the chouans-第42章

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A　movement　of　satisfaction　ran　through　the　assembly。　The　Chouans　approached　the　marquis　and　made　a　respectful　circle　round　him。　All　eyes　fastened　on　the　king's　signature。　The　young　chief；　who　was　standing　near　the　chimney；　suddenly　threw　the　letters　into　the　fire；　and　they　were　burned　in　a　second。

〃I　do　not　choose　to　command　any；〃　cried　the　young　man；　〃but　those　who　see　a　king　in　the　king；　and　not　a　prey　to　prey　upon。　You　are　free；　gentlemen；　to　leave　me。〃

Madame　du　Gua；　the　Abbe　Gudin；　Major　Brigaut；　the　Chevalier　du　Vissard；　the　Baron　du　Guenic；　and　the　Comte　de　Bauvan　raised　the　cry　of　〃Vive　le　roi！〃　For　a　moment　the　other　leaders　hesitated；　then；　carried　away　by　the　noble　action　of　the　marquis；　they　begged　him　to　forget　what　had　passed；　assuring　him　that；　letters…patent　or　not；　he　must　always　be　their　leader。

〃Come　and　dance；〃　cried　the　Comte　de　Bauvan；　〃and　happen　what　will！　After　all；〃　he　added；　gaily；　〃it　is　better；　my　friends；　to　pray　to　God　than　the　saints。　Let　us　fight　first；　and　see　what　comes　of　it。〃

〃Ha！　that's　good　advice；〃　said　Brigaut。　〃I　have　never　yet　known　a　day's　pay　drawn　in　the　morning。〃

The　assembly　dispersed　about　the　rooms；　where　the　guests　were　now　arriving。　The　marquis　tried　in　vain　to　shake　off　the　gloom　which　darkened　his　face。　The　chiefs　perceived　the　unfavorable　impression　made　upon　a　young　man　whose　devotion　was　still　surrounded　by　all　the　beautiful　illusions　of　youth；　and　they　were　ashamed　of　their　action。

However；　a　joyous　gaiety　soon　enlivened　the　opening　of　the　ball；　at　which　were　present　the　most　important　personages　of　the　royalist　party；　who；　unable　to　judge　rightly；　in　the　depths　of　a　rebellious　province；　of　the　actual　events　of　the　Revolution；　mistook　their　hopes　for　realities。　The　bold　operations　already　begun　by　Montauran；　his　name；　his　fortune；　his　capacity；　raised　their　courage　and　caused　that　political　intoxication；　the　most　dangerous　of　all　excitements；　which　does　not　cool　till　torrents　of　blood　have　been　uselessly　shed。　In　the　minds　of　all　present　the　Revolution　was　nothing　more　than　a　passing　trouble　to　the　kingdom　of　France；　where；　to　their　belated　eyes；　nothing　was　changed。　The　country　belonged　as　it　ever　did　to　the　house　of　Bourbon。　The　royalists　were　the　lords　of　the　soil　as　completely　as　they　were　four　years　earlier；　when　Hoche　obtained　less　a　peace　than　an　armistice。　The　nobles　made　light　of　the　revolutionists；　for　them　Bonaparte　was　another；　but　more　fortunate；　Marceau。　So　gaiety　reigned。　The　women　had　come　to　dance。　A　few　only　of　the　chiefs；　who　had　fought　the　Blues；　knew　the　gravity　of　the　situation；　but　they　were　well　aware　that　if　they　talked　of　the　First　Consul　and　his　power　to　their　benighted　companions；　they　could　not　make　themselves　understood。　These　men　stood　apart　and　looked　at　the　women　with　indifference。　Madame　du　Gua；　who　seemed　to　do　the　honors　of　the　ball；　endeavored　to　quiet　the　impatience　of　the　dancers　by　dispensing　flatteries　to　each　in　turn。　The　musicians　were　tuning　their　instruments　and　the　dancing　was　about　to　begin；　when　Madame　du　Gua　noticed　the　gloom　on　de　Montauran's　face　and　went　hurriedly　up　to　him。

〃I　hope　it　is　not　that　vulgar　scene　you　have　just　had　with　those　clodhoppers　which　depresses　you？〃　she　said。

She　got　no　answer；　the　marquis；　absorbed　in　thought；　was　listening　in　fancy　to　the　prophetic　reasons　which　Marie　had　given　him　in　the　midst　of　the　same　chiefs　at　La　Vivetiere；　urging　him　to　abandon　the　struggle　of　kings　against　peoples。　But　the　young　man's　soul　was　too　proud；　too　lofty；　too　full　perhaps　of　conviction；　to　abandon　an　enterprise　he　had　once　begun；　and　he　decided　at　this　moment；　to　continue　it　boldly　in　the　face　of　all　obstacles。　He　raised　his　head　haughtily；　and　for　the　first　time　noticed　that　Madame　du　Gua　was　speaking　to　him。

