Orrain: A Romance
CHAPTER XIV
MADEMOISELLE DE PARADIS
As the guards cut the cords that bound De Ganache's arms those who wereon the tower crowded round to congratulate him; but he seemed dazed,and unable to realise his fortune. With an effort, however, he broughthimself together, and silently took my hand. He could not speak, but Iunderstood; and now Sarlaboux urged an immediate move, saying that thesooner De Ganache was away the better, as there was no knowing whatmight happen next. With this he led the way down, and we followed.
On coming forth from the tower we found that the troops were alreadymoving away, though many of the officers remained behind, and came upto us, out of curiosity to learn what had happened. At first we couldnot see Montluc anywhere, but a voice called out: "There is theGeneral!" And looking, we saw a lonely figure in the distancegalloping by the Marais de St. Hilaire. Then he turned the angle ofthe great priory. There was a flash of his red plume, a glitter ofsunlight on his corselet, and he was gone.
"If you take my advice, monsieur," I said to De Ganache, "you will beoff at once. Here is a horse--and there is the open gate." And withthis I placed the reins of my nag, which Pierrebon had brought up, inhis hand. The enthusiasm of the moment caught all. Menorval of theLight Horse gave him a sword, someone else a hat, another a cloak. Thecolour came and went from De Ganache's sunburnt face as, stammering histhanks, he mounted. Then he put out his hand to me. "Monsieur," hesaid, "I can never forget; and De Ganache is ever your friend. _Aurevoir_, gentlemen!" So, giving the reins to the horse, he gallopedout of the gate, which was but a stonethrow distant. As he crossed thebridge he turned in the saddle and waved his hand in farewell, and thenwe lost him in the hollow ground beyond.
Mounting Pierrebon's horse I joined the others, and we rode back to thepriory--Menorval swearing that I must be a magician, as never beforehad he known Montluc yield as he had done this morning.
As for me, though surprised at the result, my satisfaction wasincreased by the thought that in aiding De Ganache I had helped one whowas a friend of mademoiselle. It was not this that had prompted me tointervene on his behalf. Had it been anyone else I should have actedas I had done. De Ganache was not clean-handed. He had shown littlemercy to those who fell into his hands, and when face to face withdeath he had shown the white feather, though at the last he seemed torecover himself. Still, guilty though he may have been, his deathwould have been a crime, and it was something to think I had stoodbetween Montluc and that terrible blood madness which at timespossessed him.
On arrival at the Capuchins my first thought was to see Montluc atonce, and although Sarlaboux and others tried to dissuade me Ipersisted in my design, and found myself once more before the door ofhis cabinet. On my entering he received me coldly, and, without makingany reference to what had just happened, inquired my business as if hehad totally forgotten his summons to me. I explained that I was therein obedience to his request to see me, and after a moment of thought hesaid:
"You recollect I told you I would probably entrust you with acommission to the Queen? Are you ready to undertake it?"
"Perfectly."
"You will have to go back to Paris; but that is your way. When can youstart?"
It was not wise to think of a return to Paris; but I had gone too farto shrink back now, and besides, I was beginning to believe again in mystar. So I gulped down my fears, and put a bold front on the matter,saying:
"As soon as I can get a horse, monsieur."
"Ho!" And we looked at each other steadily. A faint smile bent hisiron lips, and, muttering something in his beard, he took up a pen,scratched a few lines, and handed me the paper. I glanced at it, andsaw it was an order to give me any horse I liked from his stable. Ibegan to thank him; but he stopped me, saying:
"Show the order to Sarlaboux; and if you take my advice you will chooseLizette, the dun mare. She will well replace the one you have--lost."
"I well know how to value such a gift, monsieur."
"Here there is a packet for the Queen; but this is not your task. I amgoing to entrust you with a prisoner, whom you will place in theQueen's hands."
"Monsieur," I began; but he read my thoughts ere I had spoken them.
"Oh, it is no catch-poll's business; I have others to do that. Thislady is only a nominal prisoner----"
"It's a woman, then?" And my thoughts went back to mademoiselle.Could Sarlaboux have been mistaken?
"Yes; and remember that her life depends upon her reaching the Queen,though she does not believe it."
"May I ask this lady's name?"
"Mademoiselle de Paradis, the greatest heiress in Poitou, but aHuguenot to her little finger-tips."
"In that case, monsieur, the Queen's mantle of protection is likely tobe a shroud."
"You do not understand," he snapped. "Mademoiselle, or rather herlands, have attracted the attention of Diane de Poitiers and her broodof swallows. The Queen would give her right hand to thwart themistress in this, and she, and only she, can save her. Montpensierwill be here in a fortnight, and I shall be gone. You know, I think,what that means. I give you my word of honour, monsieur, that thislady's life is on a hair. Why I should trouble about it I don't know;but the Queen has commanded me in this, and Jean de Paradis, herfather, was my old friend, and for his sake I would save his child.But you seem to be sniffing the air over this, M. Broussel----"
"I was, monsieur! But now I accept the task."
"Very well. You will arrange, then, to start at three. I shall seethat mademoiselle is ready. You will have four good swords with you;and, remember, she is your prisoner, rescue or no rescue."
