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diff --git a/5274-h/5274-h.htm b/5274-h/5274-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a5e1749 --- /dev/null +++ b/5274-h/5274-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,21998 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Chaplet of Pearls, by Charlotte M. Yonge + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Chaplet of Pearls, by Charlotte M. Yonge + +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 Chaplet of Pearls + +Author: Charlotte M. Yonge + +Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5274] +Last Updated: October 12, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHAPLET OF PEARLS *** + + + + +Produced by Hanh Vu, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE CHAPLET OF PEARLS<br /><br /> or<br /><br /> THE WHITE AND BLACK RIBAUMONT + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Charlotte M. Yonge + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>THE CHAPLET OF PEARLS</b> </a><br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> THE BRIDAL OF THE WHITE + AND BLACK <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> THE + SEPARATION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> THE + FAMILY COUNCIL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> TITHONUS + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> THE + CONVENT BIRD <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> FOULLY + COZENED <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> THE + QUEEN’S PASTORAL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> ’LE + BROUILON’ <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> THE + WEDDING WITH CRIMSON FAVOURS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER + X. </a> MONSIEUR’S BALLET <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> + CHAPTER XI. </a> THE KING’S TRAGEDY <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> THE PALACE OF + SLAUGHTER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> THE + BRIDEGROOM’S ARRIVAL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. + </a> SWEET HEART <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER + XV. </a> NOTRE-DAME DE BELLAISE* <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> THE HEARTHS AND + THICKETS OF THE BOCAGE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. + </a> THE GHOSTS OF THE TEMPLARS <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> THE MOONBEAM <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> <i>LA RUE DES + TROIS FEES</i> <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> THE + ABBE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> UNDER + THE WALNUT-TREE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> DEPARTURE + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> THE + EMPTY CRADLE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> THE + GOOD PRIEST OF NISSARD <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. + </a> THE VELVET COACH <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0026"> + CHAPTER XXVI. </a> THE CHEVALIER’S EXPIATION <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. </a> THE DYING KING + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. </a> THE + ORPHANS OF LA SABLERIE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. + </a> IN THE KING’S NAME <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0030"> + CHAPTER XXX. </a> CAGED IN THE BLACKBIRD’S NEST <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. </a> THE DARK POOL OF THE + FUTURE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. </a> ’JAM + SATIS’ <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER XXXIII. </a> THE + SCANDAL OF THE SYNOD OF MONTAUBAN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0034"> + CHAPTER XXXIV. </a> MADAME LA DUCHESSE <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0035"> CHAPTER XXXV. </a> THE ITALIAN PEDLAR + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0036"> CHAPTER XXXVI. </a> SPELL + AND POTION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0037"> CHAPTER XXXVII. </a> BEATING + AGAINST THE BARS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0038"> CHAPTER XXXVIII. + </a> THE ENEMY IN PRESENCE <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0039"> CHAPTER XXXIX. </a> THE PEDLAR’S + PREDICTION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0040"> CHAPTER XL. </a> THE + SANDS OF OLONNE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0041"> CHAPTER XLI. </a> OUR + LADY OF HOPE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0042"> CHAPTER XLII. </a> THE + SILVER BULLET <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0043"> CHAPTER XLIII. </a> LE + BAISER D’EUSTACIE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0044"> CHAPTER XLIV. </a> THE + GALIMAFRE <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + It is the fashion to call every story controversial that deals with times + when controversy or a war of religion was raging; but it should be + remembered that there are some which only attempt to portray human + feelings as affected by the events that such warfare occasioned. ‘Old + Mortality’ and ‘Woodstock’ are not controversial tales, and the ‘Chaplet + of Pearls’ is so quite as little. It only aims at drawing certain scenes + and certain characters as the convulsions of the sixteenth century may + have affected them, and is, in fact, like all historical romance, the + shaping of the conceptions that the imagination must necessarily form when + dwelling upon the records of history. That faculty which might be called + the passive fancy, and might almost be described in Portia’s song,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘It is engendered in the eyes, + By READING fed—and there it dies,’— +</pre> + <p> + that faculty, I say, has learnt to feed upon character and incident, and + to require that the latter should be effective and exciting. Is it not + reasonable to seek for this in the days when such things were not + infrequent, and did not imply exceptional wickedness or misfortune in + those engaged in them? This seems to me one plea for historical novel, to + which I would add the opportunity that it gives for study of the times and + delineation of characters. Shakespeare’s Henry IV. and Henry V., Scott’s + Louis XI., Manzoni’s Federigo Borromeo, Bulwer’s Harold, James’s Philip + Augustus, are all real contributions to our comprehension of the men + themselves, by calling the chronicles and memoirs into action. True, the + picture cannot be exact, and is sometimes distorted—nay, sometimes + praiseworthy efforts at correctness in the detail take away whatever might + have been lifelike in the outline. Yet, acknowledging all this, I must + still plead for the tales that presumptuously deal with days gone by, as + enabling the young to realize history vividly—and, what is still + more desirable, requiring an effort of the mind which to read of modern + days does not. The details of Millais’ Inquisition or of his Huguenot may + be in error in spite of all his study and diligence, but they have brought + before us for ever the horrors of the <i>auto-da-fe</i>, and the patient, + steadfast heroism of the man who can smile aside his wife’s endeavour to + make him tacitly betray his faith to save his life. Surely it is well, by + pen as by picture, to go back to the past for figures that will stir the + heart like these, even though the details be as incorrect as those of the + revolt of Liege or of La Ferrette in ‘Quentin Durward’ and ‘Anne of + Geierstein.’ + </p> + <p> + Scott, however, willfully carved history to suit the purposes of his + story; and in these days we have come to feel that a story must earn a + certain amount of credibility by being in keeping with established facts, + even if striking events have to be sacrificed, and that the order of time + must be preserved. In Shakespeare’s days, or even in Scott’s, it might + have been possible to bring Henry III. and his <i>mignons</i> to due + punishment within the limits of a tale beginning with the Massacre of St. + Bartholomew; but in 1868 the broad outlines of tragedy must be given up to + keep within the bounds of historical verity. + </p> + <p> + How far this has been done, critics better read than myself must decide. I + have endeavoured to speak fairly, to the best of my ability, of such + classes of persons as fell in with the course of the narrative, according + to such lights as the memoirs of the time afford. The Convent is scarcely + a CLASS portrait, but the condition of it seems to be justified by hints + in the Port Royal memoirs, respecting Maubuisson and others which Mere + Angelique reformed. The intolerance of the ladies at Montauban is + described in Madame Duplessis-Mornay’s life; and if Berenger’s education + and opinions are looked on as not sufficiently alien from Roman + Catholicism, a reference to Froude’s ‘History of Queen Elizabeth’ will + show both that the customs of the country clergy, and likewise that a + broad distinction was made by the better informed among the French between + Calvinism and Protestantism or Lutheranism, in which they included + Anglicanism. The minister Gardon I do not consider as representing his + class. He is a POSSIBILITY modified to serve the purposes of the story. + </p> + <p> + Into historical matters, however, I have only entered so far as my story + became involved with them. And here I have to apologize for a few + blunders, detected too late for alteration even in the volumes. Sir + Francis Walsingham was a young rising statesman in 1572, instead of the + elderly sage he is represented; his daughter Frances was a mere infant, + and Sir Philip Sidney was not knighted till much later. For the rest, I + have tried to show the scenes that shaped themselves before me as + carefully as I could; though of course they must not be a presentiment of + the times themselves, but of my notion of them. + </p> + <p> + C. M. Yonge + </p> + <p> + November 14th, 1868 + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE CHAPLET OF PEARLS + </h1> + <h3> + or + </h3> + <h1> + THE WHITE AND BLACK RIBAUMONT + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE BRIDAL OF THE WHITE AND BLACK + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Small was the ring, and small in truth the finger: + What then? the faith was large that dropped it down. + Aubrey De Vere, INFANT BRIDAL +</pre> + <p> + Setting aside the consideration of the risk, the baby-weddings of the + Middle Ages must have been very pretty sights. + </p> + <p> + So the Court of France thought the bridal of Henri Beranger Eustache de + Ribaumont and of Marie Eustacie Rosalie de Rebaumont du Nid-de-Merle, + when, amid the festivals that accompanied the signature of the treaty of + Cateau-Cabresis, good-natured King Henri II. presided merrily at the union + of the little pair, whose unite ages did not reach ten years. + </p> + <p> + There they stood under the portal of Notre-Dame, the little bridegroom in + a white velvet coat, with puffed sleeves, slashed with scarlet satin, as + were the short, also puffed breeches meeting his long white knitted silk + stockings some way above the knee; large scarlet rosettes were in his + white shoes, a scarlet knot adorned his little sword, and his velvet cap + of the same colour bore a long white plume, and was encircled by a row of + pearls of priceless value. They are no other than that garland of pearls + which, after a night of personal combat before the walls of Calais, Edward + III. of England took from his helmet and presented to Sir Eustache de + Ribaumont, a knight of Picardy, bidding him say everywhere that it was a + gift from the King of England to the bravest of knights. + </p> + <p> + The precious heirlooms were scarcely held with the respect due to an + ornament so acquired. The manly garb for the first time assumed by his + sturdy legs, and the possession of the little sword, were evidently the + most interesting parts of the affair to the youthful husband, who seemed + to find in them his only solace for the weary length of the ceremony. He + was a fine, handsome little fellow, fair and rosy, with bright blue eyes, + and hair like shining flax, unusually tall and strong-limbed for his age; + and as he gave his hand to his little bride, and walked with her under a + canopy up to kneel at the High Altar, for the marriage blessing and the + mass, they looked like a full-grown couple seen through a + diminishing-glass. + </p> + <p> + The little bride was perhaps a less beautiful child, but she had a + splendid pair of black eyes, and a sweet little mouth, both set into the + uncomprehending solemnity of baby gravity and contentment in fine clothes. + In accordance with the vow indicated by her name of Marie, her dress was + white and blue, turquoise forget-me-nots bound the little lace veil on her + dark chestnut hair, the bosom of her white satin dress was sprinkled with + the same azure jewel, and turquoises bordered every seam of the sweeping + skirt with a train befitting a count’s daughter, and meandered in gorgeous + constellations round the hem. The little thing lisped her own vows forth + without much notion of their sense, and indeed was sometimes prompted by + her bridesmaid cousin, a pretty little girl a year older, who thrust in + her assistance so glibly that the King, as well as others of the + spectators, laughed, and observed that she would get herself married to + the boy instead of her cousin. + </p> + <p> + There was, however, to be no doubt nor mistake about Beranger and Eustacie + de Ribaumont being man and wife. Every ceremony, religious or domestic, + that could render a marriage valid, was gone through with real + earnestness, although with infinite gaiety, on the part of the court. Much + depended on their union, and the reconcilement of the two branches of the + family had long been a favourite scheme of King Henri II. + </p> + <p> + Both alike were descended from Anselme de Ribaumont, renowned in the first + Crusade, and from the brave Picard who had received the pearls; but, in + the miserable anarchy of Charles VI.‘s reign, the elder brother had been + on the Burgundian side—like most of the other nobles of Picardy—and + had thus been brought into the English camp, where, regarding Henry V. as + lawfully appointed to the succession, and much admiring him and his + brother Nedford, he had become an ardent supporter of the English claim. + He had married an English lady, and had received the grant if the castle + of Leurre in Normandy by way of compensation for his ancestral one of + Ribaumont in Picardy, which had been declared to be forfeited by his + treason, and seized by his brother. + </p> + <p> + This brother had always been an Armagnac, and had risen and thriven with + his party,—before the final peace between France and England obliged + the elder line to submit to Charles VII. Since that time there had been a + perpetual contention as to the restitution of Chateau Ribaumont, a strife + which under Louis XI. had become an endless lawsuit; and in the days of + dueling had occasioned a good many insults and private encounters. The + younger branch, or Black Ribaumonts, had received a grant from Louis XI. + of the lands of Nid-de-Merle, belonging to an unfortunate Angevin noble, + who had fallen under the royal displeasure, and they had enjoyed court + favour up to the present generation, when Henri II., either from + opposition to his father, instinct for honesty, or both, had become a warm + friend to the gay and brilliant young Baron de Ribaumont, head of the + white or elder branch of the family. + </p> + <p> + The family contention seemed likely to wear out of its own accord, for the + Count de Ribaumont was an elderly and childless man, and his brother, the + Chevalier de Ribaumont, was, according to the usual lot of French juniors, + a bachelor, so that it was expected that the whole inheritance would + centre upon the elder family. However, to the general surprise, the + Chevalier late in life married, and became the father of a son and + daughter; but soon after calculations were still more thrown out by the + birth of a little daughter in the old age of the Count. + </p> + <p> + Almost from the hour in which her sex was announced, the King had promised + the Baron de Ribaumont that she should be the wife of his young son, and + that all the possessions of the house should be settled upon the little + couple, engaging to provide for the Chevalier’s disappointed heir in some + commandery of a religious order of knighthood. + </p> + <p> + The Baron’s wife was English. He had, when on a visit to his English + kindred, entirely turned the head of the lovely Annora Walwyn, and finding + that her father, one of the gravest of Tudor statesmen, would not hear of + her breaking her engagement to the honest Dorset squire Marmaduke + Thistlewood, he had carried her off by a stolen marriage and <i>coup de + main</i>, which, as her beauty, rank, and inheritance were all + considerable, had won him great reputation at the gay court of Henri II. + </p> + <p> + Infants as the boy and girl were, the King had hurried on their marriage + to secure its taking place in the lifetime of the Count. The Countess had + died soon after the birth of the little girl, and if the arrangement were + to take effect at all, it must be before she should fall under the + guardianship of her uncle, the Chevalier. Therefore the King had caused + her to be brought up from the cottage in Anjou, where she had been nursed, + and in person superintended the brilliant wedding. He himself led off the + dance with the tiny bride, conducting her through its mazes with fatherly + kindliness and condescension; but Queen Catherine, who was strongly in the + interests of the Angevin branch, and had always detested the Baron as her + husband’s intimate, excused herself from dancing with the bridegroom. He + therefore fell to the share of the Dauphiness Queen of Scots, a lovely, + bright-eyed, laughing girl, who so completely fascinated the little + fellow, that he convulsed the court by observing that he should not have + objected to be married to some one like her, instead of a little baby like + Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + Amid all the mirth, it was not only the Chevalier and the Queen who bore + displeased looks. In truth, both were too great adepts in court life to + let their dissatisfaction appear. The gloomiest face was that of him whose + triumph it was—the bridegroom’s father, the Baron de Ribaumont. He + had suffered severely from the sickness that prevailed in St. Quentin, + when in the last August the Admiral de Coligny had been besieged there by + the Spaniards, and all agreed that he had never been the same man since, + either in health or in demeanour. When he came back from his captivity and + found the King bent on crowning his return by the marriage of the + children, he had hung back, spoken of scruples about such unconscious + vows, and had finally only consented under stress of the personal + friendship of the King, and on condition that he and his wife should at + once have the sole custody of the little bride. Even then he moved about + the gay scene with so distressed and morose an air that he was evidently + either under the influence of a scruple of conscience or of a foreboding + of evil. + </p> + <p> + No one doubted that it had been the latter, when, three days later, Henri + II., in the prime of his strength and height of his spirits, encountered + young Des Lorges in the lists, received the splinter of a lance in his + eye, and died two days afterwards. + </p> + <p> + No sooner were his obsequies over than the Baron de Ribaumont set off with + his wife and the little bridal pair for his castle of Leurre, in Normandy, + nor was he ever seen at court again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE SEPARATION + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Parted without the least regret, + Except that they had ever met. + * * * * + Misses, the tale that I relate, + This lesson seems to carry: + Choose not alone a proper mate, + But proper time to marry! + COWPER, PAIRING TIME ANTICIPATED +</pre> + <p> + ‘I will have it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou shalt not have it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Diane says it is mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Diane knows nothing about it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gentlemen always yield to ladies.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wives ought to mind their husbands.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I will not be thy wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou canst not help it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will. I will tell my father what M. le Baron reads and sings, and then + I know he will.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And welcome.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie put out her lip, and began to cry. + </p> + <p> + The ‘husband and wife,’ now eight and seven years old, were in a large + room hung with tapestry, representing the history of Tobit. A great state + bed, curtained with piled velvet, stood on a sort of <i>dais</i> at the + further end; there was a toilet-table adorned with curiously shaped boxes, + and coloured Venetian glasses, and filagree pouncet-boxes, and with a + small mirror whose frame was inlaid with gold and ivory. A large coffer, + likewise inlaid, stood against the wall, and near it a cabinet, of Dutch + workmanship, a combination of ebony, ivory, wood, and looking-glass, the + centre retreating, and so arranged that by the help of most ingenious + attention to perspective and reflection, it appeared like the entrance to + a magnificent miniature cinque-cento palace, with steps up to a vestibule + paved in black and white lozenges, and with three endless corridors + diverging from it. So much for show; for use, this palace was a + bewildering complication of secret drawers and pigeon-holes, all depending + indeed upon one tiny gold key; but unless the use of that key were well + understood, all it led to was certain outer receptacles of fragrant + Spanish gloves, knots of ribbon, and kerchiefs strewn over with rose + leaves and lavender. However, Eustacie had secured the key, and was now + far beyond these mere superficial matters. Her youthful lord had just + discovered her mounted on a chair, her small person decked out with a + profusion of necklaces, jewels, bracelets, chains, and rings; and her + fingers, as well as they could under their stiffening load, were opening + the very penetralia of the cabinet, the inner chamber of the hall, where + lay a case adorned with the Ribaumont arms and containing the far-famed + chaplet of pearls. It was almost beyond her reach, but she had risen on + tip-toe, and was stretching out her hand for it, when he, springing behind + her on the chair, availed himself of his superior height and strength to + shut the door of this Arcanum and turn the key. His mortifying permission + to his wife to absent herself arose from pure love of teasing, but the + next moment he added, still holding his hand on the key—‘As to + telling what my father reads, that would be treason. How shouldst thou + know what it is?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Does thou think every one is an infant but thyself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But who told thee that to talk of my father’s books would get him into + trouble?’ continued the boy, as they still stood together on the high + heavy wooden chair. + </p> + <p> + She tossed her pretty head, and pretended to pout. + </p> + <p> + ‘Was it Diane? I will know. Didst thou tell Diane?’ + </p> + <p> + Instead of answering, now that his attention to the key was relaxed, + Eustacie made a sudden dart, like a little wild cat, at the back of the + chair and at the key. They chair over-balanced; Beranger caught at the + front drawer of the cabinet, which, unlocked by Eustacie, came out in his + hand, and chair, children, drawer, and curiosities all went rolling over + together on the floor with a hubbub that brought all the household + together, exclaiming and scolding. Madame de Ribaumont’s displeasure at + the rifling of her hoards knew no bounds; Eustacie, by way of defence, + shrieked ‘like twenty demons;’ Beranger, too honourable to accuse her, + underwent the same tempest; and at last both were soundly rapped over the + knuckles with the long handle of Madame’s fan, and consigned to two + separate closets, to be dealt with on the return of M. le Baron, while + Madame returned to her embroidery, lamenting the absence of that dear + little Diane, whose late visit at the chateau had been marked by such + unusual tranquility between the children. + </p> + <p> + Beranger, in his dark closet, comforted himself with the shrewd suspicion + that his father was so employed as not to be expected at home till + supper-time, and that his mother’s wrath was by no means likely to be so + enduring as to lead her to make complaints of the prisoners; and when he + heard a trampling of horses in the court, he anticipated a speedy release + and summons to show himself to the visitors. He waited long, however, + before he heard the pattering of little feet; then a stool scraped along + the floor, the button of his door was undone, the stool pushed back, and + as he emerged, Eustacie stood before him with her finger to her lip. + ‘CHUT, Beranger! It is my father and uncle, and Narcisse, and, oh! so many + <i>gens d’armes</i>. They are come to summon M. le Baron to go with them + to disperse the <i>preche</i> by the Bac de l’Oie. And oh, Beranger, is he + not there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know. He went out with his hawk, and I do not think he could + have gone anywhere else. Did they say so to my mother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; but she never knows. And oh, Beranger, Narcisse told me—ah, + was it to tease me?—that Diane has told them all they wanted to + know, for that they sent her here on purpose to see if we were not all + Huguenots. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very likely, the little viper! Le me pass, Eustacie. I must go and tell + my father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou canst not get out that way; the court is full of men-at-arms. Hark, + there’s Narcisse calling me. He will come after me.’ + </p> + <p> + There was not a moment to lose. Berenger flew along a corridor, and down a + narrow winding stair, and across the kitchen; then snatching at the arm of + a boy of his own age whom he met at the door, he gasped out, ‘Come and + help me catch Follet, Landry!’ and still running across an orchard, he + pulled down a couple of apples from the trees, and bounded into a paddock + where a small rough Breton pony was feeding among the little tawny Norman + cows. The animal knew his little master, and trotted towards him at his + call of ‘Follet, Follet. Now be a wise Follet, and play me no tricks. Thou + and I, Follet, shall do good service, if thou wilt be steady.’ + </p> + <p> + Follet made his advances, but with a coquettish eye and look, as if ready + to start away at any moment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Soh, Follet. I have no bread for thee, only two apples; but, Follet, + listen. There’s my <i>beau-pere</i> the Count, and the Chevalier, all + spite, and their whole troop of savage <i>gens d’armes</i>, come out to + fall upon the poor Huguenots, who are doing no harm at all, only listening + to a long dull sermon. And I am much afraid my father is there, for he + went out his hawk on his wrist, and he never does take Ysonde for any real + sport, as thou and I would do, Follet. He says it is all vanity of + vanities. But thou know’st, if they caught him at the <i>preche</i> they + would call it heresy and treason, and all sorts of horrors, and any way + they would fall like demons on the poor Huguenots, Jacques and all—thine + own Jacques, Follet. Come, be a loyal pony, Follet. Be at least as good as + Eustacie.’ + </p> + <p> + Follet was evidently attentive to this peroration, turning round his ear + in a sensible attitude, and advancing his nose to the apples. As Beranger + held them out to him, the other boy clutched his shaggy forelock so + effectually that the start back did not shake him off, and the next moment + Beranger was on his back. + </p> + <p> + ‘And I, Monsieur, what shall I do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou, Landry? I know. Speed like a hare, lock the avenue gate, and hide + the key. That will delay them a long time. Off now, Follet.’ + </p> + <p> + Beranger and Follet understood one another far too well to care about such + trifles as saddle and bridle, and off they went through green grassy balks + dividing the fields, or across the stubble, till, about three miles from + the castle, they came to a narrow valley, dipping so suddenly between the + hills that it could hardly have been suspected by one unaware of its + locality, and the sides were dotted with copsewood, which entirely hid the + bottom. Beranger guided his pony to a winding path that led down the steep + side of the valley, already hearing the cadence of a loud, chanting voice, + throwing out its sounds over the assembly, whence arose assenting hums + over an undercurrent of sobs, as though the excitable French assembly were + strongly affected. + </p> + <p> + The thicket was so close that Beranger was almost among the congregation + before he could see more than a passing glimpse of a sea of heads. Stout, + ruddy, Norman peasants, and high white-capped women, mingled with a few + soberly-clad townsfolk, almost all with the grave, steadfast cast of + countenance imparted by unresisted persecution, stood gathered round the + green mound that served as a natural pulpit for a Calvinist minister, who + more the dress of a burgher, but entirely black. To Beranger’s despair, he + was in the act of inviting his hearers to join with him in singing one of + Marot’s psalms; and the boy, eager to lose not a moment, grasped the skirt + of the outermost of the crowd. The man, an absorbed-looking stranger, + merely said, ‘Importune me not, child.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen!’ said Beranger; ‘it imports—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Peace,’ was the stern answer; but a Norman farmer looked round at that + moment, and Beranger exclaimed, ‘Stop the singing! The <i>gens d’armes</i>!’ + The psalm broke off; the whisper circulated; the words ‘from Leurre’ were + next conveyed from lip to lip, and, as it were in a moment, the dense + human mass had broken up and vanished, stealing through the numerous paths + in the brushwood, or along the brook, as it descended through tall sedges + and bulrushes. The valley was soon as lonely as it had been populous; the + pulpit remained a mere mossy bank, more suggestive or fairy dances than of + Calvinist sermons, and no one remained on the scene save Beranger with his + pony, Jacques the groom, a stout farmer, the preacher, and a tall thin + figure in the plainest dark cloth dress that could be worn by a gentleman, + a hawk on his wrist. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou here, my boy!’ he exclaimed, as Beranger came to his side; and as + the little fellow replied in a few brief words, he took him by the hand, + and said to the minister, ‘Good Master Isaac, let me present my young son + to you, who under Heaven hath been the means of saving many lives this + day.’ + </p> + <p> + Maitre Isaac Gardon, a noted preacher, looked kindly at the boy’s fair + face, and said, ‘Bless thee, young sir. As thou hast been already a chosen + instrument to save life, so mayest thou be ever after a champion of the + truth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Monsieur le Baron,’ interposed Jacques, ‘it were best to look to + yourself. I already hear sounds upon the wind.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you, good sir?’ said the Baron. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will see to him,’ said the farmer, grasping him as a sort of property. + ‘M. le Baron had best keep up the beck. Out on the moor there he may fly + the hawk, and that will best divert suspicion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell, then,’ said the Baron, wringing the minister’s hand, and + adding, almost to himself, ‘Alas! I am weary of these shifts!’ and weary + indeed he seemed, for as the ground became so steep that the beck danced + noisily down its channel, he could not keep up the needful speed, but + paused, gasping for breath, with his hand on his side. ‘Beranger was off + his pony in an instant, assuring Follet that it ought to be proud to be + ridden by his father, and exhaling his own exultant feelings in caresses + to the animal as it gallantly breasted the hill. The little boy had never + been so commended before! He loved his father exceedingly; but the Baron, + while ever just towards him, was grave and strict to a degree that the + ideas even of the sixteenth century regarded as severe. Little Eustacie + with her lovely face, her irrepressible saucy grace and audacious coaxing, + was the only creature to whom he ever showed much indulgence and + tenderness, and even that seemed almost against his will and conscience. + His son was always under rule, often blamed, and scarcely ever praised; + but it was a hardy vigorous nature, and respectful love throve under the + system that would have crushed or alienated a different disposition. It + was not till the party had emerged from the wood upon a stubble field, + where a covey of partridges flew up, and to Beranger’s rapturous delight + furnished a victim for Ysonde, that M. de Ribaumont dismounted from the + pony, and walking towards home, called his son to his side, and asked him + how he had learnt the intentions of the Count and the Chevalier. Beranger + explained how Eustacie had come to warn him, and also told what she had + said of Diane de Ribaumont, who had lately, by her father’s request, spent + a few weeks at the chateau with her cousins. + </p> + <p> + ‘My son,’ said the Baron, ‘it is hard to ask of babes caution and secrecy; + but I must know from thee what thy cousin may have heard of our doings?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot tell, father,’ replied Beranger; ‘we played more than we talked. + Yet, Monsieur, you will not be angry with Eustacie if I tell you what she + said to me to-day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Assuredly not, my son.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She said that her father would take her away if he knew what M. le Baron + read, and what he sung.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou hast done well to tell me, my son. Thinkest thou that this comes + from Diane, or from one of the servants?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, from Diane, my father; none of the servants would dare to say such a + thing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is as I suspected then,’ said the Baron. ‘That child was sent amongst + us as a spy.’ Tell me, Beranger, had she any knowledge of our intended + journey to England?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To England! But no, father, I did not even know it was intended. To + England—to that Walwyn which my mother takes such pains to make us + speak rightly. Are we then, going?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen, my son. Thou hast to-day proved thyself worthy of trust, and thou + shalt hear. My son, ere yet I knew the truth I was a reckless disobedient + youth, and I bore thy mother from her parents in England without their + consent. Since, by Heaven’s grace, I have come to a better mind, we have + asked and obtained their forgiveness, and it has long been their desire to + see again their daughter and her son. Moreover, since the accession of the + present Queen, it has been a land where the light is free to shine forth; + and though I verily believe what Maitre Gardon says, that persecution is a + blessed means of grace, yet it is grievous to expose one’s dearest thereto + when they are in no state to count the cost. Therefore would I thither + convey you all, and there amid thy mother’s family would we openly abjure + the errors in which we have been nurture. I have already sent to Paris to + obtain from the Queen-mother the necessary permission to take my family to + visit thy grand-father, and it must now be our endeavour to start + immediately on the receipt of the reply, before the Chevalier’s + information can lead to any hindrance or detention of Eustacie.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then Eustacie will go with us, Monsieur?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly. Nothing is more important than that her faith should be the + same as yours! But discretion, my son: not a word to the little one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And Landry, father? I had rather Landry went than Eustacie. And Follet, + dear father, pray take him.’ + </p> + <p> + After M. de Ribaumont’s grave confidence to his son and heir, he was a + little scandalized at the comparative value that the boy’s voice indicated + for wife, foster-brother, and pony, and therefore received it in perfect + silence, which silence continued until they reached the chateau, where the + lady met them at the door with a burst of exclamations. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, there you are, safe, my dear Baron. I have been in despair. Here were + the Count and his brother come to call on you to join them in dispersing a + meeting of those poor Huguenots and they would not permit me to send out + to call you in! I verily think they suspected that you were aware of it.’ + </p> + <p> + M. de Ribaumont made no answer, but sat wearily down and asked for his + little Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Little vixen!’ exclaimed the Baroness, ‘she is gone; her father took her + away with him.’ And as her husband looked extremely displeased, she added + that Eustacie had been meddling with her jewel cabinet and had been put in + penitence. Her first impulse on seeing her father had been to cling to him + and poor out her complaints, whereupon he had declared that he should take + her away with him at once, and had in effect caused her pony to be + saddled, and he had ridden away with her to his old tower, leaving his + brother, the Chevalier, to conduct the attack on the Huguenot conventicle. + </p> + <p> + ‘He had no power or right to remove her,’ said the Baron. ‘How could you + let him do so in my absence? He had made over her wardship to me, and has + no right to resume it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, perhaps I might have insisted on his waiting till your return; but, + you see, the children have never done anything but quarrel and fight, and + always by Eustacie’s fault; and if ever they are to endure each other, it + must be by being separated now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame,’ said the Baron, gravely, ‘you have done your utmost to ruin your + son’s chances of happiness.’ + </p> + <p> + That same evening arrived the King’s passport permitting the Baron de + Ribaumont and his family to pay a visit to his wife’s friends in England. + The next morning the Baron was summoned to speak to one of his farmers, a + Huguenot, who had come to inform him that, through the network of + intelligence kept up by the members of the persecuted faith, it had become + known that the Chevalier de Ribaumont had set off for court that night, + and there was little doubt that his interference would lead to an + immediate revocation of the sanction to the journey, if to no severer + measures. At best, the Baron knew that if his own absence were permitted, + it would be only on condition of leaving his son in the custody of either + the Queen-mother or the Count. It had become impossible to reclaim + Eustacie. Her father would at once have pleaded that she was being bred up + in Huguenot errors. All that could be done was to hasten the departure ere + the royal mandate could arrive. A little Norman sailing vessel was moored + two evenings after in a lonely creek on the coast, and into it stepped M. + de Ribaumont, with his Bible, Marot’s Psalter, and Calvin’s works, + Beranger still tenderly kissing a lock of Follet’s mane, and Madame + mourning for the pearls, which her husband deemed too sacred an heirloom + to carry away to a foreign land. Poor little Eustacie, with her cousin + Diane, was in the convent of Bellaise in Anjou. If any one lamented her + absence, it was her father-in-law. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. THE FAMILY COUNCIL + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + He counsels a divorce + Shakespeare, KING HENRY VIII. +</pre> + <p> + In the spring of the year 1572, a family council was assembled in Hurst + Walwyn Hall. The scene was a wainscoted oriel chamber closed off by a + screen from the great hall, and fitted on two sides by presses of books, + surmounted the one by a terrestrial, the other by a celestial globe, the + first ‘with the addition of the Indies’ in very eccentric geography, the + second with enormous stars studding highly grotesque figures, regarded + with great awe by most beholders. + </p> + <p> + A solid oaken table stood in the midst, laden with books and papers, and + in a corner, near the open hearth, a carved desk, bearing on one slope the + largest copy of the ‘Bishops’ Bible’; on the other, one of the + Prayer-book. The ornaments of the oaken mantelpiece culminated in a shield + bearing a cross <i>boutonnee</i>, i.e. with trefoil terminations. It was + supported between a merman with a whelk shell and a mermaid with a comb, + and another like Siren curled her tail on the top of the gaping baronial + helmet above the shield, while two more upheld the main weight of the + chimney-piece on either side of the glowing wood-fire. + </p> + <p> + In the seat of honour was an old gentleman, white-haired, and feeble of + limb, but with noble features and a keen, acute eye. This was Sir William, + Baron of Hurst Walwyn, a valiant knight at Guingate and Boulogne, a + statesman of whom Wolsey had been jealous, and a ripe scholar who had + shared the friendship of More and Erasmus. The lady who sat opposite to + him was several years younger, still upright, brisk and active, though her + hair was milk-white; but her eyes were of undimmed azure, and her + complexion still retained a beauteous pink and white. She was highly + educated, and had been the friend of Margaret Roper and her sisters, often + sharing their walks in the bright Chelsea garden. Indeed, the musk-rose in + her own favourite nook at Hurst Walwyn was cherished as the gift of Sir + Thomas himself. + </p> + <p> + Near her sat sister, Cecily St. John, a professed nun at Romsey till her + twenty-eight year, when, in the dispersion of convents, her sister’s home + had received her. There had she continued, never exposed to tests of + opinion, but pursuing her quiet course according to her Benedictine rule, + faithfully keeping her vows, and following the guidance of the chaplain, a + college friend of Bishop Ridley, and rejoicing in the use of the + vernacular prayers and Scriptures. When Queen Mary had sent for her to + consider of the revival of convents, her views had been found to have so + far diverged from those of the Queen that Lord Walwyn was thankful to have + her safe at home again; and yet she fancied herself firm to old Romsey + doctrine. She was not learned, like Lady Walwyn, but her knowledge in all + needlework and confectionery was consummate, so that half the ladies in + Dorset and Wilts longed to send their daughters to be educated at Hurst + Walwyn. Her small figure and soft cheeks had the gentle contour of a + dove’s form, nor had she lost the conventual serenity of expression; + indeed it was curious that, let Lady Walwyn array her as she would, + whatever she wore bore a nunlike air. Her silken farthingales hung like + serge robes, her ruffs looked like mufflers, her coifs like hoods, even + necklaces seemed rosaries, and her scrupulous neatness enhanced the pure + unearthly air of all belonging to her. + </p> + <p> + Eager and lively, fair and handsome, sat the Baronne de Ribaumont, or + rather, since the higher title had been laid aside, Dame Annora + Thistlewood. The health of M. de Ribaumont had been shattered at St. + Quentin, and an inclement night of crossing the Channel had brought on an + attack on the lungs, from which he only rallied enough to amaze his + English friends at finding the gay dissipated young Frenchman they + remembered, infinitely more strict and rigid than themselves. He was never + able to leave the house again after his first arrival at Hurst Walwyn, and + sank under the cold winds of the next spring, rejoicing to leave his wife + and son, not indeed among such strict Puritans as he preferred, but at + least where the pure faith could be openly avowed without danger. + </p> + <p> + Sir Marmaduke Thistlewood, the husband to whom Annora Walwyn had been + destined before M. de Ribaumont had crossed her path, was about the same + time left a widower with one son and daughter, and as soon as a suitable + interval had passed, she became a far happier wife than she had been in + either the Baron’s gay or grave days. Her son had continued under the roof + of his grandfather, to whose charge his father had specially committed + him, and thus had been scarcely separated from his mother, since Combe + Manor was not above three miles across the downs from Hurst Walwyn, and + there was almost daily intercourse between the families. Lucy Thistlewood + had been brought to Hurst Walwyn to be something between a maid of honour + and a pupil to the ladies there, and her brother Philip, so soon as he was + old enough, daily rode thither to share with Berenger the instructions of + the chaplain, Mr. Adderley, who on the present occasion formed one of the + conclave, sitting a little apart as not quite familiar, though highly + esteemed. + </p> + <p> + With an elbow on the table, and one hand toying with his long riding-whip, + sat, booted and spurred, the jovial figure of Sir Marmaduke, who called + out, in his hearty voice, ‘A good riddance of an outlandish Papist, say I! + Read the letter, Berenger lad. No, no, no! English it! I know nothing of + your mincing French! ‘Tis the worst fault I know in you, boy, to be half a + Frenchman, and have a French name’—a fault that good Sir Marmaduke + did his best to remedy by always terming his step-son Berenger or Berry + Ribmount, and we will so far follow his example as henceforth to give the + youth the English form of his Christian name. He was by this time a tall + lad of eighteen, with straight features, honest deep blue eyes, very fair + hair cut short and brushed up to a crest upon the middle of his head, a + complexion of red and white that all the air of the downs and the sea + failed to embrown, and that peculiar openness and candour of expression + which seems so much an English birthright, that the only trace of his + French origin was, that he betrayed no unbecoming awkwardness in the + somewhat embarrassing position in which he was placed, literally standing, + according to the respectful discipline of the time, as the subject of + discussion, before the circle of his elders. His colour was indeed, + deepened, but his attitude was easy and graceful, and he used no stiff + rigidity nor restless movements to mask his anxiety. At Sir Marmaduke’s + desire, he could not but redden a good deal more, but with a clear, + unhesitating voice, he translated, the letter that he had received from + the Chevalier de Ribaumont, who, by the Count’s death, had become + Eustacie’s guardian. It was a request in the name of Eustacie and her + deceased father, that Monsieur le Baron de Ribaumont—who, it was + understood, had embraced the English heresy—would concur with his + spouse in demanding from his Holiness the Pope a decree annulling the + childish marriage, which could easily be declared void, both on account of + the consanguinity of the parties and the discrepancy of their faith; and + which would leave each of them free to marry again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing can be better,’ exclaimed his mother. ‘How I have longed to free + him from that little shrew, whose tricks were the plague of my life! Now + there is nothing between him and a worthy match!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We can make an Englishman of him now to the backbone,’ added Sir + Marmaduke, ‘and it is well that it should be the lady herself who wants + first to be off with it, so that none can say he has played her a scurvy + trick.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What say you, Berenger?’ said Lord Walwyn. ‘Listen to me, fair nephew. + You know that all my remnant of hope is fixed upon you, and that I have + looked to setting you in the room of the son of my own; and I think that + under our good Queen you will find it easier to lead a quiet God-fearing + life than in your father’s vexed country, where the Reformed religion lies + under persecution. Natheless, being a born liegeman of the King of France, + and heir to estates in his kingdom, meseemeth that before you are come to + years of discretion it were well that you should visit them, and become + better able to judge for yourself how to deal in this matter when you + shall have attained full age, and may be able to dispose of them by sale, + thus freeing yourself from allegiance to a foreign prince. And at the same + time you can take measures, in concert with this young lady, for loosing + the wedlock so unhappily contracted.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘O sir, sir!’ cried Lady Thistlewood, ‘send him not to France to be burnt + by the Papists!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Peace, daughter,’ returned her mother. ‘Know you not that there is + friendship between the court party and the Huguenots, and that the peace + is to be sealed by the marriage of the King’s sister with the King of + Navarre? This is the most suitable time at which he could go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, madam,’ proceeded the lady, ‘he will be running about to all the + preachings on every bleak moor and wet morass he can find, catching his + death with rheums, like his poor father.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a general smile, and Sir Marmaduke laughed outright. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, dame,’ he said, ‘have you marked such a greed of sermons in our + Berry that you should fear his so untowardly running after them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tilly-vally, Sir Duke,’ quoth Dame Annora, with a flirt of her fan, + learnt at the French court. ‘Men will run after a preacher in a marshy bog + out of pure forwardness, when they will nod at a godly homily on a + well-stuffed bench between four walls.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall commit that matter to Mr. Adderley, who is good enough to + accompany him,’ said Lord Walwyn, ‘and by whose counsel I trust that he + will steer the middle course between the pope and Calvin.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr. Adderley bowed in answer, saying he hoped that he should be enable to + keep his pupil’s mind clear between the allurements of Popery and the + errors of the Reformed; but meanwhile Lady Thistlewood’s mind had taken a + leap, and she exclaimed,— + </p> + <p> + ‘And, son, whatever you do, bring home the chaplet of pearls! I know they + have set their minds upon it. They wanted me to deck Eustacie with it on + that unlucky bridal-day, but I would not hear of trusting her with it, and + now will it rarely become our Lucy on your real wedding-day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You travel swiftly, daughter,’ said Lord Walwyn. ‘Nor have we yet heard + the thoughts of one who ever thinks wisely. Sister,’ he added, turning to + Cecily St. John, ‘hold not you with us in this matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I scarce comprehend it, my Lord,’ was the gentle reply. ‘I knew not that + it was possible to dissolve the tie of wedlock.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Pope’s decree will suffice,’ said Lord Walwyn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yet, sir,’ still said the ex-nun, ‘methought you had shown me that the + Holly Father exceeded his power in the annulling of vows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Using mine own lessons against me, sweet sister?’ said Lord Walwyn, + smiling; ‘yet, remember, the contract was rashly made between two ignorant + babes; and, bred up as they have severally been, it were surely best for + them to be set free from vows made without their true will or knowledge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And yet,’ said Cecily, perplexed, ‘when I saw my niece here wedded to Sir + Marmaduke, was it not with the words, ‘What God hath joined let no man put + asunder’?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good lack! aunt,’ cried Lady Thistlewood, ‘you would not have that poor + lad wedded to a pert, saucy, ill-tempered little moppet, bred up that den + of iniquity, Queen Catherine’s court, where my poor Baron never trusted me + after he fell in with the religion, and had heard of King Antony’s calling + me the Swan of England.’ + </p> + <p> + At that moment there was a loud shriek, half-laugh, half-fright, coming + through the window, and Lady Thistlewood, starting up, exclaimed, ‘The + child will be drowned! Box their ears, Berenger, and bring them in + directly.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger, at her bidding, hurried out of the room into the hall, and + thence down a flight of steps leading into a square walled garden, with a + couple of stone male and female marine divinities accommodating their + fishy extremities as best they might on the corners of the wall. The + square contained a bowling-green of exquisitely-kept turf, that looked as + if cut out of green velvet, and was edged on its four sides by a raised + broad-paved walk, with a trimming of flower-beds, where the earliest + blossoms were showing themselves. In the centre of each side another paved + path intersected the green lawn, and the meeting of these two diameters + was at a circular stone basin, presided over by another merman, blowing a + conch on the top of a pile of rocks. On the gravelled margin stood two + distressed little damsels of seven and six years old, remonstrating with + all their might against the proceedings of a roguish-looking boy of + fourteen of fifteen, who had perched their junior—a fat, fair, + kitten-like element of mischief, aged about five—<i>en croupe</i> on + the merman, and was about, according to her delighted request, to make her + a bower of water, by extracting the plug and setting the fountain to play; + but as the fountain had been still all the winter, the plug was hard of + extraction, especially to a young gentleman who stood insecurely, with his + feet wide apart upon pointed and slippery point of rock-work; and Berenger + had time to hurry up, exclaiming, ‘Giddy pate! Dolly would Berenger + drenched to the skin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And she has on her best blue, made out of mother’s French farthingale,’ + cried the discreet Annora. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know, Dolly, I’ve orders to box your ears, and send you in?’ added + Berenger, as he lifted his half-sister from her perilous position, + speaking, as he did so, without a shade of foreign accent, though with + much more rapid utterance than was usual in England. She clung to him + without much alarm, and retaliated by an endeavour to box his ears, while + Philip, slowly making his way back to the mainland, exclaimed, ‘Ah there’s + no chance now! Here comes demure Mistress Lucy, and she is the worst + mar-sport of all.’ + </p> + <p> + A gentle girl of seventeen was drawing near, her fair delicately-tinted + complexion suiting well with her pale golden hair. It was a sweet face, + and was well set off by the sky-blue of the farthingale, which, with her + white lace coif and white ruff, gave her something the air of a speedwell + flower, more especially as her expression seemed to have caught much of + Cecily’s air of self-restrained contentment. She held a basketful of the + orange pistils of crocuses, and at once seeing that some riot had taken + place, she said to the eldest little girl, ‘Ah, Nan, you had been safer + gathering saffron with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, brother Berry came and made all well,’ said Annora; ‘and he had been + shut up so long in the library that he must have been very glad to get + out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what came of it?’ cried Philip. ‘Are you to go and get yourself + unmarried?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Unmarried!’ burst out the sisters Annora and Elizabeth. + </p> + <p> + ‘What, laughed Philip, ‘you knew not that this is an ancient husband, + married years before your father and mother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, why? said Elizabeth, rather inclined to cry. ‘What has poor Lucy + done that you should get yourself unmarried from her?’ + </p> + <p> + There was a laugh from both brothers; but Berenger, seeing Lucy’s blushes, + restrained himself, and said. ‘Mine was not such good luck, Bess, but they + gave me a little French wife, younger than Dolly, and saucier still; and + as she seems to wish to be quit of me, why, I shall be rid of her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See there, Dolly,’ said Philip, in a warning voice, ‘that is the way + you’ll be served if you do not mend your ways.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I thought,’ said Annora gravely, ‘that people were married once for + all, and it could not be undone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So said Aunt Cecily, but my Lord was proving to her out of all law that a + contract between such a couple of babes went for nought,’ said Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘And shall you, indeed, see Paris, and all the braveries there?’ asked + Philip. ‘I thought my Lord would never have trusted you out of his sight.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And now it is to be only with Mr. Adderley,’ said Berenger; ‘but there + will be rare doings to be seen at this royal wedding, and maybe I shall + break a lance there in your honour, Lucy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you’ll bring me a French fan?’ cried Bess. + </p> + <p> + ‘And me a pouncet-box?’ added Annora. + </p> + <p> + ‘And me a French puppet dressed Paris fashion?’ said Dolly. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what shall he bring Lucy?’ added Bess. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know,’ said Annora; ‘the pearls that mother is always talking about! I + heard her say that Lucy should wear them on her wedding-day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ interposed Lucy, ‘don’t you see my father yonder on the step, + beckoning to you?’ + </p> + <p> + The children flew towards Sir Marmaduke, leaving Berenger and Lucy + together. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not a word to wish me good speed, Lucy, now I have my wish?’ said + Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes,’ said Lucy, ‘I am glad you should see all those brave French + gentlemen of whom you used to tell me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, they will be all at court, and the good Admiral is said to be in + high favour. He will surely remember my father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And shall you see the lady?’ asked Lucy, under her breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eustacie? Probably; but that will make no change. I have heard too much + of <i>l’escadron de la Reine-mere</i> to endure the thought of a wife from + thence, were she the Queen of Beauty herself. And my mother says that + Eustacie would lose all her beauty as she grew up—like black-eyed + Sue on the down; nor did I ever think her brown skin and fierce black eyes + to compare with you, Lucy. I could be well content never to see her more; + but,’ and here he lowered his voice to a tone of confidence, ‘my father, + when near his death, called me, and told me that he feared my marriage + would be a cause of trouble and temptation to me, and that I must deal + with it after my conscience when I was able to judge in the matter. + Something, too, he said of the treaty of marriage being a burthen on his + soul, but I know not what he meant. If ever I saw Eustacie again, I was to + give her his own copy of Clement Marot’s Psalter, and to tell her that he + had ever loved and prayed for her as a daughter; and moreover, my father + added,’ said Berenger, much moved at the remembrance it brought across + him, ‘that if this matter proved a burthen and perplexity to me, I was to + pardon him as one who repented of it as a thing done ere he had learnt to + weigh the whole world against a soul.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, you must see her,’ said Lucy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what more were you going to say, Lucy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was only thinking,’ said Lucy, as she raised her eyes to him, ‘how + sorry she will be that she let them write that letter.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger laughed, pleased with the simplicity of Lucy’s admiration, but + with modesty and common sense enough to answer, ‘No fear of that, Lucy, + for an heiress, with all the court gallants of France at her feet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, but you!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am all very well here, when you have never seen anybody but lubberly + Dorset squires that never went to London, nor Oxford, nor beyond their own + furrows,’ said Berenger; ‘but depend upon it, she has been bred up to care + for all the airs and graces that are all the fashion at Paris now, and + will be as glad to be rid of an honest man and a Protestant as I shall to + be quit of a court puppet and a Papist. Shall you have finished my + point-cuffs next week, Lucy? Depend upon it, no gentleman of them all will + wear such dainty lace of such a fancy as those will be.’ + </p> + <p> + And Lucy smiled, well pleased. + </p> + <p> + Coming from the companionship of Eustacie to that of gentle Lucy had been + to Berenger a change from perpetual warfareto perfect supremacy, and his + preference to his little sister, as he had been taught to call her from + the first, had been loudly expressed. Brother and sister they had ever + since considered themselves, and only within the last few months had + possibilities been discussed among the elders of the family, which oozing + out in some mysterious manner, had become felt rather than known among the + young people, yet without altering the habitual terms that existed between + them. Both were so young that love was the merest, vaguest dream to them; + and Lucy, in her quiet faith that Berenger was the most beautiful, + excellent, and accomplished cavalier the earth could afford, was little + troubled about her own future share in him. She seemed to be promoted to + belong to him just as she had grown up to curl her hair and wear ruffs and + farthingales. And to Berenger Lucy was a very pleasant feature in that + English home, where he had been far happier than in the uncertainties of + Chateau Leurre, between his naughty playfellow, his capricious mother, and + morose father. If in England his lot was to be cast, Lucy was acquiesced + in willingly as a portion of that lot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. TITHONUS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A youth came riding towards a palace gate, + And from the palace came a child of sin + And took him by the curls and led him in! + Where sat a company with heated eyes. + Tennyson, A VISION OF SIN +</pre> + <p> + It was in the month of June that Berenger de Ribaumont first came in sight + of Paris. His grandfather had himself begun by taking him to London and + presenting him to Queen Elizabeth, from whom the lad’s good mien procured + him a most favourable reception. She willingly promised that on which Lord + Walwyn’s heart was set, namely, that his title and rank should be + continued to his grandson; and an ample store of letter of recommendation + to Sir Francis Walsingham, the Ambassador, and all others who could be of + service in the French court, were to do their utmost to provide him with a + favourable reception there. + </p> + <p> + Then, with Mr. Adderley and four or five servants, he had crossed the + Channel, and had gone first to Chateau Leurre, where he was rapturously + welcomed by the old steward Osbert. The old man had trained up his son + Landry, Berenger’s foster-brother, to become his valet, and had him taught + all the arts of hair-dressing and surgery that were part of the profession + of a gentleman’s body-servant; and the youth, a smart, acuter young + Norman, became a valuable addition to the suite, the guidance of which, + through a foreign country, their young master did not find very easy. Mr. + Adderley thought he knew French very well, through books, but the language + he spoke was not available, and he soon fell into a state of bewilderment + rather hard on his pupil, who, though a very good boy, and crammed very + full of learning, was still nothing more than a lad of eighteen in all + matters of prudence and discretion. + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn was, as we have seen, one of those whose Church principles had + altered very little and very gradually; and in the utter diversity of + practice that prevailed in the early years of Queen Elizabeth, his + chaplain as well as the rector of the parish had altered no more than was + absolutely enjoined of the old ceremonial. If the poor Baron de Ribaumont + had ever been well enough to go to church on a Sunday, he would perhaps + have thought himself still in the realms of what he considered as + darkness; but as he had never openly broken with the Gallic Church, + Berenger had gone at once from mass at Leurre to the Combe Walwyn service. + Therefore when he spent a Sunday at Rouen, and attended a Calvinist + service in the building that the Huguenots were permitted outside the + town, he was much disappointed in it; he thought its very fervour familiar + and irreverent, and felt himself much more at home in the cathedral into + which he strayed in the afternoon. And, on the Sunday he was at Leurre, he + went, as a part of his old home-habits, to mass at the old round-arched + church, where he and Eustacie had played each other so many teasing tricks + at his mother’s feet, and had received so many admonitory nips and strokes + of her fan. All he saw there was not congenial to him, but he liked it + vastly better than the Huguenot meeting, and was not prepared to + understand or enter into Mr. Adderley’s vexation, when the tutor assured + him that the reverent gestures that came naturally to him were regarded by + the Protestants as idolatry, and that he would be viewed as a recreants + from his faith. All Mr. Adderley hoped was that no one would hear of it: + and in this he felt himself disappointed, when, in the midst of his + lecture, there walked into the room a little, withered, brown, dark-eyed + man, in a gorgeous dress of green and gold, who doffing a hat with an + umbrageous plume, precipitated himself, as far as he could reach, towards + Berenger’s neck, calling him fair cousin and dear baron. The lad stood + taken by surprise for a moment, thinking that Tithonus must have looked + just like this, and skipped like this, just as he became a grasshopper; + then he recollected that this must be the Chevalier de Ribaumont, and + tried to make up for his want of cordiality. The old man had, it appeared, + come out of Picardy, where he lived on <i>soupe maigre</i> in a corner of + the ancestral castle, while his son and daughter were at court, the one in + Monsieur’s suite, the other in that of the Queen-mother. He had come + purely to meet his dear young cousin, and render him all the assistance is + his power, conduct him to Paris, and give him introductions. + </p> + <p> + Berenger, who had begun to find six Englishmen a troublesome charge in + France, was rather relieved at not being the only French scholar of the + party, and the Chevalier also hinted to him that he spoke with a dreadful + Norman accent that would never be tolerated at court, even if it were + understood by the way. Moreover, the Chevalier studied him all over, and + talked of Paris tailors and posture-masters, and, though the pink of + politeness, made it evident that there was immensely too much of him. ‘It + might be the custom in England to be so tall; here no one was of anything + like such a height, but the Duke of Guise. He, in his position, with his + air, could carry it off, but we must adapt ourselves as best we can.’ + </p> + <p> + And his shrug and look of concern made Berenger for a moment almost + ashamed of that superfluous height of which they were all so proud at + home. Then he recollected himself, and asked, ‘And why should not I be + tall as well as M. de Guise?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall see, fair cousin,’ he answered, with an odd satirical bow; ‘we + are as Heaven made us. All lies in the management and if you had the + advantages of training, PERHAPS you could even turn your height into a + grace.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I such a great lubber?’ wondered Berenger; ‘they did not think so at + home. No; nor did the Queen. She said I was a proper stripling! Well, it + matters the less, as I shall not stay long to need their favour; and I’ll + show them there is some use in my inches in the tilt-yard. But if they + think me such a lout, what would they say to honest Philip?’ + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier seemed willing to take on him the whole management of his + ‘fair cousin.’ He inquired into the amount of the rents and dues which old + Osbert had collected and held ready to meet the young Baron’s exigencies; + and which would, it seemed, be all needed to make his dress any way + presentable at court. The pearls, too, were inquired for, and handed over + by Osbert to his young Lord’s keeping, with the significant intimation + that they had been demanded when the young Madame la Baronne went to + court; but that he had buried them in the orchard, and made answer that + they were not in the chateau. The contract of marriage, which Berenger + could just remember signing, and seeing signed by his father, the King, + and the Count, was not forthcoming; and the Chevalier explained that it + was in the hands of a notary at Paris. For this Berenger was not sorry. + His grandfather had desired him to master the contents, and he thought he + had thus escaped a very dry and useless study. + </p> + <p> + He did not exactly dislike the old Chevalier de Ribaumont. The system on + which he had been brought up had not been indulgent, so that compliments + and admiration were an agreeable surprise to him; and rebuffs and rebukes + from his elders had been so common, that hints, in the delicate dressing + of the old knight, came on him almost like gracious civilities. There was + no love lost between the Chevalier and the chaplain, that was plain; but + how could there be between an ancient French courtier and a sober English + divine? However, to Mr. Adderley’s great relief, no attempts were made on + Berenger’s faith, his kinsman even was disposed to promote his attendance + at such Calvinist places of worship as they passed on the road, and + treated him in all things as a mere guest, to be patronized indeed, but as + much an alien as if he had been born in England. And yet there was a + certain deference to him as head of the family, and a friendliness of + manner that made the boy feel him a real relation, and all through the + journey it came naturally that he should be the entire manager, and + Berenger the paymaster on a liberal scale. + </p> + <p> + Thus had the travellers reached the neighbourhood of Paris, when a + jingling of chains and a trampling of horses announced the advance of + riders, and several gentlemen with a troop of servants came in sight. + </p> + <p> + All were gaily dressed, with feathered hats, and short Spanish cloaks + jauntily disposed over one shoulder; and their horses were trapped with + bright silvered ornaments. As they advanced, the Chevalier exclaimed: ‘Ah! + It is my son! I knew he would come to meet me.’ And, simultaneously, + father and son leapt from their horses, and rushed into each other’s arms. + Berenger felt it only courteous to dismount and exchange embraces with his + cousin, but with a certain sense of repulsion at the cloud of perfume that + seemed to surround the younger Chevalier de Ribaumont; the ear-rings in + his ears; the general air of delicate research about his riding-dress, and + the elaborate attention paid to a small, dark, sallow face and figure, in + which the only tolerable feature was an intensely black and piercing pair + of eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Cousin, I am enchanted to welcome you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Cousin, I thank you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Allow me to present you.’ And Berenger bowed low in succession several + times in reply to salutations, as his cousin Narcisse named M. d’O, M. de + la Valette, M. de Pibrac, M. l’Abbe de Mericour, who had done him the + honour to accompany him in coming out to meet his father and M. le Baron. + Then the two cousins remounted, something was said to the Chevalier of the + devoirs of the demoiselles, and they rode on together bandying news and + repartee so fast, that Berenger felt that his ears had become too much + accustomed to the more deliberate English speech to enter at once into + what caused so much excitement, gesture, and wit. The royal marriage + seemed doubtful—the Pope refused his sanction; nay, but means would + be found—the King would not be impeded by the Pope; Spanish + influence—nay, the King had thrown himself at the head of the + Reformed—he was bewitched with the grim old Coligny—if order + were not soon taken, the Louvre itself would become a temple. + </p> + <p> + Then one of the party turned suddenly and said, ‘But I forget, Monsieur is + a Huguenot?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a Protestant of the English Church,’ said Berenger, rather stiffly, + in the formula of his day. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, you have come at the right moment, ‘Tis all for the sermon now. If + the little Abbe there wished to sail with a fair wind, he should throw + away his breviary and study his Calvin.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger’s attention was thus attracted to the Abbe de Mericour, a young + man of about twenty, whose dress was darker than that of the rest, and his + hat of a clerical cut, though in other respects he was equipped with the + same point-device elegance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Calvin would never give him the rich abbey of Selicy,’ said another; ‘the + breviary is the safer speculation.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! M. de Ribaumont can tell you that abbeys are no such securities in + these days. Let yonder Admiral get the upper hand, and we shall see + Mericour, the happy cadet of eight brothers and sisters, turned adrift + from their convents. What a fatherly spectacle M. le Marquis will + present!’ + </p> + <p> + Here the Chevalier beckoned to Berenger, who, riding forward, learnt that + Narcisse had engaged lodgings for him and his suite at one of the great + inns, and Berenger returned his thanks, and a proposal to the Chevalier to + become his guest. They were by this time entering the city, where the + extreme narrowness and dirt of the streets contrasted with the grandeur of + the palatial courts that could be partly seen through their archways. At + the hostel they rode under such an arch, and found themselves in a paved + yard that would have been grand had it been clean. Privacy had scarcely + been invented, and the party were not at all surprised to find that the + apartment prepared for them was to serve both day and night for Berenger, + the Chevalier, and Mr. Adderley, besides having a truckle-bed on the floor + for Osbert. Meals were taken in public, and it was now one o’clock—just + dinner-time; so after a hasty toilette the three gentlemen descended, the + rest of the party having ridden off to their quarters, either as + attendants of Monsieur or to their families. It was a sumptuous meal, at + which a great number of gentlemen were present, coming in from rooms hired + over shops, &c—all, as it seemed, assembled at Paris for the + marriage festivities; but Berenger began to gather that they were for the + most part adherents of the Guise party, and far from friendly to the + Huguenot interest. Some of them appeared hardly to tolerate Mr. Adderley’s + presence at the table; and Berenger, though his kinsman’s patronage + secured civil treatment, felt much out of his element, confused, unable to + take part in the conversation, and sure that he was where those at home + did not wish to see him. + </p> + <p> + No sooner was the dinner over than he rose and expressed his intention of + delivering his letters of introduction in person to the English ambassador + and to the Admiral de Coligny, whom, as his father’s old friend and the + hero of his boyhood, he was most anxious to see. The Chevalier demurred to + this. Were it not better to take measures at once for making himself + presentable, and Narcisse had already supplied him with directions to the + fashionable hair-cutter, &c. It would be taken amiss if he went to the + Admiral before going to present himself to the King. + </p> + <p> + ‘And I cannot see my cousins till I go to court?’ asked Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Most emphatically No. Have I not told you that the one is in the suite of + the young Queen, the other in that of the Queen-mother? I will myself + present you, if only you will give me the honour of your guidance.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With all thanks, Monsieur,’ said Berenger; ‘my grandfather’s desire was + that I should lose no time in going to his friend Sir Francis Walsingham, + and I had best submit myself to his judgment as to my appearance at + court.’ + </p> + <p> + On this point Berenger was resolute, though the Chevalier recurred to the + danger of any proceeding that might be unacceptable at court. Berenger, + harassed and impatient, repeated that he did not care about the court, and + wished merely to fulfil his purpose and return, at which his kinsman shook + his head and shrugged his shoulders, and muttered to himself, ‘Ah, what + does he know! He will regret it when too late; but I have done my best.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger paid little attention to this, but calling Landry Osbert, and a + couple of his men, he bade them take their swords and bucklers, and escort + him in his walk through Paris. He set off with a sense of escape, but + before he had made many steps, he was obliged to turn and warn Humfrey and + Jack that they were not to walk swaggering along the streets, with hand on + sword, as if every Frenchman they saw was the natural foe of their master. + </p> + <p> + Very tall were the houses, very close and extremely filthy the streets, + very miserable the beggars; and yet here and there was to be seen the open + front of a most brilliant shop, and the thoroughfares were crowded with + richly-dressed gallants. Even the wider streets gave little space for the + career of the gay horsemen who rode along them, still less for the great, + cumbrous, though gaily-decked coaches, in which ladies appeared glittering + with jewels and fan in hand, with tiny white dogs on their knees. + </p> + <p> + The persons of whom Berenger inquired the way all uncapped most + respectfully, and replied with much courtesy; but when the hotel of the + English ambassador had been pointed out to him, he hardly believed it, so + foul and squalid was the street, where a large nail-studded door occupied + a wide archway. Here was a heavy iron knocker, to which Osbert applied + himself. A little door was at once opened by a large, powerful John Bull + of a porter, whose looks expanded into friendly welcome when he heard the + English tongue of the visitor. Inside, the scene was very unlike that + without. The hotel was built round a paved court, adorned with statues and + stone vases, with yews and cypresses in them, and a grand flight of steps + led up to the grand centre of the house, around which were collected a + number of attendants, wearing the Walsingham colours. Among these Berenger + left his two Englishmen, well content to have fallen into an English + colony. Landry followed him to announce the visitor, Berenger waiting to + know whether the Ambassador would be at liberty to see him. + </p> + <p> + Almost immediately the door was re-opened, and a keen-looking gentleman, + about six-and-thirty years of age, rather short in stature, but + nevertheless very dignified-looking, came forward with out-stretched hands—‘Greet + you well, my Lord de Ribaumont. We expected your coming. Welcome, mine + honoured friend’s grandson.’ + </p> + <p> + And as Berenger bent low in reverent greeting, Sir Francis took his hand + and kissed his brow, saying, ‘Come in, my young friend; we are but sitting + over our wine and comfits after dinner. Have you dined?’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger explained that he had dined at the inn, where he had taken + lodgings. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but that must not be. My Lord Walwyn’s grandson here, and not my + guest! You do me wrong, sir, in not having ridden hither at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly, my Lord, I ventured not. They sent me forth with quite a company—my + tutor and six grooms.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Our chaplain will gladly welcome his reverend brother,’ said Sir Francis; + and as to the grooms, one of my fellows shall go and bring them and their + horses up. What!’ rather gravely, as Berenger still hesitated. ‘I have + letters for you here, which methinks will make your grandfather’s wish + clear to you.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger saw the Ambassador was displeased with his reluctance, and + answered quickly, ‘In sooth, my Lord, I would esteem myself only too happy + to be thus honoured, but in sooth——’ he repeated himself, and + faltered. + </p> + <p> + ‘In sooth, you expected more freedom than in my grave house,’ said + Walsingham, displeased. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so, my Lord: it would be all that I could desire; but I have done + hastily. A kinsman of mine has come up to Paris with me, and I have made + him my guest. I know not how to break with him—the Chevalier de + Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What, the young ruffler in Monsieur’s suite?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, my Lord; his father. He comes on my business. He is an old man, and + can ill bear the cost, and I could scarce throw him over.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger spoke with such earnest, bright, open simplicity, and look so + boyish and confiding, that Sir Francis’s heart was won, and he smiled as + he said, ‘Right, lad, you are a considerate youth. It were not well to + cast off your kinsman; but when you have read your letters, you may well + plead your grandfather’s desires, to say nothing of a hint from her Grace + to have an eye to you. And for the rest, you can acquit yourself + gracefully to the gentleman, by asking him to occupy the lodging that you + had taken.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger’s face brightened up in a manner that spoke for his sincerity; + and Sir Francis added, ‘And where be these lodgings?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At the Croix de Lorraine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! Your kinsman has taken you into a nest of Guisards. But come, let me + present you to my wife and my other guests, then will I give you your + letters, and you shall return and make your excuses to Monsieur le + Chevalier.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger seemed to himself to be on familiar ground again as his host thus + assumed the direction of him and ushered him into a large dining-hall, + where the table had been forsaken in favour of a lesser table placed in + the ample window, round which sat assembled some six or eight persons, + with fruit, wine, and conserves before them, a few little dogs at their + feet or on their laps, and a lute lying on the knee of one of the young + gentlemen. Sir Francis presented the young Lord de Ribaumont, their + expected guest, to Lady Walsingham, from whom he received a cordial + welcome, and her two little daughter, Frances and Elizabeth, and likewise + to the gentleman with the lute, a youth about a year older than Berenger, + and of very striking and prepossessing countenance, who was named as Mr. + Sidney, the son of the Lord Deputy of Ireland. A couple of gentlemen who + would in these times have been termed <i>attaches</i>, a couple of lady + attendants upon Lady Walsingham, and the chaplain made up the party, which + on this day chanced only to include, besides the household, the young + traveller, Sidney. Berenger was at once seated, and accepted a + welcoming-cup of wine (i.e. a long slender glass with a beautifully + twisted stem), responded to friendly inquiries about his relatives at + home, and acknowledged the healths that were drunk in honour of their + names; after which Lady Walsingham begged that Mr. Sidney would sing the + madrigal he had before promised: afterwards a glee was sung by Sidney, one + of the gentlemen, and Lady Walsingham; and it was discovered that Mr. de + Ribaumont had a trained ear, and the very voice that was wanting to the + Italian song they were practising. And so sped a happy hour, till a booted + and spurred messenger came in with letters for his Excellency, who being + thus roused from his dreamy enjoyment of the music, carried young + Ribaumont off with him to his cabinet, and there made over to him a + packet, with good news from home, and orders that made it clear that he + could do no other than accept the hospitality of the Embassy. Thus armed + with authority, he returned to the Croix de Lorraine, where Mr. Adderley + could not contain his joy at the change to quarters not only so much more + congenial, buts so much safer; and the Chevalier, after some polite demur, + consented to remain in possession of the rooms, being in fact well + satisfied with the arrangement. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him steep himself up to the lips among the English,’ said Tithonus to + his son. ‘Thus will he peaceably relinquish to you all that should have + been yours from the first, and at court will only be looked on as an + overgrown English page.’ + </p> + <p> + The change to the Ambassador’s made Berenger happy at once. He was not + French enough in breeding, or even constitution, to feel the society of + the Croix de Lorraine congenial; and, kind as the Chevalier showed + himself, it was with a wonderful sense of relief that Berenger shook + himself free from both his fawning and his patronizing. There was a + constant sense of not understanding the old gentleman’s aims, whereas in + Walsingham’s house all was as clear, easy, and open as at home. + </p> + <p> + And though Berenger had been educated in the country, it had been in the + same tone as that of his new friends. He was greatly approved by Sir + Francis as a stripling of parts and modesty. Mr. Sidney made him a + companion, and the young matron, Lady Walsingham, treated him as neither + lout nor lubber. Yet he could not be at ease in his state between + curiosity and repulsion towards the wife who was to be discarded by mutual + consent. The sight of the scenes of his early childhood had stirred up + warmer recollections of the pretty little playful torment, who through the + vista of years assumed the air of a tricksy elf rather than the little + vixen he used to think her. His curiosity had been further stimulated by + the sight of his rival, Narcisse, whose effeminate ornaments, small + stature, and seat on horseback filled Sir Marmaduke’s pupil with + inquisitive disdain as to the woman who could prefer anything so unmanly. + </p> + <p> + Sidney was to be presented at the after-dinner reception at the Louvre the + next day, and Sir Francis proposed to take young Ribaumont with him. + Berenger coloured, and spoke of his equipment, and Sidney good-naturedly + offered to come and inspect. That young gentleman was one of the daintiest + in apparel of his day; but he was amazed that the suit in which Berenger + had paid his devoir to Queen Elizabeth should have been set aside—it + was of pearl-grey velvet, slashed with rose-coloured satin, and in shape + and fashion point-device—unless, as the Ambassador said + good-humouredly, ‘my young Lord Ribaumont wished to be one of Monsieur’s + clique.’ Thus arrayed, then, and with the chaplet of pearls bound round + the small cap, with a heron-plume that sat jauntily on one side of his + fair curled head, Berenger took his seat beside the hazel-eyed, + brown-haired Sidney, in his white satin and crimson, and with the + Ambassador and his attendants were rolled off in the great state-coach + drawn by eight horses, which had no sinecure in dragging the ponderous + machine through the unsavoury <i>debris</i> of the streets. + </p> + <p> + Royalty fed in public. The sumptuous banqueting-room contained a barrier, + partitioning off a space where Charles IX. sat alone at his table, as a + State spectacle. He was a sallow, unhealthy-looking youth, with large + prominent dark eyes and a melancholy dreaminess of expression, as if the + whole ceremony, not to say the world itself, were distasteful. Now and + then, as though endeavouring to cast off the mood, he would call to some + gentleman and exchange a rough jest, generally fortified with a tremendous + oath, that startled Berenger’s innocent ears. He scarcely tasted what was + put on his plate, but drank largely of sherbet, and seemed to be trying to + linger through the space allotted for the ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Silence was observed, but not so absolute that Walsingham could not point + out to his young companions the notabilities present. The lofty figure of + Henri, Duke of Guise, towered high above all around him, and his grand + features, proud lip, and stern eye claimed such natural superiority that + Berenger for a moment felt a glow on his cheek as he remembered his + challenge of his right to rival that splendid stature. And yet Guise was + very little older than himself; but he walked, a prince of men, among a + crowd of gentlemen, attendants on him rather than on the King. The elegant + but indolent-looking Duke de Montmorency had a much more attractive air, + and seemed to hold a kind of neutral ground between Guise on the one hand, + and the Reformed, who mustered at the other end of the apartment. Almost + by intuition, Berenger knew the fine calm features of the gray-haired + Admiral de Coligny before he heard him so addressed by the King’s loud, + rough voice. When the King rose from table the presentations took place, + but as Charles heard the name of the Baron de Ribaumont, he exclaimed, + ‘What, Monsieur, are you presented here by our good sister’s + representative?’ + </p> + <p> + Walsingham answered for him, alluding to the negotiations for Queen + Elizabeth’s marriage with one of the French princes—‘Sire, in the + present happy conjuncture, it needs not be a less loyal Frenchman to have + an inheritance in the lands of my royal mistress.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What say you, Monsieur?’ sharply demanded the King: ‘are you come here to + renounce your country, religion—and love, as I have been told?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope, Sire, never to be unfaithful where I owe faith,’ said Berenger, + heated, startled, and driven to extremity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not ill answered for the English giant,’ said Charles aside to an + attendant: then turning eagerly to Sidney, whose transcendent + accomplishments had already become renowned, Charles welcomed him to + court, and began to discuss Ronsard’s last sonnet, showing no small taste + and knowledge of poetry. Greatly attracted by Sidney, the King detained + the whole English party by an invitation to Walsingham to hear music in + the Queen-mother’s apartments; and Berenger, following in the wake of his + friends, found himself in a spacious hall, with a raised gallery at one + end for the musicians, the walls decorated with the glorious paintings + collected by Francois I., Greek and Roman statues clustered at the angles, + and cabinets with gems and antiques disposed at intervals. Not that + Berenger beheld much of this: he was absolutely dazzled with the brilliant + assembly into which he was admitted. There moved the most beautiful women + in France, in every lovely-coloured tint that dress could assume: their + bosoms, arms, and hair sparkling with jewels; their gossamer ruffs + surrounding their necks like fairy wings; their light laugh mingling with + the music, as they sat, stood, or walked in graceful attitudes conversing + with one another or with the cavaliers, whose brilliant velvet and jewels + fifty mixed with their bright array. These were the sirens he had heard + of, the ‘squadron of the Queen-mother,’ the dangerous beings against whom + he was to steel himself. And which of them was the child he had played + with, to whom his vows had been plighted? It was like some of the + enchanting dreams of romance merely to look at these fair creatures; and + he stood as if gazing into a magic-glass till Sir Francis Walsingham, + looking round for him, said, ‘Come, then, my young friend, you must do + your devoirs to the Queens. Sidney, I see, is as usual in his element; the + King has seized upon him.’ + </p> + <p> + Catherine de Medicis was seated on a large velvet chair, conversing with + the German ambassador. Never beautiful, she appeared to more advantage in + her mature years than in her girlhood, and there was all the dignity of a + lifetime of rule in demeanour and gestures, the bearing of her head, and + motion of her exquisite hands. Her eyes were like her son’s, prominent, + and gave the sense of seeing all round at once, and her smile was to the + highest degree engaging. She received the young Baron de Ribaumont far + more graciously than Charles has done, held out her hand to be kissed, and + observed ‘that the young gentleman was like Madame <i>sa mere</i> whom she + well remembered as much admired. Was it true that she was married in + England?’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger bowed assent. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! You English make good spouses,’ she said, with a smile. ‘Ever + satisfied with home! But, your Excellency,’ added she, turning to + Walsingham, ‘what stones would best please my good sister for the setting + of the jewel my son would send her with his portrait? He is all for + emeralds, for the hue of hope; but I call it the colour of jealousy.’ + </p> + <p> + Walsingham made a sign that Berenger had better retreat from hearing the + solemn coquetting carried on by the maiden Queen through her gravest + ambassadors. He fell back, and remained watching the brilliant throng, + trying in vain to discover the bright merry eyes and velvet cheek he + remembered of old. Presently a kind salutation interrupted him, and a + gentleman who perceived him to be a stranger began to try to set him at + ease, pointed out to him the handsome, foppishly-dressed Duke of Anjou, + and his ugly, spiteful little brother of Alengon, then designated as Queen + Elizabeth’s future husband, who was saying something to a lady that made + her colour and bite her lips. ‘Is that the younger Queen?’ asked Berenger, + as his eye fell on a sallow, dark-complexioned, sad-looking little + creature in deep mourning, and with three or four such stately-looking, + black-robed, Spanish-looking duennas round her as to prove her to be a + person of high consequence. + </p> + <p> + ‘That? Oh no; that is Madame Catherine of Navarre, who has resided here + ever since her mother’s death, awaiting her brother, our royal bridegroom. + See, here is the bride, Madame Marguerite, conversing with M. de Guise.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger paid but little heed to Marguerite’s showy but already rather + coarse beauty, and still asked where was the young Queen Elizabeth of + Austria. She was unwell, and not in presence. ‘Ah! then,’ he said, ‘her + ladies will not be here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is not certain. Are you wishing to see any one of them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would like to see——’ He could not help colouring till his + cheeks rivaled the colour of his sword-knot. ‘I want just to know if she + is here. I know not if she be called Madame or Mademoiselle de Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The fair Ribaumont! Assuredly; see, she is looking at you. Shall I + present you?’ + </p> + <p> + A pair of exceedingly brilliant dark eyes were fixed on Berenger with a + sort of haughty curiosity and half-recognition. The face was handsome and + brilliant, but he felt indignant at not perceiving a particle of a blush + at encountering him, indeed rather a look of amusement at the deep glow + which his fair complexion rendered so apparent. He would fain have escaped + from so public an interview, but her eye was upon him, and there was no + avoiding the meeting. As he moved nearer he saw what a beautiful person + she was, her rich primrose-coloured dress setting off her brunette + complexion and her stately presence. She looked older than he had + expected; but this was a hotbed where every one grew up early, and the + expression and manner made him feel that an old intimacy was here renewed, + and that they were no strangers. + </p> + <p> + ‘We need no introduction, cousin,’ she said, giving a hand to be saluted. + ‘I knew you instantly. It is the old face of Chateau Leurre, only gone up + so high and become so handsome.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Cousins,’ thought he. ‘Well, it makes things easier! but what audacity to + be so much at her ease, when Lucy would have sunk into the earth with + shame.’ His bow had saved him the necessity of answering in words, and the + lady continued: + </p> + <p> + ‘And Madame <i>votre mere</i>. Is she well? She was very good to me.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger did not think that kindness to Eustacie had been her chief + perfection, but he answered that she was well and sent her commendations, + which the young lady acknowledged by a magnificent curtsey. ‘And as + beautiful as ever?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite as beautiful,’ he said, ‘only somewhat more <i>embonpoint</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ she said, smiling graciously, and raising her splendid eyes to his + face, ‘I understand better what that famous beauty was now, and the + fairness that caused her to be called the Swan.’ + </p> + <p> + It was so personal that the colour rushed again into his cheek. No one had + ever so presumed to admire him; and with a degree gratified and surprised, + and sensible more and more of the extreme beauty of the lady, there was a + sort of alarm about him as if this were the very fascination he had been + warned against, and as if she were casting a net about him, which, wife as + she was, it would be impossible to him to break. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, Monsieur,’ she laughed, ‘is a word from one so near too much for + your modesty? Is it possible that no one has yet told you of your good + mien? Or do they not appreciate Greek noses and blue eyes in the land of + fat Englishmen? How have you ever lived <i>en province?</i> Our princes + are ready to hang themselves at the thought of being in such banishment, + even at court—indeed, Monsieur has contrived to transfer the noose + to M. d’Alengon. Have you been at court, cousin?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have been presented to the Queen.’ + </p> + <p> + She then proceeded to ask questions about the chief personages with a + rapid intelligence that surprised him as well as alarmed him, for he felt + more and more in the power of a very clever as well as beautiful woman, + and the attraction she exercised made him long the more to escape; but she + smiled and signed away several cavaliers who would have gained her + attention. She spoke of Queen Mary of Scotland, then in the fifth years of + her captivity, and asked if he did not feel bound to her service by having + been once her partner. Did not he remember that dance? + </p> + <p> + ‘I have heard my mother speak of it far too often to forget it,’ said + Berenger, glowing again for her who could speak of that occasion without a + blush. + </p> + <p> + ‘You wish to gloss over your first inconstancy, sir,’ she said, archly; + but he was spared from further reply by Philip Sidney’s coming to tell him + that the Ambassador was ready to return home. He took leave with an + alacrity that redoubled his courtesy so much that he desired to be + commended to his cousin Diane, whom he had not seen. + </p> + <p> + ‘To Diane?’ said the lady, inquiringly. + </p> + <p> + ‘To Mademoiselle Diane de Ribaumont,’ he corrected himself, ashamed of his + English rusticity. ‘I beg pardon if I spoke too familiarly of her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She should be flattered by M. le Baron’s slightest recollection,’ said + the lady, with an ironical tone that there was no time to analyze, and + with a mutual gesture of courtesy he followed Sidney to where Sir Francis + awaited them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, what think you of the French court?’ asked Sidney, so soon as the + young men were in private. + </p> + <p> + ‘I only know that you may bless your good fortune that you stand in no + danger from a wife from thence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha!’ cried Sidney, laughing, ‘you found your lawful owner. Why did you + not present me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was ashamed of her bold visage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What!—was she the beauteous demoiselle I found you gallanting,’ + said Philip Sidney, a good deal entertained, ‘who was gazing at you with + such visible admiration in her languishing black eyes?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The foul fiend seize their impudence!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fie! for shame! thus to speak of your own wife,’ said the mischievous + Sidney, ‘and the fairest——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go to, Sidney. Were she fairer than Venus, with a kingdom to her dower, I + would none of a woman without a blush.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What, in converse with her wedded husband,’ said Sidney. ‘Were not that + over-shamefastness?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, now, Sidney, in good sooth give me your opinion. Should she set her + fancy on me, even in this hour, am I bound in honour to hold by this + accursed wedlock—lock, as it may well be called?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know no remedy,’ said Sidney, gravely, ‘save the two enchanted founts + of love and hate. They cannot be far away, since it was at the siege of + Paris that Rinaldo and Orlando drank thereof.’ + </p> + <p> + Another question that Berenger would fain have asked Sidney, but could not + for very shame and dread of mockery, was, whether he himself were so + dangerously handsome as the lady had given him to understand. With a sense + of shame, he caught up the little mirror in his casket, and could not but + allow to himself that the features he there saw were symmetrical—the + eyes azure, the complexion of a delicate fairness, such as he had not seen + equaled, except in those splendid Lorraine princes; nor could he judge of + the further effect of his open-faced frank simplicity and sweetness of + expression—contemptible, perhaps, to the astute, but most winning to + the world-weary. He shook his head at the fair reflection, smiled as he + saw the colour rising at his own sensation of being a fool, and then threw + it aside, vexed with himself for being unable not to feel attracted by the + first woman who had shown herself struck by his personal graces, and yet + aware that this was the very thing he had been warned against, and + determined to make all the resistance in his power to a creature whose + very beauty and enchantment gave him a sense of discomfort. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. THE CONVENT BIRD + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + Young knight, whatever that dost armes professe, + And through long labours huntest after fame, + Beware of fraud, beware of ficklenesse, + In choice and change of thy beloved dame. + Spenser, FAERY QUEENE +</pre> + <p> + Berenger’ mind was relieved, even while his vanity was mortified, when the + Chevalier and his son came the next day to bring him the formal letter + requesting the Pope’s annulment of his marriage. After he had signed it, + it was to be taken to Eustacie, and so soon as he should attain his + twenty-first year he was to dispose of Chateau Leurre, as well as of his + claim to the ancestral castle in Picardy, to his cousin Narcisse, and thus + become entirely free to transfer his allegiance to the Queen of England. + </p> + <p> + It was a very good thing—that he well knew; and he had a strong + sense of virtue and obedience, as he formed with his pen the words in all + their fullness, Henri Beranger Eustache, Baron de Ribaumont et Seigneur de + Leurre. He could not help wondering whether the lady who looked at him so + admiringly really preferred such a mean-looking little fop as Narcisse, + whether she were afraid of his English home and breeding, or whether all + this open coquetry were really the court manners of ladies towards + gentlemen, and he had been an absolute simpleton to be flattered. Any way, + she would have been a most undesirable wife, and he was well quit of her; + but he did feel a certain lurking desire that, since the bonds were cut + and he was no longer in danger from her, he might see her again, carry + home a mental inventory of the splendid beauties he had renounced, and + decide what was the motive that actuated her in rejecting his own handsome + self. Meantime, he proceeded to enjoy the amusements and advantage of his + sojourn at Paris, of which by no means the least was the society of Philip + Sidney, and the charm his brilliant genius imparted to every pursuit they + shared. Books at the University, fencing and dancing from the best + professors, Italian poetry, French sonnets, Latin epigrams; nothing came + amiss to Sidney, the flower of English youth: and Berenger had taste, + intelligence, and cultivation enough to enter into all in which Sidney led + the way. The good tutor, after all his miseries on the journey, was + delighted to write to Lord Walwyn, that, far from being a risk and + temptation, this visit was a school in all that was virtuous and comely. + </p> + <p> + If the good man had any cause of dissatisfaction, it was with the + Calvinistic tendencies of the Ambassador’s household. Walsingham was + always on the Puritanical side of Elizabeth’s court, and such an + atmosphere as that of Paris, where the Roman Catholic system was at that + time showing more corruption than it has ever done before or since in any + other place, naturally threw him into sympathy with the Reformed. The + reaction that half a century later filled the Gallican Church with + saintliness had not set in; her ecclesiastics were the tools of a wicked + and bloodthirsty court, who hated virtue as much as schism in the men whom + they persecuted. The Huguenots were for the most part men whose instincts + for truth and virtue had recoiled from the popular system, and thus it was + indeed as if piety and morality were arrayed on one side, and superstition + and debauchery on the other. Mr. Adderley thus found the tone of the + Ambassador’s chaplain that of far more complete fellowship with the + Reformed pastors than he himself was disposed to admit. There were a large + number of these gathered at Paris; for the lull in persecution that had + followed the battle of Moncontour had given hopes of a final accommodation + between the two parties, and many had come up to consult with the numerous + lay nobility who had congregated to witness the King of Navarre’s wedding. + Among them, Berenger met his father’s old friend Isaac Gardon, who had + come to Paris for the purpose of giving his only surviving son in marriage + to the daughter of a watchmaker to whom he had for many years been + betrothed. By him the youth, with his innocent face and gracious + respectful manners, was watched with delight, as fulfilling the fairest + hopes of the poor Baron, but the old minister would have been sorely + disappointed had he known how little Berenger felt inclined towards his + party. + </p> + <p> + The royal one of course Berenger could not love, but the rigid bareness, + and, as he thought, irreverence of the Calvinist, and the want of all + forms, jarred upon one used to a ritual which retained much of the ancient + form. In the early years of Elizabeth, every possible diversity prevailed + in parish churches, according to the predilections of rector and squire; + from forms scarcely altered from those of old times, down to the baldest, + rudest neglect of all rites; and Berenger, in his country home, had been + used to the first extreme. He could not believe that what he heard and saw + among the <i>Sacrementaires</i>, as they were called, was what his father + had prized; and he greatly scandalized Sidney, the pupil of Hubert + Languet, by openly expressing his distaste and dismay when he found their + worship viewed by both Walsingham and Sidney as a model to which the + English Protestants ought to be brought. + </p> + <p> + However, Sidney excused all this as more boyish distaste to sermons and + love of externals, and Berenger himself reflected little on the subject. + The aspect of the venerable Coligny, his father’s friend, did far more + towards making him a Huguenot than any discussion of doctrine. The good + old Admiral received him affectionately, and talked to him warmly of his + father, and the grave, noble countenance and kind manner won his heart. + Great projects were on foot, and were much relished by the young King, for + raising an army and striking a blow at Spain by aiding the Reformed in the + Netherlands; and Coligny was as ardent as a youth in the cause, hoping at + once to aid his brethren, to free the young King from evil influences, and + to strike one good stroke against the old national enemy. He talked + eagerly to Sidney of alliances with England, and then lamented over the + loss of so promising a youth as young Ribaumont to the Reformed cause in + France. If the marriage with the heiress could have taken effect, he would + have obtained estates near enough to some of the main Huguenot strongholds + to be very important, and these would now remain under the power of + Narcisse de Ribaumont, a determined ally of the Guise faction. It was a + pity, but the Admiral could not blame the youth for obeying the wish of + his guardian grandfather; and he owned, with a sigh, that England was a + more peaceful land than his own beloved country. Berenger was a little + nettled at this implication, and began to talk of joining the French + standard in a campaign in their present home and described the + conversation, Walsingham said,— + </p> + <p> + ‘The Admiral’s favourite project! He would do wisely not to brag of it so + openly. The King of Spain has too many in his interest in this place not + to be warned, and to be thus further egged on to compass the ruin of + Coligny.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should have thought,’ said Sidney. ‘that nothing could add to his + hatred of the Reformed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Scarcely,’ said Walsingham; ‘save that it is they who hinder the Duke of + Guise from being a good Frenchman, and a foe to Spain.’ + </p> + <p> + Politics had not developed themselves in Berenger’s mind, and he listened + inattentively while Walsingham talked over with Sidney the state of + parties in France, where natural national enmity to Spain was balanced by + the need felt by the Queen-mother of the support of that great Roman + Catholic power against the Huguenots; whom Walsingham believed her to + dread and hate less for their own sake than from the fear of loss of + influence over her son. He believed Charles IX. himself to have much + leaning towards the Reformed, but the late victories has thrown the whole + court entirely into the power of the Guises, the truly unscrupulous + partisans of Rome. They were further inflamed against the Huguenots by the + assassination of the last Duke of Guise, and by the violences that had + been committed by some of the Reformed party, in especial a massacre of + prisoners at <i>Nerac</i>. + </p> + <p> + Sidney exclaimed that the Huguenots had suffered far worse cruelties. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is true,’ replied Sir Francis, ‘but, my young friend, you will find, + in all matters of reprisals, that a party has no memory for what it may + commit, only for what it may receive.’ + </p> + <p> + The conversation was interrupted by an invitation to the Ambassador’s + family and guests to a tilting-match and subsequent ball at the Louvre. In + the first Berenger did his part with credit; to the second he went feeling + full of that strange attraction of repulsion. He knew gentlemen enough in + Coligny’s suite for it to be likely that he might remain unperceived among + them, and he knew this would be prudent, but he found himself unexpectedly + near the ranks of ladies, and smile and gesture absolutely drew him + towards his semi-spouse, so that he had no alternative but to lead her out + to dance. + </p> + <p> + The stately measure was trod in silence as usual, but he felt the dark + eyes studying him all the time. However, he could bear it better now that + the deed was done, and she had voluntarily made him less to her than any + gallant parading or mincing about the room. + </p> + <p> + ‘So you bear the pearls, sir?’ she said, as the dance finished. + </p> + <p> + ‘The only heirloom I shall take with me,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is a look at them too great a favour to ask from their jealous guardian?’ + she asked. + </p> + <p> + He smiled, half ashamed of his own annoyance at being obliged to place + them in her hands. He was sure she would try to cajole him out of them, + and by way of asserting his property in them he did not detach them from + the band of his black velvet cap, but gave it with them into her hand. She + looked at each one, and counted them wistfully. + </p> + <p> + ‘Seventeen!’ she said;’ and how beautiful! I never saw them so near + before. They are so becoming to that fair cheek that I suppose no offer + from my—my uncle, on our behalf, would induce you to part with + them?’ + </p> + <p> + An impulse of open-handed gallantry would have made him answer, ‘No offer + from your uncle, but a simple request from you;’ but he thought in time of + the absurdity of returning without them, and merely answered, ‘I have no + right to yield them, fair lady. They are the witness to my forefather’s + fame and prowess.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir, and to those of mine also,’ she replied. ‘And you would take + them over to the enemy from whom that prowess extorted them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The country which honoured and rewarded that prowess!’ replied Berenger. + </p> + <p> + She looked at him with an interrogative glance of surprise at the + readiness of his answer; then, with half a sigh, said, ‘There are your + pearls, sir; I cannot establish our right, though I verily believe it was + the cause of our last quarrel;’ and she smiled archly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe it was,’ he said, gravely; but added, in the moment of relief + at recovering the precious heirloom, ‘though it was Diane who inspired you + to seize upon them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! poor Diane! you sometimes recollect her then? If I remember right, + you used to agree with her better than with your little spouse, cousin!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I quarrelled with her less, I liked her less,’ answered Berenger—who, + since the act of separation, had not been so guarded in his demeanour, and + began to give way to his natural frankness. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed! Diane would be less gratified than I ought to be. And why, may I + ask?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Diane was more caressing, but she had no truth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truth! that was what <i>feu</i> M. le Baron ever talked of; what + Huguenots weary one with.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the only thing worth seeking, the real pearl,’ said Berenger, + ‘without which all else is worthless.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ she said, ‘who would have thought that soft, youthful face could be + so severe! You would never forgive a deceit?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never,’ he said, with the crystal hardness of youth; ‘or rather I might + forgive; I could never esteem.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What a bare, rude world yours must be,’ she said, shivering. ‘And no weak + ones in it! Only the strong can dare to be true.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truth is strength!’ said Berenger. ‘For example: I see yonder a face + without bodily strength, perhaps, but with perfect candour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! some Huguenot girl of Madame Catherine’s, no doubt—from the + depths of Languedoc, and dressed like a fright.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no; the young girl behind the pale, yellow-haired lady.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Comment, Monsieur. Do you not yet know the young Queen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But who is the young demoiselle!—she with the superb black eyes, + and the ruby rose in her black hair?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care, sir, do you not know I have still a right to be jealous?’ she + said, blushing, bridling, and laughing. + </p> + <p> + But this pull on the cords made him the more resolved; he would not be + turned from his purpose. ‘Who is she?’ he repeated; ‘have I ever seen her + before? I am sure I remember that innocent look of <i>espieglerie</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You may see it on any child’s face fresh out of the convent; it does not + last a month!’ was the still displeased, rather jealous answer. ‘That + little thing—I believe they call her Nid-de-Merle—she has only + just been brought from her nunnery to wait on the young Queen. Ah! your + gaze was perilous, it is bringing on you one of the jests of Madame + Marguerite.’ + </p> + <p> + With laughter and gaiety, a troop of gentlemen descended on M. de + Ribaumont, and told him that Madame Marguerite desired that he should be + presented to her. The princess was standing by her pale sister-in-law, + Elizabeth of Austria, who looked grave and annoyed at the mischievous + mirth flashing in Marguerite’s dark eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘M. de Ribaumont,’ said the latter, her very neck heaving with suppressed + fun, ‘I see I cannot do you a greater favour than by giving you + Mademoiselle de Nid-de-Merle for your partner.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger was covered with confusion to find that he had been guilty of + such a fixed stare as to bring all this upon the poor girl. He feared that + his vague sense of recognition had made his gaze more open than he knew, + and he was really and deeply ashamed of this as his worst act of + provincial ill-breeding. + </p> + <p> + Poor little convent maid, with crimson cheeks, flashing eyes, panting + bosom, and a neck evidently aching with proud dignity and passion, she + received his low bow with a sweeping curtsey, as lofty as her little + person would permit. + </p> + <p> + His cheeks burnt like fire, and he would have found words to apologize, + but she cut him short by saying, hastily and low, ‘Not a word, Monsieur! + Let us go through it at once. No one shall make game of us.’ + </p> + <p> + He hardly durst look at her again; but as he went through his own + elaborate paces he knew that the little creature opposite was swimming, + bending, turning, bounding with the fluttering fierceness of an angry + little bird, and that the superb eyes were casting flashes on him that + seemed to carry him back to days of early boyhood. + </p> + <p> + Once he caught a mortified, pleading, wistful glance that made him feel as + if he had inflicted a cruel injury by his thoughtless gaze, and he + resolved to plead the sense of recognition in excuse; but no sooner was + the performance over than she prevented all conversation by saying, ‘Lead + me back at once to the Queen, sir; she is about to retire.’ They were + already so near that there was no time to say anything; he could only hold + as lightly as possible the tiny fingers that he felt burning and quivering + in his hand, and then, after bringing her to the side of the chair of + state, he was forced to release her with the mere whisper of ‘Pardon, + Mademoiselle;’ and the request was not replied to, save by the additional + stateliness of her curtsey. + </p> + <p> + It was already late, and the party was breaking up; but his head and heart + were still in a whirl when he found himself seated in the ambassadorial + coach, hearing Lady Walsingham’s well-pleased rehearsal of all the + compliments she had received on the distinguished appearance of both her + young guests. Sidney, as the betrothed of her daughter, was property of + her own; but she also exulted in the praises of the young Lord de + Ribaumont, as proving the excellence of the masters whom she had + recommended to remove the rustic clownishness of which he had been + accused. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay,’ said Sir Francis; ‘whoever called him too clownish for court spake + with design.’ + </p> + <p> + The brief sentence added to Berenger’s confused sense of being in a mist + of false play. Could his kinsman be bent on keeping him from court? Could + Narcisse be jealous of him? Mademoiselle de Ribaumont was evidently + inclined to seek him, and her cousin might easily think her lands safer in + his absence. He would have been willing to hold aloof as much as his uncle + and cousin could wish, save for an angry dislike to being duped and + cajoled; and, moreover, a strong curiosity to hear and see more of that + little passionate bird, fresh from the convent cage. Her gesture and her + eyes irresistibly carried him back to old times, though whether to an + angry blackbird in the yew-tree alleys at Leurre, or to the eager face + that had warned him to save his father, he could not remember with any + distinctness. At any rate, he was surprised to find himself thinking so + little in comparison about the splendid beauty and winning manners of his + discarded spouse, though he quite believed that, now her captive was + beyond her grasp, she was disposed to catch at him again, and try to + retain him, or, as his titillated vanity might whisper, his personal + graces might make her regret the family resolution which she had obeyed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. FOULLY COZENED + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I was the more deceived.—HAMLET +</pre> + <p> + The unhappy Charles IX. had a disposition that in good hands might have + achieved great nobleness; and though cruelly bound and trained to evil, + was no sooner allowed to follow its natural bent than it reached out + eagerly towards excellence. At this moment, it was his mother’s policy to + appear to leave the ascendancy to the Huguenot party, and he was therefore + allowed to contract friendships which deceived the intended victims the + more completely, because his admiration and attachment were spontaneous + and sincere. Philip Sidney’s varied accomplishment and pure lofty + character greatly attracted the young King, who had leant on his arm + conversing during great part of the ball, and the next morning sent a + royal messenger to invite the two young gentlemen to a part at pall-mall + in the Tuileries gardens. + </p> + <p> + Pall-mall was either croquet or its nearest relative, and was so much the + fashion that games were given in order to keep up political influence, + perhaps, because the freedom of a garden pastime among groves and bowers + afforded opportunities for those seductive arts on which Queen Catherine + placed so much dependence. The formal gardens, with their squares of level + turf and clipped alleys, afforded excellent scope both for players and + spectators, and numerous games had been set on foot, from all of which, + however, Berenger contrived to exclude himself, in his restless + determination to find out the little Demoiselle de Nid-de-Merle, or, at + least, to discover whether any intercourse in early youth accounted for + his undefined sense of remembrance. + </p> + <p> + He interrogated the first disengaged person he could find, but it was only + the young Abbe de Mericour, who had been newly brought up from Dauphine by + his elder brother to solicit a benefice, and who knew nobody. To him + ladies were only bright phantoms such as his books had taught him to + regard like the temptations of St. Anthony, but whom he actually saw + treated with as free admiration by the ecclesiastic as by the layman. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a clamour of voices arose on the other side of the + closely-clipped wall of limes by which the two youths were walking. There + were the clear tones of a young maiden expostulating in indignant + distress, and the bantering, indolent determination of a male annoyer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hark!’ exclaimed Berenger; ‘this must be seen to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have a care,’ returned Mericour; ‘I have heard that a man needs look + twice are meddling.’ + </p> + <p> + Scarcely hearing, Berenger strode on as he had done at the last village + wake, when he had rescued Cis of the Down from the impertinence of a + Dorchester scrivener. It was a like case, he saw, when breaking through + the arch of clipped limed he beheld the little Demoiselle de Nid-de-Merle, + driven into a corner and standing at bay, with glowing cheeks, flashing + eyes, and hands clasped over her breast, while a young man, dressed in the + extreme of foppery, was assuring her that she was the only lady who had + not granted him a token—that he could not allow such <i>pensionnaire</i> + airs, and that now he had caught her he would have his revenge, and win + her rose-coloured break-knot. Another gentleman stood by, laughing, and + keeping guard in the walk that led to the more frequented part of the + gardens. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold!’ thundered Berenger. + </p> + <p> + The assailant had just mastered the poor girl’s hand, but she took + advantage of his surprise to wrench it away and gather herself up as for a + spring, but the Abbe in dismay, the attendant in anger, cried out, ‘Stay—it + is Monsieur.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Monsieur; be he who he may,’ exclaimed Berenger, ‘no honest man can see a + lady insulted.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you mad? It is Monsieur the Duke of Anjou,’ said Mericour, pouncing + on his arm. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall we have him to the guardhouse?’ added the attendant, coming up on + the other side; but Henri de Valois waved them both back, and burst into a + derisive laugh. ‘No, no; do you not see who it is? Monsieur the English + Baron still holds the end of the halter. His sale is not yet made. Come + away, D’O, he will soon have enough on his hands without us. Farewell, + fair lady, another time you will be free of your jealous giant.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, the Duke of Anjou strolled off, feigning indifference and + contempt, and scarcely heeding that he had been traversed in one of the + malicious adventures which he delighted to recount in public before the + discomfited victim herself, often with shameful exaggeration. + </p> + <p> + The girl clasped her hands over her brow with a gesture of dismay, and + cried, ‘Oh! if you have only not touched your sword.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me have the honour of reconducting you, Mademoiselle,’ said Berenger, + offering his hand; but after the first sigh of relief, a tempestuous + access seized her. She seemed about to dash away his hand, her bosom + swelled with resentment, and with a voice striving for dignity, though + choked with strangled tears, she exclaimed, ‘No, indeed! Had not M. le + Baron forsaken me, I had never been thus treated!’ and her eyes flashed + through their moisture. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eustacie! You are Eutacie!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whom would you have me to be otherwise? I have the honour to wish M. le + Baron a good morning.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eustacie! Stay! Hear me! It concerns my honour. I see it is you—but + whom have I seen? Who was she?’ he cried, half wild with dismay and + confusion. ‘Was it Diane?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have seen and danced with Diane de Ribaumont,’ answered Eustacie, + still coldly; ‘but what of that? Let me go, Monsieur; you have cast me off + already.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I! when all this has been of your own seeking?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mine?’ cried Eustacie, panting with the struggle between her dignity and + her passionate tears. ‘I meddled not. I heard that M. le Baron was gone to + a strange land, and had written to break off old ties.’ Her face was in a + flame, and her efforts for composure absolute pain. + </p> + <p> + ‘I!’ again exclaimed Berenger. ‘The first letter came from your uncle, + declaring that it was your wish!’ And as her face changed rapidly, ‘Then + it was not true! He has not had your consent?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What! would I hold to one who despised me—who came here and never + even asked to see this hated spouse!’ + </p> + <p> + I did! I entreated to see you. I would not sign the application till—Oh, + there has been treachery! And have they made you too sign it!’ + </p> + <p> + When they showed me your name they were welcome to mine.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger struck his forehead with wrath and perplexity, then cried, + joyfully, ‘It will not stand for moment. So foul a cheat can be at once + exposed. Eutacie, you know—you understand, that it was not you but + Diane whom I saw and detested; and no wonder, when she was acting such a + cruel treason!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no, Diane would never so treat me,’ cried Eustacie. ‘I see how it was! + You did not know that my father was latterly called Marquis de + Nid-de-Merle, and when they brought me here, they WOULD call me after him: + they said a maid of honour must be Demoiselle, and my uncle said there was + only one way in which I could remain Madame de Ribaumont! And the name + must have deceived you. Thou wast always a great dull boy,’ she added, + with a sudden assumption of childish intimacy that annihilated the nine + years since their parting. + </p> + <p> + ‘Had I seen thee, I had not mistaken for an instant. This little face + stirred my heart; hers repelled me. And she deceived me wittingly, + Eustacie, for I asked after her by name.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, she wished to spare my embarrassment. And then her brother must have + dealt with her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I see,’ exclaimed Berenger, ‘I am to be palmed off thus that thou mayest + be reserved for Narcisse. Tell me, Eustacie, wast thou willing?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hate Narcisse!’ she cried. ‘But oh, I am lingering too long. Monsieur + will make some hateful tale! I never fell into his way before, my Queen + and Madame la Comtesse are so careful. Only to-day, as I was attending her + alone, the King came and gave her his arm, and I had to drop behind. I + must find her; I shall be missed,’ she added, in sudden alarm. ‘Oh, what + will they say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No blame for being with thy husband,’ he answered, clasping her hand. + ‘Thou art mine henceforth. I will soon cut our way out of the web thy + treacherous kindred have woven. Meantime—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush! There are voices,’ cried Eustacie in terror, and, guided by + something he could not discern, she fled with the swiftness of a bird down + the alley. Following, with the utmost speed that might not bear the + appearance of pursuit, he found that on coming to the turn she had + moderated her pace, and was more tranquilly advancing to a bevy of ladies, + who sat perched on the stone steps like great butterflies sunning + themselves, watching the game, and receiving the attentions of their + cavaliers. He saw her absorbed into the group, and then began to prowl + round it, in the alleys, in a tumult of amazement and indignation. He had + been shamefully deceived and cheated, and justice he would have! He had + been deprived of a thing of his own, and he would assert his right. He had + been made to injure and disown the creature he was bound to protect, and + he must console her and compensate to her, were it only to redeem his + honour. He never even thought whether he loved her; he merely felt furious + at the wrong he had suffered and been made to commit, and hotly bent on + recovering what belonged to him. He might even have plunged down among the + ladies and claimed her as his wife, if the young Abbe de Mericour, who was + two years older than he, and far less of a boy for his years, had not + joined him in his agitated walk. He then learnt that all the court knew + that the daughter of the late Marquis de Nid-de-Merle, Comte de Ribaumont, + was called by his chief title, but that her marriage to himself had been + forgotten by some and unknown to others, and thus that the first error + between the cousins had not been wonderful in a stranger, since the + Chevalier’s daughter had always been Mdlle. de Ribaumont. The error once + made, Berenger’s distaste to Diane had been so convenient that it had been + carefully encouraged, and the desire to keep him at a distance from court + and throw him into the background was accounted for. The Abbe was almost + as indignant as Berenger, and assured him both of his sympathy and his + discretion. + </p> + <p> + ‘I see no need for discretion,’ said Berenger. ‘I shall claim my wife in + the face of the sun.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take counsel first, I entreat,’ exclaimed Mericour. ‘The Ribaumonts have + much influence with the Guise family, and now you have offended Monsieur.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Where are those traitorous kinsmen?’ cried Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fortunately all are gone on an expedition with the Queen-mother. You will + have time to think. I have heard my brother say no one ever prospered who + offended the meanest follower of the house of Lorraine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not want prosperity, I only want my wife. I hope I shall never see + Paris and its deceivers again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! But is it true that you have applied to have the marriage annulled at + Rome?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We were both shamefully deceivers. That can be nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A decree of his Holiness: you a Huguenot; she an heiress. All is against + you. My friend, be cautions, exclaimed the young ecclesiastic, alarmed by + his passionate gestures. ‘To break forth now and be accused of brawling in + the palace precincts would be fatal—fatal—most fatal!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am as calm as possible,’ returned Berenger. ‘I mean to act most + reasonably. I shall stand before the King and tell him openly how I have + been tamperes with, demanding my wife before the whole court.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Long before you could get so far the ushers would have dragged you away + for brawling, or for maligning an honour-able gentlemen. You would have to + finish your speech in the Bastille, and it would be well if even your + English friends could get you out alive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, what a place is this!’ began Berenger; but again Mericour entreated + him to curb himself; and his English education had taught him to credit + the house of Guide with so much mysterious power and wickedness, that he + allowed himself to be silenced, and promised to take no open measures till + he had consulted the Ambassador. + </p> + <p> + ‘He could not obtain another glimpse of Eustacie, and the hours passed + tardily till the break up of the party. Charles could scarcely release + Sidney from his side, and only let him go on condition that he should join + the next day in an expedition to the hunting chateau of Montpipeau, to + which the King seemed to look forward as a great holiday and breathing + time. + </p> + <p> + When at length the two youths did return, Sir Francis Walsingham was + completely surprised by the usually tractable, well-behaved stripling, + whose praises he had been writing to his old friend, bursting in on him + with the outcry, ‘Sir, sir, I entreat your counsel! I have been foully + cozened.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of how much?’ said Sir Francis, in a tone of reprobation. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of my wife. Of mine honour. Sir, your Excellency, I crave pardon, if I + spoke too hotly,’ said Berenger, collecting himself; ‘but it is enough to + drive a man to frenzy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sit down, my Lord de Ribaumont. Take breath, and let me know what is this + coil. What hath thus moved him, Mr. Sidney?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is as he says, sir,’ replied Sidney, who had beard all as they + returned; ‘he has been greatly wronged. The Chevalier de Ribaumont not + only writ to propose the separation without the lady’s knowledge, but + imposed his own daughter on our friend as the wife he had not seen since + infancy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There, sir,’ broke forth Berenger; ‘surely if I claim mine own in the + face of day, no man can withhold her from me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold!’ said Sir Francis. ‘What mean this passion, young sir? Methought + you came hither convinced that both the religion and the habits in which + the young lady had been bred up rendered your infantine contract most + unsuitable. What hath fallen out to make this change in your mind?