Don Diego, accompanying his parents and his cousin to an evening party
at the house of Don Luis de Noveli suspected his cousin of going
only to meet the Chevalier. His mother was more than weary of these
suspicions, and would lend them no ear. "My dear Diego," said she,
before they had left the house. "The Chevalier shocks Dominica far
more than he fascinates her. I regard the coming of Tobar with more
misgiving."
"We shall have her fast at Vasconosa by then," he said, "and the knot
may well be tied before he can act. I would not put it beyond her to be
off with that tricksy Frenchman, if only to spite us all. I tell you,
señora, he was at her side more than half the evening at de Chinchon's
house last night, paying his court to her."
"How well you play the jealous lover!" admired his mother. "I never
knew you had it in you to hate anyone as you hate this conquering
stranger. It is most entertaining."
There is no doubt this young man had conceived a very violent dislike
for Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, and was at increasingly little pains to
conceal it. Maybe those blue eyes mocked too openly. Don Diego knew
himself for a very exquisite caballero, and it was evident Sir Nicholas
had no such notion of the matter. Sir Nicholas had a curl of the lip
that offended; he laughed for no apparent reason, and bore himself as
though there were few whom he considered worth the snap of a finger.
His careless eyes, with the laughter half stayed in them, looked
quizzically, as though he would say, "Do you want to fight me? Well, I
am ready for you, but I shall not wait upon you." He went abroad with
a light, swinging stride, as though he were very much at home, and the
very carriage of his neat head betokened arrogance. Don Diego burned to
let a little of this proud blood.
He felt all his suspicions confirmed when he saw that the Chevalier was
present at the gathering. Since his mother refused to pay any heed to
his suspicions he determined to keep a close watch on Dominica himself,
and stayed as near her as he might all the evening. She bore this as
best she might, and hoped that Beauvallet would not come near. He was
quite capable of coming to her out of sheer devilry, she thought, and
when she caught his eye across the room she put all the warning she
could into her look. He made a grimace, but for once was obedient to
the pleading in her eyes. She had scolded him well for his behaviour
at the Casa Carvalho when she had met him last night. She told him
that such dangerous work brought her heart up into her mouth, and he
had kissed her fingers, and sworn he was a villain to alarm her. That
was all very well, but Doña Dominica had realized by now that her
lover was not only head-strong, but took a wicked delight in tempting
long-suffering Providence. But it seemed her words had had some effect,
for he kept aloof from her now. He was in his gayest mood. How could
she help watching him, dreading disaster?
She had a feeling of foreboding; maybe it was due to her cousin's
unwelcome presence beside her, and the knowledge she had that he too
was watching Beauvallet, with scowling hatred in his face. She tried
to be rid of him, but he stuck close, and she saw that he suspected
her of wanting to have Beauvallet beside her. She was rescued at last
by her aunt, who presented her to a prim girl who had said she would
so much like to meet the lady who had been captured by the notorious
pirate.
Sir Nicolas was within earshot, and what must the prim girl do but
ask a score of questions about El Beauvallet. Doña Dominica answered
as briefly as she might, afraid every moment that Sir Nicholas' merry
humour would break out. Out of the tail of her eye, as she told her
eager listener that she had not been brutally used by the demon-pirate,
she saw the smile lilting on his lips, and knew that he was listening.
"Oh, señorita, it was a miracle!" said the prim girl fervently. "But
tell me, what is he like, this terrible man?"
"Indeed, señorita, there is very little to tell," said Dominica,
impatient. "He is a man like other men. I observed nothing remarkable
in him."
"I had heard," said the girl, rather disappointed, "that he was very
handsome, and we know that he is daring."
"He is well enough," said Dominica. "I think you in Spain have made too
great a figure of him. He is nothing above the ordinary."
The black head turned; to her horror she saw that that left eyebrow had
flown up. God send the man Beauvallet was talking to suspected nothing!
She turned her shoulder resolutely. Was this a time to send a jesting
look at her?
The prim girl, baulked of excitement, began to talk of Santiago, and
asked more questions. Dominica was rescued at length by Don Rodriguez,
who put a hand on her arm, and smiled at her in the deprecating way
he used. "There is one present, dear child, whom you would be glad
to meet, perchance. One who was lately at Santiago, and whom I think
you know." He lowered his voice mysteriously. "In ill-odour just now,
alas, but you will not regard it," he said, leading her across the
room. "He lost his ship--but you would know all that, for it must have
chanced before you came home." He was making for a group by the door,
unconscious of the rising tide of foreboding in his niece. "One cannot
but feel for him, but he has been much blamed. In ill-odour at Court,
my dear, so you will be wary of how you speak of such matters."
A chill was spreading over her. "Who is it?" she said levelly.
"Did I not say? It is Don Maxia de Perinat, child. He who was sent to
chase El Beauvallet, and--and failed. He tells me that he knew you and
your poor father." He coughed, and went on hurriedly. "Of course you
will not mention the disaster."
