CHAPTER XXI
The Death of Henri.
Many a time I had left the house in the Rue des Catonnes with a verydoubtful chance of returning, but I had rarely gone out with such apressing sense of danger as now. Pillot's sudden appearance, hisstrange story, and the memory of former deceptions wrought on mynerves, and I almost wished Raoul or John Humphreys was with me.
The rioters, too, now that the soldiers had departed, returned to thestreet in a very quarrelsome humour. They stood in groups talkingangrily; and one brawny ruffian, yelling "Death to the Nobles!" struckat me with a pike. Happily my sword was free and I pinked his arm;still it would have gone hard with me but for Pillot, who procured us apassage by the use of some jargon well-known to these night-birds.
"Be cautious, monsieur," he said, "the mob is growing dangerous. Theriot has not spread far, but to-morrow----!"
"Will the city rise?"
"Nothing can stop it, monsieur. These people are like wild animals.You can excite them to a certain pitch, but beyond that----"
"What is the grievance now?" I asked, and Pillot shrugged his shoulders.
"There are many things, monsieur, but at present the chief is hunger.The inhabitants of these quarters are half starved, and they want toknow why. They will put the question very loudly in a day or two."
"Will they rise against the throne?"
"It all depends. A whim or a word will do it. Some one will cry 'Downwith Conde!' and there is your revolution ready-made. The man who isstarving does not stop to reason. The cry may be 'Down with theNobles!'--no one knows as yet, and no one cares."
Presently I asked why he had ventured abroad on the day when the Kingwas declared of age.
"My master was better then," he said, "and desired to learn how affairswere shaping. We heard a rumour that Conde would not be present; so Iwent to find out. It was a risky thing, and the sight of youfrightened me."
"It need not have done; I wish my cousin no harm."
"True, monsieur, but we were not aware of that."
"Where have you hidden your master?"
"In an outhouse at La Boule d'Or. We dared not take him to the inn; hewould have been discovered. I was afraid the other evening when youcame with M. Beauchamp."
"Then you saw us?"
"I watched you enter, monsieur--and go away," and the rascal could nothelp chuckling.
Through dirty courts and fetid alleys where the sun never shone, myguide led the way, bringing me at last to the familiar Rue de Roi. Mydistrust had vanished by now, and I followed him unhesitatingly.Crossing the road and walking rapidly through a private passage, wereached the back of the inn. The yard was in partial darkness, but Imade out an old building which communicated by a covered way with thehostelry. Lighting a candle, Pillot entered this passage and stoodlistening intently. No sound could be heard; all was silent as thegrave.
"Too late!" he exclaimed sadly, and, heedless of me, sprang up thestairs two at a time, the flame of the candle flickering violently. Iheard him turn the handle of the door, and, running up quickly, passedin with him.
The evening shadows were relieved only by the glimmer of the candle,but I gave no more than a passing glance at the wretched room. SomehowI had felt convinced almost from the first that Pillot was telling thetruth, and now the proof was before me.
The dwarf, who had placed the candle on the table, was bending over afigure close by. It was my cousin, wrapped in an old dressing-gown andseated in a deep arm-chair. He looked wasted and white, his mouth wasdrawn at the corners, his eyes burned deep in their sockets with a redglow, I could almost see through the thin white hands that lay looselyon his lap.
Pillot, as I have mentioned, bent over him, and called softly,"Monsieur, monsieur, your cousin has come; I have fetched your cousin."
"Henri!" I cried--for the dying man apparently took no notice--"I amyour cousin, your cousin Albert. Do you not wish to speak to me?"
There was a faint gleam of recognition in his eyes, and it appeared asif he were trying to brace himself; then he extended one hand, and saidquietly, "Albert!"
I urged him to let me send for a skilful surgeon, but he shook his headimpatiently, saying, "No, no, he could do nothing. Pillot has been mydoctor and nurse. Good little man!"
One could perceive that he was dying, and I would not disturb himfurther, though the dwarf wished to carry him to his bed.
