THE KNIGHT OF REDCASTLE.
Philip of Taverney, Knight of Redcastle, did not resemble his sister,
albeit he was as handsome for a man as she was lovely for a woman.
Andrea's embrace of him was accompanied by sobs revealing all the
importance of this union to her chaste heart. He took her hand and his
father's, and led them into the parlor, where he sat by their sides.
"You are incredulous, father, and you, sister, surprised. But nothing
can be more true than that this illustrious princess will be here
shortly. You know that the Archduchess made her entry into our realm
at Strasburg? As we did not know the exact hour of her arrival, the
troops were under arms early, and I was sent out to scout. When I came
up with the royal party, the lady herself put her head out of the coach
window, and hailed me. My fatigue vanished as by enchantment. The
dauphiness is young like you, dear, and beautiful as the angels."
"Tell me, you enthusiast," interrupted the baron, "does she resemble
any one you have seen here before?"
"No one could resemble her--stay, come to think of it--why, Nicole has
a faint likeness--but what led you to suggest that?"
"I had it from a magician, who at the same time foretold your coming."
"The guest?" timidly inquired Andrea.
"Is he the stranger who discreetly withdrew when I arrived?"
"The same; but continue your story, Philip."
"Perhaps we had better make something ready," hinted the lady.
"No," said her father, staying her; "the more we do, the more
ridiculous we shall appear."
"I returned to the city with the news, and all the military marched
to receive the new princess. She listened absently to the governor's
speech and said suddenly: 'What is the name of this young gentleman who
was sent to meet me?' And her governess wrote on her tablets my name,
Chevalier Philip Taverney Redcastle. 'Sir,' she said, 'if you have no
repugnance to accompany me to Paris, your superior will oblige me by
relieving you of your military duties here, for I made a vow to attach
to my service the first French gentleman met by me in setting foot in
France; and to make him happy, and his family the same, in case princes
have the power to do so.'"
"What delightful words!" said Andrea, rubbing her hands.
"Hence, I rode at the princess's coach door to Nancy, through which
we marched by torchlight. She called me to her to say that she meant
to stop a while at Taverney, though I said our house was not fit to
receive so mighty a princess.
"'The sweeter will be the welcome, then, the more plain but the more
cordial,' she replied. 'Poor though Taverney may be, it can supply a
bowl of milk to the friend who wishes to forget for a time that she is
the Princess of Austria and the Bride of France.' Respect prevented me
debating further. So I have ridden ahead."
"Impossible," said Andrea; "however kind the princess may be, she would
never be content with a glass of milk and a bunch of flowers."
"And if she were," went on Taverney, "she would not tolerate my
chairs which break one's back, and my ragged tapestry offending the
sight. Devil take capricious women! France will be prettily governed
by a featherbrain, who has such whims. Plague take such a token of a
singular reign!"
"Oh, father! how can you talk so of a princess who floods our house
with favors?"
"Who dishonors me!" returned the old noble. "Who was thinking about
Taverney?--not a soul. My name slept under Redcastle ruins not to come
forth till I arranged the fit time; and here comes the freak of a royal
babe to pull us out into public, dusty, tattered and beggarly. The
newspapers, always on the lookout for food for fun, will make a pretty
comic talk of the brilliant princess's visit to the Taverney hovel.
But, death of my life! an idea strikes me. I know history, and of the
Count of Medina setting fire to his palace to win a queen's attention.
I will burn down my kennel for a bonfire to the Dauphin's bride."
As nimble as though twenty once more, the old peer ran into the kitchen
and plucking a brand, hurried out and over to the barn, but as he was
nearing the trusses of forage, Balsamo sprang forth and clutched his
arm.
"What are you about, my lord?" he asked, wrenching away the flambeau.
"The Archduchess of Austria is no Constable of Bourbon, a traitor,
whose presence so fouls a dwelling that it must be purified by fire."
The old noble paused, pale and trembling and not smiling as usual.
"Go and change your gown, my lord, for something more seemly,"
continued the mysterious guest. "When I knew the Baron of Taverney at
Philipsburg Siege, he wore the Grand Cross of St. Louis. I know not
of any suit that does not become rich and stylish under the ribbon of
that order. Take it coolly: her highness will be kept so busy that she
will not notice whether your house be new or old, dull or dazzling. Be
hospitable, as a noble is bound to be. Never forestall vexations, my
lord. Every dog has his day."
Taverney obeyed with the resignation he had previously shown and went
to join his children, who were hunting for him, uneasy at his absence.
The magician silently retired like one engaged in a piece of work.