Diana of Meridor

Front matter

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Book ~ s

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Chapter I. The Nuptials

On Shrove-Sunday, in the spring of 1578, at an hour when the popular diversions customary on that day were brought to a close, but while their echoes still lingered in the streets of the capital, a sumptuous carousal was commencing in the magnificent mansion, recently erected on , other side of the river, facing the Louvre, by the illustrious family of the Montmorencies, which, through its intermarriages with the blood r»yai, ranked among the princely families of the monarchy. The object of this private festivity was to celebrate the nuptials of Francis d’ Lpinay de Saint-Luc, one of the inrniate friends and favorites of Kiim Henry III., with Joan de Cosse-Bris-

sac, daughter of the Marshal of the same name.

The regale had already been given at the Louvre, and there the Kinowas present, but in no other way did he manifest his approbation of the event. On the contrary, the severity ot his an- and manner was not at all in harmony with the occasion. His costume, moreover, tallied with the expression of his countenance: for it was the same dark brown costume m which he is represented by Clouet nearing at th? nuptials of Joyeuse ; his species of royal spectre, serious and majestic, had chilled *ifcfc teiroi the hearts of the guests, and especially of the young bride, toward whom he had, from time to time, cast glances that were anything but o-racious or condescending.

Nevertheless, the gloomy port and carriage of the King at a banquet where all else was joy and gaiety, had seemed strange to no one ; for the cause was one of that class of court secrets which may be compared to those rocks level with the surface of the water, which are certain to destroy the mariner who does but touch them.

The repast was scarcely over, when the King rose, and agreeably to etiquette, his example was followed by all present, including those who if t n.ii wishes had been consulted, would have remained at table. For this moment, Saint-Luc had waited, and casting one look towards his bude, as if to gather courage from her eyes, he approached the Kino-.

“ Sire,” said, “ will your Majesty honor me by accepting the entertainment 1 purpose giving this evening at the Hotel Montmorency?”

Henry III. turned round with a movement of peevish anger, whilst aint-Luc, on bended knee, continued to urge his suit in a subdued voice, and with such manner as he deemed

best calculated to win a favorable answer.

' ^ sir,” replied the Kin**, u we shall be present, although you certainly do not deserve at our hands this evidence of regard.”

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Then Mademoiselle de Brissac, just become Madame de Saint-Luc, humbly thanked the King ; but Henry took no farther notice of either bride or bridegroom.

u What has the King against you ?” inquired Joan of her husband.

u Sweet one,” replied Saint-Luc, 1,1 I’ll tell you another time — when the King’s anger shall have passed away. ”

u But will it pass away?” continued Joan.

u It must,” replied Saint-Luc.

Mademoiselle de Brissac had not been long enough Madame de Saint- Luc to insist farther ; so she repressed her curiosity, for the time being, promising herself to find a time and place when it would be out of Saint- Luc’s power to refuse to gratify it.

Accordingly, at the moment of time our story opens, Henry’s presence was expected at the Hotel Montmorency. But it was already eleven o’clock, and the king had not yet arrived.

Saint-Luc’s invitations had extended to all the Kind’s friends as well as his own ; he had included the princes and the friends of the princes, especially those of our old acquaintance, the Duke d’ Alenvon, become Duke of Anjou on the accession of Henry III. to the throne ; but the Duke of Anjou, who was not present at the banquet at the Louvre, did not seem likely to honor with his presence the ball at the Hotel Montmorency.

As for the King arid Queen of Navarre, .they had made their escape to Bearn, and were in open opposition, waging war at the head of the Hu-

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genots.

The Duke of Anjou, too, was, as usual, in the opposition, but his deeds were done in the dark. He took care to keep himself in the background, whilst he urged forward such of his friends as had not been cured by the examples of Mole and Coconnas.

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It is needless to say that his followers, and those of the King, were on the worst of terms ; in fact, encounters between the hostile parties were frequent, and on such occasions death or fatal injury was almost invariably the result to one or both of the parties engaged.

As for Catherine, she had reached the summit of her wishes. Her dearly beloved son had reached that throne which she had so ardently coveted for him, or rather for herself. She reigned in his name, whilst, to all outward appearance, she was quitfl detached from the pomp and glory cJL this world, and solely occupied with the salvation of her soul in the other.

