Tales from Blackwood Part 17

"It's a burning shame," he cried, when he had heard the story; "but I'll see Ma'mselle safe to the c.o.c.k and Bottle, and to Moulins too, if she will allow me. So, mother, you must go directly to the stables, and tell Pierre to put the side-saddle on the strawberry mare, and let me have Volante. n.o.body will suspect you; and, by the time you come back, the Comte's breakfast will be served, and the footman will be engaged in waiting, and then Ma'mselle and I can slip off unnoticed. Courage!" and he laughed, and slapped his thigh right jovially. But the moment his mother had disappeared and closed the door, his demeanour was totally changed, and making a serious face, and putting his hand on his heart, he bent his body forward most obsequiously, and then went upon his knees before Jaqueline, and vowed after a very solemn fas.h.i.+on, that not only would he conduct her to Moulins, but that it would give him the greatest of all possible satisfaction to accompany her throughout the whole journey of life.

"Do you suppose I'm going to ride on horseback all my days?" inquired the bewildered maid; "no, no. All I want is to get safe to the c.o.c.k and Bottle. But you'd better get up, and not make such a fool of yourself; for don't you see that the floor has been fresh ruddled, and you'll stain your best----"

Here her speech was cut short, and the scene abruptly changed, by the sudden opening of the door, and the appearance of a remarkably fat, red-faced, profusely powdered, well-dressed man of "a certain age," who, the moment he caught sight of Jaqueline, seemed fixed to the spot where he stood, with his eyes riveted upon her countenance. Whether he had observed Philippe's position was doubtful, as that sprightly youth had jumped upon his feet at the first movement of the door, and stood sheepishly against the wall, twirling his thumbs; a task from which he was speedily relieved by the advance of the new-comer, who dismissed him from the room by a silent, authoritative wave of the hand.

"This must be the old Comte," thought Jaqueline, rising and bobbing her best curtsy. "No wonder he is surprised to see the like of me here; but I'll tell him all about it, and I daresay he'll be glad enough to send me off to the c.o.c.k and Bottle, if it's only to get rid of me."

"Oh! I beg, I entreat, Mademoiselle," gasped the unwieldy stranger; and as he spake he continued a series of short bows, ducking his red face as forward as he dare, without danger of destroying the equilibrium of his body. "Oh, Mademoiselle! Pray do not disturb yourself. It is a mistake, quite. Ah! Monsieur le Comte requests--oh, oh! Pray, be seated! Ugh!

ugh! What can I say? What shall I do? I never was so perplexed in my life before. Oh! You will never forgive!"

"Yes, but I will, though," said Jaqueline; "I'll forgive all that's past, if you will but get me out of the way of your son."

"My son!" exclaimed the fat man; "Eh? How came Mademoiselle to know that I had a son? And he, the young rascal! has he dared to aspire so high? I could not have supposed him capable of such audacity!"

"Couldn't you?" observed Jaqueline; "well, then, you ought to look after him better, and not let him go playing such precious tricks as he has with me this morning, deceiving me first by talking all sorts of nonsense, and then b.u.mping me about the country on horseback, till I declare I'm quite uncomfortable."

The eyes of the huge red face before her here became dilated to an extraordinary degree; but the mental perception of their owner appeared to be eclipsed, as he stood with puffed-out cheek discharging his breath violently through his pursed-up mouth, as though playing upon a trumpet.

"It's no use being in a pa.s.sion about it now," continued Jaqueline; "what's done can't be helped; and if you'll only see me safe to the c.o.c.k and Bottle----"

"What, I!" exclaimed the stout gentleman; "may I venture to hope that you will condescend to accept of my humble services?"

"To be sure I will," replied Jaqueline, "and thank you too. Why not?"

"Oh! this is too much happiness!" sighed the panting elderly beau, and forthwith, by the help of a chair, he lowered himself down upon his knees, and then attempted to seize the maiden's hand; but she somewhat too nimbly moved her chair and self backward, and thereby caused him to fall forward on all-fours, in which position he was when Madame Rigaud suddenly re-entered, and exclaimed--"Ah! Monsieur Robert! what can be the matter?"

"I'm afraid the poor gentleman is taken suddenly ill," replied Jaqueline.

"What presence of mind! what angelic--humph!" muttered the patient, looking up, and winking in a very odd way at the maiden.

Madame Rigaud declared that it was of no kind of use for them to try to lift him up, so she lifted up her voice, and presently the room was crowded; for Monsieur Robert was no less a personage than the house-steward, or maitre-d'hotel, who had been sent by the Comte to desire Madame Rigaud to inform the young lady that breakfast was served, and her presence to grace that meal was most respectfully requested, and anxiously desired.

