These Old Shades · Chapter 21 (1/2)

XXI

The Discomfiture of the Comte de Saint-Vire

Mine host and hostess of the Black Bull at Le Dennier had never before entertained such quality at their humble inn. Madame sent a serving-man running hotfoot to her neighbour, Madame Tournoise, and presently that lady came hurrying in with her daughter to aid Madame in her preparations. When she heard that no less a personage than an English Duke, with his entourage, had arrived at the inn, she was round-eyed in wonderment, and when his Grace came slowly down the stairs clad in a coat of palest lavender, with lacing of silver, and a silver waistcoat, amethysts in his lace, and on his fingers, she stood staring open-mouthed.

His Grace went to the little parlour, and sent for writing materials. Mine host came bustling with the inkhorn, and desired to know whether Monseigneur would take any refreshment. His Grace bespoke a bottle of canary wine, and three glasses, and sat him down to write to his cousin. A faint smile hovered about his lips.

My Very Dear Cousin⁠—

I Trust that by the Time you Receive this Missive you will have recovered from the Sad Indisposition which had overtaken you when I had the Pleasure of seeing you, three Days since. I am Desolat’d to be Oblig’d to put you to Added Inconvenience, but I believe I must Request you to Join me here as soon as may be. Gaston, who brings this letter, will Escort you. Pray pack your Trunks for a long stay, for I have some notion of Proceeding in due Course to Paris. My Ward, you will be Reliev’d to hear, is with me in this charming Village, in Company with my Lord Rupert.

His Grace signed his name with a flourish, still smiling. The door opened, and Léonie came in, all in foaming white muslin, with a blue sash about her waist, and a blue ribbon in her hair.

“Monseigneur, is it not kind of Lady Fanny to send me this pretty dress? I look nice, do you not think?”

The Duke put up his glass.

“My child, you look charming. Lady Fanny’s taste is unimpeachable.” He rose, and picked up a flat velvet case from the table. “I beg you will accept this trifling mark of my affection for you, infant.”

Léonie skipped up to him.

“Another present, Monseigneur? I think you are very kind to me! What is it, I wonder?”

His Grace opened the case. Léonie’s lips formed a soundless Oh!

“Monseigneur!”

The Duke lifted the pearls from their bed of velvet, and clasped them about her neck.

“Oh, Monseigneur, thank you!” she said in a gasp, and held the long string between her fingers. “They are beautiful! I love them, oh, much! Would you like me to curtsy to you, or may I just kiss your hand?”

His Grace smiled.

“You need do neither, infant.”

“I will do both,” said Léonie, and sank down with skirts outspread and one little foot peeping from beneath the muslin flounces. Then she kissed the Duke’s hand, and rose. Lastly she inspected his Grace’s clothes.

“That is a nice dress, I think,” she said.

Avon bowed.

“I like it,” Léonie said. “Monseigneur, I feel very brave now. What will you do to this pig-person when he comes?”

“I shall have the honour of presenting you, my dear,” Avon answered. “Let him have your haughtiest curtsy. It is a little game we play.”

“Yes? But I do not want to curtsy to him. I want to make him sorry.”

“Believe me, he will be very sorry, but the time is not yet. Bear in mind, ma fille, that you have not till now set eyes on my dear friend.”

“Ah, bah, what is this?” she demanded. “I know him well, and he knows me!”

“Strive to cultivate a little imagination,” sighed his Grace. “The so dear Comte stole my page, Léon. You are my ward, Mademoiselle de Bonnard.”

“Oh!” said Léonie doubtfully. “I must be polite, enfin?”

“Very polite, child. And remember, you and I are here for our health. We know naught of abductions, or evil drinks, or even⁠—er⁠—pig-persons. Can you play the game of pretence?”

“But yes, Monseigneur! Will he pretend, do you think?”

“I have reason to think, child, that he will follow my lead.”

“Why, Monseigneur?”

“Because, child, he has a secret which he suspects I share. But since it is a highly discreditable secret he would not like me to think that he had any knowledge of it. We fence, you see, but whereas I see my way clearly, he moves in darkness.”