Presently he looked at me with a faint smile whispering, "The elderbranch will lead again. It is well; you are a better De Lalande thanI. At one time I hoped we might have been friends, but you had chosenyour part."
"We can be friends yet."
"No, no; it is too late. What I have done I have done; but there isone matter pressing on my mind. Will you forgive me for--for----"
"The plot?" I put in cheerfully. "Of course, I forgive you freely; itwas all in the game."
"You did not believe I meant to kill you?"
"Not for an instant," I answered honestly.
He lay back in his chair, and a gratified smile flickered across hisface.
"Maubranne did not tell me," he said feebly. "He knew I would not--notconsent. I only intended to keep you shut up for a few weeks. Whathave you done with Peleton?"
"He is in the Bastille! He informed Conde of all that he knew."
"Pah! I warned the Abbe against him, but he refused to listen. TellRaoul not to worry about me. I should have recovered but for thesoldiers. Pillot had to move me. It was horrible, but the end is nearnow. Ask the Abbe to bury me in Paris."
He stopped exhausted; his eyes closed; his head fell forward, and Ithought that life was gone. Pillot stood near me choking back hissobs. I had not given him credit for such feeling.
"Oh, monsieur," he whispered, "your cousin was good to me; I would havegiven my life freely to save his!"
"Hush! He is speaking again!"
Very low and faint were the words, but we heard him say, "Pillot, areyou there? Good little man, I will not forget. Fetch my cousin,Pillot. Quick, do you hear? Ah, _monsieur le prince_, you are toolate! It is a pity!" and he laughed derisively.
There was silence for a time, and then I whispered softly, "Henri!" buthe made no answer.
The feeble light played on his face, half hiding, half revealing theghastliness of it; and we, without speech or movement, stood watchinghim, till the candle sputtering out left us in darkness. Pillot wouldhave fetched another from the inn, but he feared to stir lest the soundshould disturb the dying man. How long we remained thus I cannot tell,but shortly before morning broke there came a strange, convulsiverattle from the huddled figure in the chair, and we knew that Henri deLalande had passed from the power of man.
"May his soul rest in peace!" said Pillot simply.
"Amen," I replied, and, moving softly, closed the dead man's eyes.
I was scarcely more than a lad then, and Henri's melancholy death inthis wretched room made a deep impression on me. It was a sad endingto what might have been a brilliant career. The early dawn, creepinginto the room, cast fantastic shadows everywhere, and the light fallingon my cousin's face imparted to it a strange appearance of life. Icould almost have thought he was smiling at me.
"I have lost a good master," said Pillot. "You and he were not thebest of friends, monsieur, but there are many worse men in Paris thanthe one who has just died."
"I am sure of it," said I somewhat absently, for my thoughts had turnedto the previous night's rioting.
"The King is dead; live the King!" What a world of meaning lies inthose simple words! I was really sorry for my cousin's death, butthere was no leisure to indulge in grief; the living were in need of myassistance.
Paris was up in arms! The mob had already broken loose, and, unlessthe ruffians were quickly checked, no one could foretell how the tumultmight end. As yet only a house or two had been plundered, but withintwenty-four hours Paris might be reduced to ashes. I thought of Marieand her aunt, and determined by some
means to get them from the city.It seemed pitiful to leave my cousin lying dead there, but I could dohim no good, and Pillot would carry his message to De Retz.
"Pillot," I exclaimed, "I must leave you to attend to your master'sburial. The Abbe will not refuse his last request. I would stay, butit is necessary for me to attend the ladies in the Rue Crillon. If themob rises there may be danger."
"You are right, monsieur! Paris is no place for them at present. Takethem out of it as quickly as possible. As to your cousin, I will seethat he has proper burial; I will go to De Retz at once."
"What will you do afterwards? You will not care to serve the Abbeagain?"
"Ah, no! I would wring his neck with pleasure, monsieur!"
"I do not wish that. Come, let me make you an offer. I am not richlike my cousin, but if you will take service with me, I will arrangethat you are properly paid."
