The Devil on Horseback (16 page)

Margot conducted me to the intimate sane a manger . , small but delightful and as exquisitely furnished as the oth rooms I had seen in the house. The Comte was alrea< there and there were two young men with him.

“Ah,” he said, ‘my Cousin Minelle. Is it not great go fortune that my sojourn in England was rewarded with cousin? Etienne, Leon, come and meet my Cousin Minell The two young men bowed and the Comte took my an His fingers caressed my arm affectionately and reassuringi “This, Cousin, is Etienne. He is my son. Do you see resemblance?”

Etienne seemed to be waiting eagerly for my reply. The! is an undoubted resemblance,” I said, and he smiled at n;

“And this is Leon, whom I adopted when be was six.”

108 } I liked Leon from the first. There was something which appealed to me in those laughing eyes. I only discovered when I saw them in daylight that they were deep blue-almost violet. He had very dark hair, rather crinkly and he wore no wig. He was well but not elaborately dressed.

Different from Etienne, whose coat sported lapis lazuli buttons and who had a diamond or two in his cravat.

“I had thought,” said the Comte, ‘that as this is Cousin Minelle’s first night with us we should sup en famille. Do you think that is a good idea. Cousin? “

I said I thought it was an excellent idea.

And here is Marguerite. You look better, my dear. The holiday has done you some good. Let us be seated. They are ready to serve. Cousin, you here beside me. Marguerite on my other side. “

We sat obediently.

“Now,” said the Comte, we can talk among ourselves. It is rarely that we are without guests. Cousin. But as it is our first evening I thought it would be easier for you to get to know us all. like this.

”

I felt I was dreaming. What was the implication? He was treating me like an honoured guest.

“This, my dear Cousin, is one of the most ancient castles in the country,” he told me.

“You can easily lose yourself in the labyrinth of rooms and passages. Is that not so, Etienne, Leon?”

“It is, Monsieur Ie Comte,” said Etienne.

“They have all been here for many years,” explained the Comte, so it does not strike them. “

The servant brought round the highly-spiced food which I did not really care for. In any case I was not hungry.

Leon was regarding me with interest across the table. His smile was warm and I found it comforting. His attitude was different from that of Etienne who, I fancied, was a little suspicious of me. I wondered how much they knew of what had happened. They both seemed colourful personalities to me, I suppose because I already knew of their ‘origins which Margot had explained. Etienne seemed more in awe of the Comte than Leon, about whom there was something bold and carefree.

The Comte talked of the castle, the old part of which was only used on ceremonial occasions.

“One of you must show Cousin Minelle over the casi tomorrow.”

“Certainly,” said Etienne.

“I claim that honour,” put in Leon.

Thank you,” I replied, smiling at him.

Etienne asked questions about England and I answered best I could while the Comte listened attentively.

“You should speak English to our cousin,” he said.

“It wou be courteous to do so. Come now, we shall speak in En lish.”

This curtailed the conversation considerably, for neith Etienne nor Leon had a good command of the languag “You are silent, Marguerite,” said the Comte critically. want to see what an adept you have become at our cousir language. “

“Margot can speak English fluently,” I said.

“But with a French accent! Why is it that of all the wor our two countries find it most difficult to speak each othel language? Can you tell me that?”

“It is the way in which we move our mouths when v speak. The French have developed facial muscles which tl English never use and vice versa.”

“I am sure. Cousin, that you have an answer for ever thing.”

“I would say that was true,” said Margot.

“So the gift of speech has been restored to you.”

Margot flushed a little and I asked myself why when was beginning to like the Comte he had to spoil it with son unkind thrust.

“I don’t think she ever lost it,” I said with some as perit “Like most of us, Margot feels less inclined for conversatk sometimes than others.”

“You have a champion. Marguerite. You are very luck^ ” I have always known I was lucky to have Minelle for friend. “

“Very lucky,” said the Comte, looking at me.

Leon asked in halting English where we spent our ho] day. ;

There was a brief pause, then the Comte told him in Freni that it was some little place near Cannes.

