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One day, about the third week in June, I had just returned from a morning gallop when Jacques met me in the courtyard with the news that Ambroise Devine had brought me a packet from Monsieur Bellièvre. I had almost forgotten the man, never having seen him since the morning when I started on the memorable journey to Tanlay. "It is along while since we met," I said, greeting him.
"You must be a person of importance," he declared merrily. "Your coming has created a tremendous commotion at Tanlay. Is it true that the Guises are bent on a fresh war?" "I cannot tell; I am nothing more than a messenger." "'Twas said last night you were the bearer of startling news. There was whisper of a plot to swoop down upon the Admiral and on Condé, and to whisk them off to Paris.
"From the Castle of Le Blanc, my lord, where it was given me by Ambroise Devine." "Ah, yes, he was attacked and wounded. What did he tell you?" "That troops were being collected secretly to surround Tanlay and Noyers, that the banks of the Loire were guarded" the Prince gave a start of surprise and that unless you moved quickly, your escape would be cut off."
"Your aneurism against my million, Roland," said Lord Tanlay, with a feeling of profound sadness, "providing that with this aneurism you give me this mother who weeps for joy on seeing you again; this sister who faints with delight at your return; this child who clings upon your neck like some fresh young fruit to a sturdy young tree; this chateau with its dewy shade, its river with its verdant flowering banks, these blue vistas dotted with pretty villages and white-capped belfries graceful as swans.
The two officers were agreed that Lord Tanlay had conducted himself with the utmost punctiliousness in every respect. Roland declared that Sir John's request for the services of one of his two seconds was not only just but suitable, and he authorized either one of them to act for Sir John and to take charge of his interests. All that remained for Roland to do was to dictate his conditions.
I'll cut myself in quarters to amuse you, my dear guest, but there are two disadvantages against me: this region, which is not very amusing, and your nationality, which is not easily amused." "I have already told you, Roland," replied Lord Tanlay, offering his hand to the young man, "that I consider the Chateau des Noires-Fontaines a paradise."
If he is not unwilling to fight with those pistols I should prefer them to all others." The young man who was now acting as Sir John's second went to him with the three following questions: Whether the time and place suited him, and whether he would allow his pistols to be used. Lord Tanlay replied by regulating his watch by that of his second and by handing him the box of pistols.
"About Lord Tanlay; yes, I know," replied the young girl. "You knew! How could you know?" "Did I not tell you I saw you coming, and knew why you came?" "Then answer me." "Do not turn me from God and from him, Roland. I have written it all; read my letter." Roland slipped his hand beneath the pillow, convinced that his sister was delirious.
"Heaven grant it, monsieur," said he earnestly, as I rode off. The state of the country west of Le Blanc was even more deplorable than what I had seen during my journey to Tanlay. The fields were bare both of corn and of cattle; the villagers were starving; the people of the towns went about in fear and trembling; the king's troops robbed as they pleased without restraint.
But when he saw him highly excited, crumpling the diplomatic memorandum in one hand and striking with the other on his desk, while Lord Tanlay was standing calm, erect and silent near him, he understood immediately that England's answer had irritated the First Consul. "Did you call me, general?" he asked. "Yes," said the First Consul, "sit down there and write."
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