Part 20 (1/2)
”I would understand all that has taken place, everything that has happened to me for the past two days, all that I have seen and heard to-night!” cried Croustillac, exasperated beyond bounds. ”I would know if I am awake or dreaming.”
”You must not be too exacting, brother. Perhaps this night will bring you a dream which will explain and enlighten you upon these subjects.
Come--it is late, the day has been hard; follow me.” And, saying these words, the buccaneer took up a candle and made a sign to the chevalier to follow him.
They pa.s.sed through a number of sumptuously furnished rooms, and a little gallery, at the end of which they reached a very elegant bed-chamber, whose windows opened on the beautiful garden of which we have already spoken.
”You have been a soldier or a sportsman, brother,” said the buccaneer, ”you will know, then, how to get along without a servant. No man, except myself, Hurricane, and the Caribbean has ever pa.s.sed the first door of this place; our beautiful hostess has made an exception in your favor, but this exception must be the only one. Knowing this, brother, may G.o.d or the devil keep you in his care.” The buccaneer went out, shutting Croustillac in by means of a double lock.
The chevalier, much disturbed, opened a window which looked out on the little park. It was guarded by a trellis of steel netting which it was impossible to break, but which did not hide a view of the beautiful garden which the moon illumined with its soft light.
Croustillac, ill at ease, examined the wainscoting and floor of his chamber, in order to a.s.sure himself that they did not cover any trap; he looked under his bed, sounded the ceiling with his sword, but failed to discover anything suspicious. Nevertheless, by way of further prudence and to make sure, the chevalier laid down in his clothing, after having placed his faithful sword at his side, within reach. In spite of his resolve not to go to sleep, the fatigue and emotions of his journey plunged him quickly into a profound slumber.
Angela, seated in the room of which we have spoken before, said to the buccaneer: ”Unfortunately, this man is not so stupid and credulous as we had thought. Heaven grant he may not be dangerous!”
”No, no; rea.s.sure yourself,” said the buccaneer. ”He has shown good stuff, but our two narratives have struck him; he will remember this night for a long time, and, what is better, he will talk about it.
Believe me, all the exaggerations which he will use to embellish his recitals will only add to the strange stories afloat concerning Devil's Cliff.”
”Ah!” cried the widow, still alarmed at the remembrance of the adventurer saying that all was a comedy and that he would investigate it, ”in spite of myself I am terrified.”
”There is nothing to be afraid of, I tell you, Madame Blue Beard,” said the buccaneer gayly, kneeling before Angela, and looking at her tenderly. ”Your diabolical reputation is too well established to suffer the slightest diminution; but acknowledge that I have an imagination, and that my gray powder and my green liquid accomplished wonders.”
”And my devil who witnesses my contract,” said Angela, laughing merrily.
”That is well; I love thus to see you laughing and merry,” said the buccaneer. ”When I see you sad and dreamy I am always afraid our retreat bores you.”
”Will you please hold your tongue, Monsieur Rendsoul? Have I the appearance of wearying near you? Are you jealous of your rivals? Ask them if I love them better than I do you. Have you not procured me this distraction and the sight of this Gascon, to whom I owe the most delightful amus.e.m.e.nt? I was unreasonable. Except for my stupid fears, this evening was charming, because you were here, your eyes on mine, my lover. Ah! the moonlight is superb, let us go for a walk in it outdoors.”
”Beyond the house?”
”Yes; we will walk on the great cliff, you know, where one sees in the distance the ocean. On such a beautiful night it will be delicious.”
”Come, then, capricious child, take your mantle,” said the buccaneer, rising.
”Come, Sir Black Beard, take your Spanish sombrero and be ready to carry me in your arms, out of reach of stumbling, for I am lazy.”
”Come, Madame Blue Beard; but you do not wish to visit our guest?”
”I am sure the poor devil has some horrible dream. Ah, well, to-morrow we will give him a guide and send him away.”
”No, keep him here another day. I will tell you what Father Griffen thinks of it; amus.e.m.e.nts are rare, he will amuse you.”
”Heavens! what a beautiful night,” said Angela, opening the blinds of the window. ”It will make me so happy to take a walk.”
Opening the outer doors of Devil's Cliff, the buccaneer and the widow left the house.
Contrary to his expectation, Croustillac pa.s.sed an excellent night. When he awoke the following morning the sun was already high in the heavens; the blinds which were on his chamber windows had been lowered, fortunately, which softened the light. The chevalier had lain down with all his clothing on. He arose and went over to the window, and opened the blinds partially. What was his astonishment to see, at the end of a long walk bordered with tamarinds, that formed a screen almost impenetrable to the light, Blue Beard walking, negligently, leaning on the arm of a Caribbean of vigorous stature. This Caribbean was entirely dyed, according to custom, that is to say, painted with a kind of luminous composition of a reddish brown; his hair, black and glossy, parted in the center, fell on either side of his cheeks; his beard seemed carefully trimmed; his perfectly regular features partook of the character of calm severity peculiar to the savage; on his neck shone large crescents of carracolis (a kind of metal of which the West Indians alone knew the secret, and composed of gold, bra.s.s and silver).