第7章

Thispetition,whichwassignedbyseveralnoblesandbyalmostallthelawyersandmerchantsofthecityofNimes,waspresentedtoM。

deVillarsonTuesday,22ndApril,1704,byM。deAlbenas,attheheadofsevenoreighthundredpersonsoftheReformedreligion。

M。deVillarsreceivedtherequestkindly,thankeditsbearerandthosewhoaccompaniedhim,assuringthemthathehadnodoubtofthesincerityoftheirprofessions,andthatifhewereinwantofhelphewouldhaverecoursetothemwithasmuchconfidenceasiftheywereoldCatholics。Hehoped,however,towintherebelsbackbymildness,andhebeggedthemtosecondhiseffortsinthisdirectionbyspreadingabroadthefactthatanamnestywasofferedtoallthosewhowouldlaydownarmsandreturntotheirhouseswithinaweek。

Theverynextdaybutone,M。deVillarssetoutfromNimestovisitalltheprincipaltowns,inordertomakehimselfacquaintedwithmen,things,andplaces。

Althoughtheanswertothepetitionhadbeenadelicaterefusal,d\'Aygalierswasnotdiscouraged,butfollowedM。deVillarseverywhere。WhenthelatterarrivedatAlais,thenewgovernorsentforMM。deLalandeanddeBaville,inordertoconsultthemastothebestmeansofinducingtheCamisardstolaydowntheirarms。Barond\'Aygalierswassummonedtothisconsultation,anddescribedhisplantothetwogentlemen。Asheexpected,bothwereopposedtoit;

however,hetriedtobringthemovertohissidebypresentingtothemwhatseemedtohimtobecogentreasonsforitsadoption。ButdeLalandeanddeBavillemadelightofallhisreasons,andrejectedhisproposalswithsuchvehemence,thatthemarechal,howevermuchinclinedtothesideofd\'Aygaliers,didnotventuretoactquitealone,andsaidhewouldnotdecideonanycourseuntilhereachedUzes。

D\'Aygalierssawclearlythatuntilhehadobtainedtheapprobationofeitherthegeneralortheintendant,hewouldgetnothingfromthemarechal。Hethereforeconsideredwhichofthetwoheshouldtrytopersuade,andalthoughdeBavillewashispersonalenemy,havingseveraltimesshownhishatredforhimandhisfamily,hedecidedtoaddresshimselftohim。

Inconsequence,thenextday,tothegreatastonishmentofM。deBaville,d\'Aygalierspaidhimavisit。Theintendantreceivedhimcoldlybutpolitely,askedhimtositdown,andwhenhewasseatedbeggedtoknowthemotivewhichhadbroughthim。"Sir,"repliedthebaron,"youhavegivenmyfamilyandmesuchcauseofoffencethatI

hadcometothefirmresolutionnevertoaskafavourofyou,andasperhapsyoumayhaveremarkedduringthejourneywehavetakenwithM。lemarechal,Iwouldratherhavediedofthirstthanacceptaglassofwaterfromyou。ButIhavecomehereto—daynotuponanyprivatematter,toobtainmyownends,butuponamatterwhichconcernsthewelfareoftheState。Ithereforebegyoutoputoutofyourmindthedislikewhichyouhavetomeandmine,andIdothisthemoreearnestlythatyourdislikecanonlyhavebeencausedbythefactthatourreligionisdifferentfromyours——athingwhichcouldneitherhavebeenforeseennorprevented。MyentreatyisthatyoudonottrytosetM。lemarechalagainstthecoursewhichIhaveproposedtohim,whichIamconvincedwouldbringthedisordersinourprovincetoanend,stoptheoccurrenceofthemanyunfortunateeventswhichIamsureyoulookonwithregret,andspareyoumuchtroubleandembarrassment。"

