Vayenne

by Percy James Brebner

  CHAPTER XX

  FATHER BERTRAND JUSTIFIES HIMSELF

  Even the busier streets of Vayenne were quieter now after nightfallthan they were wont to be. Those who were abroad went quickly anddirect to their destination, for to loiter, or appear to have noparticular object in view, was to be suspected. The new Duke wasruling the city with a heavy hand, and those who passed in and out ofthe gates were closely questioned. A few there were who approved thiscaution; it was temporary only, and justified by the rumors ofdisturbance on the frontier; but others, and they were the majority,were discontented and sullen. Had they not helped to place a tyrant atthe head of the state? Would there have been any trouble on thefrontier if Count Felix had become their Duke?

  Few people passed along the dimly lighted Rue St. Romain even in thedaytime, and at night it was practically deserted. Those who went tovisit Father Bertrand were fewer now than formerly. He was heart andsoul for Duke Roger, had evidently been privy to the sudden andunexpected claim to the throne, and many began to mistrust him. Theywaited, expecting to hear that great honors had been showered upon himfor his services. He was surely a politician seeking place and powerrather than a priest.

  Father Bertrand sat at his table in the well-appointed room where hehad received Herrick. He was busy with his papers, some of whichrequired careful study and deciphering, for to the casual reader theywould have been meaningless. Opposite to him sat Mercier, watching himand waiting for him to speak.

  "He who plots sets out on a thorny path," said the priest presently,looking suddenly at his companion.

  "He turns enemies into distrustful friends, and his friends intobitter enemies. I sometimes wish I could steal quietly out of Vayennein the night, and never return."

  "Have you bad news there, father?" Mercier asked, pointing to thepapers.

  "No. On paper all is plausible and easy, but few know the resource ofthe man we have to reckon with. The Duke is a strong man, Mercier, aworthy successor to the old Duke. I thought to smooth my road when Ihelped to raise him to the throne; I have instead set a thousand newdifficulties in the way."

  "The hand that made can unmake, and surely the people----"

  "Hist!" said Father Bertrand sharply, as he raised a warning finger.There were steps in the passage without, and then, after a knock and apause, the door was thrown open, and a man and woman, closely muffledup, entered the room.

  The priest rose to welcome them, and Mercier drew chairs to the tablefor them.

  "You came through the city safely?" said Father Bertrand.

  "Ay; hurrying like a couple of bourgeois bent on doing their marketingcheaply and expeditiously," said Count Felix, undoing his cloak; andturning to his companion, he helped her to loosen her wraps. It wasthe Countess Elisabeth.

  "Since you came to the Place Beauvoisin the other night you have beenconstantly in my thoughts, Father Bertrand," Felix went on. "Yourreason for supporting this traitor puzzles me more and more."

  "And why do you now plot against him?" said the Countess. It was clearthat she distrusted the priest. It was her love for Felix which hadbrought her to the Rue St. Romain to-night. If treachery were intendedshe would be there to defend him or die with him.

  The priest had not expected to see her, but he did not show hissurprise in any way. He knew that the Count was everything to her,knew that she was prepared to make any sacrifice for him. There was nodanger in her presence; indeed, she might prove a useful tool ready tohis hand.

  "Are we not here to talk of the future rather than the past?" he said."If I must defend myself," and he turned to the Countess, "it must beremembered that I was not in Count Felix's confidence. Had I knowneverything, I might have acted differently."

  "We will not quarrel, father," Felix returned. "The past is past forall of us, and many a man's future has served to obliterate the pastfrom the remembrance of his generation. You shall not find usungrateful."

  "To obliterate the past we all have to make sacrifices," answered thepriest.

  Again there were heavy steps in the passage, and after a knock and apause the door was opened, and Gerard de Bornais entered. He too hadbeen closely muffled up, but had unfastened his cloak on his way tothe room. It seemed certain that he knew who he was to meet there. Hesaluted Felix and bowed to the Countess. Father Bertrand welcomed himwith cordiality, and himself drew forward a chair to the table for hisguest.