“About fiftei

110 i miles inland,” he added, and I was shocked at the glib manner in which he lied.

“I do not know that part well,” said Leon, ‘but I have passed through it. I wonder if I know the place. ” He turned to me What was the name of it?”

I had not expected to find myself in a difficult position so quickly, but I saw that this could be the first of many.

Before I could have spoken the Comte came to the rescue.

“It was Framercy … was it not. Cousin? I confess I had never heard of it before.”

I did not answer but Etienne said: It must be a small hamlet. “

“There are thousands of such places dotted all over the country,” said the Comte.

“In any case, they had a quiet time, which was what Marguerite needed after her indisposition.”

“It is rare that one can find a peaceful spot in France these days,” said Etienne, dropping back into French.

“In Paris they are talking of nothing but the Deficit.”

“I am sorry,” said the Comte, addressing me, ‘that you have to come to France at a time when the country is in a sad plight. How different it would have been fifteen . twenty years ago. It is astonishing how quickly the clouds can gather. First just a faint shadow on the horizon and the sky starts to grow dark. It has been gradual, but some of us have seen it coming for a long time. Each month it grows a little more menacing. ” He shrugged his shoulders.

“What is France heading for? Who shall say? All we know is that it will come.”

“It could be avoided perhaps,” suggested Etienne.

“If it is not too late,” murmured the Comte.

“I believe it is too late.” Leon’s eyes flashed suddenly.

“There has been too much inefficiency, too much poverty in the country, too many taxes, and high food prices have meant starvation for many.”

“There have always been rich and poor,” the Comte reminded him.

“And now there are some who are saying that it will not always be so.”

“They may say it but what can they do about it?”

“Some of the hotheads think they can do something. They are not only getting together in Paris but throughout the country,”

“A ragged band,” said the Comte.

“A mob … nothing more Whilethe army remained loyal they wouldn’t have a chance. He frowned and turned to me.

“All through the centime;

there has been unrest. We had a great king last century, Louii XIV, the Sun King, the supreme monarch, and none darec question his power.

Under him France led the world. Ii science, in art, in war, none could compare with us. Thi people did not raise their voices then. Then came his grand son Louis XV . a man of great charm but he did no understand the people. When he was young he was knowi as Louis the Well Beloved, for he was most handsome. Bu in time his extravagances, his recklessness, his indiffereno to the will of the people, made him one of the most hat et monarchs France has ever known. There was a time whei he dared not ride through Paris and had a road built that he might avoid doing so. It was then that the Monarchy be came insecure. Now we have a good and noble King, bu alas, a weak one. Good men are not always good rulers You will know well. Cousin, that virtue and strength maki odd bedfellows. “

“I would question that,” I said.

“Would you deny that th saints, who have died for their religion of ten painfully lack strength to set beside their undoubted virtue?”

There was a moment’s silence at the’ table. Margot wa looking worried.

I realized then that it was not usual to interrupt the Comte in his discourse-particularly to contra diet him.

“Fanaticism,” he retorted.

“When they die they believe the are going to glory. What are a few hours of torment be sid an eternity of bliss or whatever they think they are goin, tp? To rule effectively one must be strong and sometime it is necessary to practise expediency which could of fen some moral codes. The essential quality of leadership i strength.”

“I would say justice.”

“My dear Cousin, you have learned your history fror books.”

“How, pray, do others learn?”

“Through experience.”

“No one can live long enough. Are we never to judge an| act we have not experienced?”

“|

112 I

“If we are wise we shall temper our judgement with caution. I was telling you of our King. He is noia. Kingly figure and unfortunately his wife has been of little help to him.”

“Have you heard what they are calling the Queen now?” asked Etienne.

“Madame Deficit.”

“They blame her for the deficit,” said Leon, ‘and perhaps rightly so.

It is said that her dressmakers’ bills are enormous. Her gowns, her hats, her extravagant head adornments, her entertainment at the Petit Trianon, her so-called country life at Le Hameau where she milks the cows in Sevres bowls . are being talked of everywhere. “

“Why should she not have what she wants?” demanded Margot.

