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The Last Cavalier: Being the Adventures of Count Sainte-Hermine in the Age of Napoleon
The Last Cavalier: Being the Adventures of Count Sainte-Hermine in the Age of Napoleon
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The Last Cavalier: Being the Adventures of Count Sainte-Hermine in the Age of Napoleon

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“‘I am sending you a mutual friend, Coster de Saint-Victor. His name alone should be enough to make you realize you can trust him completely. I am giving him the little catechism to study so he can find his way to where you now are hiding. Give him the first forty thousand francs if you have them and keep safe the rest, for it is much less to me than it is to you. If you are unable to stay where you are because persecution is too great, come to this part of France to be with me.

“‘Whether near or far, I love you and thank you.

“‘George Caudoudal

“‘General of the Army of Brittany

“‘PS: You apparently have, my dear Morgan, a young brother about nineteen or twenty years old. If you don’t think me unworthy of leading him into his first battles, send him to me. He will be my aide-de-camp.’

“After consulting all the Companions, my brother responded:

“‘My dear general,

“‘We received your good, courageous letter, thanks to your brave messenger. We have approximately one hundred fifty thousand francs in our coffers, and so we are able to do what you request. Our new associate, to whom I am giving the name Alcibiade on my own authority, will leave this evening with the first forty thousand francs. Each month you will receive from the same bank the forty thousand francs you need. In case of death or dispersion, the money will be buried in as many different places as we have multiples of forty thousand francs. Herewith is the list of those who will know where the money is hidden.

“‘Our brother Alcibiade arrived just in time to witness an execution, by the way. He has seen how we punish traitors.

“‘I thank you, my dear general, for your generous offer concerning my younger brother. But my intention is to keep him out of danger until the time comes for him to replace me. My father died on the guillotine, bequeathing his vengeance to my older brother. My older brother died before the firing squad, bequeathing his vengeance to me. I shall likely die, as you say, on the scaffold. But I shall die bequeathing my vengeance to my younger brother. And then it will be his turn to follow the same path we have taken, and he will contribute, as we have, to the triumph of our noble cause. Or he will die as we have died. That is the reason I am required to take it on myself to deprive him of your patronage, though I do ask you to keep him as a friend.

“‘As soon as possible, send us back our dear brother Alcibiade. For us it is a double pleasure to be able to send you our message with a messenger like him.

“‘Morgan’

“As my brother said, Coster de Saint-Victor did indeed witness the punishment. Lucien de Fargas was judged and executed before his eyes. Afterward, at midnight, two horsemen left the Seillon monastery by the same gate. One, Coster de Saint-Victor, was leaving for Brittany to meet Cadoudal, carrying forty thousand francs from Morgan. The other, the Comte de Ribier, with Lucien de Fargas’s body lying across his horse, was on his way to place the traitor’s corpse in the square by the Préfecture.”

Hector paused a moment, then said, “Pardon me, my story seemed so simple at first, only now it seems to have gotten so complicated it’s taking on the shape of a novel. I’m obliged to follow events as they progress, of course, but for fear of describing too many catastrophes I shall try to be as brief as possible.”

“Oh, on the contrary, don’t leave anything out, I beg you,” said Mademoiselle de Sourdis. “I find all the people you are talking about quite fascinating, especially Mademoiselle de Fargas.”

“Well, I was just about to get back to her. For three days after she had religiously attended to the burial of the body, identified as her brother, on the square in Bourg-en-Bresse, a young woman appeared at the Palais de Luxembourg and requested an audience with Citizen Director Barras. He was in a meeting. The valet, noticing that she was young and attractive, showed her into the pink boudoir, where Citizen Barras conducted his more amorous meetings. A quarter of an hour later, the same valet announced Citizen Director Barras.

“Barras entered triumphantly, placed his hat on a table, and walked toward the visitor, saying: ‘You wanted to see me, madame? Here I am!’

“The young woman, lifting her veil to reveal her astounding beauty, stood up as he approached. Barras stopped in amazement. Then he moved quickly forward and tried to take her hand as he gestured that she should sit back down.

“But she, keeping her hands in the folds of her long veil, said, ‘Please excuse me, but I must remain standing as befits a supplicant.’

