The Grey Cloak - Page 209/256

"Yes," said Brother Jacques, but without enthusiasm. He could never

hear again that name without experiencing the keenest pain and chagrin.

"Do not look so sad, Brother Jacques," Anne requested. "The terrible

journey is over, and you were not to blame."

Brother Jacques looked out over the water. It was the journey to come

which appalled him. Ah, but that journey which was past! Were he but

free from these encumbering robes; were he but a man like the poet or

the Chevalier! Alas, Brother Jacques!

"Victor," said madame, on the return to the palisade, "stay with me as

much as possible. Do not let Cévennes, D'Hérouville, or the vicomte

come near me alone."

"Gabrielle, in the old days you were not quite fair to me."

"I know it, Victor; pardon, pardon," pressing his hand. "I am very

unhappy over what I have done." As, indeed, she was.

"Do you love the Chevalier?" he asked, quietly.

"Love him?" The scorn which may be thrown into two words! "Love him,

Victor?" She laughed. "As I love the vicomte; as I love D'Hérouville!

Victor, I am proud. Monsieur le Chevalier du Cévennes ground a

portrait of mine under his heel . . . . without so much as a glance at

it. Neither my vanity nor my pride will forgive that."

"He did not know. Had he but glanced at that miniature, he would have

sought you to the ends of the world. Gabrielle, Gabrielle! how could

he help it?"

"If you talk like that, Victor, you will make me cry. I am wretched.

Why did I leave France?"

"I am very curious to know," with a faint smile. "You were to become a

nun?"

"But the sight of those grim walls of the Ursulines!"

"Mademoiselle de Vaudemont intends to enter them."

"She is not frivolous, changeable, inconsistent, like me."

"Nor so lovable!" he whispered.

"What did you say then?" she asked.

"Nothing. I will do what I can to aid you to avoid those you dislike."

And how, with madame here, to keep these three men from killing each

other? He would that morning speak to Du Puys. The soldier might find

a way.

"Victor, what has Monsieur le Chevalier done that he comes to this

land?"

"He and his father had a difference of opinion; that is all I can say."

"But here, in this wilderness! Why not back to Paris, where Mazarin

restored him to favor?"

"Who can explain?"

The day wore on. Madame was very successful in her manoeuvers to keep

out of the way of her persecutors, as she had now come to call them.

They saw her only at the evening meal, seated at a table some distance

from the regular mess; and the presence of the Father Superior kept

them from approaching.