CHAPTER XXIV.
When the Marchioness de Chazeul retired from Rose's chamber, she didnot seek the society of her brother; neither did she at first send forher son, nor inquire for the priest. But, as she passed through theante-chamber, she beckoned to the maid Blanchette, who had quitted theroom, when she and the Count had entered it, and, with a sign tofollow, led the way to her own apartments. When there, she seatedherself before the mirror, and remained for several minutes in deepthought. She was, as we have depicted her, rancorous and vindictive,but at the same time ambitious and greedy. Nor was she lesspertinacious and resolute, than crafty and clear-sighted. Nodifficulties repelled her, no obstacles were in her eyesinsurmountable, no means unjustifiable to attain her ends. Of truereligion she had none, though not a little bigotry, strange as such acombination may appear; and, as was the case with many besides herselfin that day, she would often scoff at even Almighty power, and set atnought Heaven's vengeance, yet as often give herself up to penance andausterities, with all the devotion of a saint. But penance neverreached the point of interrupting her in the course she chose topursue. She would mortify her appetites, but not abandon her designs;and, though her formal observance of the injunctions of her church,might show some sort of superstitious dread, the only fear that seemedto affect her in her dealings with the world, was the fear of failure.
It was that apprehension that now assailed her; but, as was always thecase with her, all that it produced was, fresh efforts to attain herends, greater exertions to overcome the obstacles that opposed her.The high and firm resolution displayed by Rose d'Albret would havebeen nothing in her eyes, had she possessed the sole command over herbrother's unhappy ward. Her declarations, she would have laughed toscorn, and her remonstrances she would not have listened to. Foryears, she had looked upon Rose as a creature that was but to be madesubservient to her purposes, the seal to the deed that was to transferthe estates of Liancourt and Marennes to the house of Chazeul, and sheregarded even an expression of reluctance as a daring offence. But shefeared the effect of Rose's firmness on her brother; she knew him tobe weak and irresolute, easily swayed by persons of a firmer mind thanhis own, violent and hasty by starts, but alarmed and intimidated byresistance; and she doubted much, if Rose maintained her resolutionsteadily, refused to go to the altar, or to sign the contract, thatMonsieur de Liancourt would use force to compel her, or pass over herresistance and declare the marriage complete, contrary to her protest.There was no scheme, however dark and criminal, that she would nothave followed to remove the resistance of her brother's ward; therewere no means that she would not have employed, as she herselfexpressed it, to render a marriage with Chazeul necessary to herhonour. But she feared that she might be frustrated if she attemptedtoo daring a project, though that which had presented itself at onetime to her mind, had been shortly before carried through but toosuccessfully in another noble house in France, where the mostatrocious violence had been employed, to effect an object very similarto her own.
But though fond of strong and decided measures, Madame de Chazeul wasalways willing to employ cunning and tortuous means; and she saw nomethod of ensuring success, but by pursuing the plan which she hadhinted to her son: and now, as she sat there revolving all thecircumstances in her mind, she applied herself to fit so neatly thevarious parts of her scheme together, that no flaw might mar it in theexecution. Blanchette in the meantime stood before her, now bendingher eyes upon the ground, in assumed modesty and diffidence, nowraising them with a furtive glance, to the countenance of theMarchioness, and striving, but vainly, to read on that dark andpuzzled page, that which was passing in the still darker and moreintricate heart.
At length Madame de Chazeul spoke, in a tone quiet and calm as if noangry passion was a guest in her bosom, saying, "How did Mademoiselled'Albret pass the night, Blanchette? She seems weary and disturbedthis morning."
"I do not know, Madam," replied Blanchette. "She sent me away from herquite crossly, and I saw her no more till this morning. Then she wascross enough, Madam," continued the girl, "especially when I told hershe was not to leave the room till some one came for her."
"And who told you to do that?" exclaimed the Marchioness with a lookof surprise, "who told you to do that, I say?"
"Why you, Madam, ordered me to watch her closely every moment,"answered Blanchette; "and so did the Count; and how was I to watchher, if she were to go out, wandering all about the Ch?teau?"
"You are insolent, girl!" cried Madame de Chazeul, "and this is theway by your impertinent domineering, that you turn the mind ofMademoiselle d'Albret against her friends. You should have watched asif you were not watching; you should have given information to mybrother, or myself, if she went out; and not have presumed to makeyourself her turnkey.--Who are you, that you should dare to dictate toa lady like that, whether she should go forth or not?"
