CHAPTER XXV.
THE CHERRY-COLORED CLOAK.
Coconnas was not mistaken. The lady who had stopped the cavalier of thecherry-colored cloak was indeed the Queen of Navarre. As to thecavalier, our reader has already guessed, I presume, that he was noother than brave De Mouy. Upon recognizing the Queen of Navarre theyoung Huguenot realized that there was some mistake; but he dared notspeak, fearing a cry from Marguerite would betray him. He preferred tolet himself be led to her apartments, and when once there to say to hisbeautiful guide:
"Silence for silence, madame."
Marguerite had gently pressed the arm of him whom in the semi-darknessshe had mistaken for La Mole, and leaning toward him whispered in Latin:
"_Sola sum; introito, carissime._"[9]
De Mouy without answering let her lead him along; but scarcely was thedoor closed behind him and he found himself in the antechamber, whichwas better lighted than the stairway, before Marguerite saw that he wasnot La Mole.
Thereupon the cry which the cautious Huguenot had feared escapedMarguerite; but fortunately there was no further danger from it.
"Monsieur de Mouy!" cried she, stepping back.
"In person, madame, and I beg your majesty to leave me free to continuemy way without mentioning my presence in the Louvre to any one."
"Oh! Monsieur de Mouy!" reiterated Marguerite, "I was mistaken, then!"
"Yes," said De Mouy, "I understand. Your majesty mistook me for the Kingof Navarre. I am the same height, I wear the same white plume, and many,no doubt in order to flatter me, say I have the same gait."
Marguerite looked closely at De Mouy.
"Do you understand Latin, Monsieur de Mouy?" she asked.
"I used to know it," replied the young man, "but I have forgotten it."
Marguerite smiled.
"Monsieur de Mouy," said she, "you may rely on my discretion. But as Ithink I know the name of the one you are seeking in the Louvre, I willoffer my services to guide you directly to him."
"Excuse me, madame," said De Mouy, "I think you are mistaken, and thatyou are completely ignorant of"--
"What!" exclaimed Marguerite, "are you not looking for the King ofNavarre?"
"Alas, madame," said De Mouy, "I regret to have to beg you especially toconceal my presence in the Louvre from your husband, his majesty theking."
"Listen, Monsieur de Mouy," said Marguerite in surprise, "I haveconsidered you until now one of the strongest leaders of the Huguenotparty, and one of the most faithful partisans of the king my husband. AmI mistaken?"
"No, madame, for this very morning I was all that you say."
"And what has changed you since this morning?"
"Madame," said De Mouy, bowing, "kindly excuse me from answering, and dome the favor to accept my homage."
De Mouy, respectful but firm, started towards the door.
Marguerite stopped him.
"But, monsieur," said she, "if I were to ask you for a word ofexplanation, my word is good, it seems to me?"
"Madame," replied De Mouy, "I am obliged to keep silent, and this dutymust be very imperative for me not to have answered your majesty."
"But, monsieur"--
"Your majesty may ruin me, madame, but you cannot ask me to betray mynew friends."
"But the old ones, monsieur, have they too not some rights?"
"Those who have remained true, yes; those who not only have abandonedus, but themselves as well, no."
Marguerite, thoughtful and anxious, would no doubt have answered by anew question, had not Gillonne suddenly entered the apartment.
"The King of Navarre!" she cried.
"How is he coming?"
"By the secret corridor."
"Take monsieur out by the other."
"Impossible, madame. Listen."
"Some one is knocking?"
"Yes, at the door to which you wish me to take monsieur."
"Who is knocking?"
"I do not know."
"Go and see, and come back and tell me."
"Madame," said De Mouy, "might I venture to remark to your majesty thatif the King of Navarre sees me at this hour and in this costume in theLouvre, I am lost?"
Marguerite seized De Mouy and pushed him towards the famous cabinet.
"Step in here, monsieur," said she; "you will be as safe and as wellprotected as if you were in your own house; I give you my word ofhonor."
De Mouy entered hastily. Scarcely was the door closed when Henryappeared.
This time Marguerite had no anxiety to hide--she was merely gloomy, andlove was far from her thoughts.