“‘A supplicant!’ said Barras. ‘Oh, a woman like you does not beg; she gives orders, or at the very least she makes demands.’

“‘Well, that is what I’m also doing. In the name of the earth that gave us both life, in the name of my father, your father’s friend, in the name of outraged humanity, in the name of failed justice, I come to you to demand vengeance.’

“‘Vengeance?’

“‘Vengeance,’ Diana repeated.

“‘Vengeance is a harsh word,’ Barras said, ‘for one so lovely and young.’

“‘Monsieur, I am the daughter of the Comte de Fargas, assassinated by the Republicans in Avignon, and the sister of the Vicomte de Fargas, who has just been killed in Bourg-en-Bresse by the Companions of Jehu.’

“‘Are you sure, madame?’

“She showed him a dagger and a sheet of paper. ‘The dagger is well known in its design,’ she said, ‘even if the dagger explained nothing at all, and the paper will remove any doubts as to the murder and its cause.’

“Barras studied the weapon. ‘And this dagger.…’ he began.

“‘Was planted in my brother’s chest.’

“‘The dagger by itself proves nothing,’ said Barras. ‘It could have been stolen or counterfeited purposely simply to complicate the investigation.’

“‘Yes, but read this paper, written and signed in my brother’s hand.’

“Barras read Lucien’s last words, avouching his failure to keep his oath to the Companions of Jehu. ‘And this is truly your brother’s writing?’ Barras asked.

“‘Yes, it is.’

“‘What do these words mean: “I die the victim not of a cowardly assassin but of avenging justice?”’

“‘That means that when he fell into your agents’ hands and was tortured, my brother broke his oath by naming his accomplices. I’m the one,’ Diana added with a strange laugh, ‘who should have joined the Companions, not my brother.’

“‘How is it possible that a murder like that took place without my knowing anything about it?’

“‘It does not speak well for your police,’ Diana said with a smile.

“‘Well, since you seem to be so well informed, tell us the names of the people who killed your brother. Once we have caught them, their punishment will be swift.’

“‘If I knew their names,’ answered Diana, ‘I would not have to come see you. I’d have planted a knife in them myself.’

“‘Well,’ said Barras, ‘as you look for them, so shall we.’

“‘But should it be I who looks for them?’ Diana asked. ‘Is that my job? Am I the government or the police? Is it my responsibility to keep watch over people? My brother was arrested and put into prison, a prison belonging to the government, which now has to answer to me for my brother. The prison has betrayed its prisoner. So the government owes me an answer. Since you are the head of government, I ask you, I demand, “Give me back my brother!”’

“‘You loved your brother?’

“‘I adored him.’

“‘And you want to avenge him?’

“‘I would trade my life for the lives of his assassins.’

“‘What if I offered you a way, whatever it might be, to discover the murderer? Would you accept?’

“Diana hesitated a moment, then said boldly, ‘Whatever it is, I shall do what’s necessary.’

“‘Well, then,’ said Barras, ‘if you are willing to help us, we shall help you.’

“‘What must I do?’

“‘You are attractive; very attractive, indeed.’

“‘My beauty has nothing to do with it,’ said Diana without lowering her eyes.

“‘On the contrary,’ said Barras, ‘beauty has everything to do with it. In this grand struggle we call life, beauty comes to women not as some heaven-sent gift merely to please the eyes of a lover or husband, but as a potent weapon, a means of attack and defense.’

“‘Tell me more,’ Diana replied.

“‘The Companions of Jehu keep no secrets from Cadoudal. He is their true leader, for essentially they work for him. He knows their every name from top to bottom.’

“‘And so?’ Diana wondered.

“‘So? Nothing could be simpler. Go to Brittany, join Cadoudal, introduce yourself as a victim of your devotion to the Royalist cause, gain his confidence. It will be easy for you, because Cadoudal will not be able to look at you without falling in love. And sooner or later you’ll have all the names of these men, these bandits, whom we have had so much trouble finding. Provide us those names, that is all I ask, and you shall have your revenge, I guarantee. In addition, if through your influence you’re able to get that stubborn rebel to give up his struggle, I don’t need to tell you that the government would set no limits.…’

“Diana raised her hand. ‘Careful, Citizen Director, one more word and you’d be insulting me.’ Then, after a moment’s silence: ‘I’d like to request twenty-four hours to consider,’ she said.

