My Sword's My Fortune: A Story of Old France, Page 5

  CHAPTER V.

  The Reception at the Luxembourg.

  "Albert? Is it possible?"

  "Even so. Are you surprised to see that the daw has become a peacock?"

  A week had passed since my midnight adventure, and I was taking the airin the public gardens. Many richly-dressed cavaliers were strollingabout, and among them I recognised my friend Raoul Beauchamp. He sawme almost at the same time, and, leaving his comrades, came overinstantly.

  "I' faith," said he merrily, "a very handsome one, too! For acountry-bred youngster you have not done badly. Let us take a strollon the Pont Neuf while you tell your story. I am dying of curiosity.Do you know you have made a splash in the world?"

  "A truce to flattery, Raoul," I laughed.

  "It is a fact, my dear fellow. In certain circles you are the mysteryof the day. Your cousin Henri growls like a savage bear at your name;Armand d'Arcy does nothing but laugh and call himself an oaf; whileonly last night De Retz declared you were worth your weight in gold.And, to make matters worse, no one could say whether you were free orin the Bastille! Anyway, I am glad you have not joined Mazarin'sGuards."

  "Why?"

  "Because you should be one of us, and we are opposed to Mazarin."

  "The Cardinal is a well-hated man!"

  "A wretched Italian priest! The nation will have none of him. Beforelong France will be quit of Mazarin."

  "And what will happen then?"

  "_Ma foi!_ I know not," replied Raoul, "except that the Duke ofOrleans will take his rightful place, as the King's uncle, at the headof affairs. Parliament, of course, will have to be suppressed, Condebought over--as usual he will want the lion's share of thespoils--while De Retz must be kept quiet with a Cardinal's hat. Heexpects to be made minister in Mazarin's stead, but that is a fool'sdream."

  "But, suppose that, after all, Mazarin should win the game?"

  "Bah! it is impossible. We are too strong for him. I will tell you asecret. In a month at the outside----"

  I stopped him hurriedly, exclaiming, "Be careful, Raoul, or you maytell too much."

  Looking at me in consternation, he said slowly, "You do not mean tosuggest that you have gone over to Mazarin?"

  "At least I have taken service with him."

  "Then we shall be fighting on opposite sides! What a wretched businessit is, breaking up old friendships in this way!"

  "Ours need not be broken; and as to your party schemes against theCardinal, they are bound to fail. There are too many traitors amongyou. Mazarin learns of your plots as soon as they are formed, and youwonder at his skill in evading them! Why, he has nothing to do but sitstill and watch you destroy each other."

  "A pleasant prospect!" exclaimed Raoul; "but now about yourself. Youhave not yet explained how you became a _Mazarin_, and it is difficultto distinguish the truth among a host of fables."

  "It will be more difficult for you to believe it;" upon which Irecounted my various adventures since arriving in the city.

  "D'Arcy is true as steel," said he, "but too thoughtless to be trustedwith a secret. As to De Retz, I warned the Duke to have nothing to dowith him. He fights for his own hand, and cares not who sinks as longas he swims."

  "Still," I suggested, "the first traitor must have been one of your ownpeople."

  He recognised the force of this, and eagerly questioned me with a viewto learning the name of the man who had sold his party; but in this Idid not gratify him, having no more than a suspicion, though a strongone, myself.

  For some time after this we walked along in silence, but presently hesaid, "I suppose you are established in the Palais Royal?"

  "No. Belloc--you remember my father's old friend--wished to give me acommission in the Guards, but the Cardinal thought I could serve himbetter in another direction. For the present I am living in the streetwhich runs at right angles to the front entrance."

  "Well within call," remarked Raoul, adding, "meet me at the Luxembourgthis evening; the Duke holds a reception. You need not fear puttingyour head in the lion's mouth. There is a truce: the calm before thestorm; so let us make the most of it. You will come, will you not?That is right. I must leave you now; there is Vautier beckoning, butwe shall meet again this evening."

  When he had gone I began to reckon up how things stood. Raoul was mybosom friend, who had held by me through good and ill. I loved him asa brother, and now it appeared we might be engaged at any time inmortal strife. The prospect was not pleasant, and I walked back to theRue des Catonnes in anything but cheerful spirits.

