THE NOVELIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2171, 3 October 1895, Page 39

THE NOVELIST.

[Now Fikst Published.]

WHEN GREEK MEETS GREEK.

A. TALE OF LOVE AND WAR.

By JOSEPH RATION.

[All Rights Rkskeved.]

Chapter XIV. "In the Name of the Law." HE arrival o£ the Deputy Grebauval instead of the Coant de Foamier, the evident anxiety of the Dachcßß, a harried message which presently took the Dake away, sudden rumours that a troop of the National Guard was stationed within the gates of the Chateau gardens, and a remark mado by Captain Marcy to a well-known trimmer that the Kitig was a prisoner and the Taileriee in the bands of the people created considerable uneasiness among the guests bidden to the espousal of Mathilde do Louvet with Henri Lavelle, Count de Fournier. A few men, more timid than the rest, had ordered their horses. Others, reoognising the possibility of trouble, had sought advice In as secret a way as poaeibio from leaders and friend^ of the paity or order to which they belonged. A gronp of well-known royalists had beeu interrupted in council by Grebauval and Marcy while chattiDg together upon the terrace, and several ladies had been warned by their less venturesome lords to make ready for their df parturo. In the midst of tho general uneasiness the Duke entered the chiet salon, leading in his daughter, with the Count by her side, no longer in his uniform, but dressed in the ■tyle of the court of Louis XV, a costume wbioh the Duke had worn at the coronation of his unfortunate successor. A general murmur of surprise and satisfaction greeted them. The Duchess, at the moment, was speaking with the Deputy Grebauval. They both turned, to see the gnests gathering round the lovera aud the Duke, while at the same time the notary and bis clerko were making their formal entry, the maßte'r of the ceremonies craving room for mocsieur the notary. An alcovo in the sftlon, hitherto concealed by a portiere, was uncovered, showing a table and writing materials, at which the notary and his officials took their seats. •' I present to you, my dear friends and neighbours," said the Duke, " my daughter, Mathilde Henrlette Hortense de Louvot, tho contract of whoso esponsal with Henri Lavelle, Count de Fournier, you honour us by -being present to witness." Vivas and Bhouts of "long life and happiness " greeted this announcement. 11 There has been an unfortunate delay in our proceedings," continued the Duko, " but the Duchess and I both heartily invite you to a%ii*t us in condoning this breach of panetanllty at supper ; and permit me further to remark that those of our honoured guests who do not accept our poor hospitality for the night will find sufficient escort with flambeaux provided by our master of the horse," The Duke had once upon a, time rejoiced in a magnificent establishment, which bad be»n administered in a right regal fashion ; ; bat on this occasion it was a trifle grandiloquent and misleading to talk of the master of the horse, who wan no more than his chief stableman, bis horses consisting of fewer than half a dozen, but such arrangements as ho had been able to make for attendance upon those who might require torohbearers or guide 3 were on a fairly liberal scale. The ceremony of betrothal should have taken place before sunset, though it was expected that some of the guests would remain over tbeir wine until late. Many were staying in the house ; others had come j long distances ; a few from residences in the ' suburbs of Paris, wbioh were in those days practically in the country, cut off to a great extent from the immediate news of the capital. Hardly had the Duke ficished speaking and the cheers of his guests subsided when voices in altercation were heard at the entrance to the salon ; and bsfore bis Grace could turn to inquire the causa of it, the commissioner of police, in his scarf, attended by a company of gendarmes under the command of the offioer who had interrogated Pierre Grappin, forced his way into the room, the oommissioner uttering his ehibboleth, "In the name of tho law I " Almost at the earae moment the ladies were put aside, and the gentlemen, with few exceptions, drew their rapiere. Grebauval and his friend Captain Marcy remained apparently unmoved. " Henii Lavelle, otherwise Count de Fourni«r, I arrest you, by order "- — The rest of the commissioner's words were inaudible, a group of yourg bloods surrounding the Count with shouts of protest and resistance. The Duchess and most of the other ladies retired to the further end of the room, attended by several unarmed guests endeavouring to assure them that nothing serious was about to happen. " Gentlemen," said the Duke, with Mathilde on his arm, a pale but firm and dignified spectatress of the scene, " I crave your pardon. Monsieur le commissaire, this lady is about to sign a marriage contract with the gentleman you claim the right to aireßt. Pray let the ceremony proceed, and then we will discuss your uninvited preEence at the Chateau de Louvet." The commissary glanced at Gre'jauval, who turned away. " Monsieur le Depute is surely not concerned in this ? " said the Duke, who bad noticed the glance of inquiry which Grebanval had avoided. "Except to regret it," said Grebauval promptly ; " but the law is the law." " And persecution is persecution," ssid the Duke. 11 It shall be so," exclaimed the Vicomte LaDguedcc, etepping forward. "Let the ceremony proceed, Monsieur le Due." .lYw, y«a!*. piwutecl 80 voice*, as go

