OF THE CONFIDENCE REPOSED IN ME BY MY LORD, AND OF THE PITFALL WHEREIN
I FELL.
Now the next morning I came, as I had been bidden, to speak with my
lord marquis in his privy closet, and was received of him very
courteously, and asked to wait while he made an end of his matters.
And this done, I looked that he should have laid some command upon me,
but he turned himself about in his chair, and began to talk with me
familiarly.
“Pray, Mr Carlyon,” says he, “what do you think of my situation here?
No doubt it seems to you that I have all that I could wish for, with
six hundred stout fellows to do my bidding, and this fair town and
palace for to dwell in.”
So greatly was I astonished by the suddenness of this question, that
’twas all I could do to answer with some hesitation that his lordship
had indeed seemed to me to be highly favoured in his lot.
“So I thought,” said he, “but you must learn, sir, that power and high
place are naught when there are around enemies that grudge ’em to you.
And chiefly this is true of the Hollanders, that are jealous of our
footing here, and would not willingly allow us even this poor little
town from which to trade. But also it is true of those that are set in
command under me in the conduct of this adventure, that are for ever
plotting and striving to ruin me, and may yet succeed in this. They
know that their power is great. Already more than one of our captains,
that had proved his fidelity to me, has been summoned to France upon a
sealed letter,[93] to linger out the remainder of his life in prison,
and I know that the base wretches among whom my lot is cast would
willingly see the same done by me. Tell me, sir, what you would
consider the duty of a person of honour in such a case, whether to
obey his majesty’s order, or to resist, if resistance were possible?”
“Truly, my lord,” says I, “my impulse would be to escape, if this
could be done without loss of credit, though I conceive it should be
most honourable to abide and receive the blow.”
“Ah!” cried he, with sudden passion, rising from his seat and walking
to and fro in the chamber, “would that I had always at my side a man
that I could trust! He should be related to me, if that were possible,
either by blood or by marriage” (here he cast a look at my face, yet
suddenly and hastily, not as doing it with intention), “and ’twould be
all as well if he wan’t a Frenchman. He should be next to me in all
things, and I would always seek his counsel, feeling assured that such
a man was the immediate gift of heaven. What do you say, Mr Carlyon?
Are you acquainted with any such person? You will think upon the
matter, and if there come to your mind one that may seem to you worthy
of my trust and of such a high place, you will give me to know of
him.”
“Most gladly, my lord,” said I, though somewhat slowly, for he was
regarding me strangely, as I thought. He remained silent for some
time, his chin on his hand, and then spake again.
“Mr Carlyon, I am about to repose a great trust in you. You must
perceive that I entertain the highest confidence in your honour and
discretion before I should so far outrage the customs of my great
nation as to prefer you to the charge I now propose to you. You have
heard that a Dutch fleet has lain of late before our walls, and left
us only in that _hurracan_ that preceded your coming hither?”
“Yes, my lord,” says I. “Mr Marigny hath told me on’t.”
“Now that our harbour is once more free,” saith his lordship, “it is
in my mind to go out with the ships that are left us, and voyage along
the coast, seeking whether there be any place more propitious than
this for us poor exiles. On such a voyage as this there may well be
both hardship and danger, and I don’t desire that my daughter shall
accompany me. She must remain here, but I am interested to leave with
her a protector in whom I can repose confidence. Will you be so good
as accept this office?”
“My lord,” says I, struck with amazement, “you do me a very great
honour, but sure your own officers will take it very ill in me to
pretend to such a post.”
“I am indifferent to that,” says he, “and you will do well to be so
too. As to my officers, moreover, the most of ’em will go with me,
leaving only enough to hold the place. These are generally very young,
and might venture to presume upon the favour granted ’em, and as for
Laborde, the commandant of the fort, to whom I should naturally have
intrusted this office, he thought fit, some time ago (I am speaking to
you freely and in confidence, sir), to pretend to my daughter’s hand.
Mademoiselle de Tourvel rejected his vows, with my approbation, but
you can well perceive, sir, how unpleasant ’twould be to her
sensibilities to be brought into close relation with him.”