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That I was cheated, sir. The lady who palmed herself off on me as my wife + was a mere impostor, the Chevalier’s own daughter!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That may be; but what known you of this other lady? Has she been bred up + in faith or manners such as your parents would have your wife?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is my wife,’ reiterated Berenger. ‘My faith is plighted to her. That + is enough for me.’ + </p> + <p> + Sir Francis made a gesture of despair. ‘He has seen her, I suppose,’ said + he to Sidney. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes truly, sir,’ answered Berenger; ‘and found that she had been as + greatly deceived as myself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then mutual consent is wanting,’ said the statesman, gravely musing. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is even as I say,’ began Berenger, but Walsingham help up his hand, + and desired that he would make his full statement in the presence of his + tutor. Then sounding a little whistle, the Ambassador despatched a page to + request the attendance of Mr. Adderley, and recommended young Ribaumont in + the meantime to compose himself. + </p> + <p> + Used to being under authority as Berenger was, the somewhat severe tone + did much to allay his excitement, and remind him that right and reason + were so entirely on his side, that he had only to be cool and rational to + make them prevail. He was thus able to give a collected and coherent + account of his discovery that the part of his wife had been assumed by her + cousin Diane, and that the signature of both the young pair to the + application to the Pope had been obtained on false pretences. That he had, + as Sidney said, been foully cozened, in both senses of the word, was as + clear as daylight; but he was much angered and disappointed to find that + neither the Ambassador nor his tutor could see that Eustacie’s worthiness + was proved by the iniquity of her relation, or that any one of the weighty + reasons for the expediency of dissolving the marriage was remove. The + whole affair had been in such good train a little before, that Mr. + Adderley was much distressed that it should thus have been crossed, and + thought the new phase of affairs would be far from acceptable at Combe + Walwyn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whatever is just and honourable must be acceptable to my grandfather,’ + said Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so,’ said Walsingham; ‘but it were well to consider whether justice + and honour require you to overthrow the purpose wherewith he sent you + hither.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely, sir, justice and require me to fulfil a contract to which the + other party is constant,’ said Berenger, feeling very wise and prudent for + calling that wistful, indignant creature the other party. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is also true,’ said the Ambassador, ‘provided she be constant; but + you own that she signed the requisition for the dissolution.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She did so, but under the same deception as myself, and further mortified + and aggrieved at my seeming faithlessness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So it may easily be represented,’ muttered Walsingham. + </p> + <p> + ‘How, sir?’ cried Berenger, impetuously; ‘do you doubt her truth?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven forefend,’ said Sir Francis, ‘that I should discuss any fair + lady’s sincerity! The question is how far you are bound. Have I understood + you that you are veritably wedded, not by a mere contract of espousal?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Berenger could produce no documents, for they had been left at Chateau + Leurre, and on his father’s death the Chevalier had claimed the custody of + them; but he remembered enough of the ceremonial to prove that the wedding + had been a veritable one, and that only the papal intervention could annul + it. + </p> + <p> + Indeed an Englishman, going by English law, would own no power in the + Pope, nor any one on earth, to sever the sacred tie of wedlock; but French + courts of law would probably ignore the mode of application, and would + certainly endeavour to separate between a Catholic and a heretic. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am English, sir, in heart and faith,’ said Berenger, earnestly. ‘Look + upon me as such, and tell me, am I married or single at this moment?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Married assuredly. More’s the pity,’ said Sir Francis. + </p> + <p> + ‘And no law of God or man divides us without our own consent.’ There was + no denying that the mutual consent of the young pair at their present age + was all that was wanting to complete the inviolability of their marriage + contract. + </p> + <p> + Berenger was indeed only eighteen, and Eustacie more than a year younger, + but there was nothing in their present age to invalidate their marriage, + for persons of their rank were usually wedded quite as young or younger. + Walsingham was only concerned at his old friend’s disappointment, and at + the danger of the young man running headlong into a connection probably no + more suitable than that with Diane de Ribaumont would have been. But it + was not convenient to argue against the expediency of a man’s loving his + own wife; and when Berenger boldly declared he was not talking of love but + of justice, it was only possible to insist that he should pause and see + where true justice lay. + </p> + <p> + And thus the much-perplexed Ambassador broke up the conference with his + hot and angry young guest. + </p> + <p> + ‘And Mistress Lucy—-?’ sighed Mr. Adderley, in rather an <i>inapropos</i> + fashion it must be owned; but then he had been fretted beyond endurance by + his pupil striding up and down his room, reviling Diane, and describing + Eustacie, while he was trying to write these uncomfortable tidings to Lord + Walwyn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lucy! What makes you bring her up to me?’ exclaimed Berenger. ‘Little + Dolly would be as much to the purpose!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only, sir, no resident at Hurst Walwyn could fail to know that has been + planned and desired.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pshaw!’ cries Berenger; ‘have you not heard that it was a mere figment, + and that I could scarce have wedded Lucy safely, even had this matter gone + as you wish? This is the luckiest chance that could have befallen her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That may be,’ said Mr. Adderley; ‘I wish she may think so—sweet + young lady!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you, Mr. Adderley, you should know better! Lucy has more sense. My + aunt, whom she follows more than any other creature, ever silenced the + very sport or semblance of love passages between us even as children, by + calling them unseemly in one wedded as I am. Brother and sister we have + ever been, and have loved as such—ay, and shall! I know of late some + schemes have crossed my mother’s mind—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yea, and that of others.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But they have not ruffled Lucy’s quiet nature—trust me! And for the + rest? What doth she need me in comparison of this poor child? She—like + a bit of her own gray lavender in the shadiest nook of the walled garden, + tranquil there—sure not to be taken there, save to company with fine + linen in some trim scented coffer, whilst this fresh glowing rosebud has + grown up pure and precious in the very midst of the foulest corruption + Christendom can show, and if I snatch her not from it, I, the innocence + and sweetness, what is to be her fate? The very pity of a Christian, the + honour of a gentleman, would urge me, even if it were not my most urgent + duty!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr. Adderley argued no more. When Berenger came to his duty in the matter + he was invincible, and moreover all the more provoking, because he + mentioned it with a sort of fiery sound of relish, and looked so very + boyish all the time. Poor Mr. Adderley!’ feeling as if his trust were + betrayed, loathing the very idea of a French court lady, saw that his + pupil had been allured into a headlong passion to his own misery, and that + of all whose hopes were set on him, yet preached to by this stripling + scholar about duties and sacred obligations! Well might he rue the day he + ever set foot in Paris. + </p> + <p> + Then, to his further annoyance, came a royal messenger to invite the Baron + de Ribaumont to join the expedition to Montpipeau. Of course he must go, + and his tutor must be left behind, and who could tell into what mischief + he might not be tempted! + </p> + <p> + Here, however, Sidney gave the poor chaplain some comfort. He believed + that no ladies were to be of the party, and that the gentlemen were + chiefly of the King’s new friends among the Huguenots, such as Coligny, + his son-in-law Teligny, Rochefoucauld, and the like, among whom the young + gentleman could not fall into any very serious harm, and might very + possibly be influenced against a Roman Catholic wife. At any rate, he + would be out of the way, and unable to take any dangerous steps. + </p> + <p> + This same consideration so annoyed Berenger that he would have declined + the invitation, if royal invitations could have been declined. And in the + morning, before setting out, he dressed himself point device, and with + Osbert behind him marched down to the Croix de Larraine, to call upon the + Chevalier de Ribaumont. He had a very fine speech at his tongue’s end when + he set out, but a good deal of it had evaporated when he reached the + hotel, and perhaps he was not very sorry not to find the old gentleman + within. + </p> + <p> + On his return, he indited a note to the Chevalier, explaining that he had + now seen his wife, Madame la Baronne de Ribaumont, and had come to an + understanding with her, by which he found that it was under a mistake that + the application to the Pope had been signed, and that they should, + therefore, follow it up with a protest, and act as if no such letter had + been sent. + </p> + <p> + Berenger showed this letter to Walsingham, who, though much concerned, + could not forbid his sending it. ‘Poor lad,’ he said to the tutor; ‘’tis + an excellently writ billet for one so young. I would it were in a wiser + cause. But he has fairly the bit between his teeth, and there is no + checking him while he has this show of right on his side.’ + </p> + <p> + And poor Mr. Adderley could only beseech Mr. Sidney to take care of him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. THE QUEEN’S PASTORAL + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + Either very gravely gay, + Or very gaily grave, + —W. M. PRAED +</pre> + <p> + Montpipeau, though in the present day a suburb of Paris, was in the + sixteenth century far enough from the city to form a sylvan retreat, where + Charles IX, could snatch a short respite from the intrigues of his court, + under pretext of enjoying his favourite sport. Surrounded with his + favoured associates of the Huguenot party, he seemed to breathe a purer + atmosphere, and to yield himself up to enjoyment greater than perhaps his + sad life had ever known. + </p> + <p> + He rode among his gentlemen, and the brilliant cavalcade passed through + poplar-shaded roads, clattered through villages, and threaded their way + through bits of forest still left for the royal chase. The people thronged + out of their houses, and shouted not only ‘Vive le Roy,’ but ‘Vive + l’Amiral,’ and more than once the cry was added, ‘Spanish war, or civil + war!’ The heart of France was, if not with the Reformed, at least against + Spain and the Lorrainers, and Sidney perceived, from the conversation of + the gentlemen round him, that the present expedition had been devised less + for the sake of the sport, than to enable the King to take measures for + emancipating himself from the thraldom of his mother, and engaging the + country in a war against Philip II. Sidney listened, but Berenger chafed, + feeling only that he was being further carried out of reach of his + explanation with his kindred. And thus they arrived at Montpipeau, a + tower, tall and narrow, like all French designs, but expanded on the + ground floor by wooden buildings capable of containing the numerous train + of a royal hunter, and surrounded by an extent of waste land, without fine + trees, though with covert for deer, boars, and wolves sufficient for sport + to royalty and death to peasantry. Charles seemed to sit more erect in his + saddle, and to drink in joy with every breath of the thyme-scented breeze, + from the moment his horse bounded on the hollow-sounding turf; and when he + leapt to the ground, with the elastic spring of youth, he held out his + hands to Sidney and to Teligny, crying ‘Welcome, my friends. Here I am + indeed a king!’ + </p> + <p> + It was a lovely summer evening, early in August, and Charles bade the + supper to be spread under the elms that shaded a green lawn in front of + the chateau. Etiquette was here so far relaxed as to permit the sovereign + to dine with his suite, and tables, chairs, and benches were brought out, + drapery festooned in the trees to keep off sun and wind, the King lay down + in the fern and let his happy dogs fondle him, and as a hers-girl passed + along a vista in the distance, driving her goats before her, Philip Sidney + marvelled whether it was not even thus in Arcadia. + </p> + <p> + Presently there was a sound of horses trampling, wheels moving, a party of + gaily gilded archers of the guard jingled up, and in their midst was a + coach. Berenger’s heart seemed to leap at once to his lips, as a glimpse + of ruffs, hats, and silks dawned on him through the windows. + </p> + <p> + The king rose from his lair among the fern, the Admiral stood forward, all + heads were bared, and from the coach-door alighted the young Queen; no + longer pale, subdued, and indifferent, but with a face shining with + girlish delight, as she held out her hand to the Admiral. ‘Ah! This is + well, this is beautiful,’ she exclaimed; ‘it is like our happy chases in + the Tyrol. Ah, Sire!’ to the King, ‘how I thank you for letting me be with + you.’ + </p> + <p> + After her Majesty descended her gentleman-usher. Then came the + lady-in-waiting, Madame de Sauve, the wife of the state secretary in + attendance on Charles, and a triumphant, coquettish beauty, than a fat, + good-humoured Austrian dame, always called Madame la Comtesse, because her + German name was unpronounceable, and without whom the Queen never stirred, + and lastly a little figure, rounded yet slight, slender yet soft and + plump, with a kitten-like alertness and grace of motion, as she sprang + out, collected the Queen’s properties of fan, kerchief, pouncet-box, + mantle, &c., and disappeared in to the chateau, without Berenger’s + being sure of anything but that her little black hat had a rose-coloured + feather in it. + </p> + <p> + The Queen was led to a chair placed under one of the largest trees, and + there Charles presented to her such of his gentlemen as she was not yet + acquainted with, the Baron de Ribaumont among the rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have heard of M. de Ribaumont,’ she said, in a tone that made the + colour mantle in his fair cheek; and with a sign of her hand she detained + him at her side till the King had strolled away with Madame la Sauve, and + no one remained near but her German countess. Then changing her tone to + one of confidence, which the high-bred homeliness of her Austrian manner + rendered inexpressibly engaging, she said, ‘I must apologize, Monsieur, + for the giddiness of my sister-in-law, which I fear caused you some + embarrassment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, Madame,’ said Berenger, kneeling on one knee as she addressed him, + and his heart bounding with wild, undefined hope, ‘I cannot be grateful + enough. It was that which led to my being undeceived.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was true, then, that you were mistaken?’ said the Queen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Treacherously deceived, Madame, by those whose interest it is to keep us + apart,’ said Berenger, colouring with indignation; ‘they imposed my other + cousin on me as my wife, and caused her to think me cruelly neglectful.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know,’ said the Queen. ‘Yet Mdlle. de Ribaumont is far more admired + than my little blackbird.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That may be, Madame, but not by me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yet is it true that you came to break off the marriage?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Madame,’ said Berenger, honestly, ‘but I had not seen her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And now?’ said the Queen, smiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would rather die than give her up,’ said Berenger. ‘Oh, Madame, help us + of your grace. Every one is trying to part us, every one is arguing + against us, but she is my own true wedded wife, and if you will but give + her to me, all will be well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I like you, M. de Ribaumont,’ said the Queen, looking him full in the + face. ‘You are like our own honest Germans at my home, and I think you + mean all you say. I had much rather my dear little Nid de Merle were with + you than left here, to become like all the others. She is a good little <i>Liegling</i>,—how + do you call it in French? She has told me all, and truly I would help you + with all my heart, but it is not as if I were the Queen-mother. You must + have recourse to the King, who loves you well, and at my request included + you in the hunting-party.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger could only kiss her hand in token of earnest thanks before the + repast was announced, and the King came to lead her to the table spread + beneath the trees. The whole party supped together, but Berenger could + have only a distant view of his little wife, looking very demure and grave + by the side of the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + But when the meal was ended, there was a loitering in the woodland paths, + amid healthy openings or glades trimmed into discreet wildness fit for + royal rusticity; the sun set in parting glory on one horizon, the moon + rising in crimson majesty on the other. A musician at intervals touched + the guitar, and sang Spanish or Italian airs, whose soft or quaint melody + came dreamily through the trees. Then it was that with beating heart + Berenger stole up to the maiden as she stood behind the Queen, and + ventured to whisper her name and clasp her hand. + </p> + <p> + She turned, their eyes met, and she let him lead her apart into the wood. + It was not like a lover’s tryst, it was more like the continuation of + their old childish terms, only that he treated her as a thing of his own, + that he was bound to secure and to guard, and she received him as her own + lawful but tardy protector, to be treated with perfect reliance but with a + certain playful resentment. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will not run away from me now,’ he said, making full prize of her + hand and arm. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! is not she the dearest and best of queens?’ and the large eyes were + lifted up to him in such frank seeking of sympathy that he could see into + the depths of their clear darkness. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is her doing then. Though, Eustacie, when I knew the truth, not flood + nor fire should keep me long from you, my heart, my love, my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What! wife in spite of those villainous letter?’ she said, trying to + pout. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wife for ever, inseparably! Only you must be able to swear that you knew + nothing of the one that brought me here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor me! No, indeed! There was Celine carried off at fourteen, Madame de + Blanchet a bride at fifteen; all marrying hither and thither; and I—’ + she pulled a face irresistibly droll—‘I growing old enough to dress + St. Catherine’s hair, and wondering where was M. le Baron.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They thought me too young,’ said Berenger, ‘to take on me the cares of + life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So they were left to me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Cares! What cares have you but finding the Queen’s fan?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Little you know!’ she said, half contemptuous, half mortified. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, pardon me, <i>ma mie</i>. Who has troubled you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! you would call it nothing to be beset by Narcisse; to be told one’s + husband is faithless, till one half believes it; to be looked at by ugly + eyes; to be liable to be teased any day by Monsieur, or worse, by that + mocking ape, M. d’Alecon, and to have nobody who can or will hinder it.’ + </p> + <p> + She was sobbing by this time, and he exclaimed, ‘Ah, would that I could + revenge all! Never, never shall it be again! What blessed grace has + guarded you through all?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did I not belong to you?’ she said exultingly. ‘And had not Sister + Monique, yes, and M. le Baron, striven hard to make me good? Ah, how kind + he was!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father? Yes, Eustacie, he loved you to the last. He bade me, on his + deathbed, give you his own Book of Psalms, and tell you he had always + loved and prayed for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! his Psalms! I shall love them! Even at Bellaise, when first we came + there, we used to sing them, but the Mother Abbess went out visiting, and + when she came back she said they were heretical. And Soeur Monique would + not let me say the texts he taught me, but I WOULD not forget them. I say + them often in my heart.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ he cried joyfully, ‘you will willingly embrace my religion?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be a Huguenot?’ she said distastefully. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not precisely a Huguenot; I do not love them,’ he answered hastily; + ‘but all shall be made clear to you at my home in England.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘England!’ she said. ‘Must we live in England? Away from every one?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, they will love so much! I shall make you so happy there,’ he + answered. ‘There you will see what it is to be true and trustworthy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I had rather live at Chateau Leurre, or my own Nid de Merle,’ she + replied. ‘There I should see Soeur Monique, and my aunt, the Abbess, and + we would have the peasants to dance in the castle court. Oh! if you could + but see the orchards at Le Bocage, you would never want to go away. And we + could come now and then to see my dear Queen. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am glad at least you would not live at court.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no, I have been more unhappy here than ever I knew could be borne.’ + </p> + <p> + And a very few words from him drew out all that had happened to her since + they parted. Her father had sent her to Bellaise, a convent founded by the + first of the Angevin branch, which was presided over by his sister, and + where Diane was also educated. The good sister Monique had been mistress + of the <i>pensionnaires</i>, and had evidently taken much pains to keep + her charge innocent and devout. Diane had been taken to court about two + years before, but Eustacie had remained at the convent till some three + months since, when she had been appointed maid of honour to the + recently-married Queen; and her uncle had fetched her from Anjou, and had + informed her at the same time that her young husband had turned Englishman + and heretic, and that after a few formalities had been complied with, she + would become the wife of her cousin Narcisse. Now there was no person whom + she so much dreaded as Narcisse, and when Berenger spoke of him as a + feeble fop, she shuddered as though she knew him to have something of the + tiger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you remember Benoit?’ she said; ‘poor Benoit, who came to Normandy as + my <i>laquais</i>? When I went back to Anjou he married a girl from + Leurre, and went to aid his father at the farm. The poor fellow had + imbibed the Baron’s doctrine—he spread it. It was reported that + there was a nest of Huguenots on the estate. My cousin came to break it up + with his <i>gens d’armes</i> O Berenger, he would hear no entreaties, he + had no mercy; he let them assemble on Sunday, that they might be all + together. He fired the house; shot down those who escaped; if a prisoner + were made, gave him up to the Bishop’s Court. Benoit, my poor good Benoit, + who used to lead my palfrey, was first wounded, then tried, and burnt—burnt + in the PLACE at Lucon! I heard Narcisse laugh—laugh as he talked of + the cries of the poor creatures in the conventicler. My own people, who + loved me! I was but twelve years old, but even then the wretch would pay + me a half-mocking courtesy, as one destined to him; and the more I + disdained him and said I belonged to you, the more both he and my aunt, + the Abbess, smiled, as though they had their bird in a cage; but they left + me in peace till my uncle brought me to court, and then all began again: + and when they said you gave me up, I had no hope, not even of a convent. + But ah, it is all over now, and I am so happy! You are grown so gentle and + so beautiful, Berenger, and so much taller than I ever figured you to + myself, and you look as if you could take me up in your arms, and let no + harm happen to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never, never shall it!’ said Berenger, felling all manhood, strength, and + love stir within him, and growing many years in heart in that happy + moment. ‘My sweet little faithful wife, never fear again now you are + mine.’ + </p> + <p> + Alas! poor children. They were a good way from the security they had begun + to fancy for themselves. Early the next morning, Berenger went in his + straightforward way to the King, thanked him, and requested his sanction + for at once producing themselves to the court as Monsieur le Baron and + Madame la Baronne de Ribaumont. + </p> + <p> + At this Charles swore a great oath, as one in perplexity, and bade him not + go so fast. + </p> + <p> + ‘See here,’ said he, with the rude expletives only too habitual with him; + ‘she is a pretty little girl, and she and her lands are much better with + an honest man like you than with that <i>pendard</i> of a cousin; but you + see he is bent on having her, and he belongs to a cut-throat crew that + halt at nothing. I would not answer for your life, if you tempted him so + strongly to rid himself of you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My own sword, Sire, can guard my life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Plague upon your sword! What does the foolish youth think it would do + against half-a-dozen poniards and pistols in a lane black as hell’s + mouth?’ + </p> + <p> + The foolish young WAS thinking how could a king so full of fiery words and + strange oaths bear to make such an avowal respecting his own capital and + his own courtiers. All he could do was to bow and reply, ‘Nevertheless, + Sire, at whatever risk, I cannot relinquish my wife; I would take her at + one to the Ambassador’s.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How, sir!’ interrupted Charles, haughtily and angrily, ‘if you forget + that you are a French nobleman still, I should remember it! The Ambassador + may protect his own countrymen-none else.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I entreat your Majesty’s pardon,’ said Berenger, anxious to retract his + false step. ‘It was your goodness and the gracious Queen’s that made me + hope for your sanction.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All the sanction Charles de Valois can give is yours, and welcome,’ said + the King, hastily. ‘The sanction of the King of France is another matter! + To say the truth, I see no way out of the affair but an elopement.’ + ‘Sire!’ exclaimed the astonished Berenger, whose strictly-disciplined + education had little prepared him for such counsel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look you! if I made you known as a wedded pair, the Chevalier and his son + would not only assassinate you, but down on me would come my brother, and + my mother, and M. de Guise and all their crew, veritably for giving the + prize out of the mouth of their satellite, but nominally for disregarding + the Pope, favouring a heretical marriage, and I know not what, but, as + things go here, I should assuredly get the worst of it; and if you made + safely off with your prize, no one could gainsay you—I need know + nothing about it—and lady and lands would be your without dispute. + You might ride off from the skirts of the forest; I would lead the hunt + that way, and the three days’ riding would bring you to Normady, for you + had best cross to England immediately. When she is one there, owned by + your kindred, Monsieur le cousin may gnash his teeth as he will, he must + make the best of it for the sake of the honour of his house, and you can + safely come back and raise her people and yours to follow the Oriflamme + when it takes the field against Spain. What! you are still discontented? + Speak out! Plain speaking is a treat not often reserved for me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sire, I am most grateful for your kindness, but I should greatly prefer + going straightforward.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Peste! Well is it said that a blundering Englishman goes always right + before him! There, then! As your King on the one hand, as the friend who + has brought you and your wife together, sir, it is my command that you do + not compromise me and embroil greater matters than you can understand by + publicly claiming this girl. Privately I will aid you to the best of my + ability; publicly, I command you, for my sake, if you heed not your own, + to be silent!’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger sought out Sidney, who smiled at his surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you not see,’ he said, ‘that the King is your friend, and would be + very glad to save the lady’s lands from the Guisards, but that he cannot + say so; he can only befriend a Huguenot by stealth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would not be such a king for worlds!’ + </p> + <p> + However, Eustacie was enchanted. It was like a prince and princess in Mere + Perinne’s fairy tales. Could they go like a shepherd and shepherdess? She + had no fears-no scruples. Would she not be with her husband? It was the + most charming frolic in the world. So the King seemed to think it, though + he was determined to call it all the Queen’s doing—the first + intrigue of her own, making her like all the rest of us—the Queen’s + little comedy. He undertook to lead the chase as far as possible in the + direction of Normandy, when the young pair might ride on to an inn, meet + fresh horses, and proceed to Chateau Leurre, and thence to England. He + would himself provide a safe-conduct, which, as Berenger suggested, would + represent them as a young Englishman taking home his young wife. Eustacie + wanted at least to masquerade as an Englishwoman, and played off all the + fragments of the language she had caught as a child, but Berenger only + laughed at her, and said they just fitted the French bride. It was very + pretty to laugh at Eustacie; she made such a droll pretence at pouting + with her rosebud lips, and her merry velvety eyes belied them so drolly. + </p> + <p> + Such was to be the Queen’s pastoral; but when Elisabeth found the + responsibility so entirely thrown on her, she began to look grave and + frightened. It was no doubt much more than she had intended when she + brought about the meeting between the young people, and the King, who had + planned the elopement, seemed still resolved to make all appear her + affair. She looked all day more like the grave, spiritless being she was + at court than like the bright young rural queen of the evening before, and + she was long in her little oratory chapel in the evening. Berenger, who + was waiting in the hall with the other Huguenot gentlemen, thought her + devotions interminable since they delayed all her ladies. At length, + however, a page came up to him, and said in a low voice, ‘The Queen + desires the presence of M. le Baron de Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + He followed the messenger, and found himself in the little chapel, before + a gaily-adorned altar, and numerous little shrines and niches round. + Sidney would have dreaded a surreptitious attempt to make him conform, but + Berenger had no notion of such perils,—he only saw that Eustacie was + standing by the Queen’s chair, and a kindly-looking Austrian priest, the + Queen’s confessor, held a book in his hand. + </p> + <p> + The Queen came to meet him. ‘For my sake,’ she said, with all her + sweetness, ‘to ease my mind, I should like to see my little Eustacie made + entirely your own ere you go. Father Meinhard tells me it is safer that, + when the parties were under twelve years old, the troth should be again + exchanged. No other ceremony is needed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I desire nothing but to have her made indissolubly my own,’ said + Berenger, bowing. + </p> + <p> + ‘And the King permits,’ added Elisabeth. + </p> + <p> + The King growled out, ‘It is your comedy, Madame; I meddle not.’ + </p> + <p> + The Austrian priest had no common language with Berenger but Latin. He + asked a few questions, and on hearing the answers, declared that the + sacrament of marriage had been complete, but that—as was often done + in such cases—he would once more hear the troth-plight of the young + pair. The brief formula was therefore at once exchanged—the King, + when the Queen looked entreatingly at him, rousing himself to make the + bride over to Berenger. As soon as the vows had been made, in the briefest + manner, the King broke in boisterously: ‘There, you are twice marred, to + please Madame there; but hold your tongues all of you about this scene in + the play.’ + </p> + <p> + Then almost pushing Eustacie over to Berenger, he added, ‘There she is! + Take your wife, sir; but mind, she was as much yours before as she is + now.’ + </p> + <p> + But for all Berenger had said about ‘his wife,’ it was only now that he + really FELT her his own, and became husband rather than lover-man instead + of boy. She was entirely his own now, and he only desired to be away with + her; but some days’ delay was necessary. A chase on the scale of the one + that was to favour their evasion could not be got up without some notice; + and, moreover, it was necessary to procure money, for neither Sidney nor + Ribaumont had more than enough with them for the needful liberalities to + the King’s servants and huntsmen. Indeed Berenger had spent all that + remained in his purse upon the wares of an Italian pedlar whom he and + Eustacie met in the woods, and whose gloves ‘as sweet as fragrant posies,’ + fans, scent-boxes, pocket mirrors, Genoa wire, Venice chains, and other + toys, afforded him the mean of making up the gifts that he wished to carry + home to his sisters; and Eustacie’s counsel was merrily given in the + choice. And when the vendor began with a meaning smile to recommend to the + young pair themselves a little silver-netted heart as a love-token, and it + turned out that all Berenger’s money was gone, so that it could not be + bought without giving up the scented casket destined for Lucy, Eustacie + turned with her sweetest, proudest smile, and said, ‘No, no; I will not + have it; what do we two want with love-tokens now?’ + </p> + <p> + Sidney had taken the youthful and romantic view of the case, and + considered himself to be taking the best possible bare of is young friend, + by enabling him to deal honourably with so charming a little wife as + Eustacie. Ambassador and tutor would doubtless be very angry; but Sidney + could judge for himself of the lady, and he therefore threw himself into + her interests, and sent his servant back to Paris to procure the necessary + sum for the journey of Master Henry Berenger and Mistress Mary, his wife. + Sidney was, on his return alone to Paris, to explain all to the elders, + and pacify them as best he could; and his servant was already the bearer + of a letter from Berenger that was to be sent at once to England with + Walsingham’s dispatches, to prepare Lord Walwyn for the arrival of the + runaways. The poor boy laboured to be impressively calm and reasonable in + his explanation of the misrepresentation, and of his strong grounds for + assuming his rights, with his persuasion that his wife would readily join + the English church—a consideration that he knew would greatly smooth + the way for her. Indeed, his own position was impregnable: nobody could + blame him for taking his own wife to himself, and he was so sure of her + charms, that he troubled himself very little about the impression she + might make on his kindred. If they loved her, it was all right; if not, he + could take her back to his own castle, and win fame and honour under the + banner of France in the Low Countries. As the Lucy Thistlewood, she was + far too discreet to feel any disappointment or displeasure; or if she + should, it was her own fault and that of his mother, for all her life she + had known him to be married. So he finished his letter with a message that + the bells should be ready to ring, and that when Philip heard three guns + fired on the coast, he might light the big beacon pile above the Combe. + </p> + <p> + Meantime ‘the Queen’s Pastoral’ was much relished by all the spectators. + The state of things was only avowed to Charles, Elisabeth, and Philip + Sidney, and even the last did not know of the renewed troth which the King + chose to treat as such a secret; but no one had any doubt of the mutual + relations of M. de Ribaumont and Mdlle. de Nid de Merle, and their dream + of bliss was like a pastoral for the special diversion of the holiday of + Montpipeau. The transparency of their indifference in company, their + meeting eyes, their trysts with the secrecy of an ostrich, were the + subjects of constant amusement to the elders, more especially as the + shyness, blushes, and caution were much more on the side of the young + husband than on that of the lady. Fresh from her convent, simple with + childishness and innocence, it was to her only the natural completion of + her life to be altogether Berenger’s, and the brief concealment of their + full union added a certain romantic enchantment, which added to her + exultation in her victory over her cruel kindred. She had been upon her + own mind, poor child, for her few weeks of court life. She had been upon + her own mind, poor child, for her few weeks of court life, but not long + enough to make her grow older, though just so long as to make the sense of + her having her own protector with her doubly precious. He, on the other + hand, though full of happiness, did also feel constantly deepening on him + the sense of the charge and responsibility he had assumed, hardly knowing + how. The more dear Eustacie became to him, the more she rested on him and + became entirely his, the more his boyhood and INSOUCIANCE drifted away + behind him; and while he could hardly bear to heave his darling a moment + out of his sight, the less he could endure any remark or jest upon his + affection for her. His home had been a refined one, where Cecile’s convent + purity seemed to diffuse an atmosphere of modest reserve such as did not + prevail in the court of the Maiden Queen herself, and the lad of eighteen + had not seem enough of the outer world to have rubbed off any of that + grace. His seniority to his little wife seemed to show itself chiefly in + his being put out of countenance for her, when she was too innocent and + too proud of her secret matronhood to understand or resent the wit. + </p> + <p> + Little did he know that this was the ballet-like interlude in a great and + terrible tragedy, whose first act was being played out on the stage where + they schemed and sported, like their own little drama, which was all the + world to them, and noting to the others. Berenger knew indeed that the + Admiral was greatly rejoiced that the Nid de Merle estates should go into + Protestant hands, and that the old gentleman lost no opportunity of + impressing on him that they were a heavy trust, to be used for the benefit + of ‘the Religion,’ and for the support of the King in his better mind. But + it may be feared that he did not give a very attentive ear to all this. He + did not like to think of those estates; he would gladly have left them all + the Narcisse, so that he might have their lady, and though quite willing + to win his spurs under Charles and Coligny against the Spaniard, his heart + and head were far too full to take in the web of politics. Sooth to say, + the elopement in prospect seemed to him infinitely more important than + Pope or Spaniard, Guise or Huguenot, and Coligny observed with a sigh to + Teligny that he was a good boy, but nothing but the merest boy, with eyes + open only to himself. + </p> + <p> + When Charles undertook to rehearse their escape with them, and the Queen + drove out in a little high-wheeled litter with Mne. la Comtesse, while + Mme. De Sauve and Eustacie were mounted on gay palfreys with the pommelled + side-saddle lately invented by the Queen-mother, Berenger, as he watched + the fearless horsemanship and graceful bearing of his newly-won wife, had + no speculations to spend on the thoughtful face of the Admiral. And when + at the outskirts of the wood the King’s bewildering hunting-horn—sounding + as it were now here, now there, now low, now high—called every + attendant to hasten to its summons, leaving the young squire and damsel + errant with a long winding high-banked lane before them, they reckoned the + dispersion to be all for their sakes, and did not note, as did Sidney’s + clear eye, that when the entire company had come straggling him, it was + the King who came up with Mme. De Sauve almost the last; and a short space + after, as if not to appear to have been with him, appeared the Admiral and + his son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + Sidney also missed one of the Admiral’s most trusted attendants, and from + this and other symptoms he formed his conclusions that the King had + scattered his followers as much for the sake of an unobserved conference + with Coligny as for the convenience of the lovers, and that letters had + been dispatched in consequence of that meeting. + </p> + <p> + Those letters were indeed of a kind to change the face of affairs in + France. Marshal Strozzi, then commanding in the south-west, was bidden to + embark at La Rochelle in the last week of August, to hasten to the succour + of the Prince of Orange against Spain, and letters were dispatched by + Coligny to all the Huguenot partisans bidding them assemble at Melun on + the third of September, when they would be in the immediate neighbourhood + of the court, which was bound for Fontainebleau. Was the star of the + Guises indeed waning? Was Charles about to escape from their hands, and + commit himself to an honest, high-minded policy, in which he might have + been able to purify his national Church, and wind back to her those whom + her corruptions had driven to seek truth and morality beyond her pale? + </p> + <p> + Alas! there was a bright pair of eyes that saw more than Philip Sidney’s, + a pair of ears that heard more, a tongue and pen less faithful to guard a + secret. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. ‘LE BROUILON’ + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + But never more the same two sister pearls + Ran down the silken thread to kiss each other. + —Tennyson +</pre> + <p> + Berenger was obliged to crave permission from the King to spend some hours + in riding with Osbert to the first hostel on their way, to make + arrangements for the relay of horses that was to meet them there, and for + the reception of Veronique, Eustacie’s maid, who was to be sent off very + early in the morning on a pillion behind Osbert, taking with her the + articles of dress that would be wanted to change her mistress from the + huntress maid of honour to the English dame. + </p> + <p> + It was not long after he had been gone that a sound of wheels and + trampling horses was heard in one of the forest drives. Charles, who was + amusing himself with shooting at a mark together with Sidney and Teligny, + handed his weapon to an attendant, and came up with looks of restless + anxiety to his Queen, who was placed in her chair under the tree, with the + Admiral and her ladies round her, as judges of the prize. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here is <i>le brouillon</i>,’ he muttered. ‘I thought we had been left in + peace too long.’ + </p> + <p> + Elisabeth, who Brantome says was water, while her husband was fire, tried + to murmur some hopeful suggestion; and poor little Eustacie, clasping her + hands, could scarcely refrain from uttering the cry, ‘Oh, it is my uncle! + Do not let him take me!’ + </p> + <p> + The next minute there appeared four horses greatly heated and jaded, + drawing one of the court coaches; and as it stopped at the castle gate, + two ladies became visible within it—the portly form of Queen + Catherine, and on the back seat the graceful figure of Diane de Ribaumont. + </p> + <p> + Charles swore a great oath under his breath. He made a step forward, but + then his glance falling on Eustacie’s face, which had flushed to the + rosiest hue of the carnation, he put his finger upon his lip with a + menacing air, and then advanced to greet his mother, followed by his + gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fear not, my dear child,’ said the young Queen, taking Eustacie’s arm as + she rose for the same purpose. ‘Obey the King, and he will take care that + all goes well.’ + </p> + <p> + The gentle Elisabeth was, however, the least regarded member of the royal + family. Her mother-in-law had not even waited to greet her, but had + hurried the King into his cabinet, with a precipitation that made the + young Queen’s tender heart conclude that some dreadful disaster had + occurred, and before Mademoiselle de Ribaumont had had time to make her + reverence, she exclaimed, breathlessly, ‘Oh, is it ill news? Not from + Vienna?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, Madame; reassure yourself,’ replied Diane; ‘it is merely that her + Majesty, being on the way to Monceaux with Mesdames, turned out of her + road to make a flying visit to your graces, and endeavour to persuade you + to make her party complete.’ + </p> + <p> + Elisabeth looked as if questioning with herself if this would possibly be + the whole explanation. Monceaux was a castle belonging to the Queen + Dowager at no great distance from Montpipeau, but there had been no + intention of leaving Paris before the wedding, which was fixed for the + seventeenth of August, and the bridegroom was daily expected. She asked + who was the party at Monceaux, and was told that Madame de Nemours had + gone thither the evening before, with her son, M. de Guise, to make ready; + and that Monsieur was escorting thither his two sisters, Madame de + Lorraine and Madame Marguerite. The Queen-mother had set out before them + very early in the morning. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must have made great speed,’ said Elisabeth; ‘it is scarcely two + o’clock.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly we did, Madame; two of our horses even died upon the road; but the + Queen was anxious to find the King ere he should set off on one of his + long chases.’ + </p> + <p> + Diane, at every spare moment, kept her eyes interrogatively fixed on her + cousin, and evidently expected that the taciturn Queen, to whom a long + conversation, in any language but Spanish, was always a grievance, would + soon dismiss them both; and Eustacie did not know whether to be thankful + or impatient, as Elisabeth, with tardy, hesitating, mentally-translated + speech, inquired into every circumstance of the death of the poor horses, + and then into all the court gossip, which she was currently supposed + neither to hear nor understand; and then bethought herself that this good + Mademoiselle de Ribaumont could teach her that embroidery stitch she had + so long wished to learn. Taking her arm, she entered the hall, and + produced her work, so as effectually to prevent any communication between + the cousins; Eustacie, meanwhile her heart clinging to her friend, felt + her eyes filling with tears at the thoughts of how unkind her morrow’s + flight would seem without one word of farewell or of confidence, and was + already devising tokens of tenderness to be left behind for Diane’s + consolation, when the door of the cabinet opened, and Catherine sailed + down the stairs, with her peculiar gliding step and sweep of dignity. The + King followed her with a face of irresolution and distress. He was + evidently under her displeasure; but she advanced to the young Queen with + much graciousness, and an air of matronly solicitude. + </p> + <p> + ‘My daughter,’ she said, ‘I have just assured the King that I cannot leave + you in these damp forests. I could not be responsible for the results of + the exposure any longer. It is for him to make his own arrangements, but I + brought my coach empty on purpose to transport you and your ladies to + Monceaux. + </p> + <p> + The women may follow with the mails. You can be ready as soon as the + horses are harnessed.’ + </p> + <p> + Elisabeth was used to passiveness. She turned one inquiring look to her + husband, but he looked sullen, and, evidently cowed by his mother, uttered + not a word. She could only submit, and Catherine herself add that there + was room for Madame de Sauve and Mademoiselle de Nid de Merle. Madame la + Comtesse should follow! It was self-evident that propriety would not admit + of the only demoiselle being left behind among the gentlemen. Poor + Eustacie, she looked mutely round as if she hoped to escape! What was the + other unkindness to this? And ever under the eyes of Diane too, who + followed her to their chamber, when she went to prepare, so that she could + not even leave a token for him where he would have been most certain to + find it. Moments were few; but at the very last, while the queens were + being handed in the carriage, she caught the eye of Philip Sidney. He saw + the appealing look, and came near. She tried to laugh. ‘Here is my gage, + Monsieur Sidney,’ she said, and held out a rose-coloured knot of ribbon; + then, as he came near enough, she whispered imploringly three of her few + English words— + </p> + <p> + ‘Give to HIM.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I take the gage as it is meant,’ said Sidney, putting a knee to the + ground, and kissing the trembling fingers, ere he handed her into the + carriage. He smiled and waved his hand as he met her earnest eyes. One bow + contained a scrap of paper pricked with needle-holes. Sidney would not + have made out those pricks for the whole world, even had he been able to + do more than hastily secure the token, before the unhappy King, with a + paroxysm of violent interjections, demanded of him whether the Queen of + England, woman though she were, ever were so beset, and never allowed a + moment to herself; then, without giving time for an answer, he flung away + to his cabinet, and might be heard pacing up and down there in a tempest + of perplexity. He came forth only to order his horse, and desire M. de + Sauve and a few grooms to be ready instantly to ride with him. His face + was full of pitiable perplexity—the smallest obstacle was met with a + savage oath; and he was evidently in all the misery of a weak yet + passionate nature, struggling with impotent violence against a yoke that + evidently mastered it. + </p> + <p> + He flung a word to his guests that he should return ere night, and they + thus perceived that he did not intend their dismissal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor youth,’ said Coligny, mildly, ‘he will be another being when we have + him in our camp with the King of Navarre for his companion.’ + </p> + <p> + And then the Admiral repaired to his chamber to write one of his many fond + letters to the young wife of his old age; while his son-in-law and Philip + Sidney agreed to ride on, so as to met poor young Ribaumont, and prepare + him for the blow that had befallen him personally, while they anxiously + debated what this sudden descent of the Queen-mother might portend. + Teligny was ready to believe in any evil intention on her part, but he + thought himself certain of the King’s real sentiments, and in truth + Charles had never treated any man with such confidence as this young + Huguenot noble, to whom he had told his opinion of each of his + counsellors, and his complete distrust of all. That pitying affection + which clings to those who cling to it, as well as a true French loyalty of + heart, made Teligny fully believe that however Catherine might struggle to + regain her ascendancy, and whatever apparent relapses might be caused by + Charles’s habitual subjection to her, yet the high aspirations and strong + sense of justice inherent in the King were asserting themselves as his + youth was passing into manhood; and that the much-desired war would enable + him to develop all his higher qualities. Sidney listened, partially + agreed, talked of caution, and mused within himself whether violence might + not sometimes be mistaken for vigour. + </p> + <p> + Ere long, the merry cadence of an old English song fell with a homelike + sound upon Sidney’s ear, and in another moment they were in sight of + Berenger, trotting joyously along, with a bouquet of crimson and white + heather-blossoms in his hand, and his bright young face full of exultation + in his arrangements. He shouted gaily as he saw them, calling out, ‘I + thought I should meet you! but I wondered not to have heard the King’s + bugle-horn. Where are the rest of the hunters?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Unfortunately we have had another sort of hunt to-day,’ said Sidney, who + had ridden forward to meet him; ‘and one that I fear, will disquiet you + greatly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How! Not her uncle?’ exclaimed Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, cheer up, my friend, it was not she who was the object of the chase; + it was this unlucky King,’ he added, speaking English, ‘who has been run + to earth by his mother.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but what is that to me?’ said Berenger, with impatient superiority + to the affairs of the nation. ‘How does it touch us?’ + </p> + <p> + Sidney related the abstraction of the young Queen and her ladies, and then + handed over the rose-coloured token, which Berenger took with vehement + ardour; then his features quivered as he read the needle-pricked words-two + that he had playfully insisted on her speaking and spelling after him in + his adopted tongue, then not vulgarized, but the tenderest in the + language, ‘Sweet heart.’ That was all, but to him they conveyed constancy + to him and his, whatever might betide, and an entreaty not to leave her to + her fate. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dearest! never!’ he muttered; then turning hastily as he put the + precious token into his bosom, he exclaimed, ‘Are their women yet gone?’ + and being assured that they were not departed when the two friends had set + out, he pushed his horse on at speed, so as to be able to send a reply by + Veronique. He was barely in time: the clumsy wagon-like conveyance of the + waiting-women stood at the door of the castle, in course of being packed + with the Queen’s wardrobe, amid the janglings of lackeys, and + expostulating cries of <i>femmes de chambre</i>, all in the worst possible + humour at being crowded up with their natural enemies, the household of + the Queen-mother. + </p> + <p> + Veronique, a round-faced Angevin girl—who, like her lady, had not + parted with all her rustic simplicity and honesty, and who had been + necessarily taken into their confidence—was standing apart from the + whirl of confusion, holding the leashes of two or three little dogs that + had been confided to her care, that their keepers might with more ease + throw themselves into the <i>melee</i>. Her face lighted up as she saw the + Baron de Ribaumont arrive. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, sir, Madame will be so happy that I have seen Monsieur once more,’ + she exclaimed under her breath, as he approached her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! there is not a moment to write,’ he said, looking at the vehicle, + already fast filling, ‘but give her these flowers; they were gathered for + her; give her ten thousand thanks for her token. Tell her to hold firm, + and that neither king nor queen, bolt nor bar, shall keep me from her. + Tell her, our watchword is HOPE.’ + </p> + <p> + The sharp eyes of the duenna of the Queen’s household, a rigid Spanish + dame, were already searching for stray members of her flock, and Veronique + had to hurry to her place, while Berenger remained to hatch new plans, + each wilder than the last, and torment himself with guesses whether his + project had been discovered. Indeed, there were moments when he fancied + the frustration of his purpose the special object of Queen Catherine’s + journey, but he had the wisdom to keep any such suggestion to himself. + </p> + <p> + The King came back by supper-time, looking no longer in a state of + indecision, but pale and morose. He spoke to no one as he entered, and + afterwards took his place at the head of the supper-table in silence, + which he did not break till the meal was nearly over. Then he said + abruptly, ‘Gentlemen, our party has been broken up, and I imagine that + after our great hunt tomorrow, no one will have any objection to return to + Paris. We shall have merrier sport at Fontainebleau when this most + troublesome of weddings is over.’ + </p> + <p> + There was nothing to be done but to bow acquiescence, and the King again + became grimly silent. After supper he challenged Coligny to a game of + chess, and not a word passed during the protracted contest, either from + the combatants or any other person in the hall. It was as if the light had + suddenly gone out to others besides the disappointed and anxious Berenger, + and a dull shadow had fallen on the place only yesterday so lively, + joyous, and hopeful. + </p> + <p> + Berenger, chained by the etiquette of the royal presence, sat like a + statue, his back against the wall, his arms crossed on his breast, his + eyes fixed, chewing the cud of the memories of his dream of bliss, or + striving to frame the future to his will, and to decide what was the next + reasonable step he could take, or whether his irrepressible longing to + ride straight off to Monceaux, claim his wife, and take her on horseback + behind him, were a mere impracticable vision. + </p> + <p> + The King, having been checkmated twice out of three times by the Admiral, + too honest a man not truly to accept his declaration of not wanting + courtly play, pushed away the board, and was attended by them all to his + COUCHER, which was usually made in public; and the Queen being absent, the + gentlemen were required to stand around him till he was ready to fall + asleep. He did not seem disposed to talk, but begged Sidney to fetch his + lute, and sing to him some English airs that had taken his fancy much when + sung by Sidney and Berenger together. + </p> + <p> + Berenger felt as if they would choke him in his present turbid state of + resentful uncertainty; but even as the unhappy young King spoke, it was + with a heavy, restless groan, as he added, ‘If you know any lullaby that + will give rest to a wretch tormented beyond bearing, let us have it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas, Sire!’ said the Admiral, seeing that no perilous ears remained in + the room; ‘there are better and more soothing words than any mundane + melody.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Peste</i>! My good father,’ said the King, petulantly, ‘has not old + Phlipote, my nurse, rocked me to the sound of your Marot’s Psalms, and + crooned her texts over me? I tell you I do not want to think. I want what + will drive thought away—to dull—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! what dulls slays,’ said the Admiral. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let it. Nothing can be worse than the present,’ said the wretched + Charles; then, as if wishing to break away from Coligny, he threw himself + round towards Berenger, and said, ‘Here; stoop down, Ribaumont; a word + with you. Your matters have gone up the mountains, as the Italians say, + with mine. But never fear. Keep silence, and you shall have the bird in + your hand, only you must be patient. Hold! I will make you and Monsieur + Sidney gentlemen of my bed-chamber, which will give you the <i>entree</i> + of the Louvre; and if you cannot get her out of it without an <i>eclat</i>, + then you must be a much duller fellow than half my court. Only that it is + not their own wives that they abstract. + </p> + <p> + With this Berenger must needs content himself; and the certainty of the + poor King’s good-will did enable him to do his part with Sidney in the + songs that endeavoured to soothe the torments of the evil spirit which had + on that day effected a fresh lodgment in that weak, unwilling heart. + </p> + <p> + It was not till the memoirs of the secret actors in this tragedy were + brought to light that the key to these doings was discovered. M. de Sauve, + Charles’s secretary, had disclosed his proceedings to his wife; she, + flattered by the attentions of the Duke of Anjou, betrayed them to him; + and the Queen-mother, terrified at the change of policy, and the loss of + the power she had enjoyed for so many years, had hurried to the spot. + </p> + <p> + Her influence over her son resembled the fascination of a snake: once + within her reach he was unable to resist her; and when in their <i>tete-a-tete</i> + she reproached him with ill-faith towards her, prophesied the overthrow of + the Church, the desertion of his allies, the ruin of his throne, and + finally announced her intention of hiding her head in her own hereditary + estates in Auvergne, begging, as a last favour, that he would give his + brother time to quit France instead of involving him in his own ruin, the + poor young man’s whole soul was in commotion. His mother knew her + strength, left the poison to work, and withdrew in displeasure to + Monceaux, sure that, as in effect happened, he would not be long in + following her, imploring her not to abandon him, and making an + unconditional surrender of himself, his conscience, and his friends into + her hands. Duplicity was so entirely the element of the court, that, even + while thus yielding himself, it was as one checked, but continuing the + game; he still continued his connection with the Huguenots, hoping to + succeed in his aims by some future counter-intrigue; and his real hatred + of the court policy, and the genuine desire to make common cause with + them, served his mother’s purpose completely, since his cajolery thus + became sincere. Her purpose was, probably, not yet formed. It was power + that she loved, and hoped to secure by the intrigues she had played off + all her life; but she herself was in the hands of an infinitely more + bloodthirsty and zealous faction, who could easily accomplish their ends + by working on the womanly terrors of an unscrupulous mind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. THE WEDDING WITH CRIMSON FAVOURS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + And trust me not at all or all in all. + —TENNYSON +</pre> + <p> + So extensive was the Louvre, so widely separated the different suites of + apartments, that Diane and Eustacie had not met after the pall-mall party + till they sat opposite to their several queens in the coach driving + through the woods, the elder cousin curiously watching the eyes of the + younger, so wistfully gazing at the window, and now and then rapidly + winking as though to force back a rebellious tear. + </p> + <p> + The cousins had been bred up together in the convent at Bellaise, and had + only been separated by Diane’s having been brought to court two years + sooner than Eustacie. They had always been on very kindly, affectionate + terms; Diane treating her little cousin with the patronage of an elder + sister, and greatly contributing to shield her from the temptations of the + court. The elder cousin was so much the more handsome, brilliant, and + admired, that no notion of rivalry had crossed her mind; and Eustacie’s + inheritance was regarded by her as reserved for her brother, and the means + of aggradizement an prosperity for herself and her father. She looked upon + the child as a sort of piece of property of the family, to be guarded and + watched over for her brother; and when she had first discovered the error + that the young baron was making between the two daughters of the house, it + was partly in kindness to Eustacie, partly to carry out her father’s + plans, and partly from her own pleasure in conversing with anything so + candid and fresh as Berenger, that she had maintained the delusion. Her + father believed himself to have placed Berenger so entirely in the + background, that he would hardly be at court long enough to discover the + imposition; and Diane was not devoid of a strong hope of winning his + affection and bending his will so as to induce him to become her husband, + and become a French courtier for her sake—a wild dream, but a better + castle in the air than she had ever yet indulged in. + </p> + <p> + This arrangement was, however, disconcerted by the King’s passion for + Sidney’s society, which brought young Ribaumont also to court; and at the + time of the mischievous introduction by Madame Marguerite, Diane had + perceived that the mistake would soon be found out, and that she should no + longer be able to amuse herself with the fresh-coloured, open-faced boy + who was unlike all her former acquaintance; but the magnetism that shows a + woman when she produces an effect had been experienced by her, and she had + been sure that a few efforts more would warm and mould the wax in her + fingers. That he should prefer a little brown thing, whose beauty was so + inferior to her own, had never crossed her mind; she did not even know + that he was invited to the pall-mall party, and was greatly taken by + surprise when her father sought an interview with her, accused her of + betraying their interests, and told her that this foolish young fellow + declared that he had been mistaken, and having now discovered his + veritable wife, protested against resigning her. + </p> + <p> + By that time the whole party were gone to Montpipeau, but that the Baron + was among them was not known at the Louvre until Queen Catherine, who had + always treated Diane as rather a favoured, quick-witted <i>protegee</i>, + commanded her attendance, and on her way let her know that Madame de Sauve + had reported that, among all the follies that were being perpetrated at + the hunting-seat, the young Queen was absolutely throwing the little + Nid-de-Merle into the arms of her Huguenot husband, and that if measures + were not promptly taken all the great estates in the Bocage would be lost + to the young Chevalier, and be carried over to the Huguenot interest. + </p> + <p> + Still Diane could not believe that it was so much a matter of love as that + the young had begun to relish court favour and to value the inheritance, + and she could quite believe her little cousin had been flattered by a few + attentions that had no meaning in them. She was not prepared to find that + Eustacie shrank from her, and tried to avoid a private interview. In + truth, the poor child had received such injunctions from the Queen, and so + stern a warning look from the King, that she durst not utter a syllable of + the evening that had sealed her lot, and was so happy with her secret, so + used to tell everything to Diane, so longing to talk of her husband, that + she was afraid of betraying herself if once they were alone together. Yet + Diane, knowing that her father trusted to her to learn how far things had + gone, and piqued at seeing the transparent little creature, now glowing + and smiling with inward bliss, now pale, pensive, sighing, and anxious, + and scorning her as too childish for the love that she seemed to affect, + was resolved on obtaining confidence from her. + </p> + <p> + And when the whole female court had sat down to the silk embroidery in + which Catherine de Medicis excelled, Diane seated herself in the recess of + a window and beckoned her cousin to her side, so that it was not possible + to disobey. + </p> + <p> + ‘Little one,’ she said, ‘why have you cast off your poor cousin? There, + sit down’—for Eustacie stood, with her silk in her hand, as if + meaning instantly to return to her former place; and now, her cheeks in a + flame, she answered in an indignant whisper, ‘You know, Diane! How could + you try to keep him from me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because it was better for thee, my child, than to be pestered with an + adventurer,’ she said, smiling, though bitterly. + </p> + <p> + ‘My husband!’ returned Eustacie proudly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bah! You know better than that!’ Then, as Eustacie was about to speak, + but checked herself, Diane added, ‘Yes, my poor friend, he has a something + engaging about him, and we all would have hindered you from the pain and + embarrassment of a meeting with him.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie smiled a little saucy smile, as though infinitely superior to + them all. + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Pauvre petite</i>,’ said Diane, nettled; ‘she actually believes in his + love.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not hear a word against my husband!’ said Eustacie, stepping back, + as if to return to her place, but Diane rose and laid her hand on hers. + ‘My dear,’ she said, ‘we must no part thus. I only wish to know what + touches my darling so nearly. I thought she loved and clung to us; why + should she have turned from me for the sake of one who forgot her for half + his life? What can he have done to master this silly little heart?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot tell you, Diane,’ said Eustacie, simply; and though she looked + down, the colour on her face was more of a happy glow than a conscious + blush. ‘I love him too much; only we understand each other now, and it is + of no use to try to separate us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, poor little thing, so she thinks,’ said Diane; and as Eustacie again + smiled as one incapable of being shaken in her conviction, she added, ‘And + how do you know that he loves you?’ + </p> + <p> + Diane was startled by the bright eyes that flashed on her and the bright + colour that made Eustacie perfectly beautiful, as she answered, ‘Because I + am his wife! That is enough!’ Then, before her cousin could speak again, + ‘But, Diane, I promised not to speak of it. I know he would despise me if + I broke my word, so I will not talk to you till I have leave to tell you + all, and I am going back to help Gabrielle de Limeuil with her + shepherdess.’ + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle de Ribaumont felt her attempt most unsatisfactory, but she + knew of old that Eustacie was very determined—all Bellaise know that + to oppose the tiny Baronne was to make her headstrong in her resolution; + and if she suspected that she was coaxed, she only became more obstinate. + To make any discoveries, Diane must take the line of most cautious + caresses, such as to throw her cousin off her guard; and this she was + forced to confess to her father when he sought an interview with her on + the day of her return to Paris. He shook his head. She must be on the + watch, he said, and get quickly into the silly girl’s confidence. What! + had she not found out that the young villain had been on the point of + eloping with her? If such a thing as that should succeed, the whole family + was lost, and she was the only person who could prevent it. He trusted to + her. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier had evidently come to regard his niece as his son’s lawful + property, and the Baron as the troublesome meddler; and Diane had much the + same feeling, enhanced by sore jealousy at Eustacie’s triumph over her, + and curiosity as to whether it could be indeed well founded. She had an + opportunity of judging the same evening—mere habit always caused + Eustacie to keep under her wing, if she could not be near the Queen, + whenever there was a reception, and to that reception of course Berenger + came, armed with his right as gentleman of the bedchamber. Eustacie was + colouring and fluttering, as if by the instinct of his presence, even + before the tall fair head became visible, moving forward as well as the + crowd would permit, and seeking about with anxious eyes. The glances of + the blue and the black eyes met at last, and a satisfied radiance + illuminated each young face; then the young man steered his way through + the throng, but was caught midway by Coligny, and led up to be presented + to a hook-nosed, dark-haired, lively-looking young man, in a suit of black + richly laced with silver. It was the King of Navarre, the royal + bridegroom, who had entered Paris in state that afternoon. Eustacie tried + to be proud of the preferment, but oh! she thought it mistimed, and was + gratified to mark certain wandering of the eye even while the gracious + King was speaking. Then the Admiral said something that brought the + girlish rosy flush up to the very roots of the short curls of flaxen hair, + and made the young King’s white teeth flash out in a mirthful, + good-natured laugh, and thereupon the way opened, and Berenger was beside + the two ladies, kissing Eustacie’s hand, but merely bowing to Diane. + </p> + <p> + She was ready to take the initiative. + </p> + <p> + ‘My cousins deem me unpardonable,’ she said; ‘yet I am going to purchase + their pardon. See this cabinet of porcelain <i>a le Reine</i>, and Italian + vases and gems, behind this curtain. There is all the siege of Troy, which + M. le Baron will not doubt explain to Mademoiselle, while I shall sit on + this cushion, and endure the siege of St. Quentin from the <i>bon</i> + Sieur de Selinville.’ + </p> + <p> + Monsieur de Selinville was the court bore, who had been in every battle + from Pavia to Montcontour, and gave as full memoirs of each as did Blaise + de Monluc, only <i>viva voce</i> instead of in writing. Diane was rather a + favourite of his; she knew her way through all his adventures. So soon as + she had heard the description of the King of Navarre’s entry into Paris + that afternoon, and the old gentleman’s lamentation that his own two + nephews were among the three hundred Huguenot gentleman who had formed the + escort, she had only to observe whether his reminiscences had gone to + Italy or to Flanders in order to be able to put in the appropriate remarks + at each pause, while she listened all the while to the murmurs behind the + curtain. Yet it was not easy, with all her court breeding, to appear + indifferent, and solely absorbed in hearing of the bad lodgings that had + fallen to the share of the royal troops at Brescia, when such sounds were + reaching her. It was not so much the actual words she heard, though these + were the phrases—‘<i>mon ange</i>, my heart, my love;’ those were + common, and Diane had lived in the Queen-mother’s squadron long enough to + despise those who uttered them only less than those who believed them. It + was the full depth of tenderness and earnestness, in the subdued tones of + the voice, that gave her a sense of quiet force and reality beyond all she + had ever known. She had heard and overheard men pour out frantic ravings + of passion, but never had listened to anything like the sweet protecting + tenderness of voice that seemed to embrace and shelter its object. Diane + had no doubts now; he had never so spoken to her; nay, perhaps he had had + no such cadences in his voice before. It was quite certain that Eustacie + was everything to him, she herself nothing; she who might have had any + gallant in the court at her feet, but had never seen one whom she could + believe in, whose sense of esteem had been first awakened by this stranger + lad who despised her. Surely he was loving this foolish child simply as + his duty; his belonging, as his right he might struggle hard for her, and + if he gained her, be greatly disappointed; for how could Eustacie + appreciate him, little empty-headed, silly thing, who would be amused and + satisfied by any court flatterer? + </p> + <p> + However, Diane held out and played her part, caught scraps of the + conversation, and pieced them together, yet avoided all appearance of + inattention to M. de Selinville, and finally dismissed him, and manoeuvred + first Eustacie, and after a safe interval Berenger, out of the cabinet. + The latter bowed as he bade her good night, and said, with the most open + and cordial of smiles, ‘Cousin, I thank you with all my heart.’ + </p> + <p> + The bright look seemed to her another shaft. ‘What happiness!’ said she to + herself. ‘Can I overthrow it? Bah! it will crumble of its own accord, even + if I did nothing! And my father and brother!’ + </p> + <p> + Communication with her father and brother was not always easy to Diane, + for she lived among the Queen-mother’s ladies. Her brother was quartered + in a sort of barrack among the gentlemen of Monsieur’s suite, and the old + Chevalier was living in the room Berenger had taken for him at the Croix + de Lorraine, and it was only on the most public days that they attended at + the palace. Such a day, however, there was on the ensuing Sunday, when + Henry of Navarre and Marguerite of France were to be wedded. Their + dispensation was come, but, to the great relief of Eustacie, there was no + answer with it to the application for the CASSATION of her marriage. In + fact, this dispensation had never emanated from the Pope at all. Rome + would not sanction the union of a daughter of France with a Huguenot + prince; and Charles had forged the document, probably with his mother’s + knowledge, in the hope of spreading her toils more completely round her + prey, while he trusted that the victims might prove too strong for her, + and destroy her web, and in breaking forth might release himself. + </p> + <p> + Strange was the pageant of that wedding on Sunday, the 17th of August, + 1572. The outward seeming was magnificent, when all that was princely in + France stood on the splendidly decked platform in front of Notre-Dame, + around the bridegroom in the bright promise of his kingly endowments, and + the bride in her peerless beauty. Brave, noble-hearted, and devoted were + the gallant following of the one, splendid and highly gifted the + attendants of the other; and their union seemed to promise peace to a long + distracted kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Yet what an abyss lay beneath those trappings! The bridegroom and his + comrades were as lions in the toils of the hunter, and the lure that had + enticed them thither was the bride, herself so unwilling a victim that her + lips refused to utter the espousal vows, and her head as force forward by + her brother into a sign of consent; while the favoured lover of her whole + lifetime agreed to the sacrifice in order to purchase the vengeance for + which he thirsted, and her mother, the corrupter of her own children, + looked complacently on at her ready-dug pit of treachery and bloodshed. + </p> + <p> + Among the many who played unconscious on the surface of that gulf of + destruction, were the young creatures whose chief thought in the pageant + was the glance and smile from the gallery of the Queen’s ladies to the + long procession of the English ambassador’s train, as they tried to + remember their own marriage there; Berenger with clear recollection of his + father’s grave, anxious face, and Eustacie chiefly remembering her own + white satin and turquoise dress, which indeed she had seen on every great + festival-day as the best raiment of the image of Notre Dame de Bellaise. + She remained in the choir during mass, but Berenger accompanied the rest + of the Protestants with the bridegroom at their head into the nave, where + Coligny beguiled the time with walking about, looking at the banners that + had been taken from himself and Conde at Montcontour and Jarnac, saying + that he hoped soon to see them taken down and replaced by Spanish banners. + Berenger had followed because he felt the need of doing as Walsingham and + Sidney thought right, but he had not been in London long enough to become + hardened to the desecration of churches by frequenting ‘Paul’s Walk.’ He + remained bareheaded, and stood as near as he could to the choir, listening + to the notes that floated from the priests and acolytes at the high altar, + longing from the time when he and Eustacie should be one in their prayers, + and lost in a reverie, till a grave old nobleman passing near him reproved + him for dallying with the worship of Rimmon. But his listening attitude + had not passed unobserved by others besides Huguenot observers. + </p> + <p> + The wedding was followed by a ball at the Louvre, from which, however, all + the stricter Huguenots absented themselves out of respect to Sunday, and + among them the family and guests of the English Ambassador, who were in + the meantime attending the divine service that had been postponed on + account of the morning’s ceremony. Neither was the Duke of Guise present + at the entertainment; for though he had some months previously been piqued + and entrapped into a marriage with Catherine of Cleves, yet his passion + for Marguerite was still so strong that he could not bear to join in the + festivities of her wedding with another. The absence of so many + distinguished persons caused the admission of many less constantly + privileged, and thus it was that Diane there met both her father and + brother, who eagerly drew her into a window, and demanded what she had to + tell them, laughing too at the simplicity of the youth, who had left for + the Chevalier a formal announcement that he had dispatched his protest to + Rome, and considered himself as free to obtain his wife by any means in + his power. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is <i>la petite</i>?’ Narcisse demanded. Behind her Queen, as + usual?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The young Queen keeps her room to-night,’ returned Diane. ‘Nor do I + advise you, brother, to thrust yourself in the way of <i>la petite entetee</i> + just at present.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What, is she so besotted with the peach face? He shall pay for it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother, no duel. Father, remind him that she would never forgive him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fear not, daughter,’ said the Chevalier; ‘this folly can be ended by much + quieter modes, only you must first give us information.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She tells me nothing,’ said Diane; ‘she is in one of her own humours—high + and mighty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Peste</i>! where is your vaunt of winding the little one round your + finger?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With time, I said,’ replied Diane. Curiously enough, she had no + compunction in worming secrets from Eustacie and betraying them, but she + could not bear to think of the trap she had set for the unsuspecting + youth, and how ingenuously he had thanked her, little knowing how she had + listened to his inmost secrets. + </p> + <p> + ‘Time is everything,’ said her father; ‘delay will be our ruin. Your + inheritance will slip through your fingers, my son. The youth will soon + win favour by abjuring his heresy; he will play the same game with the + King as his father did with King Henri. You will have nothing but your + sword, and for you, my poor girl, there is nothing but to throw yourself + on the kindness of your aunt at Bellaise, if she can receive the vows of a + dowerless maiden.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will never be,’ said Narcisse. ‘My rapier will soon dispose of a big + rustic like that, who knows just enough of fencing to make him an easy + prey. What! I verily believe the great of entreaty. ‘And yet the fine + fellow was willing enough to break the marriage when he took her for the + bride.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, my son,’ argued the Chevalier, will apparently to spare his daughter + from the sting of mortification, ‘as I said, all can be done without + danger of bloodshed on either side, were we but aware of any renewed + project of elopement. The pretty pair would be easily waylaid, the girl + safely lodged at Bellaise, the boy sent off to digest his pride in + England.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Unhurt?’ murmured Diane. + </p> + <p> + Her father checked Narcisse’s mockery at her solicitude, as he added, + ‘Unhurt? Yes. He is a liberal-hearted, gracious, fine young man, whom I + should much grieve to harm; but if you know of any plan of elopement and + conceal it, my daughter, then upon you will lie either the ruin and + disgrace of your family, or the death of one or both of the youths.’ + </p> + <p> + Diane saw that her question had betrayed her knowledge. She spoke faintly. + ‘Something I did overhear, but I know not how to utter a treason.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no treason where there is no trust, daughter,’ said the + Chevalier, in the tone of a moral sage. ‘Speak!’ + </p> + <p> + Diane never disobeyed her father, and faltered, ‘Wednesday; it is for + Wednesday. They mean to leave the palace in the midst of the masque; there + is a market-boat from Leurre to meet them on the river; his servants will + be in it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On Wednesday!’ Father and son looked at each other. + </p> + <p> + ‘That shall be remedied,’ said Narcisse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Child,’ added her father, turning kindly to Diane, ‘you have saved our + fortunes. There is put one thing more that you must do. Make her obtain + the pearls from him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ sighed Diane, half shocked, half revengeful, as she thought how he + had withheld them from her. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is necessary,’ said the Chevalier. ‘The heirloom of our house must not + be risked. Secure the pearls, child, and you will have done good service, + and earned the marriage that shall reward you.’ + </p> + <p> + When he was gone, Diane pressed her hands together with a strange sense of + misery. He, who had shrunk from the memory of little Diane’s + untruthfulness, what would he think of the present Diane’s treachery? Yet + it was to save his life and that of her brother—and for the + assertion of her victory over the little robber, Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. MONSIEUR’S BALLET. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Styx had fast bound her + Nine times around her. + —POPE, ODE ON ST.CECILIA’S DAY +</pre> + <p> + Early on Monday morning came a message to Mademoiselle Nid de Merle that + she was to prepare to act the part of a nymph of Paradise in the King’s + masque on Wednesday night, and must dress at once to rehearse her part in + the ballet specially designed by Monsieur. + </p> + <p> + Her first impulse was to hurry to her own Queen, whom she entreated to + find some mode of exempting her. But Elisabeth, who was still in bed, + looked distressed and frightened, made signs of caution, and when the + weeping girl was on the point of telling her of the project that would + thus be ruined, silenced her by saying, ‘Hush! my poor child, I have but + meddled too much already. Our Lady grant that I have not done you more + harm than good! Tell me no more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Madame, I will be discreet, I will tell you nothing; but if you would + only interfere to spare me from this ballet! It is Monsieur’s contrivance! + Ah! Madame, could you but speak to the King!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Impossible, child,’ said the Queen. ‘Things are not her as they were at + happy Montpipeau.’ + </p> + <p> + And the poor young Queen turned her face in to her pillow, and wept. + </p> + <p> + Every one who was not in a dream of bliss like poor little Eustacie knew + that the King had been in so savage a mood ever since his return that no + one durst ask anything from him a little while since, he had laughed at + his gentle wife for letting herself, and Emperor’s daughter, be trampled + on where his brother Francis’s Queen, from her trumpery, beggarly realm, + had held up her head, and put down <i>la belle Mere</i>; he had amused + himself with Elisabeth’s pretty little patronage of the young Ribaumonts + as a promising commencement in intriguing like other people; but now he + was absolutely violent at any endeavour to make him withstand his mother, + and had driven his wife back into that cold, listless, indifferent shell + of apathy from which affection and hope had begun to rouse her. She knew + it would only make it the worse for her little Nid de Merle for her to + interpose when Monsieur had made the choice. + </p> + <p> + And Eustacie was more afraid of Monsieur than even of Narcisse, and her + Berenger could not be there to protect her. However, there was protection + in numbers. With twelve nymphs, and cavaliers to match, even the Duke of + Anjou could not accomplish the being very insulting. Eustacie—light, + agile, and fairy-like—gained considerable credit for ready + comprehension and graceful evolutions. She had never been so much + complimented before, and was much cheered by praise. Diane showed herself + highly pleased with her little cousin’s success, embraced her, and told + her she was finding her true level at court. She would be the prettiest of + all the nymphs, who were all small, since fairies rather than Amazons were + wanted in their position. ‘And, Eustacie,’ she added, ‘you should wear the + pearls.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The pearls!’ said Eustacie. ‘Ah! but HE always wears them. I like to see + them on his bonnet—they are hardly whiter than his forehead.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Foolish little thing!’ said Diane, ‘I shall think little of his love if + he cares to see himself in them more than you.’ + </p> + <p> + The shaft seemed carelessly shot, but Diane knew that it would work, and + so it did. Eustacie wanted to prove her husband’s love, not to herself, + but to her cousin. + </p> + <p> + He made his way to her in the gardens of the Louvre that evening, greatly + dismayed at the report that had reached him that she was to figure as a + nymph of Elysium. She would thus be in sight as a prominent figure the + whole evening, even till an hour so late that the market boat which Osbert + had arranged for their escape could not wait for them without exciting + suspicion, and besides, his delicate English feelings were revolted at the + notion of her forming a part of such a spectacle. She could not understand + his displeasure. If they could not go on Wednesday, they could go on + Saturday; and as to her acting, half the noblest ladies in the court would + be in piece, and if English husbands did not like it, they must be the + tyrants she had always heard of. + </p> + <p> + ‘To be a gazing-stock—-’ began Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush! Monsieur, I will hear no more, or I shall take care how I put + myself in your power.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That has been done for you, sweetheart,’ he said, smiling with perhaps a + shade too much superiority; ‘you are mine entirely now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is not kind,’ she pouted, almost crying—for between flattery, + excitement, and disappointment she was not like herself that day, and she + was too proud to like to be reminded that she was in any one’s power. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought,’ said Berenger, with the gentleness that always made him manly + in dealing with her, ‘I thought you like to own yourself mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir, when you are good, and do not try to hector me for what I + cannot avoid.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger was candid enough to recollect that royal commands did not brook + disobedience, and, being thoroughly enamoured besides of his little wife, + he hastened to make his peace by saying, ‘True, <i>ma mie</i>, this cannot + be helped. I was a wretch to find fault. Think of it no more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You forgive me?’ she said, softened instantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Forgive you? What for, pretty one? For my forgetting that you are still a + slave to a hateful Court?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! then, if you forgive me, let me wear the pearls.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The poor pearls,’ said Berenger, taken aback for a moment, ‘the meed of + our forefather’s valour, to form part of the pageant and mummery? But + never mind, sweetheart,’ for he could not bear to vex her again: ‘you + shall have them to-night: only take care of them. My mother would look + back on me if she knew I had let them out of my care, but you and I are + one after all.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger could not bear to leave his wife near the Duke of Anjou and + Narcisse, and he offered himself to the King as an actor in the masque, + much as he detested all he heard of its subject. The King nodded + comprehension, and told him it was open to him either to be a demon in a + tight suit of black cloth, with cloven-hoof shoes, a long tail, and a + trident; or one of the Huguenots who were to be repulsed from Paradise for + the edification of the spectators. As these last were to wear suits of + knightly armour, Berenger much preferred making one of them in spite of + their doom. + </p> + <p> + The masque was given at the hall of the Hotel de Bourbon, where a noble + gallery accommodated the audience, and left full space beneath for the + actors. Down the centre of the stage flowed a stream, broad enough to + contain a boat, which was plied by the Abbe de Mericour—transformed + by a gray beard and hair and dismal mask into Charon. + </p> + <p> + But so unused to navigation was he, so crazy and ill-trimmed his craft, + that his first performance would have been his submersion in the Styx had + not Berenger, better accustomed to boats than any of the <i>dramatis + personoe</i>, caught him by the arms as he was about to step in, pointed + out the perils, weighted the frail vessel, and given him a lesson in + paddling it to and fro, with such a masterly hand, that, had there been + time for a change of dress, the part of Charon would have been unanimously + transferred to him; but the delay could not be suffered, and poor + Mericour, in fear of a ducking, or worse, of ridicule, balanced himself, + pole in hand, in the midst of the river. To the right of the river was + Elysium—a circular island revolving on a wheel which was an absolute + orrery, representing in concentric circles the skies, with the sun, moon, + the seven planets, twelve signs, and the fixed stars, all illuminated with + small lamps. The island itself was covered with verdure, in which, among + bowers woven of gay flowers, reposed twelve nymphs of Paradise, of whom + Eustacie was one. + </p> + <p> + On the other side of the stream was another wheel, whose grisly emblems + were reminders of Dante’s infernal circles, and were lighted by lurid + flames, while little bells were hung round so as to make a harsh jangling + sound, and all of the court who had any turn for buffoonery were leaping + and dancing about as demons beneath it, and uttering wild shouts. + </p> + <p> + King Charles and his two brothers stood on the margin of the Elysian lake. + King Henry, the Prince of Conde, and a selection of the younger and gayer + Huguenots, were the assailants,—storming Paradise to gain possession + of the nymphs. It was a very illusive armour that they wore, thin scales + of gold or silver as cuirasses over their satin doublets, and the swords + and lances of festive combat in that court had been of the bluntest foil + ever since the father of these princes had died beneath Montgomery’s + spear. And when the King and his brothers, one of them a puny crooked boy, + were the champions, the battle must needs be the merest show, though there + were lookers-on who thought that, judging by appearances, the assailants + ought to have the best chance of victory, both literal and allegorical. + </p> + <p> + However, these three guardian angels had choice allies in the shape of the + infernal company, who, as fast as the Huguenots crossed swords or shivered + lances with their royal opponents, encircled them with their long black + arms, and dragged them struggling away to Tartarus. Henry of Navarre + yielded himself with a good-will to the horse-play with which this was + performed, resisting just enough to give his demoniacal captors a good + deal of trouble, while yielding all the time, and taking them by surprise + by agile efforts, that showed that if he were excluded from Paradise it + was only by his own consent, and that he heartily enjoyed the merriment. + Most of his comrades, in especial the young Count de Rochefoucauld, + entered into the sport with the same heartiness, but the Prince of Conde + submitted to his fate with a gloomy, disgusted countenance, that added + much to the general mirth; and Berenger, with Eustacie before his eyes, + looking pale, distressed, and ill at ease, was a great deal too much in + earnest. He had so veritable an impulse to leap forward and snatch her + from that giddy revolving prison, that he struck against the sword of + Monsieur with a hearty good-will. His silvered lath snapped in his hand, + and at that moment he was seized round the waist, and, when his furious + struggle was felt to be in earnest, he was pulled over on his back, while + yells and shouts of discordant laughter rang round him, as demons pinioned + him hand and foot. + </p> + <p> + He thought he heard a faint cry from Eustacie, and, with a sudden, + unexpected struggle, started into a sitting posture; but a derisive voice, + that well he knew, cried, ‘Ha, the deadly sin of pride! Monsieur thinks + his painted face pleases the ladies. To the depths with him—’ and + therewith one imp pulled him backwards again, while others danced a + war-dance round him, pointing their forks at him; and the prime tormentor, + whom he perfectly recognized, not only leapt over him, but spurned at his + face with a cloven foot, giving a blow, not of gay French malice, but of + malignity. It was too much for the boy’s forbearance. He struggled free, + dashing his adversaries aside fiercely, and as they again gathered about + him, with the leader shouting, ‘Rage, too, rage! To the prey, imps—’ + he clenched his fist, and dealt the foremost foe such a blow in the chest + as to level him at once with the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Monsieur forgets,’ said a voice, friendly yet reproachful, ‘that this is + but sport. + </p> + <p> + It was Henry of Navarre himself who spoke, and bent to give a hand to the + fallen imp. A flush of shame rushed over Berenger’s face, already red with + passion. He felt that he had done wrong to use his strength at such a + moment, and that, though there had been spite in is assailant, he had not + been therefore justified. He was glad to see Narcisse rise lightly to his + feet, evidently unhurt, and, with the frankness with which he had often + made it up with Philip Thistlewood or his other English comrades after a + sharp tussle, he held out his hand, saying, ‘Good demon, your pardon. You + roused my spirit, and I forgot myself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Demons forget not,’ was the reply. ‘At him, imps!’ And a whole circle of + hobgoblins closed upon with their tridents, forks, and other horrible + implements, to drive him back within two tall barred gates, which, + illuminated by red flames, were to form the ghastly prison of the + vanquished. Perhaps fresh indignities would have been attempted, had not + the King of Navarre thrown himself on his side, shared with him the brunt + of all the grotesque weapons, and battled them off with infinite spirit + and address, shielding him as it were from their rude insults by his own + dexterity and inviolability, though retreating all the time till the + infernal gates were closed on both. + </p> + <p> + Then Henry of Navarre, who never forgot a face, held out his hand, saying, + ‘Tartarus is no region of good omen for friendships, M. de Ribaumont, but, + for lack of yonder devil’s claw, here is mine. I like to meet a comrade + who can strike a hearty blow, and ask a hearty pardon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was too hot, Sire,’ confessed Berenger, with one of his ingenuous + blushes, ‘but he enraged me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He means mischief.’ said Henry. ‘Remember, if you are molested respecting + this matter, that you have here a witness that you did the part of a + gentleman.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger bowed his thanks, and began something about the honour, but his + eye anxiously followed the circuit on which Eustacie was carried and the + glance was quickly remarked. + </p> + <p> + ‘How? Your heart is spinning in that Mahometan paradise, and that is what + put such force into your fists. Which of the houris is it? The little one + with the wistful eyes, who looked so deadly white, and shrieked out when + the devilry overturned you? Eh! Monsieur, you are a happy man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should be, Sire;’ and Berenger was on the point of confiding the + situation of his affairs to this most engaging of princes, when a fresh + supply of prisoners, chased with wild antics and fiendish yells by the + devils, came headlong in on them; and immediately, completing, as Henry + said, the galimatias of mythology, a pasteboard cloud was propelled on the + stage, and disclosed the deities Mercury and Cupid, who made a + complimentary address to the three princely brothers, inciting them to + claim the nymphs whom their valour had defended, and lead them through the + mazes of a choric celestial dance. + </p> + <p> + This dance had been the special device of Monsieur and the ballet-master, + and during the last three days the houris had been almost danced off their + legs with rehearsing it morning, noon, and night, but one at least of them + was scarcely in a condition for its performance. Eustacie, dizzied at the + first minute by the whirl of her Elysian merry-go-round, had immediately + after become conscious of that which she had been too childish to estimate + merely in prospect, the exposure to universal gaze. Strange staring eyes, + glaring lights, frightful imps seemed to wheel round her in an intolerable + delirious succession. Her only refuge was in closing her eyes, but even + this could not long be persevered in, so necessary a part of the pageant + was she; and besides, she had Berenger to look for, Berenger, whom she had + foolishly laughed at for knowing how dreadful it would be. But of course + the endeavour to seek for one object with her eyes made the dizziness even + more dreadful; and when, at length, she beheld him dragged down by the + demoniacal creatures, whose horrors were magnified by her confused senses, + and the next moment she was twirled out of sight, her cry of distracted + alarm was irrepressible. Carried round again and again, on a wheel that to + her was far more like Ixion’s than that of the spheres, she never cleared + her perceptions as to where he was, and only was half-maddened by the + fantastic whirl of incongruous imagery, while she barely sat out Mercury’s + lengthy harangue; and when her wheel stood still, and she was released, + she could not stand, and was indebted to Charon and one of her + fellow-nymphs for supporting her to a chair in the back of the scene. Kind + Charon hurried to bring her wine, the lady revived her with essences, and + the ballet-master clamoured for his performers. + </p> + <p> + Ill or well, royal ballets must be danced. One long sob, one gaze round at + the refreshing sight of a room no longer in motion, one wistful look at + the gates of Tartarus, and the misery of the throbbing, aching head must + be disregarded. The ballet-master touched the white cheeks with rouge, and + she stepped forward just in time, for Monsieur himself was coming angrily + forward to learn the cause of the delay. + </p> + <p> + Spectators said the windings of that dance were exquisitely graceful. It + was well that Eustacie’s drilling had been so complete, for she moved + through it blindly, senselessly, and when it was over was led back between + the two Demoiselles de Limeuil to the apartment that served as a + green-room, drooping and almost fainting. They seated her in a chair, and + consulted round her, and her cousin Narcisse was among the first to + approach; but no sooner had she caught sight of his devilish trim than + with a little shriek she shut her eyes, and flung herself to the other + side of the chair. + </p> + <p> + ‘My fair cousin,’ he said, opening his black vizard, ‘do you not see me? I + am no demon, remember! I am your cousin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That makes it no better,’ said Eustacie, too much disordered and confused + to be on her guard, and hiding her face with her hands. ‘Go, go, I + entreat.’ + </p> + <p> + In fact he had already done this, and the ladies added their counsel; for + indeed the poor child could scarcely hold up her head, but she said, ‘I + should like to stay, if I could: a little, a little longer. Will they not + open those dreadful bars?’ she added, presently. + </p> + <p> + ‘They are even now opening them,’ said Mdlle. de Limeuil. ‘Hark! they are + going to fight <i>en melle</i>. Mdlle. de Nid de Merle is better now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes; let not detain you.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie would have risen, but the two sisters had fluttered back, + impatient to lose nothing of the sports; and her cousin in his grim + disguise stood full before her. ‘No haste, cousin,’ he said; ‘you are not + fit to move.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, then go,’ said Eustacie, suffering too much not to be petulant. ‘You + make me worse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why? It was not always thus,’ began Narcisse, so eager to seize an + opportunity as to have little consideration for her condition; but she was + unable to bear any more, and broke out: ‘Yes, it was; I always detested + you more than ever, since you deceived me so cruelly. Oh, do but leave + me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You scorn me, then! You prefer to me—who have loved you so long—that + childish new-comer, who was ready enough to cast you off.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Prefer! He is my husband! It is an insult for any one else to speak to me + thus!’ said Eustacie, drawing herself up, and rising to her feet; but she + was forced to hold by the back of her chair, and Diane and her father + appearing at that moment, she tottered towards the former, and becoming + quite passive under the influence of violent dizziness and headache, made + no objection to being half led, half carried, through galleries that + connected the Hotel de Bourbon with the Louvre. + </p> + <p> + And thus it was that when Berenger had fought out his part in the <i>melle</i> + of the prisoners released, and had maintained the honours of the + rose-coloured token in his helmet, he found that his lady-love had been + obliged by indisposition to return home; and while he stood, folding his + arms to restrain their strong inclination to take Narcisse by the throat + and demand whether this were another of his deceptions, a train of + fireworks suddenly exploded in the middle of the Styx—a last + surprise, especially contrived by King Charles, and so effectual that half + the ladies were shrieking, and imagining that they and the whole hall had + blown up together. + </p> + <p> + A long supper, full of revelry, succeeded, and at length Sidney ad + Ribaumont walked home together in the midst of their armed servants + bearing torches. All the way home Berenger was bitter in vituperation of + the hateful pageant and all its details. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yea, truly,’ replied Sidney; ‘methought that it betokens disease in the + mind of a nation when their festive revelry is thus ghastly, rendering the + most awful secrets made known by our God in order to warm man from sin + into a mere antic laughing-stock. Laughter should be moved by what is fair + and laughter-worthy—even like such sports as our own “Midsummer + Night’s Dream.” I have read that the bloody temper of Rome fed itself in + gladiator shows, and verily, what we beheld to-night betokens something at + once grisly and light-minded in the mood of this country.’ + </p> + <p> + Sidney thought so the more when on the second ensuing morning the Admiral + de Coligny was shot through both hands by an assassin generally known to + have been posted by the Duke of Guise, yet often called by the sinister + sobriquet of <i>Le Tueur de Roi</i>. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. THE KING’S TRAGEDY. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + The night is come, no fears disturb + The sleep of innocence + They trust in kingly faith, and kingly oath. + They sleep, alas! they sleep + Go to the palace, wouldst thou know + How hideous night can be; + Eye is not closed in those accursed walls, + Nor heart is quiet there! + —Southey, BARTHOLOMEW’S EVE +</pre> + <p> + ‘Young gentlemen,’ said Sir Francis Walsingham, as he rose from dinner on + the Saturday, ‘are you bound for the palace this evening?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am, so please your Excellency,’ returned Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would have you both to understand that you must have a care of + yourselves,’ said the Ambassador. ‘The Admiral’s wound has justly caused + much alarm, and I hear that the Protestants are going vapouring about in + so noisy and incautious a manner, crying out for justice, that it is but + too likely that the party of the Queen-mother and the Guise will be moved + to strong measures.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They will never dare lay a finger upon us!’ said Sidney. + </p> + <p> + ‘In a terror-stricken fray men are no respecters of persons,’ replied Sir + Francis. ‘This house is, of course, inviolable; and, whatever the madness + of the people, we have stout hearts enough here to enforce respect + thereto; but I cannot answer even for an Englishman’s life beyond its + precincts; and you, Ribaumont, whom I cannot even claim as my Queen’s + subject—I greatly fear to trust you beyond its bounds.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot help it, sir. Nay, with the most grateful thanks for all your + goodness to me, I must pray you not to take either alarm or offence if I + return not this night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No more, my friend,’ said Walsingham, quickly; ‘let me know nothing of + your purposes, but take care of yourself. I would you were safe at home + again, though the desire may seem inhospitable. The sooner the better with + whatever you have to do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is the danger so imminent?’ asked Sidney. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know nothing, Philip. All I can tell is that, as I have read that dogs + and cattle scent an earthquake in the air, so man and women seem to + breathe a sense of danger in this city. And to me the graciousness with + which the Huguenots have been of late treated wears a strangely suspicious + air. Sudden and secret is the blow like to be, and we cannot be too much + on our guard. Therefore remember, my young friends both, that your danger + or death would fall heavily on those ye love and honour at home.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, he left the two youths, unwilling to seek further confidence, + and Berenger held his last consultation with Sidney, to whom he gave + directions for making full explanation to Walsingham in his absence, and + expediting Mr. Adderley’s return to England. Osbert alone was to go to the + Louvre with him, after having seen the five English grooms on board the + little decked market-vessel on the Seine, which was to await the + fugitives. Berenger was to present himself in the palace as in his + ordinary court attendance, and, contriving to elude notice among the + throng who were there lodged, was to take up his station at the foot of + the stairs leading to the apartments of ladies, whence Eustacie was to + descend at about eleven o’clock, with her maid Veronique. Landry Osbert + was to join them from the lackey’s hall below, where he had a friend, and + the connivance of the porter at the postern opening towards the Seine had + been secured. + </p> + <p> + Sidney wished much to accompany him to the palace, if his presence could + be any aid or protection, but on consideration it was decided that his + being at the Louvre was likely to attract notice to Ribaumont’s delaying + there. The two young men therefore shook hands and parted, as youths who + trusted that they had begun a lifelong friendship, with mutual promises to + write to one another—the one, the adventures of his flight; the + other, the astonishment it would excite. And auguries were exchanged of + merry meetings in London, and of the admiration the lovely little wife + would excite at Queen Elizabeth’s court. + </p> + <p> + Then, with an embrace such as English friends then gave, they separated at + the gate; and Sidney stood watching, as Berenger walked free and bold down + the street, his sword at his side, his cloak over one shoulder, his + feathered cap on one side, showing his bright curling hair, a sunshiny + picture of a victorious bridegroom—such a picture as sent Philip + Sidney’s wits back to Arcadia. + </p> + <p> + It was not a day of special state, but the palace was greatly crowded. The + Huguenots were in an excited mood, inclined to rally round Henry of + Navarre, whose royal title made him be looked on as is a manner their + monarch, though his kingdom had been swallowed by Spain, and he was no + more than a French duke distantly related to royalty in the male line, and + more nearly through his grandmother and bride. The eight hundred gentlemen + he had brought with him swarmed about his apartments, making their lodging + on staircases and in passages; and to Berenger it seemed as if the King’s + guards and Monsieur’s gentlemen must have come in in equal numbers to + balance them. Narcisse was there, and Berenger kept cautiously amid his + Huguenot acquaintance, resolved not to have a quarrel thrust on him which + he could not honourably desert. It was late before he could work his way + to the young Queen’s reception-room, where he found Eustacie. She looked + almost as white as at the masque; but there was a graver, less childish + expression in her face than he had ever seen before, and her eyes glanced + confidence when they met his. + </p> + <p> + Behind the Queen’s chair a few words could be spoken. + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Ma mie,</i> art thou well again? Canst bear this journey now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite well, now! quite ready. Oh that we may never have masques in + England!’ + </p> + <p> + He smiled—‘Never such as this!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! thou knowest best. I am glad I am thine already; I am so silly, thou + wouldest never have chosen me! But thou wilt teach me, and I will strive + to be very good! And oh! let me but give one farewell to Diane.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is too hard to deny thee aught to-night, sweetheart, but judge for + thyself. Think of the perils, and decide.’ + </p> + <p> + Before Eustacie could answer, a rough voice came near, the King making + noisy sport with the Count de Rochefoucauld and others. He was louder and + ruder than Berenger had ever yet seen him, almost giving the notion of + intoxication; but neither he nor his brother Henry ever tasted wine, + though both had a strange pleasure in being present at the orgies of their + companions: the King, it was generally said, from love of the + self-forgetfulness of excitement—the Duke of Anjou, because his cool + brain there collected men’s secrets to serve afterwards for his spiteful + diversion. + </p> + <p> + Berenger would willingly have escaped notice, but his bright face and + sunny hair always made him conspicuous, and the King suddenly strode up to + him: ‘You here, sir? I thought you would have managed your affairs so as + to be gone long ago!’ then before Berenger could reply, ‘However, since + here you are, come along with me to my bedchamber! We are to have a + carouse there to-night that will ring through all Paris! Yes, and shake + Rochefoucauld out of his bed at midnight! You will be one of us, + Ribaumont? I command it!’ + </p> + <p> + And without waiting for reply he turned away with an arm round + Rochefoucauld’s neck, and boisterously addressed another of the company, + almost as wildly as if he were in the mood that Scots call ‘fey.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Royalty seems determined to frustrate our plans,’ said Berenger, as soon + as the King was out of hearing. + </p> + <p> + ‘But you will not go! His comrades drink till—oh! two, three in the + morning. We should never get away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I must risk his displeasure. We shall soon be beyond his reach. But + at least I may make his invitation a reason for remaining in the Louvre. + People are departing! Soon wilt thou be my own.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As soon as the Queen’s COUCHER is over! I have but to change to a + traveling dress.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At the foot of the winding stair. Sweetest be brave!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I fear nothing with thee to guard me. See, the Queen is rising.’ + </p> + <p> + Elizabeth was in effect rising to make her respectful progress to the + rooms of the Queen-mother, to bid her good night; and Eustacie must + follow. Would Diane be there? Oh that the command to judge between her + heart and her caution had not been given! Cruel kindness! + </p> + <p> + Diane was there, straight as a poplar, cold as marble, with fixed eyes. + Eustacie stole up to her, and touched her. She turned with a start. + ‘Cousin, you have been very good to me!’ Diane started again, as if stung. + You will love me still, whatever you hear?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this meant for farewell?’ said Diane, grasping her wrist. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not ask me, Diane. I may not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where there is no trust there is no treason,’ said Diane, dreamily. ‘No, + answer me not, little one, there will be time for that another day. Where + is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In the <i>oeil-de-boeuf</i>, between the King’s and Queen’s suites of + rooms. I must go. There is the Queen going. Diane, one loving word.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Silly child, you shall have plenty another time,’ said Diane, breaking + away. ‘Follow thy Queen now!’ + </p> + <p> + Catherine, who sat between her daughters Claude and Marguerite, looked + pre-occupied, and summarily dismissed her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, whom + Eustacie was obliged to follow to her own state-room. There all the forms + of the COUCHER were tediously gone through; every pin had its own + ceremony, and even when her Majesty was safely deposited under her blue + satin coverlet the ladies still stood round till she felt disposed to fall + asleep. Elisabeth was both a sleepy and a considerate person, so that this + was not so protracted a vigil as was sometimes exacted by the more wakeful + princesses; but Eustacie could not escape from it till it was already + almost midnight, the period for her tryst. + </p> + <p> + Her heart was very full. It was not the usual flutter and terror of an + eloping girl. Eustacie was a fearless little being, and her conscience had + no alarms; her affections were wholly with Berenger, and her transient + glimpses of him had been as of something come out of a region higher, + tenderer, stronger, purer, more trustworthy than that where she had dwelt. + She was proud of belonging to him. She had felt upheld by the + consciousness through years of waiting, and now he more than realized her + hopes, and she could have wept for exulting joy. Yet it was a strange, + stealthy break with all she had to leave behind. The light to which he + belonged seemed strange, chill, dazzling light, and she shivered at the + thought of it, as if the new world, new ideas, and new requirements could + only be endured with him to shield her and help her on. And withal, there + seemed to her a shudder over the whole place on that night. The King’s + eyes looked wild and startled, the Queen-mother’s calm was strained, the + Duchess of Lorraine was evidently in a state of strong nervous excitement; + there were strange sounds, strange people moving about, a weight on + everything, as if they were under the shadow of a thunder-cloud. ‘Could it + be only her own fancy?’ she said to herself, because this was to be the + great event of her life, for surely all these great people could not know + or heed that little Eustacie de Ribaumont was to make her escape that + night! + </p> + <p> + The trains of royalty were not sumptuously lodged. France never has cared + so much for comfort as for display. The waiting-lady of the bedchamber + slept in the ante-room of her mistress; the others, however high their + rank, were closely herded together up a winding stair leading to a small + passage, with tiny, cell-like recesses, wherein the demoiselles slept, + often with their maids, and then dressed themselves in the space afforded + by the passage. Eustacie’s cell was nearly at the end of the gallery, and + exchanging ‘good-nights’ with her companions, she proceeded to her recess, + where she expected to find Veronique ready to adjust her dress. Veronique, + however, was missing; but anxious to lose no time, she had taken off her + delicate white satin farthingale to change it for an unobtrusive dark + woolen kirtle, when, to her surprise and dismay, a loud creaking, growling + sound made itself heard outside the door at the other end. Half-a-dozen + heads came out of their cells; half-a-dozen voices asked and answered the + question, ‘What is it?’ ‘They are bolting our door outside.’ But only + Eustacie sped like lightning along the passage, pulled at the door, and + cried, ‘Open! Open, I say!’ No answer, but the other bolt creaked. + </p> + <p> + ‘You mistake, CONCIERGE! We are never bolted in! My maid is shut out.’ + </p> + <p> + No answer, but the step retreated. Eustacie clasped her hands with a cry + that she could hardly have repressed, but which she regretted the next + moment. + </p> + <p> + Gabrielle de Limeuil laughed. ‘What, Mademoiselle, are you afraid they + will not let us out to-morrow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My maid!’ murmured Eustacie, recollecting that she must give a colour to + her distress. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! perhaps she will summon old Pierre to open for us.’ + </p> + <p> + This suggestion somewhat consoled Eustacie, and she stood intently + listening for Veronique’s step, wishing that her companions would hold + their peace; but the adventure amused them, and they discussed whether it + were a blunder of the CONCIERGE, or a piece of prudery of Madame la + Comtesse, or, after all, a precaution. The palace so full of strange + people, who could say what might happen? And there was a talk of a + conspiracy of the Huguenots. At any rate, every one was too much + frightened to go to sleep, and, some sitting on the floor, some on a + chest, some on a bed, the girls huddled together in Gabrielle de Limeuil’s + recess, the nearest to the door, and one after another related horrible + tales of blood, murder, and vengeance—then, alas! Only too frequent + occurrences in their unhappy land—each bringing some frightful + contribution from her own province, each enhancing upon the last-told + story, and ever and anon pausing with bated breath at some fancied sound, + or supposed start of one of the others; then clinging close together, and + renewing the ghastly anecdote, at first in a hushed voice that grew louder + with the interest of the story. Eustacie alone would not join the cluster. + Her cloak round her shoulders, she stood with her back against the door, + ready to profit by the slightest indication outside of a step that might + lead to her release, or at least enable her to communicate with Veronique; + longing ardently that her companions would go to bed, yet unable to avoid + listening with the like dreadful fascination to each of the terrible + histories, which added each moment to the nervous horror of the whole + party. Only one, a dull and composed girl, felt the influence of + weariness, and dozed with her head in her companion’s lap; but she was + awakened by one general shudder and suppressed cry when the hoarse clang + of a bell struck on the ears of the already terrified, excited maidens. + </p> + <p> + ‘The tocsin! The bell of St. Germain! Fire! No, a Huguenot rising! Fire! + Oh, let us out! Let us out! The window! Where is the fire? Nowhere! See + the lights! Hark, that was a shot! It was in the palace! A heretic rising! + Ah! there was to be a slaughter of the heretics! I heard it whispered. Oh, + let us out! Open the door!’ + </p> + <p> + But nobody heard: nobody opened. There was one who stood without word or + cry, close to the door—her eyes dilated, her cheek colourless, her + whole person, soul and body alike, concentrated in that one impulse to + spring forward the first moment the bolt should be drawn. But still the + door remained fast shut! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. THE PALACE OF SLAUGHTER + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A human shambles with blood-reeking floor. + MISS SWANWICK, Esch. Agamemnon +</pre> + <p> + The door was opened at last, but not till full daylight. It found Eustacie + as ready to rush forth, past all resistance, as she had been the night + before, and she was already in the doorway when her maid Veronique, her + face swollen with weeping, caught her by the hands and implored her to + turn back and listen. + </p> + <p> + And words about a rising of the Huguenots, a general destruction, corpses + lying in the court, were already passing between the other maidens and the + CONCIERGE. Eustacie turned upon her servant: ‘Veronique, what means it? + Where is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! alas! Ah! Mademoiselle, do but lie down! Woe is me! I saw it all! + Lie down, and I will tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell! I will not move till you have told me where my husband is,’ said + Eustacie, gazing with eyes that seemed to Veronique turned to stone. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! my lady—my dear lady! I was on the turn of the stairs, and saw + all. The traitor—the Chevalier Narcisse—came on him, cloaked + like you—and—shot him dead—with, oh, such cruel words of + mockery! Oh! woe the day! Stay, stay, dear lady, the place is all blood—they + are slaying them all—all the Huguenots! Will no one stop her?—Mademoiselle—ma’m’selle!—’ + </p> + <p> + For Eustacie no sooner gathered the sense of Veronique’s words than she + darted suddenly forwards, and was in a few seconds more at the foot of the + stairs. There, indeed, lay a pool of dark gore, and almost in it + Berenger’s black velvet cap, with the heron plume. Eustacie, with a low + cry, snatched it up, continued her headlong course along the corridor, + swiftly as a bird, Veronique following, and vainly shrieking to her to + stop. Diane, appearing at the other end of the gallery, saw but for a + moment the little figure, with the cloak gathered round her neck, and + floating behind her, understood Veronique’s cry and joined in the chase + across hall and gallery, where more stains were to be seen, even down to + the marble stairs, every step slippery with blood. Others there were who + saw and stood aghast, not understanding the apparition that flitted on so + swiftly, never pausing till at the great door at the foot of the stairs + she encountered a gigantic Scottish archer, armed to the teeth. She + touched his arm, and standing with folder arms, looked up and said, ‘Good + soldier, kill me! I am a Huguenots!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop her! bring her back!’ cried Diane from behind. ‘It is Mdlle. De + Nil-de-Merle!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no! My husband is Huguenot! I am a Huguenot! Let them kill me, I + say!’—struggling with Diane, who had now come up with her, and was + trying to draw her back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Puir lassie!’ muttered the stout Scotsman to himself, ‘this fearsome + night has driven her demented.’ + </p> + <p> + But, like a true sentinel, he moved neither hand nor foot to interfere, as + shaking herself loose from Diane, she was springing down the steps into + the court, when at that moment the young Abbe de Mericour was seen + advancing, pale, breathless, horrorstruck, and to him Diane shrieked to + arrest the headlong course. He obeyed, seeing the wild distraction of the + white face and widely glaring eyes, took her by both hands, and held her + in a firm grasp, saying, ‘Alas, lady, you cannot go out. It is no sight + for any one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are killing the Protestants,’ she said; ‘I am one! Let me find them + and die.’ + </p> + <p> + A strong effort to free herself ensued, but it was so suddenly succeeded + by a swoon that the Abbe could scarcely save her from dropping on the + steps. Diane begged him to carry her in, since they were in full view of + men-at-arms in the court, and, frightful to say, of some of the ladies of + the palace, who, in the frenzy of that dreadful time, had actually come + down to examine the half-stripped corpses of the men with whom they had + jested not twelve hours before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! it is no wonder,’ said the youthful Abbe, as he tenderly lifted the + inanimate figure. ‘This has been a night of horrors. I was coming in haste + to know whether the King knows of this frightful plot of M. de Guise, and + the bloody work that is passing in Paris.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The King!’ exclaimed Diane. ‘M. l’Abbe, do you know where he is now? In + the balcony overlooking the river, taking aim at the fugitives! Take care! + Even your <i>soutane</i> would not save you if M. d’O and his crew heard + you. But I must pray you to aid me with this poor child! I dread that her + wild cries should be heard.’ + </p> + <p> + The Abbe, struck dumb with horror, silently obeyed Mdlle. De Ribaumont, + and brought the still insensible Eustacie to the chamber, now deserted by + all the young ladies. He laid her on her bed, and finding he could do no + more, left her to her cousin and her maid. + </p> + <p> + The poor child had been unwell and feverish ever since the masque, and the + suspense of these few days with the tension of that horrible night had + prostrated her. She only awoke from her swoon to turn her head from the + light and refuse to be spoken to. + </p> + <p> + ‘But, Eustacie, child, listen; this is all in vain—he lives,’ said + Diane. + </p> + <p> + ‘Weary me not with falsehoods,’ faintly said Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘No! no! no! They meant to hinder your flight, but—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They knew of it?’ cried Eustacie, sitting up suddenly. ‘Then you told + them. Go—go; let me never see you more! You have been his death!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen! I am sure he lives! What! would they injure one whom my father + loved? I heard my father say he would not have him hurt. Depend upon it, + he is safe on his way to England.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie gave a short but frightful hysterical laugh, and pointed to + Veronique. ‘She saw it,’ she said; ‘ask her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Saw what?’ said Diane, turning fiercely on Veronique. ‘What vile deceit + have you half killed your lady with?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! Mademoiselle, I did but tell her what I had seen,’ sighed + Veronique, trembling. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me!’ said Diane, passionately. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, everything,’ said Eustacie, sitting up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Mademoiselle, it will make you ill again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I WILL be ill—I WILL die! Heaven’s slaying is better than man’s. + Tell her how you saw Narcisse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘False girl!’ burst out Diane. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ cried Veronique. ‘Oh, pardon me, Mademoiselle, I could not help + it.’ + </p> + <p> + In spite of her reluctance, she was forced to tell that she had found + herself locked out of her mistress’s room, and after losing much time in + searching for the CONCIERGE, learnt that the ladies were locked up by + order of the Queen-mother, and was strongly advised not to be running + about the passages. After a time, however, while sitting with the + CONCIERGE’S wife, she heard such frightful whispers from men with white + badges, who were admitted one by one by the porter, and all led silently + to a small lower room, that she resolved on seeking out the Baron’s + servant, and sending him to warn his master, while she would take up her + station at her lady’s door. She found Osbert, and with him was ascending a + narrow spiral leading from the offices—she, unfortunately, the + foremost. As she came to the top, a scuffle was going on—four men + had thrown themselves upon one, and a torch distinctly showed her the + younger Chevalier holding a pistol to the cheek of the fallen man, and she + heard the worlds, <i>‘Le baiser d’Eustacie! Jet e barbouillerai ce chien + de visage,’’</i> and at the same moment the pistol was discharged. She + sprang back, oversetting, as she believed, Osbert, and fled shrieking to + the room of the CONCIERGE, who shut her in till morning. + </p> + <p> + ‘And how—how,’ stammered Diane, ‘should you know it was the Baron?’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie, with a death-like look, showed for a moment what even in her + swoon she had held clenched to her bosom, the velvet cap soaked with + blood. + </p> + <p> + ‘Besides,’ added Veronique, resolved to defend her assertion, ‘whom else + would the words suit? Besides, are not all the heretic gentlemen dead? + Why, as I sat there in the porter’s room, I heard M. d’O call each one of + them by name, one after the other, into the court, and there the + white-sleeves cut them down or pistolled them like sheep for the + slaughter. They lie all out there on the terrace like so many carcases at + market ready for winter salting.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All slain?’ said Eustacie, dreamily. + </p> + <p> + ‘All, except those that the King called into his own <i>garde robe</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, I slew him!’ Eustacie sank back. + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you, child,’ said Diane, almost angrily, ‘he lives. Not a hair of + his head was to be hurt! The girl deceives you.’ + </p> + <p> + But Eustacie had again become insensible, and awoke delirious, entreating + to have the door opened, and fancying herself still on the revolving + elysium, ‘Oh, demons, have pity!’ was her cry. + </p> + <p> + Diane’s soothings were like speaking to the winds; and at last she saw the + necessity of calling in further aid; but afraid of the scandal that the + poor girl’s raving accusations might create, she would not send for the + Huguenots surgeon, Ambroise Pare, whom the King had carefully secured in + his own apartments, but employed one of the barber valets of the + Queen-mother’s household. Poor Eustacie was well pleased to see her blood + flowing, and sank back on her pillow murmuring that she had confessed her + husband’s faith, and would soon be one with him, and Diane feared for a + moment lest the swoon should indeed be death. + </p> + <p> + The bleeding was so far effectual that it diminished the fever, and + Eustacie became rational again when she had dozed and wakened, but she was + little able or willing to speak, and would not so much as listen to + Diane’s asseverations that Veronique had made a frightful error, and that + the Baron would prove to be alive. Whether it were that the admission that + Diane had known of the project for preventing the elopement that + invalidated her words, or whether the sufferer’s instinct made her believe + Veronique’s testimony rather than her cousin’s assurances, it was all + ‘cramming words into her ear against the stomach of her sense,’ and she + turned away from them with a piteous, petulant hopelessness: ‘Could they + not even let her alone to die in peace!’ + </p> + <p> + Diane was almost angered at this little silly child being in such an agony + of sorrow—she, who could never have known how to love him. And after + all this persistent grief was willfully thrown away. For Diane spoke in + perfect sincerity when she taxed Veronique with an injurious, barbarous + mistake. She knew her father’s strong aversion to violence, and the real + predilection that Berenger’s good mien, respectful manners, and liberal + usage had won from him, and she believed he had much rather the youth + lived, provided he were inoffensive. No doubt a little force had been + necessary to kidnap one so tall, active, and determined, and Veronique had + made up her horrible tale after the usual custom of waiting-maids. + </p> + <p> + Nothing else SHOULD be true. Did she think otherwise, she should be even + more frantic than Eustacie! Why, it would be her own doing! She had + betrayed the day of the escape—she had held aloof from warning. + There was pleasure in securing Nid-de-Merle for her brother, pleasure in + balking the foolish child who had won the heart that disregarded her. Nay, + there might have been even pleasure in the destruction of the scorner of + her charms—the foe of her house—there might have been pride in + receiving Queen Catherine’s dexterous hint that she had been an apt pupil, + if the young Baron had only been something different—something less + fair, gracious, bright, and pure. One bright angel seemed to have flitted + across her path, and nothing should induce her to believe she had + destroyed him. + </p> + <p> + The stripped corpses of the murdered Huguenots of the palace had been laid + in a line on the terrace, and the ladies who had laughed with them the + night before went to inspect them in death. A few remnants of Soeur + Monique’s influence would have withheld Diane, but that a frenzy of + suspense was growing on her. She must see for herself. If it were so, she + must secure a fragment of the shining flaxen hair, if only as a token that + anything so pure and bright had walked the earth. + </p> + <p> + She went on the horrible quest, shrinking where others stared. For it was + a pitiless time, and the squadron of the Queen-mother were as lost to + womanhood as the fishwomen of two centuries later. But Diane saw no corpse + at once so tall, so young, and so fair, though blond Normans and + blue-blooded Franks, lads scarce sixteen and stalwart warriors, lay in one + melancholy rank. She at least bore away the certainly that the English + Ribaumont was not there; and if not, he MUST be safe! She could obtain no + further certainty, for she knew that she must not expect to see either her + father or brother. There was a panic throughout the city. All Paris + imagined that the Huguenots were on the point of rising and slaying all + the Catholics, and, with the savagery of alarmed cowardice, the citizens + and the mob were assisting the armed bands of the Dukes of Anjou and Guise + to complete the slaughter, dragging their lodgers from their + hiding-places, and denouncing all whom they suspected of reluctance to + mass and confession. But on the Monday, Diane was able to send an urgent + message to her father that he must come to speak with her, for Mdlle. De + Nid-de-Merle was extremely ill. She would meet him in the garden after + morning mass. + </p> + <p> + There accordingly, when she stepped forth pale, rigid, but stately, with + her large fan in her hand to serve as a parasol, she met both him and her + brother. She was for a moment sorry, for she had much power over her + father, while she was afraid of her brother’s sarcastic tongue and eye; + she knew he never scrupled to sting her wherever she was most sensitive, + and she would have been able to extract much more from her father in his + absence. France has never been without a tendency to produce the + tiger-monkey, or ferocious fop; and the GENUS was in its full ascendancy + under the sons of Catherine de Medicis, when the dregs of Francois the + First’s PSEUDO-chivalry were not extinct—when horrible, retaliating + civil wars of extermination had made life cheap; nefarious persecutions + had hardened the heart and steeled the eye, and the licentiousness + promoted by the shifty Queen as one of her instruments of government had + darkened the whole understanding. The most hateful heights of perfidy, + effeminacy, and hypocrisy were not reached till poor Charles IX., who only + committed crimes on compulsion, was in his grave, and Henry III. on the + throne; but Narcisse de Ribaumont was one of the choice companions of the + latter, and after the night and day of murder now stood before his sister + with scented hair and handkerchief—the last, laced, delicately held + by a hand in an embroidered glove—emerald pendants in his ears, a + moustache twisted into sharp points and turned up like an eternal sardonic + smile, and he led a little white poodle by a rose-coloured ribbon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, sister,’ he said, as he went, through the motions of kissing her + hand, and she embraced her father; ‘so you don’t know how to deal with + megrims and transports?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Father,’ said Diane, not vouchsafing any attention, ‘unless you can send + her some assurance of his life, I will not answer for the consequences.’ + </p> + <p> + Narcisse laughed: ‘Take her this dog, with my compliments. That is the way + to deal with such a child as that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You do not know what you say, brother,’ answered Diane with dignity. ‘It + goes deeper than that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The deeper it goes, child,’ said the elder Chevalier, ‘the better it is + that she should be undeceived as soon as possible. She will recover, and + be amenable the sooner.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then he lives, father?’ exclaimed Diane. ‘He lives, though she is not to + hear it—say——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What know I?’ said the old man, evasively. ‘On a night of confusion many + mischances are sure to occur! Lurking in the palace at the very moment + when there was a search for the conspirators, it would have been a miracle + had the poor young man escaped.’ + </p> + <p> + Diane turned still whiter. ‘Then,’ she said, ‘that was why you made + Monsieur put Eustacie into the ballet, that they might not go on + Wednesday!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was well hinted by you, daughter. We could not have effectually + stopped them on Wednesday without making a scandal.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Once more,’ said Diane, gasping, though still resolute; ‘is not the story + told by Eustacie’s woman false—that she saw him—pistolled—by + you, brother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Peste</i>!’ cried Narcisse. ‘Was the prying wench there? I thought the + little one might be satisfied that he had neighbour’s fare. No matter; + what is done for one’s <i>beaux yeux</i> is easily pardoned—and if + not, why, I have her all the same!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nevertheless, daughter,’ said the Chevalier, gravely, ‘the woman must be + silenced. Either she must be sent home, or taught so to swear to having + been mistaken, that <i>la petite</i> may acquit your brother! But what + now, my daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is livid!’ exclaimed Narcisse, with his sneer. ‘What, sir, did not + you know she was smitten with the peach on the top of a pole?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Enough, brother,’ said Diane, recovering herself enough to speak + hoarsely, but with hard dignity. ‘You have slain—you need not + insult, one whom you have lost the power of understanding!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Shallow schoolboys certainly form no part of my study, save to kick them + down-stairs when they grow impudent,’ said Narcisse, coolly. ‘It is only + women who think what is long must be grand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, children, no disputes,’ said the Chevalier. ‘Of course we regret + that so fine a youth mixed himself up with the enemies of the kingdom, + like the stork among the sparrows. Both Diane and I are sorry for the + necessity; but remember, child, that when he was interfering between your + brother and his just right of inheritance and destined wife, he could not + but draw such a fate on himself. Now all is smooth, the estates will be + united in their true head, and you—you too, my child, will be + provided for as suits your name. All that is needed is to soothe the + little one, so as to hinder her from making an outcry—and silence + the maid; my child will do her best for her father’s sake, and that of her + family.’ + </p> + <p> + Diane was less demonstrative than most of her countrywomen. She had had + time to recollect the uselessness of giving vent to her indignant anguish, + and her brother’s derisive look held her back. The family tactics, from + force of habit, recurred to her; she made no further objection to her + father’s commands; but when her father and brother parted with her, she + tottered into the now empty chapel, threw herself down, with her burning + forehead on the stone step, and so lay for hours. It was not in prayer. It + was because it was the only place where she could be alone. To her, heaven + above and earth below seemed alike full of despair, darkness, and cruel + habitations, and she lay like one sick with misery and repugnance to the + life and world that lay before her—the hard world that had quenched + that one fair light and mocked her pity. It was a misery of solitude, and + yet no thought crossed her of going to weep and sympathize with the other + sufferer. No; rivalry and jealousy came in there! Eustacie viewed herself + as his wife, and the very thought that she had been deliberately preferred + and had enjoyed her triumph hardened Diane’s heart against her. Nay, the + open violence and abandonment of her grief seemed to the more restrained + and concentrated nature of her elder a sign of shallowness and want of + durability; and in a certain contemptuous envy at her professing a right + to mourn, Diane never even reconsidered her own resolution to play out her + father’s game, consign Eustacie to her husband’s murdered, and leave her + to console herself with bridal splendours and a choice of admirers from + all the court. + </p> + <p> + However, for the present Diane would rather stay away as much as possible + from the sick-bed of the poor girl; and when an approaching step forced + her to rouse herself and hurry away by the other door of the chapel, she + did indeed mount to the ladies’ bed-chamber, but only to beckon Veronique + out of hearing and ask for her mistress. + </p> + <p> + Just the same still, only sleeping to have feverish dreams of the + revolving wheel or the demons grappling her husband, refusing all food but + a little drink, and lying silent except for a few moans, heedless who + spoke or looked at her. + </p> + <p> + Diane explained that in that case it was needless to come to her, but + added, with the <i>vraisemblance</i> of falsehood in which she had + graduated in Catherine’s school, ‘Veronique, as I told you, you were + mistaken.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, Mademoiselle, if M. le Baron lives, she will be cured at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Silly girl,’ said Diane, giving relief to her pent-up feeling by asperity + of manner, ‘how could he live when you and your intrigues got him into the + palace on such a night? Dead he is, OF COURSE; but it was your own + treacherous, mischievous fancy that laid it on my brother. He was far away + with M. de Guise at the attack on the Admiral. It was some of Monsieur’s + grooms you saw. You remember she had brought him into a scrape with + Monsieur, and it was sure to be remembered. And look you, if you repeat + the other tale, and do not drive it out of her head, you need not look to + be long with her—no, nor at home. My father will have no one there + to cause a scandal by an evil tongue.’ + </p> + <p> + That threat convinced Veronique that she had been right; but she, too, had + learnt lessons at the Louvre, and she was too diplomatic not to ask pardon + for her blunder, promise to contradict it when her mistress could listen, + and express her satisfaction that it was not the Chevalier Narcisse—for + such things were not pleasant, as she justly observed, in families. + </p> + <p> + About noon on the Tuesday the Louvre was unusually tranquil. All the world + had gone forth to a procession to Notre Dame, headed by the King and all + the royal family, to offer thanksgiving for the deliverance of the country + from the atrocious conspiracy of the Huguenots. Eustacie’s chamber was + freed from the bustle of all the maids of honour arraying themselves, and + adjusting curls, feathers, ruffs and jewels; and such relief as she was + capable of experiencing she felt in the quiet. + </p> + <p> + Veronique hoped she would sleep, and watched like a dragon to guard + against any disturbance, springing out with upraised finger when a soft + gliding step and rustling of brocade was heard. ‘Does she sleep?’ said a + low voice; and Veronique, in the pale thin face with tear-swollen eyes and + light yellow hair, recognized the young Queen. ‘My good girl,’ said + Elisabeth, with almost a beseeching gesture, ‘let me see her. I do not + know when again I may be able.’ + </p> + <p> + Veronique stood aside, with the lowest possible of curtseys, just as her + mistress with a feeble, weary voice murmured, ‘Oh, make them let me + alone!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My poor, poor child,’ said the Queen, bending over Eustacie, while her + brimming eyes let the tears fall fast, ‘I will not disturb you long, but I + could not help it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Her Majesty!’ exclaimed Eustacie, opening wide her eyes in amazement. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear, suffer me here a little moment,’ said the meek Elisabeth, + seating herself so as to bring her face near to Eustacie’s; ‘I could not + rest till I had seen how it was with you and wept with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, Madame, you can weep,’ said Eustacie slowly, looking at the Queen’s + heavy tearful eyes almost with wonder; ‘but I do not weep because I am + dying, and that is better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear, my dear, do not so speak!’ exclaimed the gentle but rather dull + Queen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it wrong? Nay, so much the better—then I shall be with HIM,’ + said Eustacie in the same feeble dreamy manner, as if she did not + understand herself, but a little roused by seeing she had shocked her + visitor. ‘I would not be wicked. He was all bright goodness and truth: but + his does not seem to be goodness that brings to heaven, and I do not want + to be in the heaven of these cruel false men—I think it would go + round and round.’ She shut her eyes as if to steady herself, and that + moment seemed to give her more self-recollection, for looking at the + weeping, troubled visitor, she exclaimed, with more energy, ‘Oh! Madame, + it must be a dreadful fancy! Good men like him cannot be shut into those + fiery gates with the torturing devils.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven forbid!’ exclaimed the Queen. ‘My poor, poor child, grieve not + yourself thus. At my home, my Austrian home, we do not speak in this + dreadful way. My father loves and honours his loyal Protestants, and he + trusts that the good God accepts their holy lives in His unseen Church, + even though outwardly they are separate from us. My German confessor ever + said so. Oh! Child, it would be too frightful if we deemed that all those + souls as well as bodies perished in these frightful days. Myself, I + believe that they have their reward for their truth and constancy.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie caught the Queen’s hand, and fondled it with delight, as though + those words had veritably opened the gates of heaven to her husband. The + Queen went on in her slow gentle manner, the very tone of which was + inexpressibly soothing and sympathetic: ‘Yes, and all will be clear there. + No more violence. At home our good men think so, and the King will think + the same when these cruel counselors will leave him to himself; and I + pray, I pray day and night, that God will not lay this sin to his account, + but open his eyes to repent. Forgive him, Eustacie, and pray for him too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The King would have saved my husband, Madame,’ returned Eustacie. ‘He + bade him to his room. It was I, unhappy I, who detained him, lest our + flight should have been hindered.’ + </p> + <p> + The Queen in her turn kissed Eustacie’s forehead with eager gratitude. + ‘Oh, little one, you have brought a drop of comfort to a heavy heart. + Alas! I could sometimes feel you to be a happier wife than I, with your + perfect trust in the brave pure-spirited youth, unwarped by these wicked + cruel advisers. I loved to look at his open brow; it was so like our + bravest German Junkers. And, child, we thought, both of us, to have + brought about your happiness; but, ah! it has but caused all this misery.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, dearest Queen,’ said Eustacie, ‘this month with all its woe has + been joy—life! Oh! I had rather lie here and die for his loss than + be as I was before he came. And NOW—now, you have given him to me + for all eternity—if but I am fit to be with him!’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie had revived so much during the interview that the Queen could not + believe her to be in a dying state; but she continued very ill, the low + fever still hanging about her, and the faintness continual. The close + room, the turmoil of its many inhabitants, and the impossibility of quiet + also harassed her greatly, and Elisabeth had little or no power of making + any other arrangements for her in the palace. Ladies when ill were taken + home, and this poor child had no home. The other maids of honour were a + gentler, simpler set than Catherine’s squadron, and were far from unkind; + but between them and her, who had so lately been the brightest child of + them all, there now lay that great gulf. <i>‘Ich habe gelebt und + geliebet.‘</i> That the little blackbird, as they used to call her, should + have been on the verge of running away with her own husband was a half + understood, amusing mystery discussed in exaggerating prattle. This was + hushed, indeed, in the presence of that crushed, prostrate, silent sorrow; + but there was still an utter incapacity of true sympathy, that made the + very presence of so many oppressive, even when they were not in murmurs + discussing the ghastly tidings of massacres in other cities, and the fate + of acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + On that same day, the Queen sent for Diane to consult her about the + sufferer. Elisabeth longed to place her in her own cabinet and attend on + her herself; but she was afraid to do this, as the unhappy King was in + such a frenzied mood, and so constantly excited by his brother and Guise, + that it was possible that some half-delirious complaint from poor Eustacie + might lead to serious consequences. Indeed, Elisabeth, though in no state + to bear agitation, was absorbed in her endeavour to prevent him from + adding blood to blood, and a few days later actually saved the lives of + the King of Navarre and Prince of Conde, by throwing herself before him + half-dressed, and tearing his weapon from his hand. Her only hope was that + if she should give him a son, her influence for mercy would revive with + his joy. Meantime she was powerless, and she could only devise the sending + the poor little sufferer to a convent, where the nuns might tend her till + she was restored to health and composure. Diane acquiesced, but proposed + sending for her father, and he was accordingly summoned. Diane saw him + first alone, and both agreed that he had better take Eustacie to Bellaise, + where her aunt would take good care of her, and in a few months she would + no doubt be weary enough of the country to be in raptures to return to + Paris on any terms. + </p> + <p> + Yet even as Diane said this, a sort of longing for the solitude of the + woods of Nid-de-Merle came over her, a recollection of the good Sister + Monique, at whose knee she had breathed somewhat of the free pure air that + her murdered cousin had brought with him; a sense that there she could + pour forth her sorrow. She offered herself at once to go with Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, my daughter,’ said the Chevalier, ‘that is unnecessary. There is + pleasanter employment for you. I told you that your position was secured. + Here is a brilliant offer—M. de Selinville,’ + </p> + <p> + <i>‘Le bonhomme de Selinville!’’</i> exclaimed Diane, feeling rather as if + the compensation were like the little dog offered to Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Know ye not that his two heretic nephews perished the other night. He is + now the head of his name, the Marquis, the only one left of his house.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He begins early,’ said Diane. + </p> + <p> + ‘An old soldier, my daughter, scarce stays to count the fallen. He has no + time to lose. He is sixty, with a damaged constitution. It will be but the + affair of a few years, and then will my beautiful Marquise be free to + choose for herself. I shall go from the young Queen to obtain permission + from the Queen-mother.’ + </p> + <p> + No question was asked. Diane never even thought objection possible. It was + a close to that present life which she had begun to loathe; it gave + comparative liberty. It would dull and confuse her heart-sick pain, and + give her a certain superiority to her brother. Moreover, it would satisfy + the old father, whom she really loved. Marriage with a worn-out old man + was a simple step to full display for young ladies without fortune. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier told Queen Elisabeth his purpose of placing his niece in the + family convent, under the care of her aunt, the Abbess, in a foundation + endowed by her own family on the borders of her own estate. Elisabeth + would have liked to keep her nearer, but could not but own that the change + to the scenes of her childhood might be more beneficial than a residence + in a nunnery at Paris, and the Chevalier spoke of his niece with a tender + solicitude that gained the Queen’s heart. She consented, only stipulating + that Eustacie’s real wishes should be ascertained, and herself again made + the exertion of visiting the patient for the purpose. + </p> + <p> + Eustacie had been partly dressed, and was lying as near as she could to + the narrow window. The Queen would not let her move, but took her damp + languid hand, and detailed her uncle’s proposal. It was plain that it was + not utterly distasteful. ‘Soeur Monique,’ she said, ‘Soeur Monique would + sing hymns to me, and then I should not see the imps at night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor child! And you would like to go? You could bear the journey?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It would be in the air! And then I should not smell blood—blood!’ + And her cheeks became whiter again, if possible. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you would not rather be at the Carmelites, or Maubuisson, near me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Madame, there would not be Soeur Monique. If the journey would only + make me die, as soon as I came, with Soeur Monique to hush me, and keep + off dreadful images!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear child, you should put away the thought of dying. Maybe you are to + live, that your prayers may win salvation for the soul of him you love.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, then! I should like to go into a convent so strict—so strict, + cried Eustacie, with renewed vigour. ‘Bellaise is nothing like strict + enough. Does your Majesty indeed think that my prayers will aid him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! what hope could we have but in praying?’ said Elisabeth, with tears + in her eyes. ‘Little one, we will be joined at least in our prayers and + intercessions: thou wilt not forget in thine one who yet lives, unhappier + than all!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And, oh, my good, my holy Queen, will you indeed pray for him—my + husband? He was so good, his faith can surely not long be reckoned against + him. He did not believe in Purgatory! Perhaps——’ Then frowning + with a difficulty far beyond a fever-clouded brain, she concluded—‘At + least, orisons may aid him! It is doing something for him! Oh, where are + my beads?—I can begin at once.’ + </p> + <p> + The Queen put her arm round her, and together they said the <i>De + profundis</i>,—the Queen understood every word far more for the + living than the dead. Again Elisabeth had given new life to Eustacie. The + intercession for her husband was something to live for, and the severest + convent was coveted, until she was assured that she would not be allowed + to enter on any rule till she had time to recover her health, and show the + constancy of her purpose by a residence at Bellaise. + </p> + <p> + Ere parting, however, the Queen bent over her, and colouring, as if much + ashamed of what she said, whispered—‘Child, not a word of the + ceremony at Montpipeau!—you understand? The King was always averse; + it would bring him and me into dreadful trouble with THOSE OTHERS, and + alas! It makes no difference now. You will be silent?’ + </p> + <p> + And Eustacie signed her acquiescence, as indeed no difficulty was made in + her being regarded as the widow of the Baron de Ribaumont, when she + further insisted on procuring a widow’s dress before she quitted her room, + and declared, with much dignity, that she should esteem no person her + friend who called her Mademoiselle de Nid-de-Merle. To this the Chevalier + de Ribaumont was willing to give way; he did not care whether Narcisse + married her as Berenger’s widow or as the separated maiden wife, and he + thought her vehement opposition and dislike would die away the faster the + fewer impediments were placed in her way. Both he and Diane strongly + discouraged any attempt on Narcisse’s widow part at a farewell interview; + and thus unmolested, and under the constant soothing influence of reciting + her prayers, in the trust that they were availing her husband, Eustacie + rallied so much that about ten day after the dreadful St. Batholomew, in + the early morning, she was half-led half-carried down the stairs between + her uncle and Veronique. Her face was close muffled in her thick black + veil, but when she came to the foot of the first stairs where she had + found Berenger’s cap, a terrible shuddering came on her; she again + murmured something about the smell of blood, and fell into a swoon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Carry her on at once,’ said Diane, who was following,—‘there will + be not end to it if you do not remove her immediately.’ + </p> + <p> + And thus shielded from the sight of Marcisse’s intended passionate gesture + of farewell at the palace-door, Eustecie was laid at full length on the + seat of the great ponderous family coach, where Veronique hardly wished to + revive her till the eight horses should have dragged her beyond the + streets of Paris, with their terrible associations, and the gibbets still + hung with the limbs of the murdered. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. THE BRIDEGROOM’S ARRIVAL + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The starling flew to his mother’s window stane, + It whistled and it sang, + And aye, the ower word of the tune + Was ‘Johnnie tarries lang.’ + —JOHNNIE OF BREDISLEE +</pre> + <p> + There had been distrust and dissatisfaction at home for many a day past. + Berenger could hardly be censured for loving his own wife, and yet his + family were by not means gratified by the prospect of his bringing home a + little French Papist, of whom Lady Thistlewood remembered nothing good. + </p> + <p> + Lucy was indignantly fetched home by her stepmother, who insisted on + treating her with extreme pity as a deserted maiden, and thus + counteracting Aunt Cecily’s wise representations, that there never should, + and therefore never could, have been anything save fraternal affection + between the young people, and that pity was almost an insult to Lucy. The + good girl herself was made very uncomfortable by there demonstrations, and + avoided them as much as possible, chiefly striving in her own gentle way + to prepare her little sisters to expect numerous charms in brother + Berenger’s wife, and heartily agreeing with Philip that Berenger knew his + own mind best. + </p> + <p> + ‘And at any rate,’ quoth Philip, ‘we’ll have the best bonfire that ever + was seen in the country! Lucy, you’ll coax my father to give us a + tar-barrel!’ + </p> + <p> + The tar-barrel presided over a monstrous pile of fagots, and the + fisher-boys were promised a tester to whoever should first bring word to + Master Philip that the young lord and lady were in the creek. + </p> + <p> + Philip gave his pony no rest, between the lock-out on the downs and the + borders of the creek; but day after day passed, and still the smacks from + Jersey held no person worth mentioning; and still the sense of expectation + kept Lucy starting at every sound, and hating herself for her own folly. + </p> + <p> + At last Philip burst into Combe Manor, fiery red with riding and + consternation. ‘Oh! father, father, Paul Duval’s boat is come in, and he + says that the villain Papists have butchered every Protestant in France.’ + </p> + <p> + Sir Marmaduke’s asseveration was of the strongest, that he did not believe + a word of it. Nevertheless, he took his horse and rode down to interrogate + Paul Duval, and charge him not to spread the report was in the air. He + went to the Hall, and the butler met him with a grave face, and took him + to the study, where Lord Walwyn was sitting over letter newly received + from London, giving hints from the Low Countries of bloody work in France. + And when he returned to his home, his wife burst out upon him in despair. + Here had they been certainly killing her poor buy. Not a doubt that he was + dead. All from this miserable going to France, that had been quite against + her will. + </p> + <p> + Stoutly did Sir Marmaduke persevere in his disbelief; but every day some + fresh wave of tidings floated in. Murder wholesale had surely been + perpetrated. Now came stories of death-bells at Rouen from the fishermen + on the coast; now markets and petty sessions discussed the foul slaughter + of the Ambassador and his household; truly related how the Queen had put + on mourning, and falsely that she had hung the French Ambassador, La Mothe + Feneon. And Burleigh wrote to his old friend from London, that some + horrible carnage had assuredly taken place, and that no news had yet been + received of Sir Francis Walsingham or of his suite. + </p> + <p> + All these days seems so many years taken from the vital power of Lord + Walwyn. Not only had his hopes and affections would themselves closely + around his grandson, but he reproached himself severely with having + trusted him in his youth and inexperience among the seductive perils of + Paris. The old man grieved over the promising young life cut off, and + charged on himself the loss and grief to the women, whose stay he had + trusted Berenger would have been. He said little, but his hand and head + grew more trembling; he scarcely ate or slept, and seemed to waste from a + vigorous elder to a feeble being in the extremity of old age, till Lady + Walwyn had almost ceased to think of her grandson in her anxiety for her + husband. + </p> + <p> + Letters came at last. The messenger despatched by Sir Francis Walsingham + had not been able to proceed till the ways had become safe, and he had + then been delayed; but on his arrival his tidings were sent down. There + were letters both from Sir Francis Walsingham and from heart-broken Mr. + Adderley, both to the same effect, with all possible praises of the young + Baron de Ribaumont, all possible reproach to themselves for having let him + be betrayed, without even a possibility of recovering his remains for + honourable burial. Poor Mr. Adderley further said that Mr. Sidney, who was + inconsolable for the loss of his friend, had offered to escort him to the + Low Countries, whence he would make his way to England, and would present + himself at Hurst Walwyn, if his Lordship could endure the sight of his + creature who had so miserably failed in his trust. + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn read both letters twice through before he spoke. Then he took + off his spectacles, laid them down, and said calmly, ‘God’s will be done. + I thank God that my boy was blameless. Better they slew him than sent him + home tainted with their vices.’ + </p> + <p> + The certainty, such as it was, seemed like repose after the suspense. They + knew to what to resign themselves, and even Lady Thistlewood’s tempestuous + grief had so spent itself that late in the evening the family sat round + the fire in the hall, the old lord dozing as one worn out with sorrow, the + others talking in hushed tones of that bright boyhood, that joyous light + quenched in the night of carnage. + </p> + <p> + The butler slowly entered the hall, and approached Sir Marmaduke, + cautiously. ‘Can I speak with you, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it, Davy?’ demanded the lady, who first caught the words. ‘What + did you say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madam, it is Humfrey Holt!’ + </p> + <p> + Humfrey Holt was the head of the grooms who had gone with Berenger; and + there was a general start and suppressed exclamation. ‘Humfrey Hold!’ said + Lord Walwyn, feebly drawing himself to sit upright, ‘hath he, then, + escaped?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yea, my Lord,’ said Davy, ‘and he brings news of my young Lord’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alack! Davy,’ said Lady Walwyn, ‘such news had been precious a while + ago.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, so please your Ladyship, it is better than you deem. Humfley says my + young Lord is yet living.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Living! shrieked Lady Thistlewood, starting up. ‘Living! My son! and + where?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are bearing him home, my Lady,’ said the butler; ‘but I fear me, by + what Humfley says, that it is but in woeful case.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bringing him home! Which way?’ Philip darted off like an arrow from the + bow. Sir Marmaduke hastily demanded if aid were wanted; and Lady Walwyn, + interpreting the almost inaudible voice of her husband, bade that Humfley + should be called in to tell his own story. + </p> + <p> + Hands were held out in greeting, and blessings murmured, as the groom + entered, looking battered and worn, and bowing low in confusion at being + thus unusually conspicuous, and having to tell his story to the head and + body, and slashed about the face so as it is a shame to see. Nor hath he + done aught these three weary weeks but moan from time to time so as it is + enough to break one’s heart to hear him; and I fear me ‘tis but bringing + him home to die.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so, God be thanked; and you too, honest Humfley,’ said Lady Walwyn.’ + ‘Let us hear when and how this deed was done.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, that, my Lord, I can’t so well say, being that I was not with him; + more’s the pity, or I’d have known the reason why, or even they laid a + finger on him. But when Master Landry, his French foster-brother, comes, + he will resolve you in his own tongue. I can’t parleyvoo with him, but + he’s an honest rogue for a Frenchman, and ‘twas he brought off my young + Lord. You see we were all told to be abroad the little French craft. + </p> + <p> + Master Landry took me down and settled it all with the master, a French + farmer fellow that came a horse-dealing to Paris. I knew what my young + Lord was after, but none of the other varlets did; and I went down and + made as decent a place as I could between decks. My Lord and Master Landry + were gone down to the court meantime, and we were to lie off till we heard + a whistle like a mavis on the bank, then come and take them aboard. Well, + we waited and waited, and all the lights were out, and not a sound did we + hear till just an hour after midnight. Then a big bell rang out, not like + a decent Christianable bell, but a great clash, then another, and a lot of + strokes enough to take away one’s breath. Then half the windows were + lighted up, and we heard shots, and screeches, and splashes, till, as I + said to Jack Smithers, ‘twas as if one half the place was murthering the + other. The farmer got frightened, and would have been off; but when I saw + what he was at, “No,” says I, “not an inch do we budge without news of my + Lord.” So Jack stood by the rope, and let them see that ‘twas as much as + their life was worth to try to unmoor. Mercy, what a night it was! Shrieks + and shouts, and shots and howls, here, there, and everywhere, and splashes + into the rive; and by and by we saw the poor murthered creatures come + floating by. The farmer, he had some words with one of the boats near, and + I heard somewhat of Huguenot and Hereteek, and I knew that was what they + called good Protestants. Then up comes the farmer with his sons looking + mighty ugly at us, and signing that unless we let them be off ‘twould be + set ashore for us; and we began to think as how we had best be set ashore, + and go down the five of us to see if we could stand by my young Lord in + some strait, or give notice to my Lord Ambassador.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘God reward you!’ exclaimed Lady Walwyn. + </p> + <p> + ‘Twas only our duty, my Lady,’ gruffly answered Humfrey; ‘but just as Hal + had got on the quay, what should I see but Master Landry coming down the + street with my young Lord in his back! I can tell you he was well-nigh + spent; and just then half a dozen butcherly villains came out on him, + bawling, “Tu-y! tu-y!” which it seems means “kill, kill.” He turned about + and showed them that he had got a white sleeve and white cross in his + bonnet, like them, the rascals, giving them to understand that he was only + going to throw the corpse into the river. I doubted him then myself; but + he caught sight of us, and in his fashion of talk with us, called out to + us to help, for there was life still. So two of us took my Lord, and the + other three gave the beggarly French cut-throats as good as they meant for + us; while Landry shouted to the farmer to wait, and we got aboard, and + made right away down the river. But never a word has the poor young + gentleman spoken, though Master Landry has done all a barber or a + sick-nurse could do; and he got us past the cities by showing the papers + in my Lord’s pocket, so that we got safe to the farmer’s place. There we + lay till we could get a boat to Jersey, and thence again home; and maybe + my young Lord will mend now Mistress Cecily will have the handing of him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is it the wisest Hands, good Humfrey,’ said Lord Walwyn, as the + tears of feeble age flowed down his cheeks. ‘May He who hath brought the + lad safely so far spare him yet, and raise him up. But whether he live or + die, you son and daughter Thistlewood will look that the faithfulness of + Humfrey Holt and his comrades be never forgotten or unrewarded.’ + </p> + <p> + Humfrey again muttered something about no more than his duty; but by this + time sounds were heard betokening the approach of the melancholy + procession, who, having been relieved by a relay of servants sent at once + from the house, were bearing home the wounded youth. Philip first of all + dashed in hurrying and stumbling. He had been unprepared by hearing + Humfrey’s account, and, impetuous and affectionate as he was, was entirely + unrestrained, and flinging himself on his knees with the half-audible + words, ‘Oh! Lucy! Lucy! He is as good as dead!’ hid his face between his + arms on his sister’s lap, and sobbed with the abandonment of a child, and + with all his youthful strength; so much adding to the consternation and + confusion, that, finding all Lucy’s gentle entreaties vain, his father at + last roughly pulled up his face by main force, and said, ‘Philip, hold + your tongue! Are we to have you on our hands as well as my Lady? I shall + send you home this moment! Let your sister go.’ + </p> + <p> + This threat reduced the boy to silence. Lucy, who was wanted to assist in + preparing Berenger’s room, disengaged herself; but he remained in the same + posture, his head buried on the seat of the chair, and the loud weeping + only forcibly stifled by forcing his handkerchief into his mouth, as if he + had been in violent bodily pain. Nor did he venture again to look up as + the cause of all his distress was slowly carried into the hall, + corpse-like indeed. The bearers had changed several times, all but a tall, + fair Norman youth, who through the whole transit had supported the head, + endeavouring to guard it from shocks. When the mother and the rest came + forward, he made a gesture to conceal the face, saying in French, ‘Ah! + Mesdames; this is no sight for you.’ + </p> + <p> + Indeed the head and face were almost entirely hidden by bandages, and it + was not till Berenger had been safely deposited on a large carved bed that + the anxious relatives were permitted to perceive the number and extent of + his hurts; and truly it was only by the breath, the vital warmth, and the + heavy moans when he was disturbed, or the dressings of the wounds were + touched, that showed him still to be a living man. There proved to be no + less than four wounds—a shot through the right shoulder, the right + arm also broken with a terrible blow with a sword, a broad gash from the + left temple to the right ear, and worse than all, <i>‘le baiser + d’Eustacie,’’</i> a bullet wound where the muzzle of the pistol had + absolutely been so close as to have burnt and blackened the cheek; so that + his life was, as Osbert averred, chiefly owing to the assassin’s jealousy + of his personal beauty, which had directed his shot to the cheek rather + than the head; and thus, though the bullet had terribly shattered the + upper jaw and roof of the mouth, and had passed out through the back of + the head, there was a hope that it had not penetrated the seat of life or + reason. The other gash on the face was but a sword-wound, and though + frightful to look at, was unimportant, compared with the first wound with + the pistol-shot in the shoulder, with the arm broken and further injured + by having served to suspend him round Osbert’s neck; but it was altogether + so appalling a sight, that it was no wonder that Sis Marmaduke muttered + low but deep curses on the cowardly ruffians; while his wife wept in grief + as violent, though more silent, than her stepson’s, and only Cecily + gathered the faintest ray of hope. The wounds had been well cared for, the + arm had been set, the hair cut away, and lint and bandages applied with a + skill that surprised her, till she remembered that Landry Osbert had been + bred up in preparation to be Berenger’s valet, and thus to practise those + minor arts of surgery then required in a superior body-servant. For his + part, though his eyes looked red, and his whole person exhausted by + unceasing watching, he seemed unable to relinquish the care of his master + for a moment, and her nunnery French would not have perceived her tender + touch and ready skill. These were what made him consent to leave his post + even for a short meal, and so soon as he had eaten it he was called to + Lord Walwyn to supply the further account which Humfley had been unable to + give. He had waited, he explained, with a lackey, a friend of his in the + palace, till he became alarmed by the influx of armed men, wearing white + crosses and shirt-sleeves on their left arms, but his friend had assured + him that his master had been summoned to the royal bedchamber, where he + would be as safe as in church; and obtaining from Landry Osbert himself a + perfectly true assurance of being a good Catholic, had supplied him with + the badges that were needful for security. It was just then that Madame’s + maid crept down to his waiting-place with the intelligence that her + mistress had been bolted in, and after a short consultation they agreed to + go and see whether M. le Baron were indeed waiting, and, if he were, to + warn him of the suspicious state of the lower regions of the palace. + </p> + <p> + They were just in time to see, but not to prevent the attack upon their + young master; and while Veronique fled, screaming, Landry Osbert, who had + been thrown back on the stairs in her sudden flight, recovered himself and + hastened to his master. The murderers, after their blows had been struck, + had hurried along the corridor to join the body of assassins, whose work + they had in effect somewhat anticipated. Landry, full of rage and despair, + was resolved at least to save his foster-brother’s corpse from further + insult, and bore it down-stairs in his arms. On the way, he perceived that + life was not yet extinct, and resolving to become doubly cautious, he + sought in the pocket for the purse that had been well filled for the + flight, and by the persuasive argument of gold crowns, obtained egress + from the door-keeper of the postern, where Berenger hoped to have emerged + in a far different manner. It was a favourable moment, for the main body + of the murderers were at that time being poster in the court by the + captain of the guard, ready to massacre the gentlemen of the King of + Navarre’s suite, and he was therefore unmolested by any claimant of the + plunders of the apparent corpse he bore on his shoulders. The citizens of + Paris who had been engaged in their share of the murders for more than an + hour before the tragedy began in the Louvre, frequently beset him on his + way to the quay, and but for the timely aid of his English comrades, he + would hardly have brought off his foster-brother safely. + </p> + <p> + The pass with which King Charles had provided Berenger for himself and his + followers when his elopement was first planned, enabled Osbert to carry + his whole crew safely past all the stations where passports were demanded. + He had much wished to procure surgical aid at Rouen, but learning from the + boatmen on the river that the like bloody scenes were there being enacted, + he had decide on going on to his master’s English home as soon as + possible, merely trusting to his own skill by the way; and though it was + the slightest possible hope, yet the healthy state of the wounds, and the + mere fact of life continuing, had given him some faint trust that there + might be a partial recovery. + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn repeated his agitated thanks and praises for such devotion to + his grandson. + </p> + <p> + Osbert bower, laid his hand on his heart, and replied—‘Monseigneur + is good, but what say I? Monsieur le Baron is my foster-brother! Say that, + and all is said in one word.’ + </p> + <p> + He was then dismissed, with orders to take some rest, but he obstinately + refused all commands in French or English to go to bed, and was found some + time after fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. SWEET HEART + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Ye hae marred a bonnier face than your ain. + DYING WORDS OF THE BONNIE EARL OF MORAY +</pre> + <p> + One room at Hurst Walwyn, though large, wainscoted, and well furnished, + bore as pertinaciously the air of a cell as the appearance of Sister + Cecily St. John continued like that of a nun. There was a large sunny + oriel, in which a thrush sang merrily in a wicker cage; and yet the very + central point and leading feature of the room was the altar-like table, + covered with rich needlework, with a carved ebony crucifix placed on it, + and on the wall above, quaint and stiff, but lovely-featured, delicately + tinted pictures of Our Lady in the centre, and of St. Anne and St. Cecilia + on either side, with skies behind of most ethereal blue, and robes + tenderly trimmed with gold. A little shrine of purple spar, with a crystal + front, contained a fragment of sacred bone; a silver shell help holy + water, perpetuated from some blessed by Bishop Ridley. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘With velvet bound and broidered o’er, + Her breviary book’ +</pre> + <p> + Lay open at ‘Sext,’ and there, too, lay with its three marks at the Daily + Lessons, the Bishop’s Bible, and the Common Prayer beside it. + </p> + <p> + The elder Baron de Ribaumont had never pardoned Cecily his single glance + at that table, and had seriously remonstrated with his father-in-law for + permitting its existence, quoting Rachel, Achan, and Maachah. Yet he never + knew of the hair-cloth smock, the discipline, the cord and sack-cloth that + lay stored in the large carved awmry, and were secretly in use on every + fast or vigil, not with any notion of merit, but of simple obedience, and + with even deeper comprehension and enjoyment of their spiritual + significance, of which, in her cloister life, she had comprehended little. + </p> + <p> + It was not she, however, who knelt with bowed head and clasped hands + before the altar-table, the winter sunbeams making the shadows of the ivy + sprays dance upon the deep mourning dress and pale cheek. The eyelashes + were heavy with tear-drops, and veiled eyes that had not yet attained to + the region of calm, like the light quivering of the lips showed that here + was the beginning of the course of trial through which serenity might be + won, and for ever. + </p> + <p> + By and by the latch was raise, and Cecily came forward. Lucy rose quickly + to her feet, and while giving and returning a fond embrace, asked with her + eyes the question that Cecily answered, ‘Still in the same lethargy. The + only shade of sense that I have seen is an unclosing of the eyes, a + wistful look whenever the door opened, and a shiver through all his frame + whenever the great bell rings, till my Lord forbade it to be sounded.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That frightful bell that the men told us of,’ said Lucy, shuddering; ‘oh, + what a heart that murderess must have had!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold, Lucy! How should we judge her, who may at this moment be weeping in + desolation?’ + </p> + <p> + Lucy looked up astonished. ‘Aunt,’ she said, ‘you have been so long shut + up with him that you hardly can have heard all-how she played fast and + loose, and for the sake of a mere pageant put off the flight from the time + when it would have been secure even until that dreadful eve!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know it,’ said Cecily. ‘I fear me much that her sin has been great; + yet, Lucy, it were better to pray for her than to talk wildly against + her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas!’ murmured Lucy, ‘I could bear it and glory in it when it seemed + death for the faith’s sake, but,’ and the tears burst out, ‘to find he was + only trapped and slain for the sake of a faithless girl—and that he + should love her still.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is his wife,’ said Cecily. ‘Child, from my soul I grieve for you, but + none the less must I, if no other will, keep before your eyes that our + Berenger’s faith belongs solely to her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You—you never would have let me forget it,’ said Lucy. ‘Indeed I am + more maidenly when not alone with you! I know verily that he is loyal, and + that my hatred to her is more than is meet. I will—I will pray for + her, but I would that you were in your convent still, and that I could + hide me there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That were scarce enough,’ said Cecily. ‘One sister we had who had fled to + our house to hide her sorrows for her betrothed had wedded another. She + took her sorrows for her vocation, strove to hurry on her vows, and when + they were taken, she chafed and fretted under them. It was she who wrote + to the commissioner the letter that led to the visitation of our house, + and, moreover, she was the only one of us who married.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To her own lover?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, to a brewer at Winchester! I say not that you could ever be like poor + sister Bridget, but only that the cloister has no charm to still the heart—prayer + and duty can do as much without as within.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When we deemed her worthy, I was glad of his happiness,’ said Lucy, + thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + ‘You did, my dear, and I rejoiced. Think now how grievous it must be with + her, if she, as I fear she may, yielded her heart to those who told her + that to ensnare him was her duty, or if indeed she were as much deceived + as he.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then she will soon be comforted,’ said Lucy, still with some bitterness + in her voice; bitterness of which she herself was perhaps conscious, for + suddenly dropping in her knees, she hid her face, and cried. ‘Oh, help me + to pray for her, Aunt Cecily, and that I may do her wrong no more!’ + </p> + <p> + And Cecily, in her low conventual chant, sang, almost under her breath, + the noonday Latin hymn, the words of which, long familiar to Lucy, had + never as yet so come home to her. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Quench Thou the fires of heat and strife, + The wasting fever of the heart; + From perils guard our feeble life, + And to our souls Thy help impart.’ +</pre> + <p> + Cecily’s judgment would have been thought weakly charitable by all the + rest of the family. Mr. Adderley had been forwarded by Sir Francis + Walsingham like a bale of goods, and arriving in a mood of such + self-reproach as would be deemed abject, by persons used to the modern + relations between noblemen and their chaplains, was exhilarated by the + unlooked-for comfort of finding his young charge at least living, and in + his grandfather’s house. From his narrative, Walsingham’s letter, and + Osbert’s account, Lord Walwyn saw no reason to doubt that the Black + Ribaumonts had thought that massacre a favourable moment for sweeping the + only survivor of the White or elder branch away, and that not only had + royalty lent itself to the cruel project, but that as Diane de Ribaumont + had failed as a bait, the young espoused wife had herself been employed to + draw him into the snare, and secure his presence at the slaughter-house, + away from his safe asylum at the Ambassador’s or even in the King’s + garde-robe. It was an unspeakably frightful view to take of the case, yet + scarcely worse than the reality of many of the dealings of those with whom + the poor young girl had been associated: certainly not worse than the + crimes, the suspicion of which was resting on the last dowager Queen of + France; and all that could be felt by the sorrowing family, was comfort + that at least corruption of mind had either not been part of the game, or + had been unsuccessful, and, by all testimony, the victim was still the + same innocent boy. This was all their relief, while for days, for weeks, + Berenger de Ribaumont lay in a trance or torpor between life and death. + Sometimes, as Cecily had said, his eyes turned with a startled wistfulness + towards the door, and the sound of a bell seemed to thrill him with a + start of agony; but for the most part he neither appeared to see or hear, + and a few moans were the only sounds that escaped him. The Queen, in her + affection for her old friend, and her strong feeling for the victims of + the massacre, sent down the court physician, who turned him about, and + elicited sundry heavy groans, but could do no more than enjoin patient + waiting on the beneficent powers of nature in early youth. His visit + produced one benefit, namely, the strengthening of Cecily St. John’s hands + against the charms, elixirs, and nostrums with which Lady Thistlewood’s + friends supplied her,—plasters from the cunning women of Lyme Regis, + made of powder of giant’s bones, and snakes prayed into stone by St. + Aldhelm, pills of live woodlice, and fomentations of living earthworms and + spiders. Great was the censure incurred by Lady Walwyn for refusing to let + such remedies be tried on HER grandson. And he was so much more her child + than his mother’s, that Dame Annora durst do no more than maunder. + </p> + <p> + In this perfect rest, it seemed as if after a time ‘the powers of nature’ + did begin to rally, there were appearances of healing about the wounds, + the difference between sleeping and waking became more evident, the eyes + lost the painful, half-closed, vacant look, but were either shut or opened + with languid recognition. The injuries were such as to exclude him from + almost every means of expression, the wound in his mouth made speech + impossible, and his right arm was not available for signs. It was only the + clearness of his eyes, and their response to what was said, that showed + that his mind was recovering tone, and then he seemed only alive to the + present, and to perceive nothing but what related to his suffering and its + alleviations. The wistfulness that had shown itself at first was gone, and + even when he improved enough to establish a language of signs with eye, + lip, or left hand, Cecily became convinced that he has little or no memory + of recent occurrences, and that finding himself at home among familiar + faces, his still dormant perceptions demanded no further explanation. + </p> + <p> + This blank was the most favourable state for his peace and for his + recovery, and it was of long duration, lasting even till he had made so + much progress that he could leave his bed, and even speak a few words, + though his weakness was much prolonged by the great difficulty with which + he could take nourishment. About two winters before, Cecily had + successfully nursed him through a severe attack of small-pox, and she + thought that he confounded his present state with the former illness, when + he had had nearly the same attendants and surroundings as at present; and + that his faculties were not yet roused enough to perceive the incongruity. + </p> + <p> + Once or twice he showed surprise at visits from his mother or Philip, who + had then been entirely kept away from him, and about Christmas he + brightened so much, and awoke to things about him so much more fully, that + Cecily thought the time of recollection could not be much longer deferred. + Any noise, however, seemed so painful to him, that the Christmas + festivities were held at Combe Manor instead of Hurst Walwyn; only after + church, Sir Marmaduke and Lady Thistlewood came in to make him a visit, as + he sat in a large easy-chair by his bedroom-fire, resting after having + gone through as much of the rites of the day as he was able for, with Mr. + Adderlay. The room looked very cheerful with the bright wood-fire on the + open hearth, shining on the gay tapestry hangings, and the dark wood of + the carved bed. The evergreen-decked window shimmered with sun shine, and + even the patient, leaning back among crimson cushions, though his face and + head were ghastly enough wherever they were not covered with patches and + bandages, still had a pleasant smile with lip and eye to thank his + stepfather for his cheery wishes of ‘a merry Christmas, at least one + better in health.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I did not bring the little wenches, Berenger, lest they should weary + you,’ said his mother. + </p> + <p> + Berenger looked alarmed, and said with the indistinctness with which he + always spoke, ‘Have they caught it? Are they marked?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, not like you, may boy,’ said Sir Marmaduke, sufficiently aware of + Berenger’s belief to be glad to keep it up, and yet obliged to walk to the + window to hide his diversion at the notion of his little girls catching + the contagion of sword-gashes and bullet-wounds. Dame Annora prattled on, + ‘But they have sent you their Christmas gifts by me. Poor children, they + have long been busied with them, and I fancy Lucy did half herself. See, + this kerchief is hemmed by little Dolly, and here are a pair of bands and + cuffs to match, that Nanny and Bessy have been broidering with their + choicest stitchery.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger smile, took, expressed admiration by gesture, and then said in a + dreamy, uncertain manner, ‘Methought I had some gifts for them;’ then + looking round the room, his eye fell on a small brass-bound casket which + had travelled with him to hold his valuables; he pointed to it with a + pleased look, as Sir Marmaduke lifted it and placed it on a chair by his + side. The key, a small ornamental brass one, was in his purse, not far + off, and Lady Thistlewood was full of exceeding satisfaction at the + unpacking not only of foreign gifts, but, as she hoped, of the pearls; + Cecily meantime stole quietly in, to watch that her patient was not + over-wearied. + </p> + <p> + He was resuming the use of his right arm, though it was still weak and + stiff, and he evidently had an instinct against letting any one deal with + that box but himself; he tried himself to unlock it, and though forced to + leave this to Sir Marmaduke, still leant over it when opened, as if to + prevent his mother’s curious glances from penetrating its recesses, and + allowed no hands near it but his own. He first brought out a pretty + feather fan, saying as he held it to his mother, ‘For Nan, I promised it. + It was bought at the Halles,’ he added, more dreamily. + </p> + <p> + Then again he dived, and brought out a wax medallion of Our Lady guarded + by angels, and made the sign that always brought Cecily to him. He held it + up to her with a puzzled smile, saying, ‘They thought me a mere Papist for + buying it—M. de Teligny, I think it was.’ + </p> + <p> + They had heard how the good and beloved Teligny had been shot down on the + roof of his father-in-law’s house, by rabid assassins, strangers to his + person, when all who knew him had spared him, from love to his gentle + nature; and the name gave a strange thrill. + </p> + <p> + He muttered something about ‘Pedlar,—Montpipeau,’—and still + continued. Then came a small silver casket, diffusing an odour of attar of + roses—he leant back in his chair—and his mother would have + taken it from him, supposing him overcome by the scent, but he held it + fast and shook his head, saying, ‘For Lucy,—but she must give it + herself. She gave up any gift for herself for it—she said we needed + no love-tokens.’ And he closed his eyes. Dame Annora plunged into the + unpacking, and brought out a pocket-mirror with enamelled cupids in the + corner, addressed to herself; and then came upon Berenger’s own. + </p> + <p> + Again came a fringed pair of gloves among the personal jewellery such as + gentlemen were wont to wear, the rings, clasps and brooches he had carried + from home. Dame Annora’s impatience at last found vent in the exclamation, + ‘The pearls, son; I do not see the chaplet of pearls.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She had them, ‘answered Berenger, in a matter-of-fact tone, ‘to wear at + the masque.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She——’ + </p> + <p> + Sir Marmaduke’s great hand choked, as it were, the query on his wife’s + lips, unseen by her son, who, as if the words had touched some chord, was + more eagerly seeking in the box, and presently drew out a bow of carnation + ribbon with a small piece of paper full of pin-holes attached to it. At + once he carried it to his lips, kissed it fervently, and then, sinking + back in his chair, seemed to be trying to gather up the memory that had + prompted the impulse, knitted his brows together, and then suddenly + exclaimed, ‘Where is she?’ + </p> + <p> + His mother tried the last antecedent. ‘Lucy? She shall come and thank you + to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + He shook his head with a vehement negative, beckoned Cecily impatiently, + and said earnestly, ‘Is it the contagion? Is she sick? I will go to her.’ + </p> + <p> + Cecily and Sir Marmaduke both replied with a ‘No, no!’ and were thankful, + though in much suspense at the momentary pause, while again he leant back + on the cushions, looked steadily at the pin-holes, that formed themselves + into the word ‘Sweet heart,’ then suddenly began to draw up the loose + sleeve of his wrapping-gown and unbutton the wristband of his right + sleeve. His mother tried to help him, asking if he had hurt or tired his + arm. They would have been almost glad to hear that it was so, but he shook + her off impatiently, and the next moment had a view of the freshly skinned + over, but still wide and gaping gash on his arm. He looked for a brief + space, and said, ‘It is a sword-cut.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly it is, lad,’ said Sir Marmaduke, ‘and a very bad one, happily + whole! Is this the first time you have seen it?’ + </p> + <p> + He did not answer, but covered his eyes with his hand, and presently burst + out again, ‘Then it is no dream? Sir—have I been to France?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, my son, you have,’ said Sir Marmaduke, gently, and with more + tenderness than could have been looked for; ‘but what passed there is much + better viewed as a dream, and cast behind your back.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger had, while he spoke, taken up the same little mirror where he had + once admired himself; and as he beheld the scar and plaster that + disfigured his face, with a fresh start of recollection, muttered over, ‘<i>“Barbouiller + ce chien de visage”</i>—ay, so he said. I felt the pistol’s muzzle + touch! Narcisse! Has God had mercy on me? I prayed Him. Ah! <i>“le baiser + d’Eustacie”</i>—so he said. I was waiting in the dark. Why did he + come instead of her? Oh! father, where is she?’ + </p> + <p> + It was a sore task, but Sir Marmaduke went bravely and bluntly, though far + from unkindly, to the point: ‘She remains with her friends in France.’ + </p> + <p> + There the youth’s look of utter horror and misery shocked and startled + them all, and he groaned rather than said, ‘Left there! Left to them! What + have I done to leave her there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, Berenger, this will not serve,’ said his mother, trying to rouse + and cheer him. ‘You should rather be thankful that when you had been so + foully ensnared by their wiles, good Osbert brought you off with your life + away from those bloody doings. Yes, you may thank Heaven and Osbert, for + you are the only one of them living now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of whom, mother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of all the poor Protestants that like you were deluded by the pack of + murderers over there. What,’—fancying it would exhilarate him to + hear of his own escape—‘you knew not that the bloody Guise and the + Paris cut-throats rose and slew every Huguenot they could lay hands on? + Why, did not the false wench put off your foolish runaway project for the + very purpose of getting you into the trap on the night of the massacre?’ + </p> + <p> + He looked with a piteous, appealing glance from her to Cecily and Sir + Marmaduke, as if in hopes that they would contradict. + </p> + <p> + ‘Too true, my lad,’ said Sir Marmaduke. ‘It is Heaven’s good mercy that + Osbert carried you out alive. No other Protestant left the palace alive + but the King of Navarre and his cousin, who turned renegades.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And she is left there?’ he repeated. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heed her not, my dear boy,’ began his mother; ‘you are safe, and must + forget her ill-faith and——’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger seemed scarcely to hear this speech—he held out his hands + as if stunned and dizzied, and only said, or rather indicated, ‘Let me lie + down.’ + </p> + <p> + His stepfather almost carried him across the room, and laid him on his + bed, where he turned away from the light and shut his eyes; but the knot + of ribbon and the pin-pricked word was still in his hand, and his mother + longed to take away the token of this false love, as she believed it. The + great clock struck the hour for her to go. ‘Leave him quiet,’ said Cecily, + gently; ‘he can bear no more now. I will send over in the evening to let + you know how he fares.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But that he should be so set on the little bloodthirsty baggage,’ sighed + Lady Thistlewood; and then going up to her son, she poured out her + explanation of being unable to stay, as her parents were already at the + Manor, with no better entertainers than Lucy, Philip, and the children. + She thanked him for the gifts, which she would take to them with his love. + All this passed by him as though he heard it not, but when leaning down, + she kissed his forehead, and at the same time tried to withdraw the knot + of ribbon: his fingers closed on it with a grasp like steel, so cold were + they, yet so fast. + </p> + <p> + Sir Masmaduke lingered a few moments behind her, and Berenger opening his + eyes, as if to see whether solitude had been achieved, found the + kind-hearted knight gazing at him with eyes full of tears. ‘Berry, my + lad,’ he said, ‘bear it like a man. I know how hard it is. There’s not a + woman of them all that an honest, plain Englishman has a chance with, when + a smooth-tongued Frenchman comes round her! But a man may live a true and + honest life however sore his heart may be, and God Almighty makes it up to + him if he faces it out manfully.’ + </p> + <p> + Good Sir Marmaduke in his sympathy had utterly forgotten both Berenger’s + French blood, and that he was the son of the very smooth-tongued + interloper who had robbed his life of its first bloom. Berenger was + altogether unequal to do more than murmur, as he held out his hand in + response to the kindness, ‘You do not know her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Poor lad.’ Sir Marmaduke shook his head and left him to Cecily. + </p> + <p> + After the first shock, Berenger never rested till he had made Osbert, Mr. + Adderley, and Cecily tell him all they knew, and asked by name after those + whom he had known best at Paris. Alas! of all those, save such as had been + in the Ambassador’s house, there was but one account to give. Venerable + warrior, noble-hearted youth, devoted pastor, all alike had perished! + </p> + <p> + This frightful part of the story was altogether new to him. He had been + probably the earliest victim in the Louvre, as being the special object of + private malice, which had contrived to involve him in the general + catastrophe; and his own recollections carried him only to the flitting of + lights and ringing of bells, that has made him imagine that an alarm of + fire would afford a good opportunity of escape if SHE would but come. A + cloaked figure had approached,—he had held out his arms—met + that deadly stroke—heard the words hissed in his ear. + </p> + <p> + He owned that for some time past strange recollections had been flitting + though his mind—a perpetual unsatisfied longing for and expectation + of his wife, and confused impressions of scenes and people had harassed + him perpetually, even when he could not discern between dreams and + reality; but knowing that he had been very ill, he had endeavoured to + account for everything as delirious fancies, but had become increasingly + distressed by their vividness, confusion, and want of outward + confirmation. At last these solid tokens and pledges from that time had + brought certainty back, and with it the harmony and clearness of his + memory: and the strong affection, that even his oblivion had not + extinguished, now recurred in all its warmth to its object. + </p> + <p> + Four months had passed, as he now discovered, since that night when he had + hoped to have met Euctacie, and she must be believing him dead. His first + measure on the following day when he had been dressed and seated in his + chair was to send for his casket, and with his slow stiff arm write thus:— + </p> + <p> + ‘Mon Coeur, My own sweetheart,—Hast thou thought me dead, and + thyself deserted? Osbert will tell thee all, and why I can scarce write. + Trust thyself to him to bring to me. I shall be whole seeing thee. Or if + thou canst not come with him, write or send me the least token by him, and + I will come and bear thee home so soon as I can put foot in stirrup. Would + that I could write all that is in my heart! + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Thy Husband.’ +</pre> + <p> + It was all that either head or hand would enable him to say, but he had + the fullest confidence in Landry Osbert, who was one of the few who + understood him at half a word. He desired Osbert to seek the lady out + wherever she might be, whether still at court or in a convent, convey the + letter to her if possible, and, if she could by any means escape, obtain + from Chateau Leurre such an escort as she could come to England with. If, + as was too much to be feared, she was under too close restraint, Osbert + should send intelligence home, as he could readily do through the + Ambassador’s household, and Berenger trusted by that time to be able to + take measures for claiming her in person. + </p> + <p> + Osbert readily undertook everything, but supplies for his journey were + needed, and there was an absolute commotion in the house when it was known + that Berenger had been writing to his faithless spouse, and wishing to + send for her. Lord Walwyn came up to visit his grandson, and explain to + him with much pity and consideration that he considered such a step as + vain, and only likely to lead to further insult. Berenger’s respect forced + him to listen without interruption, and though he panted to answer, it was + a matter of much difficulty, for the old lord was becoming deaf, and could + not catch the indistinct, agitated words— + </p> + <p> + ‘My Lord, she is innocent as day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Anan, boy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I pledge my life on her love and innocence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Love! Yes, my poor boy; but if she be unworthy?—Eh? Cecily, what + says he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is sure of her innocence, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is of course. But, my dear lad, you will soon learn that even a + gentle, good woman who has a conscience-keeper is too apt to think her + very sense of right ought to be sacrificed to what she calls her religion.—What + is it, what is he telling you, Cecily?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She was ready to be one of us,’ Berenger said, with a great effort to + make it clear. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, a further snare. Poor child! The very softest of them become the + worst deceivers, and the kindred who have had the charge of her all their + life could no doubt bend her will.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said Berenger, finding argument impossible, ‘if you will but let me + dispatch Osbert, her answer will prove to you what she is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is something in that,’ said Lord Walwyn, when he had heard it + repeated by Cecily. ‘It is, of course, needful that both she and her + relations should be aware of Berenger’s life, and I trow nothing but the + reply will convince him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Convince him!’ muttered Berenger. ‘Oh that I could make him understand. + What a wretch I am to have no voice to defend her!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What?’ said the old lord again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Only that I could speak, sir; you should know why it is sacrilege to + doubt her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! well, we will not wound you, my son, while talk is vain. You shall + have the means of sending your groom, if thus you will set your mind at + rest, though I had rather have trusted to Walsingham’s dealing. I will + myself give him a letter to Sir Francis, to forward him on his way; and + should the young lady prove willing to hold to her contract and come to + you here, I will pray him to do everything to aid her that may be + consistent with his duty in his post.’ + </p> + <p> + This was a great and wonderful concession for Lord Walwyn, and Berenger + was forced to be contented with it, though it galled him terribly to have + Eustacie distrusted, and be unable to make his vindication even heard or + understood, as well as to be forced to leave her rescue, and even his own + explanation to her, to a mere servant. + </p> + <p> + This revival of his memory had not at all conduced to his progress in + recovery. His brain was in no state for excitement or agitation, and pain + and confusion were the consequence, and were counteracted, after the + practice of the time, by profuse bleedings, which prolonged his weakness. + The splintered state of the jaw and roof of the moth likewise produced + effects that made him suffer severely, and deprived him at times even of + the small power of speech that he usually possessed; and though he had set + his heart upon being able to start for Paris so soon as Osbert’s answer + should arrive, each little imprudence he committed, in order to convince + himself of his progress, threw him back so seriously, that he was barely + able to walk down-stairs to the hall, and sit watching—watching, so + that it was piteous to see him—the gates of the courtyard, but the + time that, on a cold March day, a booted and spurred courier (not Osbert) + entered by them. + </p> + <p> + He sprang up, and faster than he had yet attempted to move, met the man in + the hall, and demanded the packet. It was a large one, done up in canvas, + and addressed to the Right Honourable and Worshipful Sir William, Baron + Walwyn of Hurst Walwyn, and he had further to endure the delay of carrying + it to his grandfather’s library, which he entered with far less delay and + ceremony than was his wont. ‘Sit down, Berenger,’ said the old man, while + addressing himself to the fastenings; and the permission was needed, for + he could hardly have stood another minute. The covering contained a letter + to Lord Walwyn himself, and a packet addressed to the Baron de Ribaumont + which his trembling fingers could scarcely succeed in cutting and tearing + open. + </p> + <p> + How shall it be told what the contents of the packet were? Lord Walwyn + reading on with much concern, but little surprise, was nevertheless + startled by the fierce shout with which Berenger broke out: + </p> + <p> + ‘A lie! A lie forged in hell!’ And then seizing the parchment, was about + to rend it with all the force of passion, when his grandfather, seizing + his hand, said, in his calm, authoritative voice, ‘Patience, my poor son.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How, how should I have patience when they send me such poisoned lies as + these of my wife, and she is in the power of the villains? Grandfather, I + must go instantly—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me know what you have heard,’ said Lord Walwyn, holding him feebly + indeed, but with all the impressive power and gravity of his years. + </p> + <p> + ‘Falsehoods,’ said Berenger, pushing the whole mass of papers over to him, + and then hiding his head between his arms on the table. + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn finished his own letter first. Walsingham wrote with much kind + compassion, but quite decisively. He had no doubt that the Ribaumont + family had acted as one wheel in the great plot that had destroyed all the + heads of Protestant families and swept away among others, as they had + hoped, the only scion of the rival house. The old Chevalier de Ribaumont + had, he said, begun by expressing sorrow for the mischance that had + exposed his brave young cousin to be lost in the general catastrophe, and + he had professed proportionate satisfaction on hearing of the young man’s + safety. But the Ambassador believed him to have been privy to his son’s + designs; and whether Mdlle. de Nid de Merle herself had been a willing + agent or not, she certainly had remained in the hands of the family. The + decree annulling the marriage had been published, the lady was in a + convent in Anjou, and Narcisse de Ribaumont had just been permitted to + assume the title of Marquis de Nid de Merle, and was gone into Anjou to + espouse her. Sir Francis added a message of commiseration for the young + Baron, but could not help congratulating his old friend on having his + grandson safe and free from these inconvenient ties. + </p> + <p> + Berenger’s own packet contained, in the first place, a copy of the + cassation of the marriage, on the ground of its having been contracted + when the parties were of too tender age to give their legal consent, and + its having been unsatisfied since they had reached ecclesiastical years + for lawful contraction of wedlock. + </p> + <p> + The second was one of the old Chevalier’s polite productions. He was + perfectly able to ignore Berenger’s revocation of his application for the + separation, since the first letter had remained unanswered, and the King’s + peremptory commands had prevented Berenger from taking any open measures + after his return from Montpipeau. Thus the old gentleman, after expressing + due rejoicing at his dear young cousin’s recovery, and regret at the + unfortunate mischance that had led to his confounded with the many + suspected Huguenots, proceeded as if matters stood exactly as they had + been before the pall-mall party, and as if the decree that he enclosed + were obtained in accordance with the young Baron’s intentions. He had + caused it to be duly registered, and both parties were at liberty to enter + upon other contracts of matrimony. The further arrangements which Berenger + had undertaken to sell his lands in Normandy, and his claim on the + ancestral castle in Picardy, should be carried out, and deeds sent for his + signature so soon as he should be of age. In the meantime, the Chevalier + courteously imparted to his fair cousin the marriage of his daughter, + Mademoiselle Diane de Ribaumont with M. le Comte de Selinville, which had + taken place on the last St. Martin’s day, and of his niece, Mademoiselle + Eustacie de Ribaumont de Nid de Merle with his son, who had received + permission to take her father’s title of Marquis de Nid de Merle. The + wedding was to take place at Bellaise before the end of the Cardinal, and + would be concluded before this letter came to hand. + </p> + <p> + Lastly, there was an ill written and spelt letter, running somewhat thus— + </p> + <p> + ‘Monseigneur,—Your faithful servant hopes that Monsieur le Baron + will forgive him for not returning, since I have been assured by good + priests that it is not possible to save my soul in a country of heretics. + I have done everything as Monsieur commanded, I have gone down into Anjou, + and have had the honour to see the young lady to whom Monsieur le Baron + charged me with a commission, and I delivered to her his letter, whereupon + the lady replied that she thanked M. le Baron for the honour he had done + her, but that being on the point of marriage to M. le Marquis de Nid de + Merle, she did not deem it fitting to write to him, nor had she any tokens + to send him, save what he had received on the St. Barthelemy midnight; + they might further his suit elsewhere. These, Monsieur, were her words, + and she laughed as she said them, so gaily that I thought her fairer than + ever. I have prevailed with her to take me into her service as intendant + of the Chateau de Nid de Merle, knowing as she does my fidelity to the + name of Ribaumont. And so, trusting Monseigneur will pardon me for what I + do solely for the good of my soul, I will ever pray for his welfare, and + remain, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘His faithful menial and valet, + ‘LANDRY OSBERT.’ +</pre> + <p> + The result was only what Lord Walwyn had anticipated, but he was + nevertheless shocked at the crushing weight of the blow. His heart was + full of compassion for the youth so cruelly treated in these his first + years of life, and as much torn in his affections as mangled in person. + After a pause, while he gathered up the sense of the letters, he laid his + hand kindly on his grandson’s arm, and said, ‘This is a woeful budget, my + poor son; we will do our best to help you to bear it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The only way to bear it,’ said Berenger, lifting up his face, ‘is for me + to take horse and make for Anjou instantly. She will hold out bravely, and + I may yet save her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madness,’ said his grandfather; ‘you have then not read your fellow’s + letter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I read no letter from fellow of mine. Yonder is a vile forgery. + Narcisse’s own, most likely. No one else would have so profaned her as to + put such words into her mouth! My dear faithful foster-brother—have + they murdered him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Can you point to any proof that it is forged?’ said Lord Walwyn, aware + that handwriting was too difficult an art, and far too crabbed, among + persons of Osbert’s class, for there to be any individuality of + penmanship. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is all forged,’ said Berenger. ‘It is as false that she could frame + such a message as that poor Osbert would leave me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘These priests have much power over the conscience,’ began Lord Walwyn; + but Berenger, interrupting his grandfather for the first time in his life, + cried, ‘No priest could change her whole nature. Oh! my wife! my darling! + what may they not be inflicting on her now! Sir, I must go. She may be + saved! The deadly sin may be prevented!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is mere raving, Berenger,’ said Lord Walwyn, not catching half what + he said, and understanding little more than his resolution to hasten in + quest of the lady. ‘You, who have not mounted a horse, nor walked across + the pleasance yet!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My limbs should serve me to rescue her, or they are worth nothing to me.’ + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn would have argued that he need not regret his incapacity to + move, since it was no doubt already too late, but Berenger burst forth—‘She + will resist; she will resist to the utmost, even if she deems me dead. + Tortures will not shake her when she knows I live. I must prepare.’ And he + started to his feet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Grandson,’ said Lord Walwyn, laying a hand on his arm, ‘listen to me. You + are in not state to judge for yourself. I therefore command you to desist + from this mad purpose.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke gravely, but Berenger was disobedient for the first time. ‘My + Lord,’ he said, ‘you are but my grandfather. She is my wife. My duty is to + her.’ + </p> + <p> + He had plucked his sleeve away and was gone, before Lord Walwyn had been + able to reason with him that there was no wife in the case, a conclusion + at which the old statesman would not have arrived had he known of the + ceremony at Montpipeau, and all that had there passed; but not only did + Berenger deem himself bound to respect the King’s secret, but conversation + was so difficult to him that he had told very little of his adventures, + and less to Lord Walwyn than any one else. In effect, his grandfather + considered this resolution of going to France as mere frenzy, and so it + almost was, not only on the score of health and danger, but because as a + ward, he was still so entirely under subjection, that his journey could + have been hindered by absolutely forcible detention; and to this Lord + Walwyn intended to resort, unless the poor youth either came to a more + rational mind, or became absolutely unable to travel. + </p> + <p> + The last—as he had apprehended—came to pass only too surely. + The very attempt to argue and to defend Eustacie was too much for the + injured head; and long before night Berenger full believed himself on the + journey, acted over its incidents, and struggled wildly with difficulties, + all the time lying on his bed, with the old servants holding him down, and + Cecily listening tearfully to his ravings. + </p> + <p> + For weeks longer he was to lie there in greater danger than ever. He only + seemed soothed into quiet when Cecily chanted those old Latin hymns of her + Benedictine rule, and then—when he could speak at all—he + showed himself to be in imagination praying in Eustacie’s convent chapel, + sure to speak to her when the service should be over. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. NOTRE-DAME DE BELLAISE* + </h2> + <p> + There came a man by middle day, He spied his sport and went away, And + brought the king that very night, And brake my bower and slew my knight. + The Border Widow’s Lament + </p> + <p> + *[footnote: Bellaise is not meant for a type of all nunneries, but of the + condition to which many of the lesser ones had come before the general + reaction and purification of the seventeenth century.] + </p> + <p> + That same Latin hymn which Cecily St. John daily chanted in her own + chamber was due from the choir of Cistercian sisters in the chapel of the + Convent of Our Lady at Bellaise, in the Bocage of Anjou; but there was a + convenient practice of lumping together the entire night and forenoon + hours at nine o’clock in the morning, and all the evening ones at + Compline, so that the sisters might have undisturbed sleep at night and + entertainment by day. Bellaise was a very comfortable little nunnery, + which only received richly dowered inmates, and was therefore able to + maintain them in much ease, though without giving occasion to a breath of + scandal. Founded by a daughter of the first Angevin Ribaumont, it had + become a sort of appanage for the superfluous daughters of the house, and + nothing would more have amazed its present head, Eustacie Barbe de + Ribaumont,—conventually known as La Mere Marie Seraphine de + St.-Louis, and to the world as Madame de Bellaise,—than to be + accused of not fulfilling the intentions of the Bienheureuse Barbe, the + foundress, or of her patron St. Bernard. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Bellaise was a fine-looking woman of forty, in a high state of + preservation, owing to the healthy life she had led. Her eyes were of + brilliant, beautiful black her complexion had a glow, her hair—for + she wore it visibly—formed crisp rolls of jetty ringlets on her + temples, almost hiding her close white cap. The heavy thick veil was + tucked back beneath the furred purple silk hood that fastened under her + chin. The white robes of her order were not of serge, but of the finest + cloth, and were almost hidden by a short purple cloak with sleeves, + likewise lined and edged with fur, and fastened on the bosom with a gold + brooch. Her fingers, bearing more rings than the signet of her house, were + concealed in embroidered gauntlets of Spanish leather. One of them held an + ivory-handled riding-rod, the other the reins of the well-fed jennet, on + which the lady, on a fine afternoon, late in the Carnival, was cantering + home through the lanes of the Bocage, after a successful morning’s hawking + among the wheat-ears. She was attended by a pair of sisters, arrayed + somewhat in the same style, and by a pair of mounted grooms, the falconer + with his charge having gone home by a footway. + </p> + <p> + The sound of horses’ feet approaching made her look towards a long lane + that came down at right angles to that along which she was riding, and + slacken her pace before coming to its opening. And as she arrived at the + intersection, she beheld advancing, mounted on a little rough pony, the + spare figure of her brother the Chevalier, in his home suit, so greasy and + frayed, that only his plumed hat (and a rusty plume it was) and the old + sword at his side showed his high degree. + </p> + <p> + He waved his hand to her as a sign to halt, and rode quickly up, scarcely + giving time for a greeting ere he said, ‘Sister the little one is not out + with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, truly, the little mad thing, she is stricter and more head-strong + than ever was her preceptress. Poor Monique! I had hoped that we should be + at rest when that <i>cass-tete</i> had carried off her scruples to + Ste.-Claire, at Lucon, but here is this little droll far beyond her, + without being even a nun!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Assuredly not. The business must be concluded at once. She must be + married before Lent.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will scarce be—in her present frame.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It must be. Listen, sister. Here is this miserable alive!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Her spouse!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Folly about her spouse! The decree from Rome has annulled the foolish + mummery of her infancy. It came a week after the Protestant conspiracy, + and was registered when the Norman peasants at Chateau Leurre showed + contumacy. It was well; for, behold, our gallant is among his English + friends, recovering, and even writing a billet. Anon he will be upon our + hands in person. By the best fortune, Gillot fell in with his messenger + this morning, prowling about on his way to the convent, and brought him to + me to be examined. I laid him fat in ward, and sent Gillot off to ride day + and night to bring my son down to secure the girl at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will never obtain her consent. She is distractedly in love with his + memory! Let her guess at his life, and—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Precisely. Therefore must we be speedy. All Paris knows it by this time, + for the fellow went straight to the English Ambassador; and I trust my son + has been wise enough to set off already; for should we wait till after + Lent, Monsieur le Baron himself might be upon us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor child! You men little heed how you make a woman suffer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How, Reverend Mother! you pleading for a heretic marriage, that would + give our rights to a Huguenot—what say I?—an English + renegade!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I plead not, brother. The injustice towards you must be repaired; but I + have a certain love for my niece, and I fear she will be heartbroken when + she learns the truth, the poor child.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bah! The Abbess should rejoice in thus saving her soul! How if her + heretic treated Bellaise like the convents of England?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No threats, brother. As a daughter of Ribaumont and a mother of the + Church will I stand by you,’ said the Abbess with dignity. + </p> + <p> + ‘And now tell me how it has been with the child. I have not seen her since + we agreed that the request did but aggravate her. You said her health was + better since her nurse had been so often with her, and that she had ceased + from her austerities.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not entirely; for when first she came, in her transports of despair and + grief on finding Soeur Monique removed, she extorted from Father Bonami a + sort of hope that she might yet save her husband’s, I mean the Baron’s + soul. Then, truly, it was a frenzy of fasts and prayers. Father Bonami has + made his profit, and so have the fathers of Chollet—all her money + has gone in masses, and in alms to purchase the prayers of the poor, and + she herself fasting on bread and water, kneeling barefooted in the chapel + till she was transfixed with cold. No <i>chaufferette</i>, not she! + Obstinate to the last degree! Tell her she would die—it was the best + news one could bring; all her desire, to be in a more rigid house with + Soeur Monique at Lucon. At length, Mere Perrine and Veronique found her + actually fainting and powerless with cold on the chapel-floor; and since + that time she has been more reasonable. There are prayers as much as ever; + but the fancy to kill herself with fasting has passed. She begins to + recover her looks, nay, sometimes I have thought she had an air of hope in + her eyes and lips; but what know I? I have much to occupy me, and she + persists in shutting herself up with her woman.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have not allowed her any communication from without?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mere Perrine has come and gone freely; but she is nothing. No, the child + could have no correspondence. She did, indeed, write a letter to the + Queen, as you know, brother, six weeks ago; but that has never been + answered, nor could any letters have harmed you, since it is only now that + this young man is known to be living.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are right, sister. No harm can have been done. All will go well. The + child must be wearied with her frenzy of grief and devotion! She will + catch gladly at an excuse for change. A scene or two, and she will readily + yield!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is true,’ said the Abbess, thoughtfully, ‘that she has walked and + ridden out lately. She has asked questions about her Chateaux, and their + garrisons. I have heard nothing of the stricter convent for many weeks; + but still, brother, you must go warily to work.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you, sister, must show no relenting. Let her not fancy she can work + upon you.’ + </p> + <p> + By this time the brother and sister were at the gateway of the convent; a + lay sister presided there, but there was no <i>cloture</i>, as the strict + seclusion of a nunnery was called, and the Chevalier rode into the + cloistered quadrangle as naturally as if he had been entering a secular + Chateau, dismounted at the porch of the hall, and followed Madame de + Bellaise to the parlour, while she dispatched a request that her niece + would attend her there. + </p> + <p> + The parlour had no grating to divide it, but was merely a large room + furnished with tapestry, carved chests, chairs, and cushions, much like + other reception-rooms. A large, cheerful wood-fire blazed upon the hearth, + and there was a certain air of preparation, as indeed an ecclesiastical + dignity from Saumur was expected to sup with the ladies that evening. + </p> + <p> + After some interval, spent by the Chevalier in warming himself, a low + voice at the door was heard, saying, ‘<i>Deus vobiscum</i>.’ The Abbess + answered, ‘<i>Et cum spiritu tuo</i>;’ and on this monastic substitute for + a knock and ‘come in,’ there appeared a figure draped and veiled from head + to foot in heavy black, so as to look almost like a sable moving cone. She + made an obeisance as she entered, saying, ‘You commanded my presence, + Madame?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your uncle would speak to you, daughter, on affairs of moment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At his service. I, too, would speak to him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘First, then, my dear friend,’ said the Chevalier, ‘let me see you. That + face must not be muffled any longer from those who love you.’ + </p> + <p> + She made no movement of obedience, until her aunt peremptorily bade her + turn back her veil. She did so, and disclosed the little face, so well + known to her uncle, but less childish in its form, and the dark eyes + sparkling, though at once softer and more resolute. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! my fair niece,’ said the Chevalier, ‘this is no visage to be hidden! + I am glad to see it re-embellished, and it will be lovelier than ever when + you have cast off this disguised.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That will never be,’ said Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! we know better! My daughter is sending down a counterpart of her own + wedding-dress for your bride of the <i>Mardi-Gras</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who may that bride be?’ said Eustacie, endeavouring to speak as + though it were nothing to her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, <i>ma petite</i>! it is too long to play the ignorant when the + bridegroom is on his way from Paris.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame,’ said Eustacie, turning to her aunt, ‘you cannot suffer this + scandal. The meanest peasant may weep her first year of widowhood in + peace.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen, child. There are weighty reasons. The Duke of Anjou is a + candidate for the throne of Poland, and my son is to accompany him + thither. He must go as Marquis de Nid de Merle, in full possession of your + estates.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him take them,’ began Eustacie, ‘who first commits a cowardly murder, + and then forces himself on the widow he has made?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Folly, child, folly,’ said the Chevalier, who supposed her ignorant of + the circumstances of her husband’s assassination; and the Abbess, who was + really ignorant, exclaimed—‘<i>Fid donc</i> niece; you know not what + you say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know, Madame—I know from an eye-witness,’ said Eustacie, firmly. + ‘I know the brutal words that embittered my husband’s death; and were + there no other cause, they would render wedlock with him who spoke them + sacrilege.’ Resolutely and steadily did the young wife speak, looking at + them with the dry fixed eye to which tears had been denied ever since that + eventful night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor child,’ said the Chevalier to his sister. ‘She is under the delusion + still. Husband! There is none in the case.’ Then waving his hand as + Eustacie’s face grew crimson, and her eyes flashed indignation, while her + lips parted, ‘It was her own folly that rendered it needful to put an end + to the boy’s presumption. Had she been less willful and more obedient, + instead of turning the poor lad’s head by playing at madame, we could have + let him return to his island fogs; but when SHE encouraged him in + contemplating the carrying her away, and alienating her and her lands from + the true faith, there was but one remedy—to let him perish with the + rest. My son is willing to forgive her childish pleasure in a boy’s + passing homage, and has obtained the King’s sanction to an immediate + marriage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Which, to spare you, my dear,’ added the aunt, ‘shall take place in our + chapel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It shall never take place anywhere,’ said Eustacie, quietly, though with + a quiver in her voice; ‘no priest will wed me when he has heard me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The dispensation will overcome all scruples,’ said the Abbess. ‘Hear me, + niece. I am sorry for you, but it is best that you should know at once + that there is nothing in heaven or earth to aid you in resisting your + duty.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie made no answer, but there was a strange half-smile on her lip, + and a light in her eye which gave her an air not so much of entreaty as of + defiance. She glanced from one to the other, as if considering, but then + slightly shook her head. ‘What does she mean?’ asked the Chevalier and the + Abbess one of another, as, with a dignified gesture, she moved to leave + the room. + </p> + <p> + ‘Follow her. Convince her that she has no hope,’ said the uncle; and the + Abbess, moving faster than her wont, came up with her at the archway + whence one corridor led to the chapel, another to her own apartments. Her + veil was down again, but her aunt roughly withdrew it, saying, ‘Look at + me, Eustacie. I come to warn you that you need not look to tamper with the + sisters. Not one will aid you in your headstrong folly. If you cast not + off ere supper-time this mockery of mourning, you shall taste of that + discipline you used to sigh for. We have borne with your fancy long enough—you, + who are no more a widow than I—nor wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wife and widow am I in the sight of Him who will protect me,’ said + Eustacie, standing her ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Insolent! Why, did I not excuse this as a childish delusion, should I not + spurn one who durst love—what say I—not a heretic merely, but + the foe of her father’s house?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He!’ cried Eustacie; ‘what had he ever done?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He inherited the blood of the traitor Baron,’ returned her aunt. ‘Ever + have that recreant line injured us! My nephew’s sword avenged the wrongs + of many generations.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ said Eustacie, looking at her with a steady, fixed look of + inquire, ‘you, Madame l’Abbesse, would have neither mercy nor pity for the + most innocent offspring of the elder line?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Girl, what folly is this to talk to me of innocence. That is not the + question. The question is—obey willingly as my dear daughter, or + compulsion must be used.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My question is answered,’ said Eustacie, on her side. ‘I see that there + is neither pity nor hope from you.’ + </p> + <p> + And with another obeisance, she turned to ascend the stairs. Madame paced + back to her brother. + </p> + <p> + ‘What,’ he said; ‘you have not yet dealt with her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, brother, I never saw a like mood. She seems neither to fear nor to + struggle. I knew she was too true a Ribaumont for weak tears and + entreaties; but, fiery little being as once she was, I looked to see her + force spend itself in passion, and that then the victory would have been + easy; but no, she ever looks as if she had some inward resource—some + security—and therefore could be calm. I should deem it some Huguenot + fanaticism, but she is a very saint as to the prayers of the Church, the + very torment of our lives.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Could she escape?’ exclaimed the Chevalier, who had been considering + while his sister was speaking. + </p> + <p> + ‘Impossible! Besides, where could she go? But the gates shall be closed. I + will warn the portress to let none pass out without my permission.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Chevalier took a turn up and down the room; then exclaimed, ‘It was + very ill-advised to let her women have access to her! Let us have + Veronique summoned instantly.’ + </p> + <p> + At that moment, however, the ponderous carriage of Monseigneur, with + out-riders, both lay and clerical, came trampling up to the archway, and + the Abbess hurried off to her own apartment to divest herself of her + hunting-gear ere she received her guest; and the orders to one of the nuns + to keep a watch on her niece were oddly mixed with those to the cook, + confectioner, and butterer. + </p> + <p> + La Mere Marie Saraphine was not a cruel or an unkind woman. She had been + very fond of her pretty little niece in her childhood, but had deeply + resented the arrangement which had removed her from her own + superintendence to that of the Englishwoman, besides the uniting to the + young Baron one whom she deemed the absolute right of Narcisse. She had + received Eustacie on her first return with great joy, and had always + treated her with much indulgence, and when the drooping, broken-hearted + girl came back once more to the shelter of her convent, the good-humoured + Abbess only wished to make her happy again. + </p> + <p> + But Eustacie’s misery was far beyond the ken of her aunt, and the jovial + turn of these consolations did but deepen her agony. To be congratulated + on her release from the heretic, assured of future happiness with her + cousin, and, above all, to hear Berenger abused with all the bitterness of + rival family and rival religion, tore up the lacerated spirit. Ill, + dejected, and broken down, too subdued to fire up in defence, and only + longing for the power of indulging in silent grief, Eustacie had shrunk + from her, and wrapped herself up in the ceaseless round of masses and + prayers, in which she was allowed to perceive a glimmering of hope for her + husband’s soul. The Abbess, ever busy with affairs of her convent or + matters of pleasure, soon relinquished the vain attempt to console where + she could not sympathize, trusted that the fever of devotion would wear + itself out, and left her niece to herself. Of the seven nuns, two were + decorously gay, like their Mother Abbess; one was a prodigious worker of + tapestry, two were unrivalled save by one another as confectioners. + Eustacie had been their pet in her younger days; now she was out of their + reach, they tried in turn to comfort her; and when she would not be + comforted, they, too, felt aggrieved by the presence of one whose + austerity reproached their own laxity; they resented her disappointment at + Soeur Monique’s having been transferred to Lucon, and they, too, left her + to the only persons whose presence she had ever seemed to relish,—namely, + her maid Veronique, and Veronique’s mother, her old nurse Perrine, wife of + a farmer about two miles off. The woman had been Eustacie’s foster-mother, + and continued to exert over her much of the caressing care of a nurse. + </p> + <p> + After parting with her aunt, Eustacie for a moment looked towards the + chapel, then, clasping her hands, murmured to herself, ‘No! no! speed is + my best hope;’ and at once mounted the stairs, and entered a room, where + the large stone crucifix, a waxen Madonna, and the holy water font gave a + cell-like aspect to the room; and a straw pallet covered with sackcloth + was on the floor, a richly curtained couch driven into the rear, as + unused. + </p> + <p> + She knelt for a moment before the Madonna; ‘Ave Maria, be with me and + mine. Oh! blessed Lady, thou hadst to fly with thy Holy One from cruel + men. Have thou pity on the fatherless!’ + </p> + <p> + Then going to the door, she clapped her hands; and, as Veronique entered, + she bade her shut and bolt the door, and at the same moment began in + nervous haste to throw off her veil and unfasten her dress. + </p> + <p> + ‘Make haste, Veronique. A dress of thine—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All is known, then!’ cried Veronique, throwing up her arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, but he is coming—Narcisse—to marry me at once—<i>Marde-Gras</i>—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Et quoi</i>? Madame has but to speak the word, and it is impossible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And after what my aunt has said, I would die a thousand deaths ere + speaking that word. I asked her, Veronique! She would have vengeance on + the most guiltless—the most guiltless—do you hear?—of + the Norman house. Never, never shall she have the chance! Come, thy + striped petticoat!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, oh! what will Madame do? Where would she go? Oh! it is impossible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘First to thy father’s. Yes, I know. He has once called it a madness to + think of rallying my vassals to protect their lady. That was when he heard + of it from thee—thou faint of heart—and thy mother. I shall + speak to him in person now. Make haste, I tell thee, girl. I must be out + of this place before I am watched or guarded,’ she added breathlessly. ‘I + feel as if each moment I lost might have death upon it;’ and she looked + about her like a startled deer. + </p> + <p> + ‘To my father’s. Ah! there it is not so ill! But the twilights, the length + of way,’ sobbed Veronique, in grievous distress and perplexity. ‘Oh! + Madame, I cannot see you go. The Mother Abbess is good. She must have + pity. Oh, trust to her!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Trust! Did I not trust to my cousin Diane? Never! Nothing will kill me + but remaining in their hands.’ + </p> + <p> + Veronique argued and implored in vain. Ever since, in the height of those + vehement austerities by which the bereaved and shattered sufferer strove + to appease her wretchedness by the utmost endeavour to save her husband’s + soul, the old foster-mother had made known to her that she might thus + sacrifice another than herself. Eustacie’s elastic heart had begun to + revive, with all its dauntless strength of will. What to her women seemed + only a fear, was to her only a hope. + </p> + <p> + Frank and confiding as was her nature, however, the cruel deceptions + already practiced on her by her own kindred, together with the harsh words + with which the Abbess spoke of Berenger, had made her aware that no + comfort must be looked for in that quarter. It was, after all, perhaps her + won instinct, and the aunt’s want of sympathy, that withheld her from + seeking counsel of any save Perrine and her daughter, at any rate till she + could communicate with the kind young Queen. To her, then, Eustacie had + written, entreating that a royal mandate would recall her in time to + bestow herself in some trustworthy hands, or even in her husband’s won + Norman castle, where his heir would be both safe and welcome. But time has + passed—the whole space that she had reckoned as needful for the + going and coming of her messenger—allowing for all the obstructions + of winter roads—nay, he had come back; she knew letter was + delivered, but answer there was none. It might yet come—perhaps a + royal carriage and escort—and day after day had she waited and + hoped, only tardily admitting the conviction that Elisabeth of Austria was + as powerless as Eustacie de Ribaumont, and meantime revolving and + proposing many a scheme that could only have entered the brain of a + brave-spirited child as she was. To appeal to her vassals, garrison with + them a ruinous old tower in the woods, and thence send for aid to the + Montmorencys; to ride to Saumur, and claim the protection of the governor + of the province; to make her way to the coast and sail for England; to + start for Paris, and throw herself in person on the Queen’s protection,—all + had occurred to her, and been discussed with her two <i>confidantes</i>; + but the hope of the Queen’s interference, together with the exceeding + difficulty of acting, had hitherto prevented her from taking any steps, + since no suspicion had arisen in the minds of those about her. Veronique, + caring infinitely more for her mistress’s health and well-being than for + the object of Eustacie’s anxieties, had always secretly trusted that delay + would last till action was impossible, and that the discovery would be + made, only without her being accused of treason. In the present stress of + danger, she could but lament and entreat, for Eustacie’s resolution bore + her down; and besides, as she said to herself, her Lady was after all + going to her foster-father and mother, who would make her hear reason, and + bring her back at once, and then there would be no anger nor disgrace + incurred. The dark muddy length of walk would be the worst of it—and, + bah! most likely Madame would be convinced by it, and return of her own + accord. + </p> + <p> + So Veronique, though not intermitting her protests, adjusted her own dress + upon her mistress,—short striped petticoat, black bodice, winged + turban-like white cap, and a great muffling gray cloth cloak and hook over + the head and shoulders—the costume in which Veronique was wont to + run to her home in the twilight on various errands, chiefly to carry her + mistress’s linen; for starching Eustacie’s plain bands and cuffs was Mere + Perrine’s special pride. The wonted bundle, therefore, now contained a few + garments, and the money and jewels, especially the chaplet of pearls, + which Eustacie regarded as a trust. + </p> + <p> + Sobbing, and still protesting, Veronique, however, engaged that if her + Lady succeeded in safely crossing the kitchen in the twilight, and in + leaving the convent, she would keep the secret of her escape as long as + possible, reporting her refusal to appear at supper, and making such + excuses as might very probably prevent the discovery of her flight till + next day. + </p> + <p> + ‘And then,’ said Eustacie, ‘I will send for thee, either to Saumur or to + the old tower! Adieu, dear Veronique, do not be frightened. Thou dost not + know how glad I am that the time for doing something is come! To-morrow!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow!’ thought Veronique, as she shut the door; ‘before that you + will be back here again, my poor little Lady, trembling, weeping, in dire + need of being comforted. But I will make up a good fire, and shake out the + bed. I’ll let her have no more of that villainous palliasse. No, no, let + her try her own way, and repent of it; then, when this matter is over, she + will turn her mind to Chevalier Narcisse, and there will be no more + languishing in this miserable hole.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. THE HEARTHS AND THICKETS OF THE BOCAGE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +I winna spare for his tender age, Nor yet for his hie kin; + But soon as ever he born is, +He shall mount the gallow’s pin.—Fause Foodrage. +</pre> + <p> + Dusk was closing in, but lamps had not yet been lighted, when with a + trembling, yet almost a bounding heart, Eustacie stole down the stone + staircase, leading to a back-door—an utterly uncanonical appendage + to a nunnery, but one much used among the domestic establishment of + Bellaise. + </p> + <p> + A gleam of red light spread across the passage from the half-open kitchen + door, whence issued the savoury steam of the supper preparing for + Monseigneur. Eustacie had just cautiously traversed it, when the voice of + the presiding lay-sister called out, ‘Veronique, is that you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sister!’ returned Eustacie, with as much of the Angevin twang as she + could assume. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are you going?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To the Orchard Farm with this linen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! it must be. But there are strict orders come from Madame about nobody + going out unreported, and you may chance to find the door locked if you do + not come back in good time. Oh! and I had well-night forgot; tell your + mother to be here early to-morrow, Madame would speak with her.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie assented, half stifled by the great throb of her fluttering heart + at the sense that she had indeed seized the last moment. Forth then she + stepped. How dark, waste, and lonely the open field looked! But her heart + did not fail her; she could only feel that a captivity was over, and the + most vague and terrible of her anxieties soothed, as she made her way into + one of the long shady lanes of the Bocage. It was nearly dark, and very + muddy, but she had all the familiarity of a native with the way, and the + farm, where she had trotted about in her infancy like a peasant’s child, + always seemed like home to her. It had been a prime treat to visit it + during her time of education at the convent, and there was an association + of pleasure in treading the path that seemed to bear her up, and give her + enjoyment in the mere adventure and feeling of escape and liberty. She had + no fear of the dark, nor of the distant barking of dogs, but the mire was + deep, and it was plodding work in those heavy <i>sabots</i>, up the lane + that led from the convent; and the poor child was sorely weary long before + she came to the top of the low hill that she used scarcely to know to be + rising round at all. The stars had come out; and as she sat for a few + moments to rest on a large stone, she saw the lights of the cottage fires + in the village below, and looking round could also see the many gleams in + the convent windows, the read fire-light in her own room among them. She + shivered a little as she thought of its glowing comfort, but turned her + back resolutely, tightened her cloak over her head, looked up to a glimmer + in the watch-tower of her own castle far above her on the hill and closed + against her; and then smiled to herself with hope at the sparkle of a + window in a lonely farmhouse among the fields. + </p> + <p> + With fresh vigour she rose, and found her way through lane and field-path + to the paddock where she had so often played. Here a couple of huge dogs + dashed forward with an explosion of barks, dying away into low growls as + she spoke to them by their names, and called aloud on ‘Blaise!’ and ‘Mere + Perrine!’ The cottage door was opened, the light streamed forth, and a + man’s head in a broad had appeared. ‘Veronique, girl, is this an hour to + be gadding abroad?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Blaise, do you not know me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is our Lady. Ah!’ + </p> + <p> + The next moment the wanderer was seated in the ample wooden chair of the + head of the family, the farmer and his two stout sons standing before her + as their liege Lady, and Mere Perrine hanging over her, in great anxiety, + not wholly dispelled by her low girlish laugh, partly of exultation at her + successful evasion, partly of amusement at their wonder, and partly, too, + because it was so natural to her to enjoy herself at that hearth that she + could not help it. A savoury mess from the great caldron that was for ever + stewing over the fire was at once fished out for her, before she was + allowed to explain herself; and as she ate with the carved spoon and from + the earthenware crock that had been called Mademoiselle’s ever since her + baby-days, Perrine chafed and warmed her feet, fondled her, and assured + her, as if she were still their spoiled child, that they would do all she + wished. + </p> + <p> + Pierre and Tiennot, the two sons, were sent out to fodder the cattle, and + keep careful watch for any sounds of pursuers from the convent; and + Blaise, in the plenitude of his respects and deference, would have + followed them, but Eustacie desired him to remain to give her counsel. + </p> + <p> + Her first inquire was after the watch-tower. She did not care for any + discomfort if her vassals would be faithful, and hold it out for her, till + she could send for help to the allies of her husband’s house, and her eyes + glanced as she spoke. + </p> + <p> + But Blaise shook his head. He had looked at the tower as Madame bade, but + it was all in ruins, crumbling away, and, moreover, M. le Chevalier had + put a forester there—a grim, bad subject, who had been in the + Italian wars, and cared neither for saint nor devil, except Chevalier + Narcisse. Indeed, even if he had not been there, the place was untenable, + it would only be getting into a trap. + </p> + <p> + ‘Count Hebert held it out for twelve days against the English!’ said + Eustacie, proudly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! ah! but there were none of your falconets, or what call you those + cannons then. No; if Madame would present herself as a choice morsel for + Monsieur le Chevalier to snap up, that is the place.’ + </p> + <p> + Then came the other plan of getting an escort of the peasants together, + and riding with them towards the Huguenot territories around La Rochelle, + where, for her husband’s sake, Eustacie could hardly fail to obtain + friends. It was the more practicable expedient, but Blaise groaned over + it, wondered how many of the farmers could be trusted, or brought + together, and finally expressed his intention of going to consult Martin, + his staunch friend, at the next farm. Meantime, Madame had better lie down + and sleep. And Madame did sleep, in Perrine’s huge box-bedstead, with a + sweet, calm, childlike slumber, whilst her nurse sat watching her with + eyes full of tears of pity and distress; the poor young thing’s buoyant + hopefulness and absence of all fear seemed to the old woman especially + sad, and like a sort of want of comprehension of the full peril in which + she stood. + </p> + <p> + Not till near dawn was Eustacie startled from her rest by approaching + steps. ‘Nurse, is all ready?’ she cried. ‘Can we set off? Are the horses + there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, my child; it is but my good man and Martin who would speak with you. + Do not hasten. There is nothing amiss as yet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nurse,’ cried Eustacie, as she quickly arranged the dress in which + she had lain down, ‘the dear old farm always makes me sleep well. This is + the first time I have had no dream of the whirling wheel and fiery gates! + Oh, is it a token that HE is indeed at rest? I am so well, so strong. I + can ride anywhere now. Let them come in and tell me.’ + </p> + <p> + Martin was a younger, brisker, cleverer man than Blaise, and besides being + a vassal of the young Lady, was a sort of agent to whom the Abbess + instructed many of the matters of husbandry regarding the convent lands. + He stood, like Blaise, bareheaded as he talked to little Lady, and heard + her somewhat peremptorily demand why they had not brought the horses and + men for her escort. + </p> + <p> + It was impossible that night, explained Martin. Time was needed to bring + in the farm-horses, and summon the other peasants, without whom the roads + were unsafe in these times of disorder. He and Blaise must go round and + warn them to be ready. A man could not be ready in a wink of the eye, as + Madame seemed to think, and the two peasants looked impenetrable in + stolidity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Laggards that you are!’ cried Eustacie, petulantly, clasping her hands; + ‘and meantime all will be lost. They will be upon me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so, Madame. It is therefore that I came here,’ said Martin, + deferentially, to the little fuming impatient creature; ‘Madame will be + far safer close at hand while the pursuit and search are going on. But she + must not stay here. This farm is the first place they will come to, while + they will never suspect mine, and my good woman Lucette will be proud to + keep watch for her. Madame knows that the place is full of shrubs and + thickets, where one half of an army might spend a fine day in looking for + the other.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And at night you will get together the men and convoy me?’ asked + Eustacie, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + ‘All in good time, Madame. Now she must be off, ere the holy mothers be + astir. I have brought an ass for her to ride.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie had no choice but compliance. None of the Orchard family could go + with her, as it was needful that they should stay at home and appear as + unconcerned as possible; but they promised to meet her at the hour and + place to be appointed, ad if possible to bring Veronique. + </p> + <p> + Eating a piece of rye-bread as she went, Eustacie, in her gray cloak, rode + under Martin’s guardianship along the deep lanes, just budding with + spring, in the chill dewiness before sunrise. She was silent, and just a + little sullen, for she had found stout shrewd Martin less easy to talk + over than the admiring Blaise, and her spirit was excessively chafed by + the tardiness of her retainers. But the sun rose and cleared away all + clouds of temper, the cocks crew, the sheep bleated, and fresh morning + sounds met her ear, and seemed to cheer and fill her with hope; and in + some compunction for her want of graciousness, she thanked Martin, and + praised his ass with a pretty cordiality that would have fully compensated + for her displeasure, even if the honest man had been sensible of it. + </p> + <p> + He halted under the lee of a barn, and gave a low whistle. At the sound, + Lucette, a brown, sturdy young woman with a red handkerchief over her + head, and another over her shoulders, came running round the corner of the + barn, and whispered eagerly under her breath, ‘Ah! Madame, Madame, what an + honour!’ kissing Eustacie’s hand with all her might as she spoke; ‘but, + alas! I fear Madame cannot come into the house. The questing Brother + Francois—plague upon him!—has taken it into his head to drop + in to breakfast. I longed to give him the cold shoulder, but it might have + brought suspicion down.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Right, good woman,’ said Martin; ‘but what shall Madame do? It is broad + way, and no longer safe to run the lanes!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me a distaff,’ said Eustacie, rising to the occasion; ‘I will go to + that bushy field, and herd the cows.’ + </p> + <p> + Madame was right, the husband and wife unwillingly agreed. There, in her + peasant dress, in the remote field, sloping up into a thick wood, she was + unlikely to attract attention; and though the field was bordered on one + side by the lane leading to the road to Paris, it was separated from it by + a steep bank, crowned by one of the thick hedgerows characteristic of the + Bocage. + </p> + <p> + Here, then, they were forced to leave her, seated on a stone beneath a + thorn-bush, distaff in hand, with bread, cheese, and a pitcher of milk for + her provisions, and three or four cows grazing before her. From the higher + ground below the wood of ash and hazel, she could see the undulating + fields and orchards, a few houses, and that inhospitable castle of her + own. + </p> + <p> + She had spent many a drearier day in the convent than this, in the free + sun and air, with the feeling of liberty, and unbounded hopes founded on + this first success. She told her beads diligently, trusting that the tale + of devotions for her husband’s spirit would be equally made up in the + field as in the church, and intently all day were her ears and eyes on the + alert. Once Lucette visited her, to bring her a basin of porridge, and to + tell her that all the world at the convent was in confusion, that + messengers had been sent out in all directions, and that M. le Chevalier + had ridden out himself in pursuit; but they should soon hear all about it, + for Martin was pretending to be amongst the busiest, and he would know how + to turn them away. Again, much later in the day, Martin came striding + across the field, and had just reached her, as she sat in the hedgerow, + when the great dog who followed him pricked his ears, and a tramping and + jingling was audible in the distance in the lane. Eustacie held up her + finger, her eyes dilating. + </p> + <p> + ‘It must be M. le Chevalier returning. Madame must wait a little longer. I + must be at home, or they may send out to seek me here, and that would be + ruin. I will return as soon as it is safe, if Madame will hide herself in + the hedgerow.’ + </p> + <p> + Into the hedgerow accordingly crept Eustacie, cowering close to a + holly-tree at the very summit of the bank, and led by a strange + fascination to choose a spot where, unseen herself, she could gaze down on + the party who came clanking along the hollow road beneath. Nearer, nearer, + they came; and she shuddered with more of passion than of fear, as she + beheld, not only her uncle in his best well-preserved green suit, but + Narcisse, muddy with riding, though in his court braveries. Suddenly they + came to a halt close beneath her! Was she detected? Ah! just below was the + spot where the road to the convent parted from the road to the farm; and, + as Martin had apprehended, they were stopping for him. The Chevalier + ordered one of the armed men behind him to ride up to the farm and summon + Martin to speak with him; and then he and his son, while waiting under the + holly-bush, continued their conversation. + </p> + <p> + ‘So that is the state of things! A fine overthrow!’ quoth Narcisse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bah! not at all. She will soon be in our hands again. I have spoken with, + or written to, every governor of the cities she must pass through, and not + one will abet the little runaway. At the first barrier she is ours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Et puis</i>?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, we shall have her mild as a sheep.’ (Eustacie set her teeth.) ‘Every + one will be in the same story, that her marriage was a nullity; she cannot + choose but believe, and can only be thankful that we overlook the escapade + and rehabilitate her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, my good uncle,’ almost uttered his unseen auditor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well! There is too much land down here to throw away; but the affair has + become horribly complicated and distasteful.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No such thing. All the easier. She can no longer play the spotless saint—get + weak-minded priests on her side—be all for strict convents. No, no; + her time for that is past! Shut her up with trustworthy persons from whom + she will hear nothing from without, and she will understand her case. The + child? It will scarce be born alive, or at any rate she need not know + whether it is. Then, with no resource, no hope, what can she do but be too + thankful for pardon, and as glad to conceal the past as we could wish?’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie clenched her fist. Had a pistol been within her reach, the + speaker’s tenure of life had been short! She was no chastened, + self-restrained, forgiving saint, the poor little thing, only a + hot-tempered, generous, keenly-sensitive being, well-nigh a child in years + and in impulses, though with the instincts of a mother awakening within + her, and of a mother who heard the life of her unborn babe plotted + against. She was absolutely forced to hold her lips together, to repress + the sobbing scream of fury that came to her throat; and the struggles with + her gasping breath, the surging of the blood in her ears, hindered her + from hearing or seeing anything for some seconds, though she kept her + station. By the time her perceptions had cleared themselves, Martin, cap + in hand, was in the lane below, listening deferentially to the two + gentlemen, who were assuring him that inquiry had been made, and a guard + carefully set at the fugitive could have passed those, or be able to do + so. She must certainly be hidden somewhere near home, and Martin had + better warn all his friends against hiding her, unless they wished to be + hung up on the thresholds of their burning farm-steads. Martin bowed, and + thought the fellows would know their own interest and Mademoiselle’s + better. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said the Chevalier, ‘we must begin without loss of time. My son + has brought down a set of fellows here, who are trained to ferret out + heretics. Not a runaway weasel cold escape them! We will set them on as + soon as ever they have taken a bit of supper up there at the Chateau; and + do you come up with us just to show them the way across to Leonard’s. + That’s no unlikely place for her to lurk in, as you said this morning, + good fellow.’ + </p> + <p> + It was the most remote farm from that of Martin, and Eustacie felt how + great were his services, even while she flushed with anger to hear him + speaking of her as Mademoiselle. He was promising to follow immediately to + the castle, to meet <i>ces Messieurs</i> there almost as soon as they + could arrive, but excusing himself from accompanying them, by the need of + driving home the big bull, whom no one else could manage. + </p> + <p> + They consented, and rode on. Martin watched them out of sight, then sprang + up by some stepping-stones in the bank, a little below where Eustacie sat, + and came crackling through the boughs to where she was crouching down, + with fierce glittering eyes and panting breath, like a wild animal ready + to spring. + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame has heard,’ said Martin, under his breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I have heard! Oh that I were a man, to slay them where they stood! + Martin, Martin! you will not betray me. Some day WE will reward you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame need not have said THAT to me,’ said Martin, rather hurt. ‘I am + only thinking what she can do. Alas! I fear that she must remain in this + covert till it is dark, for these men’s eyes are all on the alert. At + dark, I or Lucette will come and find a shelter for her for the night.’ + </p> + <p> + Long, long, then, did Eustacie sit, muffled in her gray cloak, shrinking + together to shelter herself from the sunset chill of early spring, but + shuddering more with horror than with cold as the cruel cold-blooded words + she had heard recurred to her, and feeling as if she were fast within a + net, every outlet guarded against her, and search everywhere; yet still + with the indomitable determination to dare and suffer to the utmost ere + that which was dearer than her own life should come into peril from her + enemies. + </p> + <p> + The twilight closed in, the stars came out, sounds of life died away, and + still she sat on, becoming almost torpid in the cold darkness, until at + length she heard the low call of Lucette, ‘MADAME! AH!<i>la pauvre Madame</i>.’ + She started up, so stiff that she could hardly more, and only guided by + the voice to feel her way through the hedgerow in the right direction. + Another moment, and Lucette’s warn arms had received her; and she was + guided, scarce knowing how or where, in cautious silence to the farmyard, + and into the house, where a most welcome sight, a huge fire, blazed + cheerfully on the hearth, and Martin himself held open the door for her. + The other occupants of the kitchen were the sleeping child in its wooden + cradle, some cocks and hens upon the rafters, and a big sheep-dog before + the fire. + </p> + <p> + The warmth, and the chicken that Lucette had killed and dressed, brought + the colour back to the exhausted wanderer’s cheek, and enabled her again + to hold council for her safety. It was plain, as Martin had found in + conversation with the men-at-arms, that precautions had been taken against + her escaping in any of the directions where she might hope to have reached + friends. Alone she could not go, and any escort sufficient to protect her + would assuredly be stopped at the first town; besides which, collecting it + in secret was impossible under present circumstances, and it would be sure + to be at once overtaken and demolished by the Chevalier Narcisse’s + well-armed followers. Martin, therefore, saw no alternative but for her to + lurk about in such hiding-places as her faithful vassals could afford her, + until the search should blow over, and the vigilance of her uncle and + cousin relax. Hope, the high-spirited hope of early youth, looked beyond + to indefinite but infinite possibility. Anything was better than the shame + and horror of yielding, and Eustacie trusted herself with all her heart + for the present, fancying, she knew not what, the future. