Historical Romances: Under the Red Robe, Count Hannibal, A Gentleman of France

by Stanley John Weyman

  CHAPTER XXII.

  'LA FEMME DISPOSE.'

  The moment the equerry's foot touched the uppermost stair I advancedupon him. 'Where is your mistress, man?' I said. 'Where isMademoiselle de la Vire? Be quick, tell me what you have done withher.'

  His face fell amazingly. 'Where is she?' he answered, falteringbetween surprise and alarm at my sudden onslaught. 'Here, she shouldbe. I left her here not an hour ago. Mon Dieu! Is she not here now?'

  His alarm increased mine tenfold. 'No!' I retorted, 'she is not! Sheis gone! And you--what business had you, in the fiend's name, to leaveher here, alone and unprotected? Tell me that!'

  He leaned against the balustrade, making no attempt to defend himself,and seemed, in his sudden terror, anything but the bold, alert fellowwho had ascended the stairs two minutes before. 'I was a fool,' hegroaned. 'I saw your man Simon here; and Fauchette, who is as good asa man, was with her mistress. And I went to stable the horses. Ithought no evil. And now--My God!' he added, suddenly straighteninghimself, while his face grew hard and grim, 'I am undone! My masterwill never forgive me!'

  'Did you come straight here?' I said, considering that, after all, hewas no more in fault than I had been on a former occasion.

  'We went first to M. de Rosny's lodging,' he answered, 'where we foundyour message telling us to come here. We came on without dismounting.'

  'Mademoiselle may have gone back, and be there,' I said. 'It ispossible. Do you stay here and keep a good look-out, and I will go andsee. Let one of your men come with me.'

  He uttered a brief assent; being a man as ready to take as to giveorders, and thankful now for any suggestion which held out a hope ofmademoiselle's safety. Followed by the servant he selected, I ran downthe stairs, and in a moment was hurrying along the Rue St. Denys. Theday was waning. The narrow streets and alleys were already dark, butthe air of excitement which I had noticed in the morning still markedthe townsfolk, of whom a great number were strolling abroad, orstanding in doorways talking to their gossips. Feverishly anxious as Iwas, I remarked the gloom which dwelt on all faces; but as I set itdown to the king's approaching departure, and besides was intent onseeing that those we sought did not by any chance pass us in thecrowd, I thought little of it. Five minutes' walking brought us to M.de Rosny's lodging. There I knocked at the door; impatiently, Iconfess, and with little hope of success. But, to my surprise, barelyan instant elapsed before the door opened, and I saw before me SimonFleix!

  Discovering who it was, he cowered back, with a terrified face, andretreated to the wall with his arm raised.

  'You scoundrel!' I exclaimed, restraining myself with difficulty.'Tell me this moment where Mademoiselle de la Vire is! Or, by Heaven,I shall forget what my mother owed to you, and do you a mischief!'

  For an instant he glared at me viciously, with all his teeth exposed,as though he meant to refuse--and more. Then he thought better of it,and, raising his hand, pointed sulkily upwards.

  'Go before me and knock at the door,' I said, tapping the hilt of mydagger with meaning.

  Cowed by my manner, he obeyed, and led the way to the room in which M.de Rambouillet had surprised us on a former occasion. Here he stoppedat the door and knocked gently; on which a sharp voice inside bade usenter. I raised the latch and did so, closing the door behind me.

  Mademoiselle, still wearing her riding-coat, sat in a chair before thehearth, on which a newly kindled fire sputtered and smoked. She hadher back to me, and did not turn on my entrance, but continued to toyin an absent manner with the strings of the mask which lay in her lap.Fanchette stood bolt upright behind her, with her elbows squared andher hands clasped; in such an attitude that I guessed the maid hadbeen expressing her strong dissatisfaction with this latest whim ofher mistress, and particularly with mademoiselle's imprudence inwantonly exposing herself, with so inadequate a guard as Simon, in aplace where she had already suffered so much. I was confirmed in thisnotion on seeing the woman's harsh countenance clear at sight of me;though the churlish nod, which was all the greeting she bestowed onme, seemed to betoken anything but favour or good-will. She touchedher mistress on the shoulder, however, and said, 'M. de Marsac ishere.'

  Mademoiselle turned her head and looked at me languidly, withoutstirring in her chair or removing the foot she was warming. 'Goodevening,' she said.

  The greeting seemed so brief and so commonplace, ignoring, as it did,both the pains and anxiety to which she had just put me and the greatpurpose for which we were here--to say nothing of that ambiguousparting which she must surely remember as well as I--that the words Ihad prepared died on my lips, and I looked at her in honest confusion.All her small face was pale except her lips. Her brow was dark, hereyes were hard as well as weary. And not words only failed me as Ilooked at her, but anger; having mounted the stairs hot foot to chide,I felt on a sudden--despite my new cloak and scabbard, my appointment,and the name I had made at Court--the same consciousness of age andshabbiness and poverty which had possessed me in her presence from thebeginning. I muttered, 'Good evening, mademoiselle,' and that was allI could say--I who had frightened the burly Maignan a few minutesbefore!