“Oh, I see!” she said. “He will be surprised to find you, n’est-ce pas?”

“I rather think he will,” agreed his Grace. He went to the table and poured out two glasses of canary. One of them he gave to Léonie. “My dear, I drink to your safe deliverance.”

“Oh, I thank you, Monseigneur! What shall I drink to?” She put her head on one side. “Voyons, I will just drink to mon cher seigneur!”

“Quite neat,” said the Duke. “Gaston? A la bonne heure! You will journey back to Avon, Gaston, at once.”

Gaston’s face fell.

“But yes, Monseigneur.”

“Bearing with you this letter to my cousin. She will accompany you to France again.”

Gaston brightened perceptibly.

“Further, you will go to Milor’ Merivale and obtain from him the clothes of Milor’ Rupert. It is understood?”

“All Milor’ Rupert’s clothes, Monseigneur?” asked Gaston, aghast.

“All of them. If he is there, bring milor’s valet also. I had well-nigh forgot Mademoiselle Léonie’s maid. Instruct her to pack the rest of mademoiselle’s clothes, and bring her⁠—and them⁠—to me here.”

Gaston blinked rapidly.

“Yes, Monseigneur,” he said with an effort.

“You will board the Silver Queen, of course, and you will convey your charges by coach to Portsmouth.” His Grace tossed a fat purse to him. “At Portsmouth, on your way to Avon, you will seek out a certain roan horse.”

“Bon Dieu!” muttered Gaston. “A roan horse, Monseigneur, yes.”

“A roan horse belonging to one Mr. Manvers of Crosby Hall, sold by Milor’ Rupert on Monday. You will buy it back.” Another purse followed the first. “The price is of no moment. You will have the animal conveyed to Crosby Hall, with Milor’ Rupert’s compliments and⁠—er⁠—thanks. That also is understood?”

“Yes, Monseigneur,” said Gaston dismally.

“Bien. This is, I think, Wednesday. You will be here again no later than Monday. Send Meekin to me now. You may go.”

The groom came speedily.

“Your Grace sent for me?”

“I did. You will start for Paris, my friend, within the hour.”

“Ay, your Grace.”

“To apprise the admirable Walker of my coming. You will bring back with you the large berline, the smaller travelling coach, and a light chaise for my Lord Rupert’s baggage. You will arrange for change of horses to await me at Rouen, at Tign, and at Pontoise. I shall rest at the Coq d’Or at Rouen for one night.”

“Very good, your Grace. Which day am I to tell the landlord?”

“I have not the least idea,” said the Duke. “But when I come I shall require four bedchambers, a private parlour, and quarters for my servants. I trust I make myself plain?”

“Yes, your Grace.”

“That is all,” said Avon.

Meekin bowed, and went out.

“Voyons,” said Léonie from her seat by the fire. “It gives me great pleasure to hear you say ‘Do this⁠—do that!’ I like to hear them answer only, ‘Yes, Monseigneur,’ and go so quickly to do your bidding.”

Avon smiled.

“I have only once in my life had a servant in mine employ who dared to question my commands,” he said.

“Oh?” Léonie looked up in all innocence. “Who was that, Monseigneur?”

“A page I had, my dear, by name⁠—er⁠—Léon.”

Her eyes sparkled, but she folded her hands demurely.

“Tiens! I wonder he dared, Monseigneur.”

“I believe there was nothing he would not dare,” said Avon.

“Truly? Did you like him, Monseigneur?”

“You are a minx, my dear.”

She laughed, blushed and nodded.

“It is not a compliment,” said his Grace, and came to the fire, and sat down. “I have sent for your duenna, you hear.”

“Yes.” She grimaced. “But she will not come till Monday, will she? Why are we going to Paris?”

“As well Paris as anywhere else,” Avon replied. “Your education is nearly complete. You are going to make your curtsy to the Polite World.”

“Am I, Monseigneur? Vraiment? I think it will be fort amusant. Shall I go to Vassaud’s?”

