WHEREIN MARTIN-GUERRE IS NOT CLEVER
Gabriel de Montgommery remained in conversation with the admiral more
than an hour.
Coligny could but marvel at the firmness and boldness and knowledge
displayed by this youth, who talked of strategy like a commanding
general, of defensive works like an engineer, and of moral influence
like a gray-headed sage. Gabriel, on his side, admired the upright and
noble character of Gaspard, and the kind-heartedness and honesty of
conscience which made him perhaps the purest and most loyal gentleman of
the age. Certainly the nephew bore but little resemblance to the uncle!
At the end of an hour the two men, one with hair that was already
turning gray, while the locks of the other were still of the hue of the
raven, understood and appreciated each other as if their acquaintance
were of twenty years' standing.
When they had fully agreed upon the measures to be taken to facilitate
the entrance of Vaulpergues's troops on the following night, Gabriel
took leave of the admiral, saying to him confidently: "Au revoir!" He
carried with him the countersigns and necessary signals.
Martin-Guerre, disguised as a peasant, like his master, awaited him at
the foot of the staircase in the town-hall.
"Ah, there you are, Monseigneur!" cried the worthy squire. "I am very
glad indeed to see you again; for a whole hour I have heard nothing from
every passer-by but the name of Vicomte d'Exmès, accompanied with
exclamations of wonder and extravagant praise! You have upset the whole
town. What talisman did you bring, Monseigneur, to make such a
revolution in the hearts of the whole population?"
"The word of a resolute man, Martin,--nothing more. But talking is not
enough, and now we must act."
"Let us act, then, Monseigneur,--for my part, actions suit me better
than words. We are going, I see, to take a walk in the fields under the
noses of the enemies' sentinels. Well, Monseigneur, I am ready."
"Don't be in too great haste, Martin," rejoined Gabriel; "it is too
light, and I must wait for the dusk before leaving the town, by
agreement with the admiral. We have therefore almost three hours before
us. Then too I have something to do meanwhile," he added, with some
embarrassment. "Yes, a very important matter to look after,--some
information to seek."
"I understand," said Martin-Guerre, "something about the strength of the
garrison, is it not, or about the weak spots in the fortifications? What
untiring zeal!"
"You don't understand anything at all about it," said Gabriel, smiling.
"No, I know all that I want to know about the ramparts and the troops;
and it is with a matter more--more personal that I am occupied just
now."
"Speak, Monseigneur; and if I can help you in any way--"
"Yes, Martin, you are, I know, a faithful servant and a devoted friend,
so I have no secrets from you except those which do not belong to me. If
you don't know whom I am seeking for anxiously and fondly in this town,
after my duties are done, Martin, it must be because you have
forgotten."
"Oh, pardon, Monseigneur, I know now!" cried Martin. "It is, is it not,
a--a Benedictine?"
"It is, Martin. What can have become of her in this panic-stricken town.
In truth, I didn't dare to ask Monsieur l'Amiral for fear of betraying
myself by my distress. And then, too, would he have been able to answer?
Diane changed her name, no doubt, when she entered the convent."
"Yes," rejoined Martin; "for I must say that which she bore, and
which is a lovely name in my opinion, has a slightly heathenish sound,
because of Madame de Poitiers, I suppose. Sister Diane! The fact is that
that name is as offensive as my other self when he is tipsy."
"What shall I do, then?" said Gabriel. "The best way would be perhaps to
inquire, in the first place, about the Benedictine convent in a general
way."
"Yes," said Martin-Guerre; "and then we will go from the general to the
particular, as my old curé used to say when he was suspected of being a
Lutheran. Well, Monseigneur, I am at your orders to make these
inquiries, as for every other purpose."
"We must go about it separately, Martin; and then we shall have two
chances instead of one. Be careful and reserved, and try above all
things not to drink, you incorrigible tippler! We need all our
self-possession."
"Oh, Monseigneur knows that since we left Paris I have regained my
former sobriety, and drink nothing but pure water. I have only seen
double once."
"I am glad to hear it," said Gabriel. "Well, then, Martin, in two hours
meet me at this spot."
"I will be here, Monseigneur."
And they separated.
Two hours later they met as they had agreed. Gabriel was radiant, but
Martin-Guerre very sheepish. All that the latter had learned was that
the Benedictines had chosen to share with the other women of the town
the labor and honor of nursing and watching the wounded; that every day
they were scattered about among the ambulances, and did not return to
the convent till evening; and that soldiers and citizens alike were
unsparing of their admiration and veneration for them.
Gabriel, by good luck, had learned something more. When the first person
he met had told him all that Martin-Guerre had learned, Gabriel asked
the name of the superior of the convent. It was, if his memory served
him, Mother Monique, Diane de Castro's friend. Gabriel then inquired
where the saintly woman was to be found.
"In the place where the danger is greatest," was the reply.
Gabriel made his way to the Faubourg d'Isle, and actually found the
superior there. She knew already by the public reports who the Vicomte
d'Exmès was, what he had said at the town-hall, and what part he was
going to play at St. Quentin. She received him as the envoy of the king
and the savior of the city.
"You will not be surprised, Mother," said Gabriel, "that coming in the
king's name, I ask you for news of his Majesty's daughter, Madame Diane
de Castro. I have sought her in vain among the nuns whom I have met on
my way. She is not ill, I trust?"
"No, Monsieur le Vicomte," replied the superior; "but I required her to
remain at the convent to-day, and take a little rest, for not one of us
has equalled her in devotion and courage. She has been everywhere, and
always ready, practising at all times and in all places, and with a sort
of joy and eagerness, her sublime charity, which is our gallantry. Ah,
she is the worthy daughter of the blood of France! And yet she is
unwilling that her title and her rank should become known; and she will
take it very kindly of you, Monsieur le Vicomte, to respect her noble
incognito. But no matter! if she does hide her noble birth, she shows
her kind heart; and all those who are suffering rejoice to see her
angel's face pass like a ray of celestial hope in the midst of their
pain. She is called, from the name of the order, Sister Benedicta; but
our poor wounded fellows, who do not know Latin, call her the Sister
Bénie."
"And well the name fits Madame la Duchesse!" cried Gabriel, who felt
tears of joy gathering in his eyes. "And may I see her to-morrow,
Mother,--that is, if I return?"
"You will return, brother," replied the superior; "and in that spot
where you hear the most pitiful groans and shrieks of pain, there you
will find Sister Bénie."
Thus it was that Gabriel rejoined Martin-Guerre, with his heart full to
overflowing with renewed courage, and certain now, as the superior was,
that he would come safe and unscathed through the perils of the night.