CHAPTER VII.
In the Ch?teau of Marzay, on that night, as every day in the wideworld in which we live, care and anxiety, hope and expectation, theselfish intrigue, the means of frustrating it, the dark design, theevents that are to bring it to light, were all going on side by sideat once, separated from each other by thin partitions which served toconceal the proceedings of the various actors from each other, but notfrom the eye of that overruling Providence who apportions success anddisappointment, joy and sorrow, reward and punishment, according tohis wise but inscrutable will.
Less than a hundred yards from the chamber of Monsieur de Liancourt,Louis de Montigni sat after the priest left him, with his arms foldedon his chest, his head bent down, and his eyes fixed upon the ground.He thought bitterly over much that had passed. The words which Walterde la Tremblade had spoken concerning the heart of woman, still rungin his ears; the probable causes of the peculiarities he had remarkedin the conduct of Rose d'Albret, still agitated his mind; and he askedhimself "Can she really love him? She who was clear-sighted, as wellas frank, thoughtful as well as gay, generous, kind, liberal, can shelove this man, who from youth till now has shown himself the sameselfish, bold, confident, cunning, and presuming being? She used tosee through him, and understand him when he came here as a youth, buta few years older than myself. It may be so, and perhaps the priest isright. If so, it were as well to renounce all without furtherhesitation, not to let her or any one perceive the hopes that are tobe disappointed, the vain expectations that are to vanish at a breath,nor to call down that pity which is always more or less mingled withcontempt, nor excite the scornful merriment of the winner in thisperilous game. No, that I will not do; and yet this is a hard and abitter act to require of me, which may well justify some doubt andsome delay. Hark! there is my uncle's foot, I shall now hear more. Thegood old man has all his eyes open, where my interests and happinessare concerned. From him I shall hear the pure truth, undisguised andplain. I almost doubt that priest: yet he spoke fairly and candidlytoo; but these men of the gown, dependent on great families, howevervirtuous and right may be their inclinations, gain a bias towards theviews of their patrons, which often blinds their eyes to the plaincourse of justice."
Such were the thoughts of the young Baron de Montigni, till at lengththe old soldier Estoc threw open the door, and the commander limpedinto the room.
"Now lock the door, Estoc!" cried the good knight, seating himself inthe chair which his nephew placed carefully for him; "lock the door,we will have no more interruptions. I have a right to have my say too,Louis. _Ventre saint gris_, to use the language of the Philistines, wewill have it out now, Louis."
"Most assuredly, Sir," replied the young nobleman; "I will suffer noone to interrupt us. My uncle, the count, as once my guardian and myeldest relative, might of course command my first attention; but nowthat is over, you, my dear uncle, have the next claim upon me, and Iwill not allow anyone to deprive me of the pleasure or the benefit ofhearing your conversation and advice."
"Well said, boy! Well said!" cried the old commander. "Do you hearthat, Estoc? He's no chicken now, eh? By my faith, Anthony will findhimself mistaken. I like that well. You are right, Louis, to say, you_will not suffer_ any one to interrupt us. That's the true tone. Ihave grown into a sort of some dependence here, thanks to myinfirmities. I let them have all their own way; but, parbleu, it willnot do, for they turn tyrants when they are over indulged."
"I have come here, my dear uncle," replied his nephew, "with allreverence and respect for Monsieur de Liancourt. But my days ofpupilage are over. While I stay in his house my chamber is my own,where I receive whom I like, when I like, and suffer not myself to beinterfered with, (so long as I observe the courtesies of life,) when Iam otherwise engaged. Whenever an attempt is made to restrain thatcommunication with others that I may choose to hold, I leave theplace, and take my lodging elsewhere."
"Right, right," cried the officer, "and if you go I will go with you,Louis. But sit down, Estoc. We have much to talk about, my boy. Itrust you kept your word with me--I trust you promised nothing to thepriest. He is a good man in the main; but shrewd, Louis, shrewd as awinter's night--pile up the fire, Estoc. You promised nothing, eh,Louis?"
"Nothing, Sir," replied the young Baron. "I merely assured him, thatno consideration on earth would induce me to do ought that wouldthwart the inclinations, or impede the happiness, of Mademoiselled'Albret, but that, for the decision of my conduct, I must have timeto consider, and that well."
