Collected Works of Rafael Sabatini

by Rafael Sabatini

  I found Michelot on the point of setting out in search of me, with a note which had been brought to my lodging half an hour ago, and which its bearer had said was urgent. I took the letter, and bidding Michelot prepare me fresh raiment that I might exchange for my wet clothes, I broke the seal and read:

  “A thousand thanks, dear friend, for the service you have rendered me and of which his Eminence, my uncle, has informed me. I fear that you have made many enemies for yourself through an action which will likely go unrewarded, and that Paris is therefore as little suited at present to your health as it is to mine. I am setting out for Blois on a mission of exceeding delicacy wherein your advice and guidance would be of infinite value to me. I shall remain at Choisy until to-morrow morning, and should there be no ties to hold you in Paris, and you be minded to bear me company, join me there at the Hôtel du Connétable where I shall lie to-night. Your grateful and devoted

  “ANDRE.”

  So! There was one at least who desired my company! I had not thought it. “If there be no ties to hold you in Paris,” he wrote. Dame! A change of air would suit me vastly. I was resolved — a fig for the Cardinal’s threat to hang me if I were found in his nephew’s company!

  “My suit of buff, Michelot,” I shouted, springing to my feet, “and my leather jerkin.”

  He gazed at me in surprise.

  “Is Monsieur going a journey?”

  I answered him that I was, and as I spoke I began to divest myself of the clothes I wore. “Pack my suit of pearl grey in the valise, with what changes of linen I possess; then call Master Coupri that I may settle with him. It may be some time before we return.”

  In less than half an hour I was ready for the journey, spurred and booted, with my rapier at my side, and in the pocket of my haut-dechausses a purse containing some fifty pistoles — best part of which I had won from Vilmorin at lansquenet some nights before, and which moderate sum represented all the moneys that I possessed.

  Our horses were ready, my pistols holstered, and my valise strapped to Michelot’s saddle. Despite the desperate outlook of my fortunes, of which I had made him fully cognisant, he insisted upon clinging to me, reminding me that at Rocroi I had saved his life and that he would leave me only when I bade him go.

  As four o’clock was striking at Nôtre Dame we crossed the Pont Neuf, and going by the Quai des Augustins and the Rue de la Harpe, we quitted Paris by the St. Michel Gate and took the road to Choisy. The rain had ceased, but the air was keen and cold, and the wind cut like a sword-edge.

  CHAPTER V. MAZARIN, THE MATCH-MAKER

  Twixt Paris and Choisy there lies but a distance of some two leagues, which, given a fair horse, one may cover with ease in little more than half an hour. So that as the twilight was deepening into night we drew rein before the hostelry of the Connétable, in the only square the little township boasts, and from the landlord I had that obsequious reception which is ever accorded to him who travels with a body-servant.

  I found Andrea installed in a fair-sized and comfortable apartment, to the original decoration of which he added not a little by bestowing his boots in the centre of the floor, his hat, sword, and baldrick on the table, his cloak on one chair, and his doublet on another. He himself sat toasting his feet before the blazing logs, which cast a warm, reddish glow upon his sable hair and dainty shirt of cambric.

  He sprang up as I entered, and came towards me with a look of pleasure on his handsome, high-bred face, that did me good to see.

  “So, you have come, De Luynes,” he cried, putting forth his hand. “I did not dare to hope that you would.”

  “No,” I answered. “Truly it was not to be expected that I could be easily lured from Paris just as my fortunes are nearing a high tide, and his Eminence proposing to make me a Marshal of France and create me Duke. As you say, you had scant grounds for hoping that my love for you would suffice to make me renounce all these fine things for the mere sake of accompanying you on your jaunt to Blois.”

  He laughed, then fell to thanking me for having rid him of Canaples. I cut him short at last, and in answer to his questions told him what had passed ‘twixt his Eminence and me that afternoon. Then as the waiter entered to spread our supper, the conversation assumed a less delicate character, until we were again alone with the table and its steaming viands between us.

  “You have not told me yet, Andrea, what takes you to Blois,” quoth I then.

  “You shall learn. Little do you dream how closely interwoven are our morning adventures with this journey of mine. To begin with, I go to Blois to pay my dévoirs to the lady whom his Eminence has selected for my future wife.”