The maid replied not, but coloured highly and bit her lip, lookingdown upon the ground with apparently no very placable endurance of thereprimand, which probably she felt the more, as she was fullyconscious of having exceeded her orders, at the very time she did so,for the purpose of gratifying her own spiteful nature.
"Well," continued Madame de Chazeul, recovering herself speedily, andremembering that the girl's services might still be needful, "I daresay, you did not err intentionally; but remember to do so no more. Youmay watch Mademoiselle d'Albret closely, while she is in her chamber:and, if she goes out of it, either give information instantly toMonsieur de Liancourt, or come to me. It seems," she added in anindifferent tone, "that the only person she is inclined to see isMonsieur de Chazeul. I shall therefore trouble her no more. When hecomes, of course admit him, as the marriage is to take placeto-morrow, but no one else,--except indeed, father Walter de laTremblade," she continued after an instant's thought--"Monsieur deChazeul of course whenever he comes,--but no one else;--and remember,Blanchette, have everything prepared to set out to-morrow, aboutmid-day, both for your mistress and yourself, for you must all sleepat Chartres to-morrow night, and the next day, on to Paris."
There is a dull and heavy looking sort of personage, amongst thevarious classes of human beings, by whom the wit and clear-sightednessof the shrewd and the cunning in human character, are more frequentlyset completely at defiance than even by the politic and the artful.The air of cold indifferent stupidity, which is natural to it, initself generates an idea of a slow and unexcitable spirit, and anobtuse and inactive mind incapable of strong feelings except of a veryanimal kind, which not unfrequently deceives the most penetrating. Thesurface looks so much as if there were nothing below, that we rarelytake the trouble of ascertaining the depth and strength of thecurrents that may be running underneath.
Of this character was the maid Blanchette. She gave no indication ofbeing offended at the censure of the Marchioness de Chazeul, except bythe momentary heightening of her colour; and the lady fancied that shehad effaced all trace of her harsh words, by holding out the idea ofher accompanying Rose to Paris. But it was not so. Blanchette wasalways displeased with censure, even when, as a humble dependant, shehad no claim, but for services that could be performed by a dozenothers, as well as by herself; but, when she had grown a person ofimportance in her own eyes, by being entrusted with a charge that noone but herself could perform, she felt injured and indignant at theslightest blame, and that of Madame de Chazeul had been neither verygentle in manner nor very temperate in words. She only dropped aprofound courtesy then, without making any reply while the Marchionessspoke, as if her little wit were busily engaged with other matters,and she was prepared to receive and obey all orders communicated toher without doubt or hesitation. But such a line of conduct was farfrom her intention; deep and angry passion was at the bottom of herheart; and she determined, if fortune prospered with her, to find somemeans of retaliating, in act, if not in seeming, the bitter words ofthe Marchioness, without spoiling her own prospects of advancement.She listened then to the end without saying a word; but merelycourtesying from time to time
, till at length as the lady finished,she replied, "I will see to it all, Madam! Everything shall be quiteready."
"Ay, see that it be," replied Madame de Chazeul. "And now, Blanchette,send Monsieur de Chazeul to me if you can find him."
The maid retired, and the Marchioness remained turning in her mind thenext step to be taken. "Yes," she said, "we may trust the priest,--butnot too far. Rose will tell him nothing, thanks to her promise. Iwonder how she learned anything to tell.--Some letter from Helendoubtless: or else that girl has made herself some friends in the campof the Bearnois; perhaps has got some new paramour.--I was a fool todeal so harshly with her. What was it to me, if she chose to play theharlot with the boy? My fear of her spoiling this marriage drove metoo far.--Yes we can trust the priest. I have had the castle gates toostrictly watched for any one to have brought him tidings without myknowing it.--We must trust him, that is the worst--though I do thinkhe would go on, even if he knew all. But his chamber is too near, notto make him a sharer of our plans.--These priests are but spies uponus in our own ch?teaux. I wonder that we tolerate them. Yet they areuseful too, when they choose to be serviceable.--His zeal for theleague will keep him faithful."
Such were some of the half-muttered, half-silent thoughts ofJacqueline de Chazeul, as she sat waiting for her son; but he kept hernot long in expectation, for he was anxious to hear the result of herinterview with Rose d'Albret; and, as soon as he did appear, theMarchioness greeted him with a gay look, asking, "Well, Chazeul, haveyou seen your uncle?"
