第80章 THE KING'S FACE.(2)

I made no reply,feeling that I had resigned myself entirely into his hands.But as we passed through the Rue de Valois,in part of which a market was held at this hour,attracting a considerable concourse of peasants and others,I fancied Idetected signs of unusual bustle and excitement.It seemed unlikely that news of the priest's murder should affect so many people and to such a degree,and I asked M.d'Agen what it meant.

'There is a rumour abroad,'he answered,without slackening speed,'that the king intends to move south to Tours at once.'

I muttered my surprise and satisfaction.'He will come to terms with the Huguenots then?'I said.

'It looks like it,'M.d'Agen rejoined.'Retz's party are in an ill-humour on that account,and will wreak it on you if they get a chance.On guard!'he added abruptly.'Here are two of them!'

As he spoke we emerged from the crowd,and I saw,half a dozen paces in front;of us,and coming to meet us,a couple of Court gallants,attended by as many servants.They espied us at the same moment,and came across the street,which was tolerably wide at that part,with the evident intention of stopping us.

Simultaneously,however,we crossed to take their side,and so met them face to face in the middle of the way.

'M.d'Agen,'the foremost exclaimed,speaking in a haughty tone,and with a dark side glance at me,'I am sorry to see you in such company!Doubtless you are not aware that this gentleman is the subject of an order which has even now been issued to the Provost-Marshal.'

'And if so,sir?What of that?'my companion lisped in his silkiest tone.

'What of that?'the other cried,frowning,and pushing slightly forward.

'Precisely,'M.d'Agen repeated,laying his hand on his hilt and declining to give back.'I am not aware that his Majesty has appointed you Provost-Marshal,or that you have any warrant,M.

Villequier,empowering you to stop gentlemen in the public streets.'

M.Villequier reddened with anger.'You are young,M.d'Agen,'

he said,his voice quivering,'or I would make you pay dearly for that!'

'My friend is not young,'M.d'Agen retorted,bowing.'He is a gentleman of birth,M.Villequier;by repute,as I learned yesterday,one of the best swordsmen in France,and no Gascon.

If you feel inclined to arrest him,do so,I pray.And I will have the honour of engaging your son.'

As we had all by this time our hands on our swords,there needed but a blow to bring about one of those street brawls which were more common then than now.A number of market-people,drawn to the spot by our raised voices,had gathered round,and were waiting eagerly to see what would happen.But Villeqier,as my companion perhaps knew,was a Gascon in heart as well as by birth,and seeing our determined aspects,thought better of it.

Shrugging his shoulders with an affectation of disdain which imposed on no one,he signalled to his servants to go on,and himself stood aside.

'I thank you for your polite offer,'he said with an evil smile,'and will remember it.But as you say,sir,I am not the Provost-Marshal.'

Paying little heed to his words,we bowed,passed him,and hurried on.But the peril was not over.Not only had the RENCONTRE cost us some precious minutes,but the Gascon,after letting us proceed a little way,followed us.And word being passed by his servants,as we supposed,that one of us was the murderer of Father Antoine,the rumour spread through the crowd like wildfire,and in a few moments we found ourselves attended by a troop of CANAILLE who,hanging on our skirts,caused Simon Fleix no little apprehension.Notwithstanding the contempt which M.d'Agen,whose bearing throughout was admirable,expressed for them,we might have found it necessary to turn and teach them a lesson had we not reached M.de Rambouillet's in the nick of time;where we found the door surrounded by half a dozen armed servants,at sight of whom our persecutors fell back with the cowardice which is usually found in that class.

If I had been tempted of late to think M.de Rambouillet fickle,I had no reason to complain now;whether his attitude was due to M.d'Agen's representations,or to the reflection that without me the plans he had at heart must miscarry.I found him waiting within,attended by three gentlemen,all cloaked and ready for the road;while the air of purpose,which sat on his brow indicated that he thought the crisis no common one.Not a moment was lost,even in explanations.Waving me to the door again,and exchanging a few sentences with his nephew,he gave the word to start,and we issued from the house in a body.Doubtless the fact that those who sought to ruin me were his political enemies had some weight with him;for I saw his face harden as his eyes met those of M.de Villequier,who passed slowly before the door as we came out.The Gascon,however,was not the man to interfere with so large a party,and dropped back;while M.de Rambouillet,after exchanging a cold salute with him,led the way towards the Castle at a round pace.His nephew and I walked one on either side of him,and the others,to the number of ten or eleven,pressed on behind in a compact body,our cortege presenting so determined a front that the crowd,which had remained hanging about the door,fled every way.Even some peaceable folk who found themselves in our road took the precaution of slipping into doorways,or stood aside to give us the full width of the street.

I remarked--and I think it increased my anxiety--that our leader was dressed with more than usual care and richness,but,unlike his attendants,wore no arms.He took occasion,as we hurried along,to give me a word of advice.'M.de Marsac,'he said,looking at me suddenly,'my nephew has given me to understand that you place yourself entirely in my hands.'

I replied that I asked for no better fortune,and,whatever the event,thanked him from the bottom of my heart.