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, the Vendean fidelity has often been tested, and she made full + proof of it among the lanes, copses, and homesteads of her own broad + lands. The whole country was a network of deep lanes, sunk between + impenetrable hedgerows, inclosing small fields, orchards, and thickets, + and gently undulating in low hills and shallow valleys, interspersed with + tall wasp-waisted windmills airily waving their arms on the top of lofty + masts. It was partitioned into small farms, inhabited by a simple-hearted + peasantry, religious and diligent, with a fair amount of rural wealth and + comfort. Their love for their lords was loyally warm, and Eustacie + monopolized it, from their detestation of her uncle’s exactions; they + would risk any of the savage punishments with which they were threatened + for concealing her; and as one by one it was needful to take them into the + secret, so as to disarm suspicion, and she was passed from one farm to + another, each proved his faithful attachment, and though himself repaid by + her thankful smile and confiding manner. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier and his son searched vigorously. On the slightest suspicion, + they came down to the farm, closed up the outlets, threatened the owners, + turned out the house, and the very place they had last searched would + become her quarters on the next night! Messages always had warned her in + time. Intelligence was obtained by Martin, who contrived to remain a + confidential agent, and warnings were dispatched to her by many a strange + messenger—by little children, by old women, or even by the village + innocent. + </p> + <p> + The most alarming days were those when she was not the avowed object of + the chase, but when the pursuit of game rendered the coverts in the woods + and fields unsafe, and the hounds might lead to her discovery. On one of + these occasions Martin locked her up in the great hayloft of the convent, + where she could actually hear the chants in the chapel, and distinguish + the chatter of the lay-sisters in the yard. Another time, in conjunction + with the sacristan, he bestowed her in the great seigneurial tribune (or + squire’s pew) in the village church, a tall carved box, where she was + completely hidden; and the only time when she had failed to obtain warning + beforehand, she stood kneading bread at a tub in Martin’s cottage, while + the hunt passed by, and a man-at-arms looked in and questioned the master + on the last traces of the runaway. + </p> + <p> + It was seldom possible to see Mere Perrine, who was carefully watched, + under the conviction that she must know where her nursling was; but one + evening Veronique ventured up to Martin’s farm, trusting to tidings that + the gentlemen had been Eustacie’s only secure harbour; and when, in a + bright evening gleam of the setting sun from beneath the clouds, Veronique + came in sight of her Lady, the Queen’s favourite, it was to see her + leading by a string a little shaggy cow, with a bell round its neck, her + gray cloak huddled round her, though dank with wet, a long lock of black + hair streaming over her brow, her garments clinging with damp, her bare + ankles scratched with thorns, her heavy SABOTS covered with mire, her + cheeks pale with cold and wet. + </p> + <p> + The contrast overwhelmed poor Veronique. She dropped on her knees, sobbing + as if her heart would break, and declaring that this was what the Abbess + had feared; her Lady was fast killing herself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush! Veronique,’ said Eustacie; ‘that is all folly. I am wet and weary + now, but oh! if you knew how much sweeter to me life is now than it was, + shut up down there, with my fears. See,’ and she held up a bunch of purple + pasque-flowers and wood-sorrel, ‘this is what I found in the wood, growing + out of a rugged old dead root; and just by, sheltered by the threefold + leaves of the alleluia-flower, was a bird’s nest, the mother-bird on her + eggs, watching me with the wise black eye that saw I would not hurt her. + And it brought back the words I had heard long ago, of the good God caring + for the sparrows; and I knew He would care the more for me and mine, + because I have not where to lay my head.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas!’ sobbed Veronique, ‘now she is getting to be a saint outright. She + will be sure to die! Ah, Madame—dear Madame! do but listen to me. If + you did but know how Madame de Bellaise is afflicting herself on your + account! She sent for me—ah! do not be angry, dear Lady?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish to hear nothing about her,’ said Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, listen, <i>de grace</i>—one moment, Madame! She has wept, she + has feared for you, all the lay-sisters say so. She takes no pleasure in + hawking, nor in visiting; and she did not eat more than six of Soeur + Bernardine’s best conserves. She does nothing but watch for tidings of + Madame. And she sent for me, as I told you, and conjured me, if I knew + where you were, or had any means of finding out, to implore you to trust + to her. She will swear on all the relics in the chapel never to give a + hint to Messieurs les Chevaliers if only you would trust her, and not slay + yourself with all this dreadful wandering.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never!’ said Eustacie; ‘she said too much!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! but she declares that, had she known the truth, she never would have + said that. Ah, yes, Madame, the Abbess is good!’ And Veronique, holding + her mistress’s cloak to secure a hearing, detailed the Abbess’ plan for + lodging her niece in secret apartments within the thickness of the convent + walls, where Mere Perrine could be with her, and every sacred pledge + should be given that could remove her fears. + </p> + <p> + ‘And could they make me believe them, so that the doubt and dread would + not kill me in themselves?’ said Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘But it is death—certain death, as it is. Oh, if Madame would hear + reason!—but she is headstrong! She will grieve when it is too late!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen, Veronique. I have a far better plan. The sacristan has a sister + who weaves red handkerchiefs at Chollet. She will receive me, and keep me + as long as there is need. Martin is to take me in his cart when he carries + the hay to the garrison. I shall be well hidden, and within reach of your + mother. And then, when my son is once come—then all will be well! + The peasants will rise in behalf of their young Lord, though not for a + poor helpless woman. No one will dare to dispute his claim, when I have + appealed to the King; and then, Veronique, you shall come back to me, and + all will be well!’ + </p> + <p> + Veronique only began to wail aloud at her mistress’ obstinacy. Martin came + up, and rudely silenced her, and said afterwards to his wife, ‘Have a + care! That girl has—I verily believe—betrayed her Lady once; + and if she do not do so again, from pure pity and faintness of heart, I + shall be much surprised.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. THE GHOSTS OF THE TEMPLARS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Tis said, as through the aisles they passed, + They heard strange voices on the blast, + And through the cloister galleries small, + Which at mid-height thread the chancel wall, + Loud sobs and laughter louder ran, + And voices unlike the voice of man, + As if the fiends kept holiday. + Scott, LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL +</pre> + <p> + ‘Ill news, Martin, I see by your look!’ cried Eustacie, starting to her + feet from the heap of straw on which she was sitting in his cowhouse, one + early April day, about seven weeks since her evasion from the convent. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so, I hope, Madame, but I do not feel at ease. Monsieur has not sent + for me, nor told me his plans for the morrow, and I much doubt me whether + that bode not a search here. Now I see a plan, provided Madame would trust + herself to a Huguenot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They would guard me for my husband’s sake.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And could Madame walk half a league, as far as the Grange du Temple? + There live Matthieu Rotrou and his wife, who have, they say, baffled a + hundred times the gendarmes who sought their ministers. No one ever found + a pastor, they say, when Rotrou had been of the congregation; and if they + can do so much for an old preacher with a long tongue, surely they can for + a sweet young lady; and if they could shelter her just for tomorrow, till + the suspicion is over, then would I come for Madame with my cart, and + carry her into Chollet among the trusses of hay, as we had fixed.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie was already tying her cloak, and asking for Lucette; but she was + grieved to hear that Martin had sent her to vespers to disarm suspicion, + and moreover that he meant not to tell her of his new device. ‘The + creature is honest enough,’ he said, ‘but the way to be safe with women is + not to let them know.’ + </p> + <p> + He cut short all messages and expressions of gratitude, and leading + Eustacie to a small stream, he made her creep along its course, with her + feet in the water so as to be sheltered by the boughs that hung over the + banks, while he used his ling strides to enable him to double back and + enter into conversation with passers-by, quite of the track of the Grange + du Temple, but always telling her where he should join her again, and + leaving with her the great dog, whom she had come to regard as a friend + and protector. Leaving the brook, he conducted her beneath hedges and by + lonely woodland paths beyond the confines of her own property, to a + secluded valley, so shut in by wooded hills that she had not been aware of + its existence. Through an extensive orchard, she at length, when nearly + spent with the walk, beheld the cluster of stone buildings, substantial as + the erections of religious orders were wont to be. + </p> + <p> + Martin found a seat for her, where she might wait while he went on alone + to the house, and presently returned with both the good people of the + farm. They were more offhand and less deferential than were her own + people, but were full of kindliness. They were middle-aged folk, most + neatly clad, and with a grave, thoughtful look about them, as if life were + a much heavier charge to them than to their light-hearted neighbours. + </p> + <p> + ‘A fair day to you, Madame,’ said the farmer, doffing his wide-flapped + hat. ‘I am glad to serve a sufferer for the truth’s sake.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My husband was,’ faltered Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘AH! <i>la pauvre</i>,’ cried the good woman, pressing forward as she saw + how faint, heated, and exhausted was the wanderer. ‘Come in, <i>ma + pauvrette</i>. Only a bride at the Bartholomew! Alas! There, lean on me, + my dear.’ + </p> + <p> + To be <i>tutoyee</i> by the Fermiere Rotrou was a shock; yet the kind + manner was comfortable, and Eustacie suffered herself to be led into the + farm-house, where, as the dame observed, she need not fear chance-comers, + for they lived much to themselves, and no one would be about till their + boy Robinet came in with the cows. She might rest and eat there in + security, and after that they would find a hiding-place for her—safe + as the horns of the altar—for a night or two; only for two nights at + most. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor do I ask more,’ said Eustacie. ‘Then Martin will come for me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, I or Blaise, or whichever of us can do it with least suspicion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She shall meet you here,’ added Rotrou. + </p> + <p> + ‘All right, good man; I understand; it is best I should not know where you + hide her. Those rogues have tricks that make it as well to know nothing. + Farewell, Madame, I commend you to all the saints till I come for you on + Monday morning.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie gave him her hand to kiss, and tried to thank him, but somehow + her heart sank, and she felt more lonely than ever, when entirely cast + loose among these absolute strangers, than amongst her own vassals. Even + the farm-kitchen, large, stone-built, and scrupulously clean, seemed + strange and dreary after the little, smoky, earth-built living-rooms in + which her peasantry were content to live, and she never had seemed to + herself so completely desolate; but all the time she was so wearied out + with her long and painful walk, that she had no sooner taken some food + than she began to doze in her chair. + </p> + <p> + ‘Father,’ said the good wife, ‘we had better take <i>la pauvrette</i> to + her rest at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! must I go any farther?’ sighed Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is but a few fields beyond the yard, <i>ma petite</i>,’ said the good + woman consolingly; ‘and it will be safer to take you there ere we need a + light.’ + </p> + <p> + The sun had just set on a beautiful evening of a spring that happily for + Eustacie had been unusually warm and mild, when they set forth, the dame + having loaded her husband with a roll of bedding, and herself taking a + pitcher of mild and a loaf of bread, whilst Eustacie, as usual, carried + her own small parcel of clothes and jewels. The way was certainly not long + to any one less exhausted than she; it was along a couple of fields, and + then through a piece of thicket, where Rotrou held back the boughs and his + wife almost dragged her on with kind encouraging words, till they came up + to a stone ivy-covered wall, and coasting along it to a tower, evidently a + staircase turret. Here Rotrou, holding aside an enormous bush of ivy, + showed the foot of a winding staircase, and his wife assured her that she + would not have far to climb. + </p> + <p> + She knew where she was now. She had heard of the old Refectory of the + Knights Templars. Partly demolished by the hatred of the people upon the + abolition of the Order, it had ever since lain waste, and had become the + centre of all the ghostly traditions of the country; the locality of all + the most horrid tales of REVENANTS told under the breath at Dame Perrine’s + hearth or at recreation hour at Bellaise. Her courage was not proof + against spiritual terrors. She panted and leant against the wall, as she + faintly exclaimed, ‘The Temple—there—and alone!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, Lady, methought as <i>Monsieur votre mari</i> knew the true light, + you would fear no vain terror nor power of darkness.’ + </p> + <p> + Should these peasants—these villeins—be bold, and see the + descendant of the ‘bravest of knights,’ the daughter of the house of + Ribaumont, afraid? She rallied herself, and replied manfully, ‘I FEAR not, + no!’ but then, womanfully, ‘But it is the Temple! It is haunted! Tell me + what I must expect.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you truly, Madame,’ said Rotrou; ‘none whom I have sheltered here + have seen aught. On the faith of a Christian, no evil spirit—no + ghost—has ever alarmed them; but they were fortified by prayer and + psalm.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do pray! I have a psalm-book,’ said Eustacie, and she added to herself, + ‘No, they shall never see that I fear. After all, REVENANTS can do nothing + worse than scare one; they cannot touch one; the saints and angels will + not let them—and my uncle would do much worse.’ + </p> + <p> + But to climb those winding stairs, and resign herself to be left alone + with the Templars for the night, was by far the severest trial that had + yet befallen the poor young fugitive. As her tire feet dragged up the + crumbling steps, her memory reverted to the many tales of the sounds heard + by night within those walls—church chants turning into diabolical + songs, and bewildered travelers into thickets and morasses, where they had + been found in the morning, shuddering as they told of a huge white monk, + with clanking weapons, and a burning cross of fire printed on his shoulder + and breast, who stood on the walls and hurled a shrieking babe into the + abyss. Were such spectacles awaiting her? Must she bear them? And could + her endurance hold out? Our Lady be her aid, and spare her in her need! + </p> + <p> + At the top of the stairs she found Rotrou’s hand, ready to help her out on + a stone floor, quite dark, but thickly covered, as she felt and smelt, + with trusses of hay, between which a glimmering light showed a narrow + passage. A few steps, guided by Rotrou’s hand, brought her out into light + again, and she found herself in a large chamber, with the stone floor + broken away in some places, and with a circular window, thickly veiled + with ivy, but still admitting a good deal of evening light. + </p> + <p> + It was in fact a chamber over the vaulted refectory of the knights. The + walls and vaults still standing in their massive solidity, must have + tempted some peasant, or mayhap some adventurer, rudely to cover in the + roof (which had of course been stripped of its leading), and thus in the + unsuspected space to secure a hiding-place, often for less innocent + commodities than the salt, which the iniquitous and oppressive <i>gabelle</i> + had always led the French peasant to smuggle, ever since the days of the + first Valois. The room had a certain appearance of comfort; there was a + partition across it, a hearth with some remains of wood-ashes, a shelf, + holding a plate, cup, lamp, and a few other necessaries; and altogether + the aspect of the place was so unlike what Eustacie had expected, that she + almost forgot the Templar as she saw the dame begin to arrange a + comfortable-looking couch for her wearied limbs. Yet she felt very + unwilling to let them depart, and even ventured on faltering out the + inquiry whether the good woman could not stay with her,—she would + reward her largely. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is for the love of Heaven, Madame, not for gain,’ said Nanon Rotrou, + rather stiffly. ‘If you were ill, or needed me, all must then give way; + but for me to be absent this evening would soon be reported around the + village down there, for there are many who would find occasion against + us.’ But, by way of consolation, they gave her a whistle, and showed her + that the window of their cottage was much nearer to a loophole-slit + looking towards the east than she had fancied. The whistle perpetrated a + mist unearthly screech, a good deal like that of an owl, but more + discordant, and Nanon assured her that the sound would assuredly break her + slumbers, and bring her in a few minutes at any moment of need. In fact, + the noise was so like the best authenticated accounts of the shrieks + indulged in by the spirits of the Temple, that Eustacie had wit enough to + suspect that it might be the foundation of some of the stories; and with + that solace to her alarms, she endured the departure of her hosts, Nanon + promising a visit in the early morning. + </p> + <p> + The poor child was too weary to indulge in many terrors, the beneficent + torpor of excessive fatigue was upon her, happily bringing slumberous + oblivion instead of feverish restlessness. She strove to repeat her + accustomed orisons; but sleep was too strong for her, and she was soon + lying dreamlessly upon the clean homely couch prepared for her. + </p> + <p> + When she awoke, it was with a start. The moon was shining in through the + circular window, making strange white shapes on the floor, all quivering + with the shadows of the ivy sprays. It looked strange and eerie enough at + the moment, but she understood it the next, and would have been reassured + if she had not become aware that there was a low sound, a tramp, tramp, + below her. ‘Gracious saints! The Templar! Have mercy on me! Oh! I was too + sleepy to pray! Guard me from being driven wild by fright!’ She sat + upright, with wide-spread eyes, and, finding that she herself was in the + moonlight, through some opening in the roof, she took refuge in the + darkest corner, though aware as she crouched there, that if this were + indeed the Templar, concealment would be vain, and remembering suddenly + that she was out of reach of the loophole-window. + </p> + <p> + And therewith there was a tired sound in the tread, as if the Templar + found his weird a very length one; then a long heavy breath, with + something so essentially human in its sound that the fluttering heart beat + more steadily. If reason told her that the living were more perilous to + her than the dead, yet feeling infinitely preferred them! It might be + Nanon Rotrou after all; then how foolish to be crouching there in a + fright! It was rustling through the hay. No-no Nanon; it is a male figure, + it has a long cloak on. Ah! it is in the moonlight-silver hair—silver + beard. The Templar! Fascinated with dismay, yet calling to mind that no + ghost has power unless addressed, she sat still, crossing herself in + silence, but unable to call to mind any prayer or invocation save a + continuous ‘Ave Mary,’ and trying to restrain her gasping breath, lest, if + he were not the Templar after all, he might discover her presence. + </p> + <p> + He moved about, took off his cloak, laid it down near the hay, then his + cap, not a helmet after all, and there was no fiery cross. + </p> + <p> + He was in the gloom again, and she heard him moving much as though he were + pulling down the hay to form a bed. Did ghosts ever do anything so + sensible? If he were an embodied spirit, would it be possible to creep + past him and escape while he lay asleep? She was almost becoming + familiarized with the presence, and the supernatural terror was passing + off into a consideration of resources, when, behold, he was beginning to + sing. To sing was the very way the ghosts began ere they came to their + devilish outcries. ‘Our Lady keep it from bringing frenzy. But hark! + hark!’ It was not one of the chants, it was a tune and words heard in + older times of her life; it was the evening hymn, that the little husband + and wife had been wont to sing to the Baron in the Chateau de Leurre—Marot’s + version of the 4th Psalm. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘<i>Plus de joie m’est donnee</i> + <i>Par ce moyen, O Dieu Tres-Haut</i>, + <i>Que n’ont ceux qui ont grand annee</i> + <i>De froment et bonne vinee</i>, + <i>D’huile et tout ce qu’il leur faut</i>.’ +</pre> + <p> + If it had indeed been the ghostly chant, perhaps Eustacie would not have + been able to help joining it. As it was, the familiar home words + irresistibly impelled her to mingle her voice, scarce knowing what she + did, in the verse— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘<i>Si qu’en paix et surete bonne</i> + <i>Coucherai et reposerai</i>; + <i>Car, Seigneur, ta bonte tout ordonne</i> + <i>Et elle seule espoir me donne</i> + <i>Que sur et seul regnant serai</i>.’ +</pre> + <p> + The hymn died away in its low cadence, and then, ere Eustacie had had time + to think of the consequences of thus raising her voice, the new-comer + demanded: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there then another wanderer here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! sir, pardon me!’ she exclaimed. ‘I will not long importune you, but + only till morning light—only till the Fermiere Rotrou comes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If Matthieu and Anne Rotrou placed you here, then all is well,’ replied + the stranger. ‘Fear not, daughter, but tell me. Are you one of my + scattered flock, or one whose parents are known to me?’ Then, as she + hesitated, ‘I am Isaac Gardon—escaped, alas! alone, from the + slaughter of the Barthelemy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Master Gardon!’ cried Eustacie. ‘Oh, I know! O sir, my husband loved and + honoured you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your husband?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir, le Baron de Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That fair and godly youth! My dear old patron’s son! You—you! But—’ + with a shade of doubt, almost of dismay, ‘the boy was wedded—wedded + to the heiress—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, yes, I am that unhappy one! We were to have fled together on that + dreadful night. He came to meet me to the Louvre—to his doom!’ she + gasped out, nearer to tears than she had ever been since that time, such a + novelty was it to her to hear Berenger spoken of in kind or tender terms; + and in her warmth of feeling, she came out of her corner, and held our her + hand to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! poor thing!’ said the minister, compassionately, ‘Heaven has tried + you sorely. Had I known of your presence here, I would not have entered; + but I have been absent long, and stole into my lair here without + disturbing the good people below. Forgive the intrusion, Madame.’ + </p> + <p> + The minister replied warmly that surely persecution was a brotherhood, + even had she not been the window of one he had loved and lamented. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! sir, it does me good to hear you say so.’ + </p> + <p> + And therewith Eustacie remembered the hospitalities of her loft. She + perceived by the tones of the old man’s voice that he was tired, and + probably fasting, and she felt about for the milk and bread with which she + had been supplied. It was a most welcome refreshment, though he only + partook sparingly; and while he ate, the two, so strangely met, came to a + fuller knowledge of one another’s circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Master Isaac Gardon had, it appeared, been residing at Paris, in the house + of the watchmaker whose daughter had been newly married to his son; but on + the fatal eve of St. Bartholomew, he had been sent for to pray with a sick + person in another quarter of the city. The Catholic friends of the invalid + were humane, and when the horrors began, not only concealed their kinsman, + but almost forcibly shut up the minister in the same cellar with him. And + thus, most reluctantly, had he been spared from the fate that overtook his + son and daughter-in-law. A lone and well-night broken-hearted man, he had + been smuggled out of the city, and had since that time been wandering from + one to another of the many scattered settlements of Huguenots in the + northern part of France, who, being left pastorless, welcomed visits from + the minister of their religion, and passed him on from one place to + another, as his stay in each began to be suspected by the authorities. He + was now on his way along the west side of France, with no fixed purpose, + except so far as, since Heaven had spared his life when all that made it + dear had been taken from him, he resigned himself to believe that there + was yet some duty left for him to fulfil. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the old man was wearied out; and after due courtesies had passed + between him and the lady in the dark, he prayed long and fervently, as + Eustacie could judge from the intensity of the low murmurs she heard; and + then she heard him, with a heavy irrepressible sigh, lie down on the couch + of hay he had already prepared for himself, and soon his regular + breathings announced his sound slumbers. She was already on the bed she + had so precipitately quitted, and not a thought more did she give to the + Templars, living or dead, even though she heard an extraordinary snapping + and hissing, and in the dawn of the morning saw a white weird thing, like + a huge moth, flit in through the circular window, take up its station on a + beam above the hay, and look down with the brightest, roundest eyes she + had ever beheld. Let owls and bats come where they would, she was happier + than she had been for months. Compassion for herself was plentiful enough, + but to have heard Berenger spoken of with love and admiration seemed to + quiet the worst ache of her lonely heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. THE MOONBEAM + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + She wandered east, she wandered west, + She wandered out and in; + And at last into the very swine’s stythe + The queen brought forth a son.—Fause Foodrage +</pre> + <p> + The morrow was Sunday, and in the old refectory, in the late afternoon, a + few Huguenots, warned by messages from the farm, met to profit by one of + their scanty secret opportunities for public worship. The hum of the + prayer, and discourse of the pastor, rose up through the broken vaulting + to Eustacie, still lying on her bed; for she had been much shaken by the + fatigues of the day and alarm of the night, and bitterly grieved, too, by + a message which Nanon conveyed to her, that poor Martin was in no state to + come for her in the next day; but he and his wife having been seized upon + by Narcisse and his men, and so savagely beaten in order to force from + them a confession of her hiding-place, that both were lying helpless on + their bed; and could only send an entreaty by the trustworthy fool, that + Rotrou would find means of conveying Madame into Chollet in some cart of + hay or corn, in which she could be taken past the barriers. + </p> + <p> + But this was not to be. Good Nanon had sacrificed the sermon to creep up + to Eustacie, and when the congregation were dispersing in the dusk, she + stole down the stairs to her husband; and a few seconds after he was + hurrying as fast as <i>detours</i> would allow him to Blaise’s farm. An + hour and a half later, Dame Perrine, closely blindfolded for the last + mile, was dragged up the spiral staircase, and ere the bandage was removed + heard Eustacie’s voice, with a certain cheeriness, say, ‘Oh! nurse; my son + will soon come!’ + </p> + <p> + The full moon gave her light, and the woman durst not have any other, save + from the wood-fire that Nanon had cautiously lighted and screened. The + moonshine was still supreme, when some time later a certain ominous + silence and half-whisper between the two women at the hearth made + Eustacie, with a low cry of terror, exclaim, ‘Nurse, nurse, what means + this? Oh! He lives! I know he lives! Perrine, I command you tell me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Living! Oh, yes, my love, my Lady,’ answered Perrine, returning towards + her; ‘fair and perfect as the day. Be not disquieted for a moment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will—I will disquiet myself,’ panted Eustacie, ‘unless you tell + me what is amiss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing amiss,’ said Nanon, gruffly. ‘Madame will give thanks for this + fair gift of a daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + It must be owned the words felt chill. She had never thought of this! It + was as if the being for whom she had dared and suffered so much, in the + trust that he would be Berenger’s representative and avenger, had failed + her and disappointed her. No defender, no paladin, no so to be proud of! + Her heart and courage sank down in her weakness as they had never done + before; and, without speaking, she turned her head away towards the + darkness, feeling as if had been for nothing, and she might as well sink + away in her exhaustion. Mere Perrine was more angry with Nanon than + conscious of her Lady’s weakness. ‘Woman, you speak as if you knew not the + blow to this family, and to all who hoped for better days. What, that my + Lady, the heiress, who ought to be in a bed of state, with velvet + curtains, lace pillows, gold caudle-cups, should be here in a vile ruin, + among owls and bats, like any beggar, and all for the sake, not of a young + Lord to raise up the family, but of a miserable little girl! Had I known + how it would turn out, I had never meddled in this mad scheme.’ + </p> + <p> + Before Nanon could express her indignation, Eustacie had turned her head + opened her eyes, and called out, ‘Miserable! Oh! what do you mean? Oh, it + is true, Nanon? is it well with her? + </p> + <p> + ‘As well as heart could wish,’ answered Nanon, cheerily. ‘Small, but a + perfect little piece of sugar. There, Lady, she shall speak for herself.’ + </p> + <p> + And as Nanon laid the babe on the young mother’s bosom, the thrilling + touch at once put an end to all the repinings of the heiress, and awoke + far other instincts. + </p> + <p> + ‘My child! my little one, my poor little orphan—all cruel to her! + Oh, no welcome even from thy mother! Babe, babe, pardon me, I will make it + up to thee; indeed I will! Oh! let me see her! Do not take her away, dear + good woman, only hold her in the moonlight!’ + </p> + <p> + The full rays of the moon, shining through the gable window, streamed down + very near where Eustacie lay, and by a slight movement Dame Rotrou was + able to render the little face as distinctly visible to her as if it had + been daylight, save that the blanching light was somewhat embellishing to + the new-born complexion, and increased that curious resemblance so often + borne for the first few hours of life to the future self. Eustacie’s cry + at once was, ‘Himself, himself—his very face! Let me have her, my + own moonbeam—his child—my joy!’ + </p> + <p> + The tears, so long denied, rushed down like summer rain as she clasped the + child in her arms. Dame Perrine wandered to and fro, like one beside + herself, not only at her Lady’s wretched accommodations, but at the ill + omens of the moonlight illumination, of the owls who snapped and hissed + incessantly over the hay, and above all the tears over the babe’s face. + She tried to remonstrate with Eustacie, but was answered only, ‘Let me + weep! Oh, let me weep! It eases my heart! It cannot hurt my little one! + She cannot weep for her father herself, so I must weep for her.’ + </p> + <p> + The weeping was gentle, not violent; and Dame Rotrou thought it did good + rather than harm. She was chiefly anxious to be quit of Perrine, who, + however faithful to the Lady of Ribaumont, must not be trusted to learn + the way to this Huguenot asylum, and must be escorted back by Rotrou ere + peep of dawn. The old woman knew that her own absence from home would be + suspicious, and with many grumblings submitted; but first she took the + child from Eustacie’s reluctant arms, promising to restore her in a few + moments, after finishing dressing her in the lace-edged swaddling bands so + carefully preserved ever since Eustacie’s own baby hood. In these moments + she had taken them all by surprise by, without asking any questions, + sprinkling the babe with water, and baptizing her by the hereditary name + of Berangere, the feminine of the only name Eustacie had always declared + her son should bear. Such baptisms were not unfrequently performed by + French nurses, but Eustacie exclaimed with a sound half dismay, half + indignation. + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Eh quoi</i>!’ said Perrine, ‘it is only <i>ondoyee</i>. You can have + all the ceremonies if ever time shall fit; but do you think I could leave + my Lady’s child—mere girl though it be—alone with owls, and <i>follets</i>, + and REVENANTS, and heretics, and she unbaptized? She would be a changeling + long ere morning, I trow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, good woman,’ said Rotrou, from between the trusses of hay at the + entrance; ‘you and I must begin our Colin-Mail-lard again, or it may be + the worse for us both.’ + </p> + <p> + And with the promise of being conducted to Eustacie again in three nights’ + time, if she would meet her guide at the cross-roads after dark, Perrine + was forced to take her leave. She had never suspected that all this time + Maitre Gardon had been hidden in the refectory below, and still less did + she guess that soon after her departure the old man was installed as her + Lady’s chief attendant. It was impossible that Nanon should stay with + Eustacie; she had her day’s work to attend to, and her absence would have + excited suspicion. He, therefore, came partly up the stairs, and calling + to Nanon, proffered himself to sit with ‘<i>cette pauvre</i>,’ and make a + signal in case Nanon should be wanted. The good woman was thus relieved of + a great care. She would not have dared to ask it of him, but with a low + reverence, she owned that it was an act of great charity towards the poor + lady, who, she hoped, was falling into a tranquil sleep, but who she would + hardly have dared to leave. The pastor, though hardships, battles, and + persecutions had left him childless, had been the father of a large + family; and perhaps he was drawn the more strongly towards the mother and + child, because he almost felt as if, in fulfilling the part of a father + towards the widow of Berenger de Ribaumont, he was taking her in the stead + of the widow of his own Theodore. + </p> + <p> + Had the little Baronne de Ribaumont been lodged in a tapes-tried chamber, + between curtains of velvet and gold, with a <i>beauffet</i> by her side + glistening with gold and silver plate, as would have befitted her station, + instead of lying on a bed of straw, with no hangings to the walls save + cobwebs and hay, and wallflowers, no <i>beauffet</i> but the old rickety + table, no attendants but Nanon and M. Gardon, no visitors but the two + white owls, no provisions save the homely fare that rustic mothers lived + upon—neither she nor her babe could have thriven better, and + probably not half so well. She had been used to a hardy, out-of-door life, + like the peasant women; and she was young and strong, so that she + recovered as they did. If the April shower beat in at the window, or the + hole in the roof, they made a screen of canvas, covered her with cloaks, + and heaped them with hay, and she took no harm; and the pure open air that + blew in was soft with all the southern sweetness of early spring-tide, and + the little one throve in it like the puff-ball owlets in the hayloft, or + the little ring-doves in the ivy, whose parent’s cooing voice was + Eustacie’s favourite music. Almost as good as these her fellow-nestlings + was the little Moonbeam, <i>la petite Rayonette</i>, as Eustacie fondly + called this light that had come back to her from the sunshine she had + lost. Had she cried or been heard, the sounds would probably have passed + for the wailings of the ghostly victims of the Templars, but she exercised + an exemplary forbearance in that respect, for which Eustacie thought she + could not be sufficiently admired. + </p> + <p> + Like the child she was, Eustacie seemed to have put care from her, and to + be solely taken up with the baby, and the amusement of watching the owl + family. + </p> + <p> + There was a lull in the search at this moment, for the Chevalier had been + recalled to Paris by the fatal illness of his son-in-law, M. de Selinvine. + The old soldier, after living half his life on bread and salad, that he + might keep up a grand appearance at Paris, had, on coming into the wealth + of the family, and marrying a beautiful wife, returned to the luxuries he + had been wont only to enjoy for a few weeks at a time, with in military + occupation of some Italian town. Three months of festivities had been + enough to cause his death; and the Chevalier was summoned to assist his + daughter in providing for his obsequies, and in taking possession of the + huge endowments which, as the last of his race, he had been able to + bequeath to her. Such was the news brought by the old nurse Perrine, who + took advantage of the slackening vigilance of the enemy to come to see + Eustacie. The old woman was highly satisfied; for one of the peasants’ + wives had—as if on purpose to oblige her Lady—given birth to + twins, one of whom had died almost immediately; and the parents had + consented to conceal their loss, and at once take the little Demoiselle de + Ribaumont as their own—guarding the secret till her mother should be + able to claim her. It was so entirely the practice, under the most + favourable circumstances, for French mothers to send their infants to be + nursed in cottages, that Perrine was amazed by the cry of angry refusal + that burst from Eustacie: ‘Part with my child! leave her to her enemies!—never! + never! Hold your tongue, Perrine! I will not hear of such a thing!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, Madame, hear reason. She will pass for one of Simonette’s!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She shall pass for none but mine!—I part with thee, indeed! All + that is left me of thy father!—the poor little orphaned innocent, + that no one loves but her mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame—Mademoiselle, this is not common sense! Why, how can you + hide yourself? how travel with a baby on your neck, whose crying may + betray you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She never cries—never, never! And better I were betrayed than she.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If it were a boy—-’ began Perrine. + </p> + <p> + ‘If it were a boy, there would be plenty to care for it. I should not care + for it half so much. As for my poor little lonely girl, whom every one + wishes away but her mother—ah! yes, baby, thy mother will go through + fire and water for thee yet. Never fear, thou shalt not leave her!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No nurse can go with Madame. Simonette could not leave her home.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What needs a nurse when she has me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, Madame,’ proceeded the old woman, out of patience, ‘you are beside + yourself! What noble lady ever nursed her babe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t care noble ladies—I care for my child,’ said the vehement, + petulant little thing. + </p> + <p> + ‘And how—what good will Madame’s caring for it do? What knows she of + infants? How can she take care of it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Our Lady will teach me,’ said Eustacie, still pressing the child + passionately to her heart; ‘and see—the owl—the ring-dove—can + take care of their little ones; the good God shows them how—He will + tell me how!’ + </p> + <p> + Perrine regarded her Lady much as if she were in a naughty fit, refusing + unreasonably to part with a new toy, and Nanon Rotrou was much of the same + mind; but it was evident that if at the moment they attempted to carry off + the babe, the other would put herself into an agony of passion, that they + durst not call forth; and they found it needful to do their best to soothe + her out of the deluge of agitated tears that fell from her eyes, as she + grasped the child so convulsively that she might almost have stifled it at + once. They assured her that they would not take it away now—not now, + at any rate; and when the latent meaning made her fiercely insist that it + was to leave her neither now nor ever, Perrine made pacifying declarations + that it should be just as she pleased—promises that she knew well, + when in that coaxing voice, meant nothing at all. Nothing calmed her till + Perrine had been conducted away; and even then Nanon could not hush her + into anything like repose, and at last called in the minister, in despair. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! sir, you are a wise man; can you find how to quiet the poor little + thing? Her nurse has nearly driven her distracted with talking of the + foster-parents she has found for the child.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not found!’ cried Eustacie. ‘No, for she shall never go!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There!’ lamented Nanon—‘so she agitates herself, when it is but + spoken of. And surely she had better make up her mind, for there is no + other choice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, Nanon,’ said M. Gardon, ‘wherefore should she part with the charge + that God has laid on her?’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie gave a little cry of grateful joy. ‘Oh, sir, come nearer! Do you, + indeed, say that they have no right to tear her from me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely not, Lady. It is you whose duty it is to shield and guard her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, sir, tell me again! Yours is the right religion. Oh, you are the + minister for me! If you will tell me I ought to keep my child, then I will + believe everything else. I will do just as you tell me.’ And she stretched + out both hands to him, with vehement eagerness. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor thing! This is no matter of one religion or another,’ said the + minister; ‘it is rather the duty that the Almighty hath imposed, and that + He hath made an eternal joy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly,’ said Nanon, ashamed at having taken the other side: ‘the good <i>pasteur</i> + says what is according to nature. It would have gone hard with me if any + one had wished to part me from Robin or Sara; but these fine ladies, and, + for that matter, BOURGEOISES too, always do put out their babes; and it + seemed to me that Madame would find it hard to contrive for herself—let + alone the little one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! but what would be the use of contriving for myself, without her?’ + said Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + If all had gone well and prosperously with Madame de Ribaumont, probably + she would have surrendered an infant born in purple and in pall to the + ordinary lot of its contemporaries; but the exertions and suffering she + had undergone on behalf of her child, its orphanhood, her own loneliness, + and even the general disappointment in its sex, had given it a hold on her + vehement, determined heart, that intensified to the utmost the instincts + of motherhood; and she listened as if to an angle’s voice as Maitre Gardon + replied to Nanon— + </p> + <p> + ‘I say not that it is not the custom; nay, that my blessed wife and myself + have not followed it; but we have so oft had cause to repent the + necessity, that far be it from me ever to bid a woman forsake her sucking + child.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that Scripture?’ asked Eustacie. ‘Ah! sir, sir, tell me more! You are + giving me all—all—my child! I will be—I am—a + Huguenot like her father! and, when my vassals come, I will make them ride + with you to La Rochelle, and fight in your cause!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay,’ said Maitre Gardon, taken by surprise; ‘but, Lady, your vassals are + Catholic.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What matters it? In my cause they shall fight!’ said the feudal Lady, + ‘for me and my daughter!’ + </p> + <p> + And as the pastor uttered a sound of interrogative astonishment, she + continued— + </p> + <p> + ‘As soon as I am well enough, Blaise will send out messages, and they will + meet me at midnight at the cross-roads, Martin and all, for dear good + Martin is quite well now, and we shall ride across country, avoiding + towns, wherever I choose to lead them. I had thought of Chantilly, for I + know M. de Montmorency would stand my friend against a Guisard; but now, + now I know you, sir, let me escort you to La Rochelle, and do your cause + service worthy of Nid de Merle and Ribaumont!’ And as she sat up on her + bed, she held up her little proud head, and waved her right hand with the + grace and dignity of a queen offering an alliance of her realm. + </p> + <p> + Maitre Gardon, who had hitherto seen her as a childish though cheerful and + patient sufferer, was greatly amazed, but he could not regard her project + as practicable, or in his conscience approve it; and after a moment’s + consideration he answered, ‘I am a man of peace, Lady, and seldom side + with armed men, nor would I lightly make one of those who enroll + themselves against the King.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not after all the Queen-mother had done!’ cried Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘Martyrdom is better than rebellion,’ quietly answered the old man, + folding his hands. Then he added ‘Far be it from me to blame those who + have drawn the sword for the faith; yet, Lady, it would not be even thus + with your peasants; they might not follow you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ said Eustacie, with flashing eyes, ‘they would be traitors.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not to the King,’ said the pastor, gently. ‘Also, Lady, how will it be + with their homes and families—the hearths that have given you such + faithful shelter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The women would take to the woods,’ readily answered she; ‘it is + summer-time, and they should be willing to bear something for my sake. I + should grieve indeed,’ she added, ‘if my uncle misused them. They have + been very good to me, but then they belong to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Lady, put from you that hardening belief of seigneurs. Think what + their fidelity deserves from their Lady.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will be good to them! I do love them! I will be their very good + mistress,’ said Eustacie, her eyes filling. + </p> + <p> + ‘The question is rather of forbearing than of doing,’ said the minister. + </p> + <p> + ‘But what would you have me do?’ asked Eustacie, petulantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘This, Lady. I gather that you would not return to your relations.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never! never! They would rend my babe from me; they would kill her, or at + least hide her for ever in a convent—they would force me into this + abhorrent marriage. No—no—no—my child and I would die a + hundred deaths together rather than fall into the hands of Narcisse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Calm yourself, Lady; there is no present fear, but I deem that the safest + course for the little one would be to place her in England. She must be + heiress to lands and estates there; is she not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; and in Normandy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And your husband’s mother lives? Wherefore then should you not take me + for your guide, and make your way—more secretly than would be + possible with a peasant escort—to one of your Huguenot towns on the + coast, whence you could escape with the child to England?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My <i>belle-mere</i> has re-married! She has children! I would not bring + the daughter of Ribaumont as a suppliant to be scorned!’ said Eustacie, + pouting. ‘She has lands enough of her own.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no need to discuss the question now,’ said M. Gardon, gravely; + for a most kind offer, involving much peril and inconvenience to himself, + was thus petulantly flouted. ‘Madame will think at her leisure of what + would have been the wishes of Monsieur le Baron for his child.’ + </p> + <p> + He then held himself aloof, knowing that it was not well for her health, + mental or bodily, to talk any more, and a good deal perplexed himself by + the moods of his strange little impetuous convert, if convert she could be + termed. He himself was a deeply learned scholar, who had studied all the + bearings of the controversy; and, though bound to the French Reformers who + would gladly have come to terms with the Catholics at the Conference of + Plassy, and regretted the more decided Calvinism that his party had since + professed, and in which the Day of St. Bartholomew confirmed them. He had + a strong sense of the grievous losses they suffered by their disunion from + the Church. The Reformed were less and less what his ardent youthful hopes + had trusted to see them; and in his old age he was a sorrow-stricken man, + as much for the cause of religion as for personal bereavements. He had + little desire to win proselytes, but rather laid his hand to build up true + religion where he found it suffering shocks in these unsettled, neglected + times; and his present wish was rather to form and guide this little + willful warm-hearted mother—whom he could not help regarding with as + much affection as pity—to find a home in the Church that had been + her husband’s, than to gain her to his own party. And most assuredly he + would never let her involve herself, as she was ready to do, in the civil + war, without even knowing the doctrine which grave and earnest men had + preferred to their loyalty. + </p> + <p> + He could hear her murmuring to her baby, ‘No, no, little one, we are not + fallen so low as to beg our bread among strangers.’ To live upon her own + vassals had seemed to her only claiming her just rights, but it galled her + to think of being beholden to stranger Huguenots; and England and her + mother-in-law, without Berenger, were utterly foreign and distasteful to + her. + </p> + <p> + Her mood was variable. Messages from Blaise and Martin came and went, and + it became known that her intended shelter at Chollet, together with all + the adjacent houses, had been closely searched by the younger Ribaumont in + conjunction with the governor; so that it was plain that some treachery + must exist, and that she only owed her present freedom to her detention in + the ruined temple; and it would be necessary to leave that as soon as it + was possible for her to attempt the journey. + </p> + <p> + The plan that seemed most feasible to the vassals was, that Rotrou should + convey her in a cart of fagots as far as possible on the road to Paris; + that there his men should meet her by different roads, riding their + farm-horses—and Martin even hoped to be able to convey her own + palfrey to her from the monastery stable, and thence, taking a long + stretch across country, they trusted to be able to reach the lands of a + dependant of the house of Montmorency, who would not readily yield her up + to a Guise’s man. But, whether instigated by Perrine, or by their own + judgment, the vassals declared that, though Madame should be conducted + wherever she desired, it was impossible to encumber themselves with the + infant. Concealment would be impossible; rough, hasty rides would be + retarded, her difficulties would be tenfold increased, and the little one + would become a means of tracing her. There was no choice but to leave it + with Simonette. + </p> + <p> + Angrily and haughtily did Eustacie always reject this alternative, and + send fresh commands back by her messenger, to meet the same reply in + another form. The strong will and practical resolution of the stout + farmers, who were about to make a terrible venture for her, and might + reasonably think they had a right to prescribe the terms that they thought + best. All this time Maitre Gardon felt it impossible to leave her, still + weak and convalescent, alone in the desolate ruin with her young child; + though still her pride would not bend again to seek the counsel that she + had so much detested, nor to ask for the instruction that was to make her + ‘believe like her husband.’ If she might not fight for the Reformed, it + seemed as if she would none of their doctrine! + </p> + <p> + But, true lady that she was, she sunk the differences in her intercourse + with him. She was always prettily and affectionately grateful for every + service that he rendered her, and as graciously polite as though she had + been keeping house in the halls of Ribaumont. Then her intense love for + her child was so beautiful, and there was so much sweetness in the + cheerful patience with which she endured the many hardships of her + situation, that he could not help being strongly interested in the + willful, spirited little being. + </p> + <p> + And thus time passed, until one night, when Martin ventured over the farm + with a report so serious that Rotrou, at all risks, brought him up to + communicate his own tidings. Some one had given information, Veronique he + suspected, and the two Chevaliers were certainly coming the next day to + search with fire the old buildings of the temple. It was already dawning + towards morning, and it would be impossible to do more at present than to + let Rotrou build up the lady in a vault, some little way off, whence, + after the search was over, she could be released, and join her vassals the + next night according to the original design. As to the child, her presence + in the vault was impossible, and Martin had actually brought her intended + nurse, Simonette, to Rotrou’s cottage to receive her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never!’ was all Eustacie answered. ‘Save both of us, or neither.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lady,’ said M. Gardon as she looked towards him, ‘I go my way with my + staff.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you—you more faithful than her vassals—will let me take + her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Assuredly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, sir, even to the world’s end will I go with you’ + </p> + <p> + Martin would have argued, have asked, but she would not listen to him. It + was Maitre Gardon who made him understand the project. There was what in + later times has been termed an underground railway amid the persecuted + Calvinists, and M. Gardon knew his ground well enough to have little doubt + of being able to conduct the lady safely to some town on the coast, whence + she might reach her friends in England. The plan highly satisfied Martin. + It relieved him and his neighbours from the necessity of provoking + perilous wrath, and it was far safer for her herself than endeavouing to + force her way with an escort too large not to attract notice, yet not + warlike enough for efficient defence. He offered no further opposition, + but augured that after all she would come back a fine lady, and right them + all. + </p> + <p> + Eustacie, recovering from her anger, and recollecting his services, gave + him her hand to kiss, and bade him farewell with a sudden effusion of + gratitude and affection that warmed the honest fellow’s heart. Rewards + could not be given, lest they should become a clue for her uncle; and + perhaps they would have wounded both him and their kind hosts, who did + their best to assist her in their departure. A hasty meal was provided by + Nanon, and a basket so stored as to obviate the need of entering a + village, on that day at least, to purchase provisions; Eustacie’s money + and jewels again formed the nucleus of the bundle of clothes and spare + swaddling-banks of her babe; her peasant dress was carefully arranged—a + stout striped cloth skit and black bodice, the latter covered by a scarlet + Chollet kerchief. The winged white cap entirely hid her hair; a gray cloak + with a hood could either fold round her and her child or be strapped on + her shoulders. Her <i>sabots</i> were hung on her shoulder, for she had + learnt to go barefoot, and walked much more lightly thus; and her little + bundle was slung on a staff on the back of Maitre Gardon, who in his great + peasant’s hat and coat looked so like a picture of St. Joseph, that + Eustacie, as the light of the rising sun fell on his white beard and hair, + was reminded of the Flight into Egypt, and came close to him, saying + shyly, ‘Our Blessed Lady will bless and feel for my baby. She knows what + this journey is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Son of the Blessed Mary assuredly knows and blesses,’ he answered. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. <i>LA RUE DES TROIS FEES</i> + </h2> + <p> + And round the baby fast and close Her trembling grasp she folds. And with + a strong convulsive grasp The little infant holds.—SOUTHEY. + </p> + <p> + A wild storm had raged all the afternoon, hail and rain had careered on + the wings of the wind along the narrow street of the Three Fairies, at the + little Huguenot bourg of La Sablerie; torrents of rain had poached the + unpaved soil into a depth of mud, and thunder had reverberated over the + chimney-tops, and growled far away over the Atlantic, whose angry waves + were tossing on the low sandy coast about two miles from the town. + </p> + <p> + The evening had closed in with a chill, misty drizzle, and, almost May + though it were, the Widow Noemi Laurent gladly closed the shutters of her + unglazed window, where small cakes and other delicate confections were + displayed, and felt the genial warmth of the little fire with which she + heated her tiny oven. She was the widow of a pastor who had suffered for + his faith in the last open persecution, and being the daughter of a baker, + the authorities of the town had permitted her to support herself and her + son by carrying on a trade in the more delicate ‘subtilties’ of the art, + which were greatly relished at the civic feasts. Noemi was a grave, sad + woman, very lonely ever since she had saved enough to send her son to + study for the ministry in Switzerland, and with an aching heart that + longed to be at rest from the toil that she looked on as a steep ladder on + her way to a better home. She occupied two tiny rooms on the ground-floor + of a tall house; and she had just arranged her few articles of furniture + with the utmost neatness, when there was a low knock at her door, a knock + that the persecuted well understood, and as she lifted the latch, a voice + she had known of old spoke the scriptural salutation, ‘Peace be with this + house.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Eh quoi</i>, Master Issac, is it thou? Come in—in a good hour—ah!’ + </p> + <p> + As, dripping all round his broad hat and from every thread of his gray + mantle, the aged traveller drew into the house a female figure whom he had + been supporting on his other arm, muffled head and shoulders in a soaked + cloak, with a petticoat streaming with wet, and feet and ankles covered + with mire, ‘Here we are, my child,’ he said tenderly, as he almost carried + her to Noemi’s chair. Noemi, with kind exclamations of ‘<i>La pauvre</i>! + <i>la pauvre</i>!’ helped the trembling cold hand to open the wet cloak, + and then cried out with fresh surprise and pity at the sight of the fresh + little infant face, nestled warm and snug under all the wrappings in those + weary arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘See,’ said the poor wanderer, looking up to the old man, with a faint + smile; ‘she is well—she is warm—it hurts her not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Can you take us in?’ added M. Gardon, hastily; ‘have you room?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes; if you can sleep on the floor here, I will take this poor dear to + my own bed directly,’ said Noemi. ‘<i>Tenez</i>’ opening a chest; ‘you + will find dry clothes there, of my husband’s. And thou,’ helping Eustacie + up with her strong arm, and trying to take the little one, ‘let me warm + and dry thee within.’ + </p> + <p> + Too much worn out to make resistance, almost past speaking, knowing merely + that she had reached the goal that had been promised her throughout these + weary days, feeling warmth, and hearing kind tones, Eustacie submitted to + be led into the inner room; and when the good widow returned again, it was + in haste to fetch some of the warm <i>potage</i> she had already been + cooking over the fire, and hastily bade M. Gardon help himself to the + rest. She came back again with the babe, to wash and dress it in the + warmth of her oven fire. Maitre Gardon, in the black suit of a Calvinist + pastor, had eaten his <i>potage</i>, and was anxiously awaiting her + report. ‘Ah! <i>la pauvre</i>, with His blessing she will sleep! she will + do well. But how far did you come to-day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From Sainte Lucie. From the Grange du Temple since Monday.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! is it possible? The poor child! And this little one—sure, it is + scarce four weeks old?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Four weeks this coming Sunday.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! the poor thing. The blessing of Heaven must have been with you to + bear her through. And what a lovely infant—how white—what + beauteous little limbs! Truly, she has sped well. Little did I think, good + friend, that you had this comfort left, or that our poor Theodore’s young + wife had escaped.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! no, Noemi; this is no child of Theodore’s. His wife shared his + martyrdom. It is I who am escaped alone to tell thee. But, nevertheless, + this babe is an orphan of that same day. Her father was the son of the + pious Baron de Ribaumont, the patron of your husband, and of myself in + earlier days.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ exclaimed Noemi, startled. ‘Then the poor young mother—is she—can + she be the lost Demoiselle de Nid de Merle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is the thing known here? The will of Heaven be done; but she can send to + her husband’s kindred in England.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She might rest safely enough, if others beside myself believed in her + being your son’s widow,’ said Noemi. ‘Wherefore should she not be thought + so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor Esperance! She would willingly have lent her name to guard another,’ + said Master Gardon, thoughtfully; ‘and, for the sake of the child, my + little lady may endure it. Ah! there is the making of a faithful and noble + woman in that poor young thing. Bravely, patiently, cheerfully, hath she + plodded this weary way; and, verily, she hath grown like my own daughter + to me—as I never thought to love earthly thing again; and had this + been indeed my Theodore’s child, I could hardly care for it more.’ + </p> + <p> + And as he related how he had fallen in with the forlorn Lady of Ribaumont, + and all that she had dared, done, and left undone for the sake of her + little daughter, good Noemi Laurent wept, and agreed with him that a + special providence must have directed them to his care, and that some good + work must await one who had been carried through so much. His project was + to remain here for a short time, to visit the flock who had lost their + pastor on the day of the massacre, and to recruit his own strength; for + he, too, had suffered severely from the long travelling, and the exposure + during many nights, especially since all that was warm and sheltered had + been devoted to Eustacie. And after this he proposed to go to La Rochelle, + and make inquiries for a trusty messenger who could be sent to England to + seek out the family of the Baron de Ribaumont, or, mayhap, a sufficient + escort with whom the lady could travel; though he had nearly made up his + mind that he would not relinquish the care of her until he had safely + delivered her to her husband’s mother. + </p> + <p> + Health and life were very vigorous in Eustacie; and though at first she + had been completely worn out, a few days of comfort, entire rest, and good + nursing restored her. Noemi dressed her much like herself, in a black + gown, prim little white starched ruff, and white cap,—a thorough + Calvinist dress, and befitting a minister’s widow. Eustacie winced a + little at hearing of the character that had been fastened upon her; she + disliked for her child, still more than for herself, to take this <i>bourgeois</i> + name of Gardon; but there was no help for it, since, though he chief + personages of the town were Huguenot, there could be no safety for her if + the report were once allowed to arise that the Baronne de Ribaumont had + taken refuge there. + </p> + <p> + It was best that she should be as little noticed as possible; nor, indeed, + had good Noemi many visitors. The sad and sorrowful woman had always shut + herself up with her Bible and her meditations, and sought no sympathy from + her neighbours, nor encourage gossip in her shop. In the first days, when + purchasers lingered to ask if it were true that Maitre Gardon had brought + his daughter-in-law and grandchild, her stern-faced, almost grim answer, + that ‘<i>la pauvre</i> was ill at ease,’ silenced them, and forced them to + carry off their curiosity unsatisfied; but it became less easy to arrange + when Eustacie herself was on foot again—refreshed, active, and with + an irrepressible spring of energy and eagerness that could hardly be caged + down in the Widow Laurent’s tiny rooms. Poor child, had she not been ill + and prostrate at first, and fastened herself on the tender side of the + good woman’s heart by the sweetness of an unselfish and buoyant nature in + illness, Noemi could hardly have endured such an inmate, not even half a + Huguenot, full of little Catholic observances like second nature to her; + listening indeed to the Bible for the short time, but always, when it was + expounded, either asleep, or finding some amusement indispensable for her + baby; eager for the least variety, and above all spoilt by Maitre Gardon + to a degree absolutely perplexing to the grave woman. + </p> + <p> + He would not bid her lay aside the observances that, to Noemi, seemed + almost worship of the beast. He rather reverted to the piety which + originated them; and argued with his old friend that it was better to + build than to destroy, and that, before the fabric of truth, superstition + would crumble away of itself. The little he taught her sounded to Noemi’s + puzzled ears mere Christianity instead of controversial Calvinism. And, + moreover, he never blamed her for wicked worldliness when she yawned; but + even devised opportunities for taking her out for a walk, to see as much + life as might be on a market-day. He could certainly not forget—as + much as would have been prudent—that she was a high-born lady; and + even seemed taken aback when he found her with her sleeves turned up over + her shapely-delicate arms, and a thick apron before her, with her hands in + Veuve Laurent’s flour, showing her some of those special mysterious arts + of confectionery in which she had been initiated by Soeur Bernardine, + when, not three years ago, she had been the pet of the convent at + Bellaise. At first it was half sport and the desire of occupation, but the + produce of her manipulations was so excellent as to excite quite a + sensation in La Sablerie, and the echevins and baillis sent in quite + considerable orders for the cakes and patties of Maitre Gardon’s + Paris-bred daughter-in-law. + </p> + <p> + Maitre Gardon hesitated. Noemi Laurent told him she cared little for the + gain—Heaven knew it was nothing to her—but that she thought it + wrong and inconsistent in him to wish to spare the poor child’s pride, + which was unchristian enough already. ‘Nay,’ he said sadly, + ‘mortifications from without do little to tame pride; nor did I mean to + bring her here that she should turn cook and confectioner to pamper the + appetite of Baillis La Grasse.’ + </p> + <p> + But Eustacie’s first view was a bright pleasure in the triumph of her + skill; and when her considerate guardian endeavoured to impress on her + that there was no necessity for vexing herself with the task, she turned + round on him with the exclamation, ‘Nay, dear father, do you not see it is + my great satisfaction to be able to do something for our good hostess, so + that my daughter and I be not a burden to her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well spoken, my Lady,’ said the pastor; ‘there is real nobility in that + way of thinking. Yet, remember, Noemi is not without means; she feels not + the burden. And the flock contribute enough for the shepherd’s support, + and yours likewise.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then let her give it to the poor creatures who so often come in begging, + and saying they have been burned out of house and home by one party or the + other,’ said Eustacie. ‘Let me have my way, dear sir; Soeur Bernadine + always said I should be a prime <i>menagere</i>. I like it so much.’ + </p> + <p> + And Madame de Ribaumont mixed sugar and dough, and twisted quaint shapes, + and felt important and almost light-hearted, and sang over her work and + over her child songs that were not always Marot’s psalms; and that gave + the more umbrage to Noemi, because she feared that Maitre Gardon actually + like to hear them, though, should their echo reach the street, why it + would be a peril, and still worse, a horrible scandal that out of that + sober, afflicted household should proceed profane tunes such as court + ladies sang. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. THE ABBE. + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + By the day and night her sorrows fall + Where miscreant hands and rude + Have stained her pure, ethereal pall + With many a martyr’s blood. + And yearns not her maternal heart + To hear their secret sighs, + Upon whose doubting way apart + Bewildering shadows rise?—KEBLE +</pre> + <p> + It was in the summer twilight that Eustacie, sitting on the doorstep + between the two rooms, with her baby on her knees, was dreamily humming to + her a tune, without even words, but one that she loved, because she had + first learnt to sing it with Berenger and his friend Sidney to the lute of + the latter; and its notes always brought before her eyes the woods of + Montpipeau. Then it was that, low and soft as was the voice, that befell + which Noemi had feared: a worn, ragged-looking young man, who had been + bargaining at the door for a morsel of bread in exchange for a + handkerchief, started at the sound, and moved so as to like into the + house. + </p> + <p> + Noemi was at the moment not attending, being absorbed in the study of the + handkerchief, which was of such fine, delicate texture that an idea of its + having been stolen possessed her; and she sought the corner where, as she + expected, a coat-of-arms was embroidered. Just as she was looking up to + demand explanation, the stranger, with a sudden cry of ‘Good heavens, it + is she!’ pushed past her into the house, and falling on his knee before + Eustacie, exclaimed, ‘O Lady, Lady, is it thus that I see you?’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie had started up in dismay, crying out, ‘Ah! M. l’Abbe, as you are + a gentleman, betray me not. Oh! have they sent you to find me? Have pity + on us! You loved my husband!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have nothing to fear from me, Lady,’ said the young man, still + kneeling; ‘if you are indeed a distressed fugitive—so am I. If you + have shelter and friends—I have none.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it indeed so?’ said Eustacie, wistfully, yet scarce reassured. ‘You + are truly not come from my uncle. Indeed, Monsieur, I would not doubt you, + but you see I have so much at stake. I have my little one here, and they + mean so cruelly by her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame, I swear by the honour of a nobleman—nay, by all that is + sacred—that I know nothing of your uncle. I have been a wanderer for + many weeks past; proscribed and hunted down because I wished to seek into + the truth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Eustacie, with a sound of relief, and of apology, ‘pardon me, + sir; indeed, I know you were good. You loved my husband;’ and she reached + out her hand to raise him, when he kissed it reverently. Little <i>bourgeoise</i> + and worn mendicant as they were in dress, the air of the Louvre breathed + round them; and there was all its grace and dignity as the lady turned + round to her astonished hosts, saying, ‘Good sir, kind mother, this + gentleman is, indeed, what you took me for, a fugitive for the truth. + Permit me to present to you, Monsieur l’Abbe de Mericour—at least, + so he was, when last I had the honour to see him.’ + </p> + <p> + The last time HE had seen her, poor Eustacie had been incapable of seeing + anything save that bloody pool at the foot of the stairs. + </p> + <p> + Mericour now turned and explained. ‘Good friends,’ he said courteously, + but with the <i>fierete</i> of the noble not quite out of his tone, ‘I beg + your grace. I would not have used so little ceremony, if I had not been + out of myself at recognizing a voice and a tune that could belong to none + but Madame—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sit down, sir,’ said Noemi, a little coldly and stiffly—for + Mericour was a terrible name to Huguenots ears; ‘a true friend to this + lady must needs be welcome, above all if he comes in Heaven’s name.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sit down and eat, sir,’ added Gardon, much more heartily; ‘and forgive us + for not having been more hospitable—but the times have taught us to + be cautious, and in that lady we have a precious charge. Rest; for you + look both weary and hungry.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie added an invitation, understanding that he would not sit without + her permission, and then, as he dropped into a chair, she exclaimed, ‘Ah! + sir, you are faint, but you are famished.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will pass,’ he said; ‘I have not eaten to-day.’ + </p> + <p> + Instantly a meal was set before him, and ere long he revived; and as the + shutters were closed, and shelter for the night promised to him by a + Huguenot family lodging in the same house, he began to answer Eustacie’s + anxious questions, as well as to learn from her in return what had brought + her into her present situation. + </p> + <p> + Then it was that she recollected that it had been he who, at her cousin + Diane’s call, had seized her when she was rushing out of the palace in her + first frenzy of grief, and had carried her back to the women’s apartments. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was that day which brought me here,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + And he told how, bred up in his own distant province, by a pious and + excellent tutor, he had devoutly believed in the extreme wickedness of the + Reformers; but in his seclusion he had been trained to such purity of + faith and morals, that, when his brother summoned him to court to solicit + a benefice, he had been appalled at the aspect of vice, and had, at the + same time, been struck by the pure lives of the Huguenots; for truly, as + things then were at the French court, crime seemed to have arrayed itself + on the side of the orthodox party, all virtue on that of the schismatics. + </p> + <p> + De Mericour consulted spiritual advisers, who told him that none but + Catholics could be truly holy, and that what he admired were merely + heathen virtues that the devil permitted the Huguenots to display in order + to delude the unwary. With this explanation he had striven to be + satisfied, though eyes unblended by guilt and a pure heart continued to be + revolted at the practices which his Church, scared at the evil times, and + forgetful of her own true strength, left undenounced in her partisans. And + the more that the Huguenot gentlemen thronged the court, and the young + Abbe was thrown into intercourse with them, and the more he perplexed + himself how the truth, the faith, the uprightness, the forbearance, the + purity that they evinced could indeed be wanting in the zeal that made + them acceptable. Then came the frightful morning when carnage reigned in + every street, and the men who had been treated as favourite boon + companions were hunted down like wild beasts in every street. He had + endeavoured to save life, but would have speedily been slaughtered himself + except for his soutane; and in all good faith he had hurried to the + Louvre, to inform royalty of the horrors that, as he thought, a fanatic + passion was causing the populace to commit. + </p> + <p> + He found the palace become shambles—the King himself, wrought up to + frenzy, firing on the fugitives. And the next day, while his brain still + seemed frozen with horror, he was called on to join in the procession of + thanksgiving for the King’s deliverance from a dangerous plot. Surely, if + the plot were genuine, he thought, the procession should have savoured of + penance and humiliation rather than of barbarous exultation! Yet these + might be only the individual crimes of the Queen-mother, and of the Guises + seeking to mask themselves under the semblance of zeal; and the infallible + head of the visible Church would disown the slaughter, and cast it from + the Church with loathing as a blood-stained garment. Behold, Rome was full + of rejoicing, and sent sanction and commendation of the pious zeal of the + King! Had the voice of Holy Church become indeed as the voice of the + bloodhound? Was this indeed her call? + </p> + <p> + The young man, whose life from infancy had been marked out for the service + of the Church—so destined by his parents as securing a wealthy + provision for a younger son, but educated by his good tutor with more real + sense of his obligations—felt the question in its full import. He + was under no vows; he had, indeed, received the tonsure, but was otherwise + unpledged, and he was bent on proving all things. The gaieties in which he + had at first mingled had become abhorrent to him, and he studied with the + earnestness of a newly-awakened mind in search of true light. The very + face of study and inquiry, in one of such a family as that of his brother + the Duke de Mericour, was enough to excite suspicion of Huguenot + inclinations. The elder brother tried to quash the folly of the younger, + by insisting on his sharing the debaucheries which, whether as priest or + monk, or simply as Christian man, it would be his duty to abjure; and at + length, by way of bringing things to a test, insisted on his making one of + a party who were about to break up and destroy a Huguenot assembly. + Unable, in his present mood, to endure the thought of further cruelty, the + young Abbe fled, gave secret warning to the endangered congregation, and + hastened to the old castle in Brittany, where he had been brought up, to + pour out his perplexities, and seek the counsel of the good old chaplain + who had educated him. Whether the kind, learned, simple-hearted tutor + could have settled his mind, he had no time to discover, for he had + scarcely unfolded his troubles before warnings came down that he had + better secure himself—his brother, as head of the family, had + obtained the royal assent to the imprisonment of the rebellious junior, so + as to bring him to a better mind, and cure him of the Huguenot + inclinations, which in the poor lad were simply undeveloped. But in all + the Catholic eyes he was a tainted man, and his almost inevitable course + was to take refuge with some Huguenot relations. There he was eagerly + welcome; instruction was poured in on him; but as he showed a disposition + to inquire and examine, and needed time to look into what they taught him, + as one who feared to break his link with the Church, and still longed to + find her blameless and glorious, the righteous nation that keepeth the + truth, they turned on him and regarded him as a traitor and a spy, who had + come among them on false pretences. + </p> + <p> + All the poor lad wanted was time to think, time to examine, time to + consult authorities, living and dead. The Catholics called this treason to + the Church, the Huguenots called it halting between two opinions; and + between them he was a proscribed, distrusted vagabond, branded on one side + as a recreant, and on the other as a traitor. He had asked for a few + months of quiet, and where could they be had? His grand-mother had been + the daughter of a Scottish nobleman in the French service, and he had once + seen a nephew of hers who had come to Paris during the time of Queen + Mary’s residence there. He imagined that if he were once out of this + distracted land of France, he might find respite for study, for which he + longed; and utterly ignorant of the real state of Scotland, he had + determined to make his way to his kindred there; and he had struggled on + the way to La Rochelle, cheated out of the small remains of his money, + selling his last jewels and all the clothing that was not indispensable, + and becoming so utterly unable to pay his passage to England, that he + could only trust to Providence to find him some means of reaching his + present goal. + </p> + <p> + He had been listened to with kindness, and a sympathy such as M. Gardon’s + large mind enable him to bestow, where his brethren had been incapable of + comprehending that a man could sincerely doubt between them and Rome. When + the history was finished, Eustacie exclaimed, turning to Maitre Gardon, + ‘Ah! sir, is not this just what we sought? If this gentleman would but + convey a letter to my mother-in-law—-’ + </p> + <p> + M. Gardon smiled. ‘Scotland and England are by no means the same place, + Lady,’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whatever this lady would command, wherever she would send me, I am at her + service,’ cried the Abbe, fervently. + </p> + <p> + And, after a little further debate, it was decided that it might really be + the best course, for him as for Madame de Ribaumont, to become the bearer + of a letter and token from her, entreating her mother-in-law to notify her + pleasure whether she should bring her child to England. She had means + enough to advance a sufficient sum to pay Mericour’s passage, and he + accepted it most punctiliously as a loan, intending, so soon as her + despatches were ready, to go on to La Rochelle, and make inquiry for a + ship. + </p> + <p> + Chance, however, seemed unusually propitious, for the next day there was + an apparition in the streets of La Sablerie of four or five + weather-beaten, rollicking-looking men, their dress profusely adorned with + ribbons, and their language full of strange oaths. They were well known at + La Sablerie as sailors belonging to a ship of the fleet of the Count de + Montgomery, the unfortunate knight whose lance had caused the death of + King Henry II., and who, proscribed by the mortal hatred of Catherine de + Medicis, had become the admiral of a piratical fleet in the Calvinist + interest, so far winked at the Queen Elizabeth that it had its + head-quarters in the Channel Islands, and thence was a most formidable foe + to merchant vessels on the northern and eastern coasts of France; and + often indulged in descents on the coast, when the sailors—being in + general the scum of the nation—were apt to comport themselves more + like American buccaneers than like champions of any form of religion. + </p> + <p> + La Sablerie was a Huguenot town, so they used no violence, but only + swaggered about, demanding from Bailli La Grasse, in the name of their + gallant Captain Latouche, contributions and provisions, and giving him to + understand that if he did not comply to the uttermost it should be the + worse for him. Their ship, it appeared, had been forced to put into the + harbour, about two miles off, and Maitre Gardon and the young Abbe decided + on walking thither to see it, and to have an interview with the captain, + so as to secure a passage for Mericour at least. Indeed Maitre Gardon had, + in consultation with Eustacie, resolved, if he found things suitable, to + arrange for their all going together. She would be far safer out of + France; and, although the Abbe alone could not have escorted her, yet + Maitre Gardon would gladly have secured for her the additional protection + of a young, strong, and spirited man; and Eustacie, who was no scribe, was + absolutely relieved to have the voyage set before her as an alternative to + the dreadful operation of composing a letter to the <i>belle-mere</i>, + whom she had not seen since she had been seven years old, and of whose + present English name she had the most indistinct ideas. + </p> + <p> + However, the first sight of the ship overthrew all such ideas. It was a + wretched single-decked vessel, carrying far more sail than experienced + nautical eyes would have deemed safe, and with no accommodation fit for a + woman and child, even had the aspect of captain or crew been more + satisfactory—for the ruffianly appearance and language of the former + fully rivaled that of his sailors. It would have been mere madness to + think of trusting the lady in such hands; and, without a word to each + other, Gardon and Mericour resolved to give no hint even that she and her + jewels were in La Sablerie. Mericour, however, made his bargain with the + captain, who understood to transport him as far as Guernsey, whence he + might easily make his way to Dorsetshire, where M. Gardon knew that + Berenger’s English home had been. + </p> + <p> + So Eustacie, with no small trouble and consideration, indited her letter—telling + of her escape, the birth of her daughter, the dangers that threatened her + child—and begging that its grand-mother would give it a safe home in + England, and love it for the sake of its father. An answer would find her + at the Widow Noemi Laurent’s, Rue des Trois Fees, La Sablerie. She could + not bring herself to speak of the name of Eserance Gardon which had been + saddled upon her; and even M. de Mericour remained in ignorance of her + bearing this disguise. She recommended him to the kindness of her + mother-in-law; and M. Gardon added another letter to the lady, on behalf + of the charge to whom he promised to devote himself until he should see + them safe in friendly hands. Both letters were addressed, as best they + might be, between Eustacie’s dim comprehension of the word Thistlewood, + and M. Gardon’s notion of spelling. ‘Jadis, Baronne de Ribaumont’ was the + securest part of the direction. + </p> + <p> + And for a token, Eustacie looked over her jewels to find one that would + serve for a token; but the only ones she knew would be recognized, were + the brooch that had fastened the plume in Berenger’s bloody cap, and the + chaplet of pearls. To part with the first, or to risk the second in the + pirate-ship, was impossible, but Eustacie at last decided upon detaching + the pear-shaped pearl which was nearest the clasp, and which was so + remarkable in form and tint that there was no doubt of its being well + known. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. UNDER THE WALNUT-TREE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + Mistress Jean was making the elder-flower wine— + ‘And what brings the + Laird at sic a like time?’ + LADY NAIRN, THE LAIRD OF COCKPEN +</pre> + <p> + Summer was nearly ended, and Lucy Thistlewood was presiding in the great + kitchen of the Manor-house, standing under the latticed window near the + large oak-table, a white apron over her dress, presiding over the + collecting of elder-berries for the brew of household-wine for the winter. + The maids stood round her with an array of beechen bowls or red and yellow + crocks, while barefooted, bareheaded children came thronging in with rush + or wicker baskets of the crimson fruit, which the maids poured in sanguine + cascades into their earthenware; and Lucy requited with substantial slices + of bread and cheese, and stout homely garment mostly of her own sewing. + </p> + <p> + Lucy was altogether an inmate of her father’s house. She had not even been + at Hurst Walwyn for many months; for her step-mother’s reiterated hopes + that Berenger would make her his consolation for all he had suffered from + his French spouse rendered it impossible to her to meet him with sisterly + unconsciousness; and she therefore kept out of the way, and made herself + so useful at home, that Dame Annora only wondered how it had been possible + to spare her so long, and always wound up her praises by saying, that + Berenger would learn in time how lucky he had been to lose the French + puppet, and win the good English housewife. + </p> + <p> + If only tidings would have come that the puppet was safe married. That was + the crisis which all the family desired yet feared for Berenger, since + nothing else they saw would so detach his thoughts from the past as the + leave him free to begin life again. The relapse brought on by the cruel + reply to Osbert’s message had been very formidable: he was long insensible + or delirious and then came a state of annihilated thought, then of + frightfully sensitive organs, when light, sound, movement, or scent were + alike agony; and when he slowly revived, it was with such sunken spirits, + that his silence was as much from depression as from difficulty of speech. + His brain was weak, his limbs feeble, the wound in his mouth never + painless; and all this necessarily added to his listless indifference and + weariness, as though all youthful hope and pleasure were extinct in him. + He had ceased to refer to the past. Perhaps he had thought it over, and + seen that the deferred escape, the request for the pearls, the tryst at + the palace, and detention from the king’s chamber, made an uglier case + against Eustacie than he could endure to own even to himself. If his heart + trusted, his mind could not argue out her defence, and his tongue would + not serve him for discussion with his grandfather, the only person who + could act for him. Perhaps the stunned condition of his mind made the + suspense just within the bounds of endurance, while trust in his wife’s + innocence rendered his inability to come to her aid well-nigh intolerable; + and doubt of her seemed both profanity and misery unspeakable. He could do + nothing. He had shot his only shaft by sending Landry Osbert, and had + found that to endeavour to induce his grandfather to use further measures + was worse than useless, and was treated as mere infatuation. He knew that + all he had to do was to endeavour for what patience he could win from + Cecily’s sweet influence and guidance, and to wait till either certainty + should come—that dreadful, miserable certainty that all looked for, + and his very helplessness might be bringing about—or till he should + regain strength to be again effective. + </p> + <p> + And miserably slow work was this recovery. No one had surgical skill to + deal with so severe a wound as that which Narcisse had inflicted; and the + daily pain and inconvenience it caused led to innumerable drawbacks that + often—even after he had come as far as the garden—brought him + back to his bed in a dark room, to blood-letting, and to speechlessness. + No one knew much of his mind—Cecily perhaps the most; and next to + her, Philip—who, from the time he had been admitted to his + step-brother’s presence, had been most assiduous in tending him—seemed + to understand his least sign, and to lay aside all his boisterous + roughness in his eager desire to do him service. The lads had loved each + other from the moment they had met as children, but never so apparently as + now, when all the rude horse-play of healthy youths was over—and one + was dependent, the other considerate. And if Berenger had made on one else + believe in Eustacie, he had taught Philip to view her as the ‘Queen’s men’ + viewed Mary of Scotland. Philip had told Lucy the rough but wholesome + truth, that ‘Mother talks mere folly. Eustacie is no more to be spoken of + with you than a pheasant with old brown Partlet; and Berry waits but to be + well to bring her off from all her foes. And I’ll go with him.’ + </p> + <p> + It was on Philip’s arm that Berenger first crept round the bowling-green, + and with Philip at his rein that he first endured to ride along the avenue + on Lord Walwyn’s smooth-paced palfrey; and it was Philip who interrupted + Lucy’s household cares by rushing in and shouting, ‘Sister, here! I have + wiled him to ride over the down, and he is sitting under the walnut-tree + quite spent, and the three little wenches are standing in a row, weeping + like so many little mermaids. Come, I say!’ + </p> + <p> + Lucy at once followed him through the house, through the deep porch to the + court, which was shaded by a noble walnut-tree, where Sir Marmaduke loved + to sit among his dogs. There not sat Berenger, resting against the trunk, + overcome by the heat and exertion of his ride. His cloak and hat lay on + the ground; the dogs fawned round him, eager for the wonted caress, and + his three little sisters stood a little aloof, clinging to one another and + crying piteously. + </p> + <p> + It was their first sight of him; and it seemed to them as if he were + behind a frightful mask. Even Lucy was not without a sensation of the + kind, of this effect in the change from the girlish, rosy complexion to + extreme paleness, on which was visible, in ghastly red and purple, the + great scar left by Narcisse, from the temple on the one side to the ear on + the other. + </p> + <p> + The far more serious would on the cheek was covered with a black patch, + and the hair had almost entirely disappeared from the head, only a few + light brown locks still hanging round the neck and temples, so that the + bald brow gave a strange look of age; and the disfigurement was terrible, + enhanced as it was by the wasting effect of nearly a year of sickness. + Lucy was so much shocked, that she could hardly steady her voice to chide + the children for not giving a better welcome to their brother. They would + have clung round her, but she shook them off, and sent Annora in haste for + her mother’s fan; while Philip arriving with a slice of diet-bread and a + cup of sack, the one fanned him, and the other fed him with morsels of the + cake soaked in the wine, till he revived, looked up with eyes that were + unchanged, and thanked them with a few faltering words, scarcely + intelligible to Lucy. The little girls came nearer, and curiously regarded + him but when he held out his hand to his favourite Dolly, she shrank back + in reluctance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not chide her,’ he said wearily. ‘May she never become used to such + marks!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What, would you have her live among cowards?’ exclaimed Philip; but + Berenger, instead of answering, looked up at the front of the house, one + of those fine Tudor facades that seem all carved timber and glass lattice, + and asked, so abruptly that Lucy doubted whether she heard him alright,—‘How + many windows are there in this front?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I never counted,’ said Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have,’ said Annora; ‘there are seven and thirty, besides the two little + ones in the porch.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘None shall make them afraid,’ he muttered. ‘Who would dare build such a + defenceless house over yonder?’—pointing south. + </p> + <p> + ‘Our hearts are guarded now,’ said Philip, proudly. Berenger half smiled, + as he was wont to do when he meant more than he could conveniently utter, + and presently he asked, in the same languid, musing tone, ‘Lucy, were you + ever really affrighted?’ + </p> + <p> + Lucy questioned whether he could be really in his right mind, as if the + bewilderment of his brain was again returning; and while she paused, + Annora exclaimed, ‘Yes, when we were gathering cowslips, and the brindled + cow ran at us, and Lucy could not run because she had Dolly in her arm. + Oh! we were frightened then, till you came, brother.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ added Bessie; ‘and last winter too, when the owl shrieked at the + window—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And,’ added Berenger, ‘sister, what was your greatest time of revelry?’ + </p> + <p> + Annora again put in her word. ‘I know, brother; you remember the fair-day, + when my Lady Grandame was angered because you and Lucy went on dancing + when we and all then gentry had ceased. And when Lucy said she had not + seen that you were left alone, Aunt Cecily said it was because the eyes of + discretion were lacking.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, the Christmas feast was far grander,’ said Bessie. ‘Then Lucy had her + first satin farthingale, and three gallants, besides my brother, wanted to + dance with her.’ + </p> + <p> + Blushing deeply, Lucy tried to hush the little ones, much perplexed by the + questions, and confused by the answers. Could he be contrasting the life + where a vicious cow had been the most alarming object, a greensward dance + with a step-brother the greatest gaiety, dye of the elder juice the + deepest stain, with the temptations and perils that had beset one equally + young? Resting his head on his hand, his elbow on his knee, he seemed to + be musing in a reverie that he could hardly brook, as his young brow was + knitted by care and despondency. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, the sounds in the village rose from the quiet sleepy summer hum + into a fierce yell of derisive vituperation, causing Philip at once to + leap up, and run across the court to the entrance-gate, while Lucy called + after him some vain sisterly warning against mingling in a fray. + </p> + <p> + It seemed as if his interposition had a good effect, for the uproar lulled + almost as soon as he had hurried to the scene of action; and presently he + reappeared, eager and breathless. ‘I told them to bring him up here,’ he + said; ‘they would have flogged him at the cart’s-tail, the rogues, just + because my father is out of the way. I could not make out his jargon, but + you can, brother; and make that rascal Spinks let him go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What should I have to do with it?’ said Berenger, shrinking from the + sudden exposure of his scarred face and maimed speech. ‘I am no + magistrate.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you can understand him; he is French, the poor rogue something abut a + letter, and wanting to ask his way. Ah! I thought that would touch you, + and it will cost you little pains, and slouching it over his face, rose, + and, leaning upon Annora’s shoulder, stepped forward, just as the big + burly blacksmith-constable and small shriveled cobbler advanced, dragging + along, by a cord round the wrists, a slight figure with a red woolen + sailor’s shirt, ragged black hosen, bare head, and almost bare feet. + </p> + <p> + Doffing their caps, the men began an awkward salutation to the young Lord + on his recovery, but he only touched his beaver in return, and demanded, + ‘How now! what have you bound him for?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You see, my Lord,’ began the constable, ‘there have been a sort of + vagrants of late, and I’ll be bound’ twas no four-legged fox as took + Gaffer Shepherd’s lamb.’ + </p> + <p> + The peroration was broken off, for with a start as if he had been shot, + Berenger cried aloud, ‘Mericour! the Abbe!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, Monsieur, if you know me,’ cried the young man, raising his head, + ‘free me from this shame—aid me in my mission!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Loose him, fellows,’ shouted Berenger; ‘Philip, a knife—Lucy, those + scissors.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tis my duty, my Lord,’ said Spinks, gruffly. ‘All vagabonds to be + apprehended and flogged at the cart’s-tail, by her Grace’s special + commands. How is it to be answered to his Honour, Sir Marmaduke?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oaf!’ cried Philip, ‘you durst not have used such violence had my father + been at home! Don’t you see my brother knows him?’ + </p> + <p> + With hands trembling with haste, Berenger had seized the scissors that, + house-wife like, hung at Lucy’s waist, and was cutting the rope, + exclaiming in French, ‘Pardon, pardon, friend, for so shameful a + reception.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ was the reply, without a sign of recognition, ‘if, indeed, you know + my name, I entreat you to direct me to the chateau of Le Sieur Tistefote, + whose lady was once Baronne de Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My mother! Ah, my friend, my friend! what would you?’ he cried in a tone + of tremulous hope and fear, laying one hand on Mericour’s shoulder, and + about to embrace him. + </p> + <p> + Mericour retreated from him; but the high-spirited young man crossed his + arms on his breast, and gazing at the group with indignant scorn, made + answer, ‘My message is from her who deems herself a widow, to the mother + of the husband whom she little imagines to be not only alive, but + consoled.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Faithful! Faithful!’ burst out Berenger, with a wild, exultant, + strangely-ringing shout. ‘Woe, woe to those who would have had me doubt + her! Philip—Lucy—hear! Her truth is clear to all the world!’ + Then changing back again to French, ‘Ten thousand blessings on you, + Mericour! You have seen her! Where—how?’ + </p> + <p> + Mericour still spoke with frigid politeness. ‘I had the honour to part + with Madame la Baronne de Ribaumont in the town of La Sablerie, among + humble, Huguenot guardians, to whom she had fled, to save her infant’s + life—when no aid came.’ + </p> + <p> + He was obliged to break off, for Berenger, stunned by the sudden rush of + emotion, reeled as he stood, and would have fallen but for the prompt + support of Lucy, who was near enough to guide him back to rest upon the + bench, saying resentfully in French as she did so, ‘My brother is still + very ill. I pray you, sir, have a care.’ + </p> + <p> + She had not half understood the rapid words of the two young men, Philip + comprehended them far less, and the constable and his crew of course not + at all; and Spinks pushed forward among the group as he saw Berenger sink + back on the bench; and once more collaring his prisoner, exclaimed almost + angrily to Philip, ‘There now, sir, you’ve had enough of the vagabond. + We’ll keep him tight ere he bewitches any more of you.’ + </p> + <p> + This rude interference proved an instant restorative. Berenger sprang up + at once, and seizing Spink’s arm, exclaimed, ‘Hands off, fellow! This is + my friend—a gentleman. He brings me tidings of infinite gladness. + Who insults him, insults me.’ + </p> + <p> + Spinks scarcely withdrew his hand from Mericour’s neck; and scowling, + said, ‘Very odd gentleman—very queer tidings, Master Berenger, to + fell you like an ox. I must be answerable for the fellow till his Honour + comes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! <i>Eh quoi</i>, wherefore not show the <i>canaille</i> your sword?’ + said Mericour, impatiently. + </p> + <p> + ‘It may not be here, in England,’ said Berenger (who fortunately was not + wearing his weapon). ‘And in good time here comes my step-father,’ as the + gate swung back, and Sir Marmaduke and Lady Thistlewood rode through it, + the former sending his voice far before him to demand the meaning of the + hurly-burly that filled his court. + </p> + <p> + Philip was the first to spring to his rein, exclaiming, ‘Father, it is a + Frenchman whom Spinks would have flogged at the cart’s-tail; but it seems + he is a friend of Berenger’s, and has brought him tidings. I know not what—about + his wife, I believe—any way he is beside himself with joy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir, your Honour,’ shouted Spinks, again seizing Mericour, and striving + to drag him forward, ‘I would know whether the law is to be hindered from + taking its course because my young Lord there is a Frenchman and + bewitched.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah,’ shrieked Lady Thistlewood, ‘I knew it. They will have sent secret + poison to finish him. Keep the fellow safe. He will cast it in the air.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay, my Lady,’ said Spinks, ‘there are plenty of us to testify that he + made my young Lord fall back as in a swoon, and reel like one distraught. + Pray Heaven it have not gone further.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ exclaimed Berenger, who on the other side held his friend’s hand + tight, ‘this is a noble gentleman—the brother of the Duke de + Mericour. He has come at great risk to bring me tidings of my dear and + true wife. And not one word will these demented rascals let me hear with + their senseless clamour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Berenger! You here, my boy!’ exclaimed Sir Marmaduke, more amazed by this + than all the rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘He touches him—he holds him! Ah! will no one tear him away?’ + screamed Lady Thistlewood. Nor would Spinks have been slow in obeying her + if Sir Marmaduke had not swung his substantial form to the ground, and + stepping up to the prisoner, rudely clawed on one side by Spinks, and + affectionately grasped on the other side by Berenger, shouted— + </p> + <p> + ‘Let go, both!’ does he speak English? Peace, dame! If the lad be + bewitched, it is the right way. He looks like the other man. Eh, lad, what + does your friend say for himself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said Berenger, interpreting Mericour’s words as they were spoken, + ‘he has been robbed and misused at sea by Montgomery’s pirate crews. He + fled from court for the religion’s sake; he met her—my wife’ (the + voice was scarcely intelligible, so tremulously was it spoken), ‘in hiding + among the Huguenots—he brings a letter and a token from her to my + mother.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! And you know him? You avouch him to be what he represents himself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I knew him at court. I know him well. Father, make these fellows cease + their insults! I have heard nothing yet. See here!’ holding out what + Mericour had put into his hand; ‘this you cannot doubt, mother.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Parted the pearls! Ah, the little minx!’ cried the lady, as she + recognized the jewels. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought he had been robbed?’ added Sir Marmaduke. + </p> + <p> + ‘The gentleman doubts?’ said Mericour, catching some of the words. ‘He + should know that what is confided in a French gentleman is only taken from + him with his life. Much did I lose; but the pearl I kept hidden in my + mouth.’ + </p> + <p> + Therewith he produced the letter. Lady Thistlewood pronounced that no + power on earth should induce her to open it, and drew off herself and her + little girls to a safe distance from the secret poison she fancied it + contained; while Sir Marmaduke was rating the constables for taking + advantage of his absence to interpret the Queen’s Vagrant Act in their own + violent fashion; ending, however, by sending them round to the + buttery-hatch to drink the young Lord’s health. For the messeger, the good + knight heartily grasped his hand, welcoming him and thanking him for + having ‘brought comfort to you poor lad’s heart.’ + </p> + <p> + But there Sir Marmaduke paused, doubting whether the letter had indeed + brought comfort; for Berenger, who had seized on it, when it was refused + by his mother, was sitting under the tree—turning away indeed, but + not able to conceal that his tears were gushing down like rain. The + anxious exclamation of his step-father roused him at length, but he scarce + found power or voice to utter, as he thrust the letter into the knight’s + hand, ‘Ah! see what has she not suffered for me! me, whom you would have + had believed her faithless!’ + </p> + <p> + He then grasped his friend’s arm, and with him disappeared into the house, + leaving Sir Marmaduke holding the letter in a state of the utmost + bewilderment, and calling by turns on his wife and daughter to read and + explain it to him. + </p> + <p> + And as Lucy read the letter, with her mother could not yet prevail on + herself to touch, she felt at each word more grateful to the good Aunt + Cecily, whose influence had taught her always to view Berenger as a + brother, and not to condemn unheard the poor young wife. If she had not + been thus guarded, what distress might not this day of joy to Berenger + have brought to Lucy! Indeed, Lady Thistlewood was vexed enough as it was, + and ready to carry her incredulity to the most inconsistent lengths. ‘It + was all a trick for getting the poor boy back, that they might make an end + of him altogether. Tell her they thought him dead.—‘Tilley-valley! + It was a mere attempt on her own good-nature, to get a little French + impostor on her hands. Let Sir Duke look well to it, and take care that + her poor boy was not decoyed among them. The Frenchman might be cutting + his throat at that moment! Where was he? Had Sir Duke been so lost as to + let them out of sight together? No one had either pity or prudence now + that her poor father was gone;’ and she began to weep. + </p> + <p> + ‘No great fear on that score, dame,’ laughed the knight. ‘Did you not hear + the lad shouting for ‘Phil, Phil!’ almost in a voice like old times? It + does one good to hear it.’ + </p> + <p> + Just at twilight, Berenger came down the steps, conducting a graceful + gentleman in black, to whom Lady Thistlewood’s instinct impelled her to + make a low courtesy, before Berenger had said, ‘Madam, allow me to present + to you my friend, the Abbe de Mericour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it the same?’ whispered Bessie to Annora. ‘Surely he is translated!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only into Philip’s old mourning suit. I know it by the stain on the knee. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then it is translated too. Never did it look so well on Philip! See, our + mother is quite gracious to him; she speaks to him as though he were some + noble visitor to my Lord.’ + </p> + <p> + Therewith Sir Marmaduke came forward, shook Mericour with all his might by + the hand, shouted to him his hearty thanks for the good he had done his + poor lad and assured him of a welcome from the very bottom of his heart. + The good knight would fain have kept both Berenger and his friend at the + Manor, but Berenger was far too impatient to carry home his joy, and only + begged the loan of a horse for Mericour. For himself, he felt as if + fatigue or dejection would never touch him again, and he kissed his mother + and his sisters, including Lucy, all round, with an effusion of delight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that indeed your step-father?’ said Mericour, as they rode away + together. ‘And the young man, is he your half-brother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother wholly in dear love,’ said Berenger; ‘no blood relation. The + little girls are my mother’s children.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! so large a family all one? All at home? None in convents?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We have no convents.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, no, but all at home! All at peace! This is a strange place, your + England.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. DEPARTURE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + It is my mistress! + Since she is living, let the time run on + To good or bad.—CYMBELINE +</pre> + <p> + Mericour found the welcome at Hurst Walwyn kindly and more polished than + that at Combe Manor. He was more readily understood, and found himself at + his natural element. Lord Walwyn, in especial, took much notice of him, + and conversed with him long and earnestly; while Berenger, too happy and + too weary to exert himself to say many words, sat as near Cecily as he + could, treating her as though she, who had never contradicted in his trust + in Eustacie, were the only person who could worthily share his infinite + relief, peace, and thankfulness. + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn said scarcely anything to his grandson that night, only when + Berenger, as usual, bent his knee to ask his blessing on parting for the + night, he said, gravely, ‘Son, I am glad of your joy; I fear me you have + somewhat to pardon your grandsire. Come to my library so soon as morning + prayers be over; we will speak then. Not now, my dear lad,’ he added, as + Berenger, with tears in his eyes, kissed his hand, and would have begun; + ‘you are too much worn and spent to make my dear ears hear. Sleep, and + take my blessing with you.’ + </p> + <p> + It was a delight to see the young face freed from the haggard, dejected + expression that had been sadder than the outward wound; and yet it was so + questionable how far the French connection was acceptable to the family, + that when Berenger requested Mr. Adderley to make mention of the mercy + vouch-safed to him in the morning devotions, the chaplain bowed, indeed, + but took care to ascertain that his so doing would be agreeable to my Lord + and my Lady. + </p> + <p> + He found that if Lady Walwyn was still inclined to regret that the + Frenchwoman was so entirely a wife, and thought Berenger had been very + hasty and imprudent, yet that the old Lord was chiefly distressed at the + cruel injustice he had so long been doing this poor youth thing. A strong + sense of justice, and long habit of dignified self-restraint, alone + prevented Lord Walwyn from severely censuring Mr. Adderley for + misrepresentations; but the old nobleman recollected that Walsingham had + been in the same story, and was too upright to visit his own vexation on + the honestly-mistaken tutor. + </p> + <p> + However, when Berenger made his appearance in the study, looking as if not + one right, but weeks, had been spent in recovering health and spirit, the + old man’s first word was a gentle rebuke for his having been left unaware + of how far matters had gone; but he cut short the attempted reply, but + saying he knew it was chiefly owing to his own over-hasty conclusion, and + fear of letting his grandson injure himself by vainly discussing the + subject. Now, however, he examined Berenger closely on all the proceedings + Paris and at Montpipeau, and soon understood that the ceremony had been + renewed, ratifying the vows taken in infancy. The old statesman’s face + cleared up at once; for, as he explained, he had now no anxieties as to + the validity of the marriage by English law, at least, in spite of the + decree from Rome, which, as he pointed out to his grandson, was wholly + contingent on the absence of subsequent consent, since the parties had + come to an age for free-will. Had he known of this, the re-marriage, he + said, he should certainly have been less supine. Why had Berenger been + silent? + </p> + <p> + ‘I was commanded, sir. I fear I have transgressed the command by + mentioning it now. I must pray you to be secret.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Secret, foolish lad. Know you not that the rights of your wife and your + children rest upon it?’ and as the change in Berenger’s looks showed that + he had not comprehended the full importance of the second ceremony as + nullifying the papal sentence, which could only quash the first on the + ground of want of mutual consent, he proceeded, ‘Command, quotha? Who + there had any right to command you, boy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only one, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, this no moment for lover’s folly. It was not the girl, then? Then + it could no other than the miserable King—was it so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir,’ said Berenger. ‘He bade me as king, and requested me as the + friend who gave her to me. I could do no otherwise, and I thought it would + be but a matter of a few days, and that our original marriage was the only + important one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you any parchment to prove it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir. It passed but as a ceremony to satisfy the Queen’s scruples ere + she gave my wife to me to take home. I even think the King was displeased + at her requiring it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Was Mr. Sidney a witness?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir. None was present, save the King and Queen, her German countess, + and the German priest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lammas-day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The 1st of August of the year of grace 1572. I will write to Walsingham + to obtain the testimony, if possible, of king or of priest; but belike + they will deny it all. It was part of the trick. Shame upon it that a king + should dig pits for so small a game as you, my poor lad!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Verily, my Lord,’ said Berenger, ‘I think the King meant us kindly, and + would gladly have sped us well away. Methought he felt his bondage + bitterly, and would fain have dared to be a true king. Even at the last, + he bade me to his <i>garde-robe</i>, and all there were unhurt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And wherefore obeyed you not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The carouse would have kept me too late for our flight.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘King’s behests may not lightly be disregarded,’ said the old courtier, + with a smile. ‘However, since he showed such seeming favour to you, surely + you might send a petition to him privately, through Sir Francis + Walsingham, to let the priest testify to your renewal of contract, + engaging not to use it to his detriment in France.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will do so, sir. Meanwhile,’ he added, as one who felt he had earned a + right to be heard in his turn, ‘I have your permission to hasten to bring + home my wife?’ + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn was startled at this demand from one still so far from + recovered as Berenger. Even this talk, eager as the youth was, had not + been carried on without much difficulty, repetitions, and altered phrases, + when he could not pronounce distinctly enough to be understood and the + effort brought lines of pain into his brow. He could take little solid + food, had hardly any strength for walking or riding; and, though all his + wounds were whole, except that one unmanageable shot in the mouth, he + looked entirely unfit to venture on a long journey in the very country + that had sent him home a year before scarcely alive. Lord Walwyn had + already devised what he thought a far more practicable arrangement; + namely, to send Mr. Adderley and some of my Lady’s women by sea, under the + charge of Master Hobbs, a shipmaster at Weymouth, who traded with Bordeaux + for wine, and could easily put in near La Sablerie, and bring off the lady + and child, and, if she wished it, the pastor to whom such a debt of + gratitude was owing. + </p> + <p> + Berenger was delighted with the notion of the sea rather than the land + journey; but he pointed out at once that this would remove all objection + to his going in person. He had often been out whole nights with the + fishermen, and knew that a sea-voyage would be better for his health than + anything,—certainly better than pining and languishing at home, as + he had done for months. He could not bear to think of separation from + Eustacie an hour longer than needful; nay, she had been cruelly entreated + enough already; and as long as he could keep his feet, it was absolutely + due to her that he should not let others, instead of himself, go in search + of her. It would be almost death to him to stay at home. + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn looked at the pallid, wasted face, with all its marks of + suffering and intense eagerness of expression, increased by the difficulty + of utterance and need of subduing agitation. He felt that the + long-misunderstood patience and endurance had earned something; and he + knew, too, that for all his grandson’s submission and respect, the boy, as + a husband and father, had rights and duties that would assert themselves + manfully if opposed. It was true that the sea-voyage obviated many + difficulties, and it was better to consent with a good grace than drive + one hitherto so dutiful to rebellion. He did then consent, and was + rewarded by the lightning flash of joy and gratitude in the bright blue + eyes, and the fervent pressure and kiss of his hand, as Berenger + exclaimed, ‘Ah! sir, Eustacie will be such a daughter to you. You should + have seen how the Admiral liked her!’ + </p> + <p> + The news of Lord Walwyn’s consent raised much commotion in the family. + Dame Annora was sure her poor son would be murdered outright this time, + and that nobody cared because he was only HER son; and she strove hard to + stir up Sir Marmaduke to remonstrate with her father; but the good knight + had never disputed a judgment of ‘my Lord’s’ in his whole life, and had + even received his first wife from his hands, when forsaken by the gay + Annora. So she could only ride over the Combe, be silenced by her father, + as effectually as if Jupiter had nodded, and bewail and murmur to her + mother till she lashed Lady Walwyn up into finding every possible reason + why Berenger should and must sail. Then she went home, was very sharp with + Lucy, and was reckoned by saucy little Nan to have nineteen times + exclaimed ‘Tilley-valley’ in the course of one day. + </p> + <p> + The effect upon Philip was a vehement insistence on going with his + brother. He was sure no one else would see to Berry half as well; and as + to letting Berry go to be murdered again without him, he would not hear of + it; he must go, he would not stay at home; he should not study; no, no, he + should be ready to hang himself for vexation, and thinking what they were + doing to his brother. And thus he extorted from his kind-hearted father an + avowal that he should be easier a bout the lad if Phil were there, and + that he might go, provided Berry would have him, and my Lord saw no + objection. The first point was soon settled; and as to the second, there + was no reason at all that Philip should not go where his brother did. In + fact, excepting for Berenger’s state of health, there was hardly any risk + about the matter. Master Hobbs, to whom Philip rode down ecstatically to + request him to come and speak to my Lord, was a stout, honest, experienced + seaman, who was perfectly at home in the Bay of Biscay, and had so strong + a feudal feeling for the house of Walwyn, that he placed himself and his + best ship, the THROSTLE, entirely at his disposal. The THROSTLE was a + capital sailer, and carried arms quite sufficient in English hands to + protect her against Algerine corsairs or Spanish pirates. He only asked + for a week to make her cabin ready for the reception of a lady, and this + time was spent in sending a post to London, to obtain for Berenger the + permit from the Queen, and the passport from the French Ambassador, + without which he could not safely have gone; and, as a further precaution, + letters were requested from some of the secret agents of the Huguenots to + facilitate his admission into La Sablerie. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, poor Mr. Adderley had submitted meekly to the decree that + sentenced him to weeks of misery on board the THROSTLE, but to his + infinite relief, an inspection of the cabins proved the space so small, + that Berenger represented to him grandfather that the excellent tutor + would be only an incumbrance to himself and every one else, and that with + Philip he should need no one. Indeed, he had made such a start into vigour + and alertness during the last few days that there was far less anxiety + about him, though with several sighs for poor Osbert. Cecily initiated + Philip into her simple rules for her patient’s treatment in case of the + return of his more painful symptoms. The notion of sending female + attendants for Eustacie was also abandoned: her husband’s presence + rendered them unnecessary, or they might be procured at La Sablerie; and + thus it happened that the only servants whom Berenger was to take with him + were Humfrey Holt and John Smithers, the same honest fellows whose + steadiness had so much conduced to his rescue at Paris. + </p> + <p> + Claude de Mericour had in the meantime been treated as an honoured guest + at Combe Walwyn, and was in good esteem with its master. He would have set + forth at once on his journey to Scotland, but that Lord Walwyn advised him + to wait and ascertain the condition of his relatives there before throwing + himself on them. Berenger had, accordingly, when writing to Sidney by the + messenger above mentioned, begged him to find out from Sir Robert + Melville, the Scottish Envoy, all he could about the family whose + designation he wrote down at a venture from Mericour’s lips. + </p> + <p> + Sidney returned a most affectionate answer, saying that he had never been + able to believe the little shepherdess a traitor and was charmed that she + had proved herself a heroine; he should endeavour to greet her with all + his best powers as a poet, when she should brighten the English court; but + his friend, Master Spenser, alone was fit to celebrate such constancy. As + to M. l’Abbe de Mericour’s friends, Sir Robert Melville had recognized + their name at once, and had pronounced them to be fierce Catholics and + Queensmen, so sorely pressed by the Douglases, that it was believed they + would soon fly the country altogether; and Sidney added, what Lord Walwyn + had already said, that to seek Scotland rather than France as a + resting-place in which to weigh between Calvinism and Catholicism, was + only trebly hot and fanatical. His counsel was that M. de Mericour should + so far conform himself to the English Church as to obtain admission to one + of the universities, and, through his uncle of Leicester, he could obtain + for him an opening at Oxford, where he might fully study the subject. + </p> + <p> + There was much to incline Mericour to accept this counsel. He had had much + conversation with Mr. Adderley, and had attended his ministrations in the + chapel, and both satisfied him far better than what he had seen among the + French Calninists; and the peace and family affection of the two houses + were like a new world to him. But he had not yet made up his mind to that + absolute disavowal of his own branch of the Church, which alone could have + rendered him eligible for any foundation at Oxford. His attainments in + classics would, Mr. Adderley thought, reach such a standard as to gain one + of the very few scholarships open to foreigners; and his noble blood + revolted at becoming a pensioner of Leicester’s, or of any other nobleman. + </p> + <p> + Lord Walwyn, upon this, made an earnest offer of his hospitality, and + entreated the young man to remain at Hurst Walwyn till the return of + Berenger and Philip, during which time he might study under the directions + of Mr. Adderley, and come to a decision whether to seek reconciliation + with his native Church and his brother, or to remain in England. In this + latter case, he might perhaps accompany both the youths to Oxford, for, in + spite of Berenger’s marriage, his education was still not supposed to be + complete. And when Mericour still demurred with reluctance to become a + burden on the bounty of the noble house, he was reminded gracefully of the + debt of gratitude that the family owed to him for the relief he had + brought to Berenger; and, moreover, Dame Annora giggled out that, ‘if he + would teach Nan and Bess to speak and read French and Italian, it would be + worth something to them.’ The others of the family would have hushed up + this uncalled-for proposal; but Mericour caught at it as the most + congenial mode of returning the obligation. Every morning he undertook to + walk or ride over to the Manor, and there gave his lessons to the young + ladies, with whom he was extremely popular. He was a far more brilliant + teacher than Lucy, and ten thousand times preferable to Mr. Adderley, who + had once begun to teach Annora her accidence with lamentable want of + success. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. THE EMPTY CRADLE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + Eager to know + The worst, and with that fatal certainty + To terminate intolerable dread, + He spurred his courser forward—all his fears + Too surely are fulfilled.—SOUTHEY +</pre> + <p> + Contrary winds made the voyage of the THROSTLE much more tardy than had + been reckoned on by Berenger’s impatience; but hope was before him, and he + often remembered his days in the little vessel as much happier than he had + known them to be at the time. + </p> + <p> + It was in the calm days of right October that Captain Hobbs at length was + putting into the little harbour nearest to La Sablerie. Berenger, on that + morning, had for the first time been seized by a fit of anxiety as to the + impression his face would make, with its terrible purple scar, great + patch, and bald forehead, and had brought out a little black velvet mask, + called a <i>tour de nez</i>, often used in riding to protect the + complexion, intending to prepare Eustacie for his disfigurement. He had + fastened on a carnation-coloured sword-knot, would a scarf of the same + colour across his shoulder, clasped a long ostrich plume into his broad + Spanish hat, and looked out his deeply-fringed Spanish gloves; and Philip + was laughing merrily, not to say rudely, at him, for trying to deck + himself out so bravely. + </p> + <p> + ‘See, Master Hobbs,’ cried the boy in his high spirits, as he followed his + brother on deck, ‘you did not know you had so fine a gallant on board. + Here be braveries for my Lady.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush, Phil,’ broke in Berenger, who had hitherto taken all the raillery + in perfect good part. ‘What is amiss, Master Hobbs?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot justly say, sir,’ returned Master Hobbs, without taking his gaze + off the coast, ‘but by yonder banks and creeks this should be the Sables + d’Olonne; and I do not see the steeple of La Sablerie, which has always + been the landmark for the harbour of St. Julien.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you understand by that?’ asked Berenger, more struck by his + manner than his words. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, sir, if I am right, a steeple that has stood three or four hundred + years does not vanish out of sight like a cloud of smoke for nothing. I + may be lightning, to be sure; or the Protestants may have had it down for + Popery; but methinks they would have too much Christian regard for poor + mariners than to knock down the only landmark on this coast till you come + to Nissard spire.’ Then he hailed the man at the mast-head, demanding if + he saw the steeple of La Sablerie. ‘No, no, sir.’ But as other portions of + the land became clearer, there was no doubt that the THROSTLE was right in + her bearings; so the skipper gave orders to cast anchor and lower a boat. + The passengers would have pressed him with inquiries as to what he thought + the absence of his landmark could portend; but he hurried about, and + shouted orders, with the deaf despotism of a nautical commander; and only + when all was made ready, turned round and said, ‘Now, sir, maybe you had + best let me go ashore first, and find out how the land lies.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never!’ said Berenger, in an agony of impatience. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought so,’ said the captain. ‘Well, then, sir, are your fellows + ready? Armed? All right.’ + </p> + <p> + So Berenger descended to the boat, followed by Philip; next came the + captain, and then the two serving-men. Six of the crew were ready to row + them to the shore, and were bidden by their captain to return at once to + the vessel, and only return on a signal from him. the surging rush of + intense anxiety, sure to precede the destined moment of the consummation + of hope long deferred, kept Berenger silent, choked by something between + fear and prayer; but Philip, less engrossed, asked Master Hobbs if it were + not strange that none of the inhabitants of the squalid little huts on the + shore had not put out to greet them in some of the boats that were drawn + up on the beach. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor wretches,’ said Hobbs; ‘they scarce know friend from foe, and are + slow to run their heads into the lion’s mouth. Strange fellows have the + impudence to sail under our flag at times.’ + </p> + <p> + However, as they neared the low, flat, sandy shore, a few red caps peeped + out at the cottage-doors, and then, apparently gaining confidence from the + survey, some wiry, active figures appeared, and were hailed by Hobbs. His + Bordeaux trade had rendered him master of the coast language; and a few + incomprehensible shouts between him and the natives resulted in a line + being thrown to them, and the boat dragged as near as possible to the + landing-place, when half a dozen ran up, splashing with their bare legs, + to offer their shoulders for the transport of the passengers, both of whom + were seized upon before they were aware, Philip struggling with all his + might, till a call from Captain Hobbs warned him to resign himself; and + then he became almost helpless with laughter at the figure cut by the + long-legged Berenger upon a small fisherman’s back. + </p> + <p> + They were landed. Could it be that Berenger was only two miles—only + half an hour’s walk form Eustacie? The bound his heart gave as he touched + the shore seemed to stifle him. He could not believe it. Yet he knew how + fully he had believed it, the next moment, when he listened to what the + fishermen were saying to Captain Hobbs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did Monsieur wish to go to La Sablerie? Ah! then he did not know what had + happened. The soldiers had been there; there had been a great burning. + They had been out in their boats at sea, but they had seen the sky red—red + as a furnace, all night; and the steeple was down. Surely, Monsieur had + missed the steeple that was a guide to all poor seafarers; and now they + had to go all the way to Brancour to sell their fish.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the townspeople?’ Hobbs asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! poor things; ‘twas pity of them, for they were honest folk to deal + with, even if they were heretics. They loved fish at other seasons if not + in Lent; and it seemed but a fair return to go up and bury as many of them + as were not burnt to nothing in their church; and Dom Colombeau, the good + priest of Nissard, has said it was a pious work; and he was a saint, if + any one was.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alack, sir,’ said Hobbs, laying his hand on the arm of Berenger, who + seemed neither to have breathed nor moved while the man was speaking: ‘I + feared that there had been some such bloody work when I missed the + steeple. But take heart yet: your lady is very like to have been out of + the way. We might make for La Rochelle, and there learn!’ Then, again to + the fisherman, ‘None escaped, fellow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not one,’ replied the man. ‘They say that one of the great folks was in a + special rage with them for sheltering the lady he should have wedded, but + who had broken convent and turned heretic; and they had victualled + Montgomery’s pirates too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the lady?’ continued Hobbs, ever trying to get a more supporting hold + of his young charge, in case the rigid tension of his limbs should + suddenly relax.