Le Terrain de Dieu
During the progress of these events Buckingham and De Wardes traveled
in excellent companionship, and made the journey from Paris to Calais
in undisturbed harmony together. Buckingham had hurried his departure,
so that the greater part of his adieux were very hastily made. His
visit to Monsieur and Madame, to the young queen, and to the
queen-dowager, had been paid collectively—a precaution on the part of
the queen-mother which saved him the distress of any private
conversation with Monsieur, and also the danger of seeing Madame again.
The carriages containing the luggage had already been sent on
beforehand, and in the evening he set off in his traveling carriage
with his attendants.
De Wardes, irritated at finding himself dragged away in so abrupt a
manner by this Englishman, had sought in his subtle mind for some means
of escaping from his fetters; but no one having rendered him any
assistance in this respect, he was absolutely obliged, therefore, to
submit to the burden of his own evil thoughts and caustic spirit.
Such of his friends in whom he had been able to confide, had, in their
character of wits, rallied him upon the duke’s superiority. Others,
less brilliant, but more sensible, had reminded him of the king’s
orders prohibiting dueling. Others, again, and they the larger number,
who, in virtue of charity, or national vanity, might have rendered him
assistance, did not care to run the risk of incurring disgrace, and
would, at the best, have informed the ministers of a departure which
might end in a massacre on a small scale. The result was, that, after
having fully deliberated upon the matter, De Wardes packed up his
luggage, took a couple of horses, and, followed only by one servant,
made his way towards the barrier, where Buckingham’s carriage was to
await him.
The duke received his adversary as he would have done an intimate
acquaintance, made room beside him on the same seat with himself,
offered him refreshments, and spread over his knees the sable cloak
that had been thrown on the front seat. They then conversed of the
court, without alluding to Madame; of Monsieur, without speaking of
domestic affairs; of the king, without speaking of his brother’s wife;
of the queen-mother, without alluding to her daughter-in-law; of the
king of England, without alluding to his sister-in-law; of the state of
the affections of either of the travelers, without pronouncing any name
that might be dangerous. In this way the journey, which was performed
by short stages, was most agreeable, and Buckingham, almost a Frenchman
from wit and education, was delighted at having so admirably selected
his traveling companion. Elegant repasts were served, of which they
partook but lightly; trials of horses made in the beautiful meadows
that skirted the road; coursing indulged in, for Buckingham had his
greyhounds with him; and in such ways did they pass away the pleasant
time. The duke somewhat resembled the beautiful river Seine, which
folds France a thousand times in its loving embrace, before deciding
upon joining its waters with the ocean. In quitting France, it was her
recently adopted daughter he had brought to Paris whom he chiefly
regretted; his every thought was a remembrance of her—his every memory
a regret. Therefore, whenever, now and then, despite his command over
himself, he was lost in thought, De Wardes left him entirely to his
musings. This delicacy might have touched Buckingham, and changed his
feelings towards De Wardes, if the latter, while preserving silence,
had shown a glance less full of malice, and a smile less false.
Instinctive dislikes, however, are relentless; nothing appeases them; a
few ashes may sometimes, apparently, extinguish them; but beneath those
ashes the smothered embers rage more furiously. Having exhausted every
means of amusement the route offered, they arrived, as we have said, at
Calais towards the end of the sixth day. The duke’s attendants, since
the previous evening, had traveled in advance, and now chartered a
boat, for the purpose of joining the yacht, which had been tacking
about in sight, or bore broadside on, whenever it felt its white wings
wearied, within cannon-shot of the jetty.
The boat was destined for the transport of the duke’s equipages from
the shore to the yacht. The horses had been embarked, having been
hoisted from the boat upon the deck in baskets expressly made for the
purpose, and wadded in such a manner that their limbs, even in the most
violent fits of terror or impatience, were always protected by the soft
support which the sides afforded, and their coats not even turned.
Eight of these baskets, placed side by side, filled the ship’s hold. It
is well known that in short voyages horses refuse to eat, but remain
trembling all the while, with the best of food before them, such as
they would have greatly coveted on land. By degrees, the duke’s entire
equipage was transported on board the yacht; he was then informed that
everything was in readiness, and that they only waited for him,
whenever he would be disposed to embark with the French gentleman; for
no one could possibly imagine that the French gentleman would have any
other accounts to settle with his Grace than those of friendship.
Buckingham desired the captain to be told to hold himself in readiness,
but that, as the sea was beautiful, and as the day promised a splendid
sunset, he did not intend to go on board until nightfall, and would
avail himself of the evening to enjoy a walk on the strand. He added
also, that, finding himself in such excellent company, he had not the
least desire to hasten his embarkation.
