CHAPTER XXI.
It was a beautiful evening in July, the sky flecked with light cloudsjust beginning to look a little rosy with a consciousness that Phoebuswas going to bed. They cannot get over that modest habit; for, althoughthey have seen the god strip himself of his garmenture of rays andretire to rest every day for--on a very moderate calculation--six orseven thousand years, they will blush now and then when they see himentering his pavilion of repose and ready to throw off his mantle. Thereis much pudency about clouds. All other things get brazen and hardenedby custom, but clouds blush still.
It was a beautiful evening in July when the carriage which containedLucette, Edward, and Madame de Lagny arrived in sight of the chateau ofSt. Martin des Rivieres; but, when they did come in sight, how to get atit became a question of some difficulty. There, on a little mound, stoodthe building,--not large, but apparently very massive and wellfortified,--within a hundred yards of the confluence of two deep andrapid rivers, the passage of each commanded by the guns on the rampartsand on the keep. No bridge, no boat, was to be seen, and for some timethe party of visitors made various signals to the dwellers in thechateau; but it was all in vain, and at length Edward Langdale resolvedto mount the good strong horse of Jacques Beaupre and swim the neareststream.
Educated in a city, it was not without terror and a sweet, lowremonstrance that Lucette saw her young husband undertake and perform afeat she had never seen attempted before; but Edward, though borne withhis horse a good way down the stream by the force of the water, reachedthe other side in safety, and his companions could see him ride to thedrawbridge and enter the castle.
During some twenty minutes nothing further could be descried; and then,at a point where one of the outworks came down to the river, what Ithink was called in those days a water-gate was opened, and a boat shotout with two strong rowers.
Edward Langdale himself did not appear; but one of the boatmen walked upto the carriage and informed the ladies that his lord, the Duc de Rohan,would be happy to receive them in the chateau, but that the carriage andthe men must remain on that side of the river, as the boat could onlycontain four persons and none other could be had.
"Ah, that is the reason Monsieur de Langdale did not return for us,"said Madame de Lagny, with whom Edward had become a great favorite. "Iwas sure he had too much politeness to send servants for his lady if hecould come himself."
A few minutes passed in placing Lucette's little wardrobe in the boat,and then, with a heart somewhat faint and sad, she followed Madame deLagny to the water-side, remembering but too acutely that on theopposite bank she was to be received by persons who, however near akin,were but strangers to her, and there, too, very soon to part from himwhom she was not now ashamed to own to herself she loved better than anyone on earth.
The boat shot off from the shore, and though carried so far down by theforce of the current that the water-gate could not be reached, yet aftersome hard pulling the shore was gained, and the two ladies turned towardthe drawbridge over which they had seen Edward Langdale pass. Madame deLagny looked toward the great gate, but the young husband did notappear. In his place, however, was seen a stout middle-aged man, withhair somewhat silvered, and his breast covered by a plain corslet ofsteel. There were two or three other persons a step farther under thearch; and Madame de Lagny whispered, "That must be the duke himself. Butwhere can Monsieur Edward be?"
Lucette's heart was asking her the same question; but by this time theDuc de Rohan was advancing to meet her and her companion, and in amoment more he was near enough to take Madame de Lagny's hand and raiseit courteously to his lips.
"You have come to a rude place, madame," he said, "and among somewhatrude men; but we must do what we can to make your stay tolerable."
"Oh, my lord duke," replied the lady, with a courtly inclination of thehead, "I must away as soon as possible. I am expected back at the courtdirectly. But where is Monsieur de Langdale? I do not see him."
"He is in the chateau, madame," replied the duke; "but he has beentelling me so strange a tale that I have judged it best, before he andthis--["girl," he was in the act of saying; but he checked himself, andsubstituted the words "young lady"]--before he and this young lady meetagain, to have from her lips and from yours what are the facts of thecase. Pray, let us go in."
"The facts of the case are very simple, my lord," replied the old lady,with some stiffness. "Monsieur de Langdale is the husband of this younglady, formerly Mademoiselle de Mirepoix, whom you do not seem torecognise, my lord duke, though she is your near of kin. He married herin the presence of the cardinal and the whole court."
"More impudent varlet he!" exclaimed the duke, angrily. "And you,mademoiselle,--what have you to say to all this fine affair? Why, youare a mere child! This marriage can never stand!--without any one'sconsent! It is a folly!"
