The Sorceress of Paris: being the chronicle of Jean Louis Charles Count de Dunois

Front matter

THE SORCERESS OF PARIS THE C~J BEING ;the (jhronicle of (JJe^nIouis Charles (gjUNT^ DllNOIS P. //. Z?/TCHF/£La MJ..FJA !■ ZsondCorL . Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. At the Ballantyne Press I have set in order at the close of a long life a few things that may be of service to thee, O stranger. These pertain to the affairs of our beloved France, and, therefore, will not be without interest to thee. Many things I may now assert openly which thou didst privily suspect, and in wisdom kept to thyself; and if thou encounterest any one who still doubts concerning them, entreat him not to give credit to abused gossips, nor to corrupt flatterers, but rather to me who speak nothing but truth, and that out of conscientious sincerity. In this chronicle I am about to tell thee more of him whom the nobles of France have no cause to love ; something which no man knoweth but I my- V VI self; something which I have kept secret for many years, and which has aroused against me the suspicions of the crafty and the cackling of fools.

I shall tell thee of one of surpassing beauty, who by her arts wrought much evil, and yet withal was not wholly to be despised. Magic has many votaries, but few can equal her whom men call the Sorceress, and whose name I have given to this book. I wot not of the magic arts, the power of the evil eye, and charms, and other mysteries; but the words of the English poet whose verses are not altogether without merit, though he be not a Frenchman, are true, methinks : — :' There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.1 I shall tell thee of many who have now finished their course, of some who survive, of one who still sits at my side and brings to me great comfort But I would fain speak with thee, O stranger, of the great cardinal, whose mighty spirit has just passed away, and whose name is on all men's lips, and bid thee wonder that he who commoved the world, and aspired even to rule heaven itself (as appears by his choosing for himself the motto Mens sidera volvit), now should be imprisoned in so small a space.

And that thou mayest understand what an intelligence that was, know that he was of a sagacious industry, but unquiet, an enemy both of the public and of his own private tranquillity. He stood thus long, not so much through favour, as his power with a mighty king, and was happy in the event of things, rather than in the prudent management of them. This Richelieu was the sworn foe of the nobles of France; some he condemned to perpetual imprisonment, more to banishment, and very many to the scaffold. He proscribed many lest they should hinder his designs; nor did our beloved France ever behold so fre quent punishments. In that he was a cardinal he afflicted the Church; being a priest, he shed blood; being a Chris tian, he forgave no injuries; and being a man, he yet would not remember him self to be mortal.

Chapter I How

I GO TO PARIS, AND MINE ADVEN- TURE IN THE MERRY GREENWOOD Three leagues yet to Paris ! The way was long, and I had ridden far. 'Twas not thus that my sires used to approach the gay capital of France, attended by only two serving-men. They were accus tomed to enter Paris at the head of two or three hundred men-at-arms ; but times had changed for the noblemen of France, and the Count de Dunois had shared their evil fortunes. Left an orphan at an early age, I had a been unable to resist the wrongs that had been done to me. My youth was spent in the old chateau of Marcigni on the Loire, alone and almost friendless, save that a few faithful domestics still clung to the ruined house and refused to desert its defenceless master. The allies and friends of our family had long since flown away, like birds which escape from falling buildings.

Only the vultures remained to seek for prey. I loved well the sport, riding and hunting as I listed. I learnt well to use my sword and rapier as befits a gentleman. Old Antoine taught me that, and I could cut and thrust and parry with the best. But there were crafty heads in Paris who knew how to despoil the defenceless, and plunder the estates of nobles who were too young to resist. I was now a man, determined for the sake of my ancient race to defend the honour of our name and to restore the fortunes of mine house. And so, to Paris ! I would see the king, and frequent the court. I would confront his ministers, and know why I had been thus defrauded of my rights and property. It was told to me that Richelieu had a ready way with inconvenient suitors, that a living grave in the Bastille enclosed many a suf ferer who had complained too loudly of wrong and spoliation.

But the voices of my sires bade me save my name and for tunes. I could but die in the attempt, and death would be far sweeter than disgrace. As I rode along I had leisure to reflect on my position. I had a thousand crowns about my person, the savings which my dear old nurse had scraped together, and some three hundred pieces which I found in a secret drawer in my father's old desk. Little did the old man think how useful that money would hereafter be for the saving of his house. I had a good horse named Rollo ; his skin was black as a raven's plume, he never seemed to tire, and his speed has been of service to me more than once. My serving-men were faithful and needed not hire, so true were they to the family they served. These were Antoine, who taught me to fence, and his son Robert. I had but to provide for their necessities, and knowing not the ex penses of living nigh the court, I reckoned that we had enough to keep us for some time, at least as long as I should need to regain my rights.

