Produced by Charles Bowen, from page scans provided by Google Books
Transcriber's Notes:
1. Page scan source:
http://books.google.com/books?oe=UTF-8&id=zxBLAAAAIAAJ
2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe].
THE MAID OF HONOUR
THE MAID OF HONOUR
A Tale of the Dark Days of France
BY
THE HON. LEWIS WINGFIELD
AUTHOR OF
"LADY GRIZEL," "THE LORDS OF STROGUE," "ABIGEL ROWE"
ETC.
_IN THREE VOLUMES_
VOL. II.
LONDON
RICHARD BENTLEY AND SON
Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen.
1891
[_All Rights Reserved_]
TO
WILLIAM HENRY WELDON.
A TRIBUTE
OF OLD FRIENDSHIP.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XI.
A Crisis.
CHAPTER XII.
Diamond Cut Diamond.
CHAPTER XIII.
Domestic Surgery.
CHAPTER XIV.
Check.
CHAPTER XV.
The Situation Changes.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Abbe is Terribly Perplexed.
CHAPTER XVII.
Gabrielle has an Idea.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Surprise.
CHAPTER XIX.
A Council Of War.
THE MAID OF HONOUR.
CHAPTER XI.
A CRISIS.
The abbe's departure left a void in the household. He had grown to be
so conspicuous and necessary a feature in it that even Gabrielle
regretted his mercurial presence, while conscious of a feeling of
relief in that he no more pursued her. It was but a temporary respite,
she knew. He would return ere long, renew the siege, demand an answer.
What that answer was to be, she did not feel certain. Her interest in
herself had gone. She missed the readings, the soft declamation of the
musical voice; for, left more alone than ever, her mind brooded
without distraction on the past and the tangled possibilities of the
future. The chevalier's attentions were rather irksome than otherwise,
for his conversational powers were limited. His position was that of
watchdog, and, as all the world knows, watch-dogs are expected to
watch and not to talk. He was content to sit staring with vacant eyes
at his sister-in-law for an unlimited period, breathing very hard and
emitting strong fumes of spirits with a meaningless but complacent
expression of conscious rectitude. He was doing his duty, and knew it.
Since his rebuff on that moonlight night, now long ago, he had seemed
in his slow way to have become possessed by a fixed idea. The prize
was not for him. His brother had behaved magnanimously in permitting
him to try first for it. Having failed--as he might have known he
would--he must keep his promise, and assist him in the chase to the
best of his abilities.
He was a remarkable man, his brother, of that he had been convinced
for years, who was destined to have his will in all things; and quite
right, too, for commanding genius should surely achieve success.
Dreary fat Phebus! Lulled by the monotonous life at Lorge, the little
intellect he possessed had gone to sleep. Now and again he had sallied
forth to shoot with the gamekeeper, but could never hit it off with
him. His oracular remarks were met by silence. Jean Boulot treated him
with a sullen and enforced politeness, and it dawned on his sluggish
mind by slow degrees that the gamekeeper heartily despised him. He
despised by a common country peasant, who, instead of sneering, should
have been grateful to be noticed by a half-brother of the Marquis de
Gange! The position was so unsatisfactory that the chevalier gave up
the chase. He also gave up riding, for his horse would take the
direction of Montbazon, the welcome of whose inmates frightened him.
Angelique looked so wistful, and the old lady was so effusively
hospitable that he quite trembled in his shoes lest he should wake up
some morning and find that he was married.
Moping about with no occupation either for mind or body, it was
natural that he should have fallen into the trap which is prepared for
the idle and empty-pated; that he should while away the laggard hours
in the company of the best cognac.
Time hung very heavy on the hands of neglected Gabrielle. Toinon was a
sweet girl who strove by many little acts to comfort her stricken
heart; but the pride of the chatelaine stood between herself and
Toinon. It was bitter to expose her wrongs to the tender touch of a
loving foster-sister. Even when engaged on missions to the sick poor,
of whom, alack, there were far too many, she could not keep her mind
from brooding. "What was, and what might have been," formed a dismal
refrain that was for ever ringing in her ears.
