marie antoinette and her son-第85章

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killing　them。　Lately；　she　has　not　only　listened　at　the　doors；　but
she　has　come　into　my　room；　and　passed　my　bed；　and　gone　into　the
chamber　of　little　Capet。　Simon　was　asleep；　and　did　not　see　her。　I
sprang　up；　however；　and　stole　softly　to　the　door；　for　I　thought
somebody　had　crept　in　here　in　disguise；　possibly　Citizen　Toulan；　who
had　already　twice　made　the　attempt　to　release　the　Austrian　and　her
children；　and　whom　I　then　denounced　at　headquarters。　There　I　saw
although　it　was　entirely　dark　in　the　hallthere　I　saw　little　Capet
lying　asleep　on　his　mattress；　his　hands　folded　over　his　breast；　and
with　an　expression　of　countenance　more　happy；　altogether　more　happy；
than　it　ever　is　when　he　is　awake。　Near　the　mattress　kneeled　the
figure　in　white；　and　it　seemed　as　if　a　radiance　streamed　out　from　it
that　filled　the　whole　room。　Its　face　was　pale　and　white；　just　like　a
lily；　and　it　seemed　as　if　the　fragrance　of　a　lily　was　in　the
apartment。　Her　two　arms　were　raised；　as　if　she　would　utter　a
benediction；　over　her　sleeping　boy；　around　her　half…opened　lips
played　a　sweet　smile；　and　her　great　eyes；　which　had　the　aspect　of
stars；　looked　up　toward　heaven。　But　while　I　was　there　in　a　maze；　and
watched　the　figure　in　a；　transport　of　delight；　there　occurred；　all
at　once；　something　wonderful；　something　dreadful。　The　figure　rose
from　its　knees；　dropped　its　arms；　turned　itself　around；　and　advanced
straight　toward　me。　The　eyes；　which　had　been　turned　so　purely
heavenward　before；　were　directed　to　me；　with　a　look　which　pierced　my
breast　like　the　thrust　of　a　knife。　I　recognized　that　look…that　sad；
reproachful　glance。　It　was　the　same　that　Marie　Antoinette　gave　me；
when　she　stood　on　the　scaffold。　I　was　sitting　in　the　front　row　of
the　knitters；　and　I　was　just　going　to　make　the　double　stitch　for　her
in　my　stocking；　when　that　look　met　me；　those　great；　sad　eyes　were
turned　toward　me；　and　I　felt　that　she　had　recognized　me；　and　her
eyes　bored　into　my　breast；　and　followed　me　even　after　the　axe　had
taken　off　her　head。　The　eyes　did　not　fall　into　the　basket；　they　were
not　buried；　bat　they　remain　in　my　breast；　they　have　been　piercing　me
ever　since；　and　burning　me　like　glowing　coals。　But　that　night　I　saw
them　again；　as　in　lifethose　dreadful　eyes；　and　as　the　figure
advanced　toward　me；　it　raised　its　hand　and　threatened　me；　and　its
eyes　spoke　to　me；　and　it　seemed　as　if　a　curse　of　God　were　going
through　my　brain；　for　those　eyes　said　to　me'Murder！'spoke　it　so
loudly；　so　horribly；　that　it　appeared　as　if　my　head　would　burst；　and
I　could　not　cry；　and　could　not　move；　and　had　to　look　at　it；　till；　at
last；　I　became　unconscious。〃

〃There；　see　there；　doctor；〃　cried　Simon；　in　alarm；　as　his　wife　fell
back　upon　the　pillow　with　a　loud　cry；　and　quivered　in　all　her　limbs；
〃　now　she　has　convulsions　again；　and　then　she　will　be；　for　a　day　or
two；　out　of　her　mind；　and　will　talk　strangely　about　the　pale　woman
with　dreadful　eyes；　and　when　she　goes　on　so；　she　makes　even　me　sad；
and　anxious；　and　timid；　and　I　grow　afraid　of　the　white　ghost　that
she　says　is　always　with　us。　Ah！　doctor；　help　us！　See；　now；　how　the
poor　woman　suffers　and　twists！〃

The　doctor　drew　a　bottle　from　his　breast…pocket；　and　rubbed　a　few
drops　upon　the　temples　of　the　sick　woman。

〃Those　are　probably　the　famous　soothing…drops　of　Doctor　Naudin？〃
asked　Simon；　in　astonishment；　when　he　saw　how　quiet　his　wife　became；
and　that　her　spasms　and　groans　ceased。

〃Yes；〃　answered　the　doctor；　〃and　the　eminent　physician　sends　them　as
a　present　to　your　wife。　They　are　very　costly；　and　rich　people　have
to　pay　a　louis…d'or　for　every　drop。　But　Doctor　Naudin。　gives　them　to
you；　for　he　wishes　Jeanne　Marie　long　to　enjoy　good　health。　How　is　it
with　you　now？〃

