登陆注册
4716500000024

第24章

He agreed with me and chose to receive them next day at the Arsenal. I communicated his commands, and at the hour named we met, the King attended by Roquelaure and myself. But if I had flattered myself that the King's presence would secure a degree of moderation and reasonableness I was soon undeceived; for though M. de St. Mesmin had only his trembling head and his tears to urge, Clan and his son fell upon Saintonge with so much violence--to which he responded by a fierce and resentful sullenness equally dangerous--that I feared that blows would be struck even before the King's face. Lest this should happen and the worst traditions of old days of disorder be renewed, Iinterposed and managed at length to procure silence.

"For shame, gentlemen, for shame!" the King said, gnawing his moustachios after a fashion he had when in doubt. "I take Heaven to witness that I cannot say who is right! But this brawling does no good. The one fact we have is that St. Mesmin has disappeared.""Yes, sire; and that M. de Saintonge predicted his disappearance," St. Germain cried, impulsively. "To the day and almost to the hour.""I gather, de Saintonge," the King said, turning to him, mildly, "that you did use some expressions of that kind.""Yes, sire, and did nothing upon them," he answered resentfully.

But he trembled as he spoke. He was an older man than his antagonist, and the latter's violence shook him.

"But does M. de Saintonge deny," St. Germain broke out afresh before the King could speak, "that my friend had made him a proposal for his daughter? and that he rejected it?""I deny nothing!" Saintonge cried, fierce and trembling as a baited animal. "For that matter, I would to Heaven he had had her!" he continued bitterly.

"Ay, so you say now," the irrepressible St. Germain retorted, "when you know that be is dead!""I do not know that he is dead," Saintonge answered. "And, for that matter, if he were alive and here now he should have her. Iam tired; I have suffered enough."

"What! Do you tell the King," the young fellow replied incredulously, "that if St. Mesmin were here you would give him your daughter?""I do--I do!" the other exclaimed passionately. "To be rid of him, and you, and all your crew!""Tut, tut!" the King said. "Whatever betides, I will answer for it, you shall have protection and justice, M. de Saintonge. And do you, young sir, be silent. Be silent, do you hear! We have had too much noise introduced into this already."He proceeded then to ask certain details, and particularly the hour at which St. Mesmin had been last seen. Notwithstanding that these facts were in the main matters of common agreement, some wrangling took place over them; which was only brought to an end at last in a manner sufficiently startling. The King with his usual thoughtfulness had bidden St. Mesmin be seated. On a sudden the old man rose; I heard him utter a cry of amazement, and following the direction of his eyes I looked towards the door. There stood his son!

At an appearance so unexpected a dozen exclamations filled the air; but to describe the scene which ensued or the various emotions that were evinced by this or that person, as surprise or interest or affection moved them, were a task on which I am not inclined to enter. Suffice it that the foremost and the loudest in these expressions of admiration was young St. Germain; and that the King, after glancing from face to face in puzzled perplexity, began to make a shrewd guess at the truth.

"This is a very timely return, M. de St. Mesmin," he said drily.

"Yes, sire," the young impertinent answered, not a whit abashed.

"Very timely, indeed."

"Yes, sire. And the more as St. Germain tells me that M. de Saintonge in his clemency has reconsidered my claims; and has undertaken to use that influence with Mademoiselle which--"But on that word M. de Saintonge, comprehending the RUSE by which he had been overcome, cut him short; crying out in a rage that he would see him in perdition first. However, we all immediately took the Marquis in hand, and made it our business to reconcile him to the notion; the King even making a special appeal to him, and promising that St. Mesmin should never want his good offices.

Under this pressure, and confronted by his solemn undertaking, Saintonge at last and with reluctance gave way. At the King's instance, he formally gave his consent to a match which effectually secured St. Mesmin's fortunes, and was as much above anything the young fellow could reasonably expect as his audacity and coolness exceeded the common conceit of courtiers.

Many must still remember St. Mesmin; though an attack of the small-pox, which disfigured him beyond the ordinary, led him to leave Paris soon after his marriage. He was concerned, Ibelieve, in the late ill-advised rising in the Vivarais; and at that time his wife still lived. But for some years past I have not heard his name, and only now recall it as that of one whose adventures, thrust on my attention, formed an amusing interlude in the more serious cares which now demand our notice.

