Vayenne

  CHAPTER XXIII

  THE GATES ARE SHUT

  When Count Felix left the castle he returned to the Place Beauvoisin.Countess Elisabeth turned quickly toward him as he entered the room.She did not put her question into words, but he saw it in her eyes.

  "It is the only way, Elisabeth," he answered.

  She turned away from him without a word.

  "Cannot you understand, dear, that I am a broken man and have nochoice? Do you think I enjoy the sullen temper of de Bornais or thepatronage of this priest?"

  "But you love Christine."

  "She must be my wife. The country demands it. She will hate me, yousay; well, may there not presently lie a way of escape in that? Herpower shall be nominal before we have reigned long together. A womanwho hates is no wife for a Duke of Montvilliers. Do you not see theroad of escape?"

  She laughed.

  "The nominal power will be yours, Felix."

  "How little you know me," he answered.

  "I know you for the tool of de Bornais and this Father Bertrand," shereturned. "The other night in the Rue St. Romain it was plain thatthey only used you for a purpose. They tried to use this Roger Herrickfor their own ends, but he has proved too strong for them. They areforced to plot with a weaker man--with you, Felix."

  "For what purpose?"

  "We are not in their councils," she answered, "nor, perhaps, isChristine, but their aim is not to quietly settle the crown upon you.This Herrick is a man, one who holds what he has, and will fight forit to the bitter end. This plotting you favor can only breed moredissension. It is civil war these men are bent upon."

  "Herrick has made civil war already," said Felix.

  "He fights upon the frontier," she answered. "The rumors areuncertain, but had he been defeated we should have heard certainly ofthat. Ill news ever comes quickly. He wins, Felix; that is the truth,depend upon it, and for such a leader men easily fight and die. Youwill wake one morning to find Roger Herrick at the gates of Vayenne, avictorious army at his back."

  "Then we must fight," said the Count.

  "Fight! Where are your men? The rabble of the city? Are you foolenough to trust to such reeds as de Bornais and this priest?"

  "No. I trust in myself," Felix answered.

  "To-day not a hundred men would raise a cheer for you in Vayenne, thatis why you are to marry Christine. She has scruples in leaving you outaltogether, but she will be Duchess, with all the power held at thepleasure of these two men."

  "You exaggerate their abilities."

  "Felix, answer me one question. How came it that the enemy weregathered on the frontier, ready, waiting? It was not the crowning ofRoger Herrick which brought them. Perhaps de Bornais and FatherBertrand could tell us."

  "You are fanciful, too, Elisabeth. Tell me, how would you have meact?"

  "First fling this plot in the teeth of the makers of it, and then rideout, and offer your sword to the Duke."

  "How absurdly the dearest of women can talk," said the count; "andafterward beg his Grace's sanction to marry the Countess Elisabeth, Isuppose. Are you really serious? Would you have me bend the knee tothis adventurer?"

  "Better that than be the tool of de Bornais. As for marriage with me,all thought of that is over. I told you the other night that yourparticipation in this plot separates us entirely, and for ever. Theplot may fail, indeed I believe it will, but whatever happens I st