Theintendantwasmuchtouchedbythiscalmspeech,andaboveallbytheconfidencewhichM。d\'Aygaliershadshownhim,andrepliedthathehadonlyofferedoppositiontotheplanofpacificationbecausehebelievedittobeimpracticable。M。d\'Aygaliersthenwarmlypressedhimtotryitbeforerejectingitforever,andintheendM。deBavillewithdrewhisopposition。

M,d\'Aygaliershastenedtothemarechal,whofindinghimselfnolongeraloneinhisfavourableopinion,madenofurtherdelay,buttoldthebarontocalltogetherthatverydayallthepeoplewhomhethoughtsuitablefortherequiredservice,anddesiredthattheyshouldbepresentedtohimthenextmorningbeforehesetoutforNimes。

Thenextday,insteadofthefiftymenwhomthemarachalhadthoughtcouldbegatheredtogether,d\'Aygalierscametohimfollowedbyeighty,whowerealmostallofgoodandmanyofnoblefamily。Themeetingtookplace,bythewishofthebaron,inthecourtyardoftheepiscopalpalace。"Thispalace,"saysthebaroninhisMemoirs,"whichwasofgreatmagnificence,surroundedbyterracedgardensandsuperblyfurnished,wasoccupiedbyMonseigneurMichelPoncetdeLaRiviere。Hewasamanpassionatelydevotedtopleasuresofallkinds,especiallytomusic,women,andgoodcheer。Therewerealwaystobefoundinhishousegoodmusicians,prettywomen,andexcellentwines。Theselattersuitedhimsowellthatheneverleftthetablewithoutbeinginapleasanthumour,andatsuchamomentifitcameintohisheadthatanyoneinhisdiocesewasnotasgoodaChristianashimself,hewouldsitdownandwritetoM。deBaville,urgingthatthedelinquentoughttobesentintoexile。Heoftendidthishonourtomylatefather。"M。d\'Aygaliersgoesontosaythat"onseeingsuchagreatnumberofHuguenotsinthecourtwhowerealldeclaringthattheywerebetterservantsofthekingthantheCatholics,healmostfellfromhisbalconywithvexationandsurprise。ThisvexationincreasedwhenhesawM。deVillarsandM。deBaville,whohadapartmentsinthepalace,comedownintothecourtandtalktothesepeople。Onehopestillremainedtohim:itwasthatthemarechalandtheintendanthadcomedowntosendthemaway;butthislasthopewascruellydisappointedwhenheheardM。deVillarssaythatheacceptedtheirserviceandexpectedthemtoobeyd\'Aygaliersinallmattersconcerningtheserviceoftheking。"

ButthiswasnotallthathadtobeaccomplishedarmswerenecessaryfortheProtestants,andthoughtheirnumberwasnotgreat,therewasadifficultyinfindingthemweapons。TheunfortunateCalvinistshadbeendisarmedsooftenthateventheirtable—kniveshadbeencarriedoff,soitwasuselesstosearchtheirhousesforgunsandsabres。

D\'Aygaliersproposedthattheyshouldtakethearmsofthetownspeople,butM。deVillarsconsideredthatitwouldoffendtheCatholicstohavetheirarmstakenfromthemandgiventotheProtestants。Intheend,however,thiswasthecoursethathadtobeadopted:M。deParattewasorderedtogivefiftymusketsandthesamenumberofbayonetstoM。d\'Aygaliers,whoalsoreceived,astherewardofhislongpatience,fromM。deVillars,beforethelatterleftforNimes,thefollowingcommission:

"We,MarechaldeVillars,generalinthearmiesoftheking,etc。,etc。,havegivenpermissiontoM。d\'Aygaliers,noblemanandProtestantofthetownofUzes,andtofiftymenchosenbyhim,tomakewarontheCamisards。

（Signed）"VILLARS

（Countersigned）"MORETON

"GivenatUzes,the4thofMay1704"

