CHAPTER VIII.
A NEW ARRIVAL.
Our dear marquise--as you have realised ere this--satisfied the desireof the eye in all ways, for, combined with beauty of feature and ofcolour, was the suave sweetness of expression that is bred of thedomestic virtues. Had she been an abbess the odour of her sanctitywould have penetrated down to us in many a miraculous legend, and hercarved simulacrum would have stood in many a niche and sculpturedfrieze along with those of other privileged young ladies. But shecould not guide a husband who needed a bridle rein, neither could shedecipher rebuses. The eccentric conduct of the versatile and tooinflammable abbe completely mystified her. Why had he in the firelightresembled a satyr, to become in the morning so meek, and mild, andsaint-like? Perhaps her prayers had been answered and, seeing theerror of his ways, he had repented ere it was too late. It isdisconcerting when an amorous and fervid swain inflicts burning kisseson your skin, and next day forgets the transgression. In the case ofPharamond a marvel must have been worked, for never by wink of eyeliddid he attempt to recall his untoward proceedings during the storm.The episode was washed clean away by the snowdrift. He was alert, andlively, and amiable, as heretofore; always active in performing littleservices, inventing some new comfort or pleasure, rallying the dull,sympathizing with the weary. He knew better than to sit glum andmumchance like the chevalier. Betrayed into error, he had acceptedrebuff like a gentleman, and by a marked increase of respect wastrying to win forgiveness. This was quite as it should be, and therewas no more to be said. And so, the clouds that threatened beingdissipated, the months of winter rolled away in so uniform a sequencethat their glassy flow seemed as if it must run for ever.
The marquis, influenced probably by his repentant brother, was amiableenough. The two talked Mesmer all day long; formed plans for mutualassistance: held lengthy conferences in the study, which always had,now the satisfying result of improving Clovis's temper. The firstprimrose had just emerged from its bed when the abbe announced one daythe portentous fact that the marquis was packing his valise.
"Packing his valise! Tired of the dulness of Lorge?" Gabrielle felt atinge of sadness at the thought. Why not have let things be? If therewas to be a change, would it be for better or worse?
"How silly you are!" observed Clovis, cheerfully, remarking herwistful look. "Are we limpets glued to a rock? I am about to make alittle journey, quite a short one--the effect of which in the futuremay transfigure the countenance of earth."
"You will not be absent long?" inquired the marquise, in a reproachfultone.
"A couple of weeks at most. The fact is, that I am going to Spa, andhope to bring back with me the assistant, without whom I can advanceno further."
"You said you did not object," murmured Pharamond, softly.
"Object? Certainly not. I said so long ago."
Clovis frowned. He did not like to be reminded of dependence just ashe was about to use his liberty.
"I have a hundred questions to ask, which must be answered by word ofmouth, and shall bring back such a budget of testimony as shallsurprise even you into belief. The country is distressingly quiet andmonotonous. You are not afraid, I suppose, to await my return underthe joint protection of my brothers?"
The abbe was innocently contemplating the tapestry opposite with raptinterest; the chevalier was examining the floor. If the husband hadonly known--how whimsical a question! Gabrielle glanced at one, thenat the other, with a tiny twinge of misgiving, which speedily gave wayto confidence, and replied simply--
"Oh, no; I am afraid of neither. Even if they attempted to do me harm,and why should they? have I not Toinon at hand, and her no lessdevoted lover?"
"Harm! From us!" echoed Pharamond, vastly tickled. "Phebus is an ogrewith great teeth and one blear eye, whilst I am the originalCroquemitaine, devourer of white-fleshed maidens."
"I have said I am not afraid of you," remarked the marquise, demurely.
"Jean Boulot, the devoted lover!" continued the playful abbe. "Moredanger in his little finger, I warrant, than in both our bodies. Whileyou are absent, Clovis, I've half a mind to divert myself with prettyToinon; but, alas! I am in terror of her big surly bear. A brawnymalcontent! Only the other day I heard him deliver an address underthe village tree--such a compound of fire and brimstone--and I supposemy smile was not respectful; for, catching my eye, he directed hisabuse at me, and poured forth such a scurrilous diatribe against ourclass that I was glad enough to escape. Like everyone else, however,he respects Gabrielle, and when he becomes aggressive, she shallshield us from his wrath!"
