the mutual affection of him and his uncle Joseph only made him more of a possible danger. To Monsieur d"Ombre Angelot seemed like a spy in the camp. His son, however, knew better, and so did the other two. Angelot"s parentage was not in his favour, certainly, but they tried to take him at his uncle"s valuation, and that was a high one. And Monsieur Joseph"s judgment, though romantic, was seldom wrong.
Gigot, the dark-faced valet, having kicked off the sabots which covered his felt shoes, but still wearing his large ap.r.o.n, set open the door into the long narrow hall which ran through the back of the house, widening in the middle where the tower and staircase branched from it.
"Monsieur est servi!"
The hungry guests marched willingly to the dining-room, their heavy boots creaking, the noise of tread and voices echoing through the bare boarded house.
"You do not join us, mademoiselle?" said Monsieur des Barres, seeing that Henriette lingered behind in the drawing-room.
"No, monsieur," the child answered. "My father thinks I am too young to listen. Besides, I am the _guetteuse_. It is our business to watch--the dogs and I."
"Indeed! Is that how you spend your life? A curious employment for a young lady!"
"When there is danger abroad, I am more to be trusted than any one else."
"I quite believe it. You know, then, that our visit to-day is not entirely one of pleasure? Monsieur your father has taken you so far into his confidence, though you are too young to listen?"
"I know everything, monsieur," said Henriette.
"Then we may eat in peace. We are safe in your care. That is charming, mademoiselle."
"Yes, monsieur. I will let you know at once, if Monsieur le Prefet and his gendarmes are riding down the lane."
"Good heavens, what an idea! I have not the smallest wish to meet Monsieur le Prefet. I believe that gentleman keeps a black book, in which I am quite sure my name is written. Yes indeed, mademoiselle, if he should happen to pa.s.s, send him a little farther. Tell him he will find a nest of Chouans at Vaujour, or anywhere else your fancy suggests."
Henriette laughed and nodded. "Trust me, monsieur," she said.
"Your little cousin is charming," said Monsieur des Barres to Angelot, who was politely waiting for him in the hall.
The six men were soon sitting at Monsieur Joseph"s hospitable round table. As they dispatched their plates of steaming soup they saw the slim blue figure of Henriette, with two dogs at her heels, flit past the window in the direction of the steep lane down which Angelot had come not very long before. This lane led not only to the _landes_, but by other lanes to one of the rare high roads of the country, and on to the chief town of the department. It was partly for this reason that Monsieur Joseph, who valued privacy and independence, left it in its present break-neck condition, more like the dry course of a torrent than a civilised road.
A large dish of eggs followed the soup. But only half the guests had been helped, when all the dogs about the place began to bark savagely.
And then, out of the shadow of the wood, darting down past the back of the kitchen, Henriette came flying to the dining-room window, almost upsetting Gigot and his dish as she sprang over the step.
"Papa, papa, there is a party riding down the lane. I believe it is Monsieur le Prefet and an officer with him, and three servants. I ran up the wood. They had only just turned into the lane, and they are coming down very slowly; their horses don"t like it."
Monsieur Joseph rapped out a tremendous oath, and looked round at his guests, whose faces were a study.
"The Prefect and the General!" he said. "Now is your moment, gentlemen!"
CHAPTER III
"JE SUIS LE GeNeRAL BIM-BAM-BOUM!"
All the men rose to their feet, except the elder d"Ombre, who had taken a very long draught of his host"s good wine, and now stared stupidly at the others. Cesar d"Ombre"s eyes flamed with excitement. He seized the arm of Angelot, who was next to him, in such a grip that the young fellow flinched and frowned.
"It is our moment!" he cried. "Six to two"--then savagely, and tightening his grasp--"unless we are betrayed--"
"What do you mean, sir?" cried Angelot, his uncle, and Monsieur de Bourmont, all in a breath.
Monsieur des Barres laughed as he looked at Henriette.
"The idea is absurd," he said--"and yet," in a lower tone--"mademoiselle has proved herself an amazingly true prophetess. However, it is absurd--"
There was a moment or two of uproar. Angelot, having impatiently shaken off the Baron"s hand, was demanding that he should withdraw his words.
He, having apparently at once forgotten them, was insisting that now indeed was the time to prove a man"s loyalty, that they must stand all together and dare all things, that the Prefect and the General, once at Les Chouettes, must never leave it but as prisoners, that the Government would be instantly demoralised, and the insurrection would catch and flame like a fire in dry gra.s.s--
"And be put out as easily," shouted Monsieur de Bourmont. "Madness, madness! Mere midsummer foolery. Go and hide yourself, firebrand!"
