CHAPTER XVI.
THE MARRIAGE.
"The two men approached the window. We gently opened it a little
way, and heard one say, 'Are you sure it is here?' 'Yes, monseigneur,
quite sure,' said the other. 'It is the fifth house from the
corner of the Rue St. Paul.' 'And you are sure of the key?' 'I
took the pattern of the lock.' I seized Gertrude's arm in terror.
'And once inside' he went on, 'the servant will admit us; your
highness has in your pocket a golden key as good as this one.'
'Open, then.' We heard the key turn in the lock but all at once
the ambushed men rushed forward, crying, 'a mort! a mort!' I
could not understand this, only I saw that unexpected help had
come to us, and I fell on my knees, thanking Heaven. But the
prince had only to name himself, when every sword went back into
the scabbard, and every foot drew back."
"Yes, yes," said Bussy, "it was for me they came, not for the
prince."
"However, this attack caused the prince to retire, and the five
gentlemen went back to their hiding-place. It was evident that
the danger was over for that night, but we were too unquiet to
go to bed. Soon we saw a man on horseback appear, and then the
five gentlemen immediately rushed on him. You know the rest,
as the gentleman was yourself."
"On the contrary, madame, I know only that I fought and then
fainted."
"It is useless to say," continued Diana, with a blush, "the interest
that we took in the combat so unequal, but so valiantly sustained.
Each blow drew from us a shudder, a cry, and a prayer. We saw
your horse fall, and we thought you lost, but it was not so;
the brave Bussy merited his reputation. At last, surrounded,
menaced on all sides, you retreated like a lion, facing your
foes, and came to lean against our door; the same idea came to
both of us, to go down and open to you, and we ran towards the
staircase; but we had barricaded the door, and it took us some
minutes to move the furniture, and as we arrived on the stairs,
we heard the door shut. We stopped, and looked at each other,
wondering who had entered. Soon we heard steps, and a man appeared,
who tottered, threw up his arms, and fell on the first step. It
was evident that he was not pursued, but had put the door, so
luckily left open by the duke, between hint and his adversaries.
In any case we had nothing to fear; it was he who needed our help.
Gertrude ran and fetched a lamp, and we found you had fainted, and
carried you to the bed. Gertrude had heard of a wonderful cure
made by a young doctor in the Rue Beautrellis, and she offered to
go and fetch him. 'But,' said I, 'he might betray us.' 'I will
take precautions' said she. She took money and the key, and I
remained alone near you, and--praying for you."
"Alas!" said Bussy, "I did not know all my happiness, madame."
"In a quarter of an hour Gertrude returned, bringing the young
doctor with his eyes bandaged."
"Yes, it was at that moment I recovered my senses and saw your
portrait, and thought I saw you enter," said Bussy.
"I did so; my anxiety was stronger than my prudence. The doctor
examined your wound and answered for your life."
"All that remained in my mind," said Bussy, "like a dream, and
yet something told me," added he, laying his hand upon his heart,
"that it was real."
"When the surgeon had dressed your wound, he drew from his pocket
a little bottle containing a red liquor, of which he put some
drops on your lips. He told me it was to counteract the fever and
produce sleep, and said that the only thing then was to keep you
quiet. Gertrude then bandaged his eyes again, and took him back
to the Rue Beautrellis, but she fancied he counted the steps."
"He did so, madame."
"This supposition frightened us. We feared he would betray us,
and we wished to get rid of every trace of the hospitality we
had shown you. I gathered up my courage; it was two o'clock,
and the streets were deserted; Gertrude was strong, and I aided
her, and between us we carried you to the Temple. Luckily we
met no one, but when we returned, I fainted with emotion."
"Oh! madame!" cried Bussy, "how can I ever repay you for what
you have done for me?"
There was a moment's silence, and they heard the clock of St.
Catherine's church strike. "Two o'clock," cried Diana, "and you
here!"
"Oh! madame, do not send me away without telling me all. Suppose
that God had given you a brother, and tell this brother what
he can do for his sister."
"Alas! nothing now; it is too late."
"What happened the next day?" said Bussy; "what did you do on
that day when I thought constantly of you, without feeling sure
if you were not a vision of my delirium?"
