The Grey Cloak - Page 78/256

Victor started. "I never thought of him!"

"Ah! If Gaston has that paper, France is small, Monsieur," said the

vicomte, addressing the Chevalier, "I learn that you are bound for

Quebec. Come, Saumaise; here is our opportunity. Let the three of us

point westward."

Victor remained silent. As oil rises to the surface of water, so rose

his distrust. He could not shut out the vision of that half-smile of

the hour gone.

"Monsieur," said the Chevalier, looking up, "this is like you. You

have something of the Bayard in your veins. It takes a man of courage

to address me, after what has happened. I am become a pariah; he who

touches my hand loses caste."

"Bah! Honestly, now, Chevalier, is it not the man rather than the

escutcheon? A trooper is my friend if he has courage; I would not let

a coward black my boots, not if he were a king."

"If ever I have offended you, pray forgive me."

"Offended me? Well, yes," easily. "There was Madame de Flavigny of

Normandy; but that was three years ago. Such affairs begin and end

quickly. My self-love was somewhat knocked about; that was all. If

the weather permits, the Saint Laurent will sail at one o'clock. Till

then, Messieurs," and bowing gravely the vicomte retired.

Both Victor and the Chevalier stared, at the door through which the

vicomte vanished. Victor frowned; the Chevalier smiled.

"Curse his insolence!" cried the poet, slapping his sword.

"Lad, what an evil mind you have!" said the Chevalier in surprise.

"There is something below all this. Did he pay you those pistoles he

lost to you in December?"

"To the last coin."

"Have you played with him since?"

"Yes, and won. Last night he won back the amount he lost to me; and

with these fifty pistoles our accounts are square. What have you

against the vicomte? I have always found him a man. And of all those

who called themselves my friends, has not he alone stood forth?"

"There is some motive," still persisted the poet.

"Time will discover it."

"Oh, the devil, Paul! he loves Madame de Brissac; and my gorge rises at

the sight of him."

"What! is all Paris in love with Madame de Brissac? You have explained

your antipathy. Every man has a right to love."

"I know it."

"I wonder how it happens that I have never seen this daughter of the

Montbazons?"

"You have your own affair."

"Past tense, my lad, past tense. Now, I wish to be alone. I have some

thinking to do which requires complete isolation. Go to bed and sleep,

and do not worry about me. Come at seven; I shall be awake." The

Chevalier stood and held forth his arms. They embraced. Once alone

the outcast blew out the candle, folded his arms on the table, and hid

his face in them. After that it was very still in the private

assembly, save for the occasional moaning in the chimney.