CHAPTER IX.
THE KNIGHT OF REDCASTLE.
Philip of Taverney, Knight of Redcastle, did not resemble his sister,albeit he was as handsome for a man as she was lovely for a woman.
Andrea's embrace of him was accompanied by sobs revealing all theimportance of this union to her chaste heart. He took her hand and hisfather's, and led them into the parlor, where he sat by their sides.
"You are incredulous, father, and you, sister, surprised. But nothingcan be more true than that this illustrious princess will be hereshortly. You know that the Archduchess made her entry into our realmat Strasburg? As we did not know the exact hour of her arrival, thetroops were under arms early, and I was sent out to scout. When I cameup with the royal party, the lady herself put her head out of the coachwindow, and hailed me. My fatigue vanished as by enchantment. Thedauphiness is young like you, dear, and beautiful as the angels."
"Tell me, you enthusiast," interrupted the baron, "does she resembleany one you have seen here before?"
"No one could resemble her--stay, come to think of it--why, Nicole hasa faint likeness--but what led you to suggest that?"
"I had it from a magician, who at the same time foretold your coming."
"The guest?" timidly inquired Andrea.
"Is he the stranger who discreetly withdrew when I arrived?"
"The same; but continue your story, Philip."
"Perhaps we had better make something ready," hinted the lady.
"No," said her father, staying her; "the more we do, the moreridiculous we shall appear."
"I returned to the city with the news, and all the military marchedto receive the new princess. She listened absently to the governor'sspeech and said suddenly: 'What is the name of this young gentleman whowas sent to meet me?' And her governess wrote on her tablets my name,Chevalier Philip Taverney Redcastle. 'Sir,' she said, 'if you have norepugnance to accompany me to Paris, your superior will oblige me byrelieving you of your military duties here, for I made a vow to attachto my service the first French gentleman met by me in setting foot inFrance; and to make him happy, and his family the same, in case princeshave the power to do so.'"
"What delightful words!" said Andrea, rubbing her hands.
"Hence, I rode at the princess's coach door to Nancy, through whichwe marched by torchlight. She called me to her to say that she meantto stop a while at Taverney, though I said our house was not fit toreceive so mighty a princess.
"'The sweeter will be the welcome, then, the more plain but the morecordial,' she replied. 'Poor though Taverney may be, it can supply abowl of milk to the friend who wishes to forget for a time that she isthe Princess of Austria and the Bride of France.' Respect prevented medebating further. So I have ridden ahead."
"Impossible," said Andrea; "however kind the princess may be, she wouldnever be content with a glass of milk and a bunch of flowers."
"And if she were," went on Taverney, "she would not tolerate mychairs which break one's back, and my ragged tapestry offending thesight. Devil take capricious women! France will be prettily governedby a featherbrain, who has such whims. Plague take such a token of asingular reign!"
"Oh, father! how can you talk so of a princess who floods our housewith favors?"
"Who dishonors me!" returned the old noble. "Who was thinking aboutTaverney?--not a soul. My name slept under Redcastle ruins not to comeforth till I arranged the fit time; and here comes the freak of a royalbabe to pull us out into public, dusty, tattered and beggarly. Thenewspapers, always on the lookout for food for fun, will make a prettycomic talk of the brilliant princess's visit to the Taverney hovel.But, death of my life! an idea strikes me. I know history, and of theCount of Medina setting fire to his palace to win a queen's attention.I will burn down my kennel for a bonfire to the Dauphin's bride."
As nimble as though twenty once more, the old peer ran into the kitchenand plucking a brand, hurried out and over to the barn, but as he wasnearing the trusses of forage, Balsamo sprang forth and clutched hisarm.
"What are you about, my lord?" he asked, wrenching away the flambeau."The Archduchess of Austria is no Constable of Bourbon, a traitor,whose presence so fouls a dwelling that it must be purified by fire."
The old noble paused, pale and trembling and not smiling as usual.
"Go and change your gown, my lord, for something more seemly,"continued the mysterious guest. "When I knew the Baron of Taverney atPhilipsburg Siege, he wore the Grand Cross of St. Louis. I know notof any suit that does not become rich and stylish under the ribbon ofthat order. Take it coolly: her highness will be kept so busy that shewill not notice whether your house be new or old, dull or dazzling. Behospitable, as a noble is bound to be. Never forestall vexations, mylord. Every dog has his day."
Taverney obeyed with the resignation he had previously shown and wentto join his children, who were hunting for him, uneasy at his absence.The magician silently retired like one engaged in a piece of work.