Читать книгу The Third Estate - Bowen Marjorie - Страница 13

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M. de Sarcey rode back to Versailles. As soon as he entered the palace he was informed that M. de Condé wished to see him at once.

He found that prince in his own apartments in company with his son, M. d'Enghien and M. de Conti.

'Well, what of to-morrow, Messieurs?' he asked as he entered.

Something in his presence, his extreme handsomeness, his haughty carriage, the repressed force he conveyed, so different from the languid demeanour usual to the young men of his rank, inspired and pleased the three nobles; princes of the blood as they were, none of them typified so completely as M. de Sarcey all that was most powerful in the aristocracy of France, that aristocracy that now, for the first time in its existence, was almost being forced to defend its immemorial privileges.

M. de Condé took his hand; the Marquis had been educated in his house and was as familiar to him as his son.

'It is the moment for strong measures—the strongest of measures,' he said. 'We have reason to believe that the third estate will try to meet as usual to-morrow.'

'I hope that His Majesty has resolved that it shall be only try,' answered the Marquis hotly.

'It has been so decided,' returned M. de Conde.

'What will be done?'

'You, Marquis, will occupy the courtyard with your troops—a detachment of the garde française will hold the salle des petits plaisirs where these mongrels have been meeting—and if they persist, you will tell them it is His Majesty's pleasure that they disperse.'

The eyes of the Marquis gleamed with satisfaction; he could have had no task more to his liking.

'This should have been done before, Monseigneur,' he replied. 'These people become actually insolent; two to-day, starveling lawyers, I think, almost defied me in the "Lion d'or."'

'And what did you discover there?' asked M. de Conti.

'Nothing in detail—only that undoubtedly the place is used as a meeting house for these wretches. As well to arrest the landlord and close the inn. Some peasant deputy lodges there and supplies contraband books to his companions.'

'God help us!' cried M. de Condé, in considerable emotion, 'how has the country come to such a pass!'

M. d'Enghien, who had hitherto sat in silence, now spoke.

'I cannot understand how it could not all have been suppressed sooner. Why were the States General ever called?' he demanded.

'How were the new taxes and imposts to be raised without their consent?' returned his father. 'And it was supposed to quiet the people.'

'Quiet them!' cried M. de Conti, 'it has raised a tempest about our ears.'

Not a tempest, I hope,' said M. de Sarcey.

'At least it is a considerable vexation,' answered M. de Condé. 'These rascals will not be dispersed so easily as they were called together.'

'They need the bayonet's point and the flat end of the sword,' returned the Marquis, who was impatient of politics of which he understood nothing.

'I fear it will take more subtle measures,' replied M. de Condé despondently. 'They are, many of them, not fools.'

'There is the Comte de Mirabeau, who has some breeding,' said M. de Conti, 'and he is dangerous.'

'His name brings us to a matter on which the Queen wishes to see you, Marquis,' remarked M. de Condé. 'Her Majesty will soon be expecting us.' He looked at his watch and rose.