scaramouche-第6章

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〃But　he　does　not　wear　a　sword；　messieurs！〃　cried　Andre　Louis；　aghast。

〃That　is　easily　amended。　　He　may　have　the　loan　of　mine。〃

〃I　mean；　messieurs；〃　Andre…Louis　insisted；　between　fear　for　his
friend　and　indignation；　〃that　it　is　not　his　habit　to　wear　a　sword；
that　he　has　never　worn　one；　that　he　is　untutored　in　its　uses。　　He
is　a　seminarist　…　a　postulant　for　holy　orders；　already　half　a　priest；
and　so　forbidden　from　such　an　engagement　as　you　propose。〃

〃All　that　he　should　have　remembered　before　he　struck　a　blow；〃　said
M。　de　Chabrillane；　politely。

〃The　blow　was　deliberately　provoked；〃　raged　Andre…Louis。　　Then　he
recovered　himself；　though　the　other's　haughty　stare　had　no　part　in
that　recovery。　　〃0　my　God；　I　talk　in　vain！　　How　is　one　to　argue
against　a　purpose　formed！　　Come　away；　Philippe。　　Don't　you　see　the
trap。。。　〃

M。　de　Vilmorin　cut　him　short；　and　flung　him　off。　　〃Be　quiet；　Andre。
M。　le　Marquis　is　entirely　in　the　right。〃

〃M。　le　Marquis　is　in　the　right？〃　　Andre…Louis　let　his　arms　fall
helplessly。　　This　man　he　loved　above　all　other　living　men　was　caught
in　the　snare　of　the　world's　insanity。　　He　was　baring　his　breast　to
the　knife　for　the　sake　of　a　vague；　distorted　sense　of　the　honour　due
to　himself。　　It　was　not　that　he　did　not　see　the　trap。　　It　was　that
his　honour　compelled　him　to　disdain　consideration　of　it。　　To
Andre…Louis　in　that　moment　he　seemed　a　singularly　tragic　figure。
Noble；　perhaps；　but　very　pitiful。



CHAPTER　IV

THE　HERITAGE


It　was　M。　de　Vilmorin's　desire　that　the　matter　should　be　settled
out　of　hand。　　In　this　he　was　at　once　objective　and　subjective。　　A
prey　to　emotions　sadly　at　conflict　with　his　priestly　vocation；　he
was　above　all　in　haste　to　have　done；　so　that　he　might　resume　a　frame
of　mind　more　proper　to　it。　　Also　he　feared　himself　a　little；　by
which　I　mean　that　his　honour　feared　his　nature。　　The　circumstances
of　his　education；　and　the　goal　that　for　some　years　now　he　had　kept
in　view；　had　robbed　him　of　much　of　that　spirited　brutality　that　is
the　birthright　of　the　male。　　He　had　grown　timid　and　gentle　as　a
woman。　　Aware　of　it；　he　feared　that　once　the　heat　of　his　passion
was　spent　he　might　betray　a　dishonouring　weakness；　in　the　ordeal。

M。　le　Marquis；　on　his　side；　was　no　less　eager　for　an　immediate
settlement；　and　since　they　had　M。　de　Chabrillane　to　act　for　his
cousin；　and　Andre…Louis　to　serve　as　witness　for　M。　de　Vilmorin；
there　was　nothing　to　delay　them。

And　so；　within　a　few　minutes；　all　arrangements　were　concluded；　and
you　behold　that　sinisterly　intentioned　little　group　of　four
assembled　in　the　afternoon　sunshine　on　the　bowling…green　behind　the
inn。　　They　were　entirely　private；　screened　more　or　less　from　the
windows　of　the　house　by　a　ramage　of　trees；　which；　if　leafless　now；
was　at　least　dense　enough　to　provide　an　effective　lattice。

There　were　no　formalities　over　measurements　of　blades　or　selection
of　ground。　　M。　le　Marquis　removed　his　sword…belt　and　scabbard；　but
declined　not　considering　it　worth　while　for　the　sake　of　so　negligible
an　opponent　…　to　divest　himself　either　of　his　shoes　or　his　coat。
Tall；　lithe；　and　athletic；　he　stood　to　face　the　no　less　tall；　but
very　delicate　and　frail；　M。　de　Vilmorin。　　The　latter　also　disdained
to　make　any　of　the　usual　preparations。　　Since　he　recognized　that　it
could　avail　him　nothing　to　strip；　he　came　on　guard　fully　dressed；
two　hectic　spots　above　the　cheek…bones　burning　on　his　otherwise　grey
face。

M。　de　Chabrillane；　leaning　upon　a　cane　…　for　he　had　relinquished
his　sword　to　M。　de　Vilmorin　…　looked　on　with　quiet　interest。　　Facing
him　on　the　other　side　of　the　combatants　stood　Andre…Louis；　the　palest
of　the　four；　staring　from　fevered　eyes；　twisting　and　untwisting
clammy　hands。

