride after the Count and tell him what is going on," said one of the
+gentlemen to another, "while I go to our good minister, Monsieur
+Vigni, and get him to reason with them. You see they are mistaking the
+matter altogether, and think that we are going to abandon them. Make
+haste, or it will be too late."
+
+The suggestion was instantly followed; but ere the officer could get
+his horse and ride down to the sea shore, the Count and his party were
+nearly at the fort, and to them we must now turn.
+
+The progress of the young general of the Huguenots had been slower
+than it might have been, not only on account of the causeway being
+partially covered with water, but also because the stone, with which
+it was composed, had in some places been broken up or carried away. He
+at length reached, however, the fortified head of the causeway at the
+foot of the rock, and then demanded admission to speak with the
+governor.
+
+This was refused him; but as such might naturally be the case, his
+suspicions were but little increased by that event. He, however,
+directed the officer in command immediately to send up and inform the
+governor Le Luc of his being there, and of his desire to speak with
+him.
+
+After keeping him some time, the officer returned, saying, "that
+Monsieur le Luc would come down himself to speak with the Count," and
+during the period that the Protestant leaders were thus occupied in
+waiting for the appearance of the governor, the Protestant officer
+arrived from the village, bringing news that the soldiery which had
+been left behind were in a state of actual mutiny, having entirely
+mistaken the object of the Count and his companions, and imagined that
+they were engaged in seeking their own safety, leaving the soldiers to
+meet whatever fate might befall them.
+
+"In the name of Heaven, ride back, Du Bar," said the Count, "and quiet
+them till I return. It is better for me to stay and speak to this
+worthy gentleman, who seems to be showing us a cold face, as you know
+he owes every thing to my house. I will return instantly, as soon as
+he condescends to favour us with his presence."
+
+Du Bar did not reply, but turned his horse, for they were still kept
+on the outside even of the causeway head, and rode back as fast as he
+could go, accompanied by one of the other officers.
+
+The Count remained, growing more and more impatient every moment; and
+the governor, perhaps thinking that he would get tired of waiting, and
+retire without an answer, kept him nearly half an hour before he made
+his appearance. He then came down with that dull and dogged look,
+which generally accompanies the purpose of disgraceful actions; and
+the Count, restraining his indignation, called to him to cause the
+drawbridge to be lowered, in order that he might speak to him more
+privately.
+
+"No, indeed," replied the governor, with a scoff; "with the little
+force I have in here, I shall not think of causing the drawbridge to
+be lowered, when I know that the village is occupied by a large party
+of armed traitors."
+
+"Traitors!" exclaimed the Count; but again overcoming his anger, he
+added, in a cooler tone, "Monsieur le Luc, up to this moment I have
+believed you to be of the reformed church."
+
+"I am so no longer," muttered the governor.
+
+"Well, Sir," continued the Count, "there are other things which may
+have influence upon men of honour and good feeling besides their
+religion. There is at the village, as you say, a large party of
+Protestant gentlemen, assembled in defence of their liberty and
+freedom of conscience: they find themselves unable to resist the power
+of those that would oppress them; terms are proposed for extending a
+free pardon to all but some thirty or forty; those thirty or forty are
+desirous of obtaining shelter in this fortress for one or two hours at
+the utmost, till they can embark in those ships, which are waiting for
+the rising of the tide. Now, Monsieur le Luc, my father gave you the
+first commission that you held under the crown. He obtained for you
+your first promotion, and I bestowed upon you the post in this
+fortress which you now hold. Will you, Sir, grant us the shelter that
+we demand at your hand.
+
+"Very pretty," replied Le Luc, "to talk of honour, and ask me to
+betray the trust that the King reposes in me."
+
+Still the Count kept his temper. "You refuse, then?" he demanded.
+
+"Yes, that I do," answered the governor in a rude tone; "and the
+sooner you take yourself back to the land the better, for I am in no
+humour to be trifled with."
+
+It was with difficulty that the Count restrained himself; but there
+was one chance more, and he tried it.
+
+"Yet another word, my good friend," he said. "There is a matter in
+which you can favour us without endangering your own safety, or
+getting into discredit with the government. If we attempt to pass to
+the ships in what boats we can find, will you pledge me your word that
+you do not fire into them?"
+
+"If you do not make haste away from the gates of this fortress,"
+replied the governor, who saw, by the quivering of the Count's lip the
+contempt that he could not help feeling, "I will fire upon you where
+you are, and will sink the boat of every traitor that comes within
+shot."
+
+"Sir," said the Count, "you are a dastardly, pitiful, contemptible
+scoundrel. It is only happy for you that the drawbridge is between us,
+or I would treat you like an ill-conditioned hound, and lash you
+within an inch of your life under my horse's feet."
+
+"You shall hear more, traitor; you shall hear more in a minute,"
+replied the governor. "And mind I tell you, the faster you go the
+better for you."
+
+Thus saying, he turned away, and mounted the zigzag staircase in the
+rock with a rapid step. The Count paused, and turned his horse; but at
+that very moment he saw a party of horsemen at the other end of the
+causeway apparently coming towards him with great speed, part of them
+upon the sands, which by this time had been left dry, part of them
+following the road in the midst.
+
+"It is Du Bar and the rest," said he, in a low voice, to one of the
+gentlemen near him. "I have a very great mind to stay here, and try to
+punish that fellow for his insolence. I could swim that little bit of
+sea in a moment, and the drawbridge once in our possession, the castle
+would be ours."
+
+"Count, Count," shouted the officer of the guard from the
+fortress-side of the drawbridge "for God's sake make haste and ride
+back. I hear that governor of ours giving orders for charging the
+cannon with grape. He will fire upon you as sure as I am alive, for he
+sent word to the Chevalier d'Evran last night that he would do so."
+
+"I thank you, Sir, for your courtesy," replied the Count calmly.
+"Under these circumstances, my friends, it is better for us to so
+back."