"After all that has passed? Monsieur is exceedingly trustful."
"Because I am aware how loyal you have been to M. de Lalande."
"Very well, monsieur; let it be so. You will find that I shall serveyou faithfully."
"I am sure of that. Now listen. As soon as my cousin is buried, startfor Aunay--you know the road. If you do not find me there I shall havegone to join the Cardinal and you can follow. Here is some money; youwill need it before we meet again."
As soon as these matters were arranged we went out, and Pillotcarefully secured the door. The morning had broken cold and gray, adrizzling rain fell, the streets were deserted; the night-owls, weariedby their exertions, had returned to their roosts.
"There is still time to see Raoul," I muttered; so, bidding Pillot gostraight to the Abbe, I turned off in the direction of the Luxembourg.
At the Palace the change from the stillness of the city was startling.The gates were closed and guarded; soldiers, fully equipped, stood attheir posts; the courtyard was filled with nobles in a state ofexcitement. Happily for my purpose Raoul observed me and came to thegate.
"What has alarmed you so down here?" I inquired. "Is the Duke afraidof a siege?"
"Have you not heard the news? Come inside where we can talk. It hasall happened just as we reckoned it would. Conde has thrown off themask and broken with the Court. It is rumoured that Spain has offeredhim a body of troops, and that he intends to tempt fortune in a CivilWar. The Queen is firm and does not mean to let him back out; it is door die for him now."
"All the better; we shall be able to distinguish friends from enemies.It will be an awful thing, but once Conde is well beaten the countrywill stand a chance of peace. The Duke of Orleans will join forceswith the Queen?"
"I cannot say," answered Raoul shamefacedly; "he is pulled this way andthat, by both parties. Most probably he will wait to find how thingsgo."
"Then he is a coward as well as a traitor! _Faugh!_ I wonder you havepatience to stay with him! I can understand a loyalist and even arebel, but a weather-cock like the Duke is beyond me. Why does he notcome boldly into the open? This twisting and turning will do him nogood. One would imagine he was a hunted hare."
"There is no need to ask what you will do?"
"Not a bit, I shall join the royal army and serve as a trooper, if nobetter berth offers. Thank goodness the field is clear now, and weshall know where we stand. But first I must get Marie and her aunt outof the city. Paris will not be safe for them when the mob rises, as itis sure to do. But I have some further news; my cousin is dead."
"I thought you said he died weeks ago."
"Pillot spread that rumour about, but there can be no mistake now, as Ihave just come from his deathbed," and, while my friend listenedattentively, I related the strange story of the past night.
"Poor fellow!" exclaimed Raoul; "we were never very friendly, but I amsorry for him. He would have made a name for himself in time. He musthave had some good points for Pillot to stick to him so closely. Thelittle man will be lost without his master."
"He has taken service with me."
"I have no doubt he will serve you well. Shall you go to the RueCrillon at once?"
"Yes, and endeavour to induce Madame Coutance to leave before thedanger becomes pressing. Well, I must be off, and I wish you werecoming with me."
"I shall follow you," he said resolutely, "and fight for the Crown,with or without the consent of the Duke."
"Bravo, old friend!" I cried impetuously. "Conde against De Retz orOrleans I can understand; but Conde against the Throne is anothermatter. The point of every honest man's sword should be turned againsta traitor! Why not come now?"
"Because the Duke may yet take the field for the Queen! He must makeup his mind in a few days at the most."
He walked with me to the gate, and after a brief farewell I set outtowards the city. Thus far nothing unusual had occurred, but therewere numerous signs of a coming storm. Most of the shops remainedclosed, door and windows were barricaded, sober Black Mantles, armedfrom head to foot, stood in groups talking of the situation. Thedenizens of the courts still rested, but some, more energetic thantheir neighbours, made furtive excursions into the main streets. Theyslunk along with pike and club, as if even now half doubtful of theirown strength, though here and there a self-appointed leader shouted fordeath to the nobles. But the time was not yet. The appetite of the_canaille_ was not sufficiently whetted; later they would be ready forthe feast.
