United States or British Virgin Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
As the duke reached his hotel, Ernanton saw a litter pierce through the crowd. De Mayenne approached it, and the curtains were opened, and Ernanton thought he recognized his former page. The litter disappeared under the gateway, and Mayenne followed; an instant after, M. de Mayneville appeared on the balcony, and thanked the Parisians in the duke's name, but begged them to disperse and go home.
"Good; Mayneville, I know you are a virtuous man, and I will sign you a certificate of it if you like. You need have nothing to do with it; they will defend the Valois and get killed. To you I recommend that young man." "Who?" "He who just left us; see if he be really gone, and if he be not some spy sent by our enemies." Mayneville opened the window, and tried to look out.
"Dear M. Poulain, my ideas may be wrong, but it seems to me that the king would not approve of his lieutenant of the Provostry acting as surveyor for M. de Mayneville; and that he might also take it ill that you should omit in your daily report the entrance of Madame de Montpensier and M. de Mayneville, yesterday, into his good city of Paris."
They also agreed that the first thing to be done was to organize the League more generally in the provinces, while the king abandoned his brother, who was the only enemy they had to fear, so long as Henri of Navarre occupied himself only with love affairs. "Paris is all ready, but must wait," said Mayenne. At this moment M. de Mayneville entered, and announced Borromée.
Then, turning to the group of which we have already spoken, the lad said, "I shall pass; that is the most important thing; but you, Mayneville, try to do so also if possible." "It is not everything that you should pass," replied Mayneville; "it is necessary that he should see you." "Make yourself easy; once I am through, he shall see me." "Do not forget the sign agreed upon."
"What are they about?" thought Chicot; "does the duchess want to board with Gorenflot?" At this moment Chicot saw M. de Mayneville make a sign to some one outside. Chicot looked round, but there was no one to be seen but the man measuring. It was to him, however, that the sign was addressed, for he had ceased measuring, and was looking toward the balcony.
The duchess grew pale and sank down almost fainting. Mayneville, somber, but resolute, drew his sword, not knowing but what the house was to be attacked. The cortege advanced, and had reached Bel-Esbat. Borromée came a little forward, and as De Loignac rode straight up to him, he immediately saw that all was lost, and determined on his part. "Room for the king!" cried De Loignac.
Once the deed is done, and the prisoner safe in the cloister, we can defend ourselves against an army. Then we should risk nothing by crying from the roof of the convent, 'We have the Valois!" "You are both skillful and prudent, Mayneville. Do you know, though, that my responsibility is great, and that no woman will ever have conceived and executed such a project?"
"Ah! true; I forgot that I had chosen that place, but luckily you are here to remind me." Borromée dispatched four monks to stand behind the prior, on the pretense of doing him honor. Soon the road was illumined by a number of torches, thanks to which the duchess and Mayneville could see cuirasses and swords shining. Incapable of moderation, she cried "Go down, Mayneville, and bring him to me."
Take care, M. de Mayneville, Paris will grow tired, and then what will you do?" This speech was applauded by all the leaguers. M. de Mayneville replied, "Gentlemen, if nothing is decided, it is because nothing is ripe.
Word Of The Day