  I had selected this street, because, as Raoul said, it was within call:the rooms I had chosen on account of their cheapness. To my surpriseand disgust, the Cardinal proved a poor paymaster, and, after buying myfine new clothes, there was little money left to spend in rent.

  But I reflected there were more people who would notice my velvet suit,silver aigulets, lace collar, black hat with its imposing feather, andblack leather boots, than would know I lived in two small rooms in adirty street; and experience has taught me how high a value the worldsets on outside show. So I walked with head erect, and just thesmallest swagger, and the passers-by did not fail to yield the wall tosuch a brilliant gallant. Albert de Lalande in rich velvet was a verydifferent person from the simple country youth in rusty black, whosepoverty had provoked the sneers of the guests at Vancey.

  By one of those wonderful changes, which, more than anything, markedthis period, Paris had become quiet and peaceful. The Frondeurs, asMazarin's enemies were called, had stopped their private quarrels; thefriends of Orleans joked with those of Conde; the agents of Mazarin andthe followers of De Retz walked together like brothers; the citizenslaid aside their weapons; the night-hawks had returned to their roosts.Instead of meeting with insults, the Queen Regent was greeted withapplause; people shouted themselves hoarse on seeing the little King,thus expressing their loyalty in the cheapest and emptiest manner.

  But no one, except his paid servants, spoke a word in favour ofMazarin, and in his cabinet at the Palais Royal, the real ruler ofFrance sat like a big spider spinning his web; very slowly, verypatiently, but strongly and surely. The threads might become loose oreven destroyed; it mattered not. With a steady perseverance that nodefeat could daunt, the spinning went on. The loose ends were caughtup; fresh threads replaced those carried away. It was plain that thedeath of the spinner alone could prevent the completion of the web.

  But this was looking too far ahead for all save a very few. Themajority accepted the strange truce without question, and, happy in thepresent sunshine, cared nothing for the dark clouds that might arise inthe future.

  The streets were thronged with pleasure-seekers, and at night I couldscarcely reach the Luxembourg for the crowd. It was a pleasant crowd,however, totally unlike the surly threatening mob I had twice seen anddid not wish to see again. No one quarrelled; nothing constituted acause for anger; the nearest approach to ill-humour being areproachful, "Oh, monsieur, you trod on my foot!" from a pretty girl toa stout citizen, who offered a thousand apologies for his clumsiness,and was charmingly pardoned.

  At the Luxembourg itself the crowds and the good-humour were repeated.The courtyard was filled with gorgeous equipages, brilliantly dressedlackeys, guards, musketeers, gigantic Swiss soldiers, in alldescriptions of uniform. I smiled at the vague nature of Raoul'sinvitation. Certainly I had come to the Luxembourg, but to find myfriend was another matter. A few days previously I should have goneaway in despair, but Paris had begun my education, and, instead ofturning back, I walked towards the grand staircase.

  A yellow carriage had drawn up at the entrance, and two ladiesdescended from it. I moved aside to let them pass, when one, abeautiful woman, with laughing eyes, exclaimed, "M. de Lalande!"

  I had sufficient presence of mind to make a profound bow, when the fairstranger cried with a merry laugh, "Give me your arm. What new trickis this? What are you doing here?"

  "I am looking for M. Beauchamp."


  "He is a nice boy, but I did not know that you and he were fond of eachother."

  "We are very old friends, madame."

  We had reached the first landing, and were waiting for the people infront to pass on, when I answered, and the lady, looking very hard atme, exclaimed, "Why, what is the meaning of this? Surely you are, andyet are not, M. de Lalande?"

  "I expect, madame, that you have mistaken me for my cousin Henri. Myname is Albert."

  "Why, then, you belong to Mazarin's party! I have heard of you. Doyou know that you have done us much mischief? But there, a truce toquarrelling," and, keeping me at her side, she entered a magnificentsalon ablaze with light and colour.

  I was gazing with delight at the scene when my companion exclaimed witha smile, "Mazarin has not destroyed us all yet, it seems. But there isM. Beauchamp! Raoul, come here, you naughty boy! Here is a friend ofyours from the opposite camp. I leave him in your charge. I must goto the Duke, who has just discovered me, and fancies I am hatchingfresh plots. What a suspicious world it is!" and with this thebeautiful woman swept across the room, every one making way for her.

