The King's Esquires; Or, The Jewel of France

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

  THE CHAMBERLAIN HAS SUSPICIONS.

  Several days passed at the Court in a succession of gaieties includinghunting, an excursion on the river, and at night banquet and dance.Henry was charmed with the pleasant sprightliness of his guest, whoselively French manner attracted him more and more. He distinguishedhimself in the field and in the chivalrous sports in the Castle Yard.

  There were moments when the King looked grim and slightly disposed to bejealous of the applause given to the Comte, and more than once LordHurst saw his master frown heavily upon seeing how great a favouriteFrancis had made himself with the courtiers, who were delighted with thechange the gay Frenchman made in the monotony of their daily life. ButLeoni felt that the luxurious seats he occupied at Windsor were stuffedwith thorns, and that they were placed close to the edge of a mine thatmight at any moment explode.

  Still the time wore on and the danger seemed as far off as ever, for inobedience to Leoni's prompting Francis, though often sailing very nearthe wind, dexterously gave a turn to the rudder just at the right time,and the doctor breathed freely once again, while he waited for themoment when he could put into action one or other of the plans he hadthought out, to get possession of the fateful jewel whose resting-placehe felt he knew, lying as it did, though still distant, almost withinhis grasp. For short of gaining entrance to the private corridor whereit lay, and boldly breaking open the cabinet some night, to carry offthe prize, he could not yet see his way.

  "That must be the last resource," he said to Denis. "The Comte and Imust exercise subtlety. The knowledge came from you, boy--given to youby fate; and we must wait longer, even if it be for days. Who knowsbut, as she has favoured us so far, fate may place in our hands thefruit that is ripe to pluck?"

  "I wish they'd pluck it or leave it alone," said Denis to himself. "Ihate the whole business. It is very pleasant being here, and Carrbrokemakes himself quite like a brother, though I can't help laughing at himsometimes when he speaks such bad French; but that doesn't matter. Helaughs at my bad English just the same, and it's all capital sport whenwe are together, if I didn't feel so treacherous. There are times whenI should like to tell him all, and why we are here; but I can't, forthat would be behaving treacherously to my King."

  The lad ended his musings rather gloomily, as he felt sure that beforelong they would be found out and the daring business be all come to anend.

  Similar thoughts kept Leoni awake the greater part of each night in hisluxurious chamber, spoiling his rest, and making him attend his masterthe next morning terribly troubled in mind, but only to brighten up onfinding how well in favour the Comte seemed with the King, who wasalways seeking his visitor out for some new pursuit in courtly pleasureor excursion.

  But the cloud was gathering all the same, and the discovery very near athand.

  One morning Lord Hurst was in attendance upon Henry, making hiscustomary daily reports and taking his orders for various preparationsto carry out something fresh in the way of entertainment, when the Kingwaved his hand impatiently.

  "There, there," he cried, "no more of this!" Then, good-humouredly,"Well, Hurst, what do you think of our ambassador?"

  "Think of him, Sire?" replied the courtier.

  "Yes, yes," cried the King testily. "Do I not speak plainly? Why doyou look at me like that? Do you not think he is a most worthyrepresentative of his master?"

  "Undoubtedly, Sire, but--"

  "Hurst," cried the King furiously, "have I not made you my trustedadviser?"

  "Yes, Sire, and I am your faithful servant, always ready to advise."

  "Then why do you not speak out? I know you of old. You are keepingsomething back. What does this mean? Have you some suspicion aboutthis man? Hah! I have it! You believe him to be a spy sent by Francisto learn all he can about my Court--about my realm! Man, man, you donot believe that this French King is plotting something to rob mefarther of the possessions gained by my ancestors in the past?"

  "No, Sire, no; but I am troubled in my mind," said Hurst, speaking in alow anxious tone.

  "Out with it, then! What is your suspicion? What is it you know?"

  "I know nothing, Sire," replied Hurst; "but I am troubled, in my graveanxiety for my master's weal, as to the real motives of this Comte'svisit."

  "Hah!"

  "And I doubt, Sire, as to his being the Comte de la Seine."

  "What!" cried the King. "Some impostor! Hurst! This is an insult tomy guest, as noble and accomplished a gentleman as ever entered ourCourt--one whom I already look upon as my friend. Speak, man! What isit you think--that he is some cheat?"

  "Cheat, Sire? No; but I believe him to be far higher in station than hesays."

  "Hah! Higher? How could he be higher?"

  "Some prince, Sire, of royal blood."

  "Bah!" cried the King contemptuously. "Fool! Dreamer! And at a timelike this, when the horses are waiting and my guest doubtless ready,waiting till I join him! Always like this, Hurst, thinking out somewild diplomatic folly to cast like a stumbling-block in my way when I amupon pleasure bent. It is but little rest I get from cares of state,and you grudge me even that. Bah! I will hear no more.--Stop!" criedthe King, after turning away. "See that there is a better banquetto-night, something more done to honour my French brother's emissary;more music and dancing, too. There, that is enough." And, hot andfuming, the King strode from the chamber, leaving his chamberlainstanding alone, thoughtful and heavy.

  Shortly afterwards there came through the open window the trampling ofhorses, eager voices, dominating all the loud, bluff, hearty voice ofthe King, followed by the sharper, rather metallic tones of the Comte,and then the merry laughter and ejaculations of the ladies who hadjoined the cavalcade. Then silence once again.

  "Perhaps I am wrong," said the chamberlain thoughtfully; "and too muchzeal may prove my ruin, for mine is a dangerous post and I fear that Ihave gone too far. I don't know, though. The suspicion seems to grow.We shall see, though; we shall see."