swords were rained aloft, and 20 men ranged themselves in front of the Dake and his daughter ; all the time Count de Fournier standing calmly by, but wary and watohful, his attention mostly fixed on Grebauval. "Monsieur la c?.pitn(ne," said tho commissary, turning to the commander of tho gendarmes, " do your duty 1 " " Fix bayonets I " said the captain, and the ring of the grounded arms rung along the marble floor. " Gentlemen," exclaimed the Deputy Grebauval, " lot me be mediator between you. If it bo possible, out of respect to the occasion, monsieur le commissaire, let the Citizen Duke have bis way. The ceremony first, the arrest afterwards." "The ceremony I" shouted the Dake's partisans, " and no arrest 1 " " Forward I " commanded the captain of the gendarmes; and thereupon Captain Marcy drew his sword. "For God's sake I" shouted Grebauva), flinging himself between the soldiers and the excited royalists, " let it be as the master of the house wiahea." " Nay, by God, it shall be so I " said the Vicomte Languedoc " Gentlemen 1 on guard ! " " Let me beseech you," said Mathilde, releasing herself from her father's arm and placing herself in front of the Vicomte. "This is a peaceful house, loyal to the nation. Do not you, Monsieur le Vioomte, ' defy the law. And you, Monsieur Grebauval — you hava the power, order the withdrawal of these gentlemen who have outraged the peft.ee of a private bouse." " Let me join my prayer to that," said the Dachosg, coming forward. " Pardon me," said the Count, sp9aking for the first time, " I will accept no favour at tbe hands of Monsieur Grabanval. My dear, permit mo," he concluded, and turning to Mathilde and taking her band, h« led her to her mother, and tbe group of royalists now stood together, a compact body of gallant fellows ready for battle. " Nay, then, gentlemen," said Grebauval, now assuming the full authority he had possessed from tbe first, " we will have consideration for mademoiselle and the ladies Gil - lantry is as compatible with liberty as with tyr&nny. With your permission, monsieur lo commissaire, tbe law this time shall not deign to use its strength, but will bide its time. You will set an example of forbearance, gentlemen," he went on, addressing the commissary and hid officsra, " that shall be an example of sobriety and mercy to these j rash gentlemen of the noblesse. Messieurs ! and uiesdames, lot tbe ceremony proceed. Monsieur lecapitaiuo.you will have the grace to retire ; our good frieod the commissary desires it." Both were creatures of Grebauval, and they retired accordingly; and the Duke's friends making an archway of steel for tho Count and Mathilde to pass under, they advanced to the table of the notary and signed the marriage contract. "An espousal ia not a marriage," said Grebauv&l to himself ; " and even if it were the bridegroom ehall sleep at the Oonclergerie." " And now, gentlomen," eaid the commissary, who had remained a silent witness of the reading of tho contract and the signing and settling thereof, " I claim tho peaceful surrender oE Heuri Lavello, otherwise the Count de Fournier." " Otherwise be damned ! " said the Vicomte Languedoc. "A rescue, gentlemen, a rescue 1 " " I will have no blood ehod in this house on my account," exclaimed Da Fournier. "I and monsieur the Deputy Grebauval have met in this placo once before. His was the victory then ; his must be the victory now. Tbsre will be a third time when fate may be just," said De Fournier. A shout of protest greeted the Count's decision ; but Mathilde, in a soft voica, said, " Honri, my lovo, you are right. Much misery muet oome of a contest here, and the deathß of many friends ; but let me go with you." " I surrender my sword," said the Count. "And I myeelf to accompany him," said Matbilde. " That may not be," replied the commissary. " You shall not part us," cried Mathilde, clinging to tho Count. I The company stood by in doubt and sorrow, ] some having sheathed their sword 9, others still clutching their weapons threateningly. " Put up your swords, gentlemen, until a fairer opportunity offers for their use." "Let me see the commissary's authority for your arrest," demanded the Vicomte. The commissioner presented it. Tho Vicomto banded it to the Count. " It is in order," aaid the Count. " Gentlemen, it is well that we obey the law." At a later period the Count and his friends | would have been more chary. Within four-and-twenty hours such an arrest v/ould have meant death. But as yet the guillotine had not begnn to devour tho best and the bravest sons of France. " Why is the house shadowed by a troop of the National Guard? " asked the Vicomte. " It is an honourable export of the Deputy Grebanval," Captain Maroy replied, " and was deemed necessary also for the citizens' safety on a day when the mercenaries of Louis have fired upon the people ; but it is not concerned with the duty of monsieur the commissary of police." " Let the escort be withdrawn," said Grebauva]. "When this assembly, which has threatened the majesty of the law, withdraw to their homes," said Captain Marcy. " Gentlemen," said the Duke, "it were well we submit, and lay our complaint before the Assembly." "Be sure the Government will do you justice, Monsieur le Due," said Grebauval, who from the first had feared the result of an encounter between his small force and the Duke's company; "and I will seoond your appeal with all my heart." "Enough," said the Duke; "but I pray you escort me to tho same lodging with my friend. I am equally criminal in being & King's man and wishing well to France. Moreover, with the consent of my friend Henri, I wonld have fought you to the death ere he should have surrendered." "It may not be," said the commissary. " You will no doubt be accommodated, all in good time.," The surrender of. the Count and the will'

