The Mesmerist's Victim
Page 23
CHAPTER XXIII.
FATHER AND DAUGHTER.
At the end of the walk, Andrea perceived her father and the marshal,strolling before the vestibule as they awaited her. They seemed thehappiest brace of friends in the world: they were arm in arm like a newOrestes and Pylades.
They seemed to brighten up still more at the sight of the girl, and madeone another notice her beauty, enhanced by her vexation and theswiftness of her steps.
The marshal saluted the girl as he might have done were she theofficially proclaimed royal mistress. This did not escape Taverney: itdelighted him; but this mixture of gallantry and respect surprised thereceiver. For the skilled courtier could put as much in one bow as therogue in the comedy can put into one pretended Turkish word.
Andrea replied with a courtsey as ceremonious, and with charming graceinvited them into her suite.
The duke admired the elegant daintiness which made the prim rooms not apalace but a fane. He and the baron took armchairs and the young hostesssat on a folding-chair, with one elbow on her harpsichord.
"Young lady," began the marshal, "I bring you from his Majesty all thecompliments which your enchanting voice and consummate musicianly skillwon from the auditors yesterday. His Majesty feared to make jealous folkcry out if he praised you too publicly. So he charged me to express thepleasure you caused him."
All blushes, the girl was so lovely that the marshal continued as thoughhe were speaking for himself.
"The King affirmed that he had never seen any person in the court who sobountifully united gifts of the mind with those of the physique."
"You forget the qualities of the heart, my lord; Andrea is the best ofdaughters," added the baron, gushingly.
For a space the marshal feared that the old rogue was about to weep.Full of admiration for this effort of paternal sensitiveness, heexclaimed:
"The heart--Alas! you are the sole judge of what tenderness may beenclosed in that heart. Were I in my twenty-fifth year, I would lay mylife and fortune at her feet."
As Andrea did not yet know how to meet the courtier' fulsomecompliments, all the duke earned was a murmur.
"The King wishes to be allowed a testimonial of his satisfaction, and hecharges your father, the baron, to transmit it to you. What am I toanswer his Majesty on your behalf?"
"Your grace is to assure his Majesty of my entire gratitude," repliedAndrea who saw in the exaggeration only the respect of a subject to thesovereign. "Tell the King that I am overwhelmed with kindness at beingthought of, and that I am unworthy the attention of so mighty amonarch."
Richelieu appeared enthusiastic after this reply, uttered in a steadyvoice without any hesitation. He took her hand and kissed itrespectfully, saying, as he gloated over her:
"A queenly hand, a fairy foot: wit, will and candor. Ah, my lord, what atreasure! It is not a lady you have there, but a queen."
He took leave, while Taverney swelled with pride and hope. He was atrifle perplexed at being alone with his daughter, for her looks piercedhim like a diver penetrating the sea with his electric lamp-ray.
"The Duke of Richelieu was saying, father, that the King had entrustedsome token of his gratification to you--what is it, please?"
"Ha, she is interested," uttered the old noble: "I would not havebelieved it. So much the better, Satan!"
Slowly he drew from his pocket the jewel-case given him by the marshalovernight, in the same way as fond papas produce the box of candies forthe pet child.
"Jewels!" ejaculated Andrea.
"Do you like them?"
It was a string of pearls of great price; diamonds interlinked them: adiamond clasp, ear-rings, and a tiara for the headdress gave to thewhole set the value of some thirty thousand crowns at the least.
"Heavens, father, the King must make some mistake," cried Andrea, "it istoo handsome. I should be ashamed to wear them. What dresses have I togo with such gems?"
"I like your finding fault with them for being too rich," sneered thebaron.
"You do not understand me, sir, I only say they are above my station."
"The donor of these gems is able to give you a wardrobe in keeping."
"But such bounty!"
"Do not my services warrant them?"
"Oh, I beg your pardon, I forgot them," said Andrea, bending her headbut unconvinced. She closed the case after a pause.
"I cannot wear such ornaments," said she, "while you and my brotherstand in need of the necessities of life; this superfluity would hurt myeyes in thinking of your wants."
Taverney pressed her hand and smiled.
"Do not trouble yourself about that, my child," he said. "The King doesthis more for me than you. We are in favor, darling. It would not belike a respectful subject or a grateful woman not to appear before oursovereign in the ornaments he kindly presented."
"I shall obey, my lord."
"And do it with pleasure. The set does not seem to be to your taste?"
"I am not a judge of such things."
"Know then that those pearls are worth alone some fifty thousandlivres."
"It is strange," said the girl, clasping her hands, "that his Majestyshould make me such a present: only think!"
"I do not understand you, miss!" said Taverney in a dry tone.
"Everybody will be astounded if I wear such jewelry."
"Jewels are made to astound the world. Why in your case?" said he in thesame tone, with a cold and overbearing air which made her wince.
"A scruple."
"This is strange, to hear you raise scruples where I do not see any. Ittakes these candid girls to recognize evil and see the snake in thegrass though so well hidden that no one else perceives it. Long live themaiden of sixteen who makes old grenadiers like me blush!"
Hiding her confusion in her pearly hands, Andrea moaned:
"Oh, brother, why are you so far?"
Did Taverney hear this or only guess it by the marvellous perspicacitywhich was his? He changed his tone, at all events, and taking both herhands, he asked:
"Am I not by you to counsel and love you? do you not feel proud tocontribute to the welfare of your brother and myself?"
"Yes," she answered.
He concentrated a look full of caresses upon her.
"You will be the queen of Taverney," he said, "to take up Richelieu'swords. The King has distinguished you: the Dauphiness also," he addedquickly, "and in the family of these illustrious personages you are tobuild up your future, while making their lives the happier. Friend ofthe princess and the King, what bliss! Remember Agnes Sorel. Sherestored honor to the French crown. All good Frenchmen will venerateyour name. You may be the staff in his old age to the ruler of France.Our glorious monarch will cherish you like a daughter, and you willreign over France by the right of beauty, courage and fidelity."
"Why, how can I be all this?" demanded she, opening her astonished eyes.
"My dear, I have often told you that people in society must be taught tolike virtue by its being made agreeable. Virtue, prudish, lugubrious,whining psalms, makes those flee who were ardently going up to it. Giveyours all the lures of coquetry, and even of vice. Be so lovely that thecourt will speak of none but you: so loveable that the King cannot dowithout you; be so secret and reserved, save for our master, that theywill attribute the power to you before you grasp it."
"I do not follow you in this last point," observed Andrea.
"Let me guide you: execute without understanding, which is the bestcourse in a wise and generous creature like you. By the way, to beginwith the first point, here is a hundred louis to line your purse.Provide a wardrobe worthy of the rank to which you are summoned sincethe King has kindly distinguished us."
He gave the gold to his daughter, kissed her hand and went out. Hewalked so briskly up the alley by which he came that he did not noticeNicole there, chatting with a nobleman who whispered in her ear.