The marquise was relieved, for this was a delicate way of hinting thatthere was to be no recurrence of that scene. Why should she mind beingleft with the brothers? Clovis, who did not shine as a protector,might depart on his mission with a light heart, to return as soon aspossible wreathed with the laurels of success.
He went, and the household, after the small excitement of theunimportant incident, returned to its monotony of peace. The brotherstreated their chatelaine with such an increase of punctilio andceremony as should perforce stop the idle gossip of provincialbusybodies. Even shrewd Toinon, who was of an unbelieving turn, andnever quite satisfied with regard to the honeyed churchman, looked onthe situation with approval.
The marquis had been absent three weeks when a messenger arrived witha missive directed to the abbe. Gabrielle was in the moat gardensuperintending the chevalier, who was occupied in the watering ofplants. Toinon was there, too, looking after Jean Boulot, as was herduty, while he clipped and trimmed the hedges, with the prodigieshanging to his coat-tails. The group made a charming picture of ruralbliss, such as it makes good the heart to look upon. Through thepostern-door leisurely emerged the abbe, gazing at a paper as hedescended the grassy slope with a scowl of genuine annoyance.
"What is it?" cried Gabrielle, turning pale. "Nothing wrong withClovis?"
"Everything wrong with Clovis," retorted Pharamond, testily. "He musthave lost his wits to be capable of such a proceeding."
"He is well?"
"Oh, yes; he is well."
"Then all is well."
"Is it? That remains to be shown. He will be home to-morrow at suppertime."
"Then all is well, indeed. The best of news!"
Delighted as she was, a pang shot through the heart of the marquise,in that the absent one had elected to communicate with his brotherrather than his wife.
"Do you know?" she remarked with a smile, "that I am quite jealous. Heought to have written to me."
"I suppose he had the decency to be ashamed, and so left it to me tosmooth the way for him. There is something here which I doubt yourliking. It was wrong--very, very wrong--not to have first consulted_you_."
"What is it? Let me know, without all this parley. You torture me!"
"Well, the prodigal returns to-morrow--but not alone."
"I know that. He had full permission to hire an assistant. Are theremore? He is welcome to bring his friends."
"A female friend?"
"A woman!" ejaculated Gabrielle, dropping her garden scissors, whileToinon stared, round-eyed.
"A woman!" echoed Pharamond, moved to real anger. "Was there everanything so ridiculous! a woman picked up at Spa!"
"What can she want here?' inquired Toinon.
"A protegee, it appears, of that infernal prophet," grumbled the abbe."Listen to what he says: 'Gabrielle will be charmed,' he writes(double distilled blockhead), 'when she understands it all, for by amost lucky chance, the presence of Mademoiselle Brunelle will serve adouble purpose. She is an adept of the first class, educated under theeye of Mesmer himself, instructed in all the intricacies of animalmagnetism, and has, moreover, successfully followed the avocation ofgoverness. The dear children have outgrown the reach of my wife'steaching, and Mademoiselle Brunelle can henceforth superintend theirstudies.'"
Pharamond looked dubiously at his sister-in-law, who flushed red, thenpaled. His annoyance was more
than justified, for it was outrageous toengage a resident governess without consulting the wife and mother.And yet it might be for the best. The dear prodigies knew all thatpoor Gabrielle could teach them, and in this remote spot it wasdifficult without great expense to procure masters from Blois orTours. Clovis had been enabled to see and interview a lady, which wasbetter than taking her on trust by letter. The mother should have beenconsulted, though, before entering on a definite engagement.
Toinon's indignation broke forth.
"Well, I'm sure," she sniffed, "what next. Stray women are to bebrought into the house without madame's sanction. If I were she, I'ddispatch our Jean to bar the way, and forbid the baggage to approach.Such impudence!"