+
+The other officers put their horses into a quick pace, and they rode
+on; but they had scarcely gone a hundred yards when the cannon of the
+castle opened a fire of grape upon them. The shot, however, flew over
+their heads, as they were too near the walls to be easily hit, except
+from the drawbridge, where the Count could see preparations being made
+for following up the same course. At the same moment, however, he
+pulled up his horse, exclaiming, "Good God, that is not the Marquis du
+Bar: it is the Chevalier d'Evran!"
+
+The officers who were with him paused also, and to their surprise, and
+somewhat to their consternation, perceived that, shut in as they were
+by the sea on two sides, and by the fortress on another, the only open
+ground before them was occupied by the Commander-in-chief of the
+royalist forces, with a numerous staff, and a small escort of cavalry.
+
+"We have nothing for it, my friends," said the Count de Morseiul in a
+low, calm tone, "but to surrender; it is evident our men have
+capitulated in the village. Let us ride on and meet them."
+
+Thus saying he spurred on his horse, while the Chevalier d'Evran
+galloped forward on his side, waving his hat, and shaking his clenched
+fist towards the people on the walls of the fort. They either did not
+recognise him, however, or did not choose to obey his commands; and
+before he and the Count de Morseiul met, a second discharge of
+grape-shot took place from the cannon of the castle. At the same
+moment the Count de Morseiul beheld the Chevalier d'Evran suddenly
+check up his horse, press his hand upon his side, and fall headlong to
+the ground, while one of the horses of the Count's party was killed
+upon the spot, and an officer of the Chevalier's staff fell wounded,
+but rose up again immediately.
+
+The Count galloped eagerly on to the spot where he had seen the
+Chevalier d'Evran fall, and the memory of long friendship came
+painfully back upon his heart. Before he had reached the group of
+soldiers and officers, however, five or six men had raised the
+unfortunate commander from the ground, and were bearing him rapidly
+back towards the village. So eagerly were those who remained
+conversing together, and so fully occupied with their own thoughts,
+that the Count de Morseiul might, to all appearance, have passed by
+them without opposition or inquiry; but he himself drew in his rein,
+demanding, "Is he much hurt?"
+
+"Alas! Monsieur de Morseiul," replied the officer, who seemed to be
+next in command, "he is dead! Killed on the spot by that infernal
+shot! and a nobler gentleman, or better soldier, never lived. But some
+of your own people are killed also; are they not?"
+
+"One of the horses only, I believe," replied the Count. "Pray, may I
+ask how all this has happened?--Poor Louis!"
+
+"Ride on, ride on, Charliot," said the officer, speaking to one of his
+own men before he answered the Count, "that scoundrel will fire upon
+us again. Tell him I will hang him over the drawbridge if he fires
+another shot Monsieur de Morseiul, I will explain all this as we ride
+back, for you will have but little time to make your arrangements.
+Scarcely half an hour ago as Monsieur d'Evran and the rest of us were
+reconnoitring pretty close to your camp, a party of your men came out
+and offered to capitulate on certain terms, which the Chevalier
+instantly agreed to, and they gave us possession of the gate and the
+corps de garde. Just at that moment, however, came up Monsieur du Bar,
+who remonstrated somewhat angrily with the Chevalier on signing a
+capitulation with the men, when he had given the officers a truce of
+five hours to consider of his terms. He represented that in those five
+hours all the gentlemen named in the proscribed list might have made
+their escape. On that the Chevalier replied, that he intended to take
+no advantage; that the truce should be held to exist notwithstanding
+the capitulation; and that every gentleman on that list might act
+exactly as he pleased, without any one trying to impede him. He could
+not suffer them, of course, to pass through our camp; but if they
+could escape by sea they might. He said, however, that he wished to
+speak with this Le Luc, and that he would take the liberty of riding
+down through the village. Du Bar then asked if he intended to bid Le
+Luc fire on the boats or ships. He answered quite the contrary; that
+his only intention was to supersede him in his command, and put an
+officer in his place who would keep the truce to the letter. You have,
+therefore, yet four hours nearly, to do what you will in, Monsieur de
+Morseiul; for I, of course, taking the Chevalier's command, shall
+maintain all his arrangements, and act in their full spirit."
+
+The Count had listened sadly and attentively, and when the royalist
+officer had done speaking, he replied that by his leave he would ride
+on as fast as possible to the village, and consult with his
+companions.
+
+"Do so! do so!" answered the other; "and now I think of it, I had
+better go on to the fort, and put the Chevelier's intentions in
+execution. For this firing upon you may be considered already a breach
+of the truce. I shall find you on my return; and at the little auberge
+you will meet with an English gentleman most anxious to speak with
+you." Thus saying, he turned again towards the fort, and the Count,
+with a sad heart, rode back to the village.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XIV.
+
+                         THE BITTER PARTING.
+
+
+Just at the entrance of the village, the Count met with his companion
+Du Bar.
+
+"Have you heard all?" demanded that officer. "What is to be done?"
+
+"Get the boats ready with all speed," replied the Count. "The tide
+will turn within half an hour, the ships will be able to come farther
+in. Twenty or thirty persons may get off in the first boats, which
+must come back again for a second freight. I see clearly, my friend,
+that there is no intention of dealing harshly with us. All the
+officers wish us to escape, and there will be no more firing from the
+castle. I must leave the embarkation, and all that, to you, Du Bar,
+for I have things to go through that will try my heart to the utmost.
+I must have a few minutes to make up my mind to parting with my
+friends and companions, and all that I love on earth, forever.--Du
+Bar," he continued, while the other wrung his hand affectionately,
+"there will be a young lady who will accompany you, and that girl, the
+daughter of poor Virlay. You have a wife and children yourself, whom
+you love, I know, fondly and devotedly. They are in safety, you told
+me, on those opposite shores which I shall never see. But let me
+beseech you,--by the memory of these dark and terrible days, when the
+hand that now presses yours is laid in the dust, as I know too well
+must soon be the case,--let me beseech you, I say, to give every aid
+and assistance to those two that I now commit to your charge. Be to
+the one as a brother, Du Bar, and to the other as a father. I know you
+to be honest and true as you are brave and wise; and I shall lay my
+head upon the block with more peace at my heart, if you promise me
+that which I now ask."