  "We meet again under strange circumstances," said Felix.

  "We live in strange times, Count," answered de Bornais. "Shall welisten to Father Bertrand? Under certain conditions we are likely tobe no longer enemies. Who is that man, father?" he asked shortly,looking at Mercier.

  "One we can trust; a useful ambassador who is with us to the death."And then as the Countess shuddered a little, he added: "I speak ofpossibilities and probabilities, madame, but when we defy a strong anddetermined enemy there are always contingencies, and death is one ofthem."

  "True; and time presses, father," said de Bornais, and there was anauthority in his tone which caused Felix to set his teeth firmlytogether. He could not afford to speak as he would.

  "Twice lately I have seen Mademoiselle de Liancourt," the priestbegan, leaning back in his chair, "and, as we know now, she does notrecognize the claim of this Roger Herrick to the throne. In helpinghim we were under the impression that he had her support."

  He looked at de Bornais, who nodded.

  "Now Roger Herrick's claim is a valid one, since the descent of thelate Duke is open to question, and that under certain conditions theheir in the female line can inherit. Mademoiselle de Liancourtmaintains, however, that her uncle's claim was a just one, that havingdeposed an incompetent ruler, he was Duke by his birthright, besideswhich he ascended the throne by the people's will. Therefore his son,or, failing him, Count Felix, is the rightful heir. But Mademoisellegoes further than this. Roger Herrick, she argues, is an alien, anEnglishman, and that any claim he may have is annulled by this fact.In this argument she is likely to have the ear of the people, for itis obvious, with an Englishman on the throne, England may at any timebecome the overlord of Montvilliers."

  "If this fellow has any right, which I do not admit, Christine'sargument is an excellent one," said Felix.

  "It would appear, Count, that in Mademoiselle's opinion you are theheir; indeed, Maurice being dead, there can be no two opinions on thispoint; but the fact remains that you are not a _persona grata_ withthe people, and Herrick's damaging statement in the great hall thatnight has seriously affected your position."

  "Is a man's character to be ruined by a lie?" said Felix.

  "It often is," Father Bertrand answered quietly; "and Mademoiselledoes not seem able to decide whether it was all a lie. How far thisdoubt influences her in her determination, I am unable to say, but herfirst thought, her only thought indeed, is her country. Do you followme?"

  "You use over-many words, it seems to me," said the Count irritably."The position is simple. Those who deny my right to the throne aretraitors. An ocean of words cannot alter that fact."

  "Nor the fact that without help you are at this moment as powerless asany man in Vayenne," said de Bornais.

  There was a pause, during which the Countess laid her hand gently onFelix's arm to keep him silent.

  "We now come to Mademoiselle's last argument," said the priest. "Thatthe people have shown themselves ready to admit a claim through thefemale line, a claim which has never been put forward until now inthe whole history of Montvilliers, seems to her a proof that the claimof a woman herself will be recognized, and under certain conditions,seeing that the country is in jeopardy, she is determined to make thatclaim."

  "Become Duchess!" Felix exclaimed. "I----"

  "Would it not be well to hear the conditions, Count?" said FatherBertrand.

  "Pardon. I appear to be in the hands of my friends," Felix answeredsneeringly.

  "Believing that your coming to the throne would be the cause offurther difficulties and dissensions," the priest went on, "beli
evingalso that she is beloved by the people, Mademoiselle agrees to marryyou, and reign with you, equal to you in authority in all things. Thestate shall have, in fact, two heads instead of one, and no order orpaper shall be valid without the signature of the Duchess as well asthat of the Duke."

  "The Duchess being the more powerful," said Countess Elisabethquietly.

  "Your decision must not be delayed, Count," said de Bornais. "I wouldas soon Mademoiselle had taken the throne without any reference toyou, but on a point of law she has her scruples."

  "In these days you have become a maker of dukes, de Bornais, andappear little satisfied with your own work," said Felix.

