CHAPTER VIII.
We must now give a space, a very short space indeed, to Rose d'Albret,who, after speaking a few moments with her uncle, the priest, andChazeul, had retired to her own chamber in search of solitarymeditation. There, however, she found her maid waiting for her, ithaving been her custom for some weeks, since Chazeul had taken up hisresidence at the ch?teau, to quit the rest of the party as soon aftersupper as possible.
"There, take off this stiff gown, Blanchette; give me a dressing gown,undo and comb my hair; and then you may go and gossip with Monsieur deMontigni's servants. They have just come from Italy, and will tellyou, I don't doubt, how much prettier the girls of France are thanthose on the other side of the Alps. I will undress myself, when Ifeel sleepy."
"Indeed, Mademoiselle, I don't want to gossip with them," saidBlanchette; "if I talk with anybody, it shall be with Alphonso,Monsieur de Chazeul's head valet. He is a fine man, and a gay one,like his master. Ay, indeed, Monsieur de Chazeul is something like aman."
Rose d'Albret turned suddenly towards her, and fixed her eyes upon herface, asking, "How much has he given you, Blanchette?"
"Lord, Mademoiselle!" cried the girl, turning crimson.
"Yes, Blanchette, I wish to know," said Rose; "tell me exactly howmuch he has given you. These fine gentlemen think that a lady's heartcan never be won rightly without bribing her maid; and therefore, justin proportion to the number of crowns you have received, I shall judgethat Monsieur de Chazeul values my love. I am quite serious, so mindyou reckon up exactly."
The girl evidently did not clearly see whether her mistress spokeironically or not, but the tone of Rose d'Albret was so serious, thatshe inclined to the latter opinion, and answered hesitatingly, "Why ofcourse, Mademoiselle, he has given me some little presents atdifferent times, as all gentlemen do when they are in love."
"Little presents!" cried Rose in the same tone, "why then he values melittle. But count up, count up, Blanchette, how much altogether."
"Why, maybe, perhaps a hundred crowns in the whole, Mademoiselle,"answered the maid.
"A hundred crowns!" cried Rose d'Albret, "I am worth more than that;and I'll tell you what, Blanchette, you are a great fool if ever yousay a word in his favour again, unless he gives you treble as much. Soyou look to it, undo my hair, and make haste."
The girl obeyed the orders she received, and then, by her mistress'sdirection, left her. The moment she was gone, however, Rose shook herhead sadly, and burst into tears, exclaiming, "Alas, that they shouldthus fill me with suspicion! I am bought and sold like the goods of amarket. No one comes near me that is not bribed or corrupted by somemeans. I have nowhere to turn for advice or sympathy or consolation.What is the meaning of all this? Am I to believe that it is poor Rosed'Albret, he seeks? No, no, he would take other means to win love, iflove were all he wanted. But I will know, I will see into the bottomof his heart before I give him my hand.--Give him my hand? Oh God! tothink that the day is coming so soon!--But I will have some betterinsight; and if they use such art with me, surely I may be excused forpractising some with them."
Rose d'Albret leaned her head upon her hand, and thought long andbitterly; but her mind was now pursuing another course; the image ofDe Montigni had risen up before her. Nor would it be banished, thoughshe was afraid to look upon it steadily. "He is very little changed,"she said to herself; "I can trace all the features of the boy in theman. He has lost his gay, light-hearted laugh, however--his cheerfullook that spread light around him. He has grown grave and stern. Canhe have suffered? Disappointed love, perhaps, has done its sad workupon his heart. Oh, that I could comfort him!"