〃I　feel　well；　completely　well；〃　she　said；　as　the　doctor　rubbed　some
drops　a　second　time　on　her　temple。　〃I　feel　easier　than　I　have　felt
for　a　long　time。〃

〃Give　me　your　hand；〃　said　the　doctor。　〃Rise　up；　for　you　are　well。
Let　us　go　into　the　chamber　of　the　poor　boy；　for　I　have　to　speak　with
you　there。〃

He　walked　toward　the　chamber…door；　leading　Jeanne　Marie　by　the　hand；
while　Simon　followed　them。　Softly　and　silently　they　entered　the　dark
room；　and　went　to　the　mattress　on　which　the　child　lay。

The　boy　stared　at　them　with　great；　wide…opened　eyes；　but　they　were
without　expression　and　life；　and　only　the　breath；　as　it　came　slowly
and　heavily　from　the　half…opened　lips；　showed　that　there　was
vitality　still　in　this　poor；　little；　shrunken　form。

The　doctor　kneeled　down　beside　the　bed；　and；　bending　over　it；
pressed　a　long；　fervent　kiss　on　the　delicate；　hot　hand　of　the　child。
But　Charles　Louis　remained　motionless；　he　merely　slowly　dropped　his
lids　and　closed　his　eyes。

〃You　see；　doctor；　he　neither　hears　nor　sees；〃　said　Simon；　in　a　low；
growling　voice。　〃He　cares　for　nothing；　and　does　not　know　any　thing
about　what　is　going　on　around　him。　It　is　a　week　since　he　spoke　a
word。〃

〃Not　since　the　day　when　you　wanted　to　compel　the　child　to　sing　the
song　that　makes　sport　of　his　mother。〃

〃He　did　not　sing　it？〃　asked　the　doctor；　with　a　tremulous　voice。

〃He　is　a　mulish　little　toad；〃　cried　Simon；　angrily。　〃I　begged　him　at
first；　then　I　threatened；　and　when　prayers　and　threats　were　of　no
use　I　punished　him；　as　a　naughty　boy　deserves　when　he　will　not　do
what　his　foster…father　bids　him　do。　But　even　blows　did　not　bring　him
to　it；　the　obstinate　youngster　would　not　sing　the　merry　song　with
me；　and　since　then　he　has　not　spoken　a　word。　＇Footnote：　Historical。…
…See　Beauehesne'a　〃Histoirede　Louis　XVII。；〃　vol。　ii。＇　He　seems　as　if
he　had　grown　deaf　and　dumb　as　a　punishment　for　not　obeying　his　good
foster…father。〃

〃He　is　neither　deaf　nor　dumb；〃　said　the　doctor；　solemnly。　〃He　is
simply　a　good　son；　who　would　not　sing　the　song　which　made　sport　of
his　noble　and　unfortunate　mother。　See　whether　I　am　not　right：　see
these　tears　which　run　from　his　closed　eyes。　He　has　heard　us；　he　has
understood　us；　and　he　answers　us　with　his　tears！　Oh；　sire；〃　he
continued　passionately；　〃by　the　sacred　remembrance　of　your　father
and　your　mother；　I　swear　devotion　to　you　until　death；　I　swear　that　I
have　come　to　set　you　free；　to　die　for　you。　Look　up；　my　king　and　my
darling　one！　I　intrust　to　you　and　to　both　these　witnesses　my　whole
secret；　I　let　the　mask　fall　to　show　myself　to　you　in　my　true　form；
that　you　may　confide　in　me；　and　know　that　the　most　devoted　of　your
servants　is　kneeling　before　you；　and　that　he　dedicates　his　life　to
you。　Open　your　eyes；　Louis　of　France；　and　see　whether　you　know　me！〃

He　sprang　up；　threw　off　the　great　peruke；　and　the　long　black　cloak；
and　stood　before　them　in　the　uniform　of　an　official　guard。

〃Thunder　and　guns！〃　cried　Simon；　with　a　loud　laugh。　〃it　is〃

〃Hush！〃　interrupted　the　other〃hush！　He　alone　shall　declare　who　I
am！　Oh；　look　at　me；　my　king；　convince　these　unbelieving　ones　here
that　your　mind　is　clear　and　strong；　and　that　you　are　conscious　of
what　is　going　on　around　you。　Look　at　me；　and　if　you　know　me；　speak
my　name！〃

And　with　folded　hands；　in　unspeakable　emotion；　he　leaned　over　the
bed　of　the　child；　that　still　lay　with　closed　eyes。

〃I　knew　that　he　could　hear　nothing；　and　that　he　was　deaf；〃　growled
Simon；　while　his　wife　folded　her　trembling　hands；　and　with　tearful
eyes　whispered　a　prayer。

A　deep　silence　ensued；　and　with　anxious　expectation　each　looked　at
the　boy。　At　length　he　slowly　raised　the　heavy；　reddened　eyelids；　and
looked　with　a　timid；　anxious　glance　around　himself。　Then　his　gaze
fixed　itself　upon　the　eloquent；　speaking　face　of　the　man　whose　tears
were　falling　like　warm　dew…drops　upon　his　pale；　sunken　features。

