Athenais de Rochambeau was at this time actually fourteen and a quarter, while her brother Lucien was just one year younger, and it was a bare two years since they had been removed from their foster-parents to begin their education; yet in those two years they had both learned to regard themselves as people of great importance- in the small world they occupied, and born to be obeyed. Normally, despite the fact that he was the younger of the two, the boy would have been the dominant partner of the pair but, as Roger had rightly assessed, he was a dullard, so she, conscious that she was one of the greatest heiresses in Brittany, had made herself the pivot round which the life of the great mansion revolved during her father's absence.
They had reached a marvellous confection of violet ice-cream topped by a mass of spun sugar when the Abb<§ said to Roger
"And what is it your intention to do now. Monsieur Breuc?"
"I hardly know, Monsieur I'Abbé," replied Roger, but having by now had a chance to sort out his ideas to some extent he went on: "After some little thought, this man Fouché may realise that, as I could have no possible motive for murdering my poor old friend, his case is a weak one, and decide not to pursue it. If that occurs, as I pray it may, I feel under a natural obligation to arrange for Doctor Fenelon's burial. Then, too, I am most anxious to return to the Du Guesclin for the purpose of recovering the purse I dropped. It may still be lying in a dark corner of the passage or, if someone has picked it up, unless they are downright dishonest, they will have given it for safe keeping to the landlord. Yet I greatly hesitate to go there until I feel a little more confident that I'll not be putting my head in a noose. Would you, Monsieur L'Abbé do me the favour of giving me your advice?"
"I am no man of the robe," the old priest replied, "so 'tis outside my office to offer an opinion on legal matters. Yet it does seem to me that this purse containing fifty-four louis would have been motive enough to incite a young man in your situation to the crime, had he the nature of a murderer. According to your own account you fled with it, and I should not have thought it usual for one so many years junior to his partner to be entrusted with the whole resources of a partnership."
"There was an especial reason for that," Roger broke in quickly. "As I have told you "
The Abbé Duchesnie raised his hand. "I know, I know, my young friend. I do not seek to question your own explanation but, as I understand it, you have no one whom you can bring forward to give evidence of the Doctor's habits, and I am simply putting to you the view that the police may take of this matter."
From having regained some degree of optimism Roger was suddenly cast back into the depths of gloom. He realised now that the good food and wine and rich surroundings had given him a false sense of security and that in the cold light of impartial examination his case must look very black indeed. The Doctor had died by violence and he, Roger, had made off with what would undoubtedly be assumed to be his partner's money.
Madame Marie-Ange saw his look of misery and, being a good-natured, motherly woman, strove to comfort him, by saying:
"I do not see what this Monsieur Fouché has to gain by fixing the assassination on Monsieur Breuc."
"Why, to prevent it being fixed upon himself, Madame," promptly replied the Abbé.
"But he could equally well say that the Doctor took his own life to save himself from being arrested," urged the governess. " 'Twould be beyond reason vindictive in any man, however ill-natured, to send another who had done him no harm to the rope."
"A thousand thanks, Madame!" Roger exclaimed eagerly. "There is much in what you say. And in my own mind, I feel confident now, that Fouché called 'Murder' after me not so much with a view to getting me hanged, but to have me stopped so that he might secure the purse."
"Is he likely, though, once having made the charge, to withdraw it?" pessimistically remarked the Abbé.
" 'Twould be easy for him to say that people had misunderstood his cries," Madame Marie-Ange retorted. "He could claim that by his cry of 'Murder' he had meant no more than that a violent death had just occurred, and that those who heard him had confused it with his shouts of 'Stop, thief'!"
"By so doing he could save himself from the sin of perjury and avoid the burden of attending at a lengthy trial," the Abbé agreed. "And as you, Madame, have very rightly pointed out, there seems no particular cause for him to carry vindictiveness to the point of endeavouring to bring about our young friend's death."