ingness of the Duke to aooompany him had completed the depression of the belligerent guests. "At the same time, monsieur lo coramissaire," said Grebauval, " we may not prevent the Citizen Duke and his daughter from going to Paris, i£ it is their will, inspired by a wicked thought of making Mathilde prisoner also, and at La Force, not at the Conciergerie with De Fournier. 11 Citizen Duke ! " repeated Vicomto Languedoc with a sneer, though Grebauval thought the combined title a clever concession to both sides. " We will go to Paris," said the Duke, "I do not desire it," said the Count. "It would be poor courtesy to leave your friends." i "It it is the Duke's pleasure he and his daughter shall journey to Paris under the separate escort of Captain Marcy ; and I will make it my duty to give you such a I written passport as may render their movements convenient." " Is Paris so overcame that passports are necessary to honest travellers and men who have served the State in the Senate and the field ? " said the Duke. i " There is muoh commotion in Paris," said Grebauval ; " but it has only honour and respect for the house of De Louvet." " Joseph," said the Dafce, addressing hia J valet, who had been a careful observer of tho soene, " order our coach. We go to Paris tonight ; you will accompany us." Joseph left the room, but returned almost immediately. " Nay, dear," said Mathilde to the Count, " do not deny mo." " Why will you go 1 " "That at least I may know where you are," she said, her lips trembling with emotion. " We only change the Chateau for our hotel in Paris," said the Duke, "and our word may be useful to you. The president of tho Assembly knows how much I h&vo done for France." " Alas, he knows what I, too, have done for her this day 1 " said the Count. " Let it be as my father wishes," whispered Matbilde. "As you will," replied the Count. "At least we shall be near the King and Qaeen when they may need ua." The Ducbess had several times spoken aside to Grebauval, and bad evidently been reassured by his replies to her questions. "It shall then devolve upon me to complete the sadly interrupted duties we owe to : our friends who have honoured our hospi- ' table intentions," she said. " You will not need the escort of Captain Marcy," said the Count to the Duke. "Assuredly not; wo will travel in your oompany — by your leave, monsieur lecommissHire." "But you shall huve my passport in case of need," said Grebauval, going to the notary's table and writing a few linep, which he handed to the Duke ; and almost at the same moment he slipped into the cornmixsary's hand a still briefer note, the three words of which the suspicious and wily Joseph deciphered as the Daputy powdered it with tha other. " Ddtain them, nevertheless," was the traitorous message, or surely Joseph was dreaming. Half an hour later the guests, some of them suppeiles?, others fortified by copious draughts of wine, began to disperse, and the commissary of police and his guards were on their way to Paris with their prisoner. De Fournier rode ono of the Duke's horses, between two mounted gendarmes. Three of the company were an advance guard, carrying flambeaux, for the night had come down with a darkness that was but little redeemed by tbe new moon. A cumbersome family carriage, containing the Dake and Mathilde, brought urr the rear. But Joseph had disappeared, ; "He will have the honour to await Monsieur le Due at the Lion dOr," said the postilion, as he mounted for the journey. " The varietl " said the Duke. " That was the meswga he bade me deliver, with his profound respect," said the postilion.