She thought again, and other images seemed to present themselves; for,after a moment's silent musing, she started up, crying "God forbid!God forbid! Ah! what would come of it, if it were so? Ruin,destruction, desolation to all perhaps!--Would I had resisted firmlyfrom the first! Yet I have promised nothing. I have been but passivein the hands of others. I have heard my fate announced, and made noanswer.--'Tis a vain fancy after all. He hardly spoke to me, lookedcold and askance--perhaps he is offended--no not offended; grieved,mortified, disappointed, perhaps. Heaven! where are my fancies leadingme? And yet I often thought when my eyes met his, that there was alook of tenderness, almost of pity in his face, mournful yetaffectionate. Would that I knew what is passing in his heart! Yet whatwould it avail?--I know not.--It might perhaps avail to save us bothfrom misery--or plunge us into greater. 'Tis useless to think of suchthings; I will leave fate to take its course, and shape my own asopportunity occurs. But I may at least strive to gain some knowledgeof this man's character and objects; and, if I do assume a spiritdifferent from my own to fathom the depth of his, surely it may beforgiven when the cause is so powerful. I fear--I much fear that I amwedding cold deceit, and treachery, and wretchedness. I will soonerdie first--sooner resign all I have, hide me in a convent, if needsmust be, and spend my life in prayer. But I will read his heart first.Perhaps I do him wrong. His motives may be generous and noble foraught I know; and yet I cannot but doubt it. If they were so, why suchshrewd steps to surround me by those who do nought but praise him?There is a want of truth and nature in it, that brings suspicionwhether I will or not. De Montigni's very coldness has more of love init.--Poor De Montigni, what can have changed him so? I'll find somemeans of speaking to him, and, if I can, will give him consolation. Heused to love me much when we were both young; and, if he have any deepgrief at his heart, it will sooth and comfort him to hear words ofsympathy from the lips of Rose d'Albret. I loved him, too, always; andI could love him still--if it were right."
But there she paused, and would not think how much she might love him.She was like a child who comes to the precipice's edge, peers over,and runs away in haste, lest he should see the full danger, and, withgiddy brain, fall over.
"Hark," she continued, "there is Chazeul singing in the rooms below. Iwill put out the light, and hie to bed. He is like the night-raventhat fancied himself a nightingale. But I can stop my ears;" and,undressing hastily, she retired to bed: but sleep was far from her;and, for many an hour, she lay revolving plans of what she would sayand do on the morrow. Still, thoughts she was afraid of, wouldintrude; still, before she was aware of it, her fancy was busy with DeMontigni; still her repugnance to the union with Chazeul grew more andmore strong, and it was not till half the night was spent, that atlength she closed her eyes in sleep. She heard Blanchette come lateinto the ante-room where the maid's bed was placed; she heard herbreathe hard soon after, in the dull sleep of selfish content; sheheard sound after sound in the ch?teau, indicating that all wereseeking repose; and at length, when every other noise was still, thedeep bell of the clock first striking one, then two. But the thirdhour did not find her senses waking.
It was daylight the next morning, though it was her habit to riseearly, when her maid called her; and Rose at once perceived that therewas a tale behind the meaning look on the girl's face. "Well,Blanchette," she said, "what is it? You have got something to tell.Speak it quickly, girl, I do not love to wait."
"Ah seigneur! Mademoiselle," replied the maid, "I have heard such highwords just now in the hall between the Count, and Monsieur de Chazeul,and Monsieur de Montigni."
The colour fled from the cheek of Rose d'Albret; but she strove hardto ask in a calm and indifferent tone, what the dispute was about.
"That I cannot tell, Mademoiselle," replied the girl, who, like somany people in her station, only gathered sufficient information toalarm, but not enlighten; "All I know is, Monsieur de Liancourt lookedvery angry, and spoke very high, and the Marquis too; and Monsieur deMontigni replied coldly to my Lord, saying, 'I must hear that from herown lips, Sir, with no one present to restrain her.' But when Monsieurde Chazeul said something I did not hear, the Baron turned upon himlike a lion, and answered 'Silence, Sir! or I shall forget you are mycousin. You have heard my answer. Be it as you like. I seek not theconference you seem so afraid to grant, but without it, I sign away noright that I possess;'
and then the Marquis replied, with a scornfulair, 'you are mistaken, Sir; I fear no conference between a lady wholoves me and a boy like you. There is no great rivalry to dread. So,to keep peace in the house, you shall have this interview, and thatright soon;' and then he turned round and came towards the door,behind which I stood, and so I came away."
"Hark!" cried Rose d'Albret, "there is some one knocking at theante-chamber door, see who is there! Say I am not dressed, but will beso soon."
"It is Monsieur de Chazeul, Mademoiselle," exclaimed the girl, aftergoing out and returning; "he bade me tell you that the weather hasgrown warmer, the frost was gone, and the morning fair and sun-shiny,if when you are dressed, you will join him on the ramparts, for hewishes to speak with you."
Rose laid her hand upon her brow, thought for a moment, and thenexclaimed, "I will go. Quick, dress me, Blanchette. I will go."