〃Your　mind　is　no　doubt　at　Fougeres；〃　she　remarked　bitterly；　seeing　how　useless　her　efforts　to　attract　his　attention　had　been。　〃Ah；　monsieur；　I　would　give　my　life　to　put　/her/　within　your　power；　and　see　you　happy　with　her。〃

〃Then　why　have　you　done　all　you　could　to　kill　her？〃

〃Because　I　wish　her　dead　or　in　your　arms。　Yes；　I　may　have　loved　the　Marquis　de　Montauran　when　I　thought　him　a　hero；　but　now　I　feel　only　a　pitying　friendship　for　him；　I　see　him　shorn　of　all　his　glory　by　a　fickle　love　for　a　worthless　woman。〃

〃As　for　love；〃　said　the　marquis；　in　a　sarcastic　tone；　〃you　judge　me　wrong。　If　I　loved　that　girl；　madame；　I　might　desire　her　less；　if　it　were　not　for　you；　perhaps　I　should　not　think　of　her　at　all。〃

〃Here　she　is！〃　exclaimed　Madame　du　Gua；　abruptly。

The　haste　with　which　the　marquis　looked　round　went　to　the　heart　of　the　woman；　but　the　clear　light　of　the　wax　candles　enabled　her　to　see　every　change　on　the　face　of　the　man　she　loved　so　violently；　and　when　he　turned　back　his　face；　smiling　at　her　woman's　trick；　she　fancied　there　was　still　some　hope　of　recovering　him。

〃What　are　you　laughing　at？〃　asked　the　Comte　de　Bauvan。

〃At　a　soap…bubble　which　has　burst；〃　interposed　Madame　du　Gua；　gaily。　〃The　marquis；　if　we　are　now　to　believe　him；　is　astonished　that　his　heart　ever　beat　the　faster　for　that　girl　who　presumes　to　call　herself　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil。　You　know　who　I　mean。〃

〃That　girl！〃　echoed　the　count。　〃Madame；　the　author　of　a　wrong　is　bound　to　repair　it。　I　give　you　my　word　of　honor　that　she　is　really　the　daughter　of　the　Duc　de　Verneuil。〃

〃Monsieur　le　comte；〃　said　the　marquis；　in　a　changed　voice；　〃which　of　your　statements　am　I　to　believe；that　of　La　Vivetiere；　or　that　now　made？〃

The　loud　voice　of　a　servant　at　the　door　announced　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil。　The　count　sprang　forward　instantly；　offered　his　hand　to　the　beautiful　woman　with　every　mark　of　profound　respect；　and　led　her　through　the　inquisitive　crowd　to　the　marquis　and　Madame　du　Gua。　〃Believe　the　one　now　made；〃　he　replied　to　the　astonished　young　leader。

Madame　du　Gua　turned　pale　at　the　unwelcome　sight　of　the　girl；　who　stood　for　a　moment；　glancing　proudly　over　the　assembled　company；　among　whom　she　sought　to　find　the　guests　at　La　Vivetiere。　She　awaited　the　forced　salutation　of　her　rival；　and；　without　even　looking　at　the　marquis；　she　allowed　the　count　to　lead　her　to　the　place　of　honor　beside　Madame　du　Gua；　whose　bow　she　returned　with　an　air　that　was　slightly　protecting。　But　the　latter；　with　a　woman's　instinct；　took　no　offense；　on　the　contrary；　she　immediately　assumed　a　smiling；　friendly　manner。　The　extraordinary　dress　and　beauty　of　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil　caused　a　murmur　throughout　the　ballroom。　When　the　marquis　and　Madame　du　Gua　looked　towards　the　late　guests　at　La　Vivetiere　they　saw　them　in　an　attitude　of　respectful　admiration　which　was　not　assumed；　each　seemed　desirous　of　recovering　favor　with　the　misjudged　young　woman。　The　enemies　were　in　presence　of　each　other。

〃This　is　really　magic；　mademoiselle；〃　said　Madame　du　Gua；　〃there　is　no　one　like　you　for　surprises。　Have　you　come　all　alone？〃

〃All　alone；〃　replied　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil。　〃So　you　have　only　one　to　kill　to…night；　madame。〃

〃Be　merciful；〃　said　Madame　du　Gua。　〃I　cannot　express　to　you　the　pleasure　I　have　in　seeing　you　again。　I　have　truly　been　overwhelmed　by　the　remembrance　of　the　wrongs　I　have　done　you；　and　am　most　anxious　for　an　occasion　to　repair　them。〃

〃As　for　those　wrongs；　madame；　I　readily　pardon　those　you　did　to　me；　but　my　heart　bleeds　for　the　Blues　whom　you　murdered。　However；　I　excuse　all；　in　return　for　the　service　you　have　done　me。〃

