Part 30 (1/2)
Chapter XXIX Le Terrain de Dieu
During the progress of these events Buckingham and De Wardes traveled in excellent companionshi+p, and made the journey frohareater part of his adieux were very hastilyqueen, and to the queen-dowager, had been paid collectively-a precaution on the part of the queen-mother which saved him the distress of any private conversation with Monsieur, and also the danger of seeing Madae had already been sent on beforehand, and in the evening he set off in his traveling carriage with his attendants
De Wardes, irritated at finding hilish fro rendered hied, therefore, to subhts and caustic spirit
Such of his friends in whom he had been able to confide, had, in their character of wits, rallied him upon the duke's superiority Others, less brilliant, but 's orders prohibiting dueling Others, again, and they the larger nuht have rendered hirace, and would, at the best, have inforht end in a massacre on a s fully deliberated upon the e, took a couple of horses, and, followed only by one servant, e was to await him
The duke received his adversary as he would have done an intimate acquaintance, made room beside him on the same seat with himself, offered him refreshments, and spread over his knees the sable cloak that had been thrown on the front seat They then conversed of the court, without alluding to Mada of do of his brother's wife; of the queen- of England, without alluding to his sister; of the state of the affections of either of the travelers, without pronouncing any naerous In this way the journey, which was perforhahted at having so adant repasts were served, of which they partook but lightly; trials of horsesindulged in, for Buckinghareyhounds with him; and in such ways did they pass away the pleasant time The duke somewhat resembled the beautiful river Seine, which folds France a thousand ti its waters with the ocean In quitting France, it was her recently adopted daughter he had brought to Paris whoht was a reret Therefore, whenever, now and then, despite his coht, De Wardes left hiht have touched Buckinghas towards De Wardes, if the latter, while preserving silence, had shown a glance less full of malice, and a smile less false Instinctive dislikes, however, are relentless; nothing appeases theuish theeexhausted every means of amusement the route offered, they arrived, as we have said, at Calais towards the end of the sixth day The duke's attendants, since the previous evening, had traveled in advance, and now chartered a boat, for the purpose of joining the yacht, which had been tacking about in sight, or bore broadside on, whenever it felt its white wings wearied, within cannon-shot of the jetty
The boat was destined for the transport of the duke's equipages from the shore to the yacht The horses had been e been hoisted from the boat upon the deck in baskets, expressly made for the purpose, and wadded in such a manner that their limbs, even in the most violent fits of terror or impatience, were always protected by the soft support which the sides afforded, and their coats not even turned Eight of these baskets, placed side by side, filled the shi+p's hold It is well known that, in short voyages horses refuse to eat, but re all the while, with the best of food before therees, the duke's entire equipage was transported on board the yacht; he was then infor was in readiness, and that they only waited for hientleentleman would have any other accounts to settle with his Grace other than those of friendshi+p Buckingham desired the captain to be told to hold himself in readiness, but that, as the sea was beautiful, and as the day proo on board until nightfall, and would avail hi to enjoy a walk on the strand He added also, that, finding himself in such excellent company, he had not the least desire to hasten his embarkation
As he said this he pointed out to those who surrounded hinificent spectacle which the sky presented, of deepest azure in the horizon, the a fro the appearance of a range of snowy mountains, whose sumed at its base with, as it were, the foa away into opal and pearly tints, in proportion as the gaze was carried froilded with the sa wave danced a point of light, like a dia, the sea breezes, so dear to conte in delicious gusts; then, in the distance, the black outline of the yacht with its rigging traced upon the eht be seen, here and there, vessels with their trie; such a spectacle indeed well merited admiration A crowd of curious idlers followed the richly dressed attendants, ast whom they mistook the steward and the secretary for the haray satin vest, and doublet of violet-colored velvet, wearing his hat thrust over his eyes, and without orders or embroidery, he was taken no more notice of than De Wardes, as in black, like an attorney
The duke's attendants had received directions to have a boat in readiness at the jetty head, and to watch the e him until either he or his friend should su a stress upon these words, so that theywalked a few paces upon the strand, Buckingham said to De Wardes, ”I think it is now time to take leave of each other The tide, you perceive, is rising; ten minutes hence it will have soaked the sands where we are noalking in such a ”
”I await your orders, my lord, but-”
”But, you 's territory”
”Exactly”
”Well, do you see yonder a kind of little island surrounded by a circle of water? The pool is increasing everyThis island, indeed, belongs to Heaven, for it is situated between two seas, and is not shown on the king's charts Do you observe it?”
”Yes; but we can hardly reach it noithout getting our feet wet”
”Yes; but observe that it forh, and that the tide rises up on every side, leaving the top free We shall be admirably placed upon that little theatre What do you think of it?”
”I shall be perfectly happy wherever Imy sith your lordshi+p's”
”Very well, then, I a your feet, M de Wardes, but it is : 'Sire, I did not fight upon your majesty's territory' Perhaps the distinction is sohts in subtleties of expression Do not let us complain of this, however, for it makes your wit very brilliant, and of a style peculiarly your own If you do not object, ill hurry ourselves, for the sea, I perceive, is rising fast, and night is setting in”
”My reason for not walking faster was, that I did not wish to precede your Grace Are you still on dry land, my lord?”
”Yes, at present I am Look yonder! My servants are afraid we shall be drowned, and have converted the boat into a cruiser Do you remark how curiously it dances upon the crests of the waves? But, as it makes me feel sea-sick, would you permit me to turn my back towards the your back to them, you will have the sun full in your face”
”Oh, its rays are very feeble at this hour and it will soon disappear; do not be uneasy on that score”
”As you please, my lord; it was out of consideration for your lordshi+p that I made the remark”
”I am aware of that, M de Wardes, and I fully appreciate your kindness Shall we take off our doublets?”
”As you please, my lord”
”Do not hesitate to tell me, M de Wardes, if you do not feel comfortable upon the wet sand, or if you think yourself a little too close to French territory We could fight in England, or even upon ly well placed here, my lord; only I have the honor to re fast, we have hardly tin of assent, took off his doublet and threw it on the ground, a proceeding which De Wardes imitated Both their bodies, which see at thely into relief by a dark red violet-colored shadohich the sky became overspread
”Upon my word, your Grace,” said De Wardes, ”we shall hardly have ti into the sand?”
”I have sunk up to the ankles,” said Buckingha in upon us”
”It has already reached me As soon as you please, therefore, your Grace,” said De Wardes, who drew his sword, a movehaht you because I do not like you,-because you have wounded ard I have entertained, and one which I acknowledge that, at this ly die You are a bad and heartless man, M de Wardes, and I will do my very utmost to take your life; for I feel assured that, if you survive this engagereat mischief towards my friends That is all I have to reham as he saluted him
”And I, my lord, have only this to reply to you: I have not disliked you hitherto, but, since you give me such a character, I hate you, and will do all I possibly can to kill you;” and De Wardes saluted Buckingham
Their swords crossed at the saht The swords seeuessed their position, and met Both were practiced swordsht was fast closing in, and it was so dark that they attacked and defended themselves almost instinctively Suddenly De Wardes felt his word arrested,-he had just touched Buckingham's shoulder The duke's sword sunk, as his arm was lowered
”You are wounded,back a step or two
”Yes, uard”
”Only from the first effect of the cold steel, but I have recovered Let us go on, if you please” And disengaging his sith a sinister clashi+ng of the blade, the duke wounded the marquis in the breast
”A hit?” he said
”No,” cried De Wardes, notthat your shi+rt was stained-” said Buckingham
”Well,” said De Wardes furiously, ”it is now your turn”