Joseph Balsamo (13 page)
” What is she doing ? “
” She gallops she flies forward, carried by a splendid horse reeking with sweat and foam.”
” In what direction ? “
” There there ! ” said the young girl, pointing to the west.
” On the highway ? “
“Yes.”
“Toward Chalons ?”
“Yes.”
” Good ! ” said Balsamo ; “she takes the road which I shall take ; she goes to Paris as I do. I shall find her there. Now rest,” said he, and he took from Andre’s hand the curl of hair.
Her arms fell powerless by her side.
” Now, return to your harpsichord.”
Andre arose and made a step toward the door, but over-
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come by inexpressible fatigue, her limbs refused to support her. She staggered.
” Eenew your strength and walk!” said Balsamo, enveloping her anew with magnetic passes ; and she, like the generous steed that braces very nerve to fulfil his master’s will, unjust though it be walked erect. Balsamo opened the door, and, still sleeping, she descended the stairs.
NICOLE L E G A Y.
WHILE the scene of interrogation was passing in Balsamo’s chamber, Gilbert remained under the railings at the foot of the staircase in a state of indescribable torture. Not daring to ascend again to listen at the door of the red chamber, he fell into despair, and this despair was increased tenfold by the feeling of his weakness and his inferiority.
Balsamo was only a man for Gilbert, being a profound thinker, a philosopher in embryo, had small faith in sorcerers but then this man was strong, and he was weak ; this man was courageous, and Gilbert was not so yet. Twenty times he arose, determined to beard the stranger, and twenty times his trembling limbs bent under him, and he sunk on his knees. Then the thought struck him that he would get a ladder used by La Brie who was at the same time cook, butler, and gardener , for nailing the jasmine and honeysuckle against the walls, and by prop-ping it against the balcony of the apartment, be enabled to mount to the window, and witness what he so ardently desired to discover.
He passed stealthily into the courtyard, ran to the spot where the ladder lay, but as he was stooping to take it up, he thought he heard a noise in the direction of the house, and he turned. He was almost certain that in the obscurity he saw a human form enter the dark frame of the
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open door, but moving so quickly and so noiselessly that it appeared rather a specter than a living being. He let the ladder fall, and, his heart beating audibly, hastened back toward the chateau.
Some minds are constitutionally superstitious, and these are generally the most exalted and the richest in fancy. They admit the fabulous more readily than the rational, because what is natural is too common for them, impelled as they are towards the impossible, or at least the ideal. Such spirits delight in the darkness of the forest, the depths of which they people with phantoms or genii. The ancients, who were poets in all things, saw these fantastic beings in open day ; but as their sun, warmer and brighter than ours, forbade the fancy to bring forth specters and demons, they filled the forest with smiling dryads and wood-nymphs. Gilbert, born in a gloomier clime, imagined he saw a spirit. This time, in spite of his incredulity, he recalled the words of the woman who had fled from Balsamo, and the idea flashed across his mind that the sorcerer might have summoned up some evil spirit to do his bad behests. But Gilbert had always, after a first impression, a second not more encouraging, for it was the result of reflection. His recalled all the argu-ments of powerful minds against the belief in the return of spirits to this world, and thinking of the article ” Specter” in the “Philosophical Dictionary,” restored his courage, but it was only to give him another apprehension better founded and more alarming.
If he had indeed seen any one, it must have been a real individual deeply interested in watching him. Fear suggested M. de Taverney his conscience whispered another name. He looked up to Nicole’s apartment her caudle was out, not a ray of light was visible not a whisper, not a movement, not a light in all the house, except in the stranger’s room. He looked he listened ; then, seeing nothing,hearing nothing, he took up the ladder again, convinced that he had been deceived, and that this vision had been the result of a suspension of his observing faculties, rather than of their exercise.
