CHAPTER XI -- DANGER THREATENED
On being ushered into the royal apartment Guy was led up to the king, whowas seated in a large arm-chair. He was stroking the head of a greyhound,and two or three other dogs lay at his feet. Except two attendants, whostood a short distance behind his chair, no one else was present. The kingwas pale and fragile-looking; there was an expression of weariness on hisface, for in the intervals between his mad fits he had but little rest. Hewas naturally a kind-hearted man, and the troubles that reigned in France,the constant contention among the great lords, and even among the membersof his own family, were a constant source of distress to him. Between theDuke of Burgundy, the queen, his nephew of Orleans, and the other royaldukes he had no peace, and the sense of his inability to remedy matters,and of his position of tutelage in the hands of whoever chanced for themoment to be in the ascendant, in no slight degree contributed to theterrible attacks to which he was subject. At the present moment the Dukeof Burgundy was away, and therefore, feeling now comparatively free, helooked up with interest when the usher announced Guy Aylmer.
"You are young, indeed, sir," he said, as Guy made a deep bow, "to be thehero of the story that I heard this morning. I hear that you have beenslaying many of the good citizens of Paris!"
"Some have certainly been slain, sire; but I think not that any of themcould be considered as good citizens, being engaged, as they were, inattacking the house of the worshipful provost of the silversmiths, MaitreLeroux."
"I know him," the king said, "and have bought many rare articles of hishandiwork, and more than once when I have needed it have had monies fromhim on usance. 'Tis a grave scandal that so good a citizen should thus beattacked in my city, but I will see that such doings shall not take placeagain. And now I would hear from your own lips how you and a few mendefended the house so long, and, as I hear, with very heavy loss to thoseattacking it. I am told that you are English."
"Yes, sire, I have the honour to be an esquire to Sir Eustace de Villeroy,and am here in attendance upon his dame, who, with her two children, havebeen brought as hostages to Paris under your royal order."
A look of pain passed across the king's face. "Your lord is our vassal forhis castle at Villeroy?"
"He is, sire, and is also a vassal of England for the estates of hiswife."
"Since England and France are not at present on ill terms," the king said,"he may well discharge both duties without treason to either Henry ormyself; but they told me that his vassalage to me has sat but lightly uponhim."
"His father and grandfather, sire, were vassals of England, as Villeroywas then within the English bounds, but he is, I am assured, readyfaithfully to render any service that your majesty might demand of him,and is willing to submit himself, in all respects, to your will. But sincehe wishes not to take any part in the troubles between the princes, itseems that both regard him with hostility. Two months since his castle wasattacked by some eight thousand men from Ham, led by Sir Clugnet deBrabant. These he repulsed with heavy loss, and deemed that in so doing hewas acting in accordance with your majesty's proclamation, and wasrendering faithful service to you in holding the castle against yourenemies, and he had hoped for your majesty's approbation. He was thendeeply grieved when your royal herald summoned him, in your name, eitherto receive a garrison or to send his wife and children hither ashostages."
"I will see into the matter," the king said earnestly. "And so yourmistress was bestowed at the house of Maitre Leroux?"
"She was, sire, and is most hospitably entertained by him."
"Now let us hear of this defence. Tell me all that took place; withholdnothing."
Guy related the details of the defence.
"THE KING EXTENDED HIS HAND TO GUY, WHO WENT ON ONE KNEE TOKISS IT."]
"Truly it was well done, young sir, and I owe you thanks for having givenso shrewd a lesson to these brawlers, Maitre Leroux has good reasons forbeing thankful to the duke for lodging your lady in his house, for hewould doubtless have lost his life had you and your four men not beenthere. When the Duke of Burgundy returns I will take council with himtouching this matter of your mistress. I know that he gave me good reasonsat the time for the bringing of her hither, but in the press of matters Ido not recall what they were. At any rate, as she is here as my hostageher safety must be ensured, and for the present I will give orders that aguard be placed at the house."