+
+"I do, I do," replied the Marquis, with the tears standing in his
+eyes. "I do promise you, from my heart, and I would fain persuade you
+even now to consider----"
+
+But the Count waved his hand and rode on.
+
+There was a considerable crowd round the entrance of the little inn,
+and he had some difficulty in making his way in. At the door of the
+room where he had fixed his own quarters, he found two or three of the
+royalist soldiers; but, passing by them, he entered the room, when a
+sight met his eye which might well chill and wring his heart.
+
+The room was nearly empty, but stretched upon the long table, which
+occupied the midst, was the fine noble form of the Chevalier d'Evran,
+now still in death. Standing near the head of the body, was the old
+English officer, Sir Thomas Cecil, with an air of deep stern grief
+upon his fine and striking countenance. His hat was off, showing his
+white hair, his arms were crossed upon his chest, his head was erect
+as ever, and nothing like a tear was in his eye: but there was no
+mistaking the expression of his countenance. It was that of intense
+sorrow. But on the other side of the table grief was displaying itself
+in a different manner, and in a different form. For there knelt
+Clemence de Marly, with her beautiful head bent down over the dead
+body; her hair, fallen from its bindings, scattered wildly, partly
+over her own shoulders, partly over the breast of the Chevalier; her
+left hand clasping that of the dead man, her eyes and face buried on
+his bosom, while the convulsing sobs that shook her whole frame, told
+how bitterly she was weeping.
+
+The Count paused with a look of deep sadness: but there was no anger
+or jealousy in his countenance. The old English officer, however, as
+soon as he perceived him, hurried forward, and took both his hands,
+saying, in a low and solemn voice, "You must let her weep, Count, you
+must let her weep! It is her brother!"
+
+"I have been sure of it for several days," replied the Count. "She
+told me not, but I knew it from what she did tell me. This day of
+agony, however, Sir, is not yet over. I must disturb her grief but to
+waken her to more. You know the short time that is allowed for flight.
+You know the fate that would await her here if she were to remain in
+this country as what is called a relapsed heretic, by the cruel
+persecutors of this land. Within two hours from this time, my good
+Sir, she must take her departure for ever. The boats will be ready,
+and not a moment must be lost; and in those two short hours she must
+part with one who loves her as well as ever woman yet was loved, with
+one who truly believes she loves him as well as woman's heart can
+love--and who shall say where is the boundary of that boundless
+affection? She must part with him, Sir, for ever, and with her native
+land."
+
+"This is not her native land," replied the old officer. "The lady
+Clemence Cecil, Sir, is an English woman. But in one respect you say
+true. My poor niece must go, for I have experienced in my own person,
+as you know, now daring is the injustice of arbitrary power in this
+land, in the prisons of which, I, an English subject, have been
+detained for more than a year and a half, till our own papistical and
+despotic King chose to apply to your despot for my liberation, and for
+the restoration of my brother's children. She must leave this land
+indeed. But your words imply that you must stay behind. Tell me, tell
+me, my noble friend, is this absolutely necessary, in honour and in
+conscience?"
+
+The Count grasped his hand, and pointed to the dead body. "I promised
+him," he said, "who lies there, that I would surrender myself to the
+King's pleasure. I have every reason to believe, that, in
+consideration of that promise, he dealt as favourably with us as he
+was permitted; that he even went beyond the strict line of his duty to
+give us some facilities of escape; and I must hold my promise to the
+dead as well as if he were here to claim it."
+
+"God forbid," said Sir Thomas Cecil, "that I should say one word
+against it, terrible as is your determination--for you must well know
+the fate that awaits you. It seems to me that there was only that one
+act wanting, to make you all that our poor Clemence ought to love on
+earth, at the very moment she is to lose you for ever. See, she is
+raising her head. Speak to her, my friend, speak to her!"
+
+The Count advanced and threw his arms round her. He knew that the
+grief which she felt was one that words could do nothing to mitigate,
+and the only consolation that he offered was thus by pressing her
+fondly to his heart, as if to express that there was love and
+tenderness yet left for her on earth. Clemence rose and wiped; way her
+tears, for she felt he might think that some doubt of his affection
+mingled with her grief for her brother, if she suffered it to fall
+into excess.
+
+"Oh, Albert," she said, "this is very terrible. I have but you
+now----"
+
+A hesitation came over the Count de Morseiul as she spoke those words,
+gazing tenderly and confidingly upon him: a hesitation, as to whether
+he should at once tell her his determination, or not let her know that
+he was about to remain behind, till she was absolutely in the boat
+destined to bear her away. It was a terrible question that he thus put
+to his own heart. But he thought it would be cruel not to tell her,
+however dreadful might be the struggle to witness and to share.
+
+"Alas, Clemence," he replied, "I must soon trust you, for a time at
+least, to other guidance, to other protection than my own. The boats
+are preparing to carry off a certain number of our friends to England.
+You must go in one of them, Clemence, and that immediately. Your noble
+uncle here, for such I understand he is, Sir Thomas Cecil, will
+protect you I know, and be a father to you. The Marquis du Bar, too,
+one of the noblest of men, will be to you, as a brother."
+
+Clemence replied not, but gazed with a look of deep, earnest,
+imploring inquiry in the countenance of her lover, and after a moment
+he answered that look by adding, "I have given my promise, Clemence,
+to remain behind!"
+
+"To death, to death!" cried Clemence, casting herself upon his bosom,
+and weeping bitterly, "you are remaining to die. I know it, I know it,
+and I will never quit you!"