"No!" he replied, "He has not come to the hall. What are your news?What says the little prisoner?"
"Of that afterwards," answered the Marchioness, "First, the marriageis to be to-morrow before noon. For that, your Uncle's word ispledged, and we must see that he keeps it; for, if this obstinate girlshould still resist, he may be shaken. Now tell me, Chazeul, when didher looks first begin to grow cold towards you?"
"They were never very warm," said Chazeul, "but they have been chillyenough for the last ten days."
"Then it is so!" rejoined his mother as if speaking to herself; "thatchilliness makes me think that she may love you rather more thanless."
"Come, good mother, no riddles," exclaimed Chazeul, "we have no timefor solving them; nor am I an [OE]dipus. What is it that you mean?"
"I mean that jealousy has a share in this affair," answeredthe Marchioness. "She has learned your folly with Helen de laTremblade.--Helen has written to her, or told her; for she saw herabout that time."
"I do not believe it," replied Chazeul, "I do not believe it in theleast;" and putting his hand to his brow, he thought for a moment,murmuring, "No, no she would never--"
"But she has, foolish boy," cried Madame de Chazeul. "I know she has,from what this wrong-headed girl said just now. Now mark me well,Chazeul, if you will be guided by me in everything, you will succeed,wed Rose d'Albret, and be one of the richest men in France,--ay,second to none in wealth and power, except the princes of the blood.But if you will not, you will lose her, and with her, not only herestates, but all the wealth that has accumulated, since first she camehere as a child."
"Oh, my good mother, I am quite willing to follow your course ofpolicy," replied her son. "No one like a woman for managing a woman.But let me hear first, what she said. Does she believe that DeMontigni is dead?"
"Yes she does," replied the Marchioness. "Your uncle convinced her ofthat."
"Then she is mine according to the contract," said Chazeul. "What didshe say to that?"
"Why, at first, she seemed seeking to gain time," answered his mother,"but afterwards, when your uncle was gone, she vowed vehemently, thatshe would never wed you.--I think not the worse of your case for that,as that is a vow which many a woman makes and breaks; but haste is thething in this case, and her spirit must be broken down ere noonto-morrow, else we may have news, which will overthrow all thatwe have done--De Montigni may not be dead after all,--he may bewounded,--he may recover. Then what are we to do?--No, we must lose notime."
"Well, well, but your plan," said Chazeul. "It seems that my littlesins are to be wiped out, the lady's good favour gained, her unrulyspirit broken in, and rendered tractable, all within four-and-twentyhours!"
"And it can be done," answered Madame de Chazeul. "First then, we mustmake it seem to the eyes of all men, that you are recovering her goodgraces. You must appear together. You must hold conference with her,and seem in her secrets and in her intimacy."
"'Tis telling me to pull down the moon," cried Chazeul, "or carry awaythe gates of the castle on my back like Samson. How am I to do allthis? If she refuse me audience, withhold her presence, stay in herchamber, and frown or weep whenever we meet?"
"Will it cost you so much to feign a little?" asked his mother.
"Perhaps not," replied Chazeul, "but what then? Put me on the track,and I will follow it with any one; but I see not what it is I am tofeign."
"Several things," replied the Marchioness.
"First, kindly tenderness towards her, sorrow for her sorrow, sympathywith her distress, anxiety for its alleviation. You may pretend evento enter into her views of delay, affect not to wish to press her,promise to speak to Monsieur de Liancourt on the subject, and with me,and hold out the hope of gaining our consent to your joining the armyfor a time, and not returning till some months have passed."
"But if she be so enraged against me," said Chazeul, "and if she havediscovered what you say she has, will she listen to all this?"
"Ay, but that must be one of the first things you soften down,"replied the Marchioness, "an obstacle you must remove at once. Youmust be a repentant sinner, Chazeul; make vague confession of manyfaults; long to atone for them if circumstances would permit it; andif you can get a tear into your eye, so much the better."
"I understand, I understand," said Chazeul laughing. "The tear, I fearI could not manage; but all the rest I will undertake. I see my wayclearly now, but not whither it leads, my dear mother. What is toresult from all this? When I have persuaded her that I am penitent,and the most humble creature of her will,--when I have shown myselfwhispering in her ear, or walking in tender melancholy with her, sideby side, on the ramparts, what is to be done next?"
