The Sword of a Gascon

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 64, 16 March 1900, Page 6

The Sword of a Gascon

£ j AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE. j

By AMEDEE ACHAJtD.

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTER I.—The Count Gedeon Paul tie Montestruc spuanders the last of las valuable inheritance at the gaming table at Lectoure, leaving a young wife ana his neir, who is about 10 years old, destitute. CHAPTER ll.—While her husband was having his final fling at the gaming table, ihe Countess, who- all her married Ute has been practically deserted, in a scene ut the castle, learns that her lover, Count ; .lean ck- Coiigny, is returning- to Fans by order of the Kins'. | CHAPTER lll.—The ruined Count cle; MLcntestrue, determined to end his worthies* life like v gentleman, and in a man- ! nor that will provide for his widow and heir offers the old Duke de Mirepolx 10 avtnge his daughter, who has been j ruineU by v plundering exile, the -baron, Saceavaux. The Duke accepts the otter, mid tne Count linding tiie Baron, succeeds in killing him, but at the cost ot ins u'vvn Hie. CHAPTER IV.—The death of the Count ; and the arrival of his body at the castie correspond almost exactly with the part- ■ ing meeting of the Countess ana coiigny. Trie Countess, with the young Duko, oh liniiing that the estates are really the property of money lenders, journeys with nor yon to the Duke of Mirepoix. CHAPTEK V. LA TKSTERI2. Towards evening the cart, after having- amended the winding path which ihu Count v( .Uontestruo had crossed three days previous, slopped at the dour of the "same hotel wiiere .--■ had struck. The Uuke of Mirepoix was tit home. "It is well," said the countess to the ' lackey who had answered Agrippu's knocK, '"lead me to him." i'resmig with the hand the paper sealed with the count's arms, upon vvhien she had read the- respected name oil the old gentleman, she entered tiiat saint! vusl room wiiere he had received Count Gedeon. At sight of a woman in mourning, who held by the : hand a child, the duke advanced to I the countess, and in a grave and mild I tone invited her to sit down. "Not yet," said she; "not at least before you have read this paper, which is to your address, your highness. She' presented to him the count's last writing; the duke burst the seal. It contained only these words, which he read in a loud voice: "Your Highness, —1 have put to death Baron Saecaraux, as 1 had sworn to do. I have no need to recall his promise to a man of the house to which you belong. I' die leaving- under your care Madame the Countess: of Montestruc, my wife, and my son HugUCS.—Gedeon " Paul Montestruc, Count of Chargepaul." Then raising her veil: "1 am she of whom the count speaks, and this i.s ray son Hugues," said the countess. "Madame, will you do me the honor to seat yourself," answered the duke; "tne house is yours." Passing her hand then over the head of her son, und pointing- out to him ,a garden, of which the elms and turf were to be seen behind the great g-lazed doors of the salon: , "Co, my sou; we have things to talk about which you will know one day." . ' Hugues kissed his mother's hand and went out. When the Countess Montestruc had seated herself in the great chair which was in the place of honour, the duke, who had remained standing-, sat dow m facing her, and I bowing, said: I "Speak, madame, and whatever you I desire shall be done. The Count of j Montestruc, your husband, had my I word; he has lost his life in defending :my cause; you are alone, I belong to i you." "What I need, your highness, is a : small thing, and you will not refuse it." :"I have chateaux; you shall choose the one where it pleases you to reside. I no longer have a daughter, and wander alone in nvy vast domain. As to the young count's horses a.nd equipages, I charge myself with them." ! "It is not that. All this is too j much. What I desire is a roof where i I can live retired, with two or three ! servitors, and which offers me in my '. retreat modest resources for my maintenance and that of my son." The duke looked at her thoroughly astonished. "I am going to explain," resumed the countess. "You know how Count Montestruc has died, you know how he lias lived. When lie asked my hand, he was a widower, and a man's age, and his reputation was ma.de. I i was destined for the cloister, which I frightened me. My father, the Mar- ! quis Noyelle, who had very little fori tune, spoke to me of the Count of ; Chargepaul. I accepted him; the ; count took me to Montestruc, and a year after a son was born. I should i have wished to devote myself to the I man whose name I bore, but nothing j had any influence over him. The fo.r- ---' tune which he had found in his cradle intoxicated him. Always going hither and thither, from Bordeaux to Toulouse, and from Montestruc to the court, making1 war with delight as soon as the occasion presented itself, and arms laid down, gambling with an equal ardour; I have not seen hjm perhaps fifty times in ten years." Louise passed a handkerchief - over her pale lips. "Ah! how many unhappy things might have been avoided if he had wished it!" said she. She mastered her emotion, and continuing: "Well! these passions which have enthralled his father, I do not wish my son to know. Hugues has the same instincts, the same fiery blood. What has ruined the father anight ruin the child. Education alone can conquer and subdue him. That is why I wish my son to be raised with little to count upon, and let him learn how to become a man." "Well, madam, and what shall be my part?" If it pleases you to indicate a house where I can establish myself alone with Hugues, my gratitude will be yours forever." "Why speak to me of gratitude? Through the count I am your debtor. Is that all?" " , "You will attach to this house where I only need room for Jive persons, the revenue which you think sufficient to keep

