CHAPTER XXXI
DUKE AND SUBJECTS
Without delay the Duke wore the iron crown in St. Etienne, and thecity decked itself in wreaths and garlands, and shouted itself hoarse.Some shouted for the Duke, but more for Roger Herrick, who rode closebehind him.
Maurice had been called to perform no easy task, to win a love thathad been given to another. Herrick had become a popular idol, and itwas but natural that a great wave of regret should sweep throughVayenne at his resignation. The people looked coldly upon the newDuke, and were inclined to resent his coming at this eleventh hour. Atfirst it seemed probable that a certain section of them would rise inrebellion, but this did not happen; only there was discontent in thecity, and murmuring even in the castle. The face of Gaspard Lemaslewore a settled frown, and Pierre Briant's outlook upon life became adismal one. It was a long time before they ceased to speak of Herrickas the Duke.
Herrick strove to obliterate himself as much as possible, but he wasMaurice's constant adviser. At his suggestion the Council of Nobleswas made a permanent assembly--it served to bind the powerful men inthe country to the throne--and many concessions and privileges weregranted to the citizens which Maurice's father had always refused togrant. The rumor was allowed to go forth that even Herrick would nothave made such concessions; they were entirely due to Duke Maurice.Maurice himself labored bravely at his difficult task. He assertedhimself with dignity. The people began to admire the strong, youngfigure which so often rode through the streets. He tried to prove thathe was a Duke worthy of love and respect, and success came, if it cameslowly.
Herrick had literally wrung the gift of Felix's life from the people,but this did not prevent a wild outburst of popular feeling when theCount left the city. He was taken out at night under a strong escort;but the news of his going had leaked out, and instead of going to bed,Vayenne stayed up to curse the man it hated as he passed through itfor the last time. It was said that the Count had sent to the CountessElisabeth asking her to follow him into banishment, and that she hadrefused. She remained in Vayenne, in the house in the PlaceBeauvoisin, the beautiful Countess still, with a romance in her lifewhich accounted for her loneliness, and the hair whitened before itstime. Yet no one seemed certain what that romance was.
But this is a step into the future before the present is done with.There was another rumor in Vayenne which pleased the people. The Dukewas to marry before the year was out. The prince, passing all others,had come to kneel at the feet of Lucille. The last of that family solong under a cloud was destined to win back place and power, and tobecome Duchess of Montvilliers.
It had been known in the city for some time that Roger Herrick was tomarry Christine de Liancourt. Titles and honors and wealth had beenshowered upon Herrick. He was a prince in the land, second only to theDuke. Some, Gaspard Lemasle and Pierre Briant among the number, wouldnot subscribe even to this reservation.
They were married in the great Church of St. Etienne, and the wholecity shouted God speed and happiness to them.
"I would they were Duke and Duchess," some whispered on their homewardway; and Gaspard Lemasle drank a deep health to them that night with alike thought in his mind.
And now that the Duke was becoming firmly seated upon his throne,Herrick declared that it would be wise for him and Christine to goaway for a little while after their marriage.
"We shall be back for your wedding," he told Maurice, "and my absencewill help to strengthen your position. Besides, I want to showChristine what a very unimportant man I really am out ofMontvilliers."
So they departed one sunny morning, an escort with them. Herrick hadasked in vain to be allowed to go as a private person. At the brow ofthe hill he stopped the carriage for a moment.
"It was from this spot that I first saw the city of my dreams," hesaid.
Christine's hand stole into his.
"And now you have awakened in it," she said, "lived in it, ruled it,and----"
"And found love in it," he whispered.
Faintly on the breeze came the music of the carillon. Time passethinto Eternity, and Time is a small matter, it laughed softly.
"And found love," Herrick repeated.
Then the carriage went on, descending slowly toward that long,straight road which leads to the frontier.
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