Athenais shrugged her slim shoulders. "You have admitted, Monsieur l'Abbé, that you know little of such matters, and I know nothing. Why should we not send for the notary—what is his name—
Maitre—Maitre ?"
"Leger," supplied the Abbé.
"Yes, Maitre Leger. Let us summon him and find out."
She had no sooner had the idea than she turned to Aldegonde and ordered him to send a messenger with instructions that she required Maitre Leger to wait on her at once. Then, having toyed a little with the desserts, they all retired to the yellow salon to await the lawyer's arrival.
Within a quarter of an hour Maitre Leger was announced. He proved to be a man of about sixty and something of a dandy. His green suit was of cloth but very well cut, with padded shoulders and silver buttons. His cravat and wristbands were of fine lawn and his hair, which had been black, now being flecked with grey had the smart appearance of having been lightly dusted with powder. Beneath a broad forehead he had a pair of lively brown eyes, a very sharply pointed nose and a firm, thin mouth.
Having bowed to Athenais he thanked her deferentially as she waved him to a chair.
"In my father's absence, Monsieur, I require your services," she began at once, and with a slight turn of her head towards Roger, went on: "This is Monsieur Breuc of Strasbourg. He is accused of killing some old man. Please see to it that the charge is withdrawn."
The lawyer coughed. "I am entirely at your disposal, Mademoiselle; but I am sure you will permit me to remark that the law is made by the King, and is therefore above and beyond us all. Once set in motion its processes cannot be stopped by a mere request, even should the request be made by such a distinguished personage as Monseigneur, your father. However, I will assuredly do all I can if I may be permitted to know the full circumstances of the case."
Without replying Athenais waved her fan in Roger's direction and he once more related the nerve-racking sequence of events that had befallen him earlier that evening.
When he had done, Maitre Leger slightly inclined his handsome head. "If all that you have told me is correct, I think there is a fair hope that you are mistaken in your belief that Monsieur Fouché intended to charge you with the Doctor's murder. It seems to me more likely that his attempts to have you stopped were actuated by his desire to get possession of the money-belt, and that in your own excitement you confused his cries announcing that a killing had taken place with those calling upon the other occupants of the inn to stay your flight."
"There," exclaimed Madame Marie-Ange in triumph, " 'tis the very thing I said myself towards the end of dinner."
"I only pray that you may be right," Roger murmured, as the lawyer continued:
"Moreover, if a trial results, Monsieur Fouché will be forced to resort to statements containing much perjury in order to make a case against you. If one of them is proved false not only might the whole case break down but he would find himself in serious trouble. I can see no reason why he should elect to run such a risk when he can terminate the issue by frankly admitting that he killed the doctor himself in self-defence. That was in fact what happened, was it not?"
"Yes, it would be difficult to contend otherwise," Roger agreed, after a moment. " Twas all so sudden and so horrible that the thought had not occurred to me; yet I must admit that the Doctor had struck him down with the hilt of my sword, and was about to strike at him again just as he fired his pistol."
"Are you prepared to swear to that before a magistrate?"
"Yes; if I must."
"That is well. You must remem
ber that in the moments succeeding your friend's death Monsieur Fouché had no reason at all to suppose that you would be willing to give evidence which would clear him of a charge of murder. It may be that he believed that you would attempt to get him hanged, if you could, and instantly made up his mind that his best prospect of escape lay in accusing you of the killing. It would then have been your word against his, and as you had taken the money the odds would have been in his favour. But there will be no official inquiry into the Doctor's death until to-morrow morning, and I will see Monsieur Fouché before the inquiry opens. If I inform him that you will come forward to give evidence that he killed the Doctor in self-defence, I feel there is every reason to hope that he will see the wisdom of admitting to it."
"I am indeed grateful, Monsieur," smiled Roger, now much comforted. "What you have said takes a great load from my mind."
"You are not out of the wood yet," Maitre Leger warned him. "And if complications arise it may be that you will be detained while further inquiries are made; but at least it does not appear that you have any grave reason to fear that you will be hung."
