An Enemy to the King | Page 7

that I might survive this fight. The best for
which I hoped was that I might not be among the easiest victims of this
famous sword.
"Monsieur," said De Quelus, while Bussy and I kept it up, with offence
on his part, defence on mine, "I am sorry that I cannot intervene to save
your life. My arm has been hurt in a fall, and I cannot even hold up my
sword."
"I know that," I replied. "That is why I interfered."
"The devil!" cried Bussy. "Much as I detest you, M. de Quelus, you
know I would not have attacked you had I known that. But this
gentleman, at least, has nothing the matter with his arm."
And he came for me again.
Nothing the matter with my arm! Actually a compliment upon my
sword-handling from the most invincible fighter, whether in formal
duel or sudden quarrel, in France! I liked the generosity which impelled

him to acknowledge me a worthy antagonist, as much as I resented his
overbearing insolence; and I began to think there was a chance for me.
For the first time, I now assumed the offensive, and with such
suddenness that Bussy fell back, out of sheer surprise. He had forgotten
about the cross that stood in the centre of the place, and, in leaping
backward, he struck this cross heavily with his sword wrist. His glove
did not save him from being jarred and bruised; and, for a moment, he
relaxed his firm grasp of his sword, and before he could renew his
clutch I could have destroyed his guard and ended the matter; but I
dropped my point instead.
Bussy looked at me in amazement, and then dropped his.
"Absurd, monsieur! You might very fairly have used your advantage.
Now you have spoiled everything. We can't go on fighting, for I would
not give you another such opening, nor would I kill a man who gives
me my life."
"As you will, monsieur," said I. "I am glad not to be killed, for what is
the use of having fought Bussy d'Amboise if one may not live to boast
of it?"
He seemed pleased in his self-esteem, and sheathed his sword. "I am
destined not to fight to-night," he answered. "One adversary turns out
to have a damaged arm, which would make it a disgrace to kill him,
and the other puts me under obligation for my life. But, M. de Quelus,
your arm will recover."
"I hope so, if for only one reason," replied Quelus.
Bussy d'Amboise then bowed to me, and strode on his way. He was
joined at the next crossing of streets by four lackeys, who had been
waiting in shadow. All had swords and pistols, and one bore a lantern,
which had been concealed beneath his cloak.
De Quelus, having looked after him with an angry frown, now turned to
me, and spoke with affability:

"Monsieur, had you not observed the condition of my arm, I should
have resented your aid. But as it is, I owe you my life no less than he
owes you his, and it may be that I can do more than merely
acknowledge the obligation."
I saw here the opportunity for which a man might wait months, and I
was not such a fool as to lose it through pride.
"Monsieur," I said, "I am Ernanton de Launay, Sieur de la Tournoire. I
arrived in Paris to-day, from Anjou, with the desire of enlisting in the
French Guards."
De Quelus smiled. "You desire very little for a gentleman, and one who
can handle a sword so well."
"I know that, but I do not bring any letters, and I am not one who could
expect the favor of a court appointment. I am a Huguenot."
"A Huguenot?" said De Quelus. "And yet you come to Paris?"
"I prefer to serve the King of France. He is at present on good terms
with the Huguenots, is he not?"
"Yes,--at least, he is not at war with them. Well, gentlemen like you are
not to be wasted, even though Huguenots. Attach yourself to Duret's
company of the guards for the present, and who knows when you may
win a vacant captaincy? I will bring you to the attention of the King.
Can you be, to-morrow at eleven o'clock, at the principal gate of the
Louvre?"
"Yes, monsieur."
"Very well. I will speak to Captain Duret, also, about you."
He looked at my active figure, neither tall nor short, neither broad nor
too thin, observed the length of my arm, and remembered that I had
made so respectable a showing with the sword against Bussy, I could
see that he was thinking, "It is well to have in one's debt as many such

strong and honest young gentlemen