them modestly, out of indigence, butabove all out of luxury." "I have a house, madame, where you can enter to-morrow, if you wish. This eveningl I will pray you to do me the honour to accept the hospitality of the Hotel Mirepoix." Madame Montestruc bowed. , "This house," continued the duke, "is named La Testere; it is a little manor which comes to me by heritage. It is properly furnished. Some lands with a wood form its dependency and bring in fifteen hundred livres a year, without speaking of certain revenues in wine, wheat, forage and fruits of all kinds." "But it is magnificent?" "A family of peasants would notwish it! 1 am going to send during the. day one of my men to La Testere, with orders to have everything clean- ! Ed, and to see that nothing is lacking Sto the apartments, and if you like, ! you will be free to take possession of it to-morrow evening."' Tilings passed off as the duke had 1 predicted. He himself, the next flay, I wished to conduct Madame Monte- | strut: to her new habitation, which j was situated at some leagues from Lectoure, in a- country which traversed, no well frequented route. When he was at the entrance of an avenue of i old trees, indicated by two stones, he uncovered himself, and saluting the countess: "You are at ihome here, madame, said he. "In a month, if you permit it, I shall come to pay you a visit," Two great dogs entered at this moment and came to rub their muzzles ugainst Agrippa's leg. "These also belong to the countess, he .said caressing them; "J encountered them lolling in the sunshine, gave them a piece of bread, and since then we have been friends. A gardener who belongs to the house hss told me thennames; this is Dragon, and this is Phoebe; brother and sister. With these tfuardians we can sleep at ease.

The -evening was iuv advanced, so they put off till the next clay their visit to the environs of La Testere. The manor was built in a bottom, on the border of a large body of water. It was reached by a causeway. Great willows hung over the ditches, and enormous walnuts shaded the banks. Prairies extended all around. Some cultivated lands and patches of vinos mounted the neighbouring- hillsides -V pretty wood of oaks covered with its thick" foliage the extremity of the valley. At some distance mounted in the blue air the arrow of a steeple which indicated the location of a village whose humble roofs were concealed among1 the pear and apple trees. A road passed by and put Ihe valley and village in comunic-ation with the country. Near the house was a garden and an orchard. The first years which Madame Montestruc and Hug-ues spent at La Testere flowed away in a profound tranquillity. Hugues grew in, size and strength lie preserved a vague recollection of what he had been, but his mother having- told him that, for reasons which he should know some day, he ought never to speak of it, the child was silent.