Her toilet was concluded much sooner than usual; and in a short time,avoiding the great hall, she was gliding along with a palpitatingheart and unsteady step, by a passage which led direct to the walls.Before she opened the door between the house and the rampart, however,Rose d'Albret paused and meditated for a moment, pressed her hand uponher side as if to stop the beating within, and then saying, "So--soshall it be," she went out.
Chazeul was walking away from her, towards the end; but he turned thenext moment, and as soon as he saw her, hastened his pace to meet her.Rose advanced deliberately, but was not a little surprised, when, oncoming near, Chazeul threw his arms round her and attempted to presshis lips upon hers. She repelled him in a moment, with a look ofindignant scorn, but the next instant she calmed the expression of hercountenance, and said, "Nay, nay, Monsieur de Chazeul, you forget youare not my husband yet, and never may be. So take no liberties, I beg,or I go in this moment."
"And never may be!" cried Chazeul. "Oh, that is settled beyond allpower of recall, sweet Rose. I have your guardian's promise, signedand sealed, dear lady, so that either Rose d'Albret is my wife or acloistered nun for life."
"Well, that is one alternative, at all events, Monsieur," sheanswered; "not a very pleasant one indeed, nor one that I am likely toadopt; but still, do not consider me as your wife, till I am so; andtake no liberties, if you would have me stay with you."
"Nay, this is but what all lovers take and grant," replied Chazeul;"however, be it as you will for the present, sweet Rose."
"Lovers!" repeated Mademoiselle d'Albret, "pray put the matter on itsright footing, Chazeul. It is better that we should understand eachother clearly. This proposed alliance is what is called a _mariage deconvenance_. I look upon it as such; and so do you at your heart. I amnot one to love easily. Doubtless I shall love my husband, when he isso; but in the mean time, all that either of us looks to, is a certainchange in our position for the better. I view the matter quitereasonably; and so do you, though you think it right to affect alittle passion. Not that I am insensible to the advantage of having ahandsome husband of reputation and distinction; nor you to that ofhaving a pretty and well dressed wife; but, as the principal question,there are higher points involved than mere inclination. Deal with metherefore candidly, Chazeul, and do not make the unnecessary attemptto deceive me with a show of passion that has nothing to do with theaffair."
Had Rose d'Albret assumed a warmer tone, Chazeul might at once havesuspected her; but her calm and reasoning manner was so consistentwith his own notions, that he aided to deceive himself; and judgingher cold, and incapable of any strong passion, felt more secure thanever of the success of his schemes. "Well, Rose," he said, "I do loveyou, whatever you may think; and so do you love me, I believe. But tospeak of these higher matters that you talk of: our marriage iscertainly, under every consideration, the best devised alliance of thetimes. You know that the estates of Chazeul are very large, but stillnot large enough to give me that power and influence which I mightobtain. The estates of Marennes are nearly equal; and therefore by mymarriage with you, according to your father's and your guardian'swishes, I well nigh double my station and importance. But there issomething more, dear Rose, in favour of this marriage; my generousuncle settles on me the whole estates of Liancourt, which add vastweight to all the rest, so that no member of the Holy Union--ay,hardly Mayenne himself--will be able to compete with me in wealth andinfluence. Splendour and power are before us, Rose, such as princesmight envy; and there is but one difficulty."
"Ha! What is that?" cried his fair companion, in an eager tone.
"Why, it is this," replied the Marquis, with some slight hesitation,"this boy, De Montigni, you know, has been sent for to sign thecontract and the necessary papers. My uncle generously offers him, ashis share of the inheritance, all the rich benefices at the disposalof the house of Liancourt. He may hold them, all but the bishopric,without entering the church; but if he chooses to take thatprofession--and he is fit for nothing else--the bishopric can beeasily secured to him also, and then his portion will be even largerin revenue than mine. It is necessary, however, in order to avoidafter-litigation, that he should sign a renunciation in regard to theestates; but this he refuses to do till--"
"Offer him something more," cried Rose d'Albret, willing to try himthoroughly; "give him the farm of Marcilly. You will scarcely miss it;and it will serve to make matters easy."
"It is a rich farm," answered Chazeul, shaking his head; "but that isnot the question, Rose. He will not sign till he hears from your ownlips, that it is your wish he should."
"I will speak to him," said the young lady. "I will speak to himdirectly."
