"And now I must take up the story as it was told to the Intendant Fléchier by the old gardener Jacques, with whom Clément had been lodging on his first arrival in Paris. The old man could not, I dare say, remember half as much of what had happened as Pierre did; the former had the dulled memory of age, while Pierre had evidently thought over the whole series of events as a story-as a play, if one may call it so— -during the solitary hours in his after-life, wherever they were passed, whether in lonely camp watches, or in the foreign prison where he had to drag out many years. Clément had, as I said, returned to the gardener's garret after he had been dismissed from the Hôtel Duguesclin. There were several reasons for his thus doubling back. One was, that he put nearly the whole breadth of Paris between him and an enemy; though why Morin was an enemy, and to what extent he carried his dislike or hatred, Clément could not tell, of course. The next reason for returning to Jacques was, no doubt, the conviction that, in multiplying his residences, he multiplied the chances against his being suspected and recognised. And then, again, the old man was in his secret, and his ally, although perhaps but a feeble kind of one. It was through Jacques that the plan of communication, by means of a nosegay of pinks, had been devised; and it was Jacques who procured him the last disguise that Clément was to use in Paris-as he hoped and trusted. It was that of a respect able shopkeeper of no particular class; a dress that would have seemed perfectly suitable to the young men who would naturally have worn it; and yet, as Clément put it on, and adjusted it-giving it a sort of finish and elegance which I always noticed about his appearance, and which I believed was innate in the wearer-I have no doubt it seemed like the usual apparel of a gentleman. No coarseness of texture, nor clumsiness of cut, could disguise the nobleman of thirty descents, it appeared; for immediately on arriving at the place of rendezvous, he was recognised by the men placed there on Morin's information to seize him. Jacques, following at a little distance, with a bundle under his arm containing articles of feminine disguise for Virginie, saw four men attempt Clément's arrest-saw him, quick as lightning, draw a sword hitherto concealed in a clumsy stick-saw his agile figure spring to his guard, and saw him defend himself with the rapidity and art of a man skilled in arms. But what good did it do? as Jacques piteously used to ask, Monsieur Fléchier told me. A great blow from a heavy club on the sword-arm of Monsieur de Créquy laid it helpless and immovable by his side. Jacques always thought that that blow came from one of the spectators, who by this time had collected round the scene of the affray. The next instant, his master, his little marquis-was down among the feet of the crowd, and though he was up again before he had received much damage so active and light was my poor Clément-it was not before the old gardener had hobbled forwards, and, with many an old-fashioned oath and curse, proclaimed himself a partisan of the losing side-a follower of a ci-devant aristocrat. It was quite enough. He received one or two good blows, which were, in fact, aimed at his master; and then, almost before he was aware, he found his arms pinioned behind him with a woman's garter, which one of the viragos in the crowd had made no scruple of pulling off in public, as soon as she heard for what purpose it was wanted. Poor Jacques was stunned and unhappy,—his master was out of sight, on before; and the old gardener scarce knew whether they were taking him. His head ached from the blows which had fallen upon it, it was growing dark,-June day though it was,-and when first he seems to have become exactly aware of what had happened to him, it was when he was turned into one of the larger rooms of the Abbaye, in which all were put who had no other allotted place wherein to sleep. One or two iron lamps hung from the ceiling by chains, giving a dim light for a little circle. Jacques stumbled forwards over a sleeping body lying on the ground. The sleeper wakened up enough to complain; and the apology of the old man in reply caught the ear of his master, who, until this time, could hardly have been aware of the straits and difficulties of his faithful Jacques. And there they sate, against a pillar, the livelong night, holding each other's hands, and each restraining expressions of pain, for fear of adding to the other's distress. That night made them intimate friends, in spite of the difference of age and rank. The disappointed hopes, the acute suffering of the present, the apprehensions of the future, made them seek solace in talking of the past. Monsieur de Créquy and the gardener found ment from his living lips; that he knew he was not good enough for her, his queen; and that no thought of earning her love by his devotion had prompted his return to France, only that, if possible, he might have the great privilege of serving her whom he loved. And then he went off into rambling talk about petit-maîtres, and such kind of expres sions, said Jacques to Fléchier, the intendant, little knowing what a clue that one word gave to much of the poor lad's suffering. themselves disputing with interest in which chimney of the stack the starling used to build, the starling whose nest Clément sent to Urian, you remember, and discussing the merits of different espalier-pears