Walking quickly to the Rue Crillon, I found the ladies breakfasting,and was glad to join them, as I had eaten nothing for many hours. Theywere not aware of the previous night's riot, and Madame Coutancelaughed at the idea of leaving the city.
"There is no danger," she declared, "and, besides, I have business inParis."
"But your friends are gone," I urged. "You have heard that Conde hasturned traitor?"
She flushed angrily, and answered in her masterful way, "I know theprince has taken up arms to secure his rights."
"In any case he is not here to protect you from the fury of the mob."
"Bah!" said she scornfully, "a pack of cowards! Any one--a womaneven--could send them flying with a riding-whip!"
Argument was thrown away on her, but I did my best, even exaggeratingthe danger, and begging her to depart if only for the sake of herniece. However, she remained obstinate; not, I think, out of merebravado, but because she misjudged the strength of the rising.Standing at the window, she pointed to the quiet street, sayingtriumphantly, "Where is the danger, M. de Lalande? The Rue Crillonlooks to me as peaceful as the park at Aunay. Besides, the citizensare in favour of the prince, and they will not injure us."
Shrugging my shoulders impatiently, I made no reply; she must bear theconsequence of her folly. Even Marie seemed to think lightly of theperil, though she thanked me prettily for my thoughtfulness. At last,annoyed by my failure, I bade them farewell, and returning to theLuxembourg despatched a soldier in search of Raoul, who lookedsurprised at seeing me again.
"The woman is an imbecile," he exclaimed angrily, "but we must save herin spite of herself, if it is at all possible. Are you aware that thegates are guarded, and that no one is allowed to pass without a permit?The Duke has just issued the order."
"In that case I may as well abandon the idea of getting them through,unless you can obtain a permit for us."
"I will try, if you will wait here a few minutes," and off he went tothe palace.
"Another plot, De Lalande?" cried a laughing voice at my elbow, and,turning my head, I perceived Armand d'Arcy, who had just come up.
"Only an attempt to get Madame Coutance and her niece out of the city.I am afraid there will be mischief in a day or two."
"Sooner than that, my friend! The pikes are being sharpened and the_canaille_ will be all armed by nightfall. I suppose you have heardthe news of Conde?"
"That he has shown his true colours? Yes! it is the best thing thatcould have happened. Of course you are for the Crown and againstConde?"
"I am for the Duke of Orleans," said he.
/>
"What, against the King?"
"Against the world, if it comes to that! I chose him as my patron andmust stand by him, though I hope he will not assist Conde."
"If he does you will be a rebel."
"All right," cried he, with his merry laugh, "there will be smallnovelty in that. Ah! here comes Beauchamp, looking as solemn as anowl. Can you not manage to screw out a smile, Raoul? A glimpse ofyourself in a glass just now would frighten you to death. Look a bitlively, there is plenty of time for being miserable."
"Brule has arrived with his report," said Raoul, "and things are evenworse than we expected; the barricades will be up to-night. Here,Albert, take care of this," and he gave me an order signed by the Duke:"Allow bearer and two friends to pass the gate of St. Denis withoutquestion or delay."
"Thanks," said I, slipping it into my pocket, "it may mean all thedifference between life and death, though whether Madame Coutance willleave is more than I can tell. And now, good-bye, for the second time;I am going to my rooms for a few minutes, and after that to the RueCrillon."
"Avoid the short cuts," D'Arcy advised; "or you may get into trouble,and if you are invited to cry 'Down with the King!' shout with all yourmight. Better to use your breath unpleasantly than to lose italtogether."
"It is as likely to be 'Down with Conde!' as anything else," I answeredlaughing, "and in that case you will hear my voice at the Luxembourg."
"By the way," said Raoul, "have you seen John Humphreys?"
"No, I must spare five minutes for him. It is only a hop, skip, andjump from my place to the Palais Royal," and, with their good wishesringing in my ears, I set off for the Rue des Catonnes.