Murad the Unlucky, and Other Tales
Page 18
CHAPTER XII
"Dans sa pompe elegante, admirez Chantilly, De heros en heros, d'age en age, embelli."--DE LILLE.
The health of the good Sister Frances, which had suffered much from theshock her mind received at the commencement of the revolution, declinedso rapidly in the course of the two succeeding years, that she wasobliged to leave Paris, and she retired to a little village in theneighbourhood of Chantilly. She chose this situation because here shewas within a morning's walk of Madame de Fleury's country-seat. TheChateau de Fleury had not yet been seized as national property, nor hadit suffered from the attacks of the mob, though it was in a periloussituation, within view of the high road to Paris. The Parisian populacehad not yet extended their outrages to this distance from the city, andthe poor people who lived on the estate of Fleury, attached from habit,principle, and gratitude, to their lord, were not disposed to takeadvantage of the disorder of the times, to injure the property of thosefrom whom they had all their lives received favours and protection. Afaithful old steward had the care of the castle and the grounds. SisterFrances was impatient to talk to him and to visit the chateau, which shehad never seen; but for some days after her arrival in the village shewas so much fatigued and so weak that she could not attempt so long awalk. Victoire had obtained permission from her mistress to accompanythe nun for a few days to the country, as Annette undertook to do all thebusiness of the shop during the absence of her companion. Victoire wasfully as eager as Sister Frances to see the faithful steward and theChateau de Fleury, and the morning was now fixed for their walk; but inthe middle of the night they were awakened by the shouts of a mob, whohad just entered the village fresh from the destruction of a neighbouringcastle. The nun and Victoire listened; but in the midst of the horridyells of joy no human voice, no intelligible word could be distinguished;they looked through a chink in the window-shutter and they saw the streetbelow filled with a crowd of men, whose countenances were by turnsilluminated by the glare of the torches which they brandished.
"Good Heavens!" whispered the nun to Victoire: "I should know the face ofthat man who is loading his musket--the very man whom I nursed ten yearsago when he was ill with a gaol fever!"
This man, who stood in the midst of the crowd, taller by the head thanthe others, seemed to be the leader of the party; they were disputingwhether they should proceed further, spend the remainder of the night inthe village ale-house, or return to Paris. Their leader ordered spiritsto be distributed to his associates, and exhorted them in a loud voice toproceed in their glorious work. Tossing his firebrand over his head hedeclared that he would never return to Paris till he had razed to theground the Chateau de Fleury. At these words, Victoire, forgetful of allpersonal danger, ran out into the midst of the mob, pressed her way up tothe leader of these ruffians, caught him by the arm, exclaiming, "Youwill not touch a stone in the Chateau de Fleury--I have my reasons--I sayyou will not suffer a stone in the Chateau de Fleury to be touched."
"And why not?" cried the man, turning astonished; "and who are you that Ishould listen to you?"
"No matter who I am," said Victoire; "follow me and I will show you oneto whom you will not refuse to listen. Here!--here she is," continuedVictoire, pointing to the nun, who had followed her in amazement; "hereis one to whom you will listen--yes, look at her well: hold the light toher face."
The nun, in a supplicating attitude, stood in speechless expectation.
"Ay, I see you have gratitude, I know you will have mercy," criedVictoire, watching the workings in the countenance of the man; "you willsave the Chateau de Fleury for her sake--who saved your life."
"I will," cried this astonished chief of a mob, fired with suddengenerosity. "By my faith you are a brave girl, and a fine girl, and knowhow to speak to the heart, and in the right moment. Friends, citizens,this nun, though she is a nun, is good for something. When I lay illwith a fever, and not a soul else to help me, she came and gave memedicines and food--in short, I owe my life to her. 'Tis ten years ago,but I remember it well, and now it is our turn to rule, and she shall bepaid as she deserves. Not a stone of the Chateau de Fleury shall betouched!"
With loud acclamations the mob joined in the generous enthusiasm of themoment and followed their leader peaceably out of the village. All thispassed with such rapidity as scarcely to leave the impression of realityupon the mind. As soon as the sun rose in the morning Victoire lookedout for the turrets of the Chateau de Fleury, and she saw that they weresafe--safe in the midst of the surrounding devastation. Nothing remainedof the superb palace of Chantilly but the white arches of its foundation.