“She did not ask to come to France. She was forced to marry Louis. She had never seen him before the marriage.”

“My dear Margot,” the Comte interrupted icily, ‘naturally a daughter of Maria Theresa should think herself honoured to marry a Dauphin of France. She was received here with the utmost respect. The late King was charmed with her. “

“Trust him to be charmed with a pretty young girl,” said Leon.

“We all know what a fancy he had for them … the younger the better. That’s well known through the scandal of the Pare aux Cerfs.”

Etienne said: “Not asuitable subject for the family supper table, Leon.”

The Comte put in: “Our cousin is a woman of the world. She understands such matters.” Again he turned to me.

“Our late King as he grew older had a not unusual partiality for young girls whom his pander was obliged to procure for him. He kept them in a mansion surrounded by a deer park-hence the Pare aux Cerfs.”

“I am not surprised that he ceased to be Louis the Well Beloved,” I said.

“He was a charming man.” The Comte smiled at me challengingly.

“Perhaps my notion of charm is not the same as yours.”

“Dear Cousin, these girls were taken from poverty. It must be so. He could not have taken the daughters of noblemen. They were not forced, nor coerced even. They came of their own free will. Sometimes their parents brought them. Little mi dinettes from the streets of Paris .. girls who had little hope of earning an honest living. Many might have been cor demned to lead lewd and evil lives; some might have worked i they could have found work until they died of diseases of th lungs or lost their sight through too close needlework. Thei only asset was their beauty … roses somehow growing o a dung heap. They were seen, picked and taught to amus the King.”

“And when he tired of them?” I asked.

“He was a grateful man. He gave them a handsome dowr^ the pander found husbands for them and they lived happil ever after. Now, Cousin, my dear advocate of virtue, tell m this: Was it better for those girls to wilt and die on thei dung heap or, in exchange for a brief lapse from virtw win for themselves a life of ease and comfort and per hap good works?”

“It depends on what store they set on virtue.”

“You evade the issue. Should they sell their bodies to sweat shop or a royal master?”

“I can only say that it is an evil system which enables yo to pose such a question.”

“It is a system which exists, not only in France.” He looke at me earnestly.

“It is this system against which the peop] are now murmuring.”

“It will come right,” said Etienne. Turgot and Necker have gone. We shall see what Monsieur Calonne can do for us “Do we bore Mademoiselle Maddox with our politics?” asked Leon.

“Indeed no. I find it interesting. I want to know what i happening.”

“Whatever happens,” said Leon, ‘we shall adjust ourselve That is my feeling. If change is inevitable we must groi accustomed to change.

”

“I should not care to see a change which brought the mo into the chateau,” growled Etienne.

Leon shrugged and Etienne said angrily: “It might h easier for you.

You might fit better than some into a peasant hovel. “

There was a silence at the table. The Comte glanced froi Etienne to Leon with an expression of amused toleranc on his face. Etienne’s was distorted with anger, Leon’s noj chalant. ;

“Certainly I should,” said Leon easily.

“I remember the days of my extreme youth. I was not unhappy crawling in the mire. I am sure I could revert without a great deal of difficulty. I am fortunate to know two worlds.”

Etienne was silent. I wondered how often there was conflict between these two. It occurred to me that Etienne, so anxious to maintain his relationship with the Comte, was a little resentful of Leon’s intrusion and that Leon, being aware of this, cared little.

The Comte changed the subject, and I realized that he was accustomed to lead the conversation at the table and I wondered whether he liked to stir up such storms and watch the effect they had.

“We shall be giving Cousin Minelle a poor view of our country,” he said.

“Let us talk of those things of which we can be justly proud.

You will, I hope, enjoy Paris, Cousin a great city of culture which I can say without boasting is unequalled in the world. I have a house there. It is called an hotel but that is what we called our great houses in the past, so it is not an hotel in the sense which you would use the word. It has been in the family for nearly three hundred years. Yes, it was built in the reign of Franpois Premier when some of the finest architecture in the world was set up in France. You will visit some of our beautiful castles of the Loire, I trust; and we shall enjoy introducing you to Paris. “