HardlyhadM。deVillarssetoutforNimesthand\'Aygaliersmetwithfreshdifficulties。Thebishop,whocouldnotforgetthathisepiscopalpalacehadbeenturnedintobarracksforHuguenots,wentfromhousetohousethreateningthosewhohadpromisedtocountenanced\'Aygaliers\'plans,andstrictlyforbiddingthecaptainsofthetowntroopstodeliveranyweaponstotheProtestants。Fortunately,d\'Aygaliershadnotaccomplishedsomuch。withouthavinglearnednottodrawbackwhentheroadgrewrough,sohealsoonhissidewentaboutconfirmingthestrongandencouragingthefeeble,andcalledonM。deParattetobeghimtocarryouttheordersofM。deVillars。

DeParattewashappilyanoldsoldier,whoseoneideawasthatdisciplineshouldbemaintained,sothathegavethegunsandbayonetstod\'Aygaliersonthespot,withoutawordofobjection,andthusenabledthelattertostartatfiveo\'clocknextmorningwithhislittleband。

MeantimedeBavilleanddeLalandehadbeenreflectingwhatgreatinfluenced\'Aygalierswouldgainintheprovinceshouldhesucceedinhisaims,andtheirjealousyhadmadethemresolvetoforestallhiminhiswork,bythemselvesinducingCavaliertoabandonhispresentcourse。Theydidnotconcealfromthemselvesthatthiswouldbedifficult,butastheycouldcommandmeansofcorruptionwhichwerenotwithinthepowerofd\'Aygaliers,theydidnotdespairofsuccess。

TheythereforesentforacountrymancalledLacombe,inordertoenlisthimontheirside;forCavalier,whenaboy,hadbeenhisshepherdfortwoyears,andbothhadremainedfriendseversince:

thismanundertooktotryandbringaboutameetingbetweenthetwogentlemenandCavalier——anenterprisewhichwouldhavebeendangerousforanyoneelse。HepromisedfirstofalltoexplaintoCavaliertheoffersofMM。deBavilleanddeLalande。

Lacombekepthisword:hesetoffthesameday,andtwodayslaterappearedbeforeCavalier。Thefirstfeelingoftheyoungchiefwasastonishment,thesecondpleasure。Lacombecouldnothavechosenabettermomenttospeakofpeacetohisformershepherd。

"Indeed,"saysCavalierinhisMemoirs,"thelosswhichIhadjustsustainedatNageswasdoublypainfultomebecauseitwasirreparable。Ihadlostatoneblownotonlyagreatnumberofweapons,allmyammunition,andallmymoney,butalsoabodyofmen,inuredtodangerandfatigue,andcapableofanyundertaking;

——besidesallthis,Ihadbeenrobbedofmystores——alosswhichmadeitselffeltmorethanalltheothersputtogether,becauseaslongasthesecretofthecavernwaskept,inallourmisfortuneswewereneverwithoutresources;butfromthemomentitgotintothepossessionofourenemieswewerequitedestitute。Thecountrywasravaged,myfriendshadgrowncold,theirpurseswereempty,ahundredtownshadbeensackedandburned,theprisonswerefullofProtestants,thefieldswereuncultivated。Addedtoallthis,thelongpromisedhelpfromEnglandhadneverarrived,andthenewmarechalhadappearedintheprovinceaccompaniedbyfreshtroops。"

Nevertheless,inspiteofhisdesperateposition,CavalierlistenedtothepropositionslaidbeforehimbyLacombewithcoldandhaughtyfront,andhisreplywasthathewouldneverlaydownarmstilltheProtestantshadobtainedtherighttothefreeexerciseoftheirreligion。

Firmaswasthisanswer,LalandedidnotdespairofinducingCavaliertocometoterms:hethereforewrotehimaletterwithhisownhand,askinghimforaninterview,andpledginghiswordthatiftheycametonoagreementCavaliershouldbefreetoretirewithoutanyharmbeingdonehim;butheaddedthat,ifherefusedthisrequest,heshouldregardhimasanenemytopeace,andresponsibleforallthebloodwhichmightbeshedinfuture。

