CHAPTER XVIII.
THE FAUBOURG SAINT ANTOINE.
No more illusion for the chevalier. In a day or two he might be calledto his work.
The Spanish envoy had deeply impressed Gaston--there was about him anair of greatness which surprised him.
A strange circumstance passed across his mind; there was, between hisforehead and eyes and those of Helene, one of those vague and distantlikenesses which seem almost like the incoherence of a dream. Gaston,without knowing why, associated these two faces in his memory, and couldnot separate them. As he was about to lie down, worn out with fatigue, ahorse's feet sounded in the street, the hotel door opened, and Gastonheard an animated conversation; but soon the door was closed, the noiseceased, and he slept as a man sleeps at five-and-twenty, even if he be aconspirator.
However, Gaston was not mistaken; a horse had arrived, and aconversation had taken place. A peasant from Rambouillet brought inhaste a note from a young and pretty woman to the Chevalier de Chanlay,Hotel Muids d'Amour.
We can imagine who the young and pretty woman was.
Tapin took the letter, looked at it, then, taking off his apron, leftthe charge of the hotel to one of his servants, and went off to Dubois.
"Oh," exclaimed the latter, "let us see; a letter!"
He unsealed it skillfully by aid of steam, and, on reading it, seemedpleased.
"Good! excellent! Let them alone to go their own way; we hold the reins,and can stop them when we like." Then, turning to Tapin, he gave him theletter, which he had resealed. "Here," said he, "deliver the letter."
"When?" asked Tapin.
"At once."
Tapin stepped toward the door.
"No, stop," said Dubois; "to-morrow morning will be soon enough."
"Now," said Tapin, "may I make an observation?"
"Speak."
"As monseigneur's agent, I gain three crowns a day."
"Well, is not that enough, you scoundrel?"
"It was enough as agent. I do not complain, but it is not enough aswine-merchant. Oh, the horrid trade!"
"Drink and amuse yourself."
"Since I have sold wine I hate it."
"Because you see how it is made; but drink champagne, muscat, anything:Bourguignon pays. Apropos, he has had a real attack; so your lie wasonly an affair of chronology."
"Indeed."
"Yes, fear has caused it; you want to inherit his goods?"
"No, no; the trade is not amusing."
"Well, I will add three crowns a day to your pay while you are there,and I will give the shop to your eldest daughter. Bring me such lettersoften, and you shall be welcome."
Tapin returned to the hotel, but waited for the morning to deliver theletter.
At six o'clock, hearing Gaston moving, he entered, and gave him thenote.
This was what it contained:
"MY FRIEND--I think of your advice, and that perhaps you were right at last, I fear. A carriage has just arrived--Madame Desroches orders departure--I tried to resist--they shut me up in my room; fortunately, a peasant passed by to water his horse; I have given him two louis, and he promised to take you this note. I hear the last preparations--in two hours we leave for Paris.
"On my arrival, I will send you my address, if I have to jump out of the window and bring it.
"Be assured, the woman who loves you will remain worthy of herself and you."
"Ah, Helene!" cried Gaston; "I was not deceived. Eight o'clock, but shemust have arrived. Why was not this letter brought to me at once?"
"You were asleep, monsieur. I waited your awaking."
There was no reply to be made. Gaston thought he would go and watch atthe barrier, as Helene might not have arrived. He dressed quickly, andset out, after saying to Tapin:
"If Captain La Jonquiere comes here, say I shall be back at nine."
* * * * *
While Gaston waits uselessly for Helene, let us look back.
We saw the regent receive Madame Desroches' letter and send a reply.Indeed, it was necessary to remove Helene from the attempts of this M.de Livry.
But who could he be? Dubois alone could tell. So when Dubois appeared--
"Dubois," said the regent, "who is M. de Livry, of Nantes?"
"Livry--Livry," said he. "Stay!"
"Yes, Livry."
"Who knows such a name? Send for M. d'Hozier."
"Idiot!"
"But, monseigneur, I do not study genealogies. I am an unworthyplebeian."
"A truce to this folly."
"Diable! it seems monseigneur is in earnest about these Livrys. Are yougoing to give the order to one of them? because, in that case, I willtry and find a noble origin."
"Go to the devil, and send me Noce."
Dubois smiled, and went out.
Noce quickly appeared. He was a man about forty, distinguished-looking,tall, handsome, cold and witty, one of the regent's most faithful andfavorite friends.
"Monseigneur sent for me."
"Ah, Noce, good-day."
"Can I serve your royal highness in anything?"
"Yes; lend me your house in the Faubourg St. Antoine, but empty, andcarefully arranged. I will put my own people in it."
"Is it to be for--?"
"For a prude, Noce."
"The houses in the faubourg have a bad name, monseigneur."
"The person for whom I require it does not know that; remember, absolutesilence, Noce, and give me the keys."
"A quarter of an hour, monseigneur, and you shall have them."
"Adieu, Noce, your hand; no spying, no curiosity, I beg."
"Monseigneur, I am going to hunt, and shall only return at yourpleasure."
"Thanks; adieu till to-morrow."
The regent sat down and wrote to Madame Desroches, sending a carriagewith an order to bring Helene, after reading her the letter withoutshowing it to her.
The letter was as follows:
"MY DAUGHTER--On reflection, I wish to have you near me. Therefore follow Madame Desroches without loss of time. On your arrival at Paris, you shall hear from me. Your affectionate father."
PHILIP V.--Page 477.]
Helene resisted, prayed, wept, but was forced to obey. She profited by amoment of solitude to write to Gaston, as we have seen. Then she leftthis dwelling which had become dear to her, for there she had found herfather and received her lover.
As to Gaston, he waited vainly at the barrier, till, giving up all hope,he returned to the hotel. As he crossed the garden of the Tuileries,eight o'clock struck.
At that moment Dubois entered the regent's bedchamber with a portfoliounder his arm, and a triumphant smile on his face.
Une fille du régent. English Page 19