"Not at all, duke," said Madame de Lagny. "Pray, recollect, sir, thatMadame de Rambouillet was married at twelve,--I myself at sixteen.Madame is nearly fifteen, she tells me; and, as to the marriage notstanding, you will find yourself much mistaken. The man who made it isnot one to leave any thing he undertakes incomplete, as you willdiscover. They are as firmly married as any couple in the land, and thatwith the full authority of the king, which in this realm of Francesupersedes the necessity for any other consent whatever. She is a wardof the crown, sir; and her father having died in rebellion is no bar tothe rights of the monarch."
"Madame, I beseech you, use softer words," said the duke, in a calmertone. "My good cousin De Mirepoix died in defence of his religion,without one thought of rebellion, and really in the service of hisMajesty, whose plighted word had been violated not by himself, but bybad ministers who usurped his name. Make room, gentlemen. This way,madame. We shall find in this hall a more private place for ourconference."
So saying, he led the way into the large room in the lower story of thekeep, and there begged Madame de Lagny to be seated. Lucette he took bythe arm and gazed into her face for a moment, saying,--
"Yes; she is very like. Here, take this stool, child: we have nofauteuils here. Now, answer my question. What had you to do with thismarriage? Did it take place at his request or yours?"
Lucette's heart had at first sunk with alarm and disappointment at theharsh reception she had received, having little idea what achattel--what a mere piece of goods--a rich orphan relation was lookedupon amongst most of the noble families of France. But the veryharshness which had terrified her at first at length roused her spirit;and, though she colored highly, she replied, in a firm tone, "At neitherhis request nor mine, my lord."
"Ah! good!" cried the duke. "Then neither of you consented? The marriageof course----"
"We did both consent," said Lucette, interposing. "Did he not tell youthe circumstances? Did he not give you the cardinal's message?"
"He told me a good deal, and he said something about the Eminence; but,by my faith, I was so heated by the tale that I did not much attend tothe particulars. Let me hear your story, mademoiselle. What did thecardinal say?"
"My lord, we had been stopped near Mauze by some of the royal officers,and sent on under guard toward Nantes----"
"Oh, I know all about that," interrupted the duke. "What have you beendoing since? I trust, not masquerading about Nantes dressed up as apage; though, by my faith, ladies are now getting so fond of men'sclothes that they will soon leave us none to wear ourselves. Why, therewas my good cousin De Chevreuse, with her young daughter, rode acrossthe country, both in cavaliers' habits, and, finding no other _gite_,stayed all night with the good simple cure of the parish, who neverfound out they were women till they were gone. Well, where have youbeen, and what have you been doing, since that affair at Mauze?"
"The Abbey de Moreilles was burned by lightning, my lord," repliedLucette, whose cheek had not lost any part of its red from De Rohan'slanguage. "We escaped into the Marais, where I was taken ill of thefever common there. As soon as I could travel, we went direct to Nantes,intending to come round at once and s
eek for Monsieur de Soubise. Inconsequence of his having sent a man with some of my husband's baggageto that city, we were discovered and arrested."
"Your husband, little child?" exclaimed the duke. "But go on; go on.What happened next?"
"I was separated from Edward, who had treated me with the kindness of abrother," said Lucette.
"Ay, I dare say," again interrupted De Rohan;--"with something more thanthe kindness of a brother."
"For shame, Monsieur le Duc!" said Madame de Lagny, sharply. "You saidvery truly just now that we had come to a rude place and amongst rudemen. If the cardinal had known what sort of reception this poor ladywould meet with, I am sure he would have followed the course Monsieur deTronson hinted at and given her up to Madame de Chevreuse. There atleast she would have been treated with respect and kindness."
At the mere name of Madame de Chevreuse the duke's countenance changed.Without knowing it, good old Madame de Lagny had touched a chord whichwas sure to vibrate in the heart of any of the Rohan Rohans as soon asone of the Rohan Montbazons was mentioned; and after a moment's pausethe prince answered, with a very much less excited air, "His Eminenceacted courteously and well in not giving up my fair young cousin to alady who has no right to her guardianship, who was her father's enemy,whose conduct is not fit for the eyes of a young girl even to witness.But tell me, mademoiselle, what was the message his Eminence sent to mybrother to account for his conduct in bestowing--in attempting tobestow--your hand upon an unknown English lad, who may be of good familyor may not, but who is no match for any one of the name of Rohan?"