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Just as he was about to place his ladder, Balsamo’s door opened and then shut. At this sound he hurried in, and saw Andre glide out and descend the stairs without noise and without a light, as if guided and supported by a supernatural power. Having reached the landing-place, she passed by where he had now concealed himself, in the shade, her dress touching him as she passed, and continued her way. The baron was asleep La Brie in bed Nicole in the other turret Balsamo’s door closed he could not be surprised by any one. He made a violent effort and followed her, adapting his step to hers, and keeping at a distance from her. She passed through the anteroom into the saloon, but although she left the door open, he stopped just before he reached it. Should he enter ? He hesitated ; then resolved ; but just as his foot was on the threshold, an arm was stretched out in the darkness, and he was firmly grasped. Gilbert turned his heart panting as if it would burst his bosom.
“So I have caught you at last !” whispered an angry voice, close at his ear. ” Deny now, if you can, that you have meetings that you are in love with her ! “
Gilbert had not strength to shake himself loose from the gripe which detained him, yet it was only that of a young girl ; it was simply the hand of Nicole Legay that held him.
” What do you mean ? ” whispered he, impatiently.
” Oh, I am to speak it out, then ?” and Nicole raised her voice nearly to the loudest pitch.
“No for God’s sake, be quiet !” replied Gilbert, between his closed teeth, and dragging her away from the door.
“Well, come with me, then.”
This was what Gilbert wanted ; for by going away with her, he took her away from Andre. He followed Nicole, who led the way into the courtyard, shutting the door behind her when he had passed.
” But ‘ said Gilbert, ” mademoiselle will be retiring to her apartment ; she will call you to help her to undress, and you will not be in the house.”
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” Do you think I care for that now ? Let her call or not, I must speak to you.”
” You might put off until to-morrow what you have got to say, Nicole. You know Mademoiselle Andre is strict.”
” Yes, I would advise her to be strict particularly with me.”
” To-morrow, Nicole, promise.”
” You promise. I know what your fine promises are. This very day you promised to meet me near Maison Eouge. Where were you ? Why, in the very opposite direction, since you brought the traveler hither. Your promises, indeed. I believe them just as I did those of our confessor at the Annonciades, who swore to keep secret what we confessed, and then told all our sins to the abbess.”
” But, Nicole, yon will be dismissed if you are seen.”
” And yon will yon not be dismissed for being in love with my young lady ? Do you think the baron too generous for that ? “
” He could surely have no motive for dismissing me,” said Gilbert, endeavoring to defend himself.
” Oh, none in the world. The baron, perhaps, allows you to pay your addresses to his daughter. I really did not know he was quite so great a philosopher ! “
Gilbert might easily have proved to Nicole, by relating what he had just witnessed, that if he was to blame, at least Andre was not privy to his misconduct; and in-crediblo as her visit to the stranger’s apartment would have appeared, Nicole, thanks to the good opinion women have of one another, would have believed him. But deeper reflection arrested the words on his lips. Andre’s secret was one that might serve him, as it placed her completely in his power ; and as he loved Andre infinitely more than he feared Nicole, he was silent on the singular events he had just witnessed.
” Well,” said “he, ” since you insist on having an explanation let us understand each other.”
” Oh, that is easily done. But you are right, this is a bad place for it ; let us go to my room.”
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” To your room ? Impossible ! “
“Why BO ?”
” We might be surprised.”
” Indeed ! and who would surprise us ? Mademoiselle ? True ; she might be jealous about her sweet youth ? Unfortunately for her since her secret is discovered, I am not afraid of her. Mademoiselle Andre jealous of Nicole ! What an honor ! ” And the forced laugh of the young girl frightened Gilbert more than any invective or menace could possibly have done.
” It is not mademoiselle of whom I am afraid ‘ said he ; “I am only anxious on your own account, Nicole.”
” Oh ! most anxious, no doubt. But you are going to my room for no bad purpose, and you have often told me where there was no bad intention there should be no shame. Philosophers are Jesuits sometimes, and our confessor at the Annonciades told me all that before you. Come, come. No more false reasons ! come to my room. I am resolved you shall ! “
” Nicole ! ” said he, grinding his teeth.
