CHAPTER XX
THE CROWN JEWELS
An hour later I sat with Lorgnac and Le Brusquet in a little room inthe former's house in the Rue Tire Boudin. At the Louvre I haddiscovered that there was no chance of my being able to see the Queenuntil after the supper hour; and so I accepted the hospitality DeLorgnac offered me, and was back again in the very house in which I hadspent my last night in Paris.
A few minutes after our arrival Le Brusquet ambled up on a Spanishmule, and soon we three were deep in discussing what had happened sincethe day I rode out of the Porte St. Michel. I had perforce to relatemy own adventures, and when I described my meeting with La Marmotte andher strange request De Lorgnac rose from his seat, and approaching thewindow, said:
"You can see Maitre Barou's store from here. It abuts on my stables,and you will not have far to go to keep your appointment."
"If I do keep it; but at present I have no such intention."
"You must keep it." It was Le Brusquet's incisive voice that cut in.
"Why? There is no reason why we should ever meet again."
"There is every reason--that is, if you take sufficient interest in thefuture of Mademoiselle de Paradis."
De Lorgnac came back to his seat. I looked inquiry, and Le Brusquetcontinued:
"A few things have been happening lately that make me think there is aporridge on the boil that would be the better for our help in thestirring. There have been little whispers afloat that Diane ismeditating a great _coup_. Certain it is, that she and that uprightjudge Dom Antony de Mouchy have been much together of late. Certain itis that this coquetting with the new faith means more than Christiantoleration; and, putting this and that together, I have got a clue.You do not know Carloix, do you?"
"No."
"Well, Maitre Vincent Carloix was my sister's husband whilst she lived.He is also my very good friend, and, besides that, secretary to thatmost noble lord Francois de Scepeaux, Marshal de Vieilleville. Carloixis a discreet man; but I gathered enough from him to guess that itwould be safer for a Christaudin to be a prisoner with a Barbarycorsair than be in Paris now, despite all the hobnobbing that goes onbetween the Court and Vendome and the Admiral."
"But," said De Lorgnac, "how does all this concern Mademoiselle deParadis? Even if it did she is the Queen's ward."
"Anne d'Audeberte was a maid-of-honour, and you both know what happenedto her. My dear De Lorgnac, our friend here has told us enough for usto know that mademoiselle is a heretic to her pretty fingertips. Thisis bad--for her. Recollect that the Vidame d'Orrain is Diane'sright-hand man; and we may be certain that his attempt on Mademoisellede Paradis was made with the full knowledge of the Duchess. Recollect,again, that this woman La Marmotte is the wife or mistress--I care notwhich--of Orrain's own man----"
"And as the Chevalier here ran him through the ribs he may notunnaturally desire to repay the account," put in De Lorgnac.
"It is not that," I said; "she warned me of danger in Le Jaquemart."
"Precisely. It is of that I was thinking," said Le Brusquet. "No,Chevalier--for to us you are the Chevalier d'Orrain and not BertrandBroussel--no, La Marmotte means you no harm, and I would stake athousand pistoles against an obolus that you will hear something ofinterest concerning mademoiselle. She is not going to warn you aboutyourself, I fancy," and he laughed; "she knows that the Chevalierd'Orrain can look to his skin."
"But what can be the cause of Diane de Poitiers' enmity ofmademoiselle?" I asked. "So far as I know, they have only but onceseen each other, and that but three hours ago."
"The greatest of all causes, monsieur--money. Diane loves gold as aswallow loves a fly. When a woman is avaricious she will let nothingstand between her and her desire. Again, it is no disrespect to theVidame, your noble brother, to say he would sell his soul for a hundredcrowns, and Dom Antony de Mouchy is worse than either he or Diane.Why, man, they have shared between them the wretched estate of ajourneyman tailor! The property of a street-hawker, burnt in the PlaceMaubert, was granted to them, and they took it."
"It is almost incredible!" I exclaimed.
"But it is true," said De Lorgnac.
"It appears to me," I said, "that my departure for Italy will be alittle delayed."
"If you were as superstitious as I am," and Le Brusquet smiled as hespoke, "you would say that departure is a dream of the past."
"Why?"
"_Eh bien_, a month ago, you left Paris from this very house never toreturn, and here you are back again! It is my belief that your fate isagainst your leaving Paris, and your game will have to be played here.That slice of the Romagna you intended for your own helping will go tofill another's plate."
I laughed, and De Lorgnac rose. "There is Quinte with Cartouche at thedoor," he said, "and I must be off. Be at the door of the Queen'sapartments a little before compline, and so, _au revoir_!"