Thisoverture,madewithasoldier\'sfrankness,hadagreateffectonCavalier,andinorderthatneitherhisfriendsnorhisenemiesshouldhavetheleastexcuseforblaminghim,heresolvedtoshoweveryonethathewaseagertoseizethefirstchanceofmakingpeaceonadvantageousterms。

HethereforerepliedtoLalande,thathewouldcometothebridgeofAveneonthatveryday,the12thMay,atnoon,andsenthisletterbyCatinat,orderinghimtodeliveritintothehandsoftheCatholicgeneralhimself。

Catinatwasworthyofhismission。HewasapeasantfromCayla,whoserealnamewasAbdiasMaurel。HehadservedunderMarshalCatinatinItaly,thesamewhohadmaintainedsogallantastruggleagainstPrinceEugene。WhenMaurelreturnedhomehecouldtalkofnothingbuthismarshalandhiscampaigns,sothathesoonwentamonghisneighboursbythenameof"Catinat。"Hewas,aswehaveseen,Cavalier\'srighthand,whohadplacedhimincommandofhiscavalry,andwhonowentrustedhimwithastillmoredangerouspost,thatofenvoytoamanwhohadoftensaidthathewouldgive2000livrestohimwhowouldbringhimtheheadofCavalier,and1000livreseachfortheheadsofhistwolieutenants。CatinatwasquitewellawareofthisofferofLalande\'s,yetheappearedbeforethegeneralperfectlycoolandcalm;only,eitherfromafeelingofproprietyorofpride,hewasdressedinfulluniform。

TheboldandhaughtyexpressionofthemanwhopresentedCavalier\'sletterastonishedthegeneral,whoaskedhimhisname。

"IamCatinat,"heanswered。

"Catinat！"exclaimedLalandeinsurprise。

"Yes,Catinat,commanderofthecavalryofCavalier。"

"What！"saidLalande,"areyoutheCatinatwhomassacredsomanypeopleinBeaucaire？"

"Yes,Iam。Ididit,butitwasmyduty。"

"Well,"exclaimedM。deLalande,"youshowgreathardihoodindaringtoappearbeforeme。"

"Icame,"saidCatinatproudly,"trustingtoyourhonourandtothepromisethatBrotherCavaliergavemethatnothingshouldhappentome。"

"Hewasquiteright,"returnedLalande,takingtheletter。Havingreadit,hesaid,"GobacktoCavalierandassurehimthatIshallbeatthebridgeofAveneatnoon,accompaniedonlybyafewofficersandthirtydragoons。Iexpecttofindhimtherewithasimilarnumberofmen。"

"But,"answeredCatinat,"itispossiblethatBrotherCavaliermaynotwish—tocomewithsopoorafollowing。"

"Ifso,"returnedLalande,"thentellhimthathemaybringhiswholearmyifhelikes,butthatIshallnottakeasinglemanwithmemorethanIhavesaid;asCavalierhasconfidenceinme,Ihaveconfidenceinhim。"

CatinatreportedLalande\'sanswertohischiefitwasofakindthatheunderstoodandliked,soleavingtherestofhistroopsatMassanes,hechosesixtymenfromhisinfantry,andeighthorsemenasescort。Oncominginsightofthebridge,hesawLalandeapproachingfromtheotherside。Heatonceorderedhissixtymentohalt,wentafewstepsfartherwithhiseighthorsemen,andthenorderedthemintheirturntostop,andadvancedalonetowardsthebridge。Lalandehadactedinthesamemannerwithregardtohisdragoonsandofficers,andnowdismounting,cametowardsCavalier。

Thetwometinthemiddleofthebridge,andsalutedwiththecourtesyofmenwhohadlearnedtoesteemeachotheronthefieldofbattle。Thenafterashortsilence,duringwhichtheyexaminedeachother,Lalandespoke。