In curbing the maid's zeal, Gabrielle convinced herself. The marquiswas master, and his will was law. He had been most wise and far-seeingin thinking of the dear children's welfare. He had thought more ofthem than she, who had twitted him with indifference. He had donewell, as always, and Toinon would perhaps be kind enough to stifle herimpertinence.
Toinon screwed up her lips, and muttered between her teeth, "Madame isa saint too good for earth. She may endure the insult patiently, but Ishall hate the horrid woman from the very instant she arrives!"
It was evening when the wheels of the marquis's coach were heardgrinding on the gravel, and amid the din of servants moving trunks andbundles, Gabrielle, who waited in the salon, was aware of a deep,strong voice rapping out sharp orders like a rattle of artillery. "Youawkward loons!" it shouted, "be careful of that tub and its contents.Are there not some other rascals somewhere who are less clumsy?"
Ere long, the voice was heard approaching up the stairs, along thecorridor, still grumbling noisily anent bucolic yokeldom, and, by andby, a much cloaked figure loomed on the threshold, and straightwaywent through the complicated evolutions of an elaborate and respectfulcurtsey.
"Madame la Marquise, no doubt," said the deep, strong voice. "Madame'shumble and obedient servant. My name is Aglae Brunelle. Where are thedarling infants?"
The abruptness of the salutation amused Gabrielle.
The woman rejoiced in a fine figure, of somewhat large proportions, aswas evident when she unwound her wraps. Her complexion was dusky, herhair and eyes coal black. Her mouth large, with full, red lips, whichcontrasted well with the square white teeth behind. The thick,straight eyebrows were endowed with a strange mobility which hinted athabits of command curiously at variance with the position of thenew-comer. Her manner, however, towards the marquise was a miracle ofdeportment. Submissive respect was deftly mingled with a tinge ofindependent nonchalance, glossed over with an unconcealed admiration,flattering to the beauty of the chatelaine.
"An oddity," thought Gabrielle, unconsciously relieved to perceivethat the large lady was uncomely.
"An ugly, insolent monster," was the uncompromising verdict of fierceToinon, who had scanned her from the top of the stairs.
Her noisy delight over the prodigies who had been kept up to makeacquaintance with their governess quite won the mother's heart. Thetall figure went down on its knees with a prodigious thump, and twinedthem in its bare dark arms with a shower of kisses.
"The darlings--the cherubs--the pets," growled the strong voice, likea muffled drum. "They will soon love their Aglae, will they not? Iknew that the offspring of a father like the good marquis and of sodivinely lovely a mother, must be angels--and they are--they are;"another shower of kisses. "Madame la Marquise must forgive mybrusquerie, for I do so dote on children."
Here was an excellent beginning. The mother was gratified--thefather looked on the picturesque group with a broad smile ofself-complacency. It was evident for once that he had been extremelyclever. Mademoiselle's manners being peculiar, he had had misgivingsas to this first interview, but nothing could have gone better. Thelady was a marvel of intelligence! Of course she was--a favouritepupil of Mesmer's, who knew his secrets, was mistress of his system.From this day a new era was to dawn on gloomy Lorge. The new-comer wasan undoubted acquisition--just what was required to crown the familyedifice. All would go merrily now as marriage bells.
The astute abbe was puzzled by the governess. Her arrival upset allhis calculations. Clovis had never consulted him any more thanGabrielle, and under a preoccupied manner, he had, on receipt of theletter, been consumed by a white heat of rage. To dare to introduce aforeign element without his consent! Had he been scheming all thiswhile to be baffled by a stranger? For surely in so small and retireda household she would take a prominent part. Would the woman turn outfriend or foe? He had deemed the dreamy Clovis well under his thumbfor life. The chevalier was a mere pawn upon the board. Since playingthat false move on the night of the storm, he had employed all hisarts to lull Gabrielle's suspicions, and had succeeded beyondexpectation. That a head so cool as his should for once so betray itsowner! A little patience. So delicious a prize was worth working andwaiting for, and trying for again and again. Of different grit to thechevalier, he was not one to submit to defeat on a first repulse. No:his appetite was whetted. The morsel should be his and only his, as hehad openly sworn; and would be all the more enjoyable for a littlevexatious waiting.
