scaramouche-第60章

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Andre…Louis　turned　it　over　in　his　mind。　　He　had　dried　his　tears。
And　sat　now　rigid　and　collected。

〃When　you　say　that　none　was　ever　allowed　to　know；　you　are　telling
me；　of　course；　that　you；　monsieur。。。　〃

〃Oh；　mon　Dieu；　no！〃　　The　denial　came　in　a　violent　outburst。　　M。　de
Kercadiou　sprang　to　his　feet　propelled　from　Andre's　side　by　the
violence　of　his　emotions。　　It　was　as　if　the　very　suggestion　filled
him　with　horror。　　〃I　was　the　only　other　one　who　knew。　　But　it　is
not　as　you　think；　Andre。　　You　cannot　imagine　that　I　should　lie　to
you；　that　I　should　deny　you　if　you　were　my　son？〃

〃If　you　say　that　I　am　not；　monsieur；　that　is　sufficient。〃

〃You　are　not。　　I　was　Therese's　cousin　and　also；　as　she　well　knew；
her　truest　friend。　　She　knew　that　she　could　trust　me；　and　it　was
to　me　she　came　for　help　in　her　extremity。　　Once；　years　before；　I
would　have　married　her。　　But；　of　course；　I　am　not　the　sort　of　man
a　woman　could　love。　　She　trusted；　however；　to　my　love　for　her；　and
I　have　kept　her　trust。〃

〃Then；　who　was　my　father？〃

〃I　don't　know。　　She　never　told　me。　　It　was　her　secret；　and　I　did
not　pry。　　It　is　not　in　my　nature；　Andre。〃

Andre…Louis　got　up；　and　stood　silently　facing　M。　de　Kercadiou。

〃You　believe　me；　Andre。〃

〃Naturally；　monsieur；　and　I　am　sorry；　I　am　sorry　that　I　am　not　your
son。

M。　de　Kercadiou　gripped　his　godson's　hand　convulsively；　and　held
it　a　moment　with　no　word　spoken。　　Then　as　they　fell　away　from　each
other　again：

〃And　now；　what　will　you　do；　Andre？〃　he　asked。　　〃Now　that　you　know？〃

Andre…Louis　stood　awhile。　　considering；　then　broke　into　laughter。
The　situation　had　its　humours。　　He　explained　them。

〃What　difference　should　the　knowledge　make？　　Is　filial　piety　to　be
called　into　existence　by　the　mere　announcement　of　relationship？　　Am
I　to　risk　my　neck　through　lack　of　circumspection　on　behalf　of　a
mother　so　very　circumspect　that　she　had　no　intention　of　ever
revealing　herself？　　The　discovery　rests　upon　the　merest　chance；
upon　a　fall　of　the　dice　of　Fate。　　Is　that　to　weigh　with　me？〃

〃The　decision　is　with　you；　Andre。〃

〃Nay；　it　is　beyond　me。　　Decide　it　who　can；　I　cannot。〃

〃You　mean　that　you　refuse　even　now？〃

〃I　mean　that　I　consent。　　Since　I　cannot　decide　what　it　is　that　I
should　do；　it　only　remains　for　me　to　do　what　a　son　should。　　It　is
grotesque；　but　all　life　is　grotesque。〃

〃You　will　never；　never　regret　it。〃

〃I　hope　not；〃　said　Andre。　　〃Yet　I　think　it　very　likely　that　I　shall。
And　now　I　had　better　see　Rougane　again　at　once；　and　obtain　from　him
the　other　two　permits　required。　　Then　perhaps　it　will　be　best　that
I　take　them　to　Paris　myself；　in　the　morning。　　If　you　will　give　me　a
bed；　monsieur；　I　shall　be　grateful。　　I。。。　I　confess　that　I　am　hardly
in　case　to　do　more　to…night。〃



CHAPTER　XIII

SANCTUARY


Into　the　late　afternoon　of　that　endless　day　of　horror　with　its
perpetual　alarms；　its　volleying　musketry；　rolling　drums；　and　distant
muttering　of　angry　multitudes；　Mme。　de　Plougastel　and　Aline　sat
waiting　in　that　handsome　house　in　the　Rue　du　Paradis。　　It　was　no
longer　for　Rougane　they　waited。　　They　realized　that；　be　the　reason
what　it　might　…　and　by　now　many　reasons　must　no　doubt　exist　…　this
friendly　messenger　would　not　return。　　They　waited　without　knowing
for　what。　　They　waited　for　whatever　might　betide。

At　one　time　early　in　the　afternoon　the　roar　of　battle　approached
them；　racing　swiftly　in　their　direction；　swelling　each　moment　in
volume　and　in　horror。　　It　was　the　frenzied　clamour　of　a　multitude
drunk　with　blood　and　bent　on　destruction。　　Near　at　hand　that　fierce
wave　of　humanity　checked　in　its　turbulent　progress。　　Followed　blows
of　pikes　upon　a　door　and　imperious　calls　to　open；　and　thereafter
came　the　rending　of　timbers；　the　shivering　of　glass；　screams　of
terror　blending　with　screams　of　rage；　and；　running　through　these
shrill　sounds；　the　deeper　diapason　of　bestial　laughter。