The abbe remained a long time absent. His letters were full of
interest, though not particularly cheerful. He appeared to have come
to the conclusion that affairs in the capital were not improving. "The
king is much to blame," he wrote, "while the queen is rash, and the
combination is not fortuitous." He told of the strange and aggressive
proceedings of that impudent body, the National Assembly, of the
treasonous language employed by some of its members. These impertinent
rascals babbled of the Rights of Man in a manner which, to one of
superior birth, was disgusting. He related that their majesties had
been forcibly taken from Versailles and bidden to dwell in the
metropolis, and told stories of Monsieur de Lafayette, whose conduct
was the more to be regretted in that he was himself a noble. He had
actually proclaimed in a public seance of the rabble who directed
affairs, that, "When oppression renders a revolution necessary,
insurrection is the most sacred of duties." Good heavens! what next?
Political societies had thrown off the mantle of secrecy and openly
paraded their abominable sentiments. The "Society of the Jacobins"
bade fair to be a dangerous element in the future, although a rival
club called the Feuillans had recently been established to
counterbalance its baleful influence. Altogether, Pharamond, who was
usually so lively, looked at events through darkened spectacles.
The abbe had duly presented his credentials to the Marechal de Breze,
who had been effusively civil and had wearied him with endless
questions about his daughter's happiness. The life at Lorge must be
Arcadian, he had declared with satisfaction, or the lovely chatelaine
would have returned to the capital long since.
Why, suggested the abbe, did he not make a pilgrimage to visit her?
No, he had replied, shaking his venerable head; happiness was a
fragile thing that must not be disturbed. The advent of an old man and
an old woman would be like the throwing of a stone into a tarn. He was
content to know that Gabrielle was happy, and to write and receive
letters. Moreover, he did not wish his darling to return to Paris in
its present chaotic state.
These letters of Pharamond's were mumbled out at breakfast by the
chevalier.
Clovis had resumed his habit of breakfasting alone--moreover, politics
bored him; but mademoiselle made a point of being present, after
having given her dear charges their own meal in the distant wing; for
she liked to hear the news, indited by the abbe.
Gabrielle seldom spoke. She seemed in a despondent daze which provoked
the observant governess. Was the silly creature going out of her mind?
Those who are unable to stand up for themselves deserve to be
subjected to the yoke. Aglae's fingers itched to slap the marquise,
or give her a sound shaking. But she had been lectured by the abbe
before he left, was aware that the dog was watching, and knew that it
behoved her to be prudent; not to quarrel with her ally at present. As
to Gabrielle, she smiled sometimes a mysterious smile that was more
sad than tears. Happy! why, her heart was slowly breaking. Nobody
wanted her. Her only desire was to remain secluded--shielded by
distance from the searching glances of her father, who, with the eyes
of love, could not fail to read her misery.
Autumn waned, the winter came and went, and spring came round, and
still the abbe was absent. The long evenings, when, try as she would
to exorcise them, the procession of her sorrows danced fandangoes in
the brain of Gabrielle to the accompaniment of the chevalier's
snoring, were becoming unendurable. How long was this martyrdom to
continue?--how long?
The cold winds had softened their rigour; the air was growing balmy.
There were voices down below in half-whispered converse. Moving to the
open window, Gabrielle looked out. How calm and sweet an evening! How
placidly the river flowed past the feet of the gloomy castle! How
gently the boughs waved opposite beyond the stream to the rhythm of
the breeze!
Under the windows of the grand saloon there was a sort of narrow
gangway which acted as penthouse to the grilled windows of the
dungeons on the water's edge. In old times it had been used as a
platform for embarkation in boats, but now it was trodden by few feet,
for its flags were slimy and treacherous. The voices were those of
Jean and Toinon, who were apparently indulging in a delightful
flirtation. They had been out rowing. The clumsy wherry used by the
family was moored to a ring a few yards distant. The lovers were
exchanging delicious confidences before parting for the night.