"He said, sir," answered Lucette, "that we were to tell you or thePrince de Soubise, whichever we might find, that, under the peculiarcircumstances of the case,--by which, I presume, he meant our havingtravelled so long together,--the cardinal prime minister had judged itimperatively necessary we should be married, and had himself seen theceremony performed; that for two years Edward should leave me with you,but that at the end of that time he should claim me and take me, andthat all his Eminence's power should be exerted to give me to him. Headded, in a lower tone, 'They will find me more difficult to frustratethan Madame de Chevreuse.'"
"That is true, as I live!" said the duke. "But yet this is hard. Why,girl, it will drive my brother Soubise quite mad,--if he be not madalready, as I sometimes think he is."
"His madness will not serve him much against the cardinal," said Madamede Lagny, dryly. "But, my lord, we must bring this discussion to an end,for it is growing dark, and I and Monsieur de Langdale must be treadingour way back to Nantes. He is but, as it were, a prisoner upon parole;and I promised my cousin De Tronson I would make no delay."
"Madame, in all the agitation and annoyance this affair has cost me,"said Rohan, "I have somewhat, I am afraid, forgotten courtesy. I orderedrefreshments for you, indeed, as soon as I heard of your coming; but Idid not remember to ask you to partake of them. They will be here in amoment."
"We can hardly stay," said the old lady. "But I beg, sir, you would letMonsieur Edouard be called, both to accompany me and to take leave ofhis wife."
The duke bit his lips; but after a moment's thought he answered, "Pray,madame, take some refreshment. As to this lad, he may come and wish hergood-bye; but no private interview, if you please!"
The old marquise was a good deal offended at all that had passed, and itwas not without satisfaction she replied, "Oh, I dare say they have saidall to each other they want to say, Monsieur le Duc. They have hadprivate interviews enough since their marriage to make all theirarrangements. Is it not so, dear Lucette?"
But Lucette was weeping, and De Rohan, with a cloudy brow, quitted theroom.
In a few moments some refreshments were brought in and placed upon thetable, and the duke appeared, accompanied by Edward Langdale. Theyouth's look was serious, and even angry, but that of De Rohan a gooddeal more calm. "Sit down, monsieur, and take some food," said thelatter as they entered; but Edward answered at once, "I neither eat nordrink in your house, sir. I did you and your family what service Icould, honestly and faithfully; and--because, under force I could notresist, and to save myself and your fair cousin from a fate which youwould not have wished to fall upon her nor I wish to encounter formyself, I yielded to a measure which God and she know I never proposedwhen it was fully in our power--you treat me with indignity. You muchmistake English gentlemen, sir, if you suppose that such conduct can beforgotten in a few short minutes."
"By the Lord!" said De Rohan, with a laugh, "it is well you did notmeet with Soubise; for you might have had his dagger in you for halfwhat you have said."
"Or mine in him, if he had insulted me further," answered Edward,walking toward Lucette and taking her hand.
"A pretty bold gallant," said the duke, with a smile. "Madame de Lagny,I pray you, do more honor to my poor house than your young friend."
Now, it must be confessed, the good old lady was hungry; and hunger isan overruling passion. The duke helped her to food and wine, and then,having done what second thoughts had shown him was only courteous to alady, he turned, under the influence of the same better thoughts, towardEdward, who was still talking in a whisper to Lucette, while she, on herpart, could hardly answer a word for weeping.
"Young gentleman," said De Rohan, holding out his hand, "do not let uspart bad friends. Remember, first, that if there be any validity in thismarriage it is always better to keep well with a wife's relatives; and,secondly, that one of my house, above all others, may well feelmortified and enraged at an alliance which under no circumstances wecould have desired or sanctioned. Recollect our family motto,--'_Roi nepuis; prince ne daigne: Rohan je suis_;' and pride is not so bad a thingas you may think it now. If it be pride of a right kind, it keeps a manfrom a world of meannesses. As to this young lady, I will take care ofher, and, now that my first fit of passion is past, will treat herkindly. Be sure of that, Lucette; for I have even got a notion, by somebad experience, that a portion of love is no evil in the cup ofmatrimony. However, the question of this marriage must be a matter ofconsultation between my brother Soubise and myself, and the lawyers too;for I will not conceal from either of you that Soubise, who has more todo with the business than I have, will break it if he can."
