The Snowball Read Free Page B

this was an instance of such
direct disobedience as I could scarce understand. "Did I not give you
the strictest orders to deny me to everybody?"
    "They would take no refusal, Monseigneur," he answered penitently,
edging away from me as he spoke.
    "Who are they?" I asked sternly, leaving the question of his
punishment for another season. "Speak, rascal, though it shall not
save you."
    "There are M. le Marquis de la Varenne, and M. de Vitry," he said
slowly, "and M. de Vic, and M. Erard, the engineer, and M. de
Fontange, and—"
    "
Pardieu!
" I cried, cutting him short in a rage; for he was going on
counting on his fingers in a manner the most provoking. "Have you let
in all Paris, dolt? Grace! that I should be served by a fool! Open the
door, and let me see them!"
    With that I was about to enter; when the door, which I had not
perceived to be ajar, was suddenly thrown open, and a laughing face
thrust out. It was the King's.
    "Ha, ha! Grand-master!" he cried, vastly diverted by the success of
his jest and the abrupt change which doubtless came over my
countenance. "Never was such graceful hospitality, I'll be sworn! But
come, pardon this varlet. And now embrace me, and tell me where you
have been playing truant."
    Saying these words with the charm which never failed him, and in his
time won to his side more foes than his sword ever conquered, the King
drew me into my room, where I found De Vic, Vitry, Roquelaure, and the
rest. They all laughed heartily at my surprise, nor was Maignan, who
had a pretty fancy, and was the author, it will be remembered, of that
whimsical procession to Rosny after the battle of Ivry, which I have
elsewhere described, far behind them; the rascal knowing well that the
king's presence covered all, and that in my gratification at the honor
done me I should be certain to overlook his impertinence.
    Perceiving that this impromptu visit had no other object than to
divert Henry—though he was kind enough to say that he felt uneasy
when he did not see me often—I begged to know if he would honor me by
staying to sup; but this he would not do, though he consented to drink
a cup of my Arbois wine, and praised it highly. I thought I saw by and
by that he was willing to be alone with me; and as I had every reason
to desire this myself, I made an opportunity. Sending for Arnaud and
some of my gentlemen, I committed my other guests to their care, and
led the King into my closet, where, after requesting his leave to
speak on business, I proceeded to unfold to him the adventure of the
snowball, with all the particulars which I have here set down.
    He listened very attentively, drumming on the table with his fingers;
nor did he move or speak when I had done but still continued in the
same attitude of deep thought. At last: "Grand-master," he said,
touching with his hand the mark of the wound which still remained on
his lip, "how long is it since Chalet's attempt—when I got this?"
    "Seven years last Christmas, Sire," I answered.
    "And Barrière's?"
    "That was the year before. Avenious' plot was that year too."
    "And the Italian, from Milan, of whom the Capuchin Honorio warned us?"
    "That was two years ago, Sire."
    "And how many more attempts have there been against my person?" he
went on, much moved. Then falling into a tone of extreme sadness, he
continued, "Rosny, my friend, they must succeed at last. No man can
fight against his fate. The end is sure, notwithstanding all your
fidelity and vigilance, and the love you bear me, for which I love you
too. But Nicholas? Nicholas? Yet he has been careless and distraught
of late. I have noticed it; and a month back I refused to give him an
appointment, of which he wished to have the sale."
    I did not dare to speak, and for a time Henry, too, remained silent.
At length he rose with an air of resolution.
    "We will clear this matter up within the hour!" he said firmly. "I
will send my people back to the Louvre, and do you, Grand-master,
order half-a-dozen Swiss to be