I made answer that I was fully sensible on’t, but at the same time, I
felt myself overwhelmed by this great honour and place of trust that
was thrust upon me. And truly, I can’t even now refrain from wondering
at the hardihood wherewith his lordship placed me in a situation in
which, had I been only half so great a villain as my enemies declare
me, I might have acted even as they feign that I did. Yet I did not in
the smallest degree desire to retreat from the honour that was offered
me, for the blood leaped in my veins at the very thought that my arm
might defend Madam Heliodora, and I became aware that I almost longed
for a bloody assault to be made upon the town, that so I might die in
ensuring her safety. And I am sure that my face spake for me, and
conveyed what my stammering tongue could not utter, for his lordship
laughed pleasantly, saying--
“It is well. You accept of the trust--an’t it so? I had read in your
face, that not here should my confidence be betrayed. Are you skilled
in reading the nature of men from their faces, Mr Carlyon?”
“I fear not, my lord,” says I, and indeed, I had never thought of such
a thing.
“You will do well to cultivate the art,” says he. “’Tis one of those
matters wherein he that is born a statesman hath the advantage over
those that are only late become so. But now listen, if you please, to
the cautions I must needs lay upon you.”
And thereupon he gave me much counsel as to the manner in which I had
best carry myself towards the guard and towards the officers of the
garrison, and the precaution that ought to be observed against any
attempt from without, or treason from within. And having ended all his
admonitions, which I was sedulous to preserve, either in my mind or on
my tablets, he dismissed me, and I returning to the lodging, found
there Mr Marigny, who with his servant was busy packing his clothes
and other matters, for to go on board of the ships with my lord. And
telling him of his lordship’s condescension, and of the honour that he
purposed putting upon me, he straightway fell a-laughing, and for all
that I could do, would say naught but--
“My lord is an ingenious person.”
“Truly,” said I, “I must needs believe now what I had never
divined--namely, that he is also a most trustful and simple person.
How otherwise could he have advanced one that was an absolute stranger
to him unto such a place of trust--a trust that I would give my life
sooner than betray?”
“That is it which my lord has divined,” says he. “He reads faces, and
constitutions also, and ’twould seem that he has judged you as you
judge your own self. He is one of those that do never fear to take a
great risk when they are bent on a great purpose.”
“But what purpose hath his lordship in this?” I asked.
“Ah, that I can’t tell,” said he. “I don’t pretend to read my lord’s
face, still less his purposes.”
And with that our talk upon this question ceased, and we spake only of
indifferent matters until the time came that the trumpet sounded for
to summon those that were to start upon this adventure, and my lord
embarked at the water-gate with his following of officers, the common
men and servants being already on board. Then the three ships (two
being only country-built), which was all that the French now possessed
at this place, made sail and stood out of the harbour, and I came to
the moving my stuff, such as it was, from Mr Marigny’s lodging to that
part of the palace where a chamber had been prepared me. And here was
everything already set in order with great care, and divers servants
appointed for to attend upon me, so that I went through the day,
though solitary, in great state, such as men might use for a captive
prince. But towards evening there come Madam Heliodora’s blackamoor
page, praying the honour of my company to supper with the ladies, and
there was I mightily entertained, her ladyship and Mad. de Chesnac
conversing with me most agreeably touching those things that I had
seen in divers countries, and recounting also to me their own
experiences. And before I departed, the keys of the place was brought
in with great respect by Colonel Laborde, and delivered to Madam
Heliodora for safe keeping, and I went round the walls with him, and
marked that all was quiet, and the sentinels all posted, before I
returned to my lodging. And so to bed, wondering much over the events
of the day, and experiencing a prodigious gratitude for the happy
chance that permitted me to spend some time daily in the sweet company
of that beautiful and gracious lady.
And this same happy posture of affairs continued for more than ten
days, I remaining most friendly with Colonel Laborde, but never
suffering him to override me in my duty with regard to the palace. And
on every evening I enjoyed the extraordinary felicity of beholding
Madam Heliodora and of hearing her discourse, so that I comforted
myself the whole day long with considering that at night I should see
her again, and gain from her that instruction and wisdom wherein she
was so much better provided than I.
