CHAPTER XXX
THE HEAVENS FALL
When Germain returned from the shooting party, he was sent for fromCollinot's office, and upon his entering, the door was closed.
As the closing of Collinot's door was an unusual proceeding, and wasknown among the regiment to denote something very particular,speculation and excitement immediately became rife, and the news thatLecour was closeted with Collinot spread like wildfire.
Germain, rosy and active, saluted his superior gallantly. The latterreturned the action with a non-committal countenance.
"A gentleman calling himself the Marquis de Lotbiniere has just beenhere. Do you know him?"
Germain braced himself.
"I have heard of him in Canada," he said, "but his Marquisate is notbelieved in there."
"You Canadians have strange tales of each other. He is apparently a veryrespectable man, and supported his allegations about you--which are insubstance the same as those made by Monsieur de Lery--by a certificatefrom the Genealogist that the family name of Repentigny is LeGardeur,not Lecour."
"Did he admit that he is an uncle of my adversary, de Lery, and has thenatural malice against me of a relative of my antagonist?"
"I have made due allowance for his bias, Monsieur Lecour."
Germain's heart sank at the form of the name in which he was addressed.
"The difficulty," proceeded the Adjutant, "is in your papers; for,however the truth may stand as to your position, your proofs to theregiment were made under the title of Repentigny, a designation whichyou have abandoned. My position, as representing and protecting theregiment, therefore, is that I hold no proper proofs that you possessthe generations of descent which you are aware are necessary. I now havethe honour of calling upon you to produce such proofs."
"Very well, sir," answered Germain, and leaving the room, strode to hisquarters and returned with the de Lincy copies.
Collinot scanned them carefully. Germain, waiting silently, noticed thaton the whole he was not displeased.
"Only the past two generations are lacking," he pronounced, "yourcertificate of baptism and those of your father and mother, togetherwith their marriage contract. Why are they not supplied?"
"I have no doubt they can be. With your permission, I shall send at onceto Canada for them."
But Collinot was silent again, looking over the documents.
The story de Lotbiniere was likely to have told crossed Germain's mind,and he went on--
"I have no doubt the enemies of my family mentioned everydisadvantageous fact. If it is that my father is in trade, let me sayyes--as the greatest merchant in his country and the equal of any onethere--and let me add that the decrees of our King always permitted_noblesse_ in Canada to engage in commerce, from the circumstances ofthe country, just as those of Brittany are permitted to enter thecommerce of the seas. That is therefore no derogation."
"It is not that which troubles me, lieutenant," Collinot answered, "butthe certificates in themselves are incomplete in lacking the links Imention. Without them," he said, rising to his feet and looking atLecour calmly, "you can no longer serve in the Prince's company."
The blow fell hard.
Germain sank down in a chair and turned his face aside.
"My God, she is lost to me," he murmured. Collinot caught the words. Thenatural kindness of the man overcame the formality of thedisciplinarian, and he went and placed a hand upon Lecour's shoulder.
"You know, sir," he said kindly, "that one is not master of his birth,but of his conduct. Yours has been blameless. I sympathise with yougreatly."
"Anything but this! Ruined, ruined--what ruin and disgrace!"
"Not so, my boy; there is no disgrace in being less wellborn--it is onlythat one possesses a few privileges the less."
"How am I to leave, sir? Shall I not have permission to seek my proofsin Canada and return?"
"If you can obtain the proofs you shall have your place again."
"Grant me but a few days to arrange my affairs."
"In your own interest let me advise you not to make it more thantwenty-four hours."
"Twenty-four hours?"
"Twenty-four."
"Twenty-four hours!" repeated Lecour, dazed. "Can I have the privilege,then, at least, of wearing the uniform until I leave France?"
"That cannot be."
"May I ask but a certificate of having served, with honour in thecompany?" he gasped.
"It is due solely to those whose original right to have entered thecorps is without dispute."
"Alas! all who have known me in my former state will ask why I haveceased to retain it." Pallor and despair seemed to have transformed him.
"Were I not a soldier," sighed Collinot, making a great effort torepress his own feelings, "I should under these painful circumstancesmost gladly write you a certificate. Remember me ever as one who wouldhave liked to be your friend."
"Oh, sir, you have been too kind to me," Lecour cried, in a voice ofagony, his eyes running tears; and grasping the hand of the Adjutant, hewrung it affectionately, and could speak no further. Sobering himselfand turning quickly, he made his exit. Many curious eyes furtivelyfollowed him and guessed the secret as he strode along to his apartment.
Grancey came to him in a few moments, furious.
"The whole company holds there was never such a conspiracy--what can wedo?"
"Nothing--nothing--nothing."