Hugiies passed his day in exercises i an,d studies, in promenades and little bodily tasks which developed bis strength. Three times a week, a good priest, ■who liatl conceived an affection for the widow and orphan, came to La Testere and taught Hugnes, who diligently applied himself thereto—history, geography, belle lettres, Latin, and some'scraps of science. The child had besides the taste for reading; during the long winter evenings, while the wind blew or the rain beat upon the roof, shut up in a low hall, nea' *ais mother, he forgot himself for hours as he read in some beautiful book of surprising adventures of travel, or the life of an illustrious man, and grew enamoured of the distant expeditions and high deeds of which he had the marvellous narratives under his eyes; but what he loved most were the lessons which Agrippa gave him in fencing. Agrippa, who thought only of the means of rendering his master expert in all the arts of fencing, had had a singular idea for developing1 his natural disposition, and to permit him to struggle later Avith the most skilful. Every soldier, every l-ough. companion' whom he recognised by the countenance as having worn the harness, and who passed before La Testere, was invited to enter, and received there a good repast on condition of passing an hour or two in the fencing hall, and, blade in hand, give there a good lesson to Hugues. It sometimes happened, also, that harm came of these visits brought by chance. It happened one day that a tall soldier, who rode a lean, horse, was invited by Agrippa to stop at La Testere, where he could have sufficient leisure to rest for twenty-four hours. Never man had appeared between the walls of the chateau wearing a more formidable rapier or thicker moustache. He had rough hands, red ears, the neck of a bull, aud the square face of a dog. With this, in spite of his rascally appearance, something which bptokened the gentleman, btit the fallen gentleman.

"If this one does not prove a rascal, physiognomies are indeed deceitful!" mid Agrippa to his master. • The man conducted to the fencing '. ill showed that he was past-master „,, the art of handling the sword, the dagger, and the poniard. He touched Hugues frequently, but, while proving to him his superiority, received some .thrusts himself. His face grew purple. "What!" he exclaimed; "this is the first time that a sparrow has pricked a falcon." He began again, but growing angry, lost some of his advantages. A thrust which he received full in the breast, exasperated him. Happy at his^ address, Hugues let his joy be seen. "If I had in the hand a good sword, instead of this sharpened iron," exclaimed the other, "yon would not crow so lond my young cock!" "Do not let that stand in.your way!" replied Hugnes, whose blood was growing warm. Both of them sprang to the arms, which were to be seen hanging- along the walls. "Enough!" cried Agrippa in a loud voice. They obeyed. He made Hugues pass before him and went out, followed by the stranger, who growled like a mastiff from whom you take a. bone. Agrippa led him to a low hall in order to give him a chance to refresh himself. The soldier emptied two or three glasses full to the brim. His large mouth opened like a gulf, ar..l the liquid disappeared within as if ;t had fallen into a pit. Oaths came from it between each bumper. Agrippa made a sign to Hugues to go away,. The young- fellow disappeared with affectation. In his turn Agrippa pretended that he had an order to give, and left the hall. His intention was is expedite some one to the village for

seeking' assistance, and to ask the countess not to leave her apartment. Left alone, the companion, whom anger tormented, and who had the thrust upon his heart, opened the window to breathe more at ease. He perceived Hugues, who was traversing the yard, and, crossing the wall, ran to him. At the noise of his heavy boots upon the gravel, Hugues turned around and waited. "You forsake my company, menu, said the reiter; "on the faith ot a gentleman, these are proceedings to which Captain Briquetailie is not accustomed. Two revenges to take. He began to laugh. Hugues looked at him and made no movement, buddenly changing his tone: "You have a pretty ring there. May one see it?" said the adventurer. Hugues extended his hand without distrust. The man seized it, snatched off the ring violently, and having made it glisten in the sun for a moment, slipped it on his finger. "It is very becoming there, is it not? Thanks." hugues had suddenly become pale. "You who speak of proceedings," be exclaimed, "in what fashion do you qualify this one?" Briquetaille shrugged his shoulders. "If I had asked you for this jewel, you would not have given it to me?" Certainly not!" "That is why I have taken it. Ii you wish to receover it, do like me." Hugues, beside himseL, leaped upon the bandit. But Briquetaille, who was upon his guard, and was seeking a quarrel, pressed him between his arms with such strength that Hugues felt his bones crack. Mad with pain, he bit his adversary on the arm so violently that the blood spurted out and reddened his lips. "Ah! wolf cub!" cried Briquetaille, who let go-his hold. He had just drawn his sword; Hugues had taken possession of a stick, and was firmly waiting for him. Briquetaille was 'about to attack Hugues, when two furicms dogs suddenJy sprang forth from the depths of the court, howling with all their might and exhibiting their red jaws. Briquetaille had onljr the time to make a bound to the rear to avoid their attack .