Saint-Luc, although really alarmed by the continued absence of royalty, was exerting himself to re-assure his father-in-law, an undertaking of difficult accomplishment. Convinced, like the rest of the world, of King Henry’s regard and friendship for Saint-Luc, he had hoped to ally himself with the royal favor, when, behold, it seemed as if his daughter had connected herself with disgrace ! Saint-Luc was exhausting his ingenuity to convey a feeling of security which he himself did not possess, whilst his friends, Maugiron, Schomberg, and Quelus, elaborately bedizened, stiff and erect in splendid doublets, with huge ruffs which seemed like dishes containing their heads, as at the banquet of King Herod, helped to unnerve him still more by their unfeeling raillery.

u Really, my dear fellow,” said Quelus, u I’m afraid that this time you’re done for. The King bears you ill-will, because you scorned his advice, and the Duke of Anjou because you scorned his nose !”

u No,” replied Saint-Luc, u the King is not come because he has gone on a pilgrimage to the minions in Vincennes wood, and the Duke of Anjou is absent, because he is in love with some woman whom I have failed to invite to meet him here.” u Come,” said Maugiron, u did

THE LADY OF MONSOREAU.

you see the face the King put on at dinner? Was it exactly that of a man who was about to grasp the pilgrim’s staff, on pious thoughts intent ? And as regards the Duke of Anjou; granting his own absence to be occasioned by no cause you assign, why are not his Angevins here ? Is there a single one of them ? Look around ! a complete eclipse ! not even that swash -buckler, De Bussy!”

“ Truly, gentlemen,” said the Duke de Brissac, dolefully shaking his head, “this has to me all the appearance of a thorough disgrace. How can our house, that has never failed in devotion to the monarchy, have offended his Majesty?” 4 ,

In making this important query, the old courtier raised his two hands to heaven in anguish.

The young nobles looked at Saint- Luc, and burst into roars of laughter, which, far from re-assuring the Duke, onlv made matters worse.

Suddenly, at one of the doors opening into the room, the King’s presence was announced.

“ Ah!” cried the Marshal, exultingly, “ now, I fear nothing, and could I but hear the Duke of Anjou’s name announced, my joy would be complete.”

“ And I,” muttered Saint-Luc, “ I am still more afraid of the King present than of the King absent, for 1 feel convinced that he is here only for some sinister purpose ; and I feel equally convinced that it is for a sinister purpose the Duke of Anjou is absent.”

Despite this unfavorable view of his position, he hastened forward to meet the King, who had changed his dark-brown costume, and was advancing resplendent with satin, feathers, and jewels.

But, at the same moment King Henry III. made his appearance at one of the doors, another Henry III., exactly like the first, dressed in the same colors, with an identical ruff, and in all respects identically bedizened, appeared at the opposite door.

The courtiers, for an instant attracted towards the first, stopped short, like the stream at the pier of a bridge, and fell back in circling eddies from the first to the second king.

Henry III. remarked the movement, and seeing before him nothing but gaping mouths, staring eyes, and numerous bodies describing an infinite variety of pirouettes, exclaimed :

“ Well, gentlemen, what is the matter ?”

A prolonged burst of laughter was the only answer. The King, naturally impatient, and in his present mood indisposed to pleasantry., was beginning to knit his eye-brows, when Saint-Luc approached him.

u Sire,” said the latter, “it is your jester, Chicot, who has dressed himself up precisely like your Majesty, and who is offering his hand to the ladies that they may kiss it.”

Henry III. laughed. Chicot enjoyed at the court of the last Valois a liberty similar to that which was enjoyed thirty years previous by Triboulet at the court of Francis I., and which was enjoyed forty years later by Langely, at the court of King Louis XIII. '

In fact, Chicot was no ordinary merry-andrew. Before bearing the name of Chicot, he had been called De Chicot. He was a gentleman by birth, who, driven from his native province of Brittany by the ill-treatment of Monsieur de Mayenne, had taken refuge under the protection of Henry III., and who repaid with merry sayings, sometimes involving painful truths, the favor of the monarch.

“ Ho ! Master Chicot,” said Henry, “two kings here are rather too many.”

