CHAPTER x.x.xV.
THE LAST INTERVIEW.
Gaston left the conservatory, his heart bounding with joy. The enormous weight which had oppressed him since the commencement of the conspiracy, and which Helene"s love had scarcely been able to alleviate, now seemed to disappear as at the touch of an angel.
To dreams of vengeance, dreams both terrible and b.l.o.o.d.y, succeeded visions of love and glory. Helene was not only a charming and a loving woman, she was also a princess of the blood royal--one of those divinities whose tenderness men would purchase with their hearts" blood, if they did not, being after all weak as mortals, give this inestimable tenderness away.
And Gaston felt revive within his breast the slumbering instinct of ambition. What a brilliant fortune was his--one to be envied by such men as Richelieu and Lauzun. No Louis XIV., imposing, as on Lauzun, exile or the abandonment of his mistress--no irritated father combating the pretensions of a simple gentleman--but, on the contrary, a powerful friend, greedy of love, longing to prove his affection for his pure and n.o.ble daughter. A holy emulation between the daughter and the son-in-law to make themselves more worthy of so just a prince, so mild a conqueror.
In a quarter of an hour Gaston had gained the Rue du Bac.
The door opened before him--a cry was heard--Helene, at the window watching for his return, had recognized the carriage, and ran joyously to meet him.
"Saved!" cried Gaston, seeing her; "saved! my friends, I--you--all--saved!"
"Oh, G.o.d!" cried Helene, turning pale, "you have killed him, then?"
"No, no; thank G.o.d! Oh! Helene, what a heart, what a man is this regent!
Oh, love him well, Helene; you will love him, will you not?"
"Explain yourself, Gaston."
"Come, and let us speak of ourselves; I have but a few moments to give you, Helene; but the duke will tell you all."
"One thing before all," said Helene, "what is your fate?"
"The brightest in the world, Helene--your husband, rich and honored.
Helene, I am wild with joy."
"And you remain with me at last?"
"No, I leave you, Helene."
"Oh, heavens!"
"But to return."
"Another separation!"
"Three days at the most--three days only. I go to bring blessings on your name, on mine, on that of our protector, our friend."
"Where are you going?"
"To Nantes!"
"To Nantes!"
"Yes. This order is the pardon of Pontcalec, Montlouis, and Talhouet and Du Couedic. They are condemned to death, and they will owe me their lives. Oh, do not keep me here, Helene; think of what you suffered just now, when you were watching for me."
"And, consequently, what I am to suffer again."
"No, my Helene; for this time there is no fear, no obstacle: this time you are sure of my return."
"Gaston, shall I never see you, but at rare intervals and for a few minutes? Ah! Gaston, I have so much need of happiness."
"You shall be happy, Helene, be a.s.sured."
"My heart sinks."
"Ah! when you know all!"
"But tell me at once."
"Helene, the only thing wanting to my happiness is the permission to fall at your feet and tell you all--but I have promised--nay more, I have sworn."
"Always some secret!"
"This, at least, is a joyful one."
"Oh, Gaston, Gaston, I tremble."
"Look at me, Helene; can you fear when you see the joy that sparkles in my eyes?"
"Why do you not take me with you, Gaston?"
"Helene!"
"I beg of you to let us go together."
"Impossible."
"Why?"
"Because, first, I must be at Nantes in twenty hours."
"I will follow you, even should I die with fatigue."
"Then, because you are no longer your own mistress; you have here a protector, to whom you owe respect and obedience."
"The duke?"
"Yes; the duke. Oh, when you know what he has done for me--for us."
"Let us leave a letter for him, and he will forgive us."
"No, no; he will say we are ungrateful; and he would be right. No, Helene; while I go to Bretagne, swift as a saving angel, you shall remain here and hasten the preparations for our marriage. And when I return I shall at once demand my wife; at your feet I shall bless you for the happiness and the honor you bestow on me."