As to Henry, he entered with that mistrust which in the most dangerousmoments caused him to notice the smallest details; whatever thecircumstances, Henry was an acute observer. Therefore he at once saw thecloud on Marguerite's brow.
"You are busy, madame?" said he.
"I? Why, yes, sire, I was dreaming."
"You do well, madame. Dreaming is becoming to you. I too was dreaming;but contrary to you who seek solitude, I have come on purpose to sharemy dreams, with you." Marguerite gave the king a gesture of welcome, andindicating an armchair to him, seated herself on a chair of sculpturedebony, as delicate and as strong as steel. There was an instant'ssilence; then Henry broke it.
"I remembered, madame," said he, "that my dreams as to the futurecorresponded with yours in so far as although separated as husband andwife, nevertheless we both desire to unite our fortune."
"That is true, sire."
"I think I understood you to say also that in all the plans I might maketoward our mutual rising, I would find in you not only a faithful but anactive ally."
"Yes, sire, and I ask only one thing, that in beginning the work as soonas possible, you will give me the opportunity to begin also."
"I am glad to find you of this mind, madame, and I trust that you havenot for one instant doubted that I would lose sight of the plan Iresolved to carry out the very day when, thanks to your braveintervention, I was almost sure of being safe."
"Monsieur, I think that your carelessness is nothing but a mask, and Ihave faith not only in the predictions by the astrologers, but in yourgood genius as well."
"What should you say, madame, if someone were to upset our plans andthreaten to reduce us to an ordinary position?"
"I should say that I was ready to fight with you, either openly or insecret, against this someone, whoever he might be."
"Madame," continued Henry, "it is possible for you, is it not, to gainimmediate admission into the room of your brother, Monsieur d'Alencon?You are in his confidence and he is very friendly to you; might Iventure to beg you to find out if he is at present holding a secretconference with someone?"
Marguerite gave a start.
"With whom, monsieur?" she asked.
"With De Mouy."
"Why?" asked Marguerite, repressing her emotion.
"Because if such is the case, madame, farewell to all our projects, orto all mine, at least."
"Sire, speak softly," said Marguerite, making a sign with her eyes andlips, and pointing to the cabinet.
"Oh! oh!" said Henry, "still someone? Indeed, that cabinet is so oftenoccupied that it makes your room uninhabitable."
Marguerite smiled.
"Is it still Monsieur de la Mole?" asked Henry.
"No, sire, it is Monsieur de Mouy."
"He?" cried Henry with surprise mingled with joy. "He is not with theDuc d'Alencon, then? Oh! have him come in, that I may talk to him."
Marguerite stepped to the cabinet, opened it, and taking De Mouy by thehand led him without preamble to the King of Navarre.
"Ah! madame," said the young Huguenot, in a tone of reproach more sadthan bitter, "you have betrayed me in spite of your promise; that iswrong. What should you do if I were to avenge myself by saying"--
"You will not avenge yourself, De Mouy," interrupted Henry, pressing theyoung man's hand, "or at least you will listen to me first. Madame,"continued Henry, turning to the queen
, "be kind enough, I beg you, tosee that no one overhears us."
Scarcely had Henry uttered these words when Gillonne entered,frightened, and whispered a few words to Marguerite, which caused thelatter to spring from her seat. While she hastened to the antechamberwith Gillonne, Henry, without troubling himself as to why she had leftthe room, examined the bed, the side of it, as well as the draperies,and sounded the wall with his fingers. As to Monsieur de Mouy,frightened at all these preparations, he first of all made sure that hissword was out of its sheath.
Leaving her sleeping-room, Marguerite hastened to the antechamber andcame face to face with La Mole, who in spite of all the protests ofGillonne had forced his way into Marguerite's room.
Coconnas was behind him, ready to urge him forward or sustain a retreat.
"Ah! it is you, Monsieur la Mole!" cried the queen; "but what is thematter, and why are you so pale and trembling?"
"Madame," said Gillonne, "Monsieur de la Mole knocked at the door sothat, in spite of your majesty's orders, I was forced to open it."
"What is the meaning of this?" said the queen, severely; "is this true,Monsieur de la Mole?"
