Part 90 (1/2)
”Sire?”
”And, consequently, hope soon for an end of your sorrows.”
The young man shook his head.
”Du Bouchage, you shall be happy, or I am no longer king of France!”
cried Henri.
”Happy! alas, sire, it is impossible,” said the young man with a bitter smile.
”And why so?”
”Because my happiness is not of this world.”
”Henri, your brother, when he went, recommended you to my friends.h.i.+p. I wish, since you consult neither the experience of your father, nor the wisdom of your brother the cardinal, to be an elder brother to you.
Come, be confiding, and tell me all. I a.s.sure you, Du Bouchage, that for everything except death my power and love shall find you a remedy.”
”Sire,” replied the young man, falling at the king's feet, ”do not confound me by the expression of a goodness to which I cannot reply. My misfortune is without remedy, for it is that which makes my only happiness.”
”Du Bouchage, you are mad; you will kill yourself with fancies.”
”I know it well, sire.”
”But,” cried the king, impatiently, ”is it a marriage you wish for?”
”Sire, my wish is to inspire love. You see that the whole world is powerless to aid me in this; I alone can obtain it for myself.”--”Then why despair?”
”Because I feel that I shall never inspire it.”
”Try, try, my child; you are young and rich. Where is the woman that can resist at once beauty, youth and wealth? There are none, Du Bouchage.”
”Sire, your goodness is great.”
”If you wish to be discreet, and tell me nothing, do so; I will find out, and then act. You know what I have done for your brother, I will do as much for you; a hundred thousand crowns shall not stop me.”
Du Bouchage seized the king's hand, and pressed his lips to it.
”May your majesty ask one day for my blood, and I will shed it to the last drop to show you how grateful I am for the protection that I refuse!”
Henri III. turned on his heel angrily.
”Really,” said he, ”these Joyeuses are more obstinate than a Valois.
Here is one who will bring me every day his long face and eyes circled with black; that will be delightful.”
”Oh! sire, I will smile so, when I am here, that every one shall think me the happiest of men.”
”Yes, but I shall know the contrary, and that will sadden me.”