Author: Alexandre Dumas
Category: Adventure
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CHAPTER XVI.
THE MARRIAGE.
"The two men approached the window. We gently opened it a littleway, and heard one say, 'Are you sure it is here?' 'Yes, monseigneur,quite sure,' said the other. 'It is the fifth house from thecorner of the Rue St. Paul.' 'And you are sure of the key?' 'Itook the pattern of the lock.' I seized Gertrude's arm in terror.'And once inside' he went on, 'the servant will admit us; yourhighness has in your pocket a golden key as good as this one.''Open, then.' We heard the key turn in the lock but all at oncethe ambushed men rushed forward, crying, 'a mort! a mort!' Icould not understand this, only I saw that unexpected help hadcome to us, and I fell on my knees, thanking Heaven. But theprince had only to name himself, when every sword went back intothe scabbard, and every foot drew back."
"Yes, yes," said Bussy, "it was for me they came, not for theprince."
"However, this attack caused the prince to retire, and the fivegentlemen went back to their hiding-place. It was evident thatthe danger was over for that night, but we were too unquiet togo to bed. Soon we saw a man on horseback appear, and then thefive gentlemen immediately rushed on him. You know the rest,as the gentleman was yourself."
"On the contrary, madame, I know only that I fought and thenfainted."
"It is useless to say," continued Diana, with a blush, "the interestthat we took in the combat so unequal, but so valiantly sustained.Each blow drew from us a shudder, a cry, and a prayer. We sawyour horse fall, and we thought you lost, but it was not so;the brave Bussy merited his reputation. At last, surrounded,menaced on all sides, you retreated like a lion, facing yourfoes, and came to lean against our door; the same idea came toboth of us, to go down and open to you, and we ran towards thestaircase; but we had barricaded the door, and it took us someminutes to move the furniture, and as we arrived on the stairs,we heard the door shut. We stopped, and looked at each other,wondering who had entered. Soon we heard steps, and a man appeared,who tottered, threw up his arms, and fell on the first step. Itwas evident that he was not pursued, but had put the door, soluckily left open by the duke, between him and his adversaries.In any case we had nothing to fear; it was he who needed our help.Gertrude ran and fetched a lamp, and we found you had fainted, andcarried you to the bed. Gertrude had heard of a wonderful curemade by a young doctor in the Rue Beautrellis, and she offered togo and fetch him. 'But,' said I, 'he might betray us.' 'I willtake precautions' said she. She took money and the key, and Iremained alone near you, and--praying for you."
"Alas!" said Bussy, "I did not know all my happiness, madame."
"In a quarter of an hour Gertrude returned, bringing the youngdoctor with his eyes bandaged."
"Yes, it was at that moment I recovered my senses and saw yourportrait, and thought I saw you enter," said Bussy.
"I did so; my anxiety was stronger than my prudence. The doctorexamined your wound and answered for your life."
"All that remained in my mind," said Bussy, "like a dream, andyet something told me," added he, laying his hand upon his heart,"that it was real."
"When the surgeon had dressed your wound, he drew from his pocketa little bottle containing a red liquor, of which he put somedrops on your lips. He told me it was to counteract the fever andproduce sleep, and said that the only thing then was to keep youquiet. Gertrude then bandaged his eyes again, and took him backto the Rue Beautrellis, but she fancied he counted the steps."
"He did so, madame."
"This supposition frightened us. We feared he would betray us,and we wished to get rid of every trace of the hospitality wehad shown you. I gathered up my courage; it was two o'clock,and the streets were deserted; Gertrude was strong, and I aidedher, and between us we carried you to the Temple. Luckily wemet no one, but when we returned, I fainted with emotion."
"Oh! madame!" cried Bussy, "how can I ever repay you for whatyou have done for me?"
There was a moment's silence, and they heard the clock of St.Catherine's church strike. "Two o'clock," cried Diana, "and youhere!"
"Oh! madame, do not send me away without telling me all. Supposethat God had given you a brother, and tell this brother whathe can do for his sister."
"Alas! nothing now; it is too late."
"What happened the next day?" said Bussy; "what did you do onthat day when I thought constantly of you, without feeling sureif you were not a vision of my delirium?"