” Well, what more, pray ? “
” Take care ! ” and he raised his hand.
” Oh, I am not afraid. You struck me once, but yon were jealous then ; at that time you loved me, and I allowed you to strike me, but I shall n0t now. No, no, no ; for you no longer love me, and it is I who am jealous now.”
“But what will you do ? ” cried Gilbert, grasping her wrist.
” I shall scream, and mademoiselle will hear me. I advise you to let go your hold of me ‘
Gilbert dropped her hand, then seizing the ladder and dragging it cautiously after him, he placed it against the wall of the turret, so that it reached nearly to Nicole’s window.
” See how things turn in this world,” said she, maliciously; ” the ladder which wasto assist you to climb to mademoiselle’s apartment must merely serve you to descend from my humble attic. Very nattering for me, is it not ?”
Nicole, perceiving the advantage she had gained,
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declared her triumph with that precipitate eagerness which women, unless indeed those of very superior minds, often exhibit a victory which is often too dearly purchased.
Gilbert, who felt himself in a false position, was silent, and followed the young girl, reserving all his powers for the approaching contest.
In the first place, however, like a prudent general he satisfied himself on two points. The first was, in passing, before the window, that Mile, de Taverney was still in the saloon, and the second, on reaching Nicole’s chamber, that in case of necessity, he could reach the ladder without much risk of breaking his neck, and thus allow himself to slide to the ground.
Nicole’s room was as simple in its furniture as the rest of the house. It was a loft, the walls of which were covered with a drab-and-green paper. A wooden bed, and a large geranium placed near the window, were its whole furniture and decorations, except a large bonnet-box, given her by Andre e, which served both for table and wardrobe. Nicole sat down on the edge of the bed, Gilbert on a corner of the box. She had had time to calm down while ascending the stairs, and now, completely mistress of herself, she felt strong in having justice on her side. Gilbert, on the contrary, was agitated, and could not recover his coolness his anger had increased as hers decreased.
” So,” said she,” you are in love with mademoiselle, and you have attempted to deceive me ? “
” Who told you I was in love with mademoiselle ? “
” Dame ! were you not going to a rendezvous with her ? “
” How do you know that I had a rendezvous with her ?”
” How do I know ? Why, there was no one else to go to but the sorcerer ! “
” Well, I might have been going to him I am ambitious.”
” Say envious.”
” It is the same word taken in a bad sense.”
” Don’t let us dispute about words you love me no longer.”
” Yes, I do ; I love you still.”
” Then why do you avoid me ? “
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” Because you quarrel with me whenever I meet you.
” That is because you always avoid me.”
” You know I am shy that I love solitude.”
” Yes ; and you seek solitude, ladder in hand.”
Gilbert was beaten on his first move.
” Come, come ! be frank if you can, Gilbert, and confess that you no longer love me, or that you love two women at once.”
” Well, and if I did, what would you say ? “
” I should say it was monstrous.”
” No, no ; that there was an error somewhere.”
” In your heart ? “
“No ; in our social state. You know there are nations where every man is allowed seven or eight wives.”
” They are not Christians,” said Nicole, pettishly.
” They are philosophers,” said Gilbert, with dignity.
“So, Master Philosopher, you would wish me to take a second lover, as you have done ! “
<’ 1 would not be unjust and tyrannical ; I should not wish to repress the impulses of your heart. Freedom, blessed freedom, respects free will. If you change your love, Nicole, I shall not force you to a fidelity which, in my opinion, ?.s unnatural.”
” Ah, I see plainly you no longer love me ! “
Gilbert was great in argument, not that he was skilful in logic, but he was an adept in paradox and, however little he knew, he still knew more than Nicole. She had read only what amused her he what taught him a little also and, as they talked, he regained his presence of mind while Nicole began to lose hers.
” Has the great philosopher any memory ? ” asked Nicole, with au ironical smile.
“Sometimes,” replied Gilbert.
” Then yon have not forgotten, perhaps, what you said to me five months ago when I came with mademoiselle from the Annonciades ? “