"Why, what I said before," replied the Marchioness. "Visit her chamberin the night; leave something there to mark that you have beenpresent. I will have people to witness that you go in and come forth.The girl Blanchette must be taught to swear, that it was with hermistress's consent and wish. I will indoctrinate her well. Then,to-morrow, early in the morning, I will visit our fair culprit full ofreproaches, tell her all the reports that have reached me, of herlight wantonness, if needful bring forth the witnesses, and show that,for your honour, for hers, and for your uncle's, the marriage musttake place without delay. We shall have no more resistance then,Chazeul; and if we have, the tale thus proved, will fix my brother inhis purpose of compelling her to yield; for we must keep our plan assecret as death from Liancourt; and, if he sees you much togetherduring the day--if you can contrive to work a sudden change in herdemeanour towards you, he will be easily deceived."
Chazeul mused, and then added, "I will set about it instantly. But Ido wish that I had some good excuse for going to her now--somethingthat would make my coming acceptable. She was not in the hall, and maynot, perhaps, quit her room."
"Go to her, go to her!" cried the Marchioness. "She is not in thehall, and will not be, unless you bring her forth. It happens luckilythat Blanchette, mistaking the order she received, made herself agaoler over her this morning, and kept the bird in the cage. You cango and open the prison doors. Tell her how grieved you are to hearthat such cruelty has been exercised towards her; declare you willnever suffer it; cast all the blame on me and your uncle; make us asstern and savage as you will, and show her she is free, by leading herforth. You can enlarge upon the matter as you will; and having now thecue, your own wit and knowledge of woman, must teach you to play yourpart to a nicety.--For me," she continued, "I must first go sprinklemy old br
other Michael's body with holy water. I can do no less forhim, after all the sweet words he has given me through life; and thenI will talk with the priest, and make him share our plans, as much asis needful."
"Is it not dangerous?" asked Chazeul. "I dread that man more than anyother. Calm and staid and thoughtful as he is on the outside, if everI saw human being full of strong passion, and eager fire within, it ishe; and if he hears aught of this affair with Helen, he will die orfrustrate our design."
"He shall not hear it, till all is accomplished," replied theMarchioness. "I will take care of that. There is not a letter nor anote, be it from some sick farmer's pretty wife, requiring consolationfrom a kind confessor, that is not brought to me before it reaches hishands. It has cost me more golden crowns, Chazeul, since I came intothis ch?teau, to secure good friends in the barbican, than would keepa prince's household half a year. However, he must know our plans inpart, for fear he should discover them without being told. His consentonce given, binds him to our course; so leave that to me, and go youupon your errand."
Without pausing to thank his mother for all her care, Chazeul hastenedaway towards the apartments of Rose d'Albret. At the door of theante-chamber, however, he paused for a moment to consider hisproceedings, and then entered with a quick step, demanding in a loudand hurried tone, as soon as he saw Blanchette, "Can I speak with yourmistress?"
"Oh, yes, Sir," cried the girl, with a low courtesy, and a sweetsmile; "you are to be admitted always."
Opening the door, she looked in; and seeing Rose gaze sadly from thewindow, she threw it wider, exclaiming, without inquiry as to whetherthe lady would receive her visitor or not, "Monsieur de Chazeul,Mademoiselle."
Rose turned a quick and indignant look towards the door, and bowingher head, demanded, "What is your pleasure, Sir?--This visit wasneither expected nor desired."
"I know it was not, Rose," he replied, assuming a mild and tendertone, in which his voice sounded somewhat like that of De Montigni,awakening memories in Rose's bosom, not the most favourable tohimself; "but I have just heard something that would not suffer me toremain indifferent.--Shut the door, Blanchette," he added, turning tothe girl and speaking in a sterner manner.
"I learn from my mother with shame and anger, Mademoiselle d'Albret,"he proceeded sadly, "that they are keeping you here as a sort ofprisoner; and I will not suffer such a thing for a moment; for, thoughit is not my doing, it is on my account. Ill judging friends have doneme harm enough with you already. They shall do so no more. I will nowact upon my account, and try what the generosity and kindness which Iwould always have striven to display, if I had been permitted, will dowith a heart which I am sure is not to be ruled by harshness."
Rose was surprised, but still not deceived; for she contrastedinstantly the new tone assumed towards her, with all that had gonebefore. She recollected, too, Helen de la Tremblade, and what she hadheard from her; and the natural conclusion was, that this was fraud."I thank you, Sir," she said, "and I trust your actions will make goodyour words. But what am I to conclude from that which you sayregarding my captivity here; for I am, indeed, no better than acaptive?"