"We have almost an hour and a half still," said Le Brusquet, "and if itwere not safer for you to be indoors as much as possible I wouldsuggest spending a half-hour at the Bourgogne."
"I think it would be better to stay here; but tell me, do you knowanything definite about this design of the Duchess?"
"No. All that I know is that there is something afoot. Vieillevillewas approached; but, to his honour, refused to have anything to do withit. I know, however, no details."
"Then all we can do at present is to wait and watch."
He nodded, and poured himself out some wine. Leaving him to sip hisJoue I retired to change my dress, and shortly after we rode out to theLouvre. On arrival there we proceeded at once to Le Brusquet'sapartments, where he received a joyous welcome from his ape.
"Here," he said, as he put the little beast down and took a sword fromthe wall, "here is the sword you lent me that night. You see it isclean and sharp as ever."
"Let it remain, then, in your hands, monsieur, as a triflingremembrance of Bertrand d'Orrain."
"I thank you! I shall guard it as it should be guarded. _Corbleu_!but it was a narrow affair that night; but for you Vendome might bewearing wings now, and the house of Besme extinct as the Sphinga."
"It was a lucky chance. I suppose that old fox Camus still has hislair in the same place? I wonder what made him turn against me as hedid----"
"Oh, Camus is like a dog that loves biting, a dog that would bite hisown master in default of anyone else. Yes; he is there still. As forhis turning on you, that is part of his duty; he has been for years apaid servant of Diane."
"How long is this woman to last?"
"As long as her roses. But they say those are fadeless; and SaintGelais has had to leave the Court in fear of his life for swearing thatshe keeps them ever fresh by daily bathing her face in sow's milk."And he laughed as he added: "But come, now, it is time to be moving."
We were soon in the long gallery leading to the Queen's apartments;but, instead of the darkness and gloom that pervaded it on the occasionof my last visit, all was in light. Cressets burned everywhere, and atevery few yards stood a flambeau-bearer, his torch alight. The vaultedroof above us was dim with the smoke that rose from the torches, andthere was everywhere the subdued murmur of voices, as people passed andrepassed, or stood in small knots conversing. So great was the changethat I could not avoid noticing it; and Le Brusquet explained that itwas always so when any of the royal children, who lived at St.Germain-en-Laye, visited the Queen. He had just said this when werounded the abrupt curve the gallery made, and came face to face withtwo men walking arm-in-arm in the direction opposite to that we weretaking. They were Simon and De Ganache, and recognition was mutual andinstant. Monsieur de Ganache saw the surprised look on my face, whichhe no doubt read, as I glanced from him to my brother; and lifting hishat in a half-defiant, half-shamefaced manner, would have passed on,but Simon held him by the arm, and planting himself right in our pathsaid, with an insolent stare:
"This gentleman must have mistaken the Louvre for the Gloriette."
Le Brusquet plucke
d my sleeve in warning; but I was cool enough, andhad no intention of again laying myself open to the law. I gave Simonstare for stare. "Yes; it is I," I answered coldly; and then, turningto De Ganache: "Monsieur, it was from the Vidame d'Orrain that I hadthe good fortune to rescue Mademoiselle de Paradis. I thought you knewof this. If not, you know now with whom your arm is linked."
"By God!" Simon burst out, "if I did not remember where I was----"
"Tush!" I broke in, "there are a hundred other places where we cansettle our differences. I have no time to be brawling here."
With this I pushed past, and left them looking at each other as,followed by Le Brusquet, I gained the door to the Queen's apartment.As we came up De Lorgnac himself appeared, and passed us into theanteroom. I well remembered that cheerless tomb through which I hadpassed a month ago; but now it was all glittering bright. The door ofthe Queen's cabinet was closed; but to the right folding doors--that Ihad not observed before--were open, giving a glimpse, through thehalf-drawn curtains, of a crowded salon beyond. In the ante-roomitself there were about a dozen or so of ladies-in-waiting and pages,all talking and laughing; and as we followed De Lorgnac I felt a lighttouch at my elbow, and turning met a merry face that smiled up at me.It was little Mademoiselle Davila, the same who with Madame de Montalhad met us at Longpont.
"_Eh bien_! So you have come, monsieur. I can tell you that you havebeen expected. Oh! we have heard about you at last--heard twiceover--and we are all thinking of playing truant and running away to theforest of Vincennes or Monceaux. That last is better, for it is nearerParis----" But here her breathless chatter was cut short by a "Hush!"from the salon, and then we heard the strings of a harp being touched.
