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"I have waited for you this hour past." "How knew you I should ride this way?" "I learnt that you would visit Canaples before noon. Be good enough to quit the road, and pass under those trees with me. I have something to say to you, but it were not well that we should be seen together." "For the sake of your character or mine, M. Malappris?" "Malpertuis!" he snapped. "Malpertuis," I corrected.
"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?
"After I had been at the chateau ten days, we learnt that Eugene de Canaples had been sent to the Bastille. The news came in a letter penned by his Eminence himself a bitter, viperish letter, with a covert threat in every line. The Chevalier's anger went white hot as he read the disappointed Cardinal's epistle.
Scarce were my first words spoken when she turned towards me, and methought but I was mad, I told myself that there was a catch in her voice as she exclaimed, "You are leaving us, Monsieur?" "To-morrow morning I shall crave Monsieur your father's permission to quit Canaples." "But why, Monsieur? Have we not made you happy here?"
Touching the Canaples estates, however, he did not long enjoy them, for when he went into exile, two years later, the Parliament returned them to their rightful owner. The Chevalier de Canaples approached me timidly. "Monsieur," quoth he, "I have wronged you very deeply.
As I observed them, the thought did cross my mind that I might contrive a pretty fight in the rose garden of Canaples were I so inclined. And so inclined I should, indeed, have been but for the plan that had come to me like an inspiration from above, and which methought would prove safer in the end.
He shuddered at my concluding words, and had not Andrea at that moment put his arm affectionately upon my shoulder, and declared me the bravest fellow and truest friend in all the world, it is possible that the Chevalier de Canaples would have sought an excuse to be rid of me. Such men as he seek not the acquaintance of such men as I.
Create me Duke as you would do, did I wed her sister, and the Chevalier de Canaples will not withstand our union. What think you would be his answer?" "I have a shrewd idea what his answer would be," I replied slowly. "Also I have a shrewd idea of what he will say when he learns in what manner you have defied his wishes." "He can but order me away from Court, or, at most, banish me from France."
"'T is I Luynes." "So!" he exclaimed, coming close up to me. "You have reached Canaples at last!" "At last?" I echoed. "Whom have you there?" he inquired abruptly. "Only Michelot." "Bid him fall behind a little." When Michelot had complied with this request, "You see, M. de Luynes," quoth the officer, "that you have arrived too late."
In the salon I found the Chevalier de Canaples with Mesdemoiselles and Andrea awaiting me, and the kindness wherewith they overwhelmed me, as I sat propped up with pillows, was such that I asked myself again and again if, indeed, I was that same Gaston de Luynes who but a little while ago had held himself as destitute of friends as he was of fortune.
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