"That it is at an end," answered Chazeul. "I told my mother instantly,that I would not submit to it; and if it were persisted in, Iwould quit the castle, to the ruin of all her wishes, of my ownfortunes--ay, and my dearest hopes."
"Hopes, Sir!" said Rose, "Hopes?--Well, I must not be ungrateful, andI thank you for this act at least. Am I to consider myself at libertythen, to quit my chamber? Am I to be no longer gaolered by my ownmaid?"
"You are free as air," replied Chazeul. "Come this moment if you will,and try; and let me see the man that dares prevent you. But ere wego," he continued with the same soft tone in which he had at firstspoken, "forgive me for commenting, one moment, on a word you usedjust now, or rather on the manner in which that word was spoken. Itwas, hopes! You seem to think that I did not really hope to win you;or perhaps mean that those hopes were more of your wealth, than yourperson?"
"How can I think otherwise?" asked Rose, fixing her beautiful eyesupon him. "Is there nothing in your heart, Monsieur de Chazeul, whichtells you that it is so?"
"No, on my life," he answered; "but I know what it is you mean, andwill admit that you have had good cause, to judge as you do. I _am_ambitious, Rose d'Albret, and wealth with me is an object, as themeans of ambition. But there may be other feelings in my heartbesides, and there are."
"I doubt it not," replied the lady; "but what I doubt is. Sir, thatthose feelings have ever been mine. Perhaps I doubt, moreover," sheadded slowly, and with emphasis, "that Monsieur de Chazeul may not beinclined to sacrifice the gentle and the better feelings andaffections of his heart, at the shrine of that devouringGod--ambition."
"It is that, I meant," replied Chazeul; "of that I wish to speak. Iknow you think that I do not love you, that I have not loved you, thatI have loved others, that--"
"Nay, nay," cried Rose, waving her hand; "do not enter upon suchthings, Sir. I cannot, must not hear them."
"You shall hear nothing that can offend you," replied Chazeul calmly."But in simple justice, you must listen to a word or two in my owndefence, as you have undoubtedly listened to accusations against me. Ido not say that you will exculpate me, even if I could tell you allexactly as it occurred, which I cannot, which I ought not to do. Youwould find me faulty, very faulty still. I acknowledge it. I do not,even to myself, acquit myself: I have done wrong, much that is wrong;and many a time when you have seen me grave and thoughtful, it hasbeen when I was meditating how I might make atonement. Yes," he added,seeing a doubtful expression come over Rose's face; "and many a timewhen I have seemed most light and gay, idle and heartless, it has beenbut as a cloak to cover from myself and others the bitterness within."
"But how easy"--said Rose, "how easy to make atonement! how easy to dojustice!"
"Not so easy as you imagine," answered Chazeul; "for, in truth, it wasimpossible. I am not attempting, remember always, to exculpate myself:far from it. I acknowledge myself guilty; but some extenuation may befound in many circumstances; in education at a libertine court, in thehabits and customs of the day, in the conduct of others, intemptations that I will not give to your ear. Yet I have loved you,and loved you truly; but I see the very mention of it offends you, andtherefore I will say no more upon this head. I have set free my heart,and it is enough. Judge of me as you will--harshly if you be sodisposed; but still I must have the advantage of my confession in youropinion, and that is something gained."
Chazeul dissembled well: there was a candor, a straightforwardness inhis tone which, notwithstanding all that Rose had seen and known,could not but create a doubt of that insincerity which she had alwayshitherto attributed to him. She could not help blaming, condemning,disliking him; but still her feelings were softened towards him. Thereseemed to shine out some good amongst the evil; there was something toredeem all that was wrong--something to qualify the darker points ofhis character. One, reason, perhaps, why women so often learn to lovemen whose whole conduct they reprobate, is that, from glimpses ofhigher qualities, they are brought, by the easy process of regret, topity those who give themselves up to unbridled passion, as its slavesrather than its votaries. Not that Rose d'Albret could ever have lovedhim. There was an innate repugnance between her nature and his, whichmight slumber while no external circumstances called them into activeopposition, but which, when once roused, was sure to burst forth intoabhorrence on her side. She could be indifferent to him, she couldhate him, as their relative position brought them nearer or moreremotely in contact; but she could feel nothing like love. Yet he wasthe first, the only one who since her return to the ch?teau had spokenwith even gentleness towards her; and in moments of danger anddistress, there is something that teaches the weaker part of the humanrace to cling in some degree to anything that offers them support.