Edward took the proffered hand; but he only replied, "His Eminence thecardinal said that he had made it so fast there was no power on earth orin hell to break it. But that must be determined hereafter, my lordduke. At the end of two years I will claim my wife. In the mean time,where is Monsieur de Soubise?"
"Go not near him! go not near him!" said De Rohan. "By my honor, therewould be bloodshed soon! He is at Blavet, I fancy, now, on his way toEngland; but I will write to him this night, and, if possible, you shallhave his answer at Nantes. You must not expect any thing very favorableto your pretensions; but, whatever it is, it shall be sent."
"My lord, if I might ask one favor, I would do it," said Edward. "It isthis. From what you have yourself said, and from what others have toldme, I infer that Monsieur de Soubise is of no very placable nortemperate disposition. He himself has had some share in producing bothwhat you look upon as a misfortune and what had nearly proved thedestruction of Lucette and myself, by sending--with very goodintentions, doubtless, but I think very unadvisedly--letters and othermatters to the very residence of the court, which betrayed our coming tohis Eminence the cardinal. Had that not been done, we should in allprobability have passed without question, and I should have been able torestore this dear girl to her relations as Mademoiselle de Mirepoix. Asit is, my wife she is and must remain; but I would rather that she wasunder your care than that of the prince, for she has this eveningsuffered too much for an event, which she could not avoid withoutdooming herself and me to destruction; and I would fain that the same orperhaps more should not be inflicted upon her from another quarter.Lucette will explain to you much that I have not time to tell, for I seeMadame de Lagny has risen, and it is growing so dark that I fear we mustdepart."
"I can promise nothing," said the duke,
"but that I will do my best."
Thus saying, he turned toward Madame de Lagny, who by this time had somelights on the table before her, and addressed to her all thoseceremonious politenesses which no one knew better how to display, whennot moved by passion, than the Duc de Rohan.
In the mean time, Edward and Lucette remained at the darker side of theroom; but, had it been the broadest daylight, their natural feelingswould have suffered little restraint. The contrast of Edward's love andtenderness with the cold harshness of her own relations made all heraffections cling closer round him than ever, and she hung upon hisbreast and mingled kisses with his, while the tears covered her cheeksand sobs interrupted her words. "Oh, Edward," she said, "I wish toHeaven that I were indeed but the grandchild of good Clement Tournon, ofRochelle, as you once thought me! We might be very happy then."
Mingled with his words of politeness to Madame de Lagny, the duke hadbeen giving some orders to his own attendants; and at length he said,"Now, young gentleman, it is time to depart. Madame is ready."
One last, long embrace, and Edward advanced to the side of the duke. Hedid not venture to look at Lucette again, but followed Rohan and Madamede Lagny closely into the outer hall, thence through a small court and a_place d'armes_, in each of which were a number of soldiers fully armed,and then by a covered way to the water-gate, to which point the smallboat had by this time been brought round. There was still a faint lightupon the river; but a lantern had been placed lighted in the bow of theboat, and in a few minutes the old lady and her young companion werelanded on the other side. One of the boatmen lighted them up to thecarriage, and Edward, after bestowing a piece of money upon the man,took his seat beside Madame de Lagny, who gave orders to proceed towardNantes, stopping, however, at the first auberge where any thing liketolerable accommodation could be found.
"Ah, poor Monsieur de Rohan!" she said, with perhaps not the mostcompassionate feelings in the world. "He is much to be pitied; and,indeed, he ought to feel, as he said, that some love in marriage is avery good ingredient. He ought to know it by experience; for his owngood-for-nothing dame cares not, and never did care, for him; and it isthe common phrase in Paris that she has so large a heart she can findroom in it for everybody except her husband. Why, I know at least tenlovers she has had besides the Duc de Candale, who is more her slavethan her lover, and who"----
Just at that moment, the horses having been put to, the coachman gave asharp crack of his the whip, the coach a tremendous jolt, and Madame deLagny brought her story to an end, somewhat to the relief of her youngcompanion.
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