  "That is Madame la Duchesse de Chevreuse," explained Raoul. "I supposeshe took you at first for Henri. She is one of our chief supporters,though really she has done the cause more harm than Mazarin will everdo. But come, there is an old friend yonder who wishes to see you."

  He led me across the salon to where sat a fair girl with large, dreamy,tender blue eyes, an oval face framed in a mass of golden hair,delicate features, and a complexion like the bloom on a peach. Thiswas Marie de Brione, who, when a little girl, had lived near Vancey,and had often played with Raoul and myself.

  "I am going to scold you, Albert," she said smiling. "How is it youare against us? I thought we three old friends were sure to standtogether. I could scarcely credit Raoul when he told me you had joinedthe Cardinal."

  "It is very unfortunate," I stammered, "but I imagined I was acting forthe best by helping Mazarin."

  "You are a silly boy! When we have overthrown Mazarin we shall have toput you in the Bastille!"

  "And in the lowest dungeon," added Raoul.

  "You will find me more generous," I laughed. "The Cardinal is sure towin, and then I shall request him to forgive you two. Perhaps he willpardon you if I beg very hard."

  "You heap coals of fire on our heads! After all, it may be a goodthing to number one friend among our enemies."

  "I am sure it will."

  "Here is Marie's aunt," said Raoul. "I do not know what she will sayat finding us on friendly terms with a _Mazarin_."

  Madame Coutance was a widow, though hardly older than her niece. Shewas tall and graceful, with coils of dark hair covering her shapelyhead. Her eyes were large, black, bright and flashing; she had astraight nose, small mouth, with white even teeth, and tiny hands. Ihad not met her before, but since the death of Marie's parents she hadtaken the girl under her charge.

  She entered heartily into Raoul's joke, pretending to regard me as aterrible enemy, and declaring the Duke ought not to permit me to leavethe salon except as a prisoner. Jest and laughter made the time flyswiftly, and I was sorry when at last Raoul and I attended the ladiesto their carriage.

  "Do not forget the Rue Crillon, Monsieur de Lalande," exclaimed Marie'saunt as we stood a moment at the foot of the staircase, "unless youfear to trust yourself in our company. I must win you over to ourside; your talents will be thrown away on Mazarin. But the horses areimpatient, and we block the way; so adieu, messieurs," and she waved asmall, delicately-gloved hand in farewell.

  It was one o'clock, but the Luxembourg blazed with lights; the numberof guests had scarcely diminished, though numerous carriages were drawnup in readiness to start, and groups of people still lingered outsideto watch the termination of the brilliant fete.

  "What do you think of Madame Coutance?" asked my comrade, as hercarriage rolled away.

  "She is very beautiful, and, if possible, more reckless even thanMadame de Chevreuse. I hope she will not cause Marie to suffer throughher folly."

  Raoul's face clouded, but he affected to laugh at the idea of danger.

  "The Duke will protect them," he remarked grandly, but on this point Ihad my doubts. However, since no good ever comes through disputingover a matter of opinion, I allowed the subject to drop, and preparedto take my leave.

  "Are you going?" he asked. "I would have liked to introduce you toD'Arcy. He has been on duty all night, but will be free shortly."

  "I should have been delighted, but I have to visit the Cardinal atseven this morning."

  "And after?"

  "If he doesn't need me, I shall go to bed. I am fatigued by these latehours."

  "That is right," said he laughing. "I shall make the most of thetruce, by calling for you this evening. Rue des Catonnes?"

  "Third house from the corner, but I will watch for you."

  Raoul, being in attendance on the Duke of Orleans, returned to thepalace, while I left the courtyard in a rather thoughtful mood. I didnot altogether like what I had heard of Madame Coutance. It seemedthat she had joined, heart and soul, in the plots against Mazarin, andwas regarded by his enemies with much favour.

  As a conspirator, however, she had several failings. She boasted notalone of the victories won, but also of the victories she was about towin, and was so confident of her powers that she could never be broughtto understand the strength of her opponents. I regarded her as rathera dangerous guardian for a young girl, and hoped she would not dragMarie into mischief. Away from the Luxembourg the streets weredeserted, save for a few night-birds who were slinking off to their ownquarters. The Rue des Catonnes was in darkness, but I knew the way,and, mounting the stairs quickly, reached my room.

  "The Cardinal must not be kept waiting," I muttered, "but there is timefor a short nap," and I got into bed.