Now on one of these evenings it was that Mad. de Chesnac, tiring of
our talk, bade Madam Heliodora take her theorba[94] and sing to us
some little song. And this she did, not once only, but thrice, and
with a voice and manner that was divine. And perceiving me listening
to her with great admiration, she gave the theorba on a sudden to me,
and begged of me to let them hear some of the songs of my country. Now
my singing had used in former days to be much commended, both at Surat
and at Goa, but I felt myself greatly discomposed by this command, and
cast about with earnest care for the songs that I should sing. And
first I sang that famous ode of Sir Henry Wotton, Knt., upon the late
Queen of Bohemia, but so entirely was I occupied by the present, and
not by the past, that where he had wrote _Philomel_, I sang
_Heliodore_, which the ladies perceiving, they did tax me with it, and
make very merry. And they considering that ’twas done for the sake of
a civil artifice, and commanding that I should spoil no more of my
songs for the purpose of a compliment, I did sing Mr Herrick’s
beauteous song entitled _To Anthea, who may command him anything_. And
over this Mad. de Chesnac did laugh mightily, after I had explained
the words (she speaking no English, and Madam Heliodora only an
indifferent amount); but my lady withdrew herself into the shade of a
curtain, and seemed prodigious thoughtful, I wondering whether she
discerned in my voice that ’twas to her I sang in especial. And Mad.
de Chesnac demanding another song that should be more grave and
profitable, I made choice of that sweet piece of the brave Colonel
Lovelace’s, _To Lucasta, on going beyond the seas_. Now this, thought
I, must tell my lady how I feel towards her, though I ben’t (at
present) going beyond the seas; but to my great dismay, after I had
finished, my lady rose from her place and passed quickly from the
chamber, and I saw that there was tears on her face. Greatly terrified
and ashamed, I looked to Mad. de Chesnac, who essayed immediately to
comfort me.
“Pray don’t alarm yourself, my young friend. The sensibilities of
mademoiselle are very acute, and that pathetical song of yours hath
moved her to tears. But she will return immediately.”
And in truth, before many minutes was over, Madam Heliodora did
return, and having offered a genteel apology for her absence, took her
usual place, but blushed when she discovered me regarding her, and for
the rest of the evening her eyes seemed to meet mine with a certain
entreaty. And this caused me to be prodigiously tumbled up and down in
my mind, so that on returning to my lodging I sat long in the gallery
looking over the sea, thinking what this should mean that had passed,
in the stead of going to bed. Now it may seem to you strange, but so
it was, that never until this night had I entertained the expectation
of seeking from this lady, whom I had so suddenly and so entirely
loved, any return of my affection. But now, pondering over her words
and actions, I could not resist the notion that they had spoke of
love, and though for this I called myself a fool and a coxcomb, and
demanded to know what there was in me to draw a lady’s fancy, and
especially of such a lady, so beautiful and witty, and used to the
manners of the politest of courts, yet I could not rid myself of the
thought. And arriving at this conclusion, my heart leaped, and the
blood coursed through my veins with so much joy, that I could scarce
refrain from throwing my hat into the air, and calling out _Glory be
to God!_ after the manner of certain of the Puritan fanatics at home.
But by great good fortune there come just then into my mind that look
I had seen in my lady’s eyes, as if to entreat me not to betray her
secret, and I resolved that I would die ere I would cause any sorrow
to my sweet mistress. But nevertheless it was happy for me that the
next day fell on a Sunday, so that I found no opportunity to try my
lady’s feelings towards me by the singing of more songs.
It being Sunday, there was offices[95] in the churches of the town,
and in that nearest the palace Mass was sung by the French priest that
had accompanied his lordship hither. This was an ancient and kindly
person, and forbore to press me to attend Mass when I had told him of
my different faith, so that I could not but felicitate myself upon the
difference that lay between the French and the Portugals in such
matters. But, as all the world now knows, all the French priests are
not so gentle as good Father Simon. Now as I wandered on the ramparts,
desiring much some Bible or Book of Common Prayer, wherewith I might
have edified my mind, there come towards me Madam Heliodora, with her
little page carrying a book fastened with a silver chain, as if meant
to hang from a lady’s girdle. I looked to see whether she yet
remembered what had passed the night before, but her face was calm
again, and she met my eye with her usual noble modesty.