+
+The Count kissed her tenderly, and pressed her to his heart; but he
+suffered not his resolution to be shaken. "Listen to me, my Clemence,"
+he said. "What may be my fate I know not: but I trust in God's mercy,
+and in my own uprightness of intentions. But think, Clemence, only
+think, dear Clemence, how terrible would be my feelings, how tenfold
+deep and agonising would be all that I may have to suffer, if I knew
+that, not only I myself was in danger, but that you also were in still
+greater peril. If I knew that you were in imprisonment, that the
+having followed the dictates of your conscience was imputed to you as
+a crime; that you were to be tormented by the agony of trial, before a
+tyrannical tribunal, and doomed to torture, to cruel death, or to
+eternal imprisonment. Conceive, Clemence, conceive how my heart would
+be wrung under such circumstances. Conceive how to every pang that I
+may otherwise suffer would be added the infinite weight of grief, and
+indignation, and suspense on your account. Conceive all this, and
+then, oh Clemence, be merciful, be kind, and give me the blessing of
+seeing you depart in safety, as a consolation and a support under all
+that I may have myself to suffer."
+
+Clemence wept bitterly upon his bosom, and the Count soothed her by
+every endearing and tender word. At length, she suddenly raised her
+head, as if some new idea had struck her, and she exclaimed, "I will
+go, Albert. I will go upon one condition, without torturing you more
+by opposition."
+
+"What is that condition, dear Clemence?" demanded the Count, gazing on
+her face, which was glowing warmly even through her tears. "What is
+that condition, dearest Clemence?"
+
+Clemence hid her face again upon his breast, and answered, "It is,
+that I may become your wife before I quit this shore. We have
+Protestant ministers here; the ceremony can be easily performed. My
+uncle, I know, will offer no opposition; and I would fain bear the
+name of one so noble and so beloved, to another land, and to the
+grave, which may, perhaps, soon reunite us."
+
+The Count's heart was wrung, but he replied, "Oh, beloved Clemence,
+why, why propose that which must not--which cannot be; why propose
+that which, though so tempting to every feeling of my heart, would
+cover me with well-deserved shame if I yielded to it?--Think, think
+Clemence, what would deservedly be said of me if I were to consent--if
+I were to allow you to become my wife; to part with you at the altar,
+and perhaps by my death as a condemned criminal, to leave you an
+unprotected widow within a few days."
+
+Clemence clasped her hands, vehemently exclaiming, "So help me Heaven
+as I would rather be the widow of Albert of Morseiul, than the wife of
+any other man that ever lived on earth!"
+
+Sir Thomas Cecil, however, interposed. "Clemence," he said, "your
+lover is right: but he will not use arguments to persuade you that I
+may use. This is a severe and bitter trial. The Almighty only knows
+how it will terminate: but, my dear child, remember that this is no
+ordinary man you love. Let his character be complete to the last! Do
+not--do not, by any solicitation of your's, Clemence, take the least
+brightness from his bright example. Let him go on, my child, to do
+what he believes his duty at all risks, and through all sacrifices.
+Let there not be one selfish spot from the beginning to the end for
+man to point at; and the Almighty will protect and reward him to whom
+he has given power to act uprightly to the last;--if not in this
+world, in another he will be blest, Clemence, and to that other we
+must turn our hopes of happiness, for here it is God's will that we
+should have tribulation."
+
+Clemence clasped her hands, and bent down her eyes to the ground. For
+several minutes she remained as if in deep thought, and then said, in
+a low but a firmer voice, "Albert, I yield; and knowing from what is
+in my own heart, how dreadful this moment must be to you, I will not
+render it more dreadful by asking you any thing more that you must
+refuse. I will endeavour to be as calm as I can, Albert;--but weep I
+must. Perhaps," she added, with a faint, faint smile upon her lips, "I
+might weep less if there were no hope; if it were all despair: but I
+see a glimmering for exertion on my part, if not exactly for hope; and
+that exertion may certainly be better made in another land than if I
+were to remain here:--and now for the pain of departure. That must be
+undergone, and I am ready to undergo it rather at once than when I
+have forgotten my faint resolution. Do you go with me?" she continued,
+turning to her uncle; "if it be needful that you stay, I fear not to
+go alone."
+
+Sir Thomas Cecil, however, replied that he was ready to accompany her.
+Her maid, Maria, was warned to prepare with all speed; and ere a few
+more sentences were spoken on either part, the Marquis du Bar came to
+inform the Count, that the boats were afloat, and the vessels standing
+in, as far as they could into the bay. The Huguenot gentlemen
+mentioned in the list of proscription were already on the shore, and
+not a little eager to be in the first boats to put off. The soldiery
+were drawn up under arms to await the expiration of the truce; and as
+the Count and Sir Thomas Cecil led down Clemence, weeping bitterly, to
+the sands, a murmur of sympathy and compassion ran through the crowd,
+and through the ranks of the soldiery, and the gentlemen drew back to
+give her the first place in the boats. Before they reached the edge,
+however, the Count, whose eye had been raised for a moment to the
+vessels, pointed towards them with a smile of satisfaction.
+
+"Gentlemen," he said, looking round, "I am happy to see that you will
+all be able to get off without risk. Do you not perceive they are
+sending off their boats for you? Clemence," he said, in a lower voice,
+"will you go at once, or will you wait till the other boats arrive,
+and all go together?"
+
+"Let me wait--let me wait," said Clemence, in the same low tone.
+"Every moment that my hand touches yours is a treasure."
+
+The other boats came in rapidly with the returning tide; and as soon
+as their keels touched the sand, and a few words had been spoken to
+ascertain that all was right and understood, the Count turned and
+said,--
+
+"Now, gentlemen."
+
+There were some twenty or thirty yards of shallow water between the
+sands and the boats, and Albert of Morseiul raised Clemence in his
+arms, and carried her to the edge of the first. Neither of them spoke
+a word; but as leaning over, he placed her in the boat, she felt his
+arms clasp more tightly round her, and his lips were pressed upon
+hers.
+
+"The Almighty bless thee!" and "God protect and deliver you!" was all
+that was said on either side; and the Count turned back to the shore.
+
+One by one the different officers advanced to him in silence, and
+grasped his hand before they proceeded to the boats. When they were
+all in, and the boats began to push off, the Count pulled off his hat,
+and stood bareheaded, looking up to Heaven. But at that moment a loud
+shout burst from the soldiery, of "The Count, the Count, they have
+forgotten the Count!"