Lovers billing and cooing in the moonlight, discoursing, doubtless, on
the happiness they should certainly enjoy when married. They believed
in human happiness, and looked forward to a future! Gabrielle laughed
a hoarse laugh that frightened her, and she retreated to the boudoir
in a feverish tingle. What was there to-night that made her feel more
desolate than usual? She must be unwell, for her nerves were twanging
so that she could not sit still a moment. The children were asleep by
this time, for mademoiselle was very careful of them. She deserved, at
least, that justice. Asleep and dreaming--not of her; for she rarely
saw them now at all, except gambolling like kids in the distance. She
felt suddenly impelled to be near the treasures over whom her soul
yearned so sorely. She could not see them, of course, for had not
mademoiselle made her understand long since that in the nursery she
held no authority? The dear ones. Thank God they were happy! She would
creep out in the spring air and kiss the wall behind which the
children lay! Almost guiltily she took up a silken wrap with trembling
fingers and stole forth. It was well the chevalier was in a boozy
sleep, or he would insist on following, and in his presence she would
have been ashamed to gratify her whim. Away, across the inner yard,
through the postern door, of which she wore a golden key upon a
bracelet, along the trim alleys of the moat garden to the extreme
right wing of the two floors of which mademoiselle had taken
possession. As we know, she established herself on arrival in the
rooms below the salon; but later, under pretext that it was damp, had
removed herself and her charges. In the chamber now used as nursery
she had caused a window to be pierced, so as to give access to the
garden moat It was so much better for the children, she had pleaded,
to be able to dance out at once upon the sunlit grass instead of
threading darksome corridors. How thoughtful! Of course she was right,
as usual. Clovis was enchanted with her attention to details, and the
window was made forthwith.
A ray of light streamed across the sward. Strange. The casement was
open. How imprudent, and the dear ones in bed! In hot and anxious
wrath Gabrielle was about to rush forward and remonstrate, when her
steps were stayed. They were not in bed, for she could detect their
voices prattling with the marquis and their governess. Stealing
stealthily nearer she peeped in. Through her breast there shot a pain
so sharp that she almost hoped to die. An affecting family group, of
which _she_ should have been the centre--her legitimate place usurped
by that wicked cruel woman! while she, the mistress of the house, was
shivering without in the night air! A pariah--a leper--a loathsome
thing--cast without the gates. What had she done--what had she
done--to deserve this dreadful fate? The marquis was reclining in a
low chair, with the complacent calm that comfort brings, while Aglae,
bending over, was carefully bandaging his hand. With what tenderness
she folded and tightened the linen. He had injured himself in some
slight way with a broken bottle, and was smilingly watching her work
whilst hearkening to the babble of the little ones who, in wadded
dressing-gowns, were toasting their pink toes before the fire.
"You are so good to all of us," softly remarked Clovis. "Camille and
Victor, say, do you appreciate mademoiselle?"
"I try to be a mother to them," was her calm response.
A mother! Clovis sighed and frowned, while the children cried out with
blithe accord, "Aglae? of course we love her."
Camille, stealing up behind, passed her tiny arms about the portly
waist, while Aglae said, quietly, "Be still, my pet, or you will make
me hurt your father."
Victor--a wise boy--wagged his head sagely at the hissing hearth, and
announced his conviction, "That mademoiselle had come down from
heaven. But, never mind," he added, "when she gets back she'll have a
higher place than before, on such a nice and pearly cloud."
"How's that?" asked the marquis, amused.
"You'll have a nice place, too," continued the urchin. "Every evening
when I say my prayers, I ask heaven to be good to papa and
mademoiselle."
The marquise staggered away with fingers tight clasped over dry and
burning eyes. "They are complete without me," she moaned, panting like
a hunted animal. "There is no place for me! no place in all the
world!"
She tottered along the surrounding belt of green like one struck
blind, till she came to the end where the moat was closed against the
river.
"No place for me! no place for me!" Gabrielle muttered, with teeth
that chattered as do those of one in an ague fit. Swaying to and fro
she looked into the water and discerned the black bulk of the wherry.