“I have brought you a little book, sir,” said she, “knowing that you
have here no office-book of your Church wherewith to assist your
devotions. ’Tis a _Hugonot_ book, and belonged to my grandmother, that
favoured that party. For this reason I can but lend it you, since it
is very precious to me; but I entreat that you will retain it so long
as we have the pleasure of your company here.”
And thus speaking, she took the book from the child and gave it to me,
I bowing low, and thanking her ladyship for her great kindness in so
thinking upon me. And when she was departed, I did look into the book,
and found it to contain the Psalter, rendered into French verse by one
Mons. Clement Marot. On the first page was wrote in a woman’s hand,
the ink now all faded, _Charlotte Anne de Tourvel, born de Galampré_,
and on the margents of the leaves was there notes writ by the same
hand in many places. All through the time of Mass I studied in the
little book with great diligence, sitting in a shaded alcove on the
wall of the palace, and listening to the tinkling of the little bells
from the churches. But when I had finished, I put the book in my
pocket, and set to communing with myself touching Madam Heliodora. And
considering in my mind the space that I had known this lady, it seemed
to me a thing incredible, as doubtless it will to you, that I had seen
her for the first time little more than a week before, and that all my
love was grown up in that span of time. And upon this I fell to asking
myself whether it were possible that I had interpreted her actions
wrongly, but remembered that all the poets and romancers were agreed
that tears and blushes and deep agitation was a sign of love, and
’twas these very things that had first turned my thoughts that way.
And so great was the joy that these considerations brought me, upon my
now trying the dreams of the night by the wisdom of the day, that I
could scarce contain myself, so that I must needs set to and walk all
round the walls while the day was yet hot (a piece of extravagance
that might justly have brought me a stroke of the sun), and so, being
tired out, back to the palace to rest.
And the next evening I supped with the ladies as before, but we had no
singing, for Madam Heliodora was silent and very thoughtful, and sat
by herself in the window without speaking. But I, remembering a
certain proverb of Mr Martin’s, that ran, _Many kisse the child for
the nurse’s sake_, did resolve to follow the counsel given therein,
though turning it contrariwise, and so paid my court to Madam
Heliodora through her cousin Mad. de Chesnac. This lady was of so
merry and sportive a humour that she could not endure dulness nor
melancholy about her, and engaged me speedily in a war of words
touching the differences betwixt our two nations. And upon my making
confession that I had always believed the ladies of France to be of a
light and frivolous constitution, until I had the happiness to become
acquainted with Madam Heliodora and herself, and so prove them to be
both discreet and at the same time gracious, she did laugh mightily,
and would have had my lady hear this fine jest. But seeing her still
sit pensive at the window, she inclined her head toward me and saith
very low--
“You must not take mademoiselle as a fair pattern of the ladies of
France, sir. She is more than half a _Hugonot_ by nature, and they are
wellnigh as much English as yourself. ’Tis from her grandmother she
hath it, my lord marquis his mother.”
“But sure my lord an’t inclined to _Hugonotry_?” said I.
“Nay, he was took while very young out of his mother’s charge, and his
father had him bred up at a Jesuit college. Then he came under the
notice of my lord the old cardinal,[96] who interested him in these
Indian adventures, and after his patron’s death he lived in Paris in
the manner of other persons of his rank until his patrimony was gone,
and his majesty was induced to use his experience in Eastern matters
by naming him viceroy.”
And after this did Mad. de Chesnac tell me much more touching my lord
marquis, which it would be tedious to set down, and also concerning my
lady his wife, and then touching herself, how that she, being a young
kinswoman of my lady of Tourvel, had espoused an elderly gentleman of
my lord marquis his following, that so she might continue near her
patroness.
“My husband was slain in a brawl,” says she, “before I had been wed a
month, and I continued with my cousin, and since her death, with
mademoiselle her daughter. Now you perceive, sir, how it is that in my
old age I follow this young lady all over the world.”
“Ah, madam,” cried I, “would that I were in your place!”