“‘Take your time, madame,’ said Barras. ‘I am always at your orders and shall be waiting.’

“‘Tomorrow at nine p.m., right here,’ said Diana. She then took the dagger from Barras’s hands and picked up her brother’s letter from the table. She slipped them inside her bodice. She said good-bye and left.

“The next evening at the appointed hour Mademoiselle Diana de Fargas was again announced at the palace, and the director hurried back to the pink boudoir.

“‘I’ve come to a decision, monsieur. However, you will understand that I shall need a safe-conduct so that the Republican authorities will know who I am. In the life I shall be leading, it is possible I could be caught bearing arms against the Republic. I know that you send even women and children to the firing squad, for you wage a war of extermination—well, that is between you and God. So while I may be captured, I have no wish, you can be sure, to be shot before enjoying my revenge.’

“‘I had anticipated your request, and so as not to delay your departure, the papers you need I have already had prepared. Here are clear orders from General Hédouville; they transform those whom you fear into your protectors. With this safe-conduct, you can go anywhere in Brittany or the Vendée.’

“‘Very well, monsieur!’ said Diana. ‘Thank you.’

“‘If it’s not too indiscreet, may I ask when you plan to leave?’

“‘This evening. My horses and coach await me outside the palace gates.’

“‘Allow me to ask one somewhat delicate question. It is my duty to ask.’

“‘Go ahead, monsieur.’

“‘Do you have money?’

“‘I have six thousand gold francs in this box, and that’s better than sixty thousand francs’ worth of assignats. As you see, I have my own resources to fund my battles.’

“Barras reached out to shake the lovely traveler’s hand, but she took no notice of his polite gesture. She merely curtsied and withdrew.

“‘What a charming viper,’ said Barras. ‘I would not want to be the one to provide it warmth.’”

XVI Mademoiselle de Fargas (#ulink_c9d7caed-6ec3-51a2-a871-4e620644a7b3)

“MADEMOISELLE DE FARGAS and Coster Saint-Victor happened to meet by chance just below the village of La Guerche, about three leagues from where Cadoudal was camped.

“Coster Saint-Victor, one of the most elegant men of the time, a rival of the First Consul Bonaparte for the favors of one of the most beautiful actresses of the day, spotted the lovely woman in the open carriage. When the carriage was forced move more slowly on an upgrade, he was able to draw near easily since he was on horseback.

“At first Diana tried to remain coldly distant with the stranger, but he greeted her so politely, and his speech and compliments were so gentlemanly, that she remained aloof no longer than was appropriate for people who meet while traveling. Then, too, the region was completely new to her, and danger could be waiting anywhere. This traveler apparently knew the country very well, so he could prove to be useful to her, perhaps even telling her where Cadoudal could be found.

“Both of them had assumed a false identity. Coster Saint-Victor had told her that his name was d’Argentan and that he was a government tax officer in Dinan. Diana had introduced herself as Mademoiselle de Rotrou, the postmistress in Vitré. From statement to statement they shared false information, but eventually they both spoke something true. To each other both divulged that they were looking for Cadoudal.

“‘Are you acquainted with him?’ Saint-Victor, or d’Argentan, had asked.

“‘I’ve never set eyes on him,’ Diana answered.

“‘Well, then, mademoiselle, I shall be pleased to offer my services,’ said d’Argentan. ‘Cadoudal is a close friend of mine, and we are getting so near the place where we shall meet him that I can with no risk, I believe, admit that I am not really a government tax agent but rather an officer in Cadoudal’s ranks. If you need a reference to be able to see him, mademoiselle, I shall be doubly pleased that chance—in this case I will say Providence—has placed you on my path.’

“‘Since we are making admissions, I am no more postmistress in Vitré than you are a tax officer in Dinan. I am the last of a well-known Royalist family and I’ve a vow of vengeance to fulfill. I am seeking to serve with him.’

“‘In what capacity?’ d’Argentan asked.

“‘As a volunteer,’ said Diana.

“Coster looked at her in surprise, and then said, ‘Well, yes, in the end that should be possible. Dumouriez after all had as aides-de-camp the two Fernig girls. We live in such strange times that we have to get used to everything, even to those things that seem unbelievable.’ At that, they let the matter drop.