"'Tis _belle_ Marie, the little Queen of Scotland!" And moving forwarda couple of steps we were able to see into the next room. I lookedround in vain for mademoiselle, and then my glance was arrested by atall, fair-haired girl who was before a harp; and even I, who shouldhave had no eyes but for one face, stood as if spellbound. As herfingers ran over the harp strings a low, wailing melody filled theroom, and then with a voice of strange sweetness she sang a sad littlesong--a bergerelle of my own country. Harp and voice together diedaway in inexpressible sorrow at the last words, and a strange stillnessfilled the room, but was broken at last by a half-suppressed sob. Thenin a moment all was changed. There came a bright little flourish, andshe sang, joyous and blithe as a lark:
"Si le roi m'avait honne Paris sa grand'ville, Et qu'il m'eut fallu quitter L'Amour de m'amie; J'aurais dit au Roi Henri Reprenez votre Paris, J'aime mieux m'amie O gai! J'aime mieux m'amie O gai!"
"_O gai!_" burst the chorus, almost unconsciously, from those aroundher, and with a flush on her face and a smile on her lips Mary ofScotland moved from the harp, and was immediately lost to view in thecircle of those who crowded around her. I looked for my companions.Mademoiselle Davila had found a lanky page to flirt with; Le Brusquetseemed to have vanished; but De Lorgnac was at hand.
"Come now!" he said, and I followed him across the crowded room towhere the Queen sat, amidst a group of her ladies, with the Dauphin--asmall, ill-formed boy of thirteen or fourteen--at her knees. Shereceived me graciously; and on my delivering my packet she broke theseals, glanced at the contents with apparent carelessness, and thenhanded it--all open as it was--to a lady who stood behind her.
"La Beauce, put this on my table." And then turning to me, said, witha laugh:
"Your ears should be tingling, monsieur, for the last hour or so therehas been nothing but you talked of by my maids-of-honour. It seemsthat the cock of Orrain has not forgotten the use of his spurs."
My tongue had long since forgotten such courtier tricks as it hadlearned. In truth, it was never good at these; and whilst I wascasting about for something to say, and wishing myself well away fromthe ring of faces that circled me in, a gay, laughing voice broke in:
"But where is the heroine, madame? Where is Diane of the Forest? Sheshould thank her preserver before your Majesty." And Mary of Scotland,heedless and blithe of heart, made me a mock little courtesy as shemoved to the Queen's side.
"Here she is," cried twenty voices; "she has been hiding here." And,before I knew how it was, I found myself face to face with mademoiselle.
"Thank him! thank him!" the reckless voices around us began to shout;and, as I stood fumbling about, mademoiselle, with a face like fire,made me a stiff bow, and was about to step back, when our chieftormentor called out:
"Oh, how poor a thanksgiving! Surely this is a fit case for a Court ofLove!--how and in what way a fair lady should greet her knight after aparlous quest?"
"Madame"--and Mary of Scotland knelt before the Queen--"you will hold aCourt now, will you not?"
"_O gai_! _O gai_!" And there was a chorus of laughter and cheers.
Where all this foolery might have ended Heaven knows. The Queenherself seemed to be enjoying it, and was about to make some reply toMary, when there was a bustle at the door, and an usher called out:
"The King! His Majesty the King!"
Holding the Dauphin by the hand the Queen rose and advanced to meet theKing, who entered, followed by half a dozen of his gentlemen. Henriwas tall, strongly built, and carried himself royally; but there was astrange mixture of courage and weakness in his countenance. He wasbrave--no man could be found to deny that; but there was never asparkle of intelligence in his dull eyes, though at times they shonewith cunning, and his mouth was weak and sensual. That night he hadsupped in the apartments of Diane de Poitiers, and had evidently primedhimself for this visit to the Queen, for his face was flushed and hisvoice thick.
"Your Majesty is unexpected, but all the more welcome for that," saidthe Queen as Henri touched her fingers with his lips. The King madesome answer I did not hear, and led the Queen to a seat; then, pattingthe Dauphin's head much in the manner of one patting a spaniel's back,he looked around.
"_Birge_!" he said. "You are gay here. It was dull this evening atsupper; she had the megrims."
A slight flush came into Catherine de Medicis' cheeks at this mentionof the mistress, and her voice trembled a little.
"I trust madame will soon be better; but you, sire, will always find usgay here."
"It seems so. What was the particular jest? It might bring a smile toDiane's face when I tell her of it."
I moved back, so that I did not hear the Queen's answer, but Henrilaughed loudly.
