Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

"And I," said Coconnas, "with the duke de Guise."

"And I," said the host, after having watched the two gentlemen take the road to the Louvre, "I will go and burnish my steel cap, put a match to my arquebuss, and sharpen my partisan, for no one knows what may happen."

CHAPTER V.

OF THE LOUVRE IN PARTICULAR, AND OF VIRTUE IN GENERAL.

THE two young men, directed by the first person they met, went down the Rue d'Averon, the Rue St.-Germain-l'Auxerrois, and soon found themselves before the Louvre, whose towers were beginning to be lost in the darkness of the night.

"What is the matter with you?" asked Coconnas of La Mole, who stopped before the old château, and gazed, not without awe, on the drawbridges, the narrow windows, and the pointed belfries, presented to him.

"I scarcely know," said La Mole; "my heart beats strangely. I am not timid, but this old palace seems so gloomy and terrible."

"For my part," replied Coconnas, "I feel in excellent spirits. My dress is rather disordered," continued he, "but never mind; it will prove I have obeyed my instructions, and come promptly on my arrival."

The two young men continued their way, each influenced by the feelings he had expressed.

The Louvre was guarded with more than usual care, and all the sentinels were doubled. Our cavaliers were somewhat embarrassed, therefore, but Coconnas, who had remarked that the duke de Guise's name acted like a talisman on the Parisians, approached the sentinel, and making use of the duke's name, demanded to enter. The name seemed to produce its ordinary effect upon the soldier, who, however asked Coconnas if he had the countersign.

Coconnas was forced to confess he had not. "Stand back, then," said the soldier.

At this moment, a person who was talking with the officer of the guard when Coconnas demanded leave to enter, advanced to him.

"What do you want with M. de Guise?" asked he, with a strong German accent.

"I wish to see him," said Coconnas.

"Impossible-the duke is with the king." "But I have a letter for him."

66 Ah, that is different.

What is your name?"

"The count Annibal de Coconnas."

'Will monsieur Annibal give me the letter?"

'On my word," said La Mole to himself, "I hope I may find another gentleman, equally polite, to conduct me to the king of Navarre."

"Give me the letter," said the German gentleman, holding out his hand towards Coconnas.

"Mordi!" replied the Piedmontese, "I scarcely know whether I ought, as I have not the honour of knowing you." "It is monsieur de Besme," said the sentinel; “you may safely give him your letter, I'll answer for it."

"M. de Besme!" cried Coconnas-" with the greatest pleasure. Here is the letter. Pardon my hesitation; but when one is intrusted with an important commission, one ought to be careful."

"There is no need of any excuse," said De Besme.

"Perhaps, sir," said La Mole, "you will be so kind as to do the same for my letter that you have done for that of my friend?"

"Who are you, monsieur?"

"The count Lerac de la Mole."

"I don't know the name."

"No doubt; for I am only just arrived in Paris, for the first time."

"Where do you come from?"

"From Provence."

"With a letter also?"

"Yes."

"For the duke de Guise?"

"No; for the king of Navarre."

"I am not in the service of the king of Navarre," said De Besme, coldly," and therefore I cannot take your letter."

And turning on his heel, he entered the Louvre, bidding Coconnas follow him.

La Mole was left alone.

At this moment, a troop of cavaliers, about a hundred in number, came out from the Louvre.

"Ah, ah!" said the sentinel to his comrade-"here come De Mouy and his huguenots! See how joyous they all are. The king has promised them, no doubt, to put to death the assassin of the admiral; and as it was he who murdered De Mouy's father, the son will kill two birds with one stone." "Did you not say," interrupted La Mole, "that this officer is M. de Mouy?"

"Yes, monsieur."

"Thank you," said La Mole. "That was all I wished to know”—and advancing to the chief of the cavaliers : "Sir," said he, "I am told you are M. de Mouy." "Yes, sir," returned the officer, courteously. "May I inquire whom I have the honour of addressing?" "The count Lerac de La Mole."

The young men bowed to each other.

"What can I do for you, monsieur?" asked De Mouy. "Monsieur, I am just arrived from Aix, and I have a letter from M. d'Aunac, governor of Provence, for the king of Navarre. How can I give it to him? How can I enter the Louvre?"