"Ah no! I am sure you would not! Poor dear little Rose, God blessher," cried the commander, "she deserves all tenderness. But if youdid what they want, you would mar her happiness too, boy. Now let mehear what they sought of you. Then I will tell my tale."
De Montigni recapitulated, as well as he could, all that had passedbetween himself, his uncle, and the priest. He knew he could trust tothose with whom he spoke; and he strove to give the words that hadbeen uttered as nearly as possible without change. He might indeed adda running commentary of his own conclusions, but he falsified nothing,he exaggerated nothing. As he proceeded, his good uncle leaned hischin upon his stick, and listened without replying a word, though onceor twice he struck the point of the staff sharply on the floor.
Old Estoc, however, was not so patient or so taciturn; for morethan once, he uttered a quick oath, and murmured from time to time"Pardie!--Morbleu!--Coquin!" in tones which showed that he was not atall edified with the reported discourse of Monsieur de la Tremblade.
But when the young nobleman had done all, the good commander'ssmothered fire broke forth in a blaze, "Curses upon them forever!" heexclaimed; "now they wonder there are Huguenots, and yet to see aCatholic priest playing knave and hypocrite in this way is enough tomake any honest man turn Turk! I am ashamed of my brother, Louis, I amashamed of my family, but I am still more ashamed of my religion. It'snot honest, my boy! It's not honest, if it suffers its clergy to goplaying such a double game, telling what suits them, and keeping backwhat does not suit them to speak. Now you shall hear the plain truth.You are heir of Liancourt, pure and undoubted. It was settled so longsince, and nothing but your own act can deprive you of the lands."
"I suspected that such was the case," replied the young nobleman, "assoon as I saw such anxiety to induce me to sign papers in haste, andwithout explanation."
"Suspected!" cried the old commander. "Why you should have known itlong ago, if there had been honest men amongst us. I made myrenunciation in poor Louise's favour--my sister--your mother,boy--when she married your good father--God rest his soul--and I tookthe Order of St. John. You are the heir, then, beyond all doubt; butJacqueline, your aunt, my sister--she's a devil if ever one was--hasnever ceased working at my poor weak brother Anthony to deprive you ofyour right."
"She never loved me, I know," replied De Montigni. "I remember when Iwas a mere boy--"
"Loved you! that's not the point," exclaimed the commander. "She lovesyou just as well as anything else that stands in her way. It is thatshe loves herself, and loves herself in her son--the coxcomb! She hasset her mind upon seeing him wealthy and powerful. She always lookedupon money as the best of blessings. That is why she married oldChazeul, a man she hated and despised, only that she might be richerthan her elder sister; and now this fellow has squandered half hisfather's estate, she thinks to patch up a greater fortune still bygetting for him Marennes and Liancourt. The last she never can get ifyou are not a fool, Louis, and the first she cannot get without shegets the last."
"This seems to me a riddle, Sir," said De Montigni, thoughtfully. "Iunderstand that this marriage is fully settled, with the consent andapprobation of all parties; and surely the hand of Mademoiselled'Albret, with her hereditary property, must be an object well worthstriving for, even in the eyes of one who values wealth so much as myaunt De Chazeul."
"Ay boy! ay!" cried the old commander, "so it would be, if she couldget it. But the contract between the good Count de Marennes and youruncle is, that Rose is to marry
his nephew, the subsisting heir ofLiancourt. No name is mentioned, lest the heir should die in themeantime; but you were then, you are still, the subsisting heir ofLiancourt, in virtue of your mother's rights as eldest daughter of myfather, and my renunciation in her favour. If you put your hand tothat paper you are worse than Esau, for you not only sell yourbirthright, but your bride, for a mess of pottage."
De Montigni started up and paced the room for a moment with his handclasped upon his forehead, and twice he muttered, "This is shameful!"He was tempted, strongly tempted, let what would be the result, toassert his rights at once; to claim his own without one considerationof the feelings of others; to exact the utmost sum of his inheritance,like a miser; to demand his bride willing or unwilling, under theengagement of her father.
