The Knight of Malta Part 26

Before the arrival of Raimond V. the greater part of those who filled the hall were still ignorant of the baron's intentions, whether or not he would appear before the tribunal. The smaller number, however, hoped that he would respect the privileges of the community.

But when they learned from the curious ones outside that the gentleman's carriage of state was already in the square, they eagerly watched every movement of the constantly increasing mult.i.tude.

The crier was obliged to elevate his voice to its utmost to command silence, and Peyrou, the watchman, as a.s.signee of the overseers, at last administered a severe rebuke to the clamorous crowd, and order finally prevailed.

The tribunal then regulated some business of little importance, but with as much care and deliberate circ.u.mspection, and as much attention to detail, as if one of the first lords of Provence was not expected every moment to appear before them.

The mult.i.tude was compact when Raimond V. presented himself at the door, and he had great difficulty in entering the large hall with Honorat de Berrol.

"Make way, make way for monseigneur!" cried several eager voices.

"Have the overseers called me, my children?" said Raimond V., affectionately.

"No, monseigneur."

"Then I will wait here with you. It will be time to make way for me when I am called before the tribunal."

These simple words, uttered with as much kindness as dignity, had a tremendous effect upon the crowd. The veneration inspired by the old gentleman, who but a moment before had been so menaced, was so great that the people formed a sort of circle of solemnity around him.

An officer took great pains to inform the secretary that the baron had entered the hall, and that it would be proper to call his case before others on the docket. The secretary, profiting from a short interval, submitted this suggestion to Peyrou, the a.s.signee or syndic.

The latter simply replied: "Secretary, what is the next name on your list?"

"Jacques Brun, pilot, versus Pierre Baif, sailmaker."

"Then call Jacques Brun and Pierre Baif."

Peyrou owed much to the baron's family. He was warmly attached to the house of Anbiez. In thus acting, he did not wish to make a display of his rights and exaggerate their importance. He was only obeying the spirit of justice and independence found in popular inst.i.tutions.

It was without hesitation, and without the least intention to offend Raimond V., that the watchman said, in a loud and firm voice:

"Secretary, call another plaintiff."

The dispute between Jacques Brun, the pilot, and the sailmaker, Pierre Baif, was of little importance. It was promptly, but carefully, decided by the overseers in the midst of the general preoccupation, and the cause of the baron immediately followed.

Notwithstanding the presence of the Baron des Anbiez, it was not known that he intended to appear before the tribunal. Naturally, the crowd remembered the insinuations of Master Isnard. The latter insisted that the baron was capable of manifesting his contempt for the tribunal in a very startling manner.

At last the secretary called, in an excited voice: "Master Talebard-Talebardon, consul of the city of La Ciotat, versus Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez."

A long murmur of satisfied impatience circulated around the hall.

"Now, my children," said the old gentlemen to those who surrounded him, "make way, I pray you, not for the baron, but for the suitor who is going before his judges."

The enthusiasm inspired by these words of Raimond V. proved that, in spite of their instinctive thirst for equality, the people always had an immense liking for persons of rank who submitted to the common law.

The crowd, dividing on each side, made a wide avenue, in the middle of which Raimond V. walked with a grave and majestic step.

The old gentleman wore the sumptuous costume of the time: a doublet with points, a short mantle of brown velvet, richly braided with gold, wide trousers of the same material, which formed a sort of skirt descending below the knee. His scarlet silk stockings disappeared in the funnel of his short boots made of cordovan leather, and equipped with long gold spurs. A costly shoulder-belt sustained his sword, and the white plumes of his black cap fell over his collar of Flanders lace.

The countenance of the old gentleman, habitually joyous, showed at that moment a lofty expression of n.o.bility and authority.

A few steps from the tribunal the baron took off his hat, which he had kept on until then, although the crowd was uncovered. One could not help admiring the dignity of the face and bearing of this n.o.ble old man with long hair and gray moustache.

Soon Master Talebardon arrived.

Notwithstanding his usual a.s.surance, and although he had the recorder Isnard at his heels, he could not conquer his emotion, and carefully avoided the baron's glances.

Peyrou rose, as well as the other overseers; he kept his hat on.

"Bernard Talebard-Talebardon, come forward," said he.

The consul entered the enclosure.

"Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, come forward."

The baron entered the enclosure.

"Bernard Talebard-Talebardon, you demand, in the name of the community of La Ciotat, to be heard by the overseers of the port, against Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez."

"Yes, syndic," replied the consul.

"Deposit two sous and eight farthings in the common purse, and speak."

The consul put the money in a wooden box, and, advancing near the tribunal, stated his grievance in these terms:

"Syndic and overseers, from time immemorial the fishery of the cove of Camerou has been divided between the community of the city and the lord of Anbiez; the said lord can lay his nets and seines from the coast to the rocks called the Seven Stones of Castrembaou, which form a sort of belt, about five hundred steps from the coast. The community hold the right from the Seven Stones of Castrembaou to the two points of the bay; before you, syndic and overseers, I affirm on oath that this is the truth, and I adjure Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, here present and called by me, to say if such is not the truth."

Turning to the gentleman, Peyrou said to him:

"Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, is what the plaintiff says true? Has the right of fishery always been thus divided between the lords of Anbiez and the community of the city of La Ciotat?"

"The fishery has always been thus divided. I recognise it," said the baron.

The perfect agreeableness with which the baron made his reply left no doubt as to his submission to the ability of the tribunal.

A murmur of satisfaction circulated through the hall. "Continue,"

said Peyrou to the consul.

"Syndic and overseers," pursued Talebard-Talebardon, "in spite of our rights and our custom, instead of confining himself to the s.p.a.ce between the rocks of the Seven Stones of Castrembaou and the coast, Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, has laid his nets beyond the rocks of the Seven Stones toward the high sea, and consequently has injured the rights of the community which I represent. He fishes in the part reserved for the said community. These facts, which I affirm on oath, are known, besides, to everybody, as well as yourselves, syndic and overseers."

"The syndic and the overseers are not in this suit," replied the watchman to the consul, severely. Then turning to the gentleman, he said to him:

"Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez, do you admit that you have thrown your nets on this side of the Seven Rocks, and toward the high sea, in the part of the cove reserved for the community of La Ciotat?"

"I have had my nets thrown this side of the Seven Rocks," said the baron.

"Plaintiff, what do you demand from Raimond V., Baron des Anbiez?"

said the syndic.