A　quiver　passed　over　the　coutenance　of　the　boy；　a　beam　of　joy
lighted　up　his　eyes；　and　something　like　a　smile　played　around　his
trembling　lips。

〃Do　you　know　me？　Do　you　know　my　name？〃

The　child　raised　his　hand　in　salutation；　and　said；　in　a　clear；
distinct　voice：　〃Toulan！　Fidele！〃

Toulan　fell　on　his　knees　again　and　covered　the　little　thin　hand　of
the　boy　with　his　tears　and　his　kisses。

〃Yes；　Fidele；〃　he　sobbed。　〃That　is　the　title　of　honor　which　your
royal　mother　gave　methat　is　the　name　that　she　wrote　on　the　bit　of
paper　which　she　put　into　the　gold　smelling…bottle　that　she　gave　me。
That　little　bottle；　which　a　queen　once　carried；　is　my　most　precious
possession；　and　yet　I　would　part　with　that　if　I　could　save　the　life
of　her　son；　happy　if　I　could　but　retain　the　hallowed　paper　on　which
the　queen's　hand　wrote　the　word　'Fidele。'　Yes；　you　poor；　pitiable
son　of　kings；　I　am　Fidele；　I　am　Toulan；　at　whom　you　have　so　often
laughed　when　he　played　with　you　in　your　prison。〃

A　flash　like　the　sunlight　passed　over　the　face　of　the　child；　and　a
smile　illumined　his　features。

〃She　used　to　laugh；　too；〃　he　whispered〃she；　too；　my　mamma　queen。〃

〃Yes；　she　too　laughed　at　our　jests；〃　said　Toulan；　with　a　voice
choked　with　tears；　〃and；　believe　me；　she　looks　down　from　heaven　upon
us　and　smiles　her　blessing；　for　she　knows　that　Toulan　has　come　to
free　her　dear　son；　and　to　deliver　him　from　the　executioner's　hands。
Tell　me　now；　my　king　and　my　dearly…loved　lord；　will　you　trust　me；
will　you　give　to　your　most　devoted　servant　and　subject　the　privilege
of　releasing　you？　Do　you　consent　to　accept　freedom　at　the　hands　of
your　Fidele？〃

The　child　threw　a　timid；　anxious　glance　at　Simon　and　his　wife；　and
then；　with　a　shudder；　turned　his　head　to　one　side。

〃You　make　no　answer；　sire；〃　said　Toulan；　imploringly。　〃Oh！　speak；　my
king；　may　I　set　you　free？〃

The　boy　spoke　a　few　words　in　reply；　but　so　softly　that　Toulan　could
not　understand　him。　He　stooped　down　nearer　to　him；　and　put　his　ear
close　to　the　lips　of　the　child。　He　then　could　hear　the　words；
inaudible　to　all　but　him；

〃He　will　disclose　you；　take　care；　Toulan。　But　do　not　say　any　thing；
else　he　will　beat　me　to　death！〃

Toulan　made　no　reply；　he　only　impressed　a　long；　tender　kiss　upon　the
trembling　hand　of　the　child。

〃Did　he　speak？〃　asked　Simon。　〃Did　you　understand；　citizen；　what　he
said？〃

〃Yes；　I　understood　him；〃　answered　Toulan。　〃He　consents；　he　allows　me
to　make　every　attempt　to　free　him；　and　is　prepared　to　do　every　thing
that　we　ask　of　him。　And　now　I　ask　you　too；　are　you　prepared　to　help
me　release　the　prince？〃

〃You　know　already；　Toulan；〃　said　Simon；　quickly；　〃that　we　are
prepared　for　every　thing；　provided　that　our　conditions　are
fulfilled。　Give　me　a　tolerable　position　outside　of　the　Temple；　give
me　a　good　bit　of　money；　so　that　I　may　live　free　from　care；　and　if
the　new　place　should　not　suit　me；　that　I　could　go　into　the　country；
and　not　have　to　work　at　all；　give　my　Jeanne　Marie　her　health　and
cheerfulness　again；　and　I　will　help　you　set　young　Capet　free。〃

〃Through　my　assistance；　and　that　of　Doctor　Naudin；　you　shall　have　a
good　place　outside　of　the　Temple；〃　answered　Toulan；　eagerly。
〃Besides　this；　at　the　moment　when　you　deliver　the　prince　into　my
hands；　outside　of　this　prison；　I　will　pay　you　in　ready　money　the　sum
of　twenty　thousand　francs；　and　as　for　the　third　condition；　that
about　restoring　her　health　to　Jeanne　Marie；　I　am　sure　that　I　can
fulfil　this　condition　too。　Do　you　not　know；　Simon；　what　your　wife　is
suffering　from？　Do　you　not　know　what　her　sickness　is？〃

〃No；　truly　not。　I　am　no　doctor。　How　should　I　know　what