But better thoughts first came to withhold him, and, as he reflected,difficulties appeared to impede him in such a course. The contract,doubtless, was in the hands of Monsieur de Liancourt. How could heprove it?--how establish his claim? The estates, indeed, he mightwithhold; his opposition might delay the marriage. But then he askedhimself could he inflict sorrow and disappointment on Rose d'Albret;could he dash from her lip the cup of hope and expectation? Mostlikely she looked forward to her approaching marriage as a thingdecided beyond all chance of change. He had no substantial reason tosuppose that she felt repugnance to it. Her mind was probably made up;her part taken; perhaps all the affections of her young heart engaged.Was he to be the person to blight all her prospects--to disappoint allher hopes? "No," he thought, "no!" and resuming his seat by his uncle,he said, "This deceit used towards me, my dear Sir, is very bad. Itdisgusts one with the world and human nature. Yet one considerationwill probably make me yield to all their wishes, and forbear fromexercising my rights, even now that I know them."
"Phoo! Too!" cried the commander, interrupting him. "The boy is mad!Go, call our friend, Estoc. He must talk with him. There is agentleman here, Louis--by the bye, he came with yourself--whom I metwith once or twice in the old wars. He is as wise and good a man asever lived--bating a bit of heresy in his notions, though scarce halfa Huguenot either--a good soldier as any in France, and moreover avery prudent and clever person--a very wise good man. Indeed--nonebetter. I have been talking with him a long time since supper allabout this affair, and you must take his advice, or at least listen toit. Depend upon it, you will find it good."
At first sight De Montigni shrunk from the idea of exposing all hisfeelings, nay, detailing all the particulars of his situation, to acomparative stranger, like Chasseron, one too whom he looked upon asan inferior. But before he could reply, Estoc had left the room; and,as he thought further, he remembered so much of bold decision in theman's character, so many traits of shrewd good sense in hisconversation, that he began to think the opinion of such aperson--totally independent of all passion and prejudice, knowinglittle of any of the parties, and who had seen so much of what hadtaken place upon his arrival--might be very useful as a corrective ofany erroneous views which he himself might have adopted. He was freetoo, to accept his advice or to reject it; and he knew the good oldcommander too well, not to be sure, that Chasseron must have borne ahigh character in former days, to have obtained his confidence andapprobation, especially as a heretic--a sort of animal of which he wasby no means fond. He waited then patiently for the return of the oldsoldier with his companion of the way, while his uncle, from time totime, addressed to him a brief adjuration, "Not to be a fool, andthrow away fortune and happiness;" or, "Not to cast all the advantageswhich God had given him, into the lap of those who had played so foula game, to wring them from him."
In a few minutes the door from the ante-room opened again; andChasseron entered, followed by Estoc. The old commander, in whom ageand infirmity could scarcely tame the eager but generous impetuosityof disposition which had characterized him through life, rose up fromhis chair to greet their new guest and begin the subject at once. ButEstoc thrust him down again, with unceremonious affection, saying,"Sit down, Sir, sit down. You have been too much on your legs to-dayalready. You will have your wound breaking out again, especially ifyou tease yourself so. Monsieur de Chasseron knows all about it. Butthere is more going on down below. Master Chazeul has just come downfrom a conference in the Count's chamber, and has sent off Etienne onhorseback, to his mother, begging her to be here at an early hourto-morrow."
"Ay, Jacqueline must have a finger in the affair!" cried thecommander; "and she will outwit us all, if we do not mind."
"I do not think so, Sir," replied Chasseron, who by this time wasseated between the old officer and his nephew. "It seems to me thatthe matter is very simple. Monsieur de Montigni, this worthy gentlemanhaving known and heard something of me in times of yore, has thoughtfit to tell me the situation in which you are placed, and to ask myadvice. I knew something of the facts before; for in the first place,I was well acquainted with the good Count de Marennes; nay, poor as Iam, was somewhat related to him,--in a very distant degree, it istrue; but still he was not above acknowledging the connexion. In thenext place, as you may perhaps have remarked, I live with my eyes andmy ears open; and as I have been in this neighbourhood at least withinfifteen leagues for some time, I have heard a good deal of what isgoing on. If therefore my counsel or assistance can do you anyservice, command it; for I owe you a good turn for that which yourendered me this morning. _Parbleu_, I should have been badly off ifyou had not come up."