"Nay, hear me first, sweet Rose," replied Chazeul. "Make your wordsshort with him. Merely say, that this marriage having been decided andyour hand promised to me, you are placed in a situation of greatembarrassment by his conduct."
"I can say that with truth," answered Rose d'Albret; "but then," sheadded, "if I find he remains firm, may I not offer him Marcilly?"
"It is unnecessary," said Chazeul, with an impatient look; "for he hasgiven his word, and will not break it, to sign the papers, if you butexpress a wish that he should."
"Oh, I cannot ask him," replied Rose d'Albret, "I cannot distinctlyask him, Monsieur de Chazeul."
"And pray why not?" demanded Chazeul, in some surprise.
"Oh, for many reasons, which I should think you would see at once,"answered Mademoiselle d'Albret. "In the first place, it would belaying myself under an obligation which I may find it difficult toacquit. All I can do is to tell him truly what I feel, to tell him theembarrassment into which these events may cast me, and then to let himdeliver me from them if he will."
"Ah! here comes father Walter," said Chazeul; but the announcementgave no pleasure to Rose d'Albret; for she felt that there would bemore difficulty in concealing, from his eyes, what were the realfeelings of her heart than from those of Chazeul, already blinded byhis own self-confidence.
Happily for her, however, father Walter had fixed upon his own course;and trusting to the power which he had always possessed over her mind,he thought to bind her not by promises, but by principles, forgettingthat when he himself favoured art and deceit, the slightest accidentmight discover the whole, and free her from the bonds which he stroveto impose upon her. As he approached, he beckoned Chazeul apart,saying, "I have a message for you, Monsieur de Chazeul.--Good morning,my daughter, I would speak a word or two with you in a moment--nowChazeul," he continued, when Rose had advanced a step or two, "whathas been done?"
"She does not exactly promise," said Chazeul, "but she owns that hisconduct places her in circumstances of great embarrassment, and saysshe will tell him so--but I am sure she will do what we wish. However,perhaps it might be better to wait till my mother comes, before wegrant him this interview."
"I do not know," replied the priest, thoughtfully; "if we do, it willbe impossible to prevent De Montigni from having in the meantime someprivate conference with the good old commander, which he has notobtained as yet, for the old man is not yet up, and the young one iswalking in the hall. But if the
y once meet to discuss this affair, thefact will come out, that Mademoiselle d'Albret was really destined byher father for your cousin. No one can tell what effect that may haveupon her, and therefore, it may be better to let their conference takeplace before he knows it. Once get his signature, and the matter isirrevocable. At present he is only vaguely aware that he has a claimto the estates. He makes some merit, indeed, with her, of hiswillingness, for her happiness, to resign his right, but that will notat all counterbalance the impression we have produced on her mindthat, in marrying you, she is fulfilling the wishes of her parents,and the engagements that they had made. We had every right, indeed, toproduce such an impression; for the moment that De Montigni renouncesthe estates in your favour, you become the person pointed out in thecontract."
"Pshaw! never mind whether it is right or wrong," replied Chazeul; "sothat the end be gained. But I see what you mean: you are right, wemust get the interview over, before he gains further information.Then, his word once given, he will not shrink from it. I am sure shewill do it, though she says that she cannot distinctly ask him toconsent, or lay herself under an obligation to him."
"That is all the better," replied the priest; "had she promised toomuch I might have doubted, from what I saw last night; but now go youto your uncle and make sure that there is no speech between DeMontigni and the commander; and I will confirm her in her intentions,as I well know how. I will join you in ten minutes, and then you cansend De Montigni up here."
Thus saying, they parted; and, with his usual slow and deliberatestep, the priest advanced to the spot where Mademoiselle d'Albret waswalking thoughtfully along the battlements.
"There is a question I wish to ask you, good father," said Rose,beginning the conversation herself, in order to guide it in thedirection she thought best; "and I beg you would answer me frankly. Mymaid tells me, that she overheard high words this morning between DeMontigni and my guardian. What were they about?"
"Truly, daughter," replied the priest, well-pleased that she hadbrought forward the subject at once, "I cannot tell you exactly whattook place, for I was not present. But I know that the conduct ofMonsieur de Montigni is giving the Count great pain, alienating hisaffection from him, and, unless something is done to convince him howwrong he is, I fear we shall have scenes of quarreling and confusion,the curse of long and tedious lawsuits, ay, and perhaps, evenbloodshed."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Rose, with unaffected horror. "Ah! that is veryterrible. How can we stop it, good father?--What is the cause of allthis?"