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot tell, sir. I am a poor fisher; but I could guide you to the + place where old Gillot is always poking about. He listened to their + preachings, and knows more than we do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us go,’ said Berenger, at once beginning to stride along in his heavy + boots through the deep sand. Philip, who had hardly understood a word of + the <i>patois</i>, caught hold of him, and begged to be told what had + happened; but Master Hobbs drew the boy off, and explained to him and to + the two men what were the dreadful tidings that had wrought such a change + in Berenger’s demeanour. The way over the shifting sands was toilsome + enough to all the rest of the party; but Berenger scarcely seemed to feel + the deep plunge at every step as they almost ploughed their way along for + the weary two miles, before a few green bushes and half-choked trees + showed that they were reaching the confines of the sandy waste. Berenger + had not uttered a word the whole time, and his silence hushed the others. + The ground began to rise, grass was seen still struggling to grow, and + presently a large straggling mass of black and gray ruins revealed + themselves, with the remains of a once well-trodden road leading to them. + But the road led to a gate-way choked by a fallen jamb and barred door, + and the guide led them round the ruins of the wall to the opening where + the breach had been. The sand was already blowing in, and no doubt veiled + much; for the streets were scarcely traceable through remnants of houses + more or less dilapidated, with shreds of broken or burnt household + furniture within them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ask him for <i>la rue des Trois Fees</i>,’ hoarsely whispered Berenger. + </p> + <p> + The fisherman nodded, but soon seemed at fault; and an old man, followed + by a few children, soon appearing, laden with piece of fuel, he appealed + to him as Father Gillot, and asked whether he could find the street. The + old man seemed at home in the ruins, and led the way readily. ‘Did he know + the Widow Laurent’s house?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mademoiselle [footnote: This was the title of <i>bourgeoise</i> wives, + for many years, in France.] Laurent! Full well he knew her; a good pious + soul was she, always ready to die for the truth,’ he added, as he read + sympathy in the faces round; ‘and no doubt she had witnessed a good + confession.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Knew he aught of the lady she had lodged?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He knew nothing of ladies. Something he had heard of the good widow + having sheltered that shining light, Isaac Gardon, quenched, no doubt, in + the same destruction; but for his part, he had a daughter in one of the + isles out there, who always sent for him if she suspected danger here on + the mainland, and he had only returned to his poor farm a day or two after + Michael-mas.’ So saying, he led them to the threshold of a ruinous + building, in the very centre, as it were, of the desolation, and said, + ‘That, gentlemen, is where the poor honest widow kept her little shop.’ + </p> + <p> + Black, burnt, dreary, lay the hospitable abode. The building had fallen, + but the beams of the upper floor had fallen aslant, so as to shelter a + portion of the lower room, where the red-tile pavement, the hearth with + the gray ashes of the harmless home-fire, some unbroken crocks, a chain, + and a <i>sabot</i>, were still visible, making the contrast of dreariness + doubly mournful. + </p> + <p> + Berenger had stepped over the threshold, with his hat in his hand, as if + the ruin were a sacred place to him, and stood gazing in a transfixed, + deadened way. The captain asked where the remains were. + </p> + <p> + ‘Our people,’ said the old man and the fisher, ‘laid them by night in the + earth near the church.’ + </p> + <p> + Just then Berenger’s gaze fell on something half hidden under the fallen + timbers. He instantly sprang forward, and used all his strength to drag it + out in so headlong a manner that all the rest hurried to prevent his + reckless proceedings from bringing the heavy beams down on his head. When + brought to light, the object proved to be one of the dark, heavy, wooden + cradles used by the French peasantry, shining with age, but untouched by + fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look in,’ Berenger signed to Philip, his own eyes averted, his mouth set. + </p> + <p> + The cradle was empty, totally empty, save for a woolen covering, a little + mattress, and a string of small yellow shells threaded. + </p> + <p> + Berenger held out his hand, grasped the baby-play thing convulsively, then + dropped upon his knees, clasping his hands over his ashy face, the string + of shells still wound among his fingers. Perhaps he had hitherto hardly + realized the existence of his child, and was solely wrapped up in the + thought of his wife; but the wooden cradle, the homely toy, stirred up + fresh depths of feelings; he saw Eustacie wither tender sweetness as a + mother, he beheld the little likeness of her in the cradle; and oh! that + this should have been the end! Unable to repress a moan of anguish from a + bursting heart, he laid his face against the senseless wood, and kissed it + again and again, then lay motionless against it save for the long-drawn + gasps and sobs that shook his frame. Philip, torn to the heart, would have + almost forcibly drawn him away; but Master Hobbs, with tears running down + his honest cheeks, withheld the boy. ‘Don’t ye, Master Thistlewood, ‘twill + do him good. Poor young gentleman! I know how it was when I came home and + found our first little lad, that we had thought so much on, had been take. + But then he was safe laid in his own churchyard, and his mother was there + to meet me; while your poor brother—-Ah! God comfort him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Le pauvre Monsieur</i>!’ exclaimed the old peasant, struck at the + sight of his grief, ‘was it then his child? And he, no doubt, lying + wounded elsewhere while God’s hand was heavy on this place. Yet he might + hear more. They said the priest came down and carried off the little ones + to be bred up in convents.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who?—where?’ asked Berenger, raising his head as if catching at a + straw in this drowning of all his hopes. + </p> + <p> + ‘’Tis true,’ added the fisherman. ‘It was the holy priest of Nissard, for + he send down to St. Julien for a woman to nurse the babes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To Nissard, then,’ said Berenger, rising. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is but a chance,’ said the old Huguenot; ‘many of the innocents were + with their mothers in yonder church. Better for them to perish like the + babes of Bethlehem than to be bred up in the house of Baal; but perhaps + Monsieur is English, and if so he might yet obtain the child. Yet he must + not hope too much.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, for there was many a little corpse among those we buried,’ said the + fisher. ‘Will the gentleman see the place?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, no!’ exclaimed Philip, understanding the actions, and indeed many of + the words; ‘this place will kill him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To the grave,’ said Berenger, as if he heard nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘See,’ added Philip, ‘there are better things than graves,’ and he pointed + to a young green sucker of a vine, which, stimulated by the burnt soil, + had shot up between the tiles of the floor. ‘Look, there is hope to meet + you even here.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger merely answered by gathering a leaf from the vine and putting it + into his bosom; and Philip, whom only extreme need could have thus + inspired, perceived that he accepted it as the augury of hope. + </p> + <p> + Berenger turned to bid the two men bear the cradle with them, and then + followed the old man out into the PLACE, once a pleasant open paved + square, now grass-grown and forlorn. On one side lay the remains of the + church. The Huguenots had been so predominant at La Sablerie as to have + engrossed the building, and it had therefore shared the general + destruction, and lay in utter, desolate ruin, a mere shell, and the once + noble spire, the mariner’s guiding star, blown up with gun-cruel that ever + desolated the country. Beyond lay the burial-ground, in unspeakable + dreariness. The crossed of the Catholic dead had been levelled by the + fanaticism of the Huguenots, and though a great dominant stone cross + raised on steps had been re-erected, it stood uneven, tottering and + desolate among nettles, weeds, and briers. There seemed to have been a few + deep trenches dug to receive the bodies of the many victims of the siege, + and only rudely and slightly filled in with loose earth, on which Philippe + treading had nearly sunk in, so much to his horror that he could hardly + endure the long contemplation in which his brother stood gazing on the + dismal scene, as if to bear it away with him. Did the fair being he had + left in a king’s palace sleep her last sleep her last sleep amid the + tangled grass, the thistles and briers that grew so close that it was + hardly possible to keep from stumbling over them, where all memorials of + friend or foe were alike obliterated? Was a resting-place among these + nameless graves the best he could hope for the wife whose eyes he had + hoped by this time would be answering his own—was this her shelter + from foe, from sword, famine, and fire? + </p> + <p> + A great sea-bird, swooping along with broad wings and wild wailing cry, + completed the weird dismay that had seized on Philip, and clutching at his + brother’s cloak, he exclaimed, ‘Berry, Berry, let us be gone, or we shall + both be distraught!’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger yielded passively, but when the ruins of the town had been again + crossed, and the sad little party, after amply rewarding the old man, were + about to return to St. Julien, he stood still, saying, ‘Which is the way + to Nissard?’ and, as the men pointed to the south, he added, ‘Show me the + way thither.’ + </p> + <p> + Captain Hobbs now interfered. He knew the position of Nissard, among + dangerous sandbanks, between which a boat could only venture at the higher + tides, and by daylight. To go the six miles thither at present would make + it almost impossible to return to the THROSTLE that night, and it was + absolutely necessary that he at least should do this. He therefore wished + the young gentleman to return with him on board, sleep there, and be put + ashore at Nissard as soon as it should be possible in the morning. But + Berenger shook his head. He could not rest for a moment till he had + ascertained the fate of Eustacie’s child. Action alone could quench the + horror of what he had recognized as her own lot, and the very pursuit of + this one thread of hope seemed needful to him to make it substantial. He + would hear of nothing but walking at once to Nissard; and Captain Hobbs, + finding it impossible to debate the point with one so dazed and crushed + with grief, and learning from the fishermen that not only was the priest + one of the kindest and most hospitable men living, but that there was a + tolerable <i>caberet</i> not far from the house, selected from the + loiterers who had accompanied them from St. Julien a trustworthy-looking, + active lad as a guide, and agreed with the high tide on the morrow, either + to concert measures for obtaining possession of the lost infant, or, if + all were in vain, to fetch them off. Then he, with the mass of stragglers + from St. Julien, went off direct for the coast, while the two young + brothers, their two attendants, and the fishermen, turned southwards along + the summit of the dreary sandbanks. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. THE GOOD PRIEST OF NISSARD + </h2> + <p> + Till at the set of sun all tracks and ways In darkness lay enshrouded. And + e’en thus The utmost limit of the great profound At length we reach’d, + where in dark gloom and mist Cimmeria’s people and their city lie + Enveloped ever.—ODYSSEY (MUSGROVE) + </p> + <p> + The October afternoon had set in before the brothers were the way to + Nissard; and in spite of Berenger’s excited mood, the walk through the + soft, sinking sand could not be speedily performed. It was that peculiar + sand-drift which is the curse of so many coasts, slowly, silently, + irresistibly flowing, blowing, creeping in, and gradually choking all + vegetation and habitation. Soft and almost impalpable, it lay heaped in + banks yielding as air, and yet far more than deep enough to swallow up man + and horse. Nay, tops of trees, summits of chimneys, told what it had + already swallowed. The whole scene far and wide presented nothing but the + lone, tame undulations, liable to be changed by every wind, and solitary + beyond expression—a few rabbits scudding hither and thither, or a + sea-gull floating with white, ghostly wings in the air, being the only + living things visible. On the one hand a dim, purple horizon showed that + the inhabited country lay miles inland; on the other lay the pale, gray, + misty expanse of sea, on which Philip’s eyes could lovingly discern the + THROSTLE’S masts. + </p> + <p> + That view was Philip’s chief comfort. The boy was feeling more eerie and + uncomfortable than ever he had been before as he plodded along, sinking + deep with every step almost up to his ankles in the sand, on which the + bare-footed guide ran lightly, and Berenger, though sinking no less + deeply, seemed insensible to all inconveniences. This desolateness was + well-nigh unbearable; no one dared to speak while Berenger thus moved on + in the unapproachableness of his great grief, and Philip presently began + to feel a dreamy sense that they had all thus been moving for years, that + this was the world’s end, the land of shadows, and that his brother was a + ghost already. Besides vague alarms like these, there was the dismal + English and Protestant prejudice in full force in Philip’s mind, which + regarded the resent ground as necessarily hostile, and all Frenchmen, + above all French priests, as in league to cut off every Englishman and + Protestant. He believed himself in a country full of murderers, and was + walking on with the one determination that his brother should not rush on + danger without him, and that the Popish rogues should be kept in mind that + there was an English ship in sight. Alas! that consolation was soon lost, + for a dense gray mist was slowly creeping in from the sea, and blotted out + the vessel, then gathered in closer, and obliterated all landmarks. + Gradually it turned to a heavy rain, and about the same time the ground on + which they walked became no longer loose sand-hills, but smooth and level. + It was harder likewise from the wet, and this afforded better walking, but + there lay upon it fragments of weed and shell, as though it were liable to + be covered by the sea, and there was a low, languid plash of the tide, + which could not be seen. Twilight began to deepen the mist. The guide was + evidently uneasy; he sidled up to Philip, and began to ask what he—hitherto + obstinately deaf and contemptuous to French—was very slow to + comprehend. At last he found it was a question how near it was to All + Soul’s day; and then came an equally amazing query whether the gentlemen’s + babe had been baptized; for it appeared that on All Soul’s day the spirits + of unchristened infants had the power of rising from the sands in a + bewildering mist, and leading wayfarers into the sea. And the poor guide, + white and drenched, vowed he never would have undertaken this walk if he + had only thought of this. These slaughters of heretics must so much have + augmented the number of the poor little spirits; and no doubt Monsieur + would be specially bewildered by one so nearly concerned with him. Philip, + half frightened, could not help stepping forward and pulling Berenger by + the cloak to make him aware of this strange peril; but he did not get much + comfort. ‘Baptized? Yes; you know she was, by the old nurse. Let me alone, + I say. I would follow her wherever she called me, the innocent, and glad—the + sooner the better.’ + </p> + <p> + And he shook his brother off with a sadness and impatience so utterly + unapproachable, that Philip, poor boy, could only watch his tall figure in + the wide cloak and slouched hat, stalking on ever more indistinct in the + gloom, while his much confused mind tried to settle the theological point + whether the old nurse’s baptism were valid enough to prevent poor little + Berangere from becoming one of these mischievous deluders; and all this + was varied by the notion of Captain Hobbs picking up their corpses on the + beach, and of Sir Marmaduke bewailing his only son. + </p> + <p> + At last a strange muffled sound made him start in the dead silence, but + the guide hailed the sound with a joyful cry—- + </p> + <p> + ‘Hola! Blessings on Notre-Dame and holy Father Colombeau, now are we + saved!’ and on Philip’s hasty interrogation, he explained that it was from + the bells of Nissard, which the good priest always caused to be rung + during these sea-fogs, to disperse all evil beings, and guide the + wanderers. + </p> + <p> + The guide strode on manfully, as the sound became clearer and nearer, and + Philip was infinitely relived to be free from all supernatural anxieties, + and to have merely to guard against the wiles of a Polish priest, a being + almost as fabulously endowed in his imagination as poor little Berangere’s + soul could be in that of the fisherman. + </p> + <p> + The drenching Atlantic mist had wetted them all to the skin, and closed + round them so like a solid wall, that they had almost lost sight of each + other, and had nothing but the bells’ voices to comfort them, till quite + suddenly there was a light upon the mist, a hazy reddish gleam—a + window seemed close to them. The guide, heartily thanking Our Lady and St. + Julian, knocked at a door, which opened at once into a warm, bright, + superior sort of kitchen, where a neatly-dressed elderly peasant woman + exclaimed, ‘Welcome, poor souls! Enter, then. Here, good Father, are some + bewildered creatures. Eh! wrecked are you, good folks, or lost in the + fog?’ + </p> + <p> + At the same moment there came from behind the screen that shut off the + fire from the door, a benignant-looking, hale old man in a cassock, with + long white hair on his shoulders, and a cheerful face, ruddy from + sea-wind. + </p> + <p> + ‘Welcome, my friends,’ he said. ‘Thanks to the saints who have guided you + safely. You are drenched. Come to the fire at once.’ + </p> + <p> + And as they moved on into the full light of the fire and the rude iron + lamp by which he had been reading, and he saw the draggled plumes and + other appurtenances that marked the two youths as gentlemen, he added, + ‘Are you wrecked, Messieurs? We will do our poor best for your + accommodation;’ and while both mechanically murmured a word of thanks, and + removed their soaked hats, the good man exclaimed, as he beheld Berenger’s + ashy face, with the sunken eyes and deep scars, ‘Monsieur should come to + bed at once. He is apparently recovering from a severe wound. This way, + sir; Jolitte shall make you some hot tisane.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait, sir,’ said Berenger, very slowly, and his voice sounding hollow + from exhaustion; ‘they say that you can tell me of my child. Let me hear.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Monsieur’s child!’ exclaimed the bewildered curate, looking from him to + Philip, and then to the guide, who poured out a whole stream of + explanation before Philip had arranged three words of French. + </p> + <p> + ‘You hear, sir,’ said Berenger, as the man finished: ‘I came hither to + seek my wife, the Lady of Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh!’ exclaimed the <i>cure</i>, ‘do I then see M. le Marquis de Nid de + Merle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No!’ cried Berenger; ‘no, I am not that <i>scelerat</i>! I am her true + husband, the Baron de Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Baron de Ribaumont perished at the St. Bartholomew,’ said the <i>cure</i>, + fixing his eyes on him, as though to confute an impostor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, would that I had!’ said Berenger. ‘I was barely saved with the life + that is but misery now. I came to seek her—I found what you know. + They told me that you saved the children. Ah, tell me where mine is!—all + that is left me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A few poor babes I was permitted to rescue, but very few. But let me + understand to whom I speak,’ he added, much perplexed. ‘You, sir—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am her husband, married at five years old—contract renewed last + year. It was he whom you call Nid de Merle who fell on me, and left me for + dead. A faithful servant saved my life, but I have lain sick in England + till now, when her letter to my mother brought me to La Sablerie, to find—to + find THIS. Oh, sir, have pity on me! Tell me if you know anything of her, + or if you can give me her child.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The orphans I was able to save are—the boys at nurse here, the + girls with the good nuns at Lucon,’ said the priest, with infinite pity in + his look. ‘Should you know it, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would—I should,’ said Berenger. ‘But it is a girl. Ah, would that + it were here! But you—you, sir—you know more than these + fellows. Is there no—no hope of herself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! I fear I can give you none,’ said the priest; ‘but I will tell all + I know; only I would fain see you eat, rest, and be dried.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How can I?’ gasped he, allowing himself, however, to sink into a chair; + and the priest spoke: + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps you know, sir, that the poor lady fled from her friends, and + threw herself upon the Huguenots. All trace had been lost, when, at a + banquet given by the mayor of Lucon, there appeared some <i>patisseries</i>, + which some ecclesiastic, who had enjoyed the hospitality of Bellaise, + recognized as peculiar to the convent there, where she had been brought + up. They were presented to the mayor by his friend, Bailli la Grasse, who + had boasted of the excellent <i>confitures</i> of the heretic pastor’s + daughter that lodged in the town of La Sablerie. The place was in disgrace + for having afforded shelter and supplies to Montgomery’s pirate crews, and + there were narrations of outrages committed on Catholics. The army were + enraged by their failure before La Rochelle; in effect, it was resolved to + make an example, when, on M. de Nid de Merle’s summons, all knowledge of + the lady was denied. Is it possible that she was indeed not there?’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger shook his head. ‘She was indeed there,’ he said, with an + irrepressible groan. ‘Was there no mercy—none?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ask not, sir,’ said the compassionate priest; ‘the flesh shrinks, though + there may be righteous justice. A pillaged town, when men are enraged, is + like a place of devils unchained. I reached it only after it had been + taken by assault, when all was flame and blood. Ask me no more; it would + be worse for you to hear than me to tell,’ he concluded, shuddering, but + laying his hand kindly on Berenger’s arm. ‘At least it is ended now and + God is more merciful than men. Many died by the bombs cast into to city, + and she for whom you ask certainly fell not alive into the hands of those + who sought her. Take comfort, sir; there is One who watches and takes + count of our griefs. Sir, turning to Philip, ‘this gentleman is too much + spent with sorrow to bear this cold and damp. Aid me, I entreat, to + persuade him to lie down.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip understood the priest’s French far better than that of the + peasants, and added persuasions that Berenger was far too much exhausted + and stunned to resist. To spend a night in a Popish priest’s house would + once have seemed to Philip a shocking alternative, yet here he was, + heartily assisting in removing the wet garments in which his brother had + sat only too long, and was heartily relieved to lay him down in the + priest’s own bed, even though there was an image over the head, which, + indeed, the boy never saw. He only saw his brother turn away from the + light with a low, heavy moan, as if he would fain be left alone with his + sorrow and his crushed hopes. + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be kinder than Dome Colombeau, the priest of Nissard. He saw + to the whole of his guests being put into some sort of dry habiliments + before they sat round his table to eat of the savoury mess in the great <i>pot-au-feu</i>, + which had, since their arrival, received additional ingredients, and + moreover sundry villagers had crept into the house. Whenever the good + Father supped at home, any of his flock were welcome to drop in to enjoy + his hospitability. After a cup of hot cider round, they carried off the + fisherman to ledge in one of their cottages. Shake-downs were found for + the others, and Philip, wondering what was to become of the good host + himself, gathered that he meant to spend such part of the night on the + kitchen floor as he did not pass in prayer in the church for the poor + young gentleman, who was in such affliction. Philip was not certain + whether to resent this as an impertinence or an attack on their Protestant + principles; but he was not sure, either, that the priest was aware what + was their religion, and was still less certain of his own comprehension of + these pious intentions: he decided that, any way, it was better not to + make a fool of himself. Still, the notion of the mischievousness of + priests was so rooted in his head, that he consulted Humfrey on the + expedience of keeping watch all night, but was sagaciously answered that + ‘these French rogues don’t do any hurt unless they be brought up to it, + and the place was as safe as old Hurst.’ + </p> + <p> + In fact, Philip’s vigilance would have been strongly against nature. He + never awoke till full daylight and morning sun were streaming through the + vine-leaves round the window, and then, to his dismay, he saw that + Berenger had left his bed, and was gone. Suspicions of foul play coming + over him in full force as he gazed round on much that he considered as + ‘Popish furniture,’ he threw on his clothes, and hastened to open the + door, when, to his great relief, he saw Berenger hastily writing at a + table under the window, and Smithers standing by waiting for the billet. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sending Smithers on board, to ask Hobbs to bring our cloak bags,’ + said Berenger, as his brother entered. ‘We must go on to Lucon.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke briefly and decidedly, and Philip was satisfied to see him quite + calm and collected—white indeed, and with the old haggard look, and + the great scar very purple instead of red, which was always a bad sign + with him. He was not disposed to answer questions; he shortly said, ‘He + had slept not less than usual,’ which Philip knew meant very little; and + he had evidently made up his mind, and was resolved not to let himself + give way. If his beacon of hope had been so suddenly, frightfully + quenched, he still was kept from utter darkness by straining his eyes and + forcing his steps to follow the tiny, flickering spark that remained. + </p> + <p> + The priest was at his morning mass; and so soon as Berenger had given his + note to Smithers, and sent him off with a fisherman to the THROSTLE, he + took up his hat, and went out upon the beach, that lay glistening in the + morning sun, then turned straight towards the tall spire of the church, + with had been their last night’s guide. Philip caught his cloak. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are never going there, Berenger?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Vex me not now,’ was all the reply he got. ‘There the dead and living + meet together.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, brother, they will take you for one of their own sort.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let them.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip was right that it was neither a prudent nor consistent proceeding, + but Berenger had little power of reflection, and his impulse at present + bore him into the church belonging to his native faith and land, without + any defined felling, save that it was peace to kneel there among the + scattered worshippers, who came and went with their fish-baskets in their + hands, and to hear the low chant of the priest and his assistant from + within the screen. + </p> + <p> + Philip meantime marched up and down outside in much annoyance, until the + priest and his brother came out, when the first thing he heard the good + Colombeau say was, ‘I would have called upon you before, my son, but that + I feared you were a Huguenot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am an English Protestant,’ said Berenger; ‘but, ah! sir, I needed + comfort too much to stay away from prayer.’ + </p> + <p> + Pere Colombeau looked at him in perplexity, thinking perhaps that here + might be a promising convert, if there were only time to work on him; but + Berenger quitted the subject at once, asking the distance to Lucon. + </p> + <p> + ‘A full day’s journey,’ answered Pere Colombeau, and added, ‘I am sorry + you are indeed a Huguenot. It was what I feared last night, but I feared + to add to your grief. The nuns are not permitted to deliver up children to + Huguenot relations.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am her father!’ exclaimed Berenger, indignantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘That goes for nothing, according to the rules of the Church,’ said the + priest. ‘The Church cannot yield her children to heresy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But we in England and not Calvinists,’ cried Berenger. ‘We are not like + your Huguenots.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Church would make no difference,’ said the priest. ‘Stay, sir,’ as + Berenger stuck his own forehead, and was about to utter a fierce + invective. ‘Remember that if your child lives, it is owing to the pity of + the good nuns. You seem not far from the bosom of the Church. Did you but + return—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is vain to speak of that,’ said Berenger, quickly. ‘Say, sir, would an + order from the King avail to open these doors?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course it would, if you have the influence to obtain one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have, I have,’ cried Berenger, eagerly. ‘The King has been my good + friend already. Moreover, my English grandfather will deal with the Queen. + The heiress of our house cannot be left in a foreign nunnery. Say, sir,’ + he added, turning to the priest, ‘if I went to Lucon at once know your + name, and refuse all dealings with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She could not do so, if I brought an order from the King.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then to Paris!’ And laying his hand on Philip’s shoulder, he asked the + boy whether he had understood, ad explained that he must go at once to + Paris—riding post—and obtain the order from the King. + </p> + <p> + ‘To Paris—to be murdered again!’ said Philip, in dismay. + </p> + <p> + ‘They do not spend their time there in murder,’ said Berenger. ‘And now is + the time, while the savage villain Narcisse is with his master in Poland. + I cannot but go, Philip; we both waste words. You shall take home a letter + to my Lord.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I—I go not home without you,’ said Philip, doggedly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot take you, Phil; I have no warrant.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have warrant for going, though. My father said he was easier about you + with me at your side. Where you go, I go.’ + </p> + <p> + The brothers understood each other’s ways so well, that Berenger knew the + intonation in Philip’s voice that meant that nothing should make him give + way. He persuaded no more, only took measures for the journey, in which + the kind priest gave him friendly advice. There was no doubt that the good + man pitied him sincerely, and wished him success more than perhaps he + strictly ought to have done, unless as a possible convert. Of money for + the journey there was no lack, for Berenger had brought a considerable + sum, intending to reward all who had befriended Eustacie, as well as to + fit her out for the voyage; and this, perhaps, with his papers, he had + brought ashore to facilitate his entrance into La Sablerie,—that + entrance which, alas! he had found only too easy. He had therefore only to + obtain horses and a guide, and this could be done at la Motte-Achard, + where the party could easily be guided on foot, or conveyed in a boat if + the fog should not set in again, but all the coast-line of Nissard was + dangerous in autumn and winter; nay, even this very August an old man, + with his daughter, her infant, and a donkey, had been found bewildered + between the creeks on a sandbank, where they stood still and patient, like + a picture of the Flight into Egypt, when an old fisherman found them, and + brought them to the beneficent shelter of the Presbytere. + </p> + <p> + Stories of this kind were told at the meal that was something partaking of + the nature of both breakfast and early dinner, but where Berenger ate + little and spoke less. Philip watched him anxiously; the boy thought the + journey a perilous experiment every way, but, boyishly, was resolved + neither to own his fears of it nor to leave his brother. External perils + he was quite ready to face, and he fancied that his English birth would + give him some power of protecting Berenger, but he was more reasonably in + dread of the present shock bringing on such an illness as the last + relapse; and if Berenger lost his senses again, what should they do? He + even ventured to hint at this danger, but Berenger answered, ‘That will + scarce happen again. My head is stronger now. Besides, it was doing + nothing, and hearing her truth profaned, that crazed me. No one at least + will do that again. But if you wish to drive me frantic again, the way + would be to let Hobbs carry me home without seeking her child.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip bore this in mind, when, with flood-tide, Master Hobbs landed, and + showed himself utterly dismayed at the turn affairs had taken. He saw the + needlessness of going to Lucon without royal authority; indeed, he thought + it possible that the very application there might give the alarm, and + cause all tokens of the child’s identity to be destroyed, in order to save + her from her heretic relations. But he did not at all approve of the young + gentlemen going off to Paris at once. It was against his orders. He felt + bound to take them home as he has brought them, and they might then make a + fresh start if it so pleased them; but how could he return to my Lord and + Sir Duke without them? ‘Mr. Ribaumont might be right—it was not for + him to say a father ought not to look after his child—yet he was but + a stripling himself, and my Lord had said, ‘Master Hobbs, I trust him to + you.‘’ He would clearly have liked to have called in a boat’s crew, + mastered the young gentlemen, and carried them on board as captives; but + as this was out of his power, he was obliged to yield the point. He + disconsolately accepted the letters in which Berenger had explained all, + and in which he promised to go at once to Sir Francis Walsingham’s at + Paris, to run into no needless danger, and to watch carefully over Philip; + and craved pardon, in a respectful but yet manly and determined tone, for + placing his duty to his lost, deserted child above his submission to his + grandfather. Then engaging to look out for a signal on the coast if he + should said to Bordeaux in January, to touch and take the passengers off, + Captain Hobbs took leave, and the brothers were left to their own + resources. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. THE VELVET COACH + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + No, my good Lord, Diana— + ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL +</pre> + <p> + A late autumn journey from the west coast to Paris was a more serious + undertaking in the sixteenth century than the good seaman Master Hobbs was + aware of, or he would have used stronger dissuasive measures against such + an undertaking by the two youths, when the elder was in so frail a state + of health; but there had been a certain deceptive strength and vigour + about young Ribaumont while under strong excitement and determination, and + the whole party fancied him far fitter to meet the hardships than was + really the case. Philip Thistlewood always recollected that journey as the + most distressing period of his life. + </p> + <p> + They were out of the ordinary highways, and therefore found the hiring of + horses often extremely difficult. They had intended to purchase, but found + no animals that, as Philip said, they would have accepted as a gift, + though at every wretched inn where they had to wait while the country was + scoured for the miserable jades, their proposed requirements fell lower + and lower. Dens of smoke, dirt, and boorishness were the great proportion + of those inns, where they were compelled to take refuge by the breaking + down of one or other of the beasts, or by stress of weather. Snow, rain, + thaw and frost alternated, each variety rendering the roads impassable; + and at the best, the beasts could seldom be urged beyond a walk, + fetlock-deep in mire or water. Worse than all, Berenger, far from + recovered, and under the heavy oppression of a heartrending grief, could + hardly fail to lose the ground that he had gained under the influence of + hope. The cold seemed to fix itself on the wound on his cheek, terrible + pain and swelling set in, depriving him entirely of sleep, permitting him + to take no nourishment but fragments of soft crumbs soaked in wine or + broth—when the inns afforded any such fare—and rendering + speech excessively painful, and at last unintelligible. + </p> + <p> + Happily this was not until Philip and Humfrey both had picked up all the + most indispensable words to serve their needs, and storming could be done + in any language. Besides, they had fallen in at La Motte-Achard with a + sharp fellow named Guibert, who had been at sea, and knew a little + English, was a Norman by birth, knew who the Baron de Ribaumont was, and + was able to make himself generally useful, though ill supplying the place + of poor Osbert, who would have been invaluable in the present predicament. + Nothing was so much dreaded by any of the party as that their chief should + become utterly unable to proceed. Once let him be laid up at one of these + little <i>auberges</i>, and Philip felt as if all would be over with him; + and he himself was always the most restlessly eager to push on, and seemed + to suffer less even in the biting wind and sleet than on the dirty pallets + or in the smoky, noisy kitchens of the inns. That there was no wavering of + consciousness was the only comfort, and Philip trusted to prevent this by + bleeding him whenever his head seemed aching or heated; and under this + well-meant surgery it was no wonder that he grew weaker every day, in + spite of the most affectionate and assiduous watching on his brother’s + part. + </p> + <p> + Nearly six weeks had been spent in struggling along the cross-roads, or + rather in endless delays; and when at last they came on more frequented + ways, with better inns, well-paved <i>chaussees</i>, and horses more fit + for use, Berenger was almost beyond feeling the improvement. At their last + halt, even Philip was for waiting and sending on to Paris to inform Sir + Francis Walsingham of their situation; but Berenger only shook his head, + dressed himself, and imperatively signed to go on. It was a bright + morning, with a clear frost, and the towers and steeples of Paris + presently began to appear above the poplars that bordered the way; but by + this time Berenger was reeling in his saddle, and he presently became so + faint and dizzy, that Philip and Humfrey were obliged to lift him from his + horse, and lay him under an elm-tree that stood a little back from the + road. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look up, sir, it is but a league further,’ quoth Humfrey; ‘I can see the + roof of the big church they call Notre-Dame.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He does not open his eyes, he is swooning,’ said Philip. ‘He must have + some cordial, ere he can sit his horse. Can you think of no lace where we + could get a drop of wine or strong waters?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not I, Master Philip. We passed a convent wall but now, but ‘twas a + nunnery, as good as a grave against poor travelers. I would ride on, and + get some of Sir Francis’s folk to bring a litter or coach, but I doubt me + if I could get past the barrier without my young Lord’s safe-conduct.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger, hearing all, here made an effort to raise himself, but sank back + against Philip’s shoulder. Just then, a trampling and lumbering became + audible, and on the road behind appeared first three horsemen riding + abreast, streaming with black and white ribbons; then eight pair of black + horses, a man walking at the crested heads of each couple, and behind + these a coach, shaped like an urn reversed, and with a coronet on the top, + silvered, while the vehicle itself was, melon-like, fluted, alternately + black, with silver figures, and white with black landscapes; and with + white draperies, embroidered with black and silver, floating from the + windows. Four lacqueys, in the same magpie-colouring, stood behind, and + outriders followed; but as the cavalcade approached the group by the + road-side, one of the horsemen paused, saying lightly, ‘Over near the + walls from an affair of honour! Has he caught it badly? Who was the + other?’ + </p> + <p> + Ere Guibert could answer, the curtains were thrust aside, the coach + stopped, a lady’s head and hand appeared, and a female voice exclaimed, in + much alarm, ‘Halt! Ho, you there, in our colours, come here. What is it? + My brother here? Is he wounded?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is no wound, Madame,’ said Guibert, shoved forward by his English + comrades, ‘it is M. le Baron de Ribaumont who is taken ill, and—ah! + here is Monsieur Philippe.’ + </p> + <p> + For Philip, seeing a thick black veil put back from the face of the most + beautiful lady who had ever appeared to him, stepped forward, hat in hand, + as she exclaimed, ‘Le Baron de Ribaumont! Can it be true? What means this? + What ails him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is his wound, Madame,’ said Philip, in his best French; ‘it has broken + out again, and he has almost dropped from his horse from <i>defaillance</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, bring him here—lay him on the cushions, we will have the honour + of transporting him,’ cried the lady; and, regardless of the wet road, she + sprang out of the coach, with her essences in her hand, followed by at + least three women, two pages, and two little white dogs which ran barking + towards the prostrate figure, but were caught up by their pages. ‘Ah, + cousin, how dreadful,’ she cried, as she knelt down beside him, and held + her essences towards him. Voice and scent revived him, and with a + bewildered look and gesture half of thanks, half of refusal, he gazed + round him, then rose to his feet without assistance, bent his head, and + making a sign that he was unable to speak, turned towards his horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Cousin, cousin,’ exclaimed the lady, in whose fine black eyes tears were + standing, ‘you will let me take you into the city—you cannot + refuse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Berry, indeed you cannot ride,’ entreated Philip; ‘you must take her + offer. Are you getting crazed at last?’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger hesitated for a moment, but he felt himself again dizzy; the + exertion of springing into his saddle was quite beyond him, and bending + his head he submitted passively to be helped into the black and white + coach. Humfrey, however, clutched Philip’s arm, and said impressively, + ‘Have a care, sir; this is no other than the fine lady, sister to the + murderous villain that set upon him. If you would save his life, don’t + quit him, nor let her take him elsewhere than to our Ambassador’s. I’ll + not leave the coach-door, and as soon as we are past the barriers, I’ll + send Jack Smithers to make known we are coming.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip, without further ceremony, followed the lady into the coach, where + he found her insisting that Berenger, who had sunk back in a corner, + should lay his length of limb, muddy boots and all, upon the white velvet + cushions richly worked in black and silver, with devices and mottoes, in + which the crescent moon, and eclipsed or setting suns, made a great + figure. The original inmates seemed to have disposed of themselves in + various nooks of the ample conveyance, and Philip, rather at a loss to + explain his intrusion, perched himself awkwardly on the edge of the + cushions in front of his brother, thinking that Humfrey was an officious, + suspicious fellow, to distrust this lovely lady, who seemed so exceedingly + shocked and grieved at Berenger’s condition. ‘Ah! I never guessed it had + been so frightful as this. I should not have known him. Ah! had I imagined—-’ + She leant back, covered her face, and wept, as one overpowered; then, + after a few seconds, she bent forward, and would have taken the hand that + hung listlessly down, but it was at once withdrawn, and folded with the + other on his breast. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can you be more at ease? Do you suffer much?’ she asked, with sympathy + and tenderness that went to Philip’s heart, and he explained. ‘He cannot + speak, Madame; the shot in his cheek’ (the lady shuddered, and put her + handkerchief to her eyes) ‘from time to time cases this horrible swelling + and torture. After that he will be better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Frightful, frightful,’ she sighed, ‘but we will do our best to make up. + You, sir, must be his <i>trucheman</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip, not catching the last word, and wondering what kind of man that + might be, made answer, ‘I am his brother, Madame.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Eh! Monsieur son frere</i>. Had <i>Madame sa mere</i> a son so old?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am Philip Thistlewood, her husband’s son, at your service, Madame,’ + said Philip, colouring up to the ears; ‘I came with him for he is too weak + to be alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Great confidence must be reposed in you, sir,’ she said, with a not + unflattering surprise. ‘But whence are you come? I little looked to see + Monsieur here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We came from Anjou, Madame. We went to La Sablerie,’ and he broke off. + </p> + <p> + ‘I understand. Ah! let us say no more! It rends the heart;’ and again she + wiped away tear. ‘And now—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We are coming to the Ambassador’s to obtain’—he stopped, for + Berenger gave him a touch of peremptory warning, but the lady saved his + embarrassment by exclaiming that she could not let her dear cousin go to + the Ambassador’s when he was among his own kindred. Perhaps Monsieur did + not know her; she must present herself as Madame de Selinville, <i>nee</i> + de Ribaumont, a poor cousin of <i>ce cher Baron</i>, ‘and even a little to + you, <i>M. le frere</i>, if you will own me,’ and she held out a hand, + which he ought to have kissed, but not knowing how, he only shook it. She + further explained that her brother was at Cracow with Monsieur, now King + of Poland, but that her father lived with her at her hotel, and would be + enchanted to see his dear cousin, only that he, like herself, would be + desolated at the effects of that most miserable of errors. She had been + returning from her Advent retreat at a convent, where she had been praying + for the soul of the late M. de Selinville, when a true Providence had made + her remark the colours of her family. And now, nothing would serve her, + but that this dear Baron should be carried at once to their hotel, which + was much nearer than that of the Ambassador, and where every comfort + should await him. She clasped her hands in earnest entreaty, and Philip, + greatly touched by her kindness and perceiving that every jolt of the + splendid by springless vehicle caused Berenger’s head a shoot of anguish, + was almost acceding to her offer, when he was checked by one of the most + imperative of those silent negatives. Hitherto, Master Thistlewood had + been rather proud of his bad French, and as long as he could be + understood, considered trampling on genders, tenses, and moods as a manful + assertion of Englishry, but he would just now have given a great deal for + the command of any language but a horseboy’s, to use to this beautiful + gracious personage. ‘<i>Merci, Madame, nous ne fallons pas, nous avons + passe notre parole d’aller droit a l’Ambassadeur’s et pas ou else</i>,’ + did not sound very right to his ears; he coloured up to the roots of his + hair, and knew that if Berry had had a smile left in him, poor fellow, he + would have smiled now. But this most charming and polite of ladies never + betrayed it, if it were ever such bad French; she only bowed her head, and + said something very pretty—if only he could make it out—of + being the slave of one’s word, and went on persuading. Nor did it make the + conversation easier, that she inquired after Berenger, and mourned over + his injuries as if he were unconscious, while Philip knew, nay, was + reminded every instant, that he was aware of all that was passing, most + anxious that as little as possible should be said, and determined against + being taken to her hotel. So unreasonable a prejudice did this seem to + Philip, that had it not been for Humfrey’s words, he would have doubted + whether, in spite of all his bleeding, his brother’s brain were not + wandering. + </p> + <p> + However, what with Humfrey without, and Berenger within, the turn to the + Ambassador’s hotel was duly taken, and in process of time a hearty + greeting passed between Humfrey and the porter; and by the time the + carriage drew up, half the household were assembled on the steps, + including Sir Francis himself, who had already heard more than a fortnight + back from Lord Walwyn, and had become uneasy at the non-arrival of his two + young guests. On Smithers’s appearance, all had been made ready; and as + Berenger, with feeble, tardy movements, made courteous gestures of thanks + to the lady, and alighted form the coach, he was absolutely received into + the dignified arms of the Ambassador. ‘Welcome, my poor lad, I am glad to + see you here again, though in such different guise. Your chamber is ready + for you, and I have sent my secretary to see if Maitre Par be at home, so + we will, with God’s help, have you better at ease anon.’ + </p> + <p> + Even Philip’s fascination by Madame de Selinville could not hold out + against the comfort of hearing English voices all round him, and of seeing + his brother’s anxious brow expand, and his hand and eyes return no + constrained thanks. Civilities were exchanged on both sides; the + Ambassador thanked the lady for the assistance she had rendered to his + young friend and guest; she answered with a shade of stiffness, that she + left her kinsman in good hands, and said she should send to inquire that + evening, and her father would call on the morrow; then, as Lady Walsingham + did not ask her in, the black and white coach drove away. + </p> + <p> + The lady threw herself back in one corner, covered her face, and spoke no + word. Her coach pursued its way through the streets, and turned at length + into another great courtyard, surrounded with buildings, where she + alighted, and stepped across a wide but dirty hall, where ranks of + servants stoop up and bowed as she passed; then she ascended a wide carved + staircase, opened a small private door, and entered a tiny wainscoted room + hardly large enough for her farthingale to turn round in. ‘You, Veronique, + come in—only you,’ she said, at the door; and a waiting-woman, who + had been in the carriage, obeyed, no longer clad in the Angevin costume, + but in the richer and less characteristic dress of the ordinary Parisian + <i>femme de chambre</i>. + </p> + <p> + ‘Undo my mantle in haste!’ gasped Madame de Selinville. ‘O Veronique—you + saw—what destruction!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! if my sweet young lady only known how frightful he had become, she + had never sacrificed herself,’ sighed Veronique. + </p> + <p> + ‘Frightful! What, with the grave blue eyes that seem like the steady + avenging judgment of St. Michael in his triumph in the picture at the + Louvre?’ murmured Madame de Selinville; then she added quickly, ‘Yes, yes, + it is well. She and you, Veronique, may see him frightful and welcome. + There are other eyes—make haste, girl. There—another + handerchief. Follow me not.’ + </p> + <p> + And Madame de Selinville moved out of the room, past the great state + bedroom and the <i>salle</i> beyond, to another chamber where more + servants waited and rose at her entrance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is any one with my father?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, Madame;’ and a page knocking, opened the door and announced, ‘Madame + la Comtesse.’ + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier, in easy <i>deshabille</i>, with a flask of good wine, iced + water, and delicate cakes and <i>confitures</i> before him, a witty and + licentious epigrammatic poem close under his hand, sat lazily enjoying the + luxuries that it had been his daughter’s satisfaction to procure for him + ever since her marriage. He sprang up to meet her with a grace and + deference that showed how different a person was the Comtesse de + Selinville from Diane de Ribaumont. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! <i>ma belle</i>, my sweet,’ as there was a mutual kissing of hands, + ‘thou art returned. Had I known thine hour, I had gone down for thy first + embrace. But thou lookest fair, my child; the convent has made thee + lovelier than ever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Father, who think you is here? It is he—the Baron.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Baron? Eh, father!’ she cried impetuously. ‘Who could it be but one?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My child, you are mistaken! That young hot-head can never be thrusting + himself here again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But he is, father; I brought him into Paris in my coach! I left him at + the Ambassador’s.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou shouldest have brought him here. There will be ten thousand fresh + imbroglios.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I could not; he is as immovable as ever, though unable to speak! Oh, + father, he is very ill, he suffers terribly. Oh, Narcisse! Ah! may I never + see him again!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But what brings him blundering her again?’ exclaimed the Chevalier. + ‘Speak intelligibly, child! I thought we had guarded against that! He + knows nothing of the survivance.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot tell much. He could not open his mouth, and his half-brother, a + big dull English boy, stammered out a few words of shocking French against + his will. But I believe they had heard of <i>la pauvre petite</i> at La + Sablerie, came over for her, and finding the ruin my brother makes + wherever he goes, are returning seeking intelligence and succour for HIM.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That may be,’ said the Chevalier, thoughtfully. ‘It is well thy brother + is in Poland. I would not see him suffer any more; and we may get him back + to England ere my son learns that he is here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Father, there is a better way! Give him my hand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Eh quoi</i>, child; if thou art tired of devotion, there are a + thousand better marriages.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, father, none so good for this family. See, I bring him all—all + that I was sold for. As the price of that, he resigns for ever all his + claims to the ancestral castle—to La Leurre, and above all, that + claim to Nid de Merle as Eustacie’s widower, which, should he ever + discover the original contract, will lead to endless warfare.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His marriage with Eustacie was annulled. Yet—yet there might be + doubts. There was the protest; and who knows whether they formally renewed + their vows when so much went wrong at Montpipeau. Child, it is a horrible + perplexity. I often could wish we had had no warning, and the poor things + had made off together. We could have cried shame till we forced out a + provision for thy brother; and my poor little Eustacie—-’ He had + tears in his eyes as he broke off. + </p> + <p> + Diane made an impatient gesture. ‘She would have died of tedium in + England, or broken forth so as to have a true scandal. That is all over, + father, now; weigh my proposal! Nothing else will save my brother from all + that his cruel hand merits! You will win infinite credit at court. The + King loved him more than you thought safe.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The King has not a year to live, child, and he has personally offended + the King of Poland. Besides, this youth is heretic.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only by education. Have I not heard you say that he had by an abjuration. + And as to Monsieur’s enmity, if it be not forgotten, the glory of bringing + about a conversion would end that at once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, daughter, thou shouldst not have let him bury himself among the + English.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was unavoidable, father, and perhaps if he were here he would live in + an untamable state of distrust, whereas we may now win him gradually. You + will go and see him to-morrow, my dear father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must have time to think of this thy sudden device.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, he is in no condition to hear of it at present. I did but speak now, + that you might not regard it as sudden when the fit moment comes. It is + the fixed purpose of my mind. I am no girl now, and I could act for myself + if I would; but as it is for your interest and that of my brother thus to + dispose of me, it is better that you should act for me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Child, headstrong child, thou wilt make no scandal,’ said the Chevalier, + looking up at his daughter’s handsome head drawn up proudly with + determination. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly not, sir, if you will act for me.’ And Diane sailed away in her + sweeping folds of black brocade. + </p> + <p> + In a few moments more she was kneeling with hands locked together before a + much-gilded little waxem figure of St. Eustacie with his cross-bearing + stag by his side, which stood in a curtained recess in the alcove where + her stately bed was placed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Monseigneur St. Eustache, ten wax candles everyday to your shrine at + Bellaise, so he recovers; ten more if he listen favourably and loves me. + Nay, all—all the Selinville jewels to make you a shrine. All—all, + so he will only let me love him;’ and then, while taking up the beads, and + pronouncing the repeated devotions attached to each, her mind darted back + to the day when, as young children, she had played unfairly, defrauded + Landry Osbert, and denied it; how Berenger, though himself uninjured, had + refused to speak to her all that day—how she had hated him then—how + she had thought she had hated him throughout their brief intercourse in + the previous year; how she had played into her brother’s hands; and when + she thought to triumph over the man who had scorned her, found her soul + all blank desolation, and light gone out from the earth! Reckless and + weary, she had let herself be united to M. de Selinville, and in her + bridal honours and amusements had tried to crowd out the sense of + dreariness and lose herself in excitement. Then came the illness and death + of her husband, and almost at the same time the knowledge of Berenger’s + existence. She sought excitement again that feverish form of devotion then + in vogue at Paris, and which resulted in the League. She had hitherto + stunned herself as it were with penances, processions, and sermons, for + which the host of religious orders then at Paris had given ample scope; + and she was constantly devising new extravagances. Even at this moment she + wore sackcloth beneath her brocade, and her rosary was of death’s heads. + She was living on the outward husk of the Roman Church not penetrating + into its living power, and the phase of religion which fostered Henry III. + and the League offered her no more. + </p> + <p> + All, all had melted away beneath the sad but steadfast glance of those two + eyes, the only feature still unchanged in the marred, wrecked countenance. + That honest, quiet refusal, that look which came from a higher atmosphere, + had filled her heart with passionate beatings and aspirations once more, + and more consciously than ever. Womanly feeling for suffering, and a deep + longing to compensate to him, and earn his love, nay wrest it from him by + the benefits she would heap upon him, were all at work; but the primary + sense was the longing to rest on the only perfect truth she had ever known + in man, and thus with passionate ardour she poured forth her entreaties to + St. Eustache, a married saint, who had known love, and could feel for her, + and could surely not object to the affection to which she completely gave + way for one whose hand was now as free as her own. + </p> + <p> + But St. Eustache was not Diane’s only hope. That evening she sent + Veronique to Rene of Milan, the court-perfumer, but also called by the + malicious, <i>l’empoisonneur de le Reine</i>, to obtain from him the most + infallible charm and love potion in his whole repertory. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. THE CHEVALIER’S EXPIATION + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Next, Sirs, did he marry? +And whom, Sirs, did he marry? One like himself, Though doubtless graced +with many virtues, young, And erring, and in nothing more astray Than in +this marriage.—TAYLOR, EDWIN THE FAIR. +</pre> + <p> + Nothing could be kinder than the Ambassador’s family, and Philip found + himself at once at home there, at least in his brother’s room, which was + all the world to him. fortunately, Ambroise Pare, the most skillful + surgeon of his day, had stolen a day from his attendance of King Charles, + at St. Germain, to visit his Paris patients, and, though unwilling to add + to the list of cases, when he heard from Walsingham’s secretary who the + suffer was, and when injured, he came at once to afford his aid. + </p> + <p> + He found, however, that there was little scope for present treatment, he + could only set his chief assistant to watch the patient and to inform him + when the crisis should be nearer; but remarking the uneasy, anxious + expression in Berenger’s eyes, he desired to know whether any care on his + mind might be interfering with his recovery. A Huguenot, and perfectly + trustworthy, he was one who Walsingham knew might safely hear the whole, + and after hearing all, he at once returned to his patient, and leaning + over him, said, ‘Vex not yourself, sir; your illness is probably serving + you better than health could do.’ + </p> + <p> + Sir Francis thought this quite probable, since Charles was so unwell and + so beset with his mother’s creatures that no open audience could be + obtained from him, and Pare, who always had access to him, might act when + no one else could reach him. Meantime the Ambassador rejoiced to hear of + the instinctive caution that had made Berenger silence Philip on the + object of the journey to Paris, since if the hostile family guessed at the + residence of the poor infant, they would have full opportunity for + obliterating all the scanty traces of her. Poor persecuted little thing! + the uncertain hope of her existence seemed really the only thread that + still bound Berenger to life. He had spent eighteen months in hope + deferred, and constant bodily pain; and when the frightful disappointment + met him at La Sablerie, it was not wonder that his heart and hope seemed + buried in the black scorched ruins where all he cared for had perished. He + was scarcely nineteen, but the life before him seemed full of nothing but + one ghastly recollection, and, as he said in the short sad little letter + which he wrote to his grandfather from his bed, he only desired to live + long enough to save Eustacie’s child from being a nameless orphan + maintained for charity in a convent, and to see her safe in Aunt Cecily’s + care; and then he should be content to have done with this world for ever. + </p> + <p> + The thought that no one except himself could save the child, seemed to + give him the resolution to battle for life that often bears the patient + through illness, though now he as suffering more severely and consciously + than ever he had done before; and Lady Walsingham often gave up hopes of + him. He was tenderly cared for by her and her women; but Philip was the + most constant nurse, and his unfailing assiduity and readiness amazed the + household, who had begun by thinking him ungainly, loutish, and fit for + nothing but country sports. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier de Ribaumont came daily to inquire; and the first time he + was admitted actually burst into tears at the sight of the swollen + disfigured face, and the long mark on the arm which lay half-uncovered. + Presents of delicacies, ointments, and cooling drinks were frequently sent + from him and from the Countess de Selinville; but Lady Walsingham + distrusted these, and kept her guest strictly to the regimen appointed by + Pare. Now and then, billets would likewise come. The first brought a vivid + crimson into Berenger’s face, and both it and all its successors he + instantly tore into the smallest fragments, without letting any one see + them. + </p> + <p> + On the day of the Carnival, the young men of the household had asked + Master Thistlewood to come out with them and see the procession of the <i>Boeuf + Gras</i>; but before it could take place, reports were flying about that + put the city in commotion, caused the Ambassador to forbid all going out, + and made Philip expect another Huguenot massacre. The Duke of Alencon and + the King of Navarre had been detected, it was said, in a conspiracy for + overthrowing the power of the Queen-mother, bringing in the Huguenots, and + securing the crown to Alencon on the King’s death. Down-stairs, the + Ambassador and his secretaries sat anxiously striving to sift the various + contradictory reports; up-stairs, Philip and Lady Walsingham were + anxiously watching Berenger in what seemed the long-expected crisis, and + Philip was feeling as if all the French court were welcome to murder one + another so that they would only let Ambroise Pare come to his brother’s + relief. And it was impossible even to send! + </p> + <p> + At last, however, when Ash-Wednesday was half over, there was a quiet + movement, and a small pale man in black was at the bedside, without + Philip’s having ever seen his entrance. He looked at his exhausted + patient, and said, ‘It is well; I could not have done you any good + before.’ + </p> + <p> + And when he had set Berenger more at ease, he told how great had been the + confusion at St. Germain when the plot had become known to the + Queen-mother. The poor King had been wakened at two o’clock in the + morning, and carried to his litter, when Pare and his old nurse had tended + him. He only said, ‘Can they not let me die in peace?’ and his weakness + had been so great on arriving, that the surgeon could hardly have left him + for M. de Ribaumont, save by his own desire. ‘Yes, sir,’ added Pare, + seeing Berenger attending to him, ‘we must have you well quickly; his + Majesty knows all about you, and is anxious to see you.’ + </p> + <p> + In spite of these good wishes, the recovery was very slow; for, as the + surgeon had suspected, the want of skill in those who had had the charge + of Berenger at the first had been the cause of much of his protracted + suffering. Pare, the inventor of trephining, was, perhaps, the only man in + Europe who could have dealt with the fracture in the back of the head, and + he likewise extracted the remaining splinters of the jaw, though at the + cost of much severe handling and almost intolerable pain: but by Easter, + Berenger found the good surgeon’s encouragement verified, and himself on + the way to a far more effectual cure than he had hitherto thought + possible. Sleep had come back to him, he experienced the luxury of being + free from all pain, he could eat without difficulty; and Pare, always an + enemy to wine, assured him that half the severe headaches for which he had + been almost bled to death, were the consequence of his living on bread + soaked in sack instead of solid food; and he was forbidden henceforth to + inflame his brain with anything stronger than sherbet. His speech, too, + was much improved; he still could not utter all the consonants perfectly, + and could not speak distinctly without articulating very slowly, but all + the discomfort and pain were gone; and though still very weak, he told + Philip that now all his course seemed clear towards his child, instead of + being like a dull, distraught dream. His plan was to write to have a + vessel sent from Weymouth, to lie off the coast till his signal should be + seen from la Motte-Achard, and then to take in the whole party and the + little yearling daughter, whom he declared he should trust to no one but + himself. Lady Walsingham remonstrated a little at the wonderful plans + hatched by the two lads together, and yet she was too glad to see a + beginning of brightening on his face to make many objections. It was only + too sand to think how likely he was again to be disappointed. + </p> + <p> + He was dressed, but had not left his room, and was lying on cushions in + the ample window overlooking the garden, while Frances and Elizabeth + Walsingham in charge of their mother tried to amuse him by their childish + airs and sports, when a message was brought that M. le Chevalier de + Ribaumont prayed to be admitted to see him privily. + </p> + <p> + ‘What bodes that?’ he languidly said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mischief, no doubt,’ said Philip Walsingham. ‘Send him word that you are + seriously employed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, that could scarce be, when he must have heard the children’s + voices,’ said Lady Walsingham. ‘Come away, little ones.’ + </p> + <p> + The ladies took the hint and vanished, but Philip remained till the + Chevalier had entered, more resplendent than ever, in a brown velvet suit + slashed with green satin, and sparkling with gold lace-a contrast to the + deep mourning habit in which Berenger was dressed. After inquiries for his + health, the Chevalier looked at Philip, and expressed his desire of + speaking with his cousin alone. + </p> + <p> + ‘If it be of business,’ said Berenger, much on his guard, ‘my head is + still weak, and I would wish to have the presence of the Ambassador or one + of his secretaries.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is not so much a matte of business as of family,’ said the + Chevalier, still looking so uneasily at Philip that Berenger felt + constrained to advise him to join the young ladies in the garden; but + instead of doing this, the boy paced the corridors like a restless dog + waiting for his master, and no sooner heard the old gentleman bow himself + out than he hurried back again, to find Berenger heated, panting, agitated + as by a sharp encounter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother, what is it—what has the old rogue done to you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing,’ said Berenger, tardily and wearily; and for some minutes he did + not attempt to speak, while Philip devoured his curiosity as best he + might. At last he said, ‘He was always beyond me. What think you? Now he + wants me to turn French courtier and marry his daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His daughter!’ exclaimed Philip, ‘that beautiful lady I saw in the + coach?’ + </p> + <p> + A nod of assent. + </p> + <p> + ‘I only wish it were I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Philip,’ half angrily, ‘how can you be such a fool?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course, I know it can’t be,’ said Philip sheepishly, but a little + offended. ‘But she’s the fairest woman my eyes ever beheld.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the falsest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father says all women are false; only they can’t help it, and don’t + mean it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only some do mean it,’ said Berenger, dryly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother!’ cried Philip, fiercely, as if ready to break a lance, ‘what + right have you to accuse that kindly, lovely dame of falsehood?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It skills not going through all,’ said Berenger, wearily. ‘I know her of + old. She began by passing herself off on me as my wife.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you were not transported?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not such a gull as you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How very beautiful your wife must have been!’ said Philip, with gruff + amazement overpowering his consideration. + </p> + <p> + ‘Much you know about it,’ returned Berenger, turning his face away. + </p> + <p> + There was a long silence, first broken by Philip, asking more cautiously, + ‘And what did you say to him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I said whatever could show it was most impossible. Even I said the + brother’s handwriting was too plain on my face for me to offer myself to + the sister. But it seems all that is to be passed over as an unlucky + mistake. I wish I could guess what the old fellow is aiming at.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure the lady looked at you as if she loved you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Simpleton! She looked to see how she could beguile me. Love! They do + nothing for love here, you foolish boy, save <i>par amour</i>. If she + loved me, her father was the last person she would have sent me. No, no; + ‘tis a new stratagem, if I could only seen my way into it. Perhaps Sir + Francis will when he can spend an hour on me.’ + </p> + <p> + Though full of occupation, Sir Francis never failed daily to look in upon + his convalescent guest, and when he heard of the Chevalier’s interview, he + took care that Berenger should have full time to consult him; and, of + course, he inquired a good deal more into the particulars of the proposal + than Philip had done. When he learnt that the Chevalier had offered all + the very considerable riches and lands that Diane enjoyed in right of her + late husband as an equivalent for Berenger’s resignation of all claims + upon the Nid-de-Merle property, he noted it on his tables, and desired to + know what these claims might be. ‘I cannot tell,’ said Berenger. ‘You may + remember, sir, the parchments with our contract of marriage had been taken + away from Chateau Leurre, and I have never seen them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ said the Ambassador, ‘you may hold it as certain that those + parchments give you some advantage which he hears, since he is willing to + purchase it at so heavy a price. Otherwise he himself would be the natural + heir of those lands.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘After my child,’ said Berenger, hastily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Were you on your guard against mentioning your trust in your child’s + life?’ said Sir Francis. + </p> + <p> + The long scar turned deeper purple than ever. ‘Only so far as that I said + there still be rights I had no power to resign,’ said Berenger. ‘And then + he began to prove to me—-what I had no mind to hear’ (and his voice + trembled) ‘—-all that I know but too well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hum! you must not be left alone again to cope with him,’ said Walsingham. + ‘Did he make any question of the validity of your marriage?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir, it was never touched on. I would not let him take her name into + his lips.’ + </p> + <p> + Walsingham considered for some minutes, and then said, ‘It is clear, then, + that he believes that the marriage can be sufficiently established to + enable you to disturb him in his possession of some part, at least, of the + Angevin inheritance, or he would not endeavour to purchase your + renunciation of it by the hand of a daughter so richly endowed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would willingly renounce it if that were all! I never sought it; only I + cannot give up her child’s rights.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And that you almost declared,’ proceeded Walsingham; ‘so that the + Chevalier has by his negotiation gathered from you that you have not given + up hope that the infant lives. Do your men know where you believe she is?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My Englishmen know it, of course,’ said Berenger; ‘but there is no fear + of them. The Chevalier speaks no English, and they scarcely any French; + and, besides, I believe they deem him equally my butcher with his son. The + other fellow I only picked up after I was on my way to Paris, and I doubt + his knowing my purpose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Chevalier must have had speech with him, though,’ said Philip; ‘for + it was he who brought word that the old rogue wished to speak with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It would be well to be quit yourself of the fellow ere leaving Paris,’ + said Walsingham. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, sir,’ said Berenger, with an anxious voice, ‘do you indeed think I + have betrayed aught that can peril the poor little one?’ + </p> + <p> + Sir Francis smiled. ‘We do not set lads of your age to cope with old + foxes,’ he answered; ‘and it seems to me that you used far discretion in + the encounter. The mere belief that the child lives does not show him + where she may be. In effect, it would seem likely to most that the babe + would be nursed in some cottage, and thus not be in the city of La + Sablerie at all. He might, mayhap, thus be put on a false scent.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no,’ exclaimed Berenger, startled; ‘that might bring the death of some + other person’s child on my soul.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That shall be guarded against,’ said Sir Francis. ‘In the meantime, my + fair youth, keep your matters as silent as may be—-do not admit the + Chevalier again in my absence; and, as to this man Guibert, I will confer + with my steward whether he knows too much, and whether it be safer to keep + of dismiss him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If only I could see the King, and leave Paris,’ sighed Berenger. + </p> + <p> + And Walsingham, though unwilling to grieve the poor youth further, + bethought himself that this was the most difficult and hopeless matter of + all. As young Ribaumont grew better, the King grew worse; he himself only + saw Charles on rare occasions, surrounded by a host of watchful eyes and + ears, and every time he marked the progress of disease; and though such a + hint could be given by an Ambassador, he thought that by far the best + chance of recovery of the child lay in the confusion that might probably + follow the death of Charles IX. in the absence of his next heir. + </p> + <p> + Berenger reckoned on the influence of Elisabeth of Austria, who had been + the real worker in his union with Eutacie; but he was told that it was + vain to expect assistance from her. In the first year of her marriage, she + had fondly hoped to enjoy her husband’s confidence, and take her natural + place in his court; but she was of no mould to struggle with Catherine de + Medicis, and after a time had totally desisted. Even at the time of the + St. Bartholomew, she had endeavoured to uplift her voice on the side of + mercy, and had actually saved the lives of the King of Navarre and Prince + of Conde; and her father, the good Maximilian II., had written in the + strongest terms to Charles IX. expressing his horror of the massacre. Six + weeks later, the first hour after the birth of her first and only child, + she had interceded with her husband for the lives of two Huguenots who had + been taken alive, and failing then either through his want of will or want + of power, she had collapsed and yielded up the endeavour. She ceased to + listen to petitions from those who had hoped for her assistance, as if to + save both them and herself useless pain, and seemed to lapse into a sort + of apathy to all public interests. She hardly spoke, mechanically + fulfilled her few offices in the court, and seemed to have turned her + entire hope and trust into prayer for her husband. Her German confessor + had been sent home, and a Jesuit given her in his stead, but she had made + no resistance; she seemed to the outer world a dull, weary stranger, + obstinate in leading a conventual life; but those who knew her best—and + of these few was the Huguenot surgeon Pare—knew that her heart had + been broken two guilty lives, or to make her husband free himself from his + bondage to bloody counsels. To pray for him was all that remained to her—and + unwearied had been those prayers. Since his health had declined, she had + been equally indefatigable in attending on him, and did not seem to have a + single interest beyond his sick chamber. + </p> + <p> + As to the King of Navarre, for whose help Berenger had hoped, he had been + all these months in the dishonouable thraldom of Catherine de Medicis, and + was more powerless than ever at this juncture, having been implicated in + Alencon’s plot, and imprisoned at Vincennes. + </p> + <p> + And thus, the more Berenger heard of the state of things, the less hopeful + did his cause appear, till he could almost have believed his best chance + lay in Philip’s plan of persuading the Huguenots to storm the convent. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. THE DYING KING + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + Die in terror of thy guiltiness, + Dream on, dream on of bloody deeds and death, Fainting, despair, + despairing yield thy breath + KING RICHARD III. +</pre> + <p> + A few days later, when Berenger had sent out Philip, under the keeping of + the secretaries, to see the Queen-mother represent Royalty in one of the + grand processions of Rogation-tide, the gentle knock came to his door that + always announced the arrival of his good surgeon. + </p> + <p> + ‘You look stronger, M. le Baron; have you yet left your room?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have walked round the gallery above the hall,’ said Berenger. ‘I have + not gone down-stairs; that is for to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What would M. le Baron say if his chirurgeon took him not merely + down-stairs, but up on flight at the Louvre?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha!’ cried Berenger; ‘to the King?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is well-nigh the last chance, Monsieur; the Queen-mother and all her + suite are occupied with services and sermons this week; and next week + private access to the King will be far more difficult. I have waited as + long as I could that you might gain strength to support the fatigue.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hope cancels fatigue,’ said Berenger, already at the other end of the + room searching for his long-disused cloak, sword, gloves, hat, and mask. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not the sword,’ said Pare, ‘so please you. M. le Baron must condescend to + obtain entrance as my assistant—the plain black doublet—yes, + that is admirable; but I did not know that Monsieur was so tall,’ he + added, in some consternation, as, for the first time, he saw his patient + standing up at his full height—unusual even in England, and more so + in France. Indeed, Berenger had grown during his year of illness, and + being, of course, extremely thin, looked all the taller, so as to be a + very inconvenient subject to smuggle into to palace unobserved. + </p> + <p> + However, Ambroise had made up his mind to the risk, and merely assisted + Berenger in assuming his few equipments, then gave him his arm to go down + the stairs. Meeting Guibert on the way, Berenger left word with him that + he was going out to take the air with Maitre Pare; and on the man’s + offering to attend him, refused the proposal. + </p> + <p> + Pare carriage waited in the court, and Berenger, seated in its depths, + rolled unseen through the streets, till he found himself at the little + postern of the Louvre, the very door whence he was to have led off his + poor Eustacie. Here Ambroise made him take off his small black mask, in + spite of all danger of his scars being remarked, since masks were not + etiquette in the palace, and, putting into his arms a small brass-bound + case of instruments, asked his pardon for preceding him, and alighted from + the carriage. + </p> + <p> + This was Ambroise’s usual entrance, and it was merely guarded by a + Scottish archer, who probably observed nothing. They then mounted the + stone stair, the same where Osbert had dragged down his insensible master; + and as, at the summit, the window appeared where Berenger had waited those + weary hours, and heard the first notes of the bell of + St.-Germain-l’Auxerrois, his breath came in such hurried sobs, that Pare + would fain have given him time to recover himself, but he gasped, ‘Not + here—not here;’ and Pare, seeing that he could still move on, + turned, not to the corridor leading to the King’s old apartments, now too + full of dreadful associations for poor Charles, but towards those of the + young Queen. Avoiding the ante-room, where no doubt waited pages, users, + and attendants, Pare presently knocked at a small door, so hidden in the + wain-scoting of the passage that only a <i>habitue</i> could have found it + without strict search. It was at once opened, and the withered, motherly + face of an old woman, with keen black eyes under a formal tight white cap, + looked out. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh! Maitre Pare,’ she said, ‘you have brought the poor young gentleman? + On my faith, he looks scarcely able to walk! Come in, sir, and rest a + while in my chamber while Maitre Ambroise goes on to announce you to the + King. He is more at ease to-day, the poor child, and will relish some + fresh talk. + </p> + <p> + Berenger knew this to be Philippe, the old Huguenot nurse, whom Charles + IX. loved most fondly, and in whom he found his greatest comfort. He was + very glad to sink into the seat she placed for him, the only one is her + small, bare room and recover breath there while Pare passed on to the + King, and she talked as one delighted to have a hearer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, yes, rest yourself—stay; I will give you a few spoonfuls of the + cordial potage I have here for the King; it will comfort your heart. Ah! + you have been cruelly mauled—but he would have saved you if he + could. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, good mother, I know that; the King has been my very good lord. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! blessings on you if you say so from your heart, Monsieur; you know me + for one of your poor Reformed. And I tell you—I who saw him born, + who nursed him from his birth—that, suffer as you may, you can never + suffer as he does. Maitre Ambroise may talk of his illness coming from + blowing too much on his horn; I know better. But, ah! to be here at night + would make a stone shed tears of blood. The Queen and I know it; but we + say nothing, we only pray. + </p> + <p> + The sight of a Huguenot was so great a treat to the old woman in her + isolated life, that her tongue ran thus freely while Berenger sat, scarce + daring to speak or breathe in the strange boding atmosphere of the palace, + where the nurse and surgeon moved as tolerated, privileged persons, in + virtue of the necessity of the one to the King—of the other to all + the world. After all brief interval Pare returned and beckoned to + Berenger, who followed him across a large state-bedroom to a much smaller + one, which he entered from under a heavy blue velvet curtain, and found + himself in an atmosphere heavy with warmth and perfume, and strangely + oppressed besides. On one side of the large fire sat the young Queen, + faded, wan, and with all animation or energy departed, only gazing with a + silent, wistful intentness at her husband. He was opposite to her in a + pillowed chair, his feet on a stool, with a deadly white, padded, puffy + cheek, and his great black eyes, always prominent, now with a glassy look, + and strained wide, as though always gazing after some horrible sight. + ‘Madame la Comtesse stood in her old, wooden, automaton fashion behind the + Queen; otherwise, no one was present save Pare, who, as he held up the + curtain, stood back to let M. de Ribaumont advance. He stood still, + however, merely bowing low, awaiting an invitation to come forward, and + trying to repress the startled tear called up by the very shock of pity at + the mournful aspect of the young King and Queen. + </p> + <p> + Elisabeth, absorbed in her husband, and indifferent to all besides, did + not even turn her head as he entered; but Charles signed to him to + approach, holding out a yellow, dropsical-looking hand; and as he dropped + on one knew and kissed it fervently, the King said, ‘Here he is, Madame, + the Baron de Ribaumont, the same whose little pleasure-boat was sucked + down in our whirlpool. + </p> + <p> + All Elisabeth’s memories seemed to have been blotted out in that + whirlpool, for she only bowed her head formally, and gave no look of + recognition, though she, too, allowed Berenger to salute her listless, + dejected hand. ‘One would hardly have known him again, continued the King, + in a low husky voice; ‘but I hope, sir, I see you recovering. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanks, Sire, to Heaven’s goodness, and to your goodness in sparing to me + the services of Maitre Pare. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! there is none like Pare for curing a wound OUTSIDE,’ said Charles, + then leant back silent; and Berenger, still kneeling, was considering + whether he ought to proffer his petition, when the King continued, ‘How + fares your friend Sidney, M. le Baron? + </p> + <p> + ‘Right well, Sire. The Queen has made him one of her gentlemen. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not after this fashion,’ said Charles, as with his finger he traced the + long scar on Berenger’s face. ‘Our sister of England has different badges + of merit from ours for her good subjects. Ha! what say they of us in + England, Baron? + </p> + <p> + ‘I have lain sick at home, Sire, and have neither seen nor heard, said + Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! one day more at Montpipeau had served your turn,’ said the King; ‘but + you are one who has floated up again. One—one at least whose blood + is not on my head. + </p> + <p> + The Queen looked up uneasy and imploring, as Charles continued: ‘Would + that more of you would come in this way! They have scored you deep, but + know you what is gashed deeper still? Your King’s heart! Ah! you will not + come, as Coligny does, from his gibbet, with his two bleeding hands. My + father was haunted to his dying day by the face of one Huguenot tailor. + Why, I see a score, night by night! You are solid; let me feel you, man. + </p> + <p> + ‘M. Pare,’ exclaimed the poor Queen, ‘take him away. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, Madame,’ said the King, holding tight in his hot grasp Berenger’s + hand, which was as pale as his own, long, thin, and wasted, but cold from + strong emotion; ‘take not away the only welcome sight I have seen for + well-nigh two years.’ He coughed, and the handkerchief he put to his lips + had blood on it; but he did not quit his hold of his visitor, and + presently said in a feeble whisper, ‘Tell me, how did you escape? + </p> + <p> + Pare, over the King’s head, signed to him to make his narrative take time; + and indeed his speech was of necessity so slow, that by the time he had + related how Osbert had brought him safely to England, the King had + recovered himself so as to say, ‘See what it is to have a faithful + servant. Which of those they have left me would do as much for me? And + now, being once away with your life, what brings you back to this realm of + ours, after your last welcome? + </p> + <p> + ‘I left my wife here, Sire. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! and the cousin would have married her—obtained permission to + call himself Nid de Merle—but she slipped through his clumsy + fingers; did she not? Did you know anything of her, Madame? + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said the Queen, looking up. ‘She wrote to me once from her convent; + but I knew I could do nothing for her but bring her enemies’ notice on + her; so I made no answer. + </p> + <p> + Berenger could hardly conceal his start of indignation—less at the + absolute omission, than at the weary indifference of the Queen’s + confession. Perhaps the King saw it, for he added, ‘So it is, Ribaumont; + the kindest service we can do our friends is to let them alone; and, after + all, it was not the worse for her. She did evade her enemies? + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Sire,’ said Berenger, commanding and steadying his voice with great + difficulty, ‘she escaped in time to give birth to our child in the ruined + loft of an old grange of the Templars, under the care of a Huguenot + farmer, and a pastor who had known my father. Then she took refuge in La + Sablerie, and wrote to my mother, deeming me dead. I was just well enough + to go in quest of her. I came—ah! Sire, I found only charred ruins. + Your Majesty knows how Huguenot bourgs are dealt with. + </p> + <p> + ‘And she—-? + </p> + <p> + Berenger answered but by a look. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you come to tell me this?’ said the King, passionately. ‘Do you + not know that they have killed me already? I thought you came because + there was still some one I could aid. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is, there is, Sire,’ said Berenger, for once interrupting royalty. + ‘None save you can give me my child. It is almost certain that a good + priest saved it; but it is in a convent, and only with a royal order can + one of my religion either obtain it, or even have my questions answered. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor with one in Paris,’ said the King dryly; ‘but in the country the good + mothers may still honour their King’s hand. Here, Ambroise, take pen and + ink, and write the order. To whom? + </p> + <p> + ‘To the Mother Prioress of the Ursulines at Lucon, so please our Majesty,’ + said Berenger, ‘to let me have possession of my daughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh! is it only a little girl? + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Sire; but my heart yearns for her all the more,’ said Berenger, with + glistening eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are right,’ said the poor King. ‘Mine, too, is a little girl; and I + bless God daily that she is no son—to be the most wretched thing the + France. Let her come in, Madame. She is little older than my friend’s + daughter. I would show her to him. + </p> + <p> + The Queen signed to Madame la Comtesse to fetch the child, and Berenger + added, ‘Sire, you could do a further benefit to my poor little one. One + more signature of yours would attest that ratification of my marriage + which took place in your Majesty’s presence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! I remember,’ said Charles. ‘You may have any name of mine that can + help you to oust that villain Narcisse; only wait to use it—spare me + any more storms. It will serve your turn as well when I am beyond they, + and you will make your claim good. What,’ seeing Berenger’s interrogative + look, ‘do you not know that by the marriage-contract the lands of each + were settled on the survivor? + </p> + <p> + ‘No, Sire; I have never seen the marriage-contract. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your kinsman knew it well,’ said Charles. + </p> + <p> + Just then, Madame la Comtesse returned, leading the little Princess by the + long ribbons at her waist; Charles bent forward, calling, ‘Here, <i>ma + petite</i>, come here. Here is one who loves thy father. Look well at him, + that thou mayest know him. + </p> + <p> + The little Madame Elisabeth so far understood, that, with a certain lofty + condescension, she extended her hand for the stranger to kiss, and thus + drew from the King the first smile that Berenger had seen. She was more + than half a year older than the Berangere on whom his hopes were set, and + whom he trusted to find not such a pale, feeble, tottering little creature + as this poor young daughter of France, whose round black eyes gazed + wonderingly at his scar; but she was very precocious, and even already too + much of a royal lady to indulge in any awkward personal observation. + </p> + <p> + By the time she had been rewarded for her good behaviour by one of the + dried plums in her father’s comfit-box, the order had been written by + Pare, and Berenger had prepared the certificate for the King’s signature, + according to the form given him by his grandfather. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your writing shakes nearly as much as mine,’ said the poor King, as he + wrote his name to this latter. ‘Now, Madame, you had better sign it also; + and tell this gentleman where to find Father Meinhard in Austria. He was a + little too true for us, do you see—would not give thanks for + shedding innocent blood. Ah!’—and with a gasp of mournful longing, + the King sank back, while Elisabeth, at his bidding, added her name to the + certificate, and murmured the name of a convent in Vienna, where her late + confessor could be found. + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot thank you Majesty enough,’ said Berenger; ‘My child’s rights are + now secure in England at least, and this’—as he held the other paper + for the King—‘will give her to me. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! take it for what it is worth,’ said the King, as he scrawled his + ‘CHARLES’ upon it. ‘This order must be used promptly, or it will avail you + nothing. Write to Ambroise how you speed; that is, if it will bring me one + breath of good news.’ And as Berenger kissed his hand with tearful, + inarticulate thanks, he proceeded, ‘Save for that cause, I would ask you + to come to me again. It does me good. It is like a breath from Montpipeau—the + last days of hope—before the frenzy—the misery. + </p> + <p> + ‘Whenever your Majesty does me the honour—-’ began Berenger, + forgetting all except the dying man. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not so senseless,’ interrupted the King sharply; ‘it would be losing + the only chance of undoing one wrong. Only, Ribaumont,’ he added + fervently, ‘for once let me hear that one man has pardoned me. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sire, Sire,’ sobbed Berenger, totally overcome, ‘how can I speak the + word? How feel aught but love, loyalty, gratitude? + </p> + <p> + Charles half smiled again as he said in sad meditation—‘Ah! it was + in me to have been a good king if they had let me. Think of me, bid your + friend Sidney think of me, as I would have been—not as I have been—and + pray, pray for me.’ Then hiding his face in his handkerchief, in a + paroxysm of grief and horror, he murmured in a stifled tone, ‘Blood, + blood, deliver me, good Lord! + </p> + <p> + In effect, there was so sudden a gush of blood from mouth and nose that + Berenger sprang to his feet in dismay, and was <i>bona fide</i> performing + the part of assistant to the surgeon, when, at the Queen’s cry, not only + the nurse Philippe hurried in, but with her a very dark, keen-looking man, + who at once began applying strong essences to the King’s face, as Berenger + supported his head. In a few moments Pare looked up at Berenger, and + setting him free, intimated to him, between sign and whisper, to go into + Philippe’s room and wait there; and it was high time, for though the youth + had felt nothing in the stress of the moment, he was almost swooning when + he reached the little chamber, and lay back in the nurse’s chair, with + closed eyes, scarcely conscious how time went, or even where he was, till + he was partly aroused by hearing steps returning. + </p> + <p> + ‘The poor young man,’ said Philippe’s kind voice, ‘he is fainting. Ah! no + wonder it overcame any kind heart. + </p> + <p> + ‘How is the King?’ Berenger tried to say, but his own voice still sounded + unnatural and far away. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is better for the time, and will sleep,’ said Pare, administering to + his other patient some cordial drops as he spoke. ‘There, sir; you will + soon be able to return to the carriage. This has been a sore trial to your + strength. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I have gained all—all I could hope,’ said Berenger, looking at + his precious papers. ‘But, alas! the poor King! + </p> + <p> + ‘You will never, never let a word of blame pass against him,’ cried + Philippe earnestly. ‘It is well that one of our people should have seen + how it really is with him. All I regret is that Maitre Rene thrust himself + in and saw you. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who?’ said Berenger, who had been too much engrossed to perceive any one. + </p> + <p> + ‘Maitre Rene of Milan, the Queen-mother’s perfume. He came with some plea + of bringing a pouncet-box from her, but I wager it was as a spy. I was + doing my best to walk him gently off, when the Queen’s cry called me, and + he must needs come in after me. + </p> + <p> + ‘I saw him not,’ said Berenger; ‘perhaps he marked not me in the + confusion. + </p> + <p> + ‘I fear,’ said Pare gravely, ‘he was more likely to have his senses about + him than you. M. le Baron; these bleedings of the King’s are not so new to + us familiars to the palace. The best thing now to be done is to have you + to the carriage, if you can move. + </p> + <p> + Berenger, now quite recovered, stood up, and gave his warm thanks to the + old nurse for her kindness to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! sir,’ she said, ‘you are one of us. Pray, pray that God will have + mercy on my poor child! He has the truth in his heart. Pray that it may + save him at the last. + </p> + <p> + Ambroise, knowing that she would never cease speaking while there was any + one to hear her, almost dragged Berenger out at the little secret door, + conveyed him safely down the stairs, and placed him again in the carriage. + Neither spoke till the surgeon said, ‘You have seen a sad sight, Monsieur + le Baron: I need not bid you be discreet. + </p> + <p> + ‘There are some things that go too deep for speech,’ sighed the almost + English Berenger; then, after a pause, ‘Is there no hope for him? Is he + indeed dying? + </p> + <p> + ‘Without a miracle, he cannot live a month. He is as truly slain by the + St. Bartholomew as ever its martyrs were,’ said Pare, moved out of his + usual cautious reserve towards one who had seen so much and felt so truly. + ‘I tell you, sir, that his mother hath as truly slain her sons, as if she + had sent Rene there to them with his drugs. According as they have + consciences and hearts, so they pine and perish under her rule. + </p> + <p> + Berenger shuddered, and almost sobbed, ‘And hath he no better hope, no + comforter?’ he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘None save good old Flipote. As you heard, the Queen-mother will not + suffer his own Church to speak to him in her true voice. No confessor but + one chosen by the Cardinal of Lorraine may come near him; and with him all + is mere ceremony. But if at the last he opens his ear and heart to take in + the true hope of salvation, it will be from the voice of poor old + Philippe. + </p> + <p> + And so it was! It was Philippe, who heard him in the night sobbing over + the piteous words, ‘My God, what horrors, what blood!’ and, as she took + from his tear-drenched handkerchief, spoke to him of the Blood that + speakth better things than the blood of Abel; and it was she who, in the + final agony, heard and treasured these last words, ‘If the Lord Jesus will + indeed receive me into the company of the blest!’ Surely, never was + repentance deeper than that of Charles IX.—and these, his parting + words, were such as to inspire the trust that it was not remorse. + </p> + <p> + All-important as Berenger’s expedition had been, he still could think of + little but the poor King; and, wearied out as he was, he made very little + reply to the astonished friends who gathered round him on his return. He + merely told Philip that he had succeeded, and then lay almost without + speaking on his bed till the Ambassador made his evening visit, when he + showed him the two papers. Sir Francis could hardly believe his good + fortune in having obtained this full attestation of the marriage, and + promised to send to the English Ambassador in Germany, to obtain the like + from Father Meinhard. The document itself he advised Berenger not to + expose to the dangers of the French journey, but to leave it with him to + be forwarded direct to Lord Walwyn. It was most important, both as + obviating any dispute on the legitimacy of the child, if she lived; or, if + not, it would establish those rights of Berenger to the Nid de Merle + estates, of which he had heard from the King. This information explained + what were the claims that the Chevalier was so anxious to hush up by a + marriage with Madame de Selinville. Berenger, as his wife’s heir, was by + this contract the true owner of the estates seized by the Chevalier and + his son, and could only be ousted, either by his enemies proving his + contract to Eustacie invalid and to be unfulfilled, or by his own + voluntary resignation. The whole scheme was clear to Walsingham, and he + wasted advice upon unheeding ears, as to how Berenger should act to obtain + restitution so soon as he should be of age, and how he should try to find + out the notary who had drawn up the contract. If Berenger cared at all, it + was rather for the sake of punishing and balking Narcisse, than with any + desire of the inheritance; and even for righteous indignation he was just + now too weary and too sad. He could not discuss his rights to Nid de + Merle, if they passed over the rights of Eustacie’s child, round whom his + affection were winding themselves as his sole hope. + </p> + <p> + The next evening Pare came in quest of Berenger, and after a calm, + refreshing, hopeful Ascension-day, which had been a real balm to the weary + spirit, found him enjoying the sweet May sunshine under a tree in the + garden. ‘I am glad to find you out of doors,’ he said; ‘I fear I must + hasten your departure. + </p> + <p> + ‘I burn to lose no time,’ cried Berenger. ‘Prithee tell them I may safely + go! They all call it madness to think of setting out. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ordinarily it would be,’ said Pare; ‘but Rene of Milan has sent his + underlings to see who is my new, tall assistant. He will report all to the + Queen-mother; and though in this house you could scarcely suffer personal + harm, yet the purpose of your journey might be frustrated, and the King + might have to undergo another of those <i>bourrasques</i> which he may + well dread. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will go this very night,’ said Berenger, starting up; ‘where is Philip?—where + is Sir Francis? + </p> + <p> + Even that very night Pare thought not too soon, and the Ascension-tide + illuminations brought so many persons abroad that it would be easy to go + unnoticed; and in the general festivity, when every one was coming and + going from the country to gaze or worship at the shrines and the images + decked in every church, it would be easy for the barriers to be passed + without observation. Then the brothers would sleep at a large hostel, the + first on the road to England, where Walsingham’s couriers and guest always + baited, and the next morning he would send out to them their attendants, + with houses for their further journey back into Anjou. If any enemies were + on the watch, this would probably put them off the scent, and it only + remained further to be debated, whether the Norman Guibert had better be + dismissed at once or taken with them. There was always soft place in + Berenger’s heart for a Norman, and the man was really useful; moreover, he + would certainly be safer employed and in their company, than turned loose + to tell the Chevalier all he might have picked up in the Hotel + d’Angleterre. It was therefore decided that he should be the attendant of + the two young men, and he received immediate orders that night to pack up + their garments, and hold himself ready. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, before the hour of departure, Guibert had stolen out, had an + interview with the Chevalier de Ribaumont at the Hotel de Selinville, and + came back with more than one good French crown in his pocket, and hopes of + more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. THE ORPHANS OF LA SABLERIE + </h2> + <p> + The cream tarts with pepper in them.—ARABIAN NIGHTS. + </p> + <p> + Hope, spring, and recovery carried the young Baronde Ribaumont on his + journey infinitely better than his companions had dared to expect. He + dreaded nothing so much as being overtaken by those tidings which would + make King Charles’s order mere waste paper; and therefore pressed on with + little regard to his own fatigue, although happily with increasing + strength, which carried him a further stage every day. + </p> + <p> + Lucon was a closely-guarded, thoroughly Catholic city, and his + safe-conduct was jealously demanded; but the name of Ribaumont silenced + all doubt. ‘A relation, apparently, of M. de Nid de Merle,’ said the + officer on guard, and politely invited him to dinner and bed at the + castle; but these he thought it prudent to decline, explaining that he + brought a letter from the King to the Mother Prioress. + </p> + <p> + The convent walls were pointed out to him, and he only delayed at the inn + long enough to arrange his dress as might appear to the Abbess most + respectful, and, poor boy, be least likely to startle the babe on whom his + heart was set. At almost every inn, the little children had shrieked and + run from his white and gashed face, and his tall, lank figure in deep + black; and it was very sadly that he said to Philip, ‘You must come with + me. If she turns from me as an ogre, your bright ruddy face will win her. + </p> + <p> + The men were left at the inn with charge to let Guibert speak for them, + and to avoid showing their nationality. The three months of Paris, and the + tailors there, had rendered Philip much less conspicuous than formerly; + but still people looked at him narrowly as he followed his brother along + the street. The two lads had made up their minds to encumber themselves + with no nurses, or womanfolk. The child should be carried, fondled, and + fed by her boy-father alone. He believed that, when he once held her in + his arms, he should scarcely even wish to give her up to any one else; + and, in his concentration of mind, had hardly thought of all the + inconveniences and absurdities that would arise; but, really, was chiefly + occupied by the fear that she would not at first let him take her in his + arms, and hold her to his heart. + </p> + <p> + Philip, a little more alive to the probabilities, nevertheless was + disposed to regard them as ‘fun and pastime.’ He had had many a frolic + with his baby-sisters, and this would be only a prolonged one; besides, it + was ‘Berry’s’ one hope, and to rescue any creature from a convent was a + good work, in his Protestant eyes, which had not become a whit less + prejudiced at Paris. So he was quite prepared to take his full share of + his niece, or more, if she should object to her father’s looks, and he + only suggested halting at an old woman’s stall to buy some sweetmeats by + way of propitiation—a proceeding which much amazed the gazing + population of Lucon. Two reports were going about, one that the King had + vowed a silver image of himself to St. Ursula, if her Prioress would + obtain his recovery by their prayers; the other that he was going to + translate her to the royal Abbey of Fontevrault to take charge of his + daughter, Madame Elisabeth. Any way, high honour by a royal messenger must + be intended to the Prioress, Mere Monique, and the Luconnais were proud of + her sanctity. + </p> + <p> + The portress had already heard the report, and opened her wicket even + before the bell could be rung, then eagerly ushered him into the parlour, + the barest and most ascetic-looking of rooms, with a boarded partition + across, unenlivened except by a grated hollow, and the outer portion + empty, save of a table, three chairs, and a rugged woodcut of a very tall + St. Ursula, with a crowd of pigmy virgins, not reaching higher than the + ample hem of her petticoat. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did Aunt Cecily live in such a place as this?’ exclaimed Philip, gazing + round; ‘or do they live on the fat among down cushions inside there? + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush—sh,’ said Berenger, frowning with anxiety; for a rustling was + heard behind the screen, and presently a black veil and white scapulary + appeared, and a sweet calm voice said, ‘Peace be with you, sir; what are + your commands? + </p> + <p> + Berenger bowed low, and replied, ‘Thanks, reverend Lady; I bring a letter + from the King, to request your aid in a matter that touches me nearly. + </p> + <p> + ‘His Majesty shall be obeyed. Come you from him? + </p> + <p> + He was forced to reply to her inquiries after the poor King’s health + before she opened the letter, taking it under her veil to read it; so that + as he stood, trembling, almost sickening with anxiety, and scarcely able + to breathe, he could see nothing but the black folds; and at her low + murmured exclamation he started as if at a cannon-shot. + </p> + <p> + ‘De Ribaumont!’ she said; ‘can it be—the child—of—of—out + poor dear little <i>pensionnaire</i> at Bellaise? + </p> + <p> + ‘It is—it is!’ cried Berenger. ‘O Madame, you knew her at Bellaise? + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so,’ replied the Prioress, who was in fact the Soeur Monique so + loved and regretted by Eustacie. ‘I loved and prayed for her with all my + heart when she was claimed by the world. Heaven’s will be done; but the + poor little thing loved me, and I have often thought that had I been still + at Bellaise when she returned she would not have fled. But of this child I + have no knowledge. + </p> + <p> + ‘You took charge of the babes of La Sablerie, Madame,’ said Berenger, + almost under his breath. + </p> + <p> + ‘Her infant among those poor orphans!’ exclaimed the Prioress, more and + more startled and amazed. + </p> + <p> + ‘If it be anywhere in this life, it is in your good keeping, Madame,’ said + Berenger, with tears in his eyes. ‘Oh! I entreat, withhold her no longer. + </p> + <p> + ‘But,’ exclaimed the bewildered nun, ‘who would you then be, sir? + </p> + <p> + ‘I—her husband—widower of Eustacie—father of her + orphan!’ cried Berenger. ‘She cannot be detained from me, either by right + or law. + </p> + <p> + ‘Her husband,’ still hesitated Monique. ‘But he is dead. The poor little + one—Heaven have mercy on her soul—wrote me a piteous entreaty, + and gave large alms for prayers and masses for his soul. + </p> + <p> + The sob in his throat almost strangled his speech. ‘She mourned me to the + last as dead. I was borne away senseless and desperately wounded; and when + I recovered power to seek her it was too late! O Madame! have pity—let + me see all she has left to me. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it possible?’ said the nun. ‘We would not learn the parentage of our + nurslings since all alike become children of Mother Church. Then, suddenly + bethinking herself, ‘But, surely, Monsieur cannot be a Huguenot. + </p> + <p> + It was no doubt the first time she had been brought in contact with a + schismatic, and she could not believe that such respectful courtesy could + come from one. He saw he must curb himself, and explain. ‘I am neither + Calvinist nor Sacrementaire, Madame. I was bred in England, where we love + our own Church. My aunt is a Benedictine Sister, who keeps her rule + strictly, though her convent is destroyed; and it is to her that I shall + carry my daughter. Ah, Lady, did you but know my heart’s hunger for her! + </p> + <p> + The Prioress, better read in the lives of the saints than in the sects of + heretics, did not know whether this meant that he was of her own faith or + not; and her woman’s heart being much moved by his pleadings, she said, ‘I + will heartily give your daughter to you, sir, as indeed I must, if she be + here; but you have never seen her? + </p> + <p> + ‘No; only her empty cradle in the burnt house. But I MUST know her. She is + a year old. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have two babes of that age; but I fear me you will scarce see much + likeness in either of them to any one you knew,’ said the Prioress, + thoughtfully. ‘However, there are two girls old enough to remember the + parentage of their companions, though we forbade them to mention it. Would + you see them, sir? + </p> + <p> + ‘And the infants, so please you, reverend Mother,’ exclaimed Berenger. + </p> + <p> + She desired him to wait, and after an interval of suspense there was a + pattering of little <i>sabots</i> behind the partition, and through the + grating he beheld six little girls in blue serge frocks and tight white + caps. Of the two infants, one with a puny, wizen, pinched face was in the + arms of the Prioress; the other, a big, stout, coarse child, with hard + brown cheeks and staring black-eyes, was on its own feet, but with a great + basket-work frame round its head to save it from falls. There were two + much more prepossessing children of three or four, and two + intelligent-looking girls of perhaps eight and ten, to the elder of whom + the Prioress turned, saying, ‘Agathe, I release you from my command not to + speak of your former life, and desire you to tell this gentleman if you + know who were the parents of these two little ones. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, reverend Mother,’ said Agathe, readily; ‘the old name of Claire’ + (touching the larger baby) ‘was Salome Potier: her mother was the + washerwoman; and Nannonciade, I don’t know what her name was, but her + father worked for Maitre Brassier who made the kettles. + </p> + <p> + Philip felt relieved to be free from all doubt about these very uninviting + little ones, but Berenger, though sighing heavily, asked quickly, ‘Permit + me, Madame, a few questions.—Little maid, did you ever hear of Isaac + Gardon? + </p> + <p> + ‘Maitre Isaac! Oh yes, sir. We used to hear him preach at the church, and + sometimes he catechized us,’ she said, and her lip quivered. + </p> + <p> + ‘He was a heretic, and I abjure him,’ added the other girl, perking up her + head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Was he in the town? What became of him?’ exclaimed Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘He would not be in the town,’ said the elder girl. ‘My poor father had + sent him word to go away. + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Eh quoi</i>? + </p> + <p> + ‘Our father was Bailli la Grasse,’ interposed the younger girl, + consequentially. ‘Our names were Marthe and Lucie la Grasse, but Agathe + and Eulalie are much prettier. + </p> + <p> + ‘But Maitre Gardon?’ still asked Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘He ought to be take and burnt,’ said the new Eulalie; ‘he brought it all + on us. + </p> + <p> + ‘How was it? Was my wife with him—Madame de Ribaumont? Speak, my + child. + </p> + <p> + ‘That was the name,’ said one girl. + </p> + <p> + ‘But Maitre Gardon had no great lady with him,’ said the other, ‘only his + son’s widow and her baby, and they lodged with Noemi Laurent, who made the + <i>patisserie</i>. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ cried Berenger, lighting up with the new ray of hope. ‘Tell me, my + dear, that they fled with him, and where. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not know of their going,’ said Agathe, confused and overborne by his + eagerness. + </p> + <p> + ‘Curb yourself, sir,’ said the Prioress, ‘they will recollect themselves + and tell you what they can. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was the little cakes with lemoned sugar,’ suggested the younger girl. + ‘Maitre Tressan always said there would be a judgment on us for our + daintiness. Ah! he was very cross about them, and after all it was the + Maitre of Lucon who ate fifteen of them all at once; but then he is not a + heretic. + </p> + <p> + Happily for Berenger, Agathe unraveled this speech. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mademoiselle Gardon made the sugar-lemoned cakes, and the Mayor of Lucon, + one day when he supped with us, was so delighted with them that he carried + one away to show his wife, and afterwards he sent over to order some more. + Then, after a time, he sent secretly to my father to ask him if Maitre + Gardon was there; for there was a great outcry about the lemon cakes, and + the Duke of Alencon’s army were coming to demand his daughter-in-law; + because it seems she was a great lady, and the only person who could make + the cakes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Agathe!’ exclaimed the Prioress. + </p> + <p> + ‘I understand,’ said Berenger. ‘The Cure of Nissard told me that she was + traced through cakes, the secret of which was only known at Bellaise. + </p> + <p> + ‘That might be,’ said Mere Monique. ‘I remember there was something of + pride in the cakes of Bellaise, though I always tried to know nothing of + them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, little one, continue,’ entreated Berenger. ‘You are giving me life + and hope. + </p> + <p> + ‘I heard my father and mother talk about it,’ said Agathe, gaining + courage. ‘He said he knew nothing of great people, and would give nobody + up to the Catholics, but as to Maitre Isaac, he should let him know that + the Catholic army were coming, and that it would be the better for us if + we had no pastor within our walls; and that there was a cry that his + daughter’s lemon cakes were made by the lady that was lost. + </p> + <p> + ‘And they escaped! Ah! would that I could thank the good man! + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely yes, sir, I never saw them again. Maitre Tressan the elder prayed + with us. And when the cruel soldiers came and demanded the lady and Maitre + Isaac, and all obstinate Calvinists, our mayor and my father and the rest + made answer that they had no knowledge of the lady, and did not know where + Maitre Gardon was; and as to Huguenots, we were all one as obstinate as + the other, but that we would pay any fine within our means so they would + spare our lives. Then the man in the fine coat said, it was the lady they + wanted, not the fine; and a great deal he said besides, I know not what + but my father said, ‘It is our life’s blood that they want,’ and he put on + his breastplate and kissed us all, and went away. Then came horrible + noises and firing of cannon, and the neighbours ran in and said that the + enemy were battering down the old crumbly bit of wall where the monastery + was burnt; and just then our man Joseph ran back all pale, and staring, to + tell us my father was lying badly hurt in the street. My mother hurried + out, and locked the door to keep us from following. + </p> + <p> + The poor child broke down in tears, and her sister went on. ‘Oh, we were + so frightened—such frightful sounds came close, and people ran by + all blood and shrieking—and there was a glare in the sky—and + nobody came home—till at last it grew so dreadful that we hid in the + cellar to hear and see nothing. Only it grew hotter and hotter, and the + light through the little grating was red. And at last there was a noise + louder than thunder, and, oh, such a shaking—for it was the house + falling down. But we did not know that; we tried to open the door, and + could not; then we cried and called for father and mother—and no one + heard—and we sat still for fear, till we slept—and then it was + all dark, and we were very hungry. I don’t know how time went, but at + last, when I was daylight again, there was a talking above, a little baby + crying, and a kind voice too; and then we called out, ‘Oh, take us out and + give us bread.’ Then a face looked down the grating. Oh, it was like the + face of an angel to us, with all the white hair flying round. It was the + holy priest of Nissard; and when one of the cruel men said we were only + little heretics who ought to die like rats in a hole, he said we were but + innocents who did not know the difference. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! we did,’ said the elder girl. ‘You are younger, sister, you forget + more;’ and then, holding out her hands to Berenger, she exclaimed, ‘Ah! + sir, take us away with you. + </p> + <p> + ‘My child!’ exclaimed the Prioress, ‘you told me you were happy to be in + the good course. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes!’ cried the poor child; ‘but I don’t want to be happy! I am + forgetting all my poor father and mother used to say. I can’t help it, and + they would be so grieved. Oh, take me away, sir! + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care, Agathe, you will be a relapsed heretic,’ said her sister, + solemnly. ‘For me, I am a true Catholic. I love the beautiful images and + the processions. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! but what would our mother have said!’ cried poor Agathe, weeping more + bitterly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor child, her old recollections have been renewed,’ said the Prioress, + with unchanged sweetness; ‘but it will pass. My dear, the gentleman will + tell you that it is as impossible for him to take you as it is for me to + let you go. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is so, truly, little one,’ said Berenger. ‘The only little girl I cold + have taken with me would have been my own;’ and as her eyes looked at him + wistfully, he added, ‘No doubt, if your poor mother could, she would thank + this good Mother-prioress for teaching you to serve God and be a good + child. + </p> + <p> + ‘Monsieur speaks well and kindly,’ said the Prioress; ‘and now, Agathe, + make your curtsey, and take away the little ones. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me ask one question more, reverend Mother,’ said Berenger. ‘Ah! + children, did you ever see her whom you call Isaac Gardon’s + daughter-in-law? + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir,’ said the children; ‘but mother did, and she promised one day to + take us to see the baby, for it was so pretty—so white, that she had + never seen the like. + </p> + <p> + ‘So white!’ repeated Berenger to himself; and the Prioress, struck, + perhaps, by the almost flaxen locks that sparsely waved on his temples, + and the hue of the ungloved hand that rested on the edge of the <i>grille</i>, + said, smiling, ‘You come of a fair family, Monsieur. + </p> + <p> + ‘The White Ribaumonts,’ said Berenger, ‘and, moreover, my mother was + called the Swan of England; my little sisters have skins like snow. Ah! + Madame, though I have failed, I go away far happier than if I had + succeeded. + </p> + <p> + ‘And reveal the true faith,’ began the nun; but Philip in the meantime was + nudging his brother, and whispering in English, ‘No Popish prayers, I say! + Stay, give these poor little prisoners one feast of the sweetmeats we + brought. + </p> + <p> + Of this last hint Berenger was glad, and the Prioress readily consented to + a distribution of the dainties among the orphans. He wished to leave a + more lasting token of his gratitude to the little maiden whose father had + perhaps saved Eustacie’s life, and recollecting that he had about him a + great gold coin, bearing the heads of Philip and Mary, he begged leave to + offer it to Agathe, and found that it was received by good Mere Monique + almost in the light of a relic, as bearing the head of so pious a queen. + </p> + <p> + Then, to complete Philip’s disgust he said, ‘I took with me my aunt’s + blessing when I set out; let me take yours with me also, reverend Mother. + </p> + <p> + When they were in the street again, Philip railed at him as though he had + subjected himself to a spell. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is almost a saint,’ answered Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘And have we not saints enough of our own, without running after Popish + ones behind grates? Brother, if ever the good old days come back of + invading France, I’ll march straight hither, and deliver the poor little + wretches so scandalously mewed up here, and true Protestants all the time! + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush! People are noticing the sound of your English. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let them! I never thanked Heaven properly before that I have not a drop + of French—-’ Here Berenger almost shook him by the shoulder, as men + turned at his broad tones and foreign words, and he walked on in silence, + while Berenger at his side felt as one treading on air, so infinite was + the burden taken off his mind. Though for the present absolutely at sea as + to where to seek Eustacie, the relief from acquiescence in the horrible + fate that had seemed to be hers was such, that a flood of unspeakable + happiness seemed to rush in on him, and bear him up with a new infusion of + life, buoyancy, and thankfulness. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. IN THE KING’S NAME + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + ‘Under which king, Bezonian? speak or die. + + ‘Under King Harry. + —KING HENRY IV. +</pre> + <p> + ‘One bird in the hand is not always worth two in the bush, assuredly,’ + said Philip, when Berenger was calm enough to hold council on what he + called this most blessed discovery; ‘but where to seek them? + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no fears now,’ returned Berenger. ‘We have not been bore through + so much not to be brought together at last. Soon, soon shall we have her! + A minister so distinguished as Isaac Gardon is sure to be heard of either + at La Rochelle, Montauban, or Nimes, their great gathering places. + </p> + <p> + ‘For Rochelle, then?’ said Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so. We will be off early to-morrow, and from thence, if we do not + find her there, as I expected, we shall be able to write the thrice happy + news to those at home. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, the little cavalcade started in good time, in the cool of the + morning of the bright long day of early June, while apple petal floated + down on them in the lanes like snow, and nightingales in every hedge + seemed to give voice and tune to Berenger’s eager, yearning hopes. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there was a sound of horse’s feet in the road before them, and as + they drew aside to make way, a little troop of gendarmes filled the narrow + lane. The officer, a rough, harsh-looking man, laid his hand on Berenger’s + bridle, with the words, ‘In the name of the King! + </p> + <p> + Philip began to draw his sword with one hand, and with the other to urge + his horse between the officer and his brother, but Berenger called out, + ‘Back! This gentleman mistakes my person. I am the Baron de Ribaumont, and + have a safe-conduct from the King. + </p> + <p> + ‘What king?’ demanded the officer. + </p> + <p> + ‘From King Charles. + </p> + <p> + ‘I arrest you,’ said the officer, ‘in the name of King Henry III, and of + the Queen Regent Catherine. + </p> + <p> + ‘The King dead?’ Exclaimed Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘On the 30th of May. Now, sir. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your warrant—your cause?’ still demanded Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘There will be time enough for that when you are safely lodged, said the + captain, roughly pulling at the rein, which he had held all the time. + </p> + <p> + ‘What, no warrant?’ shouted Philip, ‘he is a mere robber!’ and with drawn + sword he was precipitating himself on the captain, when another gendarme, + who had been on the watch, grappled with him, and dragged him off his + horse before he could strike a blow. The other two English, Humfrey Holt + and John Smithers, strong full-grown men, rode in fiercely to the rescue, + and Berenger himself struggled furiously to loose himself from the + captain, and deliver his brother. Suddenly there was the report of a + pistol: poor Smithers fell, there was a moment of standing aghast, and in + that moment the one man and the two youths were each pounced on by three + or four gendarmes, thrown down and pinioned. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this usage for gentlemen?’ exclaimed Berenger, as he was roughly + raised to his feet. + </p> + <p> + ‘The King’s power has been resisted,’ was all the answer; and when he + would have been to see how it was with poor Smithers, one of the + men-at-arms kicked over the body with sickening brutality, saying, ‘Dead + enough, heretic and English carrion! + </p> + <p> + Philip uttered a cry of loathing horror, and turned white; Berenger, above + all else, felt a sort of frenzied despair as he thought of the peril of + the boy who had been trusted to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you had enough, sir?’ said the captain. ‘Mount and come. + </p> + <p> + They could only let themselves be lifted to their horses, and their hands + were then set free to use their bridles, each being guarded by a soldier + on each side of him. Philip attempted but once to speak, and that in + English: ‘Next time I shall take my pistol. + </p> + <p> + He was rudely silenced, and rode on with wide-open stolid eyes and dogged + face, steadfastly resolved that no Frenchman should see him flinch, and + vexed that Berenger had his riding mask on so that his face could not be + studied; while he, on his side, was revolving all causes possible for his + arrest, and all means of enforcing he liberation, if not of himself at + least of Philip and Humfrey. He looked round for Guibert, but could not + see him. + </p> + <p> + They rode on through the intricate lanes till the sun was high and + scorching, and Berenger felt how far he was from perfect recovery. At + last, however, some little time past noon, the gendarmes halted at a stone + fountain, outside a village, and disposing a sufficient guard around his + captives, the officer permitted them to dismount and rest, while he, with + the rest of the troop and the horses, went to the village CABARET. Philip + would have asked his brother what it meant, and what was to be done, but + Berenger shook his head, and intimated that silence was safest as present, + since they might be listened to; and Philip, who so much imagined + treachery and iniquity to be the order of the day in France that he was + scarcely surprised at the present disaster, resigned himself to the same + sullen endurance. Provisions and liquor were presently sent up from the + inn, but Berenger could taste nothing but the cold water of the fountain, + which trickled out cool and fresh beneath an arch surmounted by a figure + of Our Lady. He bathed his face and head in the refreshing spring, and lay + down on a cloak in the shade, Philip keeping a constant change of drenched + kerchiefs on his brow, and hoping that he slept, till at the end to two or + three hours the captain returned, gave the word to horse, and the party + rode on through intricate lanes, blossoming with hawthorn, and ringing + with songs of birds that spoke a very different language now to Berenger’s + heart from what they had said in the hopeful morning. + </p> + <p> + A convent bell was ringing to evensong, when passing its gateway; the + escort turned up a low hill, on the summit of which stood a chateau, + covering a considerable extent of ground, with a circuit of wall, + whitewashed so as perfectly to glare in the evening sun; at every angle a + round, slim turret, crowned by a brilliant red-tiled extinguisher-like + cap; and the whole surmounted by a tall old keep in the centre. There was + a square projection containing an arched gateway, with heavy doorways, + which were thrown open as the party approached. Philip looked up as he + rode in, and over the doorway beheld the familiar fretted shield, with the + leopard in the corner, and <i>‘A moi Ribaumont’’</i> round it. Could it + then be Berenger’s own castle, and was it thus that he was approaching it? + He himself had not looked up; he was utterly spent with fatigue, + dejection, and the severe headache brought on by the heat of the sun, and + was only intent on rallying his powers for the crisis of fate that was + probably approaching; and thus scarcely took note of the court into which + he rode, lying between the gateway and the <i>corps de logis</i>, a + building erected when comfort demanded more space than was afforded by the + old keep, against which one end leant; but still, though inclosed in a + court, the lower windows were small and iron-barred, and all air of luxury + was reserved for the mullioned casements of the upper storey. The court + was flagged, but grass shot up between the stones, and the trim air of + ease and inhabited comfort to which the brothers were used at home was + utterly wanting. Berenger was hustled off his horse, and roughly pushed + through a deep porch, where the first thing he heard was the Chevalier de + Ribaumont’s voice in displeasure. + </p> + <p> + ‘How now, sir; hands off! Is this the way you conduct my nephew? + </p> + <p> + ‘He resisted, sir. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said Berenger, advancing into the hall, ‘I know not the meaning of + this. I am peacefully traveling with a passport from the King, when I am + set upon, no warrant shown me, my faithful servant slain, myself and my + brother, an English subject, shamefully handled. + </p> + <p> + ‘The violence shall be visited on whatever rascal durst insult a gentleman + and my nephew,’ said the Chevalier. ‘For release, it shall be looked to; + but unfortunately it is too true that there are orders from the Queen in + Council for your apprehension, and it was only on my special entreaty for + the honour of the family, and the affection I bear you, that I was allowed + to receive you here instead of your being sent to an ordinary prison. + </p> + <p> + ‘On what pretext?’ demanded Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is known that you have letters in your possession from escaped + traitors now in England, to La Noue, Duplessis Mornay, and other heretics. + </p> + <p> + ‘That is easily explained,’ said Berenger. ‘You know well, sir, that they + were to facilitate my search at La Sablerie. You shall see them yourself, + sir. + </p> + <p> + ‘That I must assuredly do,’ replied the Chevalier, ‘for it is the order of + her Majesty, I regret to say, that your person and baggage be searched;’ + then, as indignant colour rushed into Berenger’s face, and an angry + exclamation was beginning, he added, ‘Nay, I understand, my dear cousin, + it is very painful, but we would spare you as much as possible. It will be + quite enough if the search is made by myself in the presence of this + gentleman, who will only stand by for form’s sake. I have no doubt it will + enable us quickly to clear up matters, and set you free again. Do me the + honour to follow me to the chamber destined for you. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me see the order for my arrest,’ said Berenger, holding his head + high. + </p> + <p> + ‘The English scruple must be gratified,’ said the Chevalier. And + accordingly the gendarme captain unfolded before him a paper, which was + evidently a distinct order to arrest and examine the person of Henri + Beranger Eustache, Baron de Ribaumont and Sieur de Leurre, suspected of + treasonable practices—and it bore the signature of Catherine. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is nothing here said of my step-father’s son, Philip Thistlewood, + nor of my servant, Humfrey Holt,’ said Berenger, gathering the sense with + his dizzy eyes as best he could. ‘They cannot be detained, being born + subjects of the Queen of England. + </p> + <p> + ‘They intercepted the justice of the King,’ said the captain, laying his + hand on Philip’s shoulder. ‘I shall have them off with me to the garrison + of Lugon, and deal with them there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait!’ said the Chevalier, interposing before Berenger’s fierce, + horror-struck expostulation could break forth; ‘this is an honourable + young gentleman, son of a chevalier of good reputation in England, and he + need not be so harshly dealt with. You will not separate either him or the + poor groom from my nephew, so the Queen’s authority be now rightly + acknowledged. + </p> + <p> + The captain shrugged his shoulders, as if displeased; and the Chevalier, + turning to Berenger, said, ‘You understand, nephew, the lot of you all + depends on your not giving umbrage to these officers of her Majesty. I + will do my poor best for you; but submission is first needed. + </p> + <p> + Berenger knew enough of his native country to be aware that <i>la justice + du Roi</i> was a terrible thing, and that Philip’s resistance had really + put him in so much danger that it was needful to be most careful not + further to offend the functionary of Government; and abhorrent as the + proposed search was to him, he made no further objection, but taking + Philip’s arm, lest they should be separated, he prepared to follow + wherever he was to be conducted. The Chevalier led the way along a narrow + stone passage, with loophole-windows here and there; and Philip, for all + his proud, indifferent bearing, felt his flesh creep as he looked for a + stair descending into the bowels of the earth. A stair there was, but it + went up instead of down, and after mounting this, and going through a sort + of ante-room, a door was opened into a tolerably spacious apartment, + evidently in the old keep; for the two windows on opposite sides were in + an immensely massive wall, and the floor above and vaulting below were of + stone; but otherwise there was nothing repulsive in the appearance of the + room. There was a wood fire on the hearth; the sun, setting far to the + north, peeped in aslant at one window; a mat was on the floor, tapestry on + the lower part of the walls; a table and chairs, and a walnut chest, with + a chess-board and a few books on it, were as much furniture as was to be + seen in almost any living-room of the day. Humfrey and Guibert, too, were + already there, with the small riding valises they and poor Smithers had + had in charge. These were at one opened, but contained merely clothes and + linen, nothing else that was noticed, except three books, at which the + captain looked with a stupid air; and the Chevalier did not seem capable + of discovering more than that all three were Latin—one, he believed, + the Bible. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir, the Vulgate—a copy older than the Reformation, so not + liable to be called an heretical version,’ said Berenger, to whom a copy + had been given by Lady Walwyn, as more likely to be saved if his baggage + were searched. ‘The other is the Office and Psalter after our English + rite; and this last is not mine, but Mr. Sidney’s—a copy of + Virgilius Maro, which he had left behind at Paris. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier, not willing to confess that he had taken the English + Prayer-book for Latin, hastily said, ‘Nothing wrong there—no, no, + nothing that will hurt the State; may it only be so with what you carry on + your person, fair cousin. Stand back, gentleman, this is gear for myself + alone. Now, fair nephew,’ he added, ‘not a hand shall be laid on you, if + you will give me your honourable word, as a nobleman, that you are laying + before me all that you carry about you. + </p> + <p> + An instant’s thought convinced Berenger that resistance would save + nothing, and merely lead to indignity to himself and danger to Philip; and + therefore he gave the promise to show everything about him, without + compulsion. Accordingly, he produced his purse for current expenses, poor + King Charles’s safe-conduct, and other articles of no consequence, from + his pockets; then reluctantly opened his doublet, and took off the belt + containing his store of gold, which had been replenished at Walsingham’s. + This was greedily eyed by the captain, but the Chevalier at once made it + over to Philip’s keeping, graciously saying, ‘We do no more than duty + requires;’ but at the same time he made a gesture towards another small + purse that hung round Berenger’s neck by a black ribbon. + </p> + <p> + ‘On my sacred word and honour,’ said Berenger, ‘it contains nothing + important to any save myself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! my bounden duty,’ urged the Chevalier. + </p> + <p> + An angry reply died on Berenger’s lip. At the thought of Philip, he opened + the purse, and held out the contents on his palm: a tiny gold ring, a + tress of black hair, a fragment of carnation-ribbon pricked with + pin-holes, a string of small worthless yellow shells, and, threaded with + them, a large pear-shaped pearl of countless price. Even the Chevalier was + touched at the sight of this treasury, resting on the blanched palm of the + thin, trembling hand, and jealously watched by eyes glistening with sudden + moisture, though the lips were firm set. ‘Alas! my poor young cousin,’ he + said, ‘you loved her well. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not loved, but love,’ muttered Berenger to himself, as if having recourse + to the only cordial that could support him through the present suffering; + and he was closing his fingers again over his precious hoard, when the + Chevalier added, ‘Stay! Nephew—that pearl? + </p> + <p> + ‘Is one of the chaplet; the token she sent to England,’ he answered. + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Pauvre petite!</i> Then, at least a fragment remains of the reward of + our ancestor’s courage,’ said the Chevalier. + </p> + <p> + And Berenger did not feel it needful to yield up that still better + possession, stored within his heart, that <i>la petite</i> and her pearls + were safe together. It was less unendurable to produce the leather case + from a secret pocket within his doublet, since, unwilling as he was that + any eye should scan the letters it contained, there was nothing in them + that could give any clue towards tracing her. Nothing had been written or + received since his interview with the children at Lucon. There was, + indeed, Eustacie’s letter to his mother, a few received at Paris from Lord + Walwyn, reluctantly consenting to his journey in quest of his child, his + English passport, the unfortunate letters to La Noue; and what evidently + startled the Chevalier more than all the rest, the copy of the certificate + of the ratification of the marriage; but his consternation was so arranged + as to appear to be all on behalf of his young kinsman. ‘This is serious!’ + he said, striking his forehead; ‘you will be accused of forging the late + King’s name. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is but a copy,’ said Berenger, pointing to the heading; ‘the + original has been sent with our Ambassador’s dispatches to England. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a pity,’ said the Chevalier, looking thoroughly vexed, ‘that you + should have brought fresh difficulties on yourself for a mere piece of + waste paper to be affected by the validity of your marriage. Dear cousin,’—he + glanced at the officer and lowered his voice,—‘let me tear this + paper; it would only do you harm, and the Papal decree annuls it. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have given my word,’ said Berenger, ‘that all that could do me harm + should be delivered up! Besides,’ he added, ‘even had I the feeling for my + own honour and that of my wife and child, living or dead, the harm, it + seems to me, would be to those who withhold her lands from me. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, fair nephew! you have fallen among designing persons who have filled + your head with absurd claims; but I will not argue the point now, since it + becomes a family, not a State matter. These papers’—and he took them + into his hand—‘must be examined, and to-morrow Captain Delarue will + take them to Paris, with any explanation you may desire to offer. Meantime + you and your companions remain my guest, at full liberty, provided you + will give me your parole to attempt no escape. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, sir,’ said Berenger, hotly, ‘we will not become our own jailers, nor + acquiesce in this unjust detention. I warn you that I am a naturalized + Englishman, acknowledged by the Queen as my grandfather’s heir, and the + English Ambassador will inform the court what Queen Elizabeth thinks of + such dealings with her subjects. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well said,’ exclaimed Philip, and drawing himself up, he added, ‘I refuse + my parole, and warn you that it is at your peril that you imprison an + Englishman. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very well, gentlemen,’ said the Chevalier; ‘the difference will be that I + shall unwillingly be forced to let Captain Delarue post guards at the + outlets of this tower. A room beneath is prepared for your grooms, and the + court is likewise free to you. I will endeavour to make your detention as + little irksome as you will permit, and meantime allow me to show you your + sleeping chamber. He then politely, as if he had been ushering a prince to + his apartment, led the way, pointing to the door through which they had + entered the keep, and saying, ‘This is the only present communication with + the dwelling-house. Two gendarmes will always be on the outside.’ He + conducted the young men up a stone spiral stair to another room, over that + which they had already seen, and furnished as fairly as ordinary sleeping + chambers were wont to be. + </p> + <p> + Here, said their compulsory host, he would leave them to prepare for + supper, when they would do him the honour to join him in the eating-hall + on their summons by the steward. + </p> + <p> + His departing bow was duly returned by Berenger, but no sooner did his + steps die away on the stairs than the young man threw himself down on his + bed, in a paroxysm of suffering both mental and bodily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Berry, Berry, what is this? Speak to me. What does it all mean? cried + Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘How can I tell?’ said Berenger, showing his face for a moment, covered + with tears; ‘only that my only friend is dead, and some villainous trick + has seized me, just—just as I might have found her. And I’ve been + the death of my poor groom, and got you into the power of these vile + dastards! Oh, would that I had come alone! Would that they had had the + sense to aim direct! + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother, brother, anything but this!’ cried Philip. ‘The rogues are not + worth it. Sir Francis will have us out in no time, or know the reason why. + I’d scorn to let them wring a tear from me. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope they never may, dear Phil, nor anything worse. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ continued Philip, ‘the way will be to go down to supper, since they + will have it so, and sit and eat at one’s ease as if one cared for them no + more than cat and dog. Hark! there’s the steward speaking to Guibert. + Come, Berry, wash your face and come. + </p> + <p> + ‘I—my head aches far too much, were there nothing else. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! it is nothing but the sun,’ said Philip. ‘Put a bold face on it, + man, and show them how little you heed. + </p> + <p> + ‘How LITTLE I heed!’ bitterly repeated Berenger, turning his face away, + utterly unnerved between disappointment, fatigue, and pain; and Philip at + that moment had little mercy. Dismayed and vaguely terrified, yet too + resolute in national pride to betray his own feelings, he gave vent to his + vexation by impatience with a temperament more visibly sensitive than his + own: ‘I never thought you so mere a Frenchman,’ he said contemptuously. + ‘If you weep and wail so like a sick wench, they will soon have their will + of you! I’d have let them kill me before they searched me. + </p> + <p> + ‘’Tis bad enough without this from you, Phil,’ said Berenger, faintly, for + he was far too much spent for resentment or self-defence, and had only + kept up before the Chevalier by dint of strong effort. Philip was somewhat + aghast, both at the involuntary gesture of pain, and at finding there was + not even spirit to be angry with him: but his very dismay served at the + moment only to feed his displeasure; and he tramped off in his heavy + boots, which he chose to wear as a proof of disdain for his companions. He + explained that M. de Ribaumont was too much fatigued to come to supper, + and he was accordingly marched along the corridor, with the steward before + him bearing a lighted torch, and two gendarmes with halberds behind him. + And in his walk he had ample time for, first, the resolution that illness, + and not dejection, should have all the credit of Berenger’s absence; then + for recollecting of how short standing had been his brother’s + convalescence; and lastly, for a fury of self-execration for his own + unkindness, rude taunts, and neglect of the recurring illness. He would + have turned about and gone back at once, but the two gendarmes were close + behind, and he knew Humfrey would attend to his brother; so he walked on + to the hall—a handsome chamber, hung with armour and spoils of + hunting, with a few pictures on the panels, and a great carved + music-gallery at one end. The table was laid out somewhat luxuriously for + four, according to the innovation which was beginning to separate the + meals of the grandees from those of their household. + </p> + <p> + Great concern was expressed by the Chevalier, as Philip, in French, much + improved since the time of his conversation with Madame de Selinville, + spoke of his brother’s indisposition, saying with emphasis, as he glared + at Captain Delarue, that Maitre Pare had forbidden all exposure to mid-day + heat, and that all their journeys had been made in morning or evening + coolness. ‘My young friend,’ as his host called him, ‘should, he was + assured, have mentioned this, since Captain Delarue had no desire but to + make his situation as little painful as possible.’ And the Chevalier sent + his steward at once to offer everything the house contained that his + prisoner could relish for supper; and then anxiously questioned Philip on + his health and diet, obtaining very short and glum answers. The Chevalier + and the captain glanced at each other with little shrugs; and Philip, + becoming conscious of his shock hair, splashed doublet, and dirty boots, + had vague doubts whether his English dignity were not being regarded as + English lubberliness; but, of course, he hated the two Frenchmen all the + more, and received their civility with greater gruffness. They asked him + the present object of his journey—though, probably, the Chevalier + knew it before, and he told of the hope that they had of finding the child + at Lucon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Vain, of course?’ said the Chevalier. ‘Poor infant! It is well for + itself, as for the rest of us, that its troubles were ended long ago.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip started indignantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Does your brother still nurture any vain hope?’ said the Chevalier. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not vain, I trust,’ said Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed! Who can foolishly have so inspired him with a hope that merely + wears out his youth, and leads him into danger?’ + </p> + <p> + Philip held his tongue, resolved to be impenetrable; and he was so far + successful, that the Chevalier merely became convinced that the brothers + were not simply riding to La Rochelle to embark for England, but had some + hope and purpose in view; though as to what that might be, Philip’s bluff + replies and stubborn silence were baffling. + </p> + <p> + After the meal, the Chevalier insisted on coming to see how his guest + fared; and Philip could not prevent him. They found Berenger sitting on + the side of his bed, having evidently just started up on hearing their + approach. Otherwise he did not seem to have moved since Philip left him; + he had not attempted to undress; and Humfrey told Philip that not a word + had been extracted from him, but commands to let him alone. + </p> + <p> + However, he had rallied his forces to meet the Chevalier, and answered + manfully to his excuses for the broiling ride to which he had been + exposed, that it mattered not, the effect would pass, it was a mere + chance; and refused all offers of medicaments, potions, and TISANES, till + his host at length left the room with a most correct exchange of good + nights. + </p> + <p> + ‘Berry, Berry, what a brute I have been!’ cried Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘Foolish lad!’ and Berenger half smiled. ‘Now help me to bed, for the room + turns round!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX. CAGED IN THE BLACKBIRD’S NEST + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Let him shun castles; +Safer shall he be on the sandy plain Than where castles mounted +stand.—KING HENRY VI. +</pre> + <p> + While Berenger slept a heavy morning’s sleep after a resless night, Philip + explored the narrow domain above and below. The keep and its little court + had evidently been the original castle, built when the oddly-nicknamed + Fulkes and Geoffreys of Anjou had been at daggers drawn with the Dukes of + Normandy and Brittany, but it had since, like most other such ancient + feudal fortresses, become the nucleus of walls and buildings for use, + defence, or ornament, that lay beneath him like a spider’s web, when he + had gained the roof of the keep, garnished with pepper-box turrets at each + of the four angles. Beyond lay the green copses and orchards of the + Bocage, for it was true, as he had at first suspected, that this was the + chateau de Nid de Merle, and that Berenger was a captive in his wife’s own + castle. + </p> + <p> + Chances of escape were the lad’s chief thought, but the building on which + he stood went sheer down for a considerable way. Then on the north side + there came out the sharp, high-pitched, tiled roof of the <i>corps du + logis</i>; on the south, another roof, surmounted by a cross at the gable, + and evidently belonging to the chapel; on the other two sides lay courts—that + to the east, a stable-yard; that to the west, a small narrow, + chilly-looking, paved inclosure, with enormously-massive walls, the + doorway walled up, and looking like a true prison-yard. Beyond this wall—indeed, + on every side—extended offices, servants’ houses, stables, untidy + desolate-looking gardens, and the whole was inclosed by the white wall + with flanking red-tiled turrets, whose gaudy appearance had last night + made Philip regard the whole as a flimsy, Frenchchified erection, but he + now saw it to be of extremely solid stone and lime, and with no entrance + but the great barbican gateway they had entered by; moreover, with a + yawning dry moat all round. Wherever he looked he saw these tall, pointed + red caps, resembling, he thought, those worn by the victims of an <i>auto-de-fe</i>, + as one of Walsingham’s secretaries had described them to him; and he + ground his teeth at them, as thought they grinned at him like emissaries + of the Inquisition. + </p> + <p> + Descending, he found Berenger dressing in haste to avoid receiving an + invalid visit from the Chevalier, looking indeed greatly shaken, but + hardly so as would have been detected by eyes that had not seen him during + his weeks of hope and recovery. He was as resolved as Philip could wish + against any sign of weakness before his enemy, and altogether disclaimed + illness, refusing the stock of cooling drinks, cordials, and febrifuges, + which the Chevalier said had been sent by his sister the Abbess of + Bellaise. He put the subject of his health aside, only asking if this were + the day that the gendarme-captain would return to Paris, and then begging + to see that officer, so as to have a distinct understanding of the grounds + of his imprisonment. The captain had, however, been a mere instrument; and + when Philip clamoured to be taken before the next justice of the peace, + even Berenger smiled at him for thinking that such a being existed in + France. The only cause alleged was the vague but dangerous suspicion of + conveying correspondence between England and the heretics, and this might + become extremely perilous to one undeniably half English, regarded as + whole Huguenot, caught on the way to La Rochelle with a letter to La Noue + in his pocket; and, moreover, to one who had had a personal affray with a + king famous for storing up petty offences, whom the last poor king had + favoured, and who, in fine, had claims to estates that could not spared to + the Huguenot interest. + </p> + <p> + He was really not sure that there was not some truth in the professions of + the Chevalier being anxious to protect him from the Queen-mother and the + Guises; he had never been able to divest himself of a certain trust in his + old kinsman’s friendliness, and he was obliged to be beholden to him for + the forms in which to couch his defence. At the same time he wrote to Sir + Francis Walsingham, and to his grandfather, but with great caution, lest + his letters should be inspected by his enemies, and with the less hope of + their availing him because it was probable that the Ambassador would + return home on the king’s death. No answer could be expected for at least + a fortnight, and even then it was possible that the Queen-mother might + choose to refer the cause to King Henry, who was then in Poland. + </p> + <p> + Berenger wrote these letters with much thought and care, but when they + were once sealed, he collapsed again into despair and impatience, and + frantically paced the little court as if he would dash himself against the + walls that detained him from Eustacie; then threw himself moodily into a + chair, hid his face in his crossed arms, and fell a prey to all the + wretched visions called up by an excited brain. + </p> + <p> + However, he was equally alive with Philip to the high-spirited resolution + that his enemies should not perceive or triumph in his dejection. He + showed himself at the noon-day dinner, before Captain Delarue departed, + grave and silent, but betraying no agitation; and he roused himself from + his sad musings at the supper-hour, to arrange his hair, and assume the + ordinary dress of gentlemen in the evening; though Philip laughed at the + roses adorning his shoes, and his fresh ruff, as needless attentions to an + old ruffian like the Chevalier. However, Philip started when he entered + the hall, and beheld, not the Chevalier alone, but with him the beautiful + lady of the velvet coach, and another stately, extremely handsome dame, no + longer in her first youth, and in costly black and white garments. When + the Chevalier called her his sister, Madame de Bellaise, Philip had no + notion that she was anything but a widow, living a secular life; and + though a couple of nuns attended her, their dress was so much less + conventual than Cecily’s that he did not at first find them out. It was + explained that Madame de Selinville was residing with her aunt, and that, + having come to visit her father, he had detained the ladies to supper, + hoping to enliven the sojourn of his <i>beaux cousins</i>. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Selinville, looking anxiously at Berenger, hoped she saw him in + better health. He replied, stiffly, that he was perfectly well; and then, + by way of safety, repaired to the society of the Abbess, who immediately + began plying him with questions about England, its court, and especially + the secret marriage of Queen Elisabeth and ‘<i>ce</i> Comte de Dudley,’ on + which she was so minutely informed as to put him to the blush. Then she + was very curious about the dispersed convents, and how many of the nuns + had married; and she seemed altogether delighted to have secured the + attention of a youth from the outer world. His soul at first recoiled from + her as one of Eustacie’s oppressors, and from her unconvent-like talk; and + yet he could not but think her a good-natured person, and wonder if she + could rally have been hard upon his poor little wife. And she, who had + told Eustacie she would strangle with her own hands the scion of the rival + house!—she, like most women, was much more bitter against an unseen + being out of reach, than towards a courteously-mannered, pale, + suffering-looking youth close beside her. She had enough affection for + Eustacie to have grieved much at her wanderings and at her fate; and now + the sorrow-stricken look that by no effort could be concealed really moved + her towards the youth bereaved husband. Besides, were not all feuds on the + point of being made up by the excellent device concocted between her + brother and her niece? + </p> + <p> + Meantime, Philip was in raptures with the kindness of the beautiful Madame + de Selinville. He, whom the Mistresses Walsingham treated as a mere clumsy + boy, was promoted by her manner to be a man and a cavalier. He blushed up + to the roots of his hair and looked sheepish whenever one of her + entrancing smiles lit upon him; but then she inquired after his brother so + cordially, she told him so openly how brilliant had been Berenger’s career + at the court, she regretted so heartily their present danger and + detention, and promised so warmly to use her interest with Queen + Catherine, that in the delight of being so talked to, he forgot his + awkwardness and spoke freely and confidentially, maybe too confidentially, + for he caught Berenger frowning at him, and made a sudden halt in his + narrative, disconcerted but very angry with his brother for his distrust. + </p> + <p> + When the ladies had ridden away to the convent in the summer evening, and + the two brothers had returned to their prison, Philip would have begun to + rave about Madame de Selinville, but his mouth was stopped at once with + ‘Don’t be such a fool, Phil!’ and when Perrine shut his eyes, leant back, + and folded his arms together, there was no more use in talking to him. + </p> + <p> + This exceeding defection continued for a day or two, while Berenger’s + whole spirit chafed in agony at his helplessness, and like demons there + ever haunted him the thoughts of what might betide Eustacie, young, fair, + forsaken, and believing herself a widow. Proudly defiant as he showed + himself to all eyes beyond his tower, he seemed to be fast gnawing and + pining himself away in the anguish he suffered through these long days of + captivity. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps it was Philip’s excitement about any chance of meeting Madame de + Selinville that first roused him from the contemplation of his own misery. + It struck him that if he did not rouse himself to exert his influence, the + boy, left to no companionship save what he could make for himself, might + be led away by intercourse with the gendarmes, or by the blandishments of + Diane, whatever might be her game. He must be watched over, and returned + to Sir Marmaduke the same true-hearted honest lad who had left home. Nor + had Berenger lain so long under Cecily St. John’s tender watching without + bearing away some notes of patience, trust, and dutifulness that returned + upon him as his mind recovered tone after the first shock. The whispers + that had bidden him tarry the Lord’s leisure, be strong, and commit his + way to Him who could bring it to pass, and could save Eustacie as she had + already been saved, returned to him once more: he chid himself for his + faintness of heart, rallied his powers, and determined that cheerfulness, + dutifulness, and care for Philip should no longer fail. + </p> + <p> + So he reviewed his resources, and in the first place arranged for a brief + daily worship with his two English fellow-prisoners, corresponding to the + home hours of chapel service. Then he proposed to Philip to spend an hour + every day over the study of the Latin Bible; and when Philip showed + himself reluctant to give up his habit of staring over the battlements, he + represented that an attack on their faith was not so improbable but that + they ought to be prepared for it. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m quite prepared,’ quoth Philip; ‘I shall not listen to a word they + say.’ + </p> + <p> + However, he submitted to this, but was more contumacious as to Berenger’s + other proposal of profiting by Sidney’s copy of Virgil. Here at least he + was away from Mr. Adderley and study, and it passed endurance to have + Latin and captivity both at once. He was more obliged for Berenger’s offer + to impart to him the instruction in fencing he had received during his + first visit to Paris; the Chevalier made no difficulty about lending them + foils, and their little court became the scene of numerous encounters, as + well as of other games and exercises. More sedentary sports were at their + service, chess, tables, dice, or cards, but Philip detested these, and + they were only played in the evening, or on a rainy afternoon, by Berenger + and the Chevalier. + </p> + <p> + It was clearly no part of the old gentleman’s plan to break their health + or spirits. He insisted on taking them out riding frequently, though + always with four gendarmes with loaded arquebuses, so as to preclude all + attempt at escape, or conversation with the peasants. The rides were + hateful to both youths, but Berenger knew that so many hours of tedium + were thus disposed of, and hoped also to acquire some knowledge of the + country; indeed, he looked at every cottage and every peasant with + affectionate eyes, as probably having sheltered Eustacie; and Philip, + after one visit paid to the convent at Bellaise, was always in hopes of + making such another. His boyish admiration of Madame de Selinville was his + chief distraction, coming on in accesses whenever there was a hope of + seeing her, and often diverting Berenger by its absurdities, even though + at other times he feared that the lad might be led away by it, or + dissension sown between them. Meetings were rare—now and then Madame + de Selinville would appear at dinner or at supper as her father’s guest; + and more rarely, the Chevalier would turn his horse’s head in the + direction of Bellaise, and the three gentlemen would be received in the + unpartitioned parlour, and there treated to such lemon cakes as had been + the ruin of La Sablerie; but in general the castle and the convent had + little intercourse, or only just enough to whet the appetite of the + prisoners for what constituted their only variety. + </p> + <p> + Six weeks had lagged by before any answer from Paris was received, and + then there was no reply from Walsingham, who had, it appeared, returned + home immediately after King Charles’s funeral. The letter from the Council + bore that the Queen-mother was ready to accept the Baron de Ribaumont’s + excuses in good part, and to consider his youth; and she had no doubt of + his being treated with the like indulgence by the King, provided he would + prove himself a loyal subject, by embracing the Catholic faith, renouncing + all his illegitimate claims to the estates of Nid de Merle, and, in pledge + of his sincerity, wedding his cousin, the Countess de Selinville, so soon + as a dispensation should have been procured. On no other consideration + could he be pardoned or set at liberty. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ said Berenger, slowly, ‘a prisoner I must remain until it be the + will of Heaven to open the doors.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fair nephew!’ exclaimed the Chevalier, ‘make no rash replies. Bethink you + to what you expose yourself by obstinacy; I may no longer be able to + protect you when the King returns. And he further went on to represent + that, by renouncing voluntarily all possible claims on the Nid de Merle + estates, the Baron would save the honour of poor Eustacie (which indeed + equally concerned the rest of the family), since they then would gladly + drop all dispute of the validity of the marriage; and the lands of + Selinville would be an ample equivalent for these, as well as for all + expectations in England. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir, it is impossible!’ said Berenger. ‘My wife lives.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Comment! when you wear mourning for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wear black because I have been able to procure nothing else since I + have been convinced that she did not perish at La Sablerie. I was on my + way to seek her when I was seized and detained here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where would you have sought her, my poor cousin?’ compassionately asked + the Chevalier. + </p> + <p> + ‘That I know not. She may be in England by this time; but that she escaped + from La Sablerie, I am well assured.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! my poor friend, you feed on delusion. I have surer evidence—you + shall see the man yourself—one of my son’s people, who was actually + at the assault, and had strict orders to seek and save her. Would that I + could feel the least hope left!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is the man here? Let me see him,’ said Berenger, hastily. + </p> + <p> + He was at once sent for, and proved to be one of the stable servants, a + rough, soldierly-looking man, who made no difficulty in telling that M. de + Nid de Merle had bidden his own troop to use every effort to reach the + Widow Laurent’s house, and secure the lady. They had made for it, but + missed the way, and met with various obstacles; and when they reached it, + it was already in flames, and he had seen for a moment Mademoiselle de Nid + de Merle, whom he well knew by sight, with an infant in her arms at an + upper window. He had called to her by name, and was about to send for a + ladder, when recognizing the Ribaumont colours, she had turned back, and + thrown herself and her child into the flames. M. de Nid de Merle was + frantic when he heard of it, and they had searched for the remains among + the ruins; but, bah! it was like a lime-kiln, nothing was to be found—all + was calcined. + </p> + <p> + ‘No fragment left?’ said Berenger; ‘not a corner of tile or beam?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so much wood as you could boil an egg with; I will swear it on the + Mass.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is needless,’ said Berenger. ‘I have seen the spot myself. That is + all I desired to ask.’ + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier would have taken his hand and condoled with him over the + horrible story; but he drew back, repeating that he had seen Widow + Laurent’s house, and that he saw that some parts of the man’s story were + so much falsified that he could not believe the rest. Moreover, he knew + that Eustacie had not been in the town at the time of the siege. + </p> + <p> + Now the Chevalier <i>bona fide</i> believed the man’s story, so far as + that he never doubted that Eustacie had perished, and he looked on + Berenger’s refusal to accept the tale as the mournful last clinging to a + vain hope. In his eyes, the actual sight of Eustacie, and the total + destruction of the house, were mere matters of embellishment, possibly + untrue, but not invalidating the main fact. He only said, ‘Well, my + friend, I will not press you while the pain of this narration is still + fresh.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, sir; but this is not pain, for I believe not a word of it; + therefore it is impossible for me to entertain the proposal, even if I + could forsake my faith or my English kindred. You remember, sir, that I + returned this same answer at Paris, when I had no hope that my wife + survived.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘True, my fair cousin, but I fear time will convince you that this + constancy is unhappily misplaced. You shall have time to consider; and + when it is proved to you that my poor niece is out of the reach of your + fidelity, and when you have become better acquainted with the claims of + the Church to your allegiance, then may it only prove that your conversion + does not come too late. I have the honour to take my leave.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One moment more, sir. Is there no answer as to my brother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘None, cousin. As I told you, your country has at present no Ambassador; + but, of course, on your fulfillment of the conditions, he would be + released with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So,’ said Philip, when the old knight had quitted the room, ‘of course + you cannot marry while Eustacie lives; but if—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not another word, profane boy!’ angrily cried Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was only going to say, it is a pity of one so goodly not to bring her + over to the true faith, and take her to England.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Much would she be beholden to you!’ said Berenger. ‘So!’ he added, + sighing, ‘I had little hope but that it would be thus. I believe it is all + a web of this old plotter’s weaving, and that the Queen-mother acts in it + at his request. He wants only to buy me off with his daughter’s estates + from asserting my claim to this castle and lands; and I trow he will never + rise up here till—till—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Till when, Berry?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Till mayhap my grandfather can move the Queen to do something for us; or + till Madame de Selinville sees a face she likes better than her brother’s + carving; or, what can I tell? till malice is tired out, and Heaven’s will + sets us free. May Eustacie only have reached home! But I’m sorry for you, + my poor Phil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never heed, brother,’ said Philip; ‘what is prison to me, so that I can + now and then see those lovely eyes?’ + </p> + <p> + And the languishing air of the clumsy lad was so comical as to beguile + Berenger into a laugh. Yet Berenger’s own feeling would go back to his + first meeting with Diane; and as he thought of the eyes then fixed on him, + he felt that he was under a trial that might become more severe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. THE DARK POOL OF THE FUTURE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + Triumph, triumph, only she + That knit his bonds can set him free. + —SOUTHEY +</pre> + <p> + No change was made in the life of the captives of Nid de Merle after the + answer from Paris, except that Pere Bonami, who had already once or twice + dined at the Chevalier’s table, was requested to make formal exposition of + the errors of the Reformers and of the tenets of his own Church to the + Baron de Ribaumont. + </p> + <p> + Philip took such good care not to be deluded that, though he sat by to see + fair play, yet it was always with his elbows on the table and his fingers + in his ears, regardless of appearing to the priest in the character of the + deaf adder. After all, he was not the object, and good Pere Bonami at + first thought the day his own, when he found that almost all his arguments + against Calvinism were equally impressed upon Berenger’s mind, but the + differences soon revealed themselves; and the priest, though a good man, + was not a very happily-chosen champion, for he was one of the + old-fashioned, scantily-instructed country priests, who were more numerous + before the Jesuit revival of learning, and knew nothing of controversy + save that adapted to the doctrines of Calvin; so that in dealing with an + Anglican of the school of Ridley and Hooker, it was like bow ad arrow + against sword. And tin those days of change, controversial reading was one + of the primary studies even of young laymen, and Lord Walwyn, with a view + to his grandson’s peculiar position, had taken care that he should be well + instructed, so that he was not at all unequal to the contest. Moreover, + apart from argument, he clung as a point of honour to the Church as to the + wife that he had accepted in his childhood; and often tried to recall the + sketch that Philip Sidney had once given him of a tale that a friend of + his designed to turn into a poem, like Ariosto’s, in <i>terza rima</i>, of + a Red Cross knight separated from his Una as the true faith, and tempted + by a treacherous Duessa, who impersonated at once Falsehood and Rome. And + he knew so well that the last relaxation of his almost terrified + resistance would make him so entirely succumb to Diane’s beauty and + brilliancy, that he kept himself stiffly frigid and reserved. + </p> + <p> + Diane never openly alluded to the terms on which he stood, but he often + found gifts from unknown hands placed in his room. The books which he had + found there were changed when he had had time to study them; and marks + were placed in some of the most striking passages. They were of the class + that turned the brain of the Knight of La Mancha, but with a predominance + of the pastoral, such as Diane of George of Montemayor and his numerous + imitators—which Philip thought horrible stuff—enduring nothing + but a few of the combats of Amadis de Gaul or Palmerin of England, until + he found that Madame de Selinville prodigiously admired the ‘silly swains + more silly than their sheep,’ and was very anxious that M. le Baron should + be touched by their beauties; whereupon honest Philip made desperate + efforts to swallow them in his brother’s stead, but was always found fast + asleep in the very middle of arguments between Damon and Thyrsis upon the + <i>devoirs</i> of love, or the mournings of some disconsolate nymph over + her jealousies of a favoured rival. + </p> + <p> + One day, a beautiful ivory box, exhaling sweet perfume, appeared in the + prison chamber, and therewith a sealed letter in verse, containing an + affecting description of how Corydon had been cruelly torn by the lions in + endeavouring to bear away Sylvie from her cavern, how Sylvie had been rent + from him and lost, and how vainly he continued to bewail her, and + disregard the loving lament of Daphne, who had ever mourned and pined for + him as she kept her flock, made the rivulets, the brooks, the mountains + re-echo with her sighs and plaints, and had wandered through the hills and + valleys, gathering simples wherewith she had compounded a balsam that + might do away with the scars that the claws of the lions had left, so that + he might again appear with the glowing cheeks and radiant locks that had + excited the envy of the god of day. + </p> + <p> + Berenger burst out laughing over the practical part of this poetical + performance, and laughed the more at Philip’s hurt, injured air at his + mirth. Philip, who would have been the first to see the absurdity in any + other Daphne, thought this a passing pleasant device, and considered it + very unkind in his brother not even to make experiment of the balsam of + simples, but to declare that he had much rather keep his scars for + Eustacie’s sake than wear a smooth face to please Diane. + </p> + <p> + Still Berenger’s natural courtesy stood in his way. He could not help + being respectful and attentive to the old Chevalier, when their terms + were, apparently at least, those of host and guest; and to a lady he COULD + not be rude and repellant, though he could be reserved. So, when the + kinsfolk met, no stranger would have discovered that one was a prisoner + and the others his captors. + </p> + <p> + One August day, when Madame de Selinville and her lady attendants were + supping at the castle at the early hour of six, a servant brought in word + that an Italian pedlar craved leave to display his wares. He was welcome, + both for need’s sake and for amusement, and was readily admitted. He was a + handsome olive-faced Italian, and was followed by a little boy with a skin + of almost Moorish dye—and great was the display at once made on the + tables, of + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Lawn as white as driven snow, + Cyprus, black as e’er was crow; + Gloves as sweet as fragrant posies, + Masks for faces and for noses;’ +</pre> + <p> + and there was a good deal of the eager, desultory bargaining that + naturally took place where purchasing was an unusual excitement and + novelty, and was to form a whole evening’s amusement. Berenger, while + supplying the defects of his scanty traveling wardrobe, was trying to make + out whether he had seen the man before, wondering if he were the same whom + he had met in the forest of Montipipeau, though a few differences in + dress, hair, and beard made him somewhat doubtful. + </p> + <p> + ‘Perfumes? Yes, lady, I have store of perfumes: ambergris and violet dew, + and the Turkish essence distilled from roses; yea, and the finest spirit + of the Venus myrtle-tree, the secret known to the Roman dames of old, + whereby they secured perpetual beauty and love—though truly Madame + should need no such essence. That which nature has bestowed on her secures + to her all hearts—and one valued more than all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Enough,’ said Diane, blushing somewhat, though with an effort at laughing + off his words; ‘these are the tricks of your trade.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame is incredulous; yet, lady, I have been in the East. Yonder boy + comes from the land where there are spells that make known the secrets of + lives.’ + </p> + <p> + The old Chevalier, who had hitherto been taken up with the abstruse + calculation—derived from his past days of economy—how much + ribbon would be needed to retrim his murrey <i>just-au-corps</i>, here + began to lend an ear, though saying nothing. Philip looked on in open-eyed + wonder, and nudged his brother, who muttered in return, ‘Jugglery!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, the fair company are all slow to believe,’ said the pedlar. ‘Hola, + Alessio!’ and taking a glove that Philip had left on the table, he held it + to the boy. A few unintelligible words passed between them; then the boy + pointed direct to Philip, and waved his hand northwards. ‘He says the + gentleman who owns this glove comes from the North, from far away,’ + interpreted the Italian; then as the boy made the gesture of walking in + chains, ‘that he is a captive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay,’ cried Philip, ‘right, lad; and can he tell how long I shall be so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Things yet to come,’ said the mountebank, ‘are only revealed after long + preparation. For them must he gaze into the dark poor of the future. The + present and the past he can divine by the mere touch of what has belonged + to the person.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is passing strange,’ said Philip to Madame de Selinville. ‘You credit + it, Madame?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, have we not seen the wonders come to pass that a like diviner fortold + to the Queen-mother?’ said Diane: ‘her sons should be all kings—that + was told her when the eldest was yet Dauphin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And there is only one yet to come,’ said Philip, awe-struck. ‘But see, + what has he now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Veronique’s kerchief,’ returned Madame de Selinville, as the Italian + began to interpret the boy’s gesture. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pretty maidens, he says, serve fair ladies—bear tokens for them. + This damsel has once been the bearer of a bouquet of heather of the pink + and white, whose bells were to ring hope.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh, eh, Madame, it is true?’ cried Veronique, crimson with surprise and + alarm. ‘M. le Baron knows it is true.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger had started at this revelation, and uttered an inarticulate + exclamation; but at that moment the boy, in whose hand his master had + placed a crown from the money newly paid, began to make vehement gestures, + which the main interpreted. ‘<i>Le Balafre</i>, he says, pardon me, + gentlemen, <i>le Balafre</i> could reveal even a deeper scar of the heart + than of the visage’—and the boy’s brown hand was pressed on his + heart—‘yet truly there is yet hope (<i>esperance</i>) to be found. + Yes’—as the boy put his hand to his neck—‘he bears a pearl, + parted from its sister pearls. Where they are, there is hope. Who can miss + Hope, who has sought it at a royal death-bed?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, where is it?’ Berenger could not help exclaiming. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said the pedlar, ‘as I told Messieurs and Mesdames before, the + spirits that cast the lights of the future on the dark pool need + invocation. Ere he can answer M. le Baron’s demands, he and I must have + time and seclusion. If Monsieur le Chevalier will grant us an empty room, + there will we answer all queries on which the spirits will throw light.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how am I to know that you will not bring the devil to shatter the + castle, my friend?’ demanded the Chevalier. ‘Or more likely still, that + you are not laughing all the time at these credulous boys and ladies?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of that, sir, you may here convince yourself,’ said the mountebank, + putting into his hand a sort of credential in Italian, signed by Renato di + Milano, the Queen’s perfumer, testifying to the skill of his compatriot + Ercole Stizzito both in perfumery, cosmetics, and in the secrets of occult + sciences. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier was no Italian scholar, and his daughter interpreted the + scroll to him, in a rapid low voice, adding, ‘I have had many dealings + with Rene of Milan, father. I know he speaks sooth. There can be no harm + in letting the poor man play out his play—all the castle servants + will be frantic to have their fortunes told.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must speak with the fellow first, daughter,’ said the Chevalier. ‘He + must satisfy me that he has no unlawful dealings that could bring the + Church down on us.’ And he looked meaningly at the mountebank, who replied + by a whole muster-roll of ecclesiastics, male and female, who had heard + and approved his predictions. + </p> + <p> + ‘A few more words with thee, fellow,’ said the Chevalier, pointing the way + to one of the rooms opening out of the hall. ‘As master of the house I + must be convinced of his honesty,’ he added. ‘If I am satisfied, then who + will may seek to hear their fortune.’ + </p> + <p> + Chevalier, man and boy disappeared, and Philip was the first to exclaim, + ‘A strange fellow! What will he tell us? Madame, shall you hear him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That depends on my father’s report,’ she said. ‘And yet,’ sadly and + pensively, ‘my future is dark and void enough. Why should I vex myself + with hearing it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, it may brighten,’ said Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘Scarcely, while hearts are hard,’ she murmured with a slight shake of the + head, that Philip thought indescribably touching; but Berenger was + gathering his purchases together, and did not see. ‘And you, brother,’ + said Philip, ‘you mean to prove him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Berenger. ‘Have you forgotten, Phil, the anger we met with, + when we dealt with the gipsy at Hurst Fair?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pshaw, Berry, we are past flogging now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Out of reach, Phil, of the rod, but scarce of the teaching it struck into + us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What?’ said Philip, sulkily. + </p> + <p> + ‘That divining is either cozening manor forsaking God, Phil. Either it is + falsehood, or it is a lying wonder of the devil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But, Berry, this man is not cheat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then he is worse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only, turn not away, brother. How should he have known things that even I + know not?—the heather.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No marvel in that,’ said Berenger. ‘This is the very man I bought + Annora’s fan from; he was prowling round Montpipeau, and my heather was + given to Veronique with little secrecy. And as to the royal deathbed, it + was Rene, his master, who met me there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you think it mere cozeing? If so, we should find it out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t reckon myself keener than an accomplished Italian mountebank,’ + said Berenger, dryly. + </p> + <p> + Further conference was cut short by the return of the Chevalier, saying, + in his paternal genial way, ‘Well, children, I have examined the fellow + and his credentials, and for those who have enough youth and hope to care + to have the future made known to them, bah! it is well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it sorcery, sir?’ asked Philip, anxiously. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier shrugged his shoulders. ‘What know I?’ he said. ‘For those + who have a fine nose for brimstone there may be, but he assures me it is + but the white magic practiced in Egypt, and the boy is Christian!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you try this secret, father?’ inquired Madame de Selinville. + </p> + <p> + ‘I, my daughter? An old man’s fortune is in his children. What have I to + ask?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I—I scarcely like to be the first!’ said the lady, eager but + hesitating. ‘Veronique, you would have your fortune told?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will be the first,’ said Philip, stepping forward manfully. ‘I will + prove him for you, lady, and tell you whether he be a cozener or not, or + if his magic be fit for you to deal with.’ + </p> + <p> + And confident in the inherent intuition of a plain Englishman, as well as + satisfied to exercise his resolution for once in opposition to Berenger’s + opinion, Master Thistlewood stepped towards the closet where the Italian + awaited his clients, and Berenger knew that it would be worse than useless + to endeavour to withhold him. He only chafed at the smile which passed + between father and daughter at this doughty self-assertion. + </p> + <p> + There was a long silence. Berenger sat with his eyes fixed on the window + where the twilight horizon was still soft and bright with the pearly gold + of the late sunset, thinking with an intensity of yearning what it would + be could he truly become certain of Eustacie’s present doings; questioning + whether he would try to satisfy that longing by the doubtful auguries of + the diviner, and then recollecting how he had heard from wrecked sailors + that to seek to delude their thirst with sea-water did but aggravate their + misery. He knew that whatever he might hear would be unworthy of + confidence. Either it merely framed to soothe and please him—or, + were it a genuine oracle, he had no faith in the instinct that was to + perceive it, but what he HAD faith in was the Divine protection over his + lost ones. ‘No,’ he thought to himself, ‘I will not by a presumptuous sin, + in my own impatience, risk incurring woes on them that deal with familiar + spirits and wizards that peep and mutter. If ever I am to hear of Eustacie + again, it shall be by God’s will, not the devil’s.’ + </p> + <p> + Diane de Selinville had been watching his face all the time, and now said, + with that almost timid air of gaiety that she wore when addressing him: + ‘You too, cousin, are awaiting Monsieur Philippe’s report to decide + whether to look into the pool of mystery.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all, Madame,’ said Berenger, gravely. ‘I do not understand white + magic.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Our good cousin has been too well bred among the Reformers to condescend + to our little wickednesses, daughter,’ said the Chevalier; and the + sneer-much like that which would await a person now who scrupled at + joining in table-turning or any form of spiritualism—purpled + Berenger’s scar, now his only manner of blushing; but he instantly + perceived that it was the Chevalier’s desire that he should consult the + conjurer, and therefore became the more resolved against running into a + trap. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure,’ said Madame de Selinville, earnestly, though with an + affectation of lightness, ‘a little wickedness is fair when there is a + great deal at stake. For my part, I would not hesitate long, to find out + how soon the King will relent towards my fair cousin here!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That, Madame,’ said Berenger, with the same grave dryness, ‘is likely to + be better known to other persons than this wandering Greek boy.’ + </p> + <p> + Here Philip’s step was heard returning hastily. He was pale, and looked a + good deal excited, so that Madame de Selinville uttered a little cry, and + exclaimed, ‘Ah! is it so dreadful then?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, Madame,’ said Philip, turning round, with a fervour and + confidence he had never before shown. ‘On my word, there is nothing + formidable. You see nothing—nothing but the Italia and the boy. The + boy gazes into a vessel of some black liquid, and sees—sees there + all you would have revealed. Ah!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you believe?’ asked Madame de Selinville. + </p> + <p> + ‘It cannot be false,’ answered Philip; ‘he told me everything. Things he + could not have known. My very home, my father’s house, passed in review + before that strange little blackamoor’s eyes; where I—though I would + have given worlds to see it—beheld only the lamp mirrored in the + dark pool.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you know it was your father’s house?’ said Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘I could not doubt. Just to test the fellow, I bade him ask for my native + place. The little boy gazed, smiled, babbled his gibberish, pointed. The + man said he spoke of a fair mansion among green fields and hills, “a grand + <i>cavalier embonpoint</i>,”—those were his very words,—at the + door, with a tankard in one hand. Ah! my dear father, why could not I see + him too? But who could mistake him or the Manor?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And did he speak of future as well as past?’ said Diane. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, yes, yes,’ said Philip, with more agitation. ‘Lady, that will you + know for yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was not dreadful?’ she said, rising. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no!’ and Philip had become crimson, and hesitated; ‘certes, not + dreadful. But—-I must not say more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Save good night,’ said Berenger, rising; ‘See, our gendarmes are again + looking as if we had long exceeded their patience. It is an hour later + than we are wont to retire.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If it be your desire to consult this mysterious fellow now you have heard + your brother’s report, my dear Baron,’ said the Chevalier, ‘the gendarmes + may devour their impatience a little longer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanks, sir,’ said Berenger; ‘but I am not tempted,’ and he gave the + usual signal to the gendarmes, who, during meals, used to stand as + sentries at the great door of the hall. + </p> + <p> + ‘It might settle your mind,’ muttered Philip, hesitating. ‘And yet—yet—-’ + </p> + <p> + But he used no persuasions, and permitted himself to be escorted with his + brother along the passages to their own chamber, where he threw himself + into a chair with a long sigh, and did not speak. Berenger meantime opened + the Bible, glanced over the few verses he meant to read, found the place + in the Prayer-book, and was going to the stairs to call Humfrey, when + Philip broke forth: ‘Wait, Berry; don’t be in such haste.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What, you want time to lose the taste of your dealings with the devil?’ + said Berenger, smiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pshaw! No devil in the matter,’ testily said Philip. ‘No, I was only + wishing you had not had a Puritan fit, and seen and heard for yourself. + Then I should not have had to tell you,’ and he sighed. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no desire to be told,’ said Berenger, who had become more fixed in + the conviction that it was an imposture. + </p> + <p> + ‘No desire! Ah! I have none when I knew what it was. But you ought to + know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said Berenger, ‘you will burst anon if I open not my ears.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear Berry, speak not thus. It will be the worse for you when you do + hear. Alack, Berenger, all ours have been vain hopes. I asked for HER—and + the boy fell well-nigh into convulsions of terror as he gazed; spoke of + flames and falling houses. That was wherefore I pressed you not again—it + would have wrung your heart too much. The boy fairly wept and writhed + himself, crying out in his tongue for pity on the fair lady and the little + babe in the burning house. Alack! brother,’ said Philip, a little hurt + that his brother had not changed countenance. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is the lying tale of the man-at-arms which our own eyes + contradicted,’ said Berenger; ‘and no doubt was likewise inspired by the + Chevalier.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See the boy, brother! How should he have heard the Chevalier? Nay, you + might hug your own belief, but it is hard that we should both be in + durance for your mere dream that she lives.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, Phil, it will be the devil indeed that sows dissension between us,’ + said Berenger. ‘You know well enough that were it indeed with my poor + Eustacie as they would fain have us believe, rather than give up her fair + name I would not in prison for life. Or would you have me renounce my + faith, or wed Madame de Selinville upon the witness of a pool of ink that + I am a widower?’ he added, almost laughing. + </p> + <p> + ‘For that matter,’ muttered Philip, a good deal ashamed and half + affronted, ‘you know I value the Protestant faith so that I never heard a + word from the will old priest. Nevertheless, the boy, when I asked of our + release, saw the gates set open by Love.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What did Love look like in the pool? Had he wings like the Cupids in the + ballets at the Louvre?’ asked Berenger provokingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you I saw nothing,’ said Philip, tartly: ‘this was the Italian’s + interpretation of the boy’s gesture. It was to be by means of love, he + said, and of a lady who—-he made it plain enough who she was,’ added + the boy, colouring. + </p> + <p> + ‘No doubt, as the Chevalier have instructed him to say that I—I—’ + he hesitated, ‘that my—my love—I mean that he saw my shield + per pale with the field fretty and the sable leopard.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! it is to be my daughter, is it?’ said Berenger, laughing; ‘I am very + happy to entertain your proposals for her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Berenger, what mocking fiend has possessed you?’ cried Philip, half + angrily, half pitifully. ‘How can you so speak of that poor child?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because the more they try to force on me the story of her fate, the + plainer it is to me that they do not believe it. I shall find her yet, and + then, Phil, you shall have the first chance.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip growled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, Phil,’ said his brother, good-humouredly, ‘any way, till this Love + comes that is to let us out, don’t let Moor or fiend come between us. Let + me keep my credence for the honest Bailli’s daughters at Lucon; and + remember I would give my life to free you, but I cannot give away my + faith.’ Philip bent his head. He was of too stubborn a mould to express + contrition or affection, but he mused for five minutes, then called + Humfrey, and at the last moment, as the heavy tread came up-stairs, he + turned round and said, ‘You’re in the right on’t there, Berry. Hap what + hap, the foul fiend may carry off the conjurer before I murmur at you + again! Still I wish you had seen him. You would know ‘tis sooth.’ + </p> + <p> + While Berenger, in his prison chamber, with the lamplight beaming on his + high white brow and clear eye, stood before his two comrades in captivity, + their true-hearted faces composed to reverence, and as he read, ‘I have + hated them that hold of superstitious vanities, and my trust hath been in + the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in Thy mercy, for Thou hast + considered my trouble and hast known my soul in adversities,’ feeling that + here was the oracle by which he was willing to abide—Diane de + Selinville was entering the cabinet where the secrets of the future were + to be unveiled. + </p> + <p> + There she stood—the beautiful court lady—her lace coif (of the + Mary of Scotland type) well framed the beautiful oval of her face, and set + of the clear olive of her complexion, softened by short jetty curls at the + temples, and lighted splendid dark eyes, and by the smiles of a perfect + pair of lips. A transparent veil hung back over the ruff like + frostwork-formed fairy wings, and over the white silk bodice and sleeves + laced with violet, and the violet skirt that fell in ample folds on the + ground; only, however, in the dim light revealing by an occasional gleam + that it was not black. It was a stately presence, yet withal there was a + tremor, a quiver of the downcast eyelids, and a trembling of the fair + hand, as though she were ill at ease; even though it was by no means the + first time she had trafficked with the dealers in mysterious arts who + swarmed around Catherine de Medicis. There were words lately uttered that + weighed with her in their simplicity, and she could not forget them in + that gloomy light, as she gazed on the brown face of the Italian, Ercole, + faultless in outline as a classical mask, but the black depths of the eyes + sparkling with intensity of observation, as if they were everywhere at + once and gazed through and through. He wore his national dress, with the + short cloak over one shoulder; but the little boy, who stood at the table, + had been fantastically arrayed in a sort of semi-Albanian garb, a red cap + with a long tassel, a dark, gold-embroidered velvet jacket sitting close + to his body, and a white kilt over his legs, bare except for buskins stiff + with gold. The poor little fellow looked pale in spite of his tawny hue, + his enormous black eyes were heavy and weary, and he seemed to be trying + to keep aloof from the small brazen vessel formed by the coils of two + serpents that held the inky liquid of which Philip had spoken. + </p> + <p> + No doubt of the veritable nature of the charm crossed Diane; her doubt was + of its lawfulness, her dread of the supernatural region she was invading. + She hesitated before she ventured on her first question, and started as + the Italian first spoke,—‘What would the Eccelentissima? Ladies + often hesitate to speak the question nearest their hearts. Yet is it ever + the same. But the lady must be pleased to form it herself in words, or the + lad will not see her vision.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where, then, is my brother?’ said Diane, still reluctant to come direct + to the point. + </p> + <p> + The boy gazed intently into the black pool, his great eyes dilating till + they seemed like black wells, and after a long time, that Diane could have + counted by the throbs of her heart, he began to close his fingers, perform + the action over the other arm of one playing on the lute, throw his head + back, close his eyes, and appear to be singing a lullaby. Then he spoke a + few words to his master quickly. + </p> + <p> + ‘He see,’ said Ercole, ‘a gentleman touching the lute, seated in a + bedroom, where lies, on a rich pillow, another gentleman,’—and as + the boy stroked his face, and pointed to his hands—‘wearing a mask + and gloves. It is, he says, in my own land, in Italy,’ and as the boy made + the action of rowing, ‘in the territory of Venice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is well,’ said Madame de Selinville, who knew that nothing was more + probable than that her brother should be playing the King to his sleep in + the medicated mask and gloves that cherished the royal complexion, and, + moreover, that Henry was lingering to take his pastime in Italy to the + great inconvenience of his kingdom. + </p> + <p> + Her next question came nearer her heat—‘You saw the gentleman with a + scar. Will he leave this castle?’ + </p> + <p> + The boy gazed, then made gestures of throwing his arms wide, and of + passing out; and as he added his few words, the master explained: ‘He sees + the gentleman leaving the castle, through open gate, in full day, on + horseback; and—and it is Madame who is with them,’ he added, as the + lad pointed decidedly to her, ‘it is Madame who opens their prison.’ + </p> + <p> + Diane’s face lighted with gladness for a moment; then she said, faltering + (most women of her day would not have been even thus reserved), ‘Then I + shall marry again?’ + </p> + <p> + The boy gazed and knitted his brow; then, without any pantomime, looked up + and spoke. ‘The Eccellentissima shall be a bride once more, he says,’ + explained the man, ‘but after a sort he cannot understand. It is + exhausting, lady, thus to gaze into the invisible future; the boy becomes + confused and exhausted ere long.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Once more—I will only ask of the past. My cousin, is he married or + a widower?’ + </p> + <p> + The boy clasped his hands and looked imploringly, shaking his head at the + dark pool, as he murmured an entreating word to his master. ‘Ah! Madame,’ + said the Italian, ‘that question hath already been demanded by the young + Inglese. The poor child has been so terrified by the scene it called up, + that he implored he may not see it again. A sacked and burning town, a + lady in a flaming house—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Enough, enough,’ said de; ‘I could as little bear to hear as he to see. + It is what we have ever known and feared. And now’—she blushed as + she spoke—‘sir, you will leave me one of those potions that Signor + Renato is wont to compound.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Capisco</i>!’ said Ercole; ‘but the Eccellentissima shall be obeyed if + she will supply the means, for the expense will be heavy.’ + </p> + <p> + The bargain was agreed upon, and a considerable sum advanced for a + philter, compounded of strange Eastern plants and mystic jewels; and then + Diane, with a shudder of relief, passed into the full light of the hall, + bade her father good night, and was handed by him into the litter that had + long been awaiting her at the door. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier, then, with care on his brow, bent his steps towards the + apartment where the Italian still remained counting the money he had + received. + </p> + <p> + ‘So!’ he said as he entered, ‘so, fellow, I have not hindered your gains, + and you have been true to your agreement?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Illustrissimo, yes. The pool of vision mirrored the flames, but nothing + beyond—nothing—nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They asked you then no more of those words you threw out of Esperance?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only the English youth, sir; and there were plenty of other hopes to + dance before the eyes of such a lad! With M. le Baron it will be needful + to be more guarded.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘M. le Baron shall not have the opportunity,’ said the Chevalier. ‘He may + abide by his decision, and what the younger one may tell him. Fear not, + good man, it shall be made good to you, if you obey my commands. I have + other work for you. But first repeat to me more fully what you told me + before. Where was it that you saw this unhappy girl under the name of + Esperance?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At a hostel, sir, at Charente, where she was attending on an old heretic + teacher of the name of Gardon, who had fallen sick there, being pinched by + the fiend with rheumatic pains after his deserts. She bore the name of + Esperance Gardon, and passed for his son’s widow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And by what means did you know her not to be the mean creature she + pretended?’ said the Chevalier, with a gesture of scornful horror. + </p> + <p> + ‘Illustrissimo, I never forget a face. I had seen this lady with M. le + Baron when they made purchases of various trinkets at Montpipeau; and I + saw her full again. I had the honour to purchase from her certain jewels, + that the Eccellenza will probably redeem; and even—pardon, sir—I + cut off and bought of her, her hair.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Her hair!’ exclaimed the Chevalier, in horror. ‘The miserable girl to + have fallen so low! Is it with you, fellow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely, Illustrissimo. Such tresses—so shining, so silky, so well + kept,—I reserved to adorn the heads of Signor Renato’s most princely + customers’, said the man, unpacking from the inmost recesses of one of his + most ingeniously arranged packages, a parcel which contained the rich mass + of beautiful black tresses. ‘Ah! her head looked so noble,’ he added, + ‘that I felt it profane to let my scissors touch those locks; but she said + that she could never wear them openly more, and that they did but take up + her time, and were useless to her child and her father—as she called + him; and she much needed the medicaments for the old man that I gave her + in exchange.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heavens! A daughter of Ribaumont!’ sighed the Chevalier, clenching his + hand. ‘And now, man, let me see the jewels with which the besotted child + parted.’ + </p> + <p> + The jewels were not many, nor remarkable. No one but a member of the + family would have identified them, and not one of the pearls was there; + and the Chevalier refrained from inquiring after them, lest, by putting + the Italian on the scent of anything so exceptionally valuable, he should + defeat his own object, and lead to the man’s securing the pearls and + running away with them. But Ercole understood his glance, with the + quickness of a man whose trade forced him to read countenances. ‘The + Eccellenza is looking for the pearls of Ribaumont? The lady made no offer + of them to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you believe that she has them still?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am certain of it, sir. I know that she has jewels—though she said + not what they were—which she preserved at the expense of her hair. + It was thus. The old man had, it seems, been for weeks on the rack with + pains caught by a chill when they fled from La Sablerie, and, though the + fever had left him, he was still so stiff in the joints as to be unable to + move. I prescribed for him unguents of balm and Indian spice, which, as + the Eccellenza knows, are worth far more than their weight in gold; nor + did these jewels make up the cost of these, together with the warm cloak + for him, and the linen for her child that she had been purchasing. I tell + you, sir, the babe must have no linen but the finest fabric of Cambrai—yes, + and even carnation-coloured ribbons—though, for herself, I saw the + homespun she was sewing. As she mused over what she could throw back, I + asked if she had no other gauds to make up the price, and she said, almost + within herself, “They are my child’s, not mine.” Then remembering that I + had been buying the hair of the peasant maidens, she suddenly offered me + her tresses. But I could yet secure the pearls, if Eccellenza would.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you then believe her to be in any positive want or distress?’ said the + Chevalier. + </p> + <p> + ‘Signor, no. The heretical households among whom she travels gladly + support the families of their teachers, and at Catholic inns they pay + their way. I understood them to be on their way to a synod of Satan at the + nest of heretics, Montauban, where doubtless the old miscreant would + obtain an appointment to some village.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When did you thus full in with them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was on one of the days of the week of Pentecost,’ said Ercole. ‘It is + at that time I frequent fairs in those parts, to gather my little harvest + on the maidens’ heads.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Parbleu</i>! class not my niece with those sordid beings, man,’ said + the Chevalier, angrily. ‘Here is your price’—tossing a heavy purse + on the table—‘and as much more shall await you when you bring me + sure intelligence where to find my niece. You understand; and mark, not + one word of the gentleman you saw here. You say she believes him dead?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Illustrissimo must remember that she never dropped her disguise with + me, but I fully think that she supposed herself a widow. And I understand + the Eccellenza, she is still to think so. I may be depended on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You understand,’ repeated the Chevalier, ‘this sum shall reward you when + you have informed me where to find her—as a man like you can easily + trace her from Montauban. If you have any traffickings with her, it shall + be made worth your while to secure the pearls for the family; but, + remember, the first object is herself, and that she should be ignorant of + the existence of him whom she fancied her husband.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I see, Signor; and not a word, of course, of my having come from you. I + will discover her, and leave her noble family to deal with her. Has the + Illustrissimo any further commands?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘None,’ began the Chevalier; then, suddenly, ‘This unhappy infant—is + it healthy? Did it need any of your treatment?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Signor, no. It was a fair, healthy bambina of a year old, and I heard the + mother boasting that it had never had a day’s illness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, the less a child has to do in the world, the more is it bent on + living,’ said the Chevalier with a sigh; and then, with a parting + greeting, he dismissed the Italian, but only to sup under the careful + surveillance of the steward, and then to be conveyed by early morning + light beyond the territory where the affairs of Ribaumont were + interesting. + </p> + <p> + But the Chevalier went through a sleepless night. Long did he pace up and + down his chamber, grind his teeth, clench his fist and point them at his + head, and make gestures of tearing his thin gray locks; and many a + military oath did he swear under his breath as he thought to what a pass + things had come. His brother’s daughter waiting on an old Huguenot <i>bourgeois</i>, + making sugar-cakes, selling her hair! And what next? Here was she alive + after all, alive and disgracing herself; alive—yes, both she and her + husband—to perplex the Chevalier, and force him either to new crimes + or to beggar his son! Why could not the one have really died on the St. + Bartholomew, or the other at La Sablerie, instead of putting the poor + Chevalier in the wrong by coming to live again? + </p> + <p> + What had he done to be thus forced to peril his soul at his age? Ah, had + he but known what he should bring on himself when he wrote the unlucky + letter, pretending that the silly little child wished to dissolve the + marriage! How should he have known that the lad would come meddling over? + And then, when he had dexterously brought about that each should be + offended with the other, and consent to the separation, why must royalty + step in and throw them together again? Yes, and he surely had a right to + feel ill-used, since it was in ignorance of the ratification of the + marriage that he had arranged the frustration of the elopement, and that + he had forced on the wedding with Narcisse, so as to drive Eustacie to + flight from the convent—in ignorance again of her life that he had + imprisoned Berenger, and tried to buy off his clams to Nid de Merle with + Diane’s hand. Circumstances had used him cruelly, and he shrank from + fairly contemplating the next step. + </p> + <p> + He knew well enough what it must be. Without loss of time a letter must be + sent to Rome, backed by strong interest, so as to make it appear that the + ceremony at Montpipeau, irregular, and between a Huguenot and Catholic, + had been a defiance of the Papal decree, and must therefore be nullified. + This would probably be attainable, though he did not feel absolutely + secure of it. Pending this, Eustacie must be secluded in a convent; and, + while still believing herself a widow, must immediately on the arrival of + the decree and dispensation, be forced into the marriage with Narcisse + before she heard of Berenger’s being still alive. And then Berenger would + have no longer any excuse for holding out. His claims would be disposed + of, and he might be either sent to England, or he might be won upon by + Madame de Selinville’s constancy. + </p> + <p> + And this, as the Chevalier believed, was the only chance of saving a life + that he was unwilling to sacrifice, for his captive’s patience and + courtesy had gained so much upon his heart that he was resolved to do all + that shuffling and temporizing could do to save the lad from Narcisse’s + hatred and to secure him Diane’s love. + </p> + <p> + As to telling the truth and arranging his escape, that scarcely ever + crossed the old man’s mind. It would have been to resign the lands of Nid + de Merle, to return to the makeshift life he knew but too well, and, what + was worse, to ruin and degrade his son, and incur his resentment. It would + probably be easy to obtain a promise from Berenger, in his first joy and + gratitude, of yielding up all pretensions of his own or his wife’s; but, + however honourably meant, such a promise would be worth very little, and + would be utterly scorned by Narcisse. Besides, how could he thwart the + love of his daughter and the ambition of his son both at once? + </p> + <p> + No; the only security for the possession of Nid de Merle lay in either the + death of the young baron and his child or else in his acquiescence in the + invalidity of his marriage, and therefore in the illegitimacy of the + child. + </p> + <p> + And it was within the bounds of possibility that, in his seclusion, he + might at length learn to believe in the story of the destruction at La + Sablerie, and, wearying of captivity, might yield at length to the + persuasions of Diane and her father, and become so far involved with them + as to be unable to draw back, or else be so stung by Eustacie’s desertion + as to accept her rival willingly. + </p> + <p> + It was a forlorn hope, but it was the only medium that lay between either + the death or the release of the captive; and therefore the old man clung + to it as almost praiseworthy, and did his best to bring it about by + keeping his daughter ignorant that Eustacie lived, and writing to his son + that the Baron was on the point of becoming a Catholic and marrying his + sister: and thus that all family danger and scandal would be avoided, + provided the matter were properly represented at Rome. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII. ‘JAM SATIS’ + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + You may go walk, and give me leave a while, + My lessons make no music in three parts. + TAMING OF THE SHREW +</pre> + <p> + Whether the dark pool really showed Sir Marmaduke Thistlewood or not, at + the moment that his son desired that his image should be called up, the + good knight was, in effect, sitting nodding over the tankard of sack with + which his supper was always concluded, while the rest of the family, lured + out of the sunny hall by the charms of a fresh summer evening, had + dispersed into the gardens or hall. + </p> + <p> + Presently a movement in the neighbourhood made him think it incumbent on + him to open his eyes wide, and exclaim, ‘I’m not asleep.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no! you never are asleep when there’s anything you ought to see!’ + returned Dame Annora, who was standing by him with her hand on his chair. + </p> + <p> + ‘How now? Any tidings of the lads?’ he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of the lads? No, indeed; but there will be bad tidings for the lads if + you do not see to it! Where do you think your daughter is, Sir Duke?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where? How should I know? She went out to give her sisters some + strawberries, I thought.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See here,’ said Lady Thistlewood, leading the way to the north end of the + hall, where a door opened into what was called the Yew-tree Grove. This + consisted of five rows of yew-trees, planted at regular intervals, and + their natural mode of growth so interfered with by constant cutting, that + their ruddy trunks had been obliged to rise branchless, till about twelve + feet above ground they had been allowed to spread out their limbs in the + form of ordinary forest trees; and, altogether, their foliage became a + thick, unbroken, dark, evergreen roof, impervious to sunshine, and almost + impervious to rain, while below their trunks were like columns forming + five arcades, floored only by that dark red crusty earth and green lichen + growth that seems peculiar to the shelter of yew-trees. The depth of the + shade and the stillness of the place made it something peculiarly soothing + and quiet, more especially when, as now, the sunset light came below the + branches, richly tinted the russet pillars, cast long shadows, and gleamed + into all the recesses of the interlacing boughs and polished leafage + above. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you see, Sir Duke?’ demanded his lady. + </p> + <p> + ‘I see my little maids making a rare feast under the trees upon their + strawberries set out on leaves. Bless their little hearts! what a pretty + fairy feast they’ve made of it, with the dogs looking on as grave as + judges! It takes me young again to get a smack of the haut-bois your + mother brought from Chelsea Gardens.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Haut-bois! He’d never see if the house ere afire overhead. What’s that + beyond?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No fire, my dear, but the sky all aglow with sunset, and the red cow + standing up against the light, chewing her cud, and looking as well + pleased as though she knew there wasn’t her match in Dorset.’ + </p> + <p> + Lady Thistlewood fairly stamped, and pointed with her fan, like a pistol, + down a side aisle of the grove, where two figures were slowly moving + along. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh! what? Lucy with her apron full of rose-leaves, letting them float + away while she cons the children’s lesson for the morrow with Merrycourt? + They be no great loss, when the place is full of roses. Or why could you + not call to the wench to take better heed of them, instead of making all + this pother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A pretty sort of lesson it is like to be! A pretty sort of return for my + poor son, unless you take the better heed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would that I saw any return at all for either of the poor dear lads,’ + sighed the knight wearily; ‘but what you may be driving at I cannot + perceive.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What! When ‘tis before your very eyes, how yonder smooth-tongued French + impostor, after luring him back to his ruin beyond seas, is supplanting + him even here, and your daughter giving herself over to the wily viper!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The man is a popish priest,’ said Sir Marmaduke; ‘no more given to love + than Mr. Adderley or Friar Rogers.’ + </p> + <p> + The dame gave a snort of derision:’ Prithee, how many popish priests be + now wedded parsons? Nor, indeed, even if his story be true, do I believe + he is a priest at all. I have seen many a young abbe, as they call + themselves, clerk only in name, loitering at court, free to throw off the + cassock any moment they chose, and as insolent as the rest. Why, the Abbe + de Lorraine, cardinal that is now, said of my complexion—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No vows, quotha!’ muttered Sir Marmaduke, well aware of the Cardinal de + Lorraine’s opinion of his lady’s complexion. ‘So much the better; he is + too good a young fellow to be forced to mope single, and yet I hate men’s + breaking their word.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And that’s all you have to say!’ angrily cried her ladyship. ‘No one save + myself ever thinks how it is to be with my poor dear wounded, heart-broken + son, when he comes home, to find himself so scurvily used by that + faithless girl of yours, ready—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold, madam,’ said Sir Marmaduke, with real sternness; ‘nothing rash + against my daughter. How should she be faithless to a man who has been + wedded ever since she knew him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is free now,’ said Lady Thistlewood, beginning to cry (for the last + letters received from Berenger had been those from Paris, while he still + believed Eustacie to have perished at La Sablerie); ‘and I do say it is + very hard that just when he is rid of the French baggage, the bane of his + life, and is coming home, maybe with a child upon his hands, and all + wounded, scarred, and blurred, the only wench he would or should have + married should throw herself away on a French vagabond beggar, and you + aiding and abetting.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, come, Dame Nan,’ said Sir Marmaduke, ‘who told you I was aiding and + abetting?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me not, Sir Duke, you that see them a courting under your very eyes, + and will not stir a finger to hinder it. If you like to see your daughter + take up with a foreign adventurer, why, she’s no child of mine, thank + Heaven! And I’ve nought to do with it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pshaw, dame, there’s no taking up in the case; and if there were, sure it + is not you that should be hard on Lucy.’ + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Annora fell into such a flood of tears at the cruelty of casting + such things up to her, that Sir Marmaduke was fain in his blundering way + to declare that he only meant that an honest Englishman had no chance + where a Frenchman once came in, and then very nearly to surrender at + discretion. At any rate, he escaped from her tears by going out at the + door, and calling to Lucy to mind her rose-leaves; then, as she gazed + round, dismayed at the pink track along the ground, he asked her what she + had been doing. Whereto she answered with bright face and honest eyes, + that Mr. Mericour had been going over with her the ode ‘<i>Jam satis</i>,’ + of Horatius, wherewith to prepare little Nan for him to-morrow, and then + she ran hurriedly away to secure the remainder of the rose-leaves, while + her companion was already on his knees picking up the petals she had + dropped. + </p> + <p> + ‘Master Merrycourt,’ said Sir Marmaduke, a little gruffly, ‘never heed the + flower-leaves. I want a word with you.’ + </p> + <p> + Claude de Mericour rose hastily, as if somewhat struck by the tone. + </p> + <p> + ‘The matter is this,’ said the knight, leading him from the house, and + signing back the little girls who had sprung towards them—‘it has + been brought to my mind that you are but a youth, and, pardon me, my young + master, but when lads and lasses have their heads together over one book, + tongues wag.’ + </p> + <p> + The colour rushed hotly into young Mericour’s face, and he answered + quickly, ‘My rank—I mean my order—should answer that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay, young man, we are not in France; your order, be it what it may, has + not hindered many a marriage in England; though, look you, no man should + ever wed with my consent who broke his word to God in so doing; but they + tell me your vows are not always made at your age.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor are they,’ exclaimed Mericour, in a low voice, but with a sudden + light on his countenance. ‘The tonsure was given me as a child, but no vow + of celibacy has passed my lips.’ + </p> + <p> + Sir Marmaduke exclaimed, ‘Oh!—’ with a prolongation of the sound + that lasted till Mericour began again. + </p> + <p> + ‘But, sir, let tongues wag as they will, it is for nought. Your fair + daughter was but as ever preparing beforehand with me the tasks with which + she so kindly indoctrinates her little sisters. I never thought of myself + as aught but a religious, and should never dream of human love.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought so! I said so!’ said Sir Marmaduke, highly gratified. ‘I knew + you were an honourable man that would never speak of love to my daughter + by stealth, nor without means to maintain her after her birth.’ + </p> + <p> + The word ‘birth’ brought the blood into the face of the son of the peer of + France, but he merely bowed with considerable stiffness and pride, saying, + ‘You did me justice, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, don’t be hurt, man,’ said Sir Marmaduke, putting his hand on his + shoulder. ‘I told you I knew you for an honourable man! You’ll be over + here to-morrow to hear the little maids their <i>Jam satis</i>, or + whatever you call it, and dine with us after to taste Lucy’s handiwork in + jam cranberry, a better thing as I take it.’ + </p> + <p> + Mericour had recovered himself, smiled, shook the good Sir Marmaduke + proffered hand, and, begging to excuse himself from bidding good night to + the ladies on the score of lateness, he walked away to cross the downs on + his return to Combe Walwyn, where he was still resident, according to the + arrangement by which he was there to await Berenger’s return, now deferred + so much beyond all reasonable expectation. + </p> + <p> + Sir Marmaduke, with a free heart, betook himself to the house, dreading to + find that Lucy had fallen under the objurgations of her step-mother, but + feeling impelled to stand her protector, and guided to the spot by the + high key of Dame Annora’s voice. + </p> + <p> + He found Lucy—who, on the race occasions when good-natured Lady + Thistlewood was really angry with her, usually cowered meekly—now + standing her ground, and while the dame was pausing for breath, he heard + her gentle voice answering steadily, ‘No, madam, to him I could never owe + faith, nor troth, nor love, save such as I have for Philip.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then it is very unfeeling and ungrateful of you. Nor did you think so + once, but it is all his scars and—-’ + </p> + <p> + By this time Sir Marmaduke had come near enough to put his arm round his + daughter, and say, ‘No such thing, dame. It had been unseemly in the lass + had it been otherwise. She is a good girl and a discreet; and the + Frenchman, if he has made none of their vows, feels as bound as though he + had. He’s an honest fellow, thinking of his studies and not of ladies or + any such trumpery. So give me a kiss, Lucy girl, and thou shalt study <i>Jam + satis</i>, or any other jam he pleases, without more to vex thee.’ + </p> + <p> + Lucy, now that the warfare was over, had begun to weep so profusely that + so soon as her father released her, she turned, made a mute gesture to ask + permission to depart, and hurried away; while Lady Thistlewood, who + disliked above all that her husband should think her harsh to her + step-children, began to relate the exceeding tenderness of the + remonstrance which had been followed with such disproportionate floods of + tears. + </p> + <p> + Poor Sir Marmaduke hoped at least that the veil of night had put an end to + the subject which harassed him at a time when he felt less capable than + usual of bearing vexation, for he was yearning sadly after his only son. + The youths had been absent ten months, and had not been heard of for more + than three, when they were just leaving Paris in search of the infant. Sir + Francis Walsingham, whose embassy had ended with the death of Charles IX., + knew nothing of them, and great apprehensions respecting them were + beginning to prevail, and, to Sir Marmaduke especially, seemed to be + eating out the peace and joy of his life. Philip, always at his father’s + side ever since he could run alone, was missed at every visit to stable or + kennel; the ring of his cheery voice was wanting to the house; and the + absence of his merry whistle seemed to make Sir Marmaduke’s heart sink + like lead as he donned his heavy boots, and went forth in the silver dew + of the summer morning to judge which of his cornfields would soonest be + ready for the sickle. Until this expedition of his sons he had, for more + than fourteen years never been alone in those morning rounds on his farm; + and much as he loved his daughters, they seemed to weigh very light in the + scale compared with the sturdy heir who loved every acre with his own + ancestral love. Indeed, perhaps, Sir Marmaduke had deeper, fonder + affection for the children of his first marriage, because he had barely + been able to give his full heart to their mother before she was taken from + him, and he had felt almost double tenderness to be due to them, when he + at length obtained his first and only true love. Now, as he looked over + the shinning billows of the waving barley, his heart was very sore with + longing for Philip’s gladsome shout at the harvest-field, and he thought + with surprise and compunction how he had seen Lucy leave him struggling + with a flood of tears. While he was still thus gazing, a head appeared in + the narrow path that led across the fields, and presently he recognized + the slender, upright form of the young Frenchman. + </p> + <p> + ‘A fair good morrow to you, Master Merrycourt! You come right early to + look after your ode?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said Mericour, gravely saluting him, ‘I come to make you my + confession. I find that I did not deal truly with you last night, but it + was all unwittingly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How?’ exclaimed Sir Marmaduke, recollecting Lucy’s tears and looking much + startled. ‘You have not—-’ and there he broke off, seeing Mericour + eager to speak. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I was bred as one set apart from love. I had never learnt + to think it possible to me,—I thought so even when I replied to you + last evening; but, sir, the words you then spoke, the question you asked + me set my heart burning, and my senses whirling—-’ And between + agitation and confusion he stammered and clasped his hands passionately, + trying to continue what he was saying, but muttering nothing intelligible. + </p> + <p> + Sir Marmaduke filled up the interval with a long whistle of perplexity; + but, too kind not to pity the youth’s distress, he laid his hand on his + shoulder, saying, ‘You found out you were but a hot-blooded youth after + all, but an honest one. For, as I well trust, my lass knows nought of + this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How should she know, sir, what I knew not myself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! ha!’ chuckled Sir Duke to himself, ‘so ‘twas all Dame Nan’s doing + that the flame has been lighted! Ho! ho! But what is to come next is the + question?’ and he eyed the French youth from head to foot with the same + considering look with which he was wont to study a bullock. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir, sir,’ cried Mericour, absolutely flinging himself on his knee before + him with national vehemence, ‘do give me hope! Oh! I will bless you, I + will—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Get up, man,’ said the knight, hastily; ‘no fooling of this sort. The + milkmaids will be coming. Hope—why, what sort of hope can be given + you in the matter?’ he continued; ‘you are a very good lad, and I like you + well enough, but you are not the sort of stuff one gives one’s daughter + to. Ay, ay, I know you are a great man in your own country, but what are + you here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A miserable fugitive and beggar, I know that,’ said Mericour, vehemently, + ‘but let me have but hope, and there is nothing I will not be!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pish!’ said Sir Marmaduke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hear me,’ entreated the youth, recalled to common sense: ‘you know that I + have lingered at the chateau yonder, partly to study divinity and settle + my mind, and partly because my friend Ribaumont begged me to await his + return. I will be no longer idle; my mind is fixed. To France I cannot + return, while she gives me no choice between such doctrine and practice as + I saw at court, and such as the Huguenots would have imposed on me. I had + already chosen England as my country before—before this wild hope + had awakened in me. Here, I know my nobility counts for nothing, though, + truly, sir, few names in France are prouder. But it shall be no hindrance. + I will become one of your men of the robe. I have heard that they can + enrich themselves and intermarry with your country <i>noblesse</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘True, true,’ said Sir Marmaduke, ‘there is more sense in that notion than + there seemed to be in you at first. My poor brother Phil was to have been + a lawyer if he had lived, but it seems to me you are a long way off from + that yet! Why, our Templars be mostly Oxford scholars.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So it was explained to me,’ said Mericour, ‘but for some weeks past the + Lady Burnet, to whose sons, as you know, I have been teaching French, has + been praying me to take the charge of them at Oxford, by which means I + should at least be there maintained, and perchance obtain the means for + carrying on my studies at the Temple.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not ill thought of,’ said the knight; ‘a fair course enough for you; but + look you, you must have good luck indeed to be in a state to marry within + ten or fifteen years,—very likely not then—having nothing of + your own, and my wench but little, for Lucy’s portion cannot be made equal + to her sisters’, her mother having been no heiress like Dame Nan. And + would you have me keep the maid unwedded till she be thirty or thirty-five + years old, waiting for your fortune?’ + </p> + <p> + Mericour looked terribly disconcerted at this. + </p> + <p> + ‘Moreover,’ added the knight, ‘they will all be at me, so soon as those + poor lads come home—Heaven grant they do—to give her to + Berenger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said Mericour, looking up with a sudden smile, ‘all that I would + ask is, what you are too good a father to do, that you would not put any + force on her inclinations.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How now? you said you had never courted her!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor have I, sir. But I see the force of your words. Should she love + another man, my dream were, of course, utterly vain, but if not—-’ + He broke off. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well, I am no man to force a girl to a match against her will; but + never trust to that, man. I know what women are; and let a fantastic + stranger come across them, there’s an end of old friends. But yours is an + honest purpose, and you are a good youth; and if you had anything to keep + her with, you should have Lucy to-morrow, with all my heart.’ + </p> + <p> + Then came the further question whether Mericour should be allowed an + interview with Lucy. Sir Marmaduke was simple enough to fancy that she + need not be made aware of the cause of Mericour’s new arrangement, and + decided against it. The young man sorrowfully acquiesced, but whether such + a secret could be kept was another thing. To him it would have been + impossible to renew their former terms of intercourse without betraying + his feelings, and he therefore absented himself. Lady Thistlewood + triumphed openly in Sir Marmaduke’s having found him out and banished him + from the house; Lucy looked white and shed silent tears. Her father’s soft + heart was moved, and one Sunday evening he whispered into her ear that + Dame Nan was all wrong, and Mericour only kept away because he was an + honourable man. Then Lucy smiled and brightened, and Sir Duke fondly asked + her if she were fool enough to fancy herself in love with the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no, how should she, when he had never named love to her? She was only + glad her father esteemed him.’ + </p> + <p> + So then foolish, fond Sir Marmaduke told her all that had passed, and if + it had not been too late, he would have sent for Mericour from Lady + Burnet’s; but his own story did almost as well in bringing back Lucy’s + soft pink color. She crept up into Cecily’s room one day, and found that + she knew all about it, and was as kind and sympathizing as she could be—when + a vocation had been given up, though no vows had been taken. She did not + quite understand it, but she would take it on trust. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII. THE SCANDAL OF THE SYNOD OF MONTAUBAN + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + O ye, wha are sae guid yourself, + Sae pious and sae holy, + Ye’ve naught to do but mark and tell + Your neebour’s fauts and folly. + —BURNS +</pre> + <p> + The old city of Montauban, once famous as the home of Ariosto’s Rinaldo + and his brethren, known to French romance as ‘<i>Les Quatre Fils Aymon</i>,’ + acquired in later times a very diverse species of fame,—that, + namely, of being one of the chief strong-holds of the Reformed. The Bishop + Jean de Lettes, after leading a scandalous life, had professed a sort of + Calvinism, had married, and retired to Geneva, and his successor had not + found it possible to live at Montauban from the enmity of the inhabitants. + Strongly situated, with a peculiar municipal constitution of its own, and + used to Provencal independence both of thought and deed, the inhabitants + had been so unanimous in their Calvinism, and had offered such efficient + resistance, as to have wrung from Government reluctant sanction for the + open observance of the Reformed worship, and for the maintenance of a + college for the education of their ministry. + </p> + <p> + There then was convoked the National Synod, answering to the Scottish + General Assembly, excepting that the persecuted French Presbyterians met + in a different place every year. Delegated pastors there gathered from + every quarter. From Northern France came men used to live in constant + hazard of their lives; from Paris, confessors such as Merlin, the chaplain + who, leaving Coligny’s bedside, had been hidden for three days in a + hayloft, feeding on the eggs that a hen daily laid beside him; + army-chaplains were there who had passionately led battle-psalms ere their + colleagues charged the foe, and had striven with vain endeavours to render + their soldiers saints; while other pastors came from Pyrenean villages + where their generation had never seen flames lighted against heresy, nor + knew what it was to disperse a congregation in haste and secrecy for hear + of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + The audience was large and sympathizing. Montauban had become the refuge + of many Huguenot families who could nowhere else profess their faith + without constant danger; and a large proportion of these were ladies, + wives of gentlemen in the army kept up by La Noue, or widows who feared + that their children might be taken from them to be brought up by their + Catholic relations, elderly dames who longed for tranquillity after having + lost husbands or sons by civil war. Thickly they lodged in the strangely + named <i>gasches</i> and <i>vertiers</i>, as the divisions and + subdivisions of the city were termed, occupying floors or apartments of + the tall old houses; walking abroad in the streets in grave attire, stiff + hat, crimped ruff, and huge fan, and forming a society in themselves, + close-packed, punctilious and dignified, rigidly devout but strictly + censorious, and altogether as unlike their typical country folks of Paris + as if they had belonged to a different nation. And the sourest and most + severe of all were such as had lived farthest south, and personally + suffered the least peril and alarm. + </p> + <p> + Dancing was unheard-of enormity; cards and dice were prohibited; and + stronger expletive than the elegant ones invented for the special use of + the King of Navarre was expiated either by the purse or the skin; Marot’s + psalmody was the only music, black or sad colour the only wear; and, a few + years later, the wife of one of the most distinguished statesmen and + councilors of Henri of Navarre was excommunicated for the enormity of + wearing her hair curled. + </p> + <p> + To such a community it was a delightful festival to receive a national + assembly of ministers ready to regale them on daily sermons for a whole + month, and to retail in private the points of discipline debated in the + public assembly; and, apart from mere eagerness for novelty, many a + discreet heart beat with gladness at the meeting with the hunted pastor of + her native home, who had been the first to strike the spiritual chord, and + awake her mind to religion. + </p> + <p> + Every family had their honoured guest, every reception-room was in turn + the scene of some pious little assembly that drank <i>eau sucree</i>, and + rejoiced in its favourite pastor; and each little congress indulged in + gentle scandal against its rival coterie. But there was one point on which + all the ladies agreed,—namely, that good Maitre Isaac Gardon had + fallen into an almost doting state of blindness to the vanities of his + daughter-in-law, and that she was a disgrace to the community, and ought + to be publicly reprimanded. + </p> + <p> + Isaac Gardon, long reported to have been martyred—some said at + Paris, others averred at La Sablerie—had indeed been welcomed with + enthusiastic joy and veneration, when he made his appearance at Montauban, + pale, aged, bent, leaning on a staff, and showing the dire effect of the + rheumatic fever which had prostrated him after the night of drenching and + exposure during the escape from La Sablerie. Crowded as the city was, + there was a perfect competition among the tradesfolk for the honour of + entertaining him and the young widow and child of a St. Bartholomew + martyr. A cordwainer of the street of the Soubirous Hauts obtained this + honour, and the wife, though speaking only the sweet Provencal tongue, + soon established the most friendly relations with M. Gardon’s + daughter-in-law. + </p> + <p> + Two or three more pastors likewise lodged in the same house, and ready aid + was given by Mademoiselle Gardon, as all called Eustacie, in the domestic + cares thus entailed, while her filial attention to her father-in-law and + her sweet tenderness to her child struck all this home circle with + admiration. Children of that age were seldom seen at home among the better + classes in towns. Then, as now, they were universally consigned to country + nurses, who only brought them home at three or four years old, fresh from + a squalid, neglected cottage life: and Eustacie’s little moonbeam, <i>la + petite Rayonette</i>, as she loved to call her, was quite an unusual + spectacle; and from having lived entirely with grown people, and enjoyed + the most tender and dainty care, she was intelligent and brightly docile + to a degree that appeared marvellous to those who only saw children + stupefied by a contrary system. She was a lovely little thing, exquisitely + fair, and her plump white limbs small but perfectly moulded; she was + always happy, because always healthy, and living in an atmosphere of love; + and she was the pet and wonder of all the household, from the grinning + apprentice to the grave young candidate who hoped to be elected pastor to + the Duke de Quinet’s village in the Cevennes. + </p> + <p> + And yet it was <i>la petite Rayonette</i> who first brought her mother + into trouble. Since her emancipation from swaddling clothes she had been + equipped in a little gray woolen frock, such as Eustacie had learnt to + knit among the peasants, and varied with broad while stripes which gave it + something of the moonbeam effect; but the mother had not been able to + resist the pleasure of drawing up the bosom and tying it with a knot of + the very carnation colour that Berenger used to call her own. That knot + was discussed all up and down the Rue Soubirous Hauts, and even through + the Carriera Major! The widow of an old friend of Maitre Gardon had + remonstrated on the improprieties of such gay vanities, and Mdlle. Gardon + had actually replied, reddening with insolences, that her husband had + loved to see her wear the colour. + </p> + <p> + Now, if the brethren at Paris had indulged their daughters in such + backslidings, see what had come of it! But that poor Theodore Gardon + should have admired his bride in such unhallowed adornments, was an + evident calumny; and many a head was shaken over it in grave and pious + assembly. + </p> + <p> + Worse still; when she had been invited to a supper at the excellent Madame + Fargeau’s, the presumptuous little <i>bourgeoise</i> had evidently not + known her place, but had seated herself as if she were a noble lady, a <i>fille + de qualite</i>, instead of a mere minister’s widow and a watchmaker’s + daughter. Pretend ignorance that precedence was to be here observed! That + was another Parisian piece of impudence, above all in one who showed such + ridiculous airs as to wipe her face with her own handkerchief instead of + the table-cloth, and to be reluctant to help herself from the genera dish + of <i>potage</i> with her own spoon. Even that might have been overlooked + if she would have regaled them with a full and particular account of her + own rescue from the massacre at Paris; but she merely coloured up, and + said that she had been so ill as to know scarcely anything about it; and + when they pressed her further, she shortly said, ‘They locked me up;’ and, + before she could be cross-examined as to who was this ‘they,’ Maitre + Gardon interfered, saying that she had suffered so much that he requested + the subject might never be mentioned to her. Nor would he be more + explicit, and there was evidently some mystery, and he was becoming + blindly indulgent and besotted by the blandishments of an artful woman. + </p> + <p> + Eustacie was saved from hearing the gossip by her ignorance of the + Provencal, which was the only languages of all but the highest and most + cultivated classes, the hostess had very little <i>langue d’oui</i>, and + never ventured on any complicated discourse; and Isaac Gardon, who could + speak both the <i>oc</i> and <i>oui</i>, was not a person whom it was easy + to beset with mere hearsay or petty remonstrance, but enough reached him + at last to make him one day say mildly, ‘My dear child, might not the + little one dispense with her ribbon while we are here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh, father? At the bidding of those impertinents?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care, daughter; you were perfect with the tradesfolk and peasants, + but you cannot comport yourself as successfully with this <i>petite + noblesse</i>, or the pastors’ wives.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are insolent, father. I, in my own true person, would treat no one + as these petty dames treat me,’ said Eustacie. ‘I would not meddle between + a peasant woman and her child, nor ask questions that must needs wring her + heart.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, child! humility is a bitter lesson; and even this world needs it now + from you. We shall have suspicions; and I heard to-day that the King is in + Dauphiny, and with him M. de Nid de Merle. Be not alarmed; he has no force + with him, and the peace still subsists; but we must avoid suspicion. There + is a <i>preche</i> at the Moustier to-day, in French; it would be well if + you were to attend it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I understand as little of French sermons as of Provencal,’ murmured + Eustacie; but it was only a murmur. + </p> + <p> + Maitre Gardon had soon found out that his charge had not head enough to be + made a thorough-going controversial Calvinist. Clever, intelligent, and + full of resources as she was, she had no capacity for argument, and could + not enter into theoretical religion. Circumstances had driven her from her + original Church and alienated her from those who had practiced such + personal cruelties on her and hers, but the mould of her mind remained + what it had been previously; she clung to the Huguenots because they + protected her from those who would have forced an abhorrent marriage on + her and snatched her child from her; and, personally, she loved and + venerated Isaac Gardon with ardent, self-sacrificing filial love and + gratitude, accepted as truth all that came from his lips, read the + Scriptures, sang and prayed with him, and obeyed him as dutifully as ever + the true Esperance could have done; but, except the merest external + objections against the grossest and most palpable popular corruptions and + fallacies, she really never entered into the matter. She had been left too + ignorant of her own system to perceive its true clams upon her; and though + she could not help preferring High Mass to a Calvinist assembly, and + shrinking with instinctive pain and horror at the many profanations she + witnessed, the really spiritual leadings of her own individual father-like + leader had opened so much that was new and precious to her, so full of + truth, so full of comfort, giving so much moral strength, that, unaware + that all the foundations had been laid by Mere Monique, the resolute, + high-spirited little thing, out of sheer constancy and constitutional + courage, would have laid down her life as a Calvinist martyr, in profound + ignorance that she was not in the least a Calvinist all the time. + </p> + <p> + Hitherto, her wandering life amid the persecuted Huguenots of the West had + prevented her from hearing any preaching but good Isaac’s own, which had + been rather in the way of comfort and encouragement than of controversy, + but in this great gathering it was impossible that there should not be + plenty of vehement polemical oratory, such as was sue to fly over that + weary little head. After a specimen or two, the chances of the sermon + being in Provencal, and the necessity of attending to her child, had been + Eustacie’s excuse for usually offering to attend to the <i>menage</i>, and + set her hostess free to be present at the preachings. + </p> + <p> + However, Rayonette was considered as no valid excuse; for did not whole + circles of black-eyed children sit on the floor in sleepy stolidity at the + feet of their mothers or nurses, and was it not a mere worldly folly to + pretend that a child of sixteen months could not be brought to church? It + was another instance of the mother’s frivolity and the grandfather’s + idolatry. + </p> + <p> + The Moustier, or minster, the monastic church of Montauban, built on Mont + Auriol in honour of St. Theodore, had, twelve years before, been plundered + and sacked by the Calvinists, not only out of zeal for iconoclasm, but + from long-standing hatred and jealousy against the monks. Catherine de + Medicis had, in 1546, carried off two of the jasper columns from its chief + door-way to the Louvre; and, after some years more, it was entirely + destroyed. The grounds of the Auriol Mountain Monastery have been desolate + down to the present day, when they have been formed into public gardens. + When Eustacie walked through them, carrying her little girl in her arms, a + rose in her bosom to console her for the loss of her bright breast-knot, + they were in raw fresh dreariness, with tottering, blackened cloisters, + garden flowers run wild, images that she had never ceased to regard as + sacred lying broken and defiled among the grass and weeds. + </p> + <p> + Up the broad path was pacing the municipal procession, headed by the three + Consuls, each with a serjeant bearing a white rod in front and a scarlet + mantle, and the Consuls themselves in long robes with wide sleeves of + quartered black and scarlet, followed by six halberdiers, likewise in + scarlet, blazoned with the shield of the city—gules, a golden + willow-tree, pollarded and shedding its branches, a chief azure with the + three <i>fleur-de-lys</i> of royalty. As little Rayonette gleefully + pointed at the brilliant pageant, Eustacie could not help saying, rather + bitterly, that these <i>messieurs</i> seemed to wish to engross all the + gay colours from heaven and earth from themselves; and Maitre Isaac could + not help thinking she had some right on her side as he entered the church + once gorgeous with jasper, marbles, and mosaics, glowing with painted + glass, resplendent with gold and jewels, rich with paintings and draperies + of the most brilliant dyes; but now, all that was, soiled, dulled, + defaced; the whole building, even up to the end of the chancel, was + closely fitted with benches occupied by the ‘sad-coloured’ congregation. + Isaac was obliged by a strenuous effort of memory to recall ‘Ne-hushtan’ + and the golden calves, before he could clear from his mind, ‘Now they + break down all the carved work thereof with axes and with hammers.’ But, + then, did not the thorough going Reformers think Master Isaac a very weak + and back-sliding brother? + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, in right of his age, his former reputation, and his + sufferings, his place was full in the midst of the square-capped, + black-robed ministers who sat herded on a sort of platform together, to + address the Almighty and the congregation in prayers and discourses, + interspersed with psalms sung by the whole assembly. There was no want of + piety, depth, force, or fervour. These were men refined by persecution, + who had struggled to the light that had been darkened by the popular + system, and, having once been forced into foregoing their scruples as to + breaking the unity of the Church, regarded themselves even as apostles of + the truth. Listening to them, Isaac Gardon felt himself rapt into the + hopes of cleansing the aspirations of universal re-integration that had + shone before his early youth, ere the Church had shown herself deaf, and + the Reformers in losing patience had lost purity, and disappointment had + crushed him into an aged man. + </p> + <p> + He was recalled by the echo of a gay, little inarticulate cry—those + baby tones that had become such music to his ears that he hardly realized + that they were not indeed from his grandchild. In a moment’s glance he saw + how it was. A little bird had flown in at one of the empty window, and was + fluttering over the heads of the congregation, and a small, plump, white + arm and hand was stretched out and pointing—a rosy, fair, smiling + face upturned; a little gray figure had scrambled up on the knee of one of + the still, black-hooded women; and the shout of irrepressible delight was + breaking on the decorum of the congregation, in spite of hushes, in spite + of the uplifted rod of a scarlet serjeant on his way down the aisle to + quell the disturbance; nay, as the bird came nearer, the exulting voice, + proud of the achievement of a new word, shouted ‘<i>Moineau, moineau</i>.’ + Angered by defiance to authority, down came the rod, not indeed with great + force, but with enough to make the arms clasp round the mother’s neck, the + face hide itself on in, a loud, terrified wail ring through the church, + and tempestuous sobbing follow it up. Then uprose the black-hooded figure, + the child tightly clasped, and her mantle drawn round it, while the other + hand motioned the official aside, and down the aisle, even to the door, + she swept with the lofty carriage, high-drawn neck, and swelling bosom of + an offended princess. + </p> + <p> + Maitre Gardon heard little more of the discourse, indeed he would have + followed at once had he not feared to increase the sensation and the + scandal. He came home to find Rayonette’s tears long ago dried, but her + mother furious. She would leave Montauban that minute, she would never set + foot in a heretic conventicle again, to have her fatherless child, + daughter of all the Ribaumonts, struck by base <i>canaille</i>. Even her + uncle could not have done worse; he at least would have respected her + blood. + </p> + <p> + Maitre Gardon did not know that his charge could be in such a passion, as, + her eyes flashing through tears, she insisted on being taken away at once. + No, she would hear nothing. She seemed to fell resentment due to the + honour of all the Ribaumonts, and he was obliged peremptorily to refuse to + quit Montauban till his business at the Synod should be completed, and + then to leave her in a flood of angry tears and reproaches for exposing + her child to such usage, and approving it. + </p> + <p> + Poor little thing, he found her meek and penitent for her unjust anger + towards himself. Whatever he desired she would do, she would stay or go + with him anywhere except to a sermon at the Moustier, and she did not + think that in her heart her good father desired little infants to be + beaten—least of all Berenger’s little one. And with Rayonette + already on his knee, stealing his spectacles, peace was made. + </p> + <p> + Peace with him, but not with the congregation! Were people to stalk out of + church in a rage, and make no reparation? Was Maitre Isaac to talk of + orphans, only children, and maternal love, as if weak human affection did + not need chastisement? Was this saucy Parisienne to play the offended, and + say that if the child were not suffered at church she must stay at home + with it? The ladies agitated to have the obnoxious young widow reprimanded + in open Synod, but, to their still greater disgust, not a pastor would + consent to perform the office. Some said that Maitre Gardon ought to rule + his own household, others that they respected him too much to interfere, + and there were others abandoned enough to assert that if any one needed a + reprimand it was the serjeant. + </p> + <p> + Of these was the young candidate, Samuel Mace, who had been educated at + the expense of the Dowager Duchess de Quinet, and hoped that her influence + would obtain his election to the pastorate of a certain peaceful little + village deep in the Cevennes. She had intimated that what he wanted was a + wife to teach and improve the wives of the peasant farmers, and where + could a more eligible one be found than Esperance Gardon? Her cookery he + tasted, her industry he saw, her tenderness to her child, her attention to + her father, were his daily admiration; and her soft velvet eyes and sweet + smile went so deep in his heart that he would have bought her ells upon + ells of pink ribbon, when once out of sight of the old ladies; would have + given a father’s love to her little daughter, and a son’s duty and + veneration to Isaac Gardon. + </p> + <p> + His patroness did not deny her approval. The gossip had indeed reached + her, but she had a high esteem for Isaac Gardon, believed in Samuel Mace’s + good sense, and heeded Montauban scandal very little. Her <i>protege</i> + would be much better married to a spirited woman who had seen the world, + than to a mere farmer’s daughter who had never looked beyond her cheese. + Old Gardon would be an admirable adviser, and if he were taken into the <i>menage</i> + she would add to the endowment another arable field, and grass for two + more cows. If she liked the young woman on inspection, the marriage should + take place in her own august presence. + </p> + <p> + What! had Maitre Gardon refused? Forbidden that the subject should be + mentioned to his daughter? Impossible! Either Mace had managed matters + foolishly, or the old man had some doubt of him which she could remove, or + else it was foolish reluctance to part with his daughter-in-law. Or the + gossips were right after all, and he knew her to be too light-minded, if + not worse, to be the wife of any pious young minister. Or there was some + mystery. Any way, Madame la Duchesse would see him, and bring him to his + senses, make him give the girl a good husband if she were worthy, or + devote her to condign punishment if she were unworthy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIV. MADAME LA DUCHESSE + </h2> + <p> + He found an ancient dame in dim brocade.—-TENNYSON + </p> + <p> + Madame la Duchesse de Quinet had been a great heiress and a personal + friend and favourite of Queen Jeanne d’Albret. She had been left a widow + after five years’ marriage, and for forty subsequent years had reigned + despotically in her own name and that of <i>mon fils</i>. Busied with the + support of the Huguenot cause, sometimes by arms, but more usually by + politics, and constantly occupied by the hereditary government of one of + the lesser counties of France, the Duke was all the better son for + relinquishing to her the home administration, as well as the education of + his two motherless boys; and their confidence and affection were perfect, + though he was almost as seldom at home as she was abroad. At times, + indeed, she had visited Queen Jeanne at Nerac; but since the good Queen’s + death, she only left the great chateau of Quinet to make a royal progress + of inspection through the family towns, castles, and estates, sometimes to + winter in her beautiful hereditary <i>hotel</i> at Montauban, and as at + present to attend any great assembly of the Reformed. + </p> + <p> + Very seldom was her will not law. Strong sense and judgment, backed by the + learning that Queen Marguerite of Navarre had introduced among the + companions of her daughter, had rendered her superior to most of those + with whom she came in contact: and the Huguenot ministers, who were much + more dependent on their laity than the Catholic priesthood, for the most + part treated her as not only a devout and honourable woman, an elect lady, + but as a sort of State authority. That she had the right-mindedness to + respect and esteem such men as Theodore Beza, Merlin, &c., who treated + her with great regard, but never cringed, had not become known to the + rest. Let her have once pronounced against poor little Esperance Gardon, + and public disgrace would be a matter of certainty. + </p> + <p> + There she sat in her wainscoted walnut cabinet, a small woman by her + inches, but stately enough to seem of majestic stature, and with gray + eyes, of inexpressible keenness, which she fixed upon the halting, broken + form of Isaac Gardon, and his grave, venerable face, as she half rose and + made a slight acknowledgment of his low bow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sit, Maitre Gardon, you are lame,’ she said, with a wave of her hand. ‘I + gave you the incommodity of coming to see me not openly discuss <i>en + pleine sale</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame is considerate,’ said Isaac, civilly, but with an open-eyed look + and air that at once showed her that she had not to deal with one of the + ministers who never forgot their low birth in intercourse with her. + </p> + <p> + ‘I understand,’ said she, coming to the point at once, ‘that you decline + the proposals of Samuel Mace for your daughter-in-law. Now I wish you to + know that Mace is a very good youth, whom I have known from his birth’—and + she went on in his praise, Isaac bowing at each pause, until she had + exhausted both Mace’s history and her own beneficent intentions for him. + Then he said, ‘Madame is very good, and the young man appeared to me + excellent. Nevertheless, this thing may not be. My daughter-in-law has + resolved not to marry again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but this is mere folly,’ said the Duchess. ‘We hold not Catholic + tenets on merit in abstaining, but rather go by St. Paul’s advice that the + younger widows should marry, rather than wax wanton. And, to tell you the + truth, Maitre Gardon, this daughter of yours does seem to have set tongues + in motion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not by her own fault, Madame.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay, my good friend; I never found a man—minister or lay—who + was a fair judge in these matters. You old men are no better than the + young—rather worse—because you do not distrust yourselves. + Now, I say no harm of the young woman, and I know an angel would be abused + at Montauban for not wearing sad-coloured wings; but she needs a man’s + care—you are frail, you cannot live for ever—and how is it to + be with her and her child?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope to bestow them among her kindred ere I die, Madame,’ said Isaac. + </p> + <p> + ‘No kindred can serve a woman like a sensible husband! Besides, I thought + all perished at Paris. Listen, Isaac Gardon: I tell you plainly that + scandal is afloat. You are blamed for culpable indifference to alleged + levities—I say not that it is true—but I see this, that unless + you can bestow your daughter-in-law on a good, honest man, able to silence + the whispers of malice, there will be measures taken that will do shame + both to your own gray hairs and to the memory of your dead son, as well as + expose the poor young woman herself. You are one who has a true tongue, + Isaac Gardon; and if you can assure me that she is a faithful, good woman, + as poor Mace thinks her, and will give her to him in testimony thereof, + then shall not a mouth open against her. If not, in spite of all my esteem + for you, the discipline of the Reformed must take its course.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And for what?’ said Isaac, with a grave tone, almost of reproof. ‘What + discipline can punish a woman for letting her infant wear a coloured + ribbon, and shielding it from a blow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is not all, Master Isaac,’ said the Duchess, seriously. ‘In spite of + your much-respected name, evil and censorious tongues will have it that + matters ought to be investigated; that there is some mystery; that the + young woman does not give a satisfactory account of herself, and that the + child does not resemble either her or your son—in short, that you + may be deceived by an impostor, perhaps a Catholic spy. Mind, I say not + that I credit all this, only I would show you what reports you must guard + against.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>La pauvre petite</i>!’ said Isaac, under his breath, as if appalled; + then collecting himself, he said, ‘Madame, these are well-nigh threats. I + had come hither nearly resolved to confined in you without them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then there is a mystery?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Madame, but the deception is solely in the name. She is, in very + truth, a widow of a martyr of the St. Barthelemy, but that martyr was not + my son, whose wife was happy in dying with him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And who, then, is she?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame la Duchesse had heard of the family of Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! M. de Ribaumont! A gay comrade of King Henry II., but who had his + eyes opened to the truth by M. l’Amiral, though he lacked courage for an + open profession. Yes, the very last pageant I beheld at court, was the + wedding of his little son to the Count de Ribaumont’s daughter. It was + said that the youth was one of our victims at Paris.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so, Madame; and this poor child is the little one whom you saw + wedded to him.’ And then, in answer to the Duchess’s astonished inquiry, + he proceeded to relate how Eustacie had been forced to fly from her + kindred, and how he had first encountered her at his own lurking-placed, + and had accepted her as a charge imposed on him by Providence; then + explained how, at La Sablerie, she had been recognized by a young + gentleman whom she had known at Paris, but who professed to be fleeing to + England, there to study the Protestant controversy; and how she had + confided to him a letter to her husband’s mother, who was married in + England, begging her to send for her and her daughter, the latter being + heiress to certain English estates, as well as French. + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame,’ added Gardon, ‘Heaven forgive me, if I do the Youth injustice by + suspecting him, but no answer ever arrived to that letter; and while we + still expected one, a good and kindly citizen, who I trust has long been + received into glory, sent me notice that a detachment of Monsieur’s army + was on its way from La Rochelle, under command of M. de Nid de Merle, to + search out this poor lady in La Sablerie. He, good man, deemed that, were + we gone, he could make terms for the place, and we therefore quitted it. + Alas! Madame knows how it fared with the pious friend we left. Little + deeming how they would be dealt with, we took our way along the Sables + d’Olonne, where alone we could be safe, since, as Madame knows, they are + for miles impracticable for troops. But we had another enemy there—the + tide; and there was a time when we truly deemed that the mercy granted us + had been that we had fallen into the hand of the Lord instead of the hand + of cruel man. Yes, Madame, and even for that did she give thanks, as she + stood, never even trembling, on the low sandbank, with her babe in her + bosom, and the sea creeping up on all sides. She only turned to me with a + smile, saying, ‘She is asleep, she will not feel it, or know anything till + she wakes up in Paradise, and sees her father.’ Never saw I a woman, + either through nature or grace, so devoid of fear. We were rescued at + last, by the mercy of Heaven, which sent a fisherman, who bore us to his + boat when benumbed with cold, and scarce able to move. He took us to a + good priest’s, Colombeau of Nissard, a man who, as Madame may know, is one + of those veritable saints who still are sustained by the truth within + their Church, and is full of charity and mercy. He asked me no questions, + but fed, warmed, sheltered us, and sped us on our way. Perhaps, however, I + was over-confident in myself, as the guardian of the poor child, for it + was Heaven’s will that the cold and wet of our night on the sands—though + those tender young frames did not suffer therefrom—should bring on + an illness which has made an old man of me. I struggled on as long as I + could, hoping to attain to a safe resting-place for her, but the winter + cold completed the work; and then, Madame—oh that I could tell you + the blessing she was to me!—her patience, her watchfulness, her + tenderness, through all the long weeks that I lay helpless alike in mind + and body at Charente. Ah! Madame, had my own daughter lived, she could not + have been more to me than that noble lady; and her cheerful love did even + more for me than her tender care.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must see her,’ ejaculated the Duchesse; then added, ‘But was it this + illness that hindered you from placing her in safety in England?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In part, Madame; nay, I may say, wholly. We learnt that the assembly was + to take place here, and I had my poor testimony to deliver, and to give + notice of my intention to my brethren before going to a foreign land, + whence perhaps I may never return.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She ought to be in England,’ said Madame de Quinet; ‘she will never be + safe from these kinsmen in this country.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘M. de Nid de Merle has been all the spring in Poland with the King,’ said + the minister, ‘and the poor lady is thought to have perished at La + Sablerie. Thus the danger has been less pressing, but I would have taken + her to England at once, if I could have made sure of her reception, and + besides—-’ he faltered. + </p> + <p> + ‘The means?’ demanded the Duchess, guessing at the meaning. + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame is right. She had brought away some money and jewels with her, but + alas, Madame, during my illness, without my knowledge, the dear child + absolutely sold them to procure comforts for me. Nay’—his eyes + filled with tears—‘she whom they blame for vanities sold the very + hair from her head to purchase unguents to ease the old man’s pains; nor + did I know it for many a day after. From day to day we can live, for our + own people willingly support a pastor and his family; and in every house + my daughter has been loved,—everywhere but in this harsh-judging + town. But for the expense of a voyage, even were we at Bordeaux or La + Rochelle, we have nothing, save by parting with the only jewels that + remain to her, and those—those, she says, are heirlooms; and, poor + child, she guards them almost as jealously as her infant, around whom she + has fastened them beneath her clothes. She will not even as yet hear of + leaving them in pledge, to be redeemed by the family. She says they would + hardly know her without them. And truly, Madame, I scarce venture to take + her to England, ere I know what reception would await her. Should her + husband’s family disown or cast her off, I could take better care of her + here than in a strange land.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are right, Maitre Gardon,’ said the Duchess; ‘the risk might be + great. I would see this lady. She must be a rare creature. Bear her my + greetings, my friend, and pray her to do me the honour of a visit this + afternoon. Tell her I would come myself to her, but that I understand she + does not wish to attract notice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame,’ said Isaac, rising, and with a strange manner, between a smile + and a tear of earnestness, ‘allow me to bespeak your goodness for my + daughter. The poor little thing is scarcely more than a child. She is but + eighteen even now, and it is not always easy to tell whether she will be + an angel of noble goodness, or, pardon me, a half-petulant child.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I understand:’ Madame de Quinet laughed, and she probably did understand + more than reluctant, anxious Isaac Gardon thought she did, of his winning, + gracious, yet haughty, head-strong little charge, so humbly helpful one + moment, so self-asserting and childish the next, so dear to him, yet so + unlike anything in his experience. + </p> + <p> + ‘Child,’ he said, as he found her in the sunny window engaged in plaiting + the deep folds of his starched ruffs, ‘you have something to forgive me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fathers do not ask their children’s pardon,’ said Eustacie, brightly, but + then, with sudden dismay, ‘Ah! you have not said I should go to the + Moustier again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, daughter; but Madame de Quinet entreats—these are her words—that + you will do her the honour of calling on her. She would come to you, but + that she fears to attract notice to us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have told her!’ exclaimed Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was compelled, but I had already thought of asking your consent, and + she is a true and generous lady, with whom your secret will be safe, and + who can hush the idle tongues here. So, daughter,’ he added restlessly, + ‘don your hood; that ruff will serve for another day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Another day, when the morrow is Sunday, and my father’s ruff is to put to + shame all the other pastors’,’ said Eustacie, her quick fingers still + moving. ‘No, he shall not go ill-starched for any Duchess in France. Now + am I in any haste to be lectured by Madame de Quinet, as they say she + lectured the Dame de Soubrera the other day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My child, you will go; much depends on it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, I am going; only if Madame de Quinet knows who I am, she will not + expect me to hurry at her beck and call the first moment. Here, Rayonette, + my bird, my beauty, thou must have a clean cap; ay, and these flaxen curls + combed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would you take the child?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would I go without Mademoiselle de Rambouillet? She is all her mother is, + and more. There, now she is a true rose-bud, ready to perch on my arm. No, + no <i>bon pere</i>. So great a girl is too much for you to carry. Don’t be + afraid, my darling, we are not going to a sermon, no one will beat her; oh + no, and if the insolent retainers and pert lacqueys laugh at her mother, + no one will hurt her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, child,’ said Maitre Gardon; ‘this is a well-ordered household, where + contempt and scorn are not suffered. Only, dear, dear daughter, let me + pray you to be your true self with the Duchess.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie shrugged her shoulders, and had mischief enough in her to enjoy + keeping her good father in some doubt and dread as he went halting wearily + by her side along the much-decorated streets that marked the grand Gasche + of Tarn and Tarascon. The Hotel de Quinet stretched out its broad stone + steps, covered with vaultings, absolutely across the street, affording a + welcome shade, and no obstruction where wheeled carriages never came. + </p> + <p> + All was, as Maitre Isaac had said, decorum itself. A couple of armed + retainers, rigid as sentinels, waited on the steps; a grave porter, maimed + in the wars opened the great door; half a dozen—<i>laquais</i> in + sober though rich liveries sat on a bench in the hall, and had somewhat + the air of having been set to con a lesson. Two of them coming + respectfully forward, ushered Maitre Gardon and his companion to an + ante-room, where various gentlemen, or pastors, or candidates—among + them Samuel Mace—were awaiting a summons to the Duchess, or merely + using it as a place of assembly. A page of high birth, but well schooled + in steadiness of demeanour, went at once to announce the arrival; and + Gardon and his companion had not been many moments in conversation with + their acquaintance among the ministers, before the grave gentleman + returned, apparently from his audience and the page, coming to Eustacie, + intimated that she was to follow him to Madame le Duchesse’s presence. + </p> + <p> + He conducted her across a great tapestry-hung saloon, where twelve or + fourteen ladies of all ages—from seventy to fifteen—sat at + work: some at tapestry, some spinning, some making coarse garments for the + poor. A great throne-like chair, with a canopy over it, a footstool, a + desk and a small table before it, was vacant, and the work—a poor + child’s knitted cap—laid down; but an elderly minister, seated at a + carved desk, had not discontinued reading from a great black book, and did + not even cease while the strangers crossed the room, merely making a + slight inclination with his head, while the ladies half rose, rustled a + slight reverence with their black, gray or russet skirts, but hardly + lifted their eyes. Eustacie thought the Louvre had never been half so + formidable or impressive. + </p> + <p> + The page lifted a heavy green curtain behind the canopy, knocked at a + door, and, as it opened, Eustacie was conscious of a dignified presence, + that, in spite of her previous petulance, caused her instinctively to bend + in such a reverence as had formerly been natural to her; but, at the same + moment, a low and magnificent curtsey was made to her, a hand was held + out, a stately kiss was on her brow, and a voice of dignified courtesy + said, ‘Pardon me, Madame la Baronne, for giving you this trouble. I feared + that otherwise we could not safely meet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame is very good. My Rayonette, make thy reverence; kiss thy hand to + the lady, my lamb.’ And the little one obeyed, gazing with her blue eyes + full opened, and clinging to her mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Madame la Baronne makes herself obeyed,’ said Madame de Quinet, well + pleased. ‘Is it then a girl?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Madame, I could scarcely forgive her at first; but she has made + herself all the dearer to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a pity,’ said Madame de Quinet, ‘for yours is an ancient stem.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did Madame know my parents?’ asked Eustacie, drawn from her spirit of + defiance by the equality of the manner with which she was treated. + </p> + <p> + ‘Scarcely,’ replied the Duchess; but, with a smile, ‘I had the honour to + see you married.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, then,’—Eustacie glowed, almost smiled, though a tear was in her + eyes—‘you can see how like my little one is to her father,—a + true White Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + The Duchess had not the most distinct recollection of the complexion of + the little bridegroom; but Rayonette’s fairness was incontestable, and the + old lady complimented it so as to draw on the young mother into confidence + on the pet moonbeam appellation which she used in dread of exciting + suspicion by using the true name of Berangere, with all the why and + wherefore. + </p> + <p> + It was what the Duchess wanted. Imperious as some thought her, she would + on no account have appeared to cross-examine any one whose essential + nobleness of nature struck her as did little Eustacie’s at the first + moment she saw her; and yet she had decided, before the young woman + arrived, that her own good opinion and assistance should depend on the + correspondence of Madame de Ribaumont’s history of herself with Maitre + Gardon’s. + </p> + <p> + Eustacie had, for a year and a half, lived with peasants; and, indeed, + since the trials of her life had really begun, she had never been with a + woman of her own station to whom she could give confidence, or from whom + she could look for sympathy. And thus a very few inquiries and tokens of + interest from the old lady drew out the whole story, and more than once + filled Madame de Quinet’s eyes with tears. + </p> + <p> + There was only one discrepancy; Eustacie could not believe that the Abbe + de Mericour had been a faithless messenger. Oh, no! either those + savage-looking sailors had played him false, or else her <i>bele-mere</i> + would not send for her. ‘My mother-in-law never loved me,’ said Eustacie; + ‘I know she never did. And now she has children by her second marriage, + and no doubt would not see my little one preferred to them. I will not be + HER suppliant.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what then would you do?’ said Madame de Quinet, with a more severe + tone. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never leave my dear father,’ said Eustacie, with a flash of eagerness; + ‘Maitre Isaac I mean. He has been more to me than any—any one I ever + knew—save——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have much cause for gratitude to him,’ said Madame de Quinet. ‘I + honour your filial love to him. Yet, you have duties to this little one. + You have no right to keep her from her position. You ought to write to + England again. I am sure Maitre Isaac tells you so.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie would have pouted, but the grave, kind authority of the manner + prevented her from being childish, and she said, ‘If I wrote, it should be + to my husband’s grandfather, who brought him up, designated him as his + heir, and whom he loved with all his heart. But, oh, Madame, he has one of + those English names! So dreadful! It sounds like Vol-au-vent, but it is + not that precisely.’ + </p> + <p> + Madame de Quinet smiled, but she was a woman of resources. ‘See, my + friend,’ she said, ‘the pursuivant of the consuls here has the rolls of + the herald’s visitations throughout the kingdom. The arms and name of the + Baron de Ribaumont’s wife will there be entered; and from my house at + Quinet you shall write, and I, too, will write; my son shall take care + that the letters be forwarded safely, and you shall await their arrival + under my protection. That will be more fitting than running the country + with an old pastor, <i>hein</i>?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame, nothing shall induce me to quit him!’ exclaimed Eustacie, + vehemently. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hear me out, child,’ said the Duchess. ‘He goes with us to assist my + chaplain; he is not much fitter for wandering than you, or less so. And + you, Madame, must, I fear me, still remain his daughter-in-law in my + household; or if you bore your own name and rank, this uncle and cousin of + yours might learn that you were still living; and did they claim you—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Madame, rather let me be your meanest kitchen-girl!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To be—what do they call you?—Esperance Gardon will be quite + enough. I have various women here—widows, wives, daughters or + sufferers for the truth’s sake, who either are glad of rest, or are + trained up to lead a godly life in the discipline of my household. Among + them you can live without suspicion, provided,’ the old lady added, + smiling, ‘you can abstain from turning the heads of our poor young + candidates.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame,’ said Eustacie, gravely, ‘I shall never turn any one’s head. + There was only one who was obliged to love me, and happily I am nor fair + enough to win any one else.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Tenez</i>, child. Is this true simplicity? Did Gardon, truly, never + tell you of poor Samuel Mace?’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie’s face expressed such genuine amazement and consternation, that + the Duchess could not help touching her on the cheek, and saying, ‘Ah! + simple as a <i>pensionnaire</i>, as we used to say when no one else was + innocent. But it is true, my dear, that to poor Samuel we owe our meeting. + I will send him off, the poor fellow, at once to Bourge-le-Roy to preach + his three sermons; and when they had driven you a little out of his head, + he shall have Mariette there—a good girl, who will make him an + excellent wife. She is ugly enough, but it will be all the same to him + just then! I will see him, and let him know that I have reasons. He lodges + in your house, does he? Then you had better come to see me at once. So + will evil tongues best be silenced. + </p> + <p> + ‘But hold,’ the Duchess said, smiling. ‘You will think me a foolish old + woman, but is it true that you have saved the Pearls of Ribaumont, of + which good Canon Froissart tells?’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie lifted her child on her knee, untied the little gray frock, and + showed them fastened beneath, well out of sight. ‘I thought my treasures + should guard one another,’ she said. ‘One I sent as a token to my + mother-in-law. For the rest, they are not mine, but hers; her father lent + them to me, not gave: so she wears them thus; and anything but HER life + should go rather than THEY should.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Hein</i>, a fine guardian for them!’ was all the Duchess said in + answer. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXV. THE ITALIAN PEDLAR + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + This caitiff monk for gold did swear, + That by his drugs my rival fair + A saint in heaven should be.—SCOTT +</pre> + <p> + A grand cavalcade bore the house of Quinet from Montauban—coaches, + wagons, outriders, gendarmes—it was a perfect court progress, and so + low and cumbrous that it was a whole week in reaching a grand old castle + standing on a hill-side among chestnut woods, with an avenue a mile long + leading up to it; and battlemented towers fit to stand a siege. + </p> + <p> + Eustacie was ranked among the Duchess’s gentlewomen. She was so far + acknowledged as a lady of birth, that she was usually called Madame + Esperance; and though no one was supposed to doubt her being Theodore + Gardon’s widow, she was regarded as being a person of rank who had made a + misalliance by marrying him. This Madame de Quinet had allowed the + household to infer, thinking that the whole bearing of her guest was too + unlike that of a Paris <i>bourgeoise</i> not to excite suspicion, but she + deemed it wiser to refrain from treating her with either intimacy or + distinction that might excite jealousy or suspicion. Even as it was, the + consciousness of a secret, or the remnants of Montauban gossip, prevented + any familiarity between Eustacie and the good ladies who surrounded her; + they were very civil to each other, but their only connecting link was the + delight that every one took in petting pretty little Rayonette, and the + wonder that was made of her signs of intelligence and attempts at talking. + Even when she toddled fearlessly up to the stately Duchess on her canopied + throne, and held out her entreating hands, and lisped the word ‘<i>nontre</i>,’ + Madame would pause in her avocations, take her on her knee, and display + that wonderful gold and enamel creature which cried tic-tic, and still + remained an unapproachable mystery to M. le Marquis and M. le Vicomte, her + grandsons. + </p> + <p> + Pale, formal stiff boys they looked, twelve and ten years old, and under + the dominion of a very learned tutor, who taught them Latin, Greek and + Hebrew, alternately with an equally precise, stiff old esquire, who + trained them in martial exercises, which seemed to be as much matters of + rote with them as their tasks, and to be quite as uninteresting. It did + not seem as if they ever played, or thought of playing; and if they were + ever to be gay, witty Frenchmen, a wonderful change must come over them. + </p> + <p> + The elder was already betrothed to a Bearnese damsel, of an unimpeachably + ancient and Calvinistic family; and the whole establishment had for the + last three years been employed on tapestry hangings for a whole suite of + rooms, that were to be fitted up and hung with the histories of Ruth, of + Abigail, of the Shunammite, and of Esther, which their diligent needles + might hope to complete by the time the marriage should take place, three + years later! The Duchess, who really was not unlike ‘that great woman’ the + Shunammite, in her dignified content with ‘dwelling among her own people,’ + and her desire to ‘receive a prophet in the name of a prophet,’ generally + sat presiding over the work while some one, chaplain, grandson, or young + maiden, read aloud from carefully assorted books; religious treatises at + certain hours, and at others, history. Often, however, Madame was called + away into her cabinet, where she gave audience to intendants, notaries + from her estates, pastors from the villages, captains of little garrisons, + soldiers offering service, farmers, women, shepherds, foresters, peasants, + who came either on her business or with their own needs—for all of + which she was ready with the beneficence and decision of an autocrat. + </p> + <p> + The chapel had been ‘purified,’ and made bare of all altar or image. It + was filled with benches and a desk, whence Isaac Gardon, the chaplain, any + pastor on a visit, or sometimes a candidate for his promotion, would + expound, and offer prayers, shortly in the week, more at length on Sunday; + and there, too, classes were held for the instruction of the peasants. + </p> + <p> + There was a great garden full of medicinal plants, and decoctions and + distilleries were the chief variety enjoyed by the gentlewomen. The + Duchess had studied much in quaint Latin and French medical books, and, + having great experience and good sense, was probably as good a doctor as + any one in the kingdom except Ambroise Pare and his pupils; and she + required her ladies to practise under her upon the numerous ailments that + the peasants were continually bringing for her treatment. ‘No one could + tell,’ she said, ‘how soon they might be dealing with gun-shot wounds, and + all ought to know how to sew up a gash, or cure an argue.’ + </p> + <p> + This department suited Eustacie much better than the stitching, and best + of all she liked to be sent with Maitre Isaac to some cottage where solace + for soul and body were needed, and the inmate was too ill to be brought to + Madame la Duchess. She was learning much and improving too in the orderly + household, but her wanderings had made her something of a little gipsy. + She now and then was intolerably weary, and felt as if she had been + entirely spoilt for her natural post. ‘What would become of her,’ she said + to Maitre Isaac, ‘if she were too grand to dress Rayonette?’ + </p> + <p> + She was not greatly distressed that the Montauban pursuivant turned out to + have only the records of the Provencal nobility, and was forced to + communicate with his brethren at Bordeaux before he could bring down the + Ribaumont genealogy to the actual generation; and so slow was + communication, so tardy the mode of doing everything, that the chestnut + leaves were falling and autumn becoming winter before the blazoned letter + showed Ribaumont, de Picardie—‘Gules, fretty or, a canton of the + last, a leopard, sable. Eustacie Berangere, m. Annora, daughter and + heiress of Villiam, Baron of Valvem, in the county of Dorisette, England, + who beareth, azure, a siren regardant in a mirror proper.’ The siren was + drawn in all her propriety impaled with the leopard, and she was so much + more comprehensible than the names, to both Madame de Quinet and Eustacie, + that it was a pity they could not direct their letters to her rather than + to ‘Le Baron de Valvem,’ whose cruel W’s perplexed them so much. However, + the address was the least of Eustacie’s troubles; she should be only too + glad when she got to that, and she was sitting in Maitre Isaac’s room, + trying to make him dictate her sentences and asking him how to spell every + third word, when the dinner-bell rang, and the whole household dropped + down from <i>salon</i>, library, study, or chamber to the huge hall, with + its pavement of black and white marble, and its long tables, for Madame de + Quinet was no woman to discard wholesome old practices. + </p> + <p> + Then, as Eustacie, with Rayonette trotting at her side, and Maitre Isaac + leaning on her arm, slowly made her way to that high table where dined + Madame la Duchess, her grandsons, the ministers, the gentlemen in waiting, + and some three or four women besides herself, she saw that the lower end + of the great hall was full of silks, cloths, and ribbons heaped together; + and, passing by the lengthy rank of retainers, she received a bow and look + of recognition from a dark, acute-looking visage which she remembered to + belong to the pedlar she had met at Charente. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess, at the head of her table, was not in the best of humours. Her + son had sent home letters by a courier whom he had picked up for himself + and she never liked nor trusted, and he required an immediate reply when + she particularly resented being hurried. It was a <i>galimafre</i>, + literally a hash, she said; for indeed most matters where she was not + consulted did become a <i>galimafre</i> with her. Moreover, under favour + of the courier, her porters had admitted this pedlar, and the Duchess + greatly disliked pedlars. All her household stores were bought at shops of + good repute in Montauban, and no one ought to be so improvident as to + require dealings with these mountebank vagabonds, who dangled vanities + before the eyes of silly girls, and filled their heads with Paris fashion, + if they did not do still worse, and excite them to the purchase of + cosmetics and love-charms. + </p> + <p> + Yet the excitement caused by the approach of a pedlar was invincible, even + by Madame la Duchess. It was inevitable that the crying need of glove, + kerchief, needle, or the like, should be discovered as soon as he came + within ken, and, once in the hall, there was no being rid of him except by + a flagrant act of inhospitality. This time it was worst of all, for M. le + Marquis himself must needs be the first to spy him, bring him in, and be + in want of a silver chain for his hawk; and his brother the Vicomte must + follow him up with all manner of wants inspired by the mere sight of the + pack. + </p> + <p> + Every one with the smallest sum of money must buy, every one without + inspect and assist in bargaining; and all dinner-time, eyes, thoughts, and + words were wandering to the gay pile in the corner, or reckoning up needs + and means. The pedlar, too, knew what a Calvinist household was, and had + been extremely discreet, producing nothing that could reasonably be + objected to; and the Duchess, seeing that the stream was too strong for + her, wisely tried to steer her bark through it safely instead of directly + opposing it. + </p> + <p> + As soon as grace was over, she called her maitre d’hotel, and bade him + look after that <i>galimafre</i>, and see that none of these fools were + unreasonably cheated, and that there was no attempt at gulling the young + ones with charms or fortune-telling, as well as to conclude the matter so + as to give no excuse for the Italian fellow lingering to sup and sleep. + She then retired to her cabinet to prepare her dispatches, which were to + include a letter to Lord Walwyn. Though a nominal friendship subsisted + between Elisabeth and the French court, the Huguenot chiefs always + maintained a correspondence with England, and there was little danger but + that the Duke de Quinet would be able to get a letter, sooner or later, + conveyed to any man of mark. In the course of her letter, Madame de Quinet + found it necessary to refer to Eustacie. She rang her little silver + handbell for the hall. There, of course, Master Page had been engulfed in + the <i>galimafre</i>, and not only forming one of the swarm around the + pedlar, but was actually aping courtly grimaces as he tried a delicate + lace ruffle on the hand of a silly little smirking maiden, no older than + himself! But this little episode was, like many others, overlooked by + Madame de Quinet, as her eye fell upon the little figure of Rayonette + standing on the table, with her mother and two or three ladies besides + coaxing her to open her mouth, and show the swollen gums that had of late + been troubling her, while the pedlar was evidently expending his + blandishments upon her. + </p> + <p> + The maitre d’hotel was the first to perceive his mistress, and, as he + approached, received a sharp rebuke from her for allowing the fellow to + produce his quack medicines; and, at the same time, she desired him to + request Madame Esperance to come to her immediately on business. Eustacie, + who always had a certain self-willed sense of opposition when the Duchess + showed herself peremptory towards her, at first began to make answer that + she would come as soon as her business was concluded; but the steward made + a gesture towards the great lady sailing up and down as she paced the <i>dais</i> + in stately impatience. ‘Good fellow,’ she said, ‘I will return quickly, + and see you again, though I am now interrupted. Stay there, little one, + with good Mademoiselle Perrot; mother will soon be back.’ + </p> + <p> + Rayonette, in her tooth-fretfulnes, was far from enduring to be forsaken + so near a strange man, and her cry made it necessary for Eustacie to take + her in arms, and carry her to the <i>dais</i> where the Duchess was + waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘So!’ said the lady, ‘I suspected that the fellow was a quack as well as a + cheat.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame,’ said Eustacie, with spirit, ‘he sold me unguents that greatly + relieved my father last spring.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And because rubbing relieved an old man’s rheumatics, you would let a + vagabond cheat drug and sicken this poor child for what is not ailment at + all—and the teeth will relieve in a few days. Or, if she were + feverish, have not we decoctions brewed from Heaven’s own pure herbs in + the garden, with no unknown ingredient?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame,’ said Eustacie, ruffling into fierceness, ‘you are very good to + me; but I must keep the management of my daughter to myself.’ + </p> + <p> + The Duchess looked at her from head to foot. Perhaps it was with an + impulse to treat her impertinence as she would have done that of a + dependant; but the old lady never forgot herself: she only shrugged her + shoulders and said, with studied politeness, ‘When I unfortunately + interrupted your consultation with this eminent physician, it was to ask + you a question regarding this English family. Will you do me the honour to + enter my cabinet?’ + </p> + <p> + And whereas no one was looking, the old lady showed her displeasure by + ushering Madame de Ribaumont into her cabinet like a true noble stranger + guest; so that Eustacie felt disconcerted. + </p> + <p> + The Duchess then began to read aloud her own letter to Lord Walwyn, + pausing at every clause, so that Eustacie felt the delay and discussion + growing interminable, and the Duchess then requested to have Madame de + Ribaumont’s own letter at once, as she wished to inclose it, make up her + packet, and send it without delay. Opening a secret door in her cabinet, + she showed Eustacie stair by which she might reach Maitre Gardon’s room + without crossing the hall. Eustacie hoped to find him there and tell him + how intolerable was the Duchess; but, though she found him, it was in + company with the tutor, who was spending an afternoon on Plato with him. + She could only take up her letter and retreat to Madame’s cabinet, where + she had left her child. She finished it as best she might, addressed it + after the herald’s spelling of the title, bound it with some of the + Duchess’s black floss silk—wondering meanwhile, but little guessing + that the pedlar knew, where was the tress that had bound her last attempt + at correspondence, guessing least of all that that tress lay on a heart + still living and throbbing for her. All this had made her a little forget + her haste to assert her liberty of action by returning to the pedlar; but, + behold, when she came back to the hall, it had resumed its pristine + soberness, and merely a few lingering figures were to be seen, packing up + their purchases. + </p> + <p> + While she was still looking round in dismay, Mademoiselle Perrot came up + to her and said, ‘Ah! Madame, you may well wonder! I never saw Maitre + Benoit there so cross; the poor man did but offer to sell little Fanchon + the elizir that secures a good husband, and old Benoit descended on him + like a griffin enraged, would scarce give him time to compute his charges + or pack his wares, but hustled him forth like a mere thief! And I missed + my bargain for that muffler that had so taken my fancy. But, Madame, he + spoke to me apart, and said you were an old customer of his, and that + rather than the little angel should suffer with her teeth, which surely + threaten convulsions, he would leave with you this sovereign remedy of + sweet syrup—a spoonful to be given each night.’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie took the little flask. She was much inclined to give the syrup by + way of precaution, as well as to assure herself that she was not under the + Duchess’s dominion; but some strong instinct of the truth of the lady’s + words that the child was safer and healthier undoctored, made her resolve + at least to defer it until the little one showed any perilous symptom. And + as happily Rayonette only showed two little white teeth, and much greater + good-humour, the syrup was nearly forgotten, when, a fortnight after, the + Duchess received a dispatch from her son which filled her with the utmost + indignation. The courier had indeed arrived, but the packet had proved to + be filled with hay and waste-paper. And upon close examination, under the + lash, the courier had been forced to confess to having allowed himself to + be overtaken by the pedlar, and treated by him to a supper at a <i>cabaret</i>. + No doubt, while he was afterwards asleep, the contents of his packet had + been abstracted. There had been important documents for the Duke besides + Eustacie’s letters, and the affair greatly annoyed the Duchess, though she + had the compensation of having been proved perfectly right in her + prejudice against pedlars, and her dislike of her son’s courier. She sent + for Eustacie to tell her privately of the loss, and of course the young + mother at once turned pale and exclaimed, ‘The wicked one! Ah! what a + blessing that I gave my little darling none of his dose!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Hein</i>? You had some from him then!’ demanded the Duchess with + displeasure. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, Madame, thanks, thanks to you. Oh! I never will be self-willed and + naughty again. Forgive me, Madame.’ And down she dropped on her knee, with + clasped hands and glistening eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Forgive you, silly child, for what?’ said Madame de Quinet, nearly + laughing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! for the angry, passionate thoughts I had! Ah! Madame, I was all but + giving the stuff to my little angel in very spite—and then—-’ + Eutacie’s voice was drowned in passion of tears, and she devoured the old + lady’s hand with her kisses. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, come,’ said the Duchess, ‘let us be reasonable. A man may be a + thief, but it does not follow that he is a poisoner.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, that will we see,’ cried Eutacie. ‘He was resolved that the little + lamb should not escape, and he left a flask for her with Mademoiselle + Perrot. I will fetch it, if Madame will give me leave. Oh, the great mercy + of Heaven that made her so well that I gave her none!’ + </p> + <p> + Madame de Quinet’s analytic powers did not go very far; and would probably + have decided against the syrup if it had been nothing but virgin honey. + She was one who fully believed that her dear Queen Jeanne had been + poisoned with a pair of gloves, and she had unlimited faith in the powers + of evil possessed by Rene of Milan. Of course, she detected the presence + of a slow poison, whose effects would have been attributed to the ailment + it was meant to cure; and though her evidence was insufficient, she + probably did Ercole no injustice. She declined testing the compound on any + unfortunate dog or cat, but sealed it up in the presence of Gardon, + Eutacie, and Mademoiselle Perrot, to be produced against the pedlar if + ever he should be caught. + </p> + <p> + Then she asked Eutacie if there was any reason to suspect that he + recognized her. Eutacie related the former dealings with him, when she had + sold him her jewels and her hair, but she had no notion of his being the + same person whom she had seen when at Montpipeau. Indeed, he had altered + his appearance so much that he had been only discovered at Nid-de-Merle by + eyes sharpened by distrust of his pretensions to magic arts. + </p> + <p> + Madame de Quinet, however, concluded that Eutacie had been known, or else + that her jewels had betrayed her, and that the man must have been employed + by her enemies. If it had not been the depth of winter, she would have + provided for the persecuted lady’s immediate transmission to England; but + he storms of the Bay of Biscay would have made this impossible in the + state of French navigation, even if Isaac Gardon had been in a condition + to move; for the first return of cold had brought back severe rheumatic + pains, and with them came a shortness of breath which even the Duchess did + not know to be the token of heart complaint. He was confined to his room, + and it was kneeling by his bedside that Eutacie poured out her + thankfulness for her child’s preservation, and her own repentance for the + passing fit of self-will and petulance. The thought of Rayonette’s safety + seemed absolutely to extinguish the fresh anxiety that had arisen since it + had become evident that her enemies no longer supposed her dead, but were + probably upon her traces. Somehow, danger had become almost a natural + element to her, and having once expressed her firm resolution that nothing + should separate her from her adopted father, to whom indeed her care + became constantly more necessary, she seemed to occupy herself very little + with the matter; she nursed him as merrily as ever, and left to him and + Madame de Quinet the grave consultations as to what was to be done for her + security. There was a sort of natural buoyancy about her that never + realized a danger till it came, and then her spirit was roused to meet it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVI. SPELL AND POTION + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + Churl, upon thy eyes I throw + All the power this charm doth owe + MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM +</pre> + <p> + Her rival lived! The tidings could not but be communicated to Diane de + Selinville, when her father set out <i>en grande tenue</i> to demand his + niece from the Duke de Quinet. This, however, was not till spring was + advancing; for the pedlar had not been able to take a direct route back to + Nid-de-Merle, since his first measure had necessarily been to escape into + a province where the abstraction of a Huguenot nobleman’s despatches would + be considered as a meritorious action. Winter weather, and the practice of + his profession likewise, delayed Ercole so much that it was nearly Easter + before he brought his certain intelligence to the Chevalier, and to the + lady an elixir of love, clear and coloured as crystal, and infallible as + an inspirer of affection. + </p> + <p> + Should she administer it, now that she knew her cousin not to be the + lawful object of affection she had so long esteemed him, but, as he + persisted in considering himself, a married man? Diane had more scruples + than she would have had a year before, for she had not so long watched and + loved one so true and conscientious as Berenger de Ribaumont without + having her perceptions elevated; but at the same time the passion of love + had become intensified, both by long continuance and by resistance. She + had attached herself, believing him free, and her affections could not be + disentangled by learning that he was bound—rather the contrary. + </p> + <p> + Besides, there was plenty of sophistry. Her father had always assured her + of the invalidity of the marriage, without thinking it necessary to dwell + on his own arrangements for making it invalid, so that was no reasonable + ground of objection; and a lady of Diane’s period, living in the world + where she had lived, would have had no notion of objecting to her lover + for a previous amour, and as such was she bidden to rank Berenger’s + relations with Eutacie. And there was the less scruple on Eutacie’s + account, because the Chevalier, knowing that the Duchess had a son and two + grandsons, had conceived a great terror that she meant to give his niece + to one of them; and this would be infinitely worse, both for the interests + of the family and of their party, than even her reunion with the young + Baron. Even Narcisse, who on his return had written to Paris a grudging + consent to the experiment of his father and sister, had allowed that the + preservation of Berenger’s life was needful till Eutacie should be in + their power so as to prevent such a marriage as that! To Diane, the very + suggestion became certainty: she already saw Eutacie’s shallow little + heart consoled and her vanity excited by these magnificent prospects, and + she looked forward to the triumph of her own constancy, when Berenger + should find the image so long enshrined in his heart crumble in its sacred + niche. + </p> + <p> + Yet a little while then would she be patient, even though nearly a year + had passed and still she saw no effect upon her prisoners, unless, indeed, + Philip had drunk of one of her potions by mistake and his clumsy + admiration was the consequence. The two youths went on exactly in the same + manner, without a complaint, without a request, occupying themselves as + best they might—Berenger courteously attentive recovered his health, + and the athletic powers displayed by the two brothers when wrestling, + fencing, or snow-balling in the courtyard, were the amazement and envy of + their guard. Twice in the course of the winter there had been an alarm of + wolves, and in their eagerness and excitement about this new sport, they + had accepted the Chevalier’s offer of taking their parole for the hunt. + They had then gone forth with a huge posse of villagers, who beat the + woods with their dogs till the beast was aroused from its lair and driven + into the alleys, where waited gentlemen, gendarmes, and game keepers with + their guns. These two chases were chiefly memorable to Berenger, because + in the universal intermingling of shouting peasants he was able in the + first to have some conversation with Eutacie’s faithful protector Martin, + who told him the incidents of her wanderings, with tears in his eyes, and + blessed him for his faith that she was not dead; and in the second, he + actually found himself in the ravine of the Grange du Temple. No need to + ask, every voice was shouting the name, and though the gendarmes were + round him and he durst not speak to Rotrou, still he could reply with + significative earnestness to the low bow with which the farmer bent to + evident certainty that here was the imprisoned Protestant husband of the + poor lady. Berenger wore his black vizard mask as had been required of + him, but the man’s eyes followed him, as though learning by heart the + outline of his tall figure. The object of the Chevalier’s journey was, of + course, a secret from the prisoners, who merely felt its effects by having + their meals served to them in their own tower; and when he returned after + about a month’s absence though him looking harassed, aged, and so much out + of humour that he could scarcely preserve his usual politeness. In effect + he was greatly chagrined. + </p> + <p> + ‘That she is in their hands is certain, the hypocrites!’ he said to his + daughter and sister; ‘and no less so that they have designs on her; but I + let them know that these could be easily traversed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But where is she, the unhappy apostate child?’ said the Abbess. ‘They + durst not refuse her to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you they denied all present knowledge of her. The Duke himself had + the face to make as though he never heard of her. He had no concern with + his mother’s household and guests forsooth! I do not believe he has; the + poor fellow stands in awe of that terrible old heretic dragon, and keeps + aloof from her as much as he can. But he is, after all, a <i>beau jeune + home</i>; nor should I be surprised if he were the girl’s gay bridegroom + by this time, though I gave him a hint that there was an entanglement + about the child’s first marriage which, by French law, would invalidate + any other without a dispensation from the Pope.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A hard nut that for a heretic,’ laughed the Abbess. + </p> + <p> + ‘He acted the ignorant—knew nothing about the young lady; but had + the civility to give me a guide and an escort to go to Quinet. <i>Ma foi</i>! + I believe they were given to hinder me—take me by indirect roads, + make me lose time at chateaux. When I arrived at the grim old chateau—a + true dungeon, precise as a convent—there was the dame, playing the + Queen Jeanne as well as she could, and having the insolence to tell me + that it was true that Madame la Baronne de Ribaumont, as she was pleased + to call her, had honoured her residence for some months, but that she had + now quitted it, and she flatly refused to answer any question whither she + was gone! The hag! she might at least have had the decorum to deny all + knowledge of her, but nothing is more impertinent that the hypocritical + sincerity of the heretics.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But her people,’ exclaimed the Abbess; ‘surely some of them knew, and + could be brought to speak.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All the servants I came in contact with played the incorruptible; but + still I have done something. There were some fellows in the village who + are not at their ease under that rule. I caused my people to inquire them + out. They knew nothing more than that the old heretic Gardon with his + family had gone away in Madame la Duchesse’s litter, but whither they + could not tell. But the <i>cabaretier</i> there is furious secretly with + the Quinets for having spoilt his trade by destroying the shrine at the + holy well, and I have made him understand that it will be for his profit + to send me off intelligence so soon as there is any communication between + them and the lady. I made the same arrangement with a couple of gendarmes + of the escort the Duke gave me. So at least we are safe for intelligence + such as would hinder a marriage.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But they will be off to England!’ said the Abbess. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wager they will again write to make sure of a reception. Moreover, I + have set that fellow Ercole and others of his trade to keep a strict watch + on all the roads leading to the ports, and give me due notice of their + passing thither. We have law on our side, and, did I once claim her, no + one could resist my right. Or should the war break out, as is probable, + then could my son sweep their whole province with his troops. This time + she cannot escape us. + </p> + <p> + The scene that her father’s words and her own imagination conjured up, of + Eustacie attracting the handsome widower-duke, removed all remaining + scruples from Madame de Selinville. For his own sake, the Baron must be + made to fulfil the prophecy of the ink-pool, and allow his prison doors to + be opened by love. Many and many a tender art did Diane rehearse; numerous + were her sighs; wakeful, languishing, and restless her nights and days; + and yet, whatever her determination to practise upon her cousin the + witcheries that she had learnt in the <i>Escadron de la Reine-mere</i>, + and seen played off effectually where there was not one grain of love to + inspire them, her powers and her courage always failed her in the presence + of him whom she sought to attract. His quiet reserve and simplicity always + disconcerted her, and any attempt at blandishment that he could not + mistake was always treated by him as necessarily an accidental error, as + if any other supposition would render her despicable; and yet there was + now and then a something that made her detect an effort in his restraint, + as if it were less distaste than self-command. Her brother had + contemptuously acquiesced in the experiment made by herself and her + father, and allowed that so long as there was any danger of the Quinet + marriage, the Baron’s existence was needful. He would not come to + Nid-de-Merle, nor did they want him there, knowing that he could hardly + have kept his hands off his rival. But when the war broke out again in the + summer of 1575 he joined that detachment of Guise’s army which hovered + about the Loire, and kept watch on the Huguenot cities and provinces of + Western France. The Chevalier made several expeditions to confer with his + son, and to keep up his relations with the network of spies whom he had + spread over the Quinet provinces. The prisoners were so much separated + from all intercourse with the dependants that they were entirely ignorant + of the object of his absence from home. On these occasions they never left + their tower and its court, and had no enlivenment save an occasional gift + of dainties or message of inquiry from the ladies at Bellaise. These were + brought by a handsome but slight, pale lad called Aime de Selinville, a + relative of the late Count, as he told them, who had come to act as a + gentleman attendant upon the widowed countess. The brothers rather + wondered how he was disposed of at the convent, but all there was so + contrary to their preconceived notions that they acquiesced. The first + time he arrived it was on a long, hot summer day, and he then brought them + a cool iced sherbet in two separate flasks, that for Philip being mixed + with wine, which was omitted for Berenger; and the youth stood lingering + and watching, anxious, he said, to be able to tell his lady how the drinks + were approved. Both were excellent, and to that effect the prisoners + replied; but no sooner was the messenger gone than Berenger said + smilingly, ‘That was a love potion, Phil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you drank it!’ cried Philip, in horror. + </p> + <p> + ‘I did not think of it till I saw how the boy’s eyes were gazing curiously + at me as I swallowed it. You look at me as curiously, Phil. Are you + expecting it to work? Shall I be at the fair lady’s feet next time we + meet?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How can you defy it, Berry?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, Phil; holy wedded love is not to be dispelled by a mountebank’s + decoction.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But suppose it were poisonous, Berry, what can be done?’ cried Philip, + starting up in dismay. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then you would go home, Phil, and this would be over. But’—seeing + his brother’s terror—‘there is no fear of that. She is not like to + wish to poison me.’ + </p> + <p> + And the potion proved equally ineffective on mind and body, as indeed did + all the manipulations exercised upon a little waxen image that was + supposed to represent M. le Baron. Another figure was offered to Diane, in + feminine form, with black beads for eyes and a black plaster for hair, + which, when stuck full of pins and roasted before the fire, was to cause + Eustacie to peak and pine correspondingly. But from this measure Diane + shrank. If aught was done against her rival it must be by her father and + brother, not by herself; and she would not feel herself directly injuring + her little cousin, nor sinking herself below him whom she loved. Once his + wife, she would be good for ever, held up by his strength. + </p> + <p> + Meantime Berenger had received a greater shock than she or her father + understood in the looking over of some of the family parchments kept in + store at the castle. The Chevalier, in showing them to him, had chiefly + desired to glorify the family by demonstrating how its honours had been + won, but Berenger was startled at finding that Nid-de-Merle had been, as + it appeared to him, arbitrarily and unjustly declared to be forfeited by + the Sieur de Bellaise, who had been thrown into prison by Louis XI. for + some demonstration in favour of the poor Duke de Berri, and granted to the + favourite Ribaumont. The original grant was there, and to his surprise he + found it was to male heirs—the male heirs alone of the direct line + of the Ribaumont—to whom the grant was made. How, then, came it to + Eustacie? The disposal had, with almost equal injustice, been changed by + King Henry II. and the late Count de Ribaumont in favour of the little + daughter whose union with the heir of the elder line was to conclude all + family feuds. Only now did Berenger understand what his father had said on + his death-bed of flagrant injustice committed in his days of darkness. He + felt that he was reaping the reward of the injuries committed against the + Chevalier and his son on behalf of the two unconscious children. He would + willingly at once have given up all claim to the Nid-de-Merle estate—and + he was now of age; two birthdays had passed in his captivity and brought + him to years of discretion—but he had no more power than before to + dispose of what was the property of Eustacie and her child; and the whole + question of the validity of his marriage would be given up by his yielding + even the posthumous claim that might have devolved on him in case of + Eustacie’s death. This would be giving up her honour, a thing impossible. + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas!’ he sighed, ‘my poor father might well say he had bound a heavy + burthen round my neck.’ + </p> + <p> + And from that time his hopes sank lower as the sense of the justice of his + cause left him. He could neither deny his religion nor his marriage, and + therefore could do nothing for his own deliverance; and he knew himself to + be suffering in the cause of a great injustice; indeed, to be bringing + suffering on the still more innocent Philip. + </p> + <p> + The once proudly indifferent youth was flagging now; was losing appetite, + flesh, and colour; was unwilling to talk or to take exercise; and had a + wan and drooping air that was most painful to watch. It seemed as if the + return of summer brought a sense of the length and weariness of the + captivity, and that the sunshine and gaiety of the landscape had become + such a contrast to the captives’ deadness of spirit that they could hardly + bear to behold them, and felt the dull prison walls more congenial to + their feelings than the gaiety of the summer hay and harvest-fields. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVII. BEATING AGAINST THE BARS + </h2> + <p> + My horse is weary of the stall, And I am sick of captive thrall.—LADY + OF THE LAKE + </p> + <p> + Letters! They were hailed like drops of water in a thirsty land. No doubt + they had been long on the way, ere they had reached the hands of the + Chevalier de Ribaumont, and it was quite possible that they had been read + and selected; but, as Berenger said, he defied any Frenchman to imitate + either Lord Walwyn’s style or Sir Marmaduke’s, and when late in the autumn + the packet was delivered to him, the two captives gloated over the very + outsides before they opened them. + </p> + <p> + The first intelligence that greeted them made them give a cry of amusement + and surprise. Lady Thistlewood, whose regrets that each of her girls was + not a boy had passed into a proverb, had at length, in Dolly’s seventh + year, given birth to a son on Midsummer Day. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said Philip, sighing, ‘we must drink his health tonight! It is + well, if we are to rot here, that some one should make it up to them!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And join Walwyn and Hurst!’ said Berenger; and then both faces grew much + graver, as by these letters, dated three months since, they understood how + many they must have missed, and likewise that nothing had been heard of + themselves since they had left Paris sixteen months ago. Their letters, + both to their relations and to Sir Francis Walsingham, had evidently been + suppressed; and Lord North, who had succeeded Walsingham as ambassador, + had probably been misled by design, either by Narcisse de Nid-de-Merle + himself, or by some of his agents, for Lord Walwyn had heard from him that + the young men were loitering among the castles and garrisons of Anjou, + leading a gay and dissipated life, and that it was universally believed + that the Baron de Ribaumont had embraced the Catholic faith, and would + shortly be presented to Henry III. to receive the grant of the Selinville + honours, upon his marriage with his cousin, the widow of the last of the + line. With much earnestness and sorrow did good old Lord Walwyn write to + his grandson, conjuring him to bethink himself of his some, his pure + faith, his loving friends, and the hopes of his youth: and, at least, if + he himself had been led away by the allurements of the other party, to + remember that Philip had been intrusted to him in full confidence, and to + return him to his home. ‘It was grief and shame to him,’ said the good old + man, ‘to look at Sir Marmaduke, who had risked his son in the charge of + one hitherto deemed trustworthy; and even if Berenger had indeed forgotten + and cast away those whom he had once seemed to regard with love and duty, + he commanded him to send home Philip, who owed an obedience to his father + that could not be gainsaid.’ Lord Walwyn further bade his grandson + remember that the arrangements respecting his inheritance had been made in + confidence that his heir was English in heart and faith, and that neither + the Queen nor his own conscience would allow him to let his inheritance + pass into French of Papist hands. There was scarcely a direct reproach, + but the shaken, altered handwriting showed how stricken the aged man must + be; and after his signature was added one still more trembling line, ‘An + ye return not speedily, ye will never see the old grandsire more.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger scarcely finished the letter through his burning tears of agony, + and then, casting it from him, began to pace the room in fierce agitation, + bursting out into incoherent exclamations, grasping at his hair, even + launching himself against the massive window with such frenzied gestures + and wild words that Philip, who had read through all with his usual silent + obtuseness, became dismayed, and, laying hold of him, said, ‘Prithee, + brother, do not thus! What serves such passion?’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger burst into a strange loud laugh at the matter-of-fact tone. ‘What + serves it! what serves anything!’ he cried, ‘but to make me feel what a + miserable wretch I am? But he will die, Philip—he will die—not + having believed me! How shall we keep ourselves from the smooth-tongued + villain’s throat? That I should be thus judged a traitor by my grandfather——’ + </p> + <p> + And with a cry as of bodily anguish, he hid his face on the table, and + groaned as he felt the utter helplessness of his strong youth in bonds. + </p> + <p> + ‘It can’t be helped,’ was the next of the unconsolatory platitudes uttered + by Philip, who always grew sullen and dogged when his brother’s French + temperament broke forth under any sudden stroke. ‘If they will believe + such things, let them! You have not heard what my father says to it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It will be all the same,’ groaned Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay! now that’s a foul slander, and you should be ashamed of doing my + father such wrong,’ said Philip, ‘Listen;’ and he read: ‘I will believe no + ill of the lad no more than of thee, Phil. It is but a wild-goose chase, + and the poor young woman is scarce like to be above ground; but, as I + daily tell them, ‘tis hard a man should forfeit his land for seeking his + wife. My Lord North sends rumours that he is under Papist guiding, and + sworn brother with the Black Ribaumonts; and my Lady, his grandmother, is + like to break her heart, and my Lord credits them more than he ought, and + never a line as a token comes from you. Then there’s Dame Annora, as proud + of the babe as though neither she nor woman born ever had a son before, + and plains over him, that both his brothers should be endowed, and he but + a younger son. What will be the end on’t I cannot tell. I will stand up + for the right as best man may do, and never forget that Berry is her + first-born, and that his child may be living; but the matter is none of + mine, and my Lord is very aged, nor can a man meddle between his wife and + her father. So this I tell you that you may make your brother lay it to + heart. The sooner he is here the better, if he be still, as I verily + believe and maintain him to be, an honest English heart that snaps his + fingers at French papistry.’ ‘There,’ conclude Philip triumphantly, ‘he + knows an honest man! He’s friend and good father to you as much as ever. + Heed none of the rest. He’ll never let this little rogue stand in your + light.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘as if I cared for that!’ said Berenger, beginning his caged-tiger walk + again, and, though he tried to repress his anguish, breaking out at times + into fierce revilings of the cruel toils that beset him, and despairing + lamentations over those beloved ones at home, with sobs, groans, and + tears, such as Philip could not brook to witness. Both because they were + so violent and mourn-full, and because he thought them womanish, though in + effect no woman’s grief could have had half that despairing force. The <i>fierte</i> + of the French noble, however, came to his aid. At the first sound of the + great supper-bell he dashed away his tears, composed his features, washed + his face, and demanded haughtily of Philip, whether there were any traces + in his looks that the cruel hypocrite, their jailer, could gloat over. + </p> + <p> + And with proud step and indifferent air he marched into the hall, answered + the Chevalier’s polite inquiry whether the letter had brought good tidings + by coolly thanking him and saying that all at home were well; and when he + met the old man’s inquiring glance out of the little keen black bead in + the puckered, withered eyelid, he put a perfectly stony unmeaningness into + his own gaze, till his eyes looked like the blue porcelain from China so + much prized by the Abbess. He even played at chess all the evening with + such concentrated attention as to be uniformly victorious. + </p> + <p> + Yet half the night Philip heard suppressed moans and sobs—then knew + that he was on his knees—then, after long and comparatively silent + weeping, he lay down again, and from the hour when he awoke in the + morning, he returned no more to the letters; and though for some little + time more sad and dispirited, he seemed to have come to regard the + misjudgment at home as a part of the burthen he was already bearing. + </p> + <p> + That burthen was, however, pressing more heavily. The temperaments of the + two brothers so differed that while the French one was prostrated by the + agony of a stroke, and then rallied patiently to endure the effects, the + English character opposed a passive resistance to the blow, gave no sign + of grief or pain, and from that very determination suffered a sort of + exhaustion that made the effects of the evil more and more left. Thus, + from the time Philip’s somewhat tardy imagination had been made to realize + his home, his father, and his sisters, the home-sickness, and weariness of + his captivity, which had already begun to undermine his health and + spirits, took increasing effect. + </p> + <p> + He made no complaint—he never expressed a wish—but, in the + words of the prophet, he seemed ‘pining away on his feet.’ He did not + sleep, and though, to avoid remark, he never failed to appear at meals, he + scarcely tasted food. He never willingly stirred from cowering over the + fire, and was so surly and ill-tempered that only Berenger’s unfailing + good-humour could have endured it. Even a wolf-hunt did not stir him. He + only said he hated outlandish beasts, and that it was not like chasing the + hare in Dorset. His calf-love for Madame de Selinville had entirely faded + away in his yearnings after home. She was only one of the tediously + recurring sights of his captivity, and was loathed like all the rest. The + regulation rides with the Chevalier were more detestable than ever, and by + and by they caused such fatigue that Berenger perceived that his strength + must be warning, and became so seriously alarmed that one evening, when + Philip had barely dragged himself to the hall, tasted nothing but a few + drops of wine, and then dropped into an uneasy slumber in his chair, he + could not but turn to the Chevalier an appealing, indignant countenance, + as he said, in a low but quivering voice, ‘You see, sir, how he is + altered!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! fair nephew, it is but too plain. He is just of the age when such + restraint tells severely upon the health.’ + </p> + <p> + Then Berenger spoke out upon the foul iniquity of the boy’s detention. For + himself, he observed, he had nothing to say; he knew the term of his + release, and had not accepted them; but Philip, innocent of all damage to + the Ribaumont interests, the heir of an honourable family, what had he + done to incur the cruel imprisonment that was eating away his life? + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you, sir,’ said Berenger, with eyes filled with tears,’ that his + liberty is more precious to me than my own. Were he but restored to our + home, full half the weight would be gone from my spirit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fair nephew,’ said the Chevalier, ‘you speak as though I had any power in + the matter, and were not merely standing between you and the King.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then if so,’ said Berenger, ‘let the King do as he will with me, but let + Philip’s case be known to our Ambassador.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My poor cousin,’ said the Chevalier, ‘you know not what you ask. Did I + grant your desire, you would only learn how implacable King Henri is to + those who have personally offended him—above all, to heretics. Nor + could the Ambassador do anything for one who resisted by force of arms the + King’s justice. Leave it to me; put yourself in my hands, and deliverance + shall come for him first, then for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One token of concession—one attendance at mass—one pledge + that the alliance shall take place when the formalities have been complied + with—then can I report you our own; give you almost freedom at once; + despatch our young friend to England without loss of time; so will + brotherly affection conquer those chivalrous scruples, most honourable in + you, but which, carried too far, become cruel obstinacy.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger looked at Philip; saw how faded and wan was the ruddy sun-burnt + complexion, how lank and bony the sturdy form, how listless and wasted the + hands. Then arose, bursting within him, the devoted generosity of the + French nature, which would even accept sin and ruin for self, that so the + friend may be saved; and after all, had he not gone to mass out of mere + curiosity?—did he not believe that there was salvation in the + Gallican Church? Was it not possible that, with Philip free to tell his + story at home, his own deliverance might come before he should be + irrevocably committed to Madame de Selinville? If Eustacie were living, + her claims must overthrow that which her rival was forcing upon him at her + own peril. Nay, how else could he obtain tidings of her? And for those at + home, did they deserve that he should sacrifice all, Philip included, for + their sake? The thoughts, long floating round his brain, now surged upon + him in one flood, and seemed to overwhelm in those moments of confusion + all his powers of calling up the other side of the argument; he only had + an instinct remaining that it would be a lie to God and man alike. ‘God + help me!’ he sighed to himself; and there was sufficient consideration and + perplexity expressed in his countenance to cause the Chevalier to feel his + cause almost gained; and rising eagerly, with tears in his eyes, he + exclaimed, ‘Embrace me, my dear, dear son! The thing is done! Oh! what + peace, what joy!’ + </p> + <p> + The instinct of recoil came stronger now. He stepped back with folded + arms, saying again, ‘God help me! God forbid that I should be a traitor!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My son, hear me; these are but easily removed points of honour,’ began + the Chevalier; but at that moment Philip suddenly started from, or in his + slumber, leapt on his feet, and called out, ‘Avaunt, Satan!’ then opened + his eyes, and looked, as if barely recalling where he was. + </p> + <p> + ‘Philip!’ exclaimed Berenger, ‘did you hear?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I—I don’t know,’ he said, half-bewildered. ‘Was I dreaming that the + fiend was parleying with us in the voice of M. le Chevalier there to sell + our souls for one hour of home?’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke English, but Berenger replied in French. + </p> + <p> + ‘You were not wrong, Philip. Sir, he dreamt that the devil was tempting me + in your voice while you were promising me his liberty on my fulfilling + your first condition.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What?’ said Philip, now fully awake, and gathering the state of things, + as he remembered the words that had doubtless been the cause of his dream. + ‘And if you did, Berenger, I give you warning they should never see me at + home. What! could I show my face there with such tidings? No! I should go + straight to La Noue, or to the Low Countries, and kill every Papist I + could for having debauched you!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush! hush! Philip,’ said Berenger; ‘I could not break my faith to Heaven + or my wife even for your sake, and my cousin sees how little beholden you + would be to me for so doing. With your leave, Monsieur, we will retire.’ + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier detained Berenger for a moment to whisper, ‘What I see is so + noble a heart that I know you cannot sacrifice him to your punctilio.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip was so angry with Berenger, so excited, and so determined to show + that nothing ailed him, that for a short time he was roused, and seemed to + be recovering; but in a few days he flagged again, only, if possible with + more gruffness, moodiness, and pertinacity in not allowing that anything + was amiss. It was the bitterest drop of all in Berenger’s cup, when in the + end of January he looked back at what Philip had been only a month before, + and saw how he had wasted away and lost strength; the impulse rather to + ruin himself that destroy his brother came with such force that he could + scarcely escape it by his ever-recurring cry for help to withstand it. And + then Diane, in her splendid beauty and withchery, would rise before him, + so that he knew how a relaxation of the lengthened weary effort would make + his whole self break its bonds and go out to her. Dreams of felicity and + liberty, and not with Eustacie, would even come over him, and he would + awaken to disappointment before he came to a sense of relief and + thankfulness that he was still his own. The dislike, distaste, and dread + that came so easily in his time of pain and weakness were less easy to + maintain in his full health and forced inactivity. Occupation of mind and + hope seemed the only chance of enabling either of the two to weather this + most dreary desert period; and Berenger, setting his thoughts resolutely + to consider what would be the best means of rousing Philip, decided at + length that any endeavour to escape, however arduous and desperate, would + be better than his present apathetic languor, even if it led to nothing. + After the first examination of their prison, Berenger had had no thought + of escape; he was then still weak and unenterprising. He had for many + months lived in hopes of interference from home; and, besides, the + likelihood that so English a party as his own would be quickly pursued and + recaptured, where they did not know their road and had no passports, had + deterred him lest should fall into still straiter imprisonment. But he had + since gained, in the course of his rides, and by observation from the top + of the tower, a much fuller knowledge of the country. He knew the way to + the grange du Temple, and to the chief towns in the neighbourhood. Philip + and Humfrey had both lost something of their intensely national look and + speech, and, moreover, was having broken out again, there was hope of + falling in with Huguenot partisans even nearer that at La Rochelle. But + whether successful or not, some enterprise was absolutely needed to save + Philip from his despondent apathy; and Berenger, who in these eighteen + months had grown into the strength and vigour of manhood, felt as if he + had force and power for almost any effort save this hopeless waiting. + </p> + <p> + He held council with Humfrey, who suggested that it might be well to + examine the vaults below the keep. He had a few days before, while going + after some of the firewood stored below the ground-floor chamber, observed + a door, locked, but with such rusty iron hinges that they might possibly + yield to vigorous efforts with a stone; and who could tell where the + underground passages might come out? + </p> + <p> + Berenger eagerly seized the idea. Philip’s mood of contradiction prompted + him to pronounce it useless folly, and he vouchsafed no interest in the + arrangements for securing light, by selecting all the bits of firewood + fittest for torches, and saving all the oil possible from the two lamps + they were allowed. The chief difficulty was that Guibert was not trusted, + so that all had to be done out of his sight; and on the first day Berenger + was obliged to make the exploration alone, since Humfrey was forced to + engross Guibert in some occupation out of sight, and Philip had refused to + have anything to do with it, or be like a rat routing in the corners of + his trap. + </p> + <p> + However, Berenger had only just ascertained that the ironwork was so + entirely rusted away as to offer no impediment, when Philip came languidly + roaming into the cellar, saying, ‘Here! I’ll hold the torch! You’ll be + losing yourself in this wolf’s mouth of a place if you go alone.’ + </p> + <p> + The investigation justified Philip’s predictions of its uselessness. + Nothing was detected but rats, and vaults, and cobwebs; it was cold, + earthy, and damp; and when they thought they must have penetrated far + beyond the precincts of the keep, they heard Humfrey’s voice close to + them, warning them that it was nearly dinner-time. + </p> + <p> + The next day brought them a more promising discovery, namely of a long + straight passage, with a gleam of light at the end of it; and this for the + first time excited Philip’s interest or curiosity. He would have hastened + along it at once, but for the warning summons from Humfrey; and in the + excitement of even this grain of interest, he ate more heartily at supper + than he had done for weeks, and was afterwards more eager to prove to + Berenger that night was the best time to pursue their researches. + </p> + <p> + And Berenger, when convinced that Guibert was sound asleep, thought so + too, and accompanied by Humfrey, they descended into the passage. The + light, of course, was no longer visible, but the form of the crypt, + through which they now passed, was less antique than that under the keep, + and it was plain they were beneath a later portion of the Castle. The + gallery concluded in a wall, with a small barred, unglazed window, + perfectly dark, so that Berenger, who alone could reach to the bottom of + it, could not uses where it looked out. + </p> + <p> + ‘We must return by daylight; then, maybe, we may judge,’ sighed Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hark!’ exclaimed Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Rats,’ said Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘No—listen—a voice! Take care!’ he added, in a lower tone, ‘we + may be close on some of the servants.’ + </p> + <p> + But, much nearer than he expected, a voice on his right hand demanded, + ‘Does any good Christian hear me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who is there?’ exclaimed Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! good sir, do I hear the voice of a companion in misery? Or, if you be + free, would you but send tidings to my poor father?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a Norman accent!’ cried Berenger. ‘Ah! ah! can it be poor Landry + Osbert?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am—I am that wretch. Oh, would that M. le Baron could know!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear, faithful foster-brother! They deceived me,’ cried Berenger, in + great agitation, as an absolute howl came from the other side of the wall: + ‘M. le Baron come to this! Woe worth the day!’ and Berenger with + difficulty mitigated his affectionate servant’s lamentations enough to + learn from him how he had been seized almost at the gates of Bellaise, + closely interrogated, deprived of the letter to Madame la Baronne, and + thrown into this dungeon. The Chevalier. Not an unmerciful man, according + to the time, had probably meant to release him as soon as the marriage + between his son and niece should have rendered it superfluous to detain + this witness to Berenger’s existence. There, then, the poor fellow had + lain for three years, and his work during this weary time had been the + scraping with a potsherd at the stone of his wall, and his pertinacious + perseverance had succeeded in forming a hole just large enough to enable + him to see the light of the torch carried by the gentlemen. On his side, + he said, there was nothing but a strong iron door, and a heavily-barred + window, looking, like that in the passage, into the fosse within the + walled garden; but, on the other hand, if he could enlarge his hole + sufficiently to creep through it, he could escape with them in case of + their finding a subterranean outlet. The opening within his cell was, of + course, much larger than the very small space he had made by loosening a + stone towards the passage, but he was obliged always to build up each side + of his burrow at the hours of his jailer’s visit, lest his work should be + detected, and to stamp the rubbish into his floor. But while they talked, + Humfrey and Philip, with their knives, scraped so diligently that two more + stones could be displaced; and, looking down the widening hole through the + prodigious mass of wall, they could see a ghastly, ragged, long-bearded + scarecrow, with an almost piteous expression of joy on his face, at once + again seeing familiar faces. And when, at his earnest entreaty, Berenger + stood so as to allow his countenance to be as visible as the torch could + make it through the ‘wall’s-hole,’ the vault echoed with the poor fellow’s + delighted cry. ‘I am happy! M. le Baron is himself again. The assassin’s + cruel work is gone! Ah! thanks to the saints! Blessed be St. Lucie, it was + not in vain that I entreated her!’ + </p> + <p> + The torches were, however, waxing so low that the sight could not long be + afforded poor Osbert; and, with a promise to return to him next day, the + party returned to the upper air, where they warmed themselves over the + fire, and held council over measures for the present relief of the + captive. Berenger grieved that he had given him up so entirely for lost as + to have made no exertions on his behalf, and declared his resolution of + entreating that he might be allowed to enjoy comparative comfort with them + in the keep. It was a risk, but the Chevalier might fairly suppose that + the knowledge of Osbert’s situation had oozed out through the servants, + and gratitude and humanity alike impelled Berenger to run some risk for + his foster-brother’s sake. He was greatly touched at the poor fellow’s + devotion, and somewhat amused, though with an almost tearful smile at the + joy with which he had proclaimed—what Berenger was quite unaware of, + since the keep furnished no mirrors—the disappearance of his scars. + ‘’Tis even so,’ said Philip, ‘though I never heeded it. You are as white + from crown to beard as one of the statues at Paris; but the great red gash + is a mere seam, save when yon old Satan angers you, and then it blushes + for all the rest of your face.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the cheek-wound is hidden, I suppose,’ said Berenger, feeling under + the long fair moustache and the beard, which was developing into + respectable proportions. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hidden? ay, entirely. No one would think your bald crown had only + twenty-one years over it; but you are a personable fellow still, quite + enough to please Daphne,’ said Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pshaw!’ replied Berenger, pleased nevertheless to hear the shadow of a + jest again from Philip. + </p> + <p> + It was quite true. These months of quiescence—enforced though they + were—had given his health and constitution time to rally after the + terrible shock they had sustained. The severe bleedings had, indeed, + rendered his complexion perfectly colourless; but there was something in + this, as well as in the height which the loss of hair gave his brow, + which, added to the depth and loftiness of countenance that this long + period of patience and resolution had impressed on his naturally fine + features, without taking away that open candour that had first attracted + Diane when he was a rosy lad. His frame had strengthened at the same time, + and assumed the proportions of manhood; so that, instead of being the + overgrown maypole that Narcisse used to sneer at, he was now + broad-shouldered and robust, exceedingly powerful, and so well made that + his height, upwards of six feet, was scarcely observed, except by + comparison with the rest of the world. + </p> + <p> + And his character had not stood still. He had first come to Paris a good, + honest, docile, though high-spirited boy: and though manly affections, + cares, and sorrows had been thrust on him, he had met them like the boy + that he was, hardly conscious how deep they went. Then had come the long + dream of physical suffering, with only one thought pertinaciously held + throughout—that of constancy to his lost wife; and from this he had + only thoroughly wakened in his captivity, the resolution still holding + fast, but with more of reflection and principle, less of mere instinct, + than when his powers were lost or distracted in the effort of constant + endurance of pain and weakness. The charge of Philip, the endeavour both + of educating him and keeping up his spirits, as well as the controversy + with Pere Bonami, had been no insignificant parts of the discipline of + these months; and, little as the Chevalier had intended it, he had trained + his young kinsman into a far more substantial and perilous adversary, both + in body and mind, than when he had caged him in his castle of the + Blackbird’s Nest. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE ENEMY IN PRESENCE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + Then came and looked him in the face, + An angel beautiful and bright, + And then he knew it was a fiend, + That miserable knight. + —COLERIDGE +</pre> + <p> + ‘Father, dear father, what is it? What makes you look so ill, so haggard?’ + cried Diane de Selinville, when summoned the next morning to meet her + father in the parlour of the convent. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, child! see here. Your brother will have us make an end of it. He has + found her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eustacie! Ah, and where?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That he will not say, but see here. This is all billet tells me: “The + hare who has doubled so long is traced to her form. My dogs are on her, + and in a week’s time she will be ours. I request you, sir, to send me a + good purse of crowns to reward my huntsmen; and in the meantime—one + way or the other—that pet of my sister’s must be disposed of. Kept + too long, these beasts always become savage. Either let him be presented + to the royal menagerie, or there is a still surer way.”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And that is all he says!’ exclaimed Diane. + </p> + <p> + ‘All! He was always cautions. He mentions no names. And now, child, what + is to be done? To give him up to the King is, at the best, life-long + imprisonment, yet, if he were still here when my son returns—Alas! + alas! child, I have been ruined body and soul between you! How could you + make me send after and imprison him? It was a mere assassination!’ and the + old man beat his head with grief and perplexity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Father!’ cried Diane, tearfully, ‘I cannot see you thus. We meant it for + the best. We shall yet save him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Save him! Ah, daughter, I tossed all night long thinking how to save him, + so strong, so noble, so firm, so patient, so good even to the old man who + has destroyed his hope—his life! Ah! I have thought till my brain + whirls.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor father! I knew you would love him,’ said Diane, tenderly. ‘Ah! we + will save him yet. He shall be the best of sons to you. Look, it is only + to tell him that she whom he calls his wife is already in my brother’s + hands, wedded to him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Daughter,’—and he pushed back his gray hair with a weary distressed + gesture,—‘I am tired of wiles; I am old; I can carry them out no + longer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But this is very simple; it may already be true—at least it will + soon be true. Only tell him that she is my brother’s wife. Then will his + generosity awaken, then will he see that to persist in the validity of his + marriage would be misery, dishonour to her, then——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Child, you know not how hard he is in his sense of right. Even for his + brother’s sake he would not give way an inch, and the boy was as obstinate + as he!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! but this comes nearer. He will be stung; his generosity will be + piqued. He will see that the kindest thing he can do will be to nullify + his claim, and the child——’ + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier groaned, struck his brow with his fist, and muttered, ‘That + will concern no one—that has been provided for. Ah! ah! children, if + I lose my own soul for you, you——’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Father, my sweet father, say not these cruel things. Did not the Queen’s + confessor tell us that all means were lawful that brought a soul to the + Church? and here are two.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Two! Why, the youth’s heresy is part of his point of honour. Child, + child, the two will be murdered in my very house, and the guilt will be on + my soul.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, father! We will—we will save him. See, only tell him this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This—what? My brain is confused. I have thought long—long.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only this, father, dear father. You shall not be tormented any more, if + only you will tell him that my brother has made Eustacie his wife, then + will I do all the rest.’ + </p> + <p> + Diane coaxed, soothed, and encouraged her father by her caresses, till he + mounted his mule to return to the castle at dinner-time, and she promised + to come early in the afternoon to follow up the stroke he was to give. She + had never seen him falter before,—he had followed out his policy + with a clear head and unsparing hand,—but now that Berenger’s + character was better known to him, and the crisis long delayed had come so + suddenly before his eyes, his whole powers seemed to reel under the + alternative. + </p> + <p> + The dinner-bell clanged as he arrived at the castle, and the prisoners + were marched into the hall, both intent upon making their request on + Osbert’s behalf, and therefore as impatient for the conclusion of the + meal, and the absence of the servants, as was their host. His hands + trembled so much that Berenger was obliged to carve for him; he made the + merest feint of eating; and now and then raised his hand to his head as if + to bring back scattered ideas. + </p> + <p> + The last servant quitted the room, when Berenger perceived that the old + man was hardly in a state to attend to his request, and yet the miserable + frost-bitten state of poor Landry seemed to compel him to speak. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ he began, ‘you could do me a great kindness.’ + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier looked up at him with glassy eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘My son,’ he said, with an effort, ‘I also had something to say. Ah! let + me think. I have had enough. Call my daughter,’ he added, feeling + helplessly with his hands, so that Berenger started up in alarm, and + received him in his arms just in time to prevent his sinking to the floor + senseless. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a stroke,’ exclaimed Berenger. ‘Call, Phil! Send the gendarmes.’ + </p> + <p> + The gendarmes might be used to the sight of death of their own causing, + but they had a horror of that which came by Nature’s hand. The purple face + and loud gasps of the stricken man terrified them out of their senses. <i>‘C’est + un coup,’’</i> was the cry, and they went clattering off to the servants. + These, all men but one old crone, came in a mass to the door, looked in, + beheld their master rigid and prostrate on the floor, supported by the + prisoner, and with fresh shrieks about ‘Mesdames! a priest! a doctor!’ + away they rushed. The two brothers were not in much less consternation, + only they retained their senses. Berenger loosened the ruff and doublet, + and bade Philip practice that art of letting blood which he had learnt for + his benefit. When Madame de Selinville and her aunt, with their escort, + having been met half-way from Bellaise, arrived sooner than could have + been expected, they found every door open from hall to entrance gateway, + not a person keeping watch, and the old man lying deathlike upon cushions + in the hall, Philip bandaging his arm, and Berenger rubbing his temples + with wine and the hottest spices on the table. ‘He is better—he is + alive,’ said Berenger, as they entered; and as both ladies would have + fallen on him with shrieks and sobs, he bade them listen, assured them + that the only chance of life was in immediate care, and entreated that + bedding might be brought down, and strong essences fetched to apply to the + nose and temples. They obeyed, and the sister infirmarer had arrived from + the convent, he had opened his eyes, and, as he saw Berenger, tried to + murmur something that sounded like <i>‘Mon fils.‘</i> + </p> + <p> + ‘He lives!—he speaks!—he can receive the sacraments!’ was the + immediate exclamation; and as preparations began to be made, the brothers + saw that their presence was no longer needed, and returned to their own + tower. + </p> + <p> + ‘So, sir,’ said the gendarme sergeant, as they walked down the passage, + ‘you did not seize the moment for escape.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I never thought of it,’ said Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope, sir, you will not be the worse for it,’ said the sergeant. ‘An + honourable gentleman you have ever proved yourself to me, and I will bear + testimony that you did the poor old gentleman no hurt; but nobles will + have it their own way, and pay little heed to a poor soldier.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean, friend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, you see, sir, it is unlucky that you two happened to be alone with + M. le Chevalier. No one can tell what may be said when they seek an + occasion against a person.’ + </p> + <p> + To the brothers, however, this suggestion sounded so horrible and + unnatural, that they threw it from them. They applied themselves at every + moment possible to enlarging Osbert’ hole, and seeking an outlet from the + dungeon; but this they had not been able to discover, and it was necessary + to be constantly on their guard in visiting the vaults, lest their absence + from their apartment should be detected. They believed that if Narcisse + arrived at the castle, they should find in him a far less gentle jailer + than the poor old man, for whose state their kindly young hearts could not + but grieve. + </p> + <p> + They heard that he had recovered consciousness enough to have made a sort + of confession; and Pere Bonami brought them his formal request, as a dying + man, for their pardon for all the injuries he had done them; but his + speech was too much affected for any specification of what these were. The + first thing they heard in early morning was that, in the course of the + night, he had breathed his last; and all day the bells of all the churches + round were answering one another with the slow, swinging, melancholy notes + of the knell. + </p> + <p> + In the early twilight, Pere Bonami brought a message that Madame de + Selinville requested M. le Baron to come and speak with her, and he was + accordingly conducted, with the gendarme behind him, to a small chamber + opening into the hall—the same where the incantations of the Italian + pedlar had been played off before Philip and Diane. The gendarme remained + outside the door by which they entered the little dark room, only lighted + by one little lamp. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here, daughter,’ said the priest, ‘is your cousin. He can answer the + question you have so much at heart;’ and with these words Pere Bonami + passed beneath the black curtain that covered the entrance into the hall, + admitting as he raised it for a moment a floor of pure light from the wax + tapers, and allowing the cadence of the chanting of the priests to fall on + the ear. At first Berenger was scarcely able to discern the pale face that + looked as if tears were all dried up, and even before his eyes had clearly + perceived her in the gloom, she was standing before him with clasped + hands, demanding, in a hoarse, breathless whisper, ‘Had he said anything + to you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Anything? No, cousin,’ said Berenger, in a kind tone. ‘He had seemed + suffering and oppressed all dinner-time, and when the servants left us, he + murmured a few confused words, then sank.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, ah, he spoke it not! Thank Heaven! Ah! it is a load gone. Then + neither will I speak it,’ sighed Diane, half aloud. ‘Ah! cousin, he loved + you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He often was kind to us,’ said Berenger, impelled to speak as tenderly as + he could of the enemy, who had certainly tortured him, but as if he loved + him. + </p> + <p> + ‘He bade us save you,’ said Diane, her eyes shining with strange wild + light in the gloom. ‘He laid it on my aunt and me to save you; you must + let us. It must be done before my brother comes,’ she added, in hurried + accents. ‘The messengers are gone; he may be here any moment. He must find + you in the chapel—as—as my betrothed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you sent for me here to tempt me—close to such a chamber as + that?’ demanded Berenger, his gentleness becoming sternness, as much with + his own worse self as with her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen. Ah! it is the only way. Listen, cousin. Do you know what killed + my father? It was my brother’s letter saying things must be brought to an + end: either you must be given up to the King, or worse—worse. And + now, without him to stand between you and my brother, you are lost. Oh! + take pity on his poor soul that has left his body, and bring not you blood + on his head.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay,’ said Berenger, ‘if he repented, the after consequences to me will + have no effect on him now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have pity then on yourself—on your brother.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have,’ said Berenger. ‘He had rather die with me than see me a + traitor.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And least of all,’ she exclaimed, with choking grief, ‘have you + compassion on me!—on me who have lost the only one who felt for me—on + me who have loved you with every fibre of my heart—on me who have + lived on the music of your hardest, coldest word—on me who would lay + my life, my honour, in the dust for one grateful glance from you—and + whom you condemn to the anguish of—your death! Aye, and for what? + For the mere shadow of a little girl, who had no force to love you, or + whom you know nothing—nothing! Oh! are you a crystal rock or are you + a man? See, I kneel to you to save yourself and me.’ + </p> + <p> + There were hot tears dropping from Berenger’s eyes as he caught Diane’s + hand, and held it forcibly to prevent her thus abasing herself. Her wild + words and gestures thrilled him in every pulse and wrung his heart, and it + was with a stifled, agitated voice that he said— + </p> + <p> + ‘God help you and me both, Diane! To do what you ask would—would be + no saving of either. Nay, if you will kneel,’ as she struggled with him, + ‘let it be to Him who alone can bring us through;’ and releasing her hand, + he dropped on his knees by her side, and covered his face with his hands, + in an earnest supplication that the spirit of resistance which he almost + felt slipping from him might be renewed. The action hushed and silenced + her, and as he rose he spoke no other word, but silently drew back so much + of the curtain that he could see into the hall, where the dead man still + lay uncoffined upon the bed where his own hands had laid him, and the low, + sweet requiem of kneeling priests floated round him. Rest, rest, and calm + they breathed into one sorely tried living soul, and the perturbed heart + was quelled by the sense how short the passage was to the world where + captivity and longing would be ended. He beckoned to Pere Bonami to return + to Diane, and then, protected by his presence from any further + demonstrations, kissed her hand and left her. + </p> + <p> + He told Philip as little as possible of this interview, but his brother + remarked how much time he spent over the Psalms that evening. + </p> + <p> + The next day the brothers saw from their upper winder the arrival of + Narcisse, or, as he had called himself for the last three years, the + Marquis de Nid-de-Merle, with many attendant gentlemen, and a band of + fifty or sixty gendarmes. The court was filled with their horses, and rang + with their calls for refreshment. And the captives judged it wise to + remain in their upper room incase they should be called for. + </p> + <p> + They were proved to have been wise in so doing; for about an hour after + their arrival there was a great clanging of steel boots, and Narcisse de + Ribaumont, followed by a portly, heavily-armed gentleman, wearing a scarf + of office, by two of the servants, and by two gendarmes, entered the room. + It was the first time the cousins had met since <i>le baiser d’Eutacie</i> + had been hissed into Berenger’s ear. Narcisse looked older, sallower, and + more worn than at that time; and Philip, seeing his enemy for the first + time, contrasted him with the stately presence of Berenger, and felt as if + a rat were strangling a noble steed. + </p> + <p> + Each young man punctiliously removed his hat, and Nid-de-Merle, without + deigning further salutation, addressed his companion. ‘Sir, you are here + on the part of the King, and to you I deliver up these prisoners, who, + having been detained here on a charge of carrying on a treasonable + correspondence, and protected by my father out of consideration for the + family, have requited his goodness by an attempt to strangle him, which + has caused his death.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip actually made a leap of indignation; Berenger, better prepared, + said to the officer, ‘Sir, I am happy to be placed in charged of a King’s + servant, who will no doubt see justice done, and shelter us from the + private malice that could alone devise so monstrous an accusation. We are + ready to clear ourselves upon oath over the corpse, and all the household + and our own guards can bear witness.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The witnesses are here,’ said Narcisse, pointing to the servants, + ill-looking men, who immediately began to depose to having found their + master purple-faced and struggling in the hands of the two young men, who + had been left alone with him after dinner. + </p> + <p> + Berenger felt that there was little use in self-defence. It was a + fabrication the more easily to secure his cousin’s purpose of destroying + him, and his best hope lay in passing into the hands of persons who were + less directly interested in his ruin. He drew himself up to his full + height, saying, ‘If there be justice in France, our innocence will be + proved. I demand, sir, that you examine the abbess, the priest, the + steward, the sergeant of gendarmes: they are impartial witnesses, and will + serve the King’s justice, if justice be his purpose. Or, if this be but M. + de Nid-de-Merle’s way of completing the work he left unfinished four years + ago, I am ready. Only let my brother go free. He is heir to nothing here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Enough, sir. Words against the King’s justice will be reckoned against + you,’ said the officer. ‘I shall do myself the honour of attending the + funeral the day after to-morrow, and then I shall convey you to Tours, to + answer for this deed at your leisure. Monsieur le Marquis, are the + prisoners secure here, or would you have them <i>garde a vue</i>.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No need for that,’ said Narcisse, lightly; ‘had there been any exit they + would have found it long ago. Your good fellows outside the door keep them + safe enough. M. le Baron de Ribaumont, I have the honour to wish you a + good morning.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger returned his bow with one full of defiance, and the door was + again locked upon the prisoners; while Philip exclaimed, ‘The cowardly + villain, Berry; is it a hanging matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not for noble blood,’ said Berenger. ‘We are more likely to be brought to + no trial, but to lie prisoners for life;’ then, as Philip grew white and + shivered with a sick horror, he added bravely, ‘But they shall not have + us, Philip. We know the vaults well enough to play at hide and seek with + them there, and even if we find no egress we may hold out till they think + us fled and leave open the doors!’ + </p> + <p> + Philip’s face lighted up again, and they did their best by way of + preparation, collecting wood for torches, and putting aside food at their + meals. It was a very forlorn hope, but the occupation it caused was + effectual in keeping up Philip’s spirits, and saving him from despondency. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIX. THE PEDLAR’S PREDICTION + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + But if ne’er so close you wall him, + Do the best that you may; + Blind Love, if so you call him, + Will find out his way. + —OLD SONG +</pre> + <p> + ‘Too late,’ muttered Berenger to himself, as he stood by the fire in his + prison-chamber. Humfrey and Philip were busy in the vaults, and he was + taking his turn in waiting in the sitting-room to disarm suspicion. ‘It is + too late now, and I thank God that so it is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you indeed, M. le Baron?’ said a low voice close beside him; and, as + he turned in haste, he beheld, at the foot of the turret-stair, the youth + Aime de Selinville, holding a dark lantern in his hand, and veiling its + light. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha!’ and he started to his feet. ‘Whence come you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From my Lady,’ was the youth’s answer. ‘She has sent me to ask whether + you persist in what you replied to her the other day. For if not, she bids + me say that it is not too late.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And if I do persevere?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then—ah! what do I know? Who can tell how far malice can go? And + there are towers and bastilles where hope never enters. Moreover, your + researches underground are known.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said Berenger, the heart-sinking quelled by the effort of + resistance, ‘Madame de Selinville has my answer—I must take the + consequences. Tell her, if she truly wishes me well, the honourable way of + saving us would be to let our English friends know what has befallen us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You forget, M. le Baron, even if she could proclaim the dishonour of her + family, interference from a foreign power might only lead to a surer mode + of removing you,’ said Aime, lowering his voice and shuddering. + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so, I should thank her. Then would the bitterest pang be taken away. + Those at our home would not deem us faithless recreants.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank her!’ murmured the lad in an inward voice. ‘Very well, sir, I will + carry her your decision. It is your final one. Disgrace, prison, death—rather + than freedom, love, wealth!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The semblance of dishonour rather than the reality!’ said Berenger, + firmly. + </p> + <p> + The light-footed page disappeared, and in a few moments a very different + tread came up from below, and Philip appeared. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is it, Berry? Methought I heard a voice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Forgive me, brother,’ said Berenger, holding out his hand; ‘I have thrown + away another offer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tush, the thing to pardon would be having accepted one. I only wish they + would leave us in peace! What was it this time?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A messenger through young Selinville. Strange, to trust her secrets to + that lad. But hush, here he is again, much sooner than I thought. What, + sir, have you been with your lady again?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir,’ the young said, with a trembling voice, and Berenger saw that + his eyes were red with weeping; ‘she bids me tell you that she yields. She + will save you eve while you have and despite her! There is only one thing—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what is that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You must encumber yourself with the poor Aime. You must let me serve you + instead of her. Listen, sir, it cannot be otherwise.’ Then with a brisker, + more eager voice, he continued: ‘Monsieur knows that the family + burial-place is Bellaise? Well, to-morrow, at ten o’clock, all the + household, all the neighbourhood, will come and sprinkle holy water on the + bier. The first requiem will be sung, and then will all repair to the + convent. There will be the funeral mass, the banquet, the dole. Every + creature in the castle—nay, in all the neighbourhood for twenty + miles round—will be at the convent, for the Abbess has given out + that the alms are to be double, and the bread of wheat. Not a soul will + remain here, save the two gendarmes on guard at that door, and the poor + Aime, whom no one will miss, even if any person could be distinguished in + their black cloaks. Madame la Comtesse has given him this key, which opens + a door on the upper floor of the keep, unknown to the guards, who, for + that matter, shall have a good tankard of spiced wine to console and + occupy them. Then is the way clear to the castle court, which is not over + looked by their window, the horses are in the stables, and we are off,—that + is if M. le Baron will save a poor youth from the wrath of M. de + Nid-de-Merle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are and honest fellow!’ cried Philip, shaking him vehemently by the + hand. ‘You shall go with us to England, and we will make a brave man of + you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall owe you our lives,’ said Berenger, warmly, ‘and be ever bound to + you. Tell your lady that THIS is magnanimity; that now I truly thank her + as our preserver, and shall bless her all the days of the life she gives + us. But my servants?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Guibert is a traitor,’ said Aime; ‘he has been so ever since you were at + Paris. Breathe no word to him; but he, as a Catholic, shall be invited to + the funeral. Your stout Englishman should by all means be with us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My Norman also,’ added Berenger,—‘my dear foster-brother, who has + languished in the dungeon for three years;’ and when the explanation had + been made, Aime assented, though half-unwillingly, to the necessity, and + presently quitted them to bear back their answer to his lady. Philip shook + his hand violently again, patted him on the back, so as almost to take + away his breath, and bade him never fear, they would be sworn brothers to + him for ever; and then threw up his hat into the air, and was so near + astonishing the donjon walls with a British hurrah, that Berenger had to + put his hand over his mouth and strangle the shout in his very throat. + </p> + <p> + The chief of that night was spent in enlarging the hole in Osbert’s wall, + so as to admit of his creeping through it; and they also prepared their + small baggage for departure. Their stock of money, though some had been + spent on renewing their clothes, and some in needful gratuities to the + servants and gendarmes, was sufficient for present needs, and they + intended to wear their ordinary dress. They were unlikely to meet any of + the peasants in the neighbourhood; and, indeed, Berenger had so constantly + ridden out in his black mask, that its absence, now that his scars were + gone, was as complete a change as could be effected in one whose height + was of unusual. + </p> + <p> + ‘There begins the kneel,’ said Philip, standing at the window. ‘It’s our + joy-bell, Berry! Every clang seems to me to say, “Home! home! home!” + </p> + <p> + ‘For you, Phil,’ said Berenger; ‘but I must be satisfied of Eutacie’s fate + first. I shall go first to Nissard—whither we were bound when we + were seized—then to La Rochelle, whence you may—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No more of that,’ burst out Philip. ‘What! would you have me leave you + now, after all we have gone through together? Not that you will find her. + I don’t want to vex you, brother, on such a day as this, but you + conjurer’s words are coming true in the other matter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How? What mean you, Phil?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the meaning of Aime?’ asked Philip. ‘Even I am French scholar + enough for that. And who sends him?’ + </p> + <p> + Meantime the court was already filling with swarms of persons of every + rank and degree, but several anxious hours had passed before the + procession was marshaled; and friars and monks, black, white, and gray,—priests + in rich robes and tall caps,—black-cloaked gentlemen and + men-at-arms,—all bearing huge wax tapers,—and peasants and + beggars of every conceivable aspect,—filed out of the court, bearing + with them the richly-emblazoned bier of the noble and puissant knight, the + Beausire Charles Eutache de Ribaumont Nid-de-Merle, his son walking behind + in a long black mantle, and all who counted kindred of friendship + following two and two; then all the servants, every one who properly + belonged to the castle, were counted out by the brothers from their + windows, and Guibert among them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Messieurs,’ a low, anxious voice sounded in the room. + </p> + <p> + ‘We will only fetch Osbert.’ + </p> + <p> + It was a terrible only, as precious moments slipped away before there + appeared in the lower chamber Berenger and Humfrey, dragging between them + a squalid wretch, with a skin like stained parchment over a skeleton, + tangled hair and beard, staring bewildered eyes, and fragments of + garments, all dust, dirt, and rags. + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave me, leave me, dear master,’ said the object, stretching his whole + person towards the fire as they let him sink down before it. ‘You would + but ruin yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is madness to take him,’ said Aime, impatiently. + </p> + <p> + ‘I go not without him,’ said Berenger. ‘Give me the soup, Philip.’ + </p> + <p> + Some soup and wine had been placed by the fire, and likewise a shirt and a + suit of Humfrey’s clothes were spread before it. Aime burst out into the + yard, absolutely weeping with impatience, when, unheeding all his + remonstrances, his three companions applied themselves to feeding, + rubbing, and warming Osbert, and assuring him that the pains in his limbs + would pass away with warmth and exercise. He had been valiant of heart in + his dungeon; but his sudden plunge into upper air was like rising from the + grave, and brought on all the effects of his dreary captivity, of which he + had hardly been sensible when he had first listened to the voice of hope. + </p> + <p> + Dazzled, crippled, helpless, it seemed almost impossible that he should + share the flight, but Berenger remained resolute; and when Aime returned + from his fourth frantic promenade, he was told that all was ready. + </p> + <p> + But for the strength of Berenger and Humfrey the poor fellow could never + have been carried up and up, nearly to the top of the keep, then along a + narrow gallery, then down again even to the castle hall, now empty, though + with the candle-sticks still around where the bier had been. Aime knelt + for a moment where the head had been, hiding his face; Osbert rested in a + chair; and Philip looked wistfully up at his own sword hung over the + chimney. + </p> + <p> + ‘Resume your swords, Messieurs,’ said Aime, observing him; ‘Madame desires + it; and take pistols also.’ + </p> + <p> + They gladly obeyed; and when, after this short delay, they proceeded, + Osbert moved somewhat less painfully, but when they arrived at the stable + only four horses stood there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! this miserable!’ cried Aime, passionately, ‘he ruins all my + arrangements.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave me,’ again entreated Landry. ‘Once outside, I can act the beggar + and cripple, and get back to Normandy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Better leave me,’ said Humfrey; ‘they cannot keep me when you are out of + their clutches.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Help me, Humfrey,’ said Berenger, beginning to lift his foster-brother to + the saddle, but there the poor man wavered, cried out that his head swam, + and he could not keep his seat, entreating almost in agony to be taken + down. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lean on me,’ said Berenger, putting his arms round him. ‘There! you will + be able to get to the Grange du Temple, where you will be in safe + shelter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir, sir,’ cried Aime, ready to tear his hair, ‘this is ruin! My lady + meant you to make all speed to La Rochelle and there embark, and this is + the contrary way!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That cannot be helped,’ said Berenger; ‘it is the only safe place for my + foster-brother.’ + </p> + <p> + Aime, with childish petulance, muttered something about ingratitude in + crossing his lady’s plans; but, as no one attended to him, he proceeded to + unfasten his horse, and then exclaimed, half crying, ‘Will no one help + me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not able to saddle a horse! a pretty fellow for a cavalier!’ exclaimed + Philip, assisting, however, and in a few minutes they were all issuing + from a low side gate, and looking back with bounding hearts at the + drooping banner on the keep of Nid-de-Merle. + </p> + <p> + Only young Aime went with bowed head and drooping look, as though pouting, + and Berenger, putting Osbert’s bridle into Humfrey’s hand, stepped up to + him, saying, ‘Hark you, M. de Selinville, I am sorry if we seemed to + neglect you. We owe you and your lady all gratitude, but I must be the + judge of my own duty, and you can only be with me if you conform.’ + </p> + <p> + The young seemed to be devouring his tears, but only said, ‘I was vexed to + see my lady’s plan marred, and your chance thrown away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of that I must judge,’ said Berenger. + </p> + <p> + They were in a by-lane, perfectly solitary. The whole country was at the + funeral. Through the frosty air there came an occasional hum or murmur + from Berenger, or the tinkle of a cow-bell in the fields, but no human + being was visible. It was certain, however, that the Rotrous, being + Huguenots, and no vassals of Nid-de-Merle, would not be at the obsequies; + and Berenger, walking with swift strides, supporting Osbert on his horse, + continued to cheer him with promises of rest and relief there, and + listened to no entreaties from Philip or Humfrey to take one of their + horses. Had not Osbert borne him on his shoulders through the butchery at + Paris, and endured three years of dungeon for his sake? + </p> + <p> + As for Philip, the slow pace of their ride was all insufficient for his + glee. He made his horse caracole at every level space, till Berenger + reminded him that they might have far to ride that night, and even then he + was constantly breaking into attempts at shouting and whistling as often + repressed, and springing up in his stirrups to look over the high hedges. + </p> + <p> + The Grange was so well concealed in its wooded ravine, that only when + close upon the gate the party became aware that this farm-yard, usually so + solitary, formed an exception to the general desertion of the country. + There was a jingle and a stamp of horses in the court, which could hardly + be daylight echoes of the Templars. Berenger feared that the Guisards + might have descended Rotrou, and was stepping forward to reconnoiter, + while young De Selinville, trembling, besought him not to run into danger, + but to turn and hasten to La Rochelle. By this time, however, the party + had been espied by two soldiers stationed at the gate, but not before + Berenger had had time to remark that they did not wear either the gold <i>fleur-de-lys</i> + like his late guards, or the white cross of Lorraine; nor had they the + strange air of gay ferocity usual with the King’s mercenaries. And almost + by instincts, at a venture, he made the old Huguenot sign he had learnt + form his father, and answered, ‘For God and the Religion.’ + </p> + <p> + The countersign was returned. ‘Bearn and Bourbon is the word to-day, + comrade,’ replied the sentinel. ‘<i>Eh quoi</i>! have you had an + encounter, that you bring a wounded man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not wounded, but nearly dead in a Guisard prison,’ said Berenger, with an + unspeakable sense of relief and security, as the sentries admitted them + into the large walled court, where horses were eating hay, being watered + and rubbed down; soldiers snatching a hasty meal in corners; gentlemen in + clanking breastplates coming in and out of the house, evidently taking + orders from a young man in a gray and silver suit, whose brown eagle face, + thin cheeks, arched nose, and black eyes of keenest fire, struck Berenger + at once with a sense of recognition as well as of being under a glance + that seemed to search out everybody and everything at once. + </p> + <p> + ‘More friends!’ and the tone again recalled a flood of recollections. ‘I + thank and welcome you. What! You have met the enemy—where is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My servant is not wounded. Sire,’ said Berenger, removing his hat and + bending low. ‘This is the effect of long captivity. We have but just + escaped.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then we are the same case! Pardon me, sir, I have seen you before, but + for once I am at fault.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When I call myself De Ribaumont, your Grace will not wonder.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The dead alive! If I mistake not, it was in the Inferno itself that we + last met! But we have broken through the gates at last! I remember poor + King Charles was delighted to hear that you lived! But where have you been + a captive?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At Nid-de-Merle, Sire; my kinsmen accused me of treason in order to + hinder my search for my wife. We escaped even now during the funeral of + the Chevalier.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By favour of which we are making our way to Parthenay unsuspected, + though, by my faith, we gather so like a snowball, that we could be a + match for a few hundreds of Guisards. Who is with you, M. de Ribaumont?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me present to your Majesty my English brother, Philip Thistlewood,’ + said Berenger, drawing the lad forward, making due obeisance, though + entirely ignorant who was the plainly-dressed, travel-soiled stranger, so + evidently a born lord of men. + </p> + <p> + ‘An Englishman is ever welcome,’ was his gracious reception. + </p> + <p> + ‘And,’ added Berenger, ‘let me also present the young De Selinville, to + whom I owe my escape. Where is he, Philip?’ + </p> + <p> + He seemed to be busy with the horses, and Berenger could not catch his + eye. + </p> + <p> + ‘Selinville! I thought that good Huguenot house was extinct.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is a relation of the late Count de Selinville, my cousin’s husband, + Sire. He arranged my evasion, and would be in danger at Nid-de-Merle. Call + him, Philip.’ + </p> + <p> + Before this was done, however, the King’s attention was otherwise claimed, + and turning to one of his gentlemen he said, ‘Here, d’Augigne, I present + to you an acquaintance made in Tartarus. See to his entertainment ere we + start for Parthenay.’ + </p> + <p> + Agrippa d’Aubigne, still young, but grave and serious-looking greeted M. + de Ribaumont as men meet in hours when common interests make rapid + friendships; and from him Berenger learnt, in a few words, that the King + of Navarre’s eyes had been opened at last to the treachery of the court, + and his own dishonourable bondage. During a feverish attack, one night + when D’Aubigne and D’Armagnac were sitting up with him, his resolution was + taken; and on the first hunting day after his recovery, he, with these + two, the Baron de Rosny and about thirty more of his suite, had galloped + away, and had joined the Monsieur and the Prince of Conde at Alencon. He + had abjured the Catholic faith, declared that nothing except ropes should + bring him back to Paris, and that he left there the mass and his wife—the + first he could dispense with, the last he meant to have; and he was now on + his way to Parthenay to meet his sister, whom he had sent Rosny to demand. + By the time Berenger had heard this, he had succeeded in finding honest + Rotrou, who was in a state of great triumph, and readily undertook to give + Osbert shelter, and as soon as he should have recovered to send him to + head-quarters with some young men who he knew would take the field as soon + as they learnt that the King of Navarre had set up his standard. Even the + inroads made into the good farmer’s stores did not abate his satisfaction + in entertaining the prime hope of the Huguenot cause; but Berenger + advanced as large a sum as he durst out of his purse, under pretext of the + maintenance of Osbert during his stay at the Grange. He examined Rotrou + upon his subsequent knowledge of Isaac Gardon and Eutacie, but nothing had + been heard of them since their departure, now nearly three years back, + except a dim rumour that they had been seen at the Synod of Montauban. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, my friend,’ said Philip, when about to remount, ‘this will do + rather better than a headlong gallop to Rochelle with Nid-de-Merle at our + heels.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If M. le Baron is safe, it is well,’ said Aime shortly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is Selinville there?’ said Berenger, coming up. ‘Here, let me take you to + the King of Navarre: he knew your family in Lauguedoc.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ petulantly returned the boy. ‘What am I that he should notice + me? It is M. de Ribaumont whom I follow, not him or his cause.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Boy,’ said Berenger, dismayed, ‘remember, I have answered for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am no traitor,’ proudly answered the strange boy, and Berenger was + forced to be thus satisfied, though intending to watch him closely. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XL. THE SANDS OF OLONNE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Is it the dew of night + That on her glowing cheek + Shines in the moonbeam?— + Oh, she weeps, she weeps, + And the good angel that abandoned her + At her hell baptism, by her tears drawn down + Resumes his charge... and the hope + Of pardon and salvation rose + As now she understood + Thy lying prophecy of truth.—SOUTHEY +</pre> + <p> + ‘M. de Ribaumont,’ said Henry of Navarre, as he stood before the fire + after supper at Parthenay, ‘I have been thinking what commission I could + give you proportioned to your rank and influence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanks to your Grace, that inquiry is soon answered. I am a beggar here. + Even my paternal estate in Normandy is in the hands of my cousin.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have wrongs,’ said Henry, ‘and wrongs are sometimes better than + possessions in a party like ours.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger seized the opening to explain his position, and mention that his + only present desire was for permission, in the first place, to send a + letter to England by the messenger whom the King was dispatching to + Elisabeth, in tolerable security of her secret countenance; and, secondly, + to ride to Nissard to examine into the story he had previously heeded so + little, of the old man and his daughter rescued from the waves the day + before La Sablerie was taken. + </p> + <p> + ‘If Pluto relented, my dear Orpheus, surely Navarre may,’ said Henry + good-humouredly; ‘only may the priest not be more adamantine than Minos. + Where lies Nissard? On the Sable d’Olonne? Then you may go thither with + safety while we lie here, and I shall wait for my sister, or for news of + her.’ + </p> + <p> + So Berenger arranged for an early start on the morrow; and young + Selinville listened with a frown, and strange look in his dark eyes. ‘You + go not to England?’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet?’ said Berenger + </p> + <p> + ‘This was not what my Lady expected,’ he muttered; but though Berenger + silenced him by a stern look, he took the first opportunity of asking + Philip if it would not be far wiser for his brother to place himself in + safety in England. + </p> + <p> + ‘Wiser, but less honest,’ said Philip. + </p> + <p> + ‘He who has lost all here, who has incurred his grandfather’s anger,’ + pursued Aime, ‘were he not wiser to make his peace with his friends in + England?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘His friends in England would not like him the better for deserting his + poor wife’s cause,’ said Philip. ‘I advise you to hold your tongue, and + not meddle or make.’ + </p> + <p> + Aime subsided, and Philip detected something like tears. He had still much + of rude English boyhood about him, and he laughed roughly. ‘A fine fellow, + to weep at a word! Hie thee back to feed my Lady’s lap-dog, ‘tis all thou + art fit for.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There spoke English gratitude,’ said Aime, with a toss of the head and + flash of the eye. + </p> + <p> + Philip despised him the more for casting up his obligations, but had no + retort to make. He had an idea of making a man of young Selinville, and + his notion of the process had something of the bullying tendency of + English young towards the poor-spirited or cowardly. He ordered the boy + roughly, teased him for his ignorance of manly exercises, tried to cure + his helplessness by increasing his difficulties, and viewed his fatigue as + affectation or effeminacy. Berenger interfered now and then to guard the + poor boy from a horse-jest or practical joke, but he too felt that Aime + was a great incumbrance, hopelessly cowardly, fanciful, and petulant; and + he was sometimes driven to speak to him with severity, verging on + contempt, in hopes of rousing a sense of shame. + </p> + <p> + The timidity, so unusual and inexplicable in a youth of eighteen or + twenty, sowed itself irrepressibly at the Sands of Olonne. These were not + misty, as on Berenger’s former journey. Nissard steeple was soon in sight, + and the guide who joined them on a rough pony had no doubt that there + would be ample time to cross before high water. There was, however, some + delay, for the winter rains had brought down a good many streams of fresh + water, and the sands were heavy and wet, so that their horses proceeded + slowly, and the rush and dash of the waves proclaimed that the low of the + tide had begun. To the two brothers the break and sweep was a home-sound, + speaking of freshness and freedom, and the salt breeze and spray carried + with them life and ecstasy. Philip kept as near the incoming waves as his + inland-bred horse would endure, and sang, shouted, and hallooed to them as + welcome as English waves; but Aime de Selinville had never even beheld the + sea before: and even when the tide was still in the distance, was filled + with nervous terror as each rushing fall sounded nearer; and, when the + line of white foamy crests became more plainly visible, he was impelled to + hurry on towards the steeple so fast that the guide shouted to him that he + would only bury himself in a quicksand. + </p> + <p> + ‘But,’ said he, white with alarm, and his teeth chattering, ‘how can we + creep with those dreadful waves advancing upon us to drown us?’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger silence Philip’s rude laugh and was beginning to explain that the + speed of the waves could always be calculated by an experienced + inhabitant; and his voice had seemed to pacify Aime a little, when the + spreading water in front of a broken wave flowing up to his horse’s feet, + again rendered him nearly frantic. ‘Let us go back!’ he wildly entreated, + turning his horse; but Berenger caught his bridle, saying, ‘That would be + truly death. Boy, unless you would be scorned, restrain your folly. + Nothing else imperils us.’ + </p> + <p> + Here, however, the guide interposed, saying that it had become too late to + pursue their course along the curve of the shore, but they must at once + cut straight across, which he had intended to avoid, because of the + greater depth of a small river that they would have to cross, which + divided further out into small channels, more easily forded. They thus + went along the chord of the arc formed by the shore, and Aime was somewhat + reassured, as the sea was at first farther off; but before long they + reached the stream, which lost itself in many little channels in the + sands, so that when the tide was out there was a perfect network of little + streams dividing low shingly or grassy isles, but at nearly high tide, as + at present, many of these islets were submerged, and the strife between + river and sea caused sudden deepenings of the water in the channels. + </p> + <p> + The guide eagerly explained that the safest place for crossing was not by + the large sandbank furthest inland and looking firm and promising—it + was a recent shifting performance of the water’s heaping up, and would + certainly sink away and bury horse the channels on either side had shingly + bottoms, and were safe. + </p> + <p> + ‘This way,’ called Berenger, himself setting the example, and finding no + difficulty; the water did not rise above his boots, and the current was + not strong. He had reached the shingly isle when he looked round for his + companions; Humfrey and Philip were close behind him; but, in spite of the + loud ‘<i>gare</i>!’ of the guide, Aime, or his horse,—for each was + equally senseless with alarm,—were making inwards; the horse was + trying to tread on the sandbank, which gave way like the water itself, + under its frantic struggles—there was a loud cry—a shrill, + unmistakable woman’s shriek—the horse was sinking—a white face + and helpless form were being carried out on the waves, but not before + Berenger had flung himself from his horse, thrown off his cloak and sword, + and dashed into the water; and in the lapse of a few moments he struggled + back to the island, where were Philip and Humfrey, leg-deep in water: the + one received his burthen, the other helped him to land. + </p> + <p> + ‘On, gentlemen, not a moment to lose,’ cried the guide; and Berenger, + still panting, flung himself on his horse, held out his arms, gathered the + small, almost inanimate figure upon the horse’s neck before him, and in a + few minutes more they had crossed the perilous passage, and were on a + higher bank where they could safely halt; and Philip, as he came to help + his brother, exclaimed, ‘What a fool the boy is!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ said Berenger, gravely, as they laid the figure on the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! he can’t have been drowned in that moment. We’ll bring him to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hands off!’ said Berenger, kneeling over the gasping form, and adding in + a lower voice, ‘Don’t you see?’ He would his hand in the long drenched + hair, and held it up, with cheeks burning like fire, and his scar purple. + </p> + <p> + ‘A woman!—what?—who?’ Then suddenly divining, he exclaimed, + ‘The jade!’ and started with wide eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stand back,’ said Berenger; ‘she is coming to herself.’ + </p> + <p> + Perhaps she had been more herself than he knew, for, as he supported her + head, her hand stole over his and held it fast. Full of consternation, + perplexity, and anger as he was, he could not but feel a softening pity + towards a creature so devoted, so entirely at his mercy. At the moment + when she lay helpless against him, gasps heaving her breast under her + manly doublet, her damp hair spread on his knees, her dark eyes in their + languor raised imploring his face, her cold hand grasping his, he felt as + if this great love were a reality, and as if he were hunting a shadow; + and, as if fate would have it so, he must save and gratify one whose + affection must conquer his, who was so tender, so beautiful—even + native generosity seemed on her side. But in the midst, as in his + perplexity he looked up over the gray sea, he seemed to see the picture so + often present to his mind of the pale, resolute girl, clasping her babe to + her breast, fearless of the advancing sea, because true and faithful. And + at that thought faith and prayer rallied once again round his heart, shame + at the instant’s wavering again dyed his cheek; he recalled himself, and + speaking the more coldly and gravely because his heart was beating over + hotly, he said, ‘Cousin, you are better. It is but a little way to + Nissard.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why have you saved me, if you will not pity me?’ she murmured. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not pity, because I respect my kinswoman who has save our lives,’ + he said steadying his voice with difficulty. ‘The priests of Nissard will + aid me in sparing your name and fame.