THE MEMOIRS OF A PHYSICIAN (Complete Edition: Volumes 1-5). Alexandre Dumas
will want witnesses on your side," observed the chancellor.
"That is awkward, for everybody there seems to be on the other side."
"Not everybody," interrupted the countess, "for if the affray was the one that happened in Chaussee village, I can be your witness. I came through there a couple of hours after, and all were talking of it!"
"Have a care, my lady," said the viscount; "for if you speak in my favor, you will make an enemy of Choiseul."
"She ought to lean on your arm, then; though one is wounded, it will soon be healed, and the other is still formidable," said the law lord, while the old dame rolled from one gulf into another.
"Ah, but I know another, whose arms are perfect," said Jean, merrily; "and service for service, she will offer your ladyship hers. I am going straight to my sister, and I offer you a seat in my carriage."
"But without motive, without preparations," faltered the countess.
"Here is your excuse," whispered Maupeou, slipping Zamore's governmental instructions into her sallow, wrinkled hand.
"My lord chancellor, you are my deliverer," she gasped. "And the viscount is the flower of the chivalry."
Indeed, a splendid coach in the royal colors was waiting at the doors. The countess placed herself in it, swelling with pride. Jean entered likewise, and gave the word for the departure.
In her joy at this smooth sailing, the countess forgot that she had wanted to lay a private complaint before the chancellor as head of the legal fraternity.
It may be remembered that Chon had decoyed her into traveling to Paris by pretending to be the daughter of her lawyer Flageot.
What was her amazement, therefore, on calling on that gentleman, to learn that not only was he a bachelor without a daughter, but that he had no good news to impart to her on her suit. Burning with disappointment, she had sought a remedy against this lawyer or this woman who had hoaxed her.
Chapter XIX.
Chon Spoils All.
After the king's departure from the short and unpleasant call, as he termed it to the courtiers, the Countess Dubarry remained closeted with Chon and her brother, who had kept in the background for fear that his wound would be found to be but a scratch. The outcome of this family council was that the countess, instead of going to Luciennes, went to a private house of hers in Valois Street, Paris.
Jeanne read a book while Zamore, at the window, watched for the carriage to return. When the viscount brought the old countess he left her in the anteroom while he ran to tell his sister of his success.
"Where is Chon?" he asked.
"At Versailles, where I bade her keep close."
"Then go in, my princess."
Lady Dubarry opened the boudoir door and walked into her visitor's presence.
"I have already thanked my brother," she said, "for having procured me the honor of your ladyship's visit; but I must thank you at present for making it."
"I cannot find expressions," said the delighted suitor, "to show my gratitude for the kind reception granted me."
"Allow me," said Jean, as the ladies took seats; "the countess must not seem to be applying to you for a favor. The chancellor has confided a commission for you, that is all."
The visitor gave the speaker a thankful look, and handed the letters patent from the chancellor which created Luciennes a royal castle and intrusted Zamore with the governership.
"It is I who am obliged," said the younger countess, "and I shall consider myself happy when the chance comes for me to do something in my turn."
"That will be easy," cried the other with a quickness delighting the pair of plotters. "You will not be ignorant of my name?"
"How could we? The name of the princess to whom we owe King Henry the Fourth?"
"Then you may have heard of a lawsuit which ties up my property."
"Claimed by the Saluces? Yes, the king was talking of the matter with Chancellor Maupeou, my cousin, the other evening."
"The king talked of my case? In what terms, pray?"
"Alas! he seemed to think that it ought to be the Saluces."
"Good heavens! then we would have to pay twice over a sum which morally was paid. I have not the receipt, I grant, but I can prove payment morally."
"I think moral proofs are accepted," said Jean gravely.
"The claim of two hundred thousand livres, with interest, now amounting to a capital of over a million, dated 1406. It must have been settled by Guy Gaston IV., Count of Bearn, because on his deathbed, in 1417, he wrote in his will 'Owing no debts,' and so on."
"That settles it," said Jean.
"But your adversaries hold the note?" said the countess, pretending to take an interest in the subject.
"Yes, that embroils it," said the old lady, who ought to have said, "This clears it up."
"It terribly changes the position for the Saluces."
"Oh, my lady, I would that you were one of the judges!"
"In olden times, you might have claimed a champion to do battle for you. I have such belief in your case that I would go into the lists for you. Unfortunately we have not to do with knights but a gang of robbers in black gowns, who will not understand so plain an expression as 'I die owing no debts.'"
"Stay, though; as the words were spoken three hundred years ago they would be outlawed, I think," ventured Countess Dubarry.
"But you would be convinced of the lady's rights, sister, if you were to hear her, as I have heard coming along."
"Then do me the favor of coming out to my place at Luciennes, where, by the way, the king drops in now and again."
"But I cannot rely on such a chance, for the case is called Monday, and this is Friday."
"What the deuce can be done?" grumbled the viscount, appearing to meditate profoundly.
"If I could have a royal hearing at Versailles through your introduction?" suggested the old lady.
"Not to be thought of. The king does not like me to meddle with law or politics. And at present he is worried about my presentation to the court."
"Oh!" exclaimed the aged litigant.
"The king wants it to come off before the new dauphiness arrives, so that my sister can go to the festivities at Compiegne, in spite of Choiseul's opposition, Praslin's intrigues and Lady Grammont's intervention."
"I understand. The countess has no introductress?" queried Lady Bearn, timidly.
"Beg pardon, we have Baroness Alogny, only the king would prefer somebody with a historical name."
"I cannot say that I ever heard of the Alognys," hissed the old descendant of kings with incredible envy.
"It will be a grand thing for her, for the king is tired of the jades who put on airs prouder than himself!" said Jean. "I could make Lady Alogny draw off by telling her what the king said."
"It would be unfair," said the viscount.
"What a pity! for in that case, here is a lady of ancient lineage, and regal. She would win her lawsuit, her son could have a lieutenancy in the household troops, and as Lady Bearn must have gone to much outlay in her trips to Paris, she would have compensation out of the privy purse. Such luck does not rain down twice in a lifetime."
"Alas! no," said Lady Bearn, crushed in her chair by all things being against her.
"An