I knew that I should be a stranger in a strange land, for of courtly ways and modes I was entirely ignorant. Only one courtier I knew, and him I liked not much, even Count Bussy d'Ambroise, who had an estate nigh mine own. He had promised to use his influ ence in my behalf, and to introduce me to the nobles of the court ; and although I would have preferred a better surety, I must perforce make use of the best that was offered to me. I had sent on my two serving-men to the next town to secure a sleeping chamber for the night, and was musing on my sorry fortunes when I heard the scream of a female in the wood nigh at hand. Instantly I turned Rollo's head in that direction, and rode hastily to the spot whence the sound had proceeded. There I found a girl in the hands of two ruffians who had wound a cloak around their victim's face, and were bearing her away.

With a shout I bade them stop, and seeing an armed man rushing down upon them, they hastily took to their heels and fled. I fired a shot after them, and then leaping from the saddle, has tened to assist the maiden, who was lying on the ground unconscious. I removed the foul cloak that hid her features and almost stifled her, and beheld a vision of loveliness that had never greeted mine eyes before. I was almost lost in the contemplation of such exquisite beauty. Masses of golden hair framed a face of rare attractiveness ; the delicate features, the clear soft skin, the bright red lips, that would have tempted an anchorite, made up a picture that no limner's skill could equal. And then there were the shapely arms lying motionless by her side, the exquisite form and graceful limbs — I never knew that such beauty could exist ; but I was young then in the study of woman's graces and per fections.

I bore some water from a spring and sprinkled it on her face. She revived, and started up. "Where am I ?" she cried. "You are safe now, mademoiselle," I replied. "Ah! I remember! those evil men waylaid me and would have borne me hence, and struck and hurt me ; and you . . . rescued me. How can I thank you, sir ? " And she looked down and blushed ; and I seemed to lose my breath, and scarce could answer her. Suddenly I heard steps behind me, and a dozen angry voices cried — "Kill the raye! kill him!" And one advanced with a thick staff in his hand, and seeing that he was about to strike me, I drew my sword and placed myself in a position of defence. " Stay, Ambrose ! " said the maid, rais ing her arm. "What is this that thou wouldst do ? This gentleman is my pre server, my saviour." " Is that so, Nanette ?

" replied the gipsy, for such he seemed to be. "We were looking for thee in the forest and heard thy scream, and thought that this . . . gentleman must be hunting our deer. If it had been so, it would have fared ill with him, I warrant." " Nay, it was not he. Two ruffians set on me, but they fled when he appeared. Thou art somewhat tardy in thy succour, Ambrose ; but I doubt whether the villains would have fled so swiftly at the sight of thy ragged coat and sorry weapon." This the maid said with a scornful smile, and looked up at me and laughed. "The staff's good enough to thrash villains," replied the gipsy angrily. " You shouldn't stray so far from the tents, Nanette, or you'll be falling in with too many of these gentlemen." The fellow eyed me so maliciously that I was minded to bid him look less surly, but my thoughts were full of the lovely gipsy maid, and I heeded not his looks.

" Our tents are not far from here,. monsieur," said the maid ; " wilt thou not allow our queen to thank thee for thy kindness to me, and perchance thou wouldst not scorn a gipsy's hospitality ? " This she said with so courtly a grace and so sweet an air that I was filled with wonder. " If thou art not a queen, thou de servest to reign some day. Are all gipsies as fair as thou ? If that were so, I would fain take to the tents and the merry greenwood." The maid blushed, and stammered that gipsies were not used to courtly ways, and liked not compliments. " But wilt thou come, sir ? " she said invitingly. "Assuredly will I, if I may make so bold," I replied. Wisdom guideth not a young man's counsels when pretty women confuse his understanding ; and I reflected that it was not overwise to venture with all my worldly goods into an encampment of lawless gipsies, especially as Master Ambrose seemed to bear me no goodwill.

Nanette walked by my side and craved leave to lead my horse, who regarded her with wondering eyes. " What a beautiful creature he is ! " said Nanette ; and Rollo threw up his head, and looked as if he would like to return the compliment. " How soft and sleek his skin ! " she continued, stroking his glossy neck ; " and he seems to speak with those large brown eyes." " Rollo is very dear to me, Nanette, if I may so call you. We are old com rades, and have had many a chase to gether. But tell me, are all gipsies like you ? I have seen many nigh my old home, and they were all dark as chestnuts, and they can tell fortunes. Can you tell fortunes, Nanette ? Will you tell mine ? " " Nay, sir, I have not the gift. I see not as many of my race. Mine hair is not dark like theirs ; I know not why. Perhaps I may not have been always a gipsy.

