Havre.
This brilliant and animated company, the members of which were inspired by various feelings, arrived at Havre four days after their departure from Paris.It was about five o'clock in the afternoon, and no intelligence had yet been received of Madame.They were soon engaged in quest of apartments; but the greatest confusion immediately ensued among the masters, and violent quarrels among their attendants.In the midst of this disorder, the Comte de Guiche fancied he recognized Manicamp.It was, indeed, Manicamp himself; but as Malicorne had taken possession of his very best costume, he had not been able to get any other than a suit of violet velvet trimmed with silver.Guiche recognized him as much by his dress as by his features, for he had very frequently seen Manicamp in his violet suit, which was his last resource.Manicamp presented himself to the count under an arch of torches, which set in a blaze, rather than illuminated, the gate by which Havre is entered, and which is situated close to the tower of Francis I.The count, remarking the woe-begone expression of Manicamp's face, could not resist laughing."Well, my poor Manicamp,"he exclaimed, "how violet you look; are you in mourning?""Yes," replied Manicamp; "I am in mourning.""For whom, or for what?"
"For my blue-and-gold suit, which has disappeared, and in the place of which I could find nothing but this; and I was even obliged to economize from compulsion, in order to get possession of it.""Indeed?"
"It is singular you should be astonished at that, since you leave me without any money.""At all events, here you are, and that is the principal thing.""By the most horrible roads."
"Where are you lodging?"
"Lodging?"
"Yes!"
"I am not lodging anywhere."
De Guiche began to laugh."Well," said he, "where do you intend to lodge?""In the same place you do."
"But I don't know, myself."
"What do you mean by saying you don't know?""Certainly, how is it likely I should know where I should stay?""Have you not retained an hotel?"
"I?"
"Yes, you or the prince."
"Neither of us has thought of it.Havre is of considerable size, I suppose; and provided I can get a stable for a dozen horses, and a suitable house in a good quarter ---- ""Certainly, there are some very excellent houses.""Well then ---- "
"But not for us."
"What do you mean by saying not for us? -- for whom, then?""For the English, of course."
"For the English?"
"Yes; the houses are all taken."
"By whom?"
"By the Duke of Buckingham."
"I beg your pardon?" said Guiche, whose attention this name had awakened.
"Yes, by the Duke of Buckingham.His Grace was preceded by a courier, who arrived here three days ago, and immediately retained all the houses fit for habitation the town possesses.""Come, come, Manicamp, let us understand each other.""Well, what I have told you is clear enough, it seems to me.""But surely Buckingham does not occupy the whole of Havre?""He certainly does not occupy it, since he has not yet arrived; but, once disembarked, he will occupy it.""Oh! oh!"
"It is quite clear you are not acquainted with the English;they have a perfect rage for monopolizing everything.""That may be; but a man who has the whole of one house, is satisfied with it, and does not require two.""Yes, but two men?"
"Be it so; for two men, two houses, or four or six, or ten, if you like; but there are a hundred houses at Havre.""Yes, and all the hundred are let."
"Impossible!"
"What an obstinate fellow you are.I tell you Buckingham has hired all the houses surrounding the one which the queen dowager of England and the princess her daughter will inhabit.""He is singular enough, indeed," said De Wardes, caressing his horse's neck.
"Such is the case, however, monsieur."
"You are quite sure of it, Monsieur de Manicamp?" and as he put this question, he looked slyly at De Guiche, as though to interrogate him upon the degree of confidence to be placed in his friend's state of mind.During this discussion the night had closed in, and the torches, pages, attendants, squires, horses, and carriages, blocked up the gate and the open place; the torches were reflected in the channel, which the rising tide was gradually filling, while on the other side of the jetty might be noticed groups of curious lookers-on, consisting of sailors and townspeople, who seemed anxious to miss nothing of the spectacle.Amidst all this hesitation of purpose, Bragelonne, as though a perfect stranger to the scene, remained on his horse somewhat in the rear of Guiche, and watched the rays of light reflected on the water, inhaling with rapture the sea breezes, and listening to the waves which noisily broke upon the shore and on the beach, tossing the spray into the air with a noise that echoed in the distance."But," exclaimed De Guiche, "what is Buckingham's motive for providing such a supply of lodgings?""Yes, yes," said De Wardes; "what reason has he?""A very excellent one," replied Manicamp.
"You know what it is, then?"