CHAPTER XVIII
SERIGNY'S DEPARTURE
The clocks were striking, one after the other in monotonous imitativefashion, the hour of nine when I delivered my horse to a sleepy groomat the little tavern just outside the Versailles gate.
Serigny was already in his rooms, intent on some business, and openedhis door himself. There was no need for concealing his gratificationand the intense impatience he felt to know results, nor did he make anyattempt at concealment. On the contrary, he was as urgent as a schoolchild. Everything about him, packed in boxes and traveling bags,seemed prepared for instant journey. Upon his table a few disarrangedpapers were scattered beside a leathern portfolio, through which he hadevidently been looking when I arrived. Without stopping to replace anyof the documents he hastened me to a seat, and drawing his chair close,commanded me to begin. My coming had been so sudden I had given noconsideration to the nature of my report to Serigny, and found somedifficulty in gathering ideas together in such shape they would beunderstood. I had hardly begun my statement when quick steps soundedalong the outer passage followed by an almost imperative knock on thedoor. Jerome, I thought. So it was. Jerome, bespattered and soiledfrom his hard ride, a raw bruise across his cheek, his clothing awry.He was pale and determined, yet quiet withal.
I instinctively rose and laid my hand to my hilt. A glance reassuredme. His purpose, lying deeper, I could not divine; it was plain thoughhe brooded not that kind of quarrel. Nor do I to this day know what heintended when he first entered Serigny's room that night.
"I rode after you in all haste, Captain."
"Indeed you did," I mentally agreed.
"And met a fall, which, as you see, has somewhat disfigured me," and helaughed, while I agreed with him again.
Serigny, being so intent on the important transactions of the hour,accepted his explanation without question. The welcome, thoughcordial, was brief, Serigny being a man of no unnecessary words.
"Go on, Captain," and I picked up the broken thread of my narrativewhere Jerome had interrupted.
As I went on obediently, Jerome would now and again supply some linkwherein my memory failed, or suggest something I had left unsaid, untilhaving so much the nimbler tongue he took the telling out of my mouthentirely. I could not complain, for he detailed the various adventuresfar better than I, and gave me more of the credit than I would haveclaimed for myself. We had, by common consent, forgotten our latestrife, and becoming much interested I broke in upon a glowing accountof my heroism:
"Hold, Jerome, by my faith, you grow more garrulous than a fish-wife ofthe barriers; tell but a plain, straight tale, and leave off all thatromantic garniture of thine," and thence I reclaimed my stragglingstory and brought it to a conclusion. All this while the dispatchesfor which we had risked so much lay safe in my breast. I ratherhesitated to produce them, dreading what the hot-headed fellow might doto get a hold upon that which peradventure would cause trouble to hislady love. I could not decline when Serigny asked for them, but hauledout both packets, one taken from Yvard, the other from Broussard,casting them upon the table. Jerome eyed them so I that knew from thelook his late fury was not yet dead, and I watched him in readiness forany move he might make to repossess them.
He sat as unconcerned as if the whole affair interested him no further,now that the main object of his solicitude was safe in the keeping ofhis superior. I misdoubted whether this was not all a sham, and couldhardly believe him the same frenzied Jerome who had pleaded so hard,and fought so desperately for this self-same packet of Yvard's, whichat this time reposed within easy reach of his hand. Once he reachedout and took it up negligently, inspected the seals and marks, thenreplaced it. His examination seemed one of mere idle curiosity, orwould have so appeared had I not known that he was already perfectlyacquainted with every mark borne by our charge. The eyes, half closedin dreamy contemplation, spoke apparently of a man who has beenrelieved of some grave responsibility and enjoys the relaxation, yet,for all of that, he was listening most intently to what Serigny and Iwere talking of. Serigny was now fondling the instruments which wereto be the restoration of his own and his brother's influence. Hiswords were addressed to neither of us in particular.
"Here is the seal of Spain. Cellemare again, Egad! They are bold, ormust have great confidence in their emissaries. Here, too, is Madame.Ah, my clever little lady, you have outdone your own cleverness atlast. I fancy even the King's old love for his son's mother will notsave you now. I would I knew what was in them."
"We can easily see, and close them snug again," ventured Jerome, butnoting Serigny's frown, he turned it off with a laugh, "or so ourfriend Madame would advise."
It thus became manifest he had not abandoned his idea of interceptingwhatever might compromise Madame de Chartrain.
Serigny continued: "These must be placed before the King unopened byany of us. Yes, it's a risk," he caught Jerome's knotted brow ofindecision, "I grant you it is a risk, for I know not whatcomplications are here contained. I will myself seek the King, andwith these am sure to gain his own ear."
Jerome all this while uttered no other word, nervously flicking the mudsplotches off his boots, and lifting an earnest look now and anon toSerigny.
