Part 38 (1/2)

We were on the quay now, and the little s.h.i.+p lay ready for us. A very light breeze blew off the land, enough to carry us over if it held, but promising a long pa.s.sage; the weather was damp and misty. M. Colbert had shrugged his shoulders over the prospect of a fog; his master would hear of no delay, and the King had sent for Thomas Lie, a famous pilot of the Cinque Ports, to go with us till the French coast should be sighted. The two Kings were walking up and down together in eager and engrossed conversation. Looking about, I perceived the figures of two women standing near the edge of the water. I saw Colbert approach them and enter into conversation; soon he came to me, and with the smoothest of smiles bade me charge myself with the care of Mistress Quinton.

”Madame,” said he, ”has sent a discreet and trustworthy waiting-woman with her, but a lady needs a squire, and we are still hampered by business.” With which he went off to join his master, bestowing another significant smile on me.

I lost no time in approaching Barbara. The woman with her was stout and short, having a broad hard face; she stood by her charge square and st.u.r.dy as a soldier on guard. Barbara acknowledged my salutation stiffly; she was pale and seemed anxious, but in no great distress or horror. But did she know what was planned for her or the part I was to play? The first words she spoke showed me that she knew nothing, for when I began to feel my way, saying: ”The wind is fair for us,” she started, crying: ”For us? Why, are you coming with us?”

I glanced at the waiting-woman, who stood stolidly by.

”She understands no English,” said Barbara, catching my meaning. ”You can speak freely. Why are you coming?”

”Nay, but why are you going?”

She answered me with a touch of defiance in her voice.

”The d.u.c.h.ess of York is to return with Madame on a visit to the French Court, and I go to prepare for her coming.”

So this was the story by which they were inducing her to trust herself in their hands. Doubtless they might have forced her, but deceit furnished a better way. Yet agitation had mingled with defiance in her voice. In an instant she went on:

”You are coming, in truth are you? Don't jest with me.”

”Indeed I'm coming, madame. I hope my company is to your liking?”

”But why, why?”

”M. de Perrencourt has one answer to that question and I another.”

Her eyes questioned me, but she did not put her question into words.

With a little s.h.i.+ver she said:

”I am glad to be quit of this place.”

”You're right in that,” I answered gravely.

Her cheek flushed, and her eyes fell to the ground.

”Yes,” she murmured.

”But Dover Castle is not the only place where danger lies,” said I.

”Madame has sworn----” she began impetuously.

”And M. de Perrencourt?” I interrupted.

”He--he gave his word to his sister,” she said in a very low voice. Then she stretched her hand out towards me, whispering, ”Simon, Simon!”

I interpreted the appeal, although it was but an inarticulate cry, witnessing to a fear of dangers unknown. The woman had edged a little away, but still kept a careful watch. I paid no heed to her. I must give my warning.

”My services are always at your disposal, Mistress Barbara,” said I, ”even without the right to them that M. de Perrencourt purposes to give you.”

”I don't understand. How can he--Why, you wouldn't enter my service?”