  "For what I conceive to be right I place myself a second time injeopardy," was the answer. "In Duke Roger we have a strong man tocontend with."

  "I do not understand how it is you have so quickly learned to hatehim," said the Countess. "Such easy friendship as you seem able togive is a dangerous thing for any man to accept. I should refuse to bebound by such conditions as these, Felix."

  "Madame, the Count is powerless without his friends," said the priest.

  "And with them he becomes a tool, liable to be thrown away at anymoment and crushed underfoot. I have little faith in Mademoiselle orher advisers. There is something under this conspiracy which you donot speak of."

  "The Count has until to-morrow to decide," said de Bornais. "If hewill not fulfil the conditions, he sinks into insignificance inMontvilliers. By marrying Mademoiselle he will cement all parties inthe state. If you are with us, Count, success is certain, but withoutyou we have still a good hope of success. It is for you to choose."

  "Wait. You have until to-morrow," whispered the Countess.

  "The new Duke is strong in Vayenne," said Felix. "How do you proposeto outwit him?"

  "When we have had your answer you shall know more of our schemes," deBornais answered.

  "Success comes easiest through the sudden death of enemies," said theCount. "Is there no rascal about the castle who for a reward can shootstraight when he finds himself alone with the Duke?"

  "We are not murderers, Count."

  "Nor statesmen either, de Bornais, if you call such a thing murder. Isit to you I send my answer to-morrow, Father Bertrand?"

  "Yes, Count."

  Felix helped the Countess with her cloak, and then wrapped his ownround him.

  "I am inclined to doubt whether Montvilliers is worth all thistrouble," he said.

  "It is for you to judge," said de Bornais as the Count and Countesspassed out.

  De Bornais and Father Bertrand looked at each other as the doorclosed.

  "We plot against a man to serve a cur," said de Bornais.

  "It is Mademoiselle we serve," said the priest.

  "Truly we serve her badly to help the Count to marry her," was theanswer.

  "But afterward." And the priest laid his hand on his shoulder. "Thefight has been a long one, de Bornais, but the end is in sight. Thelabor of years is soon to be paid for. It will be a glorious triumph."

  "Father Bertrand, all is yet to win, remember," was the answer."Whatever his faults, whatever his ambition, this Roger Herrick is aman. You thought to make him a tool, and you find you cannot use him;now you hope to put him aside, it is possible we shall not be able todo so. He is an honest man, and if we overthrow him, in my heart Ishall feel a traitor to the end of my days."

  "True, quite true, but our cause acquits our conscience," said thepriest.

  "Do foul means justify even a good cause?" asked de Bornais.

  "In this case, yes--a thousand times, yes. I speak not as a man, butas a priest. Evil must sometimes be done that good may come. It is atruth burnt into the record of all times and into the annals of everynation."

  "I would there were another way than this," de Bornais returned as hefastened his cloak, "or that the work had fallen into other hands."

  "But you are faithful?"

  "To the death, father; and I almost hope that death may finish it."

  The priest raised his hand in a silent blessing as de Bornais wentout.

  Father Bertrand reseated himself at the table, and Mercier put backthe chairs into their places. Then he sat down on the opposite side ofthe table, and watched the priest, who, taking up paper after paper,seemed to do so half unconsciously, and merely to look at them, whilehis thoughts were elsewhere. It was Mercier who broke the silence.

  "You drive a strange and unruly team, father. I do not understand it."

  The priest looked at him as though he had forgotten his presencealtogether until he spoke.