+
+But the Count of Morseiul turned round towards them, and said aloud,
+in his usual calm, firm tone: "They have not forgotten me, my friends.
+It was you that were mistaken when you thought that I had forgotten
+you. I remain to meet my fate, whatever it may be."
+
+A number of men in the ranks instantly threw down their muskets, and
+rushing forward, clasped his knees, beseeching him to go. But he waved
+his hand, saying gently, "It is in vain, my friends! My determination
+has been taken for many days. Go back to your ranks, my good fellows,
+go back to your ranks! I will but see the boats safe, and then join
+you, to surrender the village and lay down our arms."
+
+The Count then turned again to the sea, and watched the four boats row
+onward from the shore. They reached the vessels in safety in a few
+minutes; in a few minutes more the boats belonging to the village
+began to row back empty. After a little pause some more canvass was
+seen displayed upon the yards of the vessels. They began to move; they
+sailed out of the harbour; and, after gazing down upon the sand
+fixedly and intently while one might count a hundred, the Count of
+Morseiul, feeling himself solitary, turned, gave the word of command,
+and marched the men back into the village. He entered immediately into
+the room where the Chevalier d'Evran lay, and although by this time
+all the principal officers of the royalist force were there, with
+several other persons, amongst whom was his own servant Riquet, he
+walked silently up to the head of the corpse, and gazed for several
+minutes on the dead man's face. Then lifting the cold hand, he pressed
+it affectionately in his.
+
+"God receive thee, Louis! God receive thee!" he said, and his eyes
+filled with the first tears that they had shed that day.
+
+"I see no use now, Sir," he continued, turning to the officer who had
+taken the command of the royal forces, "I see no use of delaying any
+longer the surrender of the village. I am ready in person to give it
+up to you this moment, and also to surrender my sword. The only favour
+I have to ask is, that you will make it known to his Majesty that I
+had no share in the event by which my unhappy friend here fell. The
+shot which slew him was intended for me, as you are doubtless aware."
+
+"Perfectly," replied the commander; "and I have already sent off a
+despatch to the King, giving him an account of the events of this
+morning; and I myself, joined with all the officers here present, have
+not failed to testify our sense of the noble, upright, and
+disinterested conduct of the Count of Morseiul. I would fain speak
+with him a word alone, however," and he drew him aside to the window.
+"Count," he said, "I shall not demand your sword, nor in any way
+affect your liberty, if you will promise to go to Paris immediately,
+and surrender yourself there. If you would take my advice, you would
+go at once to the King, and cast yourself at his feet. Ask for no
+audience, but seek admission to him at some public moment  If fortune
+favours you, which I trust it will, you may have an opportunity of
+explaining to his Majesty many things that have probably been
+misrepresented."
+
+"I shall certainly follow your advice," said the Count, "since you put
+it in my power to do so."
+
+"Ah, gentlemen," cried Riquet, who had been listening unperceived to
+all they said. "If the poor Chevalier had lived, the Count would have
+been quite safe, for he had the means of proving that the Count saved
+the King's life not long ago, of which his Majesty knows nothing. I
+heard the man Herval make his confession to the Chevalier with my own
+ears; but he could not take it down, for the man died before pen and
+ink could do their work."
+
+"That is unfortunate, indeed," said the commander; "but still you can
+give your testimony of the facts, my good friend."
+
+"Bless you, Sir," replied Riquet, "they will never believe any thing I
+can say."
+
+"I fear not, indeed," replied the Count. "Besides, Sir, my good friend
+Riquet, if he went to Paris, would have so much to confess on his own
+account, that they would not mind what he said in regard to the
+confessions of others."
+
+"Unfortunately, too," said the commander, "all the papers of
+Hatreaumont, if I remember right, were ordered to be burnt by the
+common hangman. Such was the sentence of the court, I know, and it
+must have been executed long ago. However, Count, the plan that I have
+proposed is still the best. Speed to Paris with what haste you may;
+cast yourself upon the King's mercy; tell him all and every thing, if
+he will permit you to do so, and engage all your friends to support
+your cause at the same moment. Take your way at once into Brittany,"
+he added, dropping his voice, "and from thence to Paris; for I very
+much fear that the result would be fatal if you were to fall into the
+hands of the intendant of Poitou. He is exasperated to the highest
+degree. You have surrendered at discretion, taken with arms in your
+hand. He has already broken on the wheel two or three under the same
+circumstances; and I dare not deal with him in the same way that the
+Chevalier d'Evran did, for I have not sufficient power."
+
+The Count thanked him for his advice, and followed it; and, as we must
+not pause upon such circumstances as the surrender of the village, we
+shall let that event be supposed to have taken place; and in our next
+chapter shall, if possible, pursue this sad history to its conclusion.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XV.
+
+                               THE END.
+
+
+It was in the great reception room at Versailles, an hour after the
+King had held the council, which failed not to meet every day. His
+mood was neither more nor less severe than ordinary; for if, on the
+one hand, events had taken place which had given him pleasure, other
+events had reached his ears from the south of France, which showed
+him, notwithstanding all Louvois's efforts to conceal the extent of
+the evil, that serious disturbances in the Cevennes, and other parts
+of France, near the mouth of the Rhone, were likely to follow the
+measures which had been adopted against the Protestants.
+
+Louvois himself was present, and in no very placable mood, the King
+having replied to him more than once during the morning haughtily and
+angrily, and repressed the insolence by which his demeanour was
+sometimes characterised, with that severe dignity which the minister
+was very willing to see exercised towards any one but himself.
+
+Louis, who was dressed in the most sumptuous manner, held in his hand
+a roll of papers, which had been given him just before his entrance
+into the chamber; but he did not read them, and merely turned them
+round and round from time to time, as if he were handling a truncheon.
+Many eyes were fixed upon him, and various were the hopes and fears
+which the aspect of that one man created in the breasts of those who
+surrounded him. All, however, were silent at that moment, for an event
+was about to take place highly flattering to the pride of the
+ostentatious King of France, and the eyes of all were fixed upon the
+doors at the end of the hall.