"Sir,"saidhe,"thekinginhisclemencydesirestoputanendtothewarwhichisgoingonbetweenhissubjects,andwhichcanonlyresultintheruinofhiskingdom。AsheknowsthatthiswarhasbeeninstigatedandsupportedbytheenemiesofFrance,hehopestomeetnooppositiontohiswishesamongthoseofhissubjectswhoweremomentarilyledastray,buttowhomhenowofferspardon。"

"Sir,"answeredCavalier,"thewarnothavingbeenbegunbytheProtestants,theyarealwaysreadyforpeace——butarealpeace,withoutrestrictionorreserve。Theyhavenoright,Iknow,tolaydownconditions,butIhopetheywillbepermittedtodiscussthosewhichmaybelaiddownforthem。Speakopenly,sir,andletmeknowwhattheoffersarethatyouhavebeenauthorisedtomaketous,thatImayjudgeifwecanacceptthem。"

"Buthowwoulditbe,"saidLalande,"ifyouweremistaken,andifthekingdesiredtoknowwhatconditionsyouwouldconsiderreasonable？"

"Ifthatisso,"answeredCavalier,"Iwilltellyouourconditionsatonce,inordernottoprolongthenegotiations;foreveryminute\'sdelay,asyouknow,costssomeonehislifeorfortune。"

"Thentellmewhatyourconditionsare,"returnedLalande。

"Well,"saidCavalier,"ourdemandsarethreefirst,libertyofconscience;secondly,thereleaseofallprisonerswhohavebeencondemnedtoimprisonmentorthegalleysbecauseoftheirreligion;

andthirdly,thatifwearenotgrantedlibertyofconsciencewemaybeatleastpermittedtoleavethekingdom。"

"AsfarasIcanjudge,"repliedLalande,"Idonotbelievethatthekingwillacceptthefirstproposition,butitispossiblethathemayaccedetothethird。Inthatcase,howmanyProtestantswouldyoutakewithyou？"

"Tenthousandofallagesandbothsexes。"

"Thenumberisexcessive,sir。IbelievethatHisMajestyisnotdisposedtogobeyondthreethousand。"

"Then,"repliedCavalier,"thereisnothingmoretobesaid,forI

couldnotacceptpassportsforanysmallernumber,andIcouldacceptforthetenthousandonlyonconditionthatthekingwouldgrantusthreemonthsinwhichtodisposeofourpossessionsandwithdrawfromthecountrywithoutbeingmolested。ShouldHisMajesty,however,notbepleasedtoallowustoleavethekingdom,thenwebegthatouredictsbere—enactedandourprivilegesrestored,whereuponweshallbecomeoncemore,whatwewereformerly,HisMajesty\'sloyalandobedientservants。"

"Sir,"saidLalande,"IshalllayyourconditionsbeforeM。lemarechal,andifnosatisfactoryconclusioncanbearrivedat,itwillbetomeamatterofprofoundregret。Andnow,sir,willyoupermitmetoinspectmorecloselythegallantmenwithwhosehelpyouhavedonesuchastoundingdeeds？"Cavaliersmiled;forthese"gallantmen"whencaughthadbeenbrokenonthewheel,burntatthestake,orhangedlikebrigands。Hissoleanswerwasaninclinationoftheheadasheturnedandledthewaytohislittleescort。M。deLalandefollowedhimwithperfectconfidence,and,passingbytheeighthorsemenwhoweregroupedontheroad,hewalkeduptotheinfantry,andtakingoutofhispocketahandfulofgold,hescattereditbeforethem,saying:

"There,mymen！thatistodrinktheking\'shealthwith。"

Notamanstoopedtopickthemoneyup,andoneofthemsaid,shakinghishead"Itisnotmoneywewant,butlibertyofconscience。"

"Mymen,"answeredLalande,"itisunfortunatelynotinmypowertograntyourdemand,butIadviseyoutosubmittotheking\'swill,andtrustinhisclemency。"