The Duke’s brows twitched together.

“No, ma fille, you will not. Vassaud’s is one of those places which you will strive to forget.”

Léonie peeped at him.

“And⁠—and the Maison Chourval?”

“Did I take you there?” His Grace was still frowning.

“But yes, Monseigneur, only you sent me to wait for you in the vestibule.”

“I had that much decency left, then. You will most assuredly forget the Maison Chourval. It would be interesting to know what you made of it?”

“Very little, Monseigneur. It is not a nice place, I think.”

“No, infant, you are right. It is not a nice place, nor was I⁠—nice⁠—to take you there. That is not the world you shall enter.”

“Tell me!” begged Léonie. “Shall I go to balls?”

“Certainly, ma belle.”

“And will you dance with me?”

“My dear, there will be gallants enough to claim your hand. You will have no need of me.”

“If you do not dance with me I won’t dance at all,” she announced. “You will, Monseigneur, won’t you?”

“Perhaps,” he said.

“I do not like perhaps,” she said. “Promise!”

“You are really very exigeante,” he complained. “I am past the age of dancing.”

“Eh bien!” Léonie tilted her chin. “Me, I am too young to dance. Nous voilà!”

“You, my infant,” said his Grace severely, “are a very naughty, wilful child. I do not know why I bear with you.”

“No, Monseigneur. And you will dance with me?”

“Quite incorrigible,” he murmured. “Yes, infant.”

A horse came clattering up the street, and paused at the inn-door.

“Monseigneur⁠—do you think⁠—is it⁠—he?” Léonie asked nervously.

“It seems likely, my dear. The game begins.”

“I am not feeling⁠—quite so brave, Monseigneur.”

He rose, and spoke softly.

“You will not disgrace yourself, or me, infant. There is naught to fear.”

“N-no, Monseigneur.”

The landlord entered.

“Monseigneur, it is M. le Docteur to see milor’.”

“How disappointing,” said his Grace. “I will come. Stay here, child, and if my very dear friend should come, remember that you are my ward, and behave with proper courtesy.”

“Yes, Monseigneur,” she faltered. “You will come back soon, won’t you?”

“Assuredly.” His Grace went out with a swish of silken skirts. Léonie sat down again, and regarded her toes. Overhead, in Rupert’s chamber, she heard footsteps and the muffled sound of voices. These signs of the Duke’s proximity reassured her a little, but when again she heard the clatter of hoofs on the cobbled street some of the delicate colour left her cheeks.

“This time it is in very truth that pig-person,” she thought. “Monseigneur does not come⁠—he wants me to play the game a little by myself, I think. Eh bien, Léonie, courage!”

She could hear Saint-Vire’s voice upraised in anger outside. Then came a quick, heavy tread, the door was flung open, and he stood upon the threshold. His boots were caked with mud, and his coat bespattered; he carried a riding-whip and gloves, and his cravat and hair were in disorder. Léonie looked at him in some hauteur, copying Lady Fanny’s manner to a nicety. For an instant it seemed that the Comte did not recognise her; then he came striding forward, his face dark with passion.

“You thought you had tricked me, madame page, did you not? I am not so easily worsted. I do not know where you obtained those fine clothes, but they avail you nothing.”

Léonie came to her feet, and let her eyes wander over him.

“M’sieur is in error,” she said. “This is a private room.”

“Very prettily played,” he sneered, “but I am no fool to be put off by those airs and graces. Come, where’s your cloak? I’ve no time to waste!”

She stood her ground.

“I do not understand you, m’sieur. This is an intrusion.” She rolled the word off her tongue, and was pardonably pleased with it.

The Comte grasped her arm, and shook it slightly.

“Your cloak! Quickly, now, or it will be the worse for you.”

Much of her icy politeness left Léonie.

“Bah! Take your hand away from my arm!” she said fiercely. “How dare you touch me?”

He pulled her forward, an arm about her waist.

“Have done! The game is up, my dear. You will do better to submit quietly. I shall not hurt you if you do as I say.”

