The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-23 00:00:00

CHAPTER XI

Will prove very Interesting a partial glimpse is caught of the
interior of the lintel Croissi. a strange affair in a dark cham-
ber is described, and the reader will at length find himself in
the very midst of the conspirators, besides other good com-
pany.
TOWARDS midnight of the same day that the circum-
stances detailed in our last chapter took place, several per-
sons enveloped in large mantles, which were contrived so
as to conceal the face as well as the figure, were seen to
glide mysteriously one after the other into the cloisters of
St. Honore, which at that epoch were contiguous to the Pa-
leis-Royal. On that side there were no guards, and the
most profound silence reigned throughout the vast court
where the kitchens of the Palace were situated. The noc-
turnal visitors seem to be perfectly acquainted with all the
turnings and windings of these dark and deserted build-
ings. They directed their steps towards a low door hid
in an angle of the court, which they struck with a slight
tap : it was immebiately opened.
A password being exchanged between the foremost figure
ssf the group and some unseen person within, the hand of
the leading figure was taken by a guide, who whisperingly
directed the rest of the party to follow close and without
noise. The little band were then led amidst the most in-
tense darkness up and down staircases, and along a
labyrinth of lobbies and corridors, until at length they
stopped in a doorway, through the chink of which a light
was scarcely visible. The door, after some premonitory
sign, was carefully opened, and an anti-room to some
larger apartment presented itself to view, wherein several
persons were already assembled. They were grouped round
the spacious fiie-place, and conversing in low voices. This
was the rendezvous of the conspirators engaged in the
Courtier's Plot.
In the meantime, Fabien de Croissi, after quitting the
hostelrie of the " Three Pigeons," was conducted to the
handsome hotel which his brother inhabited ; but every
precaution had been taken that he should not be seen. In the
costly apartment an elegant collation was set out imme-
diately after Fabien's arrival. The attendant, on quitting
the chamber, locked the door, leaving Fabien in solitude.
He tried the door, but in vain. There was no other out-
let perceptible. The windows overlooked a court-yard,
where. from the measured tread heard below, young de
Croissi concluded a sentinel was placed. Escape was im-
possible ; he therefore resigned himself to his fate. Hour
after hour passed wearily away, till at length twilight dark-
ened the objects around, and night quickly shrouded all
things in gloom.
Some hours after daylight bad departed, a slight noise
was heard without, the lock turned, the door opened, and
Albert de Croissi entered the apartment. Fabien was
about to remonstree with his brother upon the treat-
ment he had received, when De Croissi abruptly inter-
rupted him, saying—
" Peace ! remember your promise."
He then desired him to change a part of his travelling
garments for a more costly suit, which an attendant who
waited without the door had brought.
Fabien silently obeyed. The next minute Albert led the
way to the portal, where a carriage being in waiting, they
entered it, and were quickly driven off.
" Whither do you lead me ?" asked Fabien, breaking
silence.
" Where you shall be satisfied—let that suffice."
" Whither, brother ?"
" Peace : time will shevv ?"
Not another word was spoken until the coach stopped
at the Cloister of Saint Honor 6. De Croissi led his bro-
ther by the same route as that taken by the other nobles,
and with similar precautions. The ante-chamber was now
empty. Bidding Fabie❑ seat himself, the Baron passed
out by a large doorway at the furthest corner of the room,
to announce the arrival of his brother to his friends.
This antechamber was spacious, but so dimly lighted by
a single taper, that the eye in vain endeavoured to pene-
trate its remote recesses. Fabien had cast himself
thoughtfully upon a seat, when he thought he heard near
him a slight noise such as that made by the lifting of a sash-
window. He turned his head quickly to the point whence
he fancied the noise proceeded, but could perceive nothing
but tire heavy drapery suspended from the wall, and upon
which the flickering light seemed to cast strange and fan-
tastic shadows. He thought he must have been deceived,
and relapsed into his former position, when the drapery
suddenly trembled, and a head, the features of which could
not be distinguished in the dimness of the room, presented
itself to view from the midst of the ample folds. The in-
truder examined Fabien for a moment, as if to be assured
that he was not mistaken, when in a low, but cheerful voice,
said—

" Fear not, if you want assistance you can find it at
hand."