+
+At length they opened, and a fine looking middle-aged man, dressed in
+a robe of red velvet, followed by four others in black velvet, was led
+into the apartment and approached the King. He bowed low and
+reverently, and then addressed the French sovereign without
+embarrassment, and with apparent ease, assuring the monarch in vague,
+but still flattering terms, that the republic of Genoa, of which he
+was Doge, had entertained nothing, throughout the course of events
+lately passed, but profound respect for the crown of France.
+
+Somewhat to the left of the King, amongst the multitude of French
+princes and officers, appeared one or two groups, consisting of the
+ambassadors from different barbaric nations; and, while the Doge of
+Genoa spoke, offering excuses for the conduct of the state he ruled,
+the eye of Louis glanced from time to time to the Indian envoys in
+their gorgeous apparel, as they eagerly asked questions of their
+interpreter, and were told that it was the prince of an independent
+state come to humble himself before the mighty monarch that he had
+offended. When the audience of the Doge of Genoa was over, and he
+withdrew, a multitude of the courtiers followed, so that the audience
+hall was nearly clear, and the King paused for a moment, talking over
+the Doge's demeanour to those who surrounded him, and apparently about
+to retire immediately. He had taken a step forward, indeed, to do so,
+when the Prince de Marsillac, who certainly dared to press the King
+upon disagreeable subjects, when no one else would run the risk,
+advanced, and, bowing low, pointed to the papers in the King's hand.
+
+"I ventured, Sire," he said, "before your Majesty came here, to
+present to you those papers which you promised to look at."
+
+The King's brow instantly darkened. "I see at once, Prince," he said,
+"that they refer to the Count of Morseiul, a rebel, as I am informed,
+taken with arms in his hand, in regard to whom the laws of the land
+must have their course."
+
+The Prince was somewhat abashed, and hesitated; but another gentleman
+stepped forward with stern and somewhat harsh features, but with a
+noble air and look that bespoke fearless sincerity.
+
+"What is it, Montausier?" said the King, sharply addressing that
+celebrated nobleman, who is supposed to have been represented by
+Moliere under the character of the misanthrope.
+
+"Merely to say, Sire," replied the Duke in a firm, strong tone of
+voice, "that some one has falsified the truth to your Majesty. My
+nephew, in command of the troops to whom the Count surrendered,
+informs me that he was not taken with arms in his hand, as you have
+said; but, on the contrary, (and here lies a great difference,)
+surrendered voluntarily, when, according to the truce of five hours
+granted to the Huguenots by the Chevalier d'Evran, he had every
+opportunity of escaping to England had he so pleased, as all the rest
+of the leaders on that occasion did."
+
+"How is this, Sir?" demanded the King, turning to Louvois. "I speak
+from your statements, and I hope you have not made me speak falsely."
+
+"Sire," replied Louvois, with a look of effrontery, "I have just heard
+that what the Duke says is the case; but I judged that all such points
+could naturally be investigated at the Count's trial."
+
+The King seemed struck with this observation; but Montausier instantly
+replied--"Monsieur de Louvois, if his Majesty will permit me to tell
+you so, you have been, for the first time in your life, sadly tardy in
+receiving information; for my nephew informs me that he gave you
+intelligence of this fact no less than three days ago; and, in the
+next place, you are very well aware of what you have not thought fit
+to say, that by investigating such things at a trial, you would
+directly frustrate the express object for which the Count de Morseiul
+surrendered himself when he might have escaped, which was to cast
+himself at the King's feet, and explain to him the strange and
+extraordinary misconception by which he was cast into rebellion, and
+to prove that as soon as ever he discovered the mistake which had been
+committed, he had expressed himself ready to surrender, and trust to
+the King's clemency, which is as great a quality as his justice."
+
+Louvois's face had grown fiery red. "Expressed his readiness to
+surrender!" cried he with a scoff. "Did he not fight two battles after
+that?"
+
+"How, Sir?" exclaimed the King. "I had understood from you that no
+battles had been fought at all. Mere skirmishes you said--affairs of
+posts--that the insurrection was nothing but the revolt of a few
+peasants."
+
+Louvois stammered forth some excuse about the numbers being
+insignificant, and the whole business crushed within nine days after
+the Chevalier d'Evran took the command; but the King turned away
+angrily, saying, "Monsieur de Louvois, no more interruption. I find in
+my middle age, as I found in my youth, that a king must see with his
+own eyes. Now, Marsillac, what is it you wish? What is it you desire
+of me, Montausier?"
+
+"For my part, Sire," replied the Prince de Marsillac, "I only desire
+that your Majesty should run your eyes over those papers. They are
+very brief, and to the point; and every fact that is therein stated I
+can assure you can be proved on indisputable authority."
+
+"And I," said the Duke of Montausier, "have only to beg that your
+Majesty would see and hear the Count of Morseiul. From him, as every
+man here present knows, you will hear the pure and simple truth, which
+is a thing that happens to your Majesty perhaps once in five or six
+years, and will do you good."
+
+The King smiled, and turned his eyes upon the papers; and when he had
+read them nearly through, he smiled again, even more gaily than
+before.
+
+"It turns out, gentlemen," he said, "that an affair has happened to me
+which I fancy happens to us all more than once in our lives. I have
+been completely cheated by a valet. I remember giving the villain the
+paper well, out of which it seems he manufactured a free pardon for
+his master. At all events, this frees the Count from the charge of
+base ingratitude which has been heavily urged against him. Your
+statement of his willing surrender, Montausier, greatly diminishes his
+actual and undoubted crime; and as I have complied with the request of
+the Prince de Marsillac, and looked at the papers, I must not refuse
+you yours. Either to-day, if the Count have arrived, or to-morrow, I
+will hear his story from his own lips."
+
+"Sire," replied the Duke of Montausier, "I have been daring enough to
+receive him in my apartments."
+
+The cloud came slightly again over Louis's countenance; but though he
+replied with dignified gravity, yet it was not with anger. "You have
+done wrong," he said; "but since it is so, call him to my presence.