"During that day, Gertrude went out, and met Aurilly. He was
more pressing than ever. He said nothing of the night before,
but asked for an interview for his master. Gertrude appeared
to consent, but she asked until the Wednesday--that is to-day--to
decide. Aurilly promised that his master would wait until then.
That evening, M. de Monsoreau returned. We told him all, except
about you.
"'Yes,' said he, 'I heard of all this. Then he has a key.' 'Can
we not change the lock?' 'He will get another key.' 'Put on bolts?
'He will come with ten men and force the door. 'But the event which
was to give you full power over him?' 'Is postponed indefinitely.'
I stood in despair. 'Monsieur,' said I, 'the duke has promised to
wait till Wednesday; I ask you to wait till Tuesday.' 'Tuesday
evening I will be here, madame,' and without another word he
went out. I followed him with my eyes, but instead of going away
he stood in the corner by the Hôtel des Tournelles, and seemed
determined to watch me all night. Every proof of devotion he gave
me was like a knife in my heart. The two days passed rapidly, but
what I suffered it is impossible to describe. When Tuesday evening
came, I felt exhausted, and all emotion seemed dead within me.
"Gertrude went to the window. 'Madame,' cried she, 'four men!
I see four men! They approach, they open the door--they enter!
It is, doubtless, the duke and his followers.' For an answer,
I drew my poniard, and placed it near me on the table. 'See,'
said I. An instant after, Gertrude returned, 'It is the count,'
said she. He entered. 'Gertrude tells me,' said he, 'that you
took me for the duke, and were ready to kill yourself.' It was
the first time I had ever seen him moved. Gertrude was wrong to
tell you,' said I. 'You know that I am not alone.' 'Gertrude saw
four men.' 'You know who they are?' 'I presume one is a priest,
and the others witnesses.' 'Then, you are ready to become my
wife?' 'It was so agreed; only I stipulated that except in an
urgent case, I would only marry you in the presence of my father.'
'I remember; but do you not think the case urgent?' 'Yes, and
the priest may marry us, but, until I have seen my father, I
will be your wife only in name.'
"The count frowned, and bit his lips. 'I do not wish to coerce
you,' said he; 'you are free; but look here.' I went to the window,
and saw a man wrapped in a cloak, who seemed trying to get into
the house."
"Oh! mon dieu!" cried Bussy; "and this was yesterday?"
"Yes, about nine o'clock. Presently, another man, with a lantern,
joined him. I thought it was the duke and his followers.
"'Now,' said, M de Monsoreau, 'shall I go or stay?' I hesitated
a moment, in spite of my father's letter and of my given word,
but those two men there----"
"Oh! unhappy that I am," cried Bussy, "it was I and Rémy, the
young doctor."
"You!" cried Diana.
"Yes, I; I, who, more and more convinced of the reality of my
dream, sought for the house where I had been, and the woman,
or rather angel, who had appeared to me. Oh! I am unfortunate.
Then," continued he, after a pause, "you are his wife?"
"Since yesterday."
There was a fresh silence.
"But," said Diana at last, "how did you enter this house?"
Bussy silently showed his key.
"A key! where did you get it?"
"Had not Gertrude promised the prince to enter tonight? He had
seen M. de Monsoreau here, and also myself, and fearing a snare,
sent me to find out."
"And you accepted this mission?"
"It was my only method of penetrating to you. Will you reproach
me for having sought at once the greatest joy and the greatest
grief of my life?"
"Yes, for it is better that you should see me no more, and forget
me."
"No, madame; God has brought me to you, to deliver you from the
toils in which your enemies have taken you. I vow my life to
you. You wish for news of your father?"
"Oh, yes! for, in truth, I know not what has become of him."
"Well, I charge myself with finding out; only think of him who
henceforth will live but for you."
"But this key?"
"This key I restore to you, for I will receive it only from your
hands; but I pledge you my word as a gentleman, that never sister
could trust in a brother more devoted and respectful."
"I trust to the word of the brave Bussy. Here, monsieur," and
she gave back the key.
"Madame, in a fortnight we will know more;" and, saluting Diana
with a respect mingled with love and sadness, Bussy took leave.
Diana listened to his retreating steps with tears in her eyes.
