CHAPTER I.

Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books

Transcriber's Note:

1. Page scan source:

http://books.google.com/books?id=BO4wAAAAYAAJ

THE HEART OF DENISE

AND OTHER TALES

[Illustration: "DE CLERMONT GAVE MADAME AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT OF THE

DEFENCE OF AMBAZAC MADE BY HER HUSBAND AGAINST THE PRINCE OF CONDE"

Page 39]

The Heart of Denise

and Other Tales

BY

S. LEVETT-YEATS

_Author of "The Chevalier d'Auriac_,"

"_The Honour of Savelli," etc_.

NEW YORK

LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.

LONDON AND BOMBAY

1899

Copyright, 1898, by

S. LEVETT YEATS.

* * *

_All rights reserved_.

ROBERT DRUMMOND, PRINTER, NEW YORK.

CONTENTS.

THE HEART OF DENISE.

I. M. de Lorgnac's Price.

II. The Oratory.

III. The Spur of Les Eschelles.

IV. At Ambazac.

V. M. Le Marquis Leads His Highest Trump.

VI. At the Sign of the Golden Frog.

VII. Unmasked.

VIII. Blaise de Lorgnac.

IX. La Coquille's Message.

X. Monsieur le Chevalier is Paid in Full.

THE CAPTAIN MORATTI'S LAST AFFAIR.

I. "Arcades Ambo."

II. At "The Devil on Two Sticks."

III. Felicita.

IV. Conclusion--The Torre Dolorosa.

THE TREASURE OF SHAGUL.

THE FOOT OF GAUTAMA.

THE DEVIL'S MANUSCRIPT.

I. The Black Packet.

II. The Red Trident.

III. "The Mark of the Beast."

UNDER THE ACHILLES.

THE MADNESS OF SHERE BAHADUR.

REGINE'S APE.

A SHADOW OF THE PAST.

THE HEART OF DENISE

CHAPTER I.

M. DE LORGNAC'S PRICE.

One afternoon I sat alone in the little anteroom before the Queen

Mother's cabinet. In front of me was an open door. The curtains of

violet velvet, spangled with golden lilies, were half drawn, and

beyond extended a long, narrow, and gloomy corridor, leading into the

main salon of the Hotel de Soissons, from which the sound of music and

occasional laughter came to me. My sister maids of honour were there,

doubtless making merry as was their wont with the cavaliers of the

court, and I longed to be with them, instead of watching away the

hours in the little prison, I can call it no less, that led to the

Queen's closet.

In the corridor were two sentries standing as motionless as statues.

They were in shadow, except where here and there a straggling gleam of

light caught their armour with dazzling effect, and M. de Lorgnac, the

lieutenant of the guard, paced slowly up and down the full length of

the passage, twisting his dark moustache, and turning abruptly when he

came within a few feet of the entrance to the anteroom.

I was so dull and wearied that it would have been something even to

talk to M. de Lorgnac, bear though he was, but he took no more notice

of me than if I were a stick or a stone, and yet there were, I do not

know how many, who would have given their ears for a _tete-a-tete_

with Denise de Mieux.

I ought not to have been surprised, for the lieutenant showed no more

favour to any one else than he did to me, and during the year or more

I had been here, enjoying for the first time in my life the gaieties

of the Court, after my days in apron-strings at Lespaille, my uncle de

Tavannes' seat, I had not, nor had a soul as far as I knew, seen M. de

Lorgnac exchange more than a formal bow and a half-dozen words with

any woman. He was poor as a homeless cat, his patrimony, as we heard,

being but a sword and a ruined tower somewhere in the Correze. So, as

he had nothing to recommend him except a tall, straight figure, and a

reputation for bravery--qualities that were shared by a hundred others

with more agreeable manners, we left Monsieur L'Ours, as we nicknamed

him, to himself, and, to say the truth, he did not seem much

discomposed by our neglect.

As for me I hardly noticed his existence, sometimes barely returning

his bow; but often have I caught him observing me gravely with a

troubled look in his grey eyes, and as ill-luck would have it, this

was ever when I was engaged in some foolish diversion, and I used to

feel furious, as I thought he was playing the spy on me, and press on

to other folly, over which, in the solitude of my room, I would stamp

my foot with vexation, and sometimes shed tears of anger.