  "True, Mercier. The goal I have struggled toward lies at the end ofcrooked ways, but the ways are justified. The judgment of men wouldcondemn me, but for such judgment I care nothing." And he paused,almost as if he doubted the truth of his own statement. Then he wenton hurriedly. "This you know, Mercier, that the end I strive for isthe Church's good, her triumph here, and throughout the world. Longago my superiors decided that it was not for the Church's good thatMontvilliers should remain a separate state. Their reasons were manyand complex, looking toward the future, and when I was chosen for thework, I had only to obey. Duke Robert's position was too strong to beassailed. I could no more than prepare the ground; but the future heldgreat possibilities. His son was a weakling, yet strongly supported byMademoiselle de Liancourt; Count Felix was feared, but he was strongsince he was unlikely to let any obstacle stand in his way to power.Here lay all the elements of a civil war, and with such a war wouldcome the opportunity of the neighboring nations. They were ready tostrike when the word was given, are awaiting at this moment as youknow, Mercier."

  Mercier nodded.

  "I espoused the cause of the scholar of Passey--Mademoiselle's cause.A weak man in power would inevitably have brought rebellion. In themidst of my plotting, on the night of the Duke's death, I saw RogerHerrick at the Croix Verte, and recognized that his face was strangelylike the face of the picture yonder. It was not so wonderful that Ishould do so, for in seeking for means to bring about the desired end,I had often wondered whether a further element of discord might not beintroduced through this branch of the family. You know our attempt tosecure him."

  "I am unlikely to forget it," Mercier answered, "and poor Pigou willgo crippled to the end of his days."

  "He has suffered in a good cause," said Father Bertrand. "Then camethe death of Maurice. The way was open to Count Felix; all my schemeshad come suddenly to the ground. This Roger Herrick was the only hope.He had a claim--a good one. The success of my scheme was only toocomplete. It is true rebellion smoulders in Vayenne, but it is alsotrue that we have raised a strong man to the throne, a worthysuccessor to the old Duke. Left alone, he is capable of turning hisenemies into friends, of strengthening Montvilliers, of annulling allmy work of years. That Mademoiselle de Liancourt now plays into ourhands, that de Bornais is for the Church before all else, these thingsconstitute our last hope. Duke Roger has not had time to win thehearts of the people, but he will fight to the end. We strike withoutdelay, Mercier; the hour is at hand."

  Mercier did not answer.

  "Does your silence accuse me?" said the priest, rising and standing bythe table, and the inspiration of enthusiasm was in his face. "It isnaught to me who rules, so that the Church triumphs. Am I seekingrewards for myself? Would not high place be mine if I threw in my lotwith the Duke? It is along that road that riches and honor await me;yet I choose the other, which may lead by a quick descent to death.There is nothing of self in this--nothing, nothing."

  "My silence did not accuse you," said Mercier. "I have served you,Father Bertrand, and shall serve you. If I take reward for my servicesthat does not alter your position. I am a worldly man. After myfashion I am honest, too, for I do not pretend that self does notenter into the bargain. I only claim to keep my word to those to whomit is given. I am satisfied, father. It has paid me well."

  "We have worked together so long, Mercier, that, almost unconsciously,I have been justifying my actions to you," sai
d Father Bertrand, witha smile. "For all my boasting I suppose, like others, I do caresomething for what men--for what my friends think of me. Something ofthe world must cling to the cassock of even the saintliest priest, andHeaven knows, I claim no such exalted rank for myself. For you,Mercier, there are greater rewards in store. These papers are ready.At dawn to-morrow, Mercier, you must leave Vayenne, and make all speedfor the frontier. There is no suspicion that we are not heart and soulwith the Duke. There will be no difficulty at the gates. But everymoment counts, Mercier. Already the Duke has cleverly appealed to thenobles who will not submit. The country is in danger of invasion, hehas told them, and has urged that internal enmity should be set asideuntil the common foe is driven back. Afterward he has pledged himselfto retain the throne only at the call of three-fourths of the nation.Oh, he is a man, a great man. I have not dared to tell de Bornaisthis; he is too much fascinated with him as it is. To returnsuccessful would win for Duke Roger the applause of the whole nation,so there is no time to lose. Start at dawn, Mercier, at dawn."

  "I shall not fail." And as Mercier went out, Father Bertrand lay backin his chair pale and exhausted. When the dawn crept into the room itfound him sleeping there.