"You are very welcome, my good Sir," replied De Montigni; "and as myuncle has told you the circumstances, there is no use of entering uponthem again. There are other things, however, to be taken intoconsideration, which you cannot yet know; I mean my own particularviews and notions--"
"Ay!" cried the old commander, interrupting him, "the boy is foolenough, Monsieur de Chasseron, to talk of yielding to the wishes ofthese people, to think of abandoning all his rights, giving up to thatcoxcomb Chazeul both bride and estates! What think you of that? ofletting them win the day by all their tricks and man[oe]uvres? He hasgone mad, I think! but _ventre bleu!_ it shall not be so; for I willplead first myself. I renounced in favour of poor Louise, who had thenext right after me, not of Madame Jacqueline, who has got too muchalready."
De Montigni coloured slightly at his uncle's words, but he repliedcalmly and affectionately; "I have my own reasons, my dear Sir, if youwill but hear them. All the gifts of fortune are but as we estimatethem; I will not pretend that I am without ambition, still less thatto obtain the heart of Mademoiselle d'Albret I would not make anysacrifice. But I do not court her hand without her heart; and noconsideration shall tempt me to cause her unhappiness by opposing hermarriage, if--and I have no reason to doubt it--she feels towards mycousin of Chazeul, as a woman should feel towards the man on whom sheis about to bestow her hand."
"That, young gentleman, is the question," said Chasseron quickly,while the old commander gave way to many a "Psha!" and other lessdecent interjection. "You have been ill used; and, evidently with adesign of bringing about a marriage contrary to the previous contractbetween the lady's father and your uncle, you have been kept at adistance, in ignorance of all the facts, while opportunity has beengiven to Monsieur de Chazeul to seek the lady's affections."
"To be sure!" cried the commander, "it was all done on purpose!"
"Under these circumstances!" continued Chasseron, without noticing theinterruption, "you would be perfectly justified in opposing themarriage; and with the evidence of your uncle here, of the previouscontract, I do not scruple to say, it could not proceed. I applaudyour delicacy and generosity, however; but the utmost that could beexpected from the most noble-minded man would be, that you shouldinsist upon the delay of a year, with full opportunity of seeking tochange the lady's views, reserving to yourself the power to enforce orrenounce your rights, as you may find her affected."
"But Sir--but Sir!" cried the commander. Chasseron, however, waved hishand, saying, "Hear me out, my good friend," and then continued, "Thiswould be the kind and generous course, even if you fo
und thatMademoiselle d'Albret was a willing party to this alliance. The firstquestion is, however, whether she be really so or not? How can youtell, that she does not consent with reluctance? How do you know, thatshe has not also been deceived? May she not have been taught to think,that her marriage with your cousin is in accordance with her father'sdesigns? or even if no fraud has been played upon her, may she nothave yielded from obedience to her guardian, knowing the power ofthose who hold, under the King, the _garde noble_ of a female orphan?may she not even now, long for deliverance, and may she not bless you,if you step in armed with power to save her? Nay, more," he added witha smile, "may she not love you already?"
The colour rose warmly into De Montigni's cheek; and his heartbeatquick; "Oh no, no," he cried, "I cannot hope such happiness. She wasyoung, very young, when I went; not yet fifteen. We always loved eachother, it is true; but as mere children."
"Love is a fruit that matures itself without the sunshine," repliedChasseron in a meaning tone, and then added frankly, "in a word,Monsieur de Montigni, I think it is so. I would not delude you withfalse hopes and expectations. That would be a bad return for theservice you have rendered me; but I have known something of women, andI have in this case watched the lady accurately; not a glance of hereye has escaped me, not a varying shade of colour in her cheek. Ithink she loves you, I think she has now discovered it; and that, ifyou could see her at this moment, you would behold her weepingbitterly in her chamber over her hard fate. I think all this; but ofone thing I am certain; if she have to-morrow to choose between youand Chazeul, she will not hesitate one moment, and her hand is yours."