"During that day, Gertrude went out, and met Aurilly. He wasmore pressing than ever. He said nothing of the night before,but asked for an interview for his master. Gertrude appearedto consent, but she asked until the Wednesday--that is to-day--todecide. Aurilly promised that his master would wait until then.That evening, M. de Monsoreau returned. We told him all, exceptabout you.
"'Yes,' said he, 'I heard of all this. Then he has a key.' 'Canwe not change the lock?' 'He will get another key.' 'Put on bolts?'He will come with ten men and force the door. 'But the event whichwas to give you full power over him?' 'Is postponed indefinitely.'I stood in despair. 'Monsieur,' said I, 'the duke has promised towait till Wednesday; I ask you to wait till Tuesday.' 'Tuesdayevening I will be here, madame,' and without another word hewent out. I followed him with my eyes, but instead of going awayhe stood in the corner by the Hotel des Tournelles, and seemeddetermined to watch me all night. Every proof of devotion he gaveme was like a knife in my heart. The two days passed rapidly, butwhat I suffered it is impossible to describe. When Tuesday eveningcame, I felt exhausted, and all emotion seemed dead within me.
"Gertrude went to the window. 'Madame,' cried she, 'four men!I see four men! They approach, they open the door--they enter!It is, doubtless, the duke and his followers.' For an answer,I drew my poniard, and placed it near me on the table. 'See,'said I. An instant after, Gertrude returned, 'It is the count,'said she. He entered. 'Gertrude tells me,' said he, 'that youtook me for the duke, and were ready to kill yourself.' It wasthe first time I had ever seen him moved. Gertrude was wrong totell you,' said I. 'You know that I am not alone.' 'Gertrude sawfour men.' 'You know who they are?' 'I presume one is a priest,and the others witnesses.' 'Then, you are ready to become mywife?' 'It was so agreed; only I stipulated that except in anurgent case, I would only marry you in the presence of my father.''I remember; but do you not think the case urgent?' 'Yes, andthe priest may marry us, but, until I have seen my father, Iwill be your wife only in name.'
"The count frowned, and bit his lips. 'I do not wish to coerceyou,' said he; 'you are free; but look here.' I went to the window,and saw a man wrapped in a cloak, who seemed trying to get intothe house."
"Oh! mon dieu!" cried Bussy; "and this was yesterday?"
"Yes, about nine o'clock. Presently, another man, with a lantern,joined him. I thought it was the duke and his followers.
"'Now,' said, M de Monsoreau, 'shall I go or stay?' I hesitateda moment, in spite of my father's letter and of my given word,but those two men there----"
"Oh! unhappy that I am," cried Bussy, "it was I and Remy, theyoung doctor."
"You!" cried Diana.
"Yes, I; I, who, more and more convinced of the reality of mydream, sought for the house where I had been, and the woman,or rather angel, who had appeared to me. Oh! I am unfortunate.Then," continued he, after a pause, "you are his wife?"
"Since yesterday."
There was a fresh silence.
"But," said Diana at last, "how did you enter this house?"
Bussy silently showed his key.
"A key! where did you get it?"
"Had not Gertrude promised the prince to enter tonight? He hadseen M. de Monsoreau here, and also myself, and fearing a snare,sent me to find out."
"And you accepted this mission?"
"It was my only method of penetrating to you. Will you reproachme for having sought at once the greatest joy and the greatestgrief of my life?"
"Yes, for it is better that you should see me no more, and forgetme."
"No, madame; God has brought me to you, to deliver you from thetoils in which your enemies
have taken you. I vow my life toyou. You wish for news of your father?"
"Oh, yes! for, in truth, I know not what has become of him."
"Well, I charge myself with finding out; only think of him whohenceforth will live but for you."
"But this key?"
"This key I restore to you, for I will receive it only from yourhands; but I pledge you my word as a gentleman, that never sistercould trust in a brother more devoted and respectful."
"I trust to the word of the brave Bussy. Here, monsieur," andshe gave back the key.
"Madame, in a fortnight we will know more;" and, saluting Dianawith a respect mingled with love and sadness, Bussy took leave.Diana listened to his retreating steps with tears in her eyes.