Thus had he arranged the future in his mind. But now, what of thegoverness? This unexpected move must be met somehow. Would it be wellto form an alliance with her, or must she be promptly ousted? Hercharacter must be studied with care. Evidently by nature domineering,what would be her attitude to him? Could she be frightened andbrow-beaten? Not likely. Would she endeavour to undermine theinfluence he had already gained in order to reign alone? Probably.
At the thought the abbe's eyes gleamed cat-like, and his thin lipstightened over grinding teeth. Turned out by a scheming stranger, andwhen all promised so well. To be turned out meant ruin, for things inthe south had been going so wrong during the last six months, hadbecome so much worse since the period of their hurried flight fromToulouse, that both brothers were quite dependent on the marquis. Tobe ejected now, or later, by the large dark hand of the unwelcomeAglae would mean pecuniary undoing, and the loss of the sweet morselas well. Resign Gabrielle? Never! How to manage, then? The marquisewas inclined to be friendly with the interloper, which showed a tooChristian frame of mind to cope with mundane buffeting. This must becombated at once, lest it should become necessary before long to makea combined effort for the annihilation of the intruder.
What had the baleful woman come for to this dismal and remote retreat?Why had Mesmer thrust his protegee upon the neophyte? With curses theabbe admitted inwardly that he was himself at the bottom of theimbroglio. With the idea of dividing the husband from the wife forever, he had conceived the plan of burying Clovis so deep in mysticismthat he might never be pulled out of the slough, and to that end hadsuggested an assistant who should be taught to play upon his foibles.But who could be expected to foresee that the adept would take theform of a woman?
Of course, the woman was a greedy adventuress in search of flesh-pots,and had gauged aright the feeble and vacillating character of theyoung Marquis de Gange. She was evidently extremely gifted and he thedullest of good-looking dogs. Already he was dazzled by the jewels ofa varied experience which she threw about so freely, and began tobabble exasperating nonsense of having met his "Affinity" at last!
That she had some deep design on hand was evident, for she laidherself out to dazzle the besotted Clovis, and succeeded but too well.If it were not so, what could the motive of so brilliant a person befor deliberately banishing herself to this hermitage? She hadcertainly not jogged along those rugged roads for the edification oftwo strange children, however abnormally cherubic.
In the struggle which must come, simple Gabrielle would be worsted.Beauty and honest innocence alone are never a match for intellect,even when combined with outward homeliness. Aglae Brunelle was notabsolutely ugly, and yet by no means pretty; but when a superior mindshines through a face, however plain, does it not light the featureswith a beauty all its own? Toinon had learnt that long since, and usedit, as we have s
een, for a text.
The more he thought the matter over, the more puzzled grew the abbe;the more angry with himself and dissatisfied. A very few days afterthe arrival of Mademoiselle, her pervading presence began to be feltby the entire household in a way that maddened Pharamond. It was likethe mysterious action of yeast on dough. As outwardly respectful andsubmissive as a dependent should be, everybody came to feel thatorders emanated from her. Was the fascination due to an occult powerinoculated by the prophet? Even the scoffing abbe began to wonderwhether there was something serious underlying the antics of thecharlatan, after all. Certain it was that she did possess a power, butwhether due to magnetism or strong will, it was hard to determine. Theabbe's will was as tough as hers, he was proud to think, but instincttold him that a struggle between the two would be exhausting to both,and that none might prophesy the result. Better an alliance, if she,like him, was working on a web. But would she brook a divided sway?Was _he_ prepared to accept so unsatisfactory an arrangement? Howexasperating, that just as the horizon seemed so clear, the sky socloudless, a thunderbolt should come out of the blue to play havocwith all his combinations.
