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。