United States or Jersey ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Bravery was never one of D'Epernon's prominent qualities, and he looked on a duel with Bussy as certain death. When Aurilly heard it, he told D'Epernon that Bussy practised fencing every morning with an artist, lately arrived, who was said to have borrowed from all nations their best points, until he had become perfect. During this recital D'Epernon grew livid with terror. "Ah!
"Well, do not go, but hide near your house; then, believing you gone, the man you wish to know will come; the rest concerns yourself: I engage for no more." "Ah! if that be so " "You have my word." "I have better than that, I have your signature." "Oh, yes, mordieu! I know that." Aurilly touched D'Epernon's arm and said, "It is done; Bussy will not fight to-morrow." "Not fight!"
"What is it?" "Look," and he pointed to D'Epernon's boots. "Blood!" "He has been walking in blood." "Can he be wounded?" said the king, anxiously. "Bah! he would have told us; and, besides, unless he had been wounded like Achilles in the heel " "See, the sleeve of his doublet is also spotted. What can have happened to him?" "Perhaps he has killed some one to keep his hand in." "It is singular.
"Thus having about him only a few gentlemen and some footmen, he got into his carriage, took his place on the back seat at the left hand side, and made M. d'Epernon sit at the right. Next to him, by the door, were M. de Montbazon and M. de la Force; and by the door on M. d'Epernon's side were Marshal de Lavardin and M. de Crsqui; on the front seat the Marquis of Mirabeau and the first equerry.
"Pardon, M. Quelus," said he, "but do you still live in the Rue St. Honore?" "Yes, my dear friend; why do you ask?" "I have two words to say to you." "Ah!" "And you, M. de Schomberg?" "Rue Bethisy," said Schomberg, astonished. "D'Epernon's address I know." "Rue de Grenelle." "You are my neighbor. And you, Maugiron?" "Near the Louvre. But I begin to understand; you come from M. de Bussy."
"Duty and gratitude are excellent things," said Mr. Percy, "but somewhat more is necessary between parent and child to produce friendship. Recollect the Duc d'Epernon's reply to his king, who reproached him with want of affection. 'Sire, you may command my services, my life; but your majesty knows, friendship is to be won only by friendship."
In the former, however, Marie dared not confide; his near relative, the Duc de Mayenne, being the ally of Condé, while De Guise himself was the avowed enemy of Concini. Of M. d'Epernon's sincerity she felt more assured; but she was aware that she could not bestow upon him the command of the royal army without exciting the jealousy of Guise, and thus opening up a newsource of difficulty.
Word Of The Day