What of Gabrielle? His schemes revolved around her. Thanks to hiscleverness he and she had tranquilly resumed their old relations. Hedid not propose to be content to read poetry for ever. A time was tocome when she was to return the burning kisses he had impressed uponher shoulder, and twine her arms about his neck; and that longed-formoment was no nearer now than months ago. To tame the fluttering birdto his will he must do a little squeezing, after all, and make up bythe ardour of the future for the painful proceedings of the present.Yes, Gabrielle must be gently racked, be made familiar with tweaks andpains. A little twist or two and a tug of ropes just to hint of such atearing as was possible. Perhaps the governess, if an alliance couldbe brought about, might become a useful agent instead of a kill-joy.Isolated on all sides, the Marquise de Gange must be thrown on herdear friend the abbe for protection; then the rest would quitenaturally follow.
Among other things the accomplished Aglae was a skilled musician, andthis became a new and unexpected bond between her and the enchantedmarquis. She could rattle off by heart on the spinet all Lulli andGlueck, could even improvise entrancing accompaniments to airs hithertounknown to her. She loved music, and considered the violoncello to bethe most soul-stirring if sad of instruments. Sometimes her handswould slide from the keys while a great sigh burst from her capaciousbosom, and the marquis looking up would perceive tears rolling downher cheeks. "It is nothing, but I do love it so," she would snuffleincoherently, and then resume the improvising with eyes and noseunbecomingly roseate and swollen.
What with the music (Gabrielle of course, retired into space at thefirst scratching of the 'cello) and experiments with the bucket, andabstruse instructions as to laying on of hands, and the careful studyof Mesmer's now frequent letters, the marquis and the governess wereconstantly thrown together. To flirt with your affinity--two soulsdenuded of their earthy envelope, side by side on a sofa--may have itsdelights; but surely to commune together in the flesh at all hours hasconspicuous advantages.
On the day after her arrival Gabrielle had courteously volunteered toshow mademoiselle over the castle, and that lady had overawed herhostess by the variety and minuteness of her knowledge, and bewilderedher with searching questions. The abbe, looking on, had pointed out tothe chevalier (who, gooseberry-eyed, saw nothing) the amusing contrastpresented by the two ladies.
Gabrielle was a _Greuze_, without that painter's namby-pamby softness;so fair a thing that the hours almost turned laggard on their ploddingway to gaze at her. Tall, slim, erect, with a carriage which is a giftat birth and can never be mimicked by a parvenue; a perfect figure; acolour borrowed from an unopened moss-rose; an expression of calm, asof an unrippled sea in a land-locked bay. By her side moved AglaeBrunelle--taller still, broad-shouldered; with a waist of smallerdimensions than might be expected from the massive moulding of thelimbs; an expression changing each moment according to the objectbrought under the beady eyes; a heavy swinging gait, and a trick oftossing the head. There was something that pleased by its oddity, andwas as effective in its way as the sweeping erectness of hercompanion.
Aglae insisted upon going everywhere, and delivered a running lectureas she went, impressing points with a straight dark finger,square-tipped. From the turret window she delivered herself of alesson in geography, showing that she knew more about the vicinity ofthe Loire than those who dwelt there. She vowed it was a shame to havewalled up the dungeons, for in one (unless she was misinformed) was acrucifix carved with reverent care out of the stone, by the brokenknife blade of a despairing prisoner. Then, the survey over, shedeclared she had not seen the most interesting object of all. What wasthat? Why! the school-room of the prodigies; what else? Was she nothere to teach their minds to shoot, and was it not most important thatthe scene of the operation should be selected with consummate care?There was no school-room--only a nursery! Then and there so crying adefect should be remedied. Madame would forgive her energy,recognizing the importance of the subject? Madame was so beautiful andindulgent to a poor stranger that there was no doubt of it. Thedarlings must have every advantage. Did not madame think so? Of courseshe did. Then off stumped Mademoiselle Brunelle, shaking the floor asthough a colossal statue had been endowed with movement, and the bigvoice was heard in thunder presently, shouting out peremptory commandsabout curtains and chairs and tables.