Of this invitation Jaqueline was not made aware until the apoplectic invalid had been placed upon a sofa, and contrived to catch hold of one of her hands, and pinch it sadly. "Ah! I'm quite well now!" he exclaimed, "it was only a momentary--ah! I don't know what;" and, rising briskly, he ordered all present to leave the room, as he had something particular to say to the young lady. The domestics instantly withdrew; but Madame Rigaud remained, and whispered to Jaqueline that the horses would be ready in ten minutes, and then, in a louder tone, proposed that they should take breakfast together immediately.

At this proposition Monsieur Robert appeared much shocked, and spake incoherently about proper respect, and the Comte's particular desire, and his own most perfect devotion to the service of Mademoiselle; to which she replied--"You may as well save your breath to cool your broth, old gentleman. I've had quite enough of the Comte's tricks already this morning; and as for your services, they're of no use to me."

"Oh, cruel!" groaned Monsieur Robert. "Did you not just now accept them, and even condescend to request me to see you safe to some place?"

"Well, well, I don't want you now," said Jaqueline; "I've got an active young man, who will do a great deal better."

"Oh! how cruelly capricious!" he sighed, and the great red face was turned upward as he clasped his hands imploringly, and he was striving, no doubt, to concoct something very pathetic, when the young Comte burst in upon them, and began, in no measured terms, to upbraid Madame Rigaud for her misconduct in allowing his distinguished visitor to occupy any other than the best apartments. He then apologised to Jaqueline, and taking her hand, and bowing respectfully, led her out of the room toward the _salle a manger_, from whence issued certain savoury odours, which operated more powerfully upon the hungry maiden than could all the fine speeches he continued to utter. So, determined to make a good breakfast, to strengthen her for her flight with Philippe, she allowed herself to be conducted into the elegant apartment, where she was received by the company with as much deference as though she had been a princess. The party consisted of half-a-dozen persons; and as there were no other ladies present, she was the great object of attention. The Comte gallantly pressed her to partake of certain delicacies at table; and, when she laconically expressed her approbation thereof, seemed quite in ecstasy. One gentleman complimented her upon patronising the dress of the country, and thereby evincing a purity of taste far superior to that of ladies who fancy nothing becoming unless brought from Paris. "Ah!" sighed another, "with such personal attractions, Mademoiselle has little need to trouble herself about fas.h.i.+ons."--"No,"

said Jaqueline; "that's the mantua-makers' and milliners' business, not mine; I never trouble my head about such things, not I."--"What elevation of mind!" exclaimed the Comte.--"How infinitely above vulgar prejudices!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed one of his companions; and the rest expressed their admiration by the epithets "charming," "admirable," &c. &c. In short, everything she uttered was declared to be replete with wit or sentiment; and the result was, that by the time she had finished a very hearty _dejeune a la fourchette_, she began to question whether she really might not possess certain endowments for which she had never previously given herself credit, and had not quite decided, when the Comte contrived to draw her attention toward a window, and so have her to himself. He then, without loss of time, made her a regular offer of himself, his chateau, and his fortune; and Jaqueline replied with a sigh, "I don't think I shall do for you, nor you for me; but, howsomever, I can't say nothing more about it without asking my father."

"I'll ask him!" exclaimed the enraptured Comte; "I'll ride over to him directly. I'll bring him back to dinner. We have a priest in the chateau," and he knelt and pressed her hand to his lips.

"Well, upon my word!" said Jaqueline, "some people fancy they've only to ask and have. Just as if my father would give me away like a bunch of grapes."

"What an admirable simile!" exclaimed the Comte. "Yes, a bunch of grapes, sound, ripe, beautiful to the eye, exquisite in flavour, blooming, delicate to the touch----"

"Better not try," muttered Jaqueline, for, as he spake, he rose up and approached rather too near. "Paws off! as I told you before, or you'll catch it presently," and she pushed him away with a vigour seldom displayed by ladies of his own rank.

"This is too much!" exclaimed one of the party, rus.h.i.+ng forward.

"Monsieur le Comte, you forget yourself strangely. No man can stand tamely by, and see such innocence and beauty annoyed. You must perceive that your attentions are unwelcome, and I insist upon it that you proceed no farther. Don't be alarmed, Mademoiselle, I will protect you."

"You insist!" cried the Comte, scowling fiercely. "It is you who forget yourself, Monsieur le Capitaine, when you dare to address such language to me."

"Dare!" shouted the captain; "for this lady's sake I would dare a thousand such miserables."

"I think a walk into the open air may be of service to you," observed the Comte, pointing significantly to the door.

"Good!" replied the captain, and after bowing respectfully to Jaqueline, he withdrew, and was almost immediately followed by the Comte and two more of the party, leaving only a dapper thin little gentleman dressed in black, who immediately strutted up to our heroine, and, laying his hand upon his left breast, began to hem and cough, and looked exceedingly perplexed and miserable. "What's the matter with _you_?"

thought Jaqueline; "you look as if you had eaten something that had disagreed with you."

"That benevolent glance has revived me!" exclaimed the small gentleman.

