CHAPTER XVII
WHAT THE SHIP HENRI IV BRINGS TO QUEBEC
The ship Henri IV dropped anchor before Quebec on the seventh day ofAugust. This being the Company's vessel, hundreds of Canadians flockedto the wharves. And again flags decked the chateau and town, andcannon roared. The Henri IV was part merchantman and part man-of-war.Her ports bristled with cannon, her marines wore formidable cutlasses,and the law on board was military in the strictest sense. Stores andammunition filled her hull; carpenters' tools, tea-chests, bags ofplaster, uniforms, cannon, small arms, beads and trinkets of no valuesave to the Indian, silk and wool and a beautiful window for thecathedral. And in return she was to carry away mink, otter and beaverskins.
Breton had been left behind by the Chevalier, who had joined a scoutingparty up the river. Love and anxiety had made the lad thin. Any nightmight bring disastrous news from Three Rivers, the burning of thesettlement and the massacre. Such speculation counteracted his usuallygood appetite. So Breton mooned about the wharves day by day, alwayslooking up the river instead of down.
To-day he lingered to witness the debarkation. Besides, the Henri IVwas a great ship, bringing with her a vague perfume from France.Listlessly he watched the seamen empty the hold of its treasures;carelessly he observed the meeting of sweethearts and lovers, wives andhusbands. Two women in masks meant nothing to him. . . Holy Virgin!it was not possible! Was his brain fooling him? He grew faint. Didhe really see these two old men climbing down the ship's ladder to theboats? He choked; tears blinded him. He dashed aside the tears andlooked once more. Oh! there could be no doubt; his eyes had notdeceived him. There was only one face like that in the world; only oneface like that, with its wrinkles, its haughty chin, its domineeringnose. He had seen that lean, erect figure, crowned with silver-whitehair, too many times to mistake it. It was the marquis, the grim andterrible marquis, the ogre of his dreams. The lad had always hated themarquis, taking his master's side; but at the sight of that familiarface, he felt his heart swell with joy and love and veneration. Forintuition told him why Monsieur le Marquis was in Quebec. It was toseek Monsieur le Chevalier. And together they would all go back toFrance, beautiful France. He burst into hysterical tears, regardlessof the wonder which he created. And there was the kindly Jehan, whohad dandled him on his knee, long years ago before trouble had cast itsblighting shadow over the House of Perigny. Blessed day!
Very slowly and with infinite pains the marquis climbed from the boatto the wharf. It was evident to Breton that the long voyage at sea hadsapped his vitality and undermined his vigor. He was still erect, but,ah! how lean and frail! But his eye was still the eye of the proudeagle, and it swept the crowd, searching for a familiar face. Bretondared not make himself known because of that eye. An officer who hadformerly resided in Rochelle recognized the marquis instantly, and hepressed forward.
"Monsieur le Marquis in Quebec?" he cried.
"You are of the fort?" replied the marquis. His voice was thin andhigh, like that of old men whose blood is turning to water.
"Yes, Monsieur," answered the officer.
"Will you lead me to his Excellency the governor? I have letters topresent from her Majesty the queen."
"Follow me, Monsieur;" and the officer conducted the marquis throughthe crowd, politely but firmly brushing aside those who blocked hispath. He found the governor quickly. "Your Excellency, the Marquis dePerigny wishes to present to you letters from her august Majesty."
"Monsieur le Marquis here?" exclaimed the governor. He embraced theold nobleman, whom he held in genuine regard.
"So your Excellency remembers me?" said the marquis, pleased.
"One does not forget a man such as you are, Monsieur. And I see youhere in Quebec? What twist of fortune brings you to my household?"
"I have come in search of a prodigal son, Monsieur," smiling. "Knowyou one who calls himself the Chevalier du Cevennes?"
"The Chevalier du Cevennes?" The governor was nonplussed. The marquishere in search of the Chevalier?
"I see that he is here," said the marquis, with a note of satisfaction.
"No, Monsieur; not here, but has been."
"He can be found?"
"Within sixty hours."
"That is well. I am very fortunate."
"You will be my guest during your stay?" suggested the governor.
"Her Majesty asks that good favor of you."
"A great honor, Monsieur, truly;" and the governor was elated at thethought of having so distinguished a guest at his table.
The marquis turned to the patient Jehan. "Jehan, you will see to theportmanteaus."
"Yes, Monsieur."
A priest elbowed his way toward them. On seeing him, the marquisraised and lowered his bushy white brows. It was the handsome Jesuitwhose face had stolen into many a dream of late. Brother Jacques wasgreatly astonished. The marquis greeted him, but without markedcordiality. At a sign from the governor the quartet moved up the pathtoward the cliffs, which the marquis measured with the eye of one whounderstood thoroughly the art and value of military strategy.
"Superb!" he murmured. "With a few men and plenty of ammunition, Icould hold even England at bay."
"I am proud of it," acknowledged the governor; but there was a twingeof envy when it occurred to him that a handful of savages had worriedhim more than once. And here was a man who would defy the whole world.
Jehan felt a pressure on his arm. Turning, he beheld the shining faceof Breton. He caught the lad in his arms and kissed him on the cheek.