I seem to remember once living in a house ; and there was a lovely garden in which I used to roam and gather flowers ; but I think that it may have been a beautiful dream. Mamie tells me that I speak foolishness some times. But tell me of yourself. Are you going to Paris ? " " Ah ! yes, Nanette, to Paris, to seek my fortunes, which have been sore of late. It is a pity that thou canst not read what the future has in store for me." " I wish that it may be well with you, monsieur. You are my preserver, you know; and I should like to think that you are safe and prosperous, for we shall never meet again." I could see a tear fall on the lovely hand that held Rollo's rein. " Perhaps Fate may be kinder than we wot of, Nanette. Would you like to see me again ? " "Assuredly, monsieur," she exclaimed with simple earnestness.

What else we might have said, I know not ; but the barking of many dogs and the hum of voices told me that we were nigh the tents. The encampment seemed a large one. I saw about twenty strong, active men and about a dozen youths. In spite of my weapons, I felt that I should fare ill if they should turn upon me. There were three camp-fires, around which the gipsies were gathered according to their age. Around the first a crowd of children played and danced, nigh the second the youths and maidens congre gated, and around the centre, whither my fair guide conducted me, the elders sat. " Raye ! raye ! " shouted the gipsies as I passed, whereby I understood that they recognised me as a gentleman, and many a dark eye flashed a glance at me as I moved along. " Mamie ! " cried Nanette, " I have brought to you a friend who saved my life just now.

Welcome him, I pray you." A buxom nut-brown dame, whom they called their queen, appeared at the door of one of the tents, and taking my hand, placed it to her brow. " The raye is welcome, Nanette ; but how came he to save thee ? " she asked. Nanette told her story, and magnified my poor services amazingly. Ambrose, the gipsy, liked not the narrative, and scowled when Nanette laughed at his tardy rescue and his attempted assault on me. " Well, well, child," said the queen, " it will be a lesson to thee not to wander so far again. Thou mayst not always find a gallant to save thee, and even gallants harm maidens' hearts sometimes, and are not always to be trusted. Eh ! monsieur?" " I wot not of the ways of gallants, madame," I replied ; " but God knows I would not wound a maiden's heart, or stain the honour of the name I bear."

" I believe you, sir," said the queen. " But you have doubtless travelled far, and will share our humble meal." Nanette served me, and brought to me from the cal dron as savoury a stew as ere I wished to eat She proffered me her own wine-cup, which was of silver, and was pleased when I admired its workmanship. When the feast was over, the queen bade Nanette to sing. She hasted to bring her lute, and then sang the most beautiful melody I had ever heard, which long haunted me. The tune was in a plaintive minor key, harmonising well with the words, some of which I in part remember. They were as follows : — " Lonely is the gipsy's lot, Wandering on from cot to cot, Shedding hope where joy is not, And sorrows fly ; No matter if it be not true ; Hope is good if joys be few, Time enough for plaintive rue When roses die."

And then she tuned her lute afresh, and sang another gentle melody : — " Echos de ces forets qui m'avez tant de fois Re"petez les serments que m'a fait CeUimene, Et vous oiseaux qui chantez dans ce bois, Apprenez ma mortelle peine. L'ingrate fait couler mes pleurs ; D'un autre amant elle recoit l'hommage. £chos, Echos, re"petez mes douleurs, Et qu'elles touchent la volage ! Echos, £chos, re'pe'tez mes douleurs, Et qu'elles touchent la volage ! " I would fain have listened all night long to the harmony of sweet sounds and the gipsy's tender singing. " And thou art bound for Paris ? " said the queen. "Thou wilt see Susanne, I warrant me." "Who is Susanne ?" I inquired. "Oh, thou wilt discover that soon enough. Every one knows Susanne." And with that I had to be content. " You promised to tell me my fortune, Nanette," I said.

" Ah ! yes. Mamie will tell you that. I read not the stars." " Let me see thine hand, monsieur," said the queen. She gazed at it for some minutes by the light of the fire. " Thou wouldst know what Fate has in store for thee ? " she at length asked. " Assuredly, an' it please you to tell me." "Thou art going into many dangers. Nay, but it is a curious hand. The lines are strangely marked ; I like not its looks. The past is clear ; thou hast never loved. . . . Nay, I can tell no more ; the light is bad, and I would not hazard a guess. Thou wilt need wisdom, courage, and great firmness, or thy mission will not prosper. Thou wilt have many foes and few friends. There, that must suffice thee. I can read no more." I would fain have heard more, though I place little confidence in fortune-telling, and believe that the future is known only to One.