  Seeing, I have no doubt, the effect she produced on me, she maintainedfor some time an embarrassing silence. At length she said, frigidly,'Perhaps M. de Marsac will sit, Fanchette. Place a chair for him. I amafraid, however, that after his successes at Court he may find ourreception somewhat cold. But we are only from the country,' she added,looking at me askance, with a gleam of anger in her eyes.

  I thanked her huskily, saying that I would not sit, as I could notstay. 'Simon Fleix,' I continued, finding my voice with difficulty,'has, I am afraid, caused you some trouble by bringing you to thishouse instead of telling you that I had made preparation for you at mylodgings.'

  'It was not Simon Fleix's fault,' she replied curtly. 'I prefer theserooms. They are more convenient.'

  'They are, perhaps, more convenient,' I rejoined humbly, 'but I haveto think of safety, mademoiselle, as you know. At my house I have acompetent guard, and can answer for your being unmolested.'

  'You can send your guard here,' she said with a royal air.

  'But, mademoiselle----'

  'Is it not enough that I have said that I prefer these rooms?' shereplied sharply, dropping her mask on her lap and looking round at mein undisguised displeasure. 'Are you deaf, sir? Let me tell you, I amin no mood for argument. I am tired with riding. I prefer these rooms,and that is enough!'

  Nothing could exceed the determination with which she said thesewords, unless it were the malicious pleasure in thwarting my wisheswhich made itself seen through the veil of assumed indifference. Ifelt myself brought up with a vengeance, and in a manner the mostprovoking that could be conceived. But opposition so childish, soutterly wanton, by exciting my indignation, had presently the effectof banishing the peculiar bashfulness I felt in her presence, andrecalling me to my duty.

  'Mademoiselle,' I said firmly, looking at her with a fixedcountenance, 'pardon me if I speak plainly. This is no time forplaying with straws. The men from whom you escaped once are asdetermined and more desperate now. By this time they probably know ofyour arrival. Do, then, as I ask, I pray and beseech you. Or this timeI may lack the power, though never the will, to save you.'

  Wholly ignoring my appeal, she looked into my face--for by this time Ihad advanced to her side--with a whimsical smile. 'You are really muchimproved in manner since I last saw you,' she said.

  'Mademoiselle!' I replied, baffled and repelled. 'What do you mean?'

  'What I say,' she answered, flippantly. 'But it was to be expected.'

  'For shame!' I cried, provoked almost beyond bearing by her ill-timedraillery, 'will you never be serious until you have ruined us andyourself? I tell you this house is not safe for you! It is not safefor me! I cannot bring my men to it, for there is not room for them.If you have any spark of consideration, of gratitude, therefore----'

  'Gratitude!' she ex
claimed, swinging her mask slowly to and fro by aribbon, while she looked up at me as though my excitement amused her.'Gratitude--'tis a very pretty phrase, and means much; but it is forthose who serve us faithfully, M. de Marsac, and not for others. Youreceive so many favours, I am told, and are so successful at Court,that I should not be justified in monopolising your services.'

  'But, mademoiselle--' I said in a low tone. And there I stopped. Idared not proceed.

  'Well, sir,' she answered, looking up at me after a moment's silence,and ceasing on a sudden to play with her toy, 'what is it?'

  'You spoke of favours,' I continued, with an effort. 'I never receivedbut one from a lady. That was at Rosny, and from your hand.'

  'From my hand?' she answered, with an air of cold surprise.

  'It was so, mademoiselle.'

  'You have fallen into some strange mistake, sir,' she replied, rousingherself, and looking at me indifferently. 'I never gave you a favour.'

  I bowed low. 'If you say you did not, mademoiselle, that is enough,' Ianswered.

  'Nay, but do not let me do you an injustice, M. de Marsac,' sherejoined, speaking more quickly and in an altered tone. 'If you canshow me the favour I gave you, I shall, of course, be convinced.Seeing is believing, you know,' she added, with a light nervous laugh,and a gesture of something like shyness.

  If I had not sufficiently regretted my carelessness, and loss of thebow at the time, I did so now. I looked at her in silence, and saw herface, that had for a moment shown signs of feeling, almost of shame,grow slowly hard again.

  'Well, sir?' she said impatiently. 'The proof is easy.'

  'It was taken from me; I believe, by M. de Rosny,' I answered lamely,wondering what ill-luck had led her to put the question and press itto this point.

  'It was taken from you!' she exclaimed, rising and confronting me withthe utmost suddenness, while her eyes flashed, and her little handcrumpled the mask beyond future usefulness. 'It was taken from you,sir!' she repeated, her voice and her whole frame trembling with angerand disdain. 'Then I thank you, I prefer my version. Yours isimpossible. For let me tell you, when Mademoiselle de la Vire doesconfer a favour, it will be on a man with the power and the wit--andthe constancy, to keep it, even from M. de Rosny!'