As he said this he pointed out to those who surrounded him the
magnificent spectacle which the sky presented, of deepest azure in the
horizon, the amphitheatre of fleecy clouds ascending from the sun’s
disc to the zenith, assuming the appearance of a range of snowy
mountains, whose summits were heaped one upon another. The dome of
clouds was tinged at its base with, as it were, the foam of rubies,
fading away into opal and pearly tints, in proportion as the gaze was
carried from base to summit. The sea was gilded with the same
reflection, and upon the crest of every sparkling wave danced a point
of light, like a diamond by lamplight. The mildness of the evening, the
sea breezes, so dear to contemplative minds, setting in from the east
and blowing in delicious gusts; then, in the distance, the black
outline of the yacht with its rigging traced upon the empurpled
background of the sky—while, dotting the horizon, might be seen, here
and there, vessels with their trimmed sails, like the wings of a
seagull about to plunge; such a spectacle indeed well merited
admiration. A crowd of curious idlers followed the richly dressed
attendants, amongst whom they mistook the steward and the secretary for
the master and his friend. As for Buckingham, who was dressed very
simply, in a gray satin vest, and doublet of violet-colored velvet,
wearing his hat thrust over his eyes, and without orders or embroidery,
he was taken no more notice of than De Wardes, who was in black, like
an attorney.
The duke’s attendants had received directions to have a boat in
readiness at the jetty head, and to watch the embarkation of their
master, without approaching him until either he or his friend should
summon them,—“whatever may happen,” he had added, laying a stress upon
these words, so that they might not be misunderstood. Having walked a
few paces upon the strand, Buckingham said to De Wardes, “I think it is
now time to take leave of each other. The tide, you perceive, is
rising; ten minutes hence it will have soaked the sands where we are
now walking in such a manner that we shall not be able to keep our
footing.”
“I await your orders, my lord, but——”
“But, you mean, we are still upon soil which is part of the king’s
territory.”
“Exactly.”
“Well, do you see yonder a kind of little island surrounded by a circle
of water? The pool is increasing every minute, and the isle is
gradually disappearing. This island, indeed, belongs to Heaven, for it
is situated between two seas, and is not shown on the king’s charts. Do
you observe it?”
“Yes; but we can hardly reach it now, without getting our feet wet.”
“Yes; but observe that it forms an eminence tolerably high, and that
the tide rises on every side, leaving the top free. We shall be
admirably placed upon that little theatre. What do you think of it?”
“I shall be perfectly happy wherever I may have the honor of crossing
my sword with your lordship’s.”
“Very well, then, I am distressed to be the cause of your wetting your
feet, M. de Wardes, but it is most essential you should be able to say
to the king: ‘Sire, I did not fight upon your majesty’s territory.’
Perhaps the distinction is somewhat subtle, but, since Port-Royal, your
nation delights in subtleties of expression. Do not let us complain of
this, however, for it makes your wit very brilliant, and of a style
peculiarly your own. If you do not object, we will hurry ourselves, for
the sea, I perceive, is rising fast, and night is setting in.”
“My reason for not walking faster was, that I did not wish to precede
your Grace. Are you still on dry land, my lord?”
“Yes, at present I am. Look yonder! My servants are afraid we shall be
drowned, and have converted the boat into a cruiser. Do you remark how
curiously it dances upon the crests of the waves? But, as it makes me
feel sea-sick, would you permit me to turn my back towards them?”
“You will observe, my lord, that in turning your back to them, you will
have the sun full in your face.”
“Oh, its rays are very feeble at this hour and it will soon disappear;
do not be uneasy on that score.”
“As you please, my lord; it was out of consideration for your lordship
that I made the remark.”
“I am aware of that, M. de Wardes, and I fully appreciate your
kindness. Shall we take off our doublets?”
“As you please, my lord.”
“Do not hesitate to tell me, M. de Wardes, if you do not feel
comfortable upon the wet sand, or if you think yourself a little too
close to the French territory. We could fight in England, or even upon
my yacht.”
“We are exceedingly well placed here, my lord; only I have the honor to
remark that, as the sea is rising fast, we have hardly time——”
Buckingham made a sign of assent, took off his doublet and threw it on
the ground, a proceeding which De Wardes imitated. Both their bodies,
which seemed like phantoms to those who were looking at them from the
shore, were thrown strongly into relief by a dark red violet-colored
shadow with which the sky became overspread.
“Upon my word, your Grace,” said De Wardes, “we shall hardly have time
to begin. Do you not perceive how our feet are sinking into the sand?”
“I have sunk up to the ankles,” said Buckingham, “without reckoning
that the water is even now breaking in upon us.”
“It has already reached me. As soon as you please, therefore, your
Grace,” said De Wardes, who drew his sword, a movement imitated by the
duke.
“M. de Wardes,” said Buckingham, “one final word. I am about to fight
you because I do not like you,—because you have wounded me in
ridiculing a certain devotional regard I have entertained, and one
which I acknowledge that, at this moment, I still retain, and for which
I would very willingly die. You are a bad and heartless man, M. de
Wardes, and I will do my very utmost to take your life; for I feel
assured that, if you survive this engagement, you will, in the future,
work great mischief towards my friends. That is all I have to remark,
M. de Wardes,” concluded Buckingham, as he saluted him.
“And I, my lord, have only this to reply to you: I have not disliked
you hitherto, but, since you give me such a character, I hate you, and
will do all I possibly can to kill you;” and De Wardes saluted
Buckingham.