My own mind was busy devising means to foil any contemplated treacheryupon his part, and wondering whether it was not my duty to acquaintSerigny with the whole truth of the matter. The test came when I leastexpected it. When all our adventures had been detailed again andagain, his dozens of incisive questions answered, our conversationnaturally drifted toward the future. My mission in France completed,there was nothing now but a return to the colonies, and theuncertainties of a campaign which I no longer doubted was imminent.Somehow the thought of a great and glorious war did not appeal to me soforcibly as such a prospect would have done some few weeks agone.
There was ever a shy little face, a brave girlish figure which stoodresolute and trembling before me in the park, that intruded between meand the barbaric splendor of our western wars. Nor did I raise a handto brush the vision aside. It toned down the innate savagery of man,softened the stern, callous impulses of the soldier, and all thecurrents of my being trickled through quieter, sweeter channels of lifeand love. Even the shame of it made not the thought less sweet.
There was but trifling period to spare for such gentler musings, forSerigny, by a gesture, called attention to his well packed luggage.
"See, I am ready. I only waited your coming and report to put out atonce for le Dauphin. My people have already gone forward to arm andprovision her for the struggle. We must be prompt. There is much tolose in a day. I myself will go on to-morrow and have all in completereadiness for the voyage, and, who knows, for the fighting on the otherside. Now give heed Placide--Captain de Mouret," for he was alwaysparticular to distinguish the man from the soldier, and in givingorders to address me by my proper title. "The war has been decidedupon; you will remain here and watch developments"--he was proceedingto acquaint me with what was expected of me. I knew not what he mightsay, but felt impelled to throw out a silent warning, which even thoughhe understood it not, he was quick enough to take. He paused andlooked me inquisitively in the face. I glanced awkwardly from him toJerome and back again.
The thought then dominant was a growing distrust of Jerome, and thedesire to have our movements secret. I remembered Bienville's words"We know not who to trust," and being ignorant of what orders Serignymeant to give, or how much information they would convey to Jerome,deemed it best to let all the occurrences of the day come out. I couldnot forget the lad's gallantry, nor must I lose sight of the fact thatas affairs now were, he might very well have gone over to the otherside for the sake of Madame; things stranger than that took place everyday, and I had learned to be discreet. He might thus come intovaluable hints and afterward cast them into the scale againstBienville, for every means good or bad would be used by them to savetheir own influence, to uplift the Duke of Maine. If Bienville wereinvolved
in the general ruin, why, what mattered it to them?
While I remained hesitating for a word, Jerome's ready wit had alreadycomprehended my purpose. He took the words from my lips. Hiscountenance first flushed, then became hard and fixed, compelling mefor the time into silence.
"Monsieur de Serigny, I perhaps can speak you better our good Captain'smind. He mistrusts me--."
"You?" burst out Serigny greatly surprised. "Why you have ever beenour staunch and loyal friend. What is this, Captain de Mouret, surelyyou are above a young man's jealousy?"
Jerome gave me no time to explain.
"Softly, softly, sir. The Captain has good cause. Give me heed, myfriends. To you, M. de Serigny, I will say upon my honor, which untilthis day was never stained by thought or deed, I will say,--this day Iwould have betrayed you. Nay, do not look so pained and unbelieving;all men are mortal, and passions stronger even than duty, stronger thanloyalty, yea, stronger than honor itself, may tyrannize over the bestof us. I repeat, this day would I gladly have betrayed you, betrayedmy friends to save--well it boots not whom, but a woman. For the womanI love may lose her liberty if not her life when those accursed papersreach the hands of the King. I was mad, and at this moment doubt andfear myself. It is better not to trust me with your plans; the Captainis right. Jerome de Greville never yet deceived a friend, but for thelove of God, Messires, do not tempt him now," and he faced about withunsteady step and started toward the door. Before we could detain himhe was gone, leaving Serigny staring in the most unbelieving andbewildered fashion at me.
"In God's name, Captain, what piece of folly is this? Tell me all, forofttimes the success of the most careful plans is governed by just suchundercurrents as this, of man's love or woman's spite. Go on, Ilisten."
I explained briefly Madame's position, Serigny nodding hisacquiescence; it was an old tale to him, except he did not knowJerome's relations with Madame. Of her domination over the Duke ofMaine he was well aware. When my story was fully done he pondered fora long while in silence. His sorrow was deep and sincere.
"Poor fellow; poor fellow; as noble a lad as ever drew a sword, but inhis present frame of mind it is safer not to trust him; he is capableof any act of desperation. We will do our best to protect his lady,though. Where was I? This matter has disturbed me-- Oh, yes, aboutto give your orders. You see I am all ready to leave. I have butwaited your return. The war has been decided on and the news needsonly to be given out. The King hesitates and wavers; Chamillard is amere reflection of the royal whim. If we do not attack the Spaniard hewill attack us; it is simply a question of whether we want the war atBiloxi or Havana. For my part I would rather see Havana in siege thanBiloxi. This matter can not be long delayed, a few days more at most.These dispatches may decide. With these before the King he will nolonger doubt my brother, but will place the blame where it mostproperly belongs--for in the main, Louis is just. I would not desireany greater pleasure than to see the gibbet whereon these traitors ofthe itching palms, these thieves who sell their King for Spanish gold,will take their last dance. Do you remain here for as many as sixdays, this room is at your disposal. Be quiet and discreet; learn alland tell nothing. A still tongue is the safest in these times. Themoment war is declared make all speed for Dieppe and we will up anchorand away."