  A few minutes before seven o'clock I crossed the courtyard of thePalais Royal, ascended the grand staircase, stopped a moment as usualto joke with the Guards; and, traversing the corridor, reachedMazarin's room just as his secretary came out.

  "Go straight in, M. de Lalande. His Eminence expects you at seven, andthe clock has given warning."

  The last stroke had not sounded as I entered the room.

  The Cardinal had been at work for hours. He sat at a table coveredwith documents, and, still perusing one of them, exclaimed in hissilky, purring voice, "You are punctual, M. de Lalande!"

  "Yes, my lord."

  "I feared," said he slowly, and rustling the paper, "that last night'sfestivities might have fatigued you."

  He turned and looked at me so as to enjoy my surprise, but, managingwith an effort to preserve my composure, I remarked that I left theLuxembourg early.

  "Very sensible," he murmured. "And may I ask how you found yourcharming friend, Madame de Chevreuse?"

  "Madame de Chevreuse is no friend of mine," I stammered awkwardly. "Imet her for the first time last night, when she mistook me for mycousin."

  "That likeness must be very embarrassing. It would be unfortunate ifthe public executioner should make a similar mistake! But let us notdwell on these things; tell me about the latest plot of MadameCoutance."

  I ignored the first part of this speech, though it sounded odd, andlaughed at the last, but Mazarin checked me.

  "You do not take Madame Coutance seriously?" said he. "You are wrong,she is a very troublesome woman. She is like a child playing withtinder, and may make a blaze at any moment without knowing it. Thesafety of the State demands that such persons should be deprived of thepower to work mischief."

  "She did not tell me her plans," I said. "She was aware that I had thehonour of serving you."

  "Well, these matters are of trifling interest," he replied briskly,"since one has enemies no longer. Really your post is a sinecure. Ihave no more important business for you than to carry this letter toour old acquaintance, Martin, the astrologer, and to bring back ananswer. Perhaps i
t will be as well to travel on foot; you will attractless attention."

  Handing me a sealed note, which I placed in my pocket, he signifiedthat the interview was at an end, and I left the room.

  It was fortunate that the Cardinal had given me a simple task, for mybrain was in a whirl. The man was a marvel, he seemed aware ofeverything one did and said, and perhaps everything one thought. Hisspies were all over the city, and, whether from fear or greed, theyserved him well.

  I thought of Madame Coutance, and the peril in which she stood. Thusfar he had spared her, but at any moment a secret order might go forth,and the lady would be spirited away beyond the reach of friends. Itwas possible, too, that Marie would share her aunt's fate, though I didnot believe the girl had much to do with the plots against Mazarin.

  Who could have informed him of my visit to the Luxembourg? He hadevidently heard all about it, and perhaps suspected me of playing himfalse. If so, he was at fault. Rightly or wrongly, I believed him tobe the only man who could govern France till the king came of age, and,though feeling little love for him, I resolved to do everything in mypower to defeat his enemies.

  A strong, hearty voice put dreams to flight, and, looking up, I sawRoland Belloc, who was laughing pleasantly.

  "Dreaming, my boy, and at this time in the morning?" said he. "Haveyou breakfasted? If not, come with me."

  "Many thanks," I replied, "but I have no time. I am on the Cardinal'sbusiness, and----"

  "Enough," said my old friend; "when the Cardinal has business on hand,breakfast must wait. Many a time it has been afternoon before I havefound leisure for bite or sup. By the way, you are growing in favour,my boy, let me tell you. If you were only a few years older you wouldobtain a high post. Only your youth is against you, and every daymakes that obstacle less."

  "It does!" I replied, laughing. "I hope you will enjoy your breakfast;I am going to seek an appetite for mine."

  "Don't miss the breakfast when you have found the appetite," said hemerrily; "I have known that happen before now," and the jovial, thoughrugged, old soldier marched off to his quarters.

  Making sure that the note was safe, I descended the staircase, crossedthe courtyard, passed the sentries, who by this time were beginning torecognise me, and started on my journey.

  Paris was waking up when I left the Palais Royal, but only a few peoplewere stirring in the streets, and I pursued my way without hindrance,musing over the Cardinal's pleasantries and Roland Belloc's information.

  "Faith," I muttered to myself, "Mazarin has a strange method of showinghis favour."