"I thank you, Monsieur," said Athenais. "You have cheered us mightily, and I rely on you to do your best for Monsieur Breuc."
The elderly lawyer bowed. "Your wishes, Mademoiselle, are my commands."
Madame Marie-Ang6 then turned to him and said: "Did I not hear that you are but just returned from Paris, Maitre Leger. What news have you brought with you from the capital?"
"The talk is all of His Majesty's appointment of Monsieur de Calonne to be the new Comtroller-General of the Finances," replied, the man in green, " 'Tis to be hoped that he will make a better showing than those who have held brief office during these past eighteen months; for public confidence has suffered a sad decline since the dismissal of M. Necker."
"Who was M. Necker, Monsieur?" inquired Athenais, and Roger looked at her in some surprise; since even he knew that Necker was the great Swiss banker whom Louis XVI had called to his assistance in the hope of straightening out the incredible tangle of debt and disorder into which the finances of France had fallen.
"He was for five years His Majesty's principal adviser, Mademoiselle," smiled the lawyer, "and a man of great ability. Before he was driven from office, getting on for two years ago, he published his Compte Rendu du Roi, which, for the first time in the history of our country, gave to the public a balance sheet showing how the King derives his revenues and how they are expended. 'Twas a sad pity that the Court prevented his continuing his progressive measures."
Count Lucien frowned. "I see no reason why the King should render an account to anyone of how he spends his money."
" 'Tis money obtained from the taxation of the people," Monsieur le Comte, "and surely they have some right to know what is done with it."
"That, I think, is generally accepted now," put in the Abbé "But am I not right in believing that M. Necker's Compte Rendu was misleading? Did it not show a credit balance which was later proved to have no real existence?"
Maitre Leger inclined his head. "Alas, Monsieur I'Abbé", that is so. Our state is far worse than we were led to suppose; yet the publication was a step in the right direction, and the alarming deficit was mainly due to our having taken up arms on behalf of the Americans against the English."
"That burden, at least, is lifted from us now," Madame Marie-Ange remarked. " 'Tis true, is it not, that the final ratification of the peace was signed last month?"
"Yes, Madame. And in Paris there were great rejoicings; particularly on the withdrawal of the English Commissioners from Dunkirk, which formed one of the stipulations of the treaty. It annulled the clause in the treaty of 1763, by which we were compelled to demolish the fortifications of Dunkirk and accept an English Commission there to assure that they were not re-erected. 'Twas a humiliation that the nation was well justified in resenting as long as it continued."
Athenais was looking bored, and asked suddenly: "Did you see my father, Monsieur, when you were in Paris?"
"Yes, Mademoiselle. Monseigneur le Marquis was much occupied, as he spends a great part of his time with the Count de Vergennes, His Majesty's Foreign Minister; but he did me the honour to receive me twice, and I am happy to be able to tell you that he is in excellent health."
"And did you go to Versailles?"
The lawyer smiled. "I have not the privilege of the entre to the Court, Mademoiselle."
"Yet you must have news of it; and such news is much more exciting than all this dreary talk of money and of foreign treaties?"
" 'Tis said to be as gay as ever. There are amusements from dinner at one each day until one the next morning. Three plays or operas are put on for their Majesties' entertainment each week and two balls, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with great suppers, and cards for those who prefer the tables. The Queen has just recommenced the weekly masked balls that she gives throughout the winter, and the principal occupation of the courtiers during the other six days is the preparation of the costumes in which they intend to appear. For some time past, both Paris and Versailles have been full of English visitors, and 'tis reported that Her Majesty shows them especial favour."
"Why should she?" Athenais demanded, "since but eight months ago we were at war with them!"