Moreover, I would have heard again Nanette's singing ; but I knew that my serving-men would be riding in quest of me if I tarried, and I might miss them on the way. Ambrose was ready to conduct me to the road, but I liked not the villain's looks, and declined his escort. Nanette whispered a word to the queen, who cried — " Robert, thou wilt lead the horse of the gentleman to the road. Ambrose, do thou come here, and cut some logs for the fire. Farewell, good sir ; may the stars protect thee ! " I made obeisance to the good-natured queen. I pressed Nanette's hand, and saw that there were tears in her eyes. " Farewell, my preserver," she said with a sigh ; " I will pray for your safety." " Look not so sad, little queen. We shall meet again, I trow." This I said to cheer her, for I knew that our paths in life were not likely to cross again.

"If thy tribe should ever wander into the forest of Forez, nigh Marcigni, forget not to seek the chateau of the Count de Dunois, and, if he be not dead by that time, he will be right glad to greet thee." " The Count de Dunois ! You are he ? I shall remember." So we parted. I plunged into the great forest, the gipsy, Robert, leading the horse, and soon we gained the road. Giving the man a crown, I galloped on towards the town. Two horsemen were riding towards me, and seeing me they reined in their steeds. I was relieved to find that they were my two serving-men, who were no less pleased at finding their master. Antoine presumed to upbraid me for incurring the risk into which I had run ; but I bade him to hold his tongue. I was thinking of Nanette. B

Chapter II

A NOBLE CONSPIRACY Confusion reigned in the inn when we arrived at the village of Rambouillet. The yard was filled with the horses and servants of some nobleman who had arrived in haste from Paris, and it was with difficulty that we could find stalls for our steeds. I heard that it was the Duke of Chatillon, one of the chiefs of the Huguenots, who was flying from Paris, the news having reached the capital that Soubise had attacked Blavet. He stayed not the night, but hasted on to gain a safer resting-place. Ere we started on the following morn ing, Antoine entered the guest-room and said that a gipsy wench wished to see "the Count." I hasted to the yard, J8 and there found the girl, who gave me a small packet, and said, as if she were re peating a lesson by rote — " Monsieur, Nanette sends you this.

You are to wear it always. It will keep you from danger." The packet contained a curious gold amulet of strange workmanship. Upon it was engraved a device which I could not recognise. I thanked the girl, and bade her tell Nanette that I would always wear her charm and remember its donor ; and at once I hung the ribbon to which it was attached about my neck. At length we gained Paris, and having secured accommodation at a hostel, I went in quest of my old friend Count Bussy dAmbroise, who had promised me his aid. I found him in his lodgings in the Rue Fromenteau, near the fashionable quarter of the city. Fortune seemed to have smiled on him. His doublet and cloak were made of rich Florentine stuffs, and were cut in a fashion that seemed to me both strange and inelegant. Therefore, doubtless, it was correct.

He seemed not overjoyed to see me, but said pleasantly — " So you have come to this flaring lamp, about which all busy moths fly and get their wings singed." "Thou seemest to have escaped so far, my friend," I replied. "The court appears to agree with thee, and thy finery becomes thee well, Bussy." " Dost think so ? " he said, regarding his new clothes with a self-satisfied air. " Methinks they're not amiss. Master Percerin made them for me as an especial favour." " Favour ! What has a rascally tailor to do with favours ? Surely he makes what he is ordered, and obeys the com mands of gentlemen." Bussy smiled at my vehemence, and said, "Softly, Dunois! He will never make a coat for thee if thou speakest to him in that tone. Percerin has so many fine customers that he can e'en choose whom he serves.

Thou wilt need a new doublet, Dunois ; thy clothes are a little old-fashioned." This he said with a whim sical air as he eyed my poor countrified garments. I blushed and knew not whether to resent his satire. " Come with me now, and we will beard this old lion. Fine feathers make fine birds, and if we smarten thy plumage a bit, I'll warrant thou wilt win the hearts of the young beauties of Anne's court. But stay ! we have weightier matters to discuss. Thou art here to gain again thy rights and property, of which thy foes have defrauded thee. The nobles of France have but one enemy. Destroy him, and thou wilt gain all thou desirest, and ten times more if thou hast the wits and a good sword. Come, wilt thou join us against this Richelieu ? There will be many pickings for us if the game be played well, and thou wilt gain thy cause."