He extended his hand to Guy, who went on one knee to kiss it and thenretired.
He took the news back to Dame Margaret.
"I knew well enough that the poor king had nothing to do with the matter,"she said. "Were it otherwise I would myself have asked for an audiencewith him; but I knew that it would be useless, he would but have repliedto me as he has to you, that he must consult the duke."
In the afternoon the Italian called with his daughter upon Dame Margaret.The former was now dressed in accordance with his rank as an Italiannoble, and the girl, on laying aside her cloak, was also in the costume ofa young lady of position. Guy presented the count to his mistress.
"I am greatly indebted to you, Count Montepone," she said, "for the timelywarning that you sent us, and still more for the service rendered to us byyour daughter in summoning the Burgundian knights to our aid. Truly," sheadded with a smile, "it is difficult to believe that it was this younglady who was so busy on our behalf. I thank you, maiden, most heartily.And, believe me, should the time ever come when you require a friend;which I hope may never be the case, you will find one in me on whom youcan confidently rely.
"This is my daughter Agnes. She is, methinks, but a year or so youngerthan yourself, though she is as tall or taller, and she will gladly beyour friend also."
Katarina replied quietly and composedly, and Guy, as he watched her andAgnes talking together, was surprised at the way in which she adaptedherself to circumstances. As a boy she assumed the character so perfectlythat no one would suspect her of being aught else. She was a French gamin,with all the shrewdness, impudence, and self-confidence of the class. Ashe saw her at her father's in female attire something of the boy's natureseemed still to influence her. There was still a touch of sauciness in hermanner, and something of defiance, as if she resented his knowledge of herin her other character. Now she had the quiet composure of a young lady ofrank. As Dame Margaret had said, she was but little older than Agnes; butthough less tall than the English girl, she looked a woman beside her. Guystood talking with them while Dame Margaret and the count conversed apart.Gradually as they chatted Katarina's manner, which had at first beensomewhat stiff, thawed, and Guy left her and Agnes together and went tolook through the window.
He could vaguely understand that Katarina at first, knowing that DameMargaret and Agnes must be aware of her going about as a boy, was standinga little on her dignity. The simple straightforwardness of Agnes and heradmiration of the other's boldness and cleverness had disarmed Katarina,and it was not long before they were chatting and laughing in girlishfashion. There was a difference in their laughter, the result of thedissimilar lives they had led. One had ever been a happy, careless child,allowed to roam about in the castle or beyond it almost unattended, andhad only to hold herself as became the position of a maiden of rank onspecial occasions, as when guests were staying in the castle; the otherhad been for years her father's assistant, engaged in work requiringshrewdness and quickness and not unattended at times with danger. She hadbeen brought into contact with persons of all ranks and conditions, and attimes almost forgot her own identity, and was in thought as well as mannerthe quick-witted messenger of her father. After the latter had chatted forsome time with Dame Margaret he beckoned her to him.
"Dame Margaret has promised me to be your protector should aught befallme, child," he said, "and I charge you now in her hearing should anythinghappen to me to go at once to her castle at Villeroy, and should she notbe there to her castle at Summerley, which lies but twelve miles from theEnglish port of Southampton, and there to place yourself under herguardianship, and t
o submit yourself to her will and guidance wholly andentirely. It would be well indeed for you to have a quiet English homeafter our troubled life. To Italy you cannot go, our estates are longsince confiscated; and did you return there you would find powerfulenemies and but lukewarm friends. Besides, there would be but one mode oflife open to you, namely, to enter a convent, which would, methinks, be ofall others the least suited to your inclinations."
"I can promise you a hearty welcome," Dame Margaret said kindly. "I trustthat you may never apply for it; but should, as your father says, aughthappen to him, come to me fearlessly, and be assured that you will betreated as one of my own family. We shall ever be mindful of the fact thatyou saved our lives last night, and that nothing that we can do for youwill cancel that obligation."
"I trust that I may never be called upon to ask your hospitality, LadyMargaret," the girl said quietly, "but I thank you with all my heart forproffering it, and I feel assured that I should find a happy home inEngland."