Who was to resist this interloper? Gabrielle, though she felt nettledat being taken despotically in hand, and thrust aside, was notprepared to interfere, for manifestly the arrangements were for thegood of the darlings. The new broom was sweeping so very clean, thatcompunction invaded the maternal bosom, in that she had been remiss innot sufficiently considering the extent of the cherubic wants.
Established in the best room on the ground floor to her satisfaction,surrounded with pictures and statuettes and ornamental nicknacksravished from other chambers, Mademoiselle Brunelle let all and sundryknow that here was her especial stronghold which none would invadewith impunity.
Nevertheless, the Marquise de Gange, who did not understand that suchan _ukase_ could possibly refer to her, prepared herself to assist atthe lessons of the dear ones and to watch the process of shooting,and she was no little taken aback at the arbitrary proceedingsof the governess. At first she took no notice of sour smiles andhead-tossings, whereupon mademoiselle thought fit to dot her _i_'s,and bluntly inform madame with that queer mixture of respect andindependence, in which the latter was beginning to preponderate, thatit was a troublesome matter to instruct youth in complicated subjectsin the presence of an ignorant mother.
"Do consider, madame," she observed, saucily, "how humiliating for youit will be, if they discover how little you know!"
Gabrielle bowed her head and blushingly admitted her shortcomings. "Itoo can learn," she murmured with meekness, "and you will find me ananxious pupil;" but somehow whenever the rustle of her dress was heardin the corridor, the cherubs unaccountably began their music lesson;and when, remarking the fact, she requested that in future thescraping of Victor's violin might be exchanged for more delectablestudy, mademoiselle raised her mobile thatch of brow, and curtlydeclared that she took orders only from the marquis.
Gabrielle left the school-room humbled and bewildered, for a novelidea had been thrust on her which her loyal nature refused toentertain. Clovis could not have introduced this new factor into thehousehold for the purpose of annoying his wife! Everyone admitted thathe was a good man, if selfish and somewhat unpractical.
He did not wish this creature to stand betwixt a mother and her babes?Surely not. The suspicion was unworthy of a true wife, and banished assoon as formed. There was a mistake somewhere. The woman meant well,but was officious. Clovis occupy himself about such domestic details!Why, he rarely took notice of the children at all, unless worried intodoing so. Why should he show interest now--since the arrival of thisperson? Pondering over this problem in
confused pain between thealleys of the moated garden, the marquise endeavoured to reassureherself. Could she be so foolish as to be growing jealous of astranger who, it could not be denied, was acting for the best? It wasperfectly true that the marquise knew nothing of the subjects thatwere being taught by Aglae, and it was genuinely kind of her not tolet the cherubs see that their erudition overtopped their mother's.
And yet--the hireling had been sadly rude to the mother in thepresence of the darlings.
"You are agitated, sweet sister?" whispered the abbe, coming softly upbehind across the grass--his soft hands in a dainty muff, for it waschilly--and beaming down on her. "Do you know that I've been followingthese five minutes without obtaining a hearing?"
He looked so kind, had behaved with such discretion since his mistake,that her chilled heart warmed to him. Her lips trembled, and she burstinto a flood of tears. His fingers clutched within the muff (oh! howlike the vulture's talons!) as though he would have clasped her to hisbreast and held her there; but with a supreme effort he restrained theimpulse. "Not yet; not yet," he murmured to himself, as hearkening toher artless tale with anxious mien he gazed in silence across theswiftly-flowing Loire.
"I fear your suspicion is well founded, and that Clovis wishes it," hemurmured shortly, when she had finished; then, taking her cold hand inhis, he led her through the postern to a spot which overlooked thecherubic sanctuary.
Clovis sat by the spinet, beating time with a roll of music--thedivine afflatus heavy on him--while the pair of angels played.
"She got rid of you on purpose; drove you out, to be untrammelled inher intercourse with him!" whispered the abbe with compassion.
"My children!" moaned the chatelaine, aghast. "Why can it be his wishthat she should take them from me, their mother?"
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