A luminous idea shot across her mind. If the boat were found drifting
down the stream with naught but a silken wrap in it, they would drag
the Loire for the missing chatelaine, and, at least, pretend to be
sorry for the accident. Yes! an accident--that was the solution of the
difficulty. Her father would deplore her death, but would never know
that she had brought it about herself. Why had this never occurred to
her before? The marechal would grieve, but would get over it; for the
grief of the old is short-lived, and are not the dead at rest? Happy
dead to sleep so sound. She soon would be one of the shadowy
phalanx--at rest for evermore.
Taking a hasty survey of the scene she stepped into the boat and
loosed the chain. There was none to look on her, save the blank eyes
of the dark chateau. In its history what was a life--an intolerably
weary life? Was not its memory green concerning the water-dungeon and
the torture-chamber?
"For me there is no place in all the world," repeated the chattering
jaws as the boat shot into midstream. As it chanced there were four
human eyes watching that she wist not of.
Jean and Toinon were not gone, though they had retreated into shadow.
At sound of the loosening chain the latter had shuddered and hidden
her face on the ample breast close by.
"Dungeon ghosts--rattling their gyves," Jean observed, quietly.
"See--there's another yonder."
Toinon looked up and held her breath. In the broad moonbeams a woman
stood erect in a boat! A woman, who slowly divested herself of a
drapery and arranged it carefully upon the seat. Then she placed a
foot upon the gunwale and deliberately plunged into the stream.
It was all so unexpected--so sudden--that the two stood paralysed.
Both knew the slim figure well. They were startled from awe-stricken
stupor by shouts above. The chevalier was stamping on a balcony wildly
waving his arms. "It is Gabrielle! Gabrielle!" he shrieked. "Save her!
save her! save her!" And then, with a despairing yell, he dashed away
in the direction of the children's wing.
Jean muttered with contempt: "The useless imbecile," and, disengaging
himself from Toinon's encircling arms, leapt from the platform into
the water. Breathless and proud of him, Toinon watched his strong
strokes as they clove the oily surface. He had hold of her--thank God!
and was bearing his burthen to the bank.
There was a hubbub and an outcry in the house approaching nearer.
Clovis and the chevalier appeared at a window shouting madly: "Save
her!" The marquis disappeared from the balcony, and touching a spring,
vanished down a secret staircase which gave upon the slippery gangway,
accompanied by Mademoiselle Brunelle, who with a new care upon her
brow was swiftly following his lead. De Gange received the inanimate
burthen into his arms, while tears poured down his face. "God bless
you, Jean," he sobbed, "God bless you. I will never forget this deed.
She will live--she has but swooned. Jean, you have saved her from
death--me from a life-long remorse."
Aglae's clouded visage grew more perplexed as he took roughly from her
the mantle she had cast over her shoulders to wrap it round his
dripping burthen.
"He takes my cloak," she muttered, "not caring if I feel cold!"
"Aglae, feel," he whispered anxiously. "Am I not right? Does not her
pulse still beat?"
Mademoiselle Brunelle roused herself from astonished reverie to attend
to the exigencies of the moment. "Yes," she declared, with
authoritative promptitude. "The poor crazy lady lives. Toinon, warm a
bed without delay. Jean, take horse at once and fetch a doctor. We two
will see to her meanwhile."
Moaning and shaking, the scared and palsied chevalier stood helpless
by, wringing his hands together. "She went in the boat alone, poor
thing," he whimpered, "because she could not trust me. Oh! that fatal
night--that fatal night! Of course she would not trust me."
Meanwhile, the marquis and his affinity bore their burthen up the
winding stair. Neither spoke till they reached the saloon and laid the
unconscious marquise upon a couch. Then Aglae, more perplexed than
ever, sighed.
"Thank God, she's saved; thank God!" Clovis murmured, fervently.
"Who would have ever thought," reflected the governess aloud, "that so
long-suffering and useless piece of goods could be goaded to take her
life?"
"Hush!" shuddered the marquis. "Ever after I should have deemed myself
her murderer!"
"A thousand pities," mused mademoiselle. "If he had only let her
drown, at this moment you would be free."
Clovis looked up in horror, blanched to the pallor of a statue.