The Guerilla Chief Part 28

"Oh, no! I was not there. I never go. I always send for my letters; it is so unpleasant, squeezing through the horrid crowd."

"I certainly saw some one wonderfully like you; and now I am convinced of what I had only suspected, that he whom I saw was that same gentleman, to whom I am indebted for your acquaintance."

"_Peste_!" exclaimed the young Creole, springing to his feet, and a.s.suming a serious countenance. "Likely enough it may be. _Mon Dieu_!

this is intolerable. Do you know, my friend, that I am frequently mistaken for him, and he for me; and what is still worse, I have reason to believe that the fellow has, on more than one occasion, personated me. _Mere de Dieu_! it is not to be borne; and if I can only get proof of it--I am even now about the affair--if I can only establish the proofs, I shall effectually put a stop to it. He shall find I can handle the small-sword a little more skilfully than your unfortunate friend. _Mon Dieu_! it is infamous: a common _spoilsman_--a swindler-- even worse, I have heard; and to think how my character suffers! Why no later than yesterday, would you believe it, I was joked by one of my oldest and most respected friends, for having figured at a low quadroon ball in the Faubourg Treme! It is positively vexatious!"

Of course I a.s.sented to this denunciation, and to the necessity of some inquiry being made into the goings on of Monsieur Jacques Despard.

During my winter sojourn in New Orleans, I had more than once dropped accidentally upon this last-mentioned personage, but never did I observe him in any very creditable position. It did not need the declaration of De Hauteroche, to prove to me that he was both _sportsman_ (gambler) and swindler; but just then other matters came before my mind. I was the bearer of a pretty little billet from Olympe to Adele; and the hour had arrived in which it was proper for me to make my call and deliver it.

Leaving my friend, therefore, to his books and briefs, I went off upon my errand.

I was a little puzzled at De Hauteroche's behaviour. He must have received the letter in time to have read it before my arrival at the office; and yet I observed none of the effect that the reading of such an important doc.u.ment would be likely to produce. On further reflection I felt convinced that he could not have read it at all. Perhaps his messenger, who had taken it from the post-office, had not returned. Or, what was likely enough, it might not be _that_ letter, but some other one of no importance, or more probable still, there might have been none, and I had mistaken the name. Certainly, if it were the epistle I supposed it to be, and if he had already perused it, the effect was far from what I should have expected. Of course I did not imagine he would appear in ecstasies in my presence, and all at once reveal to me the secret of his happiness; but, on the other hand, I could not account for the imperturbable coolness he had exhibited throughout our short interview--his thoughts, indeed, only occupied by vexation at the unfortunate resemblance he bore to the gambler. Of course, then, he could have had no letter--at least not one that offered him a wife and a fortune. I might have ascertained this to a certainty by simply putting a question, and some vague suspicion floating about in my mind, half prompted me to do so; but I remembered the caution which I had received from the little Madame Dardonville--besides, it was a delicate point, and I dreaded being deemed a meddler. After all, I had no doubt about the matter. His supreme happiness was still unknown to him. The messenger of glad tidings had not yet arrived. The next mail-boat would bring the precious epistle, and then--

I had entered the vine-shadowed verandah in the Rue Bourgogne. The green _jalousie_ opened at the sound of my steps; and those beautiful brown eyes, smiling upon me through the fringework of the white curtains, carried my thoughts into a new current. Luis and his affairs were alike forgotten. I had eyes and thoughts only for Adele.

Story 2, Chapter X.

ANOTHER EPISTLE.

The hospitality of my Creole friends had not cooled in my absence, and my visits were as frequent as of yore. I had now much to tell them of.

My prairie excursion had furnished me with facts--deeds upon which I could descant. It pleased me to fancy I had an attentive listener in Adele. I could make Luis listen too at times--especially when I dwelt upon the merits of Olympe. No doubt it would have flattered me to believe that Adele was a little jealous, but I could not tell. I only knew that she liked better to hear me discourse upon the wonders of prairie land, than to listen to the praises of Olympe. But Adele had much romance in her disposition, and the plumed and painted hors.e.m.e.n of the plains--the chivalry of modern days--almost rival in interest the steel-clad heroes of the mediaeval time--certainly they are quite as brave, and perhaps not much more barbaric.

My visits to the Rue Bourgogne were of daily recurrence. Besides the other occupation, I could not help closely regarding the behaviour of Luis. I was watching for some sign, but day after day pa.s.sed without his showing any. The letter had not yet come to hand. My position was a strange one. With one word I could have made De Hauteroche supremely happy; and yet my promise hindered me from uttering that word. It was really tantalising to be thus restrained--for the pleasure of giving happiness is almost equal to that of receiving it.

A week pa.s.sed, and still no word--no sign of the letter having been received; and then the half of another week without report. Two mail-packets I knew had come down from Saint Louis--for I had taken the pains to ascertain this fact--but neither brought the precious epistle.

Had Madame Dardonville not written after all? or had her letter miscarried?

The former I could not reconcile with probability, after what she had said: the latter was perfectly probable, considering the character of the American post-office, and the adventurous vagaries that sometimes occur to an American mail bag, in its transit upon the great western rivers.

Still the route from Saint Louis to New Orleans was a direct one. There was but one s.h.i.+pment from port to port, and where could be the risk?

I was puzzled, therefore, at the non-arrival of the letter. In truth, I was something more than puzzled. At times I felt a vague feeling of uneasiness as to its fate; and this was more definite, when I reflected on the incident that had occurred at the post-office on the morning after my return. I could not well doubt that some one asked for a letter for Luis De Hauteroche; for though the words were mumbled in a low tone, they reached my ear with sufficient distinctness. At the time I had not the shadow of a doubt about the name.