同类推荐
  • 贤媛

    贤媛

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 西京杂记

    西京杂记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 读书后

    读书后

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 潜夫论笺校正

    潜夫论笺校正

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 士翼

    士翼

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 你努力的每一天,都是成功的前奏

    你努力的每一天,都是成功的前奏

    《你努力的每一天,都是成功的前奏》是才女陈静写给千万年轻人的人生成长之书。抛弃常规的心灵鸡汤文,陈静用充满感染力的文字,与无数年轻人分享自己对生活的感悟。几十篇发自肺腑的诚意之作,每一篇都有触动人心的力量。内含数十篇原创励志作品,十几万字的生活感悟,告诉读者:生活从来不会亏待真正努力的人,每一个孤独的当下,都暗藏着一个更优秀的自己!你有多努力,就会有多少光芒!将来的你,一定会感谢现在拼命的自己!口碑就是最好的推荐!阅读陈静最用心的作品——《你努力的每一天,都是成功的前奏》,人生充满正能量。
  • 帝国之召唤武将系统

    帝国之召唤武将系统

    关羽:“如若将军不弃,关某愿随将军左右,为将军诛贼讨逆!”“好!”刘德大喜,对关羽道:“我得云长,如虎添翼也!”……这是一个手握系统的青年,带领着手下文臣武将征战沙场,平定四方乱世的故事,有柔情,有铁血,主角性格也在不断杀伐中逐渐冷血起来。里面数据参考游戏《三国志11威力加强版》,我挺喜欢玩11的。还有谢谢大家的支持,万分感谢!
  • 起舞弄剑影

    起舞弄剑影

    一阵女孩子嘻嘻的笑声,从餐馆门口欢快地吐出来。那笑声清脆悦耳,就像一弯清凉的山泉,汩汩流向炎热伤感的街。寂寞伤痛的心,莫名地生出一丝艳羡和妒忌,谁还能这么开心?!笑声再一次流过来,拨动心底一根熟悉的弦。是梁燕。即刻间,山泉被那个名字污染,污浊不堪。齐百凌立在那里,本能地向门口望去。梁燕撑开一把花伞,和一名伟岸的男子说笑着出了门。花伞切断了齐百凌的视线,让她无法看清男子的脸。可那男子好眼熟。她努力绕开伞身,去搜寻他的脸,没有成功。二人很快就将侧影变成了背影,根本没注意到她的存在。
  • 重生六零养娃日常

    重生六零养娃日常

    宁静睁开眼,悲催的发现自己不光是穿越过去,死了老公不说,还拖着6个拖油瓶。看着站在木板床周围的这一群小萝卜头,宁静想闭眼求老天让自己再死一回。幸亏老天还算开眼,给了她一个金手指。原本以为自己能笑傲江湖。然而,并没有!
  • 爱情祭品

    爱情祭品

    在故事的最开始,我们以为对方是自己人生里的最不能错失的那个唯一,但到最后才颓丧的发现,你不是非我不娶,我不是非你不嫁,只是个太伤人的误会而已。
  • 奇才奇事

    奇才奇事

    面对形形色色的难题和困境,开动脑筋,运用智慧,往往就能找出答案,想出对策。“先有故事,后有智慧”。智慧故事是青少年不可不读的经典之作。故事,是通往智慧殿堂的使者,引领我们透过一扇扇明亮的窗口,引领你走向人生的辉煌。故事,是连缀智慧的闪亮珠玑,折射出哲人思想的光辉,照耀着你的人生成功之旅。一个故事就是智慧长河中的一朵涟漪,也许它不能改变这条河流的方向,但它会以自身的灵性让你在阳光的滋养中聆听智慧流过的声音,早日抵达你人生的巅峰。轻松阅读精彩的故事,聆听哲人的忠告,让智者的思想浸润我们。
  • 哈佛教授给学生讲述的200个心理健康故事

    哈佛教授给学生讲述的200个心理健康故事

    本书将哈佛教授的心理课程汇集成300个极富思考意义的小故事,这些故事包含了自我认知、自我控制、自我激励等方面,可以说与我们每个人的生活都息息相关。在每个故事后面,还附上了鞭辟入里、意味深长的精彩点评,它们从智慧的高度诠释了这些优美故事的现实意义所在,以小见大、抛砖引玉。
  • 阳是清空

    阳是清空

    一个富二代,失去了自己的最爱,后来遇到了喜欢自己的冤家,他们之间发生了什么故事呢?
  • 栩栩予你如生

    栩栩予你如生

    青梅遇竹马,这是最善良的故事。(此书已太监,无结局,不要入坑了)
  • 续传灯录目录

    续传灯录目录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。