This afternoon, when I thought of the long hours I had to spend

waiting the Queen's pleasure, of the mellow sunlight which I could see

through the glazing of the dormer window that lit the room, of the

gaiety and brightness outside, I felt dull and wearied beyond

description. I had foolishly neglected to bring a book or my

embroidery, so that even my fingers had to be still, and in my utter

boredom I believe I should have actually welcomed the company of

Catherine's hideous dwarf, Majosky.

It had come to me that perhaps M. de Lorgnac, who had, no doubt, a

weary enough watch in the corridor, might feel disposed to beguile a

little of his tedium, and to amuse me for a few minutes, and I had

purposely drawn the curtains and opened the door of the anteroom so

that he might see I was there, and alone, and that the door of the

Queen Mother's cabinet was shut. I then, I confess it, put myself in

the most becoming attitude I could think of, but, as I have said

before, he took not the slightest notice of me, and walked up and

down, _tramp_, _tramp_, backwards and forwards as if he were a piece

of clockwork--like that which Messer Cosmo, the Italian, made for

Monsieur, the King's brother.

I began to feel furious at the slight--it was no less I

considered--that he was putting on me, and wished I had the tongue and

the spirit of Mademoiselle de Chateauneuf, so that I could make my

gentleman smart as she did M. de Luxembourg. For a moment or so I

pulled at the silken fringe of my _tourette-de-nez_, and then made up

my mind to show M. de Lorgnac that the very sight of him was

unpleasant to me. So I waited until in his march he came to a yard or

so from the spot where he regularly turned on his heel, and then,

springing up, attempted to draw the curtains across the door. Somehow

or other they would not move, and de Lorgnac stepped forward quietly

and pulled them together. As he did this our eyes met, and there was

the twinkle of a smile in his glance, as if he had seen through my

artifices and was laughing at them. I felt my face grow warm, and was

grateful that the light was behind me; but I thanked him icily, and

with his usual stiff bow he turned off without a word.

I came back to my seat, my face crimson, my eyes swimming with tears,

and feeling if there was a man on earth that I hated it was the

lieutenant of the guard.

It had a good two hours or so to run before my time of waiting would

be over, and I may take the plunge now, and confess that the

lengthened period of attendance to which I was subjected, was in a

measure a punishment, for my having ridden out alone with M. de

Clermont, and, owing to an accident that befell my horse, had not been

able to return until very late. The ill-chance which followed all my

girlish escapades was not wanting on this occasion, with the result,

that whereas ten others might have escaped, I was observed in what was

after all but a harmless frolic, and my conduct reported on--and

Madame, who had a weak enough eye for follies, and sometimes

sins, that were committed by rule--she loved to direct our

ill-doings--rated me soundly and imposed this penance, and perhaps the

worse punishment that was to follow, on me.

In the anteroom there was but a cushioned stool for the lady in

waiting, and this was placed close to the door, so that one could hear

Queen Catherine calling, for she never rang for us, as did the

Lorrainer for even such ladies as the Duchesse de Nemours, the mother

of Guise.

I pushed the seat closer towards the door and, hardly thinking what I

was doing, leaned my head against the woodwork and dropped off into a

sort of troubled doze. How long I slept in this manner I cannot say;

but I was suddenly aroused by the distinct mention of my name,

followed by a laugh from within the cabinet. I looked up in affright,

for the laugh was the King's, and for the moment I wondered how he had

passed in, then recollecting the private passage I knew that he must

have come in thence. I would have withdrawn, but the mention of my

name coupled with the King's laughter aroused my curiosity, and I

remained in my position, making, however, a bargain with my conscience

by removing my head from the carved oak of the door. It was my duty to

be where I was, and although I would make no effort to listen, yet if

those within were talking of me, and loud enough for me to hear, I

thought it no harm to stay, especially as it was Henri who was

speaking, for I knew enough to be aware that no one was safe from his

scandalous tongue. I may have been wrong in acting as I did, but I do

not think there is one woman in a thousand who would have done

otherwise, supposing her to be as I was--but one-and-twenty years of

age.

So thick, however, was the door, that, my head once removed, I could

hear but snatches of the converse within.