"'Tis strange how it has all come about," her father said. "'Tis scarce amonth since I saw Dame Margaret enter Paris with her children, and thethought occurred to me that it would be well indeed for you were you inthe charge of such a lady. Then, as if in answer to my thoughts, I saw heryoung esquire in the crowd listening to me, and was moved at once to saywords that would induce him to call upon me afterwards, when I saw that Imight possibly in these troublous times be of use to his mistress. Andthus in but a short time what was at first but a passing thought has beenrealized. It is true that there are among my clients those whoseprotection I could obtain for you; but France is at present as much tornby factions as is our native Italy, and none can say but, however highlyplaced and powerful a man may be to-day, he might be in disgrace to-morrow."
Carefully wrapping his daughter up in her cloak again, the Italian tookhis leave, refusing the offer of Dame Margaret for two of her men-at-armsto accompany them.
"There is no fear of trouble of any sort to-day," he said. "The loss thatwas suffered last night was so severe that the people will be quiet for afew days, especially as the king, as well as the city authorities, areevidently determined to put a stop to rioting. Moreover, the fact that theBurgundian nobles have, now that the duke is away, taken a strong partagainst the butchers' faction has for the moment completely cowed them.But, apart from this, it is my special desire to return to my houseunnoticed. It is seldom that I am seen going in and out, for I leave homeas a rule before my neighbours are about, and do not return till afternightfall. I make no secret of my being a vendor of drugs at the fairs,and there are few can suspect that I have visitors after dark."
"I like your astrologer, Guy," Dame Margaret said when they had left."Before I saw him I own that I had no great faith in his countship. Anyman away from his native country can assume a title without anyonequestioning his right to use it, so long as he is content to live inobscurity, and to abstain from attracting the attention of those who wouldbe likely to make inquiries. But I have no doubt that our friend is, as herepresents himself, the Count of Montepone, and I believe him to besincere in the matter of his dealings with us. He tells me that he hasreceived more than one hint that the reports that he deals with the starsand exercises divinations have come to the ears of the church, and it islikely ere long he may be forced to leave Paris, and indeed that he wouldhave done so before now had it not been that some of those who have haddealings with him have exercised their influence to prevent things beingpushed further.
"No doubt it is true that, as he asserts, he in no way dabbles in what iscalled 'black art,' but confines himself to reading the stars; and heowned to me that the success he has obtained in this way is to some extentbased upon the information that he obtains from persons of all classes. Heis evidently a man whose nature it is to conspire, not so much for thesake of any prospect of gain or advantage, but for the pleasure ofconspiring. He has dealings with men of both factions. Among the butchershe is believed to be an agent of the duke, who has assumed the characterof a vendor of nostrums simply as a disguise, while among the Armagnacs heis regarded as an agent of Orleans. It is doubtless a dangerous game toplay, but it both helps him in his profession of astrologer and gives himinfluence and power. I asked him why he thus mingled in public affairs. Hesmiled and said: 'We are always conspiring in Italy; we all belong tofactions. I have been brought up in an atmosphere of conspiracy, and it isso natural to me that I could scarce live without it. I am rich: men whotrade upon the credulity of fools have plenty of clients. My business of aquack doctor brings me in an income that many a poor nobleman would envy.I travel when I like; I visit alternately all the great towns of France,though Paris has always been my head-quarters.
"'As an astrologer I have a wide reputation. The name of the CountSmarondi--for it is under that title that I practise--is known throughoutFrance, though few know me personally or where I am to be found. Those whodesire to consult me can only obtain access to me through some of thosewhose fortunes I have rightly foretold, and who have absolute faith in me,and even these must first obtain my consent before introducing anyone tome. All this mystery adds both to my reputation and to my fees. Couldanyone knock at my door and ask me to calculate his horoscope he wouldprize it but little; when it is so difficult to obtain an introduction tome, and it is regarded as a matter of favour to be allowed to consult me,people are ready to pay extravagant sums for my advice. And,' he said witha smile, 'the fact that ten days or a fortnight always elapses between thetime I am asked to receive a new client and his or her first interviewwith me, enables me to make such minute inquiries that I can not only gaintheir complete confidence by my knowledge of certain events in their past,but it will aid me in my divination of their future.