The head was quickly withdrawn, and a fresh noise
heard, which seemed like the closing of a panel. When
Fabien recovered from his surprise, he ran towards the
place whence the sound proceeded, and drew aside the
hangings, but saw nothing save the bare walls.
Nevertheless, he felt certain that there must be a secret
outlet, and that a friend was near him. But who was that
friend ? His thoughts at once turned upon the Countess !
But how could she know of his arrival and presence ? He
was lost in conjecture.
Scarcely had he recovered himself after this strange and
unaccountable proceeding, when the Baron reentered the
room. Albert took him somewhat kindly by the band,
to lead him into the saloon adjoining. He whispered in
Lis brother's ear, as they paused at the porch for a mo-
ment—
" Fabien, the solemn moment is arrived. Think of my
words : no foolery—no nonsense ; a great fortune is yours,
or captivity while you have life I Now choose."
Fabien's only reply was, " Lead on."
They entered the chamber in silence. That instant the
eyes of all the conspirators were fixed upon the youth. The
examination did not last long, for experienced courtiers
can judge of a man at first sight. They nearly all expressed
their surprise in finding Fabien so different to what they
bad pictured him in their imaginations.
Fabien's dress became him. It was composed of green
velvet, made after the fashion of the time, and set off his
fine figure admirably. His well-shaped head, good sta-
ture, and the collectedness as well as grace of his deport-
ment, were totally at variance with their anticipations.
There was an entire absence of all that rusticity which they
supposed he possessed. He held his hat, surmounted by
a plume of feathers, in his hand, and thus his long waving
hair, so much cherished by the youths of his time, was
seen to advantage. His manly and regular features, with-
out aught of coarseness, gave no idea of the rustic simpli-
city which the Baron had described to his fellow-conspira-
tors. A slight colour mounted to Fabien's face at the mo-
ment, on finding himself so marked an object of attention,
heightened perhaps on reflecting by what title he was re-
cognised on entering that apartment, and standing amongst
that assembly.
Fabien saluted the party with a dignified gesture, but
few of the conspirators returned it, perhaps from feeling
contempt for a man whom they believed was destined to
become an assassin. The Byron did not intend officially
to present his brother to his friends; he directed him to
a vacant seat, and immediately joined the courtiers, who
closed, where they stood, around him.
" Truly, De Croissi," said one, in a low tone of voice,
" you have selected a fine handsome fellow, and I fancy
the hero of many fights will have some little trouble to
upset him in a bodily combat."
" True, Monsieur de Servien," replied Albert, with
evident satisfaction, " and I can tell you the youth is
brave as handsome; and I assure you that if we decide
upon matching him against the conqueror of many battles,
as you call our enemy, we"—
An exclamation from the Mar6chal D' Hocquincourt at-
tracted at this moment the attention of the party, and in-
terrupted the various conversations that were taking place.
The Manlchal bad cast at first a look of indifference upon
Fabien • but at length, examining his features more
seriously, he exclaimed—
"l do not deceive myself ! No ! Is not this the gen-
tleman who yesterday rendered me, on Pont Neuf, so
great a service, in disengaging me from the hands of the
mob? Speak, sir, was it not you that charged so admira-
bly, and with so much courage, into the very heart of the
people, although armed only with a whip, and mounted on
a sorry post horse? In vain have I sought for the hero
of that affray. Tell me quickly, I beg of you, if you are
not the man ?"
" I am, indeed, sir," replied Fabien, modestly ; " but
I was too greatly interested in one of those within that
coach to heed the howlings of the mob."
" I have then found you," said the Marechal, delight-
edly ; " I am glad to see you. Give me your hand—l
swear"—

The Baron took the hand of the young cavalier, and
grasped it cordially ; but a sudden thought came across
his mind, which induced him to draw it back.
" It is a pity," said he, with an air of reflection, " that
a fine fellow such as you are should be engaged in a bad
action. Not but that the enterprise of which you have
been made acquainted is necessary for the safety of the
state, but I could wish that the villainous part of the bu-
siness was confided to some other than yourself."
" Marechal !" murmured De Croissi in his ear, in a
tone of entreaty, " pray reflect upon what you are saying."
" Go to the devil," suddenly exclaimed the angry vete-
ran, " I am as much devoted to her Majesty the Regent
as any other of her subjects ; but to tell the bare fact, and
plain truth, I do not like to see this gallant and high.spi-
rited youth, who possesses all the requisites to make the
King a brave and faithful soldier, drawn into evil doings
by doubtless bad advice. This is one of your tricks, De
Croissi ; and it is a burning shame thus to serve a younger
brother as you are now doing with him."
De Croissi placed his hand angrily on his sword-hilt ;
but those present immediately interfered between the Ba-
ron and the Marechal, who in his generous indignation
forgot that he was one of the first to suggest the enterprise
which it was proposed to entrust to Fabien. The cour-
tiers endeavoured to calm the gallant Marechal ; but he
was one of those men whom in attempting to pacify was
only to make more angry.
" We shall find time to settle this matter, De Croissi,"
replied he, passionately; " but if a deception has been
employed to entrap him to do any thing that is repugnant
to his inclinations, I will engage—l, D'Hocqumcourt— to
stand by him and be his friend, even if the plot should fail
altogether. This I swear"—
At this moment the door of the saloon opened. and the
attendant without announced, in an under voice,
" The Queen !"
D'Hocquincourt was silent in an instant, and those that
were seated rose.
Anne of Austria entered the room the next moment, at.
tended only by the Countess de Montglat."
The Queen had but just left the state apartments, and
still wore the rich robes in which she had presided over
the brilliant court circle.