I bowed, and was turning to go, when he stopped me.
"A word more! Trust not a soul, King's man or Huguenot--do not eventrust her. It is said that she is the promised wife of De Ganache. Ifthat story is true I promise you trouble, but you have yourself tothank for it." And he rose and accompanied me to his door. It was theonly allusion he made to what had happened on the tower, and neveragain did he refer to it.
I had more than guessed who my prisoner was, though, of course, I wasnot sure, and the mention of De Ganache in connection with her hadstruck me like a blow. But it was hardly the time to think of matterslike this, and putting it aside with a firm hand I hurried to myquarters, where to my annoyance I found the Capuchin Grigolet. Iguessed his needs, and a brace of crowns to further the conversion ofthe Jewess rid me of the rascal. Then bidding Pierrebon be ready tostart in a couple of hours I went in search of Sarlaboux.
I found that worthy in the archway of the main gate playing at cardswith Menorval.
"Ogier beats you." And Menorval put down the knave of spades.
"Out upon the knave! Here is Pallas." And Sarlaboux covered the knavewith the queen.
"And David, the king, takes the game," laughed Menorval as he picked upthe stakes and began to shuffle once more.
With an apology for interrupting them I showed Sarlaboux my order,whereupon, with many exclamations at my good luck, he led the way tothe stable, followed by Menorval and myself.
"_Morbleu_!" grumbled Menorval, "if this is the pay that royalmessengers get, away with my gilt spurs, and give me the wings ofMercury to my heels."
And so, laughing, we reached the stables, where Sarlaboux bid me takemy choice, his face falling a little when he saw me halt before the dunmare. From her looks I saw she was likely to carry me well; and then,there was Montluc's own recommendation.
"I will take Lizette," I said.
"Then you take the best horse in all Poitou." And Menorval then andthere offered me a hundred crowns for her, which, needless to say, Irefused.
At the appointed time, accompanied by Pierrebon, I rode into thecourtyard of the priory, and found there the men whom Montluc hadpromised me. They had with them a sumpter horse, whilst a third, whichwas evidently intended for my prisoner, was held by a groom. I hadsome little time to wait, which I passed in no enviable frame of mind.Dismounting, I looke
d carefully at the saddlery of my party, and thenpaced up and down the flagged court in converse with Sarlaboux, whomust have found me somewhat dull, for he rallied me, offering, if Iliked not the task of taking a pretty woman all the way to Paris, totake my place, as he had need of a wife and a dowry to rebuild hishouse. It was in the midst of one of his sallies that the door opened,and Montluc appeared on the steps, and by his side--Diane. There wasnot a doubt of it; and for a moment I became hot and cold all over,but, collecting myself, advanced to meet them. As I came forward I sawmademoiselle start slightly, make a half step towards me, and drawback, and then Montluc said:
"This gentleman, mademoiselle, will be your escort to Paris."
I bowed, saying nothing, but she held out her hand.
"Monsieur, I had hoped you would have known me."
I confess I was tongue-tied, and could only mutter something, andMontluc glanced from the one to the other of us.
"Then you are already acquainted?" he asked in surprise.
"Mademoiselle is the lady to whom, as I have mentioned to you,monsieur, I was enabled to render a slight service----"
"That is what he calls saving my life, Monsieur de Montluc. I have atany rate to thank you for giving me a friend for my jailor. There isbut one more kindness I ask of you----"
"And that is----?"
"Let this gentleman escort me to Chatellerault. I do not want to go toParis."
Montluc held up his hand. "That is the old cry, mademoiselle. It isimpossible! The Queen's orders are final."
"And you call yourself my dead father's friend?"
Montluc smiled grimly. "I saved his life at Pavia. That wasthirty-three years ago. But that has nothing to do with the matter.You cannot stay here. You cannot stay at Chatellerault. You must goto Paris, and it is growing late."
She flushed all over, but again returned to her point.
"You have time after time told me I am not a prisoner. Why, then----"
"Because Chatellerault no longer contains your friends, and Monsieur deRandan now commands there."
She turned as white now as she had been red before, and a bitter pangof jealousy went through me as I thought for whom all this feeling was;but she brought herself together and faced Montluc.
"Very well, monsieur. I understand your friendship and your kindnessnow. I tell you plainly that I will escape at the first opportunity.I shall never reach Paris."
"That is M. Broussel's affair; and, mademoiselle, the marches are longin Poitou."
She gave him no answer, but, as it were, resigning herself to thepresent, went up to her horse, accepting only the assistance of thegroom to mount.
When all was ready Montluc called me aside, and we stood together for amoment on the wide steps.
"_Mordieu_!" he muttered as he glanced at mademoiselle, "I do not envyyour task. Upon my soul, I am glad that Jean de Paradis won hermother's hand and not I!" And then in an altered manner:
"I have your word to do all that man can for her safety?"
"I have said so, monsieur."
There was a little silence, and he stretched out a lean hand.
"Monsieur, forget not: there is room for you in Italy; it would gladdenme to see the golden cock of Orrain once more upon the field. And nowgo."