which grew, and may grow still, in the old garden of the Hôtel de Créquy. Towards morning both fell asleep. The old man wakened first. His frame was deadened to suffering, I suppose, for he felt relieved of his pain; but Clément moaned and cried in feverish slumber. His broken arm was beginning to inflame his "The summer morning came slowly on in blood. He was, besides, much injured by that dark prison, and when Jacques could some kicks from the crowd as he fell. As the look round-his master was now sleeping on old man looked sadly on the white, baked his shoulder, still the uneasy, starting sleep lips, and the flushed cheeks, all contorted with of fever, he saw that there were many wosuffering even in his sleep, Clément gave a men among the prisoners. (I have heard sharp cry, which disturbed his miserable some of those who have escaped from the neighbors, all slumbering around in uneasy prisons, say that the look of despair and attitudes. They bade him be silent with curses; agony that came into the faces of the prisonand then turning round, tried again to forget ers on, first wakening as the sense of their their own misery in sleep. For you see, the situation grew upon them, was what lasted bloodthirsty canaille had not been sated with the longest in the memory of the survivors. guillotining and hanging all the nobility they This look, they said, passed away from the could find, but were now informing, right women's faces sooner than it did from those and left, even against each other; and when of the men. Clément and Jacques were in the prison, "Poor old Jacques kept talling asleep, and there were few of gentle blood in the place, plucking himself up again for fear lest, if he and fewer still of gentle manners. At the did not attend to his master, some harm might sound of the angry words and threats, Jacques come to the swollen, helpless arm. Yet his thought it best to awaken his master from weariness grew upon him in spite of all his his feverish, uncomfortable sleep, lest he efforts, and at last he felt as if he must give should provoke more enmity; and, tenderly way to the irresistible desire, if only for five lifting him up, he tried to adjust his own body, minutes. But just then there was a bustle at so that it should serve as a rest and a pillow the door. Jacques opened his eyes wide to for the younger man. The motion aroused look. Clément, and he began to talk in a strange, feverish way, of Virginie, too,-whose name he would not have breathed in such a place, "It is the darkness of this accursed place had he been quite himself. But Jacques had that makes us think it early,' said another. as much delicacy of feeling as any lady in the "All this time a parley was going on at the land, although, mind you, he knew neither door. Some one came in; not the gaolerhow to read nor write, and bent his head a woman. The door was shut to and locked low down, so that his master might tell him behind her. She only advanced a step or in a whisper what messages he was to take to two; for it was too sudden a change, out of Mademoiselle de Créquy in case Poor the light into that dark shadow, for any one Clément, he knew it must come to that! no to see clearly for the first few minutes. escape for him now, in Norman disguise or Jacques had his eyes fairly open now; and otherwise! Either by gathering fever or was wide awake now. It was Mademoiselle guillotine, death was sure of his prey. Well! de Créquy, looking bright, clear, and resowhen that happened, Jacques was to go and lute. The faithful heart of the old man read find Mademoiselle de Créquy, and tell her that her cousin loved her at the last as he had loved her at the first; but that she should never have heard another word of his attach "The gaoler is early with breakfast,' said some one lazily. that look like an open page. Her cousin should not die there on her behalf, without at least the comfort of her sweet presence. "Here he is,' he whispered, as her gown would have touched him in passing, without her perceiving him, in the heavy obscurity of the place. "The good God bless you, my friend!' she murmured, as she saw the attitude of the old man, propped against a pillar, and holding Clément in his arms, as if the young man had been a helpless baby, while one of the poor gardener's hands supported the broken limb in the easiest position. Virginie sate down by the old man, and held out her arms. Softly she moved Clément's head to her own shoulder; softly she transferred the task of holding the arm to herself. Clément lay on the floor, but she supported him, and Jacques was at liberty to arise and stretch and shake his stiff, weary old body. He then sate down at a little distance, and watched the pair until he fell asleep. Clément had muttered "Virginie," as they half-roused him by their movements out of his stupor; but Jacques thought he was only dreaming; nor did he seem fully awake when once his eyes opened, and he looked full at Virginie's face bending over him, and growing crimson under his gaze, though she never stirred, for fear of hurting him if she moved. Clément looked in silence, until his heavy eyelids came slowly down, and he fell into his oppressive slumber again. Either he did not recognise her, or she came in too completely as a part of his sleeping visions for him to be disturbed by her appearance there. "When Jacques awoke it was full daylight -at least as full as it would ever be in that place. His breakfast the gaol-allowance