Serigny was as happy as a boy at the prospect of action; the atmosphereof court ill agreed with his fiery temper. This was the gist of ourplan of operations, and it was so arranged in detail.
In a few moments Serigny left me, taking the packet with him, and I inexcess of caution followed him at a little distance, locking the doorbehind me and keeping the key in my pocket. I bore his tall figurewell in sight until he passed out of the unfrequented halls into thatportion of the palace where the many shuttlecocks of fortunecongregated to laugh and talk and plot and lie. Not long after he cameback, sorely nettled and disappointed.
"It is done; the King has them in his own hands; yet he does not talk;promises nothing; is closeted with his ministers; they must be ofconsiderable importance. It is all secure for us, for I told him of mydeparture in the morning to the colonies, and he assented. I judge,then, it is something of a very delicate nature, touching the royalhonor of the King's own blood. Besides much is in cipher which it willtake time to read. Louis, you know, would not admit, save to thosenearest his throne, the possession of the secret Spanish cipher."
The night passed by dismal and uncertain enough. I must confess to agreat sinking of the heart when I saw Serigny's carriage roll away inthe gray of the early morning, leaving me absolutely alone in myfather's land of France, where in the short space of two weeks so muchhad transpired; much to be ever remembered, much I would have givenworlds to forget.
It must have been a most forlorn and dejected looking creature thatstood in the great square that sunless morning, peering into the mistswhich had absorbed the carriage. The solitude of vast untroddenforests breeds not that vacant sense of desolation which we children ofnature feel in the crowded haunts of men. Face after face, form afterform, voice after voice, yet not one familiar countenance, not oneremembered tone, not the glance of a kindly eye; all is new, all isstrange, all at seeming enmity. The defection of Jerome, my onlycomrade, was indeed a cup of bitterness. I dreaded to meet him, notknowing what tack he might cut away on. Yet I could not blame him; itwas more of pity I felt.
I recall with great delight some of the minor occurrences of the nextthree or four days. After Serigny's departure, every afternoon atimminent risk I would take horse to Sceaux, and pursuing a by-waythrough the forests and fields, through which a wood-cutter first ledme, ride hard to catch a glimpse of her who now occupied all mythoughts. I wonder at this time how I then held so firm by the duty ofreturning to the colonies, when the very thought of war and turmoil wasso distasteful to me. When I rode to Paris and clothed myself oncemore in my own proper garments, their friendly folds gave me a newcourage to meet whatever Fate might send.
It may be pertinent to chronicle here, what history has alreadyrecorded, the result of placing those dispatches in the King's hands.
The Duke of Maine, as all the world knows, disavowed his wife's act intreating with Spain, and thus saved his own dainty carcass from sharingher captivity in the Bastille. But both he and Madame were imprisoneduntil he made most abject submission and apology to Orleans.
Madame de Chartrain was sent to a provincial fortress, and bore herincarceration with great fortitude, winning even from her enemies theadmiration always accorded to firmness and virtue.
Philip of Orleans being once firmly established in the Regency, changedhis usual course, and pardoned many of those who had conspired againsthim. Their prison doors were opened, and the Duke of Maine, becomingreconciled to his haughty lady, forgave her and gained great creditthereby in the vulgar mind. They spent their lives quietly at Sceauxduring the Regency, and naught else of them concerns this history.
Philip of Orleans possessed some of the virtues of a great man, andmany of a good man, but these he kept ever locked within his own bosom.His mother, the rigid and austere Madame, said once of him:
"Though good fairies have gifted my son at his birth with numerousnoble qualities, one envious member of the sisterhood spitefullydecreed that he should never know how to use any of these gifts." Suchwas the character of the Regent.
Of Jerome and Madame de Chartrain I would fain tell more, but duringthe troubled times in America I completely lost sight of them, and myinquiries developed nothing of sufficient verity to give credence tohere.
All Frenchmen know of Jerome's gallant death at Malplaquet. It is afireside legend now, and young French lads turn their moistened eyesaway at the hearing. Marshal Villars being sorely hurt and in peril ofcapture, there fought beside his litter an unknown gentleman who,without name or rank, yet bore himself so commandingly, the discouragedguard rallied again and gave him willing obedience. Arrived at anarrow bridge he urged the litter-bearers safely across, and fight
ingat the rear to be himself the last to reach a place of safety, he wasstruck and fell. Prince Eugene, the courteous enemy, who had himselfwitnessed the incident, sent a guard of honor to the Marshal atValenciennes the next day with the body, deeming it that of a man ofconsequence. His letter congratulated the defeated Villars upon havingsuch chivalric friends.
It was poor Jerome, and no one knew him then. He rests now with hisfathers.
I loved the lad truly. As knightly a gentleman as ever died for hisKing, or lied for his lady.
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