  “You were then right in describing this as a mission of great delicacy.”

  “More than you think — I have never seen the lady.”

  “Never seen her? And you go a-wooing a woman you have never seen?”

  “It is so. I have never seen her; but his Eminence has, and ‘t is he who arranges the affair. Ah, the Cardinal is the greatest matchmaker in France! My cousin Anna Martinozzi is destined for the Prince de Conti, my sisters Olympia and Marianne he also hopes to marry to princes of the blood, whilst I dare wager that he has thoughts of seating either Maria or Hortensia upon the throne of France as the wife of Louis XIV., as soon as his Majesty shall have reached a marriageable age. You may laugh, De Luynes, nevertheless all this may come to pass, for my uncle has great ambitions for his family, and it is even possible that should that poor, wandering youth, Charles II. of England, ever return to the throne of his fathers he may also become my brother-in-law. I am likely to become well connected, De Luynes, so make a friend of me whilst I am humble. So much for Mazarin’s nieces. His nephews are too young for alliances just yet, saving myself; and for me his Eminence has chosen one of the greatest heiresses in France — Yvonne St. Albaret de Canaples.”

  “Whom?” I shouted.

  He smiled.

  “Curious, is it not? She is the sister of the man whom I quarrelled with this morning, and whom you fought with this afternoon. Now you will understand my uncle’s reasons for so strenuously desiring to prevent the duel at St. Germain. It appears that the old Chevalier de Canaples is as eager as the Cardinal to see his daughter wed to me, for his Eminence has promised to create me Duke for a wedding gift. ‘T will cost him little, and ‘t will please these Canaples mightily. Naturally, had Eugène de Canaples and I crossed swords, matters would have been rendered difficult.”

  “When did you learn all this?” I inquired.

  “To-day, after the duel, and when it was known what St. Auban and Montmédy had threatened me with. My uncle thought it well that I should withdraw from Paris. He sent for me and told me what I have told you, adding that I had best seize the opportunity, whilst my presence at Court was undesirable, to repair to Blois and get my wooing done. I in part agreed with him. The lady is very rich, and I am told that she is beautiful. I shall see her, and if she pleases me, I’ll woo her. If not, I’ll return to Paris.”

  “But her brother will oppose you.”

  “Her brother? Pooh! If he doesn’t die of the sword-thrust you gave him, which I am told is in the region of the lung and passing dangerous, he will at least be abed for a couple of months to come.”

  “But I, mon cher André? What rôle do you reserve for me, that you have desired me to go with you?”

  “The rôle of Mentor if you will. Methought you would prove a merry comrade to help one o’er a tedious journey, and knowing that there was little to hold you to Paris, and probably sound reasons why you should desire to quit it, meseemed that perhaps you would consent to bear me company. Who knows, my knight errant, what adventures may await you and what fortunes? If the heiress displeases me, it may be that she will please you — or mayhap there is another heiress at Blois who will fall enamoured of those fierce moustachios.”

  I laughed with him at the improbability of such things befalling. I carried in my bosom too large a heart, and one that was the property of every wench
I met — for just so long as I chanced to be in her company.

  It was no more than in harmony with this habit of mine, that when, next morning in the common-room of the Connétable, I espied Jeanneton, the landlord’s daughter, and remarked that she was winsome and shapely, with a complexion that would not have dishonoured a rose-petal, I permitted myself to pinch her dainty cheek. She slapped mine in return, and in this pleasant manner we became acquainted.

  “Sweet Jeanneton,” quoth I with a laugh, “that was mightily ill-done! I did but pinch your cheek as one may pinch a sweet-smelling bud, so that the perfume of it may cling to one’s fingers.”

  “And I, sir,” was the pert rejoinder, “did but slap yours as one may slap a misbehaving urchin’s; so that he may learn better manners.”

  Nevertheless she was pleased with my courtly speech, and perchance also with my moustachios, for a smile took the place of the frown wherewith she had at first confronted me. Now, if I had uttered glib pleasantries in answer to her frowns, how many more did not her smiles wring from me! I discoursed to her in the very courtliest fashion of cows and pullets and such other matters as interesting to her as they were mysterious to me. I questioned her in a breath touching her father’s pigs and the swain she loved best in that little township, to all of which she answered me with a charming wit, which would greatly divert you did I but recall her words sufficiently to set them down. In five minutes we had become the best friends in the world, which was attested by the protecting arm that I slipped around her waist, as I asked her whether she loved that village swain of hers better than she loved me, and refused to believe her when she answered that she did.