Fabien did not need the announcement of the usher to
be informed of the presence of the Queen-Regent, in the
imposing person before him. In seeing her majestic and
stately figure, adorned with costly gems, amongst which
priceless diamonds
shone conspicuously, and with all the
eclat of royal pomp, the poor youth was seized with a re-
spect that bordered upon terror, and he felt his courage
fail him to accomplish his secret intentions. He sought
with anxiety a look from Elizabeth, hut he beheld no sign
of emotion upon the features of the maid of honour that
might kindle hope in his soul, or support him in his de-
term!nation. Elizabeth de Montglat was pale as the
opening day ; her countenance displayed a sad and deep
dejection ; her eyes met those of Fabien, but he read in
their tearful glances nothing but despair. It was not then
from her that help was to arrive. Who could be the mys-
terious friend who had power to protect him even in the
royal palace ?
The courtiers bowed respectfully before the Regent.
" God preserve you, gentlemen," said she, making a
graceful acknowledgement of their obeisance. " I beg
your pardon for being thus late, but the gamesters and tri-
flersin the grand gallery did not suspect, I fancy, that the
most faithful of my adherents were elsewhere waiting for
me. Etiquette, you may readily believe, has been more
than commonly irksome to me throughout the whole of
this evening.
The Queen having thus spoken, seated herself in the
chair that had been reserved for her, and exchanged a few
words, in a suppressed tone of voice, with each of those
assembled. Baron de Croissi approached her the last,
but the Regent appeared to listen to him with a feeling of
disgust, and soon interrupted him, saying aloud—
" Well, well, Monsieur de Croissi, I leave to you all
that concerns the execution of this project. But where is
this handsome spark who has tendered us the offer of his
assistance ? I was told that I should meet him here to-
night."
Permit me, madame, to present him to your notice,"
said Albert de Croissi," taking his brother's hand, to con-
duct him to the Regent.
Anne of Austria cast upon Fabien her eagle eye, and
seemed intent upon reading his inmost thoughts. The
Regent turned to the maid of honour, who stood with
drooping head, trembling with agitation behind her chair.
"Truly, you little rogue," she whispered, . " you
possess good taste. I must admit that he is a handsome
fellow."
Turning to Fabien, she said, " Come hither, young sir,
I am very glad to see so near at hand a gentlemen who,
they tell me, is so devoted to my cause."
The first impression upon Fabien's mind having passed
away, it was now his task to surmount the difficulty and
danger that encompassed him. He advanced a few paces,
and respectfully dropped on one knee before the Queen.
Anne appeared to take no little gratification in noticing
the handsome and well-proportioned figure of the youth
at her feet.
" Rise, sir," she said at length ; " we have heard you
spoken of as a frank and gallant gentleman."
" And I can assure your majesty that those who have
said so have not deceived your grace in that respect," in-
terrupted D'Hocquincourt, with his accust mixed bluntness.
" His conduct on Pont Neuf but yesterday would have
convinced anybody of the fact who doubted it."
" You cannot fail to he a good judge of courage, mare.
chall," said the Queen, with a gracious smile, and a win-
' ning compliment; " so brave a soldier as yourself can
happily estimate the good qualities of another. This
young cavalier ought to be proud of your good opinion.
But at this period we do not require resolution alone—that
mere vulgar courage that would prompt a man to dare dan-
ger in the face of a wretched and angry mob, or in the
greater peril of the battle-field. The safety of the state
requires something beside this, and it is that which we an-
ticipate will be shown by our young champion. I trust
that he will not deceive us in our expectations."
Fabien had during these observations risen and remained
standing before Anne of Austria. The courtiers formed a
circle around him, while their glances now rested on the
Queen, and now on the young adventurer. With him em-
barrassment had ceased, and calmness succeeded.
" The duty of a subject, madame," said Fabien, re-
spectfully, but firmly, " is it not to obey in all things, that
his sovereign has a right to command him to do ?"
" Oh ! my subjects," said the Queen, bitterly, " know
right well how to dispense with this duty. Ask these gen-
tlemen, who know them well, what outrages and insults
they shower day by day on the mother of their King. But,"
continued Anne, quickly, " let us come to the point. You
have desired, young sir, I understand, in consequence of
scruples that I cannot but admire, to hear the Regent of
France give you the order to deliver the state from its
most dangerous enemy. This command I now give you;
with this you ought to be satisfied. Swear, therefore, to
me to fulfil the objects of your mission even at the peril of
your life, and leave to us—but you, Baron de Croissi, will
state more exactly what you wish should be done."
All attention was now turned to Fabien, whose reply
was breathlessly awaited by all present; Elizabeth fixed
upon her lover a look of deep anxiety ; while Albert de
Croissi, his face pale and replete with emotion, leant for-
ward to hear his brother's reply, on which so much de-
pended.
The group was a deeply interesting one.
Fabien fixed upon the Regent a look as keen as her own,
and thus addressed her—
[Enter PRINTER'fi DEVlL—Please, sir, we have enough copy
for to day.
POPJOY—Oh I very well
READER—Bother.]