"Sir,"answeredCavalier,"weareallreadytoobeyhim,providedthathegraciouslygrantusourjustdemands;ifnot,weshalldieweaponinhand,ratherthanexposeourselvesoncemoretosuchoutragesashavealreadybeeninflictedonus。"

"YourdemandsshallbetransmittedwordforwordtoM。deVillars,whowilllaythembeforetheking,"saidLalande,"andyoumaybesure,sir,thatmymostsincerewishisthatHisMajestymaynotfindthemexorbitant。"

Withthesewords,M。deLalandesalutedCavalier,andturnedtorejoinhisescort;butCavalier,wishingtoreturnconfidencewithconfidence,crossedthebridgewithhim,andaccompaniedthegeneraltowherehissoldiershadhalted。There,withanothersalute,thetwochiefsparted,M。deLalandetakingtheroadtoUzes,whileCavalierrejoinedhiscomrades。

Meantimed\'Aygaliers,who,aswehaveseen,hadnotleftUzesuntilthe5thMay,inordertojoinCavalier,didnotcomeupwithhimuntilthe13th,thatistosay,thedayafterhisconferencewithLalande。D\'Aygaliersgivesusanaccountoftheirinterview,andwecannotdobetterthanquoteit。

"Althoughitwasthefirsttimethatwehadmetfacetoface,weembracedeachotherasifwewereoldacquaintances。Mylittlebandmixedwithhisandsangpsalmstogether,whileCavalierandItalked。

Iwasverymuchpleasedwithwhat,hesaid,andconvincedhimwithoutdifficultythatheshouldsubmitforthesakeofthebrethren,whocouldthenchoosewhichevercoursebestsuitedthem,andeitherleavethekingdomorservetheking。IsaidthatIbelievedthelastcoursetobethebest,providedwewereallowedtoworshipGodaccordingtoourconsciences;becauseIhopedthat,seeingtheirfaithfulservice,HisMajestywouldrecognisethathehadbeenimposeduponbythosewhohaddescribedusasdisloyalsubjects,andthatweshouldthusobtainforthewholenationthatlibertyofconsciencewhichhadbeengrantedtous;thatinnootherway,asfarasIcouldsee,couldourdeplorableconditionbeameliorated,foralthoughCavalierandhismenmightbeabletoexistforsometimelongerintheforestsandmountains,theywouldneverbestrongenoughtosavetheinhabitantsoftownsandotherenclosedplacesfromperishing。

"Uponthishereplied,thatalthoughtheCatholicsseldomkeptapromisemadetothoseofourreligion,hewaswillingtoriskhislifeforthewelfareofhisbrethrenandtheprovincebutthathetrustedifheconfidedintheclemencyofthekingforwhomhehadneverceasedtopray,noharmwouldhappenhim。"

Thereupond\'Aygaliers,delightedtofindhimsowellinclined,beggedhimtogivehimaletterforM。deVillars,andasCavalierknewthemarechaltobeloyalandzealous,andhadgreatconfidenceinhim,hewrotewithoutanyhesitationthefollowingletter:

"MONSEIGNEUR,——PermitmetoaddressyourExcellencyinordertobeghumblyforthefavourofyourprotectionformyselfandformysoldiers。Wearefilledwiththemostardentdesiretorepairthefaultwhichwehavecommittedbybearingarms,notagainsttheking,asourenemieshavesofalselyasserted,buttodefendourlivesagainstthosewhopersecutedus,attackingussofiercelythatwebelieveditwasdonebyorderofHisMajesty。WeknowthatitwaswrittenbySt。Paulthatsubjectsoughttosubmitthemselvestotheirking,andifinspiteofthesesincereprotestationsoursovereignshouldstilldemandourblood,weshallsoonbereadytothrowourselvesonhisjusticeorhismercy;butweshould,Monseigneur,regardourselvesashappy,ifHisMajesty,movedbyourrepentance,wouldgrantushispardonandreceiveusintohisservice,accordingtotheexampleoftheGodofmercywhoserepresentativeHisMajestyisonearth。Wetrust,Monseigneur,byourfaithfulnessandzealtoacquirethehonourofyourprotection,andwegloryinthethoughtofbeingpermitted,underthecommandofsuchanillustriousandnoble—mindedgeneralasyourself,toshedourbloodfortheking;