“In La Guerche they had met and passed a detachment of Republican soldiers on its way to Vitré. At the bottom of the hill below La Guerche they came upon some logs barricading the road. ‘By Jove!’ said Coster, ‘I would not be at all surprised if Cadoudal were behind this barricade.’

“He came to a halt and motioned to Diana’s carriage to stop. He imitated the hoot first of a screech owl, then of a barn owl, and was answered by the cry of a crow. ‘We’ve identified each other as friends,’ he told Diana. ‘Even so, it’s best if you wait here. I’ll come back to get you.’

“Two men appeared and opened up a path through the barricade. Diana watched as her traveling companion threw himself into the arms of a man whom she assumed to be the elusive Cadoudal himself.

“Soon the man crossed the barricade and walked toward Diana. As he neared the carriage, he took off his felt hat. ‘Mademoiselle,’ he said, ‘either you continue on your way or you do me the honor of asking for hospitality. I can only ask you to decide quickly. In less than an hour the Republicans will be here, and as you can see’—he motioned to the barricades—‘we are ready to welcome them. Not to mention,’ he went on, ‘the fifteen hundred men hidden in the Scotch broom who will soon begin to make music the likes of which you have never heard.’

“‘Monsieur,’ said Diana, ‘I have come to request your hospitality, and I am thankful that chance allows me the opportunity to witness a spectacle I have always wanted to see: a battle.’

“Cadoudal bowed and motioned to his men, who made a passageway just large enough for the carriage. Once Diana found herself on the other side of the barricade, she discovered, in addition to the fifteen hundred Cadoudal had said were in the broom, a thousand more lying prone with their rifles ready. And hidden back in the underbrush were about fifty horsemen, their horses’ bridles in hand.

“‘Mademoiselle,’ Cadoudal said to Diana, ‘please don’t think ill of me for attending to my military duties. As soon as I’ve taken care of them, I shall return.’

“‘Please, gentlemen, don’t worry about me,’ said Diana. ‘If only there were a horse.…’

“‘But I’ve got two,’ said d’Argentan. ‘I shall put the smaller at your disposal. Unfortunately it is saddled for battle and for a man.’

“‘Which is exactly what I need,’ said Diana. And when she saw the young man taking his saddlebag off the horse, she said with a laugh, ‘Thank you, Sir Government Tax Officer from Dinan!’ And then she closed the carriage door.

“Ten minutes later, the first shots rang out on the hilltop about a quarter of a mile from the barricade, and the battle was under way. At the same time, the carriage door opened and a young man in an elegant Chouan costume stepped down. He was wearing a velvet vest. Two double-barreled pistols protruded from his white belt, a white feather waved from his felt hat, and at his side hung a light saber. On the horse that Coster Saint-Victor’s servant gave to him, he galloped off with an ease that betrayed an excellent horseman. He took his place among the ranks of the cavalry serving under the Breton leader.

“I shall not recount the battle,” Hector went on, “except to tell you that the Blues were totally defeated; after displaying prodigious courage, they retreated and rallied around their leader, Colonel Hulot, in the village of La Guerche.

“Although the day had not brought great material gains to Cadoudal and his men, the moral effect was immense. For Cadoudal, his twenty-five hundred men not only had stood up to four or five thousand veteran soldiers hardened by five years of fighting, but had also pushed them back into the town from which they had tried to sally, and he ‘d cost the Blues four or five hundred men. Thus the insurrection in Brittany, following on the heels of the insurrection in the Vendée, got under way with a victory.

“Diana had fought in the front ranks, had often shot with her rifle, and three or four times, in close battle, had had occasion to use her pistols. As for Coster Saint-Victor, he came back, his Chouan jacket over his shoulder, with a bayonet wound in his arm.

“‘Monsieur,’ the girl said to Cadoudal, who had been hidden in the smoke while fighting in the front rows throughout the whole battle, ‘before the battle, you said that once it was over, you would attend to my purposes in coming to join you. Now that the combat is indeed over, I would hope you’d allow me a place among your troops.’

“‘In what capacity?’ Cadoudal asked.

“‘As a volunteer. For have I not just proven to you that noise and smoke do not frighten me?’