For some minutes I forgot mademoiselle in paying those assiduous attentions to my mother which her state and my duty demanded;and which I offered the more anxiously that I recognised,with a sinking heart,the changes which age and illness had made in her since my last visit.The shock of mademoiselle's words had thrown her into a syncope,from which she did not recover for some time;and then rather through the assistance of our strange guide,who seemed well aware what to do,than through my efforts.
Anxious as I was to learn what had reduced her to such straits and such a place,this was not the time to satisfy my curiosity,and I prepared myself instead for the task of effacing the painful impression which mademoiselle's words had made on her mind.
On first coming to herself she did not remember them,but,content to find me by her side--for there is something so alchemic in a mother's love that I doubt not my presence changed her garret to a palace--she spent herself in feeble caresses and broken words.Presently,however,her eye falling on mademoiselle and her maid,who remained standing by the hearth,looking darkly at us from time to time,she recalled,first the shock which had prostrated her,and then its cause,and raising herself on her elbow,looked about her wildly.'Gaston!'she cried,clutching my hand with her thin fingers,'what was it Iheard?It was of you someone spoke--a woman!She called you--or did I dream it?--a cheat!You!'
'Madame,madame,'I said,striving to speak carelessly,though the sight;of her grey hair,straggling and dishevelled,moved me strangely,'was it;likely?Would anyone dare to use such expressions of me is your presence?You must indeed have dreamed it!'
The words,however,returning more and more vividly to her mind,she looked at me very pitifully,and in great agitation laid her arm on my neck,as though she would shelter me with the puny strength which just enabled her to rise in bed.'But someone,'she muttered,her eyes on the strangers,'said it,Gaston?Iheard it.What did it mean?'
'What you heard,madame,'I answered,with an attempt at gaiety,though the tears stood in my eyes,'was,doubtless,mademoiselle here scolding our guide from Tours,who demanded three times the proper POURBOIRE.The impudent rascal deserved all that was said to him,I assure you.'
'Was that it?'she murmured doubtfully.
'That must have been what you heard,madame,'I answered,as if Ifelt no doubt.
She fell back with a sigh of relief,and a little colour came into her wan face.But her eyes still dwelt curiously,and with apprehension,on mademoiselle,who stood looking sullenly into the fire;and seeing this my heart misgave me sorely that I had done a foolish thing in bringing the girl there.I foresaw a hundred questions which would be asked,and a hundred complications which must ensue,and felt already the blush of shame mounting to my cheek.
'Who is that?'my mother asked softly.'I am ill.She must excuse me.'She pointed with her fragile finger to my companions.
I rose,and still keeping her hand in mine,turned so as to face the hearth.'This,madame,'I answered formally,'is Mademoiselle--,but her name I will commit to you later,and in private.Suffice it to say that she is a lady of rank,who has been committed to my charge by a high personage.'
'A high personage?'my mother repeated gently,glancing at me with a smile of gratification.
'One of the highest,'I said,'Such a charge being a great honour to me,I felt that I could not better execute it madame,since we must lie in Blois one night,than by requesting your hospitality on her behalf.'
I dared mademoiselle as I spoke--I dared her with my eye to contradict or interrupt me.For answer,she looked at me once,inclining her head a little,and gazing at us from under her long eyelashes.Then she turned back to the fire,and her foot resumed its angry tapping on the floor.
'I regret that I cannot receive her better,'my mother answered feebly.'I have had losses of late.I--but I will speak of that at another time.Mademoiselle doubtless knows,'she continued with dignity,'you and your position in the south too well to think ill of the momentary straits to which she finds me reduced.'
I saw mademoiselle start,and I writhed under the glance of covert scorn,of amazed indignation,which she shot at me.But my mother gently patting my hand,I answered patiently,'Mademoiselle will think only what is kind,madame--of that I am assured.And lodgings are scarce to-night in Blois.'
'But tell me of yourself,Gaston,'my mother cried eagerly;and Ihad not the heart,with her touch on my hand,her eyes on my face,to tear myself away,much as I dreaded what was coming,and longed to end the scene.'Tell me of yourself.You are still in favour with the king of --I will not name him here?'
'Still,madame,'I answered,looking steadily at mademoiselle,though my face burned.
'You are still--he consults you,Gaston?'
'Still,madame.'
My mother heaved a happy sigh,and sank lower in the bed.'And your employments?'she murmured,her voice trembling with gratification.'They have not been reduced?You still retain them,Gaston?'
'Still,madame,'I answered,the perspiration standing on my brow,my shame almost more than I could bear.
'Twelve thousand livres a year,I think?'
'The same,madame.'
'And your establishment?How many do you keep now?Your valet,of course?And lackeys--how many at present?'She glanced,with an eye of pride,while she waited for my answer,first at the two silent figures by the fire,then at the poverty-stricken room;as if the sight of its bareness heightened for her the joy of my prosperity.
She had no suspicion of my trouble,my misery,or that the last question almost filled the cup too full.Hitherto all had been easy,but this seemed to choke me.I stammered and lost my voice.Mademoiselle,her head bowed,was gazing into the fire.
