Part 6 (1/2)
”But 'tis not an uncivilized land by any means,” went on Calvert, who was young and ardent enough to espouse warmly the cause of his country from even the badinage of a spoilt young girl. ”There is much learning and the most gracious manners to be found there, as you must also know, since we have been able to spare two such s.h.i.+ning examples of both to this court--Dr. Franklin and Mr. Jefferson.”
”Monsieur does not mean to compare the civilization of his own country to that of ours?” contemptuously demanded St. Aulaire, who, up to that time, had stood superciliously by, taking no part in the conversation.
”Indeed, no!” returned Calvert, with suspicious promptness. ”In my mind there can be no comparison, and surely you will acknowledge that a country which has produced the greatest man of the age is not one to be despised.”
”And who may that be?” asked Monsieur de St. Aulaire, with lazy insolence.
”I had thought, my lord,” returned Calvert, bowing low, ”that the subject of so enlightened a state as you say France is would surely have heard the name of General Was.h.i.+ngton. Monsieur does not read history?”
”'Tis impossible to read yours, since you have none,” returned St.
Aulaire, with a contemptuous little laugh.
”We are making it every day, Monsieur,” said Calvert, calmly.
”Ah, sir!” demanded Madame de St. Andre, ”are all Americans so presumptuous?”
”Yes, Madame--if 'tis presumptuous to admire General Was.h.i.+ngton.”
”We have heard of him in effect,” sneeringly broke in Monsieur de St.
Aulaire. ”A lucky adventurer with a pretty talent for fighting British cowards, a beggar who has not been turned away empty from our doors.
Why, hasn't the whole country given to him?--from the King down--and truth to tell we were glad to give as long as he whipped the English.”
”No, no, Monsieur de St. Aulaire,” suddenly interrupted Madame de St.
Andre, turning upon him, ”do not wrong France, do not wrong your King, do not wrong Lafayette and Rochambeau and Dillon and so many others! We gave because France was strong and America weak, because it was our greatest happiness to help right her wrongs, because 'tis ever France's way to succor the oppressed. As for General Was.h.i.+ngton, Monsieur Calvert does well to admire him. The King admires him--can Monsieur de St. Aulaire do less? We are devoted royalists, but we can still respect and admire patriotism and genius under whatever government they flourish.” She changed her tone of authority and accusation and turned to Calvert. Again the mask had been dropped, the eyes were once more kind, the voice and smile once more tender. ”I should like to hear more of your General Was.h.i.+ngton and of America, Monsieur,” she said, almost shyly, and Calvert wondered at the change in her. ”If Monsieur skates, we should be happy to have him join us to-morrow afternoon on the ice near the Pont Royal. 'Tis for three o'clock.” And she smiled as she turned away, followed by Monsieur de St. Aulaire, apparently in no very good-humor.
When Calvert again looked around him, after having watched Madame de St.
Andre disappear, he noticed Mr. Jefferson at the farther end of the room looking much disturbed and talking earnestly with Monsieur Necker, Monsieur le Comte de Montmorin, and Mr. Gouverneur Morris, who had at length left the side of the charming Madame de Flahaut. Calvert approached the group, and, as he drew near, he could hear Necker speaking in an anxious, despondent tone.
”My dear friend,” he was saying, ”'tis not only difficulties with the finances which alarm us! Obedience is not to be found anywhere. Even the troops are not to be relied on.” And he turned wearily away.
When Mr. Jefferson caught sight of Calvert, who had stopped, hesitating to join the group lest he should intrude on some important and private business, he beckoned the young man forward.
”Is anything the matter?” asked Calvert, in a low tone. ”You look anxious.”
”I will tell you later, my boy,” returned Mr. Jefferson, smiling rea.s.suringly. ”Go and talk to Madame de Flahaut--Mr. Morris has promised to send you to her.”
Calvert did as he was desired, and found Madame de Flahaut a very entertaining lady, but who, in spite of her charms, he was not sorry to see go, as she did presently, with Madame de Coigny and Monsieur de Curt. And soon after she retired the company broke up and only Mr.
Morris remained behind to have a last gla.s.s of wine and a few moments'
quiet chat with Mr. Jefferson and Calvert. It was while they were thus engaged in the now deserted drawing-room that Mr. Jefferson told Calvert the cause of his perturbed look, which was none other than a conversation concerning the state of the kingdom confided to himself and Mr. Morris by Monsieur Necker. He explained at great length to Calvert the delicacy and danger of the Comptroller-General's position and the wretched condition of the country's finances and army. To which Mr.
Morris added some of his own observations, made with the rapidity and justness so characteristic of him.
”Monsieur Necker seems to me, indeed, to be in a disagreeable and sufficiently dangerous position. His business stands thus: if any mischiefs happen they will be charged to him. If he gets well through the business others will claim the reputation of what good is done by the States-General. If he is a really great man, I am deceived. If he is not a laborious man, I am also deceived. He loves flattery--for he flatters. He is therefore easily imposed upon.”
But here Mr. Jefferson would not allow Mr. Morris to proceed with his dicta, declaring that he did Monsieur Necker a gross injustice, and defending him warmly, both as a financier and statesman. Mr. Morris still clinging to his hastily formed opinion, the two gentlemen continued to argue the matter until, Mr. Morris's carriage having been announced, he took his final leave and stumped his way down the broad staircase, attended to the door by Calvert.
But deeply as Calvert was already interested in the affairs of France, it was not the miscarried business of a nation that troubled his sleep that night. For the first time in his life the face of a woman haunted his dreams, now luring him on with glance and voice, as it seemed to him, now sending him far from her with teasing laughter and disdainful eyes.
CHAPTER VII