Had I needed any reminder of the uncertainty of Court favour,or an instance whence I might learn the lesson of modesty,and so stand in less danger of presuming on my new and precarious prosperity,I had it in this episode,and in the demeanour of the company round me.On the circle breaking up in confusion,Ifound myself the centre of general regard,but regard of so dubious a character,the persons who would have been the first to compliment me had the king retired earlier,standing farthest aloof now,that I felt myself rather insulted than honoured by it.One or two,indeed,of the more cautious spirits did approach me;but it was with the air of men providing against a danger particularly remote,their half-hearted speeches serving only to fix them in my memory as belonging to a class,especially abhorrent to me--the class,I mean,of those who would run at once with the hare and the hounds.
I was rejoiced to find that on one person,and that the one whose disposition towards me was,next to the king's,of first importance,this episode had produced a different impression,Feeling,as I made for the door,a touch on my arm,I turned to find M.de Rambouillet at my elbow,regarding me with a glance of mingled esteem and amusement;in fine,with a very different look from that which had been my welcome earlier in the evening.Iwas driven to suppose that he was too great a man,or too sure of his favour with the king,to be swayed by the petty motives which actuated the Court generally,for he laid his hand familiarly on my shoulder,and walked on beside me.
'Well my friend,'he said,'you have distinguished yourself finely!I do not know that I ever remember a pretty woman making more stir in one evening.But if you are wise you will not go home alone to-night.'
'I have my sword,M.le Marquis,'I answered,somewhat proudly.
'Which will avail you little against a knife in the back!'he retorted drily.'What attendance have you?'
'My equerry,Simon Fleix,is on the stairs.'
'Good,so far,but not enough,'he replied,as we reached the head of the staircase.'You had better come home with me now,and two or three of my fellows shall go on to your lodging with you.Do you know,my friend,'he continued,looking at me keenly,'you are either a very clever or a very foolish man?'
I made answer modestly.'Neither the one,I fear,nor the other,I hope sir,'I said.
'Well,you have done a very pertinent thing,'he replied,'for good or evil.You have let the enemy know what he has to expect,and he is not one,I warn you,to be despised.But whether you have been very wise or very foolish in declaring open war remains to be seen.'
'A week will show,'I answered.
He turned and looked at me.'You take it coolly,'he said.
'I have been knocking about the world for forty years,marquis,'
I rejoined.
He muttered something about Rosny having a good eye,and then stopped to adjust his cloak.We were by this time in the street.
Making me go hand in hand with him,he requested the other gentlemen to draw their swords;and the servants being likewise armed and numbering half a score or more,with pikes and torches,we made up a very formidable party,and caused,I think,more alarm as we passed through the streets to Rambouillet's lodging than we had any reason to feel.Not that we had it all to ourselves,for the attendance at Court that evening being large,and the circle breaking up as I have described more abruptly than usual,the vicinity of the castle was in a ferment,and the streets leading from it were alive with the lights and laughter of parties similar to our own.
At the door of the marquis's lodging I prepared to take leave of him with many expressions of gratitude,but he would have me enter and sit down with him to a light refection,which it was his habit to take before retiring.Two of his gentlemen sat down with us,and a valet,who was in his confidence,waiting on us,we made very merry over the scene in the presence.I learned that M.de Bruhl was far from popular at Court;but being known to possess some kind of hold over the king,and enjoying besides a great reputation for recklessness and skill with the sword,he had played a high part for a length of time,and attached to himself,especially since the death of Guise,a considerable number of followers.
'The truth is,'one of the marquis's gentlemen,who was a little heated with wine,observed,'there is nothing at this moment which a bold and unscrupulous man may not win in France!'
'Nor a bold and Christian gentleman for France!'replied M.de Rambouillet with,some asperity.'By the way,'he continued,turning abruptly to the servant,'where is M.Francois?'
The valet answered that he had not returned with us from the castle.The Marquis expressed himself annoyed at this,and Igathered,firstly,that the missing man was his near kinsman,and,secondly,that he was also the young spark who had been so forward to quarrel with me earlier in the evening.Determining to refer the matter,should it become pressing,to Rambouillet for adjustment,I took leave of him,and attended by two of his servants,whom he kindly transferred to my service for the present,I started towards my lodging a little before midnight.
