CHAPTER LXXXIII.
IN WHICH IT IS EXPLAINED WHY THE BARON DE TAVERNEY GREW FAT.
Meanwhile Philippe was hastening the preparations for his departure. Hedid not wish to witness the dishonor of the queen, his first and onlypassion. When all was ready, he requested an interview with his father.For the last three months the baron had been growing fat; he seemed tofeed on the scandals circulating at the court--they were meat and drinkto him. When he received his son's message, instead of sending for him,he went to seek him in his room, already full of the disorder consequenton packing. Philippe did not expect much sensibility from his father,still he did not think he would be pleased. Andree had already left him,and it was one less to torment, and he must feel a blank when his sonwent also. Therefore Philippe was astonished to hear his father callout, with a burst of laughter, "Oh, mon Dieu! he is going away, I wassure of it, I would have bet upon it. Well played, Philippe, wellplayed."
"What is well played, sir?"
"Admirable!" repeated the old man.
"You give me praises, sir, which I neither understand nor merit, unlessyou are pleased at my departure, and glad to get rid of me."
"Oh! oh!" laughed the old man again, "I am not your dupe. Do you think Ibelieve in your departure?"
"You do not believe? really, sir, you surprise me."
"Yes, it is surprising that I should have guessed. You are quite rightto pretend to leave; without this ruse all, probably, would have beendiscovered."
"Monsieur, I protest I do not understand one word of what you say tome."
"Where do you say you go to?"
"I go first to Taverney Maison Rouge."
"Very well, but be prudent. There are sharp eyes on you both, and she isso fiery and incautious, that you must be prudent for both. What is youraddress, in case I want to send you any pressing news?"
"Taverney, monsieur."
"Taverney, nonsense! I do not ask you for the address of your house inthe park; but choose some third address near here. You, who have managedso well for your love, can easily manage this."
"Sir, you play at enigmas, and I cannot find the solution."
"Oh, you are discreet beyond all bounds. However, keep your secrets,tell me nothing of the huntsman's house, nor the nightly walks with twodear friends, nor the rose, nor the kisses."
"Monsieur!" cried Philippe, mad with jealousy and rage, "will you holdyour tongue?"
"Well, I know it all--your intimacy with the queen, and your meetings inthe baths of Apollo. Mon Dieu! our fortunes are assured forever."
"Monsieur, you cause me horror!" cried poor Philippe, hiding his face inhis hands. And, indeed, he felt it, at hearing attributed to himself allthe happiness of another. All the rumors that the father had heard, hehad assigned to his son, and believed that it was he that the queenloved, and no one else; hence his perfect contentment and happiness.
"Yes," he went on, "some said it was Rohan; others, that it was Charny;not one that it was Taverney. Oh, you have acted well."
At this moment a carriage was heard to drive up, and a servant entering,said, "Here is mademoiselle."
"My sister!" cried Philippe.
Then another servant appeared, and said that Mademoiselle de Taverneywished to speak to her brother in the boudoir. Another carriage now cameto the door.
"Who the devil comes now?" muttered the baron; "it is an evening ofadventures."
"M. le Comte de Charny," cried the powerful voice of the porter at thegate.
"Conduct M. le Comte to the drawing-room; my father will see him; and Iwill go to my sister--What can he want here?" thought Philippe, as hewent down.