+All you ladies and gentlemen around shall judge if I deal harshly with
+him."
+
+There was a pretty girl standing not far from the King, and close
+between her own mother and the interpreter of the ambassadors from
+Siam. We have spoken of her before, under the name of Annette de
+Marville; and while she had remained in that spot, her eyes had more
+than once involuntarily filled with tears. She was timid and retiring
+in her nature; and as the Duke of Montausier turned away to obey the
+King, every one was surprised to hear her voice raised sufficiently
+loud to reach even the ear of Louis himself, saying to the
+interpreter, "Tell them that they are now going to see how
+magnanimously the King will pardon one who has offended him."
+
+The King looked another way; but it was evident to those who were
+accustomed to watch his countenance, that he connected the words he
+had just heard with the humiliation he had inflicted on the Doge of
+Genoa, and that the contrast struck and pleased him not a little.
+
+In a very short time, before this impression had at all faded away,
+the door again opened, and the Duke of Montausier re-entered with the
+Count of Morseiul. The latter was pale, but perfectly firm and
+composed. He did not wear his sword, but he carried it sheathed in his
+hand, and advancing directly towards Louis, he bent one knee before
+the King, at the same time laying down the weapon at the monarch's
+feet.
+
+"Sire," he said, without rising, "I have brought you a sword, which
+for more than ten years was drawn in every campaign in your Majesty's
+service. It has, unfortunately, been drawn against you; and that it
+has been so, and at the very moment when your Majesty had a right to
+expect gratitude at my hands, is the bitterest recollection of my
+life; so bitter indeed, so horrible, so painful, that the moment I
+discovered the terrible error into which I had been hurried, the
+moment that I discovered that I owed my liberation to your Majesty, I
+instantly determined, whatever might be the result of the events that
+were then taking place, to surrender myself, unconditionally, to your
+Majesty's pleasure, to embrace no means of escape, to reject every
+opportunity of flight; and if your indignation so far overcame your
+mercy as to doom me to death, to submit to it, not alone with courage,
+which every man in your Majesty's service possesses, but with perfect
+resignation to your royal will."
+
+The words, the manner, the action, all pleased the King, and the
+countenance with which he looked upon the young nobleman was by no
+means severe.
+
+"You have, I fear, greatly erred, Monsieur de Morseiul," he replied.
+"But still I believe you have been much misled. Is there any favour
+that you have to ask me?"
+
+The Count gazed up in the King's face, still kneeling; and every head
+was bent forward, every ear listened eagerly. A momentary pause
+followed, as if there was a great struggle within him; and then he
+answered. "Sire, I will not ask my life of your Majesty;--not from any
+false pride, for I feel and acknowledge that it is yours to give or to
+take,--but because my conduct, however much it might originate in
+mistake, must appear so ungrateful to you that you cannot, at this
+moment, feel I deserve your mercy. The only favour I will ask, then,
+is this: that should I be brought to a trial, which must end, as I
+know, inevitably in my fall, you will read every word of my
+deposition, and I therein promise to give your Majesty a full and true
+account, without the falsification of a single word, of all that has
+taken place in this last lamentable business."
+
+Louvois took a half step forward as if to speak, and not a little
+anxiety was upon his countenance. But, contrary to the general
+impression of those present, all that the Count had said had pleased
+the King; though his latter words had not a little alarmed the
+minister, who knew that truths might be displayed which he was most
+anxious to conceal.
+
+"Monsieur de Morseiul," replied the King, "I will promise what you
+ask, at all events. But what you have said has pleased me, for it
+shows that you understand my spirit towards my subjects, and that I
+can grant without being asked. Your life, Sir, is given to you. What
+punishment we shall inflict may, perhaps, depend upon the sentence of
+a judicial court or of our council."
+
+"May it please your Majesty," said Louvois, stepping forward, "to hear
+me one moment. You have, perhaps, thought me inimical to Monsieur de
+Morseiul, but such, indeed, is not the case; and I would propose, that
+instead of subjecting him to any trial at all, you, at once, pronounce
+sentence of banishment upon him, which is all the mercy that he can
+expect. His estates, as ought to be the case, must be forfeited to the
+crown."
+
+"And he driven forth," said the King, "to employ his military talents
+in the service of our enemies."
+
+"Never, never, never, Sire!" exclaimed the Count, clasping his hands
+eagerly. "Never should my sword be drawn against my native land. I
+would rather beg my bread in misery, from door to door: I would rather
+live in want, and die in sorrow, than do so base an act!"
+
+There was truth and zeal upon his countenance, and Louvois urged what
+he had proposed; but while he was addressing the Monarch, in a lower
+tone, one of the side doors of the hall opened, and a lady came partly
+in, speaking to some one behind her, as if she knew not that any one
+was in the hall. The moment that she perceived her mistake, Madame de
+Maintenon drew back; but the King advanced a step and besought her to
+come in.
+
+"We want your presence much, Madam," he said with a smile, "for we
+cannot decide upon what is to be done with this young culprit. But you
+seem in haste, and who is this with you? I have somewhere seen his
+face before."
+
+The King might well fail to recognise the countenance of Jerome
+Riquet, for it was at that moment actually cadaverous in appearance,
+from the various emotions that were going on in his heart.
+
+"I was at that moment seeking your Majesty," said Madame de Maintenon,
+advancing with her usual calm grace, "and was passing this way to your
+cabinet, to crave an audience ere you went out. But I thought the
+ceremony of the day was over."
+
+"What are your commands, Madam?" said the King. "Your wishes are to be
+attended to at all times."
+
+"You know, Sir," she said, "that I am not fond of ever asking one, who
+is only over generous to his servants, for any thing. But I was eager
+at that moment to beseech your Majesty to grant at once your pardon to
+this unfortunate man who some time ago committed a great crime in
+misapplying your Majesty's handwriting, and who has now just committed
+another, for which I understand the officers of justice are in pursuit
+of him, though the swiftness of the horse which brought him here has
+enabled him to escape for the moment. He found out my apartments, I
+know not how, and I brought him instantly to your Majesty as soon as I
+had heard his story, and read this paper."