“ Then let me play my part of king after my fashion, and do you try your best at that of Duke of Anjou ; perhaps you’ll be taken for him, and if so, you may have things said to you by which you may learn, not

what he thinks, but what he does.”

“ I had forgotten,” said the King.

looking round with a dissatisfied air, “ my brother of Anjou is not here.” u The very reason why you should take his place. It is agreed ; I am Henry, and you are Francis. I’ll bear the sceptre, and you’ll dance ; I’ll ape the monarch, whilst you’ll amuse yourself. Poor King !”

The King, who was watching Saint- Luc, replied :

u You are right, Chicot ; I’ll dance.”

u Certainly,” thought* Brissac, u I was wrong in supposing the King to be displeased with us. On the contrary, his Majesty is in excellent humor.”

And he ran from right to left, congratulating every one, and especially himself, for having bestowed his daughter on a man possessing so large a share of the royal favor.

Meanwhile, Saint-Luc had rejoined his wife. Mademoiselle de Brissac was not exactly a beauty, but she had fine black eyes, black hair, white teeth, and a dazzling complexion, the whole constituting a countenance of rare intelligence.

Still pre-oocupied by one idea, ci Monsieur,” said she to her husband, u what have people been telling: me ? That the King was discs 3

pleased with me ! Why, since he has been here, he has done nothing but smile on me.”

u You didn’t say so on our way back from dinner, my dear Joan ; his look then terrified you.”

u His Majesty was doubtless out of humor then,” said the young wife, u but now-—”

u Now ’tis worse,” interrupted Saint-Luc ; u the King is laughing with closed lips. I had rather he Should show liis teeth. Joan, my sweet one, the King is planning some treachery against us. Here now, don’t look so tenderly at me. Rather turn your back on me. Here comes Maugiron ; don’t let him pass you ; seize upon him — do what you can to occupy his attention.”

u Do you know, sir,” said Joan, smiling, “ you are giving rather singular advice, and that if I followed it literally, people might think — ”

u Ah!” interrupted Saint-Luc, with

a sigh, u all would be well if people, really should think so.”

And, turning away from his whose astonishment could not b« surpassed, he crossed over to pay him court to Chicot, who was enacting the part of King in a most diverting manner.

Meanwhile, Henry, availing himself of the license he had given himself, was dancing, but while hr danced, he never lost sight of Saint Luc.

Sometimes he called him over t« make some jocular remark, which, whether of good or false alloy, had the privilege of making the listener laugh. At other times, he offered him, from his comfit box, crisp almonds and dried fruits, which Saint- Luc would declare to be delicious. And, if Saint-Luc disappeared for a moment from a room in which the King was, to do the honors of a host elsewhere, a page or officer was immediately dispatched for him ; whereupon Saint-Luc would return smiling to his master, who was only to be satisfied by his constant presence.

Suddenly a noise, sufficiently loud to be distinguished from the general tumult, struck Henry’s ears.

u Ho !” said he ; u it seems to me I hear Chicot’s voice. Listen, Saint- Luc ! The King is angry.”

u Yes, sire,” replied Saint-Luc ; u he seems to be quarrelling wkh some one.”

u Go and see what it is,” said the King, u and hasten back to let me know.”

Saint-Luc went on his errand.

Chicot was heard screaming through his nose, as the King was wont, on certain occasions, to do.

u I have made various sumptuary proclamations, nevertheless. But, if those I have made will not suffice, I shall make others; I shall make them until they do suffice ; I shall make up

THE LADY OF MONSOREAU.

by quantity what they may want in quality. By the great horn of Belzebub, cousin — six pages, Monsieur de Bussy, exceed all bounds.”

And Chicot, puffing his cheeks, bending his hips, and placing one arm a-kimbo, did the king to admiration.

u What does he say about De Busgy ?” asked the King, knitting his eye-brows.

Saint-Luc, who had returned, was on the point of answering the King, when the crowd, opening, made way for six pages, dressed in cloth of gold, decorated with collars, and wearing emblazoned on their breasts the armorial bearings of their master, blazing with precious stones. Behind them stepped a man, young, proud, and handsome ; his head was thrown back, his eye bold and daring, his lip disdainfully turned up, while his plain black, velvet dress, contrasted with the rich liveries of his pages.

u Bussy !” was heard on all sides ; u Bussy d’Amboise !” Everyone ran forward to see or greet the new comer, and then stood aside to let him pass.