It　was　a　hunt　of　two　wretched　Swiss　guardsmen　seeking　blindly　to
escape。　　And　they　were　run　to　earth　in　a　house　in　the　neighbourhood；
and　there　cruelly　done　to　death　by　that　demoniac　mob。　　The　thing
accomplished；　the　hunters；　male　and　female；　forming　into　a　battalion；
came　swinging　down　the　Rue　du　Paradis；　chanting　the　song　of
Marseilles　…　a　song　new　to　Paris　in　those　days：

Allons；　enfants　de　la　patrie！
Le　jour　de　gloire　est　arrive
Contre　nous　de　la　tyrannie
L'etendard　sanglant　est　1eve。

Nearer　it　came；　raucously　bawled　by　some　hundreds　of　voices；　a
dread　sound　that　had　come　so　suddenly　to　displace　at　least
temporarily　the　merry；　trivial　air　of　the　〃Ca　ira！〃　which　hitherto
had　been　the　revolutionary　carillon。　　Instinctively　Mme。　de
Plougastel　and　Aline　clung　to　each　other。　　They　had　heard　the
sound　of　the　ravishing　of　that　other　house　in　the　neighbourhood；
without　knowledge　of　the　reason。　　What　if　now　it　should　be　the
turn　of　the　Hotel　Plougastel！　　There　was　no　real　cause　to　fear　it；
save　that　amid　a　turmoil　imperfectly　understood　and　therefore　the
more　awe…inspiring；　the　worst　must　be　feared　always。

The　dreadful　song　so　dreadfully　sung；　and　the　thunder　of　heavily
shod　feet　upon　the　roughly　paved　street；　passed　on　and　receded。
They　breathed　again；　almost　as　if　a　miracle　had　saved　them；　to
yield　to　fresh　alarm　an　instant　later；　when　madame's　young　footman；
Jacques；　the　most　trusted　of　her　servants；　burst　into　their　presence
unceremoniously　with　a　scared　face；　bringing　the　announcement　that
a　man　who　had　just　climbed　over　the　garden　wall　professed　himself　a
friend　of　madame's；　and　desired　to　be　brought　immediately　to　her
presence。

〃But　he　looks　like　a　sansculotte；　madame；〃　the　staunch　fellow
warned　her。

Her　thoughts　and　hopes　leapt　at　once　to　Rougane。

〃Bring　him　in；〃　she　commanded　breathlessly。

Jacques　went　out；　to　return　presently　accompanied　by　a　tall　man　in
a　long；　shabby；　and　very　ample　overcoat　and　a　wide…brimmed　hat　that
was　turned　down　all　round；　and　adorned　by　an　enormous　tricolour
cockade。　　This　hat　he　removed　as　he　entered。

Jacques；　standing　behind　him；　perceived　that　his　hair；　although　now
in　some　disorder；　bore　signs　of　having　been　carefully　dressed。　　It
was　clubbed；　and　it　carried　some　lingering　vestiges　of　powder。　　The
young　footman　wondered　what　it　was　in　the　man's　face；　which　was
turned　from　him；　that　should　cause　his　mistress　to　out　and　recoil。
Then　he　found　himself　dismissed　abruptly　by　a　gesture。

The　newcomer　advanced　to　the　middle　of　the　salon；　moving　like　a　man
exhausted　and　breathing　hard。　　There　he　leaned　against　a　table；
across　which　he　confronted　Mme。　de　Plougastel。　　And　she　stood
regarding　him；　a　strange　horror　in　her　eyes。

In　the　background；　on　a　settle　at　the　salon's　far　end；　sat　Aline
staring　in　bewilderment　and　some　fear　at　a　face　which；　if
unrecognizable　through　the　mask　of　blood　and　dust　that　smeared　it；
was　yet　familiar。　　And　then　the　man　spoke；　and　instantly　she　knew
the　voice　for　that　of　the　Marquis　de　La　Tour　d'Azyr。

〃My　dear　friend；〃　he　was　saying；　〃forgive　me　if　I　startled　you。
Forgive　me　if　I　thrust　myself　in　here　without　leave；　at　such　a　time；
in　such　a　manner。　　But。。。　you　see　how　it　is　with　me。　　I　am　a
fugitive。　　In　the　course　of　my　distracted　flight；　not　knowing　which
way　to　turn　for　safety；　I　thought　of　you。　　I　told　myself　that　if　I
could　but　safely　reach　your　house；　I　might　find　sanctuary。〃