"I expected to find you, lad. Ah, but you have done wrong. You shouldhave told us. You should not have run away with Monsieur leComte . . . ."
"Monsieur le Comte?" bewildered.
"Yes; you should not have run away with him as you did."
"Had I told you, you would have prevented my coming," Breton confessed.
"You would have saved Monsieur le Marquis and myself a great deal oftrouble."
"But Monsieur le Chevalier was in trouble, too. I could not leave him."
"Which speaks well for your heart, lad, but not for your reason. Whereis Monsieur le Comte?"
"At Three Rivers; a day and a night's ride from here, with goodpaddlers."
"Good. We shall start out in the morning."
"To bring him back to France?"
"Nothing less, lad. The count has been greatly wronged by Monsieur leMarquis, and it is to be set to rights forthwith. Can you read?"
"Yes."
"Here is a letter which Monsieur le Cure wrote at Perigny. It was fromold Martin's daughter."
"God bless you, Monsieur," cried the happy Breton. He would haveshouted for joy had not the quiet dignity of the old lackey put adamper on his enthusiasm.
"Monsieur le Comte was well when last you saw him?"
"Yes; physically."
"He is troubled?"
"Who would not be?" burst forth Breton, indignantly. "But why do youcall Monsieur le Chevalier the count?"
"Is not that his title?" quietly.
"But . . ."
"Would Monsieur le Marquis take all this trouble if Monsieur leChevalier was anything but Monsieur le Comte?"
"I shall offer a dozen candles!" cried Breton, joyously.
Meantime the governor conducted the marquis around the fortress and thechateau; and together they stood upon the highest balcony and lookeddown upon the river, which was dotted with canoes and small boats.
"Magnificent!" repeated the marquis time and again.
"And not even in the Cevennes, Monsieur, will you see such sunsets,"said De Lauson.
"This should not be managed by speculators," unconsciously pricking thegovernor's quick, "nor by the priest's cold hand. It should be whollythe king's. It would be France's salvation. What are they doing therein Paris?"
"Spending money on lace for the Swiss and giving masks at the PalaisRoyal."
"Richelieu died too soon; here would have been his fame."
The marquisnever underestimated an enemy. "If your Excellency will excuse me now,I will sleep. I am an old man, and sleep calls to me often. I willjoin you at supper."
"The ladies will be delighted. There is but little here of the life ofthe court. When we are not guarding against Indians, we arecelebrating religious fetes."
"Till supper, then, your Excellency."
And the governor departed to read the messages from the queen. She hadplaced all Quebec at the disposal of the marquis in the search for hisson. The governor was greatly mystified. That the marquis shouldstill call the Chevalier by his former title of count added to thismystery. Since when did fathers set out for sons of the left hand? Hesoon gave up the riddle, confident that the marquis himself would solveit for him.
The marquis rose before sundown and with the assistance of his agedvalet made his toilet. He was dressed in black satin, with white laceruffles, and across his breast he flung the ribbon of the Chevalier ofthe Order, in honor of the governor's attentions. Presently, from hiswindow he saw the figure of a woman--young and slender; doubtless somerelative of the governor's. Patiently he waited for her to turn. Whenshe did so, a subdued exclamation fell from his lips. He had seen thatface before, once or twice on board the Henri IV. It was the woman inthe grey mask. He stared hard and long. Where else had he seen thisface? He was growing old, and sometimes his memory failed him.Without being conscious of the act, he readjusted his wristbands andthe ruffles at his throat. A handsome young woman at the table wouldbe a recompense for the dullness of the hour. But he waited in vain atsupper for the appearance of the exquisite face. Like the truecourtier he was, he made no inquiries.
When they were at last alone, the governor said: "I am truly glad youhave come to make the Chevalier return to France. He will never be atpeace here."
"Why?" asked the marquis, weakening his burgundy with water.
"The . . . That is . . ." But the governor foundered.
"Why?" repeated the marquis. "Has he made a fool of himself here as inFrance?"
"No, Monsieur," warmly. "He has proved himself to be a gentleman and abrave soldier."
"He drinks?"
"Only as a gentleman might; neither does he gamble."
"Ah!"
The governor drew figures on the dusty bottle at the side of his plate.
"If he does none of these things," said the marquis, "why can not helive in peace here?"
"His . . . unfortunate history has followed him here."
"What?" The marquis's glass crashed upon the table and the wine creptamong the plates, soaking the marquis's sleeves and crimsoning hiselegant wristbands.
"What did you say?"
"Why," began the governor, startled and confused, "the history of hisbirth is known." He looked at the walls, at the wine running about, atthe floor, at everything save the flashing eyes opposite.
"So the fool has told it here?" harshly. "Bah! let him rot here, then;fool!"
"But he has said nothing; no one knew till . . ."
"Oh! then it was not Monsieur le Comte who spoke?"
"Monsieur le Comte?"
"That is the title which my son bears."
"Good God, Monsieur, then what is all this about?"
"It will take some time to tell it, Monsieur," said the marquis,shaking his sleeves and throwing salt upon the table. "First, I wishto know the name of the man who started the story."