His　every　instinct　was　to　fling　himself　between　the　antagonists；　to
protest　against　and　frustrate　this　meeting。　　That　sane　impulse　was
curbed；　however；　by　the　consciousness　of　its　futility。　　To　calm　him；
he　clung　to　the　conviction　that　the　issue　could　not　really　be　very
serious。　　If　the　obligations　of　Philippe's　honour　compelled　him　to
cross　swords　with　the　man　he　had　struck；　M。　de　La　Tour　d'Azyr's
birth　compelled　him　no　less　to　do　no　serious　hurt　to　the　unfledged
lad　he　had　so　grievously　provoked。　　M。　le　Marquis；　after　all；　was
a　man　of　honour。　　He　could　intend　no　more　than　to　administer　a
lesson；　sharp；　perhaps；　but　one　by　which　his　opponent　must　live　to
profit。　　Andre…Louis　clung　obstinately　to　that　for　comfort。

Steel　beat　on　steel；　and　the　men　engaged。　　The　Marquis　presented　to
his　opponent　the　narrow　edge　of　his　upright　body；　his　knees
slightly　flexed　and　converted　into　living　springs；　whilst　M。　de
Vilmorin　stood　squarely；　a　full　target；　his　knees　wooden。　　Honour
and　the　spirit　of　fair　play　alike　cried　out　against　such　a　match。

The　encounter　was　very　short；　of　course。　　In　youth；　Philippe　had
received　the　tutoring　in　sword…play　that　was　given　to　every　boy
born　into　his　station　of　life。　　And　so　he　knew　at　least　the
rudiments　of　what　was　now　expected　of　him。　　But　what　could　rudiments
avail　him　here？　　Three　disengages　completed　the　exchanges；　and　then
without　any　haste　the　Marquis　slid　his　right　foot　along　the　moist
turf；　his　long；　graceful　body　extending　itself　in　a　lunge　that　went
under　M。　de　Vilmorin's　clumsy　guard；　and　with　the　utmost　deliberation
he　drove　his　blade　through　the　young　man's　vitals。

Andre…Louis　sprang　forward　just　in　time　to　catch　his　friend's　body
under　the　armpits　as　it　sank。　　Then；　his　own　legs　bending　beneath
the　weight　of　it；　he　went　down　with　his　burden　until　he　was　kneeling
on　the　damp　turf。　　Philippe's　limp　head　lay　against　Andre…Louis'
left　shoulder；　Philippe's　relaxed　arms　trailed　at　his　sides；　the
blood　welled　and　bubbled　from　the　ghastly　wound　to　saturate　the　poor
lad's　garments。

With　white　face　and　twitching　lips；　Andre…Louis　looked　up　at　M。　de
La　Tour　d'Azyr；　who　stood　surveying　his　work　with　a　countenance　of
grave　but　remorseless　interest。

〃You　have　killed　him！〃　cried　Andre…Louis。

〃Of　course。〃

The　Marquis　ran　a　lace　handkerchief　along　his　blade　to　wipe　it。　　As
he　let　the　dainty　fabric　fall；　he　explained　himself。　　〃He　had；　as
I　told　him；　a　too　dangerous　gift　of　eloquence。〃

And　he　turned　away；　leaving　completest　understanding　with
Andre…Louis。　　Still　supporting　the　limp；　draining　body；　the　young
man　called　to　him。

〃Come　back；　you　cowardly　murderer；　and　make　yourself　quite　safe　by
killing　me　too！〃

The　Marquis　half　turned；　his　face　dark　with　anger。　　Then　M。　de
Chabrillane　set　a　restraining　hand　upon　his　arm。　Although　a　party
throughout　to　the　deed；　the　Chevalier　was　a　little　appalled　now
that　it　was　done。　　He　had　not　the　high　stomach　of　M。　de　La　Tour
d'Azyr；　and　he　was　a　good　deal　younger。

〃Come　away；〃　he　said。　　〃The　lad　is　raving。　　They　were　friends。〃

〃You　heard　what　he　said？〃　quoth　the　Marquis。

〃Nor　can　he；　or　you；　or　any　man　deny　it；〃　flung　back　Andre…Louis。
〃Yourself；　monsieur；　you　made　confession　when　you　gave　me　now　the
reason　why　you　killed　him。　　You　did　it　because　you　feared　him。〃

〃If　that　were　true　…　what；　then？〃　asked　the　great　gentleman。

〃Do　you　ask？　　Do　you　understand　of　life　and　humanity　nothing　but
how　to　wear　a　coat　and　dress　your　hair　…　oh；　yes；　and　to　handle
weapons　against　boys　and　priests？　　Have　you　no　mind　to　think；　no
soul　into　which　you　can　turn　its　vision？　　Must　you　be　told　that　it
is　a　coward's　part　to　kill　the　thing　he　fears；　and　doubly　a　coward's
part　to　kill　in　this　way？　　Had　you　stabbed　him　in　the　back　with　a
knife；　you　would　have　shown　the　courage　of　your　vileness。　　It　would
have　been　a　vileness　undisguised。　　But　you　feared　the　consequences
of　that；　powerful　as　you　are；　and　so　you　shelter　your　cowardice
under　the　pretext　of　a　duel。〃