From the doorway came the faint rustle of silk. A cool, haughty voice spoke.

“You mistake, m’sieur. Have the goodness to unhand my ward.”

The Comte jumped as though he had been shot, and wheeled about, a hand to his sword hilt. Avon stood just inside the room, quizzing glass raised.

“Sacré mille diables,” swore Saint-Vire. “You!”

A slow and singularly unpleasant smile curved his Grace’s lips.

“Is it possible?” he purred. “My very dear friend Saint-Vire!”

Saint-Vire tugged at his cravat as though it choked him.

“You!” he said again. His voice was hardly above a whisper. “Are you in very truth your namesake? Even⁠—here⁠—I find you!”

Avon came forward. An elusive perfume was wafted from his clothes as he walked; in one hand he held a lace handkerchief.

“Quite an unexpected rencontre, is it not, Comte?” he said. “I have to present my ward, Mademoiselle de Bonnard. I believe she will accept your apologies.”

The Comte flushed dark, but he bowed to Léonie, who swept him a magnificent curtsy, and muttered a few incoherent words.

“No doubt you mistook her for someone else?” said his Grace urbanely. “I do not think you have met her before?”

“No. As m’sieur says⁠—I mistook her⁠—Mille pardons, mademoiselle.”

His Grace took snuff.

“Strange how one may be mistaken,” he said. “Likenesses are so inexplicable, are they not, Comte?”

Saint-Vire started.

“Likenesses⁠ ⁠… ?”

“You do not find it so?” His Grace drew a fan of lavender silk mounted on silver sticks from his pocket, and waved it languidly. “One wonders what can have brought the Comte de Saint-Vire to this unsophisticated spot.”

“I came on business, M. le Duc. One also wonders what can have brought the Duc of Avon here.”

“But business, dear Comte, business!” said Avon, gently.

“I come to retrieve some⁠—property⁠—I lost at⁠—Le Havre!” said the Comte wildly.

“How singular!” remarked Avon. “I came on precisely the same errand. Our paths seem fated to⁠—er⁠—cross, my dear Comte.”

Saint-Vire set his teeth.

“Yes, m’sieur? On⁠—on the same errand, you say?” He forced a laugh. “Singular indeed!”

“Quite remarkable, is it not! But unlike yours, my property was stolen from me. I hold it in⁠—er⁠—trust.”

“Indeed, m’sieur?” The Comte’s mouth was unpleasantly dry, and it was evident that he was at a loss to know what to say.

“I trust, dear Comte, that you have found your property?” Avon’s tone was silky.

“Not yet,” Saint-Vire answered slowly.

His Grace poured out the third glass of wine, and offered it to him. Mechanically the Comte accepted it.

“Let us hope that I may be able to restore it to you,” said his Grace, and sipped meditatively at his wine.

Saint-Vire choked.

“M’sieur?”

“I shall spare no pains,” continued his Grace. “The village is not a large hunting-ground, to be sure. You know that it is here, I suppose?”

“Yes⁠—no⁠—I do not know. It is not worth your trouble, m’sieur.”

“Oh, my dear Comte!” protested his Grace, “if it is worth so much endeavour”⁠—his eyes flickered to those mud-caked boots⁠—“so much endeavour on your part, I am sure it is also worth my attention.”

The Comte seemed to choose his words carefully.

“I have reason to think, m’sieur, that it is one of those jewels that contain⁠—a flaw.”

“I trust not,” answered Avon. “So it was a jewel? Now that which was stolen from me is in the nature of a weapon.”

“I hope you have had the good fortune to find it,” said Saint-Vire, goaded, but holding fast to his self-control.

“Yes, my dear Comte, yes. Chance favours me nearly always. Strange. Let me assure you that I shall do my utmost to restore your⁠—jewel, I think you said it was?⁠—your jewel to you.”

“It⁠—is not likely that you will find it,” said Saint-Vire, between his teeth.

“You forget the element of Chance, dear Comte. I am a great believer in my luck.”