Maugiron, Schomberg and Quelus, placed themselves by the King’s side, as if to defend him.

u See !” said the first, alluding to the unexpected presence of De Bussy, and to the protracted absence of the Duke of Anjou, to whom De Bussy was attached ; u see ! here comes the valet, but not the valet’s master.”

“ Wait awhile,” returned Quelus, u before the valet, we had the valet’s valets. The valet’s master is perhaps behind the master of the six valets.” u I say, Saint-Luc,” said Schomberg, the youngest of King Henry’s mignons , and one of the bravest, u Monsieur de Bussy does you but slight honor. See his black doublet ! Mordieu! do you call that awedding garment ?”

u No,” said Quelus, u but it would do for a funeral !”

u Ah !” muttered Henry, u why is it not for his own ? Why does he not wear, by anticipation, his own mourning ?”

u Meanwhile, Saint-Lac,” said Maugiron, u the Duke of Anjou does not seem to follow Bussy. Are you also in disgrace in that quarter?”

The also made Saint-Luc wince. u Why should he follow Bussy ?” returned Quelus. u Don’t you recollect that when his Majesty did Monsieur de Bussy the honor of asking him to be one of his Majesty’s men, Monsieur de Bussy made answer, that inasmuch as he belonged to the princely house of Clermont, he saw no occasion to bestow himself on any one, and that he was satisfied to remain his own master, assured, as he was, that he could find no better prince than himself in all the world round.”

The King frowned, and bit his

mustache.

u Notwithstanding what you say, Quelus,” returned Maugiron, u 5 tis pretty evident he’s one of Monscig neur d’ Anjou’s men.”

u It follows then,” replied Quelus, logically, u that Monseigneur d’ Anjou is a greater lord than our King.” This was the most irritating re mark that could be made in the pre sence of Henry, who had always fraternally detested his brother of Anjou.

Accordingly, although no word fell from his lips, he was seen to color.

u Come, come, gentlemen,” ventured to remark Saint-Luc, with no small fear and trembling; u spare my guesfs ; don’t mar my wedding-day.” These words of Saint-Luc seemed to restore Henry to another order of thought.

u Yes, gentlemen,” said he, u let us not mar Saint-Luc’s wedding-day.” As he pronounced these words, he twisted his fingers in his mustache in a jeering manner, which did not escape the notice of the poor bridegroom.

u Ho! Ho!” cried Schomberg, u so Bussy is related to the Bris^aes. ” u Why so ?” asked Maugiron.

I u Why ? Because Saint-Luc t^kes

I liis part. Que diable! In this lower world, where man has enough to do to take care of himself, we’re not likely to fight other people’s battles, unless they happen to be our relatives, connexions or friends.”

u Gentlemen,” said Saint-Luc, “ Monsieur de Bussy is neither my connexion, friend nor relative. He is my guest.”

The King cast a furious look at Saint-Luc.

u And moreover,” hastened the latter to add, deprecating the King’s anger, u I am not taking his part the least in the world.”

Bussy had slowly approached behind his pages, and was preparing to make his obeisance to the King, when Chicot, mortified by not having his claim to precedence acknowledged, exclaimed :

u Ho, there, I say — Bussy, Bussy d’ Amboise, Louis de Clermont, Count de Bussy — since I must give you all your titles to make you understand that it is to you I’m speaking — can’t you see the real Henry ? Can’t you tell the King from the jester ? You’re going towards Chicot, my fool, my merry-andrew — who does so many silly things, that I sometimes split my sides laughing at them.”

Bussy went on his way, and had reached the King, before whom he was on the point of bending, when Henry said to him :

u Do you not hear, Monsieur de Bussy? You are called.”

And in the midst of bursts of laughter from his mignons , he turned his back on the young officer.

Bussy reddened with anger ; but repressing his first movement, he affected to take seriously the King’s remark, and without appearing to have heard the insolent jeers of Quelus, Schomberg and Maugiron, turned round in the direction of Chicot.

u I beg pardon, Sire,” said he, u but there be Kings who so closely resemble fools, that I trust you will excuse me for having taken your fool for a King.”