  Outside two men were talking, one calling for a farrier, and when informed that the only one in the village was absent and not likely to return till noon, demanding relays of horses. The other — probably the hostler — answered him that the Connétable was not a post-house and that no horses were to be had there. Then a woman’s voice, sweet yet commanding, rose above theirs.

  “Very well, Guilbert,” it said. “We will await this farrier’s return.”

  “Let me go, Monsieur!” cried Jeanneton. “Some one comes.”

  Now for myself I cared little who might come, but methought that it was likely to do poor Jeanneton’s fair name no benefit, if the arm of Gaston de Luynes were seen about her waist. And so I obeyed her, but not quickly enough; for already a shadow lay athwart the threshold, and in the doorway stood a woman, whose eye took in the situation before we had altered it sufficiently to avert suspicion. To my amazement I beheld the lady of the coach — she who had saved me from the mob in Place Vendôme, and touching whose identity I could have hazarded a shrewd guess.

  In her eyes also I saw the light of recognition which swiftly changed to one of scorn. Then they passed from me to the vanishing Jeanneton, and methought that she was about to call her back. She paused, however, and, turning to the lackey who followed at her heels.

  “Guilbert,” she said, “be good enough to call the landlord, and bid him provide me with an apartment for the time that we may be forced to spend here.”

  But at this juncture the host himself came hurrying forward with many bows and endless rubbing of hands, which argued untold deference. He regretted that the hostelry of the Connétable, being but a poor inn, seldom honoured as it was at that moment, possessed but one suite of private apartments, and that was now occupied by a most noble gentleman. The lady tapped her foot, and as at that moment her companion (who was none other than the fair-haired doll I had seen with her on the previous day) entered the room, she turned to speak with her, whilst I moved away towards the window.

  “Will this gentleman,” she inquired, “lend me one of his rooms, think you?”

  “Hélas, Mademoiselle, he has but two, a bedroom and an ante-chamber, and he is still abed.”

  “Oh!” she cried in pretty anger, “this is insufferable! ‘T is your fault, Guilbert, you fool. Am I, then, to spend the day here in the common-room?”

  “No, no, Mademoiselle,” exclaimed the host in his most soothing accents. “Only for an hour, or less, perhaps, until this very noble lord is risen, when assuredly — for he is young and very gallant — he will resign one or both of his rooms to you.”

  More was said between them, but my attention was suddenly drawn elsewhere. Michelot burst into the room, disaster written on his face.

  “Monsieur,” he cried, in great alarm, “the Marquis de St. Auban is riding down the street with the Vicomte de Vilmorin and another gentleman.”

  I rapped out an oath at the news; they had got scent of Andrea’s whereabouts, and were after him like sleuth-hounds on a trail.

  “Remain here, Michelot,” I answered in a low voice. “Tell them that M. de Mancini is not here, that the only occupant of the inn is your master, a gentleman from Normandy, or Picardy, or where you will. See that they do not guess our presence — the landlord fortunately is ignorant of M. de Mancini’s name.”

  There was a clatter of horses’ hoofs without, and I was barely in time to escape by the door leading to the staircase, when St. Auban’s heavy voice rang out, calling the landlord.

  “I am in search of a gentleman named Andrea de Mancini,” he said. “I am told that he has journeyed hither, and that he is here at present. Am I rightly informed?”

  I determined to remain where I was, and hear that conversation to the end.

  “There is a gentleman here,” answered the host, “but I am ignorant of his name. I will inquire.”

  “You may spare yourself the trouble,” Michelot interposed. “That is not the gentleman’s name. I am his servant.”

  There was a moment’s pause, then came Vilmorin’s shrill voice.

  “You lie, knave! M. de Mancini is here. You are M. de Luynes’s lackey, and where the one is, there shall we find the other.”

  “M. de Luynes?” came a voice unknown to me. “That is Mancini’s sword-blade of a friend, is it not? Well, why does he hide himself? Where is he? Where is your master, rascal?”