Did De Hauteroche receive a letter that morning, and from Saint Louis?

For reasons given, I had never asked him, but I could no longer see any harm in putting the question. If an unimportant letter, he might not remember it; and whether or no, the question would surprise and puzzle him. But no matter. It was important I should have an answer--yes or no. I needed that to resolve a doubt--a dark suspicion that was shaping itself in my mind.

I came to the determination to call upon him: and at once put the interrogatory--_outre_ as it might seem.

I was preparing to sally forth from my hotel chamber, when a somewhat impetuous knock at the door announced an impatient visitor. It was the man I was about to seek--Luis De Hauteroche himself.

I saw that he was strangely excited about something. "My friend," he exclaimed on entering, "what can this mean? I have just had a letter from Saint Louis--from Madame Dardonville--and for the life of me I cannot comprehend it. It speaks of a will--of conditions--of Olympe--of strange contingencies. _Mon Dieu_! I am perplexed. What is it? You have lately seen Madame. Perhaps you can explain it? Speak, friend!

can you?"

While giving utterance to this incoherent speech, De Hauteroche had drawn out a letter, and thrust it into my hand. I opened and read:--

"_Mon cher Luis,--Since my letter, accompanying the copy of my lamented husband's will, I find that my duties as administratrix will detain us in Saint Louis a week longer than I had antic.i.p.ated. If you have not started, therefore, before receiving this, I wish to suggest a change in our programme--that is, instead of coming alone, you should bring Adele along with you, and we can all return together. Perhaps your young English friend would be of the party; though, from the anxiety which he exhibited at the first appearance of frost here, perhaps he thinks our Saint Louis climate too cold for him. He shall be welcome notwithstanding_.

"_You could come by the 'Sultana,' which I see by the New Orleans papers is to sail on the 25th. Come by her if possible, as she is our favourite boat, and I should wish to go back in her_.

"_Yours sincerely_,

"_Emilie Dardonville_."

"_P.S.--Remember, Luis, that your choice is free, and though I shall be proud to have you for my son-in-law, I shall put no constraint upon Olympe. She knows the conditions of her father's will, and I have no fear of her desiring to controvert what was with him a dying wish. I am well a.s.sured that her heart is still her own; and since you have always been the favourite friend of her childhood, I think I might promise you success as a suitor. But in this, and everything else relating to the conditions of the will, you must act, dear Luis, as your heart dictates.

I know your honourable nature, and have no fear you will act wrongly_."

"E.D."

By the time I had finished reading, De Hauteroche had become more collected.

"When did you last hear from Madame Dardonville?" I asked.

"About a month ago--only once since the letter announcing our friend's death."

"And your sister--has she had a letter since?"

"None--except the note brought by yourself from Olympe."

"That could not be the letter referred to here. There was no copy of a will?"

"I never heard of such a thing. This is the first intimation I have had, that Monsieur Dardonville had made a will; and the postscript both surprises and perplexes me. Madame Dardonville speaks of conditions--of Olympe being bound by some wish of her father! What conditions? What wish? Monsieur, for heaven's sake, explain to me if you can?"

"_I can_!"

Story 2, Chapter XI.

THE CHEQUE.

De Hauteroche stood before me in an appealing att.i.tude, and with wild impatience in his looks. I felt that I was going to give him supreme happiness--to fill his cup of bliss to the very brim. I had long ere this fathomed the secret of his heart, and I knew that he loved Olympe with a pa.s.sionate ardour that he could scarcely conceal. His last visit to Saint Louis had settled that point, and though it was doubtful whether the young girl was, at the time, sufficiently forward to have felt the pa.s.sion of love, I had discovered some traces of a certain tender regard she had exhibited towards him I had no doubt that she would love him--almost at sight: for to say nothing of the direction which had been given to her thoughts--both parents carefully guiding her affections in the one particular channel--there were other circ.u.mstances that would favour this result. Luis De Hauteroche was by far the handsomest gentleman she had ever seen--handsome as well as highly accomplished--and I knew that no pains had been spared to impress Olympe with this idea. He was almost certain to be beloved by her.

Concealment of what I knew, was no longer required of me. My promise to Madame Dardonville was simply to keep silent, until the letter had spoken for itself. It was clear, however, that the letter had miscarried; and it therefore became a necessity that I should declare its contents. I rather joyed at thus having it in my power to make my friend happy; and I hastened to perform the pleasant duty.

In brief detail I made known to him the nature of the ex-merchant's will--that part of it relating to his daughter and to Luis himself.

Joy overspread the young man's countenance as he listened; and my repet.i.tion of those interesting conditions was interrupted only by expressions of grat.i.tude and delight.

For the rest, I knew not the precise contents of Madame Dardonville's letter. These could only be guessed at; but the communication just now received was a good key to that which had been lost.

"What matter," added I, "about the other having gone astray? It is certainly not very agreeable that some post-office peeper should get such an insight into one's family affairs; but after all, it's only a _copy_ of the will that has been lost."

"Oh! the will; I care nothing for that, Monsieur--not even if it were the original--the will of Olympe alone concerns me."

"And that I promise will be also in your favour."

"_Merci_, Monsieur, what a true friend you have proved! How fortunate I should have resembled Monsieur Despard! Ha! ha!"

I almost echoed the reflection--for that resemblance had been the means of introducing me to Adele.