“What a fine compliment!” cries she, mightily diverted. “My cousin,
you must hear this--I insist on’t,” and she repeated what I had said.
“Mr Carlyon can’t know what a troublesome and whimsical creature I am,
since he says that,” says Madam Heliodora, coming back into the
saloon, and leaving me blushing and ashamed that she should hear my
hasty words.
For several nights thereafter we did spend the time before supper in
singing and talking, and it seemed to me that my love was prospering,
so that my heart grew more and more light, for I observed that Madam
Heliodora was wont to fall into long fits of musing, reddening and
paling again when she was disturbed, and this again, say our authors,
is a sure sign of love. And I reading it so, was wont to feel as
though treading upon air the while I made my rounds with Colonel
Laborde, singing meantime in a low voice snatches of the songs that
had been sung. He looked at me often, and smiled as though knowing
what was in my mind, and I don’t doubt he could have told me something
had he so desired it. I can’t determine now whether he was willing
that another should suffer as he had done, or whether he judged that I
should resent his speaking to me on such a topic (as was, indeed, most
probable); but he did but shrug his great shoulders (he was a sturdy
fellow from that part of France which they call Bretaigne or Little
Britain), and said naught, and I likewise.
But it came to pass that about this time was a period put to this
simple and harmless-seeming enjoyment of mine by adverse causes from
without, no other than the King of Gulconda’s suddenly bringing up his
soldiers again from their camps for to attempt the city. It seemed
most likely that he had learned the absence of my lord marquis
(doubtless from some of the Moors left in the place, that we always
suspected of bringing intelligence to their friends without the walls,
though we could never catch ’em in the act), and desired to compass
our destruction before he could return. And the Moors attempting to
carry the walls by an escalado, we beat them off, and turned our minds
to consider how we should best maintain a lengthened defence. My
business lay with the palace, and on the strengthening thereof I did
bestow endless care, instructing the ladies and their attendants, with
the whole guard, that upon any alarm of the enemy’s having gained a
footing on the wall, they should run into the tower overlooking the
water-gate, wherein I stored up both arms and powder and shot, and
also a sufficient quantity of victuals. And this, my own especial
duty, having been seen to, I was very ready to seek other work, and
willingly offered myself as Madam Heliodora’s messenger, for to visit
the guards on the walls at the several towers, and bring back to her
the latest news of the defence. And the enemy came against us next
with much greater judgment than before, dividing his forces and
attempting many points at once, whereby we were hard put to it to
maintain the walls with our small numbers. There was some very pretty
fighting done (wherein I won’t deny that I did take my part, though
’twould be unprofitable to set down all the particulars thereof), and
we were able to rid ourselves of our foe for the present, they
retiring some distance off.
Now, would you not expect that, this happy event being attained, all
in the place should have united together with one mind to strengthen
the walls and prepare against a fresh assault? But it wan’t so, for
there was among the French officers certain timorous and politic
persons that, like the children of Israel concerning Moses, said of my
lord marquis that since he was now absent for near three weeks without
returning, doubtless he and his ships were taken by the Dutch, and
that ’twere best to come to terms with the King of Gulconda while we
might. I verily believe that the chief concernment for these gentlemen
was that they might spite and injure my lord, in thus giving up his
city in his absence; but they did not venture to say this openly, but
spake of having gentlewomen in their company, and that for their sake
they must seek to make peace. But sure such men as these could know
naught of the stuff whereof that intrepid lady, of whom they
principally spake, was made, for she, on hearing of their murmurs and
the propositions they put forward, turned pale with anger, and called
a council to assemble immediately.