"'I believe in the stars, madame, wholly and implicitly, but the knowledgeto be gained from them is general and not particular; but with thatgeneral knowledge, and with what I know of men's personal character andhabits, of their connections, of their political schemes and personalambitions, I am able in the majority of cases so to supplement theknowledge I gain from the stars, as to trace their future with an accuracythat seems to them astonishing indeed. For example, madame, had I read inthe stars that a dire misfortune impended over you last night, and had Ilearned that there was a talk among the butchers that the provost of thesilversmiths was a strong opponent of theirs, and that steps would shortlybe taken to show the Parisians the danger of opposing them, it would haveneeded no great foresight on my part to tell you that you were threatenedwith a great danger, and that the danger would probably take the form ofan attack by the rabble on the house you occupied. I should naturally putit less plainly. I should tell you to beware of this date, should warn youthat I saw threatening faces and raised weapons, and that the sounds ofangry shouts demanding blood were in my ears.
"'Any astrologer, madame, who works by proper methods can, from theconjunction of the stars at anyone's birth, calculate whether their aspectwill be favourable or unfavourable at any given time, and may foretelldanger or death; but it needs a knowledge of human nature, a knowledge ofcharacter and habits, and a knowledge of the questioner's surroundings tobe able to go much farther than this. That I have had marvellous successesand that my counsels are eagerly sought depends, then, upon the fact thatI leave nothing to chance, but that while enveloping myself in a certainamount of mystery I have a police of my own consisting of men of allstations, many, indeed most of whom, do not know me even by sight. Theyhave no idea of the object of my inquiries, and indeed believe that theirpaymaster is the head of the secret police, or the agent of some powerfulminister.'
"You see, Guy, the count spoke with perfect frankness to me. His objectnaturally was to gain my confidence by showing himself as he is, and toexplain why he wished to secure a home for his daughter. He took up hisstrange profession in the first place as a means of obtaining his living,and perhaps to secure himself from the search of private enemies who wouldhave had him assassinated could he have been found; but he follows it nowfrom his love
for an atmosphere of intrigue, and for the power it giveshim, because, as he told me, he has already amassed a considerablefortune, and could well retire and live in luxury did he choose. He saidfrankly that if he did not so interest himself his existence would besimply intolerable to him.
"'I may take my daughter to England,' he said; 'I may stay there until Isee her established in life, but when I had done so I should have toreturn here. Paris is always the centre of intrigues; I would rather liveon a crust here than be a prince elsewhere.'
"He certainly succeeded in convincing me wholly of his sincerity, as faras we are concerned. Devoted to intrigue himself, he would fain that hisdaughter should live her life in peace and tranquillity, and that themoney for which he has no use himself should be enjoyed by her. 'I havelost my rank,' he said, 'forfeited it, if you will; but she is theCountess Katarina of Montepone, and I should like to know that she and mydescendants after her should live the life that my ancestors lived. It isa weakness, a folly, I know; but we have all our weak points and ourfollies. At any rate I see that that fancy could not well be carried outin France or in Italy, but it may be in England.' At any rate, after allhe has told me I feel that he has it in his power to be a very usefulfriend and ally to us here; I am convinced that he is truly desirous ofbeing so."
"And how did you like the girl, Agnes?" she said, raising her voice. Agneshad fetched Charlie in, and they were looking together down into thestreet while their mother was talking to Guy.
"I hardly know, mother; she seemed to be so much older than I am.Sometimes when she talked and laughed, I thought I liked her very much,and then a minute later it seemed to me that I did not understand her onebit. But I do think that she would be very nice when one came to know herthoroughly."