66

Nothing is easier than to enter the Louvre," replied De Mouy; "but I fear the king will be unable to see you at this hour. I will, however, if you please, conduct you to his apartments, and then you must manage for yourself." "A thousand thanks!"

"Come, then," said De Mouy.

De Mouy dismounted, advanced towards the wicket, passed the sentinel, conducted La Mole into the château, and, opening the door leading to the king's apartments:

"Enter, and inquire for yourself, monsieur," said he.

And saluting La Mole, he retired.

La Mole, left alone, looked round.

The ante-room was

vacant. He advanced a few paces, and found himself in a passage.

"I will walk straight on," thought he, "and I must meet some one."

Suddenly the door opposite that by which he had entered opened, and two pages appeared, lighting a lady of noble bearing and exquisite beauty.

The glare of the torches fell full on La Mole, who stood motionless.

The lady stopped also.

"What do you want, sir?" said she, in a voice of exquisite sweetness.

"Oh, madame," said La Mole, "pardon me; I have just left M. de Mouy, who was so good as to conduct me here, and I wish to see the king of Navarre."

"The king is not here, sir; he is with his brother-in-law. But, in his absence, could you not say to the queen

[ocr errors]

"Oh, yes, madame," returned La Mole, "if I could obtain audience of her."

"You have it already, sir."
"What!" cried La Mole.
"I am the queen of Navarre."
La Mole started with surprise.

[ocr errors]

Speak, sir," said Marguerite, "but speak quickly, for the queen-mother is waiting for me."

"If the queen-mother waits for you, madame," said La Mole, "suffer me to leave you, for I am incapable of collecting my ideas, or of thinking of aught but admiration."

Marguerite advanced graciously towards the handsome young man, who, without knowing it, acted like a finished courtier.

"Recover yourself, sir," said she; "I will wait."

"Pardon me, madame," said La Mole, "that I did not salute you with the respect due to you, but

[ocr errors]

"You took me for one of my ladies?" said Marguerite, smiling.

66

No; but for the shade of the beautiful Diana of Poitiers, who is said to haunt the Louvre."

66 Come, sir," said Marguerite, "I see you will make your fortune at court; your letter was not needed, but still, give it me: I will take care the king of Navarre has it."

In an instant La Mole threw open his doublet, and drew from his breast a letter enveloped in silk. Marguerite took the letter, and glanced at the writing.

"Are you not M. de la Mole?" asked she.

"Yes, madame. Can I hope my name is not unknown to you?"

"I have heard my husband, and the duc d'Alençon, my brother, speak of you. I know they expect you."

And she placed the letter in her corsage, glittering with gold and diamonds.

"Now, sir," said she, "descend to the gallery below, and wait until some one comes to you from the king of Navarre. One of my pages will show you the way."

And Marguerite disappeared, like a dream.

"Are you coming, sir?" cried the page who was to conduct La Mole to the lower gallery.

"Oh, yes yes!" cried La Mole, joyfully; for, as the page led him the same way that Marguerite had gone by, he hoped to see her again.

As he descended the staircase, he perceived her below; and whether she heard his step, or by chance, she looked round, and La Mole saw her features a second time.

The page preceding La Mole descended a story lower, opened one door, then another, and stopping-"It is here you are to wait," said he.

La Mole entered the gallery, the door of which closed after him.

The gallery was vacant, with the exception of one gentleman, who was sauntering up and down, and seemed also waiting for some one.

It was so dark, that though not twenty paces apart, it was impossible for either to recognise the other's face.

La Mole drew nearer.

"By Heaven!" muttered he-"here is M. de Coconnas. again!"

At the sound of footsteps, Coconnas turned, and recognised La Mole.

"Mordi!" cried he. "The devil take me, but here is M. de la Mole! What am I doing? Swearing in the king's palace! Well, never mind; the king does not much care where he swears. Here we are at last, then, in the Louvre!" "Yes: I suppose M. de Besme introduced

you?"

"Oh, he is the most polite German I ever met with. Who brought you in?"

« AnteriorContinuar »