The priest was well satisfied to see the immediate effect his wordsproduced. "No one can stop it, my dear child," he replied, "unless itbe yourself. I believe your entreaties would have more effect upon themind of Monsieur de Montigni than those of any one; and if you fail,matters must take their course. But, at all events, if you exertyourself to restore peace, you will have the blessed satisfaction ofhaving done your duty. The case is this, my child," he continued,before Rose could reply: "You are bound to give your hand to Monsieurde Chazeul, by all those obligations which must be most imperativeupon a woman of good feeling and good principles. Your uncle is bound,also, by the tenor of his contract with your father, to secure to thisyour future husband the estates of Liancourt; for that purpose, and toavoid contentions and lawsuits, it is necessary that Monsieur deMontigni should make a renunciation of any claims, real or imaginary,to those estates. To take from him all cause for complaint, yourguardian has most generously consented to give him revenues, to anequal amount, from other sources, and that immediately. But Monsieurde Montigni resists, talks high and loud, and the only thing thatseems to have any effect upon him is, the thought of distressing you,who were brought up with him as a sister."
Rose paused thoughtfully for a few moments, really moved and affected;and the priest, who watched each change of her countenance with keenand practised eyes, fully believed that he had gained the day. Thatsupposition was confirmed, when she said in a low and agitated voice,"Send him to me, good father, send him to me!"
"I will, my dear daughter," answered the priest; "for I feel almostsure that you will be able to persuade him to a nobler and moregenerous line of conduct. I need use no exhortations to you, daughter,to exert your greatest influence to restore peace in this family; but,let me say, that for such an object you maybe well justified inoverstepping, in some degree, the bounds which a timid and delicatewoman generally prescribes to herself. For this high purpose, you maywell urge him more warmly and vehemently than you might otherwisethink reasonable and proper, and may hold out to him the inducement ofcontributing to your happiness and peace, with a view to restoretranquillity and comfort in a house where you have ever been treatedas a daughter."
"Send him to me, good father," repeated Rose d'Albret. "I know notwhat I shall say or do, to effect the purpose desired; but in formerdays De Montigni was always generous and self-denying; and if I canrestore peace without any act of injustice, no personal sacrifice onmy part will seem too much for me to make."
She spoke sincerely, with all her previous thoughts and feelingsthrown into confusion; and, with a pale cheek and trembling frame sheseated herself upon the parapet, and covered her eyes with her hand.
"I will send him this moment, my child," replied the priest, convincedeven by her visible agitation, that he had produced the effect he haddesired.
"Stay, stay a moment," said the fair girl in a faltering tone; "I amtroubled, father; let me recover myself for a moment."
"As long as you will," replied the priest; "but the sooner such apainful scene is over the better."
"Now," said Rose d'Albret, after a short pause, "now, good father; andlet him be quick, for I fear my courage will fail."
"God's blessing go with your good work!" cried father Walter, and witha low inclination of the head he retired.
At a rapid pace he sought the great hall, where he found Monsieur deLiancourt seated at a table, and pretending to write a letter, thoughthe agitated shaking of his hand prevented him from tracing more thanone or two words in a minute. De Montigni was walking up and down onthe other side, with his arms crossed upon his chest, and his eyesbent upon the ground; and Chazeul was standing, playing with the hiltof his sword, near the door which led to the ramparts.
"All is right and safe," said the priest in a low voice to the Marquisas he entered. "He has not seen the Commander?"
"No, no," whispered Chazeul; "but the old man must be down soon. He islater than usual."
"The change of weather always affects his wounds," replied the priest;"but the sooner this is over the better.--Monsieur de Montigni," hecontinued, crossing the hall, "Mademoiselle d'Albret wishes to speakwith you on the ramparts."
"Very well," replied De Montigni, advancing towards the door. Butpausing in the midst of the hall, and drawing up his head proudly, headded, gazing first at Monsieur de Liancourt, then at Chazeul,"Remember, gentlemen, I am to have one hour unwatched, unlistened to,unrestrained--ay, and uninterrupted; and if, in that time,Mademoiselle d'Albret distinctly asks me to sign these papers, I willdo it before noon to-morrow. That is our compact."
"So be it," answered the Count; and Chazeul bent his head with asarcastic smile.