The lawyer coughed and replied discreetly: "The Queen is a law unto herself, Mademoiselle, and 'tis not always her pleasure to align herself with popular prejudice. In this case popular opinion is represented by many of the younger nobility, who served with Monsieur de la Fayette and the Count, your uncle, in the Americas. They found the way of life there much to their liking. They were greatly impressed by the free and easy manners, the sense of equality and the lack of restrictions on personal liberty, that are enjoyed by tile Americans. Who can blame them for desiring reforms which would bring about the same state of affairs in France? On the other hand there are many at Court who are strongly opposed to such reforms, as they feel that change would result in their having to sacrifice their ancient privileges. These last consider that our intervention on behalf of the Americans was a great mistake, since we aided them to defy their King and overthrow all established custom. Quite naturally they regard the English nobility who come to Versailles as the true representatives of law, order, and the countenance of a privileged caste. Therefore, headed by the Queen, they receive them with all friendliness and sympathy."
"The Queen is right then," declared Athenais promptly, "and my uncle wrong. Henceforth I'll take a better view of the English."
Maitre Leger made no comment, and there was a short silence before he said: "If Mademoiselle has no further use for my services to-night, may I beg leave to make my adieux?"
She nodded regally to him and, having promised Roger that he would endeavour to see Monsieur Fouché first thing in the morning, he bowed himself out of the room.
When he had gone they talked for a little, until Athenais put up her fan to hide a yawn, then announced her intention of going to bed.
Aldegonde was summoned and ordered to conduct Roger to a suitable chamber in which he could pass the night; and, having kissed the hand of his protectress, he followed the major-domo to a comfortable but plainly furnished room on the third floor of the mansion.
As he undressed he endeavoured to sort out his impressions. He was still badly shaken by the Doctor's death and his own precarious position, yet his thoughts never wandered for long from Athenais de Rochambeau.
She was, he knew, abominably spoilt and self-willed, but he attributed that entirely to her upbringing; and she possessed both courage and self-confidence—qualities which he greatly admired. But, beyond all, she was the most perfect expression of beauty that he had ever seen. The play of emotions on her face, and her every movement, were a joy to watch; and the strange mixture of child and woman that she embodied he found entirely fascinating. No other girl that he had met even remotely resembled her, and he knew now that he had never been in love with Georgina.
As he fell asleep his last
thought was of the bright blue eyes and golden hair of Athenais, and he realised that he was already profoundly, desperately in love with her.
Yet neither his anxieties nor his new-found passion disturbed his slumbers, and he slept right on until one of the footmen called him by bringing his breakfast up to him on a tray. Except when ill of childhood complaints he had never had a meal in bed in his life, so he was considerably surprised at this, and he was not quite sure if he liked the custom; but it did not interfere with his appetite. He would have much preferred a good, meaty English breakfast to eat either upstairs or down, but he had to admit to himself that a petit dejeuner in the house of a French nobleman was not without its attractions. Instead of the simple rolls, butter and jam served at the inns where he had stayed, his tray was loaded with a pot of frothy chocolate, rolls with caraway seeds in them, feather-light brioches, crisp horseshoe croissants, honey, three kinds of confiture and a dish of fresh fruit.
Having tried them all he got up, dressed and went downstairs. A score of servants were sweeping and cleaning in the great apartments, and the yellow drawing-room proving untenable he descended to the hall, since he was anxious now to be on hand and learn Maitre Leger's news the moment the lawyer should arrive.
Aldegonde, appearing on the scene, seemed to regard his presence there with surprised disapproval, and when Roger asked him what time Mademoiselle de Rochambeau would be down he replied stiffly: "Mademoiselle is rarely visible before ten o'clock."
Since it was only just after eight, this was small comfort, and Roger found his wait a dreary business as he was compelled to hang about for the best part of an hour. But, at last, a bell jangled somewhere and one of the footmen, slipping on his coat, went to the front door.
When the man threw it open, to Roger's amazement, not only Maitre Leger, but also Monsieur Fouché, walked in.
The Launching of Roger Brook rb-1 Page 23