"She has lived so different a life to yourself, Agnes, that it is nowonder that you should feel at first that you have nothing in common withher. That she is very clever I have no doubt, and that she is brave andfearless we know. Can you tell us anything more, Guy?"
"Not very much more, Lady Margaret. I should say that she was very trueand loyal. I think that at present she enters into what she has to do insomething of the same spirit as her father, and that she thoroughly likesit. I think that she is naturally full of fun and has high spirits, andthat she enjoys performing these missions with which she is entrusted as achild enjoys a game, and that the fact that there is a certain amount ofdanger connected with them is in itself attractive to her. I am glad thatyou have told me what he said to you about himself, for I could notunderstand him before. I think I can now, and understanding him one canunderstand his daughter."
At eight o'clock all retired to bed. They had had little sleep the nightbefore, and the day had been full of events. Guy's last thought was thathe was sorry for the king, who seemed to wish to do what was right, butwho was a mere puppet in the hands of Burgundy or Queen Isobel, to be usedas a lay figure when required by whichever had a temporary ascendency.
For the next fortnight Guy worked hard in the _salle d'armes_, beingone of the first to arrive and the last to depart, and after taking alesson from one or other of the masters he spent the rest of the morningin practising with anyone who desired an adversary. Well trained as he wasin English methods of fighting, he mastered with a quickness thatsurprised his teachers the various thrusts and parries that were new tohim. At the end of that time he was able to hold his own with the youngCount d'Estournel, who was regarded as an excellent swordsman.
The attendance of the Burgundian nobles had now fallen off a good deal.The Armagnac army had approached Paris, St. Denis had opened its gates tothem, and there were frequent skirmishes near the walls of Paris betweenparties of their knights and the Burgundians. Paris was just at presentmore quiet. Burgundy was still absent, and the future seemed so uncertain,that both factions in the city held their hands for a time.
The news that a reconciliation between Orleans and Burgundy had been fullyeffected, and that the great lords would soon enter Paris together, wasreceived with a joy that was modified by recollections of the past.Burgundy and Orleans had once before sworn a solemn friendship, and yet aweek or two later Orleans lay dead in the streets of Paris, murdered bythe order of Burgundy. Was it likely that the present patching up of thequarrel would have a much longer duration? On the former occasion thequarrel was a personal one between the two great houses, now all Francewas divided. A vast amount of blood had been shed, there had been cruelmassacres, executions, and wrongs, and the men of one faction had come tohate those of the other; and although neither party had dared to putitself in the wrong by refusing to listen to the mediators, it was certainthat the reconciliation was a farce, and that it was but a short trucerather than a peace that had been concluded. Nevertheless Paris rejoicedoutwardly, and hailed with enthusiasm the entry of the queen, the Dukes ofAquitaine, Burgundy, Berri, and Bourbon.
The Duke of Aquitaine was now acting as regent, though without the title,for the king was again insane. He had married Burgundy's daughter, but itwas rumoured that he was by no means disposed to submit himself blindly tothe advice of her father. The only effect of the truce between the partieswas to add to the power of the Burgundian faction in Paris. But few of theArmagnac party cared to trust themselves in the city that had shown itselfso hostile, but most of them retired to their estates, and the greatprocession that entered the town had been for the most part composed ofadherents of Burgundy. Three days after their arrival in the town Guy, onleaving the _salle d'armes_, found Katarina in her boy's attire waitingfor him at the corner of the street.
"My father would speak with you, Master Guy," she said shyly, for in thepast two months she had always been in her girl's dress when he had mether. "Pray go at once," she said; "I will not accompany you, for I haveother matters to attend to."
"Things are not going well," the count said when Guy entered the room;"the Orleanists are discouraged and the butchers triumphant. At a meetinglast night they determined that a body of them should wait upon the Dukesof Aquitaine and Burgundy to complain of the conduct of the knights whofell upon them when attacking the silversmith's, and demand in the name ofParis their execution."
"They would never dare do that!" Guy exclaimed indignantly.