"Ay, would I!" I exclaimed. "I hate this Richelieu, and would risk my life a thousand times to win back the for tunes of my family. For the sake of my sires I am here to fight" " That is well," replied Bussy ; " I will see some of our friends, and to-night thou wilt join us. And now for a new coat. Thy sword, I see, is well enough, and thou hast not forgotten how to use it, I'll warrant." And so we went to the tailor's house in the Rue St. Honore. Sunshine seldom shone in the dark and dismal purlieus of the Rue Piquet. High towering houses overhung the noisome narrow streets, wherein rank refuse rotted and filled the air with poisonous vapours. Long-legged swine rummaged among the garbage, and lean hungry dogs fought with them for the filthy food. The dwellers in this un savoury quarter of old Paris were the offscourings of a corrupt capital.

I knew not that such creatures could exist. Hideous beldames sat upon the steps; faces that once were comely, marked and worn by years of sin and folly, looked out of the windows ; hideous cut-throats and swashbucklers hung about the doors of the wine-shops ; sounds of drunken revelry and flash songs issued from within, and all was grim and dark and revolting. In the dusk of the evening Bussy led me along this noisome thoroughfare, bidding me to be cautious and wary. We both wore masks. " Keep thy hand upon thy sword, Dunois," he whispered, "and have eyes at the back of thine head as well as in front. We need to be well armed and on our guard in this den of cut-throats. I would not venture here alone for all the wealth in Paris." Sullen faces scowled at us as we passed, and I saw that his precautions were much needed.

" Stay ; this must be the house. We are safe so far," at length my companion exclaimed, as he glanced carefully up and down the street. He then knocked three times with the hilt of his sword at the door of an empty house, which was opened by a man wearing a mask and enveloped in a long cloak. After we had entered the door was instantly closed behind us and bolted. We proceeded along a passage which led to the back of the house, down a flight of stone steps, and found another strongly barred door. When the three knocks had again been sounded, this door was opened by another masked man, and we then found our selves in a vaulted chamber, the crypt of an old nunnery long ago deserted. There, in the chamber once hallowed by the prayers of the sisters, were gathered a strange company of men, whose dress betokened noble rank, and whose faces were all shrouded in black masks.

"Are all the brethren present ?" cried the voice of him who seemed to be their leader. He slowly counted the numbers — one, two, three, . . . twenty, twenty-one. " Ah ! methinks we have a new com rade to-night. Who vouches for him ? " said he who seemed their chief. " I do, my lord," replied Bussy. " The Count de Dunois is heart and soul in the cause. He is young yet, but of that fault time will surely cure him ; and he is not too young to know from his own experi ence the evils of our state and the malice of our foe." Having ordered me to remove my mask, and bidding me approach, the chief took my hand and said — " I bid thee welcome, Dunois. Thy sire was known to me as a good soldier and faithful friend ; mayst thou prove thyself to be a true friend and ally. Thou must take the oath of fidelity to our cause, and as thou valuest thy life thou wilt surely keep it.

On the cross of thy sword swear that thou wilt ever conceal and never reveal the secrets of this conclave ; that thou wilt wage war against all traitors to the State and nobles of France. So help thee God." I kissed the sword and took the re quired oath, and then retired to my seat by the side of Bussy. " We will now unmask, brothers ; the time for action has come," said the chief. When the masks were removed I be held many of the principal nobles of France, the elite of the court of Louis XIII. Bussy whispered to me the names of these illustrious personages. The man who acted as the leader was the Duke de Guise ; on his right sat the Duke d'Eper non. Near him was the fiery young Bouteville, who had fought twenty-two duels before he was twenty-seven years of age. There sat the Count de Chalais ; next to him the Duke de Chevreuse, whose wife was better known than her husband.

De Longueville, De Montmorency, and other nobles whose names are written in the history of France completed the assembly. " How long shall this man be a snare unto us ? " exclaimed De Montmorency. A babble of voices and the utterance of many strange oaths startled the echoes of the vaulted chamber, and the name of the great cardinal was uttered with every epithet of abuse. "These are mighty fine times, com rades, when a beggarly upstart dares to cross swords with the noblemen of France. Time was when nobles ruled the realm, and shall we suffer this my lord cardinal to snatch the sceptre from our grasp, and deck himself out with the robes and majesty of State ? He tries to crush us, to destroy our power, and even threatens our lives. Are we so im potent that we cannot avenge the insult, and curb the spirit of this malignant Churchman ?