United States or Afghanistan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He fell at once into a walk, and made his way through them unmolested, the white badge on his arm seeming to guarantee that he was a friend. He passed his own door, and made for that of the Count de Valecourt. A combat was going on in front of it and, by the light of the torches, Philip saw De Pascal defending himself bravely against a host of enemies. Sword in hand, Philip sprang forward.
Mademoiselle de Valecourt is a great heiress; and the count should, of course, give her in marriage to one of his own rank." Pierre shrugged his shoulders almost imperceptibly.
The meal was a short one; and Philip, after a halt of half an hour, mounted and rode on again. "My father will thank you, when you meet him, Monsieur Fletcher. As for me, I cannot tell you what I feel, but I shall pray for you always; and that God, who sent you to my aid, will watch over you in all dangers," Claire de Valecourt had said, as she bade him goodbye.
"Madame," he said, "I am a soldier belonging to the army of the Prince of Navarre, and am riding on the business of Admiral Coligny. On my way hither, I had the good fortune to save a Huguenot congregation, and the daughter of the Count de Valecourt, from massacre by the people of La Chatre.
A young man does not gain the esteem and approval of a Coligny, the gratitude of a Valecourt, and the liking of all who know him including the Queen of Navarre and her son unless by unusual merit.
Among the Huguenot lords who had come to Paris were the Count de Valecourt and his daughter, who was now seventeen, and had several suitors for her hand among the young Huguenot nobles. Francois and Philip were both presented to the king by the Admiral.
"In such times as these, it is the duty of all of our religion to assist each other; and the daughter of the Count de Valecourt, whom I know by reputation, will be specially welcomed." Bowing to the lady, Philip rode back to his party. "The matter is settled, mademoiselle. The chatelaine will be glad to receive you."
"Pierre," he said gravely, "Mademoiselle de Valecourt is now my affianced wife." "That is as it should be, master," Pierre said; and then, stepping up to Claire, who held out her hand to him, he reverently pressed it with his lips. "Mademoiselle," he said, "my life will henceforth be at your disposal, as at that of my master.
"I shall not take more than two or three minutes to break the news, but I must prepare your mother a little, Francois. She has not said much, but I know she had but little hope, though she bore up so bravely." The countess was sitting, with Claire and the merchant's daughter. It was the first time Philip had seen Mademoiselle de Valecourt, since they first arrived at La Rochelle.
Mademoiselle has signed a formal renunciation of her rights to the estates of her late father and, by some slight good offices on my part, his majesty has obtained for her, from the man to whom he has granted the estates of Valecourt, the sum of ten thousand livres a poor fraction, indeed, of the estates she should have inherited; and yet a considerable sum, in itself."
Word Of The Day