第135章 AT MEUDON.(3)

The spokesman of the little group of townsfolk,who,I learned,were from Arcueil,and had come to complain of the excessive number of troops quartered upon them,took advantage of the pause to approach him.Henry received the old man with a kindly look,and bent from his saddle to hear what he had to say.While they were talking I pressed forward,the emotion I felt on my own account heightened by my recognition of the man who rode by the King of Navarre--who was no other than M.de la Noue.No Huguenot worthy of the name could look on the veteran who had done and suffered more for the cause than any living man without catching something of his stern enthusiasm;and the sight,while it shamed me,who a moment before had been inclined to prefer my safety to the assistance I owed my country,gave me courage to step to the king's rein,so that I heard his last words to the men of Arcueil.

'Patience,my friends,'he said kindly.'The burden is heavy,but the journey is a short one.The Seine is ours;the circle is complete.In a week Paris must surrender.The king,my cousin,will enter,and you will be rid of us.For France's sake one week,my friends.'

The men fell back with low obeisances,charmed by his good-nature,and Henry,looking up,saw me before him.In the instant his jaw fell.His brow,suddenly contracting above eyes,which flashed with surprise and displeasure,altered in a moment the whole aspect of his face;which grew dark and stern as night.

His first impulse was to pass by me;but seeing that I held my ground,he hesitated,so completely chagrined by my appearance that he did not know how to act,or in what way to deal with me.

I seized the occasion,and bending my knee with as much respect as I had ever used to the King of France,begged to bring myself to his notice,and to crave his protection and favour.

'This is no time to trouble me,sir,'he retorted,eyeing me with an angry side-glance.'I do not know you.You are unknown to me,sir.You must go to M.de Rosny.'

'It would be useless sire,'I answered,in desperate persistence.

'Then I can do nothing for you,'he rejoined peevishly.'Stand on one side,sir.'

But I was desperate.I knew that I had risked all on the event,and must establish my footing before M.de Turenne's return,or run the risk of certain recognition and vengeance.I cried out,caring nothing who heard,that I was M.de Marsac,that I had come back to meet whatever my enemies could allege against me.

'VENTRE SAINT GRIS!'Henry exclaimed,starting in his saddle with well-feigned surprise.'Are you that man?'

'I am,sire,'I answered.

'Then you must be mad!'he retorted,appealing to those behind him.'Stark,staring mad to show your face here!'VENTRE SAINTGRIS!Are we to have all the ravishers and plunderers in the country come to us?'

'I am neither the one nor the other!'I answered,looking with indignation from him to the gaping train behind him.

'That you will have to settle with M.de Turenne!'he retorted,frowning down at me with his whole face turned gloomy and fierce.

'I know you well,sir,now.Complaint has been made that you abducted a lady from his Castle of Chize some time back.'

'The lady,sire,is now in charge of the Princess of Navarre.'

'She is?'he exclaimed,quite taken aback.

'And if she has aught of complaint against me,'I continued with pride,'I will submit to whatever punishment you order or M.de Turenne demands.But if she has no complaint to make,and vows that she accompanied me of her own free-will and accord,and has suffered neither wrong nor displeasure at my hands,then,sire,Iclaim that this is a private matter between myself and M.de Turenne.'

'Even so I think you will have your hands full,'he answered grimly.At the same time he stopped by a gesture those who would have cried out upon me,and looked at me himself with an altered countenance.'Do I understand that you assert that the lady went of her own accord?'he asked.

'She went and has returned,sire,'I answered.

'Strange!'he ejaculated.'Have you married her?'

'No,sire,'I answered.'I desire leave to do so.'

'Mon dieu!she is M.de Turenne's ward,'he rejoined,almost dumbfounded by my audacity.

'I do not despair of obtaining his assent,sire,'I said patiently.

'SAINT GRIS!the man is mad!'he cried,wheeling his horse and facing his train with a gesture of the utmost wonder.'It is the strangest story I ever heard.'

'But somewhat more to the gentleman's credit than the lady's!'

one said with a smirk and a smile.

'A lie!'I cried,springing forward on the instant with a boldness which astonished myself.'She is as pure as your Highness's sister!I swear it.That man lies in his teeth,and I will maintain it.'

'Sir!'the King of Navarre cried,turning on me with the utmost sternness,'you forget yourself in my presence!Silence,and beware another time how you let your tongue run on those above you.You have enough trouble,let me tell you,on your hands already.'

'Yet the man lies!'I answered doggedly,remembering Crillon and his ways.'And if he will do me the honour of stepping aside with me,I will convince him of it!'

'VENTRE SAINT GRIS!'Henry replied,frowning,and dwelling on each syllable of his favourite oath.'Will you be silent,sir,and let me think?Or must I order your instant arrest?'

'Surely that at least,sire,'a suave voice interjected.And with that a gentleman pressed forward from the rest,and gaining a place,of 'vantage by the King's side,shot at me a look of extreme malevolence.'My lord of Turenne will expect no less at your Highness's hands,'he continued warmly.'I beg you will give the order on the spot,and hold this person to answer for his misdeeds.M.de Turenne returns to-day.He should be here now.I say again,sire,he will expect no less than this.'