"Monsieur de Leviston, of Montreal, prompted by I know not whom."
"De Leviston. I shall remember that name."
"There was a duel fought."
"A duel? Who were the participants?"
"The Vicomte d'Halluys against the Comte d'Herouville, and Monsieur deSaumaise against De Leviston. D'Herouville and De Leviston are both inhospital."
"D'Herouville? What had he to do with the affair?"
"He laughed," said the governor; "he laughed when De Leviston accusedyour son of not knowing who his mother was."
"Thank you, Monsieur. I see that you are in great puzzle. Let mesolve the puzzle for you. I have always been a man of quick andviolent temper, and sometimes this temper has been that of the fool.The wisest of us make mistakes. I have made a grievous one. In amoment of anger . . ." He ceased, taking up the stem of the brokenglass and twirling it. "In a moment of anger, then, I did Monsieur leComte a most grievous wrong, a wrong for which I can never fully atone.We have never been on friendly terms since his refusal to wed a youngwoman of my choice, Mademoiselle de Montbazon. I had never seen thisdaughter, nor had my son. Paris life, Monsieur, as doubtless you know,is ruinous to youth. Monsieur le Comte was much in wine; he gambledrecklessly. It was my desire to change his course, but I went at iteither too late or bunglingly. In February he was exiled from court indisgrace. I have never ascertained the character of this disgrace.One night in March we had an exchange of opinions. My faith, yourExcellency, but that boy has a terrible tongue. There was not a placein my armor that he did not pierce. I shall not repeat to you thesubject of our conversation. Suffice it to say that he roused thedevil and the fool in me, and I told him that he had no right to hisname. I am here to correct that wrong as much as lies within my power.He did not give me an opportunity at home. It is not sentiment; it ismy sense of justice that brings me here. And I truly admire the lad'sspirit. To plunge into the wilderness without calculation; ah, well,it is only the fool who stops to weigh the hazards of fortune. The boyis my son, lawfully; and I want him to know it. I am growing old, andthis voyage has written a shorter term for me."
"Monsieur," said De Lauson, "what you tell me makes me truly happy.But I am afraid that you have destroyed the Chevalier's trust inhumanity. If you ask me to judge you, I shall be severe. You havecommitted a terrible sin, unnatural and brutal, unheard of till now byme."
"I bow to all that," said the marquis. "It was brutal, cruel; it wasall you say. But the fact remains that it is done and that a part ofit must be undone."
"Your sense of justice does credit to a great noble like yourself.Worldly reparation you may make, but you have wounded his heart andsoul beyond all earthly reparation."
"The worldly reparation quite satisfies me," replied the marquis,fumbling with his lips. "As I observed, sentiment is out of thequestion. Monsieur le Comte would not let me love him if I would,"lightly. "I wish to undo as much as possible the evil I have done. Ifhe refuses to return to France, that is his affair, not mine. I shallbe the last to urge him. This Monsieur de Saumaise is a poet, Iunderstand."
"Who writes equally well with his sword."
"I should like to meet him. How long before De Leviston andD'Herouville will be out of hospital?"
"D'Herouville, any day; De Leviston has a bad fever, having taken cold."
The marquis had not acquired the habit of smoking, so the governor lithis pipe and smoked alone.
"Your Excellency, who is this handsome young priest who goes by thename of Brother Jacques; of what family?"
"That I do not know; no one knows; not even Father Chaumonot, who ishis sponsor. The good Father picked him up somewhere in Italy andplaced him in a convent."
"Monsieur le Comte, then, is at Three Rivers?"
"Yes; and to-morrow we shall set out for him; though he may return atany hour."
"I thank your Excellency. The Henri IV sails by next week, so Iunderstand. I daresay that we both shall be on it. At any rate, Ishall wait."
The door opened and Jehan, expressing as much excitement as hisweather-beaten face made possible, stood before them.
"Well?" said the marquis.
"Monsieur le Comte is returned from Three Rivers, and is about to dinein the citadel."
"Tell a trooper that the presence of Monsieur le Chevalier is requestedhere at once. Do not let the Chevalier see you," and the governor roseand laid down his pipe. "I will leave the room at your service,Monsieur."
"It is very kind of you." If the marquis was excited, or nervous,there was nothing on his
face to indicate it.
Jehan and the governor made their exits through opposite doors; andMonsieur le Marquis sat alone. Several minutes passed. Once or twicethe marquis turned his attention to his wine-soaked sleeve. Steps wereheard in the corridor, but these died away in the distance. From timeto time the old man's hand wandered to his throat, as if something wasbothering him there. Time marked off a quarter of an hour. Then thedoor opened, and a man entered; a man bronzed of countenance, tall, anddeep of chest. He wore the trapper's blouse and fringed leggings.From where he stood he could not see who sat at the table.
"Come toward the light, Monsieur," said the marquis, "where I may seeyou to better advantage." The marquis rose and stood with the fingersof his right band pressing lightly on the table.
At the sound of that voice, the Chevalier's heart leaped. He strodeforward quickly, and, leaning across the table, stared into hisfather's eyes.