Последний отзыв
Книгу прочитать не могу, везде ЛитРес свой нос сунул, как и где скачать полную версию бесплатно!?!?
По всем вопросам обращайтесь на: info@litportal.ru
(©) 2003-2024.
✖
Chicot the Jester
Настройки чтения
Размер шрифта
Высота строк
Поля
“How so?”
“He will not fight.”
“Did you not hear what he said before going to bed?”
“That is just why I think he will not fight.”
“Incredulous and distrustful!”
“I know my Gasçon, Henri; but if you will take my advice, you will return to the Louvre.”
“Do you think I can stay there during the combat?”
“I do not wish you not to love your friends, but I do wish you not to leave M. d’Anjou alone at the Louvre.”
“Is not Crillon there?”
“Crillon is only a buffalo – a rhinoceros – a wild boar; while your brother is the serpent, whose strength lies in his cunning.”
“You are right; I should have sent him to the Bastile.”
When Chicot and the king entered, the young men were being dressed by their valets.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” said he; “I find you all in good spirits, I hope?”
“Yes, sire,” said Quelus.
“You look gloomy, Maugiron.”
“Sire, I am superstitious, and I had bad dreams last night, so I am drinking a little wine to keep up my spirits.”
“My friend, remember that dreams are the impressions of the previous day, and have no influence on the morrow.”
“Yes, sire,” said D’Epernon, “I also had bad dreams last night; but, in spite of that, my hand is steady and fit for action.”
“Yes,” said Chicot, “you dreamed you had blood on your boots; that is not a bad dream, for it signifies that you will be a conqueror, like Alexander or Cæsar.”
“My friends,” said Henri, “remember you fight only for honor; the past night has seated me firmly on my throne, therefore do not think of me; and, above all things, no false bravery; you wish to kill your enemies, not to die yourselves.”
The gentlemen were now ready, and it only remained to take leave of their master.
“Do you go on horseback?” asked he.
“No, sire, on foot.”
They each kissed his hand, and D’Epernon said, “Sire, bless my sword.”
“Not so, D’Epernon; give up your sword – I have a better one for each of you. Chicot, bring them here.”
“No, sire, send your captain of the guards; I am but a Pagan, and they might lose their virtue by coming through my hands.”
“What are these swords, sire?” said Schomberg.
“Italian swords, my son, forged at Milan.”
“Thanks, sire.”
“Now go, it is time,” said the king, who could hardly control his emotion.
“Sire,” said Quelus, “shall we not have your majesty’s presence to encourage us?”
“No, that would not be right; you will be supposed to fight without any one being cognizant of it, and without my sanction. Let it appear to be the result of a private quarrel.”
When they were gone, the king threw himself down in tears.
“Now,” said Chicot, “I will go to see this duel, for I have an idea that something curious will happen with regard to D’Epernon.” And he went off.
Henri shut himself up in his own room, first saying to Crillon, who knew what was to take place, “If we are conquerors, Crillon, come and tell me; if not, strike three blows on the door.”
CHAPTER XCV.
THE FRIENDS OF BUSSY
The friends of the Duc d’Anjou had passed as good and tranquil a night as those of the king, although their master had not taken the same care of them. After a good supper, they had all retired to sleep at Antragues’s house, which was nearest to the field of battle. Antragues, before supper, had gone to take leave of a little milliner whom he adored, Ribeirac had written to his mother, and Livarot had made his will. They were up early in the morning, and dressed themselves in red breeches and socks, that their enemies might not see their blood, and they had doublets of gray silk. They wore shoes without heels, and their pages carried their swords, that their arms might not be fatigued.
The weather was splendid, for love, war, or walking; and the sun gilded the roofs, on which the night dew was sparkling. The streets were dry, and the air delightful.
Before leaving the house, the young men had sent to the Hôtel d’Anjou to inquire for Bussy, and had received a reply that he had gone out the evening before and had not yet returned.
“Oh!” said Antragues, “I know where he is; the king ordered a grand chase at Compiègne, and M. de Monsoreau was to set off yesterday. It is all right, gentlemen; he is nearer the ground than we are, and may be there before us. We will call for him in passing.”
The streets were empty as they went along; no one was to be seen except peasants coming from Montreuil or Vincennes, with milk or vegetables.
The young men went on in silence until they reached the Rue St. Antoine.
Then, with a smile, they glanced at Monsoreau’s house.
“One could see well from there, and I am sure poor Diana will be more than once at the window,” said Antragues.
“I think she must be there already,” said Ribeirac, “for the window is open.”
“True, but what can be the meaning of that ladder before it?”
“It is odd.”
“We are not the only ones to wonder,” said Livarot, “see those peasants, who are stopping their carts to look.”
The young men arrived under the balcony. “M. de Monsoreau,” they cried, “do you intend to be present at our combat? if so, be quick, for we wish to arrive first.”
Другие электронные книги автора Александр Дюма
Другие аудиокниги автора Александр Дюма
Последний отзыв
Книгу прочитать не могу, везде ЛитРес свой нос сунул, как и где скачать полную версию бесплатно!?!?