Perinat! Perinat in Spain, and in this very house! Perinat, whom she
had last seen wild-eyed and stuttering, raving of an English devil
who laughed, and cracked a jest in the heat of battle. Every instinct
strained to shriek the news to Beauvallet, and tell him to go, go
before this looming peril could catch him up. Involuntarily she turned
her head to seek him in the crowd. She saw only the back of his black
head, the width of his shoulders. And then, while her thoughts raced,
she was aware of Perinat bowing over her hand, and offering condolences
for the death of her father.
She shook off the gathering numbness that threatened to overcome her,
and forced herself to answer, to go on talking, to keep him by her at
all costs, away from Sir Nicholas, so unconscious at the other end of
the room of this imminent danger. She hardly knew what she said; her
mind was casting this way and that for the means of warning Beauvallet.
She stood before Perinat, with a forlorn hope of shielding Beauvallet
from his notice, and for the only time in her life was glad to see her
cousin approaching. She presented him to Perinat at once, hoping that
they would fall into conversation and give her time to slip away to Sir
Nicholas' side.
Don Diego was bowing; Perinat had a polite word for the son of an
old acquaintance. And then, in a momentary lull, came the sound of
Beauvallet's gay voice, crisp and clear, and fatally carrying.
Perinat's head was jerked up instantly; he broke off in the middle of a
sentence. "_Madre de Dios_, I should know that voice! What witchcraft
is this?" he said hoarsely.
Dominica began to talk feverishly, but she was not heeded. Perinat had
stepped quickly forward, and was staring at Beauvallet's profile, like
one who could not believe his eyes.
Sir Nicholas was talking to his Andalusian friend. Numb with horror
Dominica saw the characteristic movement of the back-flung head, and
heard the gay laugh that could never be forgotten.
"Ah!" The sound, hardly more than a gasp, came from Don Maxia. His
hand was fumbling at his sword hilt. "_Sangre de Dios_, am I in my
senses? Do I dream? _El Beauvallet!_"
The name was shouted. Sir Nicholas swung round of instinct, but in this
was nothing singular. There was scarcely a man present who did not spin
about at the sound of that dread name flung across the room.
Dominica saw the quick glance sweep the group by the door. Sir Nicholas
saw Perinat standing livid and staring, but only the veriest flash of
recognition came into his eyes.
Don Rodriguez was bewildered, as was everyone, but found his tongue
sooner than the rest. "What do you say, Perinat? Are you mad?
Who--what----?"
"It is he! It is Beauvallet--Beauvallet's self, I tell you! _Sangre de
Dios_, do I not know him? Have I not cause? Shall I ever forget that
face, or that laugh, body of God! Ah, dog! ah, villain! At last, at
last!"
The startled whisper, "_El Beauvallet, El Beauvallet!_" ran round the
room; Perinat's shaking hand pointed straight at Sir Nicholas. Amazed
faces peered; those near Beauvallet fell back suddenly, and more than
one hand felt for a sword hilt. Only Sir Nicholas stood unmoved, an
eyebrow raised in mild surprise, a look of interrogation in his face.
"But--but that is the Chevalier de Guise!" someone said in a dazed
voice. "How should El Beauvallet be in Spain?"
"I tell you it is he! I, Maxia de Perinat, who have fought with him
hand to hand!" Perinat's words seemed to jostle one another. "Lay
hands on him! Will you let him escape? I swear on the Cross it is El
Beauvallet!"
"Perinat's misfortunes have turned his brain," whispered the Andalusian.
Dominica stepped forward a pace. "Why, what are you saying, Don Maxia?
That is not Beauvallet!" Her voice was perhaps unnaturally calm, "I
should know, surely. This man is certainly not he."
There was a movement behind her; Don Diego's hand gripped her
wrist. "Ah, jade, I have it at last!" he said fiercely. "This is El
Beauvallet, this flaunting Chevalier, and he is your lover!"
There was a buzz of excited whispering. Someone moved to the door, as
though to guard it. Beauvallet's voice cut through the subdued babel.
"God's Life, I am flattered!" he said, and even in the midst of her
sick terror, Dominica could exult in the cool amusement in his tone,
and worship the iron nerve that could keep him careless and mocking
still. "Do you take me for El Beauvallet, señor?"
"Jesting dog of a pirate, are you not he? Ah, dare you look me in the
face and say you are not he?"
"What need? This is moon-madness, señor, or you are cup-shotten. If I
were Beauvallet, what in God's name should I hope to make here?"
"I believe him!" Don Diego was at Perinat's side. "There is more to
this Chevalier de Guise than we know. I will tell you what you hope to
make, pirate! You hoped to snatch my cousin away. I see it all now, but
you shall go to perdition on my sword's point first!" He dragged his
sword from the scabbard as he spoke, and sprang forward.
