The Suitors of Yvonne | Page 9

I crossed the threshold of the "Soleil" and flung my dripping cloak to the first servant I chanced upon.
I glanced round the well-filled room, and at one of the tables I espied my quarry in company with St. Auban and Montm��dy--the very gentlemen who were to fight beside him that evening--and one Vilmorin, as arrant a coxcomb and poltroon as could be found in France. With my beaver cocked at the back of my head, and a general bearing that for aggressiveness would be hard to surpass, I strode up to their table, and stood for a moment surveying them with an insolent stare that made them pause in their conversation. They raised their noble heads and bestowed upon me a look of haughty and disdainful wonder,--such a look as one might bestow upon a misbehaving lackey,--all save Vilmorin, who, with a coward's keen nose for danger, turned slightly pale and fidgeted in his chair. I was well known to all of them, but my attitude forbade all greeting.
"Has M. de Luynes lost anything?" St. Auban inquired icily.
"His wits, mayhap," quoth Canaples with a contemptuous shrug.
He was a tall, powerfully built man, this Canaples, with a swart, cruel face that was nevertheless not ill-favoured, and a profusion of black hair.
"There is a temerity in M. de Canaples's rejoinder that I had not looked for," I said banteringly.
Canaples's brow was puckered in a frown.
"Ha! And why not, Monsieur?"
"Why not? Because it is not to be expected that one who fastens quarrels upon schoolboys would evince the courage to beard Gaston de Luynes."
"Monsieur!" the four of them cried in chorus, so loudly that the hum of voices in the tavern became hushed, and all eyes were turned in our direction.
"M. de Canaples," I said calmly, "permit me to say that I can find no more fitting expression for the contempt I hold you in than this."
As I spoke I seized a corner of the tablecloth, and with a sudden tug I swept it, with all it held, on to the floor.
Dame! what a scene there was! In an instant the four of them were on their feet,--as were half the occupants of the room, besides,--whilst poor Vilmorin, who stood trembling like a maid who for the first time hears words of love, raised his quavering voice to cry soothingly, "Messieurs, Messieurs!"
Canaples was livid with passion, but otherwise the calmest in that room, saving perhaps myself. With a gesture he restrained Montm��dy and St. Auban.
"I shall be happy to give Master de Luynes all the proof of my courage that he may desire, and more, I warrant, than he will relish."
"Bravely answered!" I cried, with an approving nod and a beaming smile. "Be good enough to lead the way to a convenient spot."
"I have other business at the moment," he answered calmly. "Let us say to- morrow at--"
"Faugh!" I broke in scornfully. "I knew it! Confess, Monsieur, that you dare not light me now lest you should be unable to keep your appointments for this evening."
"Mille diables!" exclaimed St. Auban, "this insolence passes all bounds."
"Each man in his turn if you please, gentlemen," I replied. "My present affair is with M. de Canaples."
There was a hot answer burning on St. Auban's lips, but Canaples was beforehand with him.
"Par la mort Dieu!" he cried; "you go too far, sir, with your 'dare' and 'dare not.' Is a broken gamester, a penniless adventurer, to tell Eug��ne de Canaples what he dares? Come, sir; since you are eager for the taste of steel, follow me, and say your prayers as you go."
With that we left the inn, amidst a prodigious hubbub, and made our way to the horse-market behind the H?tel Vend?me. It was not to be expected, albeit the place we had chosen was usually deserted at such an hour, that after the fracas at the "Soleil" our meeting would go unattended. When we faced each other--Canaples and I--there were at least some twenty persons present, who came, despite the rain, to watch what they thought was like to prove a pretty fight. Men of position were they for the most part, gentlemen of the Court with here and there a soldier, and from the manner in which they eyed me methought they favoured me but little.
Our preparations were brief. The absence of seconds disposed of all formalities, the rain made us impatient to be done, and in virtue of it Canaples pompously announced that he would not risk a cold by stripping. With interest did I grimly answer that he need fear no cold when I had done with him. Then casting aside my cloak, I drew, and, professing myself also disposed to retain my doublet, we forthwith engaged.
He was no mean swordsman, this Canaples. Indeed, his reputation was already widespread, and in the