Bardelys the Magnificent | Page 9

I not told you, Ganymede, that when you chance to be
among my friends you should hear nothing but the words addressed to
you, see nothing but the glasses that need replenishing? But, there! We
are going into Languedoc. What of it?"
"They say that war may break out at any moment," he groaned; "that
Monsieur le Duc de Montmorency is receiving reenforcements from
Spain, and that he intends to uphold the standard of Monsieur and the
rights of the province against the encroachments of His Eminence the
Cardinal."
"So! We are becoming politicians, eh, Ganymede? And how shall all
this concern us? Had you listened more attentively, you had learnt that
we go to Languedoc to seek a wife, and not to concern ourselves with
Cardinals and Dukes. Now let me sleep ere the sun rises."
On the morrow I attended the levee, and I applied to His Majesty for
leave to absent myself. But upon hearing that it was into Languedoc I
went, he frowned inquiry. Trouble enough was his brother already

making in that province. I explained that I went to seek a wife, and
deeming all subterfuge dangerous, since it might only serve to provoke
him when later he came to learn the lady's name, I told him -
withholding yet all mention of the wager - that I fostered the hope of
making Mademoiselle de Lavedan my marquise.
Deeper came the line between his brows at that, and blacker grew the
scowl. He was not wont to bestow on me such looks as I now met in his
weary eyes, for Louis XIII had much affection for me.
"You know this lady?" he demanded sharply.
"Only by name, Your Majesty."
At that his brows went up in astonishment.
"Only by name? And you would wed her? But, Marcel, my friend, you
are a rich man one of the richest in France. You cannot be a fortune
hunter."
"Sire," I answered, "Fame sings loudly the praises of this lady, her
beauty and her virtue - praises that lead me to opine she would make
me an excellent chatelaine. I am come to an age when it is well to wed;
indeed, Your Majesty has often told me so. And it seems to me that all
France does not hold a lady more desirable. Heaven send she will agree
to my suit!"
In that tired way of his that was so pathetic: "Do you love me a little,
Marcel?" he asked.
"Sire," I exclaimed, wondering whither all this was leading us, "need I
protest it?"
"No," he answered dryly; "you can prove it. Prove it by abandoning this
Languedoc quest. I have motives - sound motives, motives of political
import. I desire another wedding for Mademoiselle de Lavedan. I wish
it so, Bardelys, and I look to be obeyed."

For a moment temptation had me by the throat. Here was an
unlooked-for chance to shake from me a business which reflection was
already rendering odious. I had but to call together my friends of
yesternight, and with them the Comte de Chatellerault, and inform
them that by the King was I forbidden to go awooing Roxalanne de
Lavedan. So should my wager be dissolved. And then in a flash I saw
how they would sneer one and all, and how they would think that I had
caught avidly at this opportunity of freeing myself from an undertaking
into which a boastful mood had lured me. The fear of that swept aside
my momentary hesitation.
"Sire," I answered, bending my head contritely, "I am desolated that my
inclinations should run counter to your wishes, but to your wonted
kindness and clemency I must look for forgiveness if these same
inclinations drive me so relentlessly that I may not now turn back."
He caught me viciously by the arm and looked sharply into my face.
"You defy me, Bardelys?" he asked, in a voice of anger.
"God forbid, Sire!" I answered quickly. "I do but pursue my destiny."
He took a turn in silence, like a man who is mastering himself before
he will speak. Many an eye, I knew, was upon us, and not a few may
have been marvelling whether already Bardelys were about to share the
fate that yesterday had overtaken his rival Chatellerault. At last he
halted at my side again.
"Marcel," said he, but though he used that name his voice was harsh,
"go home and ponder what I have said. If you value my favour, if you
desire my love, you will abandon this journey and the suit you
contemplate. If, on the other hand, you persist in going - you need not
return. The Court of France has no room for gentlemen who are but
lip-servers, no place for courtiers who disobey their King."