We saw Cauvignac taking his departure from Libourne, and we know the
object of his journey.
When he reached the spot where his men, under Ferguzon's command,
lay in camp, he paused an instant, not to take breath, but to put in
execution a plan which his inventive genius had formed in half an hour
and while he was riding like the wind.
In the first place he said to himself, with infinite good sense, that
if he made his appearance before Madame la Princesse after what had
happened, Madame la Princesse, who was about to hang Canolles, against
whom she had nothing, would not fail to hang him, of whom she had good
reason to complain; and so his mission, which might be successful in
so far that Canolles would be saved, would assuredly fail in that he
would be hanged. He lost no time therefore in changing coats with one
of his soldiers, ordered Barrabas, whose face was less familiar to
Madame la Princesse, to don his most elaborate costume, and started
off again at a gallop for Bordeaux in that worthy's company. He was
disturbed about one thing, namely, the contents of the letter of which
he was the bearer, and which his sister had written with such absolute
confidence that he had but to hand it to Madame la Princesse to ensure
Canolles' safety. His uneasiness on this point increased to such a
degree that he resolved to read the letter and set his mind at rest,
remarking to himself that a shrewd negotiator could never succeed in
his negotiation unless he knew all the ins and outs of the matter in
hand; and then, too, if it must be said, Cauvignac never sinned in the
direction of having too great confidence in his neighbor, and Nanon,
though she was his sister,--indeed, for the very reason that she was
his sister,--might very well bear her brother a grudge, in the first
place because of the adventure of Jaulnay, and again because of his
unforeseen escape from Château-Trompette, and might be trusting to
chance to restore everything to its proper place.
He therefore unsealed the letter,--a very simple task, as it was sealed
with a bit of wax only, and experienced a very strange and painful
sensation as he read what follows:--
MADAME LA PRINCESSE,--It seems that you must have an
expiatory victim for poor Richon's death; do not, I pray
you, take an innocent man, but take the real culprit. I do
not wish that Monsieur de Canolles should die, for to put
him to death would be to avenge assassination by murder.
As you read this letter I shall be within a league of
Bordeaux, with all that I possess. You will deliver me to
the populace, who detest me, for they have already tried
twice to take my life, and you will keep for yourself my
wealth, which amounts to two millions. Oh! madame, I ask
this favor of you upon my knees; I am in part the cause of
this war; with my death the province will be pacified and
your Highness will be triumphant. Madame, a reprieve for
quarter of an hour! You need not release Canolles until you
have me in your power; but then, upon your soul, you will
let him go, will you not?
And I shall be respectfully and gratefully yours,