Now to this council I was admitted only by favour, and by my lady’s
command, as one appointed by my lord her father to a weighty post; but
truly ’twas a brave sight to see all these officers assemble, in their
laced clothes and great perukes, and Madam Heliodora, mighty fine in
black satin and very rich white lace, sitting at the head of the table
like a queen. ’Tis my belief that these gentlemen conceived that they
had been summoned together for to deliberate upon articles of
accommodation with the enemy, and sure they must have been
prodigiously amazed when Madam Heliodora arose and spake without one
of ’em saying a word. Speaking with an elegance of language and a
nobility of tone I have never known equalled, she said that she had
been appointed to the oversight of the city by the marquis her father,
and that she would continue to hold it for his lordship and for the
king. Certain persons (she said) had dared to think and talk of
surrender--let them know that she, Heliodora de Tourvel, would die
among the falling ruins of the town before she would suffer the word
to be so much as mentioned in her hearing. If any one should venture
to advocate an accommodation, let him stand out, and he should be
arrested and imprisoned to await the marquis’s return, when his
lordship would know how to deal with him. If they had anything further
to say, let them say it; but if not, then in God’s name let ’em go
back to the walls and maintain their posts against the Moors. And
they, having listened stupefied, being took by surprise as much as was
I by the fiery courage of the lady, did depart in silence. But shortly
after comes Colonel Laborde again into the chamber, and saith, after
his stiff fashion--
“Madam, I have the honour to report that the look-out men declare that
they see three ships approaching the harbour, pursued by a fleet, and
that they suggest that his lordship is returning.”
“Thank God!” cried Madam Heliodora, turning very white, and trembled
as though she would have fallen, but recovered herself, and gave me
her hand to lead her back to her own apartments, which I did, being
filled with extraordinary admiration for her bravery.
Now the report of the look-out men was so far just in that the three
ships they had discerned proved to be my lord’s, and that he reached
the harbour safely and cast anchor in deep water under the walls of
the fort, the pursuing fleet, which was of course that of the Dutch,
following him in, but casting anchor nearer to the entrance. But when
we looked for my lord to land, he would not by no means do this,
foreseeing that the Dutch, now that they were waxed so bold, might
find a means to destroy his ships if he left ’em, and desiring to
strike a blow that might rid him of his enemies for a time. And so
night fell, both the Dutch ships and my lord’s hanging out lanterns
where they faced each other, for to prevent an attack by boats. Now in
the middle of the night (as we heard afterwards from my lord), he
loosed his own great ship, which lay outmost of the three, from her
moorings, with the greatest expedition and secrecy imaginable,
transferring her light on board of a _catameran_ (which is a kind of
skeleton-boat used by the Indians of this coast for landing where
there is much surf), which he moored where the ship had lain, so that
she seemed to those in the Dutch fleet to be still there. Then,
because he knew the harbour well, and had on board an Indian that was
esteemed the skilfullest pilot of those parts, he sailed round by the
outer part of the harbour, where the Dutch durst not anchor, for fear
of sand-banks, and so came upon them from the outside, and attacked
them very furiously.
Now we within the city were awakened by the noise of this battle,
thinking at first that the Dutch was assaulting the place with bombs,
and very soon all that were not on guard at other points of the walls
gathered at the water-gate for to behold the fighting. ’Twas a
prodigious dark night, the which had favoured my lord’s stratagem, and
all our enlightenment was by the flashes from the guns of the ships on
both sides. Now this Dutch fleet, though near all the several ships
was greater and heavier than my lord’s one, was thrown into such great
confusion by this sudden attack as made them think that their enemy
was a reinforcement of new ships from Europe, since they saw (as they
believed) my lord’s three ships lying still idle inside of ’em, and
being unable in the darkness to distinguish that their assailant was
only one, they slipped their cables for to run out of the harbour,
running foul of one another and doing much damage in their haste. And
all this, in so far as we could discern the course of events, we on
the walls watched with great contentment, and I in especial, being
nothing loath to see defeated (though it were at the hand of a
Frenchman), those rascally Hollanders from whom we in Britain had
suffered so much. And with so much bravery and judgment did my lord
handle his ship, as that he was able to perform that which he had
desired--viz., to drive away the Dutch fleet while all was still dark,
so that they should not discover the truth. Then when the fleet was
departed, sorely battered and discomfited, he brought his own ship
back to her station, and landed at the water-gate with great pomp. And
here he was met by all the garrison with acclamations, and the loudest
among ’em was two or three Europe women of the lower sort, that were
come first of all in the ships, and had urged on their husbands to
demand the surrender of the town in his lordship’s absence. And so to
bed again, much wearied, after due greeting given to his lordship.