VIII
At this time the Emperor--for this was in the fall of '62--was busyabout his Mexican venture, and our legations were disturbed by vaguerumors of efforts to combine the great powers in an agreement to bringabout a perilous intervention in our affairs, which at home were goingbadly enough, with one disaster after another. No one at the legationknew how deep the Emperor was in the matter, but there was a chill ofexpectation in the air, and yet no distinct evidence of the troublewhich was brewing.
It was, as I have said, an essential part of my work to frequent thebest houses and in every way to learn what was the tone of feeling. Itwas, in fact, so hostile that it was now and then hard to avoidpersonal quarrels. In England it was, if possible, worse. Mr.Gladstone had spoken in public, and with warm praise of Mr. JeffersonDavis and the confederation. Roebuck had described our army as the"scum of Europe." We had few important friends in England or France.The English premier was, to say the least, unfriendly, and Lord JohnRussell in their Foreign Office was not much better.
Meanwhile I came to know and like the Count le Moyne, who was a warmNapoleonist, and whom I had to see often, either on our impossibleduel or on diplomatic business. During this familiar intercourse, Ibegan to notice that he was distracted and, I thought, worried.
When I spoke of it to Merton, he said, "That's the woman." He had noreason to think so, but he was one of the rare men whose intuitionsare apt to be correct. This business of the duel went on for a week.
To go back a little, I should have said that at the end of his twodays' leave Alphonse appeared and asked for three days more. He had noreport to make, and went away again.
On the next day but one I was writing letters in my salon, and Mertonwas growling over the unpleasant news our papers were bringing us.Suddenly Alphonse appeared. He waited without a word until I said,"You have found her."
"Yes; it was all that there is of simple. Monsieur had said she is anAmerican--I went to the American church."
Merton looked at me, smiling, as he remarked, "Like all the greatthings, it was simple."
"I saw the lady come out after the morning service. When I began tofollow her at a distance I saw that she was also followed by one ofthe best men of the police. I know him well. I also perceived that, asit seemed to me, the lady was uneasy, and, I think, aware that shewas watched."
Here Merton stopped him. "You are sure that is the same woman you sawin the carriage."
"Monsieur, when once this lady has been seen, she is not to beforgotten."
"Ha!" exclaimed the captain; "I told you so, Greville. But go on,Alphonse."
"And cut it short," said I, impatient.
Alphonse paused. "Circumstances, monsieur, oblige me to speak in somedetail. I was two years in the service. Those who watch and followmadame are of the best. I know them. Therefore there is somethingserious."
"And her name?" I asked.
"Mme. Bellegarde, Rue de St. Victor, No. 31--a small private hotel. Iregret not to be able to report more fully, but I am well known asmonsieur's valet. To appear too curious would be unwise."
I regarded my valet with increasing respect, while Merton ejaculated,"Damn such a country!" and I asked:
"Is that all?"
"Yes, monsieur; but circumstances--"
"Oh, that will do," I said. "You may go."
When alone with Merton, he said to me, "You must call on her."
"No," I said; "she is suspected of something and I, at least for atime, was taken to be an accomplice. That would never do."
"You are right," returned Merton, thoughtfully; "quite right. You mustkeep quiet. The matter, whatever it may be, is still unsettled; but Iam resolute to find what this woman has done, and why she is watchedlike a suspected thief. I never was more curious."
For a moment we considered the situation in silence. At last Mertonsaid, "If this woman goes out into society, might you not chance tomeet her?"
"Yes, but I never as yet have done so, and I remember faces well. Imay meet her any day, or never meet her at all, but any directapproach we must give up. The more I think of it, the graver itappears. If it be a police affair, no letter reaches her unopened.Rest assured of that. She is like a fly in a cobweb. Chance may helpus, but so far the luck has been against us."
"No," said Merton; "the game is not played out. There is somethingthey don't know, and they are, therefore, no better off than we."
With this he went away and Alphonse returned. The man was plainlytroubled. He said he could do no more, and that when he had made hisreport to the police that day he had been told to keep a closer watchon me and my letters. Might he show them a note or two?
I said, laughing: "Yes; there are two replies to invitations and anote to my tailor."
That would do, and might he venture to say that monsieur would be welladvised to keep out of the matter?
I thanked him, and there the thing stood over for several days longer.