Nevertheless, she would not banish the doubts and suspicions which shehad such good cause to entertain; and she replied almost coldly, "Myo
pinion of you, Monsieur de Chazeul, must depend entirely upon yourown conduct towards me and others. You will acknowledge, doubtless,that the demeanour of all within these walls towards me since myreturn, has not been such as to conciliate any kindly feeling on mypart."
"It has been harsh and cruel," answered Chazeul, at once; "it has beenharsh to us both. No choice has been left, either to you or me."
Rose gazed on him in surprise, but he continued, "Do not misunderstandme, Rose. As far as all the affections of the heart go, my choice, myhopes, have long been fixed on one object alone. The choice I spokeof, as what I would myself have desired, was between pressing you inan unseemly manner on subjects repugnant to your whole feelings atthis moment, and leaving you to recover from past griefs, ere you areurged to enter into new ties. It is not necessary to relate to you allthat has taken place between me and others. I seek not to cast blameon any one; but believe me, if your heart has been outraged, your bestaffections set at nought, it has not been with my will. Time willclear your eyes of many clouds; and I would fain let time have itseffect. You will find, that I have not been so much to blame as youhave been led to believe; that matters have been represented to you ascertain, that were very doubtful; and that I have suffered somewrong--at least, a bitter disappointment. I seek not to cast areproach upon the memory of him who is gone; for doubtless, hebelieved all that he said; but he should have inquired farther, ere heattempted to take from me that which I value more than any treasure ofthe earth. Yet I would not myself now press you to a hasty decisionfor the world. I know time will be my friend. If you be forced to giveme your hand at once, as they have determined you shall be, you willonly hate me. Give me time; and, if to win your love be hopeless, Iwill at least win your esteem."
"Oh, Sir! if such be your sentiments," cried Rose, "why do you notjoin your voice to mine to stop this hasty and indecent proceeding?Why do you not use your influence to avert that terrible moment whichwe both dread?"
"Because it is in vain," replied the hypocrite; "my influence I haveemployed, but to no purpose. When my uncle offers me your handaccording to the contract, I must take it, or refuse it. Can I, Rose,can I, feeling as I do towards you, choose the latter alternative? Ihave already urged him not to force us to such a choice.--I will do itagain and again, if you but wish it. I will entreat, beseech him, topause, to wait but till my return from the army. But he has so firmlydetermined to place our union beyond all doubt before I go, that Ifear it will be useless. Some vague doubt, some superstitious fear, ofwhat may take place from delay, seems to possess him; and my mother, Iregret to say, encourages him to persevere in his resolution. Yet Iwill make every effort with both. Only but confide in me, Rose. Wantof clear and straightforward confidence between us, has caused toomuch mischief already. Had you but told me your feelings towards me,had you but informed me of your old affection to another, I might havebeen grieved, I might have been angry, I might have given way tobursts of rage, it is true; but still, thought would have calmed alldown; and much, much that is painful, would have been avoided. But ofthat no more.--Nay, do not weep,--I came to console, and not to grieveyou.-Come, take the fresh air on the ramparts, before the trumpetsounds; and tell me what you would have me do, and I will do it.-Iwould fain see you use your liberty; for it has pained me to the heartto know the indignity that has been offered you. As we walk, you canspeak freely to me; and if by any means I can work your peace, noeffort of mine shall be wanting."
His smooth and deceitful words were confirmed by the manner in whichhe spoke them. He assumed the air of eager sincerity and truth withwonderful skill; and it was impossible that Rose should not be, insome degree, shaken in her opinion of him. But nevertheless, she wasnot altogether deceived. Although she did not see the object to begained by this sudden change, yet it was too rapid not to startle andsurprise her; and there were also, in the whole piece of acting whichhe now performed, those slight defects, which, good as it was, wouldhave immediately betrayed to an experienced eye, that it was art, notnature, and which, even to Rose herself, all unacquainted as she waswith the ways of the world, suggested doubts and suspicions. She sawthat he turned quickly from many of the most important points he spokeof, after briefly touching upon them, and had always an excuse readyfor not going deeply into any subject which might have mostembarrassed him. It was now, that he would not shock her delicacy;now, that he did not wish to cast blame on others; now, that he didnot seek to exculpate or justify himself. In one or two instancesthese evasions might have been admitted, but they were too frequent;and he also insinuated far more than he said, and more than he mighthave been able to prove.