  “I am here, Messieurs,” I answered, throwing wide the door, and appearing, grim and arrogant, upon the threshold.

  Mort de ma vie! Had they beheld the Devil, St. Auban and Vilmorin could not have looked less pleased than they did when their eyes lighted upon me, standing there surveying them with a sardonic grin.

  St. Auban muttered an oath, Vilmorin stifled a cry, whilst he who had so loudly called to know where I hid myself — a frail little fellow, in the uniform of the gardes du corps — now stood silent and abashed.

  The two women, who had withdrawn into a dark and retired corner of the apartment, stood gazing with interest upon this pretty scene.

  “Well, gentlemen?” I asked in a tone of persiflage, as I took a step towards them. “Have you naught to say to me, now that I have answered your imperious summons? What! All dumb?”

  “Our affair is not with you,” said St. Auban, curtly.

  “Pardon! Why, then, did you inquire where I was?”

  “Messieurs,” exclaimed Vilmorin, whose face assumed the pallor usual to it in moments of peril, “meseems we have been misinformed, and that M. de Mancini is not here. Let us seek elsewhere.”

  “Most excellent advice, gentlemen,” I commented,— “seek elsewhere.”

  “Monsieur,” cried the little officer, turning purple, “it occurs to me that you are mocking us.”

  “Mocking you! Mocking you? Mocking a gentleman who has been tied to so huge a sword as yours. Surely — surely, sir, you do not think—”

  “I’ll not endure it,” he broke in. “You shall answer to me for this.”

  “Have a care, sir,” I cried in alarm as he rushed forward. “Have a care, sir, lest you trip over your sword.”

  He halted, drew himself up, and, with a magnificent gesture: “I am Armand de Malpertuis, lieutenant of his Majesty’s guards,” he announced, “and I shall be grateful if you will do me the honour of taking a turn with me, outside.”

  “
I am flattered beyond measure, M. Malappris—”

  “Mal-per-tuis,” he corrected furiously.

  “Malpertuis,” I echoed. “I am honoured beyond words, but I do not wish to take a turn.”

  “Mille diables, sir! Don’t you understand? We must fight.”

  “Must we, indeed? Again I am honoured; but, Monsieur, I don’t fight sparrows.”

  “Gentlemen! Gentlemen!” cried St. Auban, thrusting himself between us. “Malpertuis, have the goodness to wait until one affair is concluded before you create a second one. Now, M. de Luynes, will you tell me whether M. de Mancini is here or not?”

  “What if he should be?”

  “You will be wise to withdraw — we shall be three to two.”

  “Three to two! Surely, Marquis, your reckoning is at fault. You cannot count the Vicomte there as one; his knees are knocking together; at best he is but a woman in man’s clothes. As for your other friend, unless his height misleads me, he is but a boy. Therefore, Monsieur, you see that the advantage is with us. We are two men opposed to a man, a woman, and a child, so that—”

  “In Heaven’s name, sir,” cried St. Auban, again interposing himself betwixt me and the bellicose Malpertuis, “will you cease this foolishness? A word with you in private, M. de Luynes.”

  I permitted him to take me by the sleeve, and lead me aside, wondering the while what curb it was that he was setting upon his temper, and what wily motives he might have for adopting so conciliatory a tone.

  With many generations to come, the name of César de St. Auban must perforce be familiar as that of one of the greatest roysterers and most courtly libertines of the early days of Louis XIV., as well as that of a rabid anti-cardinalist and frondeur, and one of the earliest of that new cabal of nobility known as the petits-maîtres, whose leader the Prince de Condé was destined to become a few years later. He was a man of about my own age, that is to say, between thirty-two and thirty-three, and of my own frame, tall, spare, and active. On his florid, débonnair countenance was stamped his character of bon-viveur. In dress he was courtly in the extreme. His doublet and haut-de-chausses were of wine-coloured velvet, richly laced, and he still affected the hanging sleeves of a fast-disappearing fashion. Valuable lace filled the tops of his black boots, a valuable jewel glistened here and there upon his person, and one must needs have pronounced him a fop but for the strength and resoluteness of his bearing, and the long rapier that hung from his gold-embroidered baldrick. Such in brief is a portrait of the man who now confronted me, his fine blue eyes fixed upon my face, wherein methinks he read but little, search though he might.