"Go it Dragon! Go. it Phoebe!" cried Agrippa, who ran up with a musket upon his shoulder. Briquetaille beat a retreat, threatening with the point of has blade the two beasts, which avoided his blows and harassed him. The cloak which he had rolled around him was ah'eady in pieces, and already he felt the breath of the two dogs around his legs, when, perceiving a tree near him, with a prodigious bound he reached one of the branches which projected from the trunk, and sheltered himself upon a fork. Dragon and Phoebe turned and howJed around the tree, and with their red eyes threatened the soldier who had just escaped their pursuit. Agrippa rejoined them in a moment. "If 1 blew out your brains with a musket shot, would I not be in the right?'" he cried to him in an indignant voice. "It is what you would do if you were in my place! But your are my prisoner. I prefer to wait. You will have to descend some time." Upright upon a branch, Briquetaille looked everywhere, seeking an issue for flight, a corner for defence; nothing around him except the bare and flat surface of the yard, and at the foot of the tree the two dogs, which were spying each of his movements. If he leaped to the ground he could not fail to immediately feel their strong grinders upon his neck. "Thunder!" he cried. "You are taken," replied Agrippa; "it is necessary to capitulate." "The conditions?" "Firstly, that ring which you have stolen." "A pleasantry! My intention has always been to return it. Here it is." He drew from his finger the ring belonging to the young count and threw it into Agrippa's cap. • "Now your sword and poniard." "If I swore to you that I would not make use of them?" "I shall be much more sure when the poniard and sword are no longer in your power." Briquetaille bi,t his lips, and addressing Hugues, who was looking on this scene with arms crossed: "What do you say to that, monsieur? On seeing arms engraved upon that ring, which I have returned to you. I thought you a gentleman." "It is because I am one that I perceive that you are not." "Do you take me for a scoundrel then?" Seized with a fresh fit of anger, Briquetaille measured with his eye the distance which separated him from the soil; but, at the moment when perliaps he was going- to take his leap, exasperated by this insult, he saw running upon the other side of the wall which closed the court, a troop of peasants armed with scythes, axes and pikes, from which he would* never hove been able to escape, even had he conquered Agrippa, Ilngues and the two dogs. An imprecation came from his mouth, and snatching his arms from their sheathes, he violently precipitated them to the ground. "Xow you can descend," cried Agrippa to him, who had picked them up. The dogs, which he held in leash, growled under his hand. In a second the soldier was af the foot of the tree, and, placing himself before Hugues, considered him a moment^ in silence. His face, animated by the most savage passions, had suddenly taken on a character of impassibility in which was to be found again a remnant of nobility llien stretching out his arm and turning up a sleeve under which bled a wound made by Hugues' teeth: "I have here in the flesh a souvenir which will force me to think of you On the faith of a gentleman—and' I am one, believe me—see to it that I do not meet you again." And rising to his full height with an air of arrogance: "The door, now!" "There!" replied Agrippa pointing out to him a door in a corner. "But permit me to escort you. There ore men out there who might treat you badly if you refuse me the honour of accompanying you." The door open, Briquetaille could readily see that it was not a useless precaution. Thirty men surrounded him all ready to rush upon him but Agrippa made them a sign of the hand. "Monsieur has recognised that he was in the wrong-. He is a lamb now. There is nothing left for us now, my friends, except to wish him a pleasant journey; but let him distrust the oaks which he meets on his way; he may be hung to one of •them some day." A burst of laughter answered the old equerry. "Ah! canaille, if I had a sword"

murmured the reiter. _ Then he resumed his impassibility, covering the villains with a disdain^ ful look. ; \. :.r\ The clown whom the Count of Montestruc had had in his service appeared, holding the lean horse of Briquetaille by the bridle. The latter mounted and rode away, head elevated, but livid and eye on fire. When he hod turned the angle of the wall, Agrippa, placing his hand upon his pupil's shoulder: "First enemy!" said he. (To be continued daily.)