"A Court of Love! _Bigre_! 'Tis a new idea, and a good one. Butwhere is our little ward? Present her."
Mademoiselle had to come forward, and when she had kissed hands theKing said:
"I hear sad tales of you, mademoiselle; but there, never mind! Youmust not, however, break all our hearts. Faith!" and his feebleintellect wandered off to the one subject it could think of, "we willhave a tourney in a fortnight, and the defenders shall wear yourcolours."
Mademoiselle blushed red, and began to stammer out something, whilst afew looks were exchanged between the courtiers that made my blood runhot. The Queen, however, interposed, and suddenly called for me.
"Monsieur d'Orrain!"
I stepped up, catching the look of astonishment in mademoiselle's eyesas she heard the name by which I was addressed.
"Permit me, your Majesty, to present to you the Chevalier d'Orrain. Itis he who arranged the small matter you entrusted me with, and has,besides, shown himself a valiant gentleman. With your Majesty'spermission I propose appointing him to my guards; M. de Lorgnac has avacancy."
There was a little murmur, and as I knelt, the King extended his handto me carelessly. As I rose to my feet, and was about to withdraw, hesaid, with a sudden recollection:
"Monsieur d'Orrain--the brother of the Vidame?"
I bowed, and Henri turned to the Queen, his face assuming a severeexpression; but Catherine de Medicis anticipated his speech.
"It is so small a favour that I thought your Majesty would have noobjection in view of M. d'Or
rain's services. I do not, however, pressit."
Henri hummed and hawed, and a curious, cunning expression came into hiseyes.
"_Bigre_! It seems to me I have to grant favours from the moment Irise to the moment I lie down to sleep. But to tell the truth, madame,it was I who came here to ask a favour from you." And then he stopped,and his face flushed darker than ever as he went on, with a shortlaugh: "Come! let it be a bargain! If I grant you your request willyou grant me mine?"
"Assuredly, sire!--even if you did not grant me mine."
"Oh! we will make it a bargain. Well, then, let it be as you wish withmonsieur there." And turning to me: "And harkee, Chevalier! Keep yoursword in your scabbard, and put your Geneva books in the fire, now thatyou have a new start."
"I thank you, sire!" said the Queen. "And your command----?"
She stopped, awaiting the King's answer; but Henri hesitated, and atlast, bending forward, whispered a few words in the Queen's ear. Theeffect was instant. She became white and red in turns, and began tonervously clasp and unclasp her hands.
"Come!" said the King, with an affectation of gaiety; "it was abargain, madame."
There was a pause, and then, with a voice as hard as steel, Catherinede Medicis said to her favourite maid-of-honour:
"Mademoiselle La Beauce--my jewel-casket--quick, please."
La Beauce bowed, and slipped away, and we all looked on in wonder atthe strange scene. Presently she returned with a small but heavycasket in her hands. Catherine opened it with a key she detached froma chain she wore at her neck, and as the lid fell back the glitteringsplendour of the Crown diamonds of France was disclosed to view.
"They have been worn by a line of queens, sire," said Catherine as sheplaced the box in Henri's hands; "they ought well to become MadameDiane de Poitiers, and cure her megrims."
With this she made a profound bow, and withdrew. When she had gonethere was an absolute silence; and then the King laughed, an uneasy,foolish laugh.
"And all this because I want to borrow a few stones for the masque!" heexclaimed as he thrust the box into the hands of one of his gentleman."Take this, Carnavalet!" And swinging round on his heel he went as hehad come, his suite clattering behind him.
As he went we heard through the open doors the cries of "_Vive leRoi_!" from those in the gallery outside, and then all was still oncemore.
The salon, but a short time before so bright and gay, emptied likemagic. I stood where I was, leaning against a pillar, wondering at thescene through which I had passed, and hardly realising that I wasalone. No, not alone, for mademoiselle stood before me, her handoutstretched.
"Oh, monsieur, this is a horrible place! Why did I ever come?"
I could say nothing, for she too had seen and heard all that had passed.
"But it is not this I came to talk about. I waited so as to be able tocongratulate M. Bertrand Broussel, the worthy citizen of Paris." Andshe laughed as she added: "I was sure of it from the first; I knew itcould never be."
"May I also say that I was sure that Cujus the furrier never had aniece?"
She made a little impatient gesture with her hand. "I do not believeyou will ever forget that, monsieur."
"Never."
"And you are not leaving Paris, then?" she asked after a moment's pause.
"I cannot now," I answered.
"Then," she laughed, "the furrier's niece and Monsieur Broussel willmeet again. _Au revoir_, Chevalier!"
And she was gone.