"Ah, mademoiselle! I have struggled hard. The Comte is my patron. I would not be ungrateful; but--but--I am convinced that a lady of your delicate perceptions, of your incomparable--Oh! what shall I say? I am a notary, and seldom want words--but on this occasion they seem to fail me. I mean to say that I am firmly convinced that neither my friend the Comte nor his boisterous comrades are fit or capable of--ahem! In short, a quiet life, with one who would do his utmost to secure your affections, to merit your esteem, and to promote your happiness, is----"

"Just the very thing I should like," said Jaqueline; "but the question is, where to find him."

"Behold him here!" exclaimed the notary, dropping on his knees. "Never before did this heart surrender to beauty. Hitherto my whole soul has been given to making money, without being very particular how, I must own; but now, all is changed! There is about you an irresistible charm----"

"Ah!" shrieked Jaqueline, "so there is! I see it all now! It's all along of that water I drank this morning. Get out of the way, do!" and, rus.h.i.+ng past him, she ran off to the room of Madame Rigaud, whom she earnestly entreated to introduce her to the priest of the family without loss of time. "I shall place myself under his protection," said she.

"The resolution does you great credit," observed Madame Rigaud. "He will attend you here immediately, I am sure; for he is an excellent man, and always delighted to do good."

About five minutes after, as Jaqueline was standing alone before a mirror, endeavouring vainly to discover what change in her appearance had caused such a marvellous change in the manners of the men toward her, the door slowly opened, and a venerable grey-haired ecclesiastic stood gazing upon her in respectful silence.

"Ah! Father Dunstan!" she exclaimed joyously, "is that you? Oh! I am so rejoiced to see you! Don't you know me?"

"Really, Mademoiselle," said the holy man, nervously, "there must be some mistake. If I had ever had the honour of being introduced to you, I am sure I could not have forgotten----"

"No, I can't be mistaken," observed Jaqueline, "only I'm grown a good deal since you left St Denis. Many a time you've dandled me on your knee; but I suppose I'm too heavy for that now; so come, sit down, and I'll take a chair beside you, or perhaps I ought to go upon my knees, for it is a sort of confession that I've got to make, though really I didn't think there could be any great harm in just drinking a little water. However, you'll tell me what to do, I know; for you were always very kind and indulgent, though you used to thump me on the back, and laugh at me for romping, and say that I was too strong for a girl, and ought to have been a boy."

"Is it possible?" exclaimed the bewildered priest.

"Perfectly true, _mon bon pere_," said our heroine. "Look at me again.

There, I am your old play-fellow, Jaqueline Triquet."

"Is it possible!" repeated the good man, elevating his hands and eyes in especial wonder.

Jaqueline then told her tale, and in conclusion, said, "And now, my good father, I place myself under your protection, and hope you will take me away from this place, and all the strange people about it. I'll go anywhere with you; but had rather go to the c.o.c.k and Bottle, because there I shall be sure to find a _patache_ to take me to Moulins."

"My dear child," said the priest fervently, "I will go with thee; I will protect thee; but while I am preparing for our departure, thou must leave this room, where thou art liable to intrusions, and I will place thee in the charge of good Madame Rigaud."

Jaqueline was accordingly removed to a more private apartment, where she awaited the priest's summons in great uneasiness, as Madame Rigaud, who was not particularly taciturn, visited her from time to time with strange accounts of what had pa.s.sed, and was then going on among the household, all in consequence of her untoward presence therein.

It seemed that the Comte had wounded his friend the Captain, and that, while he was so laudably engaged, a footman, anxious to gaze upon the charms of the bewitching fair one, had peeped through the opening of the half-closed door of the _salon_, and witnessed the scene between her and the amorous notary, the particulars of which he whispered to his master on his triumphant return. The Comte thereupon rushed furiously forward, and, discovering the luckless limb of the law still upon his knees, and apparently paralysed by Jaqueline's abrupt retreat, without any ceremony bestowed upon him sundry hard names and one particularly ugly kick, by the latter of which the little gentleman was so thrown off his guard as to abandon the chance of a lucrative legal process, and to demand satisfaction instanter. It was given, and the Comte was wounded; and then the notary, feeling that his suit was in no degree advanced by this display of his prowess, and yet smarting under the mortification consequent upon our heroine's style of receiving his addresses, most unadvisedly spake of her after the fas.h.i.+on of the fox in the fable, when he found that the grapes were above his reach. This produced certain sarcastic observations from another of the party, which led to a fresh encounter, that terminated by the legal functionary's being disarmed with a violent sprain in his right wrist.

Then, in the lower department, much altercation had taken place.

Monsieur Robert thought proper to call Philippe Rigaud a young puppy; and Philippe, instead of acknowledging his puppyism, as in duty bound, to his superior, vehemently apostrophised him as an old fool. The female domestics were all scandalised beyond measure at the blindness and stupidity of their sweethearts in particular, and the men-servants generally, in admiring an awkward country-girl, as some called our heroine; but all agreed in p.r.o.nouncing her to be "no great things."