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u Ahem !” muttered Henry, arresting his steps ; u what does he say ?” u Nothing, Sire,” replied Saint- Luc, who seemed that evening to have received from above the mission of pacificator, u nothing, absolutely nothing.”

u It matters not, Master Bussy,” said Chicot, raising himself on his toes, as was the King’s wont, when putting on the airs of majesty; u the thing is inexcusable.”

u Sire,” replied Bussy, u pardon me, I was thinking of something else.” u Of your pages, sir,” said Chicot, angrily. u You are ruining yourself in pages, and by so doing, Morbleu , you entrench on our prerogatives.” u How so ?” said Bussy, who knew that by entering the lists with the merry- an divw, the King’s side would get the worst of it. u I entreat your Majesty to explain, and if I have really erred, I shall make humble amends.”

u Gold cloth on such knaves,” said Chicot, pointing to the pages, u whilst you, a noble, a Colonel, a Clermont, almost a prince, you are dressed in plain black velvet !” u Sire, ’’said Bussy, turning towards the mignons of the King, u when one lives in an age in which knaves are dressed like princes, I maintain that it is a mark of good taste in princes, to dress like knaves, by way of distinction.”

As he pronounced these words, he paid back to the young mignons , sparkling with ornaments, the impertinent smile they had bestowed on him a moment previously.

Henry saw his favorites turn pale with anger ; they evidently only wanted a word from their master to fall on Bussy. Quelus, the most excited of their number against him, and who would have already fought him, had it not been for the express inhibition of the King, had his hand on Lis sword’s hilt.

THE LADY OF MONSOREAU.

“Is it for me and mine, you mean that ?” cried Chicot, who, having taken the King’s place, spoke as the King should have spoken.

The jester’s attitude of defiance was so extravagantly ridiculous that one half of the company burst into laughter. The other half did not laugh, and for a very simple reason — the half that laughed was laughing At the half that did not laugh.

Three of Bussy’s friends, imagining that there would be a brawl, had taken their places by his side. These were Charles Balzac d’Entraques, commonly called Entraquet, Livarot, and Ribeirac.

Seeing these preliminaries of hostility, Saint-Luc divined that Bussy had been sent there by the king’s brother to make a disturbance or pick a quarrel. His fears increased, for he felt himself placed as an intermediate between the violent passions of two great hostile powers, who had selected his house as their battle-field.

He ran over to Quelus, who appeared excited beyond the others, and placing his hand on the pommel of the young noble’s sword, whispered :

“ In the name of heaven, my dear fellow, be calm, and let us wait.”

“ Eh ! pardieu ! be calm yourself,” cried Quelus. “ That lubber’s blow hits you as well as me ; whoever attacks one of us, attacks us all ; and whoever attacks us all, attacks the King.”

Quelus, Quelus, bethink yourself of the Duke of Anjou, who is behind Bussy, all the more on the watch because he is absent, all the more to be feared because he is invisible. You will not do me the injustice to suppose that it is the valet, and not the master, whom I fear.” u Mordieu /” cried Quelus, “ whom need we fear when we belong to the

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King of France ? If we expose ourselves to peril in his behalf, the King of France will defend us.”

u Yes, yes, but me!” said Saint- Luc, piteously.

u Oh ! as for that,” said Quelus, “ why get married, knowing how jealous the King is in his friendships?” u I see,” said Saint-Luc, to himself, “ every one thinks of himself. I’ll look out for myself ; and since I would live in peace and quiet, one fortnight, at least, after marriage, lot, us try and make a friend of Monseigneur d’Anjou.”

Having come to this conclusion, he left Quelus, and went over toward Bussy.

After delivering his impertinent reply, Bussy had looked round the room with his ears open, to catch whatever retort he might have pro*- voked. But all heads were turned aside, and all lips were mute. Some were afraid to approve in the presence of the King, others to condemn in the presence of Bussy.

The latter, seeing Saint-Luc making up to him, took it for granted that he had at last found what he had been looking for.

“ Monsieur,” asked Bussy, “ you seem desirous of speaking to me — am I indebted for this honor to what I have just said ?”