The sensations of Louis de Montigni at that moment would be impossibleto describe and difficult to conceive. Hope, joy, expectation, rose upto struggle in his breast, with sorrow, doubt, and apprehension. Hedared not trust himself to the full tide of satisfaction and love. Hefelt it impossible to believe that such happiness might be in storefor him; and, contrasted with the dark and bitter feelings which hadlately possessed him, the dream of happiness which now presenteditself, though one which he had more than once indulged before, seemedtoo much for the lot of any mortal creature. A few moments'reflection, however, showed him that even if all that Chasseron saidwas true,--if the brightest hope of his heart were realized and thelove of Rose d'Albret were truly his, there were still difficultiesand dangers enough in the way, to mingle a full portion of bitter withthe cup of human joy. Obstacles innumerable presented themselves tohis imagination; and it seemed to his inexperienced mind almostimpossible to triumph over the impediments which might arise to barthe path to happiness.
His uncle and Chasseron sat gazing at him for a few moments, while heremained in silence, meditating over the present and the future. Theold commander could not comprehend his feelings; but Chasseron, withclearer eyes, read as if in a book all the varied emotions of hisheart, as they were written on his changing countenance. He sufferedhim then to reflect without interruption, till at length the youngnobleman replied, "God send that it may be as you suppose! If it beso, Sir, the decision of my conduct will be easy, for nothing but thebelief that I should be wounding the feelings or opposing thehappiness of Mademoiselle d'Albret, could prevent me from putting inmy claim to her hand. But if I thought that she had one doubt orhesitation in regard to this marriage, that her whole heart did not gowith it, that she only consented at the command of her guardian, andnot from her own inclination, I would preserve every right I have, forher sake as well as for my own."
"Why, I tell you, boy, they have driven her," cried his uncle, "theyhave coaxed, and laboured, and striven, for these last two years. Theyhave made her believe that my brother Anthony has the full and entiredisposal of her,--that she is but as his horse, or his ox, or anyother of his goods and chattels, which he can give or sell, orexchange, at his will and pleasure."
"That error may be soon proved," exclaimed De Montigni.
"Nay," said Chasseron, before he proceeded, "perhaps not so easily asyou imagine. Depend upon it, these artful people, with power in theirhands, will take good care that you have no opportunity of speakingwith her alone, if they can help it. You have the means, however, ofdriving them to it, if you use them skilfully. Let them think thatyour decision entirely depends upon her--"
"I have told them so already," replied De Montigni.
"So far so good," continued Chasseron; "but keep to your text: refuseto discuss the subject with them at all, till you have ascertained herviews. Demand an hour's private interview with her; and adhere firmlyto that condition. Let it take place also, in some spot where youcannot be overheard--"
"The rampart is the only place," said Estoc; "on the west side thereare no windows, and I will plant myself at the door, so as to ensurethere be no interruption."
"There be it, then," said Chasseron; "and this once gained, thedecision of your fate is in your own hands. You may gain the day, too,if you like; only remember, listen to no arguments, enter into noconversation upon any part of the subject; but merely say that, whenMademoiselle d'Albret, unconstrained and free, assures you fully, withher own lips, in a private conference, that her happiness depends uponyour making this renunciation of your rights, you are ready to do so,but not till then. Doubtless, they will tutor her,--doubtless,they will endeavour to work upon her mind by every argument andinducement--and many may be devised which we cannot foresee--but you,on your part, must use your opportunity to the best advantage: pressher home with all the words of love and passion,--call to her mind thedays gone by, the scenes, the affections of childhood; show her howshamefully you have been deceived; let her know the frauds which havebeen put upon herself. Make her comprehend, that it was for you shewas destined by her father; and, if you will, let her know yourgenerous intentions; tell her that for her happiness you are ready tosacrifice not only your rights and your inheritance, but even herself.Then, Parbleu! if you do not win her, you are better without her."
The old commander rubbed his hands, exclaiming, "He will win her, hewill win her! Don't be afraid; she is quite ready to be won. She loveshim already, man,--she always has loved him; only the poor little souldid not understand what it was."