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ she cried, sitting up with a start of joy, ‘but he would make too + many inquiries! Take me to England first.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger started as he saw how he had been misunderstood. + </p> + <p> + ‘Neither here nor in England could my marriage be set aside, cousin. No; + not priest shall take charge of you, and place you in safety and honour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He shall not!’ she cried hotly. ‘Why—why will you drive me from you—me + who ask only to follow you as a menial servant?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That has become impossible,’ he answered; ‘to say nothing of my brother, + my servant and the guide have seen;’ and, as she remembered her streaming + hair, and tried, in dawning confusion, to gather it together, he + continued: ‘You shrank from the eye of the King of Navarre. You cannot + continue as you have done; you have not even strength.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! have you sailed for England,’ she murmured. + </p> + <p> + ‘It had only been greater shame,’ he said. ‘Cousin, I am head of your + family, husband of your kinswoman, and bound to respect the reputation you + have risked for me. I shall, therefore, place you in charge of the priest + till you can either return to your aunt or to some other convent. You can + ride now. We will not wait longer in these wet garments.’ + </p> + <p> + He raised her from the ground, threw his own dry cloak round her shoulders + and unmanageable hair, and lifted her on his horse; but, as she would have + leant against him, he drew himself away, beckoned Philip, and put the + bridle into his hands, saying, ‘Take care of her. I shall ride on and warm + the priest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The rock of diamond,’ she murmured, not aware that the diamond had been + almost melting. That youthful gravity and resolution, with the mixture of + respect and protection, imposed as usual upon her passionate nature, and + daunted her into meekly riding beside Philip without a word—only now + and then he heard a low moan, and knew that she was weeping bitterly. + </p> + <p> + At first the lad had been shocked beyond measure, and would have held + aloof as from a kind of monster, but Madame de Selinville had been the + first woman to touch his fancy, and when he heard how piteously she was + weeping, and recollected where he should have been but for her, as well as + all his own harshness to her as a cowardly boy, he felt himself brutally + ungrateful, and spoke: ‘Don’t weep so, Madame; I am sorry I was rude to + you, but you see, how should I take you for a woman?’ + </p> + <p> + Perhaps she heard, but she heeded not. + </p> + <p> + ‘My brother will take good care to shield you,’ Philip added. ‘He will + take care you are safe in one of your nunneries;’ and as she only wept the + more, he added, with a sudden thought, ‘You would not go there; you would + embrace the Protestant faith?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would embrace whatever was his.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip muttered something about seeing what could be done. They were + already at the entrance of the village, and Berenger had come out to meet + them, and, springing towards him, Philip exclaimed, in a low voice, + ‘Berry, she would abjure her Popish errors! You can’t give her up to a + priest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Foolery, Philip,’ answered Berenger, sternly. + </p> + <p> + ‘If she would be a convert!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let her be a modest woman first;’ and Berenger, taking her bridle, led + her to the priest’s house. + </p> + <p> + He found that Pere Colombeau was preaching a Lent sermon, and that nobody + was at home but the housekeeper, to whom he had explained briefly that the + lady with him had been forced to escape in disguise, had been nearly + drowned, and was in need of refreshment and female clothing. Jacinthe did + not like the sound, but drenched clothes were such a passport to her + master’s house, that she durst not refuse. Berenger carried off his other + companions to the cabaret, and when he had dried himself, went to wait for + the priest at the church door, sitting in the porch where more than one + echo of the exhortation to repentance and purity rang in his ears, and + enforced his conviction that here he must be cruel if he would be + merciful. + </p> + <p> + It was long before Pere Colombeau came out, and then, if the scar had not + blushed for all the rest of his face, the sickly, lanky lad of three years + since would hardly have been recognized to the good cure. But the priest’s + aspect was less benignant when Berenger tried to set before him his + predicament; he coldly asked where the unhappy lady was; and when Berenger + expressed his intention of coming the next morning to ask his counsel, he + only bowed. He did not ask the brothers to supper, nor show any civility; + and Berenger, as he walked back to the cabaret, perceived that his story + was but half believed, and that, if Diane’s passion were still stronger + than her truth or generosity, she would be able to make out a terrible + case against him, and to willing ears, naturally disposed against a young + cavalier and a heretic. + </p> + <p> + He sat much dispirited by the fire of the little wine shop, thinking that + his forbearance had been well-nigh thrown away, and that his character + would never be cleared in Eustacie’s eyes, attaching, indeed, more + importance to the blot than would have been done by a youth less carefully + reared. + </p> + <p> + It was quite dark when a knock came to the door: the cure’s white head + appeared in the lamplight; he nodded kindly to all the guests, and + entreated that M. de Ribaumont would do him a favour to come and speak + with him. + </p> + <p> + No sooner were they outside the house, than the cure held out his hand, + saying ‘Sir, forgive me for a grievous injustice towards you;’ then + pressing his hand, he added with a voice tremulous with emotion, ‘Sir, it + is no slight thing to have saved a wandering sheep by your uprightness and + loyalty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you then opened her eyes, father?’ said Berenger, relieved from a + heavy load. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have, my son,’ said the old man. ‘You have taught her what truth and + virtue are. For the rest, you shall heard for yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + Before Berenger knew where he was, a door was opened, and he found himself + in the church. The building was almost entirely dark; there were two tall + lights at the altar in distance, and a few little slender tapers burning + before certain niches and shrines, but without power to conquer with the + gloom more than enough to spread a pale circle of yellow light beneath + them, and to show mysteriously a bit of vaulting above. A single lamp hung + from an arch near the door, and beneath it, near a pillar, knelt, or + rather crouched, on the floor, a female figure with a dark peasant cloak + drawn over her head. + </p> + <p> + ‘The first token of penitence is reparation to the injured,’ said the + priest. + </p> + <p> + Berenger looked at him anxiously. + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not leave you,’ he added. ‘See, I shall pray for you yonder, by + the altar,’ and he slowly moved up the aisle. + </p> + <p> + ‘Rise, cousin, I entreat you,’ said Berenger, much embarrassed, as he + disappeared in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + ‘I must speak thus,’ she answered, in a hoarse, exhausted voice. ‘Ah! + pardon, pardon!’ she added, rising, however, so far as to raise clasped + hands and an imploring face. ‘Ah! can you pardon? It was through me that + you bear those wounds; that she—Eustacie—was forced into the + masque, to detain you for THAT night. Ah! pardon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is long past,’ said Berenger. ‘I have been too near death not to + have pardoned that long ago. Rise, cousin, I cannot see you thus.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is not all,’ continued Diane. ‘It was I—I who moved my father + to imprison you.’ Then, as he bent his head, and would have again + entreated her to rise, she held out her hand as if to silence him, and + spoke faster, more wildly. ‘Then—then I thought it would save your + life. I thought—-’ she looked at him strangely with her great dark + eyes, all hollow and cavernous in her white face. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know,’ said Berenger, kindly, ‘you often urged it on me.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a sort of movement on the part of the kneeling figure of the + priest at the altar, and she interrupted, saying precipitately. ‘Then—then, + I did think you free.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ he gasped. ‘Now—-!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I know that she lives!’ and Diane once more sank at his feet a + trembling, shrinking, annihilated heap of shame and misery. + </p> + <p> + Berenger absolutely gave a cry that, though instantly repressed, had the + ring of ecstasy in it. ‘Cousin—cousin!’ he cried, ‘all is forgiven—all + forgotten, if you will only tell me where!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That I cannot,’ said Diane, rousing herself again, but speaking in a + dull, indifferent tone, as of one to whom the prime bitterness was past, + ‘save that she is under the care of the Duchess de Quinet;’ and she then + proceeded, as though repeating a lesson: ‘You remember the Italian + conjurer whom you would not consult? Would that I had not!’ she added, + clasping her hands. ‘His prediction lured me? Well, he saw my father + privately, told him he had seen her, and had bought her jewels, even her + hair. My father sent him in quest of her again, but told not me till the + man returned with tidings that she was at Quinet, in favour with the + Duchess. You remember that he went from home. It was to demand he; and, + ah! you know how long I had loved you, and they told me that your marriage + was void, and that all would be well upon the dispensation coming. And now + the good father there tells me that I was deceived—cruelly deceived—that + such a dispensation would not be granted save through gross + misrepresentation.’ Then, as Berenger began to show tokens of eagerness to + come at tidings of Eustacie, she continued, ‘Ah! it is vain to seek to + excuse one you care not for. My father could learn nothing from the + Duchess; she avowed that she had been there, but would say no more. + However, he and my brother were sure she was under their protection; they + took measures, and—and the morning my poor father was stricken, + there had been a letter from my brother to say he was on her track, and + matters must be ended with you, for he should have her in a week;’ and + then, as Berenger started forward with an inarticulate outburst, half of + horror, half of interrogation, she added, ‘Where, he said not, nor did I + learn from him. All our one interview was spend in sneers that answered to + my wild entreaties; but this I know—that you would never have + reached Tours a living man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And now, now he is on the way to her!’ cried Berenger, ‘and you kept it + from me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There lay my hope,’ said Diane, raising her head; and now, with + glittering eyes and altered voice, ‘How could I not but hate her who had + bereaved me of you; her for whose sake I could not earn your love?’ + </p> + <p> + The change of her tone had, perhaps, warned the priest to draw nearer, and + as she perceived him, she said, ‘Yes, father, this is not the way to + absolution, but my heart will burst if I say not all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou shalt not prevail, foul spirit,’ said the priest, looking earnestly + into the darkness, as though he beheld the fiend hovering over her, + ‘neither shall these holy walls be defiled with accents of unhallowed + love. You have made your reparation, daughter; it is enough.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And can you tell me no more?’ said Berenger, sadly. ‘Can you give me no + clue that I may save her from the wolf that may be already on her track? + Cousin, if you would do this, I would bless you for ever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! I would if I could! It is true, cousin, I have no heart to deceive + you any longer. But it is to Madame de Quinet that you must apply, and if + my brother has though me worth pursuit, you may be in time! One moment,’—as + he would have sprung away as if in the impulse to fly to the rescue,—‘cousin; + had you gone to England as I hoped, I would have striven to deserve to win + that love of yours, but you have conquered by your constancy. Now, father, + I have spoken my last save as penitent.’ + </p> + <p> + She covered her head and sank down again. + </p> + <p> + Berenger, bewildered and impelled to be doing something, let the priest + lead him out before he exclaimed, ‘I said nothing to her of pardon!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You do pardon?’ said the priest. + </p> + <p> + He paused a moment. ‘Freely, if I find my wife. I can only remember now + that she set me on the way. I would ease her soul, poor thing, and + thinking would make me hard again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do the English bring up their sons with such feelings?’ asked the cure, + pausing for a moment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course,’ said Berenger. ‘May I say that one word, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not now,’ said the priest; ‘she had better be left to think of her sin + towards Heaven, rather than towards man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But do you leave her there, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall return. I shall pray for her true penitence,’ said the priest, + and Berenger perceived from his tone that one without the pale might + inquire no further. He only asked how safe and honourable shelter could be + found for her; and the cure replied that he had already spoken to her of + the convent of Lucon, and should take her there so soon as it could safely + be done, and that Abbess Monique, he trusted, would assist her crushed + spirit in finding the path of penitence. He thought her cousin had better + not endeavour to see her again; and Berenger himself was ready to forget + her very existence in his burning anxiety to outstrip Narcisse in the + quest of Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLI. OUR LADY OF HOPE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Welcome to danger’s hour, + Brief greeting serves the time of strife. + —SCOTT +</pre> + <p> + As soon as it was possible to leave Nissard, Berenger was on his way back + to head-quarters, where he hoped to meet the Duke de Quinet among the many + Huguenot gentlemen who were flocking to the Bourbon standard; nor was he + disappointed in the hope, for he was presented to a handsome middle-aged + gentleman, who told him, with much politeness, that his mother had had the + honour to receive and entertain Mme. de Ribaumont and that some months ago + he had himself arranged for the conveyance of her letters to England, but, + he said, with a smile, he made a point of knowing nothing of his mother’s + guests, lest his duties as a governor might clash with those of + hospitality. He offered to expedite M. de Ribaumont’s journey to Quinet, + observing that, if Nid de Merle were, indeed, on the point of seizing the + lady, it must be by treachery; indeed he had, not ten days back, had the + satisfaction of hanging an Italian mountebank who had last year stolen a + whole packet of dispatches, among them letters from Mme. de Ribaumont, and + the fellow was probably acting as a spy upon her, so that no time was to + be lost in learning from his mother where she was. On the next morning he + was about to send forward twenty men to reinforce a little frontier + garrison on the river Dronne, and as M. le Baron must pass through the + place, it would be conferring a favour on him to take the command. The men + were all well mounted, and would not delay; and when once across the + frontier of Guyenne, no escort would be needed. + </p> + <p> + Berenger gladly accepted the proposal. It did not occur to him that he was + thus involved in the civil war, and bearing arms against the sovereign. In + spite of Queen Elisabeth’s alliance with the French court, she connived at + her youthful subjects seeking the bubble reputation in the mouths of + Valois cannon; and so little did Henry III. seem to Berenger to be his + king, that he never thought of the question of allegiance,—nay, if + the royal officers were truly concerned in his arrest, he was already an + outlaw. This was no moment for decision between Catholic and Calvinist; + all he wanted was to recover his wife and forestall her enemies. + </p> + <p> + Henry of Navarre gave his full consent to the detachment being placed + under charge of M. de Ribaumont. He asked somewhat significantly what had + become of the young gentleman who had attended M. de Ribaumont, and Philip + blushed crimson to the ears, while Berenger replied, with greater coolness + than he had given himself credit for, that the youth had been nearly + drowned on the Sable d’Olonne, and had been left at Dom Colombeau’s to + recover. The sharp-witted King looked for a moment rather as Sir Hugh the + Heron did when Marmion accounted for his page’s absence, but was far too + courteous and too INSOUCIANT to press the matter further, though Berenger + saw quite enough of is expression to feel that he had been delivered from + his companion only just in time. + </p> + <p> + Berenger set forth as soon as his impatience could prevail to get the men + into their saddles. He would fain have ridden day and night, and grudged + every halt for refreshment, so as almost to run the risk of making the men + mutinous. Evening was coming on, and his troop had dismounted at a + cabaret, in front of which he paced up and down with Philip, trying to + devise some pretext for hastening them on another stage before night, when + a weary, travel-stained trooper rode up to the door and was at once hailed + as a comrade by the other men, and asked, ‘What cheer at Pont de Dronne?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bad enough,’ he answered, ‘unless you can make the more speed there!’ + then making obeisance to Berenger he continued his report, saying that + Captain Falconnet was sending him to M. le Duc with information that the + Guisards were astir, and that five hundred <i>gens d’armes</i>, under the + black Nid de Merle, as it was said, were on their way intending to + surprise Pont de Dronne, and thus cut the King of Navarre off from Guyenne + and his kingdom beyond it. After this Berenger had no more difficulty with + his men, who were most of them Quinet vassals, with homes south of the + Dronne, and the messenger only halted for a hasty meal, hastening on to + the Duke, that a more considerable succour might at once be dispatched. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is she there whom they call the Lady of Hope?’ asked one of the soldiers, + a mercenary, less interested than most of his comrades, as he had only a + fortnight since transferred his services from Guise to Quinet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Our Lady of Sadness just now,’ replied the messenger; ‘her old father is + at the point of death. However, she is there, and at our last siege twenty + wine-skins would not so well have kept up men’s hearts.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And the little one, the white fairy, is she there too? They say ‘tis a + spirit, a changeling that could not brook the inside of a church, but flew + out of the Moustier at Montauban like a white swan, in the middle of a + sermon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I only know I’ve seen her sleep like a dormouse through prayers, sermon, + and all at Pont de Dronne. <i>Follette</i> is she be, she belongs to the + white elves of the moonlight.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, they say bullets won’t touch her, and no place can be taken where + she is,’ replied the trooper. ‘Nay, that Italian pedlar rogue, the same + that the Duke has since hung, has sold to long Gilles and snub-nosed + Pierre silver bullets, wherewith they have sworn to shoot the one or the + other next time they had a chance.’ + </p> + <p> + These words were spoken at not great distance from Berenger, but passed by + him as mere men-at-arms’ gossip, in his eagerness to expedite the start of + his party; and in less than an hour they were <i>en route</i> for Pont de + Dronne; but hasten as he would, it was not till near noon the next day + that he came in sight of a valley, through which wound a river, crossed by + a high-backed bridge, with a tall pointed arch in the middle, and a very + small one on either side. An old building of red stone, looking like what + it was—a monastery converted into a fortress—stood on the + nearer, or northern bank, and on the belfry tower waved a flag with the + arms of Quinet. Higher up the valley, there was an ominous hum, and clouds + of smoke and dust; and the <i>gen d’armes</i>, who knew the country, + rejoiced that they were come just in time, and exchanged anxious questions + whether the enemy were not fording the river above them, so as to attack + not only the fortress on this northern side, but the bridge tower on the + southern bank of the river. + </p> + <p> + Spurring down the hill, the party were admitted, at the well-guarded + gateway, into a large thickly-walled yard, where the soldiers and horses + remained, and Berenger and Philip, passing through a small arched doorway + into the body of the old monastery, were conducted to a great wainscoted + hall, where a pulpit projecting from the wall, and some defaced emblematic + ornaments, showed that this had once been the refectory, though guard-room + appliances now occupied it. The man who had shown them in left them, + saying he would acquaint Captain Falconnet with their arrival, and just + then a sound of singing drew both brothers to the window. It looked out on + what had once been the quadrangle, bounded on three sides by the church, + the refectory, and the monk’s lodgings, the cloistered arcade running + round all these. The fourth side was skirted by the river, which was, + however, concealed by an embankment, raised, no doubt, to supply the place + of the wall, which had been unnecessary to the peaceful original + inhabitants. What attracted Berenger’s eyes was, however, a group in the + cloister, consisting of a few drooping figures, some of men in steel caps, + others of veiled, shrouded women, and strange, mingled feelings swept over + him as he caught the notes of the psalm sung over the open grave— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Si qu’en paix et seurte bonne + Coucherai et reposerai— + Car, Seigneur, ta bonte tout ordonne + Et elle seule espoir donne + Que seur et sain regnant serai.’ +</pre> + <p> + ‘Listen, Philip,’ he said, with moistening eyes; then as they ended, ‘It + is the 4th Psalm: “I lay me down in peace and take my rest.” Eustacie and + I used to sing it to my father. It was well done in these mourners to sing + it over him whom they are laying down to take his rest while the enemy are + at the gates. See, the poor wife still kneels while the rest disperse; how + dejected and utterly desolate she looks.’ + </p> + <p> + He was so intently watching her as not to perceive the entrance of a tall, + grizzled old man in a steel cap, evidently the commander of the garrison. + There was the brief welcome of danger’s hour—the briefer, because + Captain Falconnet was extremely deaf, and, taking it for granted that the + new-comers were gentlemen of the Duke’s, proceeded to appoint them their + posts without further question. Berenger had intended to pursue his + journey to Quinet without delay, but the intelligence that the enemy were + on the southern as well as the northern side of the river rendered this + impossible; and besides, in defending this key of Guyenne against + Narcisse, he was also defending Eustacie. + </p> + <p> + The state of affairs was soon made known to him. The old monastery, + covering with its walls an extensive space, formed a fortress quite strong + enough to resist desultory attacks, and protect the long bridge, which was + itself strongly walled on either side, and with a barbican at the further + end. In former assaults the attacks had always been on the north, the + Catholic side, as it might be called; but now the enemy had crossed the + river above the fort, and were investing the place on both sides. Long + foreseeing this, the old commandant had guarded the bank of the river with + the earthwork, a long mound sloped irregularly on either hand, over which + numerous little paths had since been worn by the women within, when on + their way to the river with their washing; but he had been setting every + one to work to destroy and fill up these, so that the rampart was smooth + and slopping, perfectly easy indeed to cross, but high and broad enough to + serve as an effectual protection against such artillery as the detached + troops of the Guise party were likely to possess; and the river was far + too wide, deep, and strong in its main current to be forded in the face of + a hostile garrison. The captain had about fifty <i>gen d’armes</i> in his + garrison, besides the twenty new-comers whom he persisted in regarding as + Berenger’s charge; and there were, besides, some seventy peasants and silk + spinners, who had come into the place as a refuge from the enemy—and + with these he hoped to hold put till succour should come from the Duke. He + himself took the command of the north gate, where the former assaults had + been made, and he instructed to his new ally the tower protecting the + bridge, advising him to put on armour; but Berenger, trying on a steel + cap, found that his head could not bear the weight and heat, and was + forced to return to his broad-brimmed Spanish hat, while Philip in high + glee armed himself as best he could with what Captain Falconnet could lend + him. he was too much excited to eat of the scanty meal that was set before + them: a real flight seemed like a fair-day to him, and he was greatly + exalted by his brother’s post of command—a post that Berenger felt a + heavy responsibility only thrust upon him by the commandant’s incapacity + of hearing how utterly inexperienced he was. + </p> + <p> + The formal summons to surrender to the King, and the refusal, had duly + passed, and it became evident that the first attack was to be on the + bridge-gate. Captain Falconnet hurried to the place, and the fighting was + hot and desperate. Every assailant who tried to throw his fagot into the + moat became a mark for arquebus or pistol, and the weapons that had so + lately hung over the hearth at Nid de Merle were now aimed again and again + at the heads and corslets of Guisards, with something of the same exulting + excitement as, only higher, more engrossing, and fiercer than, that with + which the lads had taken aim at a wolf, or ridden after a fox. + Scaling-ladders were planted and hurled down again; stones were cast from + the battlements, crushing the enemy; and throughout Berenger’s quick eye, + alert movements, and great height and strength, made him a most valuable + champion, often applauded by a low murmur of commendation from old + Falconnet, or a loud shout of ‘Ha, well done, the Duke’s Englishman,’ from + the <i>gen d’armes</i>—for English they would have him to be—on + the presumptions afforded by his companions, his complexion, and his slow + speech. Nor did Philip and Humfrey fail to render good service. But just + as the enemy had been foiled in a sharp assault and were dragging away + their wounded, Philip touched his brother, and saying, ‘I can hold out no + longer,’ showed blood trickling down his right side. + </p> + <p> + Berenger threw an arm round him, and Captain Falconnet, seeing his case, + said, ‘You are hit, <i>petit Anglais</i>; you have done gallantly. There + will be time for you to take him to his quarters, sir; these fellows have + had enough for the present, and you can tarry with him till you hear the + bugle. Whither, did you ask? Let me see. You, Renaud, take him to the + chapel: the old chancel behind the boarding will be more private; and + desire Madame to look to him. Farewell! I hope it may prove slight; you + are a brave youth.’ And he shook hands with Philip, whose intense + gratification sustained him for many steps afterwards. + </p> + <p> + He hardly remembered receiving the hurt, and was at first too busy to heed + it, or to call off any one attention, until a dread of falling, and being + trodden on, had seized him and made him speak; and indeed he was so dizzy + that Berenger with difficulty kept him on his feet over the bridge, and in + the court lifted him in his arms and carried him almost fainting into the + cloister, where by the new-made grave still knelt the black-veiled + mourner. She started to her feet as the soldier spoke to her, and seemed + at first not to gather the sense of his words; but then, as if with an + effort, took them in, made one slight sound like a moan of remonstrance at + the mention of the place, but again recollecting herself, led the way + along a stone passage, into which a flight of stairs descended into the + apsidal chancel, roughly boarded off from the rest of the church. It was a + ruinous, desolate place, and Berenger looked round in dismay for some + place on which to lay down his almost unconscious burthen. The lady bent + her head and signed towards the stone sedilia in the wall; then, after two + ineffectual essays to make her voice audible, choked as it was with long + weeping, she said, low and huskily, ‘We will make him more comfortable + soon;’ and added some orders to the soldier, who disappeared up the + stairway, and Berenger understood that he was gone to fetch bedding. Then + taking from under her heavy mourning cloak a large pair of scissors, she + signed to Berenger how to support his brother, while they relieved him of + his corslet, sword-belt, and doublet. The soldier had meantime returned + with an old woman, both loaded with bedding, which she signed to them to + arrange in one of the little bays or niches that served to form a crown of + lesser chapels around the chancel. She flung aside her muffling cloak, but + her black hood still hung far over her face, and every now and then hand + or handkerchief was lifted as if to clear her eyes from the tears that + would not cease to gather and blind her; and she merely spoke when some + direction to an assistant, some sympathetic word to the patient, was + needed. Even Philip in his dizzy trance guessed that he was succeeding to + the bed whence one much dearer had gone to his quieter rest in the + cloister. Before he was laid there, however, the bugle sounded; there was + a loud shout, and Philip exclaimed, ‘Go, brother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Trust him to me, sir,’ said the sunken, extinguished voice; ‘we will do + our best for him.’ + </p> + <p> + He was forced merely to lift Philip to the bed, and to hurry away, while + the soldier followed him saying, consolingly, ‘Fear not, sir, now our Lady + of Hope has him. Nothing goes ill to which she sets her hand.’ + </p> + <p> + Another growl of artillery was not heard, and it was time for the warriors + to forget the wounded in the exigencies of the present. An attack was made + on both gates at once, and the commandant being engaged at his own post, + Berenger had to make the utmost of his brief experience, backed by the + counsel of a tough old sergeant; and great was his sense of exhilaration, + and absolute enjoyment in this full and worthy taxing of every power of + mind or body. The cry among the enemy, ‘Aime at the black plume,’ attested + his prominence; but he black plum was still unscathed when spring twilight + fell. The din began to subside; recalls were sounded by the besiegers; and + Berenger heard his own exploit bawled in the ear of the deaf commandant, + who was advancing over the bridge. The old captain complimented him, told + him that he should be well reported of to M. le Duc and Sieur la Noue, and + invited him to supper and bed in his own quarters. The supper Berenger + accepted, so soon as he should know how it was with his brother; but as to + bed, he intended to watch his brother, and visit his post form time to + time. + </p> + <p> + The captain entered by the main door of the chapel, where ten or twelve + wounded were now lying, tended by peasant women. Berenger merely passed + through, seeing as he went the black hood busy over a + freshly-brought-in-patient. He found a door which admitted him through the + rough screen of boards to the choir where he had been in the earlier part + of the day. The moonlight came through the shivered eastern windows, but a + canvas curtain had been hung so as to shelter Philip’s vaulted recess from + the cold draught, and the bed itself, with a chair beside it, looked neat, + clean, and comfortable. Philip himself was cheery; he said the bullet had + made a mere flesh-wound, and had passed out on the other side, and the + Lady of Hope, as they called he, was just such another as Aunt Cecily, and + had made him very comfortable, with clean linen, good cool drinks, and the + tenderest hand. But he was very sleepy, so sleepy that he hardly cared to + hear of the combat, only he roused himself for a moment to say, ‘Brother, + I have seen Dolly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dolly!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Our sister Dolly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, Phil! many a strange visitor has come to me in the Walnut Chamber at + home.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you I was in my perfect senses,’ returned Philip; ‘there she was, + just as when we left her. And, what was stranger still, she talked + French.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sleep and see her again,’ laughed Berenger. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLII. THE SILVER BULLET + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + I am all wonder, O my son, my soul + Is stunned within me; powers to speak to him + Or to interrogate him have I none, + Or even to look on him. + —Cowper’s ODYSSEY +</pre> + <p> + In his waking senses Philip adhered to his story that his little sister + Dolly had stood at the foot of his bed, called him ‘<i>le pauvre</i>’ and + had afterwards disappeared, led away by the nursing lady. It seemed to + Berenger a mere delusion of feverish weakness; for Philip had lost a great + deal of blood, and the wound, though not dangerous, permitted no attempt + at moving, and gave much pain. Of the perfections of the lady as nurse and + surgeon Philip could not say enough, and, pale and overwept as he allowed + her to be, he declared that he was sure that her beauty must equal Mme. De + Selinville’s. Berenger laughed, and looking round this strange hospital, + now lighted by the full rays of the morning sun, he was much struck by the + scene. + </p> + <p> + It was the chancel of the old abbey church. The door by which they had + entered was very small, and perhaps had led merely to the abbot’s throne, + as an irregularity for his own convenience, and only made manifest by the + rending away of the rich wooden stall work, some fragments of which still + clung to the walls. The east end, like that of many French churches, + formed a semicircle, the high altar having been in the centre, and five + tall deep bays forming lesser chapels embracing it, their vaults all + gathered up into one lofty crown above, and a slender pillar separating + between each chapel, each of which further contained a tall narrow window. + Of course, all had been utterly desolated, and Philip was actually lying + in one of these chapels, where the sculptured figure of St. John and his + Eagle still remained on the wall; and a sufficient remnant of his glowing + sanguine robe of love was still in the window to serve as a shield from + the <i>bise</i>. The high altar of rich marbles was a mere heap of + shattered rubbish; but what surprised Berenger more than all the ruined + architectural beauty which his <i>cinque-cento</i> trained taste could not + understand, was, that the tiles of the pavement were perfectly clean, and + diligently swept, the rubbish piled up in corners; and here and there the + relics of a cross or carved figure lay together, as by a tender, + reverential hand. Even the morsels of painted glass had been placed side + by side on the floor, so as to form a mosaic of dark red, blue, and green; + and a child’s toy lay beside this piece of patchwork. In the midst of his + observations, however, Captain Falconnet’s servant came to summon him to + breakfast; and the old woman appearing at the same time, he could not help + asking whether the lady were coming. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, she will come to dress his wound in good time,’ answered the old + woman. + </p> + <p> + ‘And when? I should like to hear what she thinks of it,’ said Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘How?’ said the old woman with a certain satisfaction in his + disappointment; ‘is our Lady of Hope to be coming down among you gay + gallants?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But who is this Lady of Hope?’ demanded he. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who should she be but our good pastor’s daughter? Ah! and a brave, good + daughter she was too, abiding the siege because his breath was so bad that + he could not be moved.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What was his name?’ asked Berenger, attracted strangely by what he heard. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ribault, Monsieur—Pasteur Ribault. Ah! a good man, and sound + preacher, when preach he could; but when he could not, his very presence + kept the monks’ REVENANTS from vexing us—as a cat keeps mice away; + and, ah! The children have been changed creatures since Madame dealt with + them. What! Monsieur would know why they call her our Lady of Hope? + Esperance is her true name; and, moreover, in the former days this abbey + had an image that they called Notre-Dame de l’Esperance, and the poor + deceived folk thought it did great miracles. And so, when she came hither, + and wrought such cures, and brought blessing wherever she went, it became + a saying among us that at length we had our true Lady of Hope. + </p> + <p> + A more urgent summons here forced Berenger away, and his repetition of the + same question received much the same answer from deaf old Captain + Falconnet. He was obliged to repair to his post with merely a piece of + bread in his hand; abut, though vigilance was needful, the day bade fair + to be far less actively occupied than its predecessor: the enemy were + either disposed to turn the siege into a blockade, or were awaiting + reinforcements and heavier artillery; and there were only a few desultory + attacks in the early part of the morning. About an hour before noon, + however, the besiegers seemed to be drawing out in arms, as if to receive + some person of rank, and at the same time sounds were heard on the hills + to the eastward, as if troops were on the march. Berenger having just been + told by the old sergeant that probably all would be quiet for some time + longer, and been almost laughed at by the veteran for consulting him + whether it would be permissible for him to be absent a few minutes to + visit his brother, was setting out across the bridge for the purpose, his + eyes in the direction of the rampart, which followed the curve of the + river. The paths which—as has been said—the feet of the + washerwomen and drawers of water had worn away in quieter times, had been + smoothed and scarped away on the outer side, so as to come to an abrupt + termination some feet above the gay marigolds, coltsfoot, and other spring + flowers that smiled by the water-side. Suddenly he beheld on the rampart a + tiny gray and white figure, fearlessly trotting, or rather dancing, along + the summit and the men around him exclaimed, ‘The little moonbeam child!’ + ‘A fairy—a changeling!’—‘They cannot shoot at such a babe!’ + ‘Nor could they harm her!’ ‘Hola! little one! <i>Gare</i>! Go back to your + mother!’ ‘Do not disturb yourself, sir; she is safer than you,’ were the + ejaculations almost at the same moment, while he sprang forward, horrified + at the peril of such an infant. He had reached the angle between the + bridge and rampart, when he perceived that neither humanity nor + superstition were protecting the poor child; for, as she turned down the + remnant of one of the treacherous little paths, a man in bright steel and + deep black had spurred his horse to the river’s brink, and was + deliberately taking aim at her. Furious at such brutality, Berenger fired + the pistol he held in his hand, and the wretch dropped from his horse; but + at the same moment his pistol exploded, and the child rolled down the + bank, whence a piteous wail came up, impelling Berenger to leap down to + her assistance, in the full face of the enemy. Perhaps he was protected + for the moment by the confusion ensuing on the fall of the officer; and + when he reached the bottom of the bank, he saw the little creature on her + feet, her round cap and gray woolen dress stripped half off in the fall, + and her flaxen hair falling round her plump, white, exposed shoulder, but + evidently unhurt, and gathering yellow marigolds as composedly as though + she had been making May garlands. He snatched her up, and she said, with + the same infantine dignity, ‘Yes, take me up; the naughty people spoilt + the path. But I must take my beads first.’ And she tried to struggle out + of his arms, pointing therewith to a broken string among the marshy + herb-age on which gleamed—the pearls of Ribaumont! + </p> + <p> + In the few seconds in which he grasped them, and then bore the child up + the embankment in desperate bounds, a hail of bullets poured round him, + ringing on his breastplate, shearing the plume from his hat, but scarcely + even heard; and in another moment he had sprung down, on the inner side, + grasping the child with all his might, but not daring even to look at her, + in the wondrous flash of that first conviction. She spoke first. ‘Put me + down, and let me have my beads,’ she said in a grave, clear tone; and then + first he beheld a pair of dark blue eyes, a sweet wild-rose face—Dolly’s + all over. He pressed her so fast and so close, in so speechless and over + powering an ecstasy, that again she repeated, and in alarm, ‘Put me down, + I want my mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, yes! your mother! your mother! your mother!’ he cried, unable to let + her out of his embrace; and then restraining himself as he saw her + frightened eyes, in absolute fear of her spurning him, or struggling from + him, ‘My sweet! my child! Ah! do you not know me?’ Then, remembering how + wild this was, he struggled to speak calmly: ‘What are you called, my + treasure?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am <i>la petite Rayonette</i>,’ she said, with puzzled dignity and + gravity; ‘and my mother says I have a beautiful long name of my own + besides.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Berangere—my Berangere—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is what she says over me, as I go to sleep in her bosom at night,’ + said the child, in a wondering voice, soon exchanged for entreaty, ‘Oh, + hug me not so hard! Oh, let me go—let me go to her! Mother! mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My child, mine own, I am take thee!—Oh, do not struggle with me!’ + he cried, himself imploring now. ‘Child, one kiss for thy father;’ and + meantime, putting absolute force on his vehement affection, he was + hurrying to the chancel. + </p> + <p> + There Philip hailed them with a shout as of desperate anxiety relieved; + but before a word could be uttered, down the stairs flew the Lady of Hope, + crying wildly, ‘Not there—she is not—’ but perceiving the + little one in the stranger’s arms, she held out her own, crying, ‘Ah! is + she hurt, my angel?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Unhurt, Eustacie! Our child is unhurt!’ Berenger said, with an agonized + endeavour to be calm; but for the moment her instinct was so entirely + absorbed in examining into the soundness of her child’s limbs, that she + neither saw nor hear anything else. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eustacie,’ he said, laying his hand on her arm, she started back, with + bewildered eyes. ‘Eustacie—wife? do you not know me? Ah! I forgot + that I am changed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You—you—’ she gasped, utterly confounded, and gazing as if + turned to stone, and though at that moment the vibration of a mighty + discharge of cannon rocked the walls, and strewed Philip’s bed with the + crimson shivers of St. John’s robe, yet neither of them would have been + sensible of it had not Humfrey rushed in at the same moment, crying, ‘They + are coming on like friends, sir!’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger passed his hand over his face. ‘You will know me WHEN—IF I + return, my dearest,’ he said. ‘If not, then still, thank God! Philip, to + you I trust them!’ + </p> + <p> + And with one kiss on that still, cold, almost petrified brow, he had + dashed away. There was a space of absolutely motionless silence, save that + Eustacie let herself drop on the chancel step, and the child, presently + breaking the spell, pulled her to attract her notice to the flowers. + ‘Mother, here are the <i>soucis</i> for the poor gentleman’s broth. See, + the naughty people had spoilt all the paths, and I rolled down and tore my + frock, and down fell the beads, but be not angry, mother dear, for the + good gentleman picked them up, and carried me up the bank.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The bank!’ cried Eustacie, with a scream, as the sense of the words + reached her ears. ‘Ah! no wonder! Well might thy danger bring thy father’s + spirit;’ and she grasped the little one fervently in her arms, murmuring, + ‘Thank, thank God, indeed! Oh! my precious one; and did He send that + blessed spirit to rescue thee?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And will you tie up my frock? and may I put the flowers into the broth?’ + chattered Rayonette. ‘And why did he kiss me and hug me so tight? and how + did he know what you say over me as we fall asleep?’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie clasped her tighter, with a convulsive, shudder of thankfulness; + and Philip, but half hearing, and barely gathering the meaning of her + mood, ventured to speak, ‘Madame—-’ + </p> + <p> + As if touched by an electric shock, Eustacie started up, as recalled to + instant needs, and coming towards him said, ‘Do you want anything, sir? + Pardon one who has but newly seen a spirit from the other world—brought + by his child’s danger.’ And the dazed, trance-like look was returning. + </p> + <p> + ‘Spirit!’ cried Philip. ‘Nay, Madame, it was himself. Ah! and you are she + whom we have sought so long; and this dear child—no wonder she has + Dolly’s face.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who—what?’ said Eustacie, pressing her temples with her hands, as + if to retain her senses. ‘Speak; was yonder a living or dead man—and + who?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Living, thank God! and your own husband; that is, if you are really + Eustacie. Are you indeed?’ he added, becoming doubtful. + </p> + <p> + ‘Eustacie, that am I,’ she murmured. ‘But he is dead—they killed + him; I swathe blood where he had waited for me. His child’s danger brought + him from the grave.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no. Look at me, sister Eustacie. Listen to me. Osbert brought him + home more dead than alive—but alive still.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No!’ she cried, half passionately. ‘Never could he have lived and left me + to mourn him so bitterly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you knew—’ cried Philip, growing indignant. ‘For weeks he lay in + deadly lethargy, and when, with his left hand, he wrote and sent Osbert to + you, your kinsfolk threw the poor fellow into a dungeon, and put us off + with lies that you were married to your cousin. All believed, only he—sick, + helpless, speechless, as he was—he trusted you still; and so soon as + Mericour came, though he could scarcely brook the saddle, nothing would + hold him from seeking you. We saw only ruin at La Sablerie, and well-nigh + ever since have we been clapped up in prison by your uncle. We were on the + way to Quinet to seek you. He has kept his faith whole through wounds and + pain and prison and threats,—ay, and sore temptation,’ cried Philip, + waxing eloquent; ‘and, oh, it cannot be that you do not care for him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Doubt not my faith, sir,’ said Eustacie, proudly; ‘I have been as true to + him as if I had known he lived. Nor do I know who you are to question me.’ + </p> + <p> + At this moment the child pressed forward, holding between her tow careful + plump hands a red earthenware bowl, with the tisane steaming in it, and + the yellow petals strewn over the surface. She and Philip had taken a + great fancy to each other, and while her mother was busy with the other + patients, she had been left to her quiet play with her fragments of glass, + which she carried one by one to display, held up to the light, to her new + friends; who, in his weak state, and after his long captivity, found her + the more charming playmate because she so strangely reminded him of his + own little sisters. She thought herself his little nurse, and missing from + his broth the yellow petals that she had been wont to think the charm of + tisane, the housewifely little being had trotted off, unseen and unmissed, + across the quadrangle, over the embankment, where she had often gathered + them, or attended on the ‘<i>lessive</i>’ on the river’s brink; and now + she broke forth exultingly, ‘Here, here is the tisane, with all the <i>soucis</i>. + Let me feed you with them, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! thou sweet one,’ gasped Philip, ‘I could as soon eat them as David + could drink the water! For these—for these—-!’ and the tears + rushed into his eyes. ‘Oh! let me but kiss her, Madame; I loved her from + the first moment. She has the very face of my little sweeting, (what + French word is good enough for her?) didst run into peril for me, not + knowing how near I was to thee? What, must I eat it? Love me then.’ + </p> + <p> + But the boarded door was thrown back, and ‘Madame, more wounded,’ + resounded. The thrill of terror, the elastic reaction, at the ensuing + words, ‘from the north gate,’ was what made Eustacie in an instant know + herself to be not widow but wife. She turned round at once, holding out + her hand, and saying with a shaken, agitated voice, ‘<i>Mon frere</i>, + pardon me, I know not what I say; and, after all, he will find me <i>bien + mechante</i> still.’ Then as Philip devoured her hand with kisses, and + held it fast, ‘I must go; these poor men need me. When I can, I will + return.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only let me have the little one,’ entreated Philip; ‘it is almost home + already to look at her.’ + </p> + <p> + And when Eustacie next looked in on them, they were both fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + She, poor thing, the only woman with brains among the many scared females + in the garrison, might not rest or look the wonder in the face. Fresh + sufferers needed her care, and related gallant things of ‘the Duke’s + Englishman,’ things of desperate daring and prowess that sent the blood + throbbing to her heart with exultation, but only to be followed by a pang + of anguish at having let him go back to peril—nay, perhaps, to death—without + a word of tenderness or even recognition. She imaged him as the + sunny-faced youth who had claimed her in the royal castle, and her longing + to be at his side and cling to him as his own became every moment more + fervent and irresistible, until she gladly recollected the necessity of + carrying food to the defenders; and snatching an interval from her + hospital cares, she sped to the old circular kitchen of the monastery, + where she found the lame baker vainly trying to organize a party of + frightened women to carry provisions to the garrison of the bridge-tower. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give some to me,’ she said. ‘My husband is there! I am come to fetch his + dinner.’ + </p> + <p> + The peasant women looked and whispered as if they thought that, to add to + their misfortunes, their Lady of Hope had become distracted by grief; and + one or two, who held the old faith, and were like the crane among the + sparrows, even observed that it was a judgment for the profane name that + had been given her, against which she had herself uniformly protested. + </p> + <p> + ‘My husband is come,’ said Eustacie, looking round with shining eyes. ‘Let + us be brave wives, and not let our men famish.’ + </p> + <p> + She lifted a loaf and a pitcher of broth, and with the latter poised on + her erect and graceful head, and elastic though steady step, she led the + way; the others following her with a sort of awe, as of one they fancied + in a superhuman state. In fact, there was no great danger in traversing + the bridge with its lofty parapet on either side; and her mind was too + much exalted and moved to be sensible of anything but a certain exulting + awe of the battle sounds. There was, however, a kind of lull in the + assault which had raged so fiercely ever since the fall of the officer, + and the arrival of the reinforcements. Either the enemy had paused to take + food, or were devising some fresh mode of attack; and as the line of women + advanced, there started forth from under the arch a broad-shouldered, + white-faced, golden-bearded personage, who cried joyously, ‘My dearest, my + bravest! this for me!’ and lifted the pitcher from her head as he grasped + her hand with a flesh and blood clasp indeed, but the bright-cheeked, + wavy-haired lad of her dream withered away with a shock of disappointment, + and she only looked up with wistful puzzled earnestness instead of + uttering the dear name that she had so long been whispering to herself. + ‘Dearest,’ he said, ‘this is precious indeed to me, that you should let me + feast my eyes once more on you. But you may not tarry; the rogues may + renew the attack at any moment.’ + </p> + <p> + She had thought of herself as insisting on standing beside him and sharing + his peril. Had he been himself she must have don so, but this was a + stranger, whose claiming her made her shrink apart till she could feel the + identity which, though she believed, she could not realize. Her hand lay + cold and tremulous within his warm pressure, but he was too much wrought + up and too full of joy and haste to be sensible of anything but of the + brave affection that had dared all to come to him; and he was perfectly + happy, even as a trumpet-call among the foe warned him to press her + fingers to his lips and say, as his bright blue eye kindled, ‘God grant + that we may meet and thank Him tonight! Farewell, my lost and found! I + fight as one who has something to fight for.’ + </p> + <p> + He might not leave his post, but he watched her with eyes that could not + be satiated, as she recrossed the bridge; and, verily, his superabundant + ecstasy, and the energy that was born of it, were all needed to sustain + the spirits of his garrison through that terrible afternoon. The enemy + seemed to be determined to carry the place before it could be relieved, + and renewed the storm again and again with increasing violence; while the + defenders, disheartened by their pertinacity, dismayed at the effects of + the heavy artillery, now brought to bear on the tower, and direfully + afraid of having the bridge destroyed, would have abandoned their barbican + and shut themselves up within the body of the place, had not Berenger been + here, there, and everywhere, directing, commanding, exhorting, cheering, + encouraging, exciting enthusiasm by word and example, winning proud + admiration by feats of valour and dexterity sprung of the ecstatic + inspiration of new-found bliss, and watching, as the conscious defender of + his own most beloved, without a moment’s respite, till twilight stillness + sank on the enemy, and old Falconnet came to relieve him, thanking him for + his gallant defence, and auguring that, by noonday tomorrow at latest, M. + le Duc would succour them, unless he were hampered by any folly of this + young Navarre. + </p> + <p> + Too blissful for the sense of fatigue, Berenger began to impart to the + Commandant his delight, but the only answer he got was ‘Hope, yes, every + hope;’ and he again recognized what he had already perceived, that the + indistinctness of his utterance made him entirely unintelligible to the + deaf Commandant, and that shouting did but proclaim to the whole garrison, + perhaps even to the enemy’s camp, what was still too new a joy not to be a + secret treasure of delight. So he only wrung the old Captain’s hand, and + strode away as soon as he was released. + </p> + <p> + It was nearly dark, in spite of a rising moon, but beneath the cloister + arch was torchlight, glancing on a steel head-piece, and on a white cap, + both bending down over a prostrate figure; and he heard the voice he loved + so well say, ‘It is over! I can do no more. It were best to dig his grave + at once here in silence—it will discourage the people less. Renaud + and Armand, here!’ + </p> + <p> + He paused for a few minutes unseen in the shadow while she closed the eyes + and composed the limbs of the dead soldier; then, kneeling, said the + Lord’s Prayer in French over him. Was this the being he had left as the + petted plaything of the palace? When she rose, she came to the arch and + gazed wistfully across the moonlit quadrangle, beyond the dark shade cast + by the buildings, saying to the soldier, ‘You are sure he was safe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My Eustacie,’ said Berenger, coming forward, ‘we meet in grave times!’ + </p> + <p> + The relief of knowing him safe after the sickening yearnings and suspense + of the day, and moreover the old ring of tenderness in his tone, made her + spring to him with real warmth of gladness, and cry, ‘It is you! All is + well. + </p> + <p> + ‘Blessedly well, <i>ma mie</i>, my sweetheart,’ he said, throwing his arm + round her, and she rested against him murmuring, ‘Now I feel it! Thou are + thyself!’ They were in the dark cloister passage, and when he would have + moved forward she clung closer to him, and murmured, ‘Oh, wait, wait, yet + an instant—thus I can feel that I have thee—the same—my + own!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My poor darling,’ said Berenger, after a second, ‘you must learn to bear + with both my looks and speech, though I be but a sorry shattered fellow + for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ she cried, hanging on him with double fervour. ‘No, I am loving + you the more already,—doubly—trebly—a thousand times. + Only those moments were so precious, they made all these long years as + nothing. But come to the little one, and to your brother.’ + </p> + <p> + The little one had already heard them, and was starting forward to meet + them, though daunted for a moment by the sight of the strange father: she + stood on the pavement, in the full flood of the moonlight from the east + window, which whitened her fair face, flaxen hair, and gray dress, so that + she did truly look like some spirit woven of the moonbeams. Eustacie gave + a cry of satisfaction: ‘Ah! good, good; it was by moonlight that I saw her + first!’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger took her in his arm, and held her to his breast with a sense of + insatiable love, while Philip exclaimed, ‘Ay, well may you make much of + her, brother. Well might you seek them far and wide. Such treasures are + not to be found in the wide world.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger without answering, carried the little one to the step of the + ruined high altar, and there knelt, holding Eustacie by the hand, the + child in one arm, and, with the moon glancing on his high white brow and + earnest face, he spoke a few words of solemn thanks and prayer for a + blessing on their reunion, and the babe so wonderfully preserved to them. + </p> + <p> + Not till then did he carry her into the lamplight by Philip’s bed, and + scan therein every feature, to satisfy his eyes with the fulfilled hope + that had borne him through those darkest days, when, despairing of the + mother, the thought of the child had still sustained him to throw his will + into the balance of the scale between life and death. Little Berangere + gazed up into his face silently, with wondering, grave, and somewhat + sleepy eyes, and then he saw them fix themselves on his powder-grimed and + blood-stained hands. ‘Ah! little heart,’ he said, ‘I am truly in no state + to handle so pure a piece of sugar as thou; I should have rid myself of + the battle-stains ere touching thee, but how recollect anything at such a + moment?’ + </p> + <p> + Eustacie was glad he had broken the spell of silence; for having recovered + her husband, her first instinct was to wait upon him. She took the child + from him, explaining that she was going to put her to bed in her own rooms + up the stone stair, which for the present were filled with fugitive women + and children who had come in from the country, so that the chancel must + continue the lodging of Berenger and his brother; and for the time of her + absence she brought him water to wash away the stains, and set before him + the soup she had kept warm over her little charcoal brazier. It was only + when thus left that he could own, in answer to Philip’s inquiries, that he + could feel either hunger or weariness; nay, he would only acknowledge + enough of the latter to give a perfect charm to rest under such auspices. + Eustacie had dispatched her motherly cares promptly enough to be with him + again just as in taking off his corselet he had found that it had been + pierced by a bullet, and pursuing the trace, through his doublet, he found + it lodged in that purse which he had so long worn next his heart, where it + had spent its force against the single pearl of Ribaumont. And holding it + up to the light, he saw that it was of silver. Then there returned on him + and Philip the words they had heard two days before, of silver bullets + forged for the destruction of the white moonlight fairy, and he further + remembered the moment’s shock and blow that in the midst of his wild amaze + on the river’s bank had made him gather his breath and strength to bound + desperately upwards, lest the next moment he should find himself wounded + and powerless. + </p> + <p> + For the innocent, then, had the shot been intended; and she running into + danger out of her sweet, tender instincts of helpfulness, had been barely + saved at the extreme peril of her unconscious father’s life. Philip, whose + vehement affection for the little one had been growing all day, was in the + act of telling Berenger to string the bullet in the place of the injured + pearl, as the most precious heirloom of Ribaumont bravery, when Eustacie + returned, and learning all, grew pale and shuddered as danger had never + made her do before: but this strange day had almost made a coward of her. + </p> + <p> + ‘And this is has spared,’ said Berenger, taking out the string of little + yellow shells. ‘Dost know them, sweet heart? They have been my chaplet all + this time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ cried Eustacie, ‘poor, good Mademoiselle Noemi! she threaded them + for my child, when she was very little. Ah! could she have given them to + you—could it then not have been true—that horror?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas! it was too true. I found these shells in the empty cradle, in the + burnt house, and deemed them all I should ever have of my babe.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor Noemi! poor Noemi! She always longed to be a martyr; but we fled + from her, and the fate we had brought on her. That was the thought that + preyed on my dear father. He grieved so to have left his sheep—and + it was only for my sake. Ah! I have brought evil on all who have been good + to me, beginning with you. You had better cast me off, or I shall bring + yet worse!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let it be so, if we are only together.’ + </p> + <p> + He drew her to him and she laid her head on his shoulder, murmuring, ‘Ah! + father, father, were you but here to see it. So desolate yesterday, so + ineffably blest today. Oh! I cannot even grieve for him now, save that he + could not just have seen us; yet I think he knew it would be so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, it may be that he does see us,’ said Berenger. ‘Would that I had + known who it was whom you were laying down “<i>en paix et seurte bonne</i>!” + As it was, the psalm brought precious thoughts of Chateau Leurre, and the + little wife who was wont to sing it with me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Eustacie, ‘it was when he sang those words as he was about to + sleep in the ruin of the Temple that first I—cowering there in + terror—knew him for no Templar’s ghost, but for a friend. That story + ended my worst desolation. That night he became my father; the next my + child came to me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My precious treasure! Ah! what you must have undergone, and I all + unknowing, capable of nothing wiser than going out of my senses, and + raging in a fever because I could convince no one that those were all lies + about your being aught but my true and loving wife. But tell me, what + brought thee hither to be the tutelary patron, where, but for the siege, I + had over-passed thee on the way to Quinet?’ + </p> + <p> + Then Eustacie told him how the Italian pedlar had stolen her letters, and + attempted to poison her child—the pedlar whom he soon identified + with that wizard who had talked to him of ‘Esperance,’ until the cue had + evidently been given by the Chevalier. Soon after the Duke had dispatched + a messenger to say that the Chevalier de Ribaumont was on the way to + demand his niece; and as it was a period of peace, and the law was + decidedly on his side, Madame de Quinet would be unable to offer any + resistance. She therefore had resolved to send Eustacie away—not to + any of the seaports whither the uncle would be likely to trace her, but + absolutely to a place which he would have passed through on his journey + into Guyenne. The monastery of Notre-Dame de l’Esperance at Pont de Dronne + had been placed there, as well as a colony of silk-spinners, attracted by + the mulberry-trees of the old abbey garden. These, however, having + conceived some terror of the ghosts of the murdered monks, had entreated + for a pastor to protect them; and Madame la Duchesse thought that in this + capacity Isaac Gardon, known by one of the many aliases to which the + Calvinist ministers constantly resorted, might avoid suspicion for the + present. She took the persecuted fugitives for some stages in an opposite + direction, in her own coach, then returned to face and baffle the + Chevalier, while her trusty steward, by a long <i>detour</i>, conducted + them to Pont de Dronne, which they reached the very night after to + Chevalier had returned through it to Nid de Merle. + </p> + <p> + The pastor and his daughter were placed under the special protection of + Captain Falconnet, and the steward had taken care that they should be well + lodged in three rooms that had once been the abbot’s apartments. Their + stay had been at first intended to be short, but the long journey had been + so full of suffering to Isaac, and left such serious effects, that + Eustacie could not bear to undertake it again, and Madame de Quinet soon + perceived that she was safer there than at the chateau, since strangers + were seldom admitted to the fortress, and her presence there attracted no + attention. But for Isaac Gardon’s declining health, Eustacie would have + been much happier here than at the chateau; the homely housewifely life, + where all depended on her, suited her; and, using her lessons in domestic + arts of nursing and medicine for the benefit of her father’s flock, she + had found, to her dismay, that the simple people, in their veneration, had + made her into a sort of successor to the patroness of the convent. Isaac + had revived enough for a time to be able to conduct the worship in the + church, and to instruct some his flock; but the teaching of the young had + been more and more transferred to her, and, as he ingenuously said, had + taught her more than she ever knew before. He gradually became weaker + through more suffering, and was absolutely incapable of removal, when an + attack by the Guisards was threatened. Eustacie might have been sent back + to Quinet; but she would not hear of leaving him; and this first had been + a mere slight attack, as if a mere experiment on the strength of the + place. She had, however, then had to take the lead in controlling the + women, and teaching them to act as nurses, and to carry out provisions; + and she must then have been seen by some one, who reported her presence + there to Narcisse—perhaps by the Italian pedlar. Indeed Humfrey, who + came in for a moment to receive his master’s orders, report his watch, and + greet his lady, narrated, on the authority of the lately enlisted + men-at-arms, that M. de Nid de Merle had promised twenty crowns to any one + who might shoot down the heretics’ little white <i>diablesse</i>. + </p> + <p> + About six weeks had elapsed since the first attack on Pont de Dronne, and + in that time Gardon had sunk rapidly. He died as he lived, a gentle, + patient man, not a characteristic Calvinist, though his lot had been + thrown with that party in his perplexed life of truth-seeking and + disappointment in the aspirations and hopes of early youth. He had been, + however, full of peace and trust that he should open his eyes where the + light was clear, and no cloud on either side would mar his perception; and + his thankfulness had been great for the blessing that his almost + heaven-sent daughter had been to him in his loneliness, bereavement, and + decay. Much as he loved her, he did not show himself grieved or distressed + on her account; but, as he told her, he took the summons to leave her as a + sign that his task was done, and the term of her trials ended. ‘I trust as + fully,’ he said, ‘that thou wilt soon be in safe and loving hands, as + though I could commit thee to them.’ + </p> + <p> + And so he died in her arms, leaving her a far fuller measure of blessing + and of love than ever she had derived from her own father; and as the + enemy’s trumpets were already sounding on the hills, she had feared insult + to his remains, and had procured his almost immediate burial in the + cloister, bidding the assistants sing, as his farewell, that evening psalm + which had first brought soothing to her hunted spirit. + </p> + <p> + There, while unable, after hours of weeping, to tear herself from the + grave of her father and protector, had she in her utter desolation been + startled by the summons, not only to attend to the wounded stranger, but + to lodge him in the chancel. ‘Only this was wanting,’ was the first + thought in her desolation, for this had been her own most cherished + resort. Either the <i>bise</i>, or fear of a haunted spot, or both, had + led to the nailing up of boards over the dividing screen, so that the + chancel was entirely concealed from the church; and no one ever thought of + setting foot there till Eustacie, whose Catholic reverence was + indestructible, even when she was only half sure that it was not worse + than a foible, had stolen down thither, grieved at its utter desolation, + and with fond and careful hands had cleansed it, and amended the ruin so + far as she might. She had no other place where she was sure of being + uninterrupted; and here had been her oratory, where she daily prayed, and + often came to hide her tears and rally her spirits through that long + attendance on her fatherly friend. It had been a stolen pleasure. Her + reverent work there, if once observed, would have been treated as rank + idolatry; and it was with consternation as well as grief that she found, + by the Captain’s command, that this her sanctuary and refuge was to be + invaded by strange soldiers! Little did she think—-! + </p> + <p> + And thus they sat, telling each other all, on the step of the ruined + chancel, among the lights and shadows of the apse. How unlike to stately + Louvre’s halls of statuary and cabinets of porcelain, or the Arcadian + groves of Montpipeau! And yet how little they recked that they were in a + beleaguered fortress, in the midst of ruins, wounded sufferers all around, + themselves in hourly jeopardy. It was enough that they had one another. + They were so supremely happy that their minds unconsciously gathered up + those pale lights and dark fantastic shades as adjuncts of their bliss. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIII. LE BAISER D’EUSTACIE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + No pitying voice, no eye, affords + One tear to grace his obsequies. + —GRAY +</pre> + <p> + Golden sunshine made rubies and sapphires of the fragments of glass in the + windows of Notre-Dame de l’Esperance, and lighted up the brown face and + earnest eyes of the little dark figure, who, with hands clasped round her + knees, sat gazing as if she could never gaze her fill, upon the sleeping + warrior beside whom she sat, his clear straight profile like a cameo, both + in chiseling and in colour, as it lay on the brown cloak where he slept + the profound sleep of content and of fatigue. + </p> + <p> + Neither she nor Philip would have spoken or stirred to break that + well-earned rest; but sounds from without were not long in opening his + eyes, and as they met her intent gaze, he smiled and said, ‘Good morrow, + sweet heart! What, learning how ugly a fellow is come back to thee?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, indeed! I was trying to trace thine old likeness, and then wondering + how I ever liked thy boyish face better than the noble look thou bearest + now!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! when I set out to come to thee, I was a walking rainbow; yet I was + coxcomb enough to think thou wouldst overlook it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Show me those cruel strokes,’ she said; ‘I see one’—and her finger + traced the seam as poor King Charles had done—‘but where is the one + my wicked cousin called by that frightful name?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, verily, that sweet name spared my life! A little less spite at my + peach cheek, and I had been sped, and had not lisped and stammered all my + days in honour of <i>le baiser d’Eustacie</i>!’ and as he pushed aside his + long golden silk moustache to show the ineffaceable red and purple scar, + he added, smiling, ‘It has waited long for its right remedy.’ + </p> + <p> + At that moment the door in the rood-screen opened. Captain Falconnet’s one + eye stared in amazement, and from beneath his gray moustache thundered + forth the word ‘Comment!’ in accents fit to wake the dead. + </p> + <p> + Was this Esperance, the most irreproachable of pastor’s daughters and + widows? ‘What, Madame, so soon as your good father is under ground? At + least I thought ONE woman could be trusted; but it seems we must see to + the wounded ourselves.’ + </p> + <p> + She blushed, but stood her ground; and Berenger shouted, ‘She is my wife, + sir!—my wife whom I have sought so long!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That must be as Madame la Duchesse chooses,’ said the Captain. ‘She is + under her charge, and must be sent to her as soon as this <i>canaille</i> + is cleared off. To your rooms, Madame!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am her husband!’ again cried Berenger. ‘We have been married sixteen + years.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You need not talk to me of dowry; Madame la Duchesse will settle that, if + you are fool enough to mean anything by it. No, no, Mademoiselle, I’ve no + time for folly. Come with me, sir, and see if that be true which they say + of the rogues outside.’ + </p> + <p> + And putting his arm into Berenger’s, he fairly carried him off, + discoursing by the way on <i>feu</i> M. l’Amiral’s saying that + ‘over-strictness in camp was perilous, since a young saint, an old devil,’ + but warning him that this was prohibited gear, as he was responsible for + the young woman to Madame la Duchesse. Berenger, who had never made the + Captain hear anything that he did not know before, looked about for some + interpreter whose voice might be more effectual, but found himself being + conducted to the spiral stair of the church steeple; and suddenly + gathering that some new feature in the case had arisen, followed the old + man eagerly up the winding steps to the little square of leaden roof where + the Quinet banner was planted. It commanded a wide and splendid view, to + the Bay of Biscay on the one hand, and the inland mountains on the other; + but the warder who already stood there pointed silently to the north, + where, on the road by which Berenger had come, was to be seen a cloud of + dust, gilded by the rays of the rising sun. + </p> + <p> + Who raised it was a matter of no doubt; and Berenger’s morning orisons + were paid with folded hands, in silent thanks-giving, as he watched the + sparkling of pikes and gleaming of helmets—and the white flag of + Bourbon at length became visible. + </p> + <p> + Already the enemy below were sending out scouts—they rode to the top + of the hill—then a messenger swan his horse across the river. In the + camp before the bridge-tower men buzzed out of their tents, like ants + whose hill is disturbed; horses were fastened to the cannon, tents were + struck, and it was plain that the siege was to be raised. + </p> + <p> + Captain Falconnet did his ally the honour to consult him on the expedience + of molesting the Guisards by a sally, and trying to take some of their + guns; but Berenger merely bowed to whatever he said, while he debated + aloud the PROS and CONS, and at last decided that the garrison had been + too much reduced for this, and that M. le Duc would prefer finding them + drawn up in good order to receive him, to their going chasing and + plundering disreputable among the enemy—the Duke being here + evidently a much greater personage than the King of Navarre, hereditary + Governor of Guyenne though he were. Indeed, nothing was wanting to the + confusion of Berenger’s late assailants. In the camp on the north side of + the river, things were done with some order; but that on the other side + was absolutely abandoned, and crowds were making in disorder for the ford, + leaving everything behind them, that they might not have their retreat cut + off. Would there be a battle? Falconnet, taking in with his eye the + numbers of the succouring party, thought the Duke would allow the + besiegers to depart unmolested, but remembered with a sigh that young king + had come to meddle in their affair! + </p> + <p> + However, it was needful to go down and marshal the men for the reception + of the new-comers, or to join in the fight, as the case might be. + </p> + <p> + And it was a peaceful entrance that took place some hours later, and was + watched from the windows of the prior’s rooms by Eustacie, her child, and + Philip, whom she had been able to install in her own apartments, which had + been vacated by the refugee women in haste to return home, and where he + now sat in Maitre Gardon’s great straw chair, wrapped in his loose gown, + and looking out at the northern gates, thrown open to receive the King and + Duke, old Falconnet presenting the keys to the Duke, the Duke bowing low + as he offered them to the King, and the King waving them back to the Duke + and the Captain. Then they saw Falconnet presenting the tall auxiliary who + had been so valuable to him, his gesture as he pointed up to the window, + and the King’s upward look, as he doffed his hat and bowed low, while + Eustacie responded with the most graceful of reverences, such as reminded + Philip that his little sister-in-law and tender nurse was in truth a great + court lady. + </p> + <p> + Presently Berenger came up-stairs, bringing with him his faithful + foster-brother Osbert, who, though looking gaunt and lean, had nearly + recovered his strength, and had accompanied the army in hopes of finding + his master. The good fellow was full of delight at the welcome of his + lady, and at once bestirred himself in assisting her in rectifying the + confusion in which her guests had left her apartment. + </p> + <p> + Matters had not long been set straight when steps were heard on the stone + stair, and, the door opening wide, Captain Falconnet’s gruff voice was + heard, ‘This way, Monseigneur; this way, Sire.’ + </p> + <p> + This was Madame la Baronne de Ribaumont’s first reception. She was + standing at the dark walnut table, fresh starching and crimping Berenger’s + solitary ruff, while under her merry superintendence those constant + playfellows, Philip and Rayonette, were washing, or pretending to wash, + radishes in a large wooden bowl, and Berenger was endeavouring to write + his letter of good tidings, to be sent by special messenger to his + grand-father. Philip was in something very like a Geneva gown; Eustacie + wore her prim white cap and frill, and coarse black serge kirtle; and + there was but one chair besides that one which Philip was desired to + retain, only two three-legged stools and a bench. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, Madame de Ribaumont was equal to the occasion; nothing could + have been more courtly, graceful, or unembarrassed than her manner of + receiving of King’s gallant compliments, and of performing all the + courtesies suited to the hostess and queen of the place: it was the air + that would have befitted the stateliest castle hall, yet that in its + simplicity and brightness still more embellished the old ruinous + convent-cell. The King was delighted, he sat down upon one of the + three-legged stools, took Rayonette upon his knee, undertook to finish + washing the radishes, but ate nearly all he washed, declaring that they + put him in mind of his old hardy days on the mountains of Bearn. He + insisted on hearing all Rayonette’s adventure in detail; and on seeing the + pearls and the silver bullet, ‘You could scarcely have needed the token, + sir,’ said he with a smile to Berenger; ‘Mademoiselle had already shown + herself of the true blood of the bravest of knights.’ + </p> + <p> + The tidings of the attack on Pont de Dronne had caused the Duke to make a + forced march to its relief, in which the King had insisted on joining him; + and they now intended to wait at Pont de Dronne till the rest of the + troops came up, and to continue their march through Guyenne to Nerac, the + capital of Henry’s county of Foix. The Duke suggested that if Philip were + well enough to move when the army proceeded, the family might then take + him to Quinet, where the Duchess would be very desirous to see Madame; and + therewith they took leave with some good-humoured mirth as to whether M. + le Ribaumont would join them at supper, or remain in the bosom of his + family, and whether he were to be regarded as a gay bridegroom or a + husband of sixteen year’s standing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay,’ said the King, ‘did his good Orpheus know how nearly his Eurydice + had slipped through his fingers again? how M. de Quinet had caught the + respectable Pluto yonder in the gray moustache actually arranging an + escort to send the lady safe back to Quinet <i>bon gre malgre</i>—and + truly a deaf Pluto was worse than even Orpheus had encountered!’ + </p> + <p> + So laughing, he bowed again his compliments; but Eustacie demanded, so + soon as he was gone, what he meant by calling her by such names. If he + thought it was her Christian name, it was over-familiar—if not, she + liked it less. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is only that he last saw you in the Infernal Region, <i>ma mie</i>,’ + said Berenger; ‘and I have sought you ever since, as Orpheus sought + Eurydice.’ + </p> + <p> + But her learning did not extend so far; and when the explanation was made, + she pouted, and owned that she could not bear to be reminded of the most + foolish and uncomfortable scene in her life—the cause of all her + troubles; and as Berenger was telling her of Diane’s confession that her + being involved in the pageant was part of the plot for their detention at + Paris, Osbert knocked at the door, and entered with a bundle in his arms, + and the air of having done the right thing. + </p> + <p> + ‘There, sir,’ he said with proud satisfaction, ‘I have been to the camp + across the river. I heard there were good stuffs to be had there for + nothing, and thought I would see if I could find a coat for Monsieur + Philippe, for his own is a mere ruin.’ + </p> + <p> + This was true, for Eustacie had been deciding that between blood and rents + it had become a hopeless case for renovation; and Osbert joyfully + displayed a beautifully-embroidered coat of soft leather, which he had + purchased for a very small sum of a plunderer who had been there before + him. The camp had been so hastily abandoned that all the luggage had been + left, and, like a true valet, Osbert had not neglected the opportunity of + replenishing his master’s wardrobe. ‘And,’ said he, ‘I saw there on whom + M. le Baron knows,—M. de Nid de Merle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Here!’ cried Eustacie, startled for a moment, but her eyes resting + reassured on her husband. + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame need not be alarmed,’ said Osbert; ‘M. le Baron has well repaid + him. Ah! ah! there he lies, a spectacle for all good Christians to delight + in.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was then he, <i>le scelerat</i>?’ exclaimed Berenger; ‘I have already + thought it possible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And he fell by your hands!’ cried Eustacie. ‘That is as it should be.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Madame,’ said Osbert; ‘it did my very heart good to see him writhing + there like a crushed viper. M. le Baron’s bullet was mortal, and his own + people thought him not worth the moving, so there he lies on the ground + howling and cursing. I would have given him the <i>coup de grace</i> + myself, but that I thought M. le Baron might have some family matters to + settle with him; so I only asked what he thought now of clapping guiltless + folk into dungeons, and shooting innocent children like sparrows; but he + grinned and cursed like a demon, and I left him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In any one’s charge?’ asked Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘In the field’s, who is coming for him,’ said the descendant of the + Norseman. ‘I only told Humfrey that if he saw any one likely to meddle he + should tell them he was reserved for you. Eh! M. le Baron is not going + now. Supper is about to be served, and if M. le Baron would let me array + him with this ruff of Spanish point, and wax the ends of his belle + moustache—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is late,’ added Eustacie, laying her hand on his arm; ‘there may be + wild men about—he may be desperate! Oh, take care!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Ma mie</i>, do you not think me capable of guarding myself from a wild + cat leap of a dying man? He must not be left thus. Remember he is a + Ribaumont.’ + </p> + <p> + Vindictiveness and revenge had their part in the fire of Eustacie’s + nature. Many a time had she longed to strangle Narcisse; and she was on + the point of saying, ‘Think of his attempts on that little one’s life—think + of your wounds and captivity;’ but she had not spent three years with + Isaac Gardon without learning that there was sin in giving way to her keen + hatred; and she forced herself to silence, while Berenger said, reading + her face, ‘Keep it back, sweet heart! Make it not harder for me. I would + as soon go near a dying serpent, but it were barbarity to leave him as + Osbert describes.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger was too supremely and triumphantly happy not to be full of mercy; + and as Osbert guided him to the hut where the miserable man lay, he felt + little but compassion. The scene was worse than he had expected; for not + only had the attendants fled, but plunderers had come in their room, rent + away the coverings from the bed, and torn the dying man from it. Livid, + nearly naked, covered with blood, his fingers hacked, and ears torn for + the sake of the jewels on them, lay the dainty and effeminate tiger-fop of + former days, moaning and scarcely sensible. But when the mattress had been + replaced, and Berenger had lifted him back to it, laid a cloak over him, + and moistened his lips, he opened his eyes, but only to exclaim, ‘You + there! As if I had not enough to mock me! Away!’ and closed them sullenly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would try to relieve you, cousin,’ said Berenger. + </p> + <p> + The answer was a savage malediction on hypocrisy, and the words, ‘And my + sister?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your sister is in all honour and purity at the nunnery of Lucon.’ + </p> + <p> + He laughed a horrible, incredulous laugh. ‘Safely disposed of ere you + cajoled <i>la petite</i> with the fable of your faithfulness! Nothing like + a Huguenot for lying to both sides;’ and then ensued another burst of + imprecations on the delay that had prevented him from seizing the + fugitives—till he—till he felt as if the breath of hell were + upon him, and could not help vindicating himself, vain though he knew it + to be: ‘Narcisse de Ribaumont,’ he said gravely, ‘my word has never been + broken, and you know the keeping of it has not been without cost. On that + word believe that Madame de Selinville is as spotless a matron as when she + periled herself to save my life. I never even knew her sex till I had + drawn her half drowned from the sea, and after that I only saw her in the + presence of Dom Colombeau of Nissard, in whose care I left her.’ + </p> + <p> + Narcisse’s features contorted themselves into a frightful sneer as he + muttered, ‘The intolerable fool; and that he should have got the better of + me, that is if it be true—and I believe not a word of it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At least,’ said Berenger, ‘waste not these last hours on hating and + reviling me, but let this fellow of mine, who is a very fair surgeon, bind + your wound again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Eh!’ said Narcisse, spitefully, turning his head, ‘your own rogue? Let me + see what work he made of <i>le baiser d’Eustacie</i>. Pray, how does it + please her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She thanks Heaven that your chief care was to spoil my face.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hear she is a prime doctress; but of course you brought her not hither + lest she should hear HOW you got out of our keeping.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She knows it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! she has been long enough at court to know one must overlook, that + one’s own little matters may be overlooked.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger burst out at last, ‘Her I will not hear blasphemed: the next word + against her I leave you to yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That is all I want,’ said Narcisse. ‘These cares of yours are only <i>douceurs</i> + to your conceited heretical conscience, and a lengthening out of this + miserable affair. You would scoff at the only real service you could + render me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And that is—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To fetch a priest. Ha! ha! one of your sort would sooner hang me. You had + rather see me perish body and soul in this Huguenot dog-hole! What! do you + stammer? Bring a psalm-singing heretic here, and I’ll teach him and you + what you MAY call blasphemy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A priest you shall have, cousin,’ said Berenger, gravely; ‘I will do my + utmost to bring you one. Meanwhile, strive to bring yourself into a state + in which he may benefit you.’ + </p> + <p> + Berenger was resolved that the promise should be kept. He saw that despair + was hardening the wretched man’s heart, and that the possibility of + fulfilling his Church’s rites might lead him to address himself to + repentance; but the difficulties were great. Osbert, the only Catholic at + hand, was disposed to continue his vengeance beyond the grave, and only at + his master’s express command would even exercise his skill to endeavour to + preserve life till the confessor could be brought. Ordinary Huguenots + would regard the desire of Narcisse as a wicked superstition, and Berenger + could only hurry back to consult some of the gentlemen who might be + supposed more unprejudiced. + </p> + <p> + As he was crossing the quadrangle at full speed, he almost ran against the + King of Navarre, who was pacing up and down reading letters, and who + replied to his hasty apologies by saying he looked as if the fair Eurydice + had slipped through his hands again into the Inferno. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not so, Sire, but there is one too near those gates. Nid de Merle is + lying at the point of death, calling for a priest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘<i>Ventre Saint-Gris</i>!’ exclaimed the King, ‘he is the very demon of + the piece, who carved your face, stole your wife, and had nearly shot your + daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The more need of his repentance, Sire, and without a priest he will not + try to repent. I have promised him one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A bold promise!’ said Henry. ‘Have you thought how our good friends here + are likely to receive a priest of Baal into the camp?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, Sire, but my best must be done. I pray you counsel me.’ + </p> + <p> + Henry laughed at the simple confidence of the request, but replied, ‘The + readiest way to obtain a priest will be to ride with a flag of truce to + the enemy’s camp—they are at St. Esme—and say that M. de Nid + de Merle is a prisoner and dying, and that I offer safe-conduct to any + priest that will come to him—though whether a red-hot Calvinist will + respect my safe-conduct or your escort is another matter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At least, Sire, you sanction my making this request?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you men enough to take with you to guard you from marauders?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have but two servants, Sire, and I have left them with the wounded + man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I will send with you half a dozen Gascons, who have been long enough + at Paris with me to have no scruples.’ + </p> + <p> + By the time Berenger had explained matters to his wife and brother, and + snatched a hasty meal, a party of gay, soldierly-looking fellows were in + the saddle, commanded by a bronzed sergeant who was perfectly at home in + conducting messages between contending parties. After a dark ride of about + five miles, the camp at the village of St. Esme was reached, and this + person recommended that he himself should go forward with a trumpet, since + M. de Ribaumont was liable to be claimed as an escaped prisoner. There was + then a tedious delay, but at length the soldier returned, and another + horseman with him. A priest who had come to the camp in search of M. de + Nid de Merle was willing to trust himself to the King of Navarre’s + safe-conduct. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanks, sir,’ cried Berenger; ‘this is a work of true charity.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think I know that voice,’ said the priest. + </p> + <p> + ‘The priest of Nissard!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Even so, sir. I was seeking M. de Nid de Merle, and had but just learnt + that he had been left behind wounded.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You came to tell him of his sister?’ + </p> + <p> + And as they rode together the priest related to Berenger that M. de + Solivet had remained in the same crushed, humiliated mood, not exactly + penitent, but too much disappointed and overpowered with shame to heed + what became of her provided she were not taken back to her brother or her + aunt. She knew that repentance alone was left for her, and permitted + herself to be taken to Lucon, where Mere Monique was the only person whom + she had ever respected. There had no doubt been germs of good within her, + but the crime and intrigue of the siren court of Catherine de Medicis had + choked them; and the first sense of better things had been awakened by the + frank simplicity of the young cousin, while, nevertheless, jealousy and + family tactics had led her to aid in his destruction, only to learn + through her remorse how much she loved him. And when in his captivity she + thought him in her power, but found him beyond her reach, unhallowed as + was her passion, yet still the contemplation of the virtues of one beloved + could not fail to raise her standard. It was for his truth and purity that + she had loved him, even while striving to degrade these quantities; and + when he came forth from her ordeal unscathed, her worship of him might for + a time be more intense, but when the idol was removed, the excellence she + had first learnt to adore in him might yet lead that adoration up to the + source of all excellence. All she sought NOW was shelter wherein to weep + and cower unseen; but the priest believed that her tears would soon spring + from profound depths of penitence such as often concluded the lives of the + gay ladies of France. Mere Monique had received her tenderly, and the good + priest had gone from Lucon to announce her fate to her aunt and brother. + </p> + <p> + At Bellaise he had found the Abbess much scandalized. She had connived at + her niece’s releasing the prisoner, for she had acquired too much regard + for him to let him perish under Narcisse’s hands, and she had allowed + Veronique to personate Diane at the funeral mass, and also purposely + detained Narcisse to prevent the detection of the escape; but the + discovery that her niece had accompanied his flight had filled her with + shame and furry. + </p> + <p> + Pursuit had been made towards La Rochelle, but when the neighbourhood of + the King of Navarre became known, no doubt was entertained that the + fugitives had joined him, and Narcisse, reserving his vengeance for the + family honour till he should encounter Berenger, had hotly resumed the + intention of pouncing on Eustacie at Pont de Dronne, which had been + decided on upon the report of the Italian spy, and only deferred by his + father’s death. This once done, Berenger’s own supposed infidelity would + have forced him to acquiesce in the annulment of the original marriage. + </p> + <p> + It had been a horrible gulf, and Berenger shuddered as one who had barely + struggled to the shore, and found his dear ones safe, and his enemies + shattered and helpless on the strand. They hurried on so as to be in time. + The priest, a brave and cautious man, who had often before carried the + rites of the Church to dying men in the midst of the enemy, was in a + secular dress, and when Berenger had given the password, and obtained + admittance they separated, and only met again to cross the bridge. They + found Osbert and Humfrey on guard, saying that the sufferer still + lingered, occasionally in a terrible paroxysm of bodily anguish, but + usually silent, except when he upbraided Osbert with his master’s breach + of promise or incapacity to bring a priest through his Huguenot friends. + </p> + <p> + Such a taunt was on his tongue when Pere Colombeau entered, and checked + the scoff by saying, ‘See, my son, you have met with more pardon and mercy + even on earth than you had imagined possible.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a strange spasm on Narcisse’s ghastly face, as though he almost + regretted the obligation forced on him, but Berenger scarcely saw him + again. It was needful for the security of the priest and the tranquillity + of the religious rites that he should keep watch outside, lest any of the + more fanatical of the Huguenots should deem it their duty to break in on + what they had worked themselves into believing offensive idolatry. + </p> + <p> + His watch did not prove uncalled for. At different times he had to plead + the King’s safe-conduct, and his own honour, and even to defend his own + Protestantism by appealing to his wounds and services. Hearts were not + soft enough then for the cruelty of disturbing a dying man to be any + argument at all in that fierce camp; but even there the name of Pere + Colombeau met with respect. The saintly priest had protected too many + enemies for any one who had heard of him to wish him ill. + </p> + <p> + Nearly all night was Berenger thus forced to remain on guard, that the + sole hope of Narcisse’s repentance and salvation might not be swept away + by violence from without, renewing bitterness within. Not till towards + morning was he called back. The hard, lingering death struggle had spent + itself, and slow convulsive gasps showed that life was nearly gone; but + the satanic sneer had passed away, and a hand held out, a breathing like + the word ‘pardon’ seemed to be half uttered, and was answered from the + bottom of Berenger’s kind and pitying heart. Another quarter of an hour, + and Narcisse de Ribaumont Nid de Merle was dead. The priest looked pale, + exhausted, shocked, but would reveal nothing of the frame of mind he had + shown, only that if he had been touched by any saving penitence, it was + owing to his kinsman. + </p> + <p> + Berenger wished to send the corpse to rest in the family vault at + Bellaise, where the Chevalier had so lately been laid; and the priest + undertook to send persons with a flag of truce to provide for the + transport, as well as to announce the death to the sister and the aunt. + Wearied as he was, he would not accept Berenger’s earnest invitation to + come and take rest and refreshment in the prior’s rooms, but took leave of + him at the further side of the fortress, with almost reverent blessings, + as to one not far from the kingdom of heaven; and Berenger, with infinite + peacefulness in his heart, went home in the silence of the Sunday morning, + and lay sleeping away his long fatigue through the chief part of the day, + while Pastor Merlin was preaching and eloquent sermon upon his good + brother Isaac Gardon, and Eustacie shed filial tears, more of tenderness + than sorrow. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XLIV. THE GALIMAFRE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Speats and raxes, speats and raxes, speat and raxes + Lord Somerville’s billet +</pre> + <p> + Never wont to let the grass grow under his feet, Henry of Navarre was + impatient of awaiting his troops at Pont de Dronne, and proposed to hasten + on to Quinet, as a convenient centre for collecting the neighbouring + gentry for conference. Thus, early on Monday, a party of about thirty set + forth on horseback, including the Ribaumonts, Rayonette being perched by + turns in front of her father or mother, and the Duke de Quinet declaring + that he should do his best to divide the journey into stages not too long + for Philip, since he was anxious to give his mother plenty of time to make + preparations for her royal guest. + </p> + <p> + He had, however, little reckoned on the young King’s promptitude. The + first courier he had dispatched was overtaken at a <i>cabaret</i> only + five leagues from Pont de Dronne, baiting his horse, as he said; the + second was found on the road with a lame horse; and the halt a day’s + journey remained beyond it. The last stage had been ridden, much to the + Duke’s discontent, for it brought them to a mere village inn, with + scarcely any accommodation. The only tolerable bed was resigned by the + King to the use of Philip, whose looks spoke the exhaustion of which his + tongue scorned to complain. So painful and feverish a night ensued that + Eustacie was anxious that he should not move until the Duke should, as he + promised, send a mule litter back for him; but this proposal he resented; + and in the height of his constitutional obstinacy, appeared booted and + spurred at the first signal to mount. + </p> + <p> + Nor could Eustacie, as she soon perceived, annoy him more than by showing + her solicitude for him, or attracting to him the notice of the other + cavaliers. As the only lady of the party, she received a great deal of + attention, with some of which she would gladly have dispensed. Whether it + were the King’s habit of calling her ‘<i>la Belle Eurydice</i>,’ or + because, as she said, he was ‘<i>si laid</i>’ and reminded her of old + unhappy days of constraint, she did not like him, and had almost + displeased her husband and his brother by saying so. She would gladly have + avoided the gallantries of this day’s ride by remaining with Philip at the + inn; but not only was this impossible, but the peculiar ill-temper of + concealed suffering made Philip drive her off whenever she approached him + with inquiries; so that she was forced to leave him to his brother and + Osbert, and ride forward between the King and the Duke, the last of whom + she really liked. + </p> + <p> + Welcome was the sight of the grand old chateau, its mighty wings of + chestnut forest stretching up the hills on either side, and the stately + avenue extending before it; but just then the last courier was discovered, + reeling in his saddle under the effects of repeated toasts in honour of + Navarre and Quinet. + </p> + <p> + ‘We are fairly sped,’ said the Duke to Eustacie, shrugging his shoulders + between amusement and dismay. + </p> + <p> + ‘Madame la Duchesse is equal to any <i>galimafre</i>,’ said Eustacie, + demurely; at which the Duke laughed heartily, saying, ‘It is not for the + family credit I fear, but for my own!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, triumph makes everything be forgiven.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But not forgotten,’ laughed the Duke. ‘But, <i>allons</i>. Now for the + onset. We are already seen. The forces muster at the gateway.’ + </p> + <p> + By the time the cavalcade were at the great paved archway into the court, + the Duchess stood at the great door, a grandson on either side, and a + great burly fresh-coloured gentleman behind her. + </p> + <p> + M. de Quinet was off his horse in a second, his head bare, his hand on the + royal rein, and signing to his eldest son to hold the stirrup; but, before + the boy had comprehended, Henry had sprung down, and was kissing the old + lady’s hand, saying, ‘Pardon, Madame! I trust to your goodness for + excusing this surprise from an old friend’s son.’ + </p> + <p> + Neither seeing nor caring for king or prince, the stranger gentleman at + the same moment pounced upon Eustacie and her little girl, crying aloud in + English, ‘Here she is! My dear, I am glad to see you. Give her to me, poor + Berenger’s little darling. Ah! she does not understand. Where’s + Merrycourt?’ + </p> + <p> + Just then there was another English exclamation, ‘My father! Father! dear + father!’ and Philip, flinging himself from the saddle, fell almost prone + on that broad breast, sobbing convulsively, while the eyes that, as he + truly boasted, had never wasted a tear on his enemies, were streaming so + fast that his father’s welcome savoured of reproof: ‘What’s all this? + Before these French too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care, father,’ cried Berenger, leaping from his horse; ‘he has an + ugly wound just where you are holding him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wounded! my poor boy. Look up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is your room, sir?’ said Berenger, seeing his hosts entirely + occupied with the King; and at once lifting the almost helpless Philip + like a little child in his strong arms, he followed Sir Marmaduke, who, as + if walking in his sleep, led the way up the great stone staircase that led + outside the house to the upper chambers. + </p> + <p> + After a short interval, the Duchess, in the plenitude of her glory at + entertaining her dear Queen’s son, came up <i>en grande tenue</i>, leading + the King by the hand, the Duke walking backwards in front, and his two + sons each holding a big wax candle on either side. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here, Sire, is the chamber where the excellent Queen did me the honour to + repose herself.’ + </p> + <p> + The Duke swung open the door of the state bed-chamber. There on the + velvet-hung bed sat <i>le gros Chevalier Anglais</i>, whom she had herself + installed there on Saturday. Both his hands were held fast in those of a + youth who lay beside him, deadly pale, and half undressed, with the little + Ribaumont attending to a wound in his side, while her child was held in + the arms of a very tall, bald-headed young man, who stood at the foot of + the bed. The whole group of interlopers looked perfectly glorified with + happiness and delight. Even the wounded youth, ghastly and suffering as he + was, lay stroking the big Englishman’s hand with a languid, caressing air + of content, almost like that of a dog who has found his master. None of + them were the least embarrassed, they evidently thought this a visit of + inquiry after the patient; and while the Duchess stood confounded, and the + Duke much inclined to laugh, Eustacie turned eagerly, exclaiming, ‘Ah! + Madame, I am glad you are come. May I beg Mademoiselle Perrot for some of + your cooling mallow salve. Riding has sadly inflamed the wound.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Riding—with such a wound! Are we all crazed?’ said Madame la + Duchesse, absolutely bewildered out of her dignified equanimity: and her + son, seeing her for once at a loss, came to her rescue. ‘His Grace will + condescend to the Andromeda Chamber, Madame. He kindly gave up his bed to + our young friend last night, when there was less choice than you can give + him.’ + </p> + <p> + They all moved off again; and, before Eustacie was ready for the mallows, + Madame de Quinet, for whom the very name of a wound had an attraction, + returned with two hand-maidens bearing bandages and medicaments, having by + this time come to the perception that the wounded youth was the son of the + big Englishman who had arrived with young Mericour in search of her little + <i>protegee</i>, and that the tall man was the husband so long supposed to + be dead. She was curious to see her pupil’s surgery, of which she highly + approved, though she had no words to express her indignation at the folly + of traveling so soon. Indeed, nothing but the passiveness of fatigue could + have made her despotism endurable to Philip; but he cared for nothing so + long as he could see his father’s face, and hear his voice—the full + tones that his ear had yearned for among the sharp expression of the + French accent—and Sir Marmaduke seemed to find the same perfect + satisfaction in the sight of him; indeed, all were so rejoiced to be + together, that they scarcely exerted themselves to ask questions. When + Berenger would have made some explanation, Sir Marmaduke only said, ‘Tell + me not yet, my dear boy. I see it is all right, and my head will hold no + more yet but that I have you and the lad again! Thank God for it! Never + mind how.’ + </p> + <p> + When, however, with some difficulty they got him away from Philip’s + bedside down to supper, the King came and made him high compliments upon + the distinguished bravery of his sons, and Mericour interpreted, till Sir + Marmaduke—though answering that of course the lads must do their + duty, and he was only glad to hear they had done it—became more and + more radiant and proud, as he began to gather what their trials and what + their steadfastness and courage had been. His goodly face, beaming with + honest gladness, was, as Henry told the Duchess, an absolute ornament to + her table. + </p> + <p> + Unable, however, to converse with any one but Berenger and Mericour, and + pining all the time to get back to his son, the lengthy and ceremonious + meal was a weary penance to him; and so soon as his release was possible, + he made his way up-stairs again, where he found Philip much refreshed by a + long sleep, and only afraid that he should find the sight of his father + merely a dream; then, when satisfied on that head, eager to hear of all at + home—‘the sisters, the dogs, my mother, and my little brother?’ as + he arranged his inquiry. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha! you heard of that, did you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Philip, ‘the villains gave us letters once—only once—and + those what they thought would sting us most. O father, how could you all + think such foul shame of Berry?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t speak of it, Phil; I never did, nor Aunt Cecily, not for a moment; + but my Lord is not the man he was, and those foes of yours must have set + abroad vile reports for the very purpose of deceiving us. And then this + child must needs be born, poor little rogue. I shall be able to take to + him now all is right again; but by St. George, they have tormented me so + about him, and wanted me to take him as a providence to join the estates + together, instead of you and Berry, that I never thought to care so little + for a child of my own.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We drank his health at Nid de Merle, and were not a little comforted that + you would have him in our place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’d rather—Well, it skills not talking of it, but it just shows the + way of women. After all the outcry Dame Annora had made about her poor + son, and no one loving him or heeding his interest save herself, no sooner + was this little fellow born than she had no thought for any but he, and + would fain have had her father settle all his lands on him, protesting + that if Berry lived, his French lands were enough for him. Out of sight, + out of mind, is the way with women.’ + </p> + <p> + Womanhood was already made accountable for all Lady Thistlewood’s follies, + and Philip acquiesced, asking further, ‘Nay, but how came you hither, + father? Was it to seek us or Eustacie?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Both, both, my lad. One morning just after Christmas, I rid over to Combe + with my dame behind me, and found the house in commotion with a letter + that young Sidney, Berry’s friend, had just sent down by special + messenger. It had been writ more than a year, but, bless you, these poor + foreigners have such crooked ears and tongues that they don’t know what to + make of a plain man’s name, and the only wonder was that it ever came at + all. It seems the Duke here had to get it sent over by some of the secret + agents the French Protestants have in England, and what do they do but + send it to one of the Vivians in Cornwall; and it was handed about among + them for how long I cannot say, till there was a chance of sending it up + to my Lord of Warwick; and he, being able to make nothing if it, shows it + to his nephew, Philip Sidney, who, perceiving at once whom it concerned, + sends it straight to my Lord, with a handsome letter hoping that it + brought good tidings. There then it was, and so we first knew that the + poor lady had not been lost in the sack of the town, as Master Hobbs told + us. She told us how this Duchess had taken her under her protection, but + that her enemies were seeking her, and had even attempted her child’s + life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The ruffians! Even so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And she said her old pastor was failing in health, and prayed that some + trusty person might be sent to bring home at least the child to safety + with her kindred. There was a letter to the same effect, praising her + highly too, from the Duchess, saying that she would do her best to guard + her, but the kinsmen had the law on their side, and she would be safer in + England. Well, this was fair good news, save that we marveled the more how + you and Berry should have missed her; but the matter now was who was the + trusty person who should go. Claude Merrycourt was ready—-’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How came he there?’ demanded Philip. ‘I thought he had gone, or been sent + off with Lady Burnet’s sons.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, so he had; but there’s more to say on that score. He was so much in + favour at Combe, that my Lord would not be denied his spending the holiday + times there; and, besides, last summer we had a mighty coil. The Horners + of Mells made me a rare good offer for Lucy for their eldest son, chiefly + because they wanted a wife for him of my Lady Walwyn’s and Mistress + Cecily’s breeding; and my wife was all for accepting it, having by that + time given up all hope of poor Berry. But I would have no commands laid on + my girl, seeing that I had pledged my word not to cross her in the matter, + and she hung about my neck and prayed me so meekly to leave her unwedded, + that I must have been made of stone not to yield to her. So I told Mr. + Horner that his son Jack must wait for little Nancy if he wanted a + daughter of mine—and the stripling is young enough. I believe he + will. But women’s tongues are not easy to stop, and Lucy was worn so thin, + and had tears in her eyes—that she thought I never marked—whenever + she was fretted or flouted, and at last I took her back to stay at Combe + for Aunt Cecily to cheer up a bit; and—well, well, to get rid of the + matter and silence Dame Nan, I consented to a betrothal between her and + Merrycourt—since she vowed she would rather wait single for him than + wed any one else. He is a good youth, and is working himself to a shadow + between studying and teaching; but as to sending him alone to bring + Berry’s wife back, he was over-young for that. No one could do that fitly + save myself, and I only wish I had gone three years ago, to keep you two + foolish lads out of harm’s way. But they set up an unheard-of hubbub, and + made sure I should lose myself. What are you laughing at, you Jacksauce?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To think of you starting, father, with not a word of French, and never + from home further than once to London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! you thought to come the traveled gentleman over me, but I’ve been + even with you. I made Dame Nan teach me a few words, but I never could + remember anything but that “mercy” is “thank ye”. However, Merrycourt + offered to come with me, and my Lord wished it. Moreover, I thought he + might aid in tracing you out. So I saw my Lord alone, and he passed his + word to me that, come what would, no one should persuade him to alter his + will to do wrong to Berenger’s daughter; and so soon as Master Hobbs could + get the THROSTLE unladen, and fitted out again, we sailed for Bordeau, and + there he is waiting for us, while Clause and I bought horses and hired a + guide, and made our way here on Saturday, where we were very welcome; and + the Duchess said she would but wait till she could learn there were no + bands of the enemy at hand, to go down with me herself to the place where + she had sent the lady. A right worthy dame is this same Duchess, and a + stately; and that young King, as they call him, seems hard to please, for + he told Berry that his wife’s courtliness and ease in his reception were + far above aught that he found here. What he means is past a plain man, for + as to Berry’s wife she is handy, and notable enough, and ‘tis well he + loves her so well; but what a little brown thing it is, for a man to have + gone through such risks for. Nothing to look at beside his mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you could only see Madame de Selinville!’ sighed Philip; then—‘Ah! + sir, you would know the worth of Eustacie had you seen her in yonder + town.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very like!’ said Sir Marmaduke; ‘but after all our fears at home of a + fine court madam, it takes one aback to see a little homely brown thing, + clad like a serving wench. Well, Dame Nan will not be displeased, she + always said the girl would grow up no beauty, and ‘tis the way of women to + brook none fairer than themselves! Better so. She is a good Protestant, + and has done rarely by you, Phil.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly, I might be glad ‘twas no court madam that stood by me when Berry + was called back to the fight: and for the little one, ‘tis the loveliest + and bravest little maid I ever saw. Have they told you of the marigolds, + father?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, the King told the whole to the Duchess, so Berry said, and then + drank the health of the daughter of the bravest of knights; and Berry held + her up in his arms to bow again, and drink to them from his glass. Berry + looked a proud man, I can tell you, and a comely, spite of his baldness; + and ‘tis worth having come here to see how much you lads are thought of—though + to be sure ‘tis not often the poor creatures here see so much of an + Englishman as we have made of Berry.’ + </p> + <p> + Philip could not but laugh. ‘’Tis scarce for that that they value him, + sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Say you so? Nay, methinks his English heart and yours did them good + service. Indeed, the King himself told me as much by the mouth of + Merrycourt. May that youngster’s head only not be turned! Why, they set + him at table above Berenger, and above half the King’s gentlemen. Even the + Duchess makes as if he were one of her highest guests—he a poor + Oxford scholar, doubting if he can get his bread by the law, and flouted + as though he were not good enough for my daughter. ‘Tis the world topsy + turvy, sure enough! And that this true love that Berenger has run through + fire and water after, like a knight in a pedlar’s run through turn out a + mere little, brown, common-looking woman after all, not one whit equal to + Lucy!’ + </p> + <p> + Sir Marmaduke modified his disappointment a little that night, when he had + talked Philip into a state of feverishness and suffering that became worse + under Madame de Quinet’s reproofs and remedies, and only yielded to + Eustacie’s long and patient soothing. He then could almost have owned that + it was well she was not like his own cherished type of womanhood, and the + next day he changed his opinion still more, even as to her appearance. + </p> + <p> + There was a great gathering of favourers of the Huguenot cause on that + day; gentlemen came from all parts to consult with Henry of Navarre, and + Madame de Quinet had too much sense of the fitness of things to allow + Madame de Ribaumont to appear at the ensuing banquet in her shabby, rusty + black serge, and tight white borderless cap. The whole wardrobe of the + poor young Duchess de Quinet was placed at her service, and though, with + the thought of her adopted father on her heart, she refused gay colours, + yet when, her toilette complete, she said into Philip’s room, he almost + sprang up in delight, and Sir Marmaduke rose and ceremoniously bowed as to + a stranger, and was only undeceived when little Rayonette ran joyously to + Philip, asking if <i>Manan</i> was not <i>si belle, si belle</i>. + </p> + <p> + The effects of her unrestful nights has now passed away, and left her + magnificent eyes in their full brilliancy and arch fire; the blooming glow + was restored to her cheek; and though neck, brow, and hands were browner + than in the shelter of convent or palace, she was far more near absolute + beauty than in former days, both from countenance and from age. Her little + proud head was clustered with glossy locks of jet, still short, but + curling round her brow and neck, whose warm brunette tints contrasted well + with the delicate, stiffened cobweb of her exquisite standing ruff, which + was gathered into a white satin bodice, with a skirt of the same material, + over which swept a rich black brocade train open in front, with an open + body and half-sleeves with falling lace, and the hands, delicate and + shapely as ever, if indeed a little tanned, held fan and handkerchief with + as much courtly grace as though they had never stirred broth nor wrung out + linen. Sir Marmaduke really feared he had the court madam on his hands + after all, but he forgot all about his fears, as she stood laughing and + talking, and by her pretty airs and gestures, smiles and signs, making him + enter into her mirth with Philip, almost as well as if she had not spoken + French. + </p> + <p> + Even Berenger started, when he came up after the counsel to fetch her to + the banqueting-hall. She was more entirely the Eustacie of the Louvre than + he had ever realized seeing her, and yet so much more; and when the + Duchess beheld the sensation she produced among the <i>noblesse</i>, it + was with self-congratulation in having kept her in retirement while it was + still not known that she was not a widow. The King of Navarre had already + found her the only lady present possessed of the peculiar aroma of + high-breeding which belonged to the society in which both he and she had + been most at home, and his attentions were more than she liked from one + whose epithet of Eurydice she had never quite forgiven; at least, that was + the only reason she could assign for her distaste, but the Duchess + understood her better than did Berenger, nay, better than she did herself, + and kept her under the maternal wings of double form and ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Berenger, meanwhile, was in great favour. A command had been offered him + by the King of Navarre, who had promised that if he would cast in his lot + with the Huguenots, his claims on all the lands of Ribaumont should be + enforced on the King of France when terms were wrung from him, and + Narcisse’s death removed all valid obstacle to their recognition; but + Berenger felt himself bound by all home duties to return to England, nor + had he clear convictions as to the absolute right of the war in which he + had almost unconsciously drawn his sword. Under the Tudors the divine + right of kings was strongly believed in, and it was with many genuine + misgivings that the cause of Protestant revolt was favoured by Elisabeth + and her ministers; and Berenger, bred up in a strong sense of loyalty, as + well as in doctrines that, as he had received them, savoured as little of + Calvinism as of Romanism, was not ready to espouse the Huguenot cause with + all his heart; and as he could by no means have fought on the side of King + Henry III. or of the Guises, felt thankful that the knot could be cut by + renouncing France altogether, according to the arrangement which had been + defeated by the Chevalier’s own supper-subtle machinations. + </p> + <p> + At the conference of gentlemen held at Quinet, he had been startled by + hearing the name of the Sieur de Bellaise, and had identified him with a + grave, thin, noble-looking man, with an air of high-bred and patient + poverty. He was a Catholic but no Guisard, and supported the middle policy + of the Montmorency party, so far as he possessed any influence; but his + was only the weight of personal character, for he had merely a small + property that had descended to him through his grandmother, the wife of + the unfortunate Bellaise who had pined to death in the dungeon at Loches, + under Louis XI. Here, then, Berenger saw the right means of riding himself + and his family of the burthen that his father had mourned over, and it + only remained to convince Eustacie. Her first feeling when she heard of + the King’s offer, was that at last her ardent wish would be gratified, she + should see her husband at the head of her vassals, and hear the war-cry + motto ‘<i>A moi Ribaumont</i>.’ Then came the old representation that the + Vendeen peasants were faithful Catholics who could hardly be asked to + fight on the Calvinist side. The old spirit rose in a flush, a pout, a + half-uttered query why those creatures should be allowed their opinions. + Madame la Baronne was resuming her haughty temperament in the <i>noblesse</i> + atmosphere; but in the midst came the remembrance of having made that very + speech in her Temple ruin—of the grave sad look of rebuke and shake + of the head with which the good old minister had received it—and how + she had sulked at him till forced to throw herself on him to hinder her + separation from her child. She burst into tears, and as Berenger, in some + distress, began to assure her that he would and could do nothing without + her consent, she struggled to recover voice to say, ‘No! no! I only grieve + that I am still as wicked as ever, after these three years with that + saint, my dear father. Do as you will, only pardon me, the little fierce + one!’ + </p> + <p> + And then, when she was made to perceive that her husband would have to + fight alone, and could not take her with him to share his triumphs or bind + his wounds, at least not except by bringing her in contact with Henry of + Navarre and that atmosphere of the old court, she acquiesced the more + readily. She was a woman who could feel but not reason; and, though she + loved Nid de Merle, and had been proud of it, Berenger’s description of + the ill-used Sieur de Bellaise had the more effect on her, because she + well remembered the traditions whispered among the peasants with whom her + childhood had been passed, that the village crones declared nothing had + gone well with the place since the Bellaise had been expelled, with a + piteous tale of the broken-hearted lady, that she had never till now + understood. + </p> + <p> + For the flagrant injustice perpetrated on her uncle and cousin in the + settlement on Berenger and herself she cared little, thinking they had + pretty well repaid themselves, and not entering into Berenger’s deeper + view, that this injustice was the more to be deplored as the occasion of + their guilt; but she had no doubt or question as to the grand stroke of + yielding up her claims on the estate to the Sieur de Bellaise. The + generosity of the deed struck her imagination, and if Berenger would not + lead her vassals to battle, she did not want them. There was no difficulty + with Sir Marmaduke; he only vowed that he liked Berenger’s wife all the + better for being free of so many yards of French dirt tacked to her + petticoat, and Philip hated the remembrance of those red sugar-loaf + pinnacles far too much not to wish his brother to be rid of them. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bellaise, when once he understood that restitution was intended, + astonished Sir Marmaduke by launching himself on Berenger’s neck with + tears of joy; and Henry of Navarre, though sorry to lose such a partisan + as the young Baron, allowed that the Bellaise claims, being those of a + Catholic, might serve to keep out some far more dangerous person whom the + court party might select in opposition to an outlaw and a Protestant like + M. de Ribaumont. + </p> + <p> + ‘So you leave us,’ he said in private to Berenger, to whom he had taken a + great liking. ‘I cannot blame you for not casting your lot into such a + witch’s caldron as this poor country. My friends think I dallied at court + like Rinaldo in Armida’s garden. They do not understand that when one + hears the name of Bourbon one does not willingly make war with the Crown, + still less that the good Calvin left a doctrine bitter to the taste and + tough of digestion. Maybe, since I have been forced to add my spoon to + stir the caldron, it may clear itself; if so, you will remember that you + have rights in Normandy and Picardy.’ + </p> + <p> + This was the royal farewell. Henry and his suite departed the next + morning, but the Duchess insisted on retaining her other guests till + Philip’s cure should be complete. Meantime, Claude de Mericour had written + to his brother and arranged a meeting with him. He was now no boy who + could be coerced, but a staid, self-reliant, scholarly person, with a + sword by his side and an English passport to secure him, and his brother + did not regard him as quite the disgrace to his family he had at first + deemed him. He was at least no rebel; and though the law seemed to French + eyes infinitely beneath the dignity of a scion of nobility, still it was + something not to have him a heretic preacher, and to be able at least to + speak of him as betrothed to the sister of the Baron de Ribaumont. + Moreover, that Huguenot kinsman, whose extreme Calvinist opinions had so + nearly revolted Mericour, had died and left him all his means, as the only + Protestant in the family; and the amount, when Claude arranged matters + with his brother, proved to be sufficient to bear him through his expenses + handsomely as a student, with the hope of marriage so soon as he should + have kept his terms at the Temple. + </p> + <p> + And thus the good ship THROSTLE bore home the whole happy party to + Weymouth, and good Sir Marmaduke had an unceasing cause for exultation in + the brilliant success of his mission to France. + </p> + <p> + After all, the first to revisit that country was no other than the once + homesick Philip. He wearied of inaction, and thought his county neighbours + ineffably dull and lubberly, while they blamed him for being a fine, + Frenchified gentleman, even while finding no fault with their old friend + Berenger, or that notable little, lively, housewifely lady his wife, whose + broken English and bright simplicity charmed every one. Sorely Philip + needed something to do; he might have been a gentleman pensioner, but he + had no notion, he said, of loitering after a lady to boat and hunt, when + such a king as Henry of Navarre was in the field; and he agreed with + Eustacie in her estimate of the court, that it was horribly dull, and + wanting in all the sparkle and brilliancy that even he had perceived at + Paris. + </p> + <p> + Eustacie gladly retreated to housewifery at Combe Walwyn, but a strenuous + endeavour on Lady Thistlewood’s part to marry her stepson to a Dorset + king’s daughter, together with the tidings of the renewed war in France, + spurred Philip into writing permission from his father to join the King of + Navarre as a volunteer. + </p> + <p> + Years went by, and Philip was only heard of in occasional letters, + accompanied by presents to his sisters and to little Rayonette, and + telling of marches, exploits, and battles,—how he had taken a + standard of the League at Coutras, and how he had led a charge of pikemen + at Ivry, for which he received the thanks of Henry IV. But, though so near + home, he did not set foot on English ground till the throne of France was + secured to the hero of Navarre, and he had marched into Paris in guise + very unlike the manner he had left it. + </p> + <p> + Then home he came, a bronzed gallant-looking warrior, the pride of the + county, ready for repose and for aid to his father in his hearty old age, + and bearing with him a pressing invitation from the King to Monsieur and + Madame de Ribaumont to resume their rank at court. Berenger, who had for + many years only known himself as Lord Walwyn, shook his head. ‘I thank the + King,’ he said, ‘but I am better content to breed up my children as wholly + English. He bade me to return when he should have stirred the witch’s + caldron into clearness. Alas! all he has done is to make brilliant colours + shine on the vapour thereof. Nay, Phil; I know your ardent love for him, + and marvel not at it. Before he joined the Catholic Church I trusted that + he might have given truth to the one party, and unity to the other; but + when the clergy accepted him with all his private vices, and he + surrendered unconditionally, I lost hope. I fear there is worse in store. + Queen Catherine did her most fatal work of evil when she corrupted Henry + of Navarre.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you say more, Berry, I shall be ready to challenge you!’ said Philip. + ‘When you saw him, you little knew the true king of souls that he is, is + greatness, or his love for his country.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, I believe it; but tell me, Philip, did you not hint that you had + been among former friends—at Lucon, you said, I think?’ + </p> + <p> + Philip’s face changed. ‘Yes; it was for that I wished to see you alone. My + troop had to occupy the place. I had to visit the convent to arrange for + quartering my men so as least to scandalize the sisters. The Abbess came + to speak to me. I knew her only by her eyes! She is changed—aged, + wan, thin with their discipline and fasts—but she once or twice + smiled as she alone in old times could smile. The place rings with her + devotion, her charity, her penances, and truly her face is’—he could + hardly speak—‘like that of a saint. She knew me at once, asked for + you all, and bade me tell you that NOW she prays for you and yours + continually, and blesses you for having opened to her the way of peace. + Ah! Berry, I always told you she had not her equal.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Think you so even now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How should I not, when I have seen what repentance has made of her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So!’ said Berenger, rather sorrowfully, ‘our great Protestant champion + has still left his heart behind in a French convent.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay, Berenger! do you remember yonder villain conjurer’s prediction that + I should wed none but a lady whose cognizance was the leopard?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you seem bent on accomplishing it,’ said Berenger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, but in another manner—that which you devised on the spur of + the moment. Berenger, I knew the sorcerer spake sooth when that little + moonbeam child of yours brought me the flowers from the rampart. I had + speech with her last night. She has all the fair loveliness that belongs + of right to your mother’s grandchild, but her eye, blue as it is, has the + Ribaumont spirit; the turn of the head and the smile are what I loved long + ago in yonder lady, and, above all, she is her own sweet self. Berenger, + give me your daughter Berangere, and I ask no portion with her but the + silver bullet. Keep the pearls for your son’s heirloom; all I ask with + Rayonette is the silver bullet.’ + </p> + <p> + THE END <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Chaplet of Pearls, by Charlotte M. 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