It was not exactly that Rose d'Albret marked all these particularsdistinctly, but that she received from the whole, joined with herprevious knowledge of his character, an indefinite impression ofdoubt, a fear that he might be trying to deceive her for some purposewhich she did not comprehend. Still, as I have said, her opinion ofhis baseness was in some degree shaken; she thought that, perhaps, hemight have better qualities which had been crushed under the weight ofevil education and bad example, and which might have led him, had theybeen cultivated and developed, to higher objects, and a nobler course.He was too, as has before been remarked, the only one who seemedinclined to treat her gently and kindly; and she shrunk from thethought of repelling the first sympathy she had met with since herreturn.
It was with such mingled feelings then, that she replied, "I am mostgrateful for your kindness, Monsieur de Chazeul; but I must notdeceive you. I must not deceive myself. You must clearly understandthat my mind is fixed and resolute in the determination which Iexpressed to your mother."
"I know not what that is," replied Chazeul, "for I am not acquaintedyet with all that has taken place this morning; but," he continued,"you must not suppose that I came here to entrap you into anyengagements, from which you must naturally shrink. Indeed my soleobject, when I reached your door, was to relieve you from that painfuloppression under which you had been placed. I have been led fartherthan I intended; but I could not make up my mind to neglect theopportunity of removing, at least part of the prejudices which havebeen created against me in some degree by my own foolish conduct, insome degree perhaps by the representations of others. However, as Isaid, I came here to entrap you to nothing; and whatever confidenceyou may think proper to place in me, whatever you may require, or Imay do to promote your wishes, or to free you from persecution, suchas that which is now mistakenly carried on in my favour, compromisesyou to nothing, binds you to nothing. Let it be understood between us,that everything, on either side, remains unchanged--I loving you,though perhaps hopeless of return--You retaining every feeling andresolution which time, circumstances, and my future conduct, may notchange."
Rose shook her head gravely and mournfully, but Chazeul went on with aslight alteration of tone, saying, "Come, Mademoiselle d'Albret, takea turn upon the ramparts, and let us talk no more of such things. Thefree air, and the sight of country round, will do you good; and, asyou get a little more calm, we may consult together as to what is tobe done to obviate those proceedings which we both wish to defer, atleast."
Rose did not reply, but suffered him to lead her forth, though notwithout some reluctance. The maid Blanchette, who was in theante-room, gazed at them as they passed, with a look of some surprise;but she said nothing, and they went out unobstructed.
Through the rest of the day Chazeul maintained the same conduct, andkept up the same tone, frequently discussing with Rose d'Albret themeans which were to be taken to shake the determination of the Countde Liancourt and Madame de Chazeul. Three times he went to speak withthem alone, upon the pretence of inducing them to change theirresolutions, and returned with a gloomy and dissatisfied air, saying,"I can obtain no answer, but that to-morrow, before noon, our fatemust be decided."
What was really the matter of his conversation with his mother and thecount? Very different from that which he represented it. With hismother he laughed merrily over the artifices which he practised. "Ah!g
ive me a woman," he cried, "for seeing into a woman's heart. I haveall along mistaken this girl's character. From her light indifferenceand coquettish gaiety, I had thought to deal with her in the same way;but now I find, that she is all sentiment and tenderness, forsooth. IfI had before possessed a clue to the little labyrinth of her heart, Ishould have easily found my way in."
To the Count de Liancourt, he maintained a different tone; pointed outthe apparent terms of confidence which existed between Rose andhimself; represented her reluctance as, in the main, affected, andmerely assumed out of respect for what she considered propriety;insinuated that she would be rather pleased than not, to be theapparent victim of compulsion, in a matter where her own inclinationsand her respect for appearances were at variance; and he took care toconfirm the impression thus produced, by drawing from Rose replies ina low voice, to whispered questions which he affected to wish withheldfrom the ear of the Count. Thus passed by several hours at differenttimes of the day. But during the rest, Rose remained in her chamber,plunged in deep reveries, and puzzled and doubtful reflections,seeking some light in the maze that surrounded her, often looking tothe future with a shudder of dread, and often contemplating the pastwith bitter tears, but still hearing a voice that whispered, "DeMontigni is not dead."