"It is his price, Madame," I heard the King say, "and, after all, it

is a cheap one, considering her escapade with de Clermont. _Morbleu!_

But he is a sad dog!"

And then came another surprise, for the gruff voice of my uncle, the

Marshal de Tavannes, added:

"Cheap or dear! I for one am willing that it should be paid, and at

once. She has brought disgrace enough on our house already. As for the

man; if poor he is noble and as brave as his sword. He is well able to

look after her."

"If he keeps his head," put in the King, whilst my ears burned at the

uncomplimentary speech of my guardian, and my heart began to sink.

Then came something I did not catch from Catherine, and after that a

murmur of indistinct voices. At last the King's high-pitched tones

rose again. It was a voice that seemed to drill its way through the

door.

"Enough! It is agreed that we pay in advance--eh, Tavannes? Send for

the little baggage, if she is, as you say, here, and we will tell her

at once. The matter does not admit of any delay. St. Blaise! I should

say that after thirty a man must be mad to peril his neck for any

woman!"

I rose from my seat trembling all over with anger and apprehension,

and as I did so the Queen Mother's voice rang out sharply:

"Mademoiselle de Mieux!"

The next moment the door opened, and the dwarf Majosky put out his

leering face.

"Enter, mademoiselle!" he said, with a grotesque bow, adding in a

rapid, malignant whisper as I passed him, "You are going to be

married--to me."

At any other time I would have spared no pains to get him punished for

his insolence; but now, so taken aback was I at what I had heard, that

I scarcely noticed him, and entered the room as if in a dream. Indeed,

it was only with an effort that I recollected myself sufficiently to

make my reverence to the King. He called out as I did so, "_Mordieu!_

I retract, Tavannes! I retract! Faith! I almost feel as if I could

take the adventure on myself!"

A slight exclamation of annoyance escaped the Queen, and Tavannes said

coldly:

"Perhaps your Majesty had better inform my niece of your good

pleasure," adding grimly, "and I guarantee mademoiselle's obedience."

There was a minute or so of silence, during which the King was, as it

were, picking his words, whilst I stood before him. Majosky shuffled

down at Catherine's feet, and watched me with his wicked, blinking

eyes. I do not remember to have looked around me, and yet every little

detail of that scene will remain stamped on my memory until the day I

die.

Madame, the Queen Mother, was at her secretary, her fingers toying

with a jewelled paper-knife, and her white face and glittering eyes

fixed steadily on me, eyes with that pitiless look in them which we

all knew so well, and which made the most daring of us tremble. A

little to my right stood de Tavannes, one hand on the back of a chair,

and stroking his grizzled beard with the other. Before me, on a

coffer, whereon he had negligently thrown himself, was the King, and

he surveyed me without speaking, with a half-approving, half-sarcastic

look that made my blood tingle, and almost gave me back my courage.

In sharp contrast to the solemn black of Catherine's robes and the

stern soldierly marshal was the figure of the King. Henri was dressed

in his favourite colours, orange, green, and tan, with a short cloak

of the same three hues hanging from his left shoulder. His pourpoint

was open at the throat, around which was clasped a necklet of pearls,

and he wore three ruffs, one such as we women wear, of lace that fell

over the shoulders, and two smaller ones as stiff as starch could make

them. He wore earrings, there were rings on his embroidered gloves,

and all over his person, from his sleeves to the aigrette he wore on

the little turban over his peruke, a multitude of gems glittered. On

his left side, near his sword hilt, was a bunch of medallions of

ladies who had smiled on him, and this was balanced on the other hand

by an equally large cluster of charms and relics. As he sat there he

kept tapping the end of one of his shoes with a little cane, whilst he

surveyed me with an almost insulting glance in the mocking eyes that

looked out from his painted cheeks.

The silence was like to have become embarrassing had not Catherine,

impatient of delay, put in with that even voice of hers:

"Perhaps I had better explain your Majesty's commands;" and then

without waiting for an answer she went on, looking me straight in the

face--

"Mademoiselle. In his thought for your welfare--a kindness you have

not deserved--the King has been pleased to decide on your marriage.

Circumstances necessitate the ceremony being performed at once, and I

have to tell you that it will take place three hours hence. His

Majesty will do you the honour of being himself present on the

occasion."