"Madame, I wanted to warn your majesty that a stranger, a robberperhaps, had gained admittance to your rooms with my cloak and my hat."
"You are mad, monsieur," said Marguerite, "for I see your cloak on yourshoulders, and, God forgive me, I think I see your hat on your head,even though you are speaking to a queen."
"Oh! pardon me, madame, pardon me!" cried La Mole, quickly uncovering;"but God is my witness, it is not my respect which is lacking."
"No, it is your trust, is it not?" said the queen.
"What can you expect?" cried La Mole, "when a man is in your majesty'srooms; when he gains admittance by assuming my clothes, and perhaps myname, who knows"--
"A man!" cried Marguerite, softly pressing her poor lover's arm; "a man!You are modest, Monsieur de la Mole. Look through the opening of theportiere and you will see two men."
Marguerite drew back the velvet portiere embroidered in gold, and LaMole saw Henry talking with the man in the cherry-colored cloak.Coconnas, as though he himself were concerned, looked also, saw, andrecognized De Mouy. Both men stood amazed.
"Now that you are reassured, or at least now that I hope you are," saidMarguerite, "take your stand outside my door, and for your life, my dearLa Mole, let no one enter. If any one even approaches the stairs, warnme." La Mole, weak and obedient as a child, withdrew, glancing atCoconnas, who looked at him. Both found themselves outside withouthaving thoroughly recovered from their astonishment.
"De Mouy!" cried Coconnas.
"Henry!" murmured La Mole.
"De Mouy with your cherry-colored cloak, your white plume, and yourswinging arm."
"Ah!" went on La Mole, "the moment it is not a question of love, it is aquestion of plot."
"By Heaven! here we are in the midst of politics," said Coconnasgrumbling. "Fortunately I do not see Madame de Nevers mixed up in it."
Marguerite returned and sat down by the two speakers. She had been goneonly a moment, but had made the most of her time. Gillonne, on guard inthe secret passage, and the two gentlemen on duty at the main entrance,assured perfect safety for her.
"Madame," said Henry, "do you think it would be possible for us to beoverheard in any way?"
"Monsieur," said Marguerite, "the walls of this room are wadded, and adouble wainscoting deadens all sound."
"I depend on you," replied Henry smiling. Then turning to De Mouy:
"Now," said the king, in a low tone, as if in spite of the assurance ofMarguerite his fears were not wholly overcome, "what are you here for?"
"Here?" said De Mouy.
"Yes, here, in this room," repeated Henry.
"He had nothing to do here," said Marguerite; "I induced him to come."
"You?"
"I guessed everything."
"You see, De Mouy, we can discover what is going on."
"This morning," continued Marguerite, "Monsieur de Mouy was with DucFrancois in the apartment of two of his gentlemen."
"You see, De Mouy," repeated Henry, "we know everything."
"That is true," said De Mouy.
"I was sure," said Henry, "that Monsieur d'Alencon had taken possessionof you."
"That is your fault, sire. Why did you so persistently refuse what Ioffered you?"
"You refused!" exclaimed Marguerite. "The refusal I feared, then, wasreal?"
"Madame," said Henry, shaking his head, "and you, my brave De Mouy,really, you make me laugh with your exclamations. What! a man enters mychamber, speaks to me of a throne, of a revolt, of a revolution, to me,Henry, a prince tolerated provided that I eat humble pie, a Huguenotspared on condition that I play the Catholic; and I am expected toaccept, when these propositions are made in a room without padding ordouble wainscoting! _Ventre saint gris!_ You are either children orfools!"
"But, sire, could not your majesty have left me some hope, if not byword, at least by a gesture or sign?"
"What did my brother-in-law say to you, De Mouy?" asked Henry.
"Oh, sire, that is not my secret."
"Well, my God!" continued Henry, with a certain impatience at having todeal with a man who so poorly understood his words. "I do not ask whatyou proposed to him, I ask you merely if he listened to you, if he heardyou."
"He listened, sire, and he heard."