+
+"What is this paper?" demanded the King, taking it; "ticketed I see in
+the hand of Monsieur de la Reynie, 'Letter from the said Herval to the
+Sieur de Hatreaumont!' How come you possessed of this, sirrah?"
+
+Riquet advanced and knelt before the King, while Louvois suddenly
+seemed to recollect some business, and retired from the circle.
+"Sire," said the valet, in the briefest possible terms, "in serving my
+master I was taken by your Majesty's forces, shut up in a barn with
+some wounded prisoners, heard the well known leader, Herval, confess
+to the Chevalier d'Evran, that he had written a letter to the traitor
+Hatreaumont, regarding his having been prevented from murdering your
+Majesty by the Count de Morseiul, (in which prevention I had some
+little share). The man died before his words could be taken down. The
+Chevalier d'Evran said it did not signify, for you would believe his
+evidence. But the Chevalier d'Evran was killed. My word I knew would
+not be believed; but I heard that the papers of Hatreaumont were to be
+burnt this day by the common hangman, opposite the Bastille.[4] I had
+a swift horse saddled. I got close to the fire. I fixed my eyes upon
+the papers one by one as they were thrown in, till seeing the writing
+of Herval, I seized the letter, and galloped hither as hard as I
+could. This is my tale, Sire, and on my word it is true."
+
+
+---------------------
+
+Footnote 4: The papers of Hatreaumont were preserved for some time
+after his death, in order to give light in regard to the guilt of his
+accomplices.
+
+
+---------------------
+
+
+The King hastily opened the paper, and read the contents, the
+expression of his countenance changing several times as he proceeded.
+But when he had done, he turned towards the Count, saying, "Monsieur
+de Morseiul, I require no one now to advise me how to act towards you.
+You are freely and entirely pardoned. I have given up the hope again
+of ever seeing you cast away the errors of your faith. But even that
+must not make me harsh towards the man who has saved my life. I would
+only fain know how it was that you did not inform me of this at the
+time?"
+
+"Sire," replied the Count, "I came to your Majesty for the purpose.
+Your Majesty most remember, that I told you that I had matters of deep
+importance to communicate. You referred me to Monsieur de Louvois, and
+as I was proceeding to his house, I was arrested. In the Bastille I
+was allowed to communicate with no one, and the rest you know."
+
+"We have been all very unfortunate, Count," replied the King.
+"However, I trust, that these embarrassments are at an end. You have
+your free pardon for the past, and now for the future. I cannot
+violate in your favour the laws that I have laid down for the
+regulation of the land, and for the establishment of one general
+religion throughout the country. If you stay in France, you, with
+others, lose the means of exercising the ceremonies of your sect. But,
+as I said to the Count de Schomberg, I say to you: in consideration of
+the great services that you have rendered, I will allow you to sell
+all your possessions if you choose to retire to another land, and this
+is, I fear, all I can do."
+
+"Your Majesty overwhelms me with bounty," said the Count, "but there
+are yet two favours that I would ask."
+
+"What more?" said the King.
+
+"One request is, Sire," said the Count, "to be allowed once in every
+year to present myself before your Majesty; and the other, that I may
+retain the chateau and the immediate grounds around it belonging to my
+ancestors. Thus every fond recollection that I have attached to France
+will still be gratified; and though in exile, I shall live a Frenchman
+to the last."
+
+"Your request is granted," replied the King, with a smile. "And now,
+gentlemen and ladies, as by your faces round I judge you are all well
+satisfied, we will not detain you longer."
+
+Thus saying, Louis turned and withdrew.
+
+Ere the Count of Morseiul retired from the room, and before any of his
+friends therein could speak with him, Madame de Maintenon said a word
+in his ear in a low voice.
+
+"Go to the hotel of the British ambassador," she said. "You will there
+find those that you do not expect."
+
+The heart of the Count of Morseiul beat high. He had words of
+gratitude to speak to many there present; but as soon as that was
+done, he hurried to Paris without a moment's pause; and in a few
+minutes clasped Clemence de Marly to a joyful heart.
+
+We need not tell here the brief story she related of her flight from
+the coast of France to London; and of her having found an affectionate
+parent in one who, by the wiles of an artful second wife, and an
+intriguing priest, had been persuaded to leave his children, by a
+first marriage with a Protestant lady, to the charge of her Catholic
+relations in France; and to the care of the King of that country.
+Louis had become the godfather of the eldest (known to us as the
+Chevalier d'Evran), while the earl himself was in exile during the
+troubles of the great rebellion. A Catholic himself, the Earl had been
+easily induced to believe that his children's salvation depended upon
+their being educated in a Catholic country; even though concealed
+there from Protestant relations by assumed names. But on the death of
+his second wife, all his feelings of natural affection returned, and
+during an illness, which made him believe that he was on his
+death-bed, he sent his brother to seek and bring back his children. We
+need not enter into the detail any farther. The reader can and will
+imagine it all. All that remains to be said is, that Clemence, in her
+eagerness, had easily persuaded that parent, whose only child she now
+was--for the three which had sprung from the second marriage had not
+survived--to hasten over to Paris, invested with every authority from
+the King, with whom his religion rendered him a favourite, to solicit
+the pardon of the Count of Morseiul. In consequence of the
+considerable round the Count was obliged to take in his journey to the
+capital, and the difficulty of obtaining an audience of the King, she
+had arrived the day before his fate was finally decided.
+
+The only part of that fate which could yet be doubtful, was now in her
+hands; and, if the King of France had shown himself merciful to the
+Count de Morseiul, she showed herself devoted to him through life,
+making him as happy, as the combination of the rarest qualities of
+mind and person with the noblest, and the deepest, and the dearest
+qualities of the heart, could make such a man as we have endeavoured
+to depict the Huguenot.
+
+
+
+                               THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Huguenot: (Volumes I-III), by
+G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
+
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