第61章 VILAIN HERODES.(4)

We all stood bowing while he withdrew,and only turned to retire when the door closed behind him.Burning with indignation and chagrin as I was at finding myself disposed of in the way I have described,and pitchforked,whether I would or no,into a service I neither fancied nor desired,I still managed for the present to restrain myself;and,permitting my companions to precede me,followed in silence,listening sullenly to their jubilations.

The marquis seemed scarcely less pleased than M.de Rosny;and as the latter evinced a strong desire to lessen any jealousy the former might feel,and a generous inclination to attribute to him a full share of the credit gained,I remained the only person dissatisfied with the evening's events.We retired from the chateau with the same precautions which had marked our entrance,and parting with M.de Rambouillet at the door of our lodging--not without many protestations of esteem on his part and of gratitude on that of M.de Rosny--mounted to the first-floor in single file and in silence,which I was determined not to be the first to break.

Doubtless M.de Rosny knew my thoughts,for,speedily dismissing Maignan and Simon,who were in waiting,he turned to me without preface.'Come,my friend,'he said,laying his hand on my shoulder and looking me in the face in a way which all but disarmed me at once,'do not let us misunderstand one another.

You think you have cause to be angry with me.I cannot suffer that,for the King of Navarre had never greater need of your services than now.'

'You have played me an unworthy trick,sir,'I answered,thinking he would cozen me with fair speeches.

'Tut,tut!'he replied.'You do not understand.'

'I understand well enough,'I answered,with bitterness,'that,having done the King of Navarre's work,he would now be rid of me.'

'Have I not told you,'M.de Rosny replied,betraying for the first time some irritation,'that he has greater need of your services than ever?Come,man,be reasonable,or,better still,listen to me.'And turning from me,he began to walk up and down the room,his hands behind him."the King of France--I want to make it as clear to you as possible--'he said,'cannot make head against the League without help,and,willy-nilly,must look for it to the Huguenots whom he has so long persecuted.The King of Navarre,their acknowledged leader,has offered that help;and so,to spite my master,and prevent a combination so happy for France,has M.de Turenne,who would fain raise the faction he commands to eminence,and knows well how to make his profit out of the dissensions of his country.Are you clear so far,sir?'

I assented.I was becoming absorbed in spite of myself.

'Very well,'he resumed.'This evening--never did anything fall out more happily than Rambouillet's meeting with me--he is a good man!--I have brought the king to this:that if proof of the selfish nature of Turenne's designs be laid before him he will hesitate no longer.That proof exists.A fortnight ago it was here;but it is not here now.'

'That is unlucky!'I exclaimed.I was so much interested in his story,as well as flattered by the confidence he was placing in me,that my ill-humour vanished.I went and stood with my shoulder against the mantelpiece,and he,passing to and fro between me and the light,continued his tale.