〃You　are　in　danger？〃

〃In　danger？〃　　Almost　he　seemed　silently　to　laugh　at　the　unnecessary
question。　　〃If　I　were　to　show　myself　openly　in　the　streets　just　now；
I　might　with　luck　contrive　to　live　for　five　minutes！　　My　friend；　it
has　been　a　massacre。　　Some　few　of　us　escaped　from　the　Tuileries　at
the　end；　to　be　hunted　to　death　in　the　streets。　　I　doubt　if　by　this
time　a　single　Swiss　survives。　　They　had　the　worst　of　it；　poor　devils。
And　as　for　us　…　my　God！　　they　hate　us　more　than　they　hate　the　Swiss。
Hence　this　filthy　disguise。〃

He　peeled　off　the　shaggy　greatcoat；　and　casting　it　from　him　stepped
forth　in　the　black　satin　that　had　been　the　general　livery　of　the
hundred　knights　of　the　dagger　who　had　rallied　in　the　Tuileries　that
morning　to　the　defence　of　their　king。

His　coat　was　rent　across　the　back；　his　neckcloth　and　the　ruffles　at
his　wrists　were　torn　and　bloodstained；　with　his　smeared　face　and
disordered　headdress　he　was　terrible　to　behold。　　Yet　he　contrived
to　carry　himself　with　his　habitual　easy　assurance；　remembered　to
kiss　the　trembling　hand　which　Mme。　de　Plougastel　extended　to　him
in　welcome。

〃You　did　well　to　come　to　me；　Gervais；〃　she　said。　　〃Yes；　here　is
sanctuary　for　the　present。　　You　will　be　quite　safe；　at　least　for
as　long　as　we　are　safe。　　My　servants　are　entirely　trustworthy。
Sit　down　and　tell　me　all。〃

He　obeyed　her；　collapsing　almost　into　the　armchair　which　she　thrust
forward；　a　man　exhausted；　whether　by　physical　exertion　or　by
nerve…strain；　or　both。　　He　drew　a　handkerchief　from　his　pocket　and
wiped　some　of　the　blood　and　dirt　from　his　face。

〃It　is　soon　told。〃　　His　tone　was　bitter　with　the　bitterness　of
despair。　　〃This；　my　dear；　is　the　end　of　us。　　Plougastel　is　lucky　in
being　across　the　frontier　at　such　a　time。　　Had　I　not　been　fool
enough　to　trust　those　who　to…day　have　proved　themselves　utterly
unworthy　of　trust；　that　is　where　I　should　be　myself。　　My　remaining
in　Paris　is　the　crowning　folly　of　a　life　full　of　follies　and
mistakes。　　That　I　should　come　to　you　in　my　hour　of　most　urgent　need
adds　point　to　it。〃　　He　laughed　in　his　bitterness。

Madame　moistened　her　dry　lips。　　〃And。。。　and　now？〃　she　asked　him。

〃It　only　remains　to　get　away　as　soon　as　may　be；　if　it　is　still
possible。　　Here　in　France　there　is　no　longer　any　room　for　us　…　at
least；　not　above　ground。　　To…day　has　proved　it。〃　　And　then　he　looked
up　at　her；　standing　there　beside　him　so　pale　and　timid；　and　he
smiled。　　He　patted　the　fine　hand　that　rested　upon　the　arm　of　his
chair。　　〃My　dear　Therese；　unless　you　carry　charitableness　to　the
length　of　giving　me　to　drink；　you　will　see　me　perish　of　thirst
under　your　eyes　before　ever　the　canaille　has　a　chance　to　finish　me。〃

She　started。　　〃I　should　have　thought　of　it！〃　she　cried　in
self…reproach；　and　she　turned　quickly。　　〃Aline；〃　she　begged；　〃tell
Jacques　to　bring。。。　〃

〃Aline！〃　he　echoed；interrupting；　and　swinging　round　in　his　turn。
Then；　as　Aline　rose　into　view；　detaching　from　her　background；　and
he　at　last　perceived　her；　he　heaved　himself　abruptly　to　his　weary
legs　again；　and　stood　there　stiffly　bowing　to　her　across　the　space
of　gleaming　floor。　　〃Mademoiselle；　I　had　not　suspected　your
presence；〃　he　said；　and　he　seemed　extraordinarily　ill…at…ease；　a
man　startled；　as　if　caught　in　an　illicit　act。

〃I　perceived　it；　monsieur；〃　she　answered；　as　she　advanced　to　do
madame's　commission。　　She　paused　before　him。　〃From　my　heart；
monsieur；　I　grieve　that　we　should　meet　again　in　circumstances　so
very　painful。〃

Not　since　the　day　of　his　duel　with　Andre…Louis　…　the　day　which　had
seen　the　death　and　burial　of　his　last　hope　of　winning　her　…　had
they　stood　face　to　face。

He　checked　as　if　on　the　point　of　answering　her。　　His　glance　strayed
to　Mme。　de　Plougastel；　and；　oddly　reticent　for　one　who　could　be
very　glib；　he　bowed　in　silence。

〃But　sit；　monsieur；　I　beg。　　You　are　fatigued。〃

〃You　are　gracious　to　observe　it。