There was a hiss of steel, the glint of candlelight on a blue,
shimmering blade. Beauvallet's leaping sword was out, a true piece from
the hand of Sahagom of Toledo. Don Diego's thrusting point was caught
on the swift blade and beaten aside. Beauvallet sprang back to the
wall, and stood facing his assailant. Dominica saw the gleam of white
teeth as he smiled.
"Well, gentlemen, well? I await you. Is there any other will come to
Don Diego's assistance? If I am El Beauvallet it will take a-many and
a-many!"
"Stand back, stand back, this is for me!" Perinat cried, and thrust Don
Diego aside. "Measure your sword with mine yet once again, pirate! Do
you remember how the deck was slippery beneath your feet? Ha, do you
remember, dog?" He snatched at his dagger, and bore down on Beauvallet,
a weapon in either hand.
"Hold off your madman," said Sir Nicholas. "Perchance I may do him a
mischief. So-so, señor! Gently, then, and keep your guard!" He saw Don
Diego advancing on him from the side, and shifted to face him, holding
Perinat at check.
Noveli, master of the house, was shocked out of his stupefaction, and
rushed forward, pulling out his sword.
"What, more?" said Sir Nicholas. "Oh, brave! I am well-matched indeed."
"Hold, hold!" Noveli cried, and beat up the swords. "What, are you
crazy, Perinat? Put up, young señor! put up, I say! This, in my house!
Shame! Shame on you both!"
"Seize on him!" Perinat gasped. "Seize on him, I tell you! Will you let
him go, you fools? It is El Beauvallet!"
Beauvallet stood leaning lightly on his rapier, and laughing as though
he found the situation irresistibly amusing. "Peace, Señor Greybeard, I
am here still!"
"He laughs at you! See how he mocks!" Perinat cried, almost beside
himself. "Put my words to the test! Call the guard! Call in the guard!"
Diego put up his sword. "Yes, let the guard be called in," he said. "We
will sift this to the bottom. Ho, there! Call in the guard!"
Noveli turned quickly. "Do you give orders in my house, Don Diego?"
But many voices took up the cry. "Yes, let the guard be summoned! Let
the matter be looked to, Noveli! If Perinat is mistaken the Chevalier
will pardon it. If he speaks sooth--nay, have in the guard!"
Noveli looked uncertainly at Beauvallet, torn between his feelings as
a host, and his suspicions. Behind Beauvallet was a phalanx of men
watching for the least sign of an attempt to escape. And Beauvallet
held his sword between his hands, and laughed.
"I should send for the guard, señor," he said.
"Chevalier, you will pardon such seeming rudeness," Noveli said,
seriously put out.
"With all my heart, señor," Beauvallet answered lightly. His glance
flickered to Dominica's face of despair; his hand went to his beard,
and for an instant a finger lay across his lips. He saw her eyes fall,
and knew that she had understood.
Someone had sped forth to call the guard. Sir Nicholas turned his head,
and seemed amused to see so many gathered between him and the door.
"God's my life, you hold this Beauvallet a desperate man, do you not,
señors?" he said.
Perinat put up his sword. His first wild passion had died down; he
spoke calmly now, but with great bitterness. "Desperate indeed must you
be to dare come into Spain," he said, "You have made a jest of me, and
of others, Beauvallet, but he who laughs last may laugh the longest."
Beauvallet's eyes glinted. "The last laugh, señor, is certainly going
to be mine," he said. "You say that I am Beauvallet, but there is one
yonder who says I am not, and it seems she should know."
"She does know!" Don Diego said, ignoring a warning look from his
mother. "You cannot fool us thus, dog!"
"Enough of that!" Again Noveli intervened. "This is for other
interrogation than yours, Don Diego. Hold your peace, I command you! If
we do you an injustice, Chevalier, I hope you will be kind enough only
to laugh at us."
"You may be sure of it, señor," said Sir Nicholas. "We shall all
laugh." Again his glance flitted to Dominica's face. "Let no one be ill
at ease. This affair will have a happy ending, don't doubt it." There
came a stir by the door, and the clank of spurred heels. "Aha, the
guard! Now by my faith you count El Beauvallet a dangerous fellow! As I
live, the Guards of Castile, and a round dozen of them!"
He was surrounded. The lieutenant, who wore a face of incredulous
wonder, bowed stiffly. "Señor, I regret, I must ask you for your
sword." It was presented him, hilt foremost. "Señor, be good enough to
go with us."
"With the greatest pleasure on earth Señor lieutenant," said
Beauvallet. He looked towards the Andalusian. "Don Juan, it seems I may
have to forego my game of _trucos_ with you to-morrow, and maybe some
other engagements I had made. Accept my apologies. But all the other
engagements that I have for later dates shall certainly be kept. Señor,
lead on!"
He went out, close-guarded, but his voice echoed still in Dominica's
ears: "The engagements that I have for later dates shall certainly be
kept ... shall certainly be kept."