of bread and vin ordinaire was by his side. He must have slept soundly. He looked for his master. He and Virginie had recognised each other now, hearts, as well as appearance. They were smiling into each other's faces, as if that dull, vaulted room in the grim Abbaye were the sunny gardens of Versailles, with music and festivity all abroad. Apparently they had much to say to each other; for whispered questions and answers Dever ceased. must have heard some good news, as it seemed to him, so bright amd happy did they look. Yet Clément was still in bodily pain and suffering, and Virginie was a prisoner in that dreadful Abbaye, whence the only issue was the guillotine, by her own act and deed. But they were together: they loved: they understood each other at length. "When Virginie saw that Jacques was awake, and languidly munching his breakfast, she rose from the wooden stool on which she was sitting, and went to him, holding out both hands, and refusing to allow him to rise, while she thanked him with pretty eagerness for all his kindness to Monsieur. Monsieur himself came towards him, following Virginie,but with tottering steps, as if his head was weak and dizzy, to thank the poor old man, who, now on his feet, stood between them, ready to cry while they gave him credit for faithful actions which he felt to have been almost involuntary on his part, for loyalty was like an instinct in the good old days, before your educational cant had come up.. And so two days went on. The only event was the morning call for the victims, a certain number of whom were summoned to the trial every day. And to be tried was to be condemned. Every one of the prisoners became grave, as the hour for their summons approached. Most of the victims went to their doom with uncomplaining resignation, and, for awhile after their departure, there was comparative silence in the prison. But, by and by,so said Jacques,-the conversation or amusements began again. Human nature cannot stand the perpetual pressure of such keen anxiety, without an effort to relieve itself by thinking of something else. Jacques said that Monsieur and Mademoiselle were for ever talking together of the past days, it was 'Do you remember this?' or, 'Do you remember that?' perpetually. He sometimes thought they forgot where they were, and what was before them. But Jacques did not, and every day he trembled more and more as the list. was called over. "The third morning of their incarceration the gaoler brought in a man whom Jacques did not recognise, and therefore did not at once observe; for he was waiting, as in duty bound, upon his master and his sweet young lady (as he always called her in repeating the story.) He thought that the new introduction was some friend of the gaoler, as the "Still no word or sign. Jacques did not understand the affair. Why was she SO obdurate to one who might be ready to include Clément in the proposal, as far as Jacques knew? "The man a little, but did not offer to leave the prison. He never took his eyes off Virginie; he seemed to be suffering from some acute and terrible pain as be watched her. two seemed well acquainted, and the former side, so as to put as much space as possible stayed a few minutes talking with his visitor between him and her. 'Mademoiselle, it is before leaving him in the prison. So Jacques not too late. I can save you; but to-morrow was surprised when, after a short time had your name is down on the list. I can save elapsed, he looked round, and saw the fierce you, if you will listen.' stare with which the stranger was regarding Monsieur and Mademoiselle de Créquy, as the pair sat at breakfast, the said breakfast being laid as well as Jacques knew how, on a bench fastened into the prison wall,-Virginie sitting on her low stool, and Clément half lying on the ground by her side, and submitting gladly to be fed by her pretty white fingers; for it was one of her fancies, Jacques said, to do all she could for him, in consideration of his broken arm. And indeed Clément was wasting away daily; for he had received other injuries, internal and more serious than that to his arm, during the mêlée which had ended in his capture. The stranger made Jacques conscious of his presence by a sigh, which was almost a groan. All three prisoners looked round at the sound. Clément's face expressed little but scornful indifference; but Virginie's face froze into stony hate. Jacques said he never saw such a look, and hoped that he never should again. Yet after that first revelation of feeling, her look was steady and fixed in another direction to that in which the stranger stood,-still motionless -still watching. He came a step nearer at last. "Mademoiselle,' he said. Not the quivering of an eyelash showed that she heard him. 'Mademoiselle!' he said again, with an intensity of beseeching that made Jacques -not knowing who he was-almost pity him when he saw his young lady's obdurate face. "There was perfect silence for a space of time which Jacques could not measure. Then again the voice, hesitatingly, saying, 'Monsieur!' Clément could not hold the same icy countenance as Virginie; he turned his head with an impatient gesture of disgust; but even that emboldened the man. Jacques cleared away the breakfast-things as well as he could. Purposely, as I suspect, he passed near the man. "Hist!' said the stranger. 