thisbeingso,IhopethatyourExcellencywillbepleasedtoallowmetoinscribemyselfwithprofoundrespectandhumility,Monseigneur,yourmosthumbleandobedientservant,"CAVALIER。"

D\'Aygaliers,assoonashegotpossessionofthisletter,setoutforNimesinthebestofspirits;forhefeltsurethathewasbringingM。deVillarsmorethanhehadexpected。And,indeed,assoonasthemarechalsawhowfarthingshadgone,inspiteofeverythingthatLalandecouldsay,whoinhisjealousyassertedthatd\'Aygalierswouldspoileverything,hesenthimbacktoCavalierwithaninvitationtocometoNimes。D\'Aygalierssetoutatonce,promisingtobringtheyoungchiefbackwithhim,atwhichLalandelaughedloudly,pretendingtobeverymuchamusedatthebaron\'sconfidentwayofspeaking,andprotestingthatCavalierwouldnotcome。

Inthemeantimeeventswerehappeninginthemountainswhichmighteasilyhavechangedthestateofmindoftheyoungchief。TheComtedeTournan,whowasincommandatFlorae,hadencounteredRoland\'sarmyintheplainofFondmortes,andhadlosttwohundredmen,aconsiderablesumofmoney,andeightymulesloadedwithprovisions。

TheanxietywhichthisnewscausedtoM。deVillarswassoonrelieved;forsixdaysafterthedefeathereceivedaletterfromCavalierbythehandsofLacombe,thesamewhohadbroughtabouttheinterviewonthebridgeofAvenes。InthisletterCavalierexpressedthegreatestregretforwhathadjusthappened。

D\'AygaliersthereforefoundCavalierinthebestofhumourswhenhejoinedhimatTarnac。Thefirstfeelingthattheyoungchieffeltonreceivingtheinvitationwasoneofstupefaction;foraninterviewwiththemarechalwasanhonoursounexpectedandsogreat,thathisimpressionwasthatsometreasonlaybehindit;buthewassoonreassuredwhenherecalledthecharacterforloyaltywhichthemarechalbore,andhowimpossibleitwasthatd\'Aygaliersshouldlendhimselftotreachery。SoCavaliersentbackwordthathewouldobeythemarechal\'sorders;andthatheputhimselfentirelyintohishandsinwhatconcernedthearrangementsfortheinterview。M。deVillarslethimknowthathewouldexpecthimonthe16thinthegardenoftheconventoftheRecolletsofNimes,whichlayjustoutsidethecity,betweenthegatesofBeaucaireandtheMadeleine,andthatLalandewouldmeethimbeyondCarayractoreceivehimandtobringhimhostages。

CHAPTERIV

Onthe15thMayCavaliersetoutfromTarnacattheheadofonehundredandsixtyfoot—soldiersandfiftyhorse;hewasaccompaniedbyhisyoungbrotherandbyd\'AygaliersandLacombe。TheyallpassedthenightatLanglade。

ThenextdaytheysetoutforNimes,and,ashadbeenagreedupon,weremetbyLalandebetweenSaint—CesaireandCarayrac。LalandeadvancedtogreetCavalierandpresentthehostagestohim。ThesehostageswereM。deLaDuretiere,captainoftheFimarconregiment,acaptainofinfantry,severalotherofficers,andtendragoons。