This was beyond my worst fears. I was speechless, and glanced from one

to the other in supplication; but I saw no ray of pity in their faces.

Alas! These were the three iron hearts that had sat and planned the

Massacre.

The Queen's face was as stone. The King half closed his eyes, and his

lips curled into a smile as if he enjoyed the situation; but my uncle,

within whose bluff exterior was a subtle, cruel heart, spoke out

harshly:

"You hear, mademoiselle! Thank the King, and get you gone to make

ready. I am sick of your endless flirtations, and there must be an end

to them--there must be no more talk of your frivolities."

Anger brought back my courage, and half turning away from Tavannes, I

said to the Queen:

"I thank the King, madame, for his kindness. Perhaps you will add to

it by telling me the name of the gentleman who intends to honour me by

making me his wife."

"_Arnidieu!_ She makes a point," laughed the King.

"She shall marry a stick if I will it," said de Tavannes; but Madame

the Queen Mother lifted her hand in deprecation.

"It is M. de Lorgnac," she said.

"De Lorgnac! De Lorgnac!" I gasped, hardly believing my ears. "Oh,

madame! It is impossible. I hate him. What have I done to be forced

into this? Your Majesty," and I turned to the King, "I will not marry

that man."

"Well, would you prefer de Clermont?" he asked, with a little laugh;

but de Tavannes burst out:

"Sire! This matter admits of no delay. She shall marry de Lorgnac, if

I have to drag her to the altar."

"Thank you, monsieur," I said with a courtesy; "it is kindness itself

that you, the Count de Tavannes, peer and marshal of France, show to

your sister's child."

He winced at my words; but Catherine again interposed.

"Mademoiselle! you do not understand; and if I hurt you now it is your

own fault. Let me tell you that for a tithe of your follies

Mademoiselle de Torigny was banished from court to a nunnery. You may

not be aware of it, but the whole world, at least our world, and that

is enough for us, is talking of your affair with de Clermont, who, as

you well know, is an affianced man. It is for the sake of your house,

for your own good name, and because you will do the King a great

service by obeying, that this has been decided on, and you must--do

you hear?--must do as we bid you."

She dropped her words out one by one, cool, passionless, and brutal in

their clearness. My face was hot with shame and anger, and yet I knew

that the ribald tongues that spared not the King's sister would not

spare me. I, the heiress of Mieux, to be a by-word in the court! I to

be married out of hand like a laundress of the _coulisse!_ It was too

much! It was unbearable! And to be bound to de Lorgnac above all

others! Was ever woman wooed and wed as I?

I burst into a passion of angry tears. I went so far as to humble

myself on my knees; but Henri only laughed and slipped out by the

secret door, and de Tavannes followed him with a rough oath.

"Say this is a jest, madame!" I sobbed out to the Queen. "I am

punished enough. Say it is a jest. It must be so. You do not mean it.

It is too cruel!"

"No more is happening to you than what the daughters of France have to

bear sometimes."

"That should make you the more pitiful, madame, for such as I. Let me

go, madame, to a nunnery--even to that of Our Lady of Lespaille--but

spare me this!"

"It is impossible," she said sharply. "See, here is Madame de Martigny

come, and she will conduct you to your room. Tush! It is nothing after

all, girl. And it will be better than a convent and a lost name. Do

not make a scene."

I rose to my feet stunned and bewildered, and Madame de Martigny put

her arm through mine, and dried my eyes with her kerchief.

"Come, mademoiselle," she said, "we have to pass through the corridor

to gain your apartment. Keep up your heart!"

"I offer my escort," mocked the dwarf, "and will go so far as to

take M. de Lorgnac's place, if your royal pleasure will allow--ah!

ah!"--and he broke into a shriek, for Catherine had swiftly and

silently raised a dog-whip, and brought it across his shoulders as he

sat crouching at her feet.

"Begone!" she said. "Another speech like that and I break you on the

wheel!" Then she turned to Madame de Martigny.

"Take her away by the private door. She is not fit to see or be seen

now. Tell Pare to give her a cordial if she needs it, and see that she

is ready in time. Go, mademoiselle, and be a brave girl!"