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Updated: June 10, 2025
Pechaud turned; but even as he did so there was a light step on the stairs, and mademoiselle came down dressed for travelling, and holding her riding-whip in her hand. As she passed she glanced swiftly in my direction, and for the moment I thought I was discovered; but the shadow was impenetrable, and she went on. De Ganache rose to receive her, holding out his hand.
Simon's face I could not see; but as I bent over the two I saw in the glazing eyes of De Ganache the light of an unutterable hate a hate that, mayhap, was carried beyond the grave. "Orrain! Orrain!" Twice the cry rang out Le Brusquet's voice and pushing my way past the mob that had already swarmed in and begun to sack and pillage I ran up the stair.
He shrugged his lean shoulders. "As easily as if we had ten ways, monsieur." "You are lucky to have escaped so far." "Oh, monsieur, we are poor people, and not worth pillaging, and the Vicomte has always been good to us." "The Vicomte?" "Yes, monsieur the Vicomte de Ganache. He is Seigneur of Les Barres."
"I do not know to whom you refer." "There, at the edge of the dais. 'Tis De Ganache, who, from the day he set foot in Court, has followed Diane about like a spaniel; and though I care not to gossip " Mademoiselle shivered, and half turned towards me; but the talk came to an abrupt ending, for the herald Montjoy made a sign, and the trumpeters, advancing each a step, sounded a flourish.
I could, of course, see that for some reason or other Diane had apparently broken with De Ganache. It was not a trick of heartless coquetry for that I gave her credit. Yet the change had been so swift and sudden that it was difficult to assign any other reason for it.
Ere he had spoken ten words, however, mademoiselle had sprung from her seat and stepped out into the passage, I following on her heels. At sight of her De Ganache went back as if he had been struck; but with superb insolence the Duchess stood in her way. "So," she said in hard tones, "this is the second time to-night!" And then, with a shameless laugh, she turned to De Ganache.
"Yes; there has been a turn of the wheel, and for the moment the new religion is in favour. What it means I know not; but as for De Ganache, the Court gossips are already linking his name with Diane's. 'Tis certain he is ever at her heels." "The weathercock would suit him as well as Vendôme," I said a little bitterly; "but it is good news that even for the moment the new faith is in favour.
It was a bolt from the blue. Mademoiselle shrank back with a little startled cry. Pechaud stood as one petrified, his jaws agape, and his old hands trembling, whilst De Ganache put himself between me and mademoiselle, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Stand back!" he said hotly. "Back!" And as hot an answer trembled on my tongue, but I held myself in. "Monsieur, you do not seem to know me.
He put his hand to his head as one dazed, and then, dropping it again, unbuckled his sword, and handed it to the Vidame without a word. There was a sharp whistle. The horses came up. De Ganache, who seemed utterly broken, was mounted on the spare horse. The troopers surrounded him, and then came the quick order: "The Châtelet!" And they were gone.
He saw himself in danger of losing at once the master he loved and the brilliant future to which he looked forward; and amid the imminent crash of his hopes and the destruction of the system in which he lived, he had scarcely time to regret the wife he was leaving at Rosny or the quiet from which he was so suddenly called. His heart was in the South, at La Ganache, by Henry's couch.
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