Cavalierpassedthemovertohislieutenant,Ravanel,whowasincommandoftheinfantry,andlefttheminhischargeatSaint—Cesaire。Thecavalryaccompaniedhimtowithinamusket—shotofNimes,andencampedupontheheights。Besidesthis,Cavalierpostedsentinelsandmountedorderliesatalltheapproachestothecamp,andevenasfaroffasthefountainofDianaandthetennis—

court。Theseprecautionstaken,heenteredthecity,accompaniedbyhisbrother,d\'Aygaliers,Lacombe,andabody—guardofeighteencavalry,commandedbyCatinat。Lalanderodeonbeforetoannouncetheirarrivaltothemarechal,whomhefoundwaitingwithMM。deBavilleandSandricourt,inthegardenoftheRecollets,dreadingeverymomenttoreceivewordthatCavalierhadrefusedtocome;forheexpectedgreatresultsfromthisinterview。Lalande,however,reassuredhimbytellinghimtheyoungHuguenotwasbehind。

Inafewminutesagreattumultwasheard:itwasthepeoplehasteningtowelcometheirhero。NotaProtestant,exceptparalyticoldpeopleandinfantsinthecradle,remainedindoors;fortheHuguenots,whohadlonglookedonCavalierastheirchampion,nowconsideredhimtheirsaviour,sothatmenandwomenthrewthemselvesunderthefeetofhishorseintheireffortstokisstheskirtsofhiscoat。Itwasmorelikeavictormakinghisentryintoaconqueredtownthanarebelchiefcomingtobegforanamnestyforhimselfandhisadherents。M。deVillarsheardtheoutcryfromthegardenofRecollets,andwhenhelearneditscausehisesteemforCavalierrosehigher,foreverydaysincehisarrivalasgovernorhadshowedhimmoreandmoreclearlyhowgreatwastheyoungchief\'sinfluence。ThetumultincreasedasCavaliercamenearer,anditflashedthroughthemarechal\'smindthatinsteadofgivinghostagesheshouldhaveclaimedthem。AtthismomentCavalierappearedatthegate,andseeingthemarechal\'sguarddrawnupinline,hecausedhisowntoformalineoppositethem。Thememoirsofthetimetellusthathewasdressedinacoffee—colouredcoat,withaveryfullwhitemuslincravat;heworeacross—beltfromwhichdependedhissword,andonhisheadagold—lacedhatofblackfelt。Hewasmountedonamagnificentbayhorse,thesamewhichhehadtakenfromM。deLaJonquiereonthebloodydayofVergenne。

Thelieutenantoftheguardmethimatthegate。Cavalierquicklydismounted,andthrowingthebridleofhishorsetooneofhismen,heenteredthegarden,andadvancedtowardstheexpectantgroup,whichwascomposed,aswehavesaid,ofVillars,Baville,andSandricourt。Ashedrewnear,M。deVillarsregardedhimwithgrowingastonishment;forhecouldnotbelievethatintheyoungman,orratherboy,beforehimhesawtheterribleCevenolchief,whosenamealonemadethebravestsoldierstremble。Cavalieratthisperiodhadjustcompletedhistwenty—fourthyear,but,thankstohisfairhairwhichfellinlonglocksoverhisshoulders,andtothegentleexpressionofhiseyeshedidnotappearmorethaneighteen。

Cavalierwasacquaintedwithnoneofthemeninwhosepresencehestood,buthenoticedM。deVillars\'richdressandairofcommand。

Hethereforesalutedhimfirst;afterwards,turningtowardstheothers,hebowedtoeach,butlessprofoundly,thensomewhatembarrassedandwithdowncasteyesbestoodmotionlessandsilent。

Themarechalstillcontinuedtolookathiminsilentastonishment,turningfromtimetotimetoBavilleandSandricourt,asiftoassurehimselfthattherewasnomistakeandthatitwasreallythemanwhomtheyexpectedwhostoodbeforethem。Atlast,doubtingstill,inspiteofthesignstheymadetoreassurehim,heasked——

"AreyoureallyJeanCavalier？"

"Yes,monseigneur,"wasthereply,giveninanunsteadyvoice。