"Shoot them on the spot! Where are my pistols?" stammered the old Comte, beginning to understand the situation.
Monsieur des Barres laughed till he held his sides. Henriette gave him one or two angry and scornful glances, while Gigot, under her orders, whisked gla.s.ses and plates and dishes into a cupboard, pushed back chairs against the wall, took away every sign of the good meal just begun. In the midst of all this clatter Monsieur Joseph said a few words with eager nods and signs to Monsieur de Bourmont, and they two, taking the old man by each arm, led him forcibly out towards the west side of the house.
"Bring the others!" said Monsieur Joseph to his nephew, who was listening as if fascinated to Cesar d"Ombre"s ravings.
The little uncle was angry, Angelot perceived. He stamped his foot, as if he meant to be obeyed. Angelot had never seen him in such a state of anxiety and excitement, or heard such words as his sincerely pious mouth had let fall two minutes before--in Riette"s presence, too! Old Joubard was wrong: these plots were not exactly to be laughed at. Angelot, realising that the Prefect and the General were really in danger of their lives from men like the Messieurs d"Ombre, thought rather seriously of his own father. At the same time, he longed to punish Cesar for what he had dared to say about betrayal. Yes, he was his father"s son; and so the sight of him was enough to make these wild Chouans suspect far better Royalists than themselves. There was an account to settle with Monsieur des Barres, too. His polite manners were all very well, but his words to Henriette just now were insulting. Angelot was angry with his uncle"s guests, and not particularly inclined to help them out of their present predicament. He stood gloomily, without attempting to obey his uncle, till Henriette came up to him suddenly.
"Ange--the horses into the hiding-place! Do you hear--quick, quick!"
It might be possible to hesitate in obeying Uncle Joseph, but Cousin Henriette was a far more autocratic person. And then her good sense never failed, and was always convincing; she was never in doubt as to her own right course or other people"s: and Angelot, who had no sisters, loved her like a little sister, and accepted her tyrannous ways joyfully.
She had hardly spoken when he was out of the window, and with a few strides across the sunshine had disappeared into the dark and cavernous archway of the stables.
Henriette turned to the two remaining guests, Cesar d"Ombre still arguing in favour of instant action with Monsieur des Barres, who looked serious enough now, and stood shrugging his shoulders.
"Follow me, gentlemen," said the child. "I know where my papa is waiting for you."
"Mademoiselle, we are in your hands," said the Vicomte, bowing. "We have never for an instant lost confidence in you."
She bent her head, with the air and smile of a woman who rather scornfully accepts an apology. She went out of the dining-room and along the hall, the two men following her. Cesar d"Ombre lingered as far as he dared, and grumbled between his teeth.
At that very moment the Prefect of the department, with the newly appointed General in command of the troops stationed there, only escorted by three men in the dress of gendarmes, rode slowly and gently round the back of the kitchen into the sandy courtyard of Les Chouettes.
"Monsieur de la Mariniere"s hermitage," said the Prefect to his companion.
"It looks like one, sapristi!" said the General.
Nothing could seem stiller, more fast asleep, than Les Chouettes in the approaching noon of that hot September day. The dogs barked and growled, it was true, but only one of them, the youngest, troubled himself to get up from where he lay in the warm sand. No human creature was to be seen about the house or buildings; the silence of the woods lay all around; the dry air smelt delicately of wood smoke and fir trees; the shadows were very deep, cutting across the broad belts of glowing sunshine.
"Every one is asleep," said the Prefect. "I am afraid breakfast is over; we ought to have arrived an hour ago."
"Caught them napping!" chuckled the General.
The voices, and the clinking of bridles, as the little cavalcade pa.s.sed towards the house at a walking pace, brought the cook to the kitchen door. She stared in consternation. She was a pretty woman, Gigot"s wife, with a pale complexion and black hair; her provincial cap was very becoming. But she now turned as red as a turkey-c.o.c.k and her jaw dropped, as she stared after the hors.e.m.e.n. No one had warned her: there had not been time or opportunity. She was just dishing up the roast meat for the hungry appet.i.tes of Messieurs les Chouans, when behold, the gendarmes! Who the gentlemen were, she did not know; but imperial gendarmes were never a welcome sight to Monsieur Joseph"s household.