“ To what you have just said,” returned Saint-Luc, with all possible suavity of manner. “ What have you just said ? I heard nothing ; but I saw you, and would wish to have the pleasure of bidding you welcome, and of thanking you for the honor of your presence in my house.”

Bussy was a man superior in all things ; brave to rashness, but lettered, witty, and excellent company. lie knew Saint-Luc’s courage, and did not fail to perceive that, under the circumstances, his devoir as a host prevailed over the susceptibility of the court exquisite. To any other person he would have repeated his provocation ; but he contented himself with merely bowing to Saint-Luc, and making reply in a few words of finished politeness.

“ So, so !” said Henry, seeing Saint-Luc with Bussy, u I believe my young cock has bearded the swaggerer. He lias done well, but I don’t want to have him killed. Go and see, Quelus. No, not you, Quelus, you’re too hot-headed. Go and see, Maugiron.”

Away darted Maugiron ; hut, Saint-Luc, who was on the watch, did not permit him to reach Bussy, and returning to the King’s presence, brought back Maugiron with him.

u What were you saying to that puppy Bussy ?” asked the King.

“ I, Sire ?” u Yes, you.”

“ I was bidding him good evening.”

u Ah ! that was all !” grumbled the King. u That was all, was it ?” Saint-Luc perceived that he had missed his point.

u I was bidding him good evening,” he resumed, u adding that I would have the pleasure of bidding him good morning no later than to-morrow.”

u Oh !” said Henry, “ I guessed as much. Madcap.”

u But will your gracious Majesty keep my secret,” said Saint-Luc.

u Oh, pardieu /” returned Henry, <( I have no wish to interfere with you. I am sure if you could rid me of him without receiving a scratch yourself” —

The mignons rapidly exchanged looks, which the King did not seem to notice.

u For, really,” continued the King, u the knave is insolent.”

u Yes, yes,” said Saint-Luc ; u but, rely upon one thing, Sire; he’ll ■find his master one of these days.” u The rascal,” returned the King, moving his head up and down. iC He’s a good hand at the sword. Why doesn’t he get bitten by some mad dog ? Then we should be rid of him in the right way.”

Saying these words, he scowled at Bussy, who, accompanied by his three friends, was moving about, jeering those whom he knew to be most hostile to the Duke of Anjou, and who were, therefore, as a matter of course, the King’s best friends.

u Corbleu /” cried Chicot, u you mustn’t elbow my gentlemen mignons in that stvle, for I can handle a sword, king as I am, neither more nor less than if I were a fool.”

u Ah ! the knave,” muttered Henry c u by my troth, he hits right.” u Let him repeat his impertinent jest, and I’ll chastise him, Sire,” said Maugiron.

u Don’t attempt it, Maugiron ; Chicot is a gentleman, and very touchy on the point of honor. Besides, it is not he who deserves chastisement, for he is not the most insolent.”

This time, there was no mistaking the King’s meaning. Queluslnade a sign to D’O, and D’Epernon.

u Gentlemen,” said Quelus, taking them aside, u let us consult together , as for you, Saint-Luc, entertain the King, and complete your work of restoring peace.”

Saint-Luc preferred the part assigned to him, and joined the King and Chicot, who were engaged in wordy contention.

Quelus withdrew with his four friends to a window recess.

u Well,” asked D’Epernon, u what have you to tell us ? I was busy paying my court to Madame de Joyeuse. I give you fair notice, that, unless you have something very interesting to communicate, I’ll not pardoy you. ”

u I want to tell you, gentlemen,” said Quelus, u that it is my purpose, immediately this ball is over, to take to the field.”

u Good,” said D’O, u for what ?” “ To hunt the wild boar.” u What a ridiculous whim ! To get a dig from a boar in this cold weather won’t be so very pleasant.” u It matters not ; I shall go.” u Alone ?” *

u No : with Maugiron and Schomberg. We hunt for the King.” u Yes, I understand,” said Schoia- I berg and Maugiron together

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“ The King would like to have a boar’s head served up to-morrow.”

“ With a cape thrown back, a Vltalienne ,” said Maugiron, alluding to the plain falling collar worn by Bussy, out of opposition to the ruffs of the mignons.

“Ah!” said D’Epernon, “good! I’m of the party.”

“ What’s in the wind ?” asked D’O, “ I don’t take.”