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。