The　Marquis　shook　off　his　cousin's　hand；　and　took　a　step　forward；
holding　now　his　sword　like　a　whip。　　But　again　the　Chevalier　caught
and　held　him。

〃No；　no；　Gervais！　　Let　be；　in　God's　name！〃

〃Let　him　come；　monsieur；〃　raved　Andre…Louis；　his　voice　thick　and
concentrated。　　〃Let　him　complete　his　coward's　work　on　me；　and　thus
make　himself　safe　from　a　coward's　wages。〃

M。　de　Chabrillane　let　his　cousin　go。　　He　came　white　to　the　lips；
his　eyes　glaring　at　the　lad　who　so　recklessly　insulted　him。　　And
then　he　checked。　　It　may　be　that　he　remembered　suddenly　the
relationship　in　which　this　young　man　was　popularly　believed　to
stand　to　the　Seigneur　de　Gavrillac；　and　the　well…known　affection
in　which　the　Seigneur　held　him。　　And　so　he　may　have　realized　that
if　he　pushed　this　matter　further；　he　might　find　himself　upon　the
horns　of　a　dilemma。　　He　would　be　confronted　with　the　alternatives
of　shedding　more　blood；　and　so　embroiling　himself　with　the　Lord　of
Gavrillac　at　a　time　when　that　gentleman's　friendship　was　of　the
first　importance　to　him；　or　else　of　withdrawing　with　such　hurt　to
his　dignity　as　must　impair　his　authority　in　the　countryside
hereafter。

Be　it　so　or　otherwise；　the　fact　remains　that　he　stopped　short；
then；　with　an　incoherent　ejaculation；　between　anger　and　contempt；
he　tossed　his　arms；　turned　on　his　heel　and　strode　off　quickly　with
his　cousin。

When　the　landlord　and　his　people　came；　they　found　Andre…Louis；　his
arms　about　the　body　of　his　dead　friend；　murmuring　passionately　into
the　deaf　ear　that　rested　almost　against　his　lips：

〃Philippe！　　Speak　to　me；　Philippe！　　Philippe。。。　Don't　you　hear　me？
0　God　of　Heaven！　　Philippe！〃

At　a　glance　they　saw　that　here　neither　priest　nor　doctor　could　avail。
The　cheek　that　lay　against　Andre…Louis's　was　leaden…hued；　the
half…open　eyes　were　glazed；　and　there　was　a　little　froth　of　blood
upon　the　vacuously　parted　lips。

Half　blinded　by　tears　Andre…Louis　stumbled　after　them　when　they　bore
the　body　into　the　inn。　　Upstairs　in　the　little　room　to　which　they
conveyed　it；　he　knelt　by　the　bed；　and　holding　the　dead　man's　hand
in　both　his　own；　he　swore　to　him　out　of　his　impotent　rage　that　M。　de
La　Tour　d'Azyr　should　pay　a　bitter　price　for　this。

〃It　was　your　eloquence　he　feared；　Philippe；〃　he　said。　　Then　if　I　can
get　no　justice　for　this　deed；　at　least　it　shall　be　fruitless　to　him。
The　thing　he　feared　in　you；　he　shall　fear　in　me。　　He　feared　that　men
might　be　swayed　by　your　eloquence　to　the　undoing　of　such　things　as
himself。　　Men　shall　be　swayed　by　it　still。　　For　your　eloquence　and
your　arguments　shall　be　my　heritage　from　you。　　I　will　make　them　my
own。　　It　matters　nothing　that　I　do　not　believe　in　your　gospel　of
freedom。　　I　know　it　…　every　word　of　it；　that　is　all　that　matters　to
our　purpose；　yours　and　mine。　　If　all　else　fails；　your　thoughts　shall
find　expression　in　my　living　tongue。　　Thus　at　least　we　shall　have
frustrated　his　vile　aim　to　still　the　voice　he　feared。　　It　shall
profit　him　nothing　to　have　your　blood　upon　his　soul。　　That　voice　in
you　would　never　half　so　relentlessly　have　hounded　him　and　his　as　it
shall　in　me　…　if　all　else　fails。〃

It　was　an　exulting　thought。　　It　calmed　him；　it　soothed　his　grief；
and　he　began　very　softly　to　pray。　　And　then　his　heart　trembled　as
he　considered　that　Philippe；　a　man　of　peace；　almost　a　priest；　an
apostle　of　Christianity；　had　gone　to　his　Maker　with　the　sin　of　anger
on　his　soul。　　It　was　horrible。　　Yet　God　would　see　the　righteousness
of　that　anger。