  Her scorn hurt, though it did not anger me. I felt it to be in ameasure deserved, and raged against myself rather than against her.But aware through all of the supreme importance of placing her insafety, I subjected my immediate feelings to the exigencies of themoment and stooped to an argument which would, I thought, have weightthough private pleading failed.

  'Putting myself aside, mademoiselle,' I said, with more formality thanI had yet used, 'there is one consideration which must weigh with you.The king----'

  'The king!' she cried, interrupting me violently, her face hot withpassion and her whole person instinct with stubborn self-will. 'Ishall not see the king!'

  'You will not see the king?' I repeated in amazement.

  'No, I will not!' she answered, in a whirl of anger, scorn, andimpetuosity. 'There! I will not! I have been made a toy and a toollong enough, M. de Marsac,' she continued, 'and I will serve others'ends no more. I have made up my mind. Do not talk to me; you will dono good, sir. I would to Heaven,' she added bitterly, 'I had stayed atChize and never seen this place!'

  'But, mademoiselle,' I said, 'you have not thought----'

  'Thought!' she exclaimed, shutting her small white teeth so viciouslyI all but recoiled. 'I have thought enough. I am sick of thought. I amgoing to act now. I will be a puppet no longer. You may take me to thecastle by force if you will; but you cannot make me speak.'

  I looked at her in the utmost dismay and astonishment; being unable atfirst to believe that a woman who had gone through so much, had run somany risks, and ridden so many miles for a purpose, would, when allwas done and the hour come, decline to carry out her plan. I could notbelieve it, I say, at first; and I tried arguments and entreatieswithout stint, thinking that she only asked to be entreated or coaxed.

  But I found prayers and even threats breath wasted upon her; andbeyond these I would not go. I know I have been blamed by some andridiculed by others for not pushing the matter farther; but those whohave stood face to face with a woman of spirit--a woman whose veryfrailty and weakness fought for her--will better understand thedifficulties with which I had to contend and the manner in whichconviction was at last borne in on my mind. I had never beforeconfronted stubbornness of this kind. As mademoiselle said again andagain, I might force her to Court, but I could not make her speak.

  When I had tried every means of persuasion, and still found no way ofovercoming her resolution--the while Fanchette looked on with a faceof wood, neither aiding me nor taking part against me--I lost, Iconfess, in the chagrin of the moment that sense of duty which hadhitherto animated me; and though my relation to mademoiselle shouldhave made me as careful as ever of her safety, even in her owndespite, I left her at last in anger and went out without sayinganother word about removing her--a thing which was still in my power.I believe a very brief reflection would have recalled me to myself andmy duty; but the opportunity was not given me, for I had scarcelyreached the head of the stairs before Fanchette came after me, andcalled to me in a whisper to stop.

  She held a taper in her hand, and this she raised to my face, smilingat the disorder which she doubtless read there. 'Do you say that thishouse is not safe?' she asked abruptly, lowering the light as shespoke.

  'You have tried a house in Blois before?' I replied with the samebluntness. 'You should know as well as I, woman.'

  'She must be taken from here, then,' she answered, nodding her head,cunningly. 'I can persuade her. Do you send for your people, and behere in half an hour. It may take me that time to wheedle her. But Ishall do it.'

  'Then listen,' I said eagerly, seizing the opportunity and her sleeveand drawing her farther from the door. 'If you can persuade her tothat, you can persuade to all I wish. Listen, my friend,' I continued,sinking my voice still lower. 'If she will see the king for only tenminutes, and tell him what she knows, I will give you----'

  'What?' the woman asked suddenly and harshly, drawing at the same timeher sleeve from my hand.

  'Fifty crowns,' I replied, naming in my desperation a sum which wouldseem a fortune to a person in her position. 'Fifty crowns down, themoment the interview is over.'

  'And for that you would have me sell her!' the woman cried with a rudeintensity of passion which struck me like a blow. 'For shame! Forshame, man! You persuaded her to leave her home and her friends, andthe country where she was known; and now you would have me sell her!Shame on you! Go!' she added scornfully. 'Go this instant and get yourmen. The king, say you? The king! I tell you I would not have herfinger ache to save all your kings!'

  She flounced away with that, and I retired crestfallen; wondering muchat the fidelity which Providence, doubtless for the well-being of thegentle, possibly for the good of all, has implanted in the humble.Finding Simon, to whom I had scarce patience to speak, waiting on thestairs below, I despatched him to Maignan, to bid him come to me withhis men. Meanwhile I watched the house myself until their arrival, andthen, going up, found that Fanchette had been as good as her word.Mademoiselle, with a sullen mien, and a red spot on either cheek,consented to descend, and, preceded by a couple of links, whichMaignan had thoughtfully provided, was escorted safely to my lodgings;where I bestowed her in the rooms below my own, which I had designedfor her.

  At the door she turned and bowed to me, her face on fire.

  'So far, sir, you have got your way,' she said, breathing quickly. 'Donot flatter yourself, however, that you will get it farther--even bybribing my woman!'