THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR.
D’Egmont withdrew, and almost instantly reappeared with the French
ambassador.
M. de Noailles made a very gallant appearance, being splendidly attired
in white and silver. He removed his plumed and jewelled cap as he
entered the room, and advanced with a very smiling and confident air
towards Philip. While he was being presented to the Prince by the Count
D’Egmont, the Duke of Alva entered the room. At the same time, two
Spanish halberdiers stationed themselves near the door.
Philip received the ambassador with freezing politeness.
“Considering the relations unfortunately subsisting between my father,
the Emperor, and the King, your master, I scarcely expected this visit
from your excellency,” he said.
“I do not appear before your Highness in my quality of ambassador, but
as a simple gentleman,” replied De Noailles. “I could not hear of the
felon attack made upon you last night without desiring to offer my
congratulations on your escape; but I might have hesitated to do so if
rumour, with its customary malice, had not sought to fix the contrivance
of the dark deed on me.”
“No one who knows your excellency could for a moment suspect you of
planning such an affair,” rejoined Philip. “You would never strike a
dishonourable and cowardly blow. Others may suspect you—I do not.”
“He does not suspect him, because he is sure of his guilt,” muttered
Alva.
“Having received this most gratifying assurance from your Highness, I
will retire,” said De Noailles, slightly alarmed, “entreating you to
believe that though placed by circumstances in an inimical position, I
rejoice in your auspicious arrival in this country, and trust that
Heaven may guard you from all ill, and shed its blessings upon you and
her Majesty.”
“Perfidious villain! I marvel that lies of such magnitude choke him
not,” exclaimed the Duke of Alva, involuntarily clutching his poniard.
“I thank your excellency for your good wishes, which I am convinced are
as sincere as your vehement denial of all complicity in this black
affair,” rejoined Philip. “But I must detain you a few minutes longer.
You have come most _à propos_. I am about to interrogate one of my
assailants, and shall be glad that you should be present during the
examination.”
“The villain, as I have heard, is confined in the dungeon of the
Bar-gate,” replied De Noailles. “I will attend there whenever your
Highness may desire.”
“He is uneasy, and would fain get away,” muttered Alva, who was watching
the ambassador narrowly.
“I shall not need to give you that trouble,” remarked Philip. “The
examination will take place here.”
“In this chamber,” exclaimed De Noailles, startled. “I thought the man
was desperately wounded and like to die.”
“It is true he is badly hurt, but he hath life enough in him to speak,
as your excellency will find. He will be here anon,” observed Philip.
“But the scene will be disagreeable to me,” cried the ambassador. “I
must crave your permission to withdraw.”
And without waiting for consent, he turned to depart; but D’Egmont and
Alva planted themselves in his way.
“A prisoner,” he ejaculated, in consternation.
“Ay, a prisoner at his Highness’s pleasure,” rejoined Alva.
“I protest against such violation of my privilege,” cried De Noailles,
with mingled terror and anger.
“You can claim no privilege,” rejoined the Duke, sternly. “You stated
expressly that you came here as a private gentleman, and not as an
ambassador. Back Sir, at your peril.”
Seeing there was no possibility of escape, De Noailles tried to assume a
bold and unconcerned demeanour; but his nerves sustained another and yet
severer shock as the door was thrown open, and a litter, the curtains of
which were closely drawn, was borne into the room, under the conduct of
Osbert Clinton. In attendance upon the wounded man was Malwood, the
chirurgeon.
Behind the litter came Rodomont Bittern, and the four bearers were
Rodomont’s friends, who had voluntarily undertaken the office, in order
to be present at the examination.
[Illustration]
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