"They will assuredly do it, and I see not how they can be refused. Theduke has no force that could oppose the Parisians. They might defend theLouvre and one or two of the strongly fortified houses, but the butcherswould surround them with twenty thousand men. Burgundy's vassals mightcome to his assistance, but the gates of Paris would be closed, and itwould need nothing short of an army and a long siege before they couldenter Paris. When they had done so they might punish the leaders, butBurgundy would thereby lose for ever the support of the city, which isall-important to him. Therefore if you would save your friends you mustwarn them that it will be necessary for them to make their way out ofParis as quickly and as quietly as may be. In the next place, andprincipally, you yourself will assuredly be murdered. There was a talk ofthe meeting demanding your execution and that of your four men; but it wasdecided that there was no need to do this, as you could all be killedwithout trouble, and that possibly the Duke of Aquitaine might refuse onthe ground that, as your lady had come here under safe-conduct as a royalhostage, you were entitled to protection, and it would be contrary to hishonour to give you up.
"There are others who have displeased the Parisians whose lives they willalso demand, and there are several women among them; therefore, it isclear that even the sex of your lady will not save her and her childrenfrom the fury and longing for revenge, felt by the family of Legoix and byCaboche the skinner. The only question is, where can they be bestowed insafety? I know what you would say, that all this is monstrous, and that itis incredible that the Parisians will dare to take such steps. I canassure you that it is as I say; the peril is most imminent. Probably to-night, but if not, to-morrow the gates of Paris will be closed, and therewill be no escape for any whom these people have doomed to death. In thefirst place, you have to warn
your Burgundian friends; that done, you mustsee to the safety of your four men. The three Frenchmen may, if theydisguise themselves, perchance be able to hide in Paris, but your tallarcher must leave the city without delay, his height and appearance wouldbetray him in whatever disguise he were clad.
"Now as to your lady and the children, remain where they are they cannot.Doubtless were she to appeal to the Duke of Burgundy for protection hewould place her in the Louvre, or in one of the other castles--that is, ifshe could persuade him of the intentions of the Parisians, which indeed itwould be difficult for her to do; but even could she do so she would notbe safe, for if he is forced to surrender some of his own knights andladies of the court to these miscreants, he could not refuse to hand overLady Margaret. They might, it is true, possibly escape from Paris indisguise, but I know that there is already a watch set at the gates. Theonly resource that I can see is that she should with her children comehither for a time. This is but a poor place for her, but I think that ifanywhere she might be safe with me. No one knows that I have had anydealings whatever with you, and no one connects me in any way withpolitics. What should a vendor of nostrums have to do with such affairs?Thus, then, they might remain here without their presence being in theslightest degree suspected. At any rate I have as good means as any forlearning what is being done at their councils, and should receive theearliest information were it decided that a search should be made here;and should this be done, which I think is most unlikely, I shall have timeto remove them to some other place of concealment.
"Lastly, as to yourself, I take it that nothing would induce you to flywith your Burgundian friends while your lady is in hiding in Paris?"
"Assuredly not!" Guy said. "My lord appointed me to take charge of her andwatch over her, and as long as I have life I will do so."
"You will not be able to aid her, and your presence may even add to herdanger. Still, I will not say that your resolution is not honourable andright. But, at least, you must not stay here, for your detection wouldalmost certainly lead to hers. You, however, can be disguised; I candarken your skin and hair, and, in some soiled garb you may hope to passwithout recognition. Where to bestow you I will talk over with mydaughter. As soon as it becomes dusk this evening she will present herselfat the house-door of Maitre Leroux. She will bring with her disguises foryour lady, the children, and yourself--I have many of them here--and assoon as it is quite dark she will guide here Dame Margaret with herdaughter and son. You had best not sally out with them, but can follow aminute or two later and join them as soon as they turn down a side street.As to the men, you must arrange with them what they had best do. My adviceis that they should this afternoon saunter out as if merely going for awalk. They ought to go separately; you can decide what they had best dowhen outside."