The Suitors of Yvonne: being a portion of the memoirs of the Sieur Gaston de Luynes
CHAPTER XXII. OF MY SECOND JOURNEY TO CANAPLES
An hour after I had quitted the Hotel de Luynes, Michelot and I leftParis by the barrier St. Michel and took the Orleans road. How differentit looked in the bright June sunshine, to the picture which it hadpresented to our eyes on that February evening, four months ago, whenlast we had set out upon that same journey!
Not only in nature had a change been wrought, but in my very self. Myjourney then had been aimless, and I had scarcely known whither I wasbound nor had I fostered any great concern thereon. Now I rode in hothaste with a determined purpose, a man of altered fortunes and alteredcharacter.
Into Choisy we clattered at a brisk pace, but at the sight of the innof the Connetable such memories surged up that I was forced to draw reinand call for a cup of Anjou, which I drank in the saddle. Thereafter werode without interruption through Longjumeau, Arpajon, and Etrechy, andso well did we use our horses that as night fell we reached Etampes.
From inquiries that Michelot had made on the road, we learned that notroop such as that which rode with St. Auban had lately passed that way,so that 't was clear we were in front of them.
But scarce had we finished supper in the little room which I had hiredat the Gros Paon, when, from below, a stamping of hoofs, the jangle ofarms, and the shouts of many men told me that we were overtaken.
Clearly I did not burn with a desire to linger, but rather it seemed tome that although night had closed in, black and moonless, we must setout again, and push on to Monnerville, albeit our beasts were worn andthe distance a good three leagues.
With due precaution we effected our departure, and thereafter had a spurbeen needed to speed us on our way that spur we had in the knowledgethat St. Auban came close upon our heels. At Monnerville we slept, andnext morning we were early afoot; by four o'clock in the afternoon wehad reached Orleans, whence--with fresh horses--we pursued our journeyas far as Meung, where we lay that night.
There we were joined by a sturdy rascal whom Michelot enlisted into myservice, seeing that not only did my means allow, but the enterpriseupon which I went might perchance demand another body servant. Thisrecruit was a swart, powerfully built man of about my own age; trusty,and a lover of hard knocks, as Michelot--who had long counted him amonghis friends--assured me. He owned the euphonious name of Abdon.
I spent twenty pistoles in suitable raiment and a horse for him, and aswe left Meung next day the knave cut a brave enough figure that addednot a little to my importance to have at my heels.
This, however, so retarded our departure, that night had fallen by thetime we reached Blois. Still our journey had been a passing swift one.We had left Paris on a Monday, the fourth of June--I have good cause toremember, since on that day I entered both upon my thirty-second yearand my altered fortunes; on the evening of Wednesday we reached Blois,having covered a distance of forty-three leagues in less than threedays.
Bidding Michelot carry my valise to the hostelry of the Vigne d'Or,and there await my coming, I called to Abdon to attend me, and rode on,jaded and travel-stained though I was, to Canaples, realising fully thatthere was no time to lose.
Old Guilbert, who came in answer to my knock at the door of thechateau, looked askance when he beheld me, and when I bade him carry mycompliments to the Chevalier, with the message that I desired immediatespeech of him on a matter of the gravest moment, he shook his grey headand protested that it would be futile to obey me. Yet, in the end,when I had insisted, he went upon my errand, but only to return with adisturbed countenance, to tell me that the Chevalier refused to see me.
"But I must speak to him, Guilbert," I exclaimed, setting foot upon thetop step. "I have travelled expressly from Paris."
The man stood firm and again shook his head.
"I beseech you not to insist, Monsieur. M. le Chevalier has sworn todismiss me if I permit you to set foot within the chateau."
"Mille diables! This is madness! I seek to serve him," I cried, mytemper rising fast. "At least, Guilbert, will you tell Mademoiselle thatI am here, and that I--"
"I may carry no more messages for you, Monsieur," he broke in. "Listen!There is M. le Chevalier."
In reality I could hear the old knight's voice, loud and shrill withanger, and a moment later Louis, his intendant, came across the hall.
"Guilbert," he commanded harshly, "close the door. The night air iskeen."
My cheeks aflame with anger, I still made one last attempt to gain anaudience.
"Master Louis," I exclaimed, "will you do me the favour to tell M. deCanaples--"
"You are wasting time, Monsieur," he interrupted. "M. de Canaples willnot see you. He bids you close the door, Guilbert."
"Pardieu! he shall see me!"
"The door, Guilbert!"
I took a step forward, but before I could gain the threshold, the doorwas slammed in my face, and as I stood there, quivering with anger anddisappointment, I heard the bolts being shot within.
I turned with an oath.
"Come, Abdon," I growled, as I climbed once more into the saddle, "letus leave the fool to the fate he has chosen."