A Diplomatic Adventure
Page 4
IV
After a slow drive with a lame horse I reached my club, where Iattended to a small matter, and then, as the rain was over, walked tomy rooms. A bath and a change of garments left me free to consider theadventure and its too probable results. What was meant by the affair?It was really a somewhat bewildering business.
I looked at the count's card. His name was, as I have said, somewhatunfamiliar, although it was part of duty at our legation to learn allI could in the upper social life of Paris where, at this time, we hadfew friends and many foes. If, still unsatisfied, he chose to look upmy driver, I felt that the man would readily tell all he knew. Thecount had said I was in the affair. A confederate? What affair? Icould not--indeed, I did not mean to--explain how I came to be withthe woman, nor to admit that there was a woman concerned. There hadbeen, however, enough to make me sure that in that case I might haveto face a duel, and that the next day I should hear from this angrygentleman. But who was my handsome and terrified companion, and whatwas the affair?
To refuse to meet him would be social ruin and would seriously affectmy usefulness, as I was the only attache who spoke French with entireease, and it was, as I said, a part of my duty to learn at the clubsand in society the trend of opinion in regard to the war with therebel States. I could do nothing but wait. I was the victim ofcircumstances and of an embarrassing situation not of my making, andin regard to which I could offer no explanation. There was nothingleft for me except to see what the morning would bring.
I dined that evening with my chief, but of course said nothing of myadventure. On my return home I found Alphonse.
"Well," I said, "what the deuce became of you?"
"I dived into the edge of the wood, and after hearing what passed Iconsidered that you might desire to know who the lady was."
"Yes, I did--I do."
"I overtook her very easily, and as she seemed quite lost, I said Iwas your servant. When I had set her on the avenue she wanted to find,she said I might go, and gave me a napoleon, and I was to thank you."
"Did you follow her?"
"No; she seemed to want to go on alone. I hope monsieur approves."
"I do."
There was a curious delicacy about this which was explained when headded: "She is quite sure to let monsieur hear of her again. Iventured to mention your name."
The point of view was Parisian enough, but I contented myself with afurther word of satisfaction, although I had my doubts as to whetherhis theory would fit the case of my handsome countrywoman.
As I rose, about to go to bed, I said to Alphonse: "You will find inmy card-case the card and address of Captain Merton. I shall want youto take a note to him in the morning."
He came back with the case in his hand and said: "I saw you take out acard, sir, when we were at 12 Rue du Roi de Rome. You looked at it andput it back in the case. It is not there now, nor in any of yourpockets, but I remember the address. Perhaps--" and he paused.
"Perhaps what?"
"You gave the very angry gentleman a card."
"Nonsense!" I returned. "Look again." I could see, by the faint smileand the slight uplift of the brow, that my valet appreciated thesituation. He was gone for at least ten minutes. Meanwhile I satstill, more and more sure that I had made one of those blunders whichmight bear unpleasant interpretations. At length, impatient, I joinedAlphonse in his search. It was vain. He stood at last facing me with apair of pantaloons on one arm, a coat on the other, all the pocketsturned inside out.
"Monsieur--circumstances--I mean it is to be feared--I have lookedeverywhere."
"It is incredible," said I.
"But the night, monsieur, and the storm, and the count, who was notpolite."
He was sorry for me and perfectly understood what had happened. Yes,undoubtedly I had given the count Captain Merton's card. I said asmuch while Alphonse stood still with a look in which his constantsense of the comic contended for expression with his desire tosympathize in what he was shrewd enough to know was, for me, that formof the socially tragic which has for its catastrophe ridicule.
I went back to my salon and sat down to reflect on the consequences ofmy mishap. Of course, it was easy to set the matter right, but what amuddle! I must make haste in the morning to correct my blunder.
Desirous to be on time, about ten the next morning I called on thecount. He had gone out. At the Foreign Office I again failed to findhim. I was told that he had gone to his club for breakfast, but wouldbe back very shortly. I waited a half-hour and then tried the club. Hehad left. Remembering that I had said I should be at home from elevento twelve, I looked at my watch and saw, to my annoyance, that it wasclose to noon. I had hoped to anticipate the call of the count'sseconds on Merton. I felt sure, however, that the captain would simplydeny any share in my adventure, and that a word or a note from me tothe count would set things straight. Although I regretted the delay myvain pursuit of the count had caused, a little reflection put me atease, and calling a cab, I drove to Captain Merton's. I was sofortunate as to find him at home. As I entered he threw on the table anumber of letters and made me welcome with a certain cordiality whichin its manner had both refinement and the open-air frankness of adweller in camps.
I liked him from the first, and being myself a small man, envied thesix feet one of well-knit frame, and was struck with a way he had ofquick backward head movement when the large blue eyes considered youwith smiling attention. My first impression was that nothing asembarrassing as the absurd situation in which my blunder might haveplaced him could as yet have fallen upon this tranquil gentleman.There was therefore no occasion for haste.
We talked pleasantly of home, the war, my uncle, and Paris, and I wasabout to mention my mistake in regard to his card when he said ratherabruptly:
"I should like you to advise me as to a rather odd affair--if not toolate for advice.
"About eleven to-day, the Baron la Garde and a Colonel St. Pierrecalled upon me on the part of a certain Count le Moyne. The baronexplained that, as a lady was involved, it would be better if it weresupposed that we had quarreled at cards. As you may imagine, I rathersurprised, and asked what he meant. He replied, and not verypleasantly, that I must know, as I had given my card to the count andsaid I should be at home from eleven to twelve. I said: 'Pardon me,gentlemen, but there is some mistake. I do not know Count le Moyne,and I never saw him. As to my card--I have given no one my card.' Iwas, of course, very civil and quiet in my denial, and the more sobecause the baron's manner was far from agreeable.
"Then the baron, to my amazement, handed me my own card, saying, 'Dowe understand you to say that last night, in the Bois de Boulogne, youdid not give Count le Moyne your card?'
"Now I am at times, Mr. Greville, short of temper, and the supply wasgiving out. I checked myself, however, and said as calmly as possible:'Really, gentlemen, this is rather absurd. I was at home last night. Inever saw or heard of your count, and you will be so good as to acceptfor him my absolute denial.'
"Upon this the baron said, 'It appears to us that you contradictflatly the statement of our principal, a man of the highest character,and that we are therefore forced to suppose that you are endeavoringto escape the consequence of having last night insulted the count.'
"Before I could reply, the other man--the colonel--remarked in acasual way that there was only one word to characterize my conduct.Here I broke in--but, for a wonder, kept myself in hand.
"I said: 'This has gone far enough. Count le Moyne has ratherimprudent friends. Some one has played me and your principal a trick.At all events, I am not the man.'
"'Monsieur,' said the colonel, 'so you still deny--'
"'Wait a little,' said I. 'I allow no man to doubt my word. But let usbe clear as to this. Am I to understand that the language now used tome represents the instructions of the count?'
"By George! the colonel said, 'Yes.' They really believed me to belying. I had gotten past any desire to explain or contradict, and so Ireplied that it was all damn nonsense, but
that I had supposed Frenchgentlemen were on these occasions courteous.
"You should have seen the baron. He is as tall as I am, and must weightwo hundred and fifty pounds. He got red and said that if it were notfor his principal's prior claim on me, he should himself at once callme to account. I replied sweetly that need not interfere, for that,after I had killed the count, I should be most glad to accommodate hisfriend. He did seem a bit amazed."