Volume Ii Part 10 (2/2)

”Sit down, then, and pay attention to what I shall say,” said the Marechal. The words were felt as a command, and instantly obeyed.

”They tell me, M. Duroset, that a young actress, of great beauty and distinguished ability, is about to appear on these boards, whose triumphs have been hitherto won only in the provinces. Well, you must defer her _debut_ for some days; and meanwhile, for the benefit of her health, she can make a little excursion to the neighbourhood of Fontainebleau, where, at a short distance from the royal forest, stands a small chateau. This will be ready for her reception; and where a more critical taste than even your audiences boast will decide upon her merits.”

”There is but one man in France could make such a proposition!” said the manager, starting back, half in amazement, half in respect.

”And I am exactly that man,” rejoined the Marechal. ”There need never be secrets between men of sense. M. Duroset, the case is this: your beauty, whose manners and breeding I conjecture to be equal to her charms, must represent the character of the widowed Countess of Vaugirarde, whose sorrow for her late husband is all but inconsolable. The solitude of her retreat will, however, be disturbed by the accidental arrival of a stranger, who, accompanied by his friend, will demand the hospitality of the chateau. Grief has not usurped every faculty and _devoir_ of the fair Countess, who consents the following morning to receive the respectful homage of the travellers, and even invites them, weary as they seem by travel, to stay another day.”

”I understand--I understand,” said Duroset, hastily interrupting this narrative, which the speaker poured forth with impetuous rapidity; ”but there are several objections, and grave ones.”

”I'm certain of it,” rejoined the other; ”and now to combat them. Here are a thousand louis; five hundred of which M. Duroset will keep--the remainder he will expend, as his taste and judgment may dictate, in the costume of the fair Countess.”

”But Mademoiselle Bellecha.s.se?”

”Will accept of these diamonds, which will become her to perfection. She is not a _blonde?_”

”No; dark hair and eyes.”

”This suite of pearls, then, will form a most graceful addition to her toilette.”

”They are magnificent!” exclaimed the manager, who, with wondering eyes, turned from one jewel-case to the other; ”they are splendid! Nay”--then he added, in a lower accent, and with a glance, as he spoke, of inveterate cunning--”nay, they are a Princely present.”

”Ah, M. Duroset, _un homme d'esprit_ is always so easy to treat with!

Might I dare to ask if Mademoiselle Bellecha.s.se is here?--if I might be permitted to pay my respects?”

”Certainly; your Excell----”

”Nay, nay, M. Duroset, we are all incog.” said the Marechal, smiling good-humouredly.

”As you please, sir. I will go and make a brief explanation to Mademoiselle, if you will excuse my leaving you. May I take these jewels with me? Thanks.”

The explanation was, indeed, of the briefest; and he returned in a few seconds, accompanied by a young lady, whose elegance of mien and loveliness of form seemed to astonish even the critical gaze of Richelieu.

”Madame la Comtesse de Vaugirarde,” said the Director, presenting her.

”_Ah, belle Comtesse!_” said the Marechal, as he kissed the tips of her fingers with the most profound courtesy; ”may I hope that the world has still charms to win back one whose griefs should fall like spring showers, and only render more fragrant the soil they water!”

”I know not what the future may bring forth,” said she, with a most gracefully-affected sadness; ”but for the present, I feel as if the solitude of my ancient chateau, the peaceful quiet of the country, would best respond to my wishes: there alone, to wander in those woods, whose paths are endeared to me----”

”Admirable!--beautiful!--perfect!” exclaimed Richelieu, in a transport of delight; ”never was the tribute of affection more touching--never a more graceful homage rendered to past happiness! Now, when can you set out?”

”To-morrow.”

”Why not to-day? Time is every thing here.”

”Remember, monsieur, that we have purchases to make--we visit the capital but rarely.”

”Quite true; I was forgetting the solitude of your retreat. Such charms might make any lapse of memory excusable.”

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