"He listened and he heard! You admit it yourself, De Mouy, tactlessconspirator that you are! Had I said one word you would have been lost,for I did not know, I merely suspected that he was there, or if not he,someone else, the Duc d'Anjou, Charles IX., or the queen mother, forinstance. You do not know the walls of the Louvre, De Mouy; it was forthem that the proverb was made which says that walls have ears; andknowing these walls you expected me to speak! Well, well, De Mouy, youpay a small compliment to the common sense of the King of Navarre, and Iam surprised that not esteeming him more highly you should have offeredhim a crown."
"But, sire," said De Mouy, "could you not even while refusing this crownhave given me some sign? In that case I should not have consideredeverything hopeless and lost."
"Well! _Ventre saint gris!_" exclaimed Henry, "if one can hear cannotone see also? and is not one lost by a sign as much as by a word? See,De Mouy," continued the king, looking around him, "at the presentmoment, so near to you that my words do not reach beyond the circle ofour three chairs, I still fear I may be overheard when I say: De Mouy,repeat your proposal to me."
"But, sire," cried De Mouy in despair, "I am now engaged with Monsieurd'Alencon."
Marguerite angrily clasped and unclasped her beautiful hands.
"Then it is too late?" said she.
"On the contrary," murmured Henry, "know that even in this, God's handis visible. Continue your arrangement, De Mouy, for in Duc Francois liesour safety. Do you suppose that the King of Navarre would guaranteeyour heads? On the contrary, wretched man, I should have you all killedto the last one, and on the least suspicion. But with a son of France itis different. Secure proofs, De Mouy, ask for guarantees; but, stupidthat you are, you will be deeply involved, and one word will suffice foryou."
"Oh, sire, it was my despair at your having left us, believe me, whichthrew me into the arms of the duke; it was also the fear of beingbetrayed, for he kept our secret."
"Keep his, now, De Mouy; it rests with you. What does he wish? To leavecourt? Furnish him with means to escape. Work for him, De Mouy, as ifyou were working for me, turn the shield so that he may parry every blowthey aim at us. When it is time to flee, we will both flee. When it istime to fight and reign, I will reign alone."
"Do not trust the duke," said Marguerite, "he is gloomy and acute,without hatred as without love; ever ready to treat his friends likeenemies and his enemies like friends."
"And he is expecting you now, De Mouy?" said Henry.
"Yes, sire."
"Where?"
"In the apartment belonging to his two gentlemen."
"At what time?"
"Before midnight."
"It is not yet eleven o'clock," said Henry, "so you have lost no time;now you may go, De Mouy."
"We have your word, monsieur?" said Marguerite.
"Come now, madame!" said Henry, with the confidence he knew so well howto use with certain people and on certain occasions, "with Monsieur deMouy, such things are not even asked for."
"You are right, sire," replied the young man; "but I need your word, forI shall have to tell the leaders that I have it. You are not a Catholic,are you?"
Henry shrugged his shoulders.
"You do not renounce the kingdom of Navarre?"
"I renounce no kingdom, De Mouy, I merely reserve for myself the choiceof the best; that is, the one which shall best suit me and you."
"And if in the meantime your majesty should be arrested, you wouldpromise to reveal nothing even should they torture your royal majesty?"
"De Mouy, I swear that, before God."
"One further word, sire. How am I to see you in future?"
"After to-morrow you shall have a key to my room. You will come there,De Mouy, as often as it may be necessary and when you please. It is forthe Duc d'Alencon to answer for your presence in the Louvre. In themeantime, use the small stairway. I will show you the way. The queenwill have the cherry-colored cloak like yours come here--the one who wasin the antechamber just now. No one must notice any difference betweenyou, or know that there are two of you, De Mouy. Do you not agree withme? And you, madame?" Henry looked at Marguerite and uttered the lastwords with a smile.
"Yes," said she, without moving a feature; "for this Monsieur de la Molebelongs to my brother, the duke."
"Well, madame, try to win him over to our side," said Henry, in perfectseriousness. "Spare neither gold nor promises; I will put all mytreasures at his disposal."
"In that case," said Marguerite, with one of the smiles which belongonly to the women of Boccaccio, "since this is your wish, I will do mybest to second it."
"Very good, madame; and you, De Mouy, return to the duke, and make sureof him."
CHAPTER XXVI.
MARGARITA.
La reine Margot. English Page 26