CHAPTER XIX.
CHON SPOILS ALL.
After the king's departure from the short and unpleasant call, as hetermed it to the courtiers, the Countess Dubarry remained closeted withChon and her brother, who had kept in the background for fear that hiswound would be found to be but a scratch. The outcome of this familycouncil was that the countess, instead of going to Luciennes, went to aprivate house of hers in Valois Street, Paris.
Jeanne read a book while Zamore, at the window, watched for thecarriage to return. When the viscount brought the old countess he lefther in the anteroom while he ran to tell his sister of his success.
"Where is Chon?" he asked.
"At Versailles, where I bade her keep close."
"Then go in, my princess."
Lady Dubarry opened the boudoir door and walked into her visitor'spresence.
"I have already thanked my brother," she said, "for having procured methe honor of your ladyship's visit; but I must thank you at present formaking it."
"I cannot find expressions," said the delighted suitor, "to show mygratitude for the kind reception granted me."
"Allow me," said Jean, as the ladies took seats; "the countess must notseem to be applying to you for a favor. The chancellor has confided acommission for you, that is all."
The visitor gave the speaker a thankful look, and handed the letterspatent from the chancellor which created Luciennes a royal castle andintrusted Zamore with the governership.
"It is I who am obliged," said the younger countess, "and I shallconsider myself happy when the chance comes for me to do something inmy turn."
"That will be easy," cried the other with a quickness delighting thepair of plotters. "You will not be ignorant of my name?"
"How could we? The name of the princess to whom we owe King Henry theFourth?"
"Then you may have heard of a lawsuit which ties up my property."
"Claimed by the Saluces? Yes, the king was talking of the matter withChancellor Maupeou, my cousin, the other evening."
"The king talked of my case? In what terms, pray?"
"Alas! he seemed to think that it ought to be the Saluces."
"Good heavens! then we would have to pay twice over a sum which morallywas paid. I have not the receipt, I grant, but I can prove paymentmorally."
"I think moral proofs are accepted," said Jean gravely.
"The claim of two hundred thousand livres, with interest, now amountingto a capital of over a million, dated 1406. It must have been settledby Guy Gaston IV., Count of Bearn, because on his deathbed, in 1417, hewrote in his will 'Owing no debts,' and so on."
"That settles it," said Jean.
"But your adversaries hold the note?" said the countess, pretending totake an interest in the subject.
"Yes, that embroils it," said the old lady, who ought to have said,"This clears it up."
"It terribly changes the position for the Saluces."
"Oh, my lady, I would that you were one of the judges!"
"In olden times, you might have claimed a champion to do battle foryou. I have such belief in your case that I would go into the lists foryou. Unfortunately we have not to do with knights but a gang of robbersin black gowns, who will not understand so plain an expression as 'Idie owing no debts.'"
"Stay, though; as the words were spoken three hundred years ago theywould be outlawed, I think," ventured Countess Dubarry.
"But you would be convinced of the lady's rights, sister, if you wereto hear her, as I have heard coming along."
"Then do me the favor of coming out to my place at Luciennes, where, bythe way, the king drops in now and again."
"But I cannot rely on such a chance, for the case is called Monday, andthis is Friday."
"What the deuce can be done?" grumbled the viscount, appearing tomeditate profoundly.
"If I could have a royal hearing at Versailles through yourintroduction?" suggested the old lady.
"Not to be thought of. The king does not like me to meddle with law orpolitics. And at present he is worried about my presentation to thecourt."
"Oh!" exclaimed the aged litigant.
"The king wants it to come off before the new dauphiness arrives,so that my sister can go to the festivities at Compiegne, in spiteof Choiseul's opposition, Praslin's intrigues and Lady Grammont'sintervention."
"I understand. The countess has no introductress?" queried Lady Bearn,timidly.
"Beg pardon, we have Baroness Alogny, only the king would prefersomebody with a historical name."
"I cannot say that I ever heard of the Alognys," hissed the olddescendant of kings with incredible envy.
"It will be a grand thing for her, for the king is tired of the jadeswho put on airs prouder than himself!" said Jean. "I could make LadyAlogny draw off by telling her what the king said."
"It would be unfair," said the viscount.
"What a pity! for in that case, here is a lady of ancient lineage, andregal. She would win her lawsuit, her son could have a lieutenancy inthe household troops, and as Lady Bearn must have gone to much outlayin her trips to Paris, she would have compensation out of the privypurse. Such luck does not rain down twice in a lifetime."
"Alas! no," said Lady Bearn, crushed in her chair by all things beingagainst her.
"An idea strikes me," said Jean. "All has been kept quiet, and so theking does not know that we have a lady patroness to present my sister.Suppose you were at Versailles and expressed your willingness to actas social sponsor for my sister. Why, the king would accept one who ishis relative, and that would prevent the Alognys complaining. The kingcould do no wrong."
"The king would do right about the suit," said Jeanne. "He would bedelighted and he would be sure to say to Chancellor Maupeou: 'I wantyou to treat Lady Bearn properly, my lord!'"
"But this may look bad, when everybody thinks my case lost," objectedthe old countess.
"Well, let it be lost," returned the other lady quickly: "What matter,if you are compensated?"
"Two hundred thousand livres?" said the other with sorrow.
"Pooh, what if there be a royal present of a hundred thousand livres?"
"I have a son," remarked the victim, while the two eyed her greedily.
"So much the better, as he will be another servitor for the king; hemust not have less than a cornetcy in the army," said Jean. "Any otherkinsmen?"
"A nephew."
"We shall find a berth for him."
"We rely on your invention," said Countess Dubarry, rising. "You willallow me to mention your ladyship to the king?"
"Do me the honor," said the old dame with a sigh.
"No later than this evening," said the royal favorite. "I trust I havewon your friendship?"
"Yes, though I believe I am in a dream."
But the dream only lasted to the foot of the stairs, where CountessBearn was conducted on Jean's hale arm, for there the irrepressibleChon came bounding out of a sedan chair. Lady Bearn recognized thepretended daughter of Lawyer Flageot.
"It is Mistress Chon," roared Zamore.
"Is that little fool Gilbert here?" asked Chon of the footmen, when shesuddenly looked up and saw Jean trying to hush her.
She followed the direction of his finger and perceived Lady Bearn. Shegave a scream, lowered her cap-veil, and plunged into the vestibule.
Appearing to notice nothing, the old lady got into the carriage andgave her address to the coachman.