'You are Jacques, the gardener, arrested for assisting an aristocrat. I know the gaoler. You shall escape, if you will. Only take this message from me to Mademoiselle. You heard. She will not listen to me; I did not want her to come here. I never knew she was here, and she will die to-morrow. They will put her beautiful, round throat under the guillotine. Tell her, good old man, tell her how sweet life is; and how I can save her; and how I will not ask for more than just to see her from time to time. She is so young; and death is annihilation, you know. Why does she hate me so? I want to save her; I have done her no harm. Good old man, tell her how terrible death is; and that she will die to-morrow, unless she listens to me.' "Jacques saw no harm in repeating this message. Clément listened in silence, watching Virginie with an air of infinite tenderness. "Will you not try him, my cherished one ?' he said. 'Towards you he may mean well' (which makes me think that Virginie had never repeated to Clément the conversation which she had overheard that last night at Madame Babette's); 'you would be in no worse a situation than you were be 2 "He made a long pause. 'I will save mademoiselle and monsieur, if she will go straight from prison to the mairie, and be my wife.' "Jacques returned to the stranger, and the means Morin suggested, and to bring him asked him Virginie's question. His eyes word if Mademoiselle de Créquy relented. were fixed on the cousins; he was very pale, (Jacques had no expectation that she would; and the twitchings or contortions, which must but I fancy he did not think it necessary to have been involuntary whenever he was agi- tell Morin of this conviction of his.) This tated, convulsed his whole body. bargaining with so base a man for so slight a thing as life, was the only flaw that I heard of in the old gardener's behavior. Of course, the mere re-opening of the subject was enough to stir Virginie to displeasure. Clément urged her, it is true; but the light he had gained upon Morin's motions made him rather try to set the case before her in as fair a manner as possible than use any persuasive arguments. And, even as it was, what he said on the subject made Virginie shed tears -the first that had fallen from her since she entered the prison. So they were summoned and went together at the fatal call of the muster-roll of victims the next morning. He "Your wife!' Jacques could not help ex- 66.6 Begone!' said he; not one word more.' Virginie touched the old man as he was moving away. 'Tell him he does not know how he makes me welcome Death.' And smiling, as if triumphant, she turned again to Clément. feeble from his wounds and his injured "The stranger did not speak as Jacques gave him the meaning, not the words of their replies. He was going away, but stopped. A minute or two afterwards he beckoned to Jacques. The old gardener seems to have thought it undesirable to throw away even the chance of assistance from such a man as this, for he went forwards to speak to him. er. "Listen! I have influence with the goalHe shall let thee pass out with the victims to-morrow. No one will notice it, or miss thee, They will be led to trial, even at the last moment I will save her, if she sends me word she relents. Speak to her, as the time draws on. Life is very sweet, tell her how sweet. Speak to him; he will do more with her than thou canst. Let him urge her to live. Even at the last I will be at the Palais de Justice, at the Grève. I have followers, - I have interest. Come among the crowd that follow the victims, I shall see thee. It will be no worse for him, if she escapes "Save my master, and I will do all,' said Jacques. 666 Only on my one condition,' said Morin, doggedly; and Jacques was hopeless of that condition ever being fulfilled. But he did not see why his own life might not be saved, By remaining in prison until the next day, he should have rendered every service in his power to his master and the young lady. He, poor fellow, shrank from death; and he agreed with Morin, to escape, if he could, by health; she calm and serene, only petitioning to be allowed to walk next to him in order that she might hold him up when he turned faint and giddy with his extreme suffering. "Together they stood at the bar; together they were condemned. As the words of judgment were pronounced, Virginie turned to Clément, and embraced him with passionate fondness. Then, making him lean on her, they marched out towards the Place de la Grève. "Jacques was free now. He had told Morin how fruitless his efforts at persausion had been; and, scarcely caring to note the effect of his information upon the man, he had devoted himself to watching Monsieur and Mademoiselle de Créque. And now he followed them to the Place de la Grève. He saw them mount the platform; saw them kneel down together till plucked up by the impatient officials; could see that she was urging some request to the executioner; the end of which seemed to be that Clément advanced first to the guillotine, was executed (and just at this moment there was a stir among the crowd, as of a man pressing forwards towards the scaffold). Then she, standing with her face to the guillotine, slowly made the sign of the cross, and knelt down. Jacques covered his eyes, blinded with tears. The sound of a discharge of a pistol made him look up. She was gone-another victim in her place and where there had been the little stir in the crowd not five minutes before, some men were carrying off a dead body. A man had shot himself, they said. Pierre told me who that man was." |