"But suppose," said De Montigni in a musing tone, "suppose all thistakes place as we would have it: suppose I am blessed to the utmost ofmy hopes and beyond my deserts, that I find her willing to be mine,unwilling to be his, what is the next step to be taken?"
"Ay, that is the question," replied Chasseron, "and one not very easyto resolve. I will give you my opinion, fairly, though it may bewrong. However, you may follow it or not as you like. Bold measuresare fitted for dangerous circumstances; and deceit, such as has beenused towards you, will justify you in employing means which, were itotherwise, I would not advise, and you ought not to follow. If youfind her disposed to give her hand to you, and you make open anddecided opposition to the scheme which they themselves have devised, athousand to one you will be driven out of the ch?teau, and all theinfluence of her guardian even to compulsion itself, may perhaps beused to force her into a marriage with your rival. In the presentcondition of the country, it will be difficult to enforce your rights,so long as she remains here; by no means difficult for them, in thecourse of a year or two, to drive her, by persecution, into the armsof a man she hates. I would advise you, then, all these thingsconsidered, not to let them fully know, all that takes place betweenyou. Give no decided answer the moment your interview is over; but saythey shall know your resolution the following day. Take advantage ofthe time; and, having gained her consent, and arranged your plan, flywith her at once to the camp of the King. Beyond all doubt Henry, assoon as he is informed of her father's intentions regarding you, willbestow her hand upon you. He is a good-humoured man enough; frank andfree; and has a weakness for all love affairs. He will be glad enough,too, to secure the support of the houses of De Montigni and Marennesto his own cause; for at present he is a king without a kingdom; asoldier without money; and, by my faith, too, a husband without awife. However, you need not fear
his taking yours, for they do say heis over head and ears in love just now with another person; otherwiseI would not answer for him."
De Montigni smiled: "You are no courtier, Monsieur Chasseron," hesaid, "and your plan suits me well; but there may be difficulties inthe execution."
"Pooh, boy!--None, none," cried his uncle; "the business will be quiteeasy. Here are old Estoc and I as full of stratagems as the Duchess ofMontpensier. We have had all our cunning bottled up for these tenyears, since I got that cursed wound; and we'll arrange between us aplan for getting you all out of the ch?teau, so that no one shall knowanything about it, for eight hours at least. The King is besiegingDreux they say; and you can soon reach his camp."
"But can I persuade Rose to consent?" asked De Montigni.
"To be sure, to be sure," answered the old commander; "when she seesthat there is nothing else for it, she won't hesitate. Besides, yourtaking her off to the King's camp, is not as if you were running awaywith her to marry her without any authority."
"Certainly not," said Chasseron; "remember to impress that upon hermind: first, that it is according to her father's own disposition,that she gives you her hand; secondly, that the King's right to theguardianship of a noble ward, is paramount to that of your uncle, andquite supersedes it."
"And you think," asked De Montigni, "that I may be perfectly sure ofHenry's conduct?"
"Perfectly," replied Chasseron.
"I will be answerable for that," said the commander in a grave andemphatic tone. "I will pledge my honour, which was never yet forfeit,that His Majesty shall bestow upon you the hand of Rose d'Albret, assoon as you reach his camp, and all the circumstances are explained tohim."
"Well, then," said De Montigni, "my course is clear, and my conductdecided. If the hopes that you have raised prove just, and that sweetgirl consents, we will fly as has been proposed. If not, and I amdisappointed, I will make the renunciation which is demanded of me,raise my own retainers, join the King, and, fighting for my lawfulsovereign, will wed myself to honour as my only bride."
"I trust, Sir," said the good farmer, "you may ere long be able toserve the Bearnois, as they call him, not only with your ownretainers, but with those of Marennes and Liancourt too."
"God send it--God send it!" cried the commander; "and I will get intothe saddle, too, if the devil were in my hip instead of a pistol ball.Come along, Estoc; you and I will go and lay out a plan for carryingoff the lady, and I will let Louis know the result to-morrow bydaybreak:--But mind you do your part well, my boy. No shyness--nodiffidence--go right to the point at once. Tell her all about it, andlet her judge for herself.--Now, Monsieur de Chasseron, Estoc and Iwill see you to your room," and thus saying, they took leave of DeMontigni, and retreated for the night.