Their swords crossed at the same moment, like two flashes of lightning
on a dark night. The swords seemed to seek each other, guessed their
position, and met. Both were practiced swordsmen, and the earlier
passes were without any result. The night was fast closing in, and it
was so dark that they attacked and defended themselves almost
instinctively. Suddenly De Wardes felt his sword arrested,—he had just
touched Buckingham’s shoulder. The duke’s sword sunk as his arm was
lowered.
“You are wounded, my lord,” said De Wardes, drawing back a step or two.
“Yes, monsieur, but only slightly.”
“Yet you quitted your guard.”
“Only from the first effect of the cold steel, but I have recovered.
Let us go on, if you please.” And disengaging his sword with a sinister
clashing of the blade, the duke wounded the marquis in the breast.
“A hit?” he said.
“No,” cried De Wardes, not moving from his place.
“I beg your pardon, but observing that your shirt was stained——” said
Buckingham.
“Well,” said De Wardes furiously, “it is now your turn.”
And with a terrible lunge, he pierced Buckingham’s arm, the sword
passing between the two bones. Buckingham, feeling his right arm
paralyzed, stretched out his left, seized his sword, which was about
falling from his nerveless grasp, and before De Wardes could resume his
guard, he thrust him through the breast. De Wardes tottered, his knees
gave way beneath him, and leaving his sword still fixed in the duke’s
arm, he fell into the water, which was soon crimsoned with a more
genuine reflection than that which it had borrowed from the clouds. De
Wardes was not dead; he felt the terrible danger that menaced him, for
the sea rose fast. The duke, too, perceived the danger. With an effort
and an exclamation of pain he tore out the blade which remained in his
arm, and turning towards De Wardes said, “Are you dead, marquis?”
“No,” replied De Wardes, in a voice choked by the blood which rushed
from his lungs to his throat, “but very near it.”
“Well, what is to be done; can you walk?” said Buckingham, supporting
him on his knee.
“Impossible,” he replied. Then falling down again, said, “Call to your
people, or I shall be drowned.”
“Halloa! boat there! quick, quick!”
The boat flew over the waves, but the sea rose faster than the boat
could approach. Buckingham saw that De Wardes was on the point of being
again covered by a wave; he passed his left arm, safe and unwounded,
round his body and raised him up. The wave ascended to his waist but
did not move him. The duke immediately began to carry his late
antagonist towards the shore. He had hardly gone ten paces, when a
second wave, rushing onwards higher, more furious and menacing than the
former, struck him at the height of his chest, threw him over and
buried him beneath the water. At the reflux, however, the duke and De
Wardes were discovered lying on the strand. De Wardes had fainted. At
this moment four of the duke’s sailors, who comprehended the danger,
threw themselves into the sea, and in a moment were close beside him.
Their terror was extreme when they observed how their master became
covered with blood, in proportion as the water with which it was
impregnated, flowed towards his knees and feet; they wished to carry
him.
“No, no,” exclaimed the duke, “take the marquis on shore first.”
“Death to the Frenchman!” cried the English sullenly.
“Wretched knaves!” exclaimed the duke, drawing himself up with a
haughty gesture, which sprinkled them with blood, “obey directly! M. de
Wardes on shore! M. de Wardes’s safety to be looked to first, or I will
have you all hanged!”
The boat had by this time reached them; the secretary and steward
leaped into the sea, and approached the marquis, who no longer showed
any sign of life.
“I commit him to your care, as you value your lives,” said the duke.
“Take M. de Wardes on shore.” They took him in their arms, and carried
him to the dry sand, where the tide never rose so high. A few idlers
and five or six fishermen had gathered on the shore, attracted by the
strange spectacle of two men fighting with the water up to their knees.
The fishermen, observing a group of men approaching carrying a wounded
man, entered the sea until the water was up to their waists. The
English transferred the wounded man to them, at the very moment the
latter began to open his eyes again. The salt water and the fine sand
had got into his wounds, and caused him the acutest pain. The duke’s
secretary drew out a purse filled with gold from his pocket, and handed
it to the one among those present who appeared of most importance,
saying: “From my master, his Grace the Duke of Buckingham, in order
that every possible care may be taken of the Marquis de Wardes.”
Then, followed by those who had accompanied him, he returned to the
boat, which Buckingham had been enabled to reach with the greatest
difficulty, but only after he had seen De Wardes out of danger. By this
time it was high tide; embroidered coats and silk sashes were lost;
many hats, too, had been carried away by the waves. The flow of the
tide had borne the duke’s and De Wardes’s clothes to the shore, and De
Wardes was wrapped in the duke’s doublet, under the belief that it was
his own, when the fishermen carried him in their arms towards the town.
END OF VOL. I.