Nevertheless, the hopefulness of the man, his cheery tone and happy spirit, had their effect upon me, and if it turned out that the King was wavering, there was more than a straw of hope floating down-stream to me. My courage grew also when I put together Sully"s words with Belin"s news that Biron was detained by the side of the King. It surely meant that this was done to prevent the Marshal doing mischief elsewhere. If so, I was nevertheless on the horns of a dilemma, for by telling of the plot I would, if my story were believed, make matters hopeless, and advance d"Ayen"s cause, to the misery of the woman I loved.
On the other hand, by keeping silent I was in an equally hard position. My pledge to Sully prevented me from taking Belin fully into my confidence, and, hardly knowing what I was doing, I poured myself out another full goblet of the Chambertin, and drained it at a draught.
"Excellent," said Belin. "There is nothing like Burgundy to steady the mind; in another moment you will be yourself again, and think as I do in this matter. Courage, man! Pick your heart up! A fortnight is a devil of a long time, and----"
"Monsieur le Baron d"Ayen," and Vallon threw open the door, and at its entrance stood the coldblooded instrument of the King. He looked older and more shrivelled than ever, but the paint was bright upon his cheeks, his satin surcoat and puffed breeches were fresh from the tailor"s, and his hat, which he carried in his left hand, was plumed with three long crimson marabout feathers, held in a jewelled clasp.
"My dear de Belin," he said, bowing low, "I trust my visit is not inopportune? I had no idea you were engaged."
"Never more welcome, baron. I think Monsieur le Chevalier is known to you; sit down and help yourself to the Chambertin."
D"Ayen bowed slightly to me, but I took no notice, and rose to depart.
"I will say good day, Belin, and many thanks for what you have done."
"Do not retire on my account, monsieur le chevalier," said d"Ayen in his mocking voice. "I come to give news to my friend here, which will doubtless interest you. The fact is, his Majesty insists on my marriage taking place as soon as possible, and has given instructions for the chapel in the Louvre to be prepared for the ceremony. You still hold good to your promise of being one of my sponsors, de Belin?"
"If the wedding comes off--certainly."
"Ha! ha! If it comes off! I would ask you too, monsieur," and he turned to me, "but I know you have pressing business elsewhere."
"Whatever my business may be, monsieur, there is one thing I must attend to first, and I must request the pleasure of your company to discuss it."
"Ah!" he said, stroking the marabout feathers in his hat, "that difference of opinion we had about the woods of Bidache, eh? I see from your face it is so. I had almost forgotten it."
"Monsieur"s memory is convenient."
He bowed with a grin; "I am old, but shall take care not to forget this time----"
"Come, gentlemen," and Belin interposed, "the day is too young to begin to quarrel, and if this must come to a meeting allow your seconds to arrange the time and place. One moment, baron," and taking me by the arm he led me to the door. "_Malheureux!_" he whispered, "will you upset the kettle! See me to-morrow, and adieu!" He pressed my hand and I went out, preceded by Vallon, who must have caught Belin"s words, but whose face was as impa.s.sive as stone.
CHAPTER XI
A SWIM IN THE SEINE
Swearing he would be back again in a week, Jacques set out for Ezy within an hour of our return to the Rue des Deux Mondes, and his going had removed one weight from my mind. I knew full well that, unless something beyond his control happened, my business would be faithfully discharged, though I felt I was losing a tower of strength when I needed support most, as I watched him riding along the Malaquais, mounted on the sorrel and leading the grey.
He went out of sight at last, and, now that the momentary bustle caused by his departure had ceased, I had leisure to think of what I had heard from de Belin; and those who have read the preceding pages, and have formed their judgment as to what was my character at that time, can well imagine that I was mentally on the rack.
The trouble with d"Ayen was bad enough, but united to that was Belin"s statement, that she--she was prepared, no matter what the consequences were, to give her hand to de Gomeron! Had I been in her place death would have been preferable to me rather than this alternative; and then I thought of the token she had sent back to me--felt that I was being trifled with, and gave full rein to my jealous and bitter temper.
To all intents and purposes I was alone in my chamber, and yet I could swear that there was an invisible presence at my ear that whispered, "Fooled! Tricked! She is but as other women are, and you have played the quintain for her practice."
By heaven! If it was so, I would end it all at once, and not waste another moment of my life on a heartless coquette! It must be so. It was so. By this time I had got beyond power of reason, and jumped to my conclusions like the thrice blind fool I was. s.n.a.t.c.hing forth the bow from its resting place over my heart, I tore the ribbons asunder, and flung them on the floor before me, with a curse at the vanity of womankind that could make a plaything of a heart. I would be gone that moment. I would leave this country of intrigue and dishonour. In an hour I could catch Jacques up, and in ten days we would be on the seas, and in that New World, which had not yet time to grow wicked, make for myself a fresh life. By G.o.d! I would do it! My hand was on the bell-rope, when there came a sharp tap at the door, and the next moment Ravaillac announced in his low voice:
"Maitre Palin to wait on Monsieur le Chevalier."
I pulled myself together with an effort, and advanced to meet my old friend as he came in.
"At last! I have been expecting you hourly for some time."
"I could not come, chevalier. I will explain in a moment."
"First sit down. Take that chair there near the window; it commands a good view."
"Monsieur does not need this?"
It was Ravaillac"s voice that broke in upon us, and he himself stood before me, holding out on a salver the ribbons of the torn bow. Civil as the question was, there was something in his tone that made me look at him sharply. It seemed to me, as I looked up, that a faint smile vanished between his bloodless lips like a spider slipping back into a crevice.
I could, however, see no trace of impertinence in the long sallow face, and the whole att.i.tude of my new follower was one of submissive respect. I fancied, therefore, that I had made a mistake, and put it down to the state of mental agitation I was in at the time.
"No," I answered him; "you can fling it away. And in future you need not ask me about such trifles."
"Very well, monsieur, I will remember," and with a bow he moved towards the door, the salver in his hand.
"Ravaillac," I called out after him.
"Monsieur."
"On second thoughts do not throw that away. I did not--I mean, please leave it there on the table."
"Monsieur," and, laying down the salver, he stepped out of the room.
"I see you have changed your livery with your old servant, chevalier,"
said Palin, sipping at his wine, as the man went out, closing the door carefully and softly behind him.
"Not so. Jacques has merely gone away temporarily on some business of importance. In fact he left to-day, shortly before you came, and this man, or rather youth, has been lent to me by a friend."
"And his name is Ravaillac?"
"Yes."
"An uncommon name for a man of his cla.s.s."
"Perhaps--but these men a.s.sume all kinds of names. He is, however, better educated than the usual run of people in his position, and bears an excellent character, although he has been a Flagellant, from which complaint he has recovered."
"Most of them do. And now, my good friend, let us dismiss Ravaillac and tell me how you progress."
For a moment it was in me to tell him all, to say that I had abandoned a worthless cause, and that I could do no more as I was leaving France at once. Mechanically I stretched out my hand towards the tags of ribbon on the table, and my fingers closed over them. What was I to say? I could not answer Palin. Through the now darkening room I could see his earnest features turned towards me for reply, and behind it there moved in the shadow the dim outline of a fair face set in a ma.s.s of chestnut hair, and the violet light from its eyes seemed to burn through my veins. My tongue was stilled, and I could say nothing. At length he spoke again.
"Do I gather from your silence that you have failed?"
"No--not so--but little or nothing could be done, as the King has only just come, and then----" I stopped.
"And then--what?"