Madame　du　Gua　lost　countenance　as　she　felt　her　hand　pressed　by　her　beautiful　rival　with　insulting　courtesy。　The　marquis　had　hitherto　stood　motionless；　but　he　now　seized　the　arm　of　the　count。

〃You　have　shamefully　misled　me；〃　he　said；　〃you　have　compromised　my　honor。　I　am　not　a　Geronte　of　comedy；　and　I　shall　have　your　life　or　you　will　have　mine。〃

〃Marquis；〃　said　the　count；　haughtily；　〃I　am　ready　to　give　you　all　the　explanations　you　desire。〃

They　passed　into　the　next　room。　The　witnesses　of　this　scene；　even　those　least　initiated　into　the　secret；　began　to　understand　its　nature；　so　that　when　the　musicians　gave　the　signal　for　the　dancing　to　begin　no　one　moved。

〃Mademoiselle；　what　service　have　I　rendered　you　that　deserves　a　return？〃　said　Madame　du　Gua；　biting　her　lips　in　a　sort　of　rage。

〃Did　you　not　enlighten　me　as　to　the　true　character　of　the　Marquis　de　Montauran；　madame？　With　what　utter　indifference　that　man　allowed　me　to　go　to　my　death！　I　give　him　up　to　you　willingly！〃

〃Then　why　are　you　here？〃　asked　Madame　du　Gua；　eagerly。

〃To　recover　the　respect　and　consideration　you　took　from　me　at　La　Vivetiere；　madame。　As　for　all　the　rest；　make　yourself　easy。　Even　if　the　marquis　returned　to　me；　you　know　very　well　that　a　return　is　never　love。〃

Madame　du　Gua　took　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil's　hand　with　that　affectionate　touch　and　motion　which　women　practise　to　each　other；　especially　in　the　presence　of　men。

〃Well；　my　poor　dear　child；〃　she　said；　〃I　am　glad　to　find　you　so　reasonable。　If　the　service　I　did　you　was　rather　harsh；〃　she　added；　pressing　the　hand　she　held；　and　feeling　a　desire　to　rend　it　as　her　fingers　felt　its　softness　and　delicacy；　〃it　shall　at　least　be　thorough。　Listen　to　me；　I　know　the　character　of　the　Gars；　he　meant　to　deceive　you；　he　neither　can　nor　will　marry　any　woman　except〃

〃Ah！〃

〃Yes；　mademoiselle；　he　has　accepted　his　dangerous　mission　to　win　the　hand　of　Mademoiselle　d'Uxelles；　a　marriage　to　which　his　Majesty　has　promised　his　countenance。〃

〃Ah！　ah！〃

Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil　added　not　a　word　to　that　scornful　ejaculation。　The　young　and　handsome　Chevalier　du　Vissard；　eager　to　be　forgiven　for　the　joke　which　had　led　to　the　insults　at　La　Vivetiere；　now　came　up　to　her　and　respectfully　invited　her　to　dance。　She　placed　her　hand　in　his；　and　they　took　their　places　in　a　quadrille　opposite　to　Madame　du　Gua。　The　gowns　of　the　royalist　women；　which　recalled　the　fashions　of　the　exiled　court；　and　their　creped　and　powdered　hair　seemed　absurd　as　soon　as　they　were　contrasted　with　the　attire　which　republican　fashions　authorized　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil　to　wear。　This　attire；　which　was　elegant；　rich；　and　yet　severe；　was　loudly　condemned　but　inwardly　envied　by　all　the　women　present。　The　men　could　not　restrain　their　admiration　for　the　beauty　of　her　natural　hair　and　the　adjustment　of　a　dress　the　charm　of　which　was　in　the　proportions　of　the　form　which　it　revealed。

At　that　moment　the　marquis　and　the　count　re…entered　the　ballroom　behind　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil；　who　did　not　turn　her　head。　If　a　mirror　had　not　been　there　to　inform　her　of　Montauran's　presence；　she　would　have　known　it　from　Madame　du　Gua's　face；　which　scarcely　concealed；　under　an　apparently　indifferent　air；　the　impatience　with　which　she　awaited　the　conflict　which　must；　sooner　or　later；　take　place　between　the　lovers。　Though　the　marquis　talked　with　the　count　and　other　persons；　he　heard　the　remarks　of　all　the　dancers　who　from　time　to　time　in　the　mazes　of　the　quadrille　took　the　place　of　Mademoiselle　de　Verneuil　and　her　partner。

〃Positively；　madame；　she　came　alone；〃　said　one。

〃She　must　be　a　bold　woman；〃　replied　the　lady。

〃If　I　were　dressed　like　that　I　should　feel　myself　naked；〃　said　another　woman。

〃Oh；　the　gown　is　not　decent；　certainly